There are UFOs under my stairs...

Well, I blew that...

2012-01-25T21:38:00.000-07:00

So much for the goals I set in the last post. I obviously haven't posted once a week. I haven't documented any finished projects, and I even made my Grandma a pair of mittens for her birthday. I haven't sewn, not one stitch. And I don't even want to talk about no. 4 on the list, other than to say I have definitely decided against keeping a public record of what I've spent on crafting supplies. (There is a chance my husband could see it! What was I thinking?!)

What have I been doing? I have been suffering from a raging case of start-itis. I've been averaging two new knitting projects a week since Christmas and so far the finished projects tally is one (maybe two if you are feeling really generous, it was a pair of mittens...)

One of the biggest stumbling blocks has been what I have come to loving call Blue Death on a Stick (or the BDS as it will be known from now on.) It is a knitting project that will definitely receive it's own post and quite possibly drive me to seek some form of therapy before it is finished. But if nothing else it has shown me the depth of determination I possess, or proven the depth of my craziness, depending on who you ask. It's also brought out into the open the procrastination issues I have. As in I would rather do just about anything else than knit on the BDS, except maybe scrub the toilet. Hmmm. I don't know, that may be a toss up...

So far I've started a blanket, a pair of color-work mittens, and I'm making my own fancy-dancy beaded stitch markers rather than knit on the BDS.

A few of my first attempts.

I kind of think the black one with spots looks like a fishing lure...

I have found that my taste definitely runs to natural stone and pearls.

I would have made more of these, but I ran out of the gold pearls.

Carved wood and coral, so pretty and feminine.

Blue and silver with pearls, a slightly nautical feel.

Pink and gold, vaguely floral.

These are just fun. They look like candy rocks, plus I love the rainbow colors.

I call these my Othello set. (Anyone else play that game as a child?)

These are my current favorites, but each set that I finish has been my favorite and these just happened to be the last set that I made...

I'm even using some of them in the BDS on the theory that it would make it more fun to knit. So far it isn't working...

I would be making more stitch markers right now, but I ran out of the rings. The thing is they are just so much fun and pretty much instant gratification. Five minutes to a finished product as apposed to three weeks to get 5" of the BDS... it is a pretty blue though, isn't it?

2012 Goals: Crafting Edition (and the 1st finished projects of the new year)

2012-01-05T17:16:00.001-07:00

Last year I had a goal to post everyday on my family blog, and I did it. But something had to give and it was my crafting. Not the doing of crafts (because I made a lot of stuff last year) but the recording of them. Perfect case in point, for Christmas I knitted nine hats, two capes, one pair of mitts, one pair of mittens, one shawl and one vest with cables. And I didn't take a single picture before sending them off to their new owners. I also haven't sewn in quite awhile. A lot of knitting, but almost no sewing. (I have a lot of fabric to get through.) So here are my crafting goals for this year.

1. Post over here at least once a week, even if it's just a work in progress.

2. Document finished projects, especially if they are gifts.

3. Sew! (I have a subset goal to attach to this one, but I am still working out all the details. So we'll come back to this one later.)

4. Use what I have. Which is a whole lot. Almost ridiculous amounts of things, as I found when I was relocating my sewing room. So no buying anything until I use up what I have. I'm thinking that I may have a running total on the side to keep track of my craft related spending... (I have not yet decided if that will include yarn. It probably should... okay, no new yarn. Unless it's out of like, birthday money, or something...)

So now that I have those listed out, let's get to the fun stuff:

Today I finished two projects, both for Evie.

A hat/neckwarmer out of one skein of dk self striping yarn.

The top has an i-cord drawstring so it can be opened to fit over the head.

It can also be used to keep the hair out of the way.

And it's pink of course...

P.S. This makes 10 hats since October. I have really been on a hat kick...

I also finished the sewn bind off on this sweater that has been taking up knitting bag real estate for months.

It's not really the sweaters fault. It was just bad timing. I finished it once and it was too short and too tight. So I ripped it back to the armpit and knit the body again, and finished it off with ribbing instead of a rolled hem. It looks so much better.

This is the yarn I dyed last year and I love how it looks knit up as much as I did while dying it.

She looks peachy-keen!

'Tis the Season...

2011-11-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

I dug out my widget from last year and popped it back up on the side of the blog there. I found it a useful tool last year to help me keep track of my time (or ramp up my anxiety towards the end...) as I tried to manage all my projects.

True to my word, I actually did start working on Christmas presents last January. A little bit here, a little bit there. But mostly I decided that to preserve my sanity and to keep my focus on the spirit of the holiday season I would be more realistic in what I tried to accomplish this year. So here we are with 44 days left and I have a grand total of 33 projects on my list. (See? Much more realistic.) The even better part is that I have 13 of those finished! And many more are in the partial to mostly finished category.

I decided last year, after too many late nights and literally days spent locked in the basement by myself in the evenings, that a crazy, sleep-deprived, ready-to-snap mama is not the memories I want my children to have of their childhood Christmases. I don't want to be so busy making the magic that I don't have time to stop and savor it with them. So I have a plan.

Step one: Be more realistic in what projects I take on.

Done

Step two: Get my children excited and involved in preparing for Christmas.

I am afraid that all too often I am in such a rush or overly concerned with turning out a "perfect" final product, that I have rebuffed little hands that want so badly to help. This year I am determined to change my focus by choosing simpler projects that are more on their skill level, and letting go of my perfectionism when it comes to gifts. The cookies we give out may not be decorated the prettiest, but by dang they will have an overdose of love as a secret ingredient!

