Zero!

Haven't blogged in a while.  Just haven't felt the mojo to do it.  Nothing's been wrong at all, just not into blogging for a few weeks.  I've been busy crocheting, testing out new recipes (my poor guinea pig at home - oh wait - he's not suffering!!!) and playing on my computer.  That's about it.  That and work.  Too much work.

Scott is now firmly working in his new position as the lead person in his department.  I'm so incredibly proud of him for all the work he's put into getting this position.  Plus, the extra money isn't shabby.  Unfortunately, because this new position is in a brand new store (it just opened Wednesday of this week), he's working crazy hours.  I mean, lots of money, but little time to visit with him.  Boo.  Not a fan of that part.

To pass the time while home alone, I've been crocheting a lot.  Working up Christmas gifts and trying to finish some baby blankets I'm working on.  My silly self posted a picture of a little lovey (that is a small crochet blanket with a stuffed animal attached to it) patterned after Zero the dog from Nightmare Before Christmas.  See him?  He actually LOOKS like a little blanket lovey, so he's kind of perfect for this kind of project.  I tagged my daughter because she is obsessed with the movie (has been her whole life) and asked, kind of cheekily, if she wanted one (she immediately said yes.  duh.) and I was not prepared for the messages from several friends asking for one themselves!  I love it!!!!  I made the first one, and it is bound for my dear friend Cher in Florida, intended to be a birthday gift for her granddaughter.  I'm so pleased to be able to do it for her!  Here is my final product: 

He took two days, but only because I didn't have any poly-fil to stuff his little nose and head.  So quick and easy to do.  I really enjoyed making him.  I have to make 2 more of them, right away.  I love to crochet and I love to do it for people.  Like any other craft, I do it because A) I enjoy it and B) I enjoy seeing the joy and happy it brings to other people.  Plus, it keeps my hands busy.  I've seen the movie Idle Hands (if you haven't, please stop what you are doing and go watch it immediately.  it's brilliant comedy/horror with a great young cast) and I know what happens when you don't keep your hands busy.  Ha! 

My next project is a bit daunting but I'm ready to try harder things in crochet.  I only began doing this 4 years ago after boredom, a yarn ball, a hook and Youtube all collided one evening.  I've taught myself everything, including how to read patterns and charts (which was NOT easy, let me tell you...it's like learning another language).  So, this will challenge me, which I love.  But seriously, how unbelievably gorgeous is this blanket??? 

This is a test pattern that will shortly become a pay for pattern (not downloadable for free) but this designers patterns are usually not more than $7 or $8 each, so they are really a bargain and they are just visually stunning.  If you want to see more of his work, including some free patterns as well as others in a similar vein to this one, visit his Ravelry page Made of Change.  His patterns are all very unique in that there is not a single row that is the same as another one.  They are all different, with different stitch techniques.  These are good to try new stitches out, plus, just look at it.  Gorgeous.  My furniture in the living room is blue, so I think I shall do this one blue like in the photo. 

On that note, I'm so glad it's Friday.  So, so glad.  LOL  Ready for the weekend, which with any luck will involve a whole lot of me not doing anything.