GET Creative with ANTIQUE CROCHET.....

What a great idea!!!!! Grab some old hangers and get really creative with with some tea dyed cotton yarn. Make up some freeform crochet even and sew some interesting patterns together and create antique looking hanger covers. Some really cool stores would love to have these or sell these. This is a really innovative project that inspires a hanger design a month for a year. I would love to do that and involve other crocheters.

Adding beading or just draping necklaces works really well to enhance the design. I love finding different types of crochet inspiration from the internet or from photos and taking it to another place. I hope this design inspires someone out there to begin looking at other innovative ideas for antique crochet or freeform crochet or any kind of crochet.

When it come to crochet never be afraid to experiment with new ideas and begin to design new things. Study freeform crochet it really opens up your eyes to what can be done and what is new in the world of crochet.

So many think it is a lost art. I beg to differ. We always need creative outlets to spark our inner artist.

Crochet Pet Peeve.....lol

Am I alone or other crocheters getting frustrated with crochet magazines having nothing new or different in them. I rush over to get my new copies of crochet mags and low and behold I don't even end up purchasing them because to be honest nothing inspires me. These editors need to really source new and innovative crochet patterns.

I know I have a few patterns that would blow their minds and I bet some of you out there have some too....And, I am someone who would love to see them. So if you are like me it's time to complain and submit some photos and see what happens.

So, now that I am finished complaining about crochet mags. It's time to say that soccer today was really amazing. We are down to Germany and Argentina. Wouldn't it be nice to see a small country win and reap the benefits of such fame.

Well stitchers have a great day and will be back tomorrow......later hookers....lol

CROCHET AND BEADS WHAT COULD BE BETTER????

Today is all about being rainy....So, I decided to stay inside and crochet with beads and watch a movie....I just adore earth tone beads. Dug them out of the closet and started stringing and hooking with a nice black cotton tread. I love tones of strands wrapped and wrapped about the neck. The more strands the better. It seems almost all crochet designs go better with beads!!!! So add beads to your crocheted bags, scarfs, shawls, and hair bands....

Lacey and Plain Cowl Idea

I found this picture on the web and started thinking about a re-design. So this is today's project. It is very easy. One half of the whole scarf is a lace pattern or openwork and the other half is plain knit or crochet. This is a stunning idea that brings to mind other vocal points of interest within a cowl design scarf.

Why not do a lace square area or rectangular area and then crochet or knit plain pattern all the way around. Lots of great ideas came out of this picture. I am not really sure why the cowl is such a hit with women these days but it must be because they wrap around your head so easily. Matching fingerless gloves with a lace detail would be an amazing set. Not to mention the color combinations are endless. Hope this motivates you like it motivated me!!!! Happy stitching ladies!!!!!

Let's Talk Salad.....I Must Say this is The Best One......

PEAR AND BLUE CHEESE AND CHOPPED NUT SALAD.....

First place a bed of Arugula on a plate

Second warm some slices of pear in a cast iron skillet with olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar.

Third warm some chopped nuts: Walnuts or Almonds.

Place the warm pears over the lettuce and crumble blue cheese over the lettuce and pears and let melt a little.

Then last but not least sprinkle the crushed nuts over the whole plate.

And, lastly enjoy!!!!!

HOOK OF THE WEEK....Why not start an INFINITY SCARF WITH A GRANNY SQUARE????

Why not start your newest infinity scarf with a good old fashioned granny square. Once finished join your hook to one end and continue the length desired and join when finished. I think I would do the whole scarf in the lighter grey so that the other colors stood out. This scarf would then have a really nice square of interest within the rest of the scarf. I think I would do the rest of the scarf in single crochet or double crochet, single crochet on each line of the work. This is a fun project even a child could do. A great idea for a beginner crocheter. Have fun!!!!!

A List of Great things to Crochet.......

Some of the best things to make are everyday items with a twist....
1. Instead of just plain mittens how about fingerless gloves, lacey and feminine.
2. Rag rugs always a green way to use up old sheets or clothing.
3. Use up old yarn and put together a scrap yarn throw full of lots of colors.
4. Women are wearing infinity scarfs in all colors .... this is always a great choice.
5. Slouchy, Jamaican hats are all the rage right now.....
6. Teens hate hats cause they ruin their hair.....So, headbands are always great sellers for teen girls.
7. Place mats for your table.
8. Dish clothes are always great and have to be made with cotton thread.
9. Shawls are always a good idea and go so nicely for Christmas events or Summer evening events.
10. Slipper booties for ladies is always a great seller cause they don't stretch out like slippers.
11. Try a fun old fashioned tea towel topper that buttons on the oven.
12. Never underestimate a hat, scarf and mitten set.....friends love them.
13. Scrap yarn rugs are always a hit.....put two threads together and go.....
14. How about a yoga mat carrier for a friend who loves her weekly workout.
15. Water bottle holders are always great....make a long shoulder strap.

