What To Design Next?

In thinking about the upcoming weeks of my "crochet calendar" to fill with designs, I'm having to work just a bit ahead because of my knee surgery next week. I'm trying to come up with some creative ideas - in a hurry - and I'm just drawing a big-old blank! Have you ever done that? You know, that "I want to make something but I don't know what" feeling?

I suppose the most logical thing is a St. Patrick's Day design, yes?  Last year, for St. Patrick's I did a little Shamrock that everyone seemed to enjoy. Perhaps this time I'll do a potholder... since I seem to be in a potholder mood lately. Definitely something kitchen-y, whatever it ends up. OK, there's one week!

Last Year's Shamrock Pin, Pattern Available Here

For week two, I think I will try and pattern up a custom design I have been working up for a client, something handy for men or women to enjoy... a notepad sleeve. It's pretty basic stuff, but sometimes that's the beauty of crochet. A need appears, and a solution is found in crochet! I remember the day I brought home my new iPad without having purchased a case for it yet. I was totally panicked that I would break it! So I dropped everything and crocheted myself a simple little carrier sleeve for it, which served its purpose until I found the keyboard case I wanted later.  So maybe it's not such a dumb idea to put the pattern out, I suppose.  Here is a picture of the one I'm working on for the client, it's in very thick burgundy chenille.

Hopefully within two weeks I'll be feeling up to crocheting and writing again, I just don't want to lose my momentum!

A New Pattern... And Big Changes For Me!

For some odd reason tonight, I'm counting the hours until 6 a.m. when it will be exactly one week until I have total right knee replacement surgery on the agenda! Those of you who know me personally know that I've been through both hip replacements in 2011/12, spent all of 2012 getting all "tough" again, and now the news that the destructive arthritis has taken both of my knees. Well, a lot of things will change in a hurry next week, that's for sure... for one thing, it will be the end of my in-person yarn shopping adventures for at least several weeks! But luckily there's lots of yarn and thread available online and Tom the Mailman definitely knows his way to my door with the packages! He is so nice to me, I am truly spoiled. I have a most awesome mailman. Through all those months after the hip surgeries, he faithfully carried my mail up to my door and rang the bell, even though I'm sure he did not have to do so. And he was so proud of me the first time he saw me make it all the way out to the mailbox on my walker! That day seems long ago now... I just walk right out there now.  That's the kind of thing that is so very hard to give up.

But... this time, and the time after, when we do the left knee, I will get through it the way I have gotten through everything else... with Crochet. Hopefully lots of great ideas will come to me, I'll make them and share them with you all. If not, I'll be making a lot of dishcloths, but either way I'll be here talking about it.

On a much happier note, this week's pattern is a fresh take on the kitchen and bathroom hand towel. I've made my share of towels with crocheted tops over the years – haven't we all? But I confess, I've always hated cutting up those pretty towels in half! I like the whole towel. I came up with a little Spring flower towel holder which you simply put on your towel bar and leave there. Then you slide a clean towel into the loop holder as needed. I think it will have a lot of wear and tear from frequent laundering on the pretty holder, too. Anyway, for your consideration, here 'tis:

    

Since you were kind enough to stop by my blog, you can hear about the free pattern first! You can get it right here. Enjoy! 

New Valentine Pattern!

Just published the "Here's My Heart Valentine Potholder" pattern! Do some up in time for Valentine gifts or your own decorations! Blogging on the go so cant do a nice link but you can copy-paste this if it doesn't work: http://www.squidoo.com/ heresmyheart

Looking To Hire Crocheter!

I Need Help!

I am seeking a crocheter to do production crochet on demand of finished objects from my Spiffer Set pattern, which will be provided (see link at end of this message). You'll need to include your labor + 100% cotton yarn and $5.35 for shipping to me. I'd need to receive finished items within 10 days. Email SheilaSchnauzies@gmail.com if interested by 2/10/13, subject Spiffer and include photo sample of a recent crochet project plus anything else you'd like me to know about you. Thanks!

