Hearts-A-Plenty

(photo by Annie's Publishing)

Just found out that my Hearts-A-Plenty Table Runner is on e-patternscentral.com as a digital download.  If anyone is interested check it out under Joyce's Link's at the top right of the blog.  It was from the February 2013 issue of Crochet World

Filet Table Runners

A very nice surprise delivery came a few weeks ago.  My Filet Table Runners book was finally a reality.  It was March of 2011 when Leisure Arts called to tell me they accepted my filet table runner patterns to publish as a pattern booklet.  They did an awesome job of putting it all together and there are great photos of the runners.  There are 8 patterns in all...

The one on the cover is called Sawtooth Stars and was inspired by a quilt pattern.

 

 

Hearts and Lace was the first pattern I worked on when I started this project and I still think if I had to choose one this would be my favorite. It all started sitting in the fertilizer truck down below Leesburg, Va one September day back in 2010 waiting for my load to be empty with a pencil and graph paper. 

 

This one is called Stars and Stripes.  I also have a version of this done in Red White and Blue that I like, too.

 

Chain Links was inspired by driving down another Virginia road one day hauling fertilizer and seeing a fence pattern.  It didn't quite turn out like the fence but then again nothing ever turns out in the finished product like it looks in my head !!

 

Picket Fence is another one that started out differently in my mind but I loved the end result.

 

Diamonds started out as a doily.  I really like the edging on this one.

 

 

This one is called Pretty Pattern

 Last but  not least is Ziggy Zaggy.  It is a version of a chevron pattern.

All are very easy to do working from charts and written instructions.  Under Joyce's Links you can click on Leisure Arts or Maggie's Crochet to purchase the book from their websites.  They told me that it would also be available in the JoAnn stores after the first of the year.  I have copies available here also and they are on my Etsy store page and also eBay if anyone is interested.  I hope you all enjoy it !! 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas

 

 

 

 

Wishing everyone a very Happy Holiday season and many blessings and good health in the New Year :) 

Fall Harvest Table Runner

 

Just finished this fall harvest scene table runner as a special order for a Christmas gift.  Think I'm going to have to make one of these for myself.........

Snow Days

It's a beautiful day.....

 



Pulse Purse

Last year I made my first ever purse.  I've always wanted to crochet a purse I just didn't know how to go about doing it.  It all looked so complicated to me.  Barb gave me the DVD for Christmas 2 years ago "Mosaic Crochet" with Lily Chin.  Loved the patterns this technique created and just had to try it for myself !! 

 

I thought I'd make a large potholder.  This is side one....

 

This is side two.  Loved the technique and while working on it thought why can't I make this into a larger rectangle, seam it down the sides, square off the bottom and add handles and a lining!!

 

 

So I did and this is my first ever purse !!! It is worked it in Navy, Forest Green and Natural size 10 Aunt Lydia's crochet thread.

 

 

It even took first place at The Great Frederick Fair !!

So I submitted the design to Interweave Crochet magazine and was very surprised when they contacted me interested in buying the pattern.  Marcy Smith chose the colors they had in mind for the Winter 2014 issue and sent them to me.

 

They are Burgundy, Peacock and Silver

So I got busy on it and in every spare moment I had was working on it to meet the deadline.

 

 

About 3 weeks later here is the finished product !!

Love how the colors look together. 

 

(Photo by Harper Point)

 

And here is the purse as it was shown in Interweave Crochet Winter 2014 issue which just came out this week. 

 

A special thank you to Marcy Smith, Lindsey Jarvis, Sonja Rosenberger, Allison Mackin, Sarah Read, Connie Goldstein and the many others who were so easy to work with and so helpful.  I'm hoping we can work together in the future. 

 

This pattern is also featured as a Crochet-Along at the following link.

Also the magazine can be purchased at local craft stores or by going to:

 

 

http://www.interweavestore.com/interweave-crochet-winter-2014?_iwcspid=146932

 

 

http://www.crochetme.com/content/Crochet-Along.aspx

 

 

 

Fried Soybeans

I got around to frying some soybeans we saved off the combine today.  It's pretty easy to do, just takes a little while.  First you soak them overnight, 1 cup soybeans in 4 cups water and 2 T salt. Then next morning drain them and put them on some paper towels, I spread them out over a cookie sheet and wait an hour. Then turn up the heat on the fryer to high and lower them in....

 

 

When they are getting done, after about 10 minutes, they will slowly start rising to the top of the oil. 

When they are all to the top take them out and put them in a bowl with some paper towels in the bottom to absorb the extra oil.

 

 

Sprinkle with a little Popcorn salt and enjoy !!  They are really good when warm but will keep a long time in glass jars also.  They make great gifts :)