5 posts tagged “tapestry”

Above is a photo of the tapestry crochet workshop I attened in Oakland at the "Knit and Crochet" show! The class was taught by Carol Ventura. I even brought my copies of her 3 pattern books and she signed all three of them. you can find some free patterns on her web site. Plus, there is a tapestry crochet group in yahoo that she moderates.  Yes, I went to Oakland and was there for 4 days, 3 nights. What a joy to be on my own as hubby stayed home with the "fur kids". I took the Greyhound as it was the same driving time as if I have driven it myself. But, it was only $74. round trip! Gas would have been more if I had driven myself. My room was at the Marriott, same as the convention and was discounted for us attendees. Oh my, 4 days of nothing but crochet, crochet, yarns, hooks, books, and ALL questions answered. Nirvana . . . Oh yes!! I finished several things. 2 purses done with an acrylic tweed yarn, 1 tapestry crochet beaded pouch, 1 tapestry crochet beaded bracelet, a candy corn felted purse from a pattern from "Lionsbrand.com (free), and a purse for spring, as the colors make the purse kind of look like an Easter egg-LOL We also got goodie bags filled with yarns. Trading was fun as I managed to get several skeins of "baby alpaca wool". Got all kinds of stuff. At the show, yarn, yarn, hooks, books, help with patterns, stitches, plus the most wonderful people I have ever met. I will get more photos up on the things I did.


Well, I think I am coming out of this "blue funk" I was in. Sorry for being away. But, what kind of happened was I have to find out "who I am". Most of my life has been a caretaker of people up to now. Only child growing up-so had chores before mother got home from work. Married 37 years to the same guy, raised 3 kids, caretaker of 2 houses. Being caretaker for Mother.  So now what. The exploring of what defined my life is all finished. WOW! Ok, I have been redoing this little house-love it. Managed to get the majority of the things I wanted to have for my house. Doing that brought on "guilt" with the spending of money for remodeling. Should I have just put the money aside for those wonderful "golden years" that are just around the corner?? I was just so tired of "making do". So now, I finally feel I deserve things. I know some are a bit disapointed with me right now, but just think for a moment. Besides being a wife, mother, cartaker, hubby, father, whomever, who are you with out most of what defined you? My big thing now is age. no, I not concerned about being old, but being invisible. I want to do more as far as art or craft shows. Try some major pattern designing with both beads and crochet. And for once in my life, I can go full bore. Boy, getting that all straight in my head tho took a bit. Remodeling ones mind set is the real challenge. So, hopefully, I can get back on track  again.

I love this purse. It's roomy and soft. And I just love the flying pigs. It is done in Tapestry Crochet from a pattern from Carol Ventura. I used wool yarn and a size "F" hook!!
I am working on a "hearts" purse for February! I just might try to have a purse a month. Imagine have a different and unique purse for every month!!! Now that can be cool Sneek preview-I have a pattern for a purse that has a "work" motif!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay tuned!!

My "pig" purse! I have been having so much fun doing these patterns with the tapestry crochet stitch. Of course, it is about all I can do right now with all I am doing for my mom. I always like to keep busy somehow! Oh yes, I know that the caregiving would seem to keep a body busy enough. But, what does one do for ones self? Now if I could figure out how to sell these beautiful, hand-made things without  having to leave home!! Any sugestions? Anyone  out there who would  be willing to put them in there shop!!!!
Since I am a daughter, I don't get paid, or get health insurance, or days off. Did you know that the wonderful people who do live-in caregiving get paid fairly well? I wish there was somewhere I could go to get "paid" for all I do for mom! Now that would be cool. Imagine how much I am saving medicare?
Yes, I am "venting" a bit. some days I just get so tired of empting the commode pan, nebulizer treatments, wheeling mom from room to room and the rest in general. I guess it just comes down to I miss having my own life every so often. Sorry.

But, hey, if you would like to try doing this tapestry crochet go to http://www.tapestrycrochet.com/ as Carol Ventura has some free patterns for you to try! And PLEASE let me know if you do make something. I would just love to see it!!! I use wool yarn, a different size hook that the pattern calls for. I just love to warp the rules every so often!!!!
I am doing another Halloween treat bag right now and hopefully will have it finished on Sun. I have a "dentist" appointment tomorrow-a crown fitting, so I won't be doing any crocheting.

Sunday morning I will do my housework since I couldn't do it on Sat morning. Hummmm, Monday the nurse is coming. Tuesday, the aid to bathe mom. Wednesday!!!!!, I would love to go see this sweater I saw in the "Coldwater Creek" catalog as we have a store here. Thursday-bath day again. Fri-Ah Friday-"Gem show". I am going. I need the time off, I want to dig my hands into all the wonderful, different kinds of beads and just suck up the energy to refresh my soul. I am going to try to get back to my first love-beading in the next few weeks-Cross your fingers I can!!!!

Well, good night-tomorrow is another day, just like this one, except my mouth will be a bit sore.

Deborah