Etsy Shop - Now Open

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to update you all on my Etsy Shop.  The title of my shop is "Creations by Laya," and you can access it here.  I'm working on updating the photos, and overall appearance of the shop, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know.  Below is my first feature item.

Plum & White Newsboy Hat
with Matching Earrings 




This Newsboy hat is made with acrylic yarn in double crochet stitches.  The brim on the hat can be worn up or flipped up on one side.  The large matching earrings are for pierced ears and have silver plated ear wire.  Ear wire contains nickel.

Thanks for stopping by my Blog, and for visiting my shop.  Till next time.

Stay Blessed and Happy.

VEM

I'm baaaack!

What’s up, everybody?

I know I haven’t blogged in quite some time. Things come up and I think “oh I should post a blog,” then never get around to it. I’ve got quite a few things to blog about right now, so I may post several over the next few days.

First and foremost...drum roll please………I’m a grandma! My first grandchild made her entrance into the world on January 18, 2012. Guess what, y’all? That’s Jesse’s birthday!!! LOL You know how much I love me some Jesse L. Martin, and for my little Kennedy to be born on that day just made it all the more special. She is simply gorgeous, of course. She is now three, almost four months old and just as adorable as she can be.

I could gush about her all day. I’ve already crocheted her so many cute booties and hats and headbands, and I can’t wait until she’s big enough to fit the dress I crocheted for her! What can I say, babies are a crafters’ dream, because they give you so many things to create! I’ll get some pictures posted of the items I've made for her in a few days.

So much to do right now. I’m working on a program at church and I’m in the midst of creating bookmarks and fans and treat boxes. I wanted to make a praise and worship CD, but if I do all that this year, what will they have to look forward to next year??? LOL I’m also working with another member and we’re doing corsages for Mother’s Day. I’m just busy, busy, busy. But I love it! Here’s what I’ve done so far on the corsages.

Wow, I've got to run already! Just wanted to hop on here and say, "hi!" Oh, and watch "Scandal," tonight, 10:00 p.m. ABC. I'm loving that show right now. Til next time. Stay Blessed and happy.

Another Diaper Cake

This one is a little smaller than the others; only two tiers. You can't really see it, because it's inside the blanket. This one contains:

1 crocheted baby blanket
1 crocheted sweater
1 pair crocheted drawstring pants
1 pair crocheted booties
1 crocheted hat
1 key toy
1 teething ring
1 bottle

I really love making baby items. And these diaper cakes are easier than I thought. A little creativity and my imagination make the possibilities endless.

Front of cake

One side

Back

The other side

Super simple!

That's all for now Bloggers. Stay Blessed and happy.

VEM

Ramblings...

Hey Bloggers!

I guess I should start with Happy New Year, since it's been a zillion years since I last blogged. I guess I don't have as much to talk about as I thought I did. I seriously think blogging is great, if you can keep it up and you have stuff to say. I originally planned on blogging everyday. We all know the tale of best laid plans. Besides, trying to blog everyday--or rather, having something to say in a blog everyday, is a bit much for me. I don't want to disable my account, so I'm going to compromise with myself and blog once a week. Maybe if I try that schedule, then in a weeks' time, I'll have enough to say.

So, to bring you up-to-date since I last blogged: The publisher I had is now defunct and I got nadda for my book. Very bittersweet, since I got some really good reviews. Lesson learned. I am not trying to find another publisher on my own. I'm going the agent route. I said it before, but I'm not about to let all my hard work go to waste again.

I've been doing a lot more crocheting. Love making baby items. They are just so precious and cute. I'm in a crochet group at work and we meet everyday at lunchtime. They are a wonderful group of ladies and we have so much fun working on our craft, exchanging ideas and just laughing and acting silly. I've got to find smaller projects to work on, or take less material with me. I'm breaking my back lugging this heavy bag everyday.

I'm bummed that the "Sexiest Man Alive - in my view" Jesse L. Martin, has not returned to T.V. yet. I miss that gorgeous smile of his. That sexy voice. That swagga'. *sigh* Damn, I need to find a boyfriend. LOL!

Let's see...oh, I've changed my hairstyle again. I love having it natural and generally wear it in two strand twists, but my hair is so thin I can't stand it! I've gone from braids to twists to...Voila! Weave. I know. I didn't think it was me, but I kinda like it. Thanks to LaBella MsChanda, it looks really natural. She walks you through all the steps to get a beautifully coiffed hairstyle. Check out her blog and check her out on Youtube. There are some other great Youtubers showing how it's done, but Ms. Chanda is the Queen. She knows her stuff! I hope to take some decent pictures and post them. Maybe in next weeks' blog. I'll try to make Wednesdays my posting days. Help break up the week.

That's it for now, Bloggers. Be Blessed and happy.

VEM

"Make me a blanket Mom"

That simple request was asked of me about a year and a half ago. Probably closer to two years. When I seriously got back into my "craft" hobby, I wanted to make hat a scarf sets for the boys. My middle son liked his so much, he asked me to make him a blanket. No problem. Now, when I learned to crochet as a kid, the only stitch my mom knew how to make was a granny square. So, all my projects have been granny squares. But, I didn't want his blanket to be a granny square blanket, so I set out researching all the sites on the internet, intent on finding an appropriate design to make his blanket. I found the ripple and fell in love with it. For the life of me I couldn't figure out how to make it. I started and had to rip out stitches. Started again and had to rip out stitches . . . you get the picture. After about the 10th try (no lying) I gave up. For about ten minutes. One thing about me, I'm a stubborn and determined cuss. If I want to do something, I will find a way to do it. I'm happy to say that my determination paid off. After visiting sites such as, Crochet Cabana (http://www.crochetcabana.com/), Bev's Country Cottage (http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/), and Crochet Pattern Central (http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/index.php), I figured out how to do the ripple and I've been "a ripplin" ever since. Here are a few pictures of my finished project.

I used a single crochet stitch and Caron "Natura" in colors white, off-white, and black. I think it came out pretty good. And he absolutely loves it!