Who knew...

I just did a bit of spring cleaning/organizing in my yarn closet.  I gathered up a bunch of my left over yarn into a pile.  Hmm, now what am I to do with all this ever growing partially used skeins of wool?  I know, make up some granny squares.  I used the summer-garden granny square pattern from this tutorial over at Attic24 blog.

I was so surprised that yarns from various previous projects actually looked really good together.  It has been fun making up different color combos and seeing how they play off of each other.  What will the end project be?  I’ll keep on making them up and let the number dictate the size.

I also finished up my star garland I’ve been working on.  I used the grandma-twinkle pattern from this tutorial over at the royal sisters blog.  I used jager siena cotton (also from my stash).

Earlier today I went over to visit a friend of mine that made up these really cute potted plants to sell this weekend.  I think they will make great mothers day gifts. I hope spring is in your heart and in your projects too! 

After the rain...

Oh what a beautiful Saturday it has been.  All that rain during the week, and then, sunshine.  The flowers, oh the flowers.  I’m in awe of all the colors and had to take some pics.  I went over to Sis’s house to see how her garden grows, and her roses are spectacular this spring.  Wishing you all a happy weekend…

I heart faces Photo walk across America

I’m going to I heart faces photo walk across America and I can’t wait!

Looking forward to seeing all the photos that are taken from all over the country that day.  Should be amazing!  

Happy to be learning

Weather in southern California?  Wow, now that’s different.  It has been fantastic that at least once a week, the rain has come and with the rain the air is clean and my plants are so happy.  My rose ‘Angel face’ bloomed this week and boy does she smell delicious!

I think it would be great if this weather pattern continues…

I’m still busy with the process of learning how to read Crochet pattern charts.  Quite challenging and fun.  I can’t explain why, but crochet stitches don’t seem to lend themselves to my memory the way knit stitches do.  I’m constantly having to go back and ‘relearn’ every time I pick up the hook.  Feels a bit like I’m living in the movie ‘Groundhog day’.

Still in love with Crochet

I am so happy that I found this great book 'PRETTY COLOR CROCHET and KNIT GOODS 2'
on etsy that is full of pretty crochet patterns.  The idea came from Lucy over at her blog, Attic24.  The book she purchased is just as lovely and has gorgeous patterns too.

How is it possible for me to follow a crochet pattern from a Japanese book when I don’t even speak or read the language? Charts!

Yes, Charts are a universal language.  Once I was able to break the code of what each symbol represents, it opened up endless possibilities, and patterns for the wonderful world of crochet.
This little book has such great photographs of each project and the colors are just spectacular.  I found a great symbol chart here, that is really so helpful.

It is a lot of fun to create colorful crochet granny squares and crochet flowers. I want to make more!

More on the topic of spring

I went for a beach walk this morning, as I was desperate to see and hear the ocean.

It was calling me and I am so glad I went.  What I really like about the ocean is its ability to engage the senses.  Sight, smell and sound are immediately awakened.  After I leave there, I feel my creative self come alive.  The visual eye candy it provides is everywhere.  I look at a rock formation and think, wow; can there really be that many colors of brown?  How would I incorporate them all into a project?  The intense colors of flowers look so wonderful against the blue sky, would they look that good together in a knit or crochet creation? As I’m writing this, I look out my window and I see a cute little bunny rabbit hopping across the lawn and I think; how can brown and white look so good together? Nature never ceases to provide the inspiration, I’m the one who must figure out how to grasp the opportunity and make it my own.  I just finished making the second flower motif a crocheted Begonia for my CAL on ravelry.

I hope this day takes you to your creative place.

Glorious springtime...

WOW, what a weekend.

Azure blue skies,

Fluffy white clouds,

Clean crisp air,

Green grass swaying in the breeze,

Flowers a bloom in every direction. 

Now that is what I call a grand entrance into the most wonderful time of the year! Spring…

I’m so happy to have had a chance to sit outdoors, enjoying a cup of tea and take it all in.  Have a great week.