My New Design- Halter top

Another attempt at designing. Actually, it won't be right to call it my own design as I've used Thata's Square pattern - of Dinamic Crochet , for designing this top. It was for Block contest at Jd's Craft blog. The contest was fun and all the entries were so pretty. Although I didn't win a prize , it was fun to create.

I've been working on some contests presently and haven't had the time to be online much. Not just crocheting but having guests and entertaining and having a great time in general. I have a few more FOs to show off...stay tuned. Another contest entry almost done.....will post it in a couple of days.

Has it already been a week since I posted? How does time fly?? Especially when you are having fun! The heat ofcourse is the non - fun part but otherwise it has been a productive time with a lot of projects getting done , mainly because they are all small projects:) . There has also been some creativity put into play after quite sometime. I've signed up for design contests in two different groups and one crochet blog. The first one is at Jd's blog . I've just submitted my entry . It's a fun contest. It was fun creating a pattern out of a given square. I had made two projects for this one . I'll be posting both of these once the contest result is out tomorrow.

With the deadline so close at my heels I'm still deciding what to make for the next two contests. It's going to be group vote thing. So that'll be fun too. Have I told you before ( several times ) that I love contests?

And now for the promised pictures:

This doily is from the CDS series. It's called Doily coaster. It's worked in size 10 Omaga thread. The colour is more mauve than grey as it seems in the picture.

I'm also still knitting along. My next finished project is a baby cap done with the ribbing stitch. I like the way it turned out. Since I cannot get worsted weight yarn out here , and the pattern calls for it, I worked with three strands of fine yarn held together. First time that I've knitted something with multiple strand held together. I'm still learning the different pattern stitches by making little squares.

And what little cap is complete without a pair of little booties? So I whipped up these Slip on style booties. I didn't follow any patterns just made it up as I went along. But this time I even wrote down the pattern as I working so maybe I'll have to get someone to test this pattern for me.

I've made two of these sets . One set is for the charity project - Knitting for the Homeless. I'm also planning on making a matching baby afghan to go with it. Thats one thing good aboput making these tiny baby stuff. You can two of the same , in such a short time and give one to charity.

It's like a heat wave out here. The Temperature is at 48 - 50 C usually ! And that makes it a perfect weather to stay at home and crochet :). So I'm not complaining. But my poor plants are having tough time . I'm giving then extra tender loving care but I do hope they can live through this rough summer.
As for the crochet front, I'm working on several things. Just finished designing a little something ( can't tell you what it is yet ) for a contest. Not really designing but creating something out of a given motif. I enjoy these little challenges.
Another similar challenge has come up too in another group too. So looks like the next few days will be spent tapping at my little bit of creativity. I have certain amazing ideas but I wonder if I have the ability to translate it into a project or will it just remain a frustrating frogging exercise. It's one thing to think up designs but to actually make it work is totally different thing !! So hats off to all the designers out there who save us the pain of creation and give us the joy of following patterns .
I've been learning different stitches in knitting. I have a little FO to show too. Hopefully I'll get around to posting the pictures tomorrow.
In the meanwhile , I'm open to all ideas for designing . So please if you think you could share your thoughts with me , I'd be happy to hear from you.

It has been a productive month :)
I have many Fo to show. On theknitting front too I've couple of projects done and I 'm trying to learn new stitches. Quite a few knitted squares are already complete.
As always, making baby clothes makes me very happy ....I wonder why? It just feels so wonderful to make cute little things for tiny little ones. Anyways, here is the latest set:

I was in love with this layette at first sight. It's just too cute and has turned out pretty niceas well. The pattern is called 'Say it Flowers' designed by Sandra Abbate. There was a little jacket to go with it but it's too hot out here for that so I skipped it. And here you are , the pictures individually. The dress:

The Bonnet: I love the open circular part at the back of the bonnet. And the Huge Bow.

And my personal favourite - the booties!!!

I could not resist adding on a Bottle cover :) !!

Russian Doily
Looks like the doily mode still persists ....another two on the hooks right now!! This is a Russian pattern from a chart. It was a lovely pattern to work. Turned out big ....quite big since I used thread size 10. But I'm happy with the way it turned out. I love working with charts ....simple and clear.








And a close up of the doily:

Little bit of Crochet
A little beanie to go with the knit booties I made earlier. A little blankie would have been a perfect thing to go with it but I'm short of yarn. This little set is going be added to the stack of : Things for charity. I intend on making another one - if there is enough yarn , for a gift too.

I'm on a roll

Did I tell you I'm back in the doily mode? Well, it helps me in between the knitting..lol! I'm still working hard at learning to knit. Ofcourse this is a simple doily and keeps me sane when I lose patience with myself ! I had wanted to add on beads to it but remembered too late. Maybe the next one I try will be beaded. This one is called Ruffled Pineapple doily, a free online pattern that I had printed off long back.It's done with Red heart thread - the size was not mentioned on the package and it looks bigger than size 20 but smaller than size 10. Hmmmmm.......what would that be ? Anyone with any ideas about this? Out here we don't have any sizes mentioned on the threads and their labels. Very frustrating thing because I once used size 10 for a doily that actually needed size 20 and the resulting doily turned out to a tabble topper!!!! Really BIG !

