Crochet Hooks

Well now …

That is an unusual sight!

There’s my yarn needle …

There’s my hooks …

And there’s the item I use to poke holes in the towels that I crochet on …

All in their case being unused at the moment!

Don’t worry …

It won’t last long!!!!!

Whaa haa haaa haaaaa!

(That’s my evil crochet laugh)

Happy Crafting To You!

Merry Christmas!

Ava Potterfield

Afternoon Nap Counted Cross Stitch Progress

Got my counted cross stitch project started!

Part of the fun of doing counted cross stitch is watching the picture appear as you go.

It goes from looking like this ...

to something so pretty in the end.

Here's my progress at the end of todays work.

This picture was taken at night

under one of those energy saving yellowish lights.

The cloth is white.

I will be keeping track of the amount of time it takes me to stitch this.

I can already tell that at the end I am going to be amazed at the amount of time involved.

I have never kept track of my time while stitching before and I have made some pretty big pieces.

As always, you are invited to visit my facebook page ...

Ava Potterfield's Crafting Corner ...

https://www.facebook.com/AvaPotterfieldsCraftingCorner/?fref=nf&pnref=story

And you are welcome to post your projects that you are working on for us to see.

 Happy Crafting To You!

 Ava Potterfield

Counted Cross Stitch: Afternoon Nap

I am finally going to get to work on something that is just for fun!

I have done many counted cross stitch projects over the years but it has been several years since I have sat down to work on one.

I decided to choose a small one ...

this one is a 5 x 7 size ...

to work on to get me back into the groove.

Here's the project ...

a sweet little kitty cat taking an afternoon nap in the garden ...

aptly titled ...

Afternoon Nap.

The first thing I had to do was to eat this tin full of cookies!

Well ... yes of course ...

I am serious ...

I had to have something to keep the project in as I'm working on it!

Next ...

I will have to separate the thread that came in the bag.

There is "cross stitch" and there is "counted cross stitch" ...

and they are two different things.

Cross Stitch is a printed pattern on fabric that you follow in the colors of your choice or in the colors that are provided.

Counted Cross Stitch ... as the name implies ... involves lots and lots of counting.

And there is no printed pattern on your fabric to follow.

Here is my hoop and there is the plain white fabric I'm going to be working on.

In counted cross stitch you actually count the spaces to know where to place your colors and you count all of the stitches you make in order to keep track of where you are and what is supposed to be next.

Here is half of the color chart that I will be working from.

Each space has a symbol in it and each symbol stands for the color that is supposed to go into that space.

You can see the little kitty and a couple of flowers here in the diagram or chart.

Here is the symbol key ...

as you are working you start to remember what the colors are ...

but until then ...

you refer to this chart which tells you what the color is and what ply (how many strings to use at once) it is.

Here is the picture on the package of what it is supposed to look like when you are finished.

I refer to this often for encouragement!

You know ...

just to see how pretty it is going to be when it is all done.

Although it may sound a bit tedious ...

I promise you that it is worthwhile and very satisfying to what your project come to life on a blank piece of fabric.

This one will be for sale when I am all finished with it.

I will keep you posted on my progress. 

As always, you are invited to visit my Facebook page ...

Ava Potterfield's Crafting Corner ...

https://www.facebook.com/AvaPotterfieldsCraftingCorner/?fref=nf&pnref=story

And you are welcome to post your projects that you are working on for us to see.

Happy Crafting To You!

Ava Potterfield

More Projects Finished

More projects are finished! 

Here is another slouch hat and matching scarf. 

This is a regular hat and matching scarf. 

This is a regular hat with the sides tacked up to give it a different look. 

The last of the towels to finish on a deadline. 

Cute little scarecrows

A pretty little rooster! 

Cock-a-doodle-dooooooo! 

A little fox and an owl. 

Wine anyone? 

There were a few others as well ... 

but it seems that I am unable to load additional pictures at this time. 

So here they are!   

All finished and ready to go to their new homes!

 Happy Crafting to You!

Merry Christmas!

Ava Potterfield

Matching Slouch Hat and Scarf # 2

Another matching slouch hat and scarf done!

This one is made

with Lion Brand Homespun yarn

and the color is

#423 Mimosa

There's the ribbing of the hat up above

and the body of the hat below ...

And then here is the hat all finished.

It is a soft,

little bit fuzzy yarn

that I had not worked with before.

It wasn't bad

and I already have two after Christmas

orders for a set just like this.

Here is the beginning of the scarf.

What a cute little scarf!

It's getting longer ...

Here is the finished scarf.

Here is the hat and scarf together!

I think I may have to add another set to the list

to make for after Christmas ...

a set for me!!

Ta-Da!!!!

All finished and ready to go to its new home!

Happy Crafting to You!

Ava Potterfield

Slouch Hat and Matching Scarf

I've been working on my final orders for Christmas. 

I have three hats and matching scarves to finish

As well as four more towels

And then all of my crochet orders are all finished for Christmas!

One down!

Here it is all done!

Started out with the ribbing ...

which is created by doing single crochet in the back loop only ...

Then worked on the body of the hat ...

Which is created by doing two double crochet in one stitch

and then skipping one and doing two more double crochet in one stitch

all the way around on each row.

