I'm not hiding behind the counter anymore, no longer hoping those passing by don't see me. The deadbolt is off the door, and the welcome sign is out. I sure am glad that folks weren't afraid to come on in. Since adding the new additions to Baby Squares, and sprucing the place up, people have taken interest, and I have followed up on that interest. The result? THREE custom Baby Squares blankets in the works, and me stepping outside my crafty comfort zone to try new granny square motifs. I am grateful for the support, and for the push to own my entrepreneurship. Its still a little difficult for me to view what I have going here as a business, or maybe its difficult for me to begin viewing myself as a small business owner. However, its not very difficult to get excited about the approaching arrival of new babies!

New blankets in the shop, Baby Squares has met Facebook, I'm half way through some bell hooks, got a couple of potential orders, and a full belly... its about time I entertain the cookies n' cream that is waiting for me in the freezer.

I sooo can't believe I just did this! I made a scarf. And not just any scarf. But a granny square scarf - a baby square scarf - for my baby! Yay me! I hadn't even set out to try this scarf when I pulled out the yarn. The plan was to get started on another blanket for my shop, but then I started thinking about Miss J asking me if I could make her another blanket this morning, and since I really don't know when I will get around to doing that, I decided that maybe I'd try making her a scarf instead. A little something to match her coat since I had some pink yarn left over from the blanket I made her.


Its definitely NOT the best. Shoot, I had to research youtube videos to figure out how to put the squares together, and discovered that I didn't even need the yarn needle that I bought to do it. As simple as the technique looked, I still managed to stitch the squares in the wrong places, causing me to start over several times, and it wouldn't be that far fetched if this scarf didn't stay in one piece!


Time for me to start perfecting my granny square attachment skills, because, after I put these photos up on Facebook, I got an inquiry order! Yikes! I don't even have a price in mind. These aren't even part of my shop... yet. I can barely keep the squares together, remember??

Crochet challenge #1. Bring it on!

Truthfully speaking, I'm not much of a sports girl. Not because sports isn't a "girl" thing or because I'm too girlie for it, but because its just not my thing. I'm not into the NFL, MLB, NBA, or PGA. And although I am a blood sports kind of girl, I don't keep up with the MMA either. I just not interested in gathering around the tv, not even for the Super Bowl. That doesn't mean that I don't know how to show team spirit though.

When I was asked to create this 49er inspired blanket, I was a little intimidated. Not only did I have to zero in on the team's logo and colors, I didn't even know if the colors would be available in the type of yarn that I needed for a baby blanket. Also, what would the die hard fans and new owners of this blanket think about my rendition of their favorite team?

In the end I did find the perfect yarn for this project and I have gotten great feedback on it thus far. I had a lot of fun thinking up the design, and taking a leap outside the box to create the perfect gift. This blanket is being purchased for a new baby who is due to arrive late February/Early March. There is no doubt that this little fan will be the coolest tailgater EVER!

Wow, looka here. 100 101 followers! How exciting. I'm glad you so desire to be privy to my rants, joys, struggles, accomplishments, failures, new ventures, and everything else that composes my disordered life. Moments are never too dull over here. Thank you for wanting to be here for each and every moment of it!

Half the week is gone and I have definitely not been lounging. I started the week off by continuing the process of applying for state jobs. I had to take an exam to gain eligibility for the positions that I am interested in. Working for the state of California is NOT a goal, but there are some positions that offer an independent work environment, a salary and some benefits, so I don't have anything to lose by making them an option... unless of course the state applies more cuts. The rate that my Kipenzi works, and the blood, sweat and tears that goes into his position makes me appreciate just how hard state workers grind. While not every state job is as challenging as his, right now, state workers are hanging on to their jobs by a thread, while being paid less for what they do, so I'm humbled by it all. I should find out the results of my state exam by next week.

In the meantime, I'll be working on stocking Baby Squares. I got my very first custom order yesterday! I was able to go out and get the yarns that I needed and I started working on it last night. I am so excited. Sometimes I don't feel like there is a need for what I do with yarn. The majority of the time I encounter people who either already have crocheters in their family or they just can't see paying a certain price for a handmade blanket. I am so grateful for a place like Etsy, and for friends who are eager to support me. Crocheting brings me a lot of joy and peace, so its great to be able to turn a passion into profit.

Life is still so fast paced, and I'm really trying not to let it run me over. I am reminding myself to take things one day at a time, one project at a time, one commitment at a time. Reminding myself that the S on my chest really doesn't stand for Superwoman, but for Self - preservation.

I am officially a shop owner! An Etsy shop owner. Its been a real process deciding on a name for the shop, deciding if I should really open a shop only having 3 blankets, deciding if my photographs are appealing enough to attract folks...

I sucked it up, spent a couple of days figuring out things on my own - combined with bugging asking the wonderful Mrs. Allen-Mercado for her Etsy know-how, dos and don'ts, and "how does it look nows". Finally, its here. Baby Squares is here!

