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WIP’s

WIPS or works in progress have been stacking up at the sewing table. The good news about that is that cleaning has brought a bunch of partially finished projects to light. Here are a few that I have been working on lately.

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There are several many crochet projects in a partially finished state. I tend to work more on inspiration when it comes to the yarny projects. So, yes there are many half done. IMG_4025

Like this one. I am going to take it to the DMV  while I wait for the driver’s license testing to be over. I hope things go well. I also hope that we don’t wait long for his turn to take the test.

See you later,

Karen

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Patriotic Bunting

I’ve tried and tried not to get pulled into the bunting craze but last week I just couldn’t help myself. Here are two sets of lovely red, white and blue bunting!

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This set is little pennants in red, white and blue. Perfect for all those patriotic holidays and Christmas too!

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Here are the beautiful red, white and blue stars garland. I think they would look equally good in a little boy’s bedroom as they would on a Christmas tree or your dining room for the Fourth of July! You can find both of these in the studio.

Talk to you later,

Karen

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Introducing: The Blanket Club

Introducing the Blanket Club:

There are a select few out there in the world today: lovely people that own more than one ChocolateDogStudio crochet blankets. When you own more than one you get the benefits of being a member of the Blanket Club! Members of the Blanket Club have purchased these lovely blankets from the shop over the years.

Blanket Club membership grants you a discount good every day of the year!

Talk to you later,

Karen

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Infinity Scarves

I have been spending my time productively the past few weeks. Saturday our son came over and took some really good photographs for me. He does such a great job and I really appreciate it. I can’t wait to get these into the ChocolateDogStudio shop but I will take my time and list a few a day. It really stretches my mind to come up with flowery, enthusiastic, descriptive phrases. I am really only good for listing one or two things at a time.

IMG_3909 IMG_3904 IMG_3898 IMG_3892-001I really enjoyed crocheting this pattern, it is fun. I love how these scarves turned out. They are stretchy and lacy at the same time. A lovely accessory for those that tend to get too warm with a traditional infinity scarf. Even though, I have stopped the Use your stash challenge, I found that these scarves are great stash busters!

I found the pattern here if you want to make your own. http://classycrochet.wordpress.com/2013/01/12/free-pattern-diamond-lattice-chain-crochet-infinity-scarf/

It is an easy pattern and great for beginners. Jen does a great job with step by step photos, walking you through the pattern bit by bit.

talk to you later,

Karen

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Summer is Here!

We are almost to summer break. I can’t wait. I tend to wake up and sew first thing in the morning. I love working early in the morning. My mind is clearer and I feel more ready to tackle the harder projects. So, my schedule will be changing. There are several things that I want to do this summer.

  • Re-arrange the studio
  • The kids are switching rooms as one room is tiny and the other much larger. So the kid going to college will get the tiny room/office and the one still in high school will get the larger room.
  • Go through the books and get rid of home school curriculum that we will no longer need.
  • Make cushion covers for our large black couch. Someone, who was on pain meds… (me) sat down with scissors in her back pocket and did some bad things to the somewhat leather upholstery
http://www.atticmag.com/2013/05/boldly-upholstered-chairs/

I am leaning in this direction. I also like this idea, too.

http://www.crookedbrains.net/2013/07/creative-ways-to-reuse-denim.html

I can’t decide which one to do since I like both. I think I like the denim one the most. It is in the den and would be super comfortable to have it covered in denim.

I couldn’t wait and started cleaning today. I am so unorganized in my studio that I can’t bear to work in there any more. ( I will post all kinds of ideas later!)

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

 

 

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Boho Poncho

Do you remember these photos?

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Well, here is the finished product! I am so excited to show this to you. It came out beautifully and the photographs truly capture how beautiful it is! IMG_3914-002IMG_3914-003IMG_3923-002 IMG_3915 IMG_3916 IMG_3918-001 It is crocheted out of so many different yarns. It is mostly wool but there are novelty yarns, chunky wools, eyelash yarns, ribbon yarns, cotton yarn and such a wide variety colors. I love the texture of it and the many different ways you can wear it. I love the carefree fringe and I can barely put it in the studio for sale. I see it in the Autumn with boots and leggings, taking the place of a jacket. I see it in the winter adding a splash of color to your life. Yes, this is available in the ChocolateDogStudio Etsy shop. See you later, Karen

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Diamonds into Stars

Remember the stars from yesterday. They were the beginnings of the stars.

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Here are some of the stars! I had great fun putting fabric together. I even made some Doctor Who inspired Christmas ornament stars by using Tardis fabric. If I dig a little deeper into the scrap fabric I might be able to make some with Daleks too!

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You can find the stars in my Etsy shop.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

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Cottage Charm

Here are some little cottages that I made several years ago. These are just for fun as I have so much to do today. These cottages are hand sized Christmas ornaments. I haven’t put the hanging ribbon on them yet. There are some things that I would change but overall I like them. I would call these prototypes.IMG_0126-002 IMG_0127-002 IMG_0128-002

I am thinking about adding some like them to the shop, but I’m not sure. What do you think?

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

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Monday!

Yesterday it was a rainy Monday. I sent two kids off to town. One to apply for a job and the other to drive him there and do some errands. It has been a busy day already with a trip for two to the orthodontist and then a trip to the bank to open a checking account for one of the kids.

I spent time yesterday morning sewing some new bibs and then I spent a little time crocheting this.

I love the bright red lady bugs. and the red crochet cotton just goes so  nicely. We will see how it looks when I am done. I am trying something new for the shop. I think the fabric and cotton thread go so nicely together.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

 

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Graduation

Once again we are here. It seems only yesterday that he was this big.

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Such a funny little guy. In the top photo he is three and the bottom photo he is about 5 months old. He is now almost 19. I will never forget seeing him face down in the sand pit with his brand new glasses on his face. I will always remember “Sometimes my Mom lets me have three pieces of cake!” at about four years old as he conned my cousin into two large pieces of cake. I will never forget his cello breaking at a summer music camp! I loved watching you come into your own as a high school student. IMG_1850 er YBThere is not much left to say, but Congratulations! You have a strength and fortitude that astounds me. Thank you for being the funny guy, the punster, the artist and quiet guy. I can’t wait to see what happens next in your life and where life takes you!

See you later,

Mom