Christmas in July

Okay, this is really off of my 'crafting' topics that I was planning on sticking to, but hey, I figure it's my blog and I can write what I want.

Am I the only one who gets nostalgic about Christmas in the middle of summer? I was watching TV and there was a rerun of a Christmas episode of some show on and all of sudden, I found myself craving Christmas. Not that I am all that fond of Christmas when it comes along. I mean, it's great; family, presents, the tree. But it's also full of stress and so overdone by retail stores and the media. By the time Christmas gets here, I'm ready for it to be over. But now, just about halfway between last Christmas and next Christmas, I think it's the best holiday ever.

In theory.

In television world:

Where there is always a happy ending, with strangers carolling in the street and a light sprinkling of snow out, where its just cold enough for a sweater and maybe a nice stylish hat, but you don't really need a coat or gloves. You know, fantasy Christmas. I have a vague recollection of feeling this same way last year, but blamed it on pregnancy hormones. But since I am most definately NOT pregnany now, there's really nothing to blame it on. I wish it were Christmas. I want my tree and a nice cup of hot chocolate and to be snuggled up underneath my favorite blanket with a good book. Doesn't that sound nice? And this is the one time of year that Christmas music doesn't get automatically annoying. There aren't all the same commercials on TV or the radio over and over and over again. Ah....

And now is when I start planning out everyone's Christmas presents. Ugh. Let the headache begin!! Only 146 days until Christmas (and 145 days until I am a quarter century old! That's practically elderly...)

Baby Blocks.

We're painting our bathroom and putting up new hardware/fixtures so there really hasn't been much crafting time lately. I'll post pictures of the bathroom once it is done, but we only get a little bit done each day. But with one more coat of paint on three of the walls and then some touch up work (which could all happen by tomorrow) all that will be left is hanging the light and mirror and towel holders and shelves. So, maybe by the end of the week? Let's keep our fingers crossed!

I have some really cool projects in mind to start once I have time. And one of them is something I haven't ever tried before so I won't jinx myself by talking (blogging?) about it, but if it works out, I will be really excited.

In the meantime, here are some pics of a project I did for JW. He loves this toy, I have no idea why.

It's just a cloth block and it was really easy to make:

The hardest part was the stuffing. I didn't want to stuff it too much but now in retrospect I wish I had. It's been grabbed and squished so often that the stuffing has become tighter and the fabric is loose. I suppose I could just open up a seam and restuff it. My plan was to make a few smaller ones in solid colors, but I only got two of those done so far.

There's also a craft project for the bathroom. And when THAT is done, I'll post pictures also. Gives everyone something to look forward to.

Pictures for YOU

Here are just a few pictures to get us started.

This first one is of my first major sewing project, a quilt for my baby. A real learning experience!

I loved how this next shawl turned out. I found the pattern on the internet and actually followed it pretty exactly (I have a habit of changing patterns to fit how I think they should be- or to make them easier!) and used the softest off-white yarn. By far one of my favorite crochet peices.

Ah, my most popular peice. I'm not sure if I could recreate this one if I tried. I got a free pattern from the craft store and when I tried to make it, it didn't make any sense (what did you expect- it was free!) so I altered it a bit and this was the result. I had a lot of trouble with the handles and the lining. But sewing this lining (which is actually quilted to match the crocheted blocks) is what got me interested in quilting/sewing other things. I always get a lot of compliments on it, but I'll be damned if those handles don't kill me shoulder!!

First Post!

So, here it is. The first post. Nothing too exciting yet. Just testing the waters. And wondering how to spread the news of my new blog. But that can't be too difficult as compared to finding a blog name. I Googled name generators and spent almost an hour trying to find something suitable. And on some band name generator site, this one finally popped up. And so Groovy Ketchup of the Pink is born.

I'm planning on using this mostly to post pictures or ideas about my crafting. Not that I have much time for that usually. Especially with JW's baptism looming in the near future. But I did make a pretty cute (if i do say so myself) bag for my neice's birthday. And of course I didn't remember to take a picture of it before I sent it off, and only one other person besides my husband saw it, but thats okay. I'll make another one soon. But now I've wasted an entire evening setting this blog up when I really wanted to be watching the first episode of Mcleods Daughters final season on YouTube. Maybe tomorrow.