Rural North Carolina

Yesterday I went to Seagrove with my mom and dad.  For those of you not familiar, Seagrove is a small town in North Carolina, known for its deep roots in pottery.  It is a wonderful place anytime of year.   I am fortunate that it is just a short trip from High Point.  I snapped a few pictures to share with everyone!  This area is so typical of what life is like in North Carolina.

As we were riding down the one of the roads we spotted this old place.  You feel as if you just stepped out of time when you see it.  I wondered who lived here and what is was like.   The entire countryside and sprinkled with places like this, old barns, and out buildings.  And for me I was in heaven taking pictures of everything.

I just love anything that is old and rusted.  This old churn was just sitting in the yard at one of the potteries.  The place had so many relics from its earlier times scattered all over the yard.

My dad, sitting in a rocker at the Cagle Road Pottery.  He is love'n every minute of it.  Cagle Road Pottery is in an old log cabin set off the main road.  There are old dogs laying on the porch waiting for someone to have a seat and give them a scratch on the head.  My dad struck up a conversation with one of the owners there, who told him the property has been in this family since the 1700s.  There pottery is beautiful too!

Ray Pottery is a MUST stop!!  It has become one of my favorite places to stop.

This little guy was there to greet us when we got out of the car!  OMG....he was so cute.  A little black dachshund, with a grey muzzle and a tail that didn't stop wagging!!

Here is some of their pottery.  I love the combination of the salt glaze with the shiney red glaze.  I DID bring a piece of this pottery home with me.

I want it all!!!!


On our drive down to Seagrove we made a stop a the Pisgah Covered Bridge.  There are stories of it being haunted.  Haunted or not, it is old and a perfect time capsule from about 1911.  You can walk in it, around it, and under it.  A must stop if you are in that area!

The day was overcast and cool, and perfect for taking pictures.  It is so quiet here, even with the main road in plain sight.  You hear nothing but the sounds of the woods and the water.  

If any of you are curious about North Carolina, I think these few pictures I have posted say it perfectly. It is beautiful place to live.  

I wish I had some crochet to share this evening.  I am very close to finishing up a crochet scarf.  I am going to give it a post of its own!  It is something new I have learned to do with  crochet!  I don't want to give anymore away right now.  

I hope everyone has a great week!!!  

Crazy Insane Variegated Madness!

Pure nervous energy started this little project.  I was at an impasse.  I had finished the Laura's Wrap and not certain on what to start yet.  So I picked up my circular needles and variegated yarn, next thing you know this is the result.  

I added a granny edging in teal blue.  I didn't want anything fancy-shmancey, just something clean and simple.  I think the variegated insanity framed by the calm blue is perfect.  It rather reminds me of myself these days!  LOL!!!

It is fascinating how variegated yarn works up.  How can anyone not like the color.  I want to dive right into it and get lost!!!  

I have been looking at shawl patterns on ravelry.  I have so much yarn that needs to be worked up, and I am in a crochet mood.  

These days Goodwill has been a fun break for me.  I am always looking for that treasure.  This long green sweater is my latest score for $3.75.  It looked in need of love hanging there on the rack.  it was dirty, out of shape, and had some pilling on it.  I gave it a good cleaning and hit it with the steamer. Ran it over with the little sweater shaver and a lint roller, and ta-da!  It is my favorite.  And I love it with denim. Olive green and blue is so pretty together.  Oh...the belt, a total score too!  

For those that don't know me, I love Goodwill.  Like my mom says, "It makes her happy"  LOL!  It really does.  Plus finding a treasure for under 5 bucks is so freaking fun, I can't explain it!  I must say, this is the grooviest sweater I have ever had!!!  

I  love this peaceful Sunday evening.  Hubs is gone to bed, Girlie is laying here next to me in peaceful slumber and I am enjoying the quiet.  I have a new little crochet project going, and a rather large order to get started on.  The beginning drowsy feeling is kicking in...it can't get much better.  You see, anxiety has been high these days.  I can't pin down one particular reason, maybe it is several things causing it, but it has crept in and really done a number with me.  So these moments where I feel calm and content are the best!!!  I think part of it is the fact that 51 years have hit and certain chemical changes are effecting my temperance, leaving me in an agitated state everywhere I go.   LOL!!

About the new crochet project, it is something kind of new to me.  I won't share a lot until next week when I can share some pictures, but I can say learning the technique has started the creative wheels in my head and I already have ideas on where to take it.  That's all I will say for the moment!

I hope everyone has a great week.  And may it include some yarn, too!!!

Dawn

Laura's Wrap Finally Done!!!

Finally!  I have finished the pattern for Laura's Wrap, and got it listed on etsy and ravelry.  Whew!!!  When I designed this wrap I never had the intention of writing up the pattern, but after so many requests for the pattern I decided to go ahead and do it.  

I have had fun today playing with it and figuring out ways to wear it.  

Hey...notice the Owl Necklace!!!  Heee heee!  Total Thrift Store Score...$3!!  His eyes are missing, but I didn't even flinch when I saw him.  Had to have it!!!!

