Baby sweater #2 and bookmarks

I finished the second baby sweater.  Actually finished it a bit ago, but I haven't had time to post about it.  The colors requested were blue and brown, so, here we go...



And the booties, I reversed the colors to brown booties and blue bows.


I came up with a not so original idea and asked our VBS director if it would be ok to make bookmarks for all the VBS volunteers.  I found two bookmark patterns that I liked, but they were fighting me when I was trying to make them, so, I created my own design, so to speak.  It is obviously a very basic design, but it's not bad.  The VBS director likes them, so that works for me. :D  Here is the picture of the first one I did, rather messily blocked, but you get the idea:


I have 5 made so far.  Well, make that 5.5. lol  I need to make about 30 total.  If work would slow down, I'd have a lot more time.  Ok, back to my thread.

Update and pictures of the wedding hanging

The wedding hanging arrived in Vancouver safe and sound.  The lovely couple, of course, has no idea what to do with it, but that's ok.  The bride-to-be's response was "Wow!"  I just wanted to give them something made from the heart.  So, without further ado, the Wedding hanging, in steps.

I started the middle of January.  I don't remember the exact day.  As of February 11, I had the following completed:


Obviously, that's the date of the wedding.  Yes, this coming Friday.

At about this time, I took an online filet crochet course and my work sped up a little.  As of February 25, I had completed the following:


The next month was a bit busy.  I did not get a lot done on the piece, but once I got going, it came easier and easier.  As of April 15, I had completed the cross:


One month later and a break to make some slippers for a dear friend of ours that is going through Chemotherapy, I had finished the vines and the birds:


You'll notice that the top is starting to get wider.  The new skein of thread, while the same 'size' was a tad bit bigger and I didn't realize it until it was too late.

As of May 25th, I completed the crocheting part of the piece.  All I had to do was block it now.  Here it is, before blocking:


Because the top came out wider then anticipated, I enlisted hubby's help with the blocking.  Poor guy.  He did a great job, specially with what he had to work with.  Here it is in the blocking process:


It came out bigger then anticipated, so we had to use drywall to pin it to so that it would all fit.  So, I have to show a close up of the pins on one small side.  Yes, I know you use a ton of pins, but I have to point out that normally, you use foam board, not drywall. lol


And, the final product after blocking:


I must say that for the first time doing something of this size and magnitude, I'm pleased with how well it turned out.  I will do a few things differently next time.  I will use edc(extended double crochet) instead of dc (double crochet) as it will look better that way, in my opinion.  Also, I would use a thinner thread, on something this big.  This piece, I used a 30, I'd probably go with a 50 next time. 

So, that's my big project of the year.  Currently, I'm working on another baby sweater and booties for my cousin and his wife.  They are expecting a boy in July.  It will be baby blue with brown trim.  I haven't gotten any work done on it for the past week and a half due to work being crazy busy.  I'm taking the kids to the library today, so maybe I'll get some of that work done today.  I'm already looking forward to working on the next project too.  Hmmmm, VBS is coming, maybe I'll make some cross or angel pins.  I'm meeting with the VBS director today for lunch, I'll run it past her.  Oh, and I need to start making the angel ornaments for the reunion next year.  Oh, lots of stuff to do.

Better go and start on all that now. 

First baby sweater - Take 2

Went to Joann's and found some buttons I like better.  So, I removed the others and replaced them with the others.



I think it looks much better.

First baby sweater completed

I'm so thrilled.  First, I completed the wedding hanging.  I'll post pictures after the couple gets it.  It came out bigger then intended, but I think it came out pretty darn well. :D

Second, I finished my first sweater.  True, it is a baby sized sweater, but darn it, it's a sweater.  I made it 12 month size because babies tend to fit those about 6 months or so.  Plus, it is easier to put a bigger sweater on a baby then a small one.

Here's the front:


And the Back:


Close up of the stitch:


And the booties I made to send with the sweater:


And yes, I realize that the buttons on the sweater are red and the booties have pink.  The buttons were the cutest available at the store, so I had to go with what was available.  I'll be running down the hill today and I'll stop by Joann's to see if they have a button that will work better.  If so, I'll just cut these off and sew the new ones on.

By the way, this sweater and the booties are for my cousin and his lovely wife, who are expecting a baby girl any day now.  Soooooooo excited for them.  I will start the next sweater and booties for my other cousin and his lovely wife, who are expecting a baby boy next month. :D  And yes, I'm just as excited for them too.

Wedding gift is done

I've completed the wedding hanging.  Here it is right after weaving in the ends.



Here it is on the board, blocked and ready to be starched.


And an artsy picture of the pins used to block



Next project, baby sweater and booties for Larissa. YAY  Baby is due ANY DAY now. :D

Slipper update

The slippers I made for Rob's boss. He's going to mail them out today or tomorrow.



I'm 80% done with the wedding gift. Well, closer to 82%. Just have 24 more rows to go and it will be done. Then I can wash it and block it. :D



I think it is coming out pretty nice. :D

Brief update on the wedding gift

I have 28.5 rows left.  I'm so close to finishing.  Just need to buckle down and finish.

I did take a couple days off to make some slippers for Rob's boss.  She started chemo recently and when I asked my Team Lead what she remembered from when she had chemo, she commented that she remembered her feet were always cold.  Slippers, I can make. lol  So, I did.  I'll get pictures of them in the next day or so before Rob mails them to her.

Not much else going on.  Off I go to try to finish off this half a row before bed.