Playing With My Food

I love M&Ms. Not just for the chocolate, but also for the fun colors. I've been known to sort through an entire large bag eating all the brown ones first just so I can have a whole bag of nothing but the pretty colors. Don't get me wrong, brown is a nice color and certainly has its place, but just looking at all the bright colors makes me happy.

The colors have also been known to inspire creativity. Take last night for instance, I was quite inspired by the citrusy mix of colors that fell into my hand.


I started thinking about another granny square afghan. Or maybe hexagons this time. Oooh, how about Grandmother's Flower Garden. I've always loved that quilt design. Or maybe I'll come up with something on my own. Who knows? But first I need to choose the yarn...

I thought about toning down the colors a bit, but nah... the cornmeal is just not working for me.

Neither is the gold. Too fallish looking. Maybe with a burnt orange. But that's just not "me".

Okay, we're getting closer but that green is still a little too autumnal.

Eureka! I guess I'm just a bright and colorful citrus gal through and through! :D


Well, I have more than enough of the orange, but the green and yellow you see there is all I have on hand... so guess what? Yup, time to go shopping! But not just yet. There's still too many swaps, charity items, and gifts that need to be finished up for the holidays, so this one is on temporary hold for now. But I do see a citrusy throw in my post holiday future.

The moral here, if there is one, is don't be afraid to play with your food! You never know what unique design might be inspired. ;)

Do you think Picasso played with his food? Hmmm...

Mum's The Word

MATERIALS
Approx. 4 ounces worsted weight yarn (orchid used for example)
US size "I" hook
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

SPECIAL STITCHES

beg dc cluster (beg dc cl): ch 2, (yo, insert hook in same st/sp, yo, draw up loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook

beg tr cluster (beg tr cl): ch 3, [yo twice, insert hook in same st/sp, yo, draw up loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice] twice, yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook

dc cluster (dc cl): yo, insert hook in designated st/sp, yo, draw up loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, (yo, insert hook in same st/sp, yo, draw up loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook

tr cluster (tr cl): yo twice, insert hook in designated st/sp, yo, draw up loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, [yo twice, insert hook in same st/sp, yo, draw up loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice] twice, yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook


ch 5

Round 1: dc in 5th ch from hook (counts as beg ch 3 + ch 1 + dc), ch 1, (dc, ch 1) 6 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3 being sure to leave the ch 1 sp. (8 dc, 8 ch 1 sp)

Round 2: sl st into next ch 1 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, ch 2, skip next st, (sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, skip next st) 7 times, join with sl st in beg sc. (8 sc, 8 ch 2 sp)

Round 3 (corrected): beg dc cl, ch 2, sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, (dc cl in next st, ch 2, sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2) 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg dc cl. (8 dc cl, 8 sc, 16 ch-2 sp)

Round 4: ch 1, sc in same st, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp, dc cl in next st, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp, (sc in next st, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp, dc cl in next st, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp) 7 times, join with sl st in beg sc. (8 dc cl, 8 sc, 16 ch-2 sp)

Round 5 (corrected): sl st into next ch 2 sp, (beg dc cl, ch 2, dc cl) in same sp, ch 2, skip next st, sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, skip next st, [(dc cl, ch 2, dc cl) in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, skip next st, sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, skip next st] 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg dc cl. (16 dc cl, 8 sc, 24 ch-2 sp)

Round 6: sl st into next ch 2 sp, (beg tr cl, ch 3, tr cl) in same sp, ch 3, skip next st, skip next ch 2 sp, sc in next st, ch 3, skip next ch 2 sp, skip next st, [(tr cl, ch 3, tr cl) in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, skip next st, skip next ch 2 sp, sc in next st, ch 3, skip next ch 2 sp, skip next st] 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg tr cl. (16 tr cl, 8 sc, 24 ch-3 sp)

