A look back at 2007, and my latest Crochet Top

These are what I have accomplished in 2007, as far as crocheting goes. I'm squeezing it all in one post (please bear with me) :p

January
I was featured on t.v., Jan.14 - in a small segment on the program "Convergence" on Net25. Though it didn't make me popular or anything, I considered it a lucky break and a great way to start the year.

I made it on t.v.!

I put up my website on Googlepages and announced my first published patterns with Coats Manila Bay.

February
Tank Top and Bolero Set

In keeping with the spirit of Valentines Day: made instructions to make a Heart Souvenir.

Worked as one of the judges in a nationwide Needlecrafts Competition held by Coats Manila Bay

March
Posted free pattern on my blog - Loopy Flowers

April

Two brimmed hats I made from Japanese pattern book:


Made these dishcloths for swaps:

Posted free pattern - Scallop Coaster

Joined the Project Brave Kids livelihood project, teaching crochet to the moms of cancer patients.

Printed Halter Top

May

Flower Chokers - for my blogiversary giveaway.

June

Items I designed and made for Project Brave Kids

Yoko Suzuki's Square

Toys we made at Project Brave Kids from patterns shared by Kristie




July







Peek-a-boo Shrug - the shrug I made for my sister's b.f.'s niece.


August






Design submitted to Coats Manila Bay (pattern coming soon)









Simple shrugs I didn't get to finish writing patterns for











More designs and projects for Project Brave Kids




Baby Hat pattern finished for Crochet Calendar 2007



September

AdriafilDitto & Rovescio no. 42 baby hat:

My black tunic

October

Projects from Japanese designs

Small Tote Bag
Mini Basket

And,
How to attach magnetic snaps on bags

New pattern: Crochet Mesh Bags
Pattern for sale here ;)

Instructions to make your own personalized labels






Green Mesh Bag


November
New Patterns:

Poinsettia Coaster

Poinsettia Flower Doily and Coaster





Posted Free Pattern - Flower Choker

click here for pdf pattern

December
Purse Keychain designed by Mary Jane Hall

My Purple Shrug

And, finally, this is my last FO for 2007:

I submitted this design to Coats Manila Bay a few months ago. I made this short top for myself, but the one I'm modeling below in mustard color is the one I submitted to Coats. I really like the mustard yellow more than the other color I made...but I used the gold color thread, since I had it in my stock :p

In the hope of a "green" environment for everyone...

Again, an important information to share that I got from my favorite "green" blog, Fake Plastic Fish
Here is a video from SkyNews about what happens to the plastic recycling that is trashed into curbside bins. Most of the plastic is shipped to China, where it is processed again. It is recycled and reused, but again it creates so much toxic waste that harms not only the people there, but also our global environment. Please watch this short clip from Britain's Sky News:



This story focuses on Britain's plastic waste, but it is the same in U.S., since most plastic waste is also shipped to China.

Happy New Year!

Thanks for all the new year greetings, and for stopping by my blog. Again, a happy new year to all! It has been a peaceful and productive year 2007 for me, and I'm hopeful that 2008 would be even better. I plan to blog more, not only about crochet...maybe some knitting (?), and other useful stuff that can be shared. Thinking about posting a summary of what my blog was all about the past year, and some resolutions for this year...

Meanwhile, here's a collection of our holiday pictures taken by my son:

Christmas 2007

I wasn't captured in any of the above pics, but shown here is me, my mom, and my brothers' g.f.'s taken Dec. 30 when we dined out.

My sister and b.f. with us via the internet:



Photos from our short vacation at the beach:

...it was too quite there, but the sound of waves rushing to the shore was constant.

Here is a tourist spot near our place, a surf resort...but we didn't actually go there, since none of us are into water adventures :p



Our Dad wanted to go fishing, but it seems fishing rods are of no use with the strong waves hitting the shore. While he was driving some golf balls on our yard, he thought to go down and observe some fishermen trying to catch some fish with a net.


Surely, this man has acquired the skill for his means of livelihood, living by the sea.


Enjoying the view as well, are my brother's pets:



As usual, to welcome the new year, we made a lot of noise with our fireworks: