Where has the time gone?

I knew I had been neglecting my business, but I didn't realize that it had been four months since I had posted anything.  I haven't been idle, I just haven't been online much as of late.  The holidays are always busy and my mother-in-law gave us a cruise for our anniversary.  Then after the holidays, I got sick and I am still not 100%.  I have left my Etsy shop shuttered since the second half of November.  I need to get busy, but I have been so exhausted between some personal family issues and being the mom taxi and not feeling well that I needed to take a break.

I have done some crocheting, but in the last week or two, I have even taken a break from that.  I have made too many scarves, tested out new stitches, made some boot socks, boot cuffs, fingerless gloves--I have made myself at least three matching sets (one even including a hat and I don't wear hats!) and several more random infinity scarves.  I had wanted to put some up on my Etsy shop, but probably by the time I get around to it, it will be spring and no one will need scarves!

In the fall, I took some family pictures for some friends and in the winter, some baby pictures for a friend of a friend.  I'll post some samples of my pictures and my crochet projects soon.

My mom was busy embroidering and sewing Christmas gifts for the kids, so I have lots of items to show off that she made for them.

Just checking in.  I'm still alive, just maybe not kicking...yet.

What Have I Been Up To?

My life pretty much imploded over the summer and hasn't gotten much better since.  I have still been working on my crocheting and with Halloween just this week, it's been my busy season.  I keep trying to work on infinity scarves, but I get busy and get sidetracked.

Here are a few of the orders and projects I have worked on lately:

Fire Baby Outfit!

I saw a set like this on Pinterest or Etsy somewhere and since I already had a pattern for the fire hat (from Micah Makes) and a boot pattern I thought I could modify, I decided I could probably figure out the diaper cover/suspenders.  I started this months ago.  My husband is a paramedic for Kansas City Fire Department and one of the firemen at his station had a three month old baby and said I could use her as a baby model.  So, I made the hat, one boot and got 2/3 of the diaper cover done.  Then life got a little crazy and I put them away and forgot where I put them.  I searched everywhere!  By the time I found them, I knew his baby was too big to fit into the outfit.  However, we've had another volunteer!  Another fireman has a baby due in a couple of months, so I may yet get my baby model!!!  For now, here are pictures of the set, which I will likely be making available on Etsy soon.

Projects for Con Mis Manos

We've had a lot of family emergencies recently, so I haven't been blogging much.  I had wanted to get involved in the June version of the Biannual Blogathon Bash, but this was one of those times that I needed to say no.  I have been trying to get a crochet club going at my church, but my church is small and we haven't had much participation, so I am trying to expand and ask people in the area to join us.  But, in the meanwhile, our church was taking a group to a mission to the deaf in Matamoros, Mexico called Con Mis Manos.  I'm just one person and they recently added a number of students, so there was no way I could make all the things that they needed: hats, Bible covers, and blankets.  But, I did manage to get a couple of pieces done.  Wednesday, the group left for Mexico, so we are praying they will be a blessing.  They loaded a trailer with supplies (the ladies group purchased a few sewing machines that they use to teach a skill, a lady had a Pampered Chef show where people could either purchase items for the mission or purchase items for themselves and the proceeds were going directly to Con Mis Manos, and various donations).  These are the hats I managed to finish and I was also able to finish my first blanket/afghan.  I'd never attempted one before, so this was new territory!

Eeyore-Inspired Baby Hat

On my Pinterest board, I get the most repins by far from a picture of a crocheted Eeyore hat.  I decided to try to make one of my own, no pattern.  Here's how it turned out.  If you are interested in purchasing one, I added it to my Etsy shop.

Random Silliness: Faces in the Butter...

Now I've Sung My ABC's, Next Time Won't You Sing With Me? A to Z Challenge Reflections...

This was my first year participating in the A to Z April Blogging Challenge.  It was a challenge, but it was also a lot of fun.  Since this blog of mine is brand new, it was a great way for me to kick-start my blog.  While I also participated in the Biannual Blogathon Bash in January and the Ultimate Blog Party also in April, these 26 blog entries helped open up my blog.  It showcased what my blog is about in different facets and sent me from a beginner blog with just a handful of entries to a blog with over 50 entries.  It also gave me direction.  It's hard when you are starting out because you want to build a following and get traffic, but if you have no content, who's going to want to visit that?  Now, I have a bit of content!

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 26...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "Z"

One of my favorite places to go to take nature photography is the local zoo.  I visit different zoos every chance I get because they are all unique and have aspects that make them stand out from other zoos.  I hope to visit many more zoos in the coming years.  To honor the close of the April A to Z Challenge and 26 entries starting with each letter of the alphabet, I am going to share 26 of my favorite photos I have taken in various zoos.  I hope you will subscribe and become a fan because even though the A to Z challenge is over, the fun here is only beginning!  Enjoy!

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 25...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "Y"

My obsession prior to crochet was nail polish because I loved the bright, vibrant colors and all the special bottles that were scented or glow in the dark or color change or crackle, etc.  Is it any wonder, then, that after I started crocheting that my obsession turned to yarn???

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 24...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "X"

Xena, Warrior Princess

by Robin Davidson

Life and circumstances knock her on her knees
They tower above her, leering:
People
Illness
Loss
Hardships
Unexpected news
Impossible decisions
All snarling and snapping at her heels like hungry dogs
And sometimes she thinks
This time may be too much
This one might break her
This might kill her
She gives herself time to mourn
Then she slowly rises back up
Raises her head
stares the mongrels down
Sets her chin
And plunges ahead, strong and sure
Not because she IS strong and sure
But because she belongs to The One Who Is
And that's what makes her a princess.
What makes her a warrior
is not in her strength or victory
But in the getting back up.

~ Robin ~