Etsy Twitter Team Shop of the Week - Ambient Lights

WOW!! What an awesome Shop of the Week! Ambient Light's etsy shop is YUMMY!! I LOVE warmer melts and am always buying some from etsy....and now I found some new ones to try!! These fresh apple ones would really make my house smell wonderful this fall!! My only wish is that she offered a sample mix of scents....I like to change a lot, LOL!! Be sure to check out all the smells in her shop....lipbalms, candles, and even soaps!

As usual, read her entire interview on the Etsy Twitter Team Blog, and search "etsytwitter team" on etys and "#etsytwitter" on twitter to find more amazing items from this group of sellers!

Galaxy Gloves

I'm happy to announce the release of my newest original crochet pattern, Galaxy Gloves! These fall wardrobe staples are quick and easy to make using any worsted weight yarn you have lying around! The pattern even includes three different trim options! Hurry up and make yourself a pair....they are going to be a HOT accessory for fall!

Right now the pattern is only available in my etsy shop because of the website problems I'm having right now. So if it is sold, rest assured that a new one will be listed asap!

You can also purchase it through Ravelry.


Happy crocheting!

More Kickboxing

This weekend Heather had her first testing at her kids kickboxing class. For only being 6.5 years old and only taking classes since July, she did excellent!! She managed to pass both levels one and two on her first test!! Now we will work on level 3! She received two awards and also a white belt with two stripes. We are so proud of her! Here are some pictures from Saturday. There are also pictures of her with her instructors, Val and Jeff. She trains at the 8th Street Gym here in Grand Junction.

Website Problems

I'm currently having some problems with my website. I can't see it at all, and I'm told that if you can see it, you don't see any of the thumbnail pictures. So, if you need anything, be sure to stop by my etsy shop. It has everything in it! Maybe I'll even get something new listed today!!

Oh! And I finally finished my couch afghan! Here is a quick picture for you! The pattern is from Crochet Today and is called Blushing Grannies. Now I still need to make a matching throw pillow and coasters.

My Crazy Dog!

Etsy Twitter Team Shop of the Week - Joslin Jewels

Ohhhhhhhhhh...Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! Such pretty items in this week's Etsy Twitter Team's Shop of the week, Joslin Jewels! And this butterfly necklace is no exception! I would loooooove to wear this! You can read her interview on the Etsy Twitter Team blog to find out more about her!

As usual, be sure to search "etsytwitter team" on etsy and "#etsytwitter" on twitter to see more amazing items from this group of etsy sellers!

My First Design in Interweave Crochet!

I am thrilled to let you all know that I have my first published design in Interweave Crochet Magazine! I absolutely LOVE this hat!! You can see a preview of it on their website and for those of you with a subscription (ME!), it should arrive at your doorstep this week!

Scarf Crazy!!

I am loving the fact that Autumn is coming!!! My favorite fall accessory is the scarf!! And I'm listing a bunch of them in my etsy shop as we speak! Here are a few of my favorites! Click on the picture to see the lising.

OH!!! A Cover!!

Look at what I just found!! It's the cover of the special edition of Crochet Today Magazine titled Quick and Easy Gifts! And look what is on the cover!! My Ballerina Wrap Sweater!! (the purple one) How cool!!!

Guess I better get off my butt and into the shower so I can hit the bookstores today looking for a copy!!!

Here is a link to the special issue.

Etsy Twitter Team Shop of the Week - Handmade by Sandi

This Etsy Twitter Team shop of the week is a fellow crocheter and friend, Sandi of Handmade by Sandi! She has an eclectic variety of items in her shop and I am really liking her felted bowls!!

Be sure to read her interview on the Etsy Twitter Team blog and find out about the special sale she is running this week!! And as usual, be sure to search "etsytwitter team" on etsy and "#etsytwitter" on twitter!

Do you have a Greyhound!

I am gathering some information and would love for all Greyhound owners to answer my Greyhound Survey. For your time, you will be entered into a drawing to win $50 donated to your favorite Greyhound Adoption Group!! PLEASE share this with everyone you know that has Greyhounds!! Adoption Group coordinators too! I need as many answers as I can get!!

Survey The survey is now closed. THANKS!!

Thanks everyone!
Jennifer and Cash

My Little Kickboxer

SWEET SWEET Babies!!

I have a great online friend who takes the most amazing pictures!! She specializes in newborns and if you are in the Salem/Keizer Oregon area, I highly recommend her!

A few months ago I sent her some new props to use and I just got some pictures from her!! OMG, are they not the cutest!?!?!?


