Thoughts of Motherhood

Here it is, the official start of Mother's Day Weekend.  As I sit here typing out my thoughts at my kitchen table my children are having a rapid fire conversation with their Dad.  As I watch this exchange I wonder, "How on earth did they learn to talk so fast?  Geesh!  They're growing quickly!"

      The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom. 
                                                                      -Henry Ward Beecher 

There's giggles and grins as they make plans on how we'll be celebrating this weekend.  It seems that they're talking in code about presents they made in school, and are sharing little whispers on when they'll present them to me.  I continue my typing, pretending not to listen; being a sponge to absorb this moment, recording it deep in my mind.  I smile inside; I feel their excitement in planning to surprise me.  Soon enough, in the blink of an eye, they'll be grown, leaving the nest.  For now, I want to remember the sound of their young voices, the giggles, the grins.  I want to absorb every precious moment!

     The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.
                                                                                -Oprah Winfrey

We've decided to forgo the traditional "Mother's Day Dinner Out" and have opted that we should invest the money we would have spent for an outdoor swing.  I think the swing will help create more special moments with my children ... from it being a place for them to read to me, to share special secrets, looking for butterflies or fireflies, to just watching them grow  (and yes, have it a place for me to do my crochet projects outside!).  We'll be going out later today to pick the swing up.  I'll be bringing my crochet with me to keep me occupied as I pretend to be surprised with the gift.  :)

     Like a treasured afghan, let the little moments of life wrap your heart with warmth and memories that lasts a lifetime.
                                                                                -Dee Stanziano

Unlocking the Magic

It's close to Mother's Day. It's a day to reflect upon our Mothers, and if you're also a Mom, to reflect upon the relationship we have with our children. Sometimes the roll of motherhood is cut short and sadly a child misses out on that special bond. This was true for my Grandmother, and for my Mother as their mothers passed away before they were the age of three. Realizing this, I can't help but wonder who inspired them, and when they first picked up the hook and started crocheting.

My Grandmother is no longer around, so unfortunately I can't ask her.  But my Mother will (shhhhh! it's a surprise to the kids) be coming up for a visit in two weeks.  I remember her giving me a crochet kit when I was a child when we were at a camp ground (I want to say we were in Louisiana at the time, but I'm not certain). When she gave me that kit, it was like magic in a box to me, but she was unable to help me unlock it's mysteries.  She told me she knew how to crochet once upon a time, but had forgotten how.  Obviously that did not stop me; I found a way to learn how to crochet.  And so did she a few years ago when I helped her learn the basics.  Now our bond is even closer as we share our interest in the fiber arts. 

Somewhere deep in our memories I think most of us can think back to some relation or some close family friend who either crocheted or knitted. As I do my volunteer lunch duty in my children's classes, I enjoy listening to all the children telling me who they know that enjoys the same art form as me. They might tell me a hundred times, but their excitement remains the same, with that same twinkle of proudness in their eyes. This weekend, as you create your stitches, you may want to reflect upon how you first saw the magic of string becoming fabric too.  I bet you get that little twinkle in the eye.

To help in the reflection of the mothers and the crocheters before us, give the Lion Brand website a visit; they're offering free virtual cards you can email to your loved ones.  Look at all the fantastic art work that feature fiber, and about how the model in that sketch or painting may have inspired others to continue on the same fiber adventure.  ... and if you get a chance, help to unlock the magic to a youngster.  You'll create a magical moment that puts a lifetime of twinkles in their eyes. J

Question from Reader: finding pattern$

Dear Dee,
I was looking at some patterns on ebay, but they're so expensive! I was wondering if you could help me find something for the American Girl doll series. Thanks, Janice

Hi Janice, thank you for writing me. I agree with you; at times, patterns on ebay can get quite expensive! I was just discussing this topic on Tuesday with one of my students where a doll/purse series reportedly sold for $77. The reason some of the patterns get so expensive has to do with the old rule of supply and demand. If you lost out on an auction this time, set the ebay option up that has them notify you when the item you're looking for comes up. This is how I found my "feathered yarn" and my vinyl bags that I store my yarn in.

As far as locating patterns, I don't normally get into offering specific links due to time limitations.  But I do believe that the Internet is an awesome tool, and it can be quite a lot of fun to explore. You can do searches using words like "crochet dress 18" and see what pops up. Then do another search "crochet sweater 18" and keep going. In the meantime, clicking here will lead to a pattern to a little doll sweater that you might like working up. I used that pattern for the sweater pictured to the right; I don't recall what pattern I used for the dress. (I crocheted the set three years ago!) I hope this helps.

And Haley, this may not be the pattern that we spoke about on Tuesday in class, but it may be close ... and it's free: Cradle Purse

CafePress.com & Mr. UPS Guy

Last week I mentioned how I started my online shop conveniently called "CrochetWithDee."  Since that time, I have been asked if I could include T-shirts.  I'm happy to announce that I now have T-shirts available.  I was then asked if I knew of any discount codes I could pass on.  I have two ... 5MDAY which expires May 8th, and MAY5, which, based on the banner to the right expires on May 18th.

