November Brings New Beginnings

 The last few months have been quite Topsy-Turvy for me. Because of the way things were going for Thrifty Prints, Inc., we decided it was time to quit the printing part of Thrifty Prints. The last straw for my husband was the Printing Press breaking down, which brought on some stress health issues. Since we made the decision and subsequently after we got a handle on shutting down printing part of business; Ray has perked up more.

We both are looking forward to new enterprises. Ray's is Thrifty Ray's Worm Farm and Rabbit Ranch. He has had earthworms for a few months now. Last month we went up and picked up a young Doe and Buck Florida White Rabbits. While, I am planning to make Cloakroom Creations more than a "Egg-Basket" Business.

Last Sunday was my second Baraboo Downtown's Sunday Market. (Yes, that is Ray setting there) I did not sell anything, but I am taking it as a very good learning experience. I differently will be back to sell next spring to sell at the Sunday Market. The Markets are on the Last Sunday of Every Month, from May to October. From what I saw, is that the vendors who have been selling for quite awhile, had built up a cliental. My neighbors at the left was selling soy-based candles, and I noticed that they were selling to previous customers. 

Which makes me think that maybe I should sell, other things besides crochet items. Like other then crochet craft kits. As a child coming to age in the 70's, crafts were a big thing. Since it seems like 70's have become the vintage era, these days. I thought; Why don't I bring back some of those crafts that I enjoyed. I have mind of one now, but I will keep it quiet until I get the kinks out.

Yesterday, I posted on Facebook the Rustle Park Sun Hats that I have in my Etsy Shop. Since, yesterday and today's mail brought no mail for TPI to take care of, tomorrow I will probably again post more things I have to sell on Facebook, before posting them in my Etsy Shop. I am hoping to do more of this in the coming days.

Now to update on what my WIPP are that I have not said... September's is Back Scrubbers, October's is Draft Stoppers and this months Baskets.

Well, it is getting late and so until next time be well and safe. Hope you all had a Great Halloween.

Continuing Being Topsy-Turvy

 I keep trying to get blogs out in the beginning of the month. But with the way my life is it ends up being late in the month or into the next month. I guess that is Life!😆

For the last several months, I have been using Sundays as my getting Cloakroom stuff done. I do this lazy, so it is restful than stressful.

This morning while watching CBS Sunday Morning and having a very slow Sunday Brunch, I crocheted on some more of the Pillow-top. Today, I have also made the decision to go with Venmo as my Payment App to take for payments. I even have the downloaded Venmo App on my Phone. 

I have decided to forgo this years WIPP theme of housewares this month. Since August seems to be the month when Catnip is headed out perfect for toys, I will be making catnip toys, that is until the catnip around here is gone. Then I will change August WIPP to Pet stuff. I have made several of the Octo Cat Nip Toy, a Ruthie Smith design, so far.

I have finished one Sunny Garden Area Rug, a Tracee Fromm design. I am almost finished another one.

Also this afternoon, I email the Downtown Baraboo  about being a vender for Last Sunday of the month Market. I am hoping that this Sunday can try to sell my wares at the Market. That is why I decided on the Venmo App. 

I choose Venmo because the App and set-up is free. The transaction fees are low. They are connected to PayPal.

A Bit of Autobiography

 It has been a very Topsy-Turvy May and June for me. I meant to get out this blog at each month. However; when I meant to start a new blog post, I see that I let time slip by and did not get to it.  It does not help that I am still in the midst of dealing with work for Thrifty Prints, even if both Printing and the inner circle Mail Order industries are down in the dumps. 

It is very bittersweet for me that Thrifty Prints is on a down turn. It is hard to give up something you have done all your adulthood (43 years in my case), even thou you are burnt out.

I was just 19 when we started Thrifty Prints, Inc. I met Ray at Madison Area Technical College (which now is Madison College) in the Graphic Arts program. We sat by each other from the first day and nobody was surprised when we came back from Winter break and were engaged. 

When I went in to the Printing Program at MATC, I had just spent the previous year at an Alternative High School program. It was at Woolman Hill a Quaker Educational Retreat just up the road from historical Deerfield, Massachusetts.

I came to Woolman Hill to work on to be ready to take the GED. Which I did and got high scores on each test. Since I had enough High School credits from my Freshman and Junior years of going to Malcolm Shabazz High School, that I was granted a Wisconsin High School Diploma. Shabazz was at the time was one of the two public alternative schools in Madison, Wisconsin. 

Between Woolman Hill and Shabazz, I lived with my sister Connie in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. While their I  did my Junior year at Carolina Friends School. I believe my dream as a Toy Maker got it blossomed when I was at CFS.

I remember when I was going to Shabazz I made washcloth puppets and cat toys and tried to sell them at a flea market. Only had a little success at it.

While I was on the Hill, I wrote to several toy companies seeing if they had a Toy Maker apprentice program, No such luck. So, when I got accepted to MATC for the fall of 1978, I had to decide between Woodworking and Printing programs. After talking it over with my Father, I decided that I would go for printing. Since, I had experience with all kinds of woodworking through doing things with my father, class at CFS and being on the carpentry gang at the Hill.

