Seek And Ye Shall Find...More Than You're Looking For!!! ^_^

 (Lost and Found Greeting Card by yamakimoto)

      I was just getting ready to take my nap...so that I can be all rested up to pay good attention at my meeting tonight...when I realized I hadn't done my blog post today to tell you the good news!...I FOUND IT!! :-) Of course I'm talking about my elusive rainbow baby blanket that I've been searching for a few days!...

      I decided to 'really' look for it today, instead of just looking for it in the bunched up filing cabinet of my mind...like I've been doing for the last few days! ^_^ Oooooo! That filing cabinet is a mess!!! LOL
      I had to go through bags and bags of yarn in my work-room! O_O Yikes! Who knew I had that much yarn anyway?!!! WOW!...And not only did I find the rainbow baby blanket...half done, of course!...but I found other projects that need to be either given away, thrown away, listed in my Wuglyees shop,  or finished!
      NO! I don't know where they came from!!! ^_^ And even worse, I don't have the pattern for them written down anywhere, and I'm gonna have to go back into that bunched up filing cabinet of my mind to try to remember how to finish them!! O_O ...Uhhhhh...it could be a lost cause! LOL
      I found this throw pillow cover...

      I remember finishing this one!...but why I didn't list it in the shop?!...I don't know. O_O It's really soft, with frilly yarn on the front, and a big, soft, crochet button flower! :-) ... And on back?.....
 

      ...no frill, but lots of softness. :-)

      I also found this very soft and pretty baby blue baby blanket...in progress. :-) ...
 

      In was in a bag with all of the yarn to finish it...but no written pattern! O_O UGH!...

      It's not right!...It's not right, I tell you!...for a woman with an Etsy shop that has the theme:  "Where nothing is wasted--not even the ugly!" to have all of this yarn, and these crochet projects in bags 'going to waste'!! O_O I've got to get them done!!!...

      And I will!!!...as soon as I finish the project I started with this pretty yarn. :-) ...
 

      Stay Tuned!! :-) ... But, for today, Bye!!! And have a good one! :-) ♥

Why Do You Have To Share?

I know you're probably wondering:
"Why does she feel the need to share?"
I'll tell you. It's no secret!
It's because...Oh Well...YOU'RE THERE!

Why should I suffer this alone
when I can whine right in your ear?
And, after all, you came to visit,
and you still are sitting there!

Why should I keep it to myself...
this so-called 'Too Much Information'?
If you leave it up to me
there'll be a 'Listen To Me' nation!

I like to share my good and bad.
I've done it for so many years.
But you don't really have to listen.
You could amputate your ears! 

Why, Oh Why, Didn't I Start With A Different Yarn?!!!

 (Brown Checkered Sandwich Shoppe Waxed Paper by TheSparrowHandmade)

      I know, you're wondering why I'm talking about yarn when there's checkered brown waxed paper in my header photo. O_O Well, I'll tell you why!...Because this post was suppose to be about 'BROWN'! I was gonna share the nice 'brown' items I found on Etsy this morning...But!...

      ...Instead of brown, I'm sharing aqua and green shades of yarn! O_O ...

 (Aqua, Green & Brown Merino Hand Dyed Sock Yarn by OneHandmadeLife)

 (Blue, Green, Gray Hand Dyed Sock Yarn by OneHandmadeLife)

      Beautiful yarn!...but the reason I'm sharing it is not so beautiful for me!...Ugh!...The reason I'm sharing it is because I'm kicking myself that  I didn't start my baby blanket with one of these yarns...or some other color...where I could order some more of it if I ran out! Ugh!

      Yep!...I have a row and a quarter yet to finish....and my yarn ran out!! O_O And, to add insult to injury, the yarn I was using is a discontinued brand!!! So I can't just order one more skein, or pop over to the store and get it!! O_O

      I spent quite a bit of time today trying to find some...on Ebay even!!! But unfortunately...there's no more 'Jamie Baby 3-ply sport-weight Aqua #271  anywhere!!...ANYWHERE!!!! O_O ... 

