Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Shoe Box: a Crocheter's Story


A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other, except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband to never open or ask her about.
For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.
In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted doilies and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He asked her about the contents. 'When we were to be married,' she said, ' my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doily.'
The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious doilies were in the box! She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness. 'Honey,' he said, 'that explains the doilies, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?'
'Oh,' she said, 'that's the money I made from selling the doilies.'
This story has been around for a long time, but I still love it! Sometimes the old lady makes "dolls" instead of "doilies", but I like this version better. Thanks to my sweet daughter in law, Jewell, for sending it to me, and giving me a laugh today!

Monday, November 09, 2009

Jenny's Doilies

Talented crocheter Jenny has shared pictures of her "Tidings of Joy" and "Flower Garden Fairy" doilies. She did such a beautiful job on them both!
Flower Garden Fairy was the first in this series, and I have to admit, I think it is my favorite so far!Jenny used silver thread for the wings; it gives quite a magical touch, don't you think? Thanks for sending the pictures, Jenny! They are gorgeous!
When I get my website, I plan to have a gallery section, to show all the beautiful doilies made from my patterns. Hopefully soon!

Monday, November 02, 2009

Thanksgiving Harvest Moon


I love seeing what you creative folks do with my patterns. Just look how Jo Ann has changed "Harvest Moon" into a Thanksgiving doily! I love the little turkey! And look at the white pumpkins, and her pilgrim hat!
I have plans to do a couple of Thanksgiving themed doilies in the future, but I think Jo Ann has done a marvelous job with this one. Beautiful work, Jo Ann! Thanks so much for sharing it!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Tips for Working a Complicated Pattern


Have you ever come across a pattern that has you pulling your hair out, because you just can't seem to get it right? Maybe you keep loosing your place, looking back and forth from your work to the pattern; maybe you are not sure if you are on the 5th repeat or the 6th. Maybe you have finished the whole thing and realize it is wrong, and you are going to have to rip it all out. Pure Frustration!

I have a couple of little tips for you that might help in some of these situations.

This week, my testers and I have been discussing the best way to write the pattern for the little Scottie dog in my new pattern "Lucy and Jack's Afternoon Stroll." Besides being made with black thread, there is also a lot of different things going on in a very small space, which can sometimes make a pattern a little confusing.

The first tip is something that an editor once told me to try, and I am going to recommend it to everyone working this pattern (or any pattern that requires many different steps.) The tip is simply to have someone read the pattern out loud to you, row by row and stitch by stitch as you are crocheting. Even if they don't crochet, they can read the pattern slowly, pronouncing the abreviation of the name of each stitch. For example they will say "S C in next 3 S T S"; and you will know what they are talking about. Ask them to pause until you nod your head or give them another signal to continue reading.

The second tip is, when working with thread, and you need to mark stitches or ends of rows, use a strand of contrasting color thread as the marker. Use your hook to pull it through the first stitch to be marked; if marking the first st of each round, or even numbered rows (as in the Scottie pattern) do not cut the thread, but continue to pull it through each stitch to be marked. This is much easier than trying to use traditional stitch markers, and the marker strand slips out easily from the piece when it is no longer needed.
I hope these little tips will help you; you know I love anything that makes my crocheting easier!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

LoisLeigh's Angel

Lois Anderson has done it again! She has created a design so cute I had to buy it. I think I am her biggest fan- I should at least be in the top 10.This is Lois's Angel bookmark- simply beautiful! I love her little horn!

She would be so lovely hanging on the Christmas tree.
But I plan to display her year round; wouldn't she be sweet perched on the edge of my computer screen? And what a wonderful gift she would make!
(sorry, I don't know how to make that link smaller)
and in Lois's Etsy shop:
AndersonsCreations.etsy.com
And while I am embarrased to admit that I still have not made the Mermaid bookmark I bought from Lois, (or Little Red Riding Hood) it hasn't stopped me from adding more of her wonderful patterns to my collection!
Beautiful design, Lois, please keep up the good work!

Monday, October 19, 2009

A Tip for working with Black Thread, and a peek at Lucy and Jack

Does it ever hurt your eyes to crochet with black thread, or do you just have trouble seeing the stitches? Next time, try placing a white pillowcase (or any white fabric) in your lap as you work. The contrast of the white background seems to make the stitches much easier to see. This also works in reverse, when using white or light colored thread, place a dark colored piece of fabric in your lap. As I get older, I find my eyes appreciate any little thing I can do to make their work easier.
And as I promised, here is the next in my "Lovely Ladies Doilies" series. This is the first of the "Vintage Vignettes" and it is called "Lucy and Jack Go For a Stroll" or something like that. I still have to make the collar and leash and do the finishing touches on it, but I hope to have it out for testing later this week.
I love Scottie dogs, and have wanted to make this doily for quite some time. I think it is turning out nicely. I hope you like it!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

"Think Pink" Winner

The winner of my "Think Pink" contest is Anne from over at: http://raggedykisses.blogspot.com/
What a cute blog she has! If you love Raggedy Ann dolls, granny squares, or unbelievably cute crochet (and I love all three!), you have got to check it out!
I will be mailing the box of goodies out to her in the morning.
I want to thank everyone who entered the contest; I wish I could send prizes to every single one of you!!!
Thanks again, everyone!
Love,
Ann
P.S. I will be posting some sneak-peek pictures of my new doily sometime this weekend. It is a crinoline lady walking a Scotty dog; I think it is turning out really cute!

We have a winner!

I just want to let everyone know that the winner of the "Think Pink" contest has been drawn, and I have sent her an email letting her know. I am now waiting to hear back from her.

I want to thank everyone for entering. I truly appreciate you all!