NEW HAT!! Chic Elite Hat

I finally got the pattern down to the way I like, well I LOVE it. In fact if my step daughter does not want it, I DO!! Will post the pattern at http://chriscrosscrafts-patterns.blogspot.com/ for those that want. It fits my head, I would say I am an adult small to medium.

Erik's Safari Blanket

Is FINALLY done!! Thank you JoAnn sale!

We got an olive green solid flannel and added it to the safari fabric, I got for his birthday.

There are rhinos, giraffes, jeeps and the words safari and 4x4.
I tied the X's in between the 4x4. Turned out pretty good.

I got 4 of 8 kitchen towels done, bought the yarn and buttons to finish the rest. And bought the flannel for all their pajama bottoms. Starting those tomorrow if I feel like it. I found a great buy on a wool blend yarn, normally $5.99 on sale for $1 and then my 20% additional for the after turkey day sale! .80 cents for the yarn. I bought 6, going to make more hats. Will post the pattern as soon as I get it done right.

R2D2 Hat

I have not knitted in about 8 years, but had to do this for my father in law.

I think this turned out pretty good, but if I do another, I will not carry the other color of yarn just join it each time. I did not like the way it puckered the hat.

New Hat...

...trying to come up with something Jeff's daughters would actually like and might keep and wear this year. Jeff said one liked hats, she does not like to do her hair, he says. Well, I found a cute hat and since it is no longer sold on that site, I decided to make my own like it.

I am not that happy with the brim, I tried to make it from memory. Think I may take the buttons off, unravel it and redo it. It is also a little tight. I used a I hook, think the next one I will bump up to a K. I may just post this one on Etsy to sell it as a preteen hat. I was working on it at the beauty school, while Jeff got his hair cut, it was a hit with the girls there, even had to give one of them my email address. I told her to give me a week before I got it down to where I like the look.

GIR IS DONE!!

His cute little tail...

Close up of his face...

Back shot...



And all of him, he is about 1o inches tall and YES I wrote the pattern down!!

EVERYBODY SING!! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM...

Erik's Rhino Slippers!!

Here are Erik's slippers! I am so excited about how they turned out. They are a mens size 13, hopefully he will not out grow them to quick.

Update on the Crochet scene...

...OK OK OK I got into a rutt, well let's say I got sick. BUT I am feeling alot better, the tests are progressing for the problems that where found. Will update later on that if there is anything really wrong.
Now on to the crochet! I am currently working on Erik's Slippers. Inspired by this picture of a hand puppet. I am taking a tried a true pattern for slippers, then adding the ears, eyes, nose and horns to the splippers.

Trying to figure out a way to make dolphin ones of Nick. Luckily Nick's foot is the same size as mine and I had to buy Erik new shoes last weekend. 14 years old and in a size 13, think he is taking after his big brother...Dale wears a size 19 shoe.
Will keep you all posted.

Ornament Swap...

...I forgot to take pictures!!! Oh well, I can show you a picture of what I made. They are really fun to make. I used the Caron Simply Soft yarn. Got them in the mail today. Working on hats right now for Jeff's girls. Not sure I will give them to them though, they really do not seem to care for anything I make for them.
Been creating a list of things for the boys in my head for Christmas. Need to really write it down and get to work on some of this stuff. Going to make about 10 purses and see how they do at a craft boutique also, to get an idea if things will even sell.
I SOLD a Bender hat. I was soooooooo excited!! Jeff made comments the whole time, about how it looked better than the orginal. Of course it did, it was paid for and not for one of the kids. LOL I am defintly taking one to Denver for the convention for the auction. Maybe I will be able to pay for our trip with all things we are auctioning off.

IT'S DONE IT'S DONE IT'S DONE!!! HAPPY DANCE!!