Jane, over there at janeshookedoncrochet talks about her ordering my tote & mug.  She's keeps crochet hooks in a mug she picked up at the Conference.  I can't help but wonder if she'll be doing the same with her new mug, or enjoying some delicious coffee or tea with it.  Jane, you'll have to let me know!  :)

I have also been trying to locate the cafepress shop that features freeform crochet & knit with proceeds going to THE GLOBAL FUND FOR WOMEN ... that shop is called caff.  For those familiar with designer Margaret Hubert, her crochet piece is the icon for that shop; it's worth checking out the shop just to see that piece!  :)

My other new update includes Mr. UPS Guy.  He knocked on my door this afternoon and handed me a brown box.  Having placed a few orders this week I figured it was either light bulbs or some books I ordered.  Instead, it was my blue/green/teal poncho back from the publisher with a note to expect the book to be out this November.  It will be called "Fabulous Crocheted Ponchos."  The note also stated to bug the local Barnes & Nobel if I want copies sooner than the release date (for my holiday shopping).  I'm excited that it will be available in just six short months!  (I'll see if I can get a image showing off the poncho's "peacock" colors better.)

Excitement!!

One of my childhood friends had a new baby this week; caught me completely by surprise because she had it early.  Mom and baby are doing just fine, but this means I need to get busy crocheting up a lil' something for his arrival.  Later tonight I'll give the website hemstitcher.com a visit and see what they have in the line of teddy bear themes with mint green (I'm sure they have something there that will match his nursery).  I've ordered from them before (see image to right) and really like the products they offer.

Some heart-pounding news to share: I was chased out of Starbucks yesterday.  No, seriously!  I went in to order my coffee & pick up a muffin and turkey sandwich.  Seems on my way out a group of women decided to chase after me.  Never in my wildest crochet dreams would I think that I'd be chased down, but the next thing I knew there was a group of women knocking on my window as I'm getting ready to leave ... seems they REALLY liked my bag and wanted to know where I got it!  They got all excited when they heard I made it, and were more delighted when they heard it was crocheted!  Should I mention the frenzy when they also discovered that I teach the crochet classes down the road?  ((giggles))  So, OK.  That was an interesting experience!   ((more giggles))  Hmmm, I'll have to look into seeing if a publisher is interested in the bag.  :)

"Pretty in White"

It was a beautiful ceremony; and she was as pretty as a Princess! To the left is an upclose image of the Rosary she crocheted last year (no pattern!) and won a Blue Ribbon for in the Junior's Division. To the right you'll see a cropped image of the crocheted items she wore during the ceremony.

Mind you, she wasn't the only little girl wearing crochet! There was another little girl in the pew right in front of us with a crocheted poncho on ... of course I couldn't help but study it! LOL ... I think it was hand made, with double crochets, every third row or so was sprinkled with pretty sequins. The little girls' poncho was tiered - two pieces - a long triangle shape with a circle on the top. Hard to describe, but very striking.



Nope, I didn't crochet the beaded handbag. One of the members of the HHCC did, then won a ribbon for it, and placed it up for auction. That was over some two years ago. I fiercely bid on it to ensure I'd have it for this special day! The cape my daughter has on here was done using the Hairpin Lace technique. No pattern -- yet! :)



(To protect my daughter's identity, I will not be showing full images.  I appreciate my readers understanding of this. Thank you!)

"The BIG Day" -- It's here!

So here it is, THE BIG DAY!  One would think that it was my BIG DAY as I had great difficulty sleeping.  I actually got up around 1:30 this morning to unpack my daughter's Rosary she had crocheted and won a blue ribbon for last year.  You know how it is; the mind just races with details until you address it.  How on earth could I forget an important detail like that? 

This morning my husband asked if I wanted a cup of coffee.  "Yes.  Bottomless.  Keep it coming!"  I'm wondering if there's a way I can get hooked up to an IV ... nothing but coffee, please!  Heavy on the caffeine ...

I'll be off  in a moment to go get ready but decided to do a quick crochet check list for today's event.  (Mind you, I did not make all these items myself; I had a help from Grace, Celeste and my daughter!)>
     * Crocheted Book Markers complete with dangling crocheted crossed.  (check!)
     * Crocheted Hairpin Lace Cape complete with sewn in beads and crosses on trim.  (check!)
     * Crocheted white & beaded Communion hand bag. (check!)
     * Crocheted Hand Bag that matches my outfit.  (check!)
     * Crocheted Shawl (black) with Beaded trim.  (check!)
     * Crocheted Rosary.  (check!)
     * Crocheted Make-up bag (for touch ups; you know I'm gonna weep during the ceremony!).  (check!)
     * and finally, there's the "Butterfly" that my daughter had made that has some crochet on it. It's already at the church so it gets an automatic "check!" by it.

Wow, that's a lot of crochet!  And I can see it now, you all are going to want to see pictures, huh?  I'll see what I can do.  Now, where did I put my waterproof mascara?