In addition to my fiber offerings, I like to participate in Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker's place. It's writing in the raw and if you've never done it, why don't you give it a try? It's really easy - you just:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat on this week's prompt with no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking - then post it just as it is!
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Here's what happened when I spent five minutes writing on the prompt "Welcome"

What would you think if a few days after you moved into your new home a complete stranger showed up at the door with a casserole and an invitation to meet the 'rest of the ladies' for coffee the following afternoon?  Would you be suspicious and wonder what she really wanted or would you accept both the time saving diner and the invitation?  In 2012 the likelihood of that happening is incredibly slim.  But in the 1950s, in suburban American you would have just met the Welcome Wagon!  That's right.  A group of women from the ladies auxiliary who would make it their business to welcome you and your family to the neighborhood.  It was more than the convenience of a heat-an-eat meal, it was the opportunity to get to know you new neighbors.  They would tell you things like which teahcer you want little Jimmy to have and where to get the best cut of meat.  They'd let you know which dry cleaner will get your shirts the brightest white and which beauty parlor to avoid.  There would be invitations to the PTA and maybe the garden club.
And you wouldn't be suspicious at all.
Community activity and support were once common place.  Reaching out to strangers wasn't scary or intimidating.  People wanted to help each other.  When did that change?  I don't think it's because we're mean and uncaring.  We've just changed the way we interact.
It's a new world that we're living in.  And while I won't be knocking on my new neighbors door anytime soon, I'm glad to welcome all of you to my piece of cyber-space (the cyberhood?).  I'm happy you came to visit my blog, and invite you to check out what's happening on Facebook and Pinterest.  We can share a cup of coffee and I'll tell you all about my latest project.  I'll come over to see your place and encourage you when you get stuck. I'll cheer for your success and help you out in anyway  I can.  The best thing about being part of an online community and having our interaction take place on the internet? You never know when my house is messy or I'm writing in my pajamas!

Well friends, that does it for me!  It's a long weekend in the states and that means more time with the hook and yarn!  It also means I'll have a chance to catch up on my blog reading.  I hope you'll join me as I stop by to visit these creative blogs and their link parties.

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending part of your day with me.
Please don't forget to click on your choice for my next project!

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Greetings friends! Welcome to another busy Wednesday at Crochet Nirvana.  Can you believe that there are just 82 days until Christmas? While that make seem like ample time, I am acutely aware of how quickly it races by!  And, despite my good intentions I am woefully ill-prepared for the gift-giving part of the season.  This week, in between work, family and my other crochet pursuits I have vowed to devote at least a portion of each day's crafting time to the holidays. 

A set of embellished towels is taking shape.  I originally thought that I would use individual mini squares across the bottom edge. Then I thought - I wonder what a long granny style rectangle would look like?  Since I wanted to try the yellow and white anyway I went ahead and made this piece.  John and I both like the way it looks, however I remain unconvinced that this is the color scheme to use.  What do you think of the white on white? I'm going to applique the rectangle to one end, and the squares to the other before I make my final decision.  I've never sewn a piece of crochet work to fabric.  I'd love to hear your suggestions or tips if you've done it already!!

Wednesday is book day!  That means I get to spread a little literary love!  Right now I'm reading a new release (July 2012) called Imperfect Bliss by Susan Fales-Hill.  Library Journal calls it "Chick lit with an intellectual streak." but I'm not sure that I'd agree. Really I don't know how I feel about this story that the jacket describes as "Reality TV - Jane Austen Style!" I'm only a few chapters in and I'm just getting to know everyone! 
Without a doubt I can tell you how I feel about this week's book in review ~ I Loved It!!  Keep reading to find out why!

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Random House Publishing
July 24, 2012; 336 Pages

Harold is a simple man. He and his wife Maureen live a simple  life in a small English village. He has recently retired from the brewery where he worked, well always.  Maureen thinks that Harold is dull. Everything that he does irritates her just slightly. Predictably, the mail arrives just as it does everyday.  But this time there is something different among the bills and adverts. A letter has come for Harold from a woman he hasn't seen or heard from in twenty years.  Queenie Hennessey is gravely ill and has written to say goodbye.