I hope that you will all stop by and pay me a visit. If you see something you like, GET IT! No pressure =). I am hoping to go yarn shopping soon so that I can add some pretty purples, pinks and other brightness to the trio. Custom is an option, especially since I only have a few pieces over there. Just shoot me an email at babysquares@gmail.com.

I've been in my own little world lately. Busy trying to organize these last papers in my head, while simultaneously trying to keep my sanity. These last couple of weeks, I've kinda been at a disconnect with school stuff, as the "real world" and life's challenges are a lot more important. I'm on a quest for clarity. Over the holidays, I took some time to finish a blanket that I had been working on for a while for Miss J. She was very pleased with the final result.


I started a new blanket last night. A little yellow and white number that hopefully will make a mother and her baby very happy. I have plans on finishing it this weekend. Crocheting brings such a tranquil feeling, and with 43 more pages of writing to do, I need all the tranquility that I can get.

Its not perfect, but its close to what I envisioned. My friend will be coming to pick it up on Tuesday and I hope that she is pleased with both the presentation and the product as a whole. I'll let you know...

Just completed a new version of my Maze blanket for the nursery of a friend's newborn son. Remember the two blankets that I told you I sold before the end of the semester? Well, this is one of them. Blue and chocolate brown. The other will be a pastel green and yellow one for another little boy due in July. And I am still working on Miss J's all pink blanket that she has been hounding me to finish.

Hopefully, one day I will be moving these blankets off my couch for pictures and onto a more appropriate prop, such as a crib, or nice chair. For now, the couch will have to do because I'm not sure how long I will be holding on to this one, and because I plan on packaging it tomorrow and once its wrapped it'll stay that way until its owner unwraps it. I'll will fold it in a signature fold, wrap it in tulle, which is much better than celophane, then tie with an "Its a Boy" ribbon. It looks beautiful in my mind, we'll see how it looks once I start getting creative.

No, I didn't make a sale. I have decided to pass the source of my finger cramps on to a deserving little boy who is cuter than Benjamin Button. Everyone, meet Little Monkey


Son of Mr. Tuffy and Mrs. Round Peg, and little brother of Rorysaurus, over at Mostly Medical Misadventures & Mishaps. In case you can't tell, he's celebrating his first birthday and a happy recovery from numerous cranial operations this year. You see, Little Monkey was born with non-syndromatic synostosis. His skull didn't develop properly, which left him sporting a spiked skull at birth. But look at him, wasn't he ultra adorable?


Little Monkey had surgery and grew into those bones.


And then he had another surgery...


And he got to wear the coolest hat EVER!


And now, its like this rough start to life never even happened.


We will be heading over to his place today to help celebrate his first year and to welcome his Uncle Needlenoggin home from the hospital. You can get introduced to this extraordinary family here. Through every trial and tribulation of this year, their smiles have overshadowed their tears. They are THEE most resilient people I know. I love em' to death. These folks are my Cal family and each day that they "keep on keepin' on", they inspire me to continue to overcome.

I need a more presentable way of photographing these blankets. I might have to borrow my little twin nieces and put them to work. I am pretty sure the blankets would look much better hanging off of Thing 1 and Thing 2, rather than hanging off the back of my couch.

Two days of work and I now have a finished product. Not much different than those I made for the girls or the two blue and white blankets that I made before that. A 30-34 inch granny square with variations in color placement. I think that's what I like about the granny square. Its quick, and although you get the same shape, you are in complete control of the pattern. You can do all one color, or you can add as many colors as you'd like. You don't have to really take measurements with a square, you just keep adding rows until its as big as you want it, always yielding a perfect square. It makes a beautiful addition to any bed.

I forgot how much work crocheting is on the hands. I thought I would have finished on Monday, but I had to keep stopping because my fingers kept cramping up. I hope this wont be a continuous issue if I decide to go ahead and stock up on blankets. I can't wait to get more materials. If I have to do one more blue and white blanket before I do any other color I might have to hurt myself. Luckily Miss J has asked for one in pink, and some other color that I can't remember. I am going to go find the brightest, hottest pink I can. I have to take a short break from the pastels.

So what do you think? Could you see yourself tucking your little one into a granny square at night? Also, if I go ahead with this whole Etsy store thing, what the heck am I gonna call it? I have been thinking for at least 6 months and nothing. Right now, pictures are stored in a folder called Schemes of Love. Any suggestions?

And I don't have a care in the world, a few worries, but not one care. That's what happens when you are coming down from 12 months of continuous schooling. Yes, 12 months, straight, with just a few holidays, of which summer vacation was not included. I spent the whole weekend in bed. If I could have cooked from the bed that is how I would have chosen to feed Miss J.

I'm free to relax this week. Miss J will be in school, so that just leaves me, the tv, some good music, my yarn and crochet hook. I am free to spend full days with myself, letting myself know just how much I love me. Not something that I get to do often so I take advantage whenever the opportunity permits itself. I started a new blanket yesterday, which should be finished today. Hopefully I will get to share it with you tomorrow and you can tell me what you think.