      Now what do I do?! O_O Keep trying to look for the yarn?...Finish the blanket with two rows missing?....*UGH! I hate the idea of doing that!!!*...Do the last two rows in a neutral color, like white?!...Or just put it in the bag with the rainbow baby blanket....*if I ever find it!*...and let it be unearthed on the next Spring cleaning in 2026?!!! LOL...Suggestions would be appreciated, Y'all!! O_O

      Ugh!!...Why didn't I just make the baby blanket with an aqua and white stripe?!!!...

(Aqua White Striped BABY BLANKET by BeverlyAnnsBabies)

      Oh Well!...You can buy this one (above)! ^_^ My baby blanket, unfortunately, will now not be in the shop before the weekend as planned...*shaking my head* O_O WHATEVER!!!...I'm still smiling! :-) Why?!!...Because I still have things to crochet!...and I'm now off to take a long nap!! LOL Have a good rest of the day, Y'all! ♥

      

Never As Expected

Why can't things go as expected?
No left turn. No oops!...'Snafu'!
There's always got to be a fly
in the ointment, soup or stew!

Why can't things go as they should,
Without a hitch, impending doom?
Instead of 'Steady as she goes'!
There's always Click, click, click! Then BOOM!!

Sometimes You Just Have To Organize...And Play!

       With a bag full of color like this, and a little time on my hands between custom orders, how could I possibly pass up the opportunity to play?! ^_^ ... Answer: I couldn't! :-) I'll show you what I 'played around' and made in a second.
       First, let me show you what my organized bin area looked like after the organizing project...

     See! A place for everything, and everything in it's place! :-) ...Including my head model 'Shequita', my Fritos and my clock timer! Ha! Ha!....And No! I will not show you my neat underwear drawer from yesterday's organize!...I share, but even I know that that would be TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!! ^_^
     For now, I'll keep my sharing to yarn! :-)) ...

     I have a 'quick stash' bag...or two...or three...around me at all times. They have almost every color of the rainbow. Some of them are the same color, just in different shades. And Oh, how I love making my little lapel flowers with all of this color! :-)
     I was especially thrilled to get the true 'gold' color recently. The gold I used for the custom order about child cancer. The boutonnieres I made are all off to their new home. :-) But I just had to make at least one more boutonniere for the Wuglyees shop...

      It's not listed yet, but it will be by the end of the day...after I take better pictures of it!...Or at least I 'HOPE' they're better pictures! You know me and my camera and my picture-taking abilities! O_O
     But this gold one isn't what I made when I had the 'inkling' to play with yarn...THIS is....

     I just took the time and made each petal of the flower a different color! :-) Which, in case you're wondering, is a whole lot of tedious work!...but fun....when you're playing! ^_^
 

      It was sorta like painting! :-) My boutonniere was my canvas, and I had to decide what color was going to best complement what color, next to what color! ^_^ My creative brain cells were 'really' having fun!!
 

    And I put a fastener pin on the back...instead of a fold-able pin or a button...because I think it might be too much color for a man's lapel....MAYBE! ^_^ What do I know!...But at least, with the fastener, it can be worn by a woman too! :-)
      
      Okay....the lady is here to clean the rest of the house...and I'm happy to know that my organizing will no doubt make it a little easier for her now! :-] ... Back to playing with some more yarn for me! ^_^ What are you doing today?!...Whatever it is, have a good one Everybody!

Do You Play?!

I had some 'Play Time' in my youth,
back when my hips could take the heat.
I couldn't wait to find someone
that I could race, chase down, or beat!

How many times did I 'Hopscotch',
play some marbles, skip a rock?
And a game of 'Tag' could go
until you couldn't see the clock!

All my games were very active.
So much energy, people! WOW?!
But things have changed. It's different,
because I'm so much older now!

I still have 'Play Time' at my age,
but the games are slow and rare.
I like board games, playing cards,
things you do right from your chair.

The games I watch can't be too long.
I'll fall asleep! I'm kind of nod-dy.
And I have to use my mind.
No running round now with this body.

