Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad 2016!

UCF Crochet Blanket

It wasn’t until very recently that I truly understood the saying “los hijos son prestados” – “your children don’t belong to you”. My eldest is leaving home for college on August 19^th and I cannot begin to describe the journey it has been for my husband and I to let go and to understand that it is ok, that it will be for his own good, that he will mature and become the man we have raised all these years. 

Back in March, and as part of this journey, I started a crochet blanket with the colors of UCF, University of Central Florida, gold and black. It took me more than 4 months to complete, but it is finally done. This is by far the largest project I have ever embarked and I am glad it was for him. As the blanket grew, I used it to cover me and keep me warm while crocheting, secretly hoping that every stitch carries all my love for him…. 

Materials and stats:

The pattern is from the talented and generous Lucy from Attic 24, you can find easy to follow instructions on her website under Neat Ripple pattern.

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/neat-ripple-pattern.html

 She even provides instructions on how to make the border. For the border I simply crochet 3 sides with single stitches. 
Initial chain: Starting with black yarn, 199 chains (14x14 + 3) (It should be in multiples of 14, plus an extra 3 added on for turning)

Total number of rows: 84 rows

Each color section is made of 9 rows of the same color with the exception of the last gold section with only 3 rows.
Gold Yarn: 3 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver (7 oz / 198 g) Gold
Black Yarn: 5 skeins of Red Heart Soft ( 5 oz / 141 g) Black

Border: single stitch around 3 sides of blanket (I did not crochet the bottom side of the blanket since it was already black)

 

Friendship Bracelet Update

This is the latest friendship bracelet in my collection. Do you like it?

The box is a recycled cigar box we got as a gift from Pao's Godfather. He saves us the most beautiful cigar boxes ever. I promise a post with our collection soon...

Crochet Pokemon Bulbasaur amigurumi - How to Instructions

Under construction!!! come back soon for the complete post

Alexandra, my next door neighbor challenged me with crocheting a Pokemon Bulbasaur by August 19, for his boyfriend Jan on their 3^rd year anniversary. August 19^th, the day my son, my only son, is leaving for College….and that is a whole another topic and post…

Thankfully, the never failing blogosphere  full of talented bloggers saved the day, once again, and provided us with 2 amazing patterns:

In no order of amazingness:

Pattern #1 Mummy & Annie (in Spanish) English translation provided below
http://www.mummyandannie.com/2015/05/bulbasaur-patron-amigurumi.html
Pattern #2 53Stitches
http://53stitches.tumblr.com/post/95316460702/bulbasaur-amigurumi-pattern

I have added a couple of notes and pictures that helped me build my friend Bulbasaur:
Head: used buttons for the eyes bought at Wal-Mart at their crafts section ($1.98 for 75 buttons)

Saw eyes and embroider mouth and green spots when you complete row 13, it is easier to work on those details before stuffing the head

Body: the pattern ends with 14 rows, however I added 1 additional row to make it more proportionate with the head.

Arms and Legs: I added 1 additional row to the legs

Plant on back: Also I kind of combined both patterns into one. For example the little green plant in his back is from pattern #2 found on 53stitches blog.

I liked the shape of the plant better, I thinks is looks closer to the original Bulbasour

I used pins to hold the pieces in place and make sure I was happy with the location of its legs and arms.
I noted where (which row) and saw his legs and arms, head, etc. just to add more details in case I decided to make a couple of “friends” for Bulbasour to play with.

I also embroidered his mouth, he definitely wanted to express himself, and added more spots to his face and body.

This little dude is full of personality, don’t you think?

I had so much fun creating this awesome creature I think I will try another Pokemon next, maybe Picachu???

What is your favorite Pokemon?

Florida Supercon July 1 - 4, 2016 Key Chains

Last weekend was Florida Supercon at the Miami Beach Convention Center and my son got me these cute key chains, aren't they adorable? Can't wait to find them a home! will keep you posted!

One more picture

Crochet Amigurumi Turtle

More pictures of Tortuga, for the pattern please see previous post.

Alex's Birthday Present - Crochet Amigurumi Turtle

Last summer I had the pleasure of spending time with a very special young lady. I have known  Alexandra for many yeas, she has been my next door neighbor for over 14 years, my kids' friend, my babysitter, and most importantly (for me at least) my friend. At only 21 she has many accomplishments in her life, she is a wonderful daughter, sister to 2 wonderful boys, a the best friend you can find. Did I mention she is working on her college degree, has a boyfriend, AND is the proud owner and creator of her Etsy shop AleArtGallery
Alexandra wanted to learn how to crochet so we started classes one afternoon and learned super fast! that same day she started working on a turtle patter (find full pattern on below link) but for some reason or other we never finished it. Yesterday was her birthday so I started working on it and it is done!!! please allow me to introduce you Tortuga!!!
the pattern is from the wonderful Yanina Schenkel and her Pica Pau blog

Summer Friendship Bracelets

Spring in Miami

It would be common and even reasonable to argue that people from Miami don't experience the Spring season...it would be ok I guess however I LOVE Miami's Spring time. The days begin to last longer as a prelude to summer, we start the end of school count down, only 40 more days my dear Pao, hold on tight !!