The matching scarf!

I did 14 chains ...

one row of  sc ...

then a repeating pattern of

three rows of double crochet

two rows of one double crochet and then skip one across

then back to three rows of double crochet

and keep repeating until it's the length you want

ending with three rows of double crochet

and then one row of single crochet all around the edge.

Ta-Da!!!!

All finished and ready to go to its new home!

Happy Crafting to You!

Ava Potterfield

Owl On A Limb Afghan

This is one of my crochet C2C (Corner 2 Corner) afghans that I designed.

Here is the link to the pattern that is for sale on Ravelry

or

I can make one for you!

Here is the link to the pattern:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/owl-on-a-limb

Materials Needed: 
H 5.00mm crochet hook 
Yarn … I used 
3 of 7 ounce skein yellow 
1 of 7 ounce skein green 
1 of 7 ounce skein tan 
1 of 7 ounce skein brown 
1 large skein black

Mine measures 46 inches by 46 inches

using my H hook and Red Heart Super Saver Worsted 4 yarn.

I have also designed a crochet C2C afghan with a tractor and will have it for sale very soon.

While it is time consuming to design these patterns

I find it relaxing.

The concentration it takes is soothing to me.

I think it is so fun to get it all graphed out and then

make one to see how it looks.

When it turns out like I want I go ahead and also

do a written pattern to go with the graph.

What project are you working on right now?

Happy Crafting to You!

Ava Potterfield

Baby Blankets and Snow

Working on this pretty little pink baby blanket.  I am finding the colors so soothing and relaxing.  When it is finished it will have at matching diaper cover and hat to go with it.  This one will be for sale and looking for its new home.  Made with love in every stitch.  <3

This time of the year … when it’s cool outside and time to snuggle up with an afghan on the couch or chair you’re sitting in … with your feet either curled up beside you or stretched out in the recliner … drinking coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate … is one of my favorites. 

It’s snowing today … our first snow of the year here in Hannibal, Missouri.  It’s been raining for a few hours and now there are great big flakes falling.  I can see it out the window and it is so pretty.  I find myself sitting here in my crafting chair watching the snow rather than crocheting … and smiling.

I had better get back to working on this blanket.  I still have three hat and scarf sets to make and a bunch of quilting to get done.  Have a great week everyone!

Happy Crafting to You!

Ava Potterfield

Doug's New Scroll Saw

My husband, Doug, got a scroll saw yesterday!  He'd been wanting one for a while now.  He just got it set up and ready to use.  So ... of course he had to grab a piece of wood and see what it would do.
Here's what he did ... his first time to use it ...

He is going to be making two of these for me to put on our island.  Our chairs have roosters on them and these will go wonderfully to match.  Thank you honey!

So ... besides my crochet, quilting and crafting ... there will be wood working projects by Doug that will be available soon and in our booth at Carpet Baggers!

Go honey!!!

Ava Potterfield

Happy Crafting to You!!

Works in Progress (WIP)

So many WIPS!

I have three orders to fill with my crochet

and then

I'm going to open ...

 "THE TUB" ...

The Tub of Works in Progress!!!

What do you think that I will find there?

Well ...

I know for sure of a few things ...

There are two tote bags ...

a Frog hat and matching diaper cover that need sewn to add the finishing touches ...

Until then

I will work on getting my orders finished.

I will let you know what I find in

THE TUB OF WIPS!!

Happy Crafting!

Ava

'Tis the Season For Hats!!!

Hat season is here!

Hat season is here!

I will admit it ...

I am a crochet maniac...

Yes ...

Yes I am!

For me there is nothing more relaxing than working on some crochet while I watch a movie or Netflix.

I am a good listener!

I can't always "watch" all of a show or movie while I'm counting stitches and following a pattern but I can always listen and keep right up on what is going on.

It reminds me of listening to stories or shows on the radio.

And it lets your imagination kick in and visualize what it is that you are listening to.

Anyway ...

back to hats ...

Glorious hats ...

Slouch hats are what I have been working on lately.

And I have to say ... I can't believe how comfortable they are!  Oh my goodness!

They are so comfortable that I forget that I have them on. 

In this blue hat I have all of my hair up under it.

Here is a maroon one that I made.

I have my hair down for this one.

I was wanting to see if they were more comfortable with my hair up or with my hair down.

I have to say that it was just as comfortable either way.

Here is one that I made for a client.

I really like the colors she chose for this one and it looked great on her!

I have an order for a white one I'm getting ready to make.

I also have an order for a black one with a matching scarf.

Thank you to everyone who orders from me!

It makes my day!

Happy Crafting!

Take a Moment ...

I just received a notice ... so I thought that I would share in case if affects any of my followers on this blog.

If you are using a non-Google account to follow my blog, you will need to sign up for a Google account and re-follow the blog. With a Google account you will get blogs added to your Reading List, making it easier for you to see the latest posts and activity of all of the blogs that you follow.

I will still be posting a link on the facebook page like I always do.

I know, I know ... change ...
They assure us it is going to make things easier and smoother.

On a personal note ... I appreciate all of you who visit the blog.  Please continue to do so! You are all just plain awesome! I soooo appreciate those of you who are customers as well!

I will be having some new projects to post very soon.

Thanks!

Ava