You can see more of Robin's work on her BLOG and her WEBSITE. Drop her a note to tell her how fabulous she is and that I sent you!

YAY!!! 100 Followers!!

I've finally did it!! I have 100 followers to my blog!! See that little box over there that lists them all???

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I'm so excited!! Thank you all so very much!

And to celebrate...how about 10% off your purchases today!! Just leave me a note saying "100 Followers" in your purchasing notes and I'll refund the money through Paypal!!

This is good on BOTH patterns and finished items!! And you can use it on my website or my etsy shop!

Have You Purchased from Jaybird Designs?

I'm looking for customer testimonials to add to my website!

Have you purchased from Jaybird Designs? Patterns or finished items! I'd love to add you! Have a picture? Include it!! Also include a link to your shop, website, or blog!

Send all ...testimonials to sales@jaybird-designs.com with "testimonial" in the subject line. I'll pick the best ones to add to my site!

THANKS!

I Couldn't Help Myself!

With poor Cash's feet being bandaged up, I had to keep them covered so that he didn't lick at them or try to get the bandages off....so yesterday I crocheted him some new doggie booties! LOL!! I chose a nice deep scarlet red and even put some felt ovals on the bottom for a little extra padding. (I should have also put a few dots of hot glue on the felt to help keep him from slipping on the kitchen floor!)

They were really easy and worked up fast! If you are interested in making a pair of your own, here is how I did it. It's a rough pattern, but I'm sure you can figure it out yourselves. Be sure to join with a sl st at the end of each round and ch 1!

These make a large pair of doggie booties. I used worsted weight acrylic yarn and an H hook.

8hdc in a ring
2hd in each st around
(hdc in st, 2hdc in next) around
hdc in each st around until you have a total of 13 rows
(hdc in first 2 sts, ch1, sk 1) around - make s tie row
hdc in each st and sp around
(sc, ch3, sl st in third ch for picot, sc in next 2 sts) around
finish off, weave in ends

ch 80 and weave through tie row
cut circles of felt and hot glue to bottom of booties

Enjoy!

Is That A Whippet?

MANY times when I take my dear Cash out for a walk, we are asked what type of dog he is. These people WANT to say Greyhound....but for some reason they usually don't. Is it his coloring?? Size??? I'm not sure. But we do hear a lot of Whippet? and Saluki? And every once in a while, he even gets mistaken for a deer! LOL!

Well, I too was not familiar with those other breeds, so I had to do some research when we first got him. YES, they all have similar body styles. But size is the big difference.

We had the pleasure this weekend to meet our first Whippet!! Miss Chloe is only one year old, but you can definitely tell the difference in size!! She was pretty shy too and would bark or run away as my "giant" came near her. But by the end of the weekend, they were pretty good friends...or at least did a good job of ignoring one another, LOL!!

Before the families headed off home...us to Grand Junction, them to Denver, we took the dogs to a local ice rink (in the summer=no ice) to run. They had a blast and boy is Miss Chloe F-A-S-T! I took some pictures, but they were moving so fast that none of them turned out!

Unfortunately Mr Cash managed to get a few boo-boo's (what else is new!) while out running. He tore dime sized holes in his front paw pads. Now the poor guy is grumpy, in a little pain, and lounging around on the couch. And he feels totally embarassed having to wear Heather's socks on his paws to keep him from licking them while they heal. Looks like no long walks for a while.

6th Annual 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge

It's that time again!! The amazing Miss Dee has started her 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge...even if it is actually 90 days! LOL!!


You can read all about it on her BLOG and/or the RAVELRY GROUP.


Last year I designed the Quick and Easy Scarf And don't forget that I have other scarf patterns on my website!! I'll try to write up a new one soon for this years challenge!

So, how many will you make to donate?? My goal is 4! Happy crocheting and have a great Labor Day weekend! pattern that worked up wonderfully for this challenge!

Free Crochet Pattern - Bunny Slope Snuggly

It's finished!! Thank all of you so much who helped me along this designing journey!! The Bunny Slope Snuggly crochet blanket pattern is now available! As soon as I get it up on my website, you should be able to download the PDF copy there. But until then, here is the pattern and there is a PDF download link at the end of the post.

Please let me know if you find any problems as the pattern has not been "officially" tested. And as usual, please respect my copyright. Happy Crocheting!


