I am eager (and hesitant) to stretch and move outside of my blogging comfort zone. It is one of the main things that I'm hoping to achieve through participating in Blogtoberfest. And so, based on today's prompt I bravely share two poems I composed this morning.

In the pumpkin patch
beneath the harvest moon
the soil packed firm from the summer’s rain
I think of you and wonder

Pie or Muffins?

Words swirl
Like a tornado I see them

Ubiquitous azalea stunning flamingo transcontinental sea-glass magician fireworks

Together I worry they mean nothing
Make no sense

And yet they are
Part of me
Subconscious

What is their story?

What is my story?

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me. If you like the little pumpkin, check back later and I'll tell you all about it!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Greetings!

Well, I tried to come up with an inspirational post.  Something to wow you with, but honestly I've got nothing.  That's not really true.  I have lots of ideas:

I could tell you about my 10 favorite yarny blogs,
or share my banana bread recipe (I already took the pictures!).
I could tell you about  the book group I'm running this year.
If I spent the time taking pictures I could show you the awesome stitch markers John and I have been making.
Then there are the lace ornaments I want to make for Christmas.
And the great gift idea I have for my mother-in-law.
Plus I have an apron that I want to embellish with granny squares, but haven't.
And of course I have WIPS. Plenty of those.

Unfortunately, I don't want to do any of those things.

You see, I'm very close to finishing Juliana and Eleanor. And I have just a bit more work to complete the pansy project so I can write the next installment of the Granny Square Project.

And when I get this close to the end I start thinking about the beginning - as in what will I be beginning next??  I have LOTS of yarn that I want to make things with.

I'm sure that there are plenty of you out there who know where I'm coming from.  I call it my crochet ADD and let it go at that! I know that I will never have just one project happening at a time.  And I know that when the end is near I have to buckle down and just get it done - otherwise all I do is increase my WIP stash. And it does feel so good to actually put those finishing stitches on.

So for this moment I'll just indulge myself with a little fantasy crochet and call it "planning".  Planning is good right??

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 "Focus"

It is that time of the morning, before the birds are even awake.
The moon still shines huge in the sky and the grass is wet with dew.
It is the time when I am so completely alone that even with my eyes closed
I focus.

I see the day for what it is. For what it has the potential to be.
I am the most perceptive and free in the deep dark - before dawn is even a thought.
I know that the day is waiting.  With all kinds of opportunity and adventure.
But in my quiet place, my peaceful place, it is me and my creator.
Where I give thanks for so many blessings.
Ask for strength to do my best this day.
Ask for wisdom in my words and for the chance to be a blessing to someone else.

I close my eyes
and focus
on the glory that will come with dawn.
_

That does it for me today my friends,
Thanks for much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Greetings! I'm so glad you're here!  The response to my granny square patterns has been awesome.  I know that a few folks have given them a try (or will be) and I can't wait to see how they turn out.  You know it's one thing to make the square but it's a whole different ball game when you try to turn what you did into a pattern for someone else to follow!  It's hard work!

And speaking of hard work as you can see I've been filling my days with pansies and classic squares. Well, the pansies are hiding! There's a little project coming together, but I'm not quite ready to tell/show you what it is!  Soon enough it will make it's debut in the next installment of the GSP.

The other night I did pick up Juliana (that's her in white). I didn't realize it, but I only have a row and a half of sc and then 2 rows of edging to finish her up! She really is lovely and will make quite a statement. I had planned on doing beads on the last row, but I think I'll just go ahead and put the tassels on that the pattern calls for and get to wearing her!  Eleanor (in those great fall colors) has been my carry along project.  The progress is slow and steady.  I know that she will be smashing when she's finished and I imagine we'll have plenty of good times this winter!

Just for kicks I thought I'd give you a glimpse into the space where my magic happens!!  This crazy messy area is my workspace.  It is directly in front of my big comfy chair.  It looks a little out of hand, but there is something so satisfying about having all my stuff around me.  I do my computer work at the dining room table (that's covered with books, and paper and colored pencils and camera equipment!), and I take pictures on our closed in porch (it's 2 walls of windows so the light is terrific!).  John calls these three spaces my "stations".  The truth is, I've pretty much taken over the house. And I have no intention of giving it back! Really,  I'm super lucky to have a supportive husband who doesn't mind eating his dinner surrounded by my projects! But he draws the line at having his picture taken while he's doing it!

