I'll be right back...

I'm taking a quick break from the blog while I get caught up ...be back in just a bit!

An Afghan for Lucca

I finally finished the three small Afghans for my three little grandsons. Since I'm fairly new to crochet they all have quaint little "quirks" about them, signs of a beginner crocheter! Lucca's afghan seemed to have turned out a bit more symmetrical than the other two so it is the one I'm showing. I used a half double crochet and basic acrylic yarn (Vanna's Choice), since it's sturdy, washable and should withstand the abuse of wild little boys! I used different colors for each afghan and finished them with a scalloped edging.

I had the brilliant idea to add the boys names to each one and started (and ended) with Lucca's. I attempted to couch freehand and this is what I ended up with. It's way harder than I had expected.

I'll just tell Lucca that I was nipping at the cooking sherry while working on his name...it looks like the work of someone that's been hittin' the hooch! I decided that I will forgo adding the other names until I have practiced a bit...and stopped nipping at the cooking sherry!

Poetica Collection by Art Gallery Fabrics

I never imagined that new fabric lines would be accompanied by kicky music videos. I hope to see more creative videos introducing fabulous new fabric lines...how fun is this?

An Evening With Anna Maria Horner

Last week I spent an evening with Anna Maria Horner...oh yeah...uh huh...that's right! When I heard she would be speaking at Meissner in Sacramento, CA, just a hop, skip and a jump from home, I knew I must make the effort to attend her Meet & Greet/Lecture/Trunk Show. I swear, I'm such a geek, I showed up early, claimed a front row center spot and practically peed my pants waiting for her talk to begin. She was just as lovely as I had imagined. Adorable, sweet and totally down to earth. A slide show accompanied her as she enlightened us on her beginnings, her creative process and her philosophy of her profession. A true blue gal, indeed!

She shared with us a few of her gorgeous quilts to show some of the different techniques uses and she gave us a peek of her newest fabric line, Field Study, which is due in May 2012, sooo exciting!

I picked up a Voile Scarf Kit and a packet of her Embroidery Floss AND I won one of the door prizes, a TrueCut Rotary Blade Sharpener, yippee!

So, I met Anna Maria Horner...I can now scratch THAT off my Bucket List (happy sigh)!

The Crochet Clutch

I'm very excited about my newest creation, The Crochet Clutch. My Hanging Circular Knitting Needle Holders have been quite popular with the knitting folk so I thought I'd create something for the clever crochet gal, such as myself. This clutch came from my frustration of getting all comfy and cozy on the couch, ready for a few hours of relaxing crochet, only to realize that I didn't grab my glasses...hrrmph! Get up, grab my glasses, sit back down, get comfy...shoot! My lips are feeling a bit chappy...hrrmph! Get up, grab my chap stick, sit back down, get all comfy...poop! My hands are dry and I can't crochet productively with dry hands...hrrmph...(get the picture?). This sweet little clutch has 5 interior slots that will hold up to 10 crochet hooks, plus, a pocket for a small pair of scissors. Deep enough to hold other miscellaneous items so that everything is is contained in one little pouch. Just stock it with your necessities of choice and keep it in your project bag you're ready to roll!

Patina Bloom, Crochet Clutch

Created with Innocent Crush, Drawing Room and Loulouthi fabrics by Anna Maria Horner.

Azure Pods, Crochet Clutch

Created with Lark by Amy Butler, Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt Metro Living by Robert Kaufman

Tangerine Dream, Crochet Clutch

Created with Lotus by Amy Butler, Haven's Edge by Tina Givens and Chocolate Lollipop by Anna Maria Horner.

Vintage Plums, Crochet Clutch

Created with Daisy Mae fabrics by Denyse Schmidt.

In the Mama Roux shop!

Saffron Ash, a Modern Tablerunner

I love Lotta Jansdotter and have quickly gobbled up her fabrics as fast as my budget will allow. I appreciate her clear designs and bold, pure colors. Her Echo fabric line is so brilliant that I wanted to allow the fabrics to speak for themselves by framing them in a dark solid and keeping the design very simple. I adore all of the fabrics but my favorite (today) is the Small Spring Buds in Grey. It is so very delicate and light I am thinking about incorporating it into some baby quilts. Of course I will most likely have a new favorite tomorrow and yet another the next day. Her fabrics make me very happy and that's what it's all about, isn't it?

Saffron Ash, Patchwork Tablerunner. Created with Echo fabrics by Lotta Jansdotter. A modern patchwork assortment that will add a touch of sleek elegance to your dining table, coffee table, sideboard or dresser. Measures 46" x 14". Reversable! Warm and white batting, quilted in a simple random wave design. Backed with Kona Coal.

In the Shop!

I'm at it Again!

Get out of the way, here come the dishtowels! I really went overboard with the dishtowels this time, but I just couldn't help it. These new fabrics just called for some sassy, fancy towels to doozy up the kitchen, guest bath or for an absolutely fabulous hostess gift! I always make extra sets for myself and for giving as gifts. These newest sets are truly dazzling!

Sienna Path

Embellished with Secret Garden fabrics by Sandi Henderson and Metro Living by Robert Kaufman.

Charisma

Embellished with Lark fabrics by Amy Butler

Agave Blooms

Embellished with Echo fabrics by Lotta Jansdotter

Paprika Moon

Embellished with Secret Garden fabrics by Sandi Henderson and Full Moon Polka Dot in Lime by Amy Butler

Cobalt Gypsy

Embellished with Lark fabric by Amy Butler and Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner

Mandarin

Embellished with Lark fabrics by Amy Butler and Botanika by Paula Prass.

They're all in the shop, while they last. Thanks for stopping by!