Crochet Pattern Granny Square Circle Shrug

The pattern is now available for this shrug. It's crocheted out of Cascade Eco Wool and is a snuggly one-size-fits-all kind of shoulder warmer shrug. Not your typical granny square. Visit the pattern page here...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84058713/crochet-pattern-granny-square-circle and the finished sweater is available in the same Ecru color as in the photo here... http://www.etsy.com/listing/83310800/ecru-wool-shrug-crochet-circle-sweater

Click HERE for all available patterns.

Circles

Circles seem to be all the rage. I've come up with a pattern for my circle vest shrug since so many people have asked for it. Some designs start with a circle at the back and continue all the way around the collar. This one has a distinct square back to it, with an added circular collar around. You can add a button or use a shawl pin. I have both the pattern and finished designs available at LazyTcrochet.Etsy.com.
Here's one in Paprika, with a wooden button...

And Black, with a wooden shawl pin...


The pattern is available in my Etsy shop here. See my post on Foundationless Crochet for tips!

Thinking of you Goldfish Wristlets

Thinking of you Goldfish Wristlets, originally uploaded by lazytcrochet.

I had these fun goldfish bowl buttons and I kept thinking and thinking of what to do with them. Do you daydream of your goldfish? Fun Fingerless Gloves on Etsy

Looking Back at Vanna's Choice

I remember when Vanna's Choice yarn was first introduced by Lion Brand Yarn. All those pretty colors were so inspiring for many projects. I'm getting ready to enter the Vanna's Choice Contest. I haven't started on the new project yet, but I sorted through the Vanna stash and found possible yarns to use. Since you can enter as many items as you wish, I took time to look through past designs in search of Vanna's Choice yarn. I made a "Powerpuff" series of hats. The Bubbles Cloche was blue and made out of a different yarn, but Buttercup was green with a buttercup flower. Blossom was a burnt orange with a flower. There are a few other hats, fingerless gloves, and shrugs as well. I put them together here in a collage. When I finish my newest, I'll be sure to show you!
Here's a great design in Vanna's Choice from fellow CreateCrochet team member CrocheTrend.

And look at this sweet hoodie from BallofYarnToo

For more Fiber goodness, stop by Alpaca Farm Girl for Fiber Arts Friday. (Check out the Winter Alpaca Peeps pic!)

Oooh Angora!!

Angora is one of my Favorite Fibers! So luxuriously soft and cruelty-free, what could be better? Snow White Headband/Ear Warmers/Neck Cowl now available in my Etsy shop!

Do the Peppermint Twist

I made this pillow a few years ago and it never sold at local shows. I want to make another one now that I'm a little better at what I do. I'll be able to change colors and not have the colors show through. I'll also try to design it so that I can remove the cover to wash it. It was pretty for a first try design and it's now adorning my futon : )

I made the news!!

Oh my goodness! I just found my interview with Fran Henry from the "Cleveland Plain Dealer" on Cleveland.com's website. It's going to be in the Style issue of tomorrow's newspaper! She interviewed me, along with three other Cleveland-area Etsy artists for a fabulous article on Etsy.
Here's the link to the Etsy article. And here's my interview. I'm so thrilled. It couldn't come at a better time with my husband's accident and his job on-the-line. Congrats to HiAnnie, stonz, and Monaco too!

Take a Little Time to Unwind

Today is a much-needed rest day for me. I frantically tagged and tallied all my items to set up at the Tour of Homes Christmas Walk. I still have a few works-in-progress that I didn't complete on time, but since it's a 2 1/2 week show, I can take them in later on this weekend. Today...I get to do whatever I want!
I think I'll bake some cookies. I created a fabulous cookie treasury on Etsy the other day. It's about to expire, but here are a few of my favorite treats. These rub-ons from Yaelfran are so cool. I will be adorning my coffee mug with some of these soon I hope.

There are lots of sweet treats available on Etsy. Check out the selection by cakeboxcookies. You can't rush fall with these beauties!

As for me, I think I'll make some soft pumpkin cookies. Pleasing my picky son with anything besides chocolate chip has always been a challenge. He loves pumpkin pie and I'm sure he'll eat pumpkin cookies, as long as there's no nuts in them.

Get in the holiday baking spirit by checking out 12 Days of Christmas Cookies at Nestle's VeryBestBaking.com. Sign up now to receive Food Network's 12 Days of Cookies Newsletter at FoodNetwork.com. Happy baking!

Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?

I do...that's who!
Any chance I get to pick up a cool button, I grab it. I made lots of button scarves last year and intend on making lots more. Some buttons will wait until the perfectly matching yarn or fabric appears. It's great having a wide selection of big buttons to choose from.
Here are two new scarflettes that I'll be adding to my Etsy shop. The blue/green yarn is called Lagoon. It reminds me of the Loch Ness monster, so I added a picot edge and a celtic-style carved bone button. For the soft, creamy homespun, I added these faux bois toggle buttons.

I also finished this wrap over the weekend. It is knit from handspun merino wool in a wonderfully soft Terra Cotta. The buttons are 3" in diameter, handcarved from Argentina. I knew I had to create something special to use those spectacular buttons!
Be on the lookout for more button designs in the LazyTcrochet Boutique!