This dress set is called Summer's Dress Set, it was inspired by my husband's nieces that where born a little over three months premature. Sadly, Brooke did not make it. Summer is a fighter and has short bowel syndrome so we are not sure how long she will be with us. She is going home next week we hope and this dress set is for her to celebrate it in. Her mom loves frogs and I found the cute frog flannel . Could not resit making the dress in the light lavender to match the blanket.
The bows on her booties are from a set a found with the headband. I got them at a GREAT price, so I bought alot to use on more baby sets. The booties and bloomers patterns will be used repeatable with other dress as I get the patterns made. This one is a simple V stitch, with triples at the base of the dress. I am really excited how it turned out. I made another set early in the year that was a different pattern inspired by a site I stumbled across. I bought lots of baby yarn at WalMart that was discounted. Just need to get going. Think I will wait till the new year though. I have alot of things I want to do for Christmas.
Update on Gir in "disguise." The boys love him! They want a few for their friends. We will see, my wrist has been bothering more these days and I rather get gifts for family done first. Take care all!

IT'S ALIVE!! ALIVE!!!

I was working on my crochet late one night. When my eyes beheld an eerie site. When my creation started to rise and suddenly right before my eyes!! It sang "DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM."

My son saw a pattern for a Gir, but not in his suit. Said Mom can't you do it in the puppy suit? *sigh* You know I feel like Dr. Frankenstien some days. So what do you think am I close?

What I have been up to...

OK gang, I got the Baby Bear Hat done, pattern written and tested. BUT the ears do not make sense to the testers, so I have to figure out a way for it to make sense.

Erik had a football game in the rain last Saturday, so I created a football hat. I made another hat with no football for Nick. His favorite color is purple and I got the yarn for $1.50 a skein. Got enough to make him a scarf also. He really liked the hat and needed it at the game, it was so cold for him.



I picked up more Bernat Baby Purple yarn, but just do not have the energy to finish the baby set for Jeff's niece. I hate to say it, but even though they have said she may go home this weekend I just really do not want to finish it. *SIGH* I got the green also for Gir in the puppy suit, it is for Christmas. I will have to make 4, because each boy will probably want one.

Can I buy a crochet energy pill somewhere?

Forgot to add I got two new babies at the house. One is a kitten the other is a cockatiel . Bryce named the kitten Instigo, but Jeff calls him Scooter. Here he is on the bed and under my desk with Shadow. Will get pics of Willie aka Will asap.

What I have been up to...

...I got the dress done for the Summer's Dress Set, but I ran out our lilac baby yarn. Forgot I sold part of my stash on eBay. So, while that sits and waits for me to get to the store. I worked on the teddy bear romper set, got the hat almost done and pattern written. Not to sure about the ears yet. I asked on a forum, I agree, another row and a little more forward on the head. Then I have to get photos for the American Craft Guild Online Craft Show (whew what a mouth full) so I started a quicky cupcake purse. It needs 2 more rows and done. THEN...I bought paper clips today, for my orament swap and yes, I did look for yarn...NONE...no baby bernat at all, stupid small town Walmarts. So tonight I finish my ornaments and thinking what else to stash in her goodie box (photos after it has shipped.)

And what have you been up to lately?

Back to creating...

Now that things are back to normal, no conventions, nothing to worry about. I can get back to creating. Currectly working on a dress set. Have not come up with a name yet, but I am sure it will come. May name it after the little girl that inspired it. Then going to set the Harlequin Romper for a final try. Going to work this one up in black and white. Then give it to my brother and his wife for their new baby.
Was going to try my hand at a cupcake purse also. Will keep you posted on my progress.

Mountain Con 4 was OK...

...think my boys had more fun than I did though. Check out Nick and his alien. His "saviour" is a good friend of the family.

They decided to have it about 30 miles north of Salt Lake. I can understand why, they got the convention space for a song, but the turn out was terrible. As for having a good time, no I did not. Now I do not know if this is because I was comparing it to Starfest or not. But then that is like comparing an apple to an orange. The liquor laws in Colorado sure do make a difference. The bar is right there in the atrium in Denver. In Layton it is a private club and the drinks can not be taken out of that area. Keep thinking a few drinks would of made it better. The stars at Starfest where ones that everyone knew, Mtn Con, where older stars, Sarah Douglas for example, best known as Ursula from Superman 2. But on a good note the brooms, hats and Harry where a hit. Planning on doing it again at Starfest, but this time will auction off Harry and the Futurama hats will be for sale, auctioned and some Harry things provided to a charity auction.