Round 7: sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same sp, ch 3, skip next st, skip next ch 3 sp, tr cl in next st, ch 3, skip next ch 3 sp, skip next st, (3 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, skip next st, skip next ch 3 sp, tr cl in next st, ch 3, skip next ch 3 sp, skip next st] 7 times, join with sl st in beg sc. (8 tr cl, 24 sc, 16 ch-3 sp)

Round 8 (corrected): ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each of next 2 sts, * 3 sc in next ch 3 sp, sc in next st, 3 sc in next ch 3 sp, sc in each of next 3 sts, ch 3, skip next ch 3 sp, (tr cl, ch 3, tr cl) in next ch 3 sp st, ch 3, skip next ch 3 sp **, sc in each of next 3 sts, repeat from * 3 times more ending at ** on last repeat, join with sl st in beg sc. (8 tr cl, 52 sc, 12 ch-3 sp)

Round 9: ch 3, dc in each of next 12 sts, * 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, 2 dc in next st, (dc, 2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr, dc) in next ch 3 sp, 2 dc in next st, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp **, dc in each of next 13 sts, repeat from * 3 times more ending at ** on last repeat, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (100 dc, 16 tr)

Round 10: ch 1, sc in same st, (ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st) 6 times, * ch 2, skip next 2 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, (ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st) 9 times, rep from * twice more, ch 2, skip next 2 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, (ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st) twice, ch 2, skip next 2 sts, join with sl st in beg sc. (44 sc, 44 ch 2-sp)

Round 11: sl st into next ch 2 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, (ch 2, sc in next ch 2 sp) 6 times, * ch 2, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, (ch 2, sc in next ch 2 sp) 10 times, rep from * twice more, ch 2, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, (ch 2, sc in next ch 2 sp) 3 times, ch 2, join with sl st in beg sc. (48 sc, 48 ch-2 sp)

Round 12: sl st into next ch 2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same space, 3 dc in each of next 6 ch 2 spaces, * (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, 3 dc in each of next 11 ch 2 sps, rep from * twice more, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, 3 dc in each of next 4 ch 2 sps, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off, weave in ends. (148 dc, 4 ch-2 sp)


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Designed and written by April Moreland
Copyright 2009

Tuesday Trivia

Did you know that Grateful Dead are technically a one hit wonder? I find it amazing that such a popular and hugely successful band had only one hit. Anyway, that's my favorite little bit of trivia. Just thought I'd share. :)

Drum Roll Please!

I have 2 big announcements...

FIRST:

As you all know I'm really good at starting afghans. But look, I can finish them too! Yes, I amaze even myself. :)


It was a very breezy day and not the greatest day for picture taking, but I still managed to get a couple of okay shots.


This afghan started when I decided to write a basic Multi Color Granny Square pattern to share. When I chose the colors and started the square I had no idea it would turn into a full fledged afghan. But when I saw how great the colors of the finished square looked I knew it would be perfect for Cyndi's MIL. Her favorite colors are green and purple. I can't wait for her to open it on Christmas! I really think she'll love it. :)


The inspiration for the "square in a square" design came from Lucy's Big Blanket over at Attic24. Her blog is great, you should check it out if you haven't already. :)

I still plan to do a join-as-you-go tutorial. I took plenty of pictures as I was making this ghan but because I used soft white to join the squares the pictures look a little washed out and nondistinct. So I'm going to have to re-do the photos with different colors. Hmmm... I wonder if that one will grow into a whole afghan too? You never know with me... >:)

SECOND:

I hope this doesn't come as a shock... But I have decided not to continue the monthly square crochet alongs in 2010. We will finish up the Calendar Ghan for this year, and I will still design and post squares to this blog, just not in the CAL structure and not on any kind of a time schedule.

HOWEVER, I will be conducting a CAL beginning January 1st. Click here for more details. I hope you'll join us! :)

What can Brown do for you?

I received a very special UPS delivery today.


And the delivery guy was the cutest I've ever seen!


I even paid him for his services.


Who says UPS doesn't deliver on Saturdays?

Frugal Shopping & TONS of Pics!

