Hobby Invader...

.......life! 

Something has been invading my hobby time lately and that something is called life.

Hubby was off work for four days with the Labor Day holiday, so our schedule got a bit disheveled.  With that in mind, yesterday was "catch-up" day around the house. 

Dear son and I did enjoy a nice walk this morning.  It is a beautiful day with clear blue skies, nice breeze blowing through the trees, and temps in the low 80's.  I have the windows open and am hoping the cooler weather is here to stay. 

I haven't had much time lately to work on my Moorish Mosaic Afghan.  I have one more round of border to complete it.  Then, all that is left is to weave in the loose ends.  Once I'm able to do those things, I'll get some pictures posted.  I just seem to run out of steam when hobby time comes my way.  The afghan is very bold and different.  I like to call it "artsy".   

Joy in real life even if it does steal away some of my "hobby" time.

HDP

Good Progress

I did get an opportunity yesterday to do a little work on the Moorish Mosaic Afghan. 

I have all the shapes laid out on the bed in the spare bedroom and have taken a little time, here and there, to work on "sewing" all the pieces together. 

Lately, I've been using the slip stitch method for joining my motifs.  This way seems to go more quickly for me vs. the whip stitch method.  I have one side seamed and a portion of another side started. 

Joy in a little progress! 

HDP

It was a Crochet Day...

...well, afternoon anyway.

Yesterday was another beautiful day in my neighborhood.  We had a light breeze blowing, sunny skies and low humidity.  My son and I took advantage of it and spent the afternoon outdoors.

For the majority of the time, I was able to relax and crochet while my son played.  He loves to dig holes in the ground with his child-size trowel and show me his hard work.  I don't mind, and just steer him away from my perennials.

I was able to complete seven triangles for my Moorish Mosaic.  I'm very excited about that, and hope to have the rest of them complete by the end of the weekend.  I was also able to play around a little with an idea I have for an afghan design.  It's still in it's infancy stages.  I have the idea in my head, it's getting it transferred to yarn and then respectively onto paper that is the harder part.  But, I'm working on it and having fun!

We usually head into the house in the afternoon around 3ish so I can fix dinner.  But, I had purchased a London Broil on sale at Krogers that morning, so we grilled out that and I fixed a salad.  With that in mind, we were able to stay out longer and enjoy more time outside.

Joy is a peaceful, easygoing afternoon!

HDP

Outdoor Deck Kind of Afternoon

Yesterday afternoon, after my son and I had lunch, we headed out to enjoy the weather.

It was a beautiful day temperature-wise with a light breeze blowing.  My son played in his sandbox while I sat at our wrought iron table and crocheted.

I've picked up where I left off on my Moorish Mosaic #2.  I have six squares left to complete, then on to the triangles that fill in the gaps on the outer edge of the blanket.  The colors in the blanket are very woodsy and earthy.  They remind me of a lot of my colorful Croton that I have outdoors on the deck. 

I love being outside on these types of days and being able to crochet at the same time is doubly good.

Joy in being able to get outside and enjoy some beautiful weather!

HDP

Crochet Time in My New Nook

I was able to enjoy a little crochet time today in my new nook.  I prepared a nice iced coffee; one tablespoon of sugar, and two tablespoons of half-n-half (I like a little coffee with my cream).  I gathered together my project, tools of the trade, and sat down to enjoy a little crochet "me" time.  Heavy sigh........now this, is the good life!

Pebbles, our 11 year old fat cat, decided to join me in the quiet of "the nook" and kept me company as my son played nicely with his floor puzzles. 

I've made some good progress on my MM#2, as I affectionately call her.  I have 19 octagons complete to date and should be able to start on number 20 later today.  I am hoping to complete all 30 octagons by the end of August.  And, if my days allow, perhaps a good portion of the squares and triangles the pattern calls for as well.

 Joy for the day is in my crochet!

HDP

Autumn Moorish Mosaic Afghan Update

This past week, I've been working fairly consistently on my second Moorish Mosaic Afghan.  The colors are starting to remind me of autumn, the change in season, and what will soon be much cooler weather.

At this stage, it is hard to envision what the completed afghan will look like; the colors seem haphazard with no thought.  But I can assure you, that in the end, the mosaic of colors in each octagon will play off each other pulling the completed project all together. 

My joy is in watching my project progress with each new colorful octagon. 

HDP

Moorish Mosaic Afghan

I think I'm officially a crochet nut (as if there was ever a doubt).  But I've decided to start on another project and work on it along side the baby blanket I wrote about last week.  This afghan takes quite a bit of concentration.  It requires a lot of color changes and eventually turning a small circle into various shapes until it reaches it's final metamorphose as an octagon.  The pattern is called Moorish Mosaic Afghan and can be found in Interweave Crochet Fall 2009 issue.  I believe the magazine is out of print, but if you go to their website, it is my understanding, that you can download the pattern for a small fee.

Now, I'm no stranger to this pattern as I did make one earlier in the year in browns, blues and grays (see below).  I originally started making the first one to give as a wedding present, but decided it was too artsy to give as a gift to the particular couple.  So, we use it in our family room when we watch TV. 

 I hadn't intended on making another one of these for a while, but one of the on-line groups I belong to decided to do a CAL (Crochet Along) with this pattern so I thought I'd join in.  I also have a family in mind that I'd like to give the latest one to and have based my colors on a picture of their rug (yarn colors below).

I'll be using Vanna's Choice yarn, which is a very plush 100% acrylic yarn.  I really like using this brand of yarn and it can be machine wash and dried, which I think is important.  As a bonus, using acrylic yarn tends to keep the cost of a project down versus a wool or wool blend which can cost quite a bit more.  

So, as you can see, I'm going to be a happy camper (crocheter) for a good two - three months; or a good little piece of time anyway.  Joy for today is in the crochet!