It's a Teepee!

My sweet daughter, Lizzie, has the BEST ideas! She is the one responsible for the idea for the popular Mermaid Me design. And she is the one who came up with the idea for my latest crochet pattern...

The Toddler Teepee!!

The pictures here were taken by my Lizzie with her sweet niece, Juliet. (Isn't she the cutest little girl? She was loving this tent and didn't want to get out!)

Perfect for taking a nap, reading a book, playing with toys or just snuggling--

Garden Terrace Infinity Scarf Crochet Pattern

Prepare for photo-overload as I can't seem to get enough of my latest design! 

The Garden Terrace Infinity Scarf reminds me of a lovely terraced garden bursting with the colors of any season! Soft drape, lacey texture and versatility is what makes this design so fabulous, in my humble opinion!

Wear it  layered and close around the neck for a "collared" look.

::What Color is Your Tuesday?::

That is the question my daughter, Lizzie, asked her schoolmate on the playground as a first grader. The little girl looked at her like she was crazy, shrugged and returned the question to which Lizzie responded, "Yellow."

YELLOW

Photo by Jessica Janae Photography of my daughter Lizzie Love

My daughter discovered--but not until about the age of 20 since she figured everyone saw the world the way she did--that she has an awesome and somewhat rare neurological phenomenon called

::Forgotten Crochet::

Do you ever make things, give them to someone, and then wish you had taken a photograph of them so you could remember them? I do. I often reflect on the many baby blankets, booties, hats, scarves, bags, baby toys and other goodies that I have made and never photographed.

Recently I recalled a little amigurumi doll

::Playing Hooky with my Hooky::

This is the view outside my window. It has been ridiculously cold here and I'm off to warmer weather down south with my Lizzie Love. She needs me. And I need her. We're looking for a little healing and peace.

::A Free Cowl Pattern--Anyone?::

Remember when I said a couple posts ago that I was working on a new cowl for my daughter, Lizzie, because she liked the rainbow one so much? Well, IT'S DONE!!  She wanted something striped, but neutral.

She also wanted something she could pull up like a hood. (I apologize for the model--I was the only one around to wear it!)And she wanted something with texture but not lacey (holey, as she would say).

She wanted something long enough that she could wrap it twice and have a super snuggly wide cowl.

And has been true for most of Lizzie's life--what she wants is what she gets. Very blessed life that girl has, indeed! As am I to have her as my daughter! I adore her!

Would you like the pattern? Well, ok. Since I adore my friends in bloggie land, too, here you go...

I'm calling this the--::BURTON COWL:: 

Materials::

2 skeins-Stitch Nation Bamboo Ewe 3.5 oz (100g) 177 yds (162m) in Mercury (Color A)

1 skein-Stitch Nation Washable Ewe  3.5 oz (100g) 183 yds (167 m) in Cottontail (Color B)

Hook – J (6.0mm)

Tapestry needle

Measurements::

48 inches (117 cm) in circumference X 11 inches (28 cm) wide

Gauge::

15sc and 7 3-dc puff X 9 rows (in pattern) = 4 in X 4 in (10cm X 10cm)

Notes::

• The cowl is made in the round without turning and RS facing, joining at the end of each round with a sl st.

• I used all but a few inches of the yarn listed in the materials and clipped my tails relatively short (3 inches/7.5 cm) when fastening off, so check your gauge or have extra yarn on hand.

• If you want your cowl longer or shorter you can adjust the length of the beginning chain by adding or subtracting multiples of 2 stitches.

Special Stitch::

3-dc puff—(yo, insert hook in next st, yo, draw yarn through st, yo, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook) 3 times in same st, yo, draw yarn through 4 loops on hook

Pattern::

With Color A, ch 170, join with sc to first ch to form ring (Be careful not to twist your chain.)

Rnd 1—sc in each ch around, join with sl st to first sc (Again, be careful when joining that the first round is not twisted!)

Rnd 2—ch 1, 3dc puff in same st as join, *ch 1, sk next sc, 3dc puff in next; repeat from * around, sk last st, join with sl st to top of 3-dc puff

Rnd 3—ch 1, sc is same st as join, *sc in ch 1 sp, sc in puff; repeat from * around, sc in last ch 1 sp, join with sl st to first sc

Rnds 4-9—repeat rounds 2-3 (pattern) 3 times; fasten off yarn

Rnds 10-17—Change to Color B, repeat rounds 2-3 (pattern) 4 times, fasten off yarn

Rnds 18-25— Change to Color A, repeat rounds 2-3 (pattern) 4 times, fasten off yarn

Slip Stitch Striping::

Using the contrasting color of yarn and in Rounds 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 19, 21 and 23 (these are all sc rounds) you will complete the decorative sl st striping. With RS facing and yarn always at the back (WS), insert hook in any sc of Row 3, yo at back of work and pull up a loop. Insert hook in next sc, yo, draw through st and then your hook. Continue slip stitching around and finish by inserting hook in the same st in which you began. Pull ends to WS and weave in. Repeat with the remaining rounds.

Happy Hooking!

::Success at the Thrift Store::

It is quite cold here--turn on the furnace kind of cold. But what a wonderful weekend! My daughter, Lizzie Love, came to visit. We talked, laughed, thrift store shopped, watched General Conference (my favorite weekend of the year!) and thoroughly enjoyed being together. She only lives 30 minutes away, but with our crazy busy lives we still don't get together nearly enough. While she was here, I had her model my Rainbow Stripe Cowl. 

I must say, I am thoroughly thrilled with it! She liked it so much she wanted one, too. But as she is a Tim Burton Black/White stripe fan, I made hers a bit different.



In fact, I pretty much redesigned the entire thing. The only thing the same is that it is striped. In other words--a NEW design by SUE! But that is for another post! Very soon, I hope!

