Valerean

For my first project of October I finished a Trade Winds Lap Blanket which I donated to charity. I came up with a mini sugarfree cheesecake recipe that has a sugarfree oreo cookie crust. I crocheted two more pumpkins for fall. I made some diamond art paintings as hand-eye coordination and grip therapy. I made a primitive stuffed cat from a quilt piece I picked up cheap at an antique mall. I crocheted another pumpkin in a yarn that is perfect for Halloween. I made a winter hat while trying a new colorway in one of my favorite yarns. I crocheted a little ghost coaster while testing a free Halloween pattern. I turned three skeins of yarn into hexes while testing them out. I made a shawl while testing a jumbo skein of yarn I got in a surprise box. I crocheted another Trade Winds blanket for myself in a different colorway that is not my usual thing, and loved the results. Finally I made a Halloween-themed box journal that I can use year-roun...

My first quilting project in September was a simple hand quilted mug rug. I crocheted a little pumpkin out of thrifted variegated yarn. I made the September tote for my calendar project out of vintage fabric strips. For the first time ever I did the sewing and quilting entirely on my sewing machine. I hand-stitched stamped fabric embellishments to this tea-stained muslin bag and replaced the drawstrings with hand-dyed ribbon. On the crochet blog I demonstrated three ways to make an inexpensive DIY Advent calendar. I crocheted this hexagon blanket, Happiness, because I needed some, and that's what it brought me. I made a clone of my favorite winter hat in gray, pink and silver yarn. With all of my caregiving duties this month I didn't get a lot done, but I'm happy with what I was able to accomplish -- and having these projects really helped me get through a terrible time. On to a hopefully happier October!

I have to say, August was one of the most fun months this year for me because of all I the projects I accomplished. Maybe it's the effect of summer on me, but it really boosted my spirits. To kick off my creating I wove another, beachcomber's edition basket using a vintage rope basket and handmade art yarn spun with sea shells, crystal beads and sea glass beads, and crocheted the lining out of thrifted variegated chenille blanket yarn. I solved a mystery by turning three balls of thrifted, unlabeled yarn into this throw, and identifying the yarn brand and colorway in the process. I crocheted a couple of drawstring pouches while testing some new-to-me yarns. I altered a pair of capris into shorts, and tailored a pair of jeans to fit me better. I made Iris, a giant amigurumi cat, entirely out of scrap yarn. I crocheted a little purse for Iris out of an odd ball of French yarn I got in a thrifted lot. I kept it simple and made a fun tote out of thrifted...