It's been awhile hasn't it? A lot happened since May. I got a new job, that I commute to. My Dad died during one very dramatic and painful Sunday in June. Then in October, not only to help my mom pay bills, but so Grandma wouldn't have to live alone anymore, she and I moved in with Mom and Erica, my sister. It's a three bedroom house. I sleep in the living room. But we are dealing with it all and seem to be adjusting.
I haven't done much of anything the past 7 months, except work. Not a lot of writing or crafting, though I manage to get a little in. I don't even get to see people very much, people as in friends, rather than acquaintances. But i am trying to get back in the groove.
I am writing in short bursts, carrying notepaper folded in my pocket during work hours, scribbling bits during breaks. Its not as much as I was doing before last June, but I'll get there.
ANd I found another charity to craft for. It's called The Preemie Project, I really liked making the preemie hats for Save the Children on 06' so I thought I would do it again. If nothing else, it may keep me from wallowing in my own grief and do something for someone with more immediate problems.
So I am back and plan on once again chronicling my life, whether or not anyone is around to read it.
Blessings to all,
Agate
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
A quick update
I tried doing a post a couple weeks ago about a purse I made for my mom, but for some reason I am having issues with the pictures. So for now, no pics, but I have been crocheting.
I made the purse for my mom from Lion Suede yarn in Mocha and Patons Brilliant in Gold Glow. I added some gold cloissonne beads and a magnatic clasp. There are also three flowers made from the gold glow. Its real pretty so I hope I'll be able to fix the picture problem and show you. I also made a skinny scarf for her out of the leftover yarn. I still need to add beads to it, but the crocheting is finished. And though the weather is wrong for it now, I used some novelty yarns, Bernat Bling-Bling in a blue color and Bernat Boa in white, to make a scarf for her. The blue is done in granny squares and edged with the boa. My mom likes the furry, fluffy scarves and requested a wider one than the others I have made for her. The scarves are part of her Mother's Day gift this year.
I made a goddess shaped doll, amigurumi style, but I'm not sure I like it, so it needs to be redesigned. Maybe I'll post a picture of it as a before to the finished design.
I bought an xxl man's shirt in a pretty aqua-blue color. I crocheted a flowered trim in brown Cool Crochet yarn and made a v neck for it (I hate those tight collars) I did a few other alterations. I haven't taken a picture of it yet.
I bought the above T-shirt because it matches the blue yarn I am making a shawl out of. I am also using a variegated brown and blue yarn I am using. It's not near done yet, but I was working on it last night.
Well, that's it for now. I'll try to get pictures posted next time, I just didn't feel like messing with it today.
Blessings
Agate
I made the purse for my mom from Lion Suede yarn in Mocha and Patons Brilliant in Gold Glow. I added some gold cloissonne beads and a magnatic clasp. There are also three flowers made from the gold glow. Its real pretty so I hope I'll be able to fix the picture problem and show you. I also made a skinny scarf for her out of the leftover yarn. I still need to add beads to it, but the crocheting is finished. And though the weather is wrong for it now, I used some novelty yarns, Bernat Bling-Bling in a blue color and Bernat Boa in white, to make a scarf for her. The blue is done in granny squares and edged with the boa. My mom likes the furry, fluffy scarves and requested a wider one than the others I have made for her. The scarves are part of her Mother's Day gift this year.
I made a goddess shaped doll, amigurumi style, but I'm not sure I like it, so it needs to be redesigned. Maybe I'll post a picture of it as a before to the finished design.
I bought an xxl man's shirt in a pretty aqua-blue color. I crocheted a flowered trim in brown Cool Crochet yarn and made a v neck for it (I hate those tight collars) I did a few other alterations. I haven't taken a picture of it yet.
I bought the above T-shirt because it matches the blue yarn I am making a shawl out of. I am also using a variegated brown and blue yarn I am using. It's not near done yet, but I was working on it last night.
Well, that's it for now. I'll try to get pictures posted next time, I just didn't feel like messing with it today.
