My Crochet News

Hello! Back here again to share some of my recent crochet-related stuff!

1. My Crochet Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/MimiAlelis

Might be quite late for me to join in on youtube - since I intend to monetize my channel... (Google will only evaluate a channel when it reaches 10,000 views.) It is a long long way to go, but... Thanks to my friends, crochet buddies. and followers for their support - I am inspired! 😊
So far, I have 8 crochet-related videos...I guess I need to make a hundred more!..haha

2. Crochet Books, The Book Depository

This came today, with free and fast international shipping from The Book Depository! I also timed my purchase when these books were discounted. 😉
I'm planning to make gifts for babies and kids in my family...I'm so happy how the family has grown - more nephews, nieces (includes grandnieces/nephews), and of course my very own granddaughter!

3. Crochet Design Submissions
Though my designs are few and far between, I'm still into it - wanting to get published again. I've just mailed a proposal for a top I made two years ago...goodluck to me 😀

By the way, I have contributed a pattern (Shells and Flowers Shrug) to the 2018 Crochet Calendar and have just received my complimentary copy. I submitted late and had to take my own photo...and I didn't really like it 😛. (This made me determined to take better photos next time!)

4. Modeling my Crochet
I really like wearing the crochet clothes I make - as for modeling it, I just had to...I seldom have someone else to model it for me, or even to take the photos - so I had to learn to do both. I never mastered any of the things I do, but I'm content to be able to pull things through...😊
Here's the result of my latest "pictorial" and editing efforts:

Shell Halter Top

The Shell Halter Top crochet pattern is for sale on Ravelry and on Etsy.
That's all for now, thanks for looking!

More cotton yarns!

A while back last month, Deneen was destashing yarns...I told her I would love to buy some of the cotton yarns. She was surprised but understood why I'm willing to spend $10.+ for the shipping alone, so she just RAOKed me the yarns instead :D To my delight, she packed in as much yarny goodness as can fit into the small package. When I took out the yarns, I was amazed how much yarn was inside!



I love it all, thanks so much Deneen!
I plan on making a felted hook case with the Caron Felt-it. With the other yarns, I have yet to look at project ideas on Ravelry ;)

WIPs and yarny stuff

Haven't been doing much crocheting as I planned to... So after a while of not posting, I only have these to share:

First of all, I finally got the goodie box that my sister sent me all the way from London! In it were all the crochet-related wishes that she granted me, plus some vanity products and yummy treats. (Thanks again, Sis!)

A while back she sent me some yarns called Lustre, which I used to make some keychain purses. I like the softness and sheen of the yarn, so I requested some more of the purple color, which I plan to make a shawl or shrug. Again, she surprised me with more yarns :)

Then I got very interested in the Hilos La Espiga nylon cord, which was used by designer Mary Jane Hall for her keychain purse design. So I tried to buy some online, and was able to order it from Mona of CrochetStyleETC, based in Ohio. I asked her to mail it to my sister in UK. She was very nice and accommodating, and the products she offers are wonderful and her prices are so good. I ordered two rolls of size 18 nylon.



She also sent me some snippets of the other sizes of nylon cord. I'm sure I'm going to order again from her, though its so hard to choose what to order...there are so many things I want from her shop to make various projects.


Meanwhile, I'm working on another of my cropped cardigan design. This will be for my sister if she likes it ;)



Lastly, here's a Baby Newsboy Cap I made. This is sized for about 16" head circumference. I'm working on other sizes so I could offer the pattern for sale.

A flower from Argentina

Today I got a surprise in the mail, a handknitted flower from a friend in Argentina.

Thank you so much for the gift and the holiday wishes, Vik! I'm in awe of your knitting skills and so touched by your sweetness. Btw, love your label, so cute! And your card really cheered me up...love your signature too ;)

Got my swap package from Kimberly, yay!!!

These lovely goodies came from my American friend, Kimberly, in Belgium. She is my swap partner at our Kitchen Swap at the FiberFreaks forum.

Look at the lovely thick dishcloth, with a nice pattern stitch, I love the green and ecru combination! The design looks like people holding hands ;)
The two other ecru dishcloths are lovely too, with the pretty stitches, esp. the broomstick lace stitch :)
The trivet (or potholder) is very interesting, I would love to make one, what a clever idea! I'm really very lucky to have Kimberly as my swap partner, her handmade items are all beautiful!

And the chime, how cute it is!
And the fridge magnet too, with a wonderful Irish saying:
May the roof above us never fall in and may we friends gathered below never fall out.

