Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Crochet Hearts

Greetings from the Tundra!!!!  You would think we live in the Yukon!  It is COLD here!  What's that I hear?  You Eastern folks are laughing.  My Mid West friends are shaking their flap cap heads!!!  Yes, it is cold in Southern California.  We have had ice, frost, and even snow in some of the lower elevations very near us.  I have been loving it!
Our house has succumbed to that nasty virus that is going around.  I have spent several days in my heated bed, with heaps of yarn around me, and two of my four legged friends at my side to keep me company.
If you crochet, then you know Lucy at Attic 24.  She has inspired so  many of us to get out our hooks and create.  I saw these darling puffed heart hangers on her blog and decided that it was time I made something for myself since I am caught up on all of my orders.  (Diana, don't worry, I will have your earwarmer ready for you by Friday)  Katie, yours is going to the post office today!
Here is where you can find the link to the patterns for both the heart and the cute rosebud and leaves.
Puffed Heart Hanger
I have to admit, at first, I could not make heads or tails out of the pattern description of the heart.  It is not Lucy's, but she links to where she found it.  I had to have my friend Pammy Sue  help me out.  She was gracious enough to decipher it for me, so that I could easily figure it out.  She has also made a few of these darling hearts.
Here is the first one I made.  A bit wonky, but I didn't want to frog it.  The flower is too bulky, and leaves were terrible, but I put it together anyway.
 Even though I sewed the flower and leaves on before putting the two sides of the heart together, I should have secured the rose tighter.  Live and learn.
Then, feeling like I now understood the patterns perfectly,  I made my second one.  By the way, the instructions for the rose and leaves are given in UK terms.  You must remember to translate them to US terms.  But Lucy does give a brief description at the beginning of her tutorial.
I love these hearts!!!  They are pretty quick to make, and you could put any kind of adornment on the front you choose.  Lucy put some cute little hanging signs on hers with favorite sentiments.  I wanted to add some essential oil to my fiberfill, but I could not find it.  I will do this to some that I make for gifts.
I hung these in the sunniest room of my house this morning to photograph them. 
Wherever I go, my new doggie follows.  We have all fallen in love with this fine creature!  He has found his "home."
Everyone loves to gather in the living room by the picture window in the winter.  The sun shines brightly through this room, warming your bones.  Ducey loves his spot in the chair next to the window.
The pretty stained glass picture that hangs in the window, casts colorful prisms onto the carpeted floor.
Dusty is a very cooperative subject for my photos.
I think he is incredibly handsome!  I need to try to get his medical records, and papers.   Cousin Cory never had him, ahem....altered.  And we need to do that.  But, I would kind of like to breed him.  He is such a great dog!  Anyone know a female papered chocolate lab, that wants to have puppies?  We would take pick of the litter for stud fees. 
Looking out the window, the leaves have now fallen off of all of the trees, and everything looks so barren.
I am hearing a lot of people say that they are ready for Spring.  Not me.  I love winter.  And we never get enough of it in my opinion.  I am enjoying wearing my jeans and boots, and sleeping in flannel sheets.  Having a roaring fire in the evening, and snuggling up with quilts and afghans to watch our favorite shows, and munch on Geeps fresh popcorn!
Today I am feeling much better.  I am going to head out to do some marketing and run a few errands. 
Go out and make it a great day!
xo  Kris

35 comments:

my4lilgirls said...

Oh Kris I am in love with your incredibly handsome chocolate lab, they have got to be one of the most adorable dogs, along side basset hounds of course :)
Gorgeous hearts, you did a great job, must give them a go, lots of valentines for feb!!!!
Lol Karen x

Teresa Kasner said...

You did a great job on your hearts.. Pammy Sue sent me the directions, too. I need to give them a try. I'm so glad your new guy found you! Another blogger calls her big dog "Used Dog" - I thought that was funny. Or 2nd Hand Dog. He's gorgeous, though. I'm so glad you're well again! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Sunny Simple Life said...

I am with you. Loving this weather. Tonight is pot. cheese soup and stew cause I hates stew so I eat the other. Love it!!! My hose froze yesterday. Only ice came out when I went to water the chickens. Feel better.

Patty said...

I love your heart adorned with the rose and leaves. I tried to make a simple heart and it didn't come out right. I need to brush up on my crochet skills. Hope you are feeling better soon Kris.

Pammy Sue said...

Dusty is quite a handsome specimen. I bet he is a great dog. You were so good to take him in and give him a great forever home and life. I miss my big dogs.

Your hearts are both sweet, and the roses turned out perfect. This is the first time I've been able to sew roses together from a string of shells. Lucy's last picture showing the back of the rose was the key for me! You are aiming for five petals in a circle when you look at the back.

I am showing my shameful pantry tomorrow on the blog. I've already taken the pictures without cleaning or straightening a thing! Yikes.

Linda said...

Those little hearts are cute..
I also visit her blog...crazy crocheter!!
The dog looks very happy and comfortable..
Bravo to you and Greg...
I see your sweet little cardinal S&P...I have the chickadees!!!

Glad you are better...stay well!!

Cheers!
Linda :o)

Unknown said...

Always a treat to catch up. That is one lovely brown chocolate coat Dusty has. Yes, he has found he home.

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, Even though you are sick-you are still producing; go girl go. Love seeing the pups, Ducey looks so comfy in the chair. I can understand wanting to find a female lab-your guy is so handsome.
Stay warm Kris and get better.
Hugs, Noreen

Holly said...

I have fallen in love with Dusty too. He is so beautiful. You did a great job on those hearts. Glad to hear you are feeling a little better. Stay toastie, my friend.

Linda said...