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
All Souls Trilogy - Book 2
July 10, 2012
Viking Adult, 592 pages

In A Discovery of Witches we are introduced to Diana, a reluctant (untrained) witch and Oxford scholar and Matthew a geneticist vampire.  Together they are searching for a sacred manuscript called Ashmole 782 that is said to hold the secrets of the creation for all creatures - and just may be the only way to save them from extinction.

In Shadow of Night they have traveled back in time to 1590 and Elizabethan England.  Here they believe they can search for the manuscript in relative safety and find a teacher who can help Diana master her powers.

These books are so different from what I normally read, but I am completely enchanted with them! A friend convinced me to read the first one and I was captivated.  There is a blend of history and fact that makes the entire story seem plausible.  I also really like Diana.  She is a smart, strong woman who manages to face the unanswered questions surrounding her past with just the right blend of grace and trepidation. Matthew is complex and mysterious - as any vampire who has lived several hundred years would be, yet he manages to be compassionate and understanding especially where Diana is concerned.

In this book the author has done a great job (again) of blending real characters (William Shakespeare and Walter Raleigh plus Queen Elizabeth!) into the every day lives of the couple.  It was interesting,  the way that life was depicted. And I enjoyed watch Diana grow into a confident witch and "modern" woman.  The story and the search for Ashomle 782 did detour a bit, and occasionally I found myself wondering how a certain event fit into the big picture. Happily though in the final third of the book there's lots of action and I found most of my questions answered.  Of course, not all of them - or there would be no need for book 3! 

It's funny, but the older that I get the more varied my tastes have become, and I'm quite pleased to have discovered this series! I don't think that I'll actively be seeking witches and vampires on a regular basis, but I certainly won't be so quick to dismiss them.  So far this has proved to be an entertaining and engaging series.  There's history and action, a love story, family secrets, time travel, mysterious powers and the quest to save the world. Really what else could you ask for??

After that serious dose of otherworldly goodness I started Janet Evanovich's Wicked Business. I had forgotten that this series has it's own take on special powers and magic.  But they're hardly in the same category.  Anyway, I'm already more than half way through which means its a quick read.  I'll tell you more about it after I finish.

In the meantime, I'll be linking up with these wonderful blogs.  Each one offers something unique and I love exploring the sites and taking in the talent.  Have a look, I'm sure you'll find something that tickles your fancy!

Thanks so much for stopping in and spending a bit of your day with me.
It's been great having you here.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Skill:        Advanced Beginner
Yarn:        Peaches & Cream Cotton in Candy (A), White (B) and Bright Pink (C)
Hook:        US H/8 - 5.00 MM
Finished Size:    5 3/4" x 5 3/4" (unblocked)
Stitches Used:    ch, sc, dc, dc2tog, dc3tog, sl st (all stitches are US terms)

Special Stitches:
Dc2tog:  Yo, insert in next st/sp, yo, draw up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook (2 loops remain on hook), yo, draw up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops remain), yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook to complete cluster.

Dc3tog:  Yo, insert in next st/sp, yo, draw up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook (2 loops remain on hook), yo, draw up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops remain), yo, draw up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook (4 loops remain), yo, pull through all 4 loops on hook to complete cluster.

With A,  ch 6, join with sl st in first ch to make ring.

Rnd 1:    With A, ch 1, 8 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc.

Rnd 2:    With A, ch 3, dc2tog in first sc (count as dc3tog), (ch 1, dc3tog in nxt sc) 7 times, ch 1, sl st in top of first cluster to join. Fasten off A.

Rnd 3:    Join B in any ch 1 sp, ch 3 (count as dc), 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2) in each ch 1 sp around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. Fasten off B.

Rnd 4:    Join B in any ch 2 sp, ch 3 (count as dc), 4 dc in same sp, ch 1, *5dc in nxt ch 2 sp, ch 3**, 5 dc in nxt ch 2 sp, ch 1, rep from * 2 times and from * to ** once more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. Fasten off B.

Rnd 5:    Join C in any ch 3 sp, ch 3 (count as dc), (1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *ch 2, 1 sc in 3rd dc of 5 dc group, ch 2, 1 sc in nxt ch 1 sp, ch 2, 1 sc in 3rd dc of 5 dc group, ch 2**, (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in nxt ch 3 sp, rep from * 2 times and from * to ** once more, join with sl st to top of beg ch 3.

