200 Crochet Blocks Crochet Along

[Twinnish]

Is your copy of 200 Crochet Blocks calling out to you? Have you been drooling over the beautiful squares and fantasizing about the afghan you could make with them? My long suffering copy has been waiting since Christmas to be put to use. Now that I've successfully conquered the 63 squares monster, I'm ready to pick up 200 Crochet Blocks and make something with it.

Join me and my co-leader and special guest star, JulieKay :angel , the queen of CALs, (Thanks Julie!) as we ponder, brainstorm, tooth-gnash and stitch our way to a completed object made from squares from the 200 Crochet Block book. Will it be an afghan? Will it be a tote? Use your imagination! Feel free to jump in with both feet!

I will be making an afghan. That's as far as I've gone in the planning. Tonight I'm going to go through and pick out a number of squares and decide which ones to use and how many.

Who's in?

[Qmare]

Well... I have and love that book to death so will be tagging along here. I am just starting a lapghan that is preempting my Lace and Bobbles (long story) so will post my progress on that ghan at least.

I also adapt patterns from that book for other things like charity square requests and swap blocks so this will be fun!

[JulieKay]

Hi Ho Claire
Thanks for the great introduction . I feel like putting on a tutu and doing a little ballerina dance ~~~
This should be lots of fun to see what combos of blocks and colors everyone comes up with .
I need to go study my book now and see what I can come up with .
Jump on in, gang, we're waiting for you.
These CAL's have just about dried up... it's time to get a new one rolling .

[Twinnish]

Hi ladies!

I'm really excited about this project. I've been thinking about using colors from a Van Gogh painting (note: new avatar) for this afghan. I've got a mug with the painting on it and I'd love to make an afghan with those colors. So I need to think about which squares to use, and which colors.

It's going to be interesting!

[JulieKay]

Hey Claire -
You'll probably catch Celeste's attention ,mentioning Van Gogh . She knows a lot about art . I know NOTHING about it . Couldn't tell you the difference between Whistler's mother and Van Gogh's self potrait . Was he the one who lopped off his ear or was that someone else ? And WHY did he do it, does anyone know ?
He MIGHT have heard me singing . That'd make ANYONE lop off an ear .
Anyhow, it sounds like you have done lots more thinking on the colors than I have .. I am going to sit with my book tonight and try to work out a plan .
Will get back in here when I decide on something .
I wonder if there'd be any way to GRAPH out your design on graph paper ? You might need some fancy online program thing to do it . :think

[Celestial Seasonings]

This is a great idea. As Julie knows, I have ten too many projects going at the moment, so I'll have to keep an eye on this one from the sidelines :) Happy hooking!!!

[Twinnish]

Julie -- I thought about the graph idea. I thought that I could use colored pencils (note to self: get colored pencils) on graph paper to sort of sketch out ideas for square placement. Come to think of it, somewhere on C-Ville, I believe, someone posted a link for a fancy graph generator website. Let me search for that and get back to you.

And, yeah, Van Gogh was the ear-chopper. He was a troubled soul.

Celeste, thanks for the well wishes!

[Vik]

I'm in, Claire! I can't believe the coincidence, because I've posted about this today in my blog! I have the book in Spanish and I started a blanket for my mom! I've posted: I’m taking ideas from Jan Eaton’s book “200 Crochet blocks for blankets, throws and afghans. Crochet squares to mix and match” –I have it in Spanish. A book full of crochet squares or blocks might not sound very exciting, but there are actually some fab pattern ideas and I highly recommend it to you.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/MariaVilche/Stash.jpg

This new CAL is a great idea! I hope many villagers will join us! :manyheart

[pb&j]

Me too, I'm a little bit busy with other projects but will keep my eye on this one for when I have more projects finished up and out of the way. :)

Hey Julie, your question about Van Gogh got me wondering so I googled "Van Gogh's ear" and believe it or not got this:

http://faculty.concord.edu/rockc/articles/vangogh.html

There are 13 lengthly explanations about why he cut off his ear but I think I can sum it up and just say he was CRAZY!! :lol

[JulieKay]

Welcome Vik !
and Howdy Celeste !

Claire -- here's the graph paper maker site-- I had it saved from the Flower Garden afghan ... I don't know if it'll work for this project, but it might ~ http://www.incompetech.com/beta/linedGraphPaper/easy.html

[Lucki721]

Ooooooo, an new CAL! I don't have said book, so as much as I'd like to join..I'm with Sue and Celeste, will have to read and watch what you guys make. Besides, I just started the other CAL, lol!! :)

[pb&j]

Here's a website that will generate any sort of graph paper you might need:

http://www.incompetech.com/beta/plainGraphPaper/

[JulieKay]

Hey Sue -
Pretty funny -- the first explanation reminded me of what lengths my husband might go to . Not that he's CRAZY -- he's the SANEST person I know . ROCK SOLID .

BUT.... I talk so much, he may saw off his ear and hand it to me someday, tell me to keep on talking, and go into bed or to work. Someplace where he gets a little PEACE .Then he could say he's still listening , get it ?:lol

[unicorn37757]

Oh this sounds great, but alas I don't have that book!:blush

[Qmare]

Hee hee... when I click on the graph link, I get this message:


Attention

Access to the requested website has failed.




The site you are attempting to access may be down or experiencing a problem.
Please verify the website URL you entered is correct.
Access to the Internet requires all --- employees have a manager-approved Internet Access Account. Request for Internet Access. (http://tilab1201.northgrum.com/iForms/iam.aspx)
Some Internet sites are blocked due to their nature and content, if not business related. In accordance with Corporate Policy ----, (http://home.northgrum.com/corp_cmd_media/Documents/r104.doc)Internet sites deemed inappropriate and unprofessional are blocked from access from the ------------- network.
If you feel you have received this notice in error, please contact the appropriate Customer Service Center for assistanc
In other words, they must think I'm tryin to have fun :hook

[JulieKay]

For those of you that don't have the book, try your local library - I saw a copy of it there several months ago . Most libraries can put it on order for you if your local one doesn't have it ! It'd well be worth looking into !

[JulieKay]

Mare- that's strange-- when I click on it, it opens right up ! :lol

[Twinnish]

Julie, you're way ahead of me! I just found that site.

Hi Vik! Welcome aboard! I got a big kick out of seeing the Spanish edition of the book. What a colorful cover!

Unicorn and lucki, check your local library for the book! Mine was purchased at AC Moore with a 40% coupon. I know this because I instructed my mother to buy it with the coupon for me for Christmas!

whoo hoo, the responses are rolling in!

[Qmare]

Mare- that's strange-- when I click on it, it opens right up ! :lol

Ah, yes, you evil woman... dat's cause ya ain't bein watched by DA MAN!

:laughroll :laughroll :laughroll :laughroll

[StitchLuva]

i put up a post today about this book in publications. it is beautiful. i have never done a cal, but i will keep an eye on this one. if i can get a handle on my wips, i may join you.

[Twinnish]

StitchLuva,

Your post was my inspiration for this CAL. Thank you!

[Jimmie Lu]

I'm in, Claire! I can't believe the coincidence, because I've posted about this today in my blog! I have the book in Spanish and I started a blanket for my mom! I've posted: I’m taking ideas from Jan Eaton’s book “200 Crochet blocks for blankets, throws and afghans. Crochet squares to mix and match” –I have it in Spanish. A book full of crochet squares or blocks might not sound very exciting, but there are actually some fab pattern ideas and I highly recommend it to you.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/MariaVilche/Stash.jpg

This new CAL is a great idea! I hope many villagers will join us! :manyheart
Where did you et that in Spanish? I have a great friend in Mexico and would love a book like this for her anyone in the US know?

[mimi_mia]

Oh I love VanGogh and the colors from Sunflowers....I won't be doing this CAL, but I will be watching to see the finished afghan....I'm drooling just thinking about it...Hi ladies!

I'm really excited about this project. I've been thinking about using colors from a Van Gogh painting (note: new avatar) for this afghan. I've got a mug with the painting on it and I'd love to make an afghan with those colors. So I need to think about which squares to use, and which colors.

It's going to be interesting!

[Mom w/a Motif]

I would love to join this CAL but I need to buy the book first. I have been wanting to forever and I am going shopping soon- just for me, so I will join then. :yay

I bought my book tonight Woo Hoo! I'm in. What do we need a graph for? :think
Tina

[JulieKay]

Hi Tina and welcome aboard ~
I don't guess you'd have to use a graph unless you want to . That was just in case you were trying to figure out which squares and colors you wanted to use in your project, and wanted to sorta draw them out so you could see how different arrangements would work .
This will be interesting to see what everyone comes up with !

[Twinnish]

Hi Tina!

Welcome to the CAL! Isn't it a great book? There are so many beautiful squares in there. I find her design suggestions helpful, too.

I borrowed my nine year old son's colored pencils and started sketching squares with different colors last night. I worked with yellow, gold, a maroonish red, orange and sky blue. The warm tones looked good, but the blue just seemed too garish. Then I grabbed a bunch of dark blues and violets on a whim and they looked good, although not "Sunflowers" related.

I think I'm going to go up to the library today and see if I can get a book on Van Gogh with Sunflowers in it. The book may have truer colors than my mug! but I do like the way they look on the mug.

Also, I perused the book and wrote down the numbers of a few squares I like. Then I sketched out a possible configuration for them. It's too early for me to worry about things like square size and final product size. This is the brainstorming phase!

Ok, I'm rambling. It's the cold medication talking! :D Maybe I'll swing by a few places to check out yarn colors, too!

How goes the thought process for everyone else?

[Vik]

JimmiLu: I've bought the book in Spanish when I went on holidays here in Argentina. I've found it in a very small bookstore, the book was expensive because it's made in Spain -imported to Argentina- but I couldn't stop myself... I've never seen it again at big bookstores in Buenos Aires city. Maybe you can look for it surfing the web. :)

[insurechick]

I would like to join in!! I don't know what I'm going to make since I haven't thought it out at all. I really should be working on the 10 other projects I have yarn for, but have not yet started...or the drunkard's path afghan that I just have to finish the last 20 squares and connect. Shoulda, coulda, woulda...I have the book and this sounds fun!!! I'll flip through and see what I can come up with :-)

[Twinnish]

Hi insurechick!

