Today is the first day I've felt like picking up my hook since my dad passed away nearly 3 weeks ago. I've felt exhausted and indifferent since then. I know life goes on and my WIPs have missed me. It feels good to be stitching again.

For me, pattern writing requires colored ink, lots of scribbles, plenty of coffee and water. And time, of course! (The one thing I'm usually short on...) #AuburnElephant #crochet #crochetersofinstagram #patterns #design #crochetwithkindness

This set of gloves and hat had the ribbed edging and a diamond-like detail. The top was more open so it would fit those big messy buns! And I'm sort of in love with this style of short fingerless gloves! 😍💖 Watch for the patterns to the 3 sets soon! #AuburnElephant #crochetersofinstagram #crochet #fancy

Set 2 of the beanie/gloves that I designed recently. These are so simple but the #ILoveThisYarnMetallics gives them a little pop of special! #AuburnElephant #crochetersofinstagram #crochet #EXTRA #sparklesalltheway

I had an order for a ponytail hat and glove set that needed to be "extra" for a fabulous lady running a new year's 5K. This is one of 3 sets I came up with (because I can never make up my mind about things)! I LOVE the way it turned out and you can bet I'll be writing up the pattern soon. I'll share the other 2 designs this week. :) #AuburnElephant #crochet #crochetersofinstagram #polkadots #itssparklyyarntoo #ILoveThisYarn #HobbyLobby

I'm loving the color changes in this Scarfie yarn. I feel silly that this is the first time I've tried it. I have lots of ideas for it now! #AuburnElephant #crochetersofinstagram #crochetallday #lionbrandyarns #scarfie #NeverEndingToDoList #WIP

Working on a new stitch today. I think it looks like a row of bows! #AuburnElephant #crochetersofinstagram #crochet #bows #WIP #WIPWednesday

Decided that I didn't have enough projects to get behind on and thought I'd give knitting another go. Trying a herringbone pattern that seems to be sort of coming together but feels too sloppy and I may need to start over. I'll get the hang out it eventually! #AuburnElephant #knit #knittingisharderthanitlooks #imissmyhook #crafts

I definitely feel like my fortune cookie is judging the number of WIPs I have going on... #toomanyWIPs #WorksInProgress #crochet #notenoughhoursintheday #spotonfortunecookie

FINALLY getting around to publishing this Kitty Plush pattern that I mentioned awhile back. I tried several different colors and they all looked adorable! Get the pattern: http://ow.ly/GHzE30kpHHM #AuburnElephant #Amigurumi #crochet #kitty #freepattern

These cute little kitties were part of my 5yo's cat-themed birthday party. I'm finishing up the pattern to share as well! #AuburnElephant #Amigurumi #cats #crochet

This is the result of my first Crochet Project Challenge Box. I wasn't sure at first, then I loved it in progress and now I'm not sure again. I want to try another with a different color combo. I am proud of myself for getting this done about a week after I posted about it. Now to keep going! ;) #AuburnElephant #projectchallenge #crochet #ILoveThisYarnPrints

BRAIN SLUG!!!!! The #BernatBabyBlanket yarn made this ami sooo plush and perfect! Get the free pattern here: http://ow.ly/mu7E50ha9sW #Crochet #AuburnElephant #Amigurumi #BrainSlug #Futurama #ZoidbergIsMyFavorite

I'm working on some super squishy ami using #BernatBabyBlanket yarn today. I LOVE how soft and fuzzy this yarn is! Maybe I'll actually get around to making a blanket with it some day... #AuburnElephant #Amigurumi #crochet #WhatDoYouThinkImMaking?

