My New Address

I am switching over to my new blog starting today. Come say Hi!

The Nesting Magpie

Change

When I first started blogging, I hadn't put that much thought into my blog name. I just knew that I wanted to join this wonderful blogging community. Well, after months of thought and deliberation, I have come up with a name that I love and am switching my blog over to that new address. It's not quite ready yet. I just need to find some time to sit down and work on it. Blogger did make it really easy to import all of this blog info into the new blog, but I just don't have it looking the way I really want it to look. So, coming soon, my new blog name and address!

Craft ADD

After having trouble writing down the pattern for the star block, I decided to take a break and work on something else for a bit. I started a number of different projects and then decided I should really work on Easter items for my kids. I want to make one stuffed animal for each of their baskets. I decided to make amigurumi dog for my son. I've been wanting to do some amigurumi so this was a great oppurtunity to start.

I chose the Patty the Puppy pattern from the Lion Brand website. It worked up very fast and I think he's adorable.

Now to start an animal for my daughter.

A Peek at Spring and Writing Patterns

Yesterday was just beautiful here in Connecticut. It was a nice warm-ish 60 degrees and sunny. It felt necessary to take advantage of the beautiful weather and head outdoors. So we went on a family walk on a local walking trail. It wasn't much of a trail but we all had a lot of fun. It felt good to be out of the house and having fun outside. It will be even better when the tree's start to grow back some of there leaves and things don't look so dead. It was such a nice day.

Now it is cold and wet outside. It even snowed a little today but luckily it's already melted.

I've been trying to write out the pattern for the star square and it is just not going to happen for my 100th post. I'd still like to do a giveaway, so I'll just come up with something else instead and keep working on the pattern. It amazes me that I've been reading patterns for years but I'm having a hard time writing it out. And to top it off, when I was blocking the last square I made, I noticed an error in it. Arg! I will keep working on it though and hopefully it will be ready soon. I really wish I could make a crochet chart but I don't have a clue if that's even possible. So, I'll keep writing it out.

Star Squares

After staring at my beautiful orange tablecloth for a couple of days, I just couldn't take it anymore. I got out some cotton yarn and a hook and proceeded to decipher the pattern from the tablecloth. And wouldn't you know, it wasn't that hard!

I just need to write it down now. I started writing it down but it was harder to write out clearly than I thought it would be. My husband would appreciate this as he is a technical writer, but I'm not willing to divulge this bit of information to him yet.

I decided to try this in the cotton yarn because I was hoping that it would give it a more casual look. I like crocheting with thread but it has such a formal look. I'm really happy with the look of it. I'm thinking of making two more for a pretty table runner. I think this would look really nice in a more exciting color too but I was trying to use my stash for now.

I am almost up to my 100th post, so I'm going to try to get the pattern done for a 100th post free pattern! Wish me luck!

The Orange Tablecloth

This beautiful tablecloth was made by my Mother. I have a lot of memories of her crocheting over the years. I remember one year she crocheted a very beautiful and intricate tablecloth for a co-worker. He paid her a couple hundred dollars for it. I remember that our dog (who she hated) chewed the pattern up on her and she had to tape it back together to see the diagram. She really hated that dog after that incident. I don't remember her making this tablecloth but I have always loved it. I love the color and the block pattern.

I've looked for similar patterns online because I would love to make another tablecloth. I think at some point I will sit down with this table cloth and try to duplicate the square. I did find a similar pattern today with ravelry. The star pattern in the middle looks the same so a lot of the work is done for me. This is a nice pattern too. I just like the one my mom used more. When I work out the pattern I will be sure to post it for all.

For a Friend

My best friend's birthday is in May and I have been wanting to cross-stitch something for her for a couple of years now. Well, I finally started it last month. I figured that if I started it in January I could get it done in 5 months! I'm a bit slow with cross-stitching. I get really excited to start the project but my energy fizzles out on it and then it doesn't get finished. I am determined to finish it soon though and I am making good progress so far.

It is from this book that I found at a craft store years ago. It has some lovely patterns in it.

And it has some nice idea's for finishing projects including pillows and wall hangings. I'm not sure yet exactly how I will finish this project. Any suggestions are welcome!