Rnd 6:   With C, ch 1 starting in same st, *1 sc in each of nxt 2 dc, (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in nxt ch 2 sp, 1 sc in each of nxt 2 dc, [2 sc in nxt ch 2 sp, 1 sc in nxt sc] 3 times, 2 sc in nxt ch 2 sp, rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc.

Rnd 7:    With C, ch 1, stating in same st, [1 sc in each sc, (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in each ch 2 sp] around, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off C.

Weave in ends.  Block if desired.

I am so excited to share these new patterns with you!  The response has been fantastic and I can't wait for one of you to give them a test run and let me know how it goes.  I took notes as I was working, and hopefully did a fair job of transferring them into a pattern that you can work with. If something isn't right, or you have a suggestion that makes it easier to understand, please let me know. Pattern writing is tricky and I can always benefit from another set of eyes!!

I took the weekend off of the computer to concentrate on my hook work, and I'm thrilled with the progress that I made. Both with writing new patterns and on the next installment of the Granny Square Project - which really go together.

Here is a sneak peak at my craft journal and some of the notes that went into coming up with the pansy design that is the feature of my next project.  The classic granny is a sample of the accent squares that accompany the pansies. 

It's setting up to be a productive week.  This morning brought the crisp tingle of fall, and the prospect of wrapping myself in a new shawl and finally being able to enjoy the cardigan I finished at the beginning of summer has me energized and ready to go!

I'm including today's post as part of the fun on Come Blog-a-long and A Year of Projects. It's not the next "official" installment of the GSP, but it was definitely inspired by it and in my book that counts!! Click on over and see what good stuff my bloggy buddies have been up to!

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

Skill:        Advanced Beginner
Yarn:        Peaches & Cream Cotton in Bright Pink (A) and White (B)
Hook:        US H/8 - 5.00 MM
Finished Size:    5 3/4" x 5 3/4" (unblocked)
Stitches Used:    ch, sc, dc, tr, sl st, pc, dtr (all stitches are US terms)

Special Stitches:
Pop-Corn (pc): Make 5 dc in designated st/sp, remove hook (drop loop), insert hook (front to back) in top of first dc made, pick up dropped loop and draw it through, ch 1 to secure.

Double Treble Crochet (dtr): Yo (3 times), insert hook in designated st/sp, yo and pull up a loop, (yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) 4 times.

Treble Crochet (tr): Yo (2 times), insert hook in designated st/sp, yo and pull up a loop, (yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) 2 times.

With A, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.

Rnd 1:    With A, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc.

Rnd 2:    With A, ch 3 (counts as dc), 4 dc in same st, remove hook (drop stitch), insert hooK in top of ch 3, pick up dropped loop and draw through, ch 1 to secure first pc, ch 1, *pc in next sc, ch 1*,  repeat * to * 4 more times (6 pc total), join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. Fasten off A.

Rnd 3:    With B, join in any ch 1 sp, ch 5 (2 dtr, ch 3, 3 dtr) in same sp, (3dtr, ch 3, 3 dtr) in each ch 1 sp around, join with sl st to top of beg ch 5. Fasten off B.

Rnd 4:    With A, join in any ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 tr in same sp (half corner made), *ch 2, sk next 3 dtr, 1 dc in sp between last skipped and next dtr, ch 2, sk next 3 dtr, (3 tr, ch 3, 3 tr) in next ch 3 sp (corner made), ch 2, sk next 3 dtr, 1 dc in sp between last skipped and next dtr, ch 2, sk next 3 dtr, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, sk next 3 dtr, 1 dc in sp between last skipped and next dtr, ch 2, sk next 3 dtr*, (3 tr, ch 3, 3 tr) in next ch 3 sp, repeat from * to * once, 3 tr in same ch 3 sp as beg half corner, ch 3, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3 to finish corner.

Rnd 5:    With A, ch 1, work 1 sc in each st, 2 sc in each ch 2 sp, (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc) in each corner ch 3 sp around, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off A.

Weave in ends, block if desired.

