The August Break - Day 11

We're 11 days into August. Found out about The August Break a couple days ago. I've been meaning to get around to it.

Day 11 picture isn't something recent, 

but I did unearth it recently while at my parent's house this past weekend...

Uelita crocheting a dress for my sister

This is a picture of my Great-Grandma. I called her Uelita, which is short for  "Abuelita" (meaning Grandma in Spanish.) I was about 8 when this picture was taken. She didn't teach me how to crochet;  that - I ended teaching myself 20 years later. She was a beautiful woman. Always put together, no matter the occasion. Plus, she was one hell of a cook. I was very young when she passed away, but I have beautiful memories of her.

(Photo edited with picnik.com)

Calgon, Take Me Away

As much as I love knitting, crocheting, sewing, making stitch markers, I have to put it on hiatus -or at least, pull back the reigns.

There are things going on at home, details I won't bore you with. I think with my obsession with creating things with my hands, Other areas of my life have suffered because of it. This won't be easy for me.Unfortunately, It even involves shutting down my Etsy shop [Ok - notsomuch shutting it down, Just putting it on Vacation for an unknown period of time]

This really makes me sad. Very sad, in fact. However, I haven't found the balance between my personal life and my creative life. When one thrives, the other one suffers. It's heartbreaking, really - but sadly, it's my creative side that needs to be turned off for awhile.

So, Spread the word around that my shop will be on Vacation starting Monday, April 11, and that as of right now - everything in the shop has been marked down 25%.

http://etsy.com/shop/fal00la

"L" is for the way you look at me ...

That's it! I'm in love with my newest crocheted giraffes! How could you not be?!

 All this cuteness is almost too much to handle. It's almost a shame
I'll be mailing them out soon. Thankfully, I have enough yarn
to crank out a couple more. Both boys have been angry at me, because I wasn't allowing them to play with the giraffes.
What a mean Mommy I am. How dare I not let them play with toys. Curses!

Most people know I've been in a funk. It's a lot of the impending doom of Christmas. Which really, is an odd new feeling for me. Usually, I love this time of year.
I've also been struggling to find a sense of identity when it comes to the things that I make and sell. Any bum with a few dollars can do what I do, but I want the things I make to be mine. I want the pleasure of knowing that the stuff I create, came from the chocolate waterfall that makes my brain churn. I see the Etsy shops of people I know, and their things are AH-MAZING. I think

to myself, "I wish I could do that".
I CAN! I can do it.
I know I can. I've been lacking  self confidence. A good friend today told me, "chin up sweetie! the confidence is key... you'll find it."


Yesterday, I think I hit a turning point. I've been trying to brainstorm at any chance I get, to come up with a good idea of a thing or things I can sell in my Etsy shop year round. I don't think knit and crochet hats will fly in the dead heat of late July-Early August.
Amazingly, while doing the dishes, my muse woke from whatever nap she was taking, and threw 4 great ideas at me.
Got online and did a bit of research to see how many other people were making the things I'd come up with. Out of the four ideas, only one was being made by other people.
I really do with I could share these things with you right now, because they are pretty awesome ideas. For my own sake, I'm keeping these secret until I post them on Etsy. So, sit tight and keep your eyes peeled for some awesomeness!!

Since you took the time to read this blog post, I'm going to do something a  little special for you. During this month of December, I'm having a sale in my Etsy shop for 25% off everything.
You, being the dedicated reader you are, can take an extra 10% off!!  That's right. 35% off everything in the store. Just make sure you use the coupon BLOG35 at checkout.

Thanks for reading, and Happy Crafting!

It's a Hoot - Part deux!

Attempt #2 at making an owl ornament turned out my much better. It's closer to bulb size than the other grapefruit sized monster.

It's a Hoot

I wanted to crochet several Christmas ornaments. You know, for family members and a few other people. I got started one, and come to find out, my gauge was WAAAAAY off.

                                                     The first one came out nice, but....

                      ...It's HUGE! Here it is next to a roll of toilet paper. You get the idea of the magnitude
                        of this beast. Hopefully next time, it will come out closer to the intended size.

Well, That's all for now. Back to the grind stone!

Chain, Chain, Chain : Chain of fools

I like making beanies. Really, I do. I like knitting them. I think I'm a little to "heavy handed" when it comes to crocheting beanies. They end up being like helmets instead of malleable head-wear. Maybe I just haven't found the right yarn.

Any-hoo. Working on a things at the moment.

-Toddler Boy Beanie ( A little basket stitch number)
-Newborn Boy Beanie (Striped- Made me think of Dr. Seuss)  
-Earrings
- A great big crochet unicorn.

This unicorn, is awesome. I made one several months ago. My friend Leslie asked me to make one for her Mom, who collects unicorns. Found a pattern I thought was cute, and ZOOM.... I was off.
Now, What I didn't anticipate what the finished size of the unicorn. If she had size listed in the pattern, I didn't see it.
I have a picture I need to dig up to show you this, but a finished leg is approximately 1.75 soda cans high. Another way of looking at it would be, it's the size of a Smurf. Who, for those of you who remember, is 3 apples tall. Of course, they never said what kind of apples they were, but for arguments' sake, we'll assume Red Delicious.

I can show you some finished pics of the finished unicorn.

She's pretty, ain't she?

If you want to give it a go, and make one yourself, here's a link to the pattern : Horse/Unicorn Pattern

I don't have any pics of the current WIP, but once I take some, I'll post 'em.

Until next time!
Happy Crafting! :D