A vacation's end

Well, the last day of vacation is upon me and it's been quite a glorious day. Sunshine and crisp weather, being spoiled by my hubby-to-be with a delicious breakfast AND lunch and lots of time to check out blogs. I spent forever admiring the blog greedy for colour (link here) which is seriously so amazing and inspiring. New Zealand is seriously amazingly gorgeous!!!

This week went by far too fast, but I accomplished a couple projects at least. Here goes...

"Sulo" the black cat is finally complete! He looks like Santa's helper or whatever the cat's name from the Simpsons was. I was quite pleased with how comical he looks. I hope he is a good companion and cheerer-upper. Our evil basement cat was unsure of the look-alike when she met him but then agreed to pose for a picture anyway. With her best basement cat look, too. Gotta love her!

As for future black amigurumi projects.... let's just say I'm a bit wiser when it comes to anything to do with black yarn. What a headache from beginning to end!

I also completed my green cowl to match my green beanie. I'm sooo pleased with the result, it's quite spiffy. Also a (blurry, sorry!) picture from the back. My mom did my hair for a dinner party we went to and it's just so darn pretty. I'll have to wear my hair up at all times now to show off my piece of work from all angles. ;)

I think my green phase may be coming to a close. I still have the sister-in-law Christmas gift to be made, but other than that, I see my color horizon broadening and there is a lot of blue and purple on it. More on the purple to follow.
I thought a post about yarn inventory would be fun. It's pretty crazy how fast yarn accumulates, it's so fun to buy and my mom and aunt keep giving me random bits and pieces to help my collection... So in the short time since I began crocheting, I've already become the proud owner of an ever expanding rainbow. =)

 So here is the purple yarn I spoke of earlier! So so beautiful, it's in the same yarn line as my green hat and scarf. I am going to make a hat out of this to match my plum colored scarf I showed in the previous post. I am planning to give knitting a go for the hat and I'm looking for a good pattern. Any ideas are welcome!

To end, here are some pictures of the last flowers from our garden. Can't wait for next year's glory! I'm going to have to make some cute crochet vase covers like I've seen on blogs for next summer's flowers. ;)

Looooong overdue.

OH NO! I have been too busy with school or too busy crocheting to get on here and post something. I didn't think I would find it so hard to find something to say (haha).
Well, as for my life at the moment, I am on glorious autumn vacation this week, after 2 weeks of utter stress at school and before 10 weeks of utter stress at the hospital (well no, I hope I like my clinical training placements). This time for myself has been beneficial for my crochet hobby, as I now have over the course of the weekend (ok, the past 2 weeks) taken on more projects. But not everything is unfinished, I managed to bring my hat to an end and make a wrap-around-cowl that I luuuuuuurve. Here are the pictures I took of my lovely projects. I'll also link where I found the patterns if you're interested.

So here is my hat! It became a little tight, but I will wear it all the time anyway (it'll stretch, right) when I get the matching cowl done...which is the picture below.

The finished cowl should look something like the next picture. I chose this plum purple because this scarf started out as a gift for my godmother since purple is her favorite color. However, I fell in love and honestly, the wool is a bit itchy so I'll make her a softer one. I made a little rose which I then sewed a bit flat to add the button. My mom's button collection is out of this world! I'm on the lookout for some cute flower patterns that I can but buttons on and use as pins or add to other projects.

Also, I got a head start on Christmas projects. I am making a similar cowl scarf for my future sister-in-law. She said she'd like a green one so I am using my favorite (solid) green yarn at the moment, a deep rich dark sage color. The pattern for all these cowl scarves is from this link: Free Crochet Pattern: Shades of Blue Scarf (Lion Brand) You need to register with Lion Brand to view their patterns, but they have a ton that are free and really nice. I have spent hours looking through them. Anywho, I modified the pattern a bit by making a few rows of just sc before I began making the mesh looking part. I ended it as well with a couple rows of sc and then I sewed the ends together making it a circle. It's a really pretty pattern and so simple, no brains required which is why I adore it and am making these like a factory. But yes, a picture of where I am with her scarf, need to pick up more yarn!

More Christmas gifts should be turned out soon... I am making a Christmas wreath amigurumi found here. I am hooked on that website (pun intended!), she has a really nice blog to follow and so many patterns linked, it makes my head spin and gets my inspiration flowing!

 I'm also making little Christmas tree ornaments for my future mother-in-law who is a Christmas tree ornament enthusiast! They are so cute but sewing sequins on has to be one of the most tedious and boring things I've done yet with this hobby. This is only the first one, I have red and gold sequins so I'm thinking of making a set! Cute!

 My cat has also benefited from my extra crochet time. I made her a strawberry since she so likes all of my little creations. Hopefully with one to call her own, she will stop stealing from my craft bags! (wishful thinking, I know)...
Here's the little bugger with her strawberry. Pattern taken from here (the creator of that pattern has some imagination and know-how!) : http://freeamigurumipatterns.blogspot.com/2010/09/chocolate-fondue-fountain.html

As for the black cat for my mom's friend... He got left in the dust for a while, too busy and the black yarn is tiresome. My handmade cat eyes never happened, too busy and too tiresome ;) Fortunately, I found some cute yellow buttons and am planning to get this kitty back on track. All I need to do is the paws and tail and then assemble it! Here he is so far:

Apple season has come and almost gone so I had to make a gorgeous tarte tatin-wannabe. If you are French, look away! I may have insulted your fine cuisine! I ended up just eating it though like an American apple pie. The only difference is there wasn't a bottom crust. Tasted soooooooooo good though, especially with the vanilla ice cream dollop. Mmmm mmm delicious!

Apples simmering in butter and sugar --- AMAZING SCENTS!

Looks pretty tasty

Sooo GOOOD

Well I think I'm caught up on catching up on what I am crocheting!
Thanks for reading, doncha know.