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 "Graceful"

Beauty, elegance in form, manner or movement also in speech.
The hereon sweeping across the sky following the river in search of food.
The swimmer gliding smoothly from one end of the pool and back again.
The movie stars of the 40's dancing and swirling into each others arms and around the stage.
The line of dress or swing of a jacket.
Jackie Kennedy, Ginger Rogers and Audry Hepburn.
Making a difficult situation just a bit easier.
Delivering sad news in a way that makes you feel not so sad.
Answering a personal question without really revealing anything personal, and still making the person that asked feel ok.
An amazing quality that we should all aspire to have in body and in mind.

Thanks for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!  I'm quite proud of my first square and excited to share the pattern with you.  Now please remember - this is my first attempt at writing out what I actually did! I proofread it twice, but it is completely possible that there may be an error (or two!). I did my best to use the appropriate format and abbreviations.  Fingers crossed I'm not too far off the mark!  Should  you decide to give it a try, please let me know how it goes. I'd love to see your pictures and of course to know if I need to make any corrections!

The pansies continue to bloom, and I'm working on the next installment of the Granny Square Project.  Is designing squares destine to be part of my future or are there already enough to choose from? Be sure to tune in and find out!!

This week I'll be joining these wonderful ladies and their very creative link parties. Each week I am amazed at the unique and fabulous work that is happening.  I'm so happy to be part of this community and to have all of you to inspire and motivate me!

This week I'm also joining in with Tricia and her Stash Bash. Click over for a peek! (She's just about ready to bring a new life into our world. Warm wishes & prayers for health and safety for mama and babe.)

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

- Luther Burbank, American Botanist 1849-1926

A simple question. Yet for some reason I have struggled with understanding the difference. Since I've been working on making granny squares with flowers in them it seemed like it was time to find the answer. The internet offered me page after page of patterns for squares, hexagons, circles, flowers, leaves and more. It showed me options for Irish crochet and Japanese crochet. I was catching on, but still needed more. I left the computer behind and hit the books.  My old reliable dictionary told me a motif is a distinctive and recurring form, shape, figure, etc., in a design, as in a painting or on wallpaper (or a crocheted fabric!). The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches finally brought it all together for me.  A granny square is a type or style of motif. A flower is a motif. A flower in a square is a granny square motif!! All granny squares are motifs, but not all motifs are granny squares.  Motifs can be used on their own, as embellishments or appliques, or joined together to create a fabric. The planets have aligned and the angels are signing. I understand!!

Now that I'm comfortable with the correct terminology, lets take a look at what's been going on here at Crochet Nirvana and The Granny Square Project.  So far I have journeyed back in time for a little history. I have experimented with the traditional pattern, and I have expanded my knowledge of basic color theory.  For this installment I decided to explore some of the ways to create flowers.

Granny squares are incredibly versatile.  Because they are worked in the round they easily  lend themselves to creating images that resemble flowers.  In a solid color the design is subdued, but clearly visible. When you start adding color, they jump right out at you.  I love that you can use bold and vivid colors as effectively as those that represent what the flower "really" looks like.  When I first started on this segment I was trying to use the colors in the pattern, but quickly realized that it was more fun to mix and match from the stash.  There were surprises along the way.  Like teal and orange - they're complimentary on the wheel but to me  it just seemed wrong, until I tried it!

All of the squares are made with Herrschner's Worsted Acrylic and my trusty H hook.  The patterns are all from The Granny Square Book which is proving to be a reliable and rich resource for me.  I like that they all have a chart to compliment the written instructions.  Using both has helped build my confidence in working from a diagram, something I've shied away from.  The only shortcoming I've found is that there are no dimensions on any of the squares.  I realize that hook and yarn size make a difference, but it would be nice to know based on the materials that were used.  As it turns out I have many different sized grannies.  I was hoping to make a sampler blanket with them, but that seems unlikely.  Unless any of you have a suggestion.  Please don't be shy - tips and pattern ideas are always welcome!!

This bunch of flowers were interesting and educational.  I was surprised by how easy it is to create three dimensional designs.  For the most part, you use basic stitches like sc, dc, tr and chains.  Working them into "clusters" or "groups" produces petals that are puffy, pointy or loopy!  In Square VII the unique petals are created by wrapping the yarn over the hook 10 times and pulling through a loop to make the bullion stitch.  I was intimidated  at first, but I persevered. It was awesome to watch the flowers bloom!

