Tidings of Joy

"Tidings of Joy" is now available in my Etsy shop and on Ravelry.

I want to thank Vicki Mashburn, who did a wonderful job testing this pattern for me. Vicki is a very talented crocheter, and has an amazing eye for detail. I know this pattern is much better for having been tested by her. Thank you so much, Vicki, you are a true blessing to me!

For those of you who have asked, yes I do plan to make more of these doilies. I have a notebook filled with sketches of more fairies, witches, angels and Crinoline ladies. I even have plans for mermaids, fairytale characters, and little girls in different settings (in front of a Christmas tree, holding her dolly, etc.) So I plan to keep making them as long as I am able, hopefully for many long years to come.
I have been trying to come up with a name to describe and distinguish
them; anyone have any ideas? I thought about "Art doilies" but that sounds kind of stuffy to me. So I am open to suggestions!

A Clever Idea!

I have had several emails, asking me how to go about framing either the Harvest Moon or the Flower Fairy doily. I am still gathering information to do a post on framing doilies, but when I saw this clever idea on Ravelry, I had to share it with you. Dagmar, who lives in Germany, has done an excellent job of crocheting the Harvest Moon. She did not glue the pieces together, but painstakingly sewed them in place, using un-plied crochet thread in place of sewing thread. But what really caught my eye was the way she has displayed the doily. In order to make the doily stiff enough for hanging, she bent a peeled hazel twig to match the shape of the moon, then sewed the doily to it.
What a creative and imaginative idea, Dagmar!

On the Road again!

David and I have decided we would like to take one more trip while the weather is nice, so in the morning we are heading out in the general direction of the Grand Canyon. I keep having visions of the Griswalds in the old "Vacation" movie; let's hope our trip goes smoother.
We will be gone a week or so. Take care, and I will see you when we get back!
Love,
Ann

Butterfly and Roses Pineapple Doilies pictures; And I need help!!!!!

Well, at last they are almost ready. I have been working on the Butterfly and Roses Pineapple doilies for the last few weeks (actually for almost the last year!) and I almost have them ready.

Elegant Easter Cross. This was the first one I made in this set. It was going to be a single pattern, but I decided it needed more. Angel Wings. Oh how I love the pink butterflies! Sweetheart Pineapple Doily. Sweet and Simple. Fantasy Fan Doily. Love the blue and white! Fantasy Flowers Butterfly-I always wanted to make a doily shaped like a butterfly; this was the second one I made in this set. Cameo Butterfly Doily. I really think this is my most favorite of them all.Butterfly in the Roses Doily. This is not part of the set, it will be the free gift pattern with purchase of the ebook. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I used as many different colors of varigated and shaded thread as I could in one doily. Do you think it is too busy? I was afraid it might be, so I also made it with a white background (above). Same pattern, just different colors of background.

I think I need to re-photo the last two on a different color- you can barely see the butterfly's body (it is black-can you see it in there?)

I have the patterns written, but here is where I need some help. I have decided that from now on, all my patterns will be tested by experienced crocheters before I put them up for sale. I have two very talented ladies who have already agreed to test some of my patterns for me, but I would like to find at least couple of more. I need crocheters who have at least Intermediate level crochet skills. I would prefer someone who is familiar with my patterns and my writing style.

I will not expect anyone to fix my patterns, just report back to me in the event you find a mistake or if anything is not clear to you. The finished doily will be yours to keep and do what you wish with. I do ask that all testers live in the United States, since shipping costs overseas are so high.

If you think you would be interested in testing some of my patterns, you can contact me at: bellacrochet.info@yahoo.com for more information. Just think; here is your chance to help rid the world of pattern errors and tell a designer "Hey dummy, you messed up!" But please be kind; errors in my patterns really have been known to reduce me to tears!

Update from Ann: Thank you so much to everyone who has volunteered to test my patterns! I now have enough testers for this set, but I appreciate the offers from each and every one of you! Hopefully, this will make my patterns much more enjoyable for you to crochet.

Let me grow lovely....

Today is a day of contemplation for me, as it is every year. A day of reflecting on my past, and looking forward to the future. I give thanks for my loved ones, for the happy life I lead now, and for the unbelieveable blessing of being able to crochet full time. I truly believe I have done some of my best designs ever this past year, and look forward to turning out as many new ones as possible in the next 12 months.

Many years ago, I came across a poem by Texas poet Karle Wilson Baker. I have always loved it, but in the last few years it has become very special to me. I would like to share it with you today:

Let Me Grow Lovely

Let me grow lovely, growing old;

So many fine things do.

Laces, and ivory, and gold,

And silks need not be new.

And there is healing in old trees;

Old streets a glamour hold.

Why may not I, as well as these

Grow lovely, growing old?
Karle Wilson Baker