the saddest yet greatest thrift store find

My last thrift store experience was probably one of the weirdest for me. Before I tell you about it I must tell you a back story on it.

Every Februrary the school that Seth taught at held an auction to raise money. I was volunteered to make something to sell at the auction last year. I had a hard time coming up with something and became frustrated when I couldn't think of anything I thought someone would want to buy. I browsed patterns online for hours. When I came across this panda pattern on the lion brand website I thought why not? It looked easy and fast.

I started working on it the day before the auction but it ended up taking much longer than I expected. Maybe I'm a super slow crocheter.... I don't know. But I finished him and I wasn't too pleased with the way he came out. He was pretty wonky. He sat funny because I must have not put his little legs on evenly. But after looking at it for awhile I thought it was kind of charming with his imperfections. Surely some kid would fall in love with him, right?

Well the night of the auction I was super excited to see how much he would go for. It seemed as though everything was going pretty high and then I took a look at the bids for my panda... there weren't any for a long time. Finally someone bid on him for a couple dollars. I was relieved he finally got a bid. I was a little bummed he only went for a couple dollars but at least he was going home with someone.

I thought that was the end of that story.

We ended up moving from that town in June & I missed the local thrift store there. Everything goes for super cheap.

This weekend we visited Seth's parents and we were going to go through our old town on the way home so we thought we should stop into our favorite thrift store! I was excited!

I browsed all my favorite aisles and then I got to the electronic aisle. I noticed something that didn't seem to belong in the electronic aisle. I spotted a cute crocheted panda. I thought "hmmm, that's cute. I used that same pattern once" but upon closer inspection I realized that he was much more familiar than that. He sat a little funny... He WAS the panda I made from that pattern.

After realizing that I became super excited about finding it again but then quickly remembered he was supposed to be loved by some kid that has already tired of him.

If you have been reading my blog for a while you may remember the post where I wondered what would happen to my creations when I was gone. Would they end up in thrift stores to be sold for cents or would they be cherished by those who recieved them? I didn't think I would find the answer so soon!

Well I couldn't leave him behind. I ended up buying him back for a dime. He now sits in the kitchen window where he makes me smile when I walk in the room.

rainbow swirls

I love browsing etsy for handspun yarns. I've never bought any. I wish I could buy them all though. I love looking at all the colors and fibers. Each skein is a new piece of art in my eyes. However I see a lot of yarns and forget about most of them but I favorited this yarn by SpunRightRound a while back and I can't stop thinking about it! I wish I had some extra spending cash but for now I will just continue looking at these beautiful photos. It's so pretty!

Rainbow Swirls handspun merino yarn

a work in progress

I'm working on a little rug using some scrap yarn for under our new coffee table.

P.S. doesn't Jenny look absolutely adorable in her pink hair and the scarf I made for her!? This picture is so pretty & it always makes me so happy seeing something I made being loved by someone else!

brooch

I found this brooch a year and half ago in an antique store in Springfield, MO and it had been sitting in my jewelry box since then. I love it but I always forgot about it. I found it the other day when I was digging through my jewelry box and today I crocheted this doily to pin it to.

valentine swap

It is yet another snow day here! It is pretty crazy. This is the second week I haven't worked at the food bank. I feel like I haven't been there in forever. According the the weather channel it looks like it is supposed to warm up soon so maybe the mountains of snow will start melt so this town can go back to our normal schedule!

It hasn't been bad though. I have enjoyed watching the snow come down and how the town has seemed to have slowed down. I have spent this morning in my Grinch pajamas & red slippers, listening to some Jeremy Larson while doing some crocheting. It's been so nice & cozy!

A couple days ago I recieved my first package from the Valentine Swap by Strumpets Crumpets. I actually ended up with two partners, I'm not sure if it was an accident or not but it was fine with me!

This one is from Karla of The Itsy Bitsy Spider. She is a crocheter as well and she sent these cute little gumdrop mice! Aren't they the cutest? If you would like to make some of these for yourself, she is selling the pdf pattern for these in her shop here.

Remember that flag bunting I made last week during our last big storm?

It was so much fun to make that I have been making more triangles for more of them. Right now they are being blocked. I made the turquoise one out of one my handspun yarn.

I love the texture the handspun gives! I need to spin some more so I can make more flags!

snow day crocheting

Wow! What a snowstorm! Seth went out into it yesterday to show me how high the snow was. When I took this picture it was still snowing so that wasn't even it. It snowed into the evening!

Instead of doing any cleaning like I should have, I chose to crochet the day away while watching some Glee. First I decided to finally dig into some of the nice yarn I had bought over the summer. I made this little flag bunting out of my Wisdom Yarns Poems yarn. The colors were so pretty and I loved how they worked up. It looks super cute in the kitchen.

