Goodies received!!!

I got the reveal package from my Crochetville Autumn secret pal Tina! I got lots more Lionbrand wool ease yarn, very soft and cuddly and in colors I like! I also got a specially made crocheted socks and scarf! And now I'm a proud owner of the Cozy Crochet Kit too! THANKS SO MUCH TINA!!! You've been such a wonderful pal all throughout the swap and still is now. Thank you for everything!

Appliques for Baby Items

I wanted to post the scarfs I made last week, but I have yet to come up with better photos...meanwhile,
I dont know why I'm making these baby appliques, but its cute, and its fun. I was going to send some mittens ordered from me for a baby boy, and all I had was the flower applique, so I had to make something else... This is what I came up with:


I also came up with a tiny star and butterfly applique:

Crocheted Snowflakes by Chie

I've come to know Chie from crochetville forum and from her blog, and lately from exchanging notes with her. I admire her for her charm and eye for beauty.

I am not really fond of christmas trees except when I was a child, and when my children were small. But that was several years ago and now I never thought of it again, until I saw Chie's beautiful christmas tree! It is such a delight to look at the different designs of her handmade snowflakes. With these lovely and varied designs one doesnt need a lot of other decorations.

Crochet and Other Stuff - by CL

Sometime ago I met CL, a filipina-canadian, online. We've been exchanging notes since then. She's a computer geek ;-) and a talented digital artist.
Lately, she surprised me when she wrote about me on her blog.
This is CL's artful representation of my blog, I copied it from her post.


I like it so much! Thanks, CL!

More of CL: Artworks, Words, Freebies

What is your Rising Sign?

I didnt realize it's been more than a week since I last posted! Time just passed me by. Maybe because I had my birthday last Friday...? Anyway, for those who do not know, now you know ;-) I just celebrated it with a special dinner with my family. My father cooked Paella, and it looked wonderful and delicious as it is his special Spanish recipe. We couldnt wait to dig into the paella, after which my brother thought he should have taken a photo of it!

And just in time, I got this blogthing from CL's blog.

My Rising Sign is Scorpio

• You're so intense and passionate - you're on fire! • You want to be an angel or a devil... you can't decide which. No wonder you seem moody and even a little dangerous. • You've got some major mystery going on, so work it! • Your personality is the strongest of all signs, making you hard to deal with. • While you're ruthless to your enemies, you're loyal to your friends and your one true love.

What is Your Rising Sign?

Crocheted Hats

I made these 3 hats a week ago ;-D



The pink striped hat is posted on my free patterns. And the other two are variations of that pattern. I used 2 balls of /Cannon cotton thread, 2 strands crocheted together and a 3.5 mm hook.

Baby Crochet

Here are some baby items I've recently made. I haven't seen a baby for a long time and I dont think I'll be seeing a baby soon. I made this for a friend who's friend is going to have a baby before the year is over. Based on average measurements these would fit a newborn up to 3 months baby.


I made it from Familia Acrylic Yarn, M, I think it is sport-weight. I used a 3.5mm aluminum hook.
Here are the links from where I got the patterns:
Baby Mittens
Baby Booties- I modified the pattern a little but I wasnt able to note it down :-(
Baby Hat by Sabra - found this on crochetville. She has matching socks and shorts too.
Infant Hat



This is a knitted infant shorts. I got the pattern from a special knitting for baby issue of Burda magazine 1991. I made it from Cannon cotton thread size 8 and used 3mm knitting needles. I knitted it several months ago and it took me quite a while to finish it. The socks - I just bought it because I couldnt knit a sock!

My crochet patterns for babies:
Appliques for baby items
Baby mittens - cotton

Cotton Baby Hat - from a free pattern found on the web
New Baby toy pattern for sale: Baby Fitness 101
New! Baby Girl set: Halter dress, hat and booties

All about baby crochet
Mittens and Appliques
Baby crochet model
Cute baby

Fur Scrunchies

Here's one of my first fur crochet projects - scrunchies. My friend Fe wanted to see how it turned out so I made 2 to show off. The one above is made with Lionbrand fancy fur using 8mm. hook (pattern: dc, ch 1 around). The one below (left) is made with Lionbrand fun fur using 6 mm. hook (pattern: sc around). The one at the right I made with cotton thread for the first row and used a 4.5 mm. hook for the fun fur. Nice enough to be worn too.

How much is your blog worth?

My blog is worth $$$.
How much is your blog worth?

I came across this on CL's blog. Posted by Derek Powazek of Technorati, How much is your blog worth?
Tristan Louis did the math. He figured out how much each blog in the Weblogs Inc. stable was worth, based on their Technorati rank.
Inspired by Tristan Louis's research into the value of each link to Weblogs Inc, Dane Carlson created this little applet using Technorati's API which computes and displays your blog's worth using the same link to dollar ratio as the AOL-Weblogs Inc deal.
So, how much is your blog worth? Click the image to find out.

