@flukybloom. I saw him on the news celebrating Peyton's 4th year of rebirth. Hes such a strong man. I cried.

The Peyton's Heart Project FB page is also inspiring. People from all over the world post where they found a heart. Some of the stories are so motivating.

I've picked out a pattern that I can make successfully. I've made 10 hearts! I'm not getting much faster at it but at least I've got the (easy) pattern memorized!

ShadyGreenThumb said:I'm not getting much faster at it but at least I've got the (easy) pattern memorized!

In any project I think memorizing the pattern is more important than speed! But I'm a pretty casual stitcher, both knitting and crochet.

Good news! I became a Certified Crafter! It's time to get serious and send off my octopus to help some babies! There are only 280 Certified Octopus makers in the US.

Now that is pretty awesome!

Our kitten got spayed last week and I made her a sweater so she wouldn't lick her incision. Bonus: we discovered that when you put it on her it deactivated her kill switch and she turns into the sweetest thing you've ever met. Purrs, rubs up against you, doesn't try to murder the other cat in his sleep (she still wants to play, it just isn't as violent). It seriously cuts back on her aggression! Which I'm still hoping she'll grow out of and not have to wear a sweater for forever (it's not on her all the time), but in the meantime we're taking advantage of the peace! And not getting our hands torn up

You can order them, but I worked this one up because Aly is bigger than they make them. It does not stop her from trying to eat the Christmas tree, however

Pretty kitty, and that little sweater is adorable, Sara. You could sell them.

Awww, she is cute!

I've been busy with the Octopus for a Preemie project and got creative with this one.

That is adorable!! such a good idea!

What do you do with your yarn scraps, the pieces that are too short to create anything? I collected a year's worth of scraps in q bag and out it out for the bird to make their nests. The pile is slowly diminishing. I expect to see some colorful nests around here!

If there's enough yarn left to ball up it gets added to my already ridiculous pile of those

The short pieces I throw away immediately because we had a cat for when I was young from eating a string, and both my cats now are omnivores/garbage disposals I'd rather pitch em than risk one of the cats getting them.

ETA: I would love to see pics of those nests if you come across them!

I always have plenty yarn left over, usually it winds up in another project.
I finished last month my Sophie's Universe blanket, the left over wool is worked into a sweater for myself as we speak. I am trying to incorporate some of the elements of the blanket without making it too loud.
Before blocking

and drying on the deck to block

@ursula oh that is pretty Sophie has been on my list for a while, need to just do it.

Go for it! I enjoyed every single row! It is not a quick project, couldn't wait sometimes what the next row would look like.

Hi Yall!

I love seeing these pictures and stories about the crochet projects, beautiful blankets and oh-so-cute octupus toys, and kitty klothes! I have crocheted simple projects with straight lines! How do you make time for all these active activities, crocheting, gardening, and socializing on garden.org?

Please keep posting your projects and stories! I will make time to enjoy them!

Hi @hiyall I wish I had more time to crochet. I crochet more in the winter when I m stuck indoors with little or no yard work to do. In the spring, it is hard to crochet since i am so tired and my hands are especially tired from being outdoors all day. We have rain coming on Saturday. If I get my chores done (because I totally ignore them while I am outside in the spring!) I'll sit and crochet. I have 3 octopuses going at different stages right now. I'd like to sit and finish at least ONE~

Here is a group of octopus that went to a NICU in Lubbock.
And a couple that went to some Preemies in Indiana. (Scarf not included)
We're up to almost 300 Certified Crafters in our USA group. It's amazing how quickly they fill up requests from NICU's all over the USA.

Hiyall, I am happily retired. But, I am actually fairly disciplined and I crochet or knit mostly just in the evening, while we have some TV shows running.
Are you working on anything right now?

I don't work outside the home, I have an Etsy shop that keeps me a little preoccupied. I work on things year round though because I am very fair skinned and if I don't get outside to work early enough in the day it just doesn't happen lol.

Hi Ursula and All, sending pics of a project (the 1 project I finished ) and gave as a gift. The blanket is the flannel blanket sold at holiday time. My son's is trimmed with straight border. Used picot stitches for his wife's throw. They live 2 days long drive away. I'm thinking I need to visit to see if borders are still ok and have 2 crochet days during travel!

Thought first picture may be hard to see border. Posting pictures of the picot edge. I can learn from y'all 😉