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Wednesday Facebook Fan Favorite… Week 17!!

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As the gift giving season gets even closer all of us who love to crochet or knit are keeping our fingers busy!!!  It is a true blessing to be able to give handmade items at the holidays… Not only are they treasures, but it can be very cost-effective too!!  This weeks Facebook Fan Favorite is one of those handmade items that is not only a great gift,,, but very cost-effective… Are you looking for something quick for a last-minute gift?? Well here you go.. This week’s Facebook Fan Favorite!!!

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Star Stitch Washcloth..

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This week’s Favorite was a blog post from Whiskers and Wool...  She found a Potholder Pattern from Drops Designs that she loved and made it into these great Washcloths… Great idea!!!  This was one of our largest votes to date…

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If you love this design,,, You can find a whole library of Daily Free Pattern Finds on my Facebook Page arranged in my photo album titled “Daily Free Pattern Find 2013”  ,,, You can also see a new Daily Free Pattern Find each and every day  featured on my timeline….To cast you vote each week find the patterns on my timeline and like, comment and share away!!!!

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AND… Our Crochet-A-Long is almost here… Only 5 more days to vote for the Viewer’s Choice Crochet-A-Long…  Once all the votes are in by Midnight December 15th… I will announce which project you chose…

The Crochet-A-Long will start in January… Each week I will post a section of the pattern for us to complete,,, We will be sharing our progress and all the fun we are having as a group… You can participate on my Facebook page each week by posting your pictures every Friday evening… Also, for those of you who love Ravelry Groups… We are all set up over on Ravlery  for a group Crochet-A-Long and we are over 50 members already!!!  I would love to see you over there too!!

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I am in the process of finishing up the Free Pattern for my Rainbow Rachael Doll,,, Working on a new Infinity Scarf Pattern and Getting ready to release my first pattern for sale… Sadie-1920’s Style Cloche Hat!

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Rainbow Rachael Doll and Sadie 1920’s Style Cloche Hat

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Happy Crocheting…. Elena

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Tuesday Tidbits… Crochet Christmas Countdown!

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The countdown is clicking away!!  Christmas is two weeks from tomorrow...  Are you ready??  Weather you are Professional Crocheter or a Hobbyist, this is the busy season for all of us!!

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Here are a few helpful tips I use to stay on track~

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* Make a list… (And check it twice): It’s not to late to jot  down your ideas and projects you want to finish before Christmas!  Once your list is done,  be realistic!  If you can’t accomplish it all, don’t feel bad~ Just cross off what you can’t finish, maybe write  a card with an IOU…

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* If making multiples of the same project, I like to time myself (Yes, I know its is a little OCD), Then I will know how long it will take to finish the batch!

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* When making larger projects like Afghans and shawls… See how long it takes you to complete a row…  Count how many rows it will take to complete the entire project… Divide the total rows  up by how many days you have to complete your project~ This process will help keep you on track!

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* Stash busting… This time of year I love to use up my yarn stash… It keeps my costs down and makes room for the newest yarns coming out in the new year!

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* Grab all the tools you will be needing over the next couple weeks… Hooks, Scissors, Yarn Needles, Buttons and any other goodies you will need…  Find a container they will all fit in and keep it next to your crochet spot… This way when your done for the evening you can put it all away and it will be waiting for you  the next time you sit down to get to work… No more searching for that silly yarn needle!

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* Keep your yarn organized by color, weight and fiber…  By doing this you will be able to find what you need when you need it!

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Happy Crocheting!  Elena
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December Charity Crochet…

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A few months ago my good friend Kathy over at ELK Studio Handcrafted Crochet Designs started a Charity Crochet Group called ELK Studio From The Heart.…  This is a part of her Facebook Group for crocheters… ELK Studio Crocheters …  Over on Facebook we have alot of fun talking about crochet and life…A few months ago Kathy decided to start the charity group and what a blessing it has been!!!

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Each month one of our members picks a charity to donate our handmade items to…  Anyone who wants to participate sends their creations for the month to our organizer and she gathers them all up and gets them to the chosen charity….  This month our friend Liz is the organizer,,, She chose The Violence Prevention Center, located in Belleville,IL.  They are a crisis intervention group with a 24hr hotline for women affected by domestic violence.  They provide a safe place to stay and whatever is needed for the women and children.   I was so excited to help this month again…

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Here is what I sent…

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1 Pair of Womens Slippers, 1 Crochet Womans Hat, 1 Knit Baby Hat, 3 Scarfs and 1 Cowl

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We enclose them individually in ZipLock Bags and  enclose a card with a note…

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If you are interested in joining our Facebook group and/or our charity group… You can shoot Kathy an email and she will be happy to add you, let her know you were referred by Beatrice Ryan Designs… The more the merrier!!!!  [email protected]

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A few days ago I whipped up a little creation… Rainbow Rachael Doll,,,  I dropped her off at Alpine Originals to stock up my Crochet Items for Christmas Sales… They loved her… So last night I made 2 more…   So much fun!!!  What do you think???

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Lots of crocheting happening for the season… I have 2 Hats on order, Fingerless Gloves  and those Christmas Sock to finish up for my daughter…  I wish I had more hours in the day to crochet…

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Happy Crocheting!!!!  Elena

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