As part of step two, this project is one of my first orders of business. It's an advent calendar, based on my knock off of the PB Halloween Countdown knock-off. My kids love the Halloween one I made and I had such fun making it, I thought a Christmas one would be great for us!

Last year I attempted a countdown of sorts with having a present that they could open each day, little treats and activities directed at spending time together. But with all my crazy crafting I was horrible at following through and actually doing the activities with them. This year will be different. I have been stock piling up little treats and toys that will fit in the pockets. It can be a simple as three chocolate kisses (so they each get one) and a note telling them why they are loved, to a snowman rubber ducky and the promise of a bubble bath where they can play in the tub as long as they want. It really takes so very little to make a child happy.

Step three: Realize that unfinished projects are not the end of the world.

(and have a backup plan)

I love to give handmade gifts. It's one of my love languages. It says that I care enough about you to spend time making you something. Because while I am working on your present I am thinking about you, and what makes you tick, your likes and dislikes, and trying to find a way to show you that I care about you. And you just don't spend all that time and thought on someone you don't like. However, I also know that the people I love enough to spend my time on them that way, will still love me even if the gift I give them wasn't crafted by my own two hands. So I have a stash of small items (still thoughtfully selected) that are ready to deploy should I end up having more intentions than time. Then I can not stress about presents that are unfinished. Fortunately wool doesn't go bad, that hat or pair of socks can be ready for next year...

Step four: Choose to enjoy this time.

Christmas is magical when seen through the eyes of a child. And you only have so many of those Christmases before they are a little older, a little more skeptical, a little more consumer driven. I want to be able to look back and know that I didn't waste or miss another moment of child-like wonder or the absolute belief in magic they have right now. I have to make it a priority, and choose to spend my time wisely so that I can work on projects when they are busy elsewhere and then we can come together and enjoy doing Christmas things as a family.

I think I'm ready... now I have to go knit some things.

Halloween knits...

2011-11-03T00:23:00.001-06:00

A couple of projects inspired by the latest holiday.

Skull Hat

My first attempt at fair isle knitting. I've had this pattern for years but was always afraid to attempt it. I decided to try it with the leftover yarn from Jake's sweater, but it came out a little too big for Jake so Brian gets my first attempt. Jake was quick to put in a request for a matching hat.

Baby pants.... wait for it....

Grumpybum Monster pants!

That's just ridiculously cute!

Now if only I knew someone with a... say, two week old baby boy... any takers?

I'll hopefully have a picture or two with them on a cute baby in a couple of weeks. :)

And to wrap up the Halloween creativity I'd like to share a poem my son wrote for me:

Zombie Sheep Attack!

By Jake

age 8

Zombie sheep are coming, so run away!

Zombie sheep are coming, today!

All they really want is their wool back,

But I don't like them.

Ack!

They're big and merry,

Definitely not hairy,

And that's why they're so scary,

At least to me!

Zombie sheep attack!!!

I love this kid. He just makes me smile.

Finish-itis

2011-10-21T20:19:00.000-06:00

So first things first, I am going to ignore the fact that it's been over 6 months since I've posted over here. I have been working on projects, but with everything else going on in my life (the big one is my husband getting put in a wheelchair), my renewed passion for reading, and the whole post everyday for a year on my family blog... well obviously something had to give and keeping up my craft journal was it.

But something about fall gets me excited to clean out and organize. And with the enforced move into a "sewing cubical" the organizing has also entailed a much needed paring down of my various stashes, especially the downstairs yarn one. After I did the downstairs stash, I tackled the upstairs stash which typically means figuring out just how much yarn can be shoved into one of the squares without spilling over the top. It also means assessing which projects need to be moved from the WIP classification into a UFO and sent downstairs. Once I got the upstairs stash organized and functional again, I had two large bags of yarn and UFOs to head downstairs. New problem: I've got considerably less space for all my stuff now and the yarn storage I do have is already full. Hmmm, new solution: finish some UFOs and clear out space in the yarn storage. Also, make a new resolution to buy no new yarn until I've decreased the stash considerably. (If you're not a knitter you are thinking I am very practical, if you are a knitter you are probably laughing pretty hard by now...)

So I have been focused for the last 4-5 days on getting through some of the larger UFO's that have been taking up a lot of real estate in my knitting cabinet.

1st up- The Grey Sweater Vests of Doom

These are for my cousin's two little boys. They aren't a terrible difficult project. So why has it taken me almost a year (or more? I've seriously lost track...) to finish them. I've made stupid mistakes, and screwed up the first attempt so badly that I simply started over rather than try to untangle the mess I had made. (So technically I made 2 and 3/4 grey sweater vests.) I kept doubting my measurements, and finally they've spent the last 5 1/2 months haunting both my knitting cabinet and my subconscious. I repeatedly pulled them out and then couldn't work on them so would put them away again. When my cousin called me earlier this week to see if they were finished I took a deep breath, hauled them into the light and determined that come hell or high water I would finish them as fast I as I could. I was surprised to find that I was much further than I had remembered. They were both done, except for the ribbing around the neck and arm holes. 36 rounds of knitting? That's nothing! Why hadn't I just finished them? Oh yeah, I didn't have the right size of needles, that's what my big hold up was. That's just ridiculous, I know. I got the needed needles and had them done in a day! I sent them off with my husband to deliver on his way home from work today, along with the 2 and 1/2 leftover skeins of yarn, and a huge sigh of relief to have that particular monkey off my back!