Harold is surprised by the letter.  He hasn't even thought of Queenie in years. Regardless, proper English etiquette requires that he at least acknowledge her letter with one of his own.  Quickly Harold jots a few lines, and heads out to post the letter.  When he reaches the mailbox on the corner he finds that he's not quite ready to let the letter go.  He continues on from box to box venturing out of his neighborhood.  Then, following a chance encounter with a young girl in a convenience store Harold decides that he must deliver his message in person.  And, that he must walk nearly six hundred miles in order to do so.  Because, he believes as long as he keeps walking, Queenie Hennessy will keep on living.

And so begins the Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Though he has forgotten to bring his mobile, is wearing yachting shoes (though he doesn't yacht) and has only a light sweater to keep him warm he embarks on a quest that will bring him to places he never imagined existed both physically and emotionally.  With each step he travels closer to Queenie, and to discovering the man that is buried beneath years of monotony. 

Harold and Maureen seem to be an average, normal couple who have settled into life.  But the truth is they have been together for so long that they have forgotten why they fell in love in the first place.  And then there's their son David.  He's something of an enigma but a source of friction non-the-less. As Harold walks he thinks. As Maureen waits she thinks. And there is so much for them to think about!

Along the way Harold happens upon a cast of characters that are as diverse as your imagination allows and so rich with personality that their stories seamlessly become Harold's. Everyone has something to offer. Some times it's food or shelter and others it's a bit of advice.  It is because of them that he is able to keep walking.  But what's even more interesting is what Harold gives them in return, and how these brief chance meetings have such an impact on each of them.

As I was reading and getting to know the characters I grew fond of them.  With every encounter that unfolded on the road I found myself holding my breath as I waited to see what happens next.  There are so many layers to this book. So many stories that the author has brilliantly blended together.  I didn't know if Harold would make it or if Queenie would live.  I wondered what Maureen was going to do when she realized that she really missed her husband. And what about David?  How did he fit into the story? Page by page, step by step they all are finding their way, and what started out as unlikely makes perfect sense by the end of the story.

Interesting, funny, charming, sad, curious, awkward, corny, scary, personal, heart warming, unexpected, delightful, offbeat, wonderful. These are just some of the words that I can use to describe this book.  It's quite different from anything I've read lately.  It's a human story that I was able to immerse myself in.  I don't know if you'll enjoy it as much as I did, but there's a good chance you will. Check out a copy at your library and see for yourself. You might end up taking your own unexpected journey!

Well folks, that's about all for today!  To wrap things up I'm linking in with with this lovely group of bloggers. It's my first time visiting Ginger (Wow Me Wednesday) and Kara (Look What I Made) - who both have super creative blogs (take a peak!).  All these ladies have something special to offer and I'm so glad to be able to include my work.  I love seeing what others are doing and I always find something that I have to 'Pin' to my ever growing collection of boards!

Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!  I hope you enjoyed your visit and come back again soon!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

I've covered a lot of ground since I began learning about the world of granny squares.  I started with the history of crochet and granny in Part I, then experimented with variations of the "classic" pattern in Part II.  I played with color and learned some basic theory in Part III.  Things really blossomed when I 'grew' a garden of flowers in Part IV.  I tried my hand at designing squares by creating two patterns - The Pinwheel & Pop-Corn Flower and Clusters to Classic.  The flowers and squares inspired me to go even further with a secret project that is nearly ready for it's big reveal.  So what's next?  That's easy.  It's time to meet the Motifs!

When I was making flowers for Part IV, I came to the realization that all granny squares are motifs, but not all motifs are granny squares. In my mind that makes them all part of the same family.  I imagine that the square, circle, hexagon, triangle, heart, flower, leaf etc.  are all cousins.  They share the family characteristic of being a distinctive and recurring form, shape, figure, etc., in a design, as in a painting or on wallpaper (my dictionary definition of motif). 