Now here are just two of the vintage thrift store finds... 

Oh, dear, I can hardly breathe I am so excited! The colors! The beaded and ruffled trim! And I got eight dinner plates and eight salad plates for only $8! Only a few little chips. Very good vintage condition! SO. VERY. EXCITED.

Would it be all too strange to use these for Thanksgiving? I don't typically limit myself by colors--so I think I'll make it a pink Thanksgiving this year! Maybe pink and green...remember these fabulous Pyrex dishes I found?

Next big find...

I did an embarrassing little happy dance and squeal when I came across this baby. $4! Anyone know anything about the age or name of this lamp? The shade balances on a milk glass diffuser. And this lamp is crazy heavy! As I typically do in the thrift store, I walk in thinking I am just going to look--not buy. And so I never get a shopping cart. I needed one with this lamp! Very heavy, indeed!

Other purchases:
  -Teacup and Saucer--Anchor Hocking
  -Shoes for my boy--Converse All-Stars, Keens, and Adidas
  -Old Navy white blouse--NWT
  -Antonio Melani peep-toe flats in ballerina slipper pink
  -Vintage shutter
  -2 white Crate & Barrel bowls
  -Ugly Christmas Vest and Tie--That is a story for another day and one that made everyone in the store stare as Lizzie and I laughed until we cried!

Total Cost: $40  SUCCESS, I TELL YA!

{QUESTION} - If you looked at the clothes in your closet, which color(s) would you find the most?

::Newest Pattern--What the Cuff?::

Here is my latest crochet pattern...

You can find it in my Etsy shop, on Ravelry or on Craftsy.

I am pleased as punch about how they came together. it is a terrifically simple pattern and uses a sweater sleeve so you can wear the cuff at any height. Easy peasy and pretty snazzy, huh?

And I so appreciate my Lizzie girl being the model and letting me use her camera--with a much better lens than mine! It really makes a difference! 

Aren't the boots the cutest, too?! You can find them here. These belong to my daughter, but I've had my eye on a pair for a while now. If I get red ones, I might need to try the cuffs in a brighter color to give a little pop, and wear them over some skinny jeans. But I want to wait for cooler weather for that! Holy Hannah, it has been so crazy hot the kids don't even want to go outside.

Don't tell anyone, but I actually cut the sleeves off of a CASHMERE sweater for these cuffs. But, ohhhh, they are so soft on the leg. 

My awesome Barnacle Bed Bowl sold quickly--it's off to meet Maria in Athens, Greece. I hope she loves it. I had a very hard time parting with it. But sharing is good, right? Am I right or am I right? Or am I right...right...right...right. (One of my favorite movies!)

And finally, I am soooooo close to finishing my flowery blanket pattern--still nameless. I need ideas for what to call this beauty!

Happy Weekend World!!

::Family Photos--Almost::

My sweet daughter, Lizzie, spent the day with me a few weeks ago.
This is a big deal since she married last year. She is very busy with school, work, married life, and her photography. One thing we did between a trip to the thrift store, boutique shopping and eating our favorite food was to take a few shots for my shop. 

Here are some of the "fruits" of her work.

She's so good with light. I really need her to teach me how to do it on my camera--if it will.

I love her hands. They are long and lean, just like she is. And so like her father's were.

These little bracelets are so much fun to make. I love adding the little details, like buttons and bows.

More buttons. Always a good thing in my opinion.

One of my first knitting endeavors. Love the elbow cut-outs on these gauntlets, but love the beautiful little arms much more! Sold.

Thank you, Lizzie Love, for making my things look their best. But thank you, especially, for being my baby girl. Check out her facebook pages here and here. She is on vacation, but has a load of amazing pictures from a shoot she did called "Blast from the Past". Keep checking back to her pages to see the vintage swimwear, hair and make-up! Very cool!

The final thing she did for me was take a few pictures of our family. I'm bummed that she wasn't in them with her sweetie, Nick, but we'll have to find another photographer for that, now won't we?

My little pill, Luke. One word to describe him...exuberant!

And Power Ranger OBSESSED!

Eric--my 13 year old who looks like he is 16 and loves bow-ties--but only the self-tied kind. (Thank you Dr. Who!) I love that he is so comfortable in his own skin and knows who he is.

And finally--the love of my life! My sweet, smart, steady man!

You can't tell from the look on my face, but I'm officially grossed out. We took these photos at the Great Salt Lake--A very smelly, not-so-pleasant place. Fascinating for a biologist like me, but still stinky.

His eyes make me happy. Just like his daddy's. I'm going to go kiss on him now.

Toodles!

Oh, one more little thing...

I have also finished up my Melmac bowl-Barnacle Fiber Art. I have it in the shop--and it seems quite popular, but I am having a hard time parting with it. The colors--the texture--the BOWL!! In fact, for this reason I didn't take it to the craft fair this weekend. 

xoxox

Lizzie LOVE's Right-Brain Amazingness

I have a truly talented daughter with the ability to see things in her head and put them on paper with surprisingly little effort. Even as a young child she displayed an amazing capacity to interpret colors--by shade, tone, and temperature. She has won more "coloring" contests than I can name. And she was always the "teacher's choice" for her college Interior Design projects.

Some of these were created for fun, some for a class at school, and some while listening to a boring history lecture. When she finishes the other dozen or so in her scattered stack of papers I will post them, too. But she has been busy working on a logo for a friend's business. And I have put in an order for my logo, business cards, and merchandise tags. I can hardly wait to share! Here is but a small sampling of her amazingness:

As you can see, one of her favorite creative icons is Tim Burton and one of her favorite style icons is Audrey Hepburn. Perfect mix for my little girl!