Welcome aboard! Part of the fun and challenge of this CAL is the prospect of creating your own crochet piece, be it afghan, tote, pot holder, you name it!

I'd like to see that drunkard's path afghan. I've never heard of it! Thanks for joining us!

[insurechick]

The drunkard's path is from lion brand's quilt afghans booklet. It's an "easy" pattern and it really is if you're not neurotic and paranoid like I was when the squares were coming out squatty because you crochet it from a corner across. Anyway, it should take no time to finish, but I think I'm just sick of the pattern at this point :-). I'm sure when I finish it, I will love it, I had been wanting to make it for quite a while.

Thanks for the welcome, I'm looking forward to it. I just finished my first shawl for the stole/shawl swap, so I'm on a crochet high :-)

[Qmare]

Good Morning Everyone!

Vik... I love the orange and white you are using. That is going to be super pretty.

Glad to see so many of you coming along. Mine is going to be just traditional Grannies with an interesting lacey joining method from a Leisure Arts little book called Granny's Delight Afghans (thanks pal ;) ). It is illustrated in this book as "Granny's Delight"...

I using Caron SS in Bone, Grey Heather, Pink and will join with Black. We'll call this the Brach's Candy Afghan because the colors are like a favorite Brach's candy... Julie knows what I'm talking about hee hee :lol :lol :lol

I've got 7 out of 70 squares done and with all the ends to weave in, I can tell this is going to take me a bit to get done. I gotta get a move on... it needs to be ready to go to Florida with my friend in roughly a month! :flying :flying :flying

[renegade]

Ooh, I've been wanting this book (it's even on my wish list!). I'll have to wait a while before I can go buy it: I went to the dentist yesterday, and he has to replace one of my old fillings right away (I've had it 32 years, since I was an infant :lol ). I don't have dental insurance, so it's out of pocket (not too bad, but between that and my tax bill, I'll have to hold back on book buying).

Still, I have looked it over, and it's a gorgeous book! I can't wait to see what folks come up with.

[lene]

Oh good grief, I have no willpower at all! :lol I know that I shouldn't dive into a CAL right now -- too many possible complications upcoming in my personal life, too many people I may be needing lotsa time for... but... but... I fell in love with this book from the library recently, and my hubby *just* found a used copy and bought it for me. That's a sign, right? A message from the heavens that I'm meant to join this CAL?

:think


I thought so, too!

:D

Not sure exactly what I'll choose to do. I'm leaning toward working on squares to be sent to Pine Ridge or some other charitable use, as well as possibly making myself some sort of bag from squares. Will have to see where my fancy takes me.

I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with!

Lene'

[Twinnish]

Lene', Welcome!!!

Anything related to the book is fine! It doesn't have to be an afghan! I'm still in the brainstorming process. If you just want to make squares to send to Pine Ridge, that's great!

[Qmare]

:clap :clap :clap :clap

Hooray! Lene, glad you're jumping in. Renegade, you know you'll be in here so why not just admit it (hee hee)... I have a feeling this is gonna be a big gab fest so just jump in and get going. Even if you just make some plain ole grannies!

[Mom w/a Motif]

Oh, good! That's kinda what I was joining this for, too. Although I want to make a whole afghan, too (for someone at Pine Ridge, of course... :P ). And maybe one for me, too.

I am thinking about the 'Fretwork' scheme- square #197, on page 108, for an afghan. There are so many squares I love, though. I might just have to make them all. :hook

Tina
Lene', Welcome!!!


Anything related to the book is fine! It doesn't have to be an afghan! I'm still in the brainstorming process. If you just want to make squares to send to Pine Ridge, that's great!

[lene]

Okay, we're all just gonna pretend that I did a lot of productive work around the house before sitting back down at the computer, right? You guys are my alibi! (Although in my own defense, I did get the polenta made and cooling, and there's a nice big batch of homemade spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove, so it isn't like I did *nothing* useful today. :lol )

I'm considering making some squares using tale ends of wool yarn I have on hand, stitching them together as a bag, and then felting them. Have any of you tried that? Or seen it done? I can't recall seeing afghan squares felted/fulled before, but surely it's been done successfully by someone out there. And if not, I may end up with a very funky mistake. (Oooh, that sounds like a nickname for myself. I may keep that.)

Lene'

[Qmare]

Okay, we're all just gonna pretend that I did a lot of productive work around the house before sitting back down at the computer, right? You guys are my alibi! (Although in my own defense, I did get the polenta made and cooling, and there's a nice big batch of homemade spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove, so it isn't like I did *nothing* useful today. :lol )


OK, Lene... the polenta sounds awesome. I love polenta! So you did your work for today...:hook

I'm considering making some squares using tale ends of wool yarn I have on hand, stitching them together as a bag, and then felting them. Have any of you tried that? Or seen it done? I can't recall seeing afghan squares felted/fulled before, but surely it's been done successfully by someone out there. And if not, I may end up with a very funky mistake. (Oooh, that sounds like a nickname for myself. I may keep that.)

Lene'

I think this sounds like an awesome idea! I've felted patterned crochet before. Never squares, but I'll bet the effect would be really cool. Can't wait to see it. I would use high contrast colors though, cause if the color changes are too subtle, the effect will be diminished when you do the felting. I should post a pic of a bag I have in progress so you can see what I mean. I'll get right on that-NOT! Actually, when I get home, I'll try to remember to snap some post felting pics since I already have the pre-felting ones done. I'll post them here for you!

Cheers!

Tina! Glad to hear you want to yack! The Fretwork square is one of my faves. Actually, I have a lot of faves in this book! :lol :lol

[Sakkasie]

Well since I need to start my Project Linus blanket for the month of April I think I'll use some of the squares from this book for it. I think that's a splendid idea, don't you? A little bitty baby blanket all made up of different squares, sounds like fun to me! :D

Of course since the book suggests an "F" hook for the squares I mostly likely will be using a "P." Relax, April, relax ...

[Qmare]

Howdy, April! Welcome... so, you hook a little tightly, eh? hee hee :)

[Crochet Fanatic]

Well...this sounds like fun, but I will just watch for now. I may join you all later after I finish up some UFO's! Geesh, the temptation....:wink Too many projects...too little time!

[losingmymind2]

:bounce :eek :oops Ok, maybe I shouldn't bounce too hard till the staples are out of my tummy, but I actually have this book, and was trying to work out an afghan of random squares in various colors of wool. Maybe once I see if I can get a few of them the same size :shrug I'll get a pattern or two I can get consistantly the same and do it all in that pattern but different colors of wool.

[Twinnish]

Wow, this thread is really cooking now!

April, welcome to the CAL! I think that is a splendid idea for your Project Linus blanket! I always have to go down sizes in hooks, but I'm the tensest person I know, so go figure...

Lene' it should be interesting to see how the squares will felt. What a great idea!

losingmymind2, so does this mean you're in? I hope so!

OK, Crochetfanatic, you know you want to! Just do one square! Make it for a charity! Pick your favorite and make it! You can squeeze it in!

[Twinnish]

Here's a great example of what you can do with the squares from the 200 Crochet Block book:

http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?p=332496#post332496

[Crochet Fanatic]

All right.....all right. You got me. How can I resist doing more squares for charity, right? I guess I could squeeze this CAL in somewhere.:heehee Of course, my fear is that I will love the book so much, I will have to do a whole afghan next! We shall see!

Theresa

[renegade]

:clap :clap :clap :clap

Hooray! Lene, glad you're jumping in. Renegade, you know you'll be in here so why not just admit it (hee hee)... I have a feeling this is gonna be a big gab fest so just jump in and get going. Even if you just make some plain ole grannies!
------------
HAHAHA. That's true. You all know me too well.

I haven't done much crochet lately (we've had cold weather, and it makes me want to hibernate), and I've mostly been working on the stole for the stole swap.

But at some point, I'll be getting this book for sure, and of course I can always check in to see what everyone else is doing.

And in the just to share category: my diabetic cat, Sam, hasn't had an insulin shot in 51+ hours. What does that mean? It means his pancreas has sputtered back to life and is producing its own insulin. May be temporary, one of those take it one day at a time things, but very excellent news for my kitty.

Now, back to your regular 200 blocks progamming.

[renegade]

Well since I need to start my Project Linus blanket for the month of April I think I'll use some of the squares from this book for it. I think that's a splendid idea, don't you? A little bitty baby blanket all made up of different squares, sounds like fun to me! :D

Of course since the book suggests an "F" hook for the squares I mostly likely will be using a "P." Relax, April, relax ...
-----------
Wow, that's some tight stitching (I always have to use a hook one size smaller, because my stitches run loose)! I do think a baby blanket made up of lots of blocks will be cyoot!

[Justine]

Hi,
I have the book and I just love it. I Love it so much that I've been crocheting suqares with no pattern in mind. So now I have 8 squares to share with whoever wants to.

you can see them here (http://pippacrochet.blogspot.com/2006/03/squares-that-dont-get-along.html)

If anyone is intersted in sharing those squares or have squares that can match mine, let me know :)

[sissie44]

OH WOW another CAL:clap:clap Oh i have so much to finnish I must be crazy to join in on another one!!! But I do love making the squares!!

Now the sad news: I do not own this book So I am off to see if I can find it and buy it:lol
once I get it I will jump in here with everyone in the mean time I will be watching to see how everyone is longing along with it:)

[Justine]

This book, imho, is worth the money it costs. But try to buy it online, maybe you'll find a used copy for less. I love making squares too! It's so creative, fast and rewarding!! ;-)

[pb&j]

Hey Sue -
Pretty funny -- the first explanation reminded me of what lengths my husband might go to . Not that he's CRAZY -- he's the SANEST person I know . ROCK SOLID .