Also I just want to apologize again to Sarah for taking such a ridiculously long time on them. But they sure came out nice. :)

And once that was done I was eager to dive in and see what else was sitting around half or mostly finished.

2nd up- The Black Sweater of Doom

(Do you sense a theme among my UFOs)

Started well over a year ago, motivated mostly by guilt that I knit way more for my girls than I do for my son.

And boy does that boy know how to work his Mama. Mention while at the yarn store in a wistful voice that it's been a long time since you got a sweater and the girls have both gotten 3-4, and it's a sure bet that said Mama will let you pick out yarn for a sweater.

I'm still kicking myself for not setting any limits when it came to color selection. The reason this sweater lingered in knitting purgatory so long? Black is a total witch with a capital B to work with. I about went blind knitting this thing. Having complained about that, and now that it's done, it sure does look sharp on my cute boy! He designed the stripe placement himself and I have to admit to being pretty proud of the both of us.

All this sweater needed was a cuff, one sleeve and the neck ribbing. One day, one finished sweater, one happy kid, and a whole lot of space opened up in the knitting storage. Win, win, win!

On a roll I grabbed the next project that came to hand.

3rd- Sweet sweater for Evie out of the Vintage yarn I over-dyed with food coloring!

No doom here. This yarn just makes me happy every time I look at it.

And all it needed was a round of attached I-cord in the keyhole at the neck. 20 minutes tops!

I was thrilled thinking that I may even finish a third sweater today... until I had Evie try it on.

A titch too tight and definitely not long enough. I don't know if that is because I fiddled around with the pattern to accommodate using a heavier yarn or because I waited too long to finish it and Evie had a growth spurt in the mean time. Either way I had to rip it back to the arm holes. It's all good though. It just means I get to knit some more with my happy yarn...

And hopefully the finish-itis lingers at least through November! I've got lots more to do.

Easter Tea Towel to Smock

2011-04-01T16:46:00.001-06:00

This is one of the craft ideas I came up with for if I made it into this season of SYTYC, which I didn't. But that's okay, I am going to play along at home! All the fun and none of the pressure, right? :)

I found these holiday tea towels at my local dollar store and thought, "I can do something fun with that..."

How about a child's smock? Perfect for when you are dying those easter eggs. Or how about if you have a family dinner and egg hunt planned and want to keep those cute easter outfits clean for a photo op later?

I folded the towel in half "hamburger way." (Anyone else have elementary school flashbacks just now?) I cut a narrow half circle, well, half oval really, for the neck and then cut the back open down the center.

You could do a narrow turned hem, or serge and then hem, I opted to use bias tape for a bit of contrasting color. Anything that will finish off those raw edges will work.

I sewed on some ribbon ties for side closures, which makes the fit adjustable.

A big fun button and a loop of narrow elastic at the neck back makes an easy and sturdy closure.

Fun, practical and not expensive!

Plus she likes it! Always an important factor in my crafting endeavors.

The Month of Me...

2011-02-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

I was a selfish knitter this month.

(It's okay. It was my birthday month.)

After all the deadline knitting and gifts I worked on for the last 4 1/2 months I just didn't want to work on any of my already started projects. I wanted something new. And I wanted it for me.

So I did...

This is my Shedir hat.

I love cables and the yarn is a luxurious blend of merino, alpaca and silk that was a treat to work with.

I know Lila is wearing it, but only because I could not get a decent picture of the top of my own head. It is my hat.

The other project I finished is this great scarf. I call it my "scarf of shame" because it is cheap cotton yarn that I bought somewhere other than my LYS. I couldn't resist the colors though. I loved watching them change through the rainbow as I knit it. Simple minds are easily amused I suppose.

I also have a lovely butter yellow yarn that is halfway to being another hat for me. And some wonderful lace socks, also for me, also in progress. I don't know when I'll be able to finish them though as today is the last day of the Month of Me and I need to get going on some other knitting projects I've been putting off. I think having those socks calling to me from my work basket with be a good incentive for me to finish the have-to's and get back to the want-to's!

Also I have taken a chance and enter a project into this crafting contest. I can't tell you which one is mine, but I'd love it if you took a minute to check them out and vote!

A lazy Monday sewing...

2011-01-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

We were very lucky in that the kids' had today off of school and Daddy had today off of work. So we got to enjoy an extra long weekend, which means we stayed up late last night and let everyone sleep in this morning. Well, everyone that would anyways.... which means I was up around 9:30 with Lila. But since we didn't have anywhere to be or anything we had to do today I thought I would take advantage of the quiet morning and do some sewing.

I have recently noticed that Jake must be going through a growth spurt, as all of his pajama pants are now a couple of inches short. So I cut out three new pairs.

He's so pleased not to have cold ankles...

I also noticed that lately Evie is going through a dress phase. All she wants to wear are dresses. And most of her everyday or play dresses are light cottons meant for warmer weather. So I am making her a dress out of flannel. It will be so soft and warm. Plus I just love the colors in the fabric; it will look great layered over teal, or brown, or orange, or white, or cream! Yay for options!

Today I also screwed up my courage and set about dealing with "THE GREEN SWEATER"

Why such a menacing title for such a little dainty piece?