A new Contest
Sara is having a cool contest . Check it out - Summer of givin' . Don't forget to mention that I sent you over :).

Antique Looking Glass Doily
I promised the pictures of my crochet projects that kept me sane and busy during the moving.





And here in a different angle...just experimenting on the picture a little lol!!



This was a doily done as a CAL in one of the groups. It was fun to do project. The doily measures about 12.5 inches across. I've used Omega mercerised cotton thread in size 10. The thred is real nice for coasters but it feels heavy for doilies. The colouway is a rusty orange/ peach. And it turned out to be a proper square too.
The pattern was easy enough but when it's ADD in full bloom you can still make mistakes:). Yes there is a mistake in this one ....only one ,I think and I tried to repair it while working on it.Think you can spot it? And here's a close up to make it easier.

My First Pair of KNIT Booties !!!

You read that right , they are 'knit' booties !!! And I Knit them myself - no matter that the pattern was in super easy, beginner category , but that's not important. It's the first knit project that I actually enjoyed.

I came across this pattern at Kathy's Blog. And it's free too - from the Bernat site. I've been trying to knit on and off for sometime now and don't find myself so attached to the knitting project and get bored easily. I tried making a shawl in garter stitch and gave up in frustration and turned it into a bag instead! It was just too boring for me to knit a long scarf in garter stitch with fingering yarn.

Then this pattern gave me my favourite motivation...a baby pattern. I love doing baby stuff and making these booties was so easy and quick! I think I'll try learning knitting with baby patterns. That'll keep me happy and learning. And also give some quick results.Instant gratification...mmm...I love it!

I'm thinking of making one more pair for the charity project that I'm working on. And some beanies to go with it. More to come on the knitting scene.

Happy Birthday to my Little Man!!!

This friday on 8th of June , my baby turned Five years old. And Boy! Is he proud to grow up!!! Yes, and until today I wasn't allowed by the birthday boy to go online. It was one of his many birthday wishes (lol...there are loads of those , believe me!!) Some of his wishes include driving a sports car, meeting real dinosaurs, flying with Superman......etc ..etc.
Here he is trying his best to look serious......and composed !

We gave him a little surprise as soon as he woke up with cake and gifts and his best buddy too was there. Needless to say, he was thrilled to bits. They had a great time playing together the whole morning and the rest of the day was spent at the birthday boy's service and command. Since he got everything done the way he wanted, and we went to all the places he wanted to he had a wonderful time and so did we. There were a lot of parks , play areas and the Zoo- ofcourse ! All in all, it was fun day for everyone. And the best part- he looked all smug and amused and kept saying I love this Birthday . Even in sleep he was smiling and saying ' Nice Birthday !'.

There standing together with his best buddy Abhimanyu.

Knit Baby , Knit !
Yes, I have not given up on knitting yet. I might do much of it but learn I will. I have a few small projects completed but the finishing is still to be done.and I am currently working on a pair of little booties for new borns. This will go towards to charity project I'm working at. So be warned my dear blog friends who knit, I'm going to drive you nuts asking for help when I'm stuck! LOl....remember we are community that love to help each other with our crafts???
For those of you interested to know , I'm working on the free pattern on the Bernat site for knitted booties with Bernat Organic Cotton yarn. Ofcourse, I cannot even dream to get that yarn here , I'm working with with some local unlabelled yarn which looks very pretty and has a lovely glow to it.

Mmmmmmm .........CHAAT!

Some my fellow blogger freinds are interested in knowing more about Chaat. So here you go Sue, Mimi and Pearlin.....

Chaat is the darling of Indian food. It is the local treats you get in every nook and corner in India and even abroad where the Indian crowd would hang out. It's mouth watering, light , vegetarian, spicy snacks. You can them at home too but it doesn't beat the taste of the ones you get outside. Sue, if you decide to try out the Chaat house, I have to warn you that this is very spicy stuff that we are talking about here and so totally Indian.

Dubai is another place outside India that you get fantastic Indian food and super duper Chaat as well. I try to get a bite everytime I go there. Dh isn't too fond of it though........he's a through and through non- veggie. My favourites are

*Pani Puri - little round thin and crispy ball like wafers filled with little beans and spices and chutneys and the watery sauce.And then there are more favourites like Sev Puri , Dahi puri, Raj Kachori , Vada Pav , Pav bhaji, Bhel, Aloo chaat , Dahi vada, Chole, Ragra Pattis etc.....Ooooh mouth watering!!! But if you are not an Indian all these would sound like some tongue twisters ..lol!
Here is a link with really nice recipes for Indian Chaat. I'm off to whip up one of these
Yummy Chaat

7 Things about me




I was tagged by Swapnae for this meme. And the rules are :

List 7 random things about yourself on your blog.

Tag 7 others.

Leave a comment on their blog to direct them to your site to get the rules.