BUT.... I talk so much, he may saw off his ear and hand it to me someday, tell me to keep on talking, and go into bed or to work. Someplace where he gets a little PEACE .Then he could say he's still listening , get it ?:lol

hehe! I get a picture of you walking thru Walmart talking to an ear sitting in the seat portion of a shopping cart!! Now, that's crazy!!

[pb&j]

OH OKAY!! I can't resist! I've had this book a while and have drooled over all the beautiful squares. Even though I'm working on the 63 Mores Squares CAL, I'd love to join this one!! :D

A wonderful friend sent me some beautiful Caron SS in grape, orchid and white. I will use it to make at least a baby blanket size 'ghan. :)

[lene]

It just cracks me up how many of us are saying "Oh, I shouldn't... but I *love* that book... oh, what the heck!" That book really is a killer, isn't it? And ya want to know what really gets me about my copy? It smells like coffee! :lol I don't know what the person who originally owned it did to it, maybe buried it in Kona beans? Whatever it was, it just means my book gives off the most wonderful aroma every time I turn a page.

The only trouble is, it makes me crave a mug of coffee every time I open it!

(And this is a problem *why*? Well, in part because I'm a 40-something woman with a bladder the size of a walnut. :P Ok, TMI, I know.)

Enough pee and coffee talk, I guess -- lead me to my yarn.

Lene'

[Justine]

I do the same with tea. I mean, my book doesn't smells like tea (not yet at least ;-) ) but for me crocheting goes hand in hand with a hot mug of tea. So it's always the same, crocheting, crocheting and running to the bathroom!!!
There's anything better on this world?! ;-)

[losingmymind2]

I'm in! I picked up 3 shade of blue wool today. I got a wild idea about 5am when I still couldn't sleep. What if I do one or two squares in a variety of colorways, and maybe a solid square in some of the colors?
This will be a work in progress as I can't find or afford all the different colors of wool at one time. If it was acrylic that would be different, but I want this in wool.

Kathy

[Twinnish]

OH OKAY!! I can't resist! I've had this book a while and have drooled over all the beautiful squares. Even though I'm working on the 63 Mores Squares CAL, I'd love to join this one!! :D

A wonderful friend sent me some beautiful Caron SS in grape, orchid and white. I will use it to make at least a baby blanket size 'ghan. :)


Buwahahahaha, another one pulled in by the tractor beam!!!

And losingmymind2, I knew you couldn't resist! What a great idea that is!

[Twinnish]

I just wanted to say Hi to Justine and sissie44! Somehow I missed their posts when I checked back in a few minutes ago.

Justine, your squares are great! I bet if you had the right color to join them, they would look good with other squares using the same variations of those colors. All you need are a couple dozen more and they will go together just fine.

sissie44, you go get that book, and we'll be here waiting for you. And if not, we'll be back from the bathroom soon!

Oh and one more thing, Quilty, did you lose something? A few vowels and a consonant? Or am I losing it? ;)

[Qmare]

If anyone is intersted in sharing those squares or have squares that can match mine, let me know :)

Hi Justine! I think your squares would look really beautiful together in an afghan. My favorite quilts and afghans have a scrappy look to them but incorporate complimentary colors-your afghan would look just like one of those! I think you should keep going with what you have! Just use your dark blue as if it's your neutral color and try to balance it with an even mix of the white, gray light blue, medium blue and orange. It will be awesome!

[Qmare]

Hi Sue & Sissie! Glad to see you here. Sissie, you could just do like me until you get the book and just make some plain ole grannys... afer all, there are just plain ole grannies in the book!

I actually made one more little square last night and 2 at lunch so I'm up to 10 3 round grannies. I am a slooooooooooooooooooow poke, to be sure. I just don't get that much time to crochet.

I'll take some pics if I get a chance tonight. Last night was a loss!

Notice my "new" name?

:lol :lol :lol Mare

[JulieKay]

Howdy gang .
Sorry I have been MIA the past couple days . I'm still out here, just floating around with a billion things to do and not getting any of them done .
My grandson was a LIVEWIRE this week ,so he has been a full time job. My parents just got home from Florida, so had to go visit and check in with them to see how their trip went , etc .
This book full of patterns has my head spinning. Holey moley ---- it's just mind-boggling with all the choices there are . SO .. I may have taken the WIMPY way out, but I chose one of their afghans that is already laid out for you. I think it's on pg 31-- called Baby stripes, but mine won't be a baby afghan . I'll probably make it bigger than specified and am making it in SS yarn -- the main color being black, with 2 smaller stripes on each block in the "brites" . I am using watermelon and blue mint, which to me look more like Neon pink and peacock blue . Anyhow, I am now starting square 3 . They are very simple minded , no hard directions to follow and not too many worries about sizes of squares coming out wrong . I think it'll be really pretty .
No idea what I'll use it for , but I like the color combo .
Welcome to all the new people that have signed up ! Good to see the group growing by leaps and bounds !
Welcome Sue --- glad you decided to join -- and Mare-- like your new shorter "handle " .

[Qmare]

:bounce :bounce :bounce :hi :bounce :bounce :bounce Hi Julie! I missed you! Lookie who's here... Sue and Lene' and Sissie and Justine and Kathy and maybe Renegade and??? and Twinnish and phew! I'm know I missing people so please forgive me.

Oooo, your afghan's gonna be soooooooooooooo pretty.

Oh well... back to work...

M :hook

[JulieKay]

:waving Hey There Mare
Long time, no talk !
Yea, I see some familiar names in the group and also some that are new to me !
Claire is doing a great job with her net --- catching people and bringing them in !

Keep up the good work Claire !

[JulieKay]

Sue -
Yea, I'd probably just tie it on a piece of yarn and wear it for a necklace , then I'd have an "audience " all the time -- I could talk nonstop .


*** I DO ANYHOW , but when I take a breath to ask a question .... he looks up with a blank look on his face , like WHAT ????

If I didn't know better, I'd say he's not listening . When I ask him what he wants for supper and he replies, Yea, the sidewalk DOES need shoveled ...

I sorta get the idea that he hasn't heard a word I've said .

** We've got neighbors so nosey, THEY could answer my questions better than HE could !!! :lol

[Justine]

Kathy,
if you need some blue and pale blue squares to match yours, feel free to ask, I still have my 8 squares to go :-)

[Twinnish]

Good morning folks!

I'm checking in before I shuffle off to the salt mines. I'm going to bring my book to work today and look through it again at lunch, if I have time. We're using a new computer system to enter data. It's been taking up a lot of time, so I haven't gotten much down time at work lately. Hopefully, I'll get a moment to check back in, at least.

Happy Saturday!

[pb&j]

Wow!! It's great to see everyone over here!! Hi to all, old CAL-pals and new! :waving

Justine, your squares are beautiful! Love the blue hues! I also got a kick out of your bio!! Haha!

Julie - I saw a sweatshirt that said "My wife says I don't listen to her...or something like that."

Yes, I've been pulled in by the tractor beam and some lovely yarn I have that's been waiting for a project! I made the first square yesterday, # 55 - centered square- I've always been crazy about grannies! I'm going to team it up with # 54 - framed flower - and either # 81 or 78. I'll have to see which looks best with the other 2. I want to make a blanket with a similar layout to the blanket on page 29.

[Justine]

Thank you Sue!!! My squares are to share (oh-oh a ryme ;-P)

[Sakkasie]

Here's the first square for my "Bouncing Baby Bobble Blanket." Say that three times fast. :) I've decided to do my Project Linus blanket using all the bobble squares from the book. I've actually finished two of the squares but thanks to my crummy camera you can hardly see the detail on the second one (#4 - Bobble Diamond) so why bother posting it? I'm using a "G" hook with Simply Soft and my squares are coming out at 7 1/4". This particular square is # 57 - Arrowhead Bobbles and the color is "Papaya."

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d55/Sakkasie/arrowhead.jpg

I'm also going to be doing squares in "Jonquil" which is a pretty yellow and good ol' white. I may throw some beige in there too, just for fun. Who says baby blankets have to be pastel?

[barbn77]

I just got the book from the library, i'll join in, i'm going to do squares #7 - Corner Granny, # 109 - Four Square and # 129 - Anemone. I'm going to use the colors that i was doing Grandmothers Flower Garden in, i'm stopping that one for now, i did'nt like how it was joining togeather, my colors are a Md. pink, a light pink, and a creamy off-white, and i'll mix and match the squares:hook

[Justine]

This is so pretty! I LOOOVE the color you chose!!!!!!!! Well done! :-D

[pb&j]

Love the name of your blanket, April! What a cute idea! Your square looks beautiful. :)


Barb, those colors sound so pretty! That GFG is a bear to put together, isn't it? I never figured out if there was a fast way to get thoses things joined! :think

Hey Justine! :waving Are you just going to make squares to share or will you make a blanket too?

Wow! The number of blocks and color combinations is over-whelming!! I may go through a couple square changes before I finally decide which ones I finally settle on! I went to Michael's today and added another color, sage green, to the ones I already have - grape, orchid and white.

[grandkids]

This sounds like fun can someone tell me where I might find that book. I would love to see it. :yay

Linda H

[JulieKay]

Hi Linda

Here's a picture of the book . You might want to check your library if you can't find it anyplace else !

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1931499683/sr=8-1/qid=1143372155/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-7253228-6122459?%5Fencoding=UTF8

[a_stitchintime]

Hey, Claire!!!!!

Good for you, starting up this CAL...:cheer :clap

I have been eyeing that book at our favorite AC Moore store, and now I just might have to buy it! It would be fun to also do this CAL with someone LOCAL! I just joined 2 of the older CAL's too, but what the heck, why not? :lol

[Twinnish]

Hi LeaAnne!