I've found that I can crochet all kinds of things when I take my time.  If I over think, or try to anticipate what's next I mess up.  Sometimes the instructions are confusing and don't make sense.  When that happens I don't let it stop me from trying.  I remind myself to have faith and only work one stitch at a time.  Usually that does the trick and as the stitches come together the pattern becomes clear.

- William Shakespear, Romeo and Juliet

Roses have been in existence for 32 million years, and have been used for many reasons throughout history.  In Victorian times the language of flowers (floriography), was a means of communication using various flowers and floral arrangements  to send coded messages.  This allowed people to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken. They were most commonly communicated through "Tussie-mussies"'  or small, round bouquets of herbs and flowers with ­symbolic meanings.

In crochet, roses are perhaps the most popular flower motif.  And like their organic namesake there are numerous varieties available.  We don't think of them as having the same kind of meaning, but giving a gift of a blanket covered in blossoms would  surely show your love and affection for the recipient!

I chose these three patterns because they each utilize a different technique.  I think the Irish Rose looks the most realistic.  I was frustrated with my inability to make the square straight.  I'm certain that I followed the pattern exactly (stitches were counted repeatedly!), but it just doesn't seem right.  I imagine with a different fiber and blocking the situation could be rectified, but there must be another solution.  I've had this happen with other squares.  Does anyone know why? I'd love to be hear your tricks for making squares square.  The Rose of Sharon was a snap to make.  I didn't realize I was such a fan of the popcorn stitch, but it turns out I am! This would make an excellent pot holder/hot plate if done in wool or something that doesn't melt!  The Picot Rose is John's favorite. Not because it looks like a rose (it doesn't!) but  because of the colors. This one was also a treat to make.  The long corner stitches were a mistake, but if I didn't tell you I bet you wouldn't have known!!

For the past two weeks I have been happily stitching away growing a wonderful garden of granny square flowers.  With every one that I finished I felt the satisfaction of creating a piece of crochet art.  As I was selecting colors I tried to examine all my options, and use new combinations.  Some I loved and others not so much, but I was willing to take chances regardless of the result. I moved outside my comfort zone.

This installment has had a tremendously positive impact on my stitching skills.  I understand more about how they work individually and when you group them together.  Crochet (and I imagine knitting) is a craft driven by math. We count stitches, elements are worked in multiples, even the way pattens are written resembles an algebraic equation. And when you think about it all motifs are geometric in design.  Math like this makes sense to me.  It's orderly.

With my improved understanding and confidence I have been inspired to try something new.  I'm going to design my own granny square flower.  Until this week I was completely content to let someone else tell me what to do. But this is different.  Not only can I see what I want to make, but I know what to do (I think!) to make it happen. I'm so excited!  I can't wait to get started - and to share the whole thing with you next time!!

The Granny Square Project is a series chronicling my exploration into the world of granny squares that I'm doing as a member of the Come Blog-A-Long group on Ravelry.   We’re all working on different things as part of A Year of Projects and come together once a week to share our stories.  Please stop by to learn more about YoP and to see what everyone has been up to.

If you’re interested in reading the other installment in the series I’ve placed buttons on my sidebar for easy browsing.



Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a stroll through Granny's garden with me. I'm having a fantastic time with this and I hope you are too!  In addition to sharing with my friends at YoP I'll be linking up with these other wonderful bloggers.  Be sure to stop by to see some amazing talent!

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

Do you have a suggestion for what I can do with all my different sized squares?  What about a tip on how to make an unruly square - square? or Maybe you have a hint for a first time motif designer?! 
Don't be shy! I love hearing from you!

Paul Klee, Swiss Expressionist painter 1879-1940

Color – It surrounds us and plays a significant role in nearly every aspect of our lives. It affects our emotions, moods and desires. Color tells us what to do, “Stop at the red light”.  How we feel, “Boy she’s got the blues” and how our finances are doing, “Thank goodness we’re in the black this month!”  Advertisers use it to sell their products and to create brand recognition – we all know what color a can of Coke is.  It's even used to demonstrate excellence as we saw at the recent Olympics where everyone was going for the gold!

When I decided to write about color I didn’t have a real plan. As I began my research it became clear that there was a lot of information available.  With so many qualified experts only a click away it seemed silly for me to try to educate you on the many facets of color.  Instead, I decided to share with you some of the information that I found interesting and useful to me as a crafter.

