Abby's Birthday *Update*

Abby's second birthday went very well. Everyone had a great time and the food was good. My cake turned out fairly well too, at least everyone knew that it was Elmo on the cake!

If you teach a man to fish...

You've all heard that saying about teaching a man to fish so that he will never go hungry? Does the same apply to crochet? I think teaching someone to crochet so that they will never be at a loss for their creative energy is going to be so rewarding. I will be taking on my first student this Saturday. It's all I can think about! I've been getting together lists of abbreviations and crocheting swatches of different stitches. I'm getting together a list of some of my favorite online sites. It's interesting the excitement I feel at the prospect of getting someone else involved in my addictive little hobby...

I think that after I teach this person the basic stitches and how to read a pattern, I will have them make a scarf as a first project. I had considered a granny square tote bag, but I thought that might be a little intimidating with all the color changes and joining. A simple scarf offers instant gratification with little effort. I would hate to choose something too difficult and have my new student be scared off from this wonderful craft!

Abby's Birthday

Wow is all I can say about the new pattern booklet that designer Lisa Naskrent has published here. I wish I could order it right now but alas, my daughter's birthday is coming up. I must control my crochet addiction until after her birthday!! Could you imagine trying to explain to a 2 year old that she doesn't get any birthday presents because mommy wants to spend the money on yarn? I would love to see Michaels carry the publication...

As far as Abby's birthday goes, I am getting really excited. My mother is flying here from Nevada. We haven't seen her since just before Abby's first birthday. Also, the menu already has me salavating... bbq beef brisket sandwiches, potato salad, and lemonade. I'm going to be baking the birthday cake and that has me a little stressed. Not because I can't bake, I just can't decorate a birthday cake! I am going to attempt to make an Elmo birthday cake for this year... I'll let you know how it goes! Here is a picture of Abby's cake from last year: