Rose revisited

As I mentioned in my previous post about the rose that I worked on, I wasn't totally sold on how it came out. I pulled it out several time, restarting it, adjusting it... finally I pulled it out and used a smaller hook (H, the smallest I could use with this yarn).  The results really weren't all that different with the over-all size in my opinion, but the stitches seamed tighter (and in my mind a little neater).  I took a few shots so you can see what it looks like before it is coiled up and then after it is coiled.

When all was said and done, you can (sort of) see from the ruler that the diameter is around 6 inches... it is LARGE.  Now, this is about twice the size from the original tute I was working from.  Going back and looking at her finished project she really has a very tight coil, and I was able to get approximately to her size by wrapping it tightly... but the more I looked at it the more I preferred it to be an open flower.  So I cut it from the ball and shored it up.  I think, after a few weeks of working with it and looking at it, that I'm pleased with it and will let it be.  I have a few ideas of what to do with it, but that will take some time and possibly a run to the local craft store... for now I will just set it on my shelf and enjoy it as a finished product!

Pin the tale on the croc!

The Crocodile Stitch! Okay, I'm not saying I have it perfect yet... but hey, I just started it yesterday... and I'm starting to get the hang of it!

Now, after checking out this tute, I quickly realized that I didn't really GET the written pattern.  With hook and yarn in hand, I watched the YouTube videos she posted and all became much more clear!

Once I get finished with further along I will post another pic.

Week of Oct 10th - Pinned it

So last week I didn't post, but I did complete a pinned project.  It was a tutorial on a crochet rose found here:


Rose Tutorial with Wreath

Now, I would show a picture of my own work, but the fact is I'm not real pleased with it.  I made it once, and completely took it apart and started over again because I think I did it wrong.  After completing it a second time (does that count for this week's pin?) I'm still not satisfied with it.  So, that being said... go to her blog, and try it yourself and let me know if it worked for you!

Pin of the week

Well, I haven't decided if this will count.  First off, I can't find the pin. I was going to pin it, but the page refreshed and I couldn't find it at all... trust me I spent far too much time looking to find it again.  So that's the first reason I'm not sure if I'm going to let it count, the second would be it was a cleaning thing and not really a making thing... which I think is what I had in mind when I took on the challenge...

Anyway, so if it does count, here's what it was:

Drain cleaning...

Pour baking soda down the naughty drain... wait 5 minutes
Pour boiling water down drain... wait 10 minutes
Pour 1 cup of bleach down drain!

Drain will be free of the nasty black gunk you can see just under the rim, and the smell will also be GONE!  I really needed to do this for the boys bathroom, and it worked wonders for their sink!  So there you go, and easy drain cleaner with supers that we moms usually always have on hand!

Pin it, baby

Most people know about Pinterest by now... it's a fun addiction that can pull you into hours of endless pictures, ideas, and ... well, not getting anything in your real life done!  Am I right?!  That is until your best friend lays down a challenge!  And lay one done, she DID (well two really :-)!

The majority of my pinning has something to do with making stuff... food and crafts (mostly crafts).  Okay, as for the challenge... come up with a number (a doable number) of pins to complete in a given time period.  This way it isn't just mindless pinning with no actual usage.  As for me, I've decided a doable challenge is 4 completed pins per month.  I definitely think 1 per week is a doable task.  Honestly, that is what I've been trying to do, but thanks to illness, co-op starting up, a new school year... the list goes on, things have not been moving as quickly as I had hoped.  Thankfully I think I have a handle on life now, and crafting can now make it's way back into the quiet moments in my day!

Challenge number TWO... this is one I am super stoked about... a Christmas pin gift exchange!  I think this is just GENIUS... but my best friend is a GENIUS so I'm not surprised she came up with something so AWESOME!!!!  Here's what I have to do (and you should do this with you bestie as well), comb through her pins, pick one thing and make it FOR her!  Isn't that fabulous!?!

I am really excited about the endless possibilities this holds... and what a great way to come up with a loving handmade gift for someone!