I am quite taken with the color wheel. To me it represents the science of color, and I can relate to the orderly way it presents information and options. After just a bit of study I can talk with (some) confidence about hue, tint, tone and shade. I know the difference between warm and cool colors.  Color harmony or themes however struck me as an incredibly important concept, and it seems that an understanding of this would be useful in working with granny or any project.

The original color wheel is attributed to Sir Isaac Newton in 1704 which he discovered through his experiments with light and prisms. It provides us with several formulas for creating balance and harmony. I imagine that we use them often without realizing there is a name for our choices!


Here is a list of the most common themes and how they're made:

Monochromatic – use various values within the same color family
Analogous – 3 or more colors side by side on the wheel
Complimentary or Direct Complimentary – are colors that appear opposite each other on the wheel
Split Complimentary – one color paired with 2 colors on either side of the color's direct complement creating a theme containing 3 colors
Double Compliment – 2 sets of complimentary colors that sit next to and across from each other on the wheel forming an X
Tetrad – 4 hues equal distance from one another forming a square or rectangle on the wheel
Diad – 2 colors located 2 steps apart on the wheel skipping the color in between
Triad – 3 colors equally spaced apart from one another forming an equilateral triangle on the wheel.

Grannies are excellent for experimenting with color. Making a square with potential colors for a project is a good way to see if they’ll live harmoniously or create a disturbance. It’s interesting to see how different colors effect one another.  Take a look at these four squares. They all have the same blue center, but the outside color makes each one look and feel different. The placement of colors is important. Deciding what goes where will have a big impact on your project.

There are patterns for granny projects that use color in many ways. In pastels for babies, primary colors for kids and in varying shades to create an ombre effect. I’ve seen blankets that look like vibrant stained glass windows and that resemble a garden of wildflowers. I noticed on Pinterest that white is a popular boarder color, while the blankets from my childhood were done with black.  If you’re designing your own afghan it can be hard to decide which color goes where. Creating random balance is harder than it seems! Check out The Granny Square Color Pattern Generator.  Choose your colors (using a color wheel!), the number of colors per square and the number of squares in your blanket. Voila! It generates a pattern that is aesthetically pleasing - no spread sheets required!

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference.  We think about who we’re making the project for, how they will use it. What feeling are we trying to covey? Warm and cozy, bright and energetic, young and fresh or classic and timeless. The possibilities are as endless as our imagination.

Spending time learning about color has been a great experience. It has opened my eyes and made me curious. I’m interested in trying new combinations and expanding my horizons beyond my comfort zone. And granny is just the girl for me. With so many different ways to make the square, it is a small canvas where I can create with any colors I want. No matter what the wheel says!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope that you enjoyed my adventures in color as much as I did and maybe you have been inspired to do some exploration on your own.  Some of the sites that I used are:
Sensational Color,  Pantone,  CrochetCabana,  Visual.ly, and The Psychology of Color.

I’m a member of the Come Blog-A-Long group on Ravelry and The Granny Square Project is my contribution to a Year of Projects. We’re all working on different things and come together once a week to share our stories.  Please stop by to see what everyone has been up to.
If you’re interested in reading more about The Granny Square Project  I’ve placed buttons on my sidebar for easy browsing.

Please join me next time for Part IV – Granny Flowers.

Until then friends I hope your day is filled with color!
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Greetings! Thanks so much for stopping by. I've been hard at work on Sweet Eleanor and learning about color for the next installment of the Granny Square Project. As much as I'm enjoying myself, yesterday I found my mind wondering, thinking about the next "big thing".  I blame the mailman since he's the one that brought me the latest issue of Crochet Today! I always get antsy to start something new when any of my magazines arrive.  I decided to appease my desire by whipping up this little cow pencil topper (from the February 2012 issue of Crochet World). I actually think it looks more like Snoopy, don't you? No matter, it was quick and fun and gave me a chance to do something different without a commitment.  Kind of like speed dating. (Not that I know anything about that, I'm just saying...) With that out of my system I'm ready to focus on my color research and,  if the weather cooperates, maybe do some work on Julianna.

Everyday on my way to work I walk by this unlikely outcropping of beauty that appeared near the drive through of our bank.  It seems that these flowers were determined to find their way into the world.  Seeds from last year's container must have landed in a crack in the blacktop giving them their start. 

I can't help but be inspired by their perseverance and adaptability.  Others must be intrigued as well because they have remained untouched.  And on one particularly hot day I noticed that the lawn service had given them water along with the other flowers!