Just another day in the life of a crocheter......lol

Today has been spent sorting out yarn and starting a new scrap yarn throw. Always a fun project! Just get all your yarn and start making balls of scraps by putting them all together and off you go. The last one I did was all in cream tones of cotton and is now on my bed as my new top layer of sheets. It was made with a very large hook and 2 ply cotton yarn. It almost looks like a lace piece. Just love it.....

Crochet Crochet Crochet and more Crochet

MADE THESE TODAY!!!!! OR AT LEAST THOUGHT ABOUT IT.....lol.......I will make a few and see if I can sell them at the Beach this summer......bet I can sell tons of them!!!!!

Cause I will get some young teen girl to wear them and wander around and they will all want them....

I just love these they are sooo pretty....and the tan lines are amazing....or only wear out after the sun goes down!!!!!

Or with high heels or sandals!!!!!!

They took 2 hours to make ..... so I think I will charge about 30.00 or 35.00....I will investigate what others sell them for!!!!!

NEW DESIGN TODAY....VICTORIAN LACE NECK WARMER

Another busy day fuel with coffee, and more coffee....in order to design this stunning, crochet lace, Victorian influenced neck warmer. As soon as I posted on FB it sold to a lady in England.....NO SURPRISE there.

Thank God for Pay Pal and Suzanne who totally makes time to help me with anything business!!!!! OMG real family are there for you and patient!!!!!! She has helped me with design and pricing and just brainstorming.....we work so well together!!!! WE think and work the same way.....we feel our way through stuff and get it done...

I have herd it said that designing is lonely.....I find it a lot of work...designing - making the article....then writing out patterns .... then typing....then photographing....then posting everywhere....then blogging late at night!!!!! But, when you love something as much as I LOVE CROCHET!!!!! It's not work at all!!!!!!
It is my turn to be out there and noticed!!!!! My time is now!!!!!
I will be published in Crochet Today....I will be!!!!!! Have a great night hookers...lol

CROCHET REDESIGN

Well today was quite a day.....got up very very late....NOON.....not like me. Anyway, got up and went off to Variety Village to water walk and tread water......I can't get into the pool enough.....Need a volunteer driver to get me there a few more times a week. Then it would be a swim a day for me.....

When I finally got home I realized it was Kentucky Derby day.....So off to the pub I went for wine, burger and salad. I picked the looser....Oh, well.....picking the Kentucky Derby winning horse was my Daddy's thing. He would never put a penny on a race but picked the winner every year for 10 years straight!!!!! He was so much fun.

He would go to the pool with me everyday for sure if he was still around....Mind you he would go just about anywhere with me. He just liked me....and I liked him.....

So back to crochet.....I am doing a slight redesign on this and I will be naming it  "VICTORIAN NECK WARM ME".......Hope it sells like crazy next winter....When it's finished I will post the pic.....
Happy Crocheting Girls and Boys....until tomorrow......later...Janie jan

MY CROCHET DESIGNS

CROCHET CROCHET CROCHET

Crocheting these stunning Infinity Scarfs and selling them like hot cakes!!!! I love to crochet!!!!! Really easy pattern.

GARCINIA CAMBOGIA

Well, Dr. Oz has convinced me!!!!! So, I too have surrendered to the hype. My doctor heard good things and thought of me. So I am now swallowing tons and water and this concentrated fruit capsules 3 times a day. This wonder fruit helps you have no appetite and with my medication THAT IS A MIRACLE. I am not hungry for the first time in 7 years. This wonder fruit also helps with sleep and mood. It also blocks bad fats from sticking to your body and turns to energy instead. The liver flushes the fat. Got to love it!!!!
Well, no harm in trying.....It has no side effects whatsoever and if I actually loose weight in 3 months.....I will be the biggest and loudest SALES PERSON around. It is fun to think it may work.
Oh, and did I mention that Garcinia Cambogia STOPS HUNGER......HAHHAHAHA. I know I did. I am still in shock that it really does. I feel full all the time.....I love it!!!!!!
So if you jump on the Garcinia Cambogia bandwagon and give it a real try for 3  or 6 months please keep in touch. I would love to see how it works for others too!!!!! The main thing about trying this is to be patient and walk or exercise as much as you can and of course......eat as healthy as you can. But, you can cheat once in awhile.....or don't exercise at all and don't eat healthy and YOU WILL LOOSE WEIGHT ANYWAY......How cool is that??????

