Getting ready

My three youngest grandchildren asked for St. Patrick's Day gnomes.

So, I cranked out bodies and hats yesterday.

I also worked on beanbags for the social workers at school.

Since today is Tuesday, I'm going to focus on my test tatting project. I do miss reading about Tatting Tea Tuesday, even though tea is not my favorite drink. I much prefer coffee!

Mission accomplished!

Dave and I spent the weekend shopping for bookcases, putting them together, and sorting through craft supplies. There's still a lot of sorting and storing to be done, but we accomplished what we set out to do. There's nothing picture worthy yet, but I'll share once more of the clutter is out of the way.

Test tatting is going slowly. My hands just don't seem to want to hold on to the shuttle for very long.

The big news is that despite all the activity around here this weekend, I finished my Valentine gnomes!

Gnome progress

I finished my Valentine gnome bodies on Thursday and Friday, and then I got to work finishing them off. Six are done with nine to go!

Gnome hats

 

I thought I hadn't accomplished much yesterday, and then I realized I finished eight gnome hats in addition to working on my test tatting project. Not bad!

Keepin' busy

Daughter Alison was down to visit this weekend, and she asked if I would teach her to crochet little beanbags. After a little bit of research, I found a pattern for a crocheted chicken. The body was perfect for what Alison wanted. However, my understanding of the pattern was imperfect. I ended up with a whale tail.

I reread the directions and came up with the pyramid shape that Alison was looking for. I forgot to take pictures of all that I made. They're quick and easy. I filled some with dried beans and some with pony beads. I like the idea of the pony beads so that the beanbags can be tossed in the washing machine. The sound and the feel of the beans is more relaxing, so I'll probably make her some more of each.

Why beanbags? Alison is doing post-grad work in counseling, and she will use them as fidget toys when working with clients. 

I know the kids at school would love these, but I also know that they would be tossing them in the air or throwing them at each other. I think I'll refrain from passing these out at school!

Sunday was a cranking day. I cranked out bodies and hats for 15 gnomes. My goal is to have all 15 gnomes put together this week.

Test tatting is going well. I'm getting pretty good at those split rings, probably because there's only one on each round!

 

Tree time

 

My sister is visiting this weekend, so Friday and Saturday were tree days. I subbed on Friday, which meant I couldn't get started until late afternoon. Still, two more trees are ready for next  Christmas!

Valentine gnomes

Last weekend I cranked out seven Valentine gnomes to work on throughout the week. Assembly line production goes so much faster, and I have quite a few I'd like to make and give away for Valentine's Day.

The downside to making gnomes this way is it's harder to make them each different.

This set of gnomes does have a slight variation with each one.

The same yarn was used for the body and hats on all of them.

I used up my ball of white fluffy yarn, and had just enough left to make a mixed colored beard on this one. I like the look! 

With seven gnomes, I did manage to have three different beard colors.

I didn't look when pulling the beads for the noses out of my bead bag.

All but one ended up with a read nose. The hearts for the hats were also just pulled out of a bag. So, there are hearts in three colors and two sizes.

When they're all together, I guess they do look different from each other. 

I haven't decided what I'll work on today. I think I need my second cup of coffee first!