BEEN A BUSY BUSY WOMAN!

Wow the last few months have flown by faster than I can catch up. Being a new Grandma to an amazing Grandson Kannon for 6 weeks 

while helping my Son and his Gf in the months before his birth, watching 4 month old teething Lexi for the past 3 months, running my GF's elderly Parents back and forth to the Doctors, working on my craft room, testing crochet patterns and taking care of Spoiled well loved non Human Babies(Abia/Shih Tzu, Bobby-Momo-Spike/Cockatiels) and the household's chores on a daily basis has kept me going at Hyper speed. Autopilot has served me well because  I think I have even passed myself coming and going more than once.

Sadly I only crocheted 1 baby blanket for Kannon and I waited till the last minute to work on it, yes I know bad Grandma, but I did finish it right before he was born and it turned out a little lopsided but hopefully it will become his "won't do without BLANKIE".
  I just recently was lucky enough to test another crochet pattern(that I was so DIEING to do), by the Awesome designer Spider Mambo, called a "Baby Bone Head Creepy Skull Hoodie". I love her Patterns. You can find them here
 http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/spider-mambos-ravelry-store/patterns.
I didn't crochet it exactly as the pattern stated, because I was so excited and screwed up some where, but I love how it turned out. I haven't taken pics of it yet but I will the next time I go see Grandma's Lil Man.
 Here is a pic of the Adult Sm-L size version I tested awhile back.

Here is the 3x Spider Circle Vest I tested for her a few weeks ago,

 Ignore the lazy day(Ugh) model. It was in desperation I had to model it myself.
She has Kool Patterns Check them out.
  
Even though I am still waiting on a bookshelf, to of course put my books in, here is 1 pic  my 90% done craft room. Isn't it Purty?

 I have another pattern to test, but I think I am going to change it up and do a project in between that is a combination of my 2 fav crafts. Will share next time.
See Ya.

A beautiful day for crocheting and painting.

  It's a beautiful Saturday here in Lago.  Just gotta Love those not to hot/not to cool days in Texas, cuz they are a rarity. As the saying goes, "If you don't like the weather now, wait 5 mins and it will change". Lol.
  Anyway,  I was lucky enough to be chosen to test a very kool wearable pattern a few days ago, and even though it was a little rough starting out, I have finally gotten the hang of it so far. I haven't reached the more difficult part of the pattern yet so I'll see how it goes, But as soon as I can I will share pics.
 That's not all I have going this weekend and I am so excited. I have been some what impatiently waiting to be able to work on my craft room. Getting it painted, new carpet then organizing my yarn stash, But of course it takes time and $$. Painting needed to be done before carpet so painting it is. My first goal was trying to decide what color  I wanted to paint  the walls. My fav is Purple but I so am going to do my bedroom in that eventually. So then I thought I should pick colors that bring out creativeness. Hmmmm. 

 With so many colors that bring out a person's crafty side, I had a hard time liking any certain color or colors that I could imagine looking at every day. So sharing my dilemma with a friend one day she reminded me that I didn't have to choose just 1 or 2 colors. That I have always been proud of who I am so why not do the colors that mean so much to me. She was right. So I made up my mind then and there.
 Yes this is what I wanted.

 Well last night I took a flag that hangs over my window to Home Depot paint dept and said I want these colors. 20 mins later I was walking out the door with 7 quarts of paint, 2 mini rollers and 2 paint pans. Was a little more costly than what I thought it would be, but looking at a beautiful rainbow every day will be so amazing and creative and worth it. Don't ya think?

Southern House Restoration: Updated Front Porch

Southern House Restoration: Updated Front Porch: I had several pallets in my garage (shout out to  Married Filing Jointly  for letting me have them), and I have gone over and over how I wan...

Mmmmmm and Pretty too.

Make Life Lovely: Upcycled Baby Food Jars: Rainbow Cake in A Jar



What a neat Idea

Wow Great Giveaway

http://www.snappy-tots.com/giveaway/red-heart-yarns-fan-tabulous-giveaway/

Amazing Designers

Hi my name is Tina and I am a pattern testing addict. Yes after testing a few patterns I am hooked. Its such a rush to work a designer's pattern, helping them find errors, misunderstandings and make their vision/written words into a beautiful crochet item.
 Some of the awesome designers I have tested for are

 Ruth Baldwin
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Starchilds-Creations/411931912243459
I tested her "Wrap Around Baby Booties" for Boys or Girls

 Donna Knox@ Articles of a Domestic Goddess
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtofDomesticGoddess
https://www.facebook.com/ArticlesofaDomesticGoddess
http://www.pinterest.com/donnaknox84/articles-of-a-domestic-goddess/
I tested her "School Bus Hat Pattern" It was fun.

Candace Keckeisen
 http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/candace-keckeisens-ravelry-store
 https://www.etsy.com/shop/Procraftistation?ref=search_shop_redirect
 I tested her "Spring Break Slouch"

and her "Swept Away Hat"

  

They are some amazing Designers. Check them out.
I have actually designed my very first crochet pattern. Will talk about it next time.

Should I or shouldn't I, That is the Question?

 Been on a crocheting binge for awhile now and have joined 1 or 2 or 8 crochet groups on fb. I am loving all the sharing and support with the exception of the harsh hardcore meanies that make a newbie feel like they are bothering them or stupid. Oh well the world is full of these hateful people. Another downfall of these groups is I now have another over whelming list of wanna do's . The life of a crochet(craft) addict has it's wannas, needas, gotta haves. Right? lol.

I have been lucky enough to become pattern tester for several awesome designers. It has been so much fun and a great learning experience too. And the best part I have made some wonderful friends because of it. Hope I can continue testing for them. Here are my finished test items.

 
 Great patterns from Great Designers.

 Now on to the

I have been contemplating opening an Esty shop off and on for awhile now, but haven't been brave enough to do it. But after I had 2 wonderful friends urge me to do so, I am seriously thinking about it. Will see.