Golden yellow crochet purse

Hello friends, I hope you had a lovely weekend. I have been busy trying out various patterns which may be the reason I have not blogged as frequently as I really want to. 

But unfortunately my crocheting has not gone as planned and I have frogged 3-4 projects recently as the results were not as expected. All the said projects have been for tops or boleros. For a long time now I have been wanting to make something wearable, something with measurements, something that is supposed to fit you. I know what you are thinking...there are tons of patterns out there. Yes, I know, but somehow the ones I like are on foreign language sites - Japanese or Russian with only diagrams for reference. So far I have not been successful in properly deciphering any of those patterns. Very frustrating and also a loss of precious time!!  :(

Inspite of all this, my WIPs basket is overflowing with the dozen odd projects going on simultaneously. But enough about PhDs, now I want to show you the FO I promised the last time. Yes the crochet purse that I was working on. 

I was going to show you the purse after finishing it up with a lining and zipper. But no... I have still not gotten over my fear of my sewing machine. And zippers!!!.....certainly on my bucket list but just not right now.  :(

So here is the Golden Yellow Crochet Purse:

I knew I had to make it when I saw THIS PATTERN.  The material is a cord, easily available in Mumbai as purse making cord. Also known as macrame cord. I used a 4.5 mm crochet hook.

The handle is a Pin-spiration i.e. an idea I found on Pinterest. It is made by braiding three cords and to make the cord I did 200 chains and then sc into each chain.

Here is a link to the TUTORIAL for the braid. If you are planning to use this method for a bag handle remember to make the cords a few inches longer than required as the resulting braid will be much shorter. My cords were 40 inches each and the resulting plait is 34 inches.

I am quite happy with the result of combining two different tutorials. What do you think?
Hmmm... a lining and zipper would really make this purse look so finished and lovely. Maybe I will give it a try soon.

And now, would you like a peep into my WIPs basket? Hehe...as if I need to ask!!

Any guesses what this might be?

I am not sure I have got the "heart" right, so will post about it after working on it some more.  :)

So, what have you been up to? Do write to me. I love your comments (a big Thanks to all of you) and I really look forward to them. 

If you come across a good pattern for a bolero do send me a link. Here's wishing you a happy successful week ahead.
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Heart's Desire

Happy Valentine's Day, dear friends. 

I am always amazed by the fact that seasons in Blogdom, especially Crochetland change along with seasons in the real world. A few weeks back it was all snowflakes, snowmen, ornaments and Christmas trees... crocheted of course. And  now, come February, I give you one guess as to the flavour of the month. You are right it is Hearts, wherever you look, whichever blog you turn to.

If you have been following me for a while now, you will know I rarely make crochet trinkets or amigurumi. For me, Pretty always has to be accompanied by Utility. But I had to make an exception when I came across THIS heart pattern. Why? Because this lovely lady has taken the trouble to draw, yes actually draw by hand, every step of the pattern and very beautifully too. The whole pattern was now so clear and lovely. I just had to try it. 

Aren't they cute?! I wish I had used yarn instead of Bliss knitting cotton, that would have made them more fuller and puffy. 

 Here is the link  http://jose-crochet.blogspot.nl/2012/09/free-pattern-heart.html#more

I am not sure my dear valentine will actually appreciate these cute hearts so for now I am using them to decorate my new bookcase. Yes, this is the new bookcase my hubby ordered for me some time back, which I was supposed to show you long long ago. What can I say my camera has become so lazy.  (So it is not my fault, you see.)  ;)
By the way if I have said "will share with you later" or "will be showing you ------ soon" and then not kept my word, please, please do remind me. I can be quite absent minded sometimes. Since you cannot pinch me from there. a gentle comment will do.

Here is a pic of the empty bookcase the day it was delivered. I think it is made in Malaysia.

For the number of books I have I will need three more bookcases like this, which of course hubby is not going to get me. Anyway I am always thankful for small blessings. I chose this model as the drawers can accommodate all my sewing supplies, buttons, notions, hooks etc. A proper craft corner!!

My hubby has this cute habit of attributing any gift he gets for me to the next 3-4 occasions. LOL. So this was a gift for our Wedding anniversary, the New Year and Valentine's day and who knows maybe even my birthday which is in September!! Did I just say "cute habit", I seriously need to go and have some tea. Jokes apart I love the gift and the fact that he lets me go crafty (read that as batty) and potter around in my room the whole day. 

Here is a sneak peek at the purse I promised to show you. Yes finally did remember something! This the handle I have made for the purse.

 

Enjoy the day with your loved ones. I just called up my friend from fifth grade and we had a lovely chat. Get in touch with people you have lost contact with. Come on make that call, it is after all the month of Love.

I am a Cutie Pie!

Ahem... that is not me, but my blog that is a Premio Cutie Pie!! I received a message from the wonderful M.J. at Lots of Crochet Stitches passing on the Premio Cutie Pie Award to my blog.

Isn't that a super cute pic! Thank you M.J.

If you are really into crochet, you must visit M.J. Her blog is a veritable treasure house of crochet stitches, techniques and tutorials. She always comes up with something new almost on a daily basis. She is not only a talented crocheter but also a versatile blogger and manages three other blogs as well.

And now I have to pass on the award to five other blogs which I think are cute. Easy peasy. The five blogs I have chosen, in addition to being cute, also have something special about them. So here goes...

Diaper Mum by Rajeswari - for her lovely crafty projects and sharing pics of her two cuties.

T's Daily Treasures by Tammy - for her sunny disposition and finding joy in all the simple things in life.

Runner Girl in the Kitchen by Gauri - for sharing her low cal recipes, her running exploits and weight loss efforts. (Maybe one day it will motivate me to get off my butt and actually start walking!)  ;)

Lacy Crochet by Olga - for her genteel writing and gorgeous photos.

Cozy Things by Kristen - for her fun writing style and her great projects which show her expertise in the crafts of knitting and crochet.

That was fun, I think I will add a few more names later. I hope my nominees enjoy the award.

Well. it is mid week, so be happy that the weekend is nearing. Enjoy the rest of the week. Happy crafting. 

I am working on a purse and hope to share it with you soon.

Hand in (crocheted) Glove

Wow! We are already into the second month of 2013. January 2013 has flown by in a flash...or atleast it sure feels like it. 2013 - a year whose arrival was much awaited and that too with bated breath. Not because it is a special year but because we all wanted to see whether we would survive 2012! What with the doomsday predictions and all.

And now we are already into February 2013. So before the winter flies by in a flash too, I want to share one more winter item with you.

Actually I made these crocheted lace fingerless mitts last year. I have always thought that gloves are very romantic, elegant, sophisticated, Jane Austen-ey, victorian, Audrey Hepburn.... okay okay I think you got it. I really liked THIS pattern and had to make it right away.

I wear them at home whenever it gets really cold. I have never worn them when I go out and there are a couple of reasons for that.

A) I had never seen anybody wear such mitts, at least not in my part of the woods...

B) when they were done and I was strutting about the house wearing them, sonny boy very delicately and politely told me "Mom don't even think of wearing them in public. Especially if I am around."

So much for elegance...!!

The next photo pose is as per instructions from assistant cameraman (sonny boy...who else!)  ;)

But I am always happy to wear them at home and pretend I am Emma or Elizabeth... Who says make believe is only for kids ;)

Sigh.... that is all for now, girls. Off with the mitts as I go to plan today's menu. I don't think my Mr. Darcy will appreciate a bare dinner table.

A happy and joyful February to all of you.