Crochet buddies, FOs, and...its raining again!

This is the third week that its been raining here...though yesterday it didn't rain, the previous two weeks it seemed nonstop.
Although the rains do make me want to crochet more, somehow it gets depressing...

One thing that got me going again, was a new found crochet buddy. She was able to contact me by inquiring from Coats Manila Bay. Well, the reason I'm telling this is that it is seldom that I find a friendly crocheter, with a flexible schedule, who lives not so far from me ;)

I did find several wonderful crochet buddies through my blog and met some in person. Quite recently I met Bheng, and last year I met Gene. But Bheng is employed full-time, and Gene has a lot going on including expecting a baby :)

So I am glad to have found Daisy, since she is really crocheting and very much interested to learn from me.
The first item she wanted to make was a set of glass cozies. She showed me the crocheted set she bought which was very light and lacy...she wanted something dense like a basket, so I came up with this:

Cabled Glass Cozy


Then she also showed me a headband she bought from a street vendor, it was unbelievably cheap. But the thread and crochet work were of good quality.
I don't remember ever having made a pretty headband, so I duplicated its design. Here's my striped headband:



Btw, several months back I posted some stuffed toys I dug up from the closet. One of those is this Cool Cat. Haven't found the pattern yet, its in one of those old Crochet Fantasy magazines. Anyhow, I found the other cat I made for my son about 15 years ago. This is smaller and has freaky eyes...hehe...





Ok, just a couple more FOs...

I made another makeup purse...I finished the pattern complete with instructions on lining it with fabric and attaching magnetic snaps. This one I made with a flower embellishment to cover the snap.



Finally, here's a size 10 thread version of my Little Cotton Shrug design. I was hoping to have someone else model it for me, but it didn't happen. So here:



Thanks for looking!

Crochet Liberation Front First Ever Book

The Crochet Liberation front first ever book is now $27.75 on Amazon and eligible for Super Saver Shipping. Sounds like a good deal to me...if I live in the U.S. ;)
Here are just some of the goodies you'll get in the book:




The most favorited Phoenix Mitts by Julia Vaconsin



Another popular design - Cabled Slouch Hat by Zuleika Lamb



Yogini Carryall by Yavanna Coulter Reynolds


So many more wonderful designs and interesting articles...

And also, here are two of my designs in there.
I couldn't get better pictures...but here they are:


Little Cotton Shrug


and...


Yin Yang Keychain Ball

See Ravelry for more details.

New Crochet Book!

It's now available!!!
Yes, the book by crocheters for crocheters is now out!


Oh, haven't you heard about it? Its the Crochet Liberation Front First Ever Book - and its the first ever book that I got published in! No wonder I'm excited, huh?... But more than that it is really something to look forward to with all the unique and lovely designs and informative articles in it - as unique and varied as the contributors.


Here's a picture of the full cover of the book, which gives you a glimpse into some of the patterns in it:

This book is 194 pages of full color patterns and articles. You will find 36 patterns and 13 useful and touching articles. There is not a "how to crochet" section in this book. It was written by crocheters for crocheters who have been itching for something more.

Laurie Wheeler has a sneak peek here in the CLF Official Blog. Hope you check it out and you'll see a few of the designs....including one of mine ;)

I'll show some more pics here soon...just haven't gotten to it yet (...and I'm out of batteries too :p)


So, don't miss having a copy of this historic book :)

You can go to this site to order a copy at $34.99. Please note, that's less than $1 per pattern plus articles! To see more designs in the book check it out here on Ravelry. I've already queued some patterns...really hoping I would be able to make it. I can't wait to get my copy!

Wait, there's more! If you are on Ravelry, you can go to the Crochet Liberation Front group, and get the discount code, so you can buy the book for $29.99. Or go to Amazon to avail of Super Saver Shipping.

Got my Crochet Calendar 2009!

Yay!! I received my crochet calendar today. Not one, but two copies :D
It was such a wonderful surprise - and promptly delivered by DHL! Last year in October, I was dismayed with the DHL delivery, and wrote about it on this post. This year, they surely made up for it ;)

I would like to thank Susan Ripley again, for being very helpful. I also think she did such a good job of compiling the patterns for this edition.

A careful look inside the calendar and I see these:
My designs, of course:
Multicolor sling purse, May 23-24
Poinsettia Coaster, December 7

My friends' designs:
Tina's Yo-yo key-ring critters, January 28
Tina's Piggy Bank, February 18-20
Deneen's Chunky-Brimmed Chapeau, February 28-March 1
Deneen's Mom's Favorite Scrubby Dishcloth, May 4
Deneen'sPerfectly Pretty Cotton Washcloth, December 1

Other designs that interest me:
Pamela Romeo's Baba Yaga's Bag, February 27
Paloma Parra's Lucky Lamb, March 4-5
Mette Buchreitz' Fancy Dishcloths, April 6
Jennie Lute's Bowling Set, April 9-10
Bernat's Tufted Floor Pillow , April 27
Mette Buchreitz' Friendship Bag, May 1-3
Tracie Barrett's Lanyard for ID or Keys, July 14-15
Bernat's Cool Poncho, August 17
Dorothy Hardy's Simple Ribbed Scarf, September 7
Paton's Brilliant Shawl, September 16
Bernat's Rib Bag, September 23-24
Mette Buchreitz' Santa, December 16-17

I noticed that the filler patterns in this calendar are from Lily, Bernat, Patons and Maggie's Crochet. I think I've seen most of it as free online patterns, except the ones from Bernat which look new.
All in all, I like this calendar more than the previous (2008) calendar.

For more information, to contribute designs or to purchase the calendar, please visit their website:
http://www.knittingpatternaday.com/crochet.htm

Crochet Scarf

After I crocheted 3 balls of thread, I added another photo to my brown tunic project (on Ravelry).
Now its becoming a bit monotonous, that I'm thinking of starting another project :p
I want to make the Queen Anne's Lace Scarf for my sis. I have some thick cotton yarn, the two balls in burgundy, that Deneen sent me. I already made a simple sc-dc scarf using up one ball. I finished it a week or two ago, it was a quick project that I hardly remember myself doing it :p


I am not sure this could be for a guy...we'll see. So I am hoping that I'll be gifting a his and hers matching scarves.