We spent a very long and exhausting, but quite productive, afternoon in Springfield yesterday. After lunch at the Chinese buffet, we went to Goodwill where I scored ALL kinds of AWEsome finds!

First off I spotted this sweater. It's 85% wool so I'm going to try and felt it. I love its stripey goodness and can't wait to figure out what to create with it. But it will have to wait a while... we currently do not have a washing machine at home (we are working on remedying that) and our local laundromat does not have hot water. :(

Cyndi and I both spotted this adorable candle holder, but she was the first to grab it so it went home with her. I do have visiting rights though. :)


Spotting this Circle of Friends candle holder made me forget about the cutesy flowered one though. I've had my eye on one of these for the longest time. And now it's mine!


These are some things I picked up with my son in mind. He's very much into the celtic/medieval/dragon/sword kind of thing but without being kitschy. I gave him the cross right away, but the candleholder and basket I'll hold until Christmas. I could tell he really like the candleholer (the purple rectangular thing). He kept commenting on it but I told him I was keeping it. "It will be perfect in the living room," I said. I'm so evil! >:)


I also found some cool hand stamped stone coasters. The back of one of them is stamped and signed "Hand-stamped with love (C) Stamin' Up Tiffany". Thank you Tiffany, I just love them!



I just realized we got a lot of candle holders! Here is yet another one... A lantern to be exact. It holds a small tea light. I love the bright colors and the butterfly cutout.


I fell in LOVE with this bright orange martini style glass. Now I just need to buy a shelf to display it! LOL


Now on to the real reason we're all here... YARN! I bought 2 of each of the 4 stripes shown below. They are for the Mystery Project I mentioned in my last post. I don't know if I'm feelin' the Autumn Stripes though... It's a little too brown & drab for my taste. I may end up replacing that one with another bright one. BUT, I haven't given up on it just yet. It may look entirely different once it's worked up.

I did get more yarn than this at Hobby Lobby but I can't show it just yet as it's for a Secret Santa partner and I don't want to give away the secret. ;)


At Walmart I went a little crazy stocking up on the Red Heart. Our local store sells it at $2.59 a skein, but Springfield prices it at just $2 even! I guess because they have competition with all the other craft stores in town. Whatever the reason... I decided to stock up on some basics. White, Soft White, Black, Claret, Frosty Green, and Orchid. In total I walked away with 21 skeins. I was disappointed they only had 2 of the new RH colors. I was really hoping to grab some at the lower price. *sigh*

And last but not least, I just couldn't walk past the Halloween section without getting some yummies to fill the candy dish. :)

She's at it again...

I've said it before... I have crocheter's ADD. Yes, I am the Goddess of WIPs. I can't help myself. I'm easily distracted by pretty colors. :)

I thought I'd whip (was that a pun?) up a quick granny square the other day for my Multi Color Granny Square post. Then I liked the colors so much I decided I need to make an entire ghan in this colorway. So I have yet another Grannyghan on the hook!

This one will be for Cyndi to give her mother in law for Christmas. Kathy's favorite colors are green and purple, so she's going to love this one. It won't be a plain granny square afghan though. I'm playing around with joining smaller squares then bordering them to make a larger square. There will be a total of 6 large squares. I'll leave any further details a mystery for now... >:)

I haven't been working on the bright grannyghan lately. I'm still fretting over how to arrange the squares. *sigh* :(

We'll be going to Springfield today (Saturday) for some more yarn/holiday shopping. The last time we were at Hobby Lobby they had some new striped ILTY. I restrained myself at the time and only bought 3 skeins. I've been KICKING myself ever since. I found the PERfect project to use the stripes with. Not just one of the colorways... but 4 of them... all in the same project. Yes, it sounds ugly, but trust me... it will be totally AWEsome. I've even received Cyndi's approval, and trust me, that truly means something! :)

Then Sunday I plan to work on a join-as-you-go tutorial for traditional granny squares. I hope to have the tutorial finished sometime next week so be sure to look for that!