Creeping Charlie, aka Creeping Jenny and ground ivy "Glechoma hederacea", has prefered soil conditions like any other plant has and usually these soil conditions are not good grass growing conditions. Correcting the too moist, shady, and generally lower soil pH conditions can help, so a start to control "Glechoma hederacea" is with your soil.
What is your soils pH?
How much organic matter is in that soil?
How well does the soil drain?
How well does that soil retain moisture?
What does that soil smell like?
What kind of life is in that soil?
How does that soil work?

Here is a link that might be useful: About Creeping Charlie

Hi Kimmsr,

Thanks for the Charlie post. I took a look at the "hot spots" today and can identify some of the problems right away. Some of the spots are definitely retaining more moisture than others, which is contributing to "my" charlie problems. Guess I need to cut back on watering certain areas.

The other areas are cared for by my neighbor, who doesn't use organic methods. These areas are sunny, and the charlie is totally out of control. It's getting cut pretty regularly and pretty short, too. Sure that's contributing to growth.

We've been working to up organic matter for the past several years, spreading compost and coffee grounds regularly. Soil is slightly basic, but not much. More and more worms every year. The yard is a mix of clay in one area and lots of sand. It's taking a lot of soil ammendments to get some good quality soil, but we're getting there.

Thanks for the link, that's also good charlie info.