More Owlie Key Pouches

Aren't they adorable!!  I have spent my evenings this past week getting the pattern ready.  It is being tested now, and there are a few tweaks to be made to it, so it won't be long.

I can tell you it takes all of about 45 minutes to crochet up the tiny purse. 

I wanted to share a picture I took this afternoon of my dad's dog.  His name is Ringo, he's 15.  Poor little guy hasn't felt good at all.  He has been recovering from knee surgery and just hasn't been able to bounch back.  Now he's not eating and he doesn't want my dad out of his site.  Don't you just want to hug him.  He's a little Pom.  He spends a lot of time sleeping.

Let me share some pictures of the Wienie Fest yesterday.  Me and Phoebe had a fun time.  She met some dachshunds the really liked!

Check this little guy out!  He was absolutely adorable and so sweet and happy.  He had no problem getting around in his wheel chair.

Brother and sister (cannot remember their names) that a couple rescued.

Phoebe got a new harness so she can be groovy just like me!!!

My sweet girlie checking out all the buzz!  I personally think she was the prettiest dachshund there!

Ok, before I go I have one more little project to show you.

I crocheted up a doily to set into the compote I spray painted the other week.  Just used some cotton yarn scraps I had on hand.  May make another one with more black and deeper colors.

Well, that's all I have for now.  Time for a little supper and some evening crocheting.  Monday gets here way too fast!

Bye!

Crocheted Granny Square Vest

I was so excited to learn that my vest has been featured on foundhandmade.com on their blog! And the following day received an email that the same vest was featured in handicrafter.today.com as one of their top 10 picks! Both of these sites promote etsy sellers, and I was thrilled to be one of those lucky sellers! I have been selling on etsy for over a year...this is a first for me!

There is a story behind this little vest. I was contacted by a girl who had seen and loved my granny square purse, but asked if I could use this same square and make her a vest. I was jazzed at the thought of actually designing something for someone in particular!

I knew that if I were to turn the square and not use it on the diagonal it would have a totally different look, so I labored over coming up with someone that would use it diagonally. I also had to take a couple rows out of the granny to make it smaller in order to make it fit the design.

I am really quite proud of what I came up with. The design is so simple, but the work in each granny square makes up for the difference!

I used embroidery thread and a small crochet hook to make the squares. It takes an unbelievable amount of thread...but the end effect is so worth it! After all my squares are done, and all the ends woven in, I assemble the vest.

This is a labor of love for me. I love color! The brighter the better! For me there is no problem with mixing odd colors together...somehow they work! Is it not the coolest thing to take a simple granny square and give it a modern swing!?

Here's hoping for a good week! I have been working on squares for my granny square skirt, and will hopefully get some more pictures uploaded of my progress this week, as well as another little project I worked on this weekend!

My Favorite Team Bag

This was a custom etsy order, it turned out so cute, I wanted to post it. The order was for a big tote bag in Virginia Tech colors that would be very durable and washable. After thinking about the request, I decided that it called for just plain ole' Red Heart. I think it works best for these projects because it holds the shape so well and is quite durable. I also felt the "traditional" granny square works best for this project. But when using the traditional squares, the bag had to be lined!

I single crocheted the linking in the contrasting orange yarn, and crocheted it tightly, which made it very strong and durable. Worked like a charm.
Of course, I had to add the dangle to it, just for giggles!

I love adding these tasseled dangle. It's the Pièce de Resistance!

Oh, Granny!

Yay! I finished! I am loving it, too. It turned out almost how I thought.

When I start a new project I can see it finished in my head, and this one is pretty close to what I had pictured in my little brain. I was toying with the idea for an edging at the top of the bag, but decided against it...I thought it looked complete as is.
I did something new on this, I chained stitched a long cord and used it as a lace to tie the sides of the bag, similar to how you lace up a tennis shoe. I loved it the moment I tried it!

This is the first time I have done something that was both knit and crocheted...and it turned out great, the two look like they belong together. Using a seed stitch for the bottom of the bag and the straps added so much stability to the bag, which is necessary for a tote bag, or in this case a diaper bag.

Of course, I had to make a "Dangle" for it!

The Tasseled Dangle is the icing on the cake. It adds that little spark of personality. I was thinking these might be kind of neat as Christmas Ornaments! Can you tell my brain never stops?!
I'm so pleased with the way this turned out! I'm ready to let my crochet hook cool off for a little bit, but probably not for too long!