I was thinking that I would use my experiences in Graphic Arts to make Printed Paper Toys. Which I giving great thought of doing again under Cloakroom Creations. Along with more crocheted toys.

I started Cloakroom Creations about 10 years ago as an "Egg Basket" Hobby Business. That is I started it to help support my crochet expenses. 

My interest in Crochet and crafts started when I was ten. Arts and crafts is way for me to help deal with the hard and good times of life. Crochet is my main craft and stress reliever.

May's WIPP is Plant Hangers. I had a commission for them from the owner of Eclectic Treasures for some for her office place. I started with Rosa Plant Hangers by Kristi Simpson from Happily Hooked Issue #64 July 2019. Then I went to Hanging Herb Holder a Design by Salena Baca from Happily Hooked Issue #17 - August 2015.

June's WIPP is Give Yourself A Hand Oven Mitt a Cara Louise Reitbauer from Pattern Pack Pro Issue November 2019. I really love doing these in the past and have given them as gifts. 

This month's (July) WIPP is rugs or mats. Starting with Sunny Garden Area Rug a Tracee Fromm design from HH VIP Exclusive June 2022. 

Wishing those who sees this before 4th of July… Have A Safe and Pleasant Holiday Weekend.

Wow! Already finished a Dust Mitt!

 My first Dust It Off Dust Mitt, a Design By Ashley Edmonds from Pattern Pack Pro July 2020

Instead of doing the Mitt with Bernat Pipsqueek, I did it with Teddy from Hobbii. I have already tried it out and washed it. On a scale of 1 to 10, ten being the top ranked. I would give it an 8. This because of it not being solid base. This might be due to hook size I did it in. I think I will use a smaller hook on the next one.

Otherwise, I am very happy how it turned out. I am looking forward to having a lot of these made for sell soon.

Finally, my first Reusable Dust Mop Cover, a Design By: Julie Forsey from
Happily Hooked Issue #85 April 2021

I also tried this one out and washed it. On the scale I give it a 6. As I mention in the previous blog the cotton I used was not the best. I do however; like how it work on my own floors. I have started the second with a better cotton and larger hook and I find a much better quality.

Will show more progress on WIPPs sometime next week. Until then Keep Safe and Healthy.

End of March Progress on WIPPs

 Usually, I struggle every month to make the self imposed deadline of going through the 12 WIPPs. But, this month I even finished 2 days ahead of time. I took pictures of each progress of WIPPs as I finished them for the 12th round. Starting with this months WIPP here are the photos of each WIPP.

Reusable Dust Mop Cover a design By Julie Forsey found in Happily Hooked Issue #85 - April 2021

I am about 1/2 way on the length I need for this first one. The cotton I am using is Premier Cone. I have used other colors of this brand. I find that White Premier Cotton does tend to split very badly. I am glad that this is my sample to try out and not one I am going to sell.

On this sample I am using a 4.5 mm or Size 7, Tunisian hook instead of the Size I/9 or 5.5 mm. My plans are to try and see if I can tighten up the space of larger hooks. For other samples.

Bathroom Organizer a design by Ana Dyakova found in Happily Hooked Issue #33 - December 2016

On this second version, I have gotten the bottom pocket done and divided lines sewed in. On this version instead of double crochet the 17th and 34th stitch I chained twice on the Back from Bottom to the 13th row and 17th to the 25th rows.  On the pockets I did middle of the 3rd & 6th fan on the odd rows. This made for an easy to line-up for sewing up the divisions. Also on the 17th row I slipstitch cross to make a ridge to lineup the top pocket.

Saint Jo Pillow a design by Erin Medley found in Pattern Pack Pro Issue  June 2018
with Pocket for Feet put in.

As you can see I finished the first one and started a second one. I can tell you it does keep my feet warm and cosy, while giving cushion.

From a challenge made by my husband, I am changing January's WIPP from small pillows to a Queen Size Pillow-top for a mattress. I will be blogging about this on a separate blog SCCS Adventures in Crocheting Furniture. My first blog is up now.

Cropped Bomber Jacket a Design by Darla Sims found in Crochet! September 2002

I finished a little bit more of the right front placket. I also found some frog closers on Ebay store Patchwork Panda.

Mannequin Heads basic design by Mel Garcia Tello.

The completed shown heads are 0 - 3 mo & 3 - 6 mo. The one I am working on is 6 - 12 mo. My latest addition to these heads are the ears. On the 3 - 6 mo., I also put in a pouch made out of nylon stocking filled with uncooked white rice at the neck base as a weight. I will be doing this from now on.

On the Hat, I decided to frog it and start over with a smaller hook. The ribbing was getting to long. The matching scarf, I used up the yarn I was using, so that is the WIPP I am dropping this month.

Top - Rainbow Heart Personal Pouch a Design by: Laima Akams found in Pattern  Pack Pro November 2021

Travelers Wallet, of the wing design by me.