Just be sure you find a 40% off coupon to use when you buy it! Thanks for joining! I need to get down there and buy more yarn. I need more colors. I always need more colors. And yarn. And more yarn! :D

[Justine]

I really want to do a blanket, but in one week I'll go to Europe to see my mom for 1 month and I won't be able to crochet a lot, so for now I'm just exchanging :)

[a_stitchintime]

Hi LeaAnne!

Just be sure you find a 40% off coupon to use when you buy it! Thanks for joining! I need to get down there and buy more yarn. I need more colors. I always need more colors. And yarn. And more yarn! :D
no kidding!!!! I just discovered that I need a couple of more colors... there's always a couple of more colors, right?! :rofl

I will be getting my book tomorrow, after I get done with my Monday crochet class. While I'm there I may as well spend my income, right :)

[lene]

Hi guys! Just want you to know I'm still here, and still looking forward to the CAL. But my son has had a bit of a relapse (he developed a terrible intestinal "bug" last Sunday -- looked like he was slowly getting better, but now he seems to be slipping back into a state of misery, poor guy.) It's not like he's a little boy, he'll be 20 in a couple months, but I still spend an awful lot of time fixing cool cloths for his head, getting Gatorade, making broth and dry toast, and simply sitting with him. Been reading aloud as he curls up on the sofa with a "barf bowl" nearby. At any rate, my computer time is limited for a while, til he gets a bit better.

Lene'

[ttbookjunkie]

I love this book! I have been sitting at the bookstore looking through it a couple of times now what a perfect excuse to buy it. I would love to join you all. And I come bearing a simple button...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/coolpatterns/200crochetblocks.jpg

[pb&j]

I really want to do a blanket, but in one week I'll go to Europe to see my mom for 1 month and I won't be able to crochet a lot, so for now I'm just exchanging :)

How exciting! Where will you be going? :plane

[pb&j]

Lene - I hope your son is feeling better soon! It's no fun being sick. It's nice that you're there to nurse him back to health. :)


Amanda - thanks for making a button! It looks great! :tup

[Twinnish]

April, I just wanted to say, what a pretty color your square is!

Barb, my pal! Thanks for joining us! I like the sound of those colors.

Sue, I think sage green would be a good addition to your colors. Very spring-y!

LeaAnne, aack! I just noticed that you joined the Wannabes, of which I am an alma mater! Whoo hoo! Does ACM give you an employee discount?

Lene', I'm sorry your son feels sick. My oldest daughter is the same age, but she's still my baby!

Amanda, thank you for the button!! :clap OK, now what do I do with it? Can I post it in my sig? I'll have to figure out how to do that....

[barbn77]

Amanda - TY for the button it's already on my blog:devil

I might change the squares i'm doing, there not turning out right, i'll work on them tomorrow and if i still don't like them i'll look through the book again, i was doing each sq. a single color, i'll try using all 3 colors in one sq. and see if they look better:hook

[a_stitchintime]

hi, Claire,

No employee discount from ACM, I contract there. I teach the Monday morning class for them, and was doing demo's on Saturdays until they decided they didn't need me to do that anymore.
I'll check in later after I get the book.

have a ducky day!

[Qmare]

Good Monday morning, everyone!:clap

Sorry no pics yet. I had a wonderful, productive weekend. Hubby and I had lots of alone time which we really needed. And, we built a porch on the front of the house. Well, hubby's been working on it for a while, I just jumped in and helped him with the upright posts and the overhanging part. It's looking really neat.

I decided to add another round on my squares... so I have some that are 3 rounds of pink, gray and bone, some plain pink, some plain bone and some plain gray... all of which have a round of raspberry around the outside. I think I have 15 squares done now. I bought some slim fast shakes so I can drink lunch and crochet at the same time. My short lunches don't leave time for eating and hooking!

April, I love the concept for your ghan and your bobble square is so pretty! Lene, you are such a good mom... Hi all you new folks and hello to everyone else! Ha ha... Sue, I knew you'd be sucked in!

Amanda, thanks for the Button... I just put it on my neglected blog!

Julie... I think I am guilty of being the bad listener in my house sometimes. My hubby has had a lot going on at work lately and he'll get to talking and sometimes I just sort of space out... and he'll ask me a question and all I can say is Huh? :think

I promise to try to take some pics tonight!

Happy Monday to you all!

[renegade]

:bounce :bounce :bounce :hi :bounce :bounce :bounce Hi Julie! I missed you! Lookie who's here... Sue and Lene' and Sissie and Justine and Kathy and maybe Renegade and??? and Twinnish and phew! I'm know I missing people so please forgive me.

Oooo, your afghan's gonna be soooooooooooooo pretty.

Oh well... back to work...

M :hook
--------------
Hey Mare (and everyone else), I broke down and bought the book yesterday. Right now I'm in the looking at it stage. Some of these patterns I have in other books, but most are new, and I really like this little book. Just wish it weren't so expensive, but we're paying for the quality of the printing, so that's all good.

Right now, I want to get back on track with my 63 more squares, and I have no idea what I'd make with this book, but I'll be hanging out and watching everyone else's stuff. Maybe I'll just make one of each square and figure out something from there.

My only gripe about the book is that there aren't 200 different patterns: I counted and there are I think 127 - still a lot, but I wouldn't count 1 pattern in 4 different colorways as being 4 different blocks.

[renegade]

Here's the first square for my "Bouncing Baby Bobble Blanket." Say that three times fast. :) I've decided to do my Project Linus blanket using all the bobble squares from the book. I've actually finished two of the squares but thanks to my crummy camera you can hardly see the detail on the second one (#4 - Bobble Diamond) so why bother posting it? I'm using a "G" hook with Simply Soft and my squares are coming out at 7 1/4". This particular square is # 57 - Arrowhead Bobbles and the color is "Papaya."

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d55/Sakkasie/arrowhead.jpg

I'm also going to be doing squares in "Jonquil" which is a pretty yellow and good ol' white. I may throw some beige in there too, just for fun. Who says baby blankets have to be pastel?
----------
April, I bet that's going to be a really pretty blanket! BTW, SS Brites Papaya is my hands down favorite yarn! That color is so rich and beautiful, it's like my eyes can't stop looking at it.

[Qmare]

--------------
My only gripe about the book is that there aren't 200 different patterns: I counted and there are I think 127 - still a lot, but I wouldn't count 1 pattern in 4 different colorways as being 4 different blocks.

I agree with you there... but I do love this book. One of the things I like about it is that it can be used not just for the patterns but as a great visual reference for color combinations that we wouldn't normally take on.

hee hee... :devil I knew you'd buy it!

[renegade]

I agree with you there... but I do love this book. One of the things I live about it is that it can be used not just for the patterns but as a great visual reference for color combinations that we wouldn't normally take on.

hee hee... :devil I knew you'd buy it!
-----
So, if you knew I'd buy it, does that mean you're willing to pay my credit card bill? :lol

[a_stitchintime]

hi, all-

I just got home with my copy of this book (thank goodness for 40% coupons at AC Moore :lol). I need to really browse to see what I want to do first.

April, I like your square, and in Papaya it's really pretty.

At first glance, it looked like a lot of square patterns I already have, but the granny square #51 is done differently than I have seen. I am looking forward to learning some new techniques, and I am with Qmare, the color combos are trez cool! ;)

Until I decide on a piece and which squares to use in it, I will be doing squares for a couple of swaps I am in.... I just got some new colors to try with it, too!

TTYL---
:angel

[barbn77]

I've decided on 3 blocks and the color pattern i'm using for each. The first is the Anemone sq. the 2nd is the Wisteria Block and the 3rd is a reg. granny i'll post a pic below of each. Not sure yet how i'll join them:hook

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b144/barbn77/Crochet%20album/th_squares001.jpg (http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b144/barbn77/Crochet%20album/squares001.jpg)

[Qmare]

Ooo, wow... GREAT colors. I love those. :drool :drool :drool

I'm going to have to use those colors! I love those blocks, too.

I need a present ;)

[Sakkasie]

Here's my "Lemon Stripe" block. I think I've done five blocks now but then I'm a terribly slow crocheter. Or perhaps I spend too much time reading C'ville ...

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d55/Sakkasie/lemonstripe1.jpg

[Twinnish]

Good morning!

April and Barb, nice blocks! Now that my weekend of work is over maybe now I can get some new yarn and try a block.

Renee, we'll be here whenever you're ready to jump in.

Lea, I just love AC Moore 40% off coupons!

[Qmare]

Here's my "Lemon Stripe" block. I think I've done five blocks now but then I'm a terribly slow crocheter. Or perhaps I spend too much time reading C'ville ...

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d55/Sakkasie/lemonstripe1.jpg

Love it! :manyheart

[Qmare]

So, here's a pic of a pile of my blocks!

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/quiltymare/Afghans/th_Pegsgrannyblocks.jpg (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/quiltymare/Afghans/Pegsgrannyblocks.jpg)

I'm up to 21 now... and counting.

Please ignore the ghastly loose ends hanging out. I haven't taken the time to weave ends in yet!

:hook

[Vik]

I've done five squares now. My big DOUBT is: will I continue matching just two colors (orange and cream) or will I add more (yellow? green?) ... :think


Barb and April: Very pretty squares! :manyheart
Qmare: you have 21 blocks already!!!! Good for you!!! :clap and they are beautiful!!!

[Qmare]

As promised, here are some pics of the purse I have in process that had some post stitches and color changes...

Here is pre-felting:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/quiltymare/Purses/th_pursepre-felting.jpg (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/quiltymare/Purses/pursepre-felting.jpg)

and here is post felting:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/quiltymare/Purses/th_postfelting.jpg (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/quiltymare/Purses/postfelting.jpg)

As you can see, a lot of the definition is gone but the idea is still there.

Hope this helps you with your decisions!

