Saturday, December 3, 2011

Crochet Bedspread - Picture of a Block and Stack House

Today date is December 3rd. Which happens to be my Mother's Birthday. To honor her Birthday, I thought I would Blog about her Favorite Item that I made for her.

This is a picture of so far the only entry I ever made in a County Fair. As you can see I won a Blue Ribbon for it.

The Judges comments on the Tag beside it says. "Excellent work- many hours — Creative/& unique heavy.

The  Bedspread is a picture of a "Block and Stack" Stone Masonry House. This style of Masonry is found mainly in Sauk and Dane Counties in Wisconsin. Mother fill in love with these houses, when as a child my Grandparents would go for picnics by the Wisconsin River. Later, my mother Jane Eiseley would formed the Registered Historical District Honey Creek  which encompasses most of these buildings. 

 This is the Picture of the House that is the model of the one on the bedspread. Which is on US Hwy 12, in Dane County, WI. This is also the picture on the cover of the Brochure that Thrifty Prints, Inc. did called "Guide To The German/Swiss Block-And-Stack Masonry of Roxbury, Sac Prairie & Honey Creek, Wisconsin"; which mother wrote. Picture was done by her friend Bob France of Sauk City, WI.

As a crocheter this project became to me the equivalent to a sampler in embroidery. I learned a lot of stitches and techniques, even thou I had been crocheting almost 30 years, when I did this in 1999.

I had given my mother the choice of yarn that this bedspread was made. She picked Cotton Thread like "Sugar and Cream". The Picture and the Block Motif Border was (Done to look like stone blocks) were done in Cream Color and the Edging was  done in Echu color.

Happy Birthday to you Mama and hope you have many more.



Sunday, November 27, 2011

Cropped Bomber Jacket Sweaters





My favorite sweater pattern is from a design by Darla Sims. My own variations of her pattern is that I have added the stripes. I have so far have made 4 of this pattern. First one was for my sister Connie, (who is modeling hers in the photo on my Etsy shop).

Second one was for my mother.
Both my Mother and Connie get compliments all the time on this classic sweater.
Number 3 & 4 were custom made for a customer for Christmas Presents.

Now, I am working on #5.



This is how far #5 is done  on 12/31/11.
This is front with Sleeves.


Only few more rows needed for the back.

Introduction

Welcome to my Blog, showcasing the progress of my crochet works.

Cloakroom Creations is my Hobby "Egg Money" Business. With the economy as slow as it is for the Printing and Mail Order Industries right now. Which is where I make my "bread and butter" living. I decided that I needed to find a way to pay for my favorite hobby craft of crocheting. Since, I had some experience in business due to help running Thrifty Prints, Inc, I decided to sell my crocheting works,

I believe I started to crochet when I was about 10. It was a time in my life when arts and crafts were a very important part of my life. I was into macramé, sewing, knitting and crocheting. My favorite being crocheting.

When I was a teenager I even had the entrepreneurial spirit when I tried to sell handmade Puppet Washcloths at a Flea Market. For a while I wanted to be a toymaker.

When I could not find an internship for being a toymaker, I decided to go into the Printing Program at Madison Area Technical College. That is where I met my husband Ray.

When, neither of us could find jobs in the graphic arts field. Ray, who has an BA in Business and had experience in Mail Order decided with my help we could start our own Printing Business selling through the mails that was over 30 years ago. Thrifty Prints, Inc, is still in business.

So, here I am at 50+ starting my very own business adventure.

Thank you for taking the time to read my prattle.