We’re having the weirdest weather here in the midwest. Huge thunderstorms last night. We went to bed with four inches of snow on the ground and woke up to find heavy fog and all the snow gone this morning. Thunderstorms again tonight — just so odd for early February!
Enough about the weather, I thought I’d show you how I wasted occupied my time while waiting in the airport last week.
Last spring, PamKittyMorning showed a little button card with some crochet around it. Since then, I’ve wanted to try crocheting on paper. Why? I have no clue. It was fun to crochet again and I kept my waiting frustration to a minimum. And just so I didn’t completely waste all that time, I did get a little knitting done on my monkey socks. These little valentines required a lot less thinking though, so I worked on them the most.
When I returned home from my trip, I mentioned to Jade that I’d discovered Japanese quilting books while in NYC. (If you remember, Jade gave me my first Japanese craft book a few weeks ago.) I wandered into Koni-HoweverYouSpellIt (the Japanese book store) and I was amazed at the number of Japanese quilt books that were available. I could have come home with a huge pile full of quilt books, but I behaved myself and only bought two. I’m not sure I ended up with the two I thought I did — it was so difficult to choose and I think I confused myself. Anyway, Jade mentioned that she’d like to see them, so I cobbled together a few of the pictures from the books I bought.
Both of the books I bought ( ISBNs 978-4-89396-936-1 and 4-391-62072-3 — I have no idea why that first ISBN is so big) have around 50 projects in them. I think these books are a great untapped resource and I’m seeing more of them in my future. Very exciting!!!
Go check out Randi’s post today and get digging in your recipe box! I’ll be back Thursday night with a recipe to share and I hope you will too!
XOXO,
Anna
How adorable – love the little crochet cards!
The crochet cards are too cute. Valentine’s Day is a great time for crafting, isn’t it?
Lovely projects to look forward to from your new books!
Thanks for the link!
I just love the valentine cards. Makes me want to go and find my crochet hooks and get busy. Thank you for you nice post on my blog!
Love the crochet cards.. I don’t know why its so enticing but it sure is! Yours are darling. And yes, those craft books are amazing aren’t they. It makes me want to head over to Kinokuniya (that’s not it but its close) tomorrow.
Your little cards are very sweet!
Love the recipe for the pancakes too! I have never seen a pan like that, so I thought I might try the recipe using the waffle maker. They do look delicious. Syrup would be my choice too!
Your crochet valentines are charming!
Your crocheted cards are beautiful and must have made the airport wait much less tedious! Those quilting books are stunning – how did you resist buying more???
Lesley xx
Ah, Japanese craft books – what’s not to love?
Re the ISBNs – it’s an industry standard thing, they are all moving to 13 digits. Can’t remember why, but they are! Maybe they were running out of numbers, as the first 4 or 5 digits identify the publisher/imprint and the rest identify the book, from memory…
The valentines are so cute!
Know what you mean about weird weather… this morning it was warmed OUTSIDE than in (65° vs. 64°, but still…)
Your little crocheted Valentines? OMG – CUTEST EVER! I’m so impressed with your craftiness…
We are having odd weather here in NY too. It snowed this weekend, and rained all this week so far. Bizarre.
Your valentines are adorable, and I love the pictures in the magazines you picked up. Thank you for sharing them!
I love the crochet-edged Valentines. It is such a lovely detail and gives depth to each card. So pretty!
The Japanese projects are wonderful and thank you for sharing the info about the books.
I’ll have to check out the recipe effort right away.
Wonderful cards! Thanks for your birthday wishes on my blog Anna! I see the right e-mail address is shown. I hope it works now… Japanese craft books, aren’t they great?!
Oh I love those crochet cards so much Anna! What a fabulous idea – I really wish I could master crochet – but there’s still plenty of time! As for your Japanese books – seriously yummy! And I agree with Lesley – how did you restrict yourself to only 2???? :) Lucy xxx
I can’t stand it Anna – I LOVE LOVE LOVE those cards. OK please tell me how you did it – not this it’s happening for Valentines day but maybe for Easter, hmmmm. Seriously cute.