The necklace kit, I am sure I will make several of those pretty chokers and necklaces!
The beautiful fur yarns (great color!), I will have to look on the internet for more inspirational designs to turn the yarn into lovely accessories.
And last, but not least, the cute stitch markers!...I'll be using it now, since I only used safety pins before ;)

Thank you so much Kimberly for all the time and care (and expense!) you put into this to send me a wonderful swap package

Happy Blogiversary (to me!)

Two years...yay!
I don't have much to say for now except thanks to all of you who became a part of this blog. For all your wonderful and inspiring comments, for the friendship, the virtual hugs, the gifts and warm wishes too.

Now on to my little blogiversary contest -

Two contestants will win a flower choker esp. made by me!
As I'm writing this post, I'm also shuffling up the names...


But first, thanks to all who left comments and participated in my blog contest: Kimberly, Deneen, Sue, Sheila, Lily, Stacie, Tina, Yasmin, Ashley, Kari, Kelly, Lucy and Vik.

Unfortunately, no one got the correct answer to where I got the idea for the choker. But the closest guess is from Lily - because my clue was that it came from a yarn company. The answer is Phildar, its originally from France, and Mani di Fata (Lily's answer) is originally from Italy. So, I hope you will agree that is the closest answer ;)
Here is the cover page of the newsletter where I got the idea for the design.

I already have the instant prize ready and it will soon be mailed. As for the two winners of the choker, I will email you to know what color and length of choker you prefer.
The two winners are... btw, you can thank (or blame) my 17 yr-old son for picking out the winners ;) I could not believe it when I opened the two entries:

Deneen
Tina

Congratulations!!!

Crochet projects update

...still working on the diagrams for my latest design for Coats Manila Bay. Wish it didnt take me too long, but it did. I enjoy crocheting but, (sometimes) I hate writing the patterns and drawing the diagrams. Anyways, I'm eager to start on a new design after I finish everything for the skirt and top that I submitted.
They gave me a lacy stitch pattern, and I hope I'll be able to come up with a tunic top using that. A bikini set is also on the to-do list :p I was given these colorful threads to work with for the next projects ;)

And here so far, are my designs for Project Brave Kids (which I first mentioned in this post)
We are still teaching some of them the basics, but some are already producing finished goods.
I have been inspired to create these designs for the project.

Just want to show you samples of the coasters I made, 6 pcs. per set. Its fun making these small items ;)



Btw, my sister sent me a copy of the creative commons DVD. She said she got it from Lawrence Lessig himself, at a conference in Malta. The topic should very much concern us as artists, creators, and bloggers. Will have to watch the clips first and then I'll post my comments. But if you have time I recommend you see these video clips on Lessig's lectures.
Thanks sis for the goodies ;)

Thanks Su!

I was so surprised on what Su sent me. Several weeks ago, she and I had been talking about the magnetic snaps to be used in crocheted bags. She promised to send me some. More than that, she put up a lovely package for me :) It was so neatly packed, I would not have guessed from the small box would come out a lot of goodies, wow!!!


Cute stuff, I was thrilled!

What I love the most was the crocheted flower and the shower flower soap sachet. Her design is so unique and pretty, and I could not figure it out just by looking. I'm glad I dont have to, since she shared her pattern with us. Thanks for sharing the pattern Su, I really appreciate it more looking at your finished work.
Now I still dont know the details of the crocheted flower, but I want to know, its very pretty!
Thanks for everything, Su, especially for the caring thoughts that you put in it :)
I'll "install" a magnetic snap on one of my crocheted bags soon ;)

Thank you, RAOK FGM!

Someone mailed me an RAOK (Random Act of Kindness) package dated Feb.24, I only got the postal notice to claim it just yesterday.
I know it takes a while, hope she didnt get worried...

What I found in the envelope was a couple of things that I wished for...
Finally I have some camo yarn, and a retractable tape measure. I hugged the yarn and played with the tape... I am so thrilled!



Thank you so much FGM Jessica from Bristol, CT!

Thank you post

I know this is a bit late...
I am so glad I'm finally seeing the faces of some of my online friends who I've been reading their blogs and exchanging comments and emails with for the past year or so...
Well you know who you are ladies ;)
Thanks for sharing your wonderful pics with the rest of us!

I would also like to thank an anonymous Fairy Godmother (FGM) who sent me (actually it is for my teen son) a few months ago, a box full of bubblegum! I have previously thanked her at the forum, but had not mentioned it here. I really dont have an idea who she is, other than her last name and her return address to Walker, Michigan.
(Note: my son is still hoarding some of it, and wont share it with anyone.)

Today (Mar. 26) I got excited when I opened the mailbox and found 3 postal notices to claim package for me! I was already getting sad, always checking it and finding nothing for several weeks... So tomorrow I will write another thank you post