Everything 'Jane Austen'

FOR JANE AUSTEN ADDICTS ONLY…...

If you are as addicted to “ANYTHING Jane Austen”, as much as I am, you will be more than happy with this amazing book list of great stuff written after OUR POOR Jane LEFT US – WAY TOO YOUNG AND WAY TO POOR – If only her family had believed in her writing talent and dumped money into her publishing …… sad they could not fathom, just how talented, she really was and all she needed was help. Just have to add that you would think that  BBC productions in England would wake up and remember all the success they have had with her productions thus far and put some of these author's books who came after Jane - to screen copy, script …. Come on Ang Lee and Emma Thompson … You amazed us with “Sense and Sensibility”, it’s time for another. What about Lady Susan, Sandition or The Watsons … Ah, an even better idea what about someone we know, love and trust finishing her last ½ written novella. We then can act like Jane is still here … and you know us –Austenites- we will never be satisfied so it can go on forever and forever amen…

                After all of that, I just want to point out all the amazing success of Downton Abbey….An AH HA MOMENT, must we turn to Jullian Fellows – Yes....he’s our man - He could rewrite the dictionary and give it a flair -the likes- we have never read. Yeah, Yeah …. He’s too busy (every member of my blood families’ first name, and the only excuse for anything, anytime ….. now I am Too Busy Jan Austen……ahhahahah). I digress, as usual, time to write to some head honcho at the BBC in ENGLAND and beg … Wish me luck all you “Austenites”, cause you know me, I will do it…… and it won’t be the first time I do something like this and it works!!!!! It must be my tenacity or my annoying hounding that caused people to give in and give in and give in……if only people would see that when I do that to them…..they win not me! If I could have a quarter for all the people I helped make tons of money ….. I would have some - a lot of sum …..

Hope all you Austenites enjoy these and yes I have read them all.

Jane Austenite Must Read Book List……

Written by Emma Tennent

Pemberley (loved it)

Elinor and Marianne: a sequel to Sense and Sensibility. (loved it)

An Unequal Marriage: Pride Continued

o   Just a note she also wrote ‘Adele’, Jane Eyre’s hidden story and a book about Heathcliffe…can’t remember the title but it’s out there….

Written by Tracy Chevalier

Remarkable Creatures – a great book about two women living in Lyme Regis during the Victorian age who collect fossils on the beaches of Lyme Regis….and you get to meet really, really interesting characters. A truly great book!!!!!!

Written by Beth Pattillo

o   Jane Austen Ruined my life

o   Mr. Darcy Broke my heart

o   The Dashwood Sisters Tell All

Written by Sharon Lathan

o   The trouble with Mr. Darcy

o   My Dearest Mr. Darcy

o   Miss Darcy falls in love (Georgiana)

o   In the Arms of Mr. Darcy

o   The Passions of Mr. Darcy

Written by Rebecca Ann Collins

o   A Woman of Influence

o   Recollections of Rosings

o   The Legacy of Pemberley

o   The Ladies of Longborn

o   Netherfield Park Revisted

o   My Cousin Caroline (Bingley)

o   Mr. Darcy’s Daughter

By Joan Aiken                                 Mansfield Park Revisited (my favorite, plan to re-read)

By Andrew Norman                        Jane Austen an Unrequited Love

By Regina Jeffers                             The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy

By Amanda Grange                         Dear Mr. Darcy: the retelling of Pride and …

‘                               ‘                      Mr. Darcy’s Diary

By Jane Rubino                               Lady Vernon and her daughter

By Roy A. Adkins                          * Jane Austen’s England: social life and customs in 18^th century England

By Karen Doornebos                      Undressing Mr. Darcy

By Nina Benneton                           Compulsively Mr. Darcy

By Abigail Reynolds                        Mr. Darcy’s Undoing

By many writers                               Dancing with Mr. Darcy

By Jane Odiwe                                 Mr. Darcy’s Secret

By Linda Berdoll                              Mr. Darcy takes a Wife

By Mary Lydon Simonsen               A Wife for Mrs. Darcy

By Rachel Billington                         Perfect Happiness

By Monica Fairview                        The Other Mr. Darcy

By C. Allyn Pierson                          Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister

By Elizabeth Aston                          Mr. Darcy’s Daughter

By Elizabeth Aston                          The True Darcy Spirit (a story about Anne De Bourgh)

By Judith Flanders                           *The Victorian City “ Everyday Life in Dicken’s London”

By Judith Flanders                          * The Victorian House – What was going on inside London’s homes                                                                and ballrooms

* I am still reading cause they are huge and they are really study volumes for research!!!!!