My recent visits with Renee and Ty have reminded me that there is some Peppermint goodness hidden in my cabinet and a lonely jar each of peanut butter and jelly that could be busy at work, feeding my soul. So, the bread and butter knife have been fetched and the honey has been added as I embark on my 6 page "final" journey. I can't say I am sad to see this semester end, but I can say that I will awake tomorrow with a breath of fresh air.

I am looking forward to the coming weeks, absent of deadlines, and jam packed with dead space that can be filled with anything that I choose. I am dying to be behind some artistic expression that doesn't require too much thought, just a lot of passion. My crochet hook misses me dearly. I have neglected it and the two gigantic balls of yarn that peacefully beg to be transformed into a toasty granny square.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the possibility of following in the footsteps of Ty, Tameka, Brooke, Maricris and every other crafty talent in the bloggy world and opening up my very own Etsy store. I never knew there was such a thing until meeting these ladies. I always tell myself that I am going to sit down and build my inventory of various versions of the same blanket for sale, and then it happens, someone has a baby and I can't resist the urge to give a blanket as a gift. And if I sell a blanket to a friend or family member who has just welcomed a new little one I feel all kinds of guilty. Even when I drop the asking price ridiculously low. Its silly, I know. If you want business you have to let that pleasure and those personal feelings go, right? Or at least not let them stand between you and your potential income.

Next week I plan to hop to it. Break out the bag and get busy. Maybe even set aside a little cash for some new yarn since I need to take Miss J to pick out a color or two for the blanket that she has been asking me to make her. This could be the beginning of something wonderful.

Yay! I am breaking blogger ground here. I've been tagged by Cutie Booty Cakes! Now, since I am a new blogger, I had no idea what exactly being tagged meant and what the heck a meme was. I emailed Renee asking her to put me up on game to the blogger lingo and she was so sweet in explaining to me what I should do and I promised her that I would "hop right to it", so here I am...

My mission: To tell you all "10 interesting/random/quirky/normal/silly things about [me] … things [I'm] looking forward to, things about [me] personally, whatever [I] want.” So here goes...


1. I absolutely LOVE to crochet. I'm like a little old lady when I am in the crochet zone: seated comfortably on my couch watching the soaps, Michael's Arts Crafts & More bag at my side overflowing with big fluffy balls of yarn, size "I" crochet hood in hand and a half completed baby blanket on my lap. No child will ever be cold when I'm around. Seriously, if there is a cold child that you know or a blanketless baby feel free to place your orders NOW!!



2. Dreyer's Vanilla Sandwich Flavored Ice Cream is my drug of choice. I am completely addicted and I have succeeded in getting Miss J. hooked as well. Being able to get a child who does not like chocolate hooked on something that has chocolate in it is a skill.



3. Miss J. and I were bored in the same city, same hospital, the same time of day and by the same method: C-section. We both figured that we should come into the world running so God made us breech.

4. I was named after my grandmother, who was named after her grandmother. Yes, I descend from a strong line of Ms. Bar Bs.

5. I have had the same best friends since grade school. We all live very different and separate lives but the love that we have for each other never ceases.

6. I use to be a martial artist. I guess once you learn you never completely forget, but I have not practiced for over 5 years. I really hope to be able to return to it one day. There is still a black belt at my old kajukenbo school waiting for me and besides that, there is this dude that owes me money and I have decided that I'd really like to beat the shit out of him. Having ripped abs again wouldn't hurt either.


7. I still haven't learned how to cornrow. Every single black girl from the inner city should know how to do some cornrows. Its in the code, its like one of the first things that you learn how to do as a preteen. You do your braids, your sister's and cousin's braids and your homegirl's braids. You might even do your little brother's too. Not me. Mine were always done by my aunt or another neighborhood braider. Now I have a little girl who I have to send off to her aunt to get all done up. Maybe one day I will be able to do this...

8. I am one of those people who HATE to be late for events or anything else for that matter. I will be the first one to arrive, up to 30 minutes early. The earliness doesn't matter to me, as long as I am not late its all good.

9. I am really bad at directions. Giving them, following them. I use to give directions like someone who lives out in the country, "you go down to the fork in the road, then make a half right and then go down a little bit, but not too far, and then back up and then pull forward". I swear, I need Mapquest to go places in my own neighborhood, it really does get THAT bad people. I am still amazed that Miss J. and I drove over 700 miles to Arizona last summer and didn't get lost... unless you count taking a wrong exit that put us off the freeway in LA, but whose counting??

10. I am one of the most loyal friends that you could ever have. I will always be there when you need me, with encouraging words, loving arms and a smack up side the head when you really need it.


And there ya go. 10 interesting/random/quirky/normal/silly things about me. Now I have to tag some other people that I know. Since I am only beginning to branch out and make new friends there are only a few that I can tag. I will begin with those who have been so nice to me by stopping by and leaving kind words on my most recent posts...THANKS =)

1. Zen Ventures
2. Weith Kick
3. Bottles, Barbies and Boys (who is currently taking a little vacation from her blog)

I would also like to tag an awesome lady who I have known for some time and who I admire for her survival skills, warm heart and cute rugrats.

4. Medicine and Mishaps

Happy blogging folks =)