2011 Charity 'Ghan CAL

I decided to do a charity CAL this time. For this reason I have designed the squares with a minimal amount of holes so they will be appropriate for most charities including those for babies and the homeless. I hope that you will decide to donate a square or two made from this collection of patterns to your favorite charity. :)

MATERIALS: The materials are the same for each square. You will need a US size "H" hook, and approx 3 - 4 ounces Worsted Weight yarn.

FINISHED SIZE: The finished size of each square is 12 inches. Most, if not all, will have a 6 inch option.

Below you will find the list of links to the square patterns. Each new pattern will be linked on approximately the 16th of the month. For easy access to the CAL patterns you may want to bookmark this link. Any new information about the CAL will be added to this post.

Square 1 (January) - Winter Blossom

Square 2 - (February) - Seeing Spots

Square 3 - (March) - Green Thumb

Square 4 - (April) - Corn Flower

Square 5 - (May) - Sailing Along

Square 6 - (June) - Orange Blossom

ENJOY!

All patterns for this CAL are designed and written by April Moreland
© 2011 All rights reserved

I can totally relate...

Tuttle's New Friend

I heard from Tuttle just a little while ago. I am happy to say he arrived in his new home and is loving his new warm surroundings. In fact, he tells me he met a friend during his travels. Tuttle sent some pictures of his traveling companion and newest friend Mr. Buttons.


They met on the road and decided to travel together in search of warm and sunny weather in Florida.

Here you can see them frolicking and riding the waves together in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

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!