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 "Stretch"

I remember him from my childhood.  The super elastic plastic man – Stretch Armstrong.  You could pull him and twist him and without complaint he returned to his original muscular stance.

I don’t have that ability to move my body like that, but I do try to expand the limits of my mind as often as possible. There was a time when that may have implied psychedelic exploration, but that’s not where I’m at today.  Today I am open to learning as many new things as I possibly can. I want to experience as much as I can and then some. I want to press the limits of my brain capacity.

Seeking the unknown, my willingness to absorb as much as I can has become a big part of my life as an adult. It’s this desire to seek just a little bit more, to go a little bit further than I have in the past that makes life so interesting.  And then as I come back I am the same, yet something more.

Friday is a great day for browsing on the internet. I'll be linking up these wonderful bloggers and sharing today's fiber offering. There are so many creative people to meet and new things to be inspired by - I hope you'll take a look.

This week I'm also joining in with Tricia and her Stash Bash. Click over for a peek!

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

Here on the east coast of the US the weather has been hot. Dreadfully hazy, hot and humid. The atmospheric elements that are the least conducive to getting your creative groove on. At least for me they are! Desperate for light and easy projects I decided that I was onto something with my Tunisian washcloth. Scanning the Ravelry library of patterns I found lots and lots of washcloths. Here are two that I finished this week:

Both patterns are from Lion Brand. They're quick and easy and it felt so good to be able to whip one of these babys up in an evening - even after a long day of packing the books at the library. (We're moving so we can have an addition built - very exciting, and very hard work!)

The orange variegated cotton is a DK weight (?) from my stash. No idea of any specifics as it was a freebie without a label. But it's pretty and nice to work with.  As much as I like that one, I have to admit that I am in love with the Peaches & Cream cotton stripes. The colorway is Sweet Pea and I want to make something to wear out of it! It's soft and comfy and I think the colors are terrific together!

On Fridays I like to link up and visit my friends at these terrific blogs. There are always lots of great projects to see and wonderful new people to meet. Why don't you come with me?

That'll do it for me this week.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

In case you were wondering about my Five Minute Friday writing in the raw - Lisa Jo is on vacation this week. I thought about picking my own prompt, or even asking John for one, but then I got lazy and decided not to.
I really need that structure to keep on task!
I do enjoy this writing exercise and encourage you to give it a try at least once if you've never done it. Who knows what kind of story you might have inside you!

Today for Week 7 of the Holiday Stashdown Challenge we're sharing ideas for projects that can be made with one skein or less. What's the first thing that you think of? For me it's hats. There are so many patterns available that utilize every type of yarn imaginable. There are fancy hats and simple hats. Hats that keep you warm and hats that just look good. There is truly a hat for every head!

Along with hats, I think of cowls, scarves, gloves, mittens and wrist warmers.  None of these take much yarn, can be whipped up in no time, and would make an excellent gift for anyone on your gift list. Here are a few of my favorites.

Motifs are terrific for using bits and scraps. Last year I found this Snowflake Garland pattern in the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of Crochet Today! It's so pretty (and I'm so lazy!) that it still graces the doorway between the living room and dining room! I was also inspired to make thread snowflakes from the book 60 Crocheted Snowflakes that I borrowed from the library. (Sorry no pictures, but they're easy and beautiful and can be used to decorate your tree or add flourish to gift wrapping!)

If you've never crocheted with thread, you should go ahead and give it a try. I was nervous at first, but quickly became comfortable with it. I enjoy the variety that working doily and motif patterns offers. Plus it's travels well and is perfect in hot weather! It's also inexpensive and you can make an amazing number of items from one ball of thread! Here are a few things I've made with thread:

There are so many other projects that come to mind. Do you have a favorite? I'd love to see which pattern is your go to for hats, cowls and fingerless gloves (or anything!). When planning our holiday gifts it's so easy to get in to0 deep with projects that overwhelm us. To big or complicated they end up causing anxiety instead of pleasure.  This year I vow to be reasonable in my choices. Whatever I make, I'll do it with love, and hope that the recipient feels it!

In addition to visiting Marie, stop by Frontier Dreams and remember to Keep Calm Craft On. This is a terrific place to meet new crafters and see what beautiful projects they're working on.

That's all for today friends, until next time,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!