I'm Back!

I haven't posted in years!  Well, I'm back and I hope I can post something crafty at least once a month.  I've done a lot of crocheting and I've taken up machine embroidery.  

Here are a few of the crocheted things I've made.  Visit my Etsy shop here:  Alice Addictions on Etsy

Florida Gator Afghan

I crocheted this afghan for a friend. It took me months to complete because with all those color changes, all those strands of yarn would get knotted up and I would get aggravated and put it away for a day or two or sometimes for a week. You're probably wondering why I bothered to continue to work on it, if it was so aggravating. Even though I was having problems with the yarn getting tangled, I really did enjoy making it. I didn't want to give up because I wanted to see the finished product. I believe it was worth the effort. I have started another one but I have put it away and have been working on other things. I won't give up on this one either. I will eventually get it out and work on it off and on until it is complete and I will probably try to sell it.

I have been trying to come up with a way to manage all those strands of yarn. I had an idea that made it a little better. I put the balls of yarn for sections of the afghan in baggies and then used clothes pins to attach those baggies to the afghan. Then when I flipped it to work back the other way, they wouldn't tangle as bad. I'm wondering if there is a better way to manage all those strands of yarn when you have several color changes within a row. If anyone has any ideas, please post a comment. I would appreciate it.

Personalized Crocheted Baby Blankets

I've been making personalized crocheted baby blankets for family and friends for the past several years. I have designed the filet crochet patterns in excel spreadsheets. Some of the borders have been borrowed from embroidery patterns. These blankets are a lot of fun to design and make.

Visit my etsy shop at http://alicesaddictions.etsy.com

I'm Retired . . . . maybe

I "retired" after 30 years at the same place and started a new job which lasted nine months before I was layed off. I've been "sort of" looking for a new job but I really wouldn't mind staying home and doing whatever I feel like each day.

I have spent a lot of time crocheting and sewing over the past few months. I've even opened an Etsy shop with some of my crocheted items. So far I have no sales. I'm hoping that will change soon.

Recently, I created my own sewing pattern for a toddler dress from my granddaughter's dress. I must say the dress from that pattern turned out really nice. I am planning to create a tutorial and put it on this blog.

Visit my Etsy shop: www.alicesaddictions.etsy.com