It's been a LOOOOG time....

WOW!!!  I am sooo embarrassed to be writing on this blog after being off for so long.  I started to just delete this whole blog and then start up a new one and act like this one never existed.  I thought better of it.  I'm going to put on my "big girl panties" and face the music of being a blog slacker.
     I really do not know what happened to my blogging mojo!!  I was so ready to take on this task.  I guess life just happened.  Looking back, I have been very busy and had tons of things to write about but it just never happened. 
     Anyway, I have been very busy since my last post.  I am still face painting, however not as much as I would like to be.  Business in that area has been rather slow for me lately.  I think it's partially because I have not been promoting myself as much as I should.  Marketing plays an important role in getting clients.  Business 101, right?  I know, I know (holds head down in shame).  I do have some "regulars" that call for my services but the events are few and far between. I'm working on a new game plan in that area.  Let's see what happens.
     Since face painting has been slow, I decided to pick up my hooks again and they are ON FIRE!! I have been cranking out some items that I NEVER thought I would even attempt to try.  It started with my mom and I needing a gift for my cousin who was expecting his first daughter.  Money was funny but my yarn stash was on point so I decided to make a blanket.  I did not want just any old blanket. I wanted to do something unique so I decided, at the last minute, to attempt crochet her initial into the blanket.  BOY, I  did NOT know what an undertaking this would be. 

 

     First I had to find a suitable font for the K. After I was finally satisfied with the style, I had to figure out how to get the K actually ON the blanket. I did a little research and found out I could use graph paper and use that as a guide, kinda like a cross stitch pattern of sorts. It took me forever to get the hang of it at first but once I got started, it was smooth sailing.

Here is a photo of the finished product.. 

 

 

Everyone loved the blanket and that made me think, " If I can do an initial, I wonder if I could do a full name."  And the crochet name blanket craze was birthed for me..

Since this blanket, I have done about four name blankets and I can't get enough of them.  It's mind wracking to get all the letters, graphing and calculations done but once it's done and I am sending it off to it's new owner, it is such a rewarding experience.

On my next blog, I hope to post a few more of my crochet pieces.  If you are interested in any of my other crochet designs, they are available at www.ByTheseHands.etsy.com

Stay tuned. Don't worry, I will not stay away that long again!

Happy Crafting!!