Bunny Slope Snuggly

By Jennifer J. Cirka/Jaybird Designs

Materials

Bernat Cotton Tots, Worsted, 100% cotton, 171 yards, 100g - Color Berry Blue. 3 skeins
Bernat Cotton Tots, Worsted, 100% cotton, 171 yards, 100g - Color White. 2 skeins
Size 10 Crochet Cotton thread. Color White
7-1.5MM steel crochet hook
I/9-5.5MM crochet hook
J/10-6MM crochet hook
Yarn needle

Finished Size

One size

Gauge

10 dc x 6 rows = 4” wide

Pattern

Row 1: With larger hook and Blue, ch 102. Change to smaller (I) hook and working in back hump of ch, dc in 4^th ch from hook. [dc in next 5 chs, dc2tog over next ch and third ch (skipping 2^nd ch in group). Dc in next 5 chs, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch.] 6 times. Dc in next 5 chs. dc2tog over next ch and third ch (skipping 2^nd ch in group). Dc in next 5 chs, 2dc in last st. Ch2, turn.

Row 2: Dc in first st (do not skip the first st) [dc in next 5sts. Dc2tog over next st and third st (skipping 2^nd st in group). Dc in next 5 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch-1 sp.] 6 times. Dc in next 5sts. dc2tog over next st and third st (skipping 2^nd st in group). Dc in next 5 sts, 2dc in turning ch. Ch2, turn.

Row 3-7: repeat row 2

Row 8: Change to white and repeat row 2.

Row 9: Dc in first st (do not skip the first st) {[Ch1, sk next st, dc in next] 2 times. Ch1, sk next st, dc2tog over next st and third st (skipping 2^nd st in group). [Ch1, sk next st, dc in next] 2 times. Ch1, sk next st, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch sp.} 6 times. [Ch1, sk next st, dc in next] 2 times. Ch1, sk next st, dc2tog over next st and third st (skipping 2^nd st in group). [Ch1, sk next st, dc in next] 2 times. Ch1, sk next st, 2dc in turning ch. Ch2, turn.

Row 10-12: Repeat row 2.

Row 13: Repeat row 9.

Row14: Repeat row 2.

Row 15-21: Change to blue and repeat row 2.

Row 22-28: Change to white and repeat rows 8-14.

Row 29-35: Change to blue and repeat row 2. Finish off and weave in ends.

Snowflake Pattern (make 11, or as many as desired)

Round 1: With smallest hook and thread, ch4. 15dc in first ch. Join with sl st to 4^th ch of beg ch-4. (16dc)

Round 2: Ch4. (Dc, ch1) in each st around. Join with a sl st to 3^rd ch of beg ch-4. (16 dc, 16 ch-1 sps)

Round 3: Sl st in first ch sp, *ch5, sl st in next ch-1 sp. Ch3, sl st in next ch-1 sp. Repeat from * around ending with a sl st in first ch sp. (8 ch-5 sps, 8 ch-3 sps)

Round 4: *Sc in ch-5 sp. (Ch3, sc, ch5, sc, ch3, sc) in same ch-5 sp. Sc in next ch-3 sp. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to first sc. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Finishing

Sew snowflakes onto blanket as desired. Be sure to tack down all points.

Copyright

This pattern is for personal use only. You may not reproduce, transmit, or distribute this pattern in any form without author consent. This consists of ALL parts of the pattern including, but not limited to, images, diagrams, and text. You may print out copies for your own, personal use, but they cannot be distributed for free, sale, or through any form or any venue, including, but not limited to, photocopying or other electrical or mechanical means, recording or any other information storage and retrieval systems. All violations of this copyright are punishable by law and include fines and/or imprisonment.

© Copyright 2009, Jennifer J. Cirka/Jaybird Designs. All rights reserved.

You can now download the PDF version here:
download now

The Final Steps

Well, I am onto the final steps of my pattern writing for the ski themed blanket. Pictures have been taken and I get to deliver the blanket to my friend this afternoon. Turns out her cousin had a boy last week, so the blue will be perfect!!

I usually like to send my items off to a professional photographer for the pictures, they just turn out so much better! But since I need to keep this one close, I had to do the pictures myself.

My next step is to tech edit the pattern. I have a wonderful tech editor who usually does this, but she is busy right now. So it looks like I will be spending my day doing it. Sometime I even send the patterns out to be tested by trusted friends, but since this one is so easy, I decided to test it myself by making another blanket for my charity group.

I think I have decided to call it the Bunny Slope Snuggly.

Once it is all finished, I will send it off to be downloaded into my website and then post it to the blog. I really hope you all like it! I think it turned out super-cute and it really works up quickly. I think I made mine in about 2 days! It's a little on the small side, but perfect for draping over a car seat or stroller!

OK...back to work I go!