Back on my aqua kick.

I just love aquas, greens and blues, and I love to pair them with a clean white. A few weeks ago I started a yarn purge. I've been trying to slowly get rid of some yarns that I just don't see myself using anytime soon. In the process, I came across these beautiful colors that made my fingers itch to put together into some blankets. A few of them are vintage, like the bright greens. Those are both vintage wintuk yarns, so the downside is that I won't be able to reproduce these exactly the same. On the same token, the upside is I "won't be able to reproduce these exactly the same", so they are truly unique. I like things that are one-of-a-kind.

I finished the first granny rectangle, a couple of weeks ago, but haven't had the chance to post it to tillie tulip for sale. I was dragging my feet a bit, because I wanted to include a onesie with a little matching heart for the upcoming Valentine's Day. Why do hearts make things so cute?

I used Creme de la Creme cotton yarn in aqua jade for the center, and single crocheted the edge in aqua. You can find my heart pattern here. 

Purple progress

Here's where I'm at with my shades of purple hearts in bloom blanket:

A pile of purple (and some white)! I've acquired several new granny square patterns that I'll use in this afghan for the first time. I think that's part of the fun of creating a sampler - everything is a little different and each one of these blanket is never the same as the last.

As I drove to pick up my son from school I saw a sign that read 85 degrees! Just last week it was in the 40s... I'm enjoying a little Vitamin D today. Hope you are too.

Hearts in bloom

I created a sampler square baby afghan a couple of years ago that sold quite well at my Etsy shop. I named it "hearts in bloom" because it was made up of several flower and heart patterns among others. It was a little nod to my Dad too who was dealing with congestive heart failure. He passed away this past September, and it's been a tough year without him. Whenever I think of this blanket, I think of my Dad, and I'm thankful for the time we had together.

The reason I bring up this afghan is because I was asked to do a custom order using purples. I've only done it in pink and white, and I'm looking forward to the change! I also have some new flower squares that I'm looking forward to incorporating. This will be a larger size than usual. I'll let you know how it goes...

Have a wonderful week!

Hancock's of Paducah had a sale on Lecien's Princess Rose fabric, so I grabbed some of the pinks. They are so sweet, and I can hardly wait to figure out how I want to use some. I envision a pretty little quilt, pillow, or dress for Tillie. There are many ideas rolling around in my head, but right now I'm working on a few custom order afghans, so the fabric will have to wait...

Valentine's Day Card Idea - Scrap Fabric

I bought a heart and Valentine's Day-themed die cut last year when it was on clearance. I finally get a chance to use it: With some scrap fabric, a little Heat n Bond and a generic card, you can create TWO simple, shabby chic valentines for those dear to your heart.

Free Shipping until Valentine's Day

Head over to my Etsy shop to see more images of my sweet, little, heart hat. Free shipping on this item until Valentine's Day. Send a little love with something handmade.

Time to think about Valentine's Day

I really need to get my rear in gear for Valentine's Day. I found these little squares that I cross stitched last year. I wonder what I was going to use them in?! Maybe a card? I will have to come up with some ideas...

How to crochet a heart

I used worsted weight yarn and a size I crochet hook to create this 1.5" sweet, little heart. Use it as an applique or embellishment.

chain (ch) 4
3 treble crochet (tr), 3 double crochet (dc), ch1, 3dc, 3tr, ch2, slip stitch -- all into first chain

next round:
ch3, 1sc and 1hdc (in first tr stitch from previous round);  3 hdc in next st;  2hdc in next st;  1sc in next 3 st;  ch1, 1sc, 1dc, 1sc (in midpoint st), ch 1;  1sc in next 3 st;  2hdc in next st;  3 hdc in next st;  1hdc and 1sc in next st;  ch3 and slip stitch into circle;  fasten off

I usually work mine a bit into a nice shape. Et Voila!