TaDa!

I have finally declared my first crochet afghan FINISHED!

I began last winter and I wasn't 100% sure that I would even have it in me to finish a large crochet project, but I did it! I was inspired by this afghan when I saw it on Pinterest I thought to myself "I want to try one like that. By changing stitches often I won't likely get bored with it." Not having $80 to invest in yarn all at once, I grabbed a skein of red that I had already and decided that I would use it up and when I ran out I would go buy another colour.

Teal came next, then hunter green dark purple, grey, fuchsia and orange. This is where I really began to like my work and became a little bit picky. The orange I bought I didn't really like how bright it was in comparison to the rest of the colours. I left it after only one row, though I do enjoy the contrast right there.

I also didn't like the first section of red I did. The colour was nice, but it was a different texture than the rest of the yarn I had used and it was bugging me. On a whim I ripped it out. This almost wrecked my afghan! I was freaked out for several hours as I tried to salvage what I had done. I managed to save the blanket and replaced the red with chocolate brown. The seam between the two colours is horrendous, but my "fix" turned out kinda pretty as I crocheted a thin row of lilac right over top.

Chocolate brown then red (in the same brand and texture of yarn), cornflower blue and lilac finished the bottom. After the orange came navy and light green to finish the top. I then did a single row of kelly green to begin a border and finished with the dark purple. The process of this blanket was fun for me. I loved making it up as I went. Somewhere in the new red section, I got a book, Crochet Stitch Dictionary and my rows became even more thought out and fancy. Up to that point I surfed Pinterest and YouTube to decide my next stitch and often learned new stitches for a change. My favourite section (for detail, not necessarily for colour) is the cornflower blue. I love how it turned out. I added a little heart to the corner and eep!

I've come a long way in skill since I first began and you can visually see the difference in the skill level throughout the blanket. It's also quite a bit wider at one end than the other, though blocking did help some. I am so proud of the project, though and won't change another bit of it. The lighting wasn't great for these pictures and so, the flash kinda skews the colours, but I couldn't wait to show you, so these will have to do. Just for one, I've added one with my newest model, Hannah...

I turned off the flash so I wouldn't blind her, so it looks really dark here.

A Quick Check In

So, since my last post our computer died. In our family this feels like quite a crisis. I have made several commitments to the women's ministry team of our church that requires a computer and I felt like my left arm fell off. All that to say that we have replaced our 6 year old iMac with a new one. It's beautiful and works wonderfully and I'm so grateful. I have a bit of show-n-tell for today, so let's get to it.

• Before we left on our trip to Alberta I decided that Abigail needed her own bag. Mostly to carry her own stuff. I feel like such a pack rat some days and it's time for her to carry her own stuff. Abby was quite enamoured with Bambi at the time, so I decided to try a new-to-me technique: reverse appliqué. I loved the results. I, unfortunately, have to replace the lining - it has torn and continues to tear *sigh*. A project to do after we move.

• 11 days until we move. No, we haven't started to pack yet. This isn't my first rodeo, but it is my first rodeo with children. That overwhelms me a bit, but we are so excited. I can't wait to show you all our new home. That might take a bit of time.
• I want 2012 to be a year where I finish some of my UFOs (Un-Finished Objects) and so, I've begun. I started this little alphabet last year and finally finished it. I chose not to add magnets. I am thinking I might make it into a banner and hang it in Abby's new room, but first I will wash and dry it to promote the edge fraying. I think they're cute, but not super useful, considering there's only one of each of them. Tutorial here.

• I have an upcoming event that I'm planning and whipped up these little cards today. Found on Pinterest from Martha Stewart and adapted for my event. I will share about said event after it takes place. I am really looking forward to it.

• My littles have been sick - it seems like for forever! First colds, then baby teething then the dreaded puking sickness. I can handle dirty diapers of craziness, but puke... ugh! My David, heroically, did a lot of rinsing of bedding and clothes this week. I think they're on the mend, though appetites are still quite small and crankiness is still quite large. Admittedly, I've added to the cranky factor myself. I am going out tonight! It's been tooooo long.
• There are so many babies being born into our church. There is someone due every month from January to August. At what point do I say, I can't keep up with all the handmade goods that I love to give? It feels so cruel to just stop now. One month at a time, I guess. I'm already 3 babies behind as it is. Ugh! Sorry, friends.
• Crazy blizzard the other day. Our littles loved to watch it, as did my David and I. Pictures don't capture it, but I did try.