The Dr Zoidberg Hat!!

It's official...I have gone over to the crochet side in a bad way. Presenting my latest creation the Dr. Zoidberg hat complete with mouth flaps. The burning question is will I stop soon...the answer "Ah, heck no, I still got Christmas, to make presents to delight other people with." I actually found a Gollum/Smeegul hat, perfect for the son with dual personality of the two. And other things I have got my brain working on. But after the convention, I have to get two baby sets done. I had two nieces born in July and one due in October, all where due in October. Sadly one of the twins passed away and other is still in the hospital. But I would like to get something to her.
Will keep you posted with pics, ecspecially if I get carried away again.

Crochet vs the Cockatiel

OK!! What is it with my pets versus my hobbies? This is Capt Jack Cockatiel and he does NOT like me do anything that takes away from him. He will perch on my fingers while I am crocheting (see pic) and sing and sing. Then get mad attack the hook if I ignore him. If I am working on my laptop or desktop, he jumps on the keyboard and taps and taps, then attacks the keys. Then he starts saying "Come Here" or better yet cat calls me. I have been reading about male cockatiels and he is the typical male. He will bob his head up and down with me, hold his wings out a little and try to woo me. He is also jealous of my son Erik. If Erik is in the room with me, he gets louder and louder, trying to get my attention. Gotta love him!

Of course the cat is not much better!! He jumps up on my lap and rubs everwhere until he gets some attention.

A thought on computers and this day and age...

...You know I got to thinking today about the computers that we can not live with out these days. You see ordinary people with them everywhere; in the mall, the office, on the bus and the cops in the cars. What would we do without them? Then there is my childrens generation that has had Nitendo, Sega, Xbox and the home PC. I remember my parents buying their first microwave at over $800 dollars, over 20 years ago (it still works by the way.) The first VCR we had in our home had a wired remote. Hell the first TV I remember was black and white. We would go to Grandma's to watch something special in color, Wizard of Oz comes to mind. Our children can not live without their cell phones and it is not for calling they text on them. Would society live through a disaster where we had to start all over? What are you thoughts?

You know come to think of it I would not of met my present spouse without that computer and internet...

What would a caveman think of computers these days?

Harry Potter & Hedwig in crochet

Ok so how close am I getting? The cloak part is almost done. Will stitch it to the body tomorrow. Looking for a wire at the craft store Saturday to make the glasses, so they will hold their shape.

Bender is a SUCCESS!!

I posted the Bender hat on a crochet forum and Geeks!! It was loved by hunderds, well several admirers. Found a tester for the pattern. Can not wait to hit Etsy with it!

Bender Hat

OK OK OK I know this is NOT Harry Potter, but I had a brain storm and had to create! Harry is almost done. Like the blond I am I bought the wrong batteries for my camera, so I used the camcorder to snap these of my latest creation. I was inspired by the Sci Fi Convention I am going to and when I heard they where doing a 24 hour Futurama marathon, I could not resist.

Ladies and Gents I proudly present to the Bender Bending Rodriguez hat!!

Special thanks to my loving Hubby for posing. And YES!! Before you ask I am writing the pattern down.

Harry Potter Crochet progress..

Well the pattern I was using seems to be flawed. The body was supposed to fit a gallon milk jug. Nope, I got it to fit a 2 liter bottle though. I actually kinda like it better, gives it a more body shape to it. I have the body, head and one leg done. I worked on the hair last night and it completed. Will work on the other leg and arms today. I am going for the look in the picture. I asked and received a terrific pattern from Fran at Crochetville, for a owlet. I am going to make it using white baby lash yarn, to try to get it to look like Hedwig. Will get some pictures tonight.

Erik's football game today!

WHAT A GAME!! 22 seconds left in the game, score 12 to 6 for us, on their 1 yard line and....THEY HELD THEM and WON!!! Way to go BEES!!

Christmas is closing in Gang!!

There are days!!

