WIP Wednesday: Busy Bees and Awkward Beginnings

Did you ever have a week where you're running around, busy as can be, but nothing actually gets done?  That's how this past week has been.

It started out productive enough. Remember that pink little blankie I was working on last week? I tackled the border and got it done and listed in the shop. I was pretty darn happy with it! The edging ruffles out a bit, and I think it works...

 

So, see? I was off and running! And then BOOM!, the chaos began. Oh, there were birthdays and doctor appointments and temper tantrums and last-minute trips out of town and a really messy house and...well, you get the picture, I'm sure.

And with all of that crazy stuff going on, nothing really got done.

Wait. That's not completely right. A few little things did get accomplished...

Like shopping! Because when your birthday hits and you can suddenly count the years of your life in decades (DECADES, people. Ugh.), it's appropriate to indulge. Don't you think?

I hit the local antique shop first.

And the craft store second.

Which is all sorts of awesome because I totally need cake and a new afghan for the couch, right? Right. And, speaking of new afghans, I started another little one.

(Just when you were beginning to think there would be no WIP in this WIP post. Psh.)

It's just like the pink ruffle, but yellow.  Nothing earth shattering and new, I'm afraid. But I love the color. It's all sorts of springtime, lemon chiffon, airy-as-can-be yellow goodness. It makes me want to throw open the windows and hear the birds sing. Yes, it's that good!

But I'm a bit reluctant to post a picture of it. You see, my new little blankie is suffering from a bout of 'new blanket awkward'. When a blanket is nearing completion, it generally has that pulled together, plush and pretty look to it. But starting out - only a few rows in - new blankets tend to look toothy and sparse.

 

See what I mean?

But like any proud mama, I see potential. And I'm going to keep plugging away.  Now that the craziness of the past week is (hopefully) settled behind me, I'm totally looking forward to kicking back and crocheting away.

And maybe sneaking in a nap.

Do You Sew?

So, I sew.

By this, I mean, I have a sewing machine. And I've used it a few times. Oh, and it's pink! See?

So yeah, I sew.  *nods head emphatically*

But, to be completely honest with you, I really don't LOVE to sew. I'm self taught and have had some major trial and error situations that have left me feeling...unsure of myself? And stressed out. And maybe even resenting that sewing machine a bit.

Yes. Yes, that sounds about right. All of that.

So I've shelved my pretty pink sewing machine for the most part. I still do little projects here and there. But they've become few and far between.

I'm happy to crochet. It's relaxing and has kept me nice and toasty warm during this past few brutal winter months. But there are times when I kind of miss my sewing machine and the quick projects. The tote bags and throw pillow covers and little stuffed bunnies...

...and I'm tempted to try again. Pull out the sewing machine, learn how to fix the mistakes, feel confident in what I'm creating and love the process. I want to use my sewing machine, darn it, without wanting to pull my hair out!

My daughter found a fox pillow on Pinterest that she wants, like, right this very second (of course!) and maybe I'll try to relax and have fun with the pink machine of doom. *sigh*

So, maybe. Maybe I'll try again. (Wish me luck!)

WIP Wednesday: How Much Pink is Too Much Pink?

I have to say, of all the colors on the spectrum, I'm always drawn to pink.

Rose, bubblegum, pastel, hot pink - any pink is good pink!

So, it probably comes as no surprise that my latest WIP (work in progress) is...well, yeah, pink. (A real shocker there, right?)  'Antique Rose' to be exact. It's also soft and lovely.  And totally perfect with Valentine's Day just around the corner.

Like how I justify my pink obsession?

Anyway, all of these stitches will turn into a very girly baby blanket. Well, that's if I get on task and finish.  It's hard to avoid distraction...

What could possibly distract me? Um, the mountain of yarn I just so happen to have on hand.  I may have overindulged last time yarn was on sale. Oops!

But who was I to walk away from all of these pretty springtime colors? And let me repeat: Sale. All these goodies were on sale. How could I not buy them up?

Again with the justification. I'm getting pretty good at that ;)

Ripples, Chevrons & Waves

I have ripples on the brain. They've consumed me for weeks now.  They're all I think about! Sad? Maybe. But true, nonetheless.  I refuse to think about what that says about me...

See, it all started a few weeks ago. I was trolling Pinterest in the wee small hours, searching for something new and creative and fun to crochet...and I kept running into ripple patterns. Boring, old ripples. Some traditional, some modified versions, some titled 'chevron' or 'waves', but all the same concept - ripple. *sigh*

Fast forward a few days. I need yarn. (Of course I need yarn! Duh.)  And I'm standing in the craft store, staring blankly at mountains of colors and fibers and all things hooky.  Now, while I'd love to buy it all, I'm stumped because even though I NEED yarn, I really have no project in mind.

Let me tell you, buying yarn with no project in mind is far more intimidating than it sounds.

My hubby is tapping his foot and I'm starting to sweat. (Why do they keep these stores so warm anyway? And why did I let my husband tag along? These questions plague me, I tell you.) I need to make a decision and pick out some coordinating colors because, darn it, I'm so not leaving empty handed.

And that's when it hit me. I needed to crochet a ripple blanket. I mean, after all, the patterns are everywhere!  So I found a few patterns that I liked, merged and modified, and got to work.

I finished my first blanket rather quickly, since it was kid-sized and worked up like a dream. And before I knew it, a second blanket was on my hook and looking fantastic. Which meant another trip to the craft store. And more yarn.

So now I have a few done and a few more to do...and I really do think I'm obsessed with this darn ripple pattern. This boring, old ripple pattern :)