Exciting News and a Sneak Preview!!

I am just beside myself with excitement. I've been sitting on pins and needles for several months now wanting desperately to spill the beans. It was very hard, but I was a good girl and kept quiet. And now the time is here, I can finally say it out loud...

I'm going to be Published!!

Yes, published! My first professional pattern in a real honest to goodness, buy it at your local news-stand, popular crochet magazine. The October 2011 issue of Crochet World magazine to be exact.

Here's the sneak preview on Ravelry of what you will see in the magazine:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/crochet-world-magazine-october-2011/patterns

I can't believe my afghan was chosen for the front cover! It truly is an honor!

Orange Blossom

Finished Size: 6 or 12 inches

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn: approximately 2 ounces in each color A, and color B; US size "H" hook; tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

12 inch example (shown above): Pattern was worked using Red Heart Super Saver in Aruba Sea for color A, and Red Heart Super Saver in Real Teal for color B.

6 inch example (shown below): Pattern was worked using Red Heart Super Saver in Real Teal for color A, and Red Heart Super Saver in White for color B. (*See note below for instructions for 6 inch square.)


With color A ch 4, sl st in 4th ch from hook to form loop

Round 1: ch 3, 15 dc in loop, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (16 dc)

Round 2: Working in BLO: ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (32 dc)

Round 3: Working in BLO: ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next st, (2 dc in next st, dc in next st) around, sl st in top of next beg ch 3 to join, fasten off. (48 dc,)

Round 4: Working in unworked FLO from Rounds 2 and 3: join color A with sc in first st of rnd 2, ch 2, sc in 3rd st of rnd 3, ch 2, (skip next st on rnd 2, sc in next st, ch 2, skip next 3 sts of rnd 3, sc in next st, ch 2) around, join with sl st in beg sc. (8 "petals")

Round 5: Join color B with sl st in top of beg ch on round 3, ch 3, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts] 3 times, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, dc in each of next 2 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off. (40 dc, 12 sc)

Round 6: ch 3, dc in each of next 2 sts, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in each st across to next ch sp] 3 times, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in each rem st across, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off. (76 dc)

Round 7: Join color A with sl st in any ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same ch sp, sc in each st across to next ch 2 sp, (3 sc in next ch sp, sc in each st across to next ch 2 sp) 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg sc, fasten off.

Round 8: Join color B with sl st in center st of any corner, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, dc in each st across to center st of next corner, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in each st across to center st of next corner] 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.

Rounds 9 - 12: Repeat rounds 7 and 8 twice more. Weave in all ends.

*NOTE: For 6 inch square work as follows:

Rounds 1 - 5: Work same as rounds 1-5 of 12 inch square, fasten off at end of round 5.

Round 6: Work same as round 7 of 12 inch square. Weave in all ends.

Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
© 2011 All rights reserved

Back to main Charity 'Ghan CAL page

Sailing Along

Finished Size: 6 or 12 inches

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn: approximately 2 ounces in each color A, and color B; US size "H" hook; tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

12 inch example (shown above): Pattern was worked using Red Heart Super Saver in Aruba Sea for color A, and Red Heart Super Saver in Real Teal for color B.

6 inch example (shown below): Pattern was worked using Red Heart Super Saver in Real Teal for color A, and Red Heart Super Saver in White for color B. (*See note below for instructions for 6 inch square.)


With color A ch 4, sl st in 4th ch from hook to form loop

Round 1: ch 3, 15 dc in loop, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (16 dc)

Round 2: ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (32 dc)

Round 3: Working in BLO: ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next st, (2 dc in next st, dc in next st) around, sl st in top of next beg ch 3 to join, fasten off. (48 dc,)

Round 4: Working in unworked FLO from Round 3 join color A with sl st in first st, (ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, skip next st on rnd 3, sl st in next st) around, join with sl st in beg sl st. (16 "waves")

Round 5: Join color B with sl st in top of beg ch on round 3, ch 3, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts] 3 times, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, dc in each of next 2 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off. (40 dc, 12 sc)

Round 6: ch 3, dc in each of next 2 sts, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in each st across to next ch sp] 3 times, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in each rem st across, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off. (76 dc)

Round 7: Join color A with sl st in any ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same ch sp, sc in each st across to next ch 2 sp, (3 sc in next ch sp, sc in each st across to next ch 2 sp) 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg sc, fasten off.

Round 8: Join color B with sl st in center st of any corner, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, dc in each st across to center st of next corner, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in each st across to center st of next corner] 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.

Rounds 9 - 12: Repeat rounds 7 and 8 twice more. Weave in all ends.

*NOTE: For 6 inch square work as follows:

Rounds 1 - 5: Work same as rounds 1-5 of 12 inch square, fasten off at end of round 5.

Round 6: Work same as round 7 of 12 inch square. Weave in all ends.


Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
© 2011 All rights reserved

Back to main Charity 'Ghan CAL page

S P R I N G

Our first real sign of Spring showed up in the front yard several days ago. In amongst the rose bushes and uncollected leaves from last fall is one single lonely, but gorgeous, tulip. This is our first spring here so we are left wondering why only one. Did the previous owner see fit to plant just one bulb, or is this the lone survivor of all those harsh winters? Either way it is good to have concrete proof that spring is finally here!