Blessings
Agate
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
I'm an inspiration
Okay, so Grandma's flower garden is an ispiration, but hey, I'll go with it. On the Granny Along blog, in My Copycat Square, Sherri really liked my flower garden square and is mimicking it. It's not exact because she is using the regular square center instead of the eight armed one I did, but I'm still just giddy and honored. I love it when people like my stuff.
Blessings,
Agate
Blessings,
Agate
Sunday, April 15, 2007
It is done!!!
It is finished. It took me until five minutes before I gave it to her to do it, but it is done. A few things before I show you the pictures. The yellow is really a pale baby yellow, not the orangey color I see on my screen. The light green isn't so yellow, its like the green of new leaves, and that isn't black, it's dark green.
This isn't the best picture of it, but it is the only complete view I managed to get. This one looks better.
Most of the blanket is done in basic Red Heart acrylic, and old acrylic at that, ten or more years old, so some of it has that crunchy feel. So I did the border in softer yarns. (Remember: I am working from my stash and couldn't afford to buy anything else, and it had to be washable anyway) I used a K hook for the squares, and an L hook for the border, creating a wavy and soft edge. The first row is TLC, the second row is a pale yellow Baby Teri (Red Heart, and the outer edge is white Baby Teri.
I wanted to add lots of flowers to it, but since I ran out of time (if my hands hadn't bothered me for that week I could have) but I did add a few. Along the edge of the blanket (before the border) I placed small flowers where three squares come together and reinforced those corners. Then on the four corners of a large center square (formed by four smaller squares) I placed the four larger flowers. Then in the center are three small flowers in a cluster.
I was very pleased with how it turned out. Grandma always complains when we get her things because she doesn't think she needs anything, so when she started opening the bag, she was also starting to complain. She stopped in mid complaint, smiled and said "Oooh". Then she spread it over her and hugged it. It was the best reaction I could ever get. Last I saw it, it was on her bed, hope it stays there because with her memory she'll forget about it if it gets put in the closet (for example the quilt I made for her a few years ago)
My tax money came, not a lot, but considering I haven't had any extra money for months, it was a windfall. I went to Sacramento to hang with Kindra. We went to Barnes and Noble and Michaels this is what I got.
Ah, new crochet magazines to look at and a ball of pretty yarn. The yarn is Patons Rumor in Spanish Heather. It is an Alpaca, acrylic, and polyester mix that is dark grey and a red that ranges from burgandy to bright red to a dark rose. Kindra was talking about making a hat from the Interweave Crochet magazine. She'll have to make it little bigger because regular size hats are always just a tad too small and she wants a new spring hat. I might turn the Rumor into a hat as well, maybe something a little lacy. The yarn is thick and dark and not what most people consider "springy", but I like dark muted colors and I wear a lot of black and red (and not just at work) so I am looking forward to creating a new hat. I don't do a lot things from the patterns in magazines, mostly because I have trouble getting my swatch to match theirs, but there were a couple shirt patterns I liked that I think I'll try. You'll know if I do.
Blessings,
Agate
This isn't the best picture of it, but it is the only complete view I managed to get. This one looks better.
Most of the blanket is done in basic Red Heart acrylic, and old acrylic at that, ten or more years old, so some of it has that crunchy feel. So I did the border in softer yarns. (Remember: I am working from my stash and couldn't afford to buy anything else, and it had to be washable anyway) I used a K hook for the squares, and an L hook for the border, creating a wavy and soft edge. The first row is TLC, the second row is a pale yellow Baby Teri (Red Heart, and the outer edge is white Baby Teri.
I wanted to add lots of flowers to it, but since I ran out of time (if my hands hadn't bothered me for that week I could have) but I did add a few. Along the edge of the blanket (before the border) I placed small flowers where three squares come together and reinforced those corners. Then on the four corners of a large center square (formed by four smaller squares) I placed the four larger flowers. Then in the center are three small flowers in a cluster.
I was very pleased with how it turned out. Grandma always complains when we get her things because she doesn't think she needs anything, so when she started opening the bag, she was also starting to complain. She stopped in mid complaint, smiled and said "Oooh". Then she spread it over her and hugged it. It was the best reaction I could ever get. Last I saw it, it was on her bed, hope it stays there because with her memory she'll forget about it if it gets put in the closet (for example the quilt I made for her a few years ago)
My tax money came, not a lot, but considering I haven't had any extra money for months, it was a windfall. I went to Sacramento to hang with Kindra. We went to Barnes and Noble and Michaels this is what I got.