Hugs, Mare

[Vik]

Thanks Amanda for the button! I've put it on my blog! :manyheart

[barbn77]

Qmare - your blocks are turning out really pretty:yay

[pb&j]

Hi everyone! :waving

Barb, April and Mare, all or your squares look terrific. I love all the color combinations! :)

I haven't made too much progress on this, just one square and another halfway done. I added another color, Caron SS sage, to the grape, orchid and white, and so far it looks nice. I'll post a pic when I get all 3 square patterns I'm using for this 'ghan done. Hopefully, that will be today if an errand extravaganza doesn't monopolize the day! :drive

[Twinnish]

Wow, you ladies are way ahead of me! I'm still in the planning stages. Some leader I am! Part of the problem is that I'm working on a project for my secret pal that has taken over my crochet life. But I am still looking at the book and thinking about colors! My project is almost done, so when it is, it's straight into 200 Crochet blocks. I may even try a square as a break from the project.

I had done some blocks that I consequently sent out for comfort 'ghans. I wish I had taken pics of them. Now if only that camera would get here!

[a_stitchintime]

Wow!

everyone's squares are sooo pretty! Great job to all, and hope your having a wonderful day.

[pb&j]

You're smart to finish one project before starting another! I seem to fall into project-mania too easily then everything tends to progress at a snails pace!!:eek

I look forward to seeing your squares when you get started. :)

[Qmare]

Only reason I am making any kind of progress is that I chose to do plain grannies... I can make those when I am 3/4 asleep :out :sleep :night
I plan to do another one after I finish this one... so I'll do something more challenging then

[Justine]

Thanks to Juliekay I will be giving my 8 squares to charity, but this doesn't mean that I will give up the CAL! No way! Maybe I'll start with a smaller project, like a tote or a table runner, but I'm still in. I just hope that May is not too late to show you something. The next month I'll be out of the Internet (visiting my mom) so I won't be able to check Cville and your nice projects.
Since then, happy crocheting to everybody! :hook

[a_stitchintime]

hi, Justine,

Enjoy your time with your mom! See you when you get back

[Qmare]

Bye, Justine! Take care and come back with lots of FO's!

Is that Noro on your blog? :drool I sure love their colors!

[pb&j]

Have a great time Justine! :)

[Justine]

Yes is Noro Kureyon in color 154. I've just ordered 3 skeins for my trip ;)
Thanks to everybody and I'll try to keep you posted via mobile phone (I'm not sure I Know how to do it...)
Best!!!!

[Twinnish]

Justine, have a great trip! Whereabout is Europe are you going? Are you from there originally?

I've been to Paris, twice, when I was 16 and 20. It would be so nice to go back. You are so lucky to be able to go for a month! Have a great time!

[Justine]

Justine, have a great trip! Whereabout is Europe are you going? Are you from there originally?

I've been to Paris, twice, when I was 16 and 20. It would be so nice to go back. You are so lucky to be able to go for a month! Have a great time!
Thank you Claire and Sue! I'll go to Belgium, where my dad lives now (he is Italian), and then to Rome, Italy to vote and to say Hi to some friends (Rome is my hometown) and then to Northern France, where my mother lives, in Brittany. It's gonna be a long trip, but I haven't been home for a long time so I'll try to catch up ;)
By the way, I've just put the "200 blocks" book on my suitcase, I'll be crocheting like crazy for the CAL!!! :D

[Justine]

hi, Justine,

Enjoy your time with your mom! See you when you get back
Thank you very much LeaAnne :D I'll try to relax and crochet a lot!! ;)

[Qmare]

I've decided on 3 blocks and the color pattern i'm using for each. The first is the Anemone sq. the 2nd is the Wisteria Block and the 3rd is a reg. granny i'll post a pic below of each. Not sure yet how i'll join them:hook

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b144/barbn77/Crochet%20album/th_squares001.jpg (http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b144/barbn77/Crochet%20album/squares001.jpg)

Barb... what kind/color of yarn are you using? I just love those colors!

[barbn77]

Qmare -- I have no idea what yarn it is LOL my aunt found me a bag of each and each bag had 10 50g balls in it, she's good at finding bargains like that, wish i could do the same:devil i'll do some sarching and see if i can find similar colors and let you know what they are :)


Ok, went searching and found these to be the closest matches

creamy off-white -- Bernat Super Value - Natural
md. pink -- Bernat Big Value - Light Old Rose
dk. pink -- Lion brand Cotton - Rose

Hope that helps with matching the colors as closely as i could:yay

[pb&j]

Wow, Justine, you're a long way from home! In that case, fare buon viaggio!

[Justine]

Wow, Justine, you're a long way from home! In that case, fare buon viaggio!
Grazie mille Sue! ^___^

[Twinnish]

Justine, that sounds like a fantastic trip!

Have a wonderful time and maybe you'll be able to pick up some nice yarn while you're there!

[Justine]

Justine, that sounds like a fantastic trip!

Have a wonderful time and maybe you'll be able to pick up some nice yarn while you're there!
I'll definitely look for it! ;)
Bye bye and best wishes to averybody!

[Justine]

Hi Justine! I think your squares would look really beautiful together in an afghan. My favorite quilts and afghans have a scrappy look to them but incorporate complimentary colors-your afghan would look just like one of those! I think you should keep going with what you have! Just use your dark blue as if it's your neutral color and try to balance it with an even mix of the white, gray light blue, medium blue and orange. It will be awesome!

Thank you so much!! I've just sent the squares for charity, though, they were too different. But I won't give up, I'm thinking at more summery shades, maybe in cotton. I'll keep you posted.
By the way I've just landed in France and I'm SAFE (and Happy and tired), I hate so much to fly!!! ;)

[Twinnish]

Justine, glad you had a safe flight! I'm amazed you could post so quickly! Enjoy your trip!

[JulieKay]

Hi guys
Just a note to say sorry I haven' been around lately .I think I finally got totally --alonged out . I can't seem to get into any more of these for awhile. I really had so much fun doing them, but I guess there IS such a thing as too much of a good thing. If I had hot fudge sundaes 3 times a day, they'd be good for awhile, but eventually, you couldn't hardly stand to eat another one .
I wish you all great fun and success and hope you make some beautiful afghans !

I guess I'll just do some crocheting on my own for awhile , but will still stop in to visit now and then .
You guys have fun ~ :)

[pb&j]

Hey Julie! We'll miss you around here but have a nice break and be sure to come back when you feel like it. :)

[Twinnish]

Julie has hit CAL critical mass---watch out, she's gonna blow!!!!! :D

Take all the time you need, Julie! I really admire how much time and energy you've put in to these CALs. Thanks for being such a good role model!

[Vik]

Hello everybody! How are you and your squares?
I´m crocheting block # 3 from the book. I´m still with the same two colors (orange and white/cream) and I combine both of them in 3 different kinds of blocks. It looks nice, but I don´t know, if adding one or two more colors and also, if I will add another kind of square either... I haven´t done the homework of designing the afghan in paper at the very beginning, that´s why I have these doubts... :think

Julie, we´ll be here waiting for you... :hug
Justine, how nice of you to keep in touch with us during the trip! :manyheart

Happy crocheting! :hook

[Justine]

Enjoy your break Julie, and thanks for your precious suggestions! :hook

[Qmare]

:( Julie! You'll be missed!

You won't be gone long, I hope :huh
or we'll have to come lookin' for you! :tryme

Take care!

Justine, glad you had a good flight! :flying

I'm up to 27 squares and counting...

[Justine]

Justine, glad you had a good flight! :flying

I'm up to 27 squares and counting...[/QUOTE]


Thank you very much!!! 27 squares??! :clap :clap :clap WOW
I haven't done my first one yet! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH :blush

[Twinnish]

Hello everybody! How are you and your squares?
I´m crocheting block # 3 from the book. I´m still with the same two colors (orange and white/cream) and I combine both of them in 3 different kinds of blocks. It looks nice, but I don´t know, if adding one or two more colors and also, if I will add another kind of square either... I haven´t done the homework of designing the afghan in paper at the very beginning, that´s why I have these doubts... :think



That's ok, Vik. Experimentation is a big part of this whole CAL. Try different combinations. You don't have to use any that you don't like! Have fun with it!

[Vik]

Thanks Claire!
We (the squares and I) went this morning to the yarn shop to try another possible colors. I bought a light yellow and black also. It doesn´t sound very good... but together with the orange and cream they go together very nice. I´ll post a picture a.s.a.p. to show you! :hook
Have a nice day!:manyheart

[pb&j]

Those colors sound very nice, Vik! I can't wait to see a pic. :) I'm doing the same kind of thing as you, I've picked some blocks but really haven't done a final design. I just thought I'd pick out some squares and see how they look together. I may make some design changes before I'm done, who knows! :eek


Don't feel bad, Justine, I've only made 3 squares so far. I've got a couple other projects going on so this will be slow going for me! :hook

[Qmare]

Thanks Claire!
We (the squares and I) went this morning to the yarn shop to try another possible colors. I bought a light yellow and black also. It doesn´t sound very good... but together with the orange and cream they go together very nice. I´ll post a picture a.s.a.p. to show you! :hook
Have a nice day!:manyheart

Can't wait to see it!!!

I'm up to 31 now and think I might throw in a few fancy squares just to liven things up a bit. I am getting a little bored with plain ole grannies. But, the advantage is that I can crochet them anywhere and can give my attention to hubby or friends.

We'll see!

[barbn77]

Wow Mare your really crocheting along there :), i've still only done 4 LOL

[Vik]

And here's the pic! I chose the light yellow and black because of my mom's sofa colors. Let’s see how it looks, when I’ll start mixing all of them!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/MariaVilche/Picture.jpg

Happy crocheting this week-end! :hook
(I'm sorry I can't make the pic smaller...:think )

[Qmare]

Wow, Vik... that's going to be really pretty. I LOVE orange with blue... can't wait to see how it goes!

[insurechick]

That's great! I really like your colors and not only because I'm an Illini fan :) !

[Vik]

Thanks Qmare! But you know it's black like the sofa, no blue. Yes, I thinks it'll work out. If not, I'll continue with orange and cream and send the new colors to my stash box...

