NannDee's Nitch

Bi-Craftual ~~How I Became A Knitter!

2008-10-15T18:42:00.002-05:00

Now before I get started on my tale...let me confess something. I love to crochet..no..I am obsessed with crochet and love the things I am able to create. I have many things that not only brought a big smile to my face but hopefully for those that I bestowed my creations upon.

I first learned to knit in 7th grade. I recall feeling out of place with those two needles. I had no frame of reference since my mother and great-grandmother both crocheted. Anyhoo..I made a scarf..no I made many scarves and gave them away as Christmas gifts to my family. I recall the stitches being very loose and my use of a fingering-weight yarn for babies did not help matters at all. I did not feel the connection I felt when crocheting. At least with crocheting...at that time in my life...I could make a huge granny square. Fast forward to the future....I was watching Knit & Crochet Today on PBS..and Kristin Nicholas was demonstrating knitting the fair isle earflap hat. She was changing colors with ease. I had struggled with changing colors while crocheting a Redskins Afghan for my husband. I became frsutrated and put it away at least 3-4 times over a 2 year period. He became upset with each passing project. I decided to learn to knit so that I could complete the logo for the afghan. I went to Knittinghelp.com, I watched the video to learn how to "Long-tail cast on" and then it all came backto me! I was using size 10 needles with fingering-weight yarn in 7th grade. This time I used size 8 needles with worsted weight yarn! I finally felt comfortable knitting. I not only remembered how to knit..but I also remembered how to purl. Well after that ...I WAS KNITTING! I was so excited..and decided that I paid attention enough and started to make the Redskins logo. I was going wonderfully until I had knitted a few rows with color changes...and noticed that I pulled the yarn too tight when I changed colors. I put it away and decided to consult my knitting buddies about using circular needles instead. OMG...I was at it again and this time I made sure I left enough of the yarn to carry loosley until I needed to u se it. I am now officially becoming Bi-Craftual...a crocheter and now a born-again knitter. Once I finish the Redskin afghan I proclaim myself a knitter. I have enough needles to make anything I want. Look out ya'll NannDee can knit!

Crocheted handbags and purses

2008-08-14T21:06:00.000-05:00

Absolutely Fabulously Finished

2008-08-01T17:17:00.000-05:00

It is with great pleasure that I proclaim...that I have finally finished the Victoria Shrug that I made for My Muse. It all began with the Crochet Me CAL. I wanted to find something classic, refined..yet timeless to make for her. She is a very generous soul and inspires all who let her. After thumbing through the book for something that epitomizes her spirit..I kept finding myself gravitating to the Victorian Shrug on the cover. The model on the cover reminded me of her (except that she is African-American); simple elegance. I polled many co-workers and they all agreed that it was perfect for her. I wanted to give it to her for Christmas, but could not get it perfect enough to give to her. Whenever I make something for someone, I want my work to be the best it can be. So I kept at it until I was finished. I was worried that it would be too big, too small or the material was wrong. Anyhoo...I finished...but wait....I did not have the perfect button. I looked high and low. I put the sweater away ...unfinished...determined that she would not see it until I found the perfect button.. Fast forward...my Aunt Mildred (Mildred Baldwin) gave me a box of beads, buckles, pendants and what-nots. I looked in the cigar box filled with these things at least once or twice a week. Lo and behold I look once more and discovered a lovely golden "dragonfly" pendant. I decided to confess to My Muse my dilemma and inquired as to how she felt about dragonfly's. She exclaims, "That's the name of my favorite watering hole...The Dragonfly" I explained that I finally found the perfect button for her sweater; brought in the pendant for her approval...and she approved. I researched her favorite watering hole online and found that the dragonfly that they use as a logo is almost exactly like the pendant. I added it to shrug and it was PERFECT! I am glad that I waited for the perfect button. I wanted to have it dry-cleaned, but felt nervous about how it would be returned to me..also one dry cleaner wanted $8 just to steam the sweater. I fumed and decided that I would find another way to block it. I told my aunt about my dilemma and she told me to take my steam iron, with a towel over it and do it myself. She also is giving me my own professional steamer. It belonged to my grandmother; her mother..who was a professional seamstress for many years. So, I gave the sweater to her today...in the Christmas gift bag that I purchased...with a note. She found me soon as she saw it...gave me a big hug...exclaimed..."It's perfect and beautiful!....Thank you soooo much!" I could not have been happier. I put a lot of time and love into making it for her...she is a very special person who helped me to appreciate myself and all that I have to offer the world! I know that I have made a friend for life and am better for it.

VeeShells Poncho for Veronica!

2008-02-17T14:48:00.001-05:00

Christmas 2007 - Baby Tyler's First Christmas

2007-12-27T17:41:00.000-05:00

Crochetin@NannDee's Nitch

2007-11-14T20:16:00.000-05:00

Welcome To The World Baby Boy!

2007-11-04T09:06:00.000-05:00

Introducing My Newest Nephew ...Tyler! He is too cute...but I say that about all my nephews..but it's TRUE! They are all gonna be heartbreakers when they get older. I am glad I got to see him..and he was less than a day old. He was shying away at first, but seemed to pose for the camera. He weighed in at 7lbs 10.5 lbs...20.5 inches! You go boy! He opened his eyes for his mommy...I got a good picture of that. They were smiling at each other...how sweet! It is getting cold enough for him to wear the bunting I made. His mommy wants me to make him a sweater. I see another Baby Hoodie in the works. It will be royal blue and light blue! Welcome to world Tyler...Auntie loves you!