Ah, new crochet magazines to look at and a ball of pretty yarn. The yarn is Patons Rumor in Spanish Heather. It is an Alpaca, acrylic, and polyester mix that is dark grey and a red that ranges from burgandy to bright red to a dark rose. Kindra was talking about making a hat from the Interweave Crochet magazine. She'll have to make it little bigger because regular size hats are always just a tad too small and she wants a new spring hat. I might turn the Rumor into a hat as well, maybe something a little lacy. The yarn is thick and dark and not what most people consider "springy", but I like dark muted colors and I wear a lot of black and red (and not just at work) so I am looking forward to creating a new hat. I don't do a lot things from the patterns in magazines, mostly because I have trouble getting my swatch to match theirs, but there were a couple shirt patterns I liked that I think I'll try. You'll know if I do.
Blessings,
Agate
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Racing to the finish
I am in a rush to finish Grandma's blanket. No, I did not procratinate. I have problems with my hands and my back. I think I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (I don't know this for sure because when I went to my doctor to find out, he told me I didn't have AIDS. Yeah, it was a terribly helpful trip. I knew I didn't have AIDS, I still don't know for sure if I have CTS) and when I fell down at work about a year and half ago, I hurt some part of my back that when it has problems, makes my hands hurt even worse than the CTS. Well, by the end of Wednesday's crocheting my right forefinger was begining to go numb at the tips. So I put away the crochet, iced my wrists and put on my braces. That usually eases the CTS syptoms. Not this time. The numbness began to extend down the side of my forefinger and got overly sensitive (I know it sounds weird, but the sensation is a mix of numbness and pain, sort of like pins and needles, but a little different). Since nothing helped, I figured it was because of my back, which I can do very little about. So, I had to not crochet for awhile because it hurt too much. I also took it easy at work, which is the general cause of my back having problems.
Well, the effort at work helped and I can crochet again. So it's frantic time for the blanket because I have about a week left to finish.
The pic shows the four finished squares I had last night, but I have finished five more while on the Interent this morning (yes, my computer and hook up is that slow). I started on a sixth, but my fingers are a little achy so I am resting for a little while. It does mean however, I will be working on them at Grandma's, even though I did not want to do that. I decided not to do the beige yarn around the bright green (which is brighter than the picture shows and that dark row is dark green not black, I couldn't improve the color in the pic) I didn't like the way the beige looked next to the yellow. I've decided the bright green is okay because if you go outside with the new growth on trees and bushes, the new stuff is the same bright green next to the same dark green. So it works just fine.
I also finally made something with my handspun yarn. It's a little wrist bag. The strap buttons to the purse at one end so I can also wear it from my belt loop. I also still have yarn left, so Kindra, who was upset when I told her that she didn't get the first item made from my new yarn, will get a similar bag, sans the beads though, I don't have enought left.
I thought I'd show you the candle cozy I made a few years ago.
This was for a spring celebration Kindra and I did. It is spiderweb lace with flowers and leaves attached. The yellow cord hanging down is actually the tie that laces up the back of the cozy so it can go around even wider candles. Pretty huh?. Lots of work though, I am not used to crochet thread projects.
Blessings,
Agate
Well, the effort at work helped and I can crochet again. So it's frantic time for the blanket because I have about a week left to finish.
The pic shows the four finished squares I had last night, but I have finished five more while on the Interent this morning (yes, my computer and hook up is that slow). I started on a sixth, but my fingers are a little achy so I am resting for a little while. It does mean however, I will be working on them at Grandma's, even though I did not want to do that. I decided not to do the beige yarn around the bright green (which is brighter than the picture shows and that dark row is dark green not black, I couldn't improve the color in the pic) I didn't like the way the beige looked next to the yellow. I've decided the bright green is okay because if you go outside with the new growth on trees and bushes, the new stuff is the same bright green next to the same dark green. So it works just fine.