Haha! Are these the Illinois colors? Sorry my ignorance... I'm far away from you... :manyheart

[JulieKay]

To all those in the -alongs .....
I wrote you this little song .

If there are two of you in the room ,please sing this as a duet ..
If you know me well, I can't carry a tune in a bucket .

I got a request today to make things a little more gay
So although my brain is on meltdown speed
I'll see what I can do to fulfill your need .

C-ville is definitely the best place in the Land
To come if you have yarn and a hook in your hand .

I am writing this to give you -along ladies some praise
Sometimes we just have "one of those days " .

Things here aren't always as rosey as they should be
So we need a little goofiness to cheer up you and me .

Even though I have let my "squares" go to pot ......
I still think of you all a lot .

You are all the sweetest bunch of ladies around
In fact, off OR online, you're the best to be found .

Thanks so much for keeping things in here Civil
( I KNEW I'd have a hard time rhyming THAT ... )

So, let's try again ....

Thanks for keeping things in here jolly and fun
To each and every one

I wish you well .... plenty of yarn and hooks galore ..
Enough to cover your entire floor .

I don't have to remind any of you that each day is a gift .
Let's try to give each other a little lift !

As the old folks say.... and I'm soon to BE one ...
If you can't say something good , then you're not much fun .:D

( * Thanks, M --- I needed that little jump-start myself )

[Twinnish]

We've been officially blessed with a poem from JulieKay---- :clap

Thank you, Julie! :hug

We really are a CAL now!!! :D

To those who don't have too many squares done yet, I only have the first 4 rows of the gothic square done and I'm the CAL leader! So don't feel bad!

What's tying me up is something I'm working on for my Secret Pal. The deadline is looming (which is also Tax day, coincidentally) so I've got to get it done. Also, we've been playing "Pass the Disease, Please" at my house. First it was my oldest son, then me, then Mr. Twinnish, then my youngest daughter. Today is the first day no one has been home sick in close to three weeks! And of course Fridays are busy for me because I do my food shopping and errand running today.

*Sigh* Soon I will get to the yarn store and load up on even more yarn so I can get on with this CAL!

[Vik]

:hug Thank you Julie for the poem!!! :hug

[evelyn]

Thanks Julie for being so much fun to crochet along with, your poems or fun to read
Have a nice break

[donnalynn2]

This CAL sounds like a lot of fun! I don't have the book but was looking on eBay and the cheapest I can find (with shipping) is just under $20. Sounds a little pricey for eBay. How much is this book retail? Has anyone been able to find this at Michaels or JoAnns??? THANKS!

[pb&j]

I got the book at Barnes & Noble so I paid full price, around $25 (bad me!). I guess the book is relatively new so the price on eBay is still pretty high. I see amazon has some used books for around $15.

[Justine]

I love it!! The snowflake orange and white is marvellous, and the black mixed with it will be perfect match with the lovely sofa chair! Great job!

[Twinnish]

Mine is from AC Moore, which was purchased with a 40% off coupon.


Here's a link with some discounts:

http://www.bestwebbuys.com/1931499683

And I also found a link for this, coming out this month:

http://www.bestwebbuys.com/089689276X

insert drooling smiley here!!!

[JulieKay]

Hello Evelyn
It's good to hear from you again ! I was reading on your blog that you wanted to make the Prairie Star afghan . Have you started it yet ? My gosh, I'd LOVE to make that someday -- it is SO pretty !!
I think where it says the words PATIENCE REQUIRED at the top throws me a little . I am the LEAST patient person I know . I was born with NONE and it grows shorter each day .

Think I could do it without blowing a gasket ?:rant :bang

[Qmare]

Thanks Qmare! But you know it's black like the sofa, no blue. Yes, I thinks it'll work out. If not, I'll continue with orange and cream and send the new colors to my stash box...

Haha! Are these the Illinois colors? Sorry my ignorance... I'm far away from you... :manyheart

D'oh... I thought blue. But hey, black is awesome, too!

Julie... love your poems. They are a bright spot in my day!

[Qmare]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/quiltymare/Pegs%20ghan/th_Layout2.jpg (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/quiltymare/Pegs%20ghan/Layout2.jpg)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/quiltymare/Pegs%20ghan/th_layout1.jpg (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/quiltymare/Pegs%20ghan/layout1.jpg)

here are 2 layouts for my ghan. I still have a lot of squares to make but thought I'd start laying it out to see how many more... and I am going to do some sort of fancy burgandy squares in the corners...

Pretty embarassing how much variation in size I have!

dats it for now!

[Lisaizme]

Evelyn & Julie,

Thank you both so much for posting :hug:hug:hug.. I was driven by Julie's comments about the Prairie Star afghan to go look at Evelyn's blog. Then Evelyn drove me to go look up the Purple Kitty site.

And LO and BEHOLD there on the Purple Kitty (http://www.*********************/free-patterns/afghan-patterns.html)site is the Hearts and Diamonds pattern that I absolutely LOVE. :manyheartI have been so afraid of losing that pattern. It makes up so easily and well and everyone I've given one to just loves it. And I've made it in all kinds of colors.. not just red and white. My sister in law wanted it in a Green color. Even that turned out nice. Unfortunately, no pictures.

I want to join this CAL so bad. I have the book, somewhere. But I MUSt finish some other things first. I really must. So I'll just be watching for now. I love all the colors and ideas I've seen so far.

Thanks again Julie & Evelyn.

[Twinnish]

Hi Lisa,

When you're ready to join, we'll be here!

Vik and Mare, you are crochet machines! Nice colors. I think the yellow and black will go nicely with the orange and white, Vik.

Donnalynn, it would be a pleasure to have you in with us! I hope you can get a good deal on the book.

Hi Evelyn!

Why, JulieKay, you seem to be a very patient person, occasional preachercuss square notwithstanding!

Justine, can you still "hear" us?
How's the square progress today? I hope everyone else is having a nice Saturday while I'm stuck at work.

[pb&j]

Hey Claire! I'm going to work on some squares for this today as soon as I get finished with my weekend chores. :) I've only made 3 so far and that's shameful!! :hook

[JulieKay]

Howdy all,
Lisa- glad you found the pattern again . That one is pretty . I've never seen one made up though. I'd like to see a photo if you ever do another one !

Mare and Vik -- your squares are lookin ' good ! Great work ! Makes me look like a slouch . I'll get moving here again soon, you'll see .


Claire
I'm about as patient as someone on a spastic drug, who has just drank a 100- cup pot of coffee , tightrope walking across the Golden Gate Bridge in a pair of cowboy boots 3 sizes too big .
That's on a GOOD day .
The only thing I'm patient with, and he's not a "thing" , is my grandson . He could get away with murder and he'd still be my best pal in the world . He makes me laugh every day , no matter what he does or what kind of mood I'm in . :manyheart

[Lisaizme]

Howdy all,
Lisa- glad you found the pattern again . That one is pretty . I've never seen one made up though. I'd like to see a photo if you ever do another one !




I do have pictures of some standard ones. What I don't have are pictures of the ones made in odd colors or with variegated.

Here's one in Rose & Cream

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/Lisaizme/HeartsDiamondThrow/th_a5f9c12d.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/Lisaizme/HeartsDiamondThrow/a5f9c12d.jpg)


and here's one in Red & White


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/Lisaizme/HeartsDiamondThrow/th_6dc27aa3.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/Lisaizme/HeartsDiamondThrow/6dc27aa3.jpg)

EDIT: I did some more reading and learned how to make the images clickable..so now, if you want to see the bigger images.. CLICK away
/end EDIT.

I'm not the world's greatest photographer. And it's also hard to find a place to photograph in my house that's not taken up with either yarn or husband and teenagers!! But wouldn't want to give any of them up!!

If I get some other stuff taken care of.. I may start another one. yet another WIM.

[Qmare]

This CAL sounds like a lot of fun! I don't have the book but was looking on eBay and the cheapest I can find (with shipping) is just under $20. Sounds a little pricey for eBay. How much is this book retail? Has anyone been able to find this at Michaels or JoAnns??? THANKS!

Oh, Donna, I hope you join us. We are a fun gang to CAL with! If you can't find the book, just make some squares and pretend you got them from the book! :lol:lol:lol

[evelyn]

Lisa

Im glad you found the pattern you like I think I have that one some where

Your afghans are pretty

Qmare your squares are pretty also they will be very pretty when you get it together

[JulieKay]

Wow, Lisa
Those are REALLY pretty ! Are they hard to do ? They look like you'd have to keep close track of the pattern to make them come out right . I made a copy for myself -- it's going in the SOMEDAY I NEED TO MAKE THIS pile !


Mare- does the same rule go for me ? Just so I make squares I can sign up ? I am into a major granny square project at the moment . :lol

[Qmare]

Mare- does the same rule go for me ? Just so I make squares I can sign up ? I am into a major granny square project at the moment . :lol

Hee hee... I'm not the leader of the band here but my vote says yes... after all, square #18 is the traditional granny.

Just to be fair, I did decide to do square #16, Waterlily, for my corners although I had to adapt it quite a bit to make it small as my other squares. I think I may do a round of them in the center as well. I was only able to make one of these squares last night... and frogged a bunch while coming up with the right combo of stitches to get the size correct. :yay:2frog:2frog:yay

Lisa... your ghans are gorgeous. You go on over to the show and tell area and put those up in the Home Decor area. Oh, and I'm afraid you and I are probably the same kind of photographers... my pics are not award winners, either...

Evelyn... how is the weather out there in God's country... I'm heading that direction in a few weeks but I don't think that I'll get quite that far.

Howdy and good morning to the rest of you! Twinnish, get that hook flying and lets see some pics!

