Two more down, and the third still lagging . . .

 . . . but I guess that's par for the course when illness interferes with creativity!

I know I should be concentrating on the Ocean Wave Throw that's this month's challenge with The Crochet Crowd, but I have to admit it takes more concentration to do than I seem to have at present, so it tends to be left in the background while I craft other, more easily created, and definitely more fun to create, things :/

I've managed to complete two more items since my last post - a cute little wrist pincushion, and a bed for my cat, Kushka.

The pincushion is in the shape of a frog sitting on a Lily Pad, and I followed the pattern only as far as crafting the frog itself was concerned. Although I need patterns still, I do like to add my own little touch to whatever I do, and with this, I actually crocheted the Lily Pad, whereas the pattern called for a felt one - and as I don't happen to have any felt handy, I looked up a pattern I had for a Lily Pad, and made it myself. It was just the right size, as it happens, so I'm very happy with the result :)

Another thing I added, was a tongue for the frog, as I felt he looked a little unfinished without one :)

As usual with me, it's not the best sewn together of frogs, but I don't expect miracles with my arthritic hands, and am just glad I managed to do it at all :)

The pattern is one that is meant to sit on the wrist of the user, so I sorted out some suitable elastic, and sewed it to the bottom of the Lili Pad, and it looks quite good when worn, so that made me happy, too :)

There was also a choice in the pattern to add a magnetic pad to the mouth as it's sewn together, to hold a needle or pin, and I did add one, but found it isn't really strong enough to work behind the layer of yarn and padding required - if I make another one, I'm just going to have to get stronger magnets, or just not bother at all.

I took quite a few photos of the pincushion but, due to my inexperience with cameras, only managed to get two reasonable ones, so here they are:

It was fortunate that I had a plentiful supply of different safety eyes to make a selection from, and as soon as I saw the eyes on the frog, I knew I'd made a good choice, as they really seem to bring his character alive. The added tongue definitely gives him a cheeky look! Lol

The cat bed I made, wasn't to any particular pattern. I just created a large circle for the base, using single crochet throughout, then I crocheted a tube to surround it, using double crochet this time, and which I then stuffed with the usual safety fibre filling. I then sewed the two parts together. 

I actually used three different strands of yarn for this, in Dusky Lilac, Turquoise, and Black, and I think they made a really nice pattern as they were crocheted together. It certainly makes up for being such a plain bed, and Kushka seems to like it okay :)

All-in-all, it's been a very productive few days, but I know I've got to get back to creating that throw soon, as I really like the five different colours I've chosen to crochet it in, and I'd love to see the completed effect!

I guess I should take my own advice when I say to you, Keep Crocheting! :)

Two down, and one to go . . .

 . . . and then I will have finished the three projects I started last week :)

I finished the second Turtle Pincushion - the one I promised to my good friend, who saw the first and fell in love with it, and I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. I had decided to make this one slightly different from the last, which it was, as I used a different green yarn, as I'd finished up the last of my Red Heart Yarn on the previous Turtle - but I also sewed on a free-hand pattern to resemble the markings on a turtle's shell - it might not be anatomically correct, but it gives the idea :)

I've taken a couple of pics, although they're not as sharp as usual, but it'll give you an idea of how it looks:

I'm very happy with this one, so won't mind handing it over to it's new owner soon :)

My second project, a coiled cushion for our 17-year-old Terrier, Fred Barker, was completed today. It's the first time I've attempted to do something like this and, although it was extremely awkward to do, I'm happy with the result - as is our Fred :)

I used up all those bits and pieces that tend to get left after a project is finished - mainly the multi-coloured, or striped yarn, that wasn't long enough to make anything else with, and I doubled it up with a plain light lavender yarn I have plenty of, to give strength to the cushion. 

It is all washable on a low heat, but we're using a cover over it to save the wear and tear :) 

I made the front section a little lower in the main outer ring, so that Fred doesn't have to stretch to get in it, bless him. He's got arthritis in his back legs, and they're very stiff because of it, so we do what we can to ease things for him :) 

But I know that Fred loves it, as he hasn't stirred since we put it down for him, so we're all happy :)

My third project, The Crochet Crowd May Challenge, is only really just begun. I've done 11 rows of the Ocean Wave Throw, and there are still around 69-70 more to go but, as the challenge only officially starts tomorrow, I'm not worried about finishing it in time :)

In the meantime, as I don't enjoy just working on one project at a time, I'm going to be making a much smaller cushion for our cat, Kushka, to lie on, and I'll also probably have a go at one or two of the other pincushion patterns I've got. It will keep me occupied, and out of trouble, so I'm sure it'll all get done soon enough :)

Keep on crocheting :)

Finding new patterns can be so exciting!

As I'm still feeling the after-effects of the virus, and don't have much stamina for large projects as yet, I decided to look through all my patterns for something quick & easy to do. As it happens, I came across a series of patterns that I'd forgotten I had, so I looked through them all, and came across some for pincushions :)

Now, a Craft friend of mine has just opened for business, sewing all sorts of gorgeous things - including some Owls that I would die for! So, as I thought of her, I decided to make up one of the pincushion patterns as a gift for her.

Although she loves owls, I couldn't find a really nice pattern to use, so I opted for my favourite of the saved patterns - a Turtle - that I thought would be idea to hold her pins.

So, here it is, in a view from above:

And here it is again, in a side view:

Here's a link to Milly's Facebook page, where she sells her beautifully crafted stuff:

https://www.facebook.com/MillyanaTrees

As I've now used up all the remnants of my Red Heart yarn to complete this, I'm now waiting - rather impatiently - for another delivery from America :)

After I'd finished the Turtle pincushion, I thought it would be nice to make a pincushion for myself, and so I sorted out a few more remnants from my Yarn Stash, and made this cute little pattern of a cup of tea. It came out a little crooked, as I overstuffed it, but I'm very happy with it, as it does what it was made for :)

and here's a view from the top:

I've enjoyed doing these so much, I think I'll use up a bit more of my Yarn Stash remnants, and make a few more from the other patterns I've got :)

At least it'll keep me occupied and, along with some more baby blankets, and maybe a neck pillow or two, it will keep me happy until I can make a start on my Crochet Crowd Red Heart challenge :)