STORE UPDATE!

I think I need to come to terms with the fact that I am not a good blogger... I just don't think anything interesting goes on when I'm working that I want to share... I just updated my store, so that's exciting! You can visit it at www.yarrhooked.storenvy.com

 I've also updated my banner on the store and website (which you can see here) it matches better with my overall style :)

My favourite part about the site is that you can order custom hats, you can choose the colours you want, and I'll make it to match your coat, sweater whatever! I love it! Right now there's options for 4 hats, a cowl and a scarf! I have 6 other designs in the works to be available for customs as well!

I'll try to blog more... I make no promises though...

Crocheting for my Craftroom 2

Forever ago I blogged about the crocheting I was doing for my craftroom, well my lapghan is done!!!



I chose a square from Edie Eckman's book Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs, I love this book. It's my go to when I'm making a blanket, or pot holder, I've even converted one into a hat! It's just a great book, and it's so pretty that J doesn't even mind (too much) when I leave it sitting around. But back to my afghan, as is my prerogative the overall plan changes slightly from the original design, I still used 7 balls of yarn, but I swapped out Waverly Fresh Petals for Vanna's Choice Magenta (Fresh Petals was too pale). It also morphed from being a square 7 x 7 afghan to 6 x 8 squares - which perfectly covers my lap and legs! Now I just need to actually buy a sitting chair for my craftroom so I can use it!



I've also made a gorgeous rug for my room!!! I wanted something that made a statement, and I think this --" bubblegum pink doily does just that! It was made with 4 balls of Red Heart With Love yarn, two strands held together and a 6.5mm hook using the Mantilla Doily free pattern from Coats and Clark. It wasn't a hugely difficult project, but you definitely need to pay attention because it's easy to get confused. As I went on as well each row felt like it was taking FOREVER! That became slightly frustrating, but since I'm thrilled with the final results it was worth it.



My stash is all out and gorgeous!!! I have rearranged it a bit since taking this photo to even out the yarn a bit, but you get the idea.

I was planning on painting it, but I haven't gotten around to buying paint yet, and I'm oddly liking the plain pale greyness... I still think it'll eventually end up pale yellow and bright pink like I had originally planned though. I love colour!

East Coast Comic Expo 2014 Wrap-Up

 

My Table!!! Check out the pretty banner J got me!

 My favourite part of ECCE was: having some awesome discussions with people about crocheting and oddly enough prep for it. I injured my back on some black ice back in March, and was stuck with very limited mobility for 2.5 weeks, which cost me dearly in prep time. So I was in a huge rush to get together some items for this Con and I really enjoyed the challenge! It's stressful sometimes, it causes blisters and sore hands and wrists but it's fun. I'm glad I got that love back, I think I was losing it a bit recently which was heartbreaking.

My least favourite part of ECCE was: that it died down massively after about 2pm. The day started off strong, I made a sale before the doors even opened for the VIP,  and then around 2pm, the crowds stopped and it lead to a very long few hours.

What surprised me the most about ECCE was: that things I had made based on feedback from people last year, went unsold. I had had requests for Finn hats, and I don't know if it was just my version people didn't like, or if the craze is now over, but they unfortunately didn't sell, neither did 3 of my My Little Pony's nor my large Aquaman or Captain America.

What I learnt at ECCE was: that you just never know what people are going to want or not want!

The next step for me is: working on building up stock and starting to blog again. ECCE is looking like the only Convention we are doing this year, so I want to try to get an online store up and running again and work on keeping a quantity of stock, that way I wont have as much of a panic before the next Con.

----

This year was really fun though, I took 2 days off before the Con, which were spent frantically crocheting and sewing. I was up until 1am Friday gluing Shrinky Dink hearts to hair bows. After the Con I took us out for Italian food and then I did something crazy and bought myself a tablet! I've wanted one for a while, and lately my inability to read books (allergic to something in the paper) has been bothering me. So I'm hoping this will help me start reading again!

And because I don't post enough about Java on here...

Here's Java in his new bed with some partially finished ponies
The little guy will pose the instant you hold up your phone...
it's cute and kind ridiculous

Here he is at his first trip to the beach on Sunday! He spent
the first little bit barking at some birds and then at the waves
but then he jumped in and enjoyed the water a bit.

Overwhelmed by life

Well it's been forever since I've blogged! December was full of travel, Christmas activities and last minute commissions, then on Christmas a cough started... that turned into a ridiculously horrible cold/flu/plague for 2 weeks, and then downgraded back to a cough, WHICH I STILL HAVE!!! Over a month later... So I've been sick and exhausted forever it seems...

On top of that I've been battling pretty severe depression ever since my last miscarriage in September, which became much worse over Christmas as attempts to get pregnant again seem to be failing... I'm doing a lot better now, but it's hard. I've had some positive things though over the past few weeks that have helped me a lot.

I'm doing some commissions again, I'm currently doing a set of bomber hats for a couple (they aren't matching colours, which might be for the best, that could be a bit overwhelming... which will finished this week) and I'm starting on stock for East Coast Comic Expo!!! It's happening May 17 in Moncton and everyone should come. DO IT! 

And last week I BOUGHT A PUPPY! My little Java is 3/4 dachshund and 1/4 Jack Russell terrier. He's a total cuddly sweetheart, who has insane overwhelming energy for like 20 minutes, then crashes for a few  hours. The worst part is, that because he's so tiny and gets frozen really fast here in New Brunswick's -20 to -40 C weather... he needs clothes, so he currently has a Nightmare Before Christmas t-shirt, a Ramones t-shirt and two sweaters with skulls on them! I'm also excited to finish up those bomber hats so I can be selfish and whip him up a crocheted sweater from me :)

And here is Java versus his shark toy... He loves a giant toy