Strings 'N Things

Most of the time I think about my family, work, crocheting, my little business that I'm building and all the hoopla and details that go into that. However, today, I'm thinking about me. I'm thinking about the fact that in the last year I have come so far professionally, in my business, my talent with crocheting, and my own personal journeys of self discovery and acceptance. I know, I know...this isn't another self-help blog, but sometimes it's a good idea to give oneself a pat on the back for learning, growing, and becoming an all-around better version of oneself. :) So today that's what I'm doing.

And because one of the things that I'm proud of is my newfound love of thread crochet, specifically snowflakes from Snowcatcher (seriously amazing patterns there!) Here's a picture of my newest beauties.

Sometimes it's nice to just reflect on how far one's come, and plan in order to accomplish one's goals. So today, take sometime for you and do just that.

New ideas! New excitement! New babies!??!!??

No, not for this girl; I'll keep my perfect, happy family at 2 kids. However, its seems as though everywhere I turn someone that I know is pregnant! This makes my little brain excited and filled with thoughts of cocoons, hats, booties, loveys, and more. To me, there is nothing as sweet as homemade gifts for little ones. I know that my two still have gifts made by me and others, even m boyfriend has his handmade baby blanket (that my 3 year old has somewhat taken ownership of). I know the time, dedication and love that each of these items holds; they are cherished in my home.

I'm also working on building up stock with new ideas and new items. I want to make some items that have a "boutique feel." I have a few great bags and purses in the works. Remember, all of my items are available for purchase through my Facebook and Etsy sites.

Also, right now, due to the frigid temps, you can receive 10% off in my Etsy store by using coupon code "10deepfreeze" at check out. Things are looking good at Eny Time Crochet.

In with the new, but keeping the old.

Goodbye 2012! One of the best years of my life for certain. In reflection, it went perfectly. I have lived a full year with the love of my life, my children have fully adjusted to life in Wisconsin (moved the end of '11) and started Eny Time Crochet. I love my life, and that is a feeling I never believed was possible.

Hello 2013! This year is going to be one of further growth, accomplishments, and awesomeness! I learned so much last year, and grew so much in my craft and confidence. This year, there is going to be continued personal and professional growth. I'm very much a "Resolutions" person, and often I meet them. So in order to increase accountability, I'm publicly listing them here. I'd love for all of my friends and fans to keep me going on my goals.

Goals for Eny Time Crochet

1. Learn and successfully make something using the Crocodile stitch
2. Make and have enough stock to do at least one craft show this year
3. Double the amount of "fans" I have on Facebook (157 as of Dec. 31), and add followers for my blog

Crocodile Stitch example

I have personal goals set too. Things regarding organization, health, and patience. All I know is that 2013 is going to be a strong year, and I, with the help of friends, family, and fans, I can continue to work towards my goal of making my talent my main deal and continue to raise and support my family while working from home.

A Joyous Christmas Eve, or Seasonal Doomsday to fellow hookers!

While the presents are wrapped, and the orders are done, I, along with most crafters I know, am still busy as beavers this day before Christmas making the last of the the presents for family members we will see in the next few days. This year, I said, will be different... and it was; I decided to make MORE gifts than I had in the past! EEK! And now, as I sit in my recliner, having just finished up the last of the gifts, I think to myself, "Maybe I should make everyone an ornament!"

I'm beginning to think this is a disease. However, I love to make things for people. I love the look in their eyes when I've made something specifically for them. To see that my hours of dedication to a project pays off when they see their gift. For me, homemade gifts are worth far more than a 2 hour and $20 trip to Target. Although if you can get out of Target for $20, I want to know ALL of your secrets!

So Merry Christmas to you all! And I will leave you now with this wonderful poem I found online that says it all as I sneak back off to my recliner, hook and yarn in hand, to make about 10 ornaments for family members.

CROCHETERS CHRISTMAS EVE Poem

adapted by Dee Stanziano

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me

Was unfinished crocheting not under the tree.

The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care
'Cause the heels and toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

But I had not finished the caps for their heads.

Dad was asleep; he was no help at all,

And the sweater for him was six inches too small,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter

I put down my hooks to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tripped over my yarn and fell down with a crash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow

Reminded me how much I still had to go.

Out on my lawn I heard such a noise,

I thought it would wake both Dad and the boys.
And though I was tired, my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

But what I heard then left me perplex-ed,
For not a name I heard was what I expected,
"Move, DyakCraft! Move, Lacis! Move, NaturallyCaron and Clover!
Move, Boye! Move Woolease! Move Ravelry --move over

Paton, don't circle 'round; stand in the line.

Come now, you sheep will work out just fine!

I know this is hard; it's just your first year,

I'd hate to go back to eight tiny reindeer."

I peered over the sill; what I saw was amazing,
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing.
And then, in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa's feet coming across my porch floor.
I rose from my knees and got back on my feet,
And as I turned 'round St. Nick I did meet.

He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe,
And his clothes were hand-crocheted from above to below.
A bright Tunisian sweater he wore on his back,

And his toys were all stuffed in an cool cro-knit sack.

His cap was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf 'round his neck could have stretched for a mile,

And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
The back of his mittens bore an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I espied a small label,

"S.C." was duplicate stitched on the cuff,

And I asked, "Hey, Nick, did you crochet all this stuff?"
He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to crochet when I was a kid."

He was chubby and plump, a quite well-dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I'd thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair,
He spoke not a word, but looked in his lap
Where I'd laid my hook and yarn for a cap.
He quickly began crocheting, first one cap then two,
For the first time I thought I might really get through.
He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks.
While I sat back drinking scotch on the rocks.
So quickly like magic his stitches they flew
That he was all finished by quarter to two.
He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me,
And I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year start your crocheting sometime around June!"

Want to share this with your online friends? Please give them this link:http://crochetwithdee.blogspot.com/2010/12/classic-from-archives-crocheters.html

Making a business outta nothing at all...

When people hear the word crochet, immediate images of toilet paper cozies, ugly ponchos, and ridiculously bright colored, extremely itchy yarn. I'm here to tell you, that's not the case, well at least any more. About eleven years ago, while bored at home one day, I decided to go to my local Michael's Craft Store and get "something to do." There, I found a "I Taught Myself to Crochet" book, and picked it up, along with a ball of yellow cotton yarn. After a few attempts, a burnt hand form a pot holder gone wrong, and several years, I am here to tell you that crochet is so much more than that. It's amigurumi, personalized blankets and sweaters, Harry Potter, Yoda, and anything else you can imagine out of yarn.

I had made many presents over the years, sold items to friends and family to give as gifts, and finally I decided to make my passion work for me and start a business. I'm still in the beginning stages of this, but I'm so happy with how things are coming along. 95% of my work is made up in my head, and I very rarely write down patterns. 5% is made from amazing patterns by other artists, and I'm so grateful that they have more brains than I do and write stuff down.

So here I am, writing a blog about my business, crocheting, my family, and whatever crazy stuff enters my brain. Check out my Etsy Store and Facebook page.




**Made as gifts, Harry was pretty much made up off the cuff, and I wrote down most of it. The amazing Yoda pattern is compliments of: AH! Creations.**