Hats, Scarves, and Everything in Between

I've been working on many different things lately.  My 10 year old son hounded me until I finally made him a Mohawk Earflap Hat.

I finished it the day before his birthday.  He's such a ham...lol.  When he wore it to school the principle asked him if I could make one to be raffled off for the Boy's only tailgate party, of course I said yes, it was an honor:)  Then one of my husbands friend saw it and asked if I could make one in Pittsburgh Steeler colors.

I've been asked by two other people to make them in Ohio State Colors.  It's still a little weird for me to have people ask.  I've always just made things and gave them away now I actually have people asking if they can order.

I've also been working on some Christmas orders for the Kitty tote bags.  The smaller version of the large tote has turned out to be the perfect size for little girls.  Here is one that I did.  I didn't get pics of it after it was totally complete with lining and kitty applique but it turned out better than I thought it would and I actually love it better without the applique.

I'm now finishing up on two in purple tones and another pink.  I'll make sure I post photos.

My daughter is in her senior year of Marching Band and has a highlight concert this Friday, then this Saturday my son has his championship pony league football game.  It's going to be cold so I wanted to make a scarf and put music notes on one side and a football applique and my sons football number on the other side.  This is the first scarf I came up with.  It is a simple half double crochet in back loops only making it have ridges.  When I finished it I really wasn't happy with it because of the length and the blue was a shade to dark.  But it's a nice scarf all the same and has already been claimed by my oldest daughter...lol.

I'm still working on the appliques for the second scarf and will post pics when finished.

Thanks for listening to me ramble on and checking out my projects.

Until next time, Happy Crocheting:)

Amigurumi and a Finally Finished Round Ripple

I'm really excited about trying my first ever Amigurumi <<<I hope I spelled it right projects.  It turned out pretty good and I'm ready to make a couple more, because as we all know once you make one and everyone sees them they request....lol.  I also finished my round ripple WIP which I've been working on for what seems like forever.  

This is my sparkle kitty for Halloween.  Fall and Halloween and all of the spooky that goes with it is probably my most favorite time of the year.  I have since purchased an amigurumi ghost pattern and a pumpkin pattern to go with my kitty.  I did however forget his whiskers....lol

I finally finished my round ripple....this makes me think of a cold evening sipping hot chocolate.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day and as always Happy Crocheting:)

Daisy Afghan

I had to share.  I am almost finished with the Daisy Afghan, I still have ends to weave but it's close to going to it's forever home and I will be soooooo happy to see it go....lol

Above is a close up of the simple Picot border that I used....I think it was a good fit for the afghan.

All those dreaded ends to look forward to but it's almost ready to go.
Until next time, Happy Crocheting :0)

The Cost of Things

I was working on an afghan today that i'm trying to get finished before September 9th and of course it got me to thinking about how many times I've heard people complain and say "why do they charge so much".  I honestly don't think people realize the work that goes into and afghan.  Mind you some are simple to do but others are completely time consuming and tedious to do.  Here is an example:

The afghan that I am currently working on is called Fresh as a Daisy.  I did change up the pattern and do things the way I wanted to do them and I like the end result so much better.  This one is a custom order.  But this is what is involved and stands as a good explanation as to why crafters charge what they do:)
109 circles....become 109 daisy's....which become 109 squares....which then need bordered....after being bordered they get sewn into strips.....then all the strips get sew together to make the afghan....then the afghan gets a nice border all around....and if your like me you have to flip it over and tuck ends....and tuck and tuck and well you get the point.  Yes it's a labor of love.  Afghans are my favorite thing to make because although tedious, it's good therapy, and the end results are amazing.  Not to mention how AWESOME it feels when the person who receives it appreciates all that you put into it.
I'm not trying to go on a rant, just trying to make people understand that when they see the price of a beautiful handmade product....remember it's a lot of work and a lot of love poured into each stitch.

What's Been Going On?

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted on the blog.  I get busy with things and get wrapped up and sometimes forget.  Okay so I always forget...lol.  I've gotten involved with a wonderful group called Wrapped In Love, it is a crochet guild who makes 6x6 crochet squares for family's who have recently lost children.


I've also been trying to get some WIP's completed before my annual family reunion since all the WIP's seem to be for family members.  I made a lot of progress on the daisy afghan today so I see no problem having it finished by the time September rolls around.  I also have another afghan to complete (it's so close) and 2 tote bags (whew!!).


In between all of this I got my first custom ordered Mermaid Tears purse, requested in Fall colors.  It turned out so pretty I wanted to keep it...lol.  But it is all packaged up and ready to go out in the morning.

My friend Lynne and I have also been working away on our community page kicking off our Fall afghan project.  We have decided to take donated 6x6 squares and assemble them into afghans and donate to our local Hospice, Nursing Homes, and Homeless shelters.  It's going to be a very busy time over at With Loving Hearts and Hands Crochet.  We recently delivered a memory'ghan to a local family who lost there son to Mitocondrial disease.  The afghan turned out beautiful and squares were donated from all over the country and a few from other countries.  It's a beautiful thing when folks get together and share not only there love for the craft but also there love for another human being.

That pretty much sums up all the things I've been up to lately.  I'm sure the blog will get neglected more and more and we get closer to assembling our afghans and also working on Christmas gifts ect.  But I'll stop by from time to time to add pictures of completed projects as I finally start getting them done.


Until next time:  Happy Crocheting:)

It's All About Color

I haven't posted on the blog for awhile.  It's been so busy with the kids out of school for the Summer, and having ball games to attend and other family things.  I haven't had a whole lot of hook time, besides the fact that lately my hands haven't been much use in holding a hook.


I have however been able to keep up with a few of my favorite sites and blogs and the one thing that remains consistent is color.  When you think about it color really does make the project.  One example is someone who knows all about color, what goes well together and how to make it pop.
http://032ad8a.netsolhost.com/madmad/....you'll have to stop buy and check out the beautiful projects and the ohhh so luscious colors.
Another good one is http://colourinasimplelife.blogspot.com/
There are so many more and lately with every planned project I think about color, what would make it pop, give it oh so cannot resist looking at kind of feel.
So when you get a chance stop by these lovely ladies blogs and check out the pop of color they put in every project.  You won't be disappointed and I bet you'll go back again and again just to see what they've been up to.


I've made it to 300 fans on my Facebook page.....https://www.facebook.com/SarahsBitsandPiecesCrochet?ref=tn_tnmn and i'm thinking about starting to plan a 500 fan giveaway.  It's awesome that I've made it to 300 and i'm sure as long as it's taken me to get there I have plenty of time for planning the giveaway.  It'll just be something simple, no fancy pants here...lol.  But I do appreciate all those who like my work and complement the things I create.


Until next time.....Have a lovely day and above all else Happy Crocheting!!

Totes, Totes, and More Totes

I've been working on some tote bags, thanks to a really simple pattern from Lucy at Attic24.  Love, Love, Love her blog.  There are just so many possibilities for these tote and you can make them any any size.  I've been having so much fun making them.  I have also been finding a lot of neat applique patterns from Everlaughter which can be found on Ravelry.com.