Periwinkle Fantasy

What's on Your Hooks Today?

September seems so long ago, but according to my hibernating shawl, it was just yesterday. I had started a crochet-along (CAL) over on the KnitPicks Community crochet forum in September, and we were all going to be done in time to start on our Christmas presents. Sound familiar, starting Christmas presents in the Fall?

A couple of us had admired three or four Ravelry patterns for shawls, and I ended up choosing the Fantasm shawl by Cheri McEwan. We all chose different yarns and we were to work at our own pace, posting as we went. I went charging out the gate, determined to be the leader, since the CAL was my idea. What happened was, another KnitPicks crocheter decided to do a sock CAL at the same time. I got sock fever.

Photo Remedies

I have been reading---and reading---about how important it is to have good pictures on your Etsy shop. And elsewhere, while we're at it. So, I did some studying and practicing with photo editing using Picasa, a Google product which you can get for free at Picasa.

It has been amazingly simple to use without a manual, although I did get some tips on its use from 5 Tips for Improving Your Product Photography on the Handmadeology blog.

Here is a before picture of a Mug Hug set:

Tea Party Pendants

Friday's Feature

When I stumbled upon Tea Party Pendants on Etsy, I was instantly enthralled. Here were the prettiest little squares of resin covered decorative initials, colorful characters on a variety of backgrounds, and romantic Victorian designs. Kristin doesn't stop there: Steampunk, Sports, Faith, Fantasy, Kids, and Careers to name a few. Here's one just in time for Mother's Day.

New yoga sock pattern

What's on Your Hook Today

I've been trying to work up a new pattern for my yoga socks. I dig out stitch pattern books and scour the pages. I practice stitches on swatches, then I try to make them fit a foot. That's a lot harder than you think. If my original pattern uses 42 stitches around, you would think all patterns would do so. For some reason that logic doesn't work. A lot of frogging gets done before I find what works. Here is my latest attempt.

Mug Hugs Galore

Monday was to be a weekend wrap-up, but lookee here--it's already Tuesday. That's what happens when I get blindsided by a migraine. Some of you know what I'm talking about.

I was busy crocheting this weekend, that's for sure. I put the finishing touches on two pair of yoga socks and started a third pair. I added buttons to a couple pair of Mug Hugs. I even came up with two new designs that I'm really pleased with.

Five new Mug Hugs to list.

Live Internet Auction Coming Up

I am starting Featured Fridays, and today's feature is Handmadeology, a web site devoted to helping you sell your handmade items, particularly on Etsy. Do you think that sentence has enough commas?

Today, Handemadeology announced a live auction for your handemade items. It will take place online on April 19th. For more information, visit this page

I am thinking about auctioning my green yoga socks. Yesterday, I gave as a gift my red yoga socks, so I need to make another pair. I was hesitant about giving away something that I wanted to sell, but the recipient of the gift was so thrilled with the socks, and that made up for my doubts. Giving is nice and good for our soul. God has given me so many gifts that I am compelled to share them.

Well, today I figured out how to post links to other sites. Now I just want to figure out how to post pictures creatively. If you have any ideas, please let me know in the comments section. Off to Crochet Club. Have a great day.

Welcome

Welcome to Cozy Corner Crochets, the little shop with a big heart. My passion for crocheting and designing for crochet has led me to share with you my creations, from wearables to useables.

The focus right now is on mug cozies and yoga socks. My Mug Hugs are unique in that they have a coaster bottom. No more rings on your tables! Each Mug Hug is my own design, made of 100% cotton, and has mix-and-match buttons. Mug Hugs are now coming in sets---one for you and one for a friend. You can ID your mug from your friend's since the Mug Hugs have complementary buttons.

Love your Mug--give it a Hug ©

Also available in the shop are lightweight Yoga Socks. Many yoga socks are made with heavy, worsted weight yarn. My socks are designed by me with lightweight sock yarn that allows you to feel the mat while keeping your feet warm. This is especially essential in warmer weather. Sock yarn, in cotton or wool, generally has a bit of nylon in it for strength and long-lasting wear.

Visit me at http://www.etsy.com/shop/cozycornercrochets