I need a lobotomy with a crochet hook

I sure do get obsessed with whatever the current project it, whether it's painting, crocheting, or whatever....this was what I was up to today...hope the pattern is on etsy tomorrow....

you can check out my patterns at susanlinnstudio.etsy.com and thanks for looking!

Crocheted Heirloom from a Barn

Wow, how appropriate that my crochet workspace should be covered with this lovely old tablecloth. I was at a yard sale where Dad found 3 original watercolors and an ink drawing, all covered with dirt....I found this tablecloth (actually, it's probably a bedspread) hanging on a tree. It was extremely dirty. I mean extremely. It smelled like a horse, and Scott said two fleas jumped on him when I put it in the car.

When I got home I threw it in a tub and soaked it with various non-chlorine bleaches and detergents. As soon as the water hit the cloth, it smelled like I had Mr. Ed standing in a washtub in my kitchen. I wouldn't have been surprised if the thing had moooed or nickered, it stunk! The water was dark brown. Washed it again, again dark brown water. Unbelievably, it actually got pretty clean, only a couple of stains...and what a lovely heirloom. Someone's grammy made this, and I'm sorry it's not in their family anymore, but mine is enjoying it.

Check out my etsy patterns if you like, I'm nuts about animal crochet patterns, they're my specialty! And always, my artsy stuff at my other etsy store

Woo woo I did it!

Hoo baby, here they are: owl ornament on etsy

What a blast...

Closing in on an Owl

Usually I can just design crochet like it's a sketching medium, but sometimes I get all tangled up. I just can't seem to come up with a new dove or an owl. These goofy prototypes are the best I've come up with, and I think the one flapping at the viewer is going to have to go. They need eyes, a little stitching. Hm. Mouse is a problem, too.

I think I'll probably have these on my etsy store in the next day or so, probably as a thread crochet variant.
Check out my stuff, or look at my snooty art stuff

Crazy Mum

This is the flower that is on my Shannon's head. I actually think she would have worn this hat if it had been brown or blue. Anything but yellow, and it was no use telling her it was buttery gold. Hah!

mum pattern

I love this stitch, remember it?

My husband's old fire chief's invalid wife taught me this stitch about thirty years ago. Jeez, that makes me old. I love mixing these long double crochets with regular stitches, so very easy and nice and nubby. Doesn't have to be all complicated or snooty, just interesting and simple.

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check out my pattern store at susanlinnstudio.etsy.com

Maybe Reshoot this

Well, I like the hat, and the girl is beautiful (Thank you, Shannon), but the photographer needs to get a clue. Am trying to get some better shots and finish writing up this pattern. It's a blast, so cheerful and silly. I was told that browns and turquoise were the thing, so Mom needs to redo the yellow, too! It will be on my pattern  store soon, and you can look there for lots of animal ornaments, a crocheted snail, a cute sleeping kitty ornament, several crocheted birds, some baby crochet, and of course, my beloved crocheted snowflakes.

If you want to see more flower patterns, check out this item and you can see my art at www.susankennedy.com . Thanks for looking!

New Animals Soon....A Mouse and Penguin to Join These

These are the little ones in my animal collection so far. You can see them individually at my etsy store ,

but hopefully I'll have the complete thing up in a few days. Anyone who has helpful hints on felting little object like this, I would love to hear from you. I've been crocheting for 3 decades, but have never felted. Does it work with crochet? Is wet felting or needle felting better? Intriguing, but will have to remain so for a bit.
Here's hoping your yarn has no knots, your cat stays away from your work, and your knuckles stay supple. Supple knuckles? Wow. Sometimes I surprise myself.

My Snail! My Snail! Remembering Flower Power and Snails

My newest pattern: on Amazon, it's this new 99 cent Sid the Snail Pattern!What a gas, I remember Hippie Times, with Flowers, Owls, Snails, Mushrooms...do you? Good gosh, it's all back and so I HAD to contribute with Sid the Snail and his little butterfly pal. Personally, I think Sid would look great on a Christmas tree, but possibly even better on a little girl's dress.

You can see more of my ornament and fashion patterns at www.susanlinnstudio.etsy.com, and if you're curious about what I do when I'm not crocheting, look at www.susankennedy.etsy.com

Thanks for looking! Show me your crochet treasures and have a lovely, creative and positive day. Wooooo!
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To see more, check out my Etsy Pattern Store or my Kindle- and Nook-friendly patterns on Amazon  or Barnes and Noble

A New Sleeping Cat Design in Crochet

I'm sure I can't keep this up, but it's a blast for now....now a sleeping kitty, and soon to have a Santa Hat! Kitty

Super super easy, but I'm not sure how many thread crochet afficionados there are out there. So there will be yarn instructions for this design soon.

Thanks to my etsy buddies, especially ones who send me photos of your crochet projects when they're done!
Have a lovely day with all of your creations...
Susan

I thought I'd paint all day, but the snails got into my Head

I was happily doing landscapes for the first time in a few weeks. What gorgeous weather to inspire a painter! Oh, God, that it would stay this way. But I know I'm going to be cursing around the house in a few short months because my hands will be stinkin' cold all stinkin' winter!