Dusty is a very handsome boy...he's lucky you adopted him! I love the hearts...great job on those! I also love the colder weather...I love layering all my clothes and snuggling up in the evenings...I could do without the wind though and a LOT more rain...take care and feel better!!

Betsy said...

You would love it here with all of the snow we've had recently. I'm snuggled in front of our fire too and really enjoying it.

I want to make some of Lucy's hearts as gifts for Valentine's day for a few friends but I'm struggling through a blanket at needs finished first. That will be my reward when I finish the blanket-making the hearts.

We have a "used" lab too! Our Chloe came to us three years ago when she was two. She is very much my baby.

Blessings, Betsy
Http://Betsy-thesimplelifeofaqueen.blogspot.com

Tammy said...

He is a beautiful dog! So glad you are feeling better!

~Carla~ said...

I love your crocheted heart!! I think it's absolutely beautiful!! :) Your lab is gorgeous... what a sweet & loyal dog he looks to be! If you enjoy cold winter weather, i'll send you some cold from here... ;) lol!

Jill said...

Hope you are feeling better! I love all the things you crochet, so pretty! That lovely lab just melts my heart! Have a great week!

Jill

Lauri said...

I'm enjoying the cold weather here in Arizona also. Such a nice change from the norm. When I left for work yesterday, it was 26 degrees! Unfortunately many, many of my plants have frozen.

Glad the flu didn't get you down for too long.

Val said...

I was born and raised in the Easy Coast....I live in Cali now and it has been freezing. Brrr

Dawn said...

Your crocheted hearts are darling, a bunting of them would be so cute. So glad the new pooch is getting along with the family. He is a very dark brown lab. I think he is a Dark Chocolate Lab. LOL Hope you get better soon:)

corners of my life said...

I think I would "love winter" too if I lived in sunny California.

Joline said...

Don't even joke around about the cold :P but today we were +7 celcius totally unseasonal for us as well.

Labs are extremely photogenic. Dusty is such a handsome dog.

Hope you are feeling better!

--Your friend...almost in the Yukon

Mereknits said...

Sorry you are under the weather, but glad you are taking time to make something fun for yourself. He is one handsome boy, just gorgeous. Glad everyone is happy with the new arrangement.
Hugs,
Meredith

Debbie said...

love the hearts! And your right, the new dog is soo handsome! Glad your feeling better. I'm getting there, but now hubby has it! Seems to be going around bad...Oh, and I am loving the cool weather too. Not ready for spring yet either. : )

Cheryl said...

What a sweetheart Dusty is...he looks so happy in his new home. Love those hearts...super, super cute!! We had that crud at our house for about 3 weeks...no fun! Take care of yourself.

Nicky said...

Dusty is adorable, I am in love after looking into those chocolate eyes! Glad you are feeling better. xx

priscilla said...

Cute hearts Kris ! Funny we were making those little roses on the smae day for two different things :) I LOVE those roses , trying to think of some other ways to use them ! Glad your new pup is working out so well . He is a pretty boy !

Deb~in~Denver said...

Love the hearts, such bright, pretty colors! Dusty is a beautiful boy, hope you can find a suitable girlfriend for him! So glad he is fitting in, you never know with two boys. Happy to hear that you are feeling a bit better. Take it easy and continue to get caught up on your rest!

Sinta Renee said...

Today is the first day this year that I didn't have to scrape ice off my car in the morning. It must be a nice day:) I love winter too... but I just want more daylight hours! I get so much more done!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Love the hearts, Kris! Hope you are feeling better SOON! I love winter, too...except Monday our high is supposed to be -2...that's even pushing it for me!

The Tuscan Home said...

Hi Kris, your hearts are so cute! Great idea! I am also enjoying winter and for all the same reasons as you. Hope you feel better.XOXO ~Liz

Gracie Saylor said...

After having your forever summer, I'm glad that you and yours can now enjoy some cozy winter times around your fireplace! And I'm glad you were well enough to try a new heart pattern. I like both that you have made so far. I have been 'thinking hearts' but trying to finish the cowl hood before I make any. I was able to spend a good amount of time today with a flannel blanket flung over my legs while crocheting and the cowl hood is almost done. Woohoo : ) Wishing you healthy happy days, Kris [ so glad your new family member is right at home ]
xx,
Graice

Karen said...

Kris, you REALLY should come visit me if you love winter. I'm a CA girl living in COLD Country....what happened? Love your fur babies.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Kris, so happy that the doggie is fitting right in with your family. Your hearts are precious! I think that first one is just darling. Love the oversized flower. I too love a sunny place to hang out. Seems so weird to look out your window and see green. We still have a ton of snow.
Hugs,
Jann

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Hello Kris! Love your sweet new fur baby! He is one handsome guy!!! Looks like you have had some fun in Big Bear! Hubby's parents had a cabin there for many years! Love it up there. notice you wearing a darling earwarmer with cabbage rose! Do you have an Etsy shop where you sale them? I would love to buy one from you. My head and ears are always so cold!

Love ya,
Maryjane

Whosyergurl said...

Kris,
Love the hearts. If I had to pick a symbol for myself it would be a heart. Maybe a heart with wings. I have a stamp with a heart with wings and another stamp that says I love you. I've started stamping what I send to Natalie and soon when she sees them on the envelope she will say "Grandma!"
I've been sick, too. Today is three weeks. I've been so tired! I lounged in front of the fire all afternoon. Even snoozed a bit. Ahhh. xo, Cheryl

Pam said...

Love, love, love the hearts! Your new dog is beautiful! I am so glad he found his new home.

Taci simmons said...

He is so handsome... I have a chocolate lab n she looks exactly like him :) he looks like a very good dog !