And the most beautiful yellow trees start to blossom all over our beautiful city, aren't they absolutely gorgeous?

The "Yellow Tabebuia tree" with varieties that flower in pink, lavender-pink, and golden yellow definitely announce the beginning of the Spring in our city...

 

 

And what about the beautiful and exotic orchids? Miami can surprise you with its awesome colors and varieties, here a couple from my backyard

 

 



Frienship Bracelets

Crochet Flower Necklace with a Peruvian flavor

A couple of years ago I made this crochet necklace out of Lucy’s Teeny Tiny Flowers pattern.

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/teeny-tiny-flowers.html

 

It was a simple and fast project that continues to bring me joy every time I wear it, not to mention the many times it has sparked a conversation with a  fellow crocheteer (not even sure this word exists but it sounds good, you know, someone that loves crochet J)

So, yesterday I started a third one. Yes, I made a second necklace for my dear friend Marta, now an avid crocheteer (but of course) using grey/brown colors soon after the first one but it has been long overdue and I wanted to make a third one.

This time using colors that remind me of Peru,  red terracotta like our ceramic pots, green like the turquesa peruana or crisocola , orange like our spondylus shells… I am getting nostalgic thinking about Peru and its colors…

 

 



Here is a preview of my progress so far, hope you like it!

 

 

 



Cross Stitching Flowers Project on Blue Burlap - Feb 17 Completion

It feels awesome to have completed this project in less than a month! Pao and I got all the DMC embroidery threads on January 23, and yesterday, more than 6,000 cross stitches later, I was able to call it done !!! I am so glad I didn't count the stitches ahead of time!!!

Thanks again for the inspiration and  motivation from the  The Snowflower Diaries blog.
Maja Matyaz Szilagyi is the generous creator behind The Snowflower Diaries, she recently launched a Stitch Along cross stitch primitive calendar with the most beautiful designs. For more details on how to join please visit her blog or her Facebook page at STITCH ALONG - Joyful World by The Snowflower Diaries.

By joining her FaceBook group I was inspired to cross stitch again...I don't recall when was the last time I had embarked in such a big cross stitch projects, years for sure.

In terms of materials it was not expensive at all, the fabric was cheap burlap from Joann's Fabrics (less than $4 for a yard with a 30% sale discount), and the DMC embroidery thread, one skein was enough for all the colors (total of 24 colors).

Cross Stitching Flowers Project on Blue Burlap - Feb 13 progress

Rainbow Crochet Scarf and Doily

These two projects began with Gioniver, my brother-in law, in mind. I wanted to make something with a rainbow theme. I searched and searched for an appropriate yarn, and after a first failure (picture at the bottom of this post) I found the most beautiful and lovely yarn: Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable: Stained Glass

Using craftybegonia.blogspot.com scarf pattern I created this colorful scarf and tassels.

 

For the doily I didn't follow any pattern, I just simply crocheted in a circular pattern, increasing 6 stitches in every round. I started with the magic ring with 6 single crochets, then increased to 12 sc, then 18 sc, then 24 sc, etc, etc.  I did 19 sc rows. For the edge I followed Lucy's Attic 24 border shell: 1sc, 1 hdc, 4 dc in the stitch, 1 hdc, I sc. Repeat around.

Cross Stitching Flowers Project on Blue Burlap - Feb 10 progress

The forth flower and leaves are completed!! two more flowers to go!

Saint Agatha Bazar 2016 Treasures

This year Saint Agatha's bazar was not disappointment at all. The weather did not help and the Festival had to open on Friday January 29 instead of the traditional Thursday. Friday came and we were in the first wave of visitors. Pao and I had a plan, go straight to the jewelry section and grab everything we liked. The price would be discussed later, after the merchandised had been secured.

Next was the textiles, you never know what you might find! look at this precious embroidered piece of art! I will research its origin, I am guessing Central America, Honduras or Costa Rica. If you have a guess let me know!!! I am in the process of cleaning it.

Last but not least was the toy section, we wanted to find some Littlest Pet Shop companions for Vanessa, Pao's godmother's daughter and avid LPS collector. Again we were not disappointed!!!

To see last year's treasures follow this link.