[Twinnish]

Mare- does the same rule go for me ? Just so I make squares I can sign up ? I am into a major granny square project at the moment . :lol

Hey lady, you are the founding mother of this CAL. Without your kind encouragement this CAL wouldn't even exist! So you get to be a member without making square 1. So proclaimeth I, leader of this CAL (who better get off her butt and finish the project so I can get into some serious square making before I get impeached)!

[Twinnish]

Evelyn! I just noticed that you're from Utah!

I visited my brother in Utah last September. We took a trip to Moab. The landscape at Arches is beyond beautiful! The red rock formations and the arches are otherwordly. My brother lives in Layton, just north of SLC. Although nowhere near Arches in beauty, Layton does have the Wasatch Mountain range watching over it. It just blew this New England girl's mind to be able to get up every morning and see HUGE mountains, seemingly close enough to touch!

I would love to camp my way across Utah. One day I will!

[JulieKay]

Hi Guys !

Thanks for letting me "in" even though I'm not officially making something directly from the book. Here's what Im working on -- take a peek :
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jlabo1/detail?.dir=/4760&.dnm=1928.jpg&.src=ph

I have a ton of those little suckers made -- probably enough to go across one or 2 rows !
Only 78,000 more to go !!!!

I'll use it when I sign in to the nursing home in 40 years if I get it put together by then . :lol

[JulieKay]

Ever feel like you are the world's outhouse ?
It's just been one of those days .

The people you SHOULD hear from, you don't .....
The people you DON'T want to hear from , you do.....

Everyone needs advice and your ~HELP~ sign is rusted , hanging by one screw and full of bullet holes .
( I shot most of them in there myself )

This post is NOT directed towards anyone in this entire 5000 plus Community .
Just the rest of the crappin' world .

Anyhow ,the Sun Will Come out Tomorrow ~~~~~
Let's all sing along .


:D ~*~ HAVE A NICE DAY ~*~ :D

[evelyn]

Well Julie lets go to the same nursing home and work it together! :lol
It is really pretty.

[evelyn]

claire
Utah is a beautiful state, Im from southwestern Utah near Zion[[ 15 miles]
Mare
Today is in the 60s really nice. nicest we have had for a week or so.

[pb&j]

Julie - that is a gorgeous afghan! I love 'ghans that look like quilts...is there a pattern for that 'ghan on the internet or did you get it out of a book? What colors are you using? :)

I hope whatever is getting you down goes away or gets better soon...you're much too nice to be having a bad day. :hug

Evelyn - way long ago I took a ski trip in Utah. I remember it as being just beautiful! :)

[Twinnish]

Hey Julie, when they haul you off to the funny farm, can you send them for me?
Is that 'ghan from that newish magazine, the one with the fun fur 'ghan on the cover (s-s-s-h-h-u-d-d-e-r)? I loved that 'ghan (er, yours, not the cover one). But piecing that together would drive me over the edge. Woman, methinks you have masochistic tendencies.... What's that you said about patience???

Evelyn, Zion and Bryce are on my list for whenever I get to Utah again. My first trip was in 1980. The next was 2005, so I hope I can get back before another 26 years goes by.


Lisa, it was woefully negligent of me not to mention your afghans. They are beautiful!

[JulieKay]

Evelyn

I'd be honored to be in the same nursing home with you . I'll need help finishing it up I'm sure !

Sue - the pattern is from the magazine Claire mentioned -- it's just called Afghans and it does have a really CRUDDY BUTT UGLY afghan on the front made of fun fur. Looks like THAT would put me in a Funny Farm ! :lol

Claire, I'll save you a spot there too. Boy , do I have some FUN road trips coming up-- the Funny Farm and the Nursing home ! Good grief . :think

[evelyn]

I couldnt not crochet!!

I started a scrap gahn it is a shell stitch and every row is a different color you leave 6 in tail for fringe, then you add more after it is done it is done lenthwise when you get 20 inches you turn it and start from the center to finish it.
It is in an old quick and easy july aug 1991

[JulieKay]

Evelyn
It sounds really pretty ! I'd like to see a photo of it when you get the chance !

[Sakkasie]

Julie - that is a gorgeous afghan! I love 'ghans that look like quilts...is there a pattern for that 'ghan on the internet or did you get it out of a book? What colors are you using?

Sue,

I've got that magazine, in fact I was looking at it last night. Let me know when you're coming to another meeting (either Meet-Up or SVS) and I'll bring it along.

[pb&j]

Thanks, April! Even though it's going to be a rainy week I want to go to the SVS meeting. :hook Will somebody please tell the weather-gods ENOUGH RAIN ALREADY!! Sheesh!

[Twinnish]

Sue, send some of that rain my way. We need it! I'm really glad we didn't have a lot of snow this year, but we're paying for it now. The forecast here does say rain, but we need more.

[pb&j]

Claire, you are more than welcome to it!! I just saw the weather report this morning and the forecast is rain EVERY DAY!! The last time I saw sun was last Saturday morning from 7-10am. That's it! :angry

Progress: I've finished 5 blocks so far...I've made a bit of a change to my 'ghan. Instead of using 3 different patterns to make a baby sized blanket, I'm going to make a larger lapghan sized blanket out of all different squares. The blocks come out to around 7 1/4" which seems a bit big for a baby blanket so I decided to go for more of a lapghan or actually a crib size blanket would be similar in size.

There are too many nice squares to choose from so I decided to make it like a sampler 'ghan with all different squares. I'm going to choose the granny style squares that are worked in rounds and not any of the sampler squares that work back and forth. I'm kind of winging it again like I did with the Grandmother's Flower Garden 'ghan! :eek

[renegade]

That's great! I really like your colors and not only because I'm an Illini fan :) !
---------
the orange and the white are longhorn colors! :cheer

[renegade]

I do have pictures of some standard ones. What I don't have are pictures of the ones made in odd colors or with variegated.

Here's one in Rose & Cream

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/Lisaizme/HeartsDiamondThrow/th_a5f9c12d.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/Lisaizme/HeartsDiamondThrow/a5f9c12d.jpg)


and here's one in Red & White


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/Lisaizme/HeartsDiamondThrow/th_6dc27aa3.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/Lisaizme/HeartsDiamondThrow/6dc27aa3.jpg)

EDIT: I did some more reading and learned how to make the images clickable..so now, if you want to see the bigger images.. CLICK away
/end EDIT.

I'm not the world's greatest photographer. And it's also hard to find a place to photograph in my house that's not taken up with either yarn or husband and teenagers!! But wouldn't want to give any of them up!!

If I get some other stuff taken care of.. I may start another one. yet another WIM.
----------
One of these days, I'll make that. It's such a pretty pattern.

I'm still enjoying looking at my 200 blocks book, but no blocks yet...

[insurechick]

I'm going to bow out of this one...I was so excited, but my projects that need to be completed before are just too many! I'm looking forward to watching as you guys finish your projects...they'll be inspiration!! Happy crocheting :hook

[renegade]

Hi Guys !

Thanks for letting me "in" even though I'm not officially making something directly from the book. Here's what Im working on -- take a peek :
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jlabo1/detail?.dir=/4760&.dnm=1928.jpg&.src=ph

I have a ton of those little suckers made -- probably enough to go across one or 2 rows !
Only 78,000 more to go !!!!

I'll use it when I sign in to the nursing home in 40 years if I get it put together by then . :lol
--------
Hi Julie! It's beautiful. And I'll probably need one when I go to the home, too. :lol

[Qmare]

Hi Guys !

Thanks for letting me "in" even though I'm not officially making something directly from the book. Here's what Im working on -- take a peek :
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jlabo1/detail?.dir=/4760&.dnm=1928.jpg&.src=ph

I have a ton of those little suckers made -- probably enough to go across one or 2 rows !
Only 78,000 more to go !!!!

I'll use it when I sign in to the nursing home in 40 years if I get it put together by then . :lol

Oh my gosh, Julie... that is gorgeous! Are you going to follow that color scheme? I love it just the way it's pictured! Can't wait to see your progress!!! And, as long as it's going to take you, it'll keep you out of trouble

Oh, My hubby wanted me to let you know that Hank (the chicken) is hanging from a noose in my kitchen from one of my light fixtures... I'm planning a chicken day on my blog so I'll post a pic of him then!

As far as my progress goes...

I made 2, two, TWO only 2 of the waterlilly blocks over the weekend. I DID get a porch and lanai' cover finished, helped hubby install a built in ironing board cabinet, overhauled and rebuilt a hanging light fixture and spent many hours planning a bathroom remodle that included walking through 2 gigantic home improvement stores! Yikes!~

[Vik]

Hello everybody! How are you? I want to show you the squares I've done...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/MariaVilche/Picture001.jpg

I'll follow the blocks distribution from page 27. That means, I'll need 49 squares. I'll continue with these colors. At the end, I'll joined the blocks with black yarn, to match the sofa.
I'll be busy now with pattern #3, I need 13 more of them! And then, 24 of another pattern, let's see which one.
:hook Happy crocheting!

[Qmare]

Wow, Vik! Those are awesome. and so uniform! Not fair... mine have quite a range in size!

Your ghan is going to be really pretty!

[Twinnish]

Vik,
your squares are awesome! Are you blocking them? They're so square!

I looked at the book again last night and made some notes. I hope I can finally get to AC Moore, now that I have a day off work and (hopefully) no one will be home sick. I need more colors and I have a coupon that needs to be used! It's pouring buckets out there (thanks, Sue) so it's a good day to yarn shop, then come home and crochet!

[JulieKay]

Vik- BEAUTIFUL !!! Very nice job !

Mare
I am using all the ss brites with black squares in between each color .
Wow, you need to hire on with Ty on Extreme Makeover - sounds like you are good at home repairs !
That's funny that you named your chicken Hank -- I wondered what you'd do with him !

[Vik]

Thank you Qmare, Claire and Julie! I'm glad you like them! :)

[QUOTE=Twinnish]Vik,
your squares are awesome! Are you blocking them? They're so square!

