Around the Bases CAL - Afghan Square Round Up!

Hello everyone! 

It's been another hectic week here, but I've managed to tick one thing off my list - my centre square for the Around the Bases CAL, starting on August 9! 

I'm going to use all Stylecraft Special DK for this afghan, choosing colours with a random pull from my bag of scraps and rejecting only if I've used the same colour in the last 10 rows already. It's made for some interesting colours so far... but that will be part of the charm!

The really special thing about this CAL is that each one is going to be unique, because WE get to choose the starting square! 

I spent quite a long time on Ravelry looking at different square options, before narrowing it down to a shortlist and coming to a decision. It was really hard! I ended up deciding on a square and then converting it to a rectangle - after Sophie and the Lily Pond, I need a break from square afghans :P 

But what to do with all the other pretty squares that I found? It seems a shame to just forget all about the lovely crochet that I found... 

So, shared here for you (and me) are the big afghan squares that tempted me the most as the centre square for this CAL :) They are in no particular order, and all pictures are from the pattern pages and belong to their respective owners. 


Tropical Delight
Published by Mellie Blossom

Cost: Free! 
Link: http://www.mellieblossom.com/free-tropical-delight-crochet-pattern/

Starburst Square
by Tera Kulling

Cost: Free!
Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/starburst-square-2

August Sun
by Donna Kay Lacey

Cost: $1.99
Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/august-sun---wwbamcal

Firenze
by Julie Yeager

Cost: $2.99
Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/firenze-afghan-block

Grand Granny
by Angela Harriman

Cost: $1.00
Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grand-granny

Daisy Centre Mandala Square
by Zooty Owl

Cost: Free!
Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/daisy-centre-mandala-square

Denna Square
by Polly Plum

Cost: Free! 
Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/denna-square

The Enchanted Garden
by Courtney Jones Laube

Cost: $3 + $1.99 for the Crocodile Stitch Flower pattern
Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-enchanted-garden-tote

Sophie's Garden

Cost: Free!
Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sophies-garden

The Darkness Held at Bay
by Shan Sevcik

Cost: $1.50
Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-darkness-held-at-bay-10-and-12-block

So, what did I go with in the end?

The Darkness Held at Bay, with some extra rows of bphdc after the centre square to make it rectangular, and then an extra row around the edge to get to the right stitch count :) 

What do you think? Are you interested in joining this CAL too?  Which afghan square would you use to start with?

Hugs,

Michelle

The Love Story of Mr Alienbunny and Ms Long-Ear

Today I bring to you the magical lovvvee story of Mr Alienbunny and Ms Long-Ear. Grab a cup and tea, some biscuits and enjoy!

The Love Story of Mr Alienbunny and Ms Long-Ear

Mr Alienbunny lived in a town named Koblenz, an old town built by the Romans. He had a very good life among the wine hills and enjoyed life a lot. However, he also felt... empty. He wasn't sure what he was missing at all, so he started his journey to fill the emptiness.

He tried to enjoy the smell of the first spring flowers but it didn't help. He still felt empty.

                          

He went out for drinks with his mate Mr Giraffe from Australia. They had a very good time but the next morning Mr Alienbunny still felt empty inside. Oh and he had a terrible hangover. Poor little one. 

One day, he heard of two wise owls, so he went to see him. They had a very long talk together and the two owls told him of their love for each other and suggested that Mr Alienbunny longed for love.

At home, Mr Alienbunny spent a long time thinking about love which he only knew from the movies. After some days, he decided he had to look for love! He said goodbye to his friends, packed his bags and started his journey in his Lego Mini Cooper.

It was a very long and hard journey. He met lots of nice people but no love.

That is, until he arrived in Dortmund, a town in the middle of Germany. There he saw HER! In the middle of a field of roses... She was soo beautiful! But would she like him?!

He waited until she left the field of roses and started to talk to her. Her name was Ms Long-Ear and she was very lovely indeed! Native to Dortmund, she told him all about the town.

They agreed to meet again the next day and Ms Long-Ear was delighted by the flower Mr Alienbunny got for her.

For hours they talked... and fell in love!

  

After some weeks together, they decided to pack their bags into Mr Alienbunny's car and travel the world. So far they are having a really good time! Should you meet them, have a glass of wine with them - I am sure they will love to talk to you and tell you their story in person!

The End!

Little Tuesday Update!

Hello everyone! Welcome to all of our new readers, and hugs for old friends :) 

Wow! The response to my Rainbow Twist and Turn Bargello Afghan has been phenomenal - 1300 views of the pattern, 280 favourites on Ravelry and two projects started already :D  

Mine is all safely washed and dried and photographed and rolled up in plastic, ready for its next outing at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. I entered the Show for the first time this year, in 3 categories:

1. Adult Accessories - I'm going to submit a Road Trip Scarf to this category;

2. Soft Toys - A candy hippo, my favourite; and

3. Creative Crochet (Exhibitor's Own Design) - the Bargello Afghan.

Unfortunately I couldn't enter the afghan into the afghan category as that requires the blankets to be made from wool or wool blend, not 100% acrylic :( Oh well, now I know for next time!

There'll be a brand new afghan design coming soon - here is a sneak peek for you!

I've been stuck at home with terrible fatigue, bored off my nut for the last few days. I have been slowly getting through some scarves, and trying to clear my WIP pile so I can start new projects with a clear conscience.  Here are three more scarves, in some different yarn to my usual Moda Vera Fayette!

James C Brett - Woodlander (5)

King Cole Riot (414)

Yarn Bee Aurora Borealis (Fruit Punch)

As I am writing this, I have received some very bad news. Anne's grandfather passed away today at the grand age of 101. As you all know, Anne was very close to her grandfather, and he used the blanket that she made for him every day. 

Please send her lots of love and hugs and support in this difficult time.