I started this sweater almost two years ago. It was originally intended for Evie. I had knit a couple of more challenging pieces for her by this point and they were almost all pink or purple. I had had enough of pink and purple so I choose the lovely and soothing shade of dark sage. Once it was knitted I tried to try it on her only to have her flat out declare that she would NOT wear a green sweater. After a wrestling match in which I was eventually the winner and I could determine that it did indeed fit her, I found out that she meant she would not wear the green sweater without sobbing and screaming the entire time it was on her body. I was so mad I threw it to the bottom of my knitting basket and there it sat, only needing to be blocked, for about a year until Lila got big enough to fit into it. Then I pulled it out and tried it on Lila, who was all smiles and hugs for the new sweater. Evie came into the room while Lila had it on and said, "Oh! That is so cute! Will you knit me one?"

No. No I won't.

Today I finally got around to blocking the lace on the bottom and cuffs and was pleasantly surprised and how quick and painless it was. And thank heavens it still fits Lila perfectly, with room to grow. Which is good, because I love this color and this just may be the only green sweater I ever get to knit...

Delicate Lace and Button Cuff

2011-01-10T19:37:00.003-07:00

I got the idea for this cuff when I was sewing my girls' Christmas nightgowns. I was playing around with my box of lace trying to pick something to embellish the nightgown and ended up overlapping some pre-gathered lace to make a double sided ruffle.

Then I had a light bulb moment; I could make a pretty cuff or choker with the same technique!

I chose a piece of flat black lace and laid it out so the pattern was offset. I stitched it down the middle with a small zig-zag and fairly short stitch length. Then I measured my wrist, cut the lace to size, including enough to fold over a 1/4" seam on each end and stitch down.

Now for the fun, pulling out the grab-bag of buttons my sister bought at Hobby Lobby and finding the perfect embellishments. (P.S. Caite- I owe you three buttons and a jewel sticker...)

My choices: A large white button to which I added a three dimensional scrapbook sticker to cover the thread, a small metal button with an antique silver finish, and a tiny mother of pearl button that was probably originally from a man's shirt collar.

I sewed on two medium snaps for a closure.

(I would have preferred to use black snaps, but silver was what I had on hand, and you can't see them once the cuff is on.)

This was a fun and quick project that would be easy for even beginning sewers to accomplish. You could whip up a fast accessory to match any outfit or make one to give as a unique gift for Valentine's Day!

I am entering this idea into this contest! Check it out for some other fun sewing and craft ideas.

Just when you thought knitting couldn't get any cooler...

2011-01-07T01:05:00.000-07:00

I asked my brother to design me a new cover for my pattern binder.

It's really cool when talented people love you... I'm just saying.

Christmas 2010 Revealed!

2011-01-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

I have finally given all of my handmade gifts and gotten pictures for most of them. I was really bad at remembering to photograph my projects this year. So, in no particular order, here is a show and tell of what had me holed up in my sewing room for the better part of December...

Apron #1 for my sister. "tis the season to eat chocolate..." Totally her.

Apron #2 for my MIL. Plus a matching set of oven mitts. She wore it all Christmas day, and that made me happy.

The oven mitts.

I will admit that I now have a love/hate relationship with this particular project. I found this tutorial last year, but not in enough time to make some in time for Christmas. So I had it in the back of my mind all year that these would be my go-to gift for 2010. I couldn't get the pattern provided with the tutorial to print out correctly, so I just read through it and drafted up my own copy making a few minor adjustments.

The love part is how great they turned out. I packaged up each set with a cookie mix and everyone who received it seemed very pleased with the gift. It was also a lot of fun picking out all the fun Christmas fabrics and mixing and matching them. The hate part stems from the fact that I ended up making 14 sets of oven mitts. That is 28 oven mitts. That is a lot of oven mitts. And they just seemed to take much longer to sew up then I thought they should. I don't know that I will be making these again in the near future. I am kind of oven mitt-ed out! (And seriously bummed that I didn't make a set for myself before that happened...)

Three sets of Maine Morning Mitts and matching head-wraps with flower embellishments for my cousins.

Aw. Aren't they cute?

A matching neck pillow and fleece throw for my hubby.

But not just your average blanket. This one has pockets lined in minky for his feet. He has nerve damage in his legs and feet that have led to neuropathy, which basically means his feet are always cold. He also doesn't have a lot of strength in his legs so if someone bumped into his feet it would knock his legs out from under the blanket. A common phrase around our house in the evening was, "Would someone please cover my feet." Now even if his feet are knocked off the foot rest they stay warm and covered while he picks his leg up and puts it back. It's a stroke of genius if I do say so myself!

This is the girls Christmas outfits. (This is Lila's as Evie's is in the laundry after the first wearing...) The skirts are slightly different styles, so matching with out being exact. They also have white tights with red snowflakes on them. I will have to get a picture of these outfits in action soon.

The one project I haven't finished! Jake's vest. It's made out of the same yarn as the girls' tops. I am so close. Just have to bind off the shoulders and knit the ribbing around the neck and armholes. I also made him a tie to match the girls' skirts. They look pretty darn cute all together.

One of my favorite projects! A Harry Potter sweater for my nephew Huck. I couldn't resist, I mean he even has the right initial and everything! Plus my brother and sis-in-law are big movie buffs so I knew it would be appreciated.

This is the best shot I could find of the kids in their Christmas Eve jammies. The girls nightgowns were pictured in the previous post, but here you can mostly see Jake's. The shirt says Reindeer Games on it so I picked a great soft flannel in heathery green and grey for his pants. I'll be sad when the day comes that I can buy a pair of pants cheaper then I can make them for that kid.

