Awesome Blog Candy Available!!!

I haven't posted in nearly forever, however, I wanted to let you all know that there is an awesome blog I just discovered! http://createdbyleanne.blogspot.com/ And she currently is offering some great blog candy to celebrate having 100 followers on her blog! She has some wonderful projects to check out so take a look around and enter for a chance to win!

Top-Notch Patterns!

In my hunt for crochet patterns that stand out from the crowd I've recently found another outstanding website you really should check out for yourself. Crochet Garden has a little something for everyone, but I am especially in love with her patterns for children and babies! She has some really unique ideas and you are in for a real treat if you purchase one of her patterns. The site, also, features a forum that offers help on the patterns and where members can post pictures of items made from the patterns, as well as other crochet projects. My first purchase was the Natures Kiss peasant top pattern that I whipped up quickly for a baby shower gift and it was a huge hit. I'll include the picture with this post. This is one website you're sure to enjoy!!!

Gotta Love a wooden crochet hook!!!

There is nothing better than the feel of a wooden crochet hook when you are spending countless hours on your latest project! As much money as I spend on yarn, and patterns, I enjoy buying hooks even more. Today I am going to let you in on some great places I have found to get some beautiful hooks, much of em at unbelievable prices. Just wait until you lay your eyes on these hooks! One of my favorite sites (and a very affordable one for someone just getting into wooden hooks) is Turn of The Century they have other things besides crochet hooks, but the hooks are my favorite. Once you try a wood hook you'll never want to go back!
Another great site for gorgeous hooks (can't wait to get one of my own someday) is Brains Barn. He has some absolutely unique hooks and from the looks of it can make anything you can come up with!
Currently, these are my two favorite sites to visit and drool over the hooks. There are also some wonderful fellow sellers on Etsy who feature crochet hooks (Designs by Tami stands out for her adorable clay animal topped hooks!). Fantastic handmade hooks of all descriptions can be found on e-bay and you get the fun of out bidding others on the hunt.
If you haven't strayed from the boring aluminum hooks of old, I challenge you to treat yourself to one of these treasures, and feel the difference a wooden crochet hook can make in your work today!!!

Suggestions please :)

For any of you who may have gotten a chance to check out my etsy store (noted in yesterday's post) - I was wondering if there were any other types of crocheted items you might like to see in my store? Also, what's your favorite item currently listed?
I have been crocheting just about forever. Since I was seven years old. I learned from my mom and my grandma. I love it! I am definately addicted. I have yarn and patterns coming out my ears. (Though not nearly so much as I have scrapbooking supplies! They just seem to make more of them.) If I see a sale on yarn I just have to have it - or that pattern that I just know I'll make SOMEDAY! Just ask my husband, he doesn't even get to use our closet. We have a walk in closet and the whole thing is taken up with craft supplies of one type or another. It's crazy!
If you have a story or memory to share about crochet I would love for you to share it here. When did you learn to crochet? Is there something special someone crocheted for you that you will always cherish?
The very first thing I remember crocheting was for my dad. I remember he would come home from work and tell me how cold his nose would get at work. So I crocheted him a nose warmer! It was something like a surgical mask - it was made from green and white verigated yarn - and he has it to this day!!!

Whoops! I almost forgot to include a pic of the cards. Can't really tell in the pic, but I inked all the edges, too and the cards are all made from bazzill. All the letters have a shadow behind em, as well.

Looks like it's time for me to hit the blogging band wagon! Hmm....how to get started? Just start typing I guess! What have I been up, too? Well, as you can see, I have a scrapbook related name for this blog. However, I have been doing a lot more crocheting than scrapping, as of late. For a look at some of my recent projects you can visit my etsy store - smalworlddesigns.etsy.com to see what I have been up to. I have been making mostly hats. I love making things that I can finish in a relatively short time - there's something to be said for instant gratification!!!
One of these days I'll get back on a scrapping kick. The only scrap related project I have done lately is to make some alphabet flash cards for my daughter using some BG papers I have had around forever! I think they turned out pretty cute. I cut all the letters using my cricut. The took a TON of glue and quite a bit of time to put together, but I think they were worth it. I am using one of the gift card tins you can get for $1 at Michael's to store em in. Cute, cute, cute. And my daughter loved em!