My project challenge box #1 is underway. I changed the design for this about halfway through. Now I'm on the fence about if I like it or not. But I'm committed to seeing it through at this point. I'll keep you updated! #crochet #crochetprojectchallenge #auburnelephant #IStillNeedCreativeVibes

Okay, I have a confession. I am not a naturally tidy person. I want to be, I wish I was but alas I'm not. I could be though, it would just take a lot more focus and effort (read my Hard Work blog post....). So it's no surprise that my yarn storage is a disaster. I tried going through some the other day and it was overwhelming. I've told myself a million times that I need to use the yarn I have instead of buying more but then I find myself at #Joanns or #HobbyLobby buying more. I came up with an idea that I think will help though and I want to share it. I went and bought some of those plastic shoeboxes from Walmart (the ones that are 94¢) and I'm creating "Project Challenge Boxes." So I put skeins in each box that I've either had for a while and not used or some that I thought coordinated well or a weight that I'm not used to. And now I'm challenging myself to come up with a project for each box. I'm hoping to get to one box a week but I'll give myself 2 to start with. Send me some creative vibes and tidy energy! #creativejuicesflowing #crochet #auburnelephant #crochetprojectchallenge #ItsHardToForgetHandmade #crochetersofinstagram

Teehee! Chunky robot butt in progress.

Apparently today is #NationalUnicornDay, which sounds fabulous! Also fabulous is this adorable Unicorn Plush with a recently updated/corrected FREE pattern! Check it out here: auburnelephant.com/home/unicorn-plush #Crochet #AuburnElephant #Amigurumi #Unicorn #CrochetersofInstagram #ItsHardToForgetHandmade

I've had 4 different projects on my hooks today and I actually managed to finish 2 of them. Yay! This super adorable repurposed scarf dress is one of them! I hope to have a pattern out soon. #AuburnElephant #crochetersofinstagram #repurposed #ItsHardToForgetHandmade #crochet #SoManyWIPs

Finished up my Tiramisu Blanket pattern today. The simple stitches create an amazing texture and #CaronBigCakes makes the perfect stripes! Get the pattern here: auburnelephant.com/home/tiramisu-blanket * * #crochet #AuburnElephant #crochetersofinstagram #yarnspirations #Tiramisu #yarn

Working on a new blanket using a stitch I found in an old crochet book. I'm in love with the texture! #crochet #AuburnElephant #oldisnewagain #crochetersofinstagram #caronbigcakes #yarn

Scored a major deal on a bagful of @yarnspirations Caron Big Cakes from @michaelsstores! Now... How to decide what to make first? Hmm... #AuburnElephant #iloveclearancetags #crochetaddict #yarn #yarnspiration #Therearesomanyprojects

You know that moment when you've been putting off a project so long you never think it will get done? That's where I've been with this Groot. Had I remembered to write down the pattern the first time, I would have been done a lot quicker. Oh well! #LiveandLearn ... FREE PATTERN @ auburnelephant.com/home/toddler-groot ... #AuburnElephant #Amigurumi #crochet #guardiansofthegalaxy #groot #iamgroot #crochetersofinstagram #geek

Toddler Groot coming soon! #AuburnElephant #Amigurumi #crochet #itshardtoforgethandmade

I saw this bag a while back at Joann and went, "Yes!" But my aversion to paying full price for anything made me wait. I found this one later with a damaged sticker because the seam was coming apart. Since I am, in fact, crafty like a fox it's an easy fix and I got my bag cheap! :)

I've made dozens of various hats/earwarmers and scarves. Yet, these are the ones I choose to wear almost every time. They are some of the first ones I made. They are softened from multiple washes and starting to show their age but that only means they are broken in just right. #crochet #AuburnElephant #crochetersofinstagram

Trying to get back into creating again. I've had a bit of a block lately. Can you tell who this is going be? #crochet #AuburnElephant #Amigurumi #creativejuicesflowing

There's time to make your own Spooky Minis for Halloween! #HappyHalloween #AuburnElephant #Amigurumi #crochet #crochetersofinstagram ... Auburnelephant.com/home/spooky-minis

Mini Adipose! I can't even! He's soooo cute!

When it is too nice to keep the kids inside, you bring your yarn and hook to the park! #crochet #crochetinpublic #AuburnElephant

These TMNT gloves have been a big hit at our house. #TMNT #NinjaTurtles #DressUp #Crochet #AuburnElephant #Cowabunga http://www.auburnelephant.com/home/tmnt-gloves

This hat and diaper cover set came out so cute! I can't wait to see pictures of baby girl in them! #Unicorn #Crochet #AuburnElephant #AllTheCuteness auburnelephant.com/home/unicorn-photo-set