So here goes :

1. I can read Erma Bombeck books several times and still laugh my head off at the funny parts everytime I come across it.- Dh cannot understand how the same jokes can have me laughing aloud everysingle time I read it.


2. I miss the lovely 'chaat' that you get to snack upon in India, especially in Bombay. I love pani puri, bhel, aaloo chaat , chinese dosa etc...


3. I have atleast 6 dresses ironed and ready to wear at all times. I love impulsive outings and like to be ready at all times.


4. I try my hand at every craft I come across- ofcourse not all attempts are successful.


5. I love comedy shows.- Friends, Bill Cosby Show, According to Jim , and many other funny movies new and old

6. I think Saree is the one of the ultimate Elegant outfit.- Although I don't wear it often , I think it's the classiest one .

7. I just cannot resist popping bubble wrap.


And , it's my turn to Tag now , I tag Sue , Mimi , Tandi , Vik , Ulla, Kimberly, & You!

You don't have to do the meme, only if you wish to:)

ETA : This has taken 6 trials to publish .....sometimes blogger hates me !!

Telephone Wire Baskets
Creativity has no limits! And there seem to be new things all the time. Well, atleast this is one new to me. I came across this site today and It's the first time I heard of baskets made from telephone wires - speak about recycling ! These are really amazing , have a look .
Telephone Wire Baskets

What I've been upto
I've been Mia for sometime ....... not in a crochet rut (Thank God!) . And I've finally found the camera as well. And yes I'm still at the unpacking and settling in - I seriously wonder whether people everunpack every single thing and put it away in a proper place when they move or do they keep some stuff packed until they move again just because those things aren't really needed urgently ? Just wondering .......I'm thinking of actually doing it.
Oh yes , coming back to why I'm not blogging regularly , I'm having a whole of guests coming and it has been such fun. A lot of work and tiring too but great fun. I like having people over and entertaining guests and yes cooking too for big groups! Dh thinks I'm just nuts if I enjoy all this work.
On the crochet front , just finished posting off three exchang packages. Sorry I had to post the packages before I found the camera so no pictures to show. I had also included little Christmas tree ornaments ( my own little pattern - again nothing original and it had a few beads too) which I wanted to take pictures of .....but the Camera chose to remain hidden ! I'm also working on a lace edging for a dupatta for my really sweet aunt and I'm working with black thread in size 20. It's been not so easy and since the the lace is 9 yards ,it's taking forever to do.I was thinking of adding in beads but I'm not so sure now.
Pearlin, Swapne and any other word press bloggers I need your help please! I've commented on your entries several times but they don't appear. Just thought I'd let you know.

Mums are special, always!

Wishing all my 'Mom' bloggers a wonderful Mothers Day. I feel that everyday is a Mother's Day since we all work so hard at the job of being a Mom.And ofcourse our rewards are greater than any other- the love of our little ones to whom we are always special. This morning my little fella was telling his friend that Mom is the bravest and knows 'everything' !!!! - do I need to say that it was a lovely start to my day!?!

Great going VIK !
I've been blogging for over a year and have come across many wonderful fellow bloggers and online freinds who besides being wonderful people are also so thoughful about others, especially the less fortunate ones. Vik of ' Like Grandma ' blog is one such wonderful blogger. I've always believed that every single step( however small )in thje right direction always counts....no matter the result. Taking the initiative to do the even teensiest thing that can make someone happy or atleast cheer up a little is far, far better than just sitting back and watching while time and opportunity fly by. I believe that there is no better time than now!
Vik has come up with this wonderful thought about helping people and everybody is welcome to join in.

KNITING FOR HOMELESS - check it out !

We are doing way too many things right now but if can manage to give just 15 mins in a day to this cause, I'm sure we can make a difference. I signed up as soon as I read about this. Will you join in too ?

Just One
I saw this meme at Sue's blog. I was not tagged but I found it so nice , I thought I should do this and if you are reading this then consider yourself tagged.Here are the rules:
You. Can.Only.Type.One.Word.No.Explanations.

1. Yourself : Happy
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, significant other : Loving
3. Your hair : dark brown
4. Your mother : supportive
5. Your father : Jovial
6. Your favorite item : perfumes
7. Your dream last night : yarn
8. Your favorite drink : juices
9. Your dream car : BMW convertible
10. The room you are in : Bedroom
11. Your ex : none
12. Your fear: wars
13. What you want to be in 10 years? Contented
14. Who you hung out with last night? Mom
15. What you’re not? Calm
16. Muffins: chocolate
17. One of Your Wish List Items: Time
18. Time: inadequate
19. The last thing you did: sewing
20. What you are wearing: churidar
21. Your favorite weather: spring
22. Your favorite book: humour
23. The last thing you ate: chocolate
24. Your life: blessed
25. Your mood : happy
26. Your best friend : Hubby
27. What are you thinking about right now? Decorating
28. Your car : Nissan
29. What are you doing at the moment? chatting
30. Your summer: flaming
31. Your relationship status: Married
32. What is on your TV? Music
33. What is the weather like?Hot
34. When is the last time you laughed? Afternoon