Some of the other projects that missed the camera were a pair of grey striped socks for my husband, a pair of purple lace work socks for my SIL Elena, a pair of fingerless mitts in lovely dark green and blues for my brother (I thought they would be good for doing photography). I don't know, it's doesn't seem like that much now that it's all listed up there... or maybe that's like forgetting the labor pains once the baby is born.

Progress...

2010-12-22T23:07:00.000-07:00

Today I finished the Christmas nightgowns.

Okay, I say "finished" as in they both need a button and loop in the back and Evie's needs to be hemmed. But for tonight I am calling it finished and marking down my tally. Because for some delusional reason a dozen projects to finish in one day seems reasonable, while fourteen projects just feels crazy and impossible...

Lila trying on her nightgown so I could mark the hem.

She loved it and kept saying, "Look Mommy, I a Kiss-mas Pin-cess!"

Embracing Reality...

2010-12-18T21:00:00.003-07:00

Somewhat.

Letting go of 11 projects out of my original list of 50.

So 39 Christmas projects in total.

23 left to make...

I said "somewhat".

Crafter's angst...

2010-12-06T19:34:00.000-07:00

I think that stupid widget is faulty.

I think it's counting down faster than it should.

I think I am caught in some sort of crafting time/space vortex.

I am working my fingers to the bone and yet nothing seems to be getting done.

I am this close to just giving everyone a Snuggie...

It's poetry, not procrastination...

2010-11-25T21:33:00.001-07:00

Twas the night after Thanksgiving and all through the house;

Piles of projects were growing, even felt cheese for a stuffed mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

Except for the one I was still stitching (while trying not to swear.)

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

On matching holiday pillowcases they rested their heads.

My husband had settled down for a long winter's nap,

While I sat up half the night trying to finish a knit cap.

When from down in the sewing room there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.

Then my back seized from the hours spent hunched over my needles,

and my gait was as awkward and slow as a beetle's.

The slowly growing light of my eco-friendly bulbs,

Cast sinister shadows among all my giant plastic tubs.

A large mound of fabric had knocked to the ground,

A basket of yarn which had been neatly wound.

Ribbons and lace seemed to go on for miles,

and nothing was left of my nicely organized piles!

Now how would I remember which fabric I had chosen,

To edge the soft blanket meant to warm toes that were frozen?

And how many aprons was I supposed to cut out?

This Christmas crafting is out of hand- of that there is no doubt!

I started to fret and to stumble around,

Tripping over my yard goods that littered the ground.

Everything was half finished or not yet even started,

Looking over my list left me feeling faint-hearted.

I'd had all these plans, these wishes and schemes,

Of personally fulfilling all my family's Christmas dreams.

And of giving my loved ones, both far away and near,

a gesture of goodwill, some handmade holiday cheer.

If I didn't finish now my budget was blown,

Which would definitely make my poor husband groan.

So I sat down to my machines, determination renewed,

and turned on sprightly music to lighten my mood.

My scissors they flashed, and my needles they flew,

and my confidence soared as the finished pile grew!

My heart swelled with pride as I surveyed the largess,

That my two hands had fashioned from a big tangled mess.

Sweaters, slippers and socks, and pajamas galore,

Ready to be worn by the folks I adore.

I knit a stuffed crab, and a baby doll too,

and some warm, woolen mittens in a great shade of blue.

Presents to wrap up, both useful and frilly,

Some purely decorative, and some downright silly.

Each gift was chosen and crafted with care,

and to keep their extremities from going about bare.

I hope Santa had noticed that I'd made his burden lighter,

A gift certificate for a massage would sure make my Christmas brighter.

But perhaps the best lesson I've learned in this year,

Is to start next year's presents while I can still taste the fear...

And to all other crafters who are in my same plight,

Merry Christmas to all- and may your Ott lights burn bright!

Something's missing...

2010-11-22T17:20:00.000-07:00

I got Lila dressed this morning and thought, "Hmmm, that's cute but it needs something..."

So I went down to my stash and found a remnant of black corduroy and an hour or so later...

Perfect!

A cute top that helps break up all that red and makes it an outfit.

A couple of buttons in the back for added detail.

I think we'll get a lot of use out of this piece.

I thought it would be nice to share this because most of my projects right now fall into this category.

(fun hair bow huh?)

Just over a month left to get that holiday crafting done!

Good Luck to all... I know I'll need it.

I tend to go a little overboard sometimes...

2010-11-13T11:37:00.004-07:00

Every year our ward does an auction as part of the Holiday Dinner and people donate services (like babysitting or computer help), homemade goodies, and handmade crafts and use the money to do a Sub-for-Santa. And every year I think, "Oh, I could make this or that..." and then wait until it's too late to start another project.

So this year I decided that making a few holiday hair bows would be easily do-able. (That, and I am trying to live down my attempt at helping last year that can only be described as The Great Turkey Debacle of 2009... a day that will live in infamy forever... at least in my mind.)

So I gathered up all my supplies, set up a workspace and got to creating...

...and before I knew it a couple of hair bows had turned into 29.

And I don't want to stop!

I am loving making something that can be finished in a few minutes as opposed to the hours and hours that I have spent slogging through a cross-stitched stocking for my son and am still no where near done. The stocking looks great and I know I'll love it when it is finished. It's just nice to get a little instant gratification now and then to keep me motivated to keep crafting!

Thursday Nights

2010-11-01T09:02:00.000-06:00

Thursday nights are my favorite night of the week. It's Daddy Night to our kids (for awhile there it was fish stick night because that's one of the few things Daddy knows how to cook...) and to me it is Knit Night!