NannDee's 1st Open Call for Designers -- Bendels NYC Oct. 29, 2007

2007-11-03T13:26:00.000-05:00

This is slideshow of my trip to Bendels' Open Call for designers for the Flagship store. I was encouraged to go by my Muse (who shall remain nameless). She never let me give up and I am glad that I went thru with it. I wasn't expecting anything...I knew that there would be others there that had items that were better than mine. That didn't bother me at all. It was truly an experience and I am planning on returning in April. I was not prepared..I only took my Fabaluss Bag (Original design) and some little pouches. The buyer Michelle liked my bags, but they aren't able to sell them..the bags need to have more structure. My Fabaluss Bag had a little structure, but clearly needed more. Anyhoo...Hubby was wonderfully supported and stood in line with me and helped show my bags to the buyers. I was please that Michelle thought my bags were cute (~.~)

Bunting For Baby Tyler

2007-09-29T21:16:00.000-05:00

I made this bunting for my little nephew due to arrive on or about October 27, 2007. It is a modified pattern from a Coats & Clark free pattern. I used some leftover Lionbrand Homespun yarn. It is very bulky and hard to use in most patterns that do not call for bulky yarn. I hope it is cold enough so he can wear it some before he outgrows it. I finished it in time for the baby shower on Sept 16, 2007. My gift got the biggest applause...I just loved all the OOOOO's an AAA'S and AWWWW's. The best compliment I can ever get from making a baby gift for someone. I really need to learn how to knit so I can make some sweaters and socks for Baby Tyler. Outfits for baby boys are easier to find in knit versus crochet. Without further adieu......

Purses for The Duchess and The Contessa

2007-08-05T14:32:00.000-05:00

These purses are for my Mommy and Grandmother. I hope they like them. They are my original designs. Sorry for the wait....Enjoy!

And Now...Straight from the pages of the 70's

2007-05-26T13:01:00.000-05:00

This is my first complete outfit for an adult. I always like to make an outfit for someone else first. I had so much fun making this and can't wait to make the next outfit. The poncho pantsuit is a pattern from Groovy Crochet. The hat and the hobo bag are my original designs. Needless to say, she loves the outfit! I have to finish some other projects first...but I will be working some designs of my own and see where it takes me!

Beautiful Boys

2007-04-25T18:39:00.000-05:00

There are no words to describe the love..just look at the slide and you will feel the love we feel for our beautiful nephews!

My Little Heroes..They are Gonna Save the World!

2007-02-21T21:52:00.000-05:00

My Hobo Bags ty shortylam!

2007-02-12T23:06:00.000-05:00

My Nephews...DR AND LB!

2007-01-02T06:49:00.000-05:00

The Twins are Here...Aunty's Boyz

2006-12-28T21:18:00.000-05:00

Well my newborn nephews are less than 36 hours old and from what I hear they are a handful already. They were not small babies one weighed 7.9 lbs and almost 21 inches and the eldest twin weighed 6.3 lbs and almost 20 inches at birth. Wow, my little baby sister had two bouncing baby boys, named after their father and grandfather...DR and LB as I will call them. I can't wait to see them. These are my first nephews and my mom's first grandsons. According to those I spoke to, one looks like my sister and one like their father. How cool is that. You see...both their father and grandfather are deceased. I wish both of them were here to see them, especially their father. He passed suddenly and just a few months ago...RIP Trik Daddy..thats what I called him, because he reminded me of him. Now, he was better looking than the actual Trick Daddy, but he reminded me of him and thats what I called him. Glad I got to say..Hey Trik Daddy before he left this world...sooo young and sooo soon. I know that you are watching over those little sons of yours and rest assured that we are all watching out for them. Anyhoo.......

I was in a tizzy trying to figure out what to make for my nephews ( I knew they were boys ahead time) and decided that since they would have enough clothes to last them years ( she has enough clothes to last them 2 years); their Eldest Aunty decided on the adorable hooded sweaters pictured above. I wanted to make a diaper hamper, but I need to finish Big Daddy's Redskin afghan....WELCOME TO THE WORLD D.R. AND L.B....AUNTY AND UNCLE LUV YOU!

NannDee's Nitch ~~Crochet Collage

2006-12-15T20:11:00.000-05:00

Here is my Crochet Collage

...just a few things that I made...
Crochetin @ NannDee's Nitch...(~.~)

NannDee Greets the World!

2006-12-10T21:08:00.000-05:00

As promised, I am blogging about my new found obsession...Crocheting! I love to create beautiful things. It is not just about the finished product, it is more about the process. The labor of love that you experience when you create something. Two of the most important people in my life crochet(ed)...my Mommy (Yes, I still call her Mommy) and Gramps (Great-Grandmother - deceased). Mommy always used patterns, but Gramps never did. She made those cute little toilet tissue covers and pillows with the Barbie-like dolls in the top. Come to think of it, Gramps only knew a few stitches (sc, dc)....Anyhoo..I still have my toilet tissue cover, sans the dolly.

For the longest time, I only could make a very pretty granny square as an afghan, and folks loved it, but I found that I became bored with it ( I bore easily) and I stopped crocheting. Along comes my Soul Twin CeeCee asking me to teach her how to crochet...awwwww NAW...I marched myself to Walmart, bought a few skeins of Red Heart yarn, a basket and the "I Taught Myself to Crochet" kit for her as a gift. I can be very creative...I lined the basket with some material from some old bedroom curtains, filled it with the yarn and the kit and gave it to her. We were both excited and decided that we should both make something from one of the patterns in the book. I made the hooded baby blanket and she started learning every stitch she could. I learned how to read the patterns and before I knew it.....I was jonesin' for something to make. At first, just baby afghans and then I made an out fit..OMG!!!! It is sooo cute, the picture I have is fuzzy, but it was a joy to make....well I could ramble on for days and days about crocheting...I'M OBSESSED....IS THERE A 12-STEP MEETING SOMEWHERE FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME!...i know i'm not the only one!...Until next time...Strive to be a Woman of Esteem....