​2020 

* * *  UNDER CONSTRUCTION  * * *

With the past few months of this unprecedented event (Covid-19)... my website has
taken a back seat to life.  I have focused on my daily life: home & work and
it has left little energy for this venue.
My apologies to those who have followed me. 
Thank you for bearing with me during this interruption.

Stitching &  More Stitching

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July marks count down
Usually by the time July arrives, my brain is starting to gear up for the holiday stitching.
Making items for gifting, creating new patterns for my e-stores, and just extras for holiday decorating.  Unfortunately - although my brain is trending in that direction - my efforts to actually start the stitching are usually impeded by work and other life interruptions.
This July however - I will have a couple of new ornament patterns ready for release.
I'm so excited to continue my journey discovering new designs for this medium.
I hope that you enjoy the pictures along the way.  (And if you like to work with thread - that you are excited to make these with me.)

RUFFLES

Highlights - Shells - Ruffled Arches - Beadwork - Wintery Blues
​Repair-Restoration
Granny Square Afghan
a labor of crochet love

{click on the picture to enlarge}

This afghan has seen a lot of years and a lot of love.  The yarn is breaking down and there were so many areas that needed attention, so much of it was damaged or thread bare. I could not get to every area in need unless it was dismantled.  A lot of the yarn was beginning to disintegrate.  Many of the squares were so badly damaged, I could not save them.
During the dismantle, I salvaged as much of the dark yarn as possible so I could repair squares with the same yarn; I couldn't find anything even close to match it.  The cream colored yarn was even more worn and could not be saved at all.  I found a lighter wool to use and then after some squares were repaired, I found an even better match for the cream - almost exact! This was a great find because more of the lighter yarn would be needed for repairs and for replacement squares later on.  
A year and 180 squares later... I nearly have all the damaged squares repaired (there were a few that still had enough integrity I didn't need to repair them).  Reinforcing edges has begun as well as making replacement squares for the the ones lost in the revival of this heirloom.  I am hopeful I will be able to reunite this beloved afghan to it's owner this year.  This has truly been one of the most challenging refurbishments I've attempted.  I was not prepared for the delicate state of the fiber, but I am so happy to be on the re-building side of this project.  I'll post more pictures here as I progress.  
Stay tuned... 
4/26/20 -- another dozen granny squares have a border completed... 40 more to have all grannies with a completed border.  After that - a layout to see how many extra new squares will be needed for fill in.  
5/14/20 -- finishing up the last half dozen granny squares and I'll be starting assembly.
I can't tell you how excited I am to be at this point.  It has been a challenge and quest to 'save' this item and get it completed.  I'll be adding photos of the basket full of completed squares this week and will add a few more pics of the process of joining them. 

TIME FOR CROCHET MARKET BAGS!

Time to start stitching up little crocheted market bags for spring farmers market trips. These little bags are so versatile.  Use them in your larger bags to keep things separated OR from getting smushed!  Click the link below to go to the crochet pattern page to download your copy today!
5/10/20 - I decided to try this pattern in a worsted weight cotton.  It makes a MUCH larger bag - but I wanted to get an idea of just how much larger.  Almost done with it - and I'll be added the pictures for it.  I'll have one of the original bags next to it for size comparison.  Stay tuned....
CoziCrafts Original crochet patterns in 2 online stores - 
Ravelry - patterns HERE. 
​Love Crafts - patterns HERE. 

You can find me under COZICRAFTS - let me know who you are so I can see your projects.
​Happy Stitching everyone!
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2011 - My first conference in Greensboro, NC. Here I am with Lily Chin!
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2014 - With friends {from left-me, Lynn W./Linda Dean/Katheryn White}
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2014 - CGOA 20th Anniversary 'Yarn Cake'

Yarn bombing the bull in downtown Durham...

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Here I am with "Off The Hook Crochet" members, we had a great time dressing the bull in Durham during craft month (March 2011)