I get to to my LYS and hang out with awesome people who don't look at you like you're crazy if you stop in mid-sentence to grab a hank of alpaca and rub it gently on your cheek...

Of course they look at you a little funny if your sister draws a mustache tattoo on your finger in revenge for some mildly teasing comment...

Actually, they are more likely to grab your camera and snap a picture if they aren't laughing too hard to see through the tears...

Thanks for the good times ladies. Looking forward to Thursday nights with all of you helps me get through the hard parts of my week.

My knitting nook...

2010-10-20T22:47:00.000-06:00

About a month or so ago, my husband came to me and said in a very serious tone of voice, "Chrissy. I think we need to resign ourselves to the fact that yarn and knitting things are just going to be a part of our living room. So maybe we should think about getting some shelving or something to contain all your... stuff."

I assume that when he said "we need to resign ourselves" he was actually talking about himself. I already knew that knitting paraphernalia was a permanent fixture in our living room....

And to be fair I know that I needed to be more organized than my sewing basket would allow. So I was thrilled at the green light to start looking for something to house it all in.

When I am in the middle of a couple of projects or serious crafting time, like getting ready for Christmas, more often than not my front room looks like this.

Piles and baskets everywhere and me often frustrated that although I know I own at least 6 tape measures and literally hundreds of needles, I can never find one when I need it!

The sad little basket (the one half buried in half-knitted sweaters, not the one filled with books) that I out grew a year and a half ago.

The couch that my children aren't allowed to sit on at times because I am spread from one end to the other... that and they like to poke my double-points into the seat cushions. So naughty!

But now....

TA-DA!

I am in love with my newly organized knitting shelf!

Bins to hold the various WIPs, easy access to all my pattern books, and even room for the odd embroidery or cross-stitched project that might jump into the queue.

I even found a fun glass to store my crochet hooks and the stray needle or pair of scissors that may need a home for a minute or two. It says "sirop de citron" on it and it makes me feel all eclectic and designer-y.

I am so excited to have my very own knitting storage that I will probably even put all my projects away before I go to bed at night!

...at least til' the new wears off.

Because sometimes you just feel a little "crabby"...

2010-10-11T16:14:00.000-06:00

So I knit a crab. Isn't he adorable?

He, and the pajama pants he is sitting on, are for my nephew's birthday.

(Not that a 2 year old would be reading my craft blog... but just in case, cover his eyes Elena!)

Happy Birthday Huck! We wish we could be there to share the day... or at least the cake. :)

Halloween Decorations

2010-10-06T19:07:00.002-06:00

The last time I decorated for Halloween my son was five months old. He's now a 2nd grader. It's been awhile.

It is hard to decorate when you are living in an apartment and all your decorations are parked across town in a storage unit. You have to really want to decorate to make that work.

This will be our third Halloween in our home and what with one thing and another I was too lazy to put forth any great effort at putting up Halloween decorations. But now that my son is 7... well, it was important to him this year. So I hauled out the tote of fall decor, blew the dust off it and was excited to find I actually already had quite a bit more then I remembered.

But I also started working early enough that I finished some projects I've been meaning to get around for the past several years.

#1- Pottery Barn Halloween Countdown Calendar @ Ucreate:

This was the tutorial that was posted the first time I visited Ucreate and I fell in love with it immediately. I had very good intentions, but every time I remembered that I wanted to make it was already half way through October and I would think, "Next year for sure!"

I am especially proud of the fact that I free hand cut everything but the orange squares on this puppy! (I did those with a rotary cutter and mat.) I also decided that for the amount of work that was going into it I wanted to make sure that it would last, so I embroidered around each shape, sewed on buttons and then added another backing square of felt to hide the stitching and make it more durable.

My kids have enjoyed watching me work on each square and today we picked out the cute skeleton guy (you can see him sticking out of #6 on the top picture) for our marker. I just hope they'll be good about taking turns each day.

#2- Fabric Pumpkins @ Sunshine In My Soul:

This project was also the Create With Me September project @ Ucreate.

Mine came out rather square, but I actually like that because one of our favorite Halloween books is "The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin".

Our basket of holiday books and a teddy to snuggle up with and read one.

#3- Lighting:

This was my sister's idea, and I can't remember where she said she saw it. But it is so awesomely simple. One strand of lights and one package of the mini cupcake liners that come in so many fun holiday themes. Poke a tiny hole in the middle of the wrapper and pop your light through.

It only costs a couple of dollars and you can change to Thanksgiving without having to completely dismantle your mantle! :)

#4- My dollar store wreath:

Less then $10 for all the materials. I just picked out some fall leaves in colors I liked and some sunflowers because they are so happy. Then whacked them on to a cheap wreath base with some hot glue. The scarecrow is actually not attached to the wreath, but just to the storm door behind it. That way I can change the accent if I ever get bored with it with out having to make a whole new wreath... clever, huh?

not really... just an afterthought. :)

#5- My awesome new sign.

This was a gift from my dad and sister who have a wicked sense of humor.*

*It's funny to us because my husband became handicapped about four years ago and now walks with the aid of forearm crutches. Hey, if you can't laugh at your life then what's the point?

I didn't want it to be lost in my ridiculously messy flower beds so I got a plastic trick or treating cauldron, filled it with gravel so it won't blow over, and stuck the sign and the leaves into a piece of styrofoam.

It's been fun having our decorations up and getting us into the Halloween spirit. I am glad this is a tradition that's being rekindled at our home. It feels good to make some magic for my children.

