I know I’ve said this before, but I’m really glad it’s Friday! It seems like this week has been exceptionally long for some reason. Maybe it’s just because I’m tired and I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished much of anything. Oh well next week will be better and I’ll get rested up over the weekend, right? 🙂
Anyway I managed to take out the seams of the shrug that’s pictured above and stitched it back together using Lucy’s technique of slip stitching in the back loops of opposite motifs. You can learn all about it here. As you can see the yellow stitches are the bad seams and where you can’t see any stitches that’s the good seam.
If I would have just done this at the beginning instead of hurrying through to get it done I wouldn’t have had to take it all out. It’s kind of like John and his Mulberry trees. 😉 (we are more alike than I want to admit) I’m very pleased with how it looks and I will wear it with much more pride now. I’ve had people ask me what a shrug is and I tell them that it’s a hug for your shoulders and they seem to love my description.
I finished the bulky purple Bella Rebekah Sweater that I made for Twist as a shop model. I love the way it turned out. It looks like it will fit about a 4 or 5 year old.
Here’s what I’m working on at the moment. I would love to hear what you think it is. I’m thinking that this should be a contest. If you guess what the project is that I’m working on your name will go into a drawing to win one of my scrappy washcloths. And if you were wondering; yes, other countries are eligible. By the way, entry into the contest will end Sunday, March 27, 2013 and Good luck!
This last thing is so random (as Joshua would say) but I was wondering if any of you have any ideas what I should do with all of my little pieces of soap? I’ve thought about this for a long time and I know there’s something that can be done with all the little pieces of soap that are left from the bar of soap as it melts away. I try melting it in with the new bar of soap but I’m not successful; I fret and fret about throwing it away. Anyway, I would love to hear your ideas on this random subject, because I hate to waste good soap. 🙂 I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and I hope to have that mystery project done so that I can reveal its identity and the winner on Monday.
Crochet with Tamara 
Tamara, I know of two people who run small groups who recycle soap – I’ll get some details and let you know. They are non-profit organisations, and the sales of the “new” soap keep them going.
I know EXACTLY what you are working on at the moment, but I think I’m at an advantage because I’ve made one myself so I’m not going to enter the contest 🙂 Hope Megan likes it a lot.
Your shrug is GROOVY!!!! Did you make up the design yourself? It’s a real winner.
Get a rest this weekend – order take-aways and put your little feet up for once 🙂
Love, Jill x
By: Nice piece of work on March 22, 2013
at 6:22 am
Jill,
That would be wonderful if you could let me know about a non-profit organization, because I don’t feel like getting my cauldron out to melt this stuff down myself. 😉 Thanks so much for loving my shrug, but I can’t take credit for it. Someone else designed the pattern, I found it in a book called “Crochet Wear”, published by Leisure Arts, designs by Ann Regis. I guarantee you will love all her designs in the book if you want to buy it. 🙂 Oh by the way thanks for not revealing what the mystery project is….I knew you would know what it was. My hope for you is that you have time to kick up your feet and rest a bit too, I know you’ve been working hard. Have a great weekend my friend. Love, Tamara
By: tgonzales on March 22, 2013
at 7:16 am
Tamara, I hope you get some rest and relaxation this weekend so that you can feel more spring in your step next week. Although, knowing you, we’ll see a photo filled post of all the places you’ve been other than at home. (wink). I don’t know of any organizations like the above comment, but I was thinking you could use the bars to help clean the shower/bathtub. I love your description of a shrug! The new seams look terrific as does your newest sample for the shop. As for the contest? Well, they look like eyes to me, so I think you may be making an animal of some sort, My first thought was an owl.
Hope you do have a wonderful weekend!
By: Jeanne on March 22, 2013
at 7:17 am
Hi Jeanne!
Thanks so much for the sweet comments. You seem to know me pretty well with that winking sentence. 😉 Thank you for trying to guess the mystery project; I’ll report more on that on Monday. I hope you have a great weekend too. Stay warm!
Love and Hugs,
Tamara
By: tgonzales on March 22, 2013
at 7:27 am
Do you have a pattern for your shrug. I love love love it. I have been trying to put one together for awhile now. Love the colors.
By: Sandi Myser on March 22, 2013
at 8:43 am
Hi Sandi!
I didn’t design the shrug, but I can tell you which book I got it from. I made it from a pattern designed by Ann Regis and Leisure Arts published a book called “Crochet Wear”. You will love a lot of the patterns in the book. 🙂
Happy Crocheting!
Tamara
By: tgonzales on March 22, 2013
at 8:48 am
Crochet a little bag with a draw string with size 10 and put all your little slivers in it and use it as a scrubby.
By: Birgitt on March 22, 2013
at 8:50 am
Great idea Birgitt! Thanks so much for stopping by to comment.
Hugs, Tamara
By: tgonzales on March 22, 2013
at 8:57 am
I like your very colorful shrug. You really hae a knack for picking out colors. And your Bell Rebekah is wonderful. Your little round things look like mittens for newborn babies to wear so they won’t scratch their little faces. As far as the scraps of soap there is a recepie for making liquid had soap out of the left over pieces. I don’t know exactly how its done other than you have to put it in a blender with some other liquid ingrediant and blend it until smooth. Pinterest may have the recepie. I want to make a couple of baskets today and if I’m going to get it done I need to get off of here. Love you girl.
