Finally joined the 21st century

Friday, I finally got a phone that does more than just make calls... oh, so much more! I didn't order any of the cases available so I pulled out some cotton and a crochet hook and went to work...

Not too bad. I used a simple single crochet stitch and added a foldover, overlapping flap so I wouldn't need a button. Does the job.

The phone itself is awesome. I went with the Moto Droid and I'm already hooked on one of the games I downloaded. haha And my nook is supposed to be delivered on Tuesday...

Double Blooms with a Single Leaf

I'm liking this whole crochet thing. It's fun learning new skills and I'm having a blast looking for new patterns to try. I found a great pattern for a flower bath puff and added a knitted leaf (Ravelry link), knit in the round so there's no wrong side. The yarn is Lily Sugar'n Cream cotton in Violet Stripes - nice long color changes. Here's my first attempt at following a crochet pattern:

And the finished product:

Quick, fun and easy. Now... on to the next project! =)

Crochet 101 - Results

Finished my first crochet item! Here's the result of 5 skeins of Lion Suede - 3 in eggplant and 2 in vineyard.

I worked the majority in double crochet, changing colors as each skein ran out and finished with a row of single crochet on the edges. Finished size is 50" x 17", total cost = well under $10. heh This was a nice, easy first crochet project - great for practicing but simple enough for my brain to check out after a long day of work. =) I'd originally thought I'd use this yarn for a blanket, but this was all I had. I do have more of some other colors that will go nicely together so a cozy blanket may yet be in my future...

A slightly damp weekend...

We decided to hit a few of the local falls this past weekend. Of course, we started with Multnomah Falls! Gorgeous, as always!

Then we headed down the road to Latourell and Wahkeena Falls.

After the Fall tour, we headed for the Vista House to check out the view (and nearly be blown off the ridge!). Beautiful view!

Is there anywhere in Oregon that isn't beautiful? I'm sad to be leaving tomorrow. Can't wait until I can once again call this part of the country "home."

As always, more pics posted here.

Crochet 101

I want to learn to crochet this year, so I'm teaching myself via books and YouTube videos. =) I have 5 skeins of Lion Suede I'd bought with a blanket in mind. This is the result of one skein.heh So... looking more like a wrap is in order here. haha I'm working this in double crochet and started with a chain about 5' long. Worked up fairly quickly on the first leg of my flight back to Oregon Sunday. Unfortunately, the purple ran out just 4 stitches shy of the end and I didn't have another skein of purple in my carryon so I had to put it away and read the rest of the way. Not sure this yarn was a good choice to learn on though. It's fuzzy nature makes it difficult to see the stitches. Of course, it also makes it nearly impossible to see mistakes either... =)