Neglect, neglect, neglect

I realize I have been neglecting this little blog, and I promise to try to get some new patterns together to share. I am a freelance graphic designer, and I have been busy with work coming in (I can't complain) and a few new custom orders at the shop. When it rains, it pours. I wish I could knit and crochet all day, but unfortunately beyond work, I am a wife and mother which means, maid, chauffeur, cook and teacher as well!

I did just finish up a new daisy blanket for a very nice customer over in Illinois. She requested a white border, and I think it turned out quite nice. This is the same pattern I wrote about here.

Next up, an all white rose blanket...

Scrappy purple patchwork

Happy belated Thanksgiving! I've been so busy these days finishing up some large orders for Christmas, I haven't had much time to spend on new designs or posts to this little blog. I did however get Tillie's costume done for Halloween as well as finish up some works-in-progress including this one:

I started it this past summer! I used mainly end-of-skeins that I pack into little Zip Lock bags I always keep handy (I also use baggies for my snipped tails to stuff projects!) These poor little purple squares were sitting around for too long.

Instead of using my usual go-to edgings - sc/dc or scalloped edge - I've decided to use one of the lovely edges from a new book I purchased: Around the Corner Crochet Borders. Once again, Edie Eckman does not disappoint! I'm so pleased. I've got plenty of border books, but not many that address the corners!

There were so many to choose from, but here's the one I picked.

Stay tuned to see how it turns out...

A great book

Many people have asked about the pattern for the blanket below, and I just finished up a new one, so I thought I would dedicate a post to it. The pattern can be found in the book  "Beyond the Square: Crochet Motifs". 

It's a great book full of fun and unique squares and motifs. They also use amazing colors in the photos. The background of my square is slightly different as I used a simple granny square (3dc ch2 3 dc (corner) then 3dc in each space around). That's the only difference. I highly recommend the book. 

I took a few photos of the my latest, finished blanket. I also took a photo of the back in case anyone was interested in seeing what that looks like.

Have a relaxing Labor Day!

Valentine's Day read

As I noted in my post from yesterday, "Pride and Prejudice" is one of my favorite stories as well as probably my all-time favorite movie (or at least one of them). I'm not a huge Keira Knightley fan - although I don't dislike her - but there's something about that Matthew MacFadyen that does it for me. His depiction of Darcy makes me swoon.

Which brings me to this post, I came across a book review in our local paper that talks about a new book, Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James. I've never read a James novel, but I believe this will be my first. It's a mystery, which is right up my alley, and also a take-off from where Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice ended. Darcy and Lizzy are married and have two sons. They live at Pemberley where  a murder occurs. Nothing like writing a new chapter to the world's best romance story. I'll be adding it to my reading list!