The girls and I are currently in Houston.  In two days, we will be driving down to Galveston Island for a week stay on the beach.  I think we’re commendeering my stepdad’s laptop and wireless internet access so I hope to blog a time or two while we’re there.  I finally finished my beach cover up, but now I can barely move my hand from so much crocheting.  At least I will be able to wear it during my time in the sun!  Here’s a photo from one of our last trips to the beach, which sadly, was the summer after we moved back to Texas in 2005.  Living 30 miles from the beach for two years should have made summer trips mandatory.

We’ll be there with my mom and the most amazing dog ever, Hoover.  I saved him from a shelter while in college and he now is spoiled beyond reason by the parents.  Here’s mom with the girls:

I am so going to get in trouble for showing off this picture of her too, (Love you, Mom!) but it’s the only one I can find of Hoover in my Photobucket stash.

Have a wonderful week!!!!!

Tags: beach, Family, summer

Next weekend I am off for my annual trek to Houston for a Memorial Day full of soaking in the sun by the pool.  I have been in probably the most damaging types of crochet slumps.  I start projects and cannot get past the few rows before becoming overwhelmed by a sense of “blah” towards the project.  I’ve started tawashi, dishcloths, clothing, and afghans, and nothing is catching my fancy.  My house, as always, remained full of gorgeous (and non-gorgeous yarn that needs a new home) yarn choices, but nothing is appealing to me.

I am determined though, to go into next Saturday with a quick, simple, and appealing cover up for my bathing suit.  We spend most of our time outside during this weekend and, with the exception of time spent at the Astros game next Saturday, I will be in my bathing suit most of the time.  Here are a few links to a few free cover up crochet patterns that I’ve come across today, just in case you also have a sun-filled holiday weekend ahead of you.

• Water’s Edge Cover Up via Crochetme.  I’m looking more for a top cover up over a skirt, but I may need this for our week at the beach later in the summer.
• Beach Wrap via Coats and Clark. While beautiful, it’s made of thread.  I don’t think I could finish this by the weekend along with the myriad other responsibilities on my plate this week.
• Beach Coat, Suit & Hat - Pretty and a nice 70’s vintage option.  I want more of a pullover, I think, but this is very cute.
• Petal Stitch Sarong - Another cute wrap.  I like the stitch pattern in this one.
• Beach Cover Up/Pullover - A new one from Lion Brand, but it looks a little thick.  I need to find this yarn to play with in something else summer related.
• Women’s Summer Vest - I like this one and think I might do a gauge swatch.  I’m thinking of making it a little bit longer and see how it goes.
• Tunic with mussel pattern - I think I could finish this one quickly too, and would work well as a cover up for the summer.

I think the key for me finding a summer beach cover up for this weekend might be to take a tunic or pullover pattern that you like, adjust it to fit perhaps a little larger, and add length.

Tags: beach, coverup, Crochet, summer