I play with things like yarn,
and with hooks...even thread.
And I play with pen and pencil,
pulling poems from my head.

Whichever way, I have to play!
It's my excuse to have a laugh.
I just have to keep it slow.
Don't want a charlie-horse in my calf!

How Often Do You Check Out Your Competition?

(Crochet and Leather Flower Ring by katrinshine)

       Crochet....crocheting....and crocheters. That's all I'm about today. That wasn't all I was about yesterday! Yesterday I was about watching the weather...BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! "THIS IS A TEST OF THE EMERGENCY BROADCASTING SYSTEM..."...That's what I was used to hearing a couple of times a week or so. No big deal.
         But not this weekend. That BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! has been followed by an urgent
recorded voice telling us that turbulent weather has been detected in the area...severe thunderstorms...lightening...atmospheric swirling, etc...and then came tornado watches and warnings, and local info telling us that we need to get to safety, be careful of flooding, etc....WOW! Scary!...So, what I've been doing the last couple of days is trying not to let that loud television 'ALERT' scare me to death!...and watching one of my resident hummingbirds in the tree near the feeder, waiting out the storm,...

          ...and crocheting,...of course! :-] 

 
        I've been working on some small flower brooches and lapel pins...

       Now, this morning, it's still kinda dark and cloudy and raining. I've been up and down all night, in pain...Ugh!...and my fingers aren't in shape for that tiny needle this morning. So....I decided to just spend some time checking out the competition...the other brooch and flower crocheters! :-) ... Those of you who create and sell your items, how often, if ever, do you do that?!...check out your competition, I mean?!
      I really shouldn't call them 'the competition', because I really don't find myself nervous or wary of them at all! I find them encouraging and inspiring. You can see what I mean in the header photo, and below...

(Crochet Bow Brooch Set by heydayhandmade)

(Blue Denim Crochet Butterfly Brooch by LovelyKikily)

(Hand Crochet Apple Brooch by natalibran)

(Purple Lavender Lilac Crocheted Brooch by SmilingKnitting)

(Hand Crochet Sunflower Brooch by natalibran) 

       Now who could really call them 'the competition'?! :-) We are all clearly in our own lanes...creatively speaking. And some of them are so wonderful that I don't even wanna get anywhere near their lane. :-)) I just wanna show off their work!
        The little handmade crochet brooches that we make are so under-appreciated by people. Oh yes, people really like sticking one here and there, on their blouse, coat, hat, pocketbook, etc...but they don't appreciate what a difference they make to an outfit....or how much work went into making them!...Maybe me and my 'competition' can change that! :-)
       At any rate, making brooches and crocheted creations is getting much more attractive for us crocheters these days, with the colors that yarn is coming in!...I mean who wouldn't want a little statement piece in these colors?!...

(Hand Dyed Superwash Merino Yarn by SunriseFiberCo)

(Superwash Hand Dyed Merino Wool Sock Weight Yarn by BlackSheepDyeworks)

(Alter Ego Hand Dyed Fingering Weight Yarn by DyeabolicalYarns)

(Hand Dyed Fingering Weight SW Merino Yarn by twisttwine)

(Cashmere and Bamboo Yarn by yarnsupplies)

       Anybody wanna learn how to crochet?! ^_^ 

       Okay, there's nothing else for me to talk about, so I'm off to get some breakfast, and get myself ready for the meeting. My fingers may not work that well today, but my mind is doing just fine! :-) And it can use all of the spiritual encouragement it can get!!...Have a good day, Everybody!

What do YOU talk about?

What do YOU talk about
when you don't have much to say?
A short phrase about the weather?
Or the 'fine'-ness of the day?

Do you ask: "How do you do?",
hoping they won't say a thing?
Or just say: "Call me tomorrow",
hoping that the phone won't ring?

Do you lend yourself to grins,
and slight noddings of the head,
knowing big smiles and eye contact
would make you committed to what they said?

