Getting Started

As I embark on my journey with this blog, I'd like to showcase my 'crafting basket' the masses. I made this using some materials from my local Michael's. In the background you can see a photo set in a frame that Athena, my stepmom, got me. She is the architect behind one of my favorite blogs, lifesabundantadventures.blogspot.com. I recommend her Simple Salmon; it's delicious! Anyway, here is the basket:

I apologize for the quality of the photo; I'm still in the process of moving into my new apartment, and there really is no good place to take pictures. This is probably going to be a never-ending battle. I'll have to ask Athena for some blogging goddess advice. :)

Anyway, stay tuned! I'll be sharing my first and latest project, an original short-sleeve cardigan I designed. As I work on my own prowess as a crochet artist, I am going to finesse my own abilities to write down original patterns that are simple and easy to understand. Unfortunately for this cardigan, I did not keep track of the pattern. I plan to make another one and will document the process then. Most of my projects are the result of trial and error, which is why it is difficult to keep track of how I actually produce them.

Welcome!

Hello, my name is Courtney Anjanette and I am the force behind the original blog, Thoughts and Quandaries, located at thoughtsandquandaries.blogspot.com. This blog is specifically for the documentation of my crocheted pieces, be them clothing, afghans, accessories, stuffed toys, et cetera. I do claim full ownership of all pieces shown on this blog, as they are all of my original design.

All pieces showcased, unless otherwise stated, are for sale. Depending on the success of this site I may consider opening an Etsy account, although at this point I am unsure of whether or not I will do so. I hope you enjoy what you have to see here. I'd like to include here the post from Thoughts and Quandaries that fully lays out my ideas and goals for Courtney's Crochet:

I'm also going to have a blog called "Courtney's Crochet", where I will be posting photos of my projects and having them available for purchase. This fall I'll be doing my internship, and while I will have more free time, I will be making less due to the nature of  my internship. While this new blog, which will be located at courtneyscrochet.blogspot.com, won't be strictly for making money, but more for documenting my growth as an artist and craftsman, I am definitely open to making some spare change on the side to supplement the materials I need to keep crocheting and designing my own patterns.

To avoid copyright infringement, I am going to do my best to only showcase designs that are my own, although I cannot escape the patterns that have shaped my style as an artist.

I hope that you will accompany me on this journey to deepening my understanding of my art. I know a lot of people dismiss crocheting or other forms of 'yarn art' as simple, or for 'old ladies', but I find crocheting to be an intricate and challenging art. I hope you learn to appreciate it as I do. 

My biggest challenge as I go forth on this journey is dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome. I have been crocheting for nearly six years and have been experiencing symptoms consistent with carpal tunnel for about a year and a half. My other challenges include balancing time and maintaining commitment to my projects. As demonstrated by my inconsistent blogging, it is evident that I get distracted easily. This ends today.

That's located at http://thoughtsandquandaries.blogspot.com/2012/08/courtneyscrochetblogspotcom.html.

Thank you so much for your continued support on my journey. Have a lovely evening, and happy blogging!