Then I used some of the Lion Brand Homespun yarn that my parents gave me for Christmas to make this cowl.

I think crocheting is the perfect activity for a snow day. Cleaning the house can always wait! :)

valentine doily

Wow! I have actually finished something! That doesn't seem to be happening a lot around here lately. I'm still feeling worn down this week but I have had bursts of energy. When I am feeling good I try to get some crafting done. I'm sure this snow isn't helping my energy. Snow makes me want to stay cozied up in my bed all day!

I made this doily for Valentine's Day but because I made it in a denim color I think it will look good anytime of the year! I love the shape of the hearts!

pattern found here

hearted

I realize it has been over a week since I have last posted. I was feeling really worn out last week. I really didn't have much to blog about nor the motivation. I still don't have much to write about but I hate going this long without blogging! So I thought maybe you would be interested in taking a look at some items I have recently hearted on Etsy.

crochet bib necklace, ruffle layers in heather gray by acommonthread

meow mitts KNITTING PATTERN by TinyOwlsMagicAttic

i heart Missouri-Leather. by truche


Snuggly Owl limited edition print by AshleyPercival

Set of 3 hanging bowls in azure by vesselsandwares

scarves

I'm finally doing something with all that yarn in my stash that hasn't been used in a long time! Making scarves for those who need them this season.

inspired

jellyfish

I was browsing etsy and came across this crocheted jellyfish and really liked it so while watching Elf last night I made myself one for my kitchen. He is hanging over my sink!

organize

Whenever we eat soup or canned vegetables I save the cans so I can make these crocheted covers for them and use them as organizers. They are kind of addicting to make! I made the middle one in blue and white this morning for Seth to take to his office.

My Christmas Mantle

I pulled out all the Christmas decorations today. I threw this garland together using some of the granny tree ornaments I had made using this pattern. This is my mantle as of now. Knowing me, I will change it a ton of times before Christmas actually gets here though :)

Old Christmas Cards

I found a way to reuse those pretty cards that were sent to me last year. I crocheted around the edges of each card and attached ribbon for hanging and I have easy and cute Christmas decorations!

what i've been working on

Here's a little sneak peek at some ornaments I'm making.

Thanks Mom & Dad!

This past week has been busy finishing up the unpacking and getting to know the people of the church. I just want to show you this picture I took right after we came home from church. They had a pantry shower for us on Sunday and this was most of the food they gave us. This doesn't even include the gift cards. How awesome is that? They have really taken care of us since we have gotten here. We feel so blessed to be here!

I also received my birthday gifts from my parents this week.

Some vintage thread on spools.

These super cute owl salt & pepper shakers. Love them!

and some vintage dress potholders.

She also included a vintage 1940s pattern book for potholders and a couple more potholders which I didn't get good pictures of yet. Thank you Mom & Dad!!

And just to prove that I have been crafting lately...

I have been working on some scarves just to use up some of the yarn I have had sitting around. They aren't anything special but I have found it very relaxing to just do rows of single crochet without having to do much thinking and complicated stitches. It's almost addicting! I'm already on my third scarf! :)

Guest Post: Ali (ali crochet) - Giveaway

Hello, I’m Ali from Ali Croshaye.com. First I want to thank Carol for having me be a guest poster on this gorgeous blog. I am very new to the blog world and I’m learning as I go. This is my first guest post/give away ever! I’m super excited! So here is goes! I have a beautiful handmade granny square earring that was crocheted.

To enter:
All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Be sure to leave an email address so you can be contacted if you win!

The giveaway will end Saturday October 9, 2010. I will shortly contact the winner there after.

Happy Blogging and have a wonderful week! (:
Love, Ali
alicroshaye.com

Urban Jungle Hat wip

Last winter I bought Vickie Howell's book Pop Goes Crochet. I have been a fan of hers ever since! I love her work! I used some of her patterns for Christmas gifts last year.

When I saw the pattern for the Urban Jungle Hat, I knew I needed to put it on my list of things to make soon. I love all the puffs & the slouchiness!

The other night I started on it. The pattern is really easy to follow and I'm having fun making this so far! I can see myself making this hat in many different colors! We'll see how this one turns out though :)

What projects are you all working on?

Bobbled Beret

I just received the newest issue of Crochet World. This is my favorite issue so far that I have! There are tons of cute & quick projects in this one!

I decided to do the Bobbled Beret first. It was really easy & it worked up quick!

I'm not crazy about the hot pink but it was the only color I had enough of for a hat.

What do you think of it?

Another chance to win!

Just a quick note to let you know that I had written a granny square tutorial on A.Darling. I am giving away one of my granny square necklaces! So head on over there & enter!

Also don't forget to enter Amber's giveaway in the post below!