Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Ripples and Ridges

CrochetKiosk is proud to be featured in another ArtFire member curated collection. You can see my neutral feminine scarf on display in the bottom row, third from the right. Get a more close up look by clicking on the collection below.




Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Yawn

Working midnights at work this week makes me sleepy. While one happy midnighter is on vacation this week, I volunteered to work her shifts because they're 12 hour shifts so I only have to work three days instead of five which is pretty decent compensation. However it means that for this week I have a royally messed up sleeping schedule. I had packed my crochet bag to take to work with me so that I could work on a new scarf during my dinner break, but I left my bag and my dinner at home and got nothing accomplished. Now I'm tired and ready to do to bed. Here's to better luck of me remembering things tonight.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Christmas

I think I am finally ready for Christmas. I haven't been all immersed in the Christmas spirit like I usually am, but it's because I have to work Saturday evening and I'm just not looking forward to it. It does come with the territory of working at a hospital and I don't have to do this every year, so I should be thankful. Presents are bought and we finished the wrapping yesterday.

Thankfully people aren't coming to my house this year, because the house certainly isn't suitable for visitors right now. We get to do a little traveling, but it's not too far. Everything will be fine as long as were on the low side of the snowfall forecast for tomorrow. A white Christmas will be beautiful.  However, I do intend to have our house in shape in time for our New Years Eve party. That means I need to pack up and put away my in-stock crochet items so they are not completely taking over our living room and office. There's just one wing left to make on the Cthulhu and then at least all of my in process projects will be done too. The big question is can I keep from starting anything new again between now and then.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Custom Cthulhu

A college friend of mine, Bryan, found this really amazing crochet pattern online created by a another blogspot blogger for an amigurumi Cthulhu. He asked a few weeks ago if I could custom make him a green one with dark green wings. The creator of this pattern generously stated in her bio and comments that her patterns are free and that people are welcome to do whatever they want with them. But I still want to give her proper credit for her work. Now that I have my Christmas crafting all wrapped up now seems like the perfect time to start on this fun project. Friday I went out and bought the yarn for this project. However, I'm still searching to find really cool cat eyes beads for the eyes. I need to get down to Lady Bug Beads which is fairly close by and see if they have something like I'm looking for. I was looking online, but I only need one pair maybe two, but certainly not twenty and it seems like the best way to get them online is in bulk.

If you would like to see another item I've made for Bryan I keep a picture of the tie that I made him last summer in my gallery.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Brrrrr

"Oh the weather outside is frightful..."
I know it seems like I talk about weather a lot considering this is a blog for my ArtFire crochet store, but in Missouri if you don't like the weather wait a little bit and it can change. In the summer, the heat index often climbs over 100 degrees F. Today the wind chill is 2 degrees F and it is supposed to be colder tomorrow. I think that is quite a range of temps we get here.  We got a little snow, maybe enough for kids to play around in. Actually that's what the doggies are out doing right now. It's a fine powdery snow, not good for building, but it's the wind that is making it so miserable. Personally, I will be spending my afternoon curled up watching football and making a warm cowl with leftover yarn from my Shawl with Multicolored Shell Pattern.

Also, I promised you a few more pictures, and I did list this crocheted scarf in a warm yellow shade to brighten up your winter wardrobe.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Blog Feature

Today, Raige Creations featured my Scarf Crocheted Lilac Mohair Circles in her handmade holiday gifts blog post. Since I was off of work Monday and Tuesday I've gotten a good amount of crafting done compared to a normal week. I was finally able to take some pictures and listed three new items. Also, I'm busy crocheting one more scarf that is a multicolor of green, pink and purple. I'll probably finish that one tonight, but I imagine pictures will have to wait for this weekend.

Monday, December 6, 2010

New Items

At last, at last! I have finally convinced my self to dig out my camera and get to listing some items. Taking pictures of my items is an absolutely necessary part of listing items online, but it's one of my least favorite things to do. I can't even blame my camera. Even though its two or three years old it has the capability to take fantastic pictures. I'm pretty sure it's all operator error when things turn out not as spiffy as I would like.

I had better luck in the summer and fall taking pictures outside in natural lighting. However, now that it's below freezing outside I have to go back to trying to figure out how to make my indoor space work. I was mostly successful in taking photos of two items before my camera battery died. Yesterday I took to many pictures of  the circus surrounding my husband trying to get Santa hats on our two dogs. I'll be charging up the battery tonight and taking pictures of two or three more items tomorrow.

Scarf Lilac Mohair Circles

Shawl with Multicolored Shell Pattern

Molly and Pan with their Santa hats on

Friday, December 3, 2010

Yip-Yip Alien

My husband loves to put fun little characters on his desk at work. He was clever enough to find this pattern for himself so I couldn't say no and last week I got to creating him a Yip-Yip Alien from Sesame Street. You can find the pattern here. Now of course I made him a giant one. It's probably 5 inches tall. plus a few inches of tentacles splayed all around it. Since I don't typically make amigurumi, I think it turned out excellent and he said was quite a hit at the office yesterday when he was finally able to take it in.

Sorry about the picture quality, I took that shot in the kitchen with my phone.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Cyber Monday

Why get great online shopping deals on only one day? I have created the coupon code CYBER2010 that is good for 10% off of your total order. The best part is it's valid today through Saturday (12/4). Browse through my crocheted items and order now, or contact me for placing a custom order. You can find everything at CrochetKiosk's ArtFire Shop.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Handmade Christmas Gifts

Are you celebrating Christmas this year with handmade gifts? For Christmas last year, I crocheted scarves for both of my sister-in-laws in their favorite colors and they were a huge hit. I believe that people can really tell all of the thought and care that is woven into each handmade item I create. Even if you aren't able to create your own handmade gifts you can still give them this holiday season. I thoroughly enjoy making gifts for people for any occasion.

Even these snowflake appliques could be sewn onto a sweater or stiffened to make ornaments for decoration around your house or on your Christmas tree.


Winter Snowflakes Crochet - Package of 5

As you start your shopping after Thanksgiving remember that you don't have to wait outside in the cold at some obscure early time in the morning to shop online handcrafting artisans.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Winter Wonderland

Be ready for the snowy weather with this Winter Wonderland collection that I created last night on ArtFire. This seasonal collection features the creations of twelve different artisans. Many different handmade talents are displayed here including, knit, crochet, jewelry and lotions. Please take a look and consider these while you're Christmas shopping



Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Crazy Weather

I can't believe it's been nearly I week since I've posted.  My brain needs a little break from work and crochet is the perfect outlet for me. Over the weekend I made a pair of pink cotton baby booties for a coworker. She's going to take them as a gift for a relative on her next trip out to California. Right now I'm working on a thin light purple scarf done by connecting circles together. This is my first time working with mohair and I'm very interested to see how it turns out.

We've had near record high temperatures in the midwest this past week so it's been a little hard for me to get in the scarf making mood. I really appreciate the 75 degree temperatures in November and don't want it to get colder, but my creative energy for the winter season is going nowhere. I think after it rains over the weekend I'll be ready.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Make One For Baby

I'm so proud and excited that one of my items was featured in a fellow artists collection of baby blankets. Mine is on the bottom row second from the left. My baby blankets are by custom order only and take three weeks to crochet. Be sure to order in advance of baby showers and babies anticipated arrival. Contact me to pick out your favorite colors for a blanket.


Monday, November 1, 2010

Peanut Butter Lover's Month

Did you know that November is Peanut Butter Lover's Month in the U.S.? Neither did I, but check out the collection of peanut butter items that I found to put in my collection.