Yay... more yarns!

I got this yesterday. Its from my "falling yarn swap" partner, Kathy (losingmymind2).
These are very lovely acrylic/mohair/wool blend yarns in autumn colors. Thanks so much Kathy!

Halloween crochet

Its Halloween! (Should we be happy?) This is just about the only halloween stuff that my hands made and its even quite late to post it! I found a lot of cute free halloween patterns, but I just saved those for maybe next year...haha...Now I need to work on some holiday ornaments and gifts as there is not much time!

Wonderful Gifts!

I went to the Post Office today to send the packages for my yarn swap partners. I hope they like it!
I also got the small package sent by my Secret Pal, in it was the bigger size hook that I was waiting for (6mm Boye aluminum) to get started on my fun fur and other yarn projects that require big hooks. She also sent me a set of big crystalites hooks, it looks so much fun to use and to have in my collection! Thanks so much Yarnie, again you made me feel special! Here's a pic of what I received:


I also did not expect to receive the yarn swap package so soon, but since I was already there at the P.O., I inquired and the teller said there was indeed a package that just came! So here is what was in that big package, it came from Cordelia (CraftyCritter)



Thanks again Cordelia, it was really a wonderful package of yarns! I like everything! And it was so sweet of you to also send me a Burts Bees lip balm!

Halloween pics

See my flickr zeitgeist? (pls. scroll down the sidebar) It shows some recent photos uploaded in my flickr album. I picked the photos from last year's halloween party we went to. It was my niece's 18th b-day. My younger son made himself up as a wounded soldier. He made some fake blood and smudged himself!.. My 10 yr old nephew was a dracula, I and my mom were witches and my younger sis was a devil...hehe...my other sis has a knife on her head!
Here's my lovely niece:

Fun Fur projects

I've been thinking about what to do with the pretty fun fur yarns that were given to me by a lovely, though anonymous fairy at crochetville.(see previous post)
I'm still waiting for some creative ideas to come up...looking for free patterns and easy projects to inspire me.
(Last updated May 28, 2009)
Most of these free patterns are from Lionbrand
Furry Little Bag
Fur Panda Amigurumi
Evening Tote
Fun and Flirty Purse
Evening Wrist Bag
Eyelash Purse
Furry Pal
Fun Fur Flipflops

Want more free patterns using fur yarn? Type fur on CrochetPatternCentral searchbox to get the links to these free patterns:
Child's Furry Purse
Easy Fun Fur/Eyelash Yarn Scarf
Eyelash Fur Glove Cuffs
Fancy Fur Twisty Scarf
Fun Fur Cell Phone Holder
*Fun Fur Guitar Strap
Fun Fur Hood
+Fun Fur Hoop Earrings
Fun Fur Jacket
+Fun Fur Scrunchy or Bracelet
+Fun Fur Trimmed Poncho
+Fun Fur Vest
Fun Fur Vest
Fun Fur Water Bottle Holder
Fur Collar Jacket
Fur Ever Collar and Cuffs
Fur Out Shoulder Wrap
+Fur Panda, Amigurumi
Fur Pillow
Fur Sure Crocheted Tee Top
Fur Trimmed Bottle Cozy
*Fur-Trimmed Pet Sweater
Furbands
Furry Girl's Slippers
Furry Handcuffs
+Furry Little Bag
*Furry Mouse Toy
Furry Mouse Toy
+Furry Pal
One Skein Fun Fur Scarf
Simple Fun and Fancy Fur Scarf
Suh-Wif-Fur Loopy Dust Mop Cloth

Found also this site with more info on fur yarns and other novelty yarns
My fun fur project is coming soon...I hope...

See my fun fur scrunchies, fun fur scarf, furry cellphone purse, and a funky cellphone purse.

What's your Animal Personality?

Here's mine:

Your Animal Personality

Your Power Animal: Swan Animal You Were in a Past Life: Rabbit You are passive, sentimental, and emotional. You sometimes lack self-confidence, but you are creative and rational.

The Animal Personality Test

Small doily

(I didnt take the time to stiffen it so it would look perfect.)








A small pineapple lace doily I made from a pattern in this book "Lovely Lace"no.2
It turned out smaller (20cm) than the original which is 27cm. I used Cannon metallics cotton thread size 8 and a 1.75mm hook.





I chose this doily to use for the glass decor gifted to me by my brother.

"Matrix" Purse

Its finished!
Materials Used: 1 ball of Bernat "Matrix" in Browser Blue, 1 ball acrylic thread size 10 (two strands held together) for the base, the crocheted "beads", and also (combined with the matrix yarn) for the tie and the handle. Crochet hook size 4.00 mm.
For the lining I used black felt cloth.
Finished Size: 7" high with a 3 3/4" diameter base. 12" long handle.