What does "blocking" mean? :think anyway, I'm not doing anything special... just crocheting them following the pattern...
With pattern #3, I'm not doing the last row, to keep the same size as the other ones.:hook
I can't wait to see your squares! :compute

[Twinnish]

Blocking means to pin them to a board so that they lie square, sprinkling them with water and letting them dry. The purpose of which is to make them square. Or something like that!

I'm heading out soon to the yarn store. Today I plan to finish assembling my project, then I'm diving into the squares. Yay!

[Vik]

Thanks Claire! I've learnt a new word in English! In Spanish is "fijacion" and it's explained in page 121 of the book. You know, I've never done this. My squares are the same size... I don't think it'll be necessary. Will you do it?
Claire, have a nice crocheting day at home! :hook

[Lisaizme]

Gorgeous squares Vik.

[pb&j]

Terrific looking squares, Vik! Lovely colors. :) Correct me if I'm wrong anybody, but I think blocking (fijacion) only works with natural fibers and not so much with acrylic. So depending on what type of yarn you're using, blocking may not be necessary. I made some clutches with acrylic that were a little wonky but when I tried to block them, it didn't make a difference. However, I made a tote out of wool and felted it and it definitely needed blocking which worked nicely.

Claire - you are very welcome for the rain but can you take all of the rain. It's still raining here and Hwy 1 has begun to fall into the Pacific Ocean!! :eek Which means it's another good day to stay at home and crochet. :hook

[JulieKay]

Good morning ladies
Time to cheer this place up .

I'm drinking Coke, what's in your cup ?

I know somedays you need something stiff like Mad Dog
But it's gonna make you feel like you slipped a COG .

Can you really crochet a SQUARE when you are drunk ?
I've never tried it , but I think you'd be sunk ....

How could you hold a hook ,yarn and DRINK ?
It'd be pretty hard, I would think .

We need to get these boards moving ,happy and fun
So come on, everyone ....
It's time to move on to happy things again .

I am in a good mood today and in the mood to sing
Good thing you guys aint here -- your ears would RING
You'd soon wish you could get far way as can be
Because even my grandson doesn't enjoy my singing ... and he's only THREE .

Anyhow, wake up , get out of those beds .
Are visions of yarn still floating in your heads ?

Let's be happy again , we have lots of goals to achieve
Friends to make, meet and shoot the breeze . ( WHICH I AM REALLY GOOD AT ):blah:blah:blah

:D :dance :D

[Twinnish]

Holy cow, we are blessed with another Julie poem! :clap

Thanks, Julie! It's sprinkling snow here, so I needed that today!

I went out yesterday and bought oodles of yarn! Now I can get cracking with the squares, err... right after I weave the ends in on my "project..." which will take about ten minutes!!!

As for blocking, I've never blocked. I read somewhere that you can block acrylic, but like Sue said, it probably doesn't do a dang thing. Since I use nothing but acrylic, with one or two small exceptions (so far), I haven't blocked!Being a lazy sort, I probably wouldn't block even if I didn't use acrylic! :blush

Lastly, Highway 1 is falling into the ocean? Yikes, that's pretty scary. I really should watch the news once in a while. I really wish I could take some of that rain for you.

[Vik]

Nice poem to start the day, Julie! I'm drinking coffee with milk :ccompute

Yes Claire, that's exactly what I thought. I'm lazy for such a blocking work! Besides, the yarn I'm using is acrylic.

Thanks Lisa and Sue, I'm glad you like my squares too! :)

[Qmare]

:laughroll :laughroll :laughroll :rofl :rofl :rofl Julie... I actually have crocheted while a bit tipsy... and it can be done. Whaddaya think those plain ole granny squares are for:lol

I'm telling you, what would you do without me around to clarify things for you, Huh?

I'm up to 38 and counting... with oodles and oodles of ends to weave in. :eek

[pb&j]

Hi everyone! Just checking in with my latest square count which is 7! 7 whole squares...I know, not a lot but I really like the squares so far. I posted a picture at my blog (http://goodyarns.blogspot.com/2006/04/plethora-of-pictures.html) of the squares and the pattern I'll be following. I'm sort of using the pattern on page 29 of the book but instead of using just 3 different squares, I'm going to make all different squares, sort of like the 63 and 63 Mores Squares concept. There are so many nice squares, I didn't want to limit myself to just a few. :)

Claire - whenever it rains for 3 months straight, we start getting a lot of mudslides. There is one part of Hwy 1 which everyone calls, Devil's Slide, for a good reason. The roadway starts to crumble and slide away and large boulders begin to fall down the hill onto the roadway. It's pretty scary when you think about all the people that commute up and down that stretch of road. The good news is that after this morning's rain the sun actually came out and it will be clear until Friday. Then it's going to rain all weekend. :angry

[Vik]

Sue, I'm watching (admiring) the squares at your blog! I love the colors you chose and also the idea of making all different patterns!!! :manyheart It will be a lovely ghan Sue!!!

Mare, you just mentioned what I was thinking over... the ends to weave in!!! :think I think I'll stop crocheting for a while, and start with that awful activity... What do you think? or will you do it at the very end?

[Qmare]

Sue, I'm watching (admiring) the squares at your blog! I love the colors you chose and also the idea of making all different patterns!!! :manyheart It will be a lovely ghan Sue!!!

I agree... those squares are really pretty. What a great combo of colors! Sue, ah, by the way, I just have to THANK YOU for sending the rain down my way :lol

Mare, you just mentioned what I was thinking over... the ends to weave in!!! :think I think I'll stop crocheting for a while, and start with that awful activity... What do you think? or will you do it at the very end?

Vik... I am sooooooooooooo not looking forward to weaving in the ends. There are so many of them. SO many of them... and it seems like with the simply soft, they don't want to stay woven in :think Strange, huh? I've done some of the squares and I think I'll do like you and stop to weave in some ends for a while... grumble... but I don't want to!:angry

[JulieKay]

Hi Ho Gang
Glad to see some of you dropping in today and it sounds like you are all hard at work on your squares--

Good luck to those of you that have to weave in ends - I usually do that ahead if time, but havent with this project, so i'll have about 37,000 of them to do all at once . Can anyone say BATTY ????

And Mare - I guess if it means you're tipsy when you make granny squares, I must be a real lush -- that's all I've made for a week straight .

One more question --

SUE- I have a bowl just like your dog's !!!!!

[Twinnish]

Hi Ladies!

I finally did a whole one square today! I hang my head in shame, though. Sue has done 7 and the Qster has done 38.

38!

Ah well, I've started. And here's the proof!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/carsenault/ChocolatebarSquare2.jpg

It came out too bright, so I adjusted it in Paintshop Pro. Now it's too orange. Oh well. I'm trying to capture the colors in Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night. Originally, I was thinking of Sunflowers, but I was afraid those golds and yellows would look too seventies-ish. Besides, blue is my favorite color. This block is #145, Chocolate Box. But not in chocolate! This is an easy one. I could do a gajillion of these, no problem.

[Twinnish]

Sue,

Overcome with noseyness, I just checked out your blog. Your squares are beautiful! O the squareness of them! What a great combination of colors! Wow! There are so, so many pretty squares in the book. I want to do every flower one! Yours will be magnificent when it's done!

[pb&j]

Wow! Claire, your square came out great! I love the starry night theme. I really like that square too. I'm planning on making one for my 'ghan too. :tup Thanks everyone for the kind compliments. :) I wish the Caron SS grape would photograph properly...it's looks more blue than purple, but everyone has probably seen the grape at the yarn store by now so you all know what it's supposed to look like.

Mare - you are very welcome for the rain! Haha! However, I've decided to stop complaining about the rain. I'm starting to sound like a broken record, record, record. From now on I'm going to love the rain! After all, what could be nicer than the smell of wet rain-soaked dog. Hmmm, maybe not so good. Well, at least I don't have to water my garden! :loco

Julie - isn't that dog dish funny!! It's so true!

[JulieKay]

Claire
I love your square and your color choices. i must be the biggest DINGBAT in here. I know nothing about Van Gogh or a Starry Night, other than you can see stars here at night when it's not cloudy .
I know NOTHING about ART , except he can drink anyone under the table down at Dom's Bar .
:D

[happytee40]

wow everbodies squares look great.:cheer I told my daughter I wanted this book for mother's day. :devil I hope she rememeber's. I will need to remind her soon. I hope to join you on this project soon. Theresa

[Vik]

Claire, I like your square very much! I love the colors you chose, they'll match with your Van Gogh's mug! :manyheart

[Twinnish]

Thanks, Vik!

Theresa, you keep on dropping subtle hints to your daughter, like:

"Gee, I sure hope someone gets me that 200 Crochet Blocks book for Mother's Day!"

In the meantime, have you checked your library?

A link to Starry Night: http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/gogh/starry-night/gogh.starry-night.jpg

He may have been a nutjob, but he was a talented nutjob. Love those colors!

[JulieKay]

Very pretty, Claire
Thanks for looking up the photo for me . You DID match the colors very well !

[Twinnish]

Whoa, that was fast! Thank you!

[Qmare]

Hi Ladies!

I finally did a whole one square today! I hang my head in shame, though. Sue has done 7 and the Qster has done 38.

38!

Ah well, I've started. And here's the proof!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/carsenault/ChocolatebarSquare2.jpg

It came out too bright, so I adjusted it in Paintshop Pro. Now it's too orange. Oh well. I'm trying to capture the colors in Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night. Originally, I was thinking of Sunflowers, but I was afraid those golds and yellows would look too seventies-ish. Besides, blue is my favorite color. This block is #145, Chocolate Box. But not in chocolate! This is an easy one. I could do a gajillion of these, no problem.

Oh, wow........ I really like it. So pretty. I love that square. I actually like it in the browns it is shown in the book but yours is a stunner!

Theresa... welcome!

[Crochet Fanatic]

I'm afraid I'm going to have to bail out on this CAL for now...maybe join in later on. I just have too much going on around here!!! But I will keep up with everyone's progress and hopefully join back in later!:)