My first Swap Package!

Some of you know that I have taken on the challenge of my first Afghan swap! It is a year long swap with the same partner. Three packages are sent out from each partner. The first two are smaller and filled with goodies, the last one (in December) is an afghan that we have been working on for the other person. Also, the last box is filled with goodies. I just sent out my first package (which she received) and I got my first one from her!

I wish you all could have been there for my happy dance when I opened my package the other night! Even though I was expecting it, it was a very nice surprise and I am so excited for everything in it! So, here we go!

First up is three skeins of beautiful yellow yarn! So soft :) I already have some ideas brewing of what I might do with this. Thank you, so much, Bonnie!
Next! I have a beautiful Crochet magazine filled with so many more project ideas and I wonder how long it will take me to make them all! There is a really cute dress I want to make my niece, that I found in there. Also, she sent a Rainbow Ripple Baby blanket, 12-pointed star. I am so excited for this because I think thiss will be perfect for my cousin, who just had a baby! (I might use some of the yarn I got, for this :) ). Also, a yummy recipe for hot chocolate cake ! She just combined two sets of words I love “Hot Chocolate” and “Cake”. I can’t wait to try this!

Next, we have more yummy yummies! My husband grabbed the choclate cherries and ran off with them, the moment he saw them in the box. Hahaha! Right now, I am sipping some yummy orange tea. It feels so good after a night of rain.
Up next….

Some beautifully made, hand knitted, cozy socks! These my hubby can’t steal mwahahahaha! And if he does, I will know it. (we have sock wars)

And Last, but certainly not any less exciting….A sewing kit that I can stick in my purse and take with me, when I have projects that call for buttons or when accidents happen at work (or anywhere for that matter), a pom-pom maker! I have been wanting to try one of these things out because I like the look of the fuzzy things on hats, but it has been so fun trying to figure out how to make one and yarn just gets everywhere. I am hoping that this helps! And a little wallet with a crown on it. :)
Thank you, Bonnie (Panther)! I love absolutely everything that was in this package and I am excited for the future two.

New Adventures with Yarn

Alright, I am so super excited to be able to share with you, the finished product of the CAL (Crochet A Long) shawl that we were working on. It was so much fun to work with these beautiful ladies on the same project. They helped me when I had questions and we chatted while waiting for the next clue. I love a good mystery and this project kept me anxious for the day when the next clue would be released.

Here is the finished product:

The border has sweet little butterflies! I tried to capture some in the picture above, but I'm not sure if you can see it. I did not block this (mostly because I don't know how and I don't have the room, right now. This pattern also called for beads, which I did not use because my local craft store didn't have the beads I was looking for and I'm not patient when it comes to creating something for someone. Haha!

I gave this shawl to one of my co-workers who was not having a good week. I hope that it helped to brighten her day. She likes to bow hunt and the colors reminded me of the pink camouflage shoes that we sell, which reminded me of her hunting hobby.

I am excited to start a new CAL! I am looking for one right now, so if you know a good one, let me know in the comments below!

Also, I decided to teach myself how to knit and after 15 minutes of trying to figure out how to cast on, I am getting the hang of it. Here is a scarf that I'm making. I'm not very far.

As always, have a blessed day.
Remember that you are beautiful and well loved.

My first Crochet Along

I would like to think that I am an adventerous lady. I am willing to try almost anything and when it comes to crafts, I'm game.

This past week, I found a group on Ravelry: Make1-designs that is starting to host Crochet Alongs (CALs). What this is (if you don't already know), is a group of people working on the same project at the same time. The pattern is given out in portions. First, the supply list comes out and then the first part of the pattern. Then a week or two later, the second part of the pattern comes out and so on. I joined a Shawl Crochet along and here is what I have so far:

I don't really know what it is going to look like, in the end. But I do love a good mystery. I find that I love the CALs because if I have any questions about the pattern I don't feel shy in asking because if 20 people are where I am, at least one will have the answer. It helps build a sense of community between crocheters and we help each other out.

The picture above is the completed, first part, of the pattern. The second part is supposed to come out today and I am so excited for it! If you haven't already tried a CAL or KAL (Knit  Along), I highly recommend it!

Have you tried something like this before? What did you like most about it? Was there anything you struggled with? Would yo do it again? If you haven't done an -along, yet, is it something that you would like to do?

Feel free to leave comments below, I always love hearing from you!

Remember that you are beautiful  and well loved.