Well, alright now! I'm finally figuring out how to use this bloc. So, please enjoy the links I've listed and shoot me an email from time to time. Hopefully soon I'll be displaying my finished works, but I'm getting all backed up for some reason. I want to clean my room, which for some reason doesn't fall under the general category of house keeping. Oh yeah, I've been trying to stay on top of that, unsuccessfully. I'm trying to design a 3/4 length toddler cardigan and also construct my Josie's Poncho. Wait I minute! How did I start neglecting my crochet all of sudden? I'll be back on top in a minute.

Happy Birthday to Me! Happy Birthday to Me! Yeah, I guess. I almost tried to forget it but I couldn't. No big plans or anything, but nowadays I just feel blessed to have a good day. My two girlfriends came out on Saturday. I love you sooo much Dawanna and Ronnie. Just out of the blue they decided to come visit me. We went to the "pre-opening" of West Sacramento's new Ikea and spent way too long there. And then we came home and played in make-up. I didn't know before Saturday, but that's exactly what I wanted to do for my birthday. I'm really considering starting a diet now (I was just gonna let myself go before). But I sent Dawanna away with some clothes that I can't fit anymore because she's lost 67 pounds! OMG!!!! Girl, you look great!

I bought a huge shelf at Ikea without even knowing whether or not it would fit in my car. It did! And I was even able to close the trunk. Although I did have to leave one of my children behind (just kidding, he rode in another car). We got three very long and heavy boxes into the house without incident. On Sunday the kids and I went to the Black Expo and the first booth that we saw had a great job listing. Then we made it all the way home with a trunk load of groceries before the big rain storm hit. Yes!

See what I mean? Two good days in a row. A great b-day present. I think I'll buy a lottery ticket, maybe two.

Flower Pillow One decor item down and who knows how many to go. This girly room is always a work in progress. I guess I'll have to break for a moment to complete some of that year-end paper work.

The Fruit Hat I was able to convert what used to be just a sock hat into this sweet fruit hat with the arrival of my new yarn in the mail. Yipee! Another finished project. No matter how small, I always get excited.

I've started a flower pillow.

As seen on Crochetme.com. This is in celebration of the fact that the crib has been officially converted into a toddler bed. I have a definite idea on what I want to do for the bedding (her theme is Butterflies and Bling), but I don't know where I'm going to get the materials from yet. I need cotton crochet thread in a large variety of "springy" colors. If you have any ideas let me know.

I'm having crocheter's block.

I've just ordered some variegated yarn, and plan to make a funky sweater for the toddler. I'm so excited. Exhausted too. I'll keep you posted fa sho! But in the mean time, I don't know what to do with my crochet energy. I guess I'm forced to tidy up. Help me, Lord.

Chic on a Halfshell Indeed

Well, the daycare will accommodate my new schedule. I will have to scoop the kids out of bed at about 4:20 am so that I can be to work at 5:00 am. My new purse and I took them to Chuck E. Cheese last night so that I can deal with my guilt.

I used two rolls of Aunt Lydia's 100%Mercerized Cotton thread for this project. It's what I had left over from the flower jumper. $1.50 each.

A jumper good for all seasons.

And also durable enough for this wild child. My thanks to Betty Branden and her book, Crochet For Babies & Toddlers. Superb!

Pink Sweater

My lovely model and the inspiration for 80% of my projects. Thank you, baby!

Zig Zag Skirt from Interweave Knits Crochet magazine.

This skirt is like my life, unfinished but still beautiful, high quality work. Yet totally unforgiving. I'd better get over it soon and get a high quality girdle before is gets too hot to wear this 100% wool cutie.

My co-workers an I have just been informed that overtime is required over the next four weeks (at least 8 hours per week). I am unhappy about this. I am praying that the daycare providers will comply. I will be extra patient with my kids. I will not cry. I will crochet a purse for myself.

Chevy Chaser Skirt Size 2T (Pattern Coming Soon!)

Rear View 

Sock Hats

Delight 

I love yarn. No, you don't understand me, I LOVE yarn. Holding some 100% fiber between my fingers causes me to fantasize. I spend way to much time committing myself to the completion of some project or other. It's like my fingers have to be doing something. My kids get so frustrated with me for not paying attention to their every move, but then they're delighted when I squeeze their heads into cozy sock yarn!

This is the compromise. They "tolerate" me focusing on something that's not the monotony of my life (Not really. I still constantly have to referee squabbles.) for a couple of hours a day, and I end up feeling as if I really can provide them with something that they need. A comfy hat, or a new dress for the party. The fact that I (me) can make something out of a string, that can provide vital warmth for my children, helps me deal with all these feelings of inadequacy.

This is what crochet does for me. It validates me. Not only is it a form of expression that so many artists have taken over the top. But, it's a valuable skill which I can use to provide for my family and also to maintain my mental wellbeing.

I stay in the constant pursuit of mastering someone else's patterns (and this frustrates me). Only to be disappointed to find that after I've committed my mind to creating their works of art, I can't afford to because the yarn the designer used cost $8 per 50 g ball and I need 20 balls!?! Oh my God! Is there something else that I could substitute? Not really. And if I do, it won't look like the one in the picture.

When I finally write my own pattern book, I'll be sure to make designs suitable for various yarns and forms of expression, from the least expensive to the most luxurious. And everyone who finishes one of my projects will feel validated.