When I really wonder "WHY, I am doing this job?" Got into an dang near arguement with an account manager today, over all things a printer! Finally got him to believe I knew what I was talking about. *Sigh* Maybe time for a new job.

DONE!!

DONE!! Three cradle purses, in the box and ready to be mailed. WHEW Now I can work on what I want to get done for the Mountain Con 4 Convention. Hoping to get a Harry Potter done, a Gollum hat and a Bender Hat. Then I will get started on Christmas. Seriously thinking no more orders unless they are from the website till the New Year!

Tech Support = Torture?

Did you ever get the feeling that the person on the other end of the phone is just not listening? Yes, I do technical support, but on those rare occasions I do have to call, I think they are just messing with me! I know what the problem is, try to explain all the steps I have done, but do they listen? NO!! They start with their list of things to do. Once again I say "I have done all this," but in one ear and out the other. Is it because I am a woman or are they just being dense?
I am so glad my crochet hook does not talk back, make comments, suggestions or anything else. Where do I sign up to crochet for living?

This is SOOOOOOO much like my cat Shadow, it is not funny. The twerp got his tail hooked in the yarn that I was working on last night, got out the door, down the hall and halfway down the stairs before I got it pulled off. He came right back and started the rubbing and meowing for more attention. Would love to contact the artist and ask him to do one about a cat in the yarn.

Red Preemie Christmas Dress set

I FINALLY got it done and promptly picked up three more cradle purses order. I wanted to work on a Harry Potter door stop, oh well. Here are the picks before my camera died. I thought the white flowers looked Christmasee (is that a word?)

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There's a poodle in your bathroom!!

This was sooooooooooo much fun to make!! She turned out so much cuter than I thought she would. Yes, it has to be a "she" it is Peach after all. But WHY!! is peach colored yarn so hard to find? All I could find at JoAnn was a pound size and it was more orange than peach. Luckly there is a craft store up north that had Bernat Coordinates in stock in the perfect color.

Well on to more things, making cradle purses sold from the website. Hoping that means more people are going there.
Catch ya'll later...~C

New free patterns!!

I have added 3 pages of free patterns to http://www.chriscrosscrafts.com/free So far there is afghans, doilies and dishclothes. The rest are coming as fast as I can edit the pages.

Wrist still sore, not crocheting much the past few days.


~C

Blast from the past?

Recently there seems to be a rush of people looking for items reminded them of things from the 70's. I have a request to create a poodle toliet paper cover. Strange that somethings make a come back while others dont. Will keep you posted on my progress with it.

Lions and Tigers and Bears OH MY!

I had a brain storm a few days ago while looking at a yarn sale. Create a romper in shades of brown with a cap with ears like a teddy bear. Then another hit me, why stop there? Why not create a tiger stripe, lion or more? Needless to say I am sitting patiently waiting for the yarn to arrive. I love Herrschners and can remember their catalogs from when I was little. I would spend hours looking at things, that I could not wait to get good enough to do. Well here I am!! Can not wait to start. Looking for my hooks now!

ChrisCrossCrafts Creations

*sigh*

Once again I have crocheted myself into a sore wrist. That is the only thing that I can come up with that is making my arm hurt so much. Yes, I have done this once before in a marathon rush to get aphgans done for my entire family one Christmas. I ended up at the doctors with a diagnosis of all thing tennis elbow. Beginning to think we need to have a whole new category at the there: cross stitch eyes - your eyes are crossed, knitters elbows - both elbow are hurting and crochet wrist - a pain from the wrist action.

But on a happy note, the harlequin romper is kinda done. I have decided to try a pattern set that all uses the same bodice, but different body patterns for rompers. I would really like to see some of my work published. Will keep you up to date on how it is going.
~ C

Harlequin Romper first draft

Introducing the Harlequin Romper. I am so excited about how this pattern turned out. I can not believe it worked out so well. I actually was shooting for a different pattern. But this one started looking so nice. I have ordered 2 ply yarn to make it in black and white. Not sure about the sleeves, but waiting for feedback from other. Hopefully will get the testers on it by Monday.