More Crochet Today Patterns!

Thank you everyone for all of your support and well wishes! I have felt very psychologically isolated during the last several months due to my unraveling marriage. I have kept much of my unhappiness to myself because, let's face it, most people just don't want to hear about it. Oh, don't get me wrong, I have a group of very supportive friends who love me and have provided me with many a shoulder to cry upon, but during the rest of my pretty public life I've kept my misery at bay. I debated endlessly as to whether I even say anything about my current plight on my blog. This is a craft blog after all. However, I do feel a sense of relief by sharing this news with you all and it means so much to me to know that you all are in my corner. So, thank you again from the depths of my soul. You all are amazing!

Despite my marital mess, I do still try to tackle a few design projects here and there. So, without further ado here are my latest and greatest projects for Crochet Today mag...



ABC and 123 appliques to adorn just about anything in your child's room! Definitely a quick, easy and versatile crochet project. I actually think that they'd be splendid strewn atop a baby's blanket.

Next up, a colorful cushion...



Don't ask me how I became the crochet maven of home accessories!

It's weird to be sure.

Anyway, I am very fond of this rippling, flowery wonder. It's purty, right? And isn't it good to know that I haven't completely lost my design ability during these trying times? In fact, once I have a moment to process my latest and greatest marital dissolution, be prepared for the ever so slightly twisted crochet design-o-rama that is sure to result from my experience.

Ahem...

Anyway, I'll leave you with a quote from the wall calendar hanging in my office that has a particular resonance for me as of late, "Divorce is expensive, but freedom is priceless."

My First Quilt

I apologize for my silence (again) peeps. I have been unable to write, think, concentrate...my divorce has become (as many divorces do) very contentious. I mean, I haven't even been crocheting or knitting, which is very unusual as you all know. Although, I have not been sitting idle either. Instead, I have been sewing, quilting, spinning and weaving. There is something about those four activities that doesn't require me to sacrifice a huge amount of braincells in order to create, whereas knitting and crocheting, for me, are all about the process of design. Needless to say, I just cannot wrap my brain around any sort of creative puzzle at the moment.

Don't ask me how or why I am currently capable of following quilting directions, but I can and here are the results...



Is it ironic that I just finished a quilt covered with skulls???

I know, I try to avoid being sick and twisted, but I fail time and again. Oh well, that's moi!



Other than the obvious morbidity of this pieced work, I give myself a big pat on the back for making it through the piecing, layering, quilting and binding process with relative ease. As a new quilter I was a bit incredulous that I could actually make one of these fabric masterpieces. I mean, there are lots of pieces and they have to fit together! No small feat, I can assure you. However, I prevailed and I loved the process.



Did you notice the gold quilting thread?

And do you like the Frida backing?

I know, more tortured female artist juju...Definitely a quilt of the moment for me.

Maybe my next quilt should be all about freedom...

Quilting Stats
Pattern: Around the Block
Quilting Instruction: Rebecca McClure/Sewing Arts Center
Machine: Husqvarna Viking Scandinavia 400
Fabric: Alexander Henry
Made For: My Beautiful Daughter