My "A Place for Everything and Everything in It's Place" Purse...

2010-10-05T14:41:00.001-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I was looking for a Halloween Advent Calendar tutorial because I'd been to the craft store to get something to finish one of my Christmas projects and I'd seen these adorable Halloween buttons and remembered that I wanted to make a Halloween Advent Calendar, and somehow I ended up reading about the purse week challenge instead. So with reckless abandon (and a slight twinge of guilt) I left my sewing room floor covered with fabric, felt and buttons and started drafting my ideal purse. (My crafting ADD is being addressed with the help of my sister who is very good at scheduling other people's time and drew me up a color coded calendar with due dates for each project. I'm also considering looking for a twelve-step program.... Crafter's Anonymous anyone?)

I started by writing down everything I have to and want to have with me at any given time. There was the obvious like wallet, cell phone, keys, sunglasses, toiletries, and diapers and wipes for my baby. Then I decided to take it a step further and incorporate a knitting bag into my purse. I am an avid knitter and frequently am carrying two or three bags when I leave the house. My purse, a diaper bag and my knitting bag. I decided that my ideal purse would combine all three of these, but not look like I was heading out for a weekend get away.

The outer fabric is a mossy green suede cloth which gave it a nice texture without being too fussy and should hold up well for everyday use. I also went for simple and clean lines and tried to pay attention to details like using heavy duty interfacing to help it support the amount of stuff I haul around, and the handles are lined with 2" nylon webbing for strength and durability. There is a magnetic snap on each section so I don't risk losing all my little knitting paraphernalia every time I get into my purse.

But inside is luxurious and pretty enough to satisfy my girly heart. I had a remnant of this gorgeous heavy silk brocade that I have been hanging on to for awhile because I couldn't bear to cut into it. I am thrilled that I ended up using it in a project for myself, I hardly ever make anything for myself.

2/3 Purse: 1/3 Knitting Bag

On the purse side there is a zippered inner pocket for make-up, tissues, and all the other toiletries a girl has to have. A row of little pockets for my phone, my sunglasses, and gum. Also a large pocket with elastic in the top to keep it from gaping open to hold diapers and wipes. When my last baby is out of diapers it will be the perfect size for a book or note book. And then the rest of the purse perfectly fits my wallet and coupon organizer.

The knitting bag side is the perfect size to hold a small to medium sized project. The middle divider has four small pockets to hold things like stitch markers, needles, a tape measure, and I even added a ribbon "scissors leash" to make sure they couldn't fall out if the bag got tipped over.

I also added a zippered pocket to the back of the purse to hold snacks. Always a good idea if you are leaving your house with your kids for more than 10 minutes.

I am really pleased with how it turned out.

If you'd like to you can click here to see all the other purses people made for this challenge.

I decided to try out for this contest as well, I think it sounds like a really fun idea to be creative with someone else's input.

My Sewing Machine

2010-10-03T17:18:00.000-06:00

This is my sewing machine.

It's a Bernina.

It's old and doesn't do anything fancy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Last week while neck deep in my whole Christmas Crafting extravaganza it died and refused to sew another stitch. I called my dad and he came to take a look at it, and he said he would take it to the repair shop and see if it could be fixed. I cried. Mostly because I was worried that it couldn't be fixed. "What's the big deal?" you might be wondering, "So get a newer model that does all kinds of embroidery stitches and sews by it's self and makes dinner while you're sewing...."

The big deal is that my dad built this sewing machine for my mom when they were first married, and he was working as a sewing machine mechanic. I remember sitting on the floor playing with my mom's button jar while she sewed with it. I was endlessly fascinated by this complex thing that made clothes, and when I was 8 or so I tried to figure out how to work it by myself and about destroyed it in the process. Good thing my dad knew a thing or two about sewing machines...

I learned how to sew in Jr. High and from that time on my mom turned over her machine and any and all sewing to me. I took all the sewing classes offered in high school and got my own serger for Christmas when I was 16. My graduation present was my sewing cabinet that holds both my machines.

I sewed my wedding dress on this machine. I sewed three blessing outfits for my three beautiful babies. I've sewn any number of gifts for my family and friends over the past 20 years that were made with love, tears, and the occasional drop of blood in them. It is the one thing I own that most represents who I am in this world. I am a seamstress. I love that I can take a flat piece of fabric and turn it into a three dimensional item that will bring warmth and comfort to the people I love. Nothing could replace the memories I have of this machine in my life and of the connection I feel to my mother every time I sit down in front of it and create something. I am so grateful to my parents for recognizing and nurturing a talent in me that maybe wasn't as overt as the preforming abilities of my artistic and talented siblings.

And I am very grateful to my Dad for taking my machine and getting it fixed.

Because I really don't know what I would do without it...

Sewing through the Decades: 1950-1959

2010-09-17T19:05:00.000-06:00

They took a break on this challenge because summer was just too busy, but now the kids are back in school, there is a hint of fall in the air, and it's time for the 1950's! Yea!

This picture was one of the inspiration and idea links that a Lemon Squeezy Home had posted for the 1950's. I knew immediately it was a sign that I should finally make this dress, which I had bought the fabric for more than a year ago...

I love the 50's style of full, twirly skirts, peter pan collars and attention to details like piping.

"Mom are you done taking pictures?"

Then my son wanted in on the fun of "dressing old-timey" and came up with this ensemble...

"The Bobby-Soxer and the Square"

These kids just melt my heart!