My German Shepherd Dog Grandpuppy Ate My (Crochet) Homework!

I just had to write an apology letter to my potholder exchange partner! I was finishing up the final round of her potholder, I was about halfway through the round and sat it down. Went off to go do something else for about 15 minutes, leaving the work by my chair. To my horror, when I came back, the potholder was on the couch, chewed... my crochet hook was down in the couch cushion, and the ball of  yarn was over by my chair. Macie, my German Shepherd Dog grand-puppy, had herself one good time! 

I have never in my life had to tell someone "My dog ate my homework" until this moment! Although I was really mad about it at the time, I had to laugh too. I knew better than to leave it out. Macie loves anything pink or red, which this was, and she adores yarn. Stupid me. 

I can fix it enough for my personal use, but certainly not to give as a gift! 

Lesson learned, doggie gramma! 

My First Giveaway!

It's about time I started doing giveaways on my blog, I think! Everyone seems to enjoy them, they're lots of fun. Most of all, it's a great way to meet other crocheters, which is the really fun part of blogging! SO... here we go!  So far, I have given away about 99 percent of my patterns free. I do have a few special patterns that I sell at my Craftsy.com store.

For my first giveaway, I'm going to offer the winner's choice of any pattern offered for sale at my Craftsy store!

To enter, you only have to do one thing! Leave a comment telling which pattern you would like to win the most! To make it easy, I'll show them to you right here so you don't even have to click out (unless you just want to!)

You can choose from any of the patterns shown below. Can't wait to hear from you - good luck, everyone!

My Current Patterns For Sale At Craftsy.com

New Free Valentine Patterns Coming Out This Week!

Just look out my window with me, and enjoy the beautiful snow! It's a beautiful day for crocheting, and I have a lot to get done!

We got around 3-4" of snow overnight, from the looks of it! Pretty!

 As always, I have a lot stacked up to get done. I made the choice of accepting some "for sale" finished object contracts, and now I have to finish them! Not a lot – one of my Spiffer duster and floor duster refill sets, and a case for some type of notebook/tablet.  I also have an exchange potholder I'm trying to get finished and out in the mail (that one is fun!)

I'll make a confession:  I hate doing production crochet! I used to do lots of it for craft shows when I was young. Now that I have this stupid arthritis trying to take over my hands, crocheting for a long time does actually take a toll on my hands and I have to limit what I do. So I save my hands for my design work, and for making things for myself and friends or family. In those things I find the true joy of crocheting.

I really need to look into finding some nice crocheters out there who would be willing to do some production crochet for me when I get these requests for finished objects, because I really can't do them anymore. Life is too short – why get all stressed out about it when there are crocheters out there looking for the work! Silly me.

A sneak preview of part of this week's new free "Here's My Heart
Valentine Potholder," free pattern to be published later this week!"

This week I will be publishing a new Valentine pattern, the "Here's My Heart Valentine Potholder," which will work up quickly and be an easy enough project for a beginner to make! I've been trying to add more beginner level designs lately. Not everyone wants to make crazy-intricate 3D flower doilies every day! So lately, I've been focusing on everyday objects we all use that are fun and easy to make.

If you don't get announcements of my new free patterns as they come out, you can subscribe to my email mailing list and get them. Just email me at SheilaSchnauzies@gmail.com with "Mailing List" in the subject line and I will be glad to add you.

Front to back, Ladybug, Winnie and Bailey Schnauzer
nap out on their favorite bed after a romp in the snow!

Looks like I will have to put my snow boots on and run out to the Post Office later today and mail a few things. That should be fun!  The Schnauzers are all excited about the new snowfall, as always. So is Macie my German Shepherd Dog grandpuppy. Now they are all napped out in their various favorite places, snoring happily. Good stuff.

Well, I guess I'd better get busy on all of the aforementioned or it will never get done! Happy crocheting, everyone!