In the crochet world motifs are worked individually.  They can be used as embellishments or appliques to add flair to anything from lampshades to flip-flops.  They can be connected to each other with the 'join-as-you-go' technique that's often used in scarves, blankets and afghans.  Or a batch of motifs can be sewn together to form anything from sweaters and ponchos to wrist warmers, cowls, accessories for the home or even as part of a yarn bombing attack! With a bit of ingenuity anything can be fashioned from motifs.

To guide me in my shapely quest I turned to an outstanding book called Beyond the Square - Crochet Motifs by Edie Eckman.  In this inspiring publication there are 144 patterns in five categories - Circles, Hexagons, Triangles, Squares and Other Unexpected Shapes.  This spiral bound book (yeah!) has excellent pictures, clearly written patterns and diagrams for each unique design.  I decided to choose two from each category (except squares!).  It was a tough decision because there are so many cool motifs.  I looked for examples that showed open work and lots of close tight stitching in each shape.  I changed my mind multiple times throughout the process and of course ended up making more than I set out too!  There is so much variety here that I understand why so many people have challenged themselves to make all of them!

The only thing that is missing from this book is how to connect the shapes.  Initially I wasn't looking for that kind of information.  But, as my pile of motifs grew I began to wonder what I was going to do with them.  I must not be the only person to ask this question because while I was looking for another book to help me I found that Edie has a new book coming out called Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs: Creative Techniques for Joining Motifs of All Shapes; Includes 101 New Motif Designs!  It's set to be released on October 23rd and I know it's on my Christmas wish list!!  Now here's a look at motifs I made.

My husband picked #10 because he thought it looked like a sea anemone! It was interesting to make. Not hard, just lots of chain stitches and working in back loops.  I included the shot of the backside to show how much of the Carrot yarn I really used.  It's a puffy motif rising about 3/4 of an inch into the air! We like it so much that it's hanging out on the coffee table!

Motifs #8 and #4 are my open or lacy choices.  Motif #8 looks more like a star than a circle to me.  The stitches around the center that look like picots are really chain 3's worked over a skipped stitch.  This was a very quick motif and I can imagine a group of them connected at the points to make a scarf or wrap.  Motif #4 is a circle of cluster stitches. I'm not crazy about the colors (that's why I switched for the others!) but I do like it's overall look and I like making the clusters!

Motif #60 was a blast to make! It's simple stitches (sc, dc and ch), but you make the corner chain loops as you go and on the final round you weave them together to get that great raised interlocking loop effect. Not hard, but a really interesting technique!  Motif #62 was one of the trickier ones in the group.  I think because you did something completely different in each round, and that means paying close attention to your work! Overall I find it pleasing to the eye.

The hexagons feel closest to the square to me.  I think that might be because they seem easier to connect to make a large piece like an afghan. Both of these were simple to make and I understand why so many people are drawn to them. Looking at #37 I just noticed a daisy in the light blue!

I enjoyed the challenge of making these unique shapes.  Because they are not symmetrical in the way that I am used to it was fascinating to watch the shapes develop. Motif #143 at the top of the page was also fun and challenging.  I can envision a scarf made from a row of interlocking rings in a rainbow mix of colors with the border done in either black or white!

I have to say that I love making motifs.  Much more so today than when I started this grand adventure!  Making each of these individual works of art has increased my repertoire of stitches, strengthened my ability to decode and decipher patterns and improved my overall crochet technique.  While weaving in ends is still not my favorite thing I no longer dread the task and actually have become quite deft at securing those little devils!  Each round presents a new set of instructions and I am intrigued with the way stitches work together to create different effects. Ruffly, woven, traditional, open, lacy, bumpy, smooth anything is possible!  I still have no idea what I am going to do with ever expanding collection of motifs. For the time being I am content to collect them in a basket in the living room where I can admire them anytime I want!!

Thanks so much for coming by and spending part of your day with me!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!