Now, I have all this variegated yarn all over the house.  So, I am in "variegated yarn crazy insane heaven"!!!  

Check these little sock project totes I crocheted up!

I have been mixing yarns together just to see how they work up. And who can't resist the little sugar skulls??

Now, I am ready to kick back and enjoy the rest of the evening before Monday morning gets here.  I am sure it will involve some yarn and a hook!!

I'll leave you with the cutest little picture of Phoebe.  We were headed to "grandma's" house this morning.  She loves everything about it, the ride, their house, and he ride home!

Bye y'all!

This & That

Yesterday a fellow hooker/knitter and I went to the Knit & Crochet Show in Concord, NC.   We had a blast!   Below are a couple of crocheted afghans which literally made my jaw drop!  

This was so inspirational!!  I saw granny squares and some awesome crochet as well as knitting.  

Check out this owl!!  He was crocheted over a large beach ball.  Adorable!!

These skirts were layered and knit up in a linen yarn.  I was eyeballing this really close!

My iPhone did an update yesterday, and I have to say, I am completely fascinated with the upgrade, especially to the camera.  I have been snapping pictures all day until I completely drained the battery.

I took these at my dad's.  His yard looks like a park!!  

Now that is some true fall Carolina Blue sky!!  

Mum's in the back yard!  Aren't they pretty??!

Some kind of mold growing on some old wood.

Girlie looking extremely happy and enjoying the day!!

Leaves on the sidewalk....I love these colors!!

I have started writing up the pattern for the Laura's Wrap.  So many of you have sent me messages through ravelry and this blog asking for a pattern....well it is in the works now!!  In order for me to write up the pattern I have to actually sit down and knit one up as I go.

I believe it is going to be just as pretty as the original!!  This is a little sneak peek!!!  Hopefully it will not take me but a couple more weeks to get it finished up and ready.  I have some more crocheting I want to do, so I am working hard to get this done so I can get back to my hook!!!

Time is flying by way too fast!!!  The weeks are just speeding by.   We have a lot of rain heading our way...so it looks like it may be a dark dreary Monday tomorrow.  Oh well...

Crocheted Sugar Skulls

This is what happens when you get a slight case of insomnia!!  I crocheted up five of these last night.  Who doesn't like sugar skulls??!! 

This afternoon I had an idea with how to finish them off.   I was completely distracted from my housework by this time.  LOL!  

I thought they would be cute appliqued on a granny square. 

And granny squares make perfect potholders!!!!  Now how cute is this??

If you would like the pattern for the little skull you can find it here.  It is an awesome little tutorial and will take all of 30 minutes to bang one out.  The fun part is adding the little flowers and bows!!

I thought they turned out so cute.  The would also be cute appliqued onto a crocheted cap, or a purse.  I have seen some blinged out with buttons and some embroidery too.  

I have also kept myself busy making more pumpkins.  I did a bit of experimenting.  If you use two strands of yarn and a larger hook, you get what you see below!  They mix well with the smaller size!

More leaves and pumpkins!  They are everywhere!  These are headed to a knew home at my sister's house!  

It is time to think about winding down and get ready to start a new week.  It has been a gorgeous weekend.  I hate to see it end!!

Everyone take care!

Noro Fall Leaves

Oh yeah!  I totally went there!!  Aren't they cool??  And these haven't even been blocked yet!! 

 

I am completely out of control, to the point my hands hurt from holding the crochet hook for hours at a time!

 

LOL...And I plan to be right back at it this evening! 

 

Pumpkin Porn

Welcome to my pumpkin patch!  As you can see, I have been busy with pumpkins and leaves. 

And what goes best with pumpkins?  Owlies! 

Last week I shared a link for the little crocheted pumpkins, and I see some of you have been making them.  I decided to add some leaves to mine I thought it dressed them up a bit.  I found this pattern for the maple leaves here.  The name of her etsy shot is Golden Lucy Crafts.  I love her patterns!  These leaves look complicated, but her pattern makes it so easy, I can make one up in about 40 minutes. 

 

I love the little green one.  With all this "pumpkin porn" I filled up my etsy shop and started making more for myself.   This is such a great way to use up that leftover acrylic yarn we all have.  I am tempted to run out and pick up some more yellow because I am just about out.  I keep telling myself I don't need it, but then the other side of my brain tells me I DO need it.  LOL

I did a search on pinterest for "crochet leaves."  Holy Crap!  There is some cool stuff on there I want to try. 

Just for fun I did a little Jack-o-Lantern to go with the "Franken-owl".  Notice the little bolts coming out the side of his head!  LOL! 

As promised, I wanted to share my finished sweater with everyone.  I have the buttons on it, it has been blocked, and I have even worn it once already!

 It fits me perfectly.  I can wear it like this..... or....

with the collar up.  I have learned so much from knitting this!!  If anyone is new to knitting sweaters I would definitely suggest this pattern.  Look, I even got brave and added pockets!

I am off of here for now.  I am sure I will be back next week with some more crochet.

Dawn