Hello 2011!

Well, the holidays have come and gone without leaving any permanent battle scars (other than the one on my bank account!) and it's back to the grindstone as it were. Things were hectic as usual for the month of December, but work resumes today and that will be the ticket to getting everything back to whatever passes for normal around here. So as we say our final farewells to 2010, and hope for more prosperous times in 2011, I thought I'd give a little sneak peek at what is on the agenda for The Left Side of Crochet this year...

• New patterns and CALs for 2011
• I have a couple of squares designed that I am using as the beginning of a new afghan CAL similar to the Calendar 'Ghan. This one will be a little more relaxed and will feature fewer squares, or maybe not... depending on how inspired I am. :) Look for it to begin around the 15th of this month.
• Some of you may remember that I tried last year (or was it the year before? My memory has headed south for the winter it seems...) to organize a stitch sampler to be designed by several designers. I couldn't quite get enough people to commit to help design it, but I've decided it's a task I'd like to take on myself this year. So be sure to watch for that to begin soon-ish.
• There are several patterns that I've been "sitting on" waiting for me to convert to PDF so I can put them up on Etsy and Ravelry. I hope to finally get them finished this year!
• New sewing projects
• The sewing bug has bitten and I'm feeling lots of inspiration lately with thread and fabric. I see lots of tote bags, hook cases, jewelry pouches, purses, and maybe even some simple wearables in my future.
• I promised my daughter (Diane) a new flannel rag quilt at Christmas. We have come up with a design, nothing fancy, just a simple four patch but we like it. :) I plan to start cutting this week and will begin sewing soon after. I will be taking pictures as I go. (A new tutorial perhaps?)
• Other creative and crafty stuff
• Color! I have some colorful surpises for you coming up soon. I don't have the details worked out just yet, but you'll know it when you see it. :)
• Charity-I didn't keep strict count of my charity projects for 2010, but I know I donated at least 6 lap-ghans to an Ohio nursing home, several scarves to victims of domestic abuse, and some hats, squares, and other useful items to various charities as needed. I plan to keep this tradition for 2011 and hope others will join me in providing comfort to those in need via the art of crochet!

Happy Holidays!

Santa has been here, eaten his snack, and left a thoughtful note for Ben...

In return he left a HUGE pile of presents...

And some crafty goodness for the rest of the family...

For son Matthew, a cozy fleece blanket with crochet edging...


And a unique "Nintendo" clock...
Son in law Damian got a hat and scarf (per his request)...

Daughter in law Tammy also got a cozy fleece blanket, and a matching pillow in her favorite colors :)

Cyndi asked Santa for a red doily to accent her wedding bouquet table display...

And finally, Santa got a little behind so had to leave a couple of I.O.U.s

He was able to finish the motifs for Cyndi & family's Polka Dot Stockings, but no matter how quickly his elves worked, they just couldn't get them assembled. :( I hear he's going to sneak back from the North Pole one evening soon to finish them up though. :)


The other I.O.U. was included in a box full of flannel to be used for a rag quilt to be designed and completed to order A.S.A.P. for daughter Diane.

There were lots of other non crafty gifts exchanged, including a new crafting table for ME! I was quite excited about that. I now have a place to set up a crafting station and sewing table permamently! I had been using the kitchen table which just wasn't convenient for anyone, especially me.

It's been a good day here. The family is together and that is the best gift of all.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, whichever holiday you celebrate, I wish you much love and happiness for a special holiday today and always.

*Peace*

Tuttle The Turtle

The story of Tuttle The Turtle begins on a cold Winter's day.


The snow was falling outside and poor Tuttle was longing for the warmth of the southern climates he had heard so much about.


Tuttle reluctantly decided he must leave his cold Ohio home for a place that is warm all year long. He knew he would miss his friends in the cold northern state. But sadly, he knew he must leave.


"Florida might be a nice place to go," he thought. Promising to write, Tuttle said his goodbyes...

and began his long journey heading south.


We will miss you, but we know you will be happy in your new home and loved by your new family. Take care Tuttle, and goodbye see ya later.

xoxo

My New Oven Mitt

I came across a tutorial online for an oven mitt a few days ago. Cyndi had some scraps laying around so I decided to try my hand at making one for myself. It came out pretty decent... but maybe a bit small. Here's the result, whatchya think?

Isn't this just the cutest thing?

It's not nearly as tedious as it looks. Hop on over to Obsessively Stitching and have a look at her awesome tutorial. And maybe make one, or two, or ten (LOL) for yourself! I'm already digging through my fabric stash to make more!

Hook Roll Picture Tutorial

What's this? A sewing tutorial on The Left Side of Crochet?? Has she lost her mind?? Well not entirely, especially considering it is still crochet related!

