Believe it or not, but this simple granny poncho has been my most popular item next to the scarves. And the most popular color is PURPLE. I have been adding fun fur trim around the neck and bottom and some even in the fringe.This is an adult sized, but I have been making mostly young girls for the holidays (7-10) years old. The fun fur really adds to the poncho making it very girly. 

This is the poncho version of the Cecilia De BuCourt flower petal shawl. 

Here is a closeup of the Ettie styled scarf done in brown and neutral tones...this one is also very popular. 

Grandma told me at Thanksgiving that she wanted a shawl. I'm planning on making her one for Christmas in the petal design made most popular by Cecilia De BuCourt. I haven't decided on a color or yarn yet. 

This is one of the scarves that have been very popular this season. My version of the designer Ettie scarf that celebrities are wearing. I'm planning on making these scarves in different colors and bringing them to work on the last week before Christmas. I'm hoping to earn enough extra money to purchase a new computer. 

This is the duvet I made for my platform bed, I think I did pretty good considering I had no pattern or anything. I still have to make the pillow cases though. 

Hooray! Short Work Week!

I am so glad that this week will be short, Thanksgiving is Thursday! Before you know it, Christmas will be upon us. My list of custom crochet orders is steadily growing. I had a wonderfully relaxing rainy weekend of crocheting and watching movies this weekend. I went by Wal-Mart to pick up more fun fur and boa yarn and the selection was scarce, this stuff must really be popular for the holidays. I will have to make a stop at another location on my lunch hour today, and hopefully I will find what I need to finish a few more small projects. The $$$ is pretty good, especially for the scarves since they don't take long to complete the long skinny ones, it's the yarn that it expensive. My laundry is piling up and the housework did not get done this weekend. I am putting together another package for my 2 secret pals. Julia (my neice) helped me with part of it the other day when we were both out sick. She is so funny to be 8 years old, she gave me a lecture on "Standing up for myself and taking pride in my work" when I mentioned giving someone a discounted price on a pair of scarves. She told me, "I don't care if they are your boss or your best friend, don't give them the cheapies......look at that poncho Aunt Donna....you can't buy that in the store.....THAT IS YOUR TIME....because this world, will step on you." From the mouths of babes. I sat and taught her how to crochet and took her to Michael's to buy her a canvas bag that she decorated to carry her yarn and hook in. I wanted to teach her how to make a simple scarf, and she is learning the double crochet. I will need to work with her a little more, but she has mastered the chain stitch and holds the yarn, work and hook correctly, which in my opinion is the hardest hurdle to cross in learning to crochet. My computer is still down at home and I think I'm going to have to buy another one, then I can start posting photos to my boring blog page.

Holidays approaching!

I love this time of year. This is my first Fall in my first home, and I love all colors in the leaves, although I didn't realize that I would have so many down in the yard. It sort of looks like a thick autumn quilt on the lawn. I'll get around to it again next weekend, but there are sooo many leaves yet to fall! I sent my Crochetville secret pals (yes two, somehow I must have signed up for two, thinking it was the same one) their first package. I wish it could have been more than what I sent, but money has been so tight since I overdrew my account somehow (I need help for the Ebay/yarn addiction), however, the first gift was quite nice, and included something that they both mentioned enjoying. But I have so many paying custom orders for Christmas that I am not going to worry about it. I plan on sending a much nicer second gift. I am quite good at buying gifts, I love it. I plan on crocheting both of them something also, and perhaps sewing a handy crochet gift also. Not sure, but this time of year is always so exciting for me. I didn't put up a tree last year at the apartment, but I think since this will be my first Christmas in my first house, I should put one up. I'm thinking I may put in my basement studio/den. Me and William spend so much time down there, it's so cozy. I'm feeling all "Bea Smith" and want to decorate the house, which is not really like me, and I'm ready to do that now. I keep telling myself to wait at least until Thanksgiving, I can't become one of those people that I used to mock as I passed their houses in Mid-November, decked out in Christmas decorations....no, I refuse to be one of "them". They have even started playing Christmas music 24/7 on the radio, I secretly listened (which included singing along) on my drive home from work Friday. I'm still thinking of craft ideas for Julia, Journey & Joshua (neices & nephew). They are looking forward to coming over again this year (our little tradition that we started about 2 years ago) for the slumber party, making gifts for their mother, father& grandmother, watching Christmas movies, baking cookies, listening/singing Christmas carols. The oldest is in 3rd grade (I think, that's terrible), the middle is 5 and the youngest is 4. I am thinking of buying a canvas and letting them create artwork, maybe painting a vase or flower pot. I will have to start searching for some good ideas very soon.