Now I know what you were talking about with those books. Very cool projects in there and lots to be inspired about. I’m with the others, how could you resist buying only 2. Your strong sister, very strong.
Hugs-Karen
Where did you find those cute valentine’s to crochet on? The crochet is lovely. Its darling. And my collection of Japanese books grows. I try to get one a month. That way I don’t blow it. I love them. They are inspiring. But I love those cards!!!
Those cards are adorable!
I LOVE those Valentines! I can crochet, too. :) Woo hoo!
And the Japanese projects are adorable! Love those monkeys! I have thought about picking up some Japanese craft books but I wonder if I’ll be abel to follow the patterns?
I am in LOVE with those crocheted cards! Soooooo cute!! You did such a nice job on them, Anna.
Love the look into the books, too. Thank you for sharing!!
Oh, Anna, I love the crochet valentines! I can remember a few Christmas ornaments from my childhood that were made from cards with crochet around them.
I think it’s cute the way you say you’re not sure you “ended up with the two you thought you did.” I’ve been in that situation a lot–especially at the grocery store! Anyway, the book pictures look delectable.
See you tomorrow with a recipe! XO
OMG those are the cutest cards Anna. I mean freakin adorable!!!!! Love them. I wish I could do that kind of crocheting. If it’s not an afghan I can’t do it. We have got to get together at Boos to craft and soon.
Very nice way to occupy your time!! Lovely!! I am looking forward to the recipe.
Anna, I love the Valentine Cards. As soon as you finish teaching me how to knit we can move on to Crocheting. TeeHee You use your time so wisely. xoxo
I love those crochet cards Anna, you are very clever!
Kimx
I’m a first time visitor to your blog – I found it through another blog. I love to crochet and would love it if you could direct me to instructions for the crocheted cards. I absolutely love them! Thanks so much,
Andrea
Adorable cards, and beautiful books! Your crocheting is PERFECT. How in the world do you do that?? Shouldn’t be a surprise, you don’t know how to do anything any other way!
Oh those Valentines are just the best. Crochet? Knitting? you truly are talented!!
Stop by my blog for a giveaway and find the link to giveaways across blog land.
Anna, I love your valentines! What a wonderful idea!
Love the Valentines. Books, and lots of them is what gives your mind the “vocabulary” to create in your own way. Keep creating.
Tanya
Anna those cards are gorgeous – what a beautiful red! I keep wanting to crochet the edge of things at the moment. I reckon crochet edged pockets on an apron would be perfect! What sort of yarn did you use?
That’s a wonderful idea of crocheting on a card, it looks fantastic…maybe someday I will figure out how to do that.
I love the Japanese books and have had no luck in finding a place to order them. Do you know of a website that sells these?
These crochet cards are adorable! Perfect winter activity for quiet evenings.
Your such a multi tasker being at the airport and crocheting around your cards too ! Thats harldly wasting time is it ! ~ love Julia x
All ISBNs have changed from the 10-number ones we are used to, to a 13-number, as of Jan. 1, 2007. All 10-digit ISBNs in circulation will have the 3-digit EAN prefix “978” added. This 13-digit ISBN is really just the barcode on the back of the book.
I love these crocheted cards. Do you have a tutorial or where I can find instructions. I am new to crochet but I think I could master these. Would love to do some for Easter.
Thanks.
Down on my knees — begging for instructions to those adorable crocheted cards! I neeeed to
make some! You know…NEEEEED! Please? With sugar on top! Oh, thank you and bless your heart!
xo, Carolyn
How did I miss this post?! That book is lovely. And thank you for the crochet tutorial. I’m going to try my hand at that putting that edging on the nearest piece of pretty paper.
By the way, here’s another patchwork japanese craftbook that might interest you. I’ve got my eye on it, too. Hope I didn’t start a new obsession. :-)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9370910
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