Turtleheart Crafts!

Here is a WIP that has been in progress for some time now. I believe since late last spring.

What are they? Little pumpkins for the October doily in LA’s “A Year of Doilies- Book 4.” I love the doily, its the pumpkins I’m having trouble with.

They look simple enough, but they have a subtle texture effect to them. And they are tiny pieces of work. It took me 2 pumpkins to get them to look they way they’re supposed to look. I need six. So if I’m going to be a perfectionist– and I am, its a family curse– then that means I need to do 3 more.

Methinks this may be a WIP for a long time…

I’m excited! I learned about a project called Warm the World from someone in an online crochet community I belong to, so I decided to check it out.

Warm the World will send volunteers a large quantity of donated yarns, and then the volunteers use it to knit/crochet baby blankets, baby booties, lapghans, hats & scarves for children in foster care, nonprofit pregnancy centers and the at-risk independent elderly. There are also opportunities for those who sew, quilt and weave.

I talked about the project with my Tribemates to see if they would be interested in volunteering as well, and we have decided to volunteer as a team! I’ve already contacted Warm the World and heard back from them. I sent my shipping information today and we should be receiving our yarn in just a couple of weeks!

I am very excited about this project. Firstly, because we will be giving to others and our community. Second, I think it will be fun and satisfying for the Tribe to do this together. Plus, it will be a challenge for us! I know how to crochet, but am fairly new to using yarn (I’m a thread girl); I’ve taught Junky Monkey the basics of crochet, so this project will help her learn more about it and improve her skills; and Cheeky Monkey is completely new to crochet, so she’ll be learning a new skill!

Wish us luck!

When we were back in IA over the holidays, Firehand’s aunt said something about wishing that she could find a longer scarf, because she likes to wear them a certain way that makes it warmer around her neck. She doubles the scarf and then hangs it from her neck, takes the free ends and slips them through the loop created on the other end and pulls it snug.

So when I heard her talking about this, I thought maybe I could make her a nice scarf that would be long enough for her to easily wear it the way she likes. I found some beautiful soft TLC Amore yarn in a color (Lagoon) that I thought would look nice on her and go with her coat.

But I have been having the darnedest time with this project. I just can’t find a pattern or stitch that looks nice with this soft, variegated yarn!

My first attempt:

Too wide, too chunky, too holey. It really needs to be a skinny scarf, I think. Off to search for skinny scarf patterns…

I frogged it and began again with a new pattern. The scarf morphed into this:

Still too wide. Too thick to loop it like Auntie wants to wear it. Too lumpy. Off I went to search for more patterns yet again…

The scarf has morphed yet a third time. Third time is the charm, right?

I went to the craft store yesterday looking for more paint for a distressed shelf project I have yet to finish. It seems that it was my lucky day– the paint was on clearance sale and they still had the colors I needed!

Along with a few other items…

Stamps were HALF OFF. I found 2 House Mouse stamps I couldn’t resist. Normally I don’t do “cutesy”, but I capitulated this time.

Awwwww… Don’t you just feel all warm and fuzzy inside? I know I do.

Also for HALF OFF– a new crochet book, “99 Granny Squares to Crochet.” I’m fascinated with how many different ways one can design a granny square. Also, they’re a good way to use up leftover yarn!

Speaking of yarn, I also got some of *that* for a project I have in mind for my Tribemate. Sadly, it was not half off.

But all in all, I was pretty pleased getting 3 out of 4 things for half off. Now thats what I like.

This project didn’t take long at all! Only a few hours spread over a few days.

And so, for your viewing pleasure may I present– The Clothespin Bag.

This is the first time I’ve crocheted something using two strands held together. Took a bit of getting used to at first, but I really like how sturdy it made the bag.

The pattern called for an “I” hook, but I used a “J” hook cuz I didn’t have the other. I think my bag is a bit smaller, but still plenty of room for more clothespins. I used one (3 oz.) ball + a little more of Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Potpourri, and less than one (4 oz.) ball of Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Ecru.

Thanks to Crochet n’ More for the pattern!

Here’s a trio of completed projects. Visually speaking, the patterns are a very kewl idea. They are from a Leisure Arts Little Book called “Reader’s Choice Bookmarks.”

The pansy bookmark was a fairly easy job. But those birdhouse bookmarks were a total PITA! Maybe its because I’m left-handed; I sure seemed to have a problem with some of the stuff that *should* have been really easy to do. I just kept ending up on the wrong side of things or doing it backwards. Darn right-handed world!

And, just in case you can’t tell, these bookmarks are HUGE! And rather thick– especially the birdhouse ones, with the layers of detail. For practical use, I think only the pansy would work well. But they are all so pretty. Perhaps they would look nice matted and framed…

I gave these away as little gifties.

So, I got tired of digging my flip phone out of the bottom of my purse every time it rang. I mean, my purse is *not* that big, but my cell always seems to gravitate to the very bottom. I found this pattern online for a cell phone caddy/cozy thingy and crocheted it on a flight from Denver to Minneapolis during the recent holidays.

Laws of Motion at work: When the plane touched down and brakes were applied, my ball of yarn shot out of the seat next to me and flew up the row. “Ahem… ummmm… hello people in front of me… could you look under your feet and see if my ball of yarn is there, please?” “Here it is! I found it!!!” “Thanks! Could you toss it back here for me?”

But enough about me. Here’s a little cozy…

Based on a pattern by Lynn Szwalkiewicz. I dinked around with the strap somewhat… moved it back a bit and made it narrower. Also made it for a button instead of velcro.

Sorry about picture quality… wish I had a better macro on my digital…

Thought I would share some past projects… doilies! For some reason, doilies are a passion with me. I am just now getting into patterns that use color (i.e.- with seasonal floral motifs and the like). But these pics are from my early days, the Beige Thread days…

This is the very first doily I ever made. I love the pattern. I don’t often see patterns for square doilies, and this is a unique square! I believe this is made with size 10 thread. I found this pattern again a couple years ago and made one for a friend with size 20 thread, which looked nice also. I would like to try this design in blue someday.

A nice little starry doily, also from my early days. This one is made with size 20 ecru thread.

This last one is a favorite pattern. Made with size 20 thread. I loved it so much, I made my mom one also, in white thread. *She* loved it so much, she asked for another one, so that she could have a pair for under table lamps or somesuch. After I had made the 3rd one, well, I still loved the pattern, but resolved not to make it again!

I got enough yarn today (hopefully) to begin crocheting this clothespin bag. I’m using Lily Cotton Sugar & Cream in Potpourri and Ecru.

Why in the world a clothespin bag? Well, I have an outdoor laundry line, and I’m trying to encourage myself to use it more often. If I have a bag to hold my clothespins so they’re not all over the backyard while I’m trying to hang stuff up, maybe I’ll be less frustrated and more apt to save electricity by drying clothes outside! Eh, its worth a shot…

Who is Turtleheart?

I’m a 30-something pagan and witch and I enjoy expressing myself through crafts. Current addictions include: crocheting, rubber stamping, collage journaling and silk floral design. I dabble in calligraphy, candlemaking, sewing, drawing Celtic knotwork and designing prayer beads. I dream of someday learning how to card, dye, and spin my own fibers to use for loom and tapestry weaving.

I’ve been enjoying some crafty blogs and groups recently and decided to create my own space to document and share the stuff I’m creating.

Enjoy!