Below is a flowering tree from the back yard. I'm not sure what kind it is. Cherry maybe? Another pretty surprise for spring.

And this one, a bush that accents the corner of the front porch, I have not a clue what it might be. I don't think I've ever seen one like it before. Very unique indeed.

And now for some crochet:
I can't show you anything I'm working on at the moment. It's all very Top Secret and Hush Hush, so I thought I'd show you the Flower Fairy and Mushroom that Cyndi surprised me with before Easter. I just love them. :)

Corn Flower

Finished Size: 6 or 12 inches

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn: approximately 2 ounces in each color A, and color B; US size "H" hook; tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

12 inch example (shown above): Pattern was worked using Red Heart Super Saver in Cornmeal for color A, and Red Heart Super Saver in Gold for color B.

6 inch example (shown below): Pattern was worked using Red Heart Super Saver in Gold for color A, and Red Heart Super Saver in White for color B. (*See note below for instructions for 6 inch square.)


With color A ch 4, sl st in 4th ch from hook to form loop

Round 1: ch 3, 15 dc in loop, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (16 dc)

Round 2: Working in BLO: ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (32 dc)

Round 3: Working in BLO: ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next st, (2 dc in next st, dc in next st) around, sl st in top of next beg ch 3 to join, fasten off. (48 dc)

Round 4: Working in unworked FLO on Round 1 join color B with sl st in first st, (ch 2, sl st in next st) around, join with sl st in beg sl st. (16 ch-2 sps)

Round 5: Working in unworked FLO on Round 2 join color B with sl st in first st, (ch 2, sl st in next st) around, join with sl st in beg sl st. (32 ch-2 sps)

Round 6: Join color B with sl st in top of beg ch on round 3, ch 3, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts] 3 times, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, dc in each of next 2 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off. (40 dc, 12 sc)

Round 7: ch 3, dc in each of next 2 sts, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in each st across to next ch sp] 3 times, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in each rem st across, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off. (76 dc)

Round 8: Join color A with sl st in any ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same ch sp, sc in each st across to next ch 2 sp, (3 sc in next ch sp, sc in each st across to next ch 2 sp) 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg sc, fasten off.

Round 9: Join color B with sl st in center st of any corner, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, dc in each st across to center st of next corner, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in each st across to center st of next corner] 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.

Rounds 10 - 13: Repeat rounds 8 and 9 twice more. Weave in all ends.

*NOTE: For 6 inch square work as follows:

Rounds 1 - 6: Work same as rounds 1-6 of 12 inch square, fasten off at end of round 6.

Round 7: Work same as round 8 of 12 inch square. Weave in all ends.

Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
© 2011 All rights reserved

Back to main Charity 'Ghan CAL page

Update

Just a few things I want to catch up on...

The next square in our current CAL is due to be posted tomorrow but I will be a little late getting it posted. I have the design worked out in my head but I don't have it worked up or the pattern written just yet. The main thing holding me back is a MAJOR deadline on Monday that will take me the entire weekend to finish up, so I will be able to post the pattern early next week... until then I'll give you a hint: "Gold"

I've gotten a few emails recently asking for permission to use my butterfly patterns (here and here) for church fundraisers. I just wanted to let you all know that I absolutely LOVE when my patterns are used for charity. It is fine if you are donating the finished item (NOT the pattern) to be sold at a local sale or auction that benefits a worthy charity. You may leave me a comment to let me know how your charity drive went, but it is not necessary.

I've also gotten a couple of comments asking about the status of the Mum's The Word square from the Calendar 'Ghan 2009 CAL. I was thinking about doing something else with it, but didn't realize the pattern's popularity. I still may do a variation on the pattern sometime in the future, but I will leave the square pattern up when/if I do. So I will be putting the pattern back up shortly for your crocheting enjoyment.

That's it for now... thank you for hanging in there with me! I have some exciting new things happening behind the scenes. More will be revealed later in the year... I've said too much already! ;)

Death and Taxes

Ask anyone in the US what April 15th means and they will tell you without hesitation, that's "Tax Day". Doesn't matter if they owe money or are due a refund, it's ingrained in them to know what that little square on the calendar means. Even when the "big day" is moved forward due to a holiday or weekend, it is still the date that even those who can't keep track of birthdays and anniversaries will remember with certainty.

The only other sure thing in life, according to Benjamin Franklin, is death. This is why I thought it kind of funny, in an odd sort of way, several years ago when my mother passed away on April 15th. She and I weren't really close so the date usually goes by without thought of anything other than the anticipation of how I will spend my refund check. This year however, proved to be different.

Phil and I married young at ages 17 and 18. Much too young to be married really, but we thought we were beyond our years with wisdom. The marriage only lasted 5 years; 3 1/2 of which were spent separated. During the 18 miserable months that we were together, the only thing good to happen were our 2 daughters.

I haven't given him more than a passing thought over the last 25 years, so why is it now I feel such a sense of mourning for him?



April and Phil Moreland ~ March 6, 1983


Philip Henry Moreland
January 24, 1964 - April 15, 2011