Mystery Craftiness

I'm participating in Sarah London's Mystery Christmas Crochet Project. I am almost finished with my green grannies. Today she posted instructions for Part 2. Looks like snow to me. I have an idea as to what the project may be but I'll refrain for now. If you haven't joined in, its to too late.

Another Scarf

Crochet Scarf from Vintage Lace Pattern
Originally uploaded by diddledaddledesigns

I purchased this scarf pattern from Etsy seller Timaryart last year and have made a couple of these. Very easy pattern. I really like the way different yarns work up on this one. Another addition to my daughter's evergrowing collection.

A Little Sewing Going On

Fall is definitely in the air around here. There has been a crispness in the air. The trees are just beginning to change into their autumn decor. Tobacco barns are smoking and corn fields have been cut down. All signs of the arrival of Fall.

An interesting sight outside of my kitchen window is the bluebirds and sparrows contending as to who will make their home in the birdhouse below.

My cousin recently had new windows installed in her home and but the window treatments were too short. Not wanting to purchase new treatments, the best solution was to make them longer. Easy enough and what a difference.

Her bedding is a peach and green somewhat stripe pattern. This is what we picked out. The fringe trim was the perfect piece to tie it altogether. Hopefully I can get a picture of the room. I had just enough fabric and trim left over to make a 16" X 16" pillow.

A basic square pillow is so easy to make and can be just the thing to complete a project.

We are doing the same thing for her master bedroom. I will try to take pictures.

Well, Hello There

I so admire all of you ladies who keep your blog updated daily. Even weekly. That should be my goal. Maybe the daily thing is just too much for me. Weekly that might work. Surely I could fit that in. Oh, I could, just a matter of "Will I?" I always have great intentions but my little blog seems to be put on the back burner so many times. Doesn't mean I'm not following along on the daily "going ons" of so many of you though. I am intrigued at some of your writing skills. The way you put your thoughts into words. Even when there is really nothing to be said it is said so eloquently.

We just completed week 5 of our new endeavor called Homeschooling. It is too early to report our likes and dislikes.

It has been a year since I participated in the Christmas Cottage Quilt Block Exchange. Unfortunately, my blocks haven't become a quilt yet. I received some really cute blocks and need to put them together. Most of my crafting over the last year has consisted of a hook and yarn. I have completed a few projects recently. Of course, the biggest was the rug. Another recent completion was this bag.





I saw this bag, well SewRitzyTitzy's bag on her blog and contacted her inquiring as to where I could get the pattern. She kindly responded telling me that the pattern could be found in Mary Jane Hall's book "Crochet That Fits". What a wonderful book. I liked it so much that I ordered Mrs. Hall's other book "Positively Crochet".





I am enjoying both of these books. The author has gone beyond crocheting in "Positively Crochet" in that she has included inspirational paragraphs throughout the book.

I must put in a plug for Swagbucks because that's the way I purchased these books. I cashed in my bucks for Amazon gift cards and bought the books with these cards. No cash out of my pocket. If you still haven't started using Swagbucks for your search engine, you might want to consider it now. You can click on the link below. Of course, if you do sign up using the link below, I am awarded a Swagbuck for every one you win up to 100. So, we both win.




Well, I've done enough rambling for now. Hopefully I will be updating this blog a little more frequently than once every month or so.

Yay For Finishes

I finally finished my rug late last night. I am very pleased with it. Many hours went into it. (I do wish I had kept count.) I enjoyed every one too. I can't always say that about every project but this one was truly enjoyable. Round and round I went only having to count every other row, so basically mindless hooking. The finished rug is approximately 74".

I have Christmas gifts on my mind now, yes it really is that time again.

Drooling Over These

Today I received my copy of Fall 2009 Keepsake Quilting Magazine. Something about fall gets me thinking quilts. This magazine is full of fall inspiration as well as so much other eye candy. Ahhhhhh, if a quilt only came together quickly. I do have my eye on one. Have you seen this?




Another gorgeous creation by McKenna Ryan. I love love love her patterns. I have never made one even though over the years I have had huge intentions. Maybe I should start with just one block instead of a whole quilt.

I would enjoy hearing if you have tried her projects and seeing any pictures. I wonder if there is a Flickr group for her creations. I need to check that out.

Work In Progress

Crocheted Rug
Originally uploaded by diddledaddledesigns

Once again, I have been away from this blog for too long. I have been quite busy with school preparation. As I've mentioned, we are homeschooling our son this year and preparation for that has consumed a lot of my time. Choosing curriculum has been challenging but fun too. There are so many options which can be exciting as well as overwhelming. Sorta like a kid in a candy store. I have enjoyed the process of research and we are just about ready to begin school.

While I haven't had too much crafting going on, this rug is a work in progress. I will be using it underneath my kitchen table. It still needs to be about a foot wider. I have no idea how much yarn I have used but I can tell you that it is a lot. Two strands, single crocheted. Slow moving but gradually growing. Yay for progress.