PROOF! I actually DID cut into my challenge fabric today. Here is the evidence in the form of little odd shaped scraps!

Now, I'm trying not to give too much away, so it's a pretty close-up shot...
What do you think?
Not enough of a hint?

How about this one?

Better?

No?




Well, then I suppose you will have to check in again next week!
I have only used about half my fabric, so there will be a bit more to add next time!

Much love to you, thank you for following along, the stats they let me see shows that there are at least a few people who actually do stop in and take a look, and I am so grateful for that! Peace out y'all!

First, here's a little sneak peek at one of the projects I've been working on this week. All the crocheting has been done, but the starching isn't quite where I want it yet, and then some assembly still has to happen.

This pretty little decoration is being made to represent a newly forming 'blended family' with the colors representing the parents' and the children's birth months.

And now... I've had my fabric for my challenge project just over a week now... but still haven't cut into it. The pic here shows some of the components and tools being used on this project- any guesses as to what I'm making? I have all my foundation pieces just about ready to go, yet still can't bring myself to cut that fabric. Sheesh, it makes me nervous! I'm not usually so timid about just diving in, but something about the fact that I only have one yard of this stuff, and it wasn't bought locally, just has me all paranoid that I am going to make a major miscalculation and up with a disaster! And I have been super busy this week with administrative stuff for the Mad Mad Makers network, and with a couple customer orders, so that isn't helping either. Perhaps when I ship these 2 orders out, hopefully Saturday morning, I can concentrate a little better and screw up my courage!

Love and prayers all, your comments are always appreciated!

I am participating in my first ever 'design challenge' contest... and it is quite out of my comfort zone! About a dozen of us started to discuss this over a month ago, back at the beginning of March. There have been several logistical issues to overcome and planning needing to be done, and MeLinda from Spiffy Dolls handled it all so well she made it look easy, but I know certainly it wasn't! PayPal emails to be done, physical addresses to be collected, fabric to be searched for, decided upon, ordered, cut, shipped... yikes!

This week we each received our yard of fabric, and the 'rules' are really quite simple- make something using it: Use as much or as little as you like, add anything else you wish to it, turn it into anything you want, and have it all done by our big reveal May 3rd.

Sounds easy... and I had quite a few ideas about what I could do for my project... until I actually received the 'fabric'! MeLinda outdid herself picking something WAY outside the box and I wasn't the only one astounded! Out of the 14 participants, I think I only saw one immediate 'oh yay!' response (Sheri, just what IS wrong with you?!); the rest of us all sort of said 'ummmmm.....'; but we do already have one who already made her item, or most of it anyway. (Thanks a lot Sarah- way to make the rest of us look like slackers! LOL!)

I have several ideas, but still need to think about it all some more. I will post again next week maybe with some hints and sneak peeks before the big reveal!

• Here are the 14 businesses participating linked to their Facebook pages-
  
  • Jessica- Just Cheeky Boutique
  • Jacqualyn- Two Geeky Hookers
  • Julie- Gramma Bean's Homemade Gifts
  • Lisa- Pink Snail Boutique
  • Sarah- Whimsy Stitch by Sarah
  • Jenny- Ella Bella Bows
  • Charissa- Mad Mad me
  • Cara Louise- Cara's Handcrafted Crocheted Ornaments
  • Sheri- Simply Stitched by Sheri Anne
  • Shannon- Sewing by Shannon Cox
  • Melanie- Violet's Buds
  • Brooke- Forking Queen
  • Lindsay- Breezy Lane Embroidery
  • MeLinda- Spiffy Dolls
    

I would LOVE to hear your ideas about what you would do! I already have my own ideas for my project, but it is always fun to hear other creative minds chime in! Love and prayers, Cara Louise

I have decided that the first Thursday of every month is going to be 'Sisters In Thread Crochet' day! I am always beyond excited when I meet another crocheter working with skinny thread and tiny hooks and I want to help them celebrate this wonderful variation of crochet. This week's featured 'sisters' don't know yet they are being given mention here... but I will let them know soon enough. Meanwhile, if YOU are a sister-in-crochet, or know of one, and would like to be mentioned and shared, please let me know. All I ask for is a return mention somewhere of any of my various online crafty sites (facebook, web site, blog, ravelry store, pinterest board, etc.). Let's work together to show today's generation that thread crochet is NOT just the realm of old grandmothers!

My sharing of sisters in thread crochet simply MUST start with Deborah- also known as Snowcatcher. Her weekly (yes, a new one EVERY week!) snowflake patterns make me wish I had more hours in a day to crochet! Goodness- you just have to check out her site- start with THIS blog post which has the details on how you can get your own copy of her newest MS fundraiser pattern booklet. Deborah- you know I just love you sister! 

Among my newest sisters (well- she's not new to thread crochet, just new to me!) is Penny. She's got a page on Facebook called Knot Forgotten Studio, and believe me I will 'knot' be forgetting her lovely work! I discovered her through Kara's recent blog post on Petals to Picots, where Penny so graciously gave a guest tutorial on how to make this lovely item. Oh I think I may have found a new obsession... again, if only there were more hours in a day!

My last sister in crochet to share about today is Kathryn. She is an extraordinary designer of exquisite thread crochet items, one of which is this amazing Stagazer Lily doily  pattern which I completed not too long ago. Kathryn's web site, CrochetNBeads, is a true celebration of thread crochet...she's even got several free patterns she has shared with all of us! Kathryn also has a Facebook page and can be found on Ravelry, Etsy, and probably a lot of other places!

I hope that you have enjoyed these little snippets of introductions and that you take time to introduce yourself to these lovely ladies of thread crochet. Love and prayers, Cara Louise