I also finally made something with my handspun yarn. It's a little wrist bag. The strap buttons to the purse at one end so I can also wear it from my belt loop. I also still have yarn left, so Kindra, who was upset when I told her that she didn't get the first item made from my new yarn, will get a similar bag, sans the beads though, I don't have enought left.
I thought I'd show you the candle cozy I made a few years ago.
This was for a spring celebration Kindra and I did. It is spiderweb lace with flowers and leaves attached. The yellow cord hanging down is actually the tie that laces up the back of the cozy so it can go around even wider candles. Pretty huh?. Lots of work though, I am not used to crochet thread projects.
Blessings,
Agate
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
I've got a peeve and a new project
Yes, there is something that has really started to bother me online. I haven't experienced it here, but I find them often in the comment sections of blogs and articles:
Messages from stupid people called Anonymous.
Now first off, the idea that you can't disagree with someone without acting like a nasty little 12 year old is ridiculous. Since when is it okay to be derisive and condescending just because you have a different thought on a subject, or you don't like something someone has made or written. And anyway, why do you even need to say it at all? Do these Anonymous people really have such a high opinion of themselves that their thoughts (expressed with all of the intelligence of a middle school bully) really matter or will make a difference? Or do they have such a small life that they need to make someone else feel like a piece of crap?
But perhaps the stupidest part of a message from Anonymous, is the Anonymous part. What is up with not having the balls to leave a name? It certainly doesn't add to their credibility, I mean who is going to take anything seriously from someone who is afraid to state their name.
Whatever happened to "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"? Or do some people people think that only applies to kids? If they need to express a negative opinion is it really necessary to add name calling into the mix? What is it about the Internet that makes people think this is an okay way to act? You know they wouldn't say it to someone's face, they'd be lucky to walk away without a black eye, right?
Anonymous tends to bring the level of a conversation down by at least fifty I.Q. points on a good day, and the last thing any of us need is interaction with deliberately stupid people.
Okay, rant over. Like I said, it hasn't happened on my blog, I've just read way too many nasty comments by people who can't even leave an online name let alone their real one; whose only purpose seems to be to make someone else feel bad rather than have a discussion on opposing views.
Oh, now the important part. No pic, but Grandma Alma's birthday is April 12th and I've started a blanket for her. I'm calling it Grandma's flower garden. It will be in granny squares, but the center of each square looks like a flower and will be in multiple colors, then green for the second rounds (I have two greens I can use). The third row will be white or beige (one of the greens is really bright and I'm hoping the light beige will tone it down), then yellow, then white on the next two rounds. The very last round will be SC in yellow. I'm using stuff from my stash and my sister gave me a whole lot of yellow and white. I'm sewing the aquares together on point and then doing a ripple border around the edges. It's all acrylic, and not real soft acrylic, but my grandma has to be able to wash it without special instructions because her memory is very bad, so even if I could afford to buy more yarn, I'd still have to get acrylic, though I'd probably choose some softer stuff. But since Target is still dealing out hours at work with an eye dropper, I have to use the stash.
I've got all the centers crocheted, and am working on the green rows. There are 24 large squares. If I don't procrastinate too much I should be able to get it done in time. Only problem is, I do most of my crocheting while I'm with her in the evening and I can't work on it when I'm with her. I have done it before, but I don't like lying to her about who I'm making it for.
Blessings,
Agate
Messages from stupid people called Anonymous.
Now first off, the idea that you can't disagree with someone without acting like a nasty little 12 year old is ridiculous. Since when is it okay to be derisive and condescending just because you have a different thought on a subject, or you don't like something someone has made or written. And anyway, why do you even need to say it at all? Do these Anonymous people really have such a high opinion of themselves that their thoughts (expressed with all of the intelligence of a middle school bully) really matter or will make a difference? Or do they have such a small life that they need to make someone else feel like a piece of crap?
But perhaps the stupidest part of a message from Anonymous, is the Anonymous part. What is up with not having the balls to leave a name? It certainly doesn't add to their credibility, I mean who is going to take anything seriously from someone who is afraid to state their name.