I recently made a couple of hook rolls as gifts and thought I'd share with you here how I made them. Keep in mind I am NOT an expert sewer, so if I make a mistake or two I hope you'll forgive me. :)

SUPPLIES

You will need:

• 1/3 yard each of 3 different coordinating cotton or flannel fabrics, OR 3 fat quarters
  
• 1/3 yard of fusible interfacing for lightweight to medium fabrics (Not needed if you are using flannel or another heavy fabric for the public side of your hook case)
  
• 2 yards of 3/8 inch satin ribbon
  
• All purpose sewing thread in a coordinating color
• Straight pins
• Self healing cutting mat
• See-through quilting ruler, 12 inches or longer
  
• Rotary cutter
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Ironing board/mat (or an old thick cotton towel)
  
• Iron
• Fray Check or Fabric Glue
  

CUTTING

Cutting Instructions:

**See How to Use a Rotary Cutter if you have never used a rotary cutter.
(OR you can simply use the scissors and a ruler to measure and cut out your fabric pieces.)

• Cut one 12" x 11" square from each piece of fabric for a total of three squares
• Cut one 12" x 11" square from the piece of interfacing
• Cut the ribbon to (approximately) 36"

DECISIONS

The Hard Part:

Deciding which fabric you want to use where! Designate which square you want to use for the Public Side, Lining/inside, and Pocket. Of course if you are using the same fabric for all 3 then it won't really matter and you can omit this step. :)

LAYERS

Public/Outer Layer:

Following the manufacturer's instructions, adhere the fusible interfacing (if using) to the wrong side of the fabric that you chose for the public side. (Mine called for using a damp cloth when ironing.)
Inside Hook Pocket:

Fold your pocket fabric in half lengthwise so that it is 5.5" x 12". Lay the lining fabric flat and right side up. Place the folded pocket piece on the lining piece matching the cut edges at the bottom. (The fold of the pocket piece will lie horizontally across the center of the lining fabric.)
Starting 2 inches in from each edge of the layered fabric and using straight pins (or Tailor's Chalk if you've got it... I didn't), mark the fabric at one inch intervals along the bottom edge and the top of the folded edge. You should have 9 pins along each edge. (I used a few extra at the corners just to keep everything in place.)

ASSEMBLY

The Good Part:
(Yay, we finally get to sew!)

Starting 2 inches from the edge and using the pins/marks as a guide, sew nine evenly spaced vertical lines across the bottom half of the fabric. Be sure to do a few back-stitches at the top (folded edge) of each line to lock the stitches and keep them from raveling.

Fold the ribbon in half and pin the folded end (with cut ends facing toward the center of the fabric) approximately 4 inches up from the bottom edge of the pocket fabric. Curl the ends around and pin to the center so they don't get caught in the stitching on the next step.
Matching long and short edges, place the pocket piece and the public/outer piece right sides together. Pin the pieces on all sides for sewing. (I was lazy and only pinned the corners.)
Starting at the bottom edge using a 1/2" seam allowance and leaving a 4 inch opening for turning, sew around all sides of the hook roll. Snip corners at an angle to within a scant 1/4" of the seam.

TURNING

We're Getting Close:

Turn the piece right side out. Using the tip of a (what else?) crochet hook, push out the corners from the inside so they are square and neat.

At the opening for turning, fold the seam allowance to the inside and press with iron. Press entire piece with iron to help all seams lay flat.

Dab a little Fray Check on the ends of the ribbon to keep them from fraying.

FINISHING

Top-stitching:

Working approximately 1/4" from edge of fabric, top-stitch around all sides of piece being sure to enclose the raw edges from the opening for turning.


Only Thing Left:

Is to Fill'er Up!

Fold down the top flap.

Roll it up, tie a pretty bow, and...

Ta-DAH!

Enjoy your new Hook Roll!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. I had a lot of fun making it. But don't worry, I haven't given up crochet! It's still my number one passion. :)


Tutorial written and photographed by April Moreland

© 2010 All rights reserved.
Please print and/or share this tutorial with your friends, but be sure to include the original link so that they (or you) will be able to find it again. :)

Dressed for the Season

Happy December!

With the new season here I decided to change the background to match our weather here on the lake. It is cold and snowy and a bit icy today. Yuck! BUT, it is warm and cozy inside so that makes it perfect weather for staying home and doing lots of winter crocheting and crafting.

I have many things on my hook right now which I will be revealing to you over the next couple of weeks as they are received. (Don't want to spoil any surprises!)

And speaking of surprises, I have an unexpected one for you coming up in just a bit. I'll be putting the finishing touches on a brand new tutorial for you all and, if all goes well, will have it posted for you by tomorrow morning!

Hope you all are staying warm and enjoying the season with some crafty pleasures! :)

Thank You

I just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! As I've said before, this is my favorite time of year. For me, as I'm sure many of you, it evokes heart warming memories of family and friends who have touched us through the years, and reminds me of what is good in my life.

You, my friends, are special to me. You give me purpose to do what I love. Crochet! In appreciation for being there for me, I am sharing some special Thanksgiving dessert with you.



Enjoy!!