What do YOU talk about
when your 'talker' is 'on the blink'?
Not hardly much at all.
Certainly not much as you would think!

Color Me Thankful and Happy!

     If you've been reading this blog for a while, you probably recognize this necklace. {Although it would be understandable if you didn't, considering my picture-taking ability, or lack there of! LOL} Back on August 24th Karen Clark, of the blog Creative And Faithful, made me the winner of her Giveaway! I blogged about it HERE.
     Well, she sent out that beautiful necklace right away. And I waited, and waited,.....and waited some more, and it never came! Over the course of that time she would ask me: "Did you get it yet?!!" I felt bad that I had to keep telling her no! So, about 12 days ago she direct messaged me on Twitter and said: "I'm sending you a new one." I really felt bad, because now she was going to be out 2 necklaces, 2 shipping costs, and everything!!! Not to mention the labor and attention to detail that this necklace obviously took!!
      But yesterday in the mail I got this cute artwork card..

    ...which I loved right off the bat, because of the color! And when I opened it, there was this sweet note...

      Well Karen, the answer is....OH YEAH!!!!

     I almost couldn't believe how beautiful it was. And to think...someone else has the other one, or it's sitting in a warehouse, or a mailman's bag somewhere! *sigh*...So, my showing it off to you today is not about me saying: "Na na na na na! Look what I got and you didn't!!" It's about showing you what great work she does, what a dedicated artisan she obviously is, and how much she cares about her potential...I said POTENTIAL, because I won this FREE!!...customers.

    So, please go tweet with CrystalVelvetUk, Karen, on Twitter and tell her what you think of this necklace or visit her website, and get you one of your own...or some beads to make one!! She even has a bridal gallery!!!
    Now, you'd think that would be enough excitement for me for one day...and it would have been!...but I got an email too, that said my Wuglyees Etsy shop had been mentioned on a blog, niecynotes! This is what she says on her blog:
"Well, after some brainstorming, I thought about making a new weekly series on the blog called Notice. Notice is all about showing off some of my favorite Etsy shops. I have not tried any of the products from these shops, but I admire them a bunch and think they should have some recognition :D..."
    And who is her first featured shop?! Me, my Wuglyees shop!! She even shared some photos of some of my items!! I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised and happy!! I was beginning to think that the only way my little etsy shop was going to get REALLY noticed, except by me jumping up and down all the time, was if I got rid of it!! {Someone would say: "Wasn't there a crochet shop here one time?" LOL}
   So I want to say thank you to Denise from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to give Wuglyees a little show-off! :-)
     Also, giving you a heads up, there are a couple of blogs that I follow that are having some great Giveaways. For one you can go HERE. It's SnowFlakeDreams1's blog. She's having a One Year Etsy Anniversary Giveaway with lots of ways to enter, and it's more than one gift!
   And for another, bouffe e bambini's blog is featuring a Giveaway for a Clutch! The winner will get to choose which one they want. I like this one.

     Pretty, isn't it?! I, of course, love the flower!!.....Bare with me, I'm almost done talking today! ^_^ I just want to introduce you to another AWM team member, Kama Sutra Fiber Arts.

    Her KamaSuutra Etsy shop has the most beautiful yarns! Of course I love the ones with green in them. No surprise, right?! :-) This is DayLily SuperSport.

    And this is Leaf Green SuperSock Optical Tweed.

     No! The Pistachio green didn't take away my love of green. I'm loving hers now!! ^_^ Who knows, maybe so more green...SOMETHING...is in my future!!
    Okay, poem and then I'm done for today. I know, I know, "Bout Time!!" ^_^ Because of all of the color on my blog today, I thought I'd repeat this poem.

Color Is

Auburn is the setting sun.
Blue is a mood.
Black is the night sky.
Brown is dog food.

Green is the grass.
Yellow is the sun.
Gray is the stormy sky.
Purple is just fun.

Pink is carnations.
Plum is a fruit.
Tan is for shoes.
Beige is just cute.

Gold is a metal.
White is plain, mild.
Red is a fire.
Orange is hog wild!