After finishing the wallet for my husband, I went back to the pouch. You start seeing the hearts of this mosaic crochet.

I guess I forgot to get the picture of the oven mitt that I am just finishing off. 

Welcome Mat a Design by: Rachel Alford.

Almost finish the last E. Almost ready to crochet the border.

Taylor Gloves a Design by: Pam Dajczak, Sincerely Pam;
Found in Happily Hooked Issue 14 May 2015

Working on the palm of the second glove.

Lace Tent a Design by: Heidi Hengel Nieling, Found in Happily Hooked Issue 78 Sept. 2020

I finished the 3rd and last panel. Now to put the border on it. I found out one of the others panels didn't get the last row on it. 

Well that is the complete round. April's WIPP is Dust It Off Dust Mitt a Design by: Ashley Edmonds, found in Pattern Pack Pro,  July 2020. Until next time stay safe.

MARCH WIPP is Mop Covers

 If March is suppose to come in like a Lion and go out like a Lamb. Then I would not mind it if it was like Tuesday the first. Which was Partly Sunny and in the 40ºs. Warm enough to wash the whites and Linens and put them outside to dry. However today and yesterday is more like a Lion it is grey and damp.

This month my WIPP is Dust Mop Covers. The pattern I am using is a Design By Julie Forsey. Which was in Issue #85 - April 2021 of Happily Hooked Magazine - www.happilyhooked.com. Reusable Mop Cover. This pattern is introducing me to Tunisian Knit Stitch. I have done the regular Tunisian Stitch. I am glad to try this stitch out. It was hard getting grasp on it at first, but I think I got it now.

Monday, we stopped by the local Dollar Tree and brought a dry/wet mop head & handle to test out the mop cover sample and to use as a prop.  We also brought more hangers to use for last month's WIPP which was Bathroom Organizer a design by Ana Dyakova from Issue #33 December 2016 of HHM.

Talking about the Bathroom Organizer I finished one, last week and have started a new one. I used Caron Big Donut. I found this yarn is a bit stretchy. So, for the second one I am using Red Heart Super Saver.

On the second one of the Bathroom Organizer, I am lacing up left over slices of yarn, when I am stitching to help show where the partitions of the pockets go. I think I will also wait to put the pockets in, instead of doing it when I finish the pocket part. This way I can make a neater border around the whole Organizer. Instead doing Double Crochet at the ends I am chaining the stitch up instead making this easier to crochet around.

I am thinking of doing these in School Colors. I am thinking that these would be perfect for students who live in dorms or for people who share bathrooms. I am also thinking of adding a hammock pocket that will be swinging from the hanger part.

I am still working on the first pillow, which is January's WIPP. I am working on the backside now.

I also reopened my Etsy shop on Feb. 26th with my first listing. Listing on Etsy. I also have a GoDaddy Website now. Website

Until next time keep Safe and Enjoy the turn of Seasons.

Happy Ground Hog Day and Twos Day (2,2,2022)

 Today happens to be one of those number unique days, 2,2,22. So happy Twos Day! Also Happy Groundhog Day. Our local Groundhog Sun Prairie Jimmy did not see his shadow this morning. So if he is right our area should have a welcomed Early Spring.

I have made a decision that my WIPPs for this year will be based on Household Items. I am feeling like it is a "nesting" situation. Brought on by this pandemic feeling like that need of comfort items around the house myself that I have made.

Will I got the front side with space for the pocket finished and am working on the panel to back up the front one. 

This month's WIPP is Bathroom Organizer a design by Ana Dyakova that is Decembers 2016 Happily Hooked magazine. I mainly choose this, because I would love to find a space organizer for all the little stuff in my own bathrooms.

It is getting late, so until next time stay safe and warm.

2022 New Year Resolution

I have really only one main resolution every year. That is not to Label myself or others into groups. One of my pet peeves is to be labeled or judged by others for what might or might not be my beliefs, values, politics, lifestyle, sex, etc. So I try not to do it to others.

The one thing about having mutual interests in things, like the needle arts is that you meet different people from all sorts of backgrounds. I find if you look at a person as an individual, minus their background, you might learn something about why they think the way they do. A lot of times you will find that you agree more about things then you would expect. 

I have found from being in groups of people with different backgrounds you find you can talk about a lot of things that are common to everyone, that does not involve hot topics such as politics and religion. And even if hot topics do come up, if you keep your cool and listen with an open heart you can find some times something you can agree upon.

My 2022 Work-In-Progress-Projects, starts with Pillows. I am adapting the first few pillows is to have a pocket where feet can be put into. Both Ray and I get cold feet in the winter. With a pocket to put your feet into you get the warmth plus an comfortable padded place to put your feet while you work at the desk.

My first pillow is Saint Jo Pillow designed by Erin Medley for June 2018 Pattern Pack Pro. The yarn I am using is Red Heart Super Saver Powder Blue. I got the Yarn from Family Thrift & Variety Store, in Baraboo, WI. I paid $10 for 2 Jumbo Yarn, came with a Jumbo double crochet hook.