By: jerald/suewyss on March 22, 2013
at 8:53 am
Hi Sue!
Thanks so much for the lovely comments and nice idea for the leftover soap scraps. Great idea to look on Pinterest too. I never thought of that. Have a great time making your baskets.
Love you Cuz!
Tamara
By: tgonzales on March 22, 2013
at 8:58 am
Hmmm…my guess is an owl bag of some sort… but it’s hard to tell if that next row is changing the shape or not. Maybe it’s starting to work upward/taller? I can’t tell!
And as far as the soap pieces, I was going to say the same thing as Birgitt–just crochet up a little bag with some worsted weight cotton and keep the soap pieces in there. As you use it, it will foam up, and you’ll never have to worry about dropping the little pieces!
Have a wonderful and restful weekend. =)
By: mindy on March 22, 2013
at 8:57 am
Hi Mindy!
Thank you so much for stopping by to comment and taking the time to give me your ideas. I love hearing from you. I’ll let you know about the mystery project. 🙂
Love and Hugs,
Tamara
By: tgonzales on March 22, 2013
at 9:00 am
Tamara,
When my 3 oldest children were little, this was before liquid handsoap as we have today, I would blend the left over pieces of bar soap and pour it into an empty dishsoap bottle. When the bottle was about half full i would finish filling it with water and then when the soap was melted – two or so days – the kids loved to use a squirt to wash their hands before meals, etc. Some of my friend melted the leftovers on the stove and remolded it. According to how thrifty you want to be there’s probably lots of ways to use it. Love your sweaters too. I need to get the link from you and get the pattern.
Love,
Kaye
By: Kaye Gruver on March 22, 2013
at 11:28 am
Hi Kaye!
Thanks for the neat idea with the leftover soap and thanks for loving my little sweaters. They are made from the Lovely Crow pattern called Bella Rebekah Cardigan if you want to google it or here’s a link to her patterns: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/elizabeth-alan/patterns I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Tamara
By: tgonzales on March 22, 2013
at 2:45 pm
What!!??!! You did not get rested up during work all this week, Tamara?!? 😉
Lucy is so clever. Your shrug looks so much better without seams showing.
*Love* the bulky purple Rebekah sweater!!
I was thinking the same as what Birgitt wrote you about how to use up all your old soaps together. Just be sure you make the bag small enough so your soap won’t be scooting all around inside it. LOL
I haven’t a clue what your surprise project is. I will take a guess, tho… an owl pillow. BTW, I do not know what year your calendar is — but this Sunday is March 24, not the 27th.
Happy Weekend!!!!!
Love ‘n Hugs ~ Kat
By: Kat on March 22, 2013
at 3:30 pm
Hi Kat!
Thanks so much for loving the shrug and the sweater and thanks for the idea about the soap shavings. Well don’t feel bad about not knowing what I’m making, because no one else has guessed it yet either. Woman you have such a good eye. You are so right about the date this Sunday. I’ll have to send out a message and another clue to the mystery project since I still don’t have a winner.
Love you,
Tamara
By: tgonzales on March 22, 2013
at 3:51 pm
Oh, I suppose you *could* say I have such a good eye … becuz I wear *trifocals*!!! BwaaaHaaaa!!! 😀
xo ~ Kat
By: Kat on March 22, 2013
at 3:55 pm
Hi Tamara,
I love your blog! I get so excited to see a new post in my inbox! I have been practicing my crocheting and I have signed up for Crochet 102 on March 30 and April 6, so excited! Take care.
By: Sheila Hoyt on March 22, 2013
at 7:59 pm
Hi Sheila!
Thanks so much for loving my blog and for stopping by to say so. I knew you would be good at crocheting when I taught you. You have the determination and will to learn and that’s the best kind of student. You will love your teacher for Crochet 102 and I can’t wait to hear all about what you will make in the future.
Happy Crocheting!
Tamara
By: tgonzales on March 23, 2013
at 3:25 am
Love the shrug! I think your secret project is an animal of some kind – possibly a rabbit or an owl? Can’t wait to see what it is! 🙂
By: cuteasabutton82 on March 23, 2013
at 6:10 am
Hi Laura!
Thanks for loving the shrug and for stopping to guess what my mystery project is. I’ll let you know on Monday who won. 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs, Tamara
By: tgonzales on March 23, 2013
at 8:12 am
I’m going to guess footwear…..either slippers or socks. : ) Can’t wait to find out!
By: Jill Ptacek on March 24, 2013
at 3:53 am
Hi Jill!
Thanks so much for stopping by to guess. I can hardly wait to reveal what the mystery project really is. 🙂
Love, Tamara
By: tgonzales on March 24, 2013
at 11:22 am
my guess would be owl coasters. lol. I am still working on the first washcloth. With the grandchild that you met I don’t have much free time to work on it.
By: Linda Anderson on March 24, 2013
at 4:43 pm
Hi Linda!
Thanks for stopping by to comment. It sure was nice hanging out with you before the class and I know that you will finish your washcloth as soon as you can. Your grandson and daughter are adorable.
Hugs, Tamara
By: tgonzales on March 24, 2013
at 4:50 pm