Whatever happened to "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"? Or do some people people think that only applies to kids? If they need to express a negative opinion is it really necessary to add name calling into the mix? What is it about the Internet that makes people think this is an okay way to act? You know they wouldn't say it to someone's face, they'd be lucky to walk away without a black eye, right?
Anonymous tends to bring the level of a conversation down by at least fifty I.Q. points on a good day, and the last thing any of us need is interaction with deliberately stupid people.
Okay, rant over. Like I said, it hasn't happened on my blog, I've just read way too many nasty comments by people who can't even leave an online name let alone their real one; whose only purpose seems to be to make someone else feel bad rather than have a discussion on opposing views.
Oh, now the important part. No pic, but Grandma Alma's birthday is April 12th and I've started a blanket for her. I'm calling it Grandma's flower garden. It will be in granny squares, but the center of each square looks like a flower and will be in multiple colors, then green for the second rounds (I have two greens I can use). The third row will be white or beige (one of the greens is really bright and I'm hoping the light beige will tone it down), then yellow, then white on the next two rounds. The very last round will be SC in yellow. I'm using stuff from my stash and my sister gave me a whole lot of yellow and white. I'm sewing the aquares together on point and then doing a ripple border around the edges. It's all acrylic, and not real soft acrylic, but my grandma has to be able to wash it without special instructions because her memory is very bad, so even if I could afford to buy more yarn, I'd still have to get acrylic, though I'd probably choose some softer stuff. But since Target is still dealing out hours at work with an eye dropper, I have to use the stash.
I've got all the centers crocheted, and am working on the green rows. There are 24 large squares. If I don't procrastinate too much I should be able to get it done in time. Only problem is, I do most of my crocheting while I'm with her in the evening and I can't work on it when I'm with her. I have done it before, but I don't like lying to her about who I'm making it for.
Blessings,
Agate
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Look what I did
For Christmas last year my best friend< Kindra, bought me four batts of roving and a drop spindle. This wasn't a surprise because she knows nothing about these things and had to ask me for the names of what she was supposed to buy. But she went to a lot of trouble for it because the only store I know that sells roving and spindles in Sacramento is called Rumplestilskins and it is located in downtown Sac (that isn't saying that there aren't more, I just don't know of them). Kindra hates driving downtown, it is very busy with cars and since it's the original part of the city the streets are all small and one way, but she did brave them. Then she went into the store, pointed at something and said, that's a spindle. When the clerk said yes, Kindra was very happy, she may have clapped and jumped up and down. She was nearly ecstatic when she got roving right as well.
However, she thinks I am a crafting genius and either figured I knew how already or had instructions so she didn't get me a book. I finally checked a couple books out of the library and spent Thursday spinning after work.
I can't tell you how many wraps per inch it is because it it ranges from lace weight to worsted (it is after all my first skein), but I am so stoked. I did have a few issues with it. The book says to attach a leader yarn and spin clockwise. Didn't have trouble attaching the yarn to the roving, but I had a dickens of a time trying to get it to spin, the leader yarn just kinked up. It was spun the other direction, and I couldn't figure out how to fix it. Turns out my leader yarn was two-ply, and plied yarn is spun counter-clockwise. I also wasn't sure if I was supposed to soak it. My books are about spinning fresh off the sheep yarn that still has lanolin in it and might be dirty. My roving was clean and dyed. So I soaked it once for a little while and right now it is hanging in my bathroom on a bent hanger, drying. Don't know what I'll do with it, but I am considering a few possibilities. I actually saved the last strip of roving to spin when I went to Grandma's apartment so I could show her how I did it. I was so excited that I took the whole spindle to work to show off to some friends, and then to my mom's for her and my sister to see.
Plus, I still have three more batts to spin. I am thinking that if I decide to do it more often and in larger amounts I might have to get a small wheel of some sort. It was hard on my carpel-tunneled wrists and hands to use the drop spindle, but I still had fun. I want to do more kinds of fibers besides wool. Hmmm, wonder how Xander would get along with a big fluffy angora rabbit...
Blessings,
Agate
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