Front page Exposure!

Etsy -- Your place to buy and sell all things handmade_1223822139085, originally uploaded by storybeader.

Thanks so much to storybeader for sending me this screen shot of the front page! I am so grateful that my Mobius Wrap sold today. It is amazing also that I came home to 10 convos and over 40 new people that have favorited my shop! Thanks to sarawearsskirts for choosing my item for the team article in The Storque. That is the list that made the front page today.
Hooray for good vibes, great friends, and a great place to do business!

Recovering

I haven't been able to come up with anything to blog about lately. It's been pretty crazy here at home. My husband finally had surgery to repair the damage from his accident (long story here). They put a titanium mesh shelf in to replace the orbital plate (what holds up the eye) and they also rebuilt his septum and have his sinuses packed. It was a very long day at UH Cleveland on Monday. Even though all I did was drive and wait, it really wiped me out. He is resting as comfortably as he can and will have to keep his bandages on until next week.

So, I've been trying to take it easy. I don't deal with stress very well. I either end up over-doing it and hurting my back with chores, or wiped out with a total lack of energy or creativity. These past few weeks have been a mixture of both I'd say.

I am trying to finish a sweater in time for Saturday's Fall Fashion Showcase on Etsy. Everyone has been bad-mouthing the showcases in the forums, but I like to schedule one once in awhile to showcase something new and exciting. Now I just have to finish it in time!

My garage sale stuff is pretty much organized. As soon as I can price everything, I'll open the doors and, hopefully sit around and crochet for a few days straight. You can look forward to some new recipes in the near future. Comfort food sounds in order.

Suddenly

My efforts to thoroughly clean my house continue. I'm trying to get rid of clutter, focusing on paring down, make do with what we have for a more simple and frugal life.
It was going so well....until I spotted it. This book with the 10¢ sale sticker - "The Moon-Spinners". I remember buying it at a library sale a long time ago. A young fan of Mary Stewart's Merlin novels, my paperbacks were borrowed or misplaced years ago, all but a brittle copy of "The Last Enchantment." Suddenly inspired by the crisp cover, yet torn jacket and pages, the urge to create something new was too strong.
Rummaging through my stash, I found some burlap strapping (that I am going to use to fix an old rocking chair), the little antique rickrack (from a huge antique bolt), a piece of paisley fabric that was just big enough, and beaded handles that seemed to pull the whole project together.
No offense to book-lovers. It was just a fun little project. Not something I would normally attempt. The finished purse is available in my Etsy shop! Thanks for browsing.
Now back to cleaning.....and my only love, yarn.

Sweets for Easter

Here are some sweet Easter finds from my good friends at Etsy and ClevelandHandmade....

Faux chocolate? Absolutely!
These bunnies would make a perfect basket treat.
Visit LazyMamaDesigns at Etsy.com.


Here's an egg pillow, with a bunny friend too. So pretty!
Visit FloradoraInc at Etsy.com.


These peep cards are so perfectly cheery. Many colors and styles to choose from
Visit Handmade at Etsy.com.

Powerpuff Madness

What's gotten into me? I don't know. Just a crazy kick I guess.
As promised, here's the next hat in my Powerpuff Tribute...... Bubbles' Cloche!

A Quiet House

I missed having the house to myself! I love how quiet it can be. It brings back memories of visiting my grandparents. They had a daily routine and, around late-morning, it was wonderfully quiet and peaceful at their house. You could hear the cuckoo clock ticking away. It didn't occur to me then how they enjoyed their peaceful days.


Although, there are times when I blast the stereo too! Lately I've been enjoying listening to a local commercial-free alternative rock station 88.9 WSTB. The kids come home from school and ask if they can turn it down! LOL


So, it doesn't really matter whether I opt for a quiet day or a loud one, I still have been loving my time alone. Back-to-school time allows me to get caught up on projects I've set aside, organize supplies, and plan for the busy Fall/Holiday season.

Here are a few Back-to-School fashions available in my Etsy shop. New designs and lots more to come!

Smokin'.....

This weekend I'll be attending Smoke on the Allegheny's 1st Annual BBQ Competition. No, I won't be cooking, but I'll have lots of knitty goodness for sale and hope to promote my Etsy shop while I'm at it.

My Mom and Dad will be cooking. Fran and Judy Fry are the award-winning BBQ team "The Frying Pan."
BBQ is what they love to do. I finally get a chance to see them in action.

This event will be held this weekend at the Rocky Grove Firehall in Franklin, PA. Click the link above for more information. And check out "The Frying Pan" website for their delicious rubs and sauces!

A Vintage Find

It has been yard sale season here in Ohio. Everywhere you go, someone is having a sale. I don't usually stop, but I decided to take my daughter to a few and look around. She found some great vintage clip-on earrings and pins today. I came home with a really pretty piece of retro canvas fabric and a huge cone of some sort of heavy-weight wool yarn. I hesitated buying the yarn, but decided it would make a great rug. Yes, it's that thick....and scratchy too.

So, I spent the day washing the fabric and cutting out a nice size library tote from it. Here's the final picture. I love the colors of orange, rust, brown, and green.