Here's another color of the matrix purse done by my pal, Tina.

Matrix Purse Pattern Details

"Matrix" Purse I'm making

I couldnt resist the Bernat "matrix" yarn that my secret pal gave me and thought it should at once be made into a purse! I used an acrylic yarn from my stash (familia "gold") for the base, crocheted with two strands and a 4 mm. hook. The matrix yarn is easily crocheted also with a 4 mm. hook. Here are some pics.



This is how it went and I thought I would finish it, but turned out the yarn was almost gone and I still had few more rows and edging to do. So I had to frog it and make it a little smaller. But, it was quite easy because the matrix is smooth and didnt get wrinkled. And it was also easy to make up. I'll probably show the finished purse tomorrow.

And by the way, secret pal, what's up? Hope you're ok, I havent heard from you in more than 5 days and that is so unusual. Please let me know you're ok or something's come up.

Travel Pics

Here are just some of mom and sis photos.

Travel Souvenirs

Hi! I just want to show-and-tell the souvenirs me and my sons got from Mom and sis' travel to Europe.
The photo of the Brussels t-shirt is most of all presented in honor of my online pal, Kimberly, who is an American currently living in Brussels.

The Belgian chocolates were at once devoured after the picture was taken. The t-shirt has a lot to say about Brussels...hehe...
Here's a better view.




A hooded sweatshirt and a cap for my older son.








A t-shirt, cap and newspaper for my younger son.





For me, a pretty pink top, pens and keychain from London. And...

a mannekin pis pendant. Thanks so much mom and sis!

(They wouldnt know how to shop for yarns and craft materials and didnt have time to look for a LYS, so no luck on lovely yarns, threads, hooks...)

Travel pics will be up soon!

Secret Pal Goodies (part 2)

My secret pal sent me these last Aug.26 and Sept. 1. I got it yesterday from the post office. I was so thrilled she's sending me all these, I thought it was already the reveal package but its not! She's really pampering me with many gifts and she knows what I will like. Of course, we do have a lot in common so maybe its easier. THANKS SO MUCH, my secret pal!!! I really like everything!!!

EDITED TO ADD:
I forgot to mention the bubblegum packs my SP sent were not in the photo as those were snatched by two known suspects whose identities will be kept secret...hehe...

Flower Motif Top - Pattern

Here are the flower motifs.
And, I have already written my pattern interpretation for the top, see here.
Update: Garnstudio has already provided us with the english pattern :)

Flower Motif Top

I made this several months ago from a pattern from Garnstudio. I used 2 strands of Cannon cotton thread. I chose this pattern because the flower motifs were fairly easy to do. Its also a nice project for using up left over threads.
I thought it was just one of my projects that will stay in the closet, because I know I'm not going to wear it. Luckily, it looked good on my sis with the simple dress that she has.
Edited to add: The flower motif pattern is now available here.

Twisted Wrap - my latest creation!

I always admire the shrugs, capes and wraps that is in fashion now but have not gotten around into making one. I saw this at lionbrand free patterns and thought that's something that I can do in crochet. So this is what I made using the cotton thread size 5 that has long been stashed in my closet... Thanks again to my wonderful sis who modeled it for me!
I've just submitted the pattern for this wrap to the crochet calendar and Annie said she likes it! Yay, I'm so thrilled!

Twisted Wrap Pattern Details

Prism Bag project

My latest crochet project is the prism bag, from Lionbrand's free patterns. I used my local acrylic yarns and 5 mm. hook (which is as of now the biggest hook I have), so I crocheted it with two strands of 4-ply acrylic yarn to create a sturdy fabric. I also had to adjust the pattern, adding more rows as required to achieve the right size.

Here are some photos of what I did.


These are the plastic lids for the handles. I don't have coffee can lids so I used the lids of disposable containers. I cut out the inner part to make a ring.


I made 110 sc's on the ring to make the handle.
Before I crocheted, I inserted a nylon cord inside the rim to prevent the plastic from cracking and also to have a softer grip.

This is the finished bag without any closure and lining. I added a butterfly embellishment from this pattern. I also added flowers which I made from my own pattern. But looking at it again, I think the butterfly decor is enough to make the bag interesting! I think I'll remove the flowers.


I like the design of this bag, it is stylish and practical. It doesn't even need to have a lining and closure. I'm sure the lionbrand yarn used in the pattern will make a much more fashionable bag. But since I used my local acrylic yarns and I'm very satisfied with the result, I would also recommend it! I used up almost 18 skeins of yarns, crocheting with two strands held together.