But the crochet muse wouldn't leave me alone, and these snails were quick to invent. I'm sure they've been "invented" before by lots of crocheters, it's kindof a no-brainer, making a spiral of double-crochets into a snail shell, and from there a body is a snap. But I still love them and think they'd look great sliding their way across a little dress or scarf. Maybe I'll write up the pattern, I don't know.

If you'd like to see my crochet patterns, they're at my etsy store and if you're curious about what I do when I'm not crocheting, you can see my art at my snooty art store

Peace Doves and a Free Fun Pattern

Well, the birds are out of my system for a day or two. And Hitchcock thought his birds were bad....get them out of my head!!! I've been putting linocuts on my other etsy store, have stacks of them to go through...

Here's a dove that was the last example I did from this pattern...did a blackbird too, but he needs some adjusting.

And if you click on the link here you can get a free pattern for how to make a crocheted basket out of shopping bag plastic, very righteous and cool. Wooo woooo


Check out all of my designs at my Etsy Pattern Store or the Kindle versions on Amazon.

To see more of my original crochet design work, check out my Etsy Pattern Store or my Kindle- and Nook-friendly patterns on Amazon  or Barnes and Noble

Cardinal Cutie and Tiny Birds with Wings to Crochet

These ones just invented themselves, I can't figure it out. I see a design in my head, and sometimes I try 5 times and the thing just looks strange or goofy or lumpy. Then I try a different idea, a different animal...and it looks snappy and right on the first try. Not to brag, but I think this one looks snappy. Hope you like it! Here it is on etsy: Cardinal It's such a delight to play all day and poke around etsy all night. Show me your crafty stuff and have a lovely day full of stitches!

New Fall Flower Accessories and Little Black Purse to Tie it On!

I'm so happy about this one!  (fall accessory)I wanted to make some flowers with black edges because I LOVE the POW that a bit of black gives to brights...must be my old eyes loving that they can actually see something. Actually the eyes aren't THAT old, but they sure as heck need new glasses!

I'd love for you to check out my other patterns at  www.susanlinnstudio.etsy.com and thanks for looking!

And another Fall Mum in Crochet

What is it about all that big fresh pile of petals in a mum that makes you feel like smashing your face in it and rubbing it with your nose? I've always loved the way that kids smell a flower, just like that. No delicacy, no fastidiousness, just pure abandon...smoosh your little nose into the bouquet of blooms and luxuriate. No worries for the present about bees, just inhale their smell and enjoy the moment. Wish I could always feel like that  Here's the newest mum pattern, by the way : http://www.etsy.com/listing/58511435/pattern-fall-mum-ii-crocheted-flower

Not that mums smell so wonderful, they're usually pretty bland. But the glowing colors in their recesses are fascinating, and I tried to make a humble and homey replica in crochet. Hah! There's the more colorful of the two, in the picture above.

To see more of my original crochet design work, check out my Etsy Pattern Store or my Kindle- and Nook-friendly patterns on Amazon  or Barnes and Noble

Mums for Fall, sitting on my bum making flowers and LOVING IT!

My new mum is on etsy, I love the cheerful things. This one is really most like a football mum...am working on another, but it's morphing into a flower not quite mum, not quite dahlia. The cool thing is, you can make mystery flowers and it's just snazzy and cool.

Delicious little Crocheted Hearts for your Hair

I love tiny little crochet projects like this: there's no downside! If you invest enough time in crochet to become minimally fluent, sitting down to work for 5 or 10 minutes and come away with a little delight like this is so addicting! It is truly the perfect hobby, medicine for a stressed-out soul. May little ornaments and funnies like this mean good cheer to you the way they do to me!   Etsy Hair Ornament Pattern
And please do check out all of my patterns at susanlinnstudio.etsy.com

Dr. Seuss-Inspired Birdies to Crochet

I love Dr. Seuss birds, and these remind me of Mayzie and pals. I'm having a blast designing appliques that are easy to do, and putting them on my etsy store . So cool to sit down and show my fave hobby, and have it be the basis for a store, too. Etsy is that great for crafters and designers, may it have a long and fabulous future.

More Mayzies and Gertrudes and maybe even a Horton coming up.... Cheerio!

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I'd like to invite you to look at my patterns and odds and ends on etsy and also at the Instruction Page of my website. I'm also a watercolor and oil painter, and you could take a peek at my more snooty stuff at susankennedy.com. Thanks for looking!

Darling Crocheted Hummingbirds, I'm cross-eyed!

Wow, these guys took some doing. I worked for a few hours this afternoon designing of all things, a hummingbird applique in thread crochet. Why, I don't know, I just went nuts. Love it, not to brag, but I'm rather happy with the little cuties. They're a bear to make, so tiny that they a bit of a pain. I hope to have the pattern for them up on my etsy store, until then these little prototypes are for sale : Hummingbirds

Let me know if you'd like the pattern, any other thread crochet maniacs out there like me?