This dress is also excellent for twirling!

Even for those who are less than graceful...

I am just lucky to have such an adorable model. She makes everything I make look good!

It's 5 am.... do you know what you are making this Christmas?

2010-09-13T05:36:00.000-06:00

I do.

I have been up all night fighting with a certain 22 month old who will not stay in her own bed. I have spent the better part of the night sitting on the bedroom floor next to her toddler bed, determined that I will prevail and that she will sleep in her own bed tonight.

I lost. (She is really stubborn... or I am really exhausted.)

She has been happily snoring away in my bed for the last hour while I have been creating that neat widget you see to your right.

Somewhere between 2 and 3 am I started thinking about Christmas, and about all the presents I could make with fabric and yarn from my stash and how much money that would save me, and how much more personal a handmade gift is, and then I grabbed a paper and started listing everyone who I need to give a gift to this year and what I could make for them, and before I knew it I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 Christmas projects to accomplish before Dec. 24th.

Breathe.

See, this is a good thing. I usually do this on Nov. 1st. And unless I gave up two meals a day and showering all together, there is just no way the math works out to finish that many projects in a month and a half....

But this way I have over 100 days to win my very own Christmas Crafting Marathon! And you can all cheer me on while keeping tabs on my progress and watching that big five-oh shrink down to zero. Because they are mostly presents I won't be able to post too many pictures or details. But won't it be fun getting a peek now and then and wondering if one of my fabulous goodies is meant for you. (BTW- now would also be an excellent time to let me know if you think you should be on my gift giving list. I am not promising to add you, but you never know....)

One projects every two days....

That is totally do-able.

Just don't remind me about the birthday presents I need to make between now and then...

The Yellow Shrug in Action...

2010-09-07T09:20:00.001-06:00

Lila wore her lovely yellow outfit to the baby blessing of a family friend this past Sunday, and I had great plans in my head for a nice little photo shoot showing off how adorable she looks in it with matching flowers in her hair and all....

I got one good shot of her with Uncle Patrick before she managed to smear the sweater with strawberries and drench her bottom half in a backyard stream. Ah well, the best laid plans. Good news is everything is all cotton and so can be laundered very efficiently, a definite must to consider when designing and making clothes for children...

Last of the Summer Crafting and Some Fall Sewing

2010-08-31T10:46:00.001-06:00

I can't believe school is back in session and that I haven't posted anything over here since the 4th of July! Yikes. Well, I guess we were too busy having fun summertime adventures. I haven't done much sewing over the past two months. A small project here and there. I made two more KIP bags (Knitting-In-Public) that are all the rage in my knitting group, and even added a neat little detail of a scissors leash to keep them from going flying when the bag gets knocked over. This one is mine, I got the cute scissor fabric from my cousin Tiffany as a birthday present.

I also made two needle organizer cases. I have been meaning to do this project for months and I love how it turned out! It holds both my circulars and double points and makes it very easy to see if I have the right needles for any project. I don't have a picture of the other KIP bag and needle case, I made them for my sister. A cute pink and brown set. Anything I can do to seduce her over to the ~~dark~~ knitting side....

I used two fat quarter, a remnant of batting and half a box of ziplock bags. It closes with a piece of velcro which works okay, but if I were to make another one I would use a magnetic purse snap for a little more heavy duty usage.

It did provide a perfect place to display my mantra...

I finished a pair of lace socks.

I call them my Waterfall socks because of the color of the yarn and the zig-zag pattern of the lace. The pattern is Spring Forward and the yarn is Cherry Tree Hill.

I also knit a simple shrug for Lila out of some yummy yellow Sorbetto yarn that has been hanging out in my stash for a year or so. And then I thought it needed something to go with it so I sewed up a little sundress, the cherry fabric was also in my stash. And the best part is that I got the yarn on sale for $1.99 a skein and the fabric on sale for $1.99 a yard. This whole adorable outfit cost me less than $5 to make!

Okay, maybe the best part is how much Lila loves her new dress.

I cast on the shrug in the car one Saturday and Evie from the back seat said, "Oh! What are you making me Mom?" I laughed and said, "Actually this is for Lila, but I love how you think everything I make is for you." She took that with a pretty good grace, but she asked me to make her one to match. Good thing I have more of the Sorbetto in my stash.

I have started pulling out fabric and patterns to plan some fall sewing for Evie and Lila. I am not sure how many of these will actually get made up, I think I like the planning and the possibilities in a pile of fabric so much I get a little carried away. I love sewing warm things when the weather turns chilly though, so I guess it really depends on Mother Nature how much sewing gets done around here...

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T13:58:00.001-06:00

My sweet MIL gave my girls these fun shirts for the 4th of July, but they were a little too big. I could have packed them away for them to wear in a few years, but then I thought they would be cute as dresses too! I searched through my totes of fabric and found a remnant that would work. I cut the hem off the bottom of the shirt, cut a 7" strip for Evie's skirt and a 6" strip for Lila's skirt, gathered the strip, stitched it to the bottom of the shirt and hemmed it. Easy-peasy, cute and free! My favorite kind of project...

A Princess Dress for Evie...

2010-06-29T17:11:00.000-06:00

I will admit freely that when my friend and I decided to take our daughter to the Princess Festival, I knew that I would be making Evie a new dress. "Doesn't she already own a half a dozen princess dress-ups?" Yes "Well, you probably already had all the fabric and stuff." Probably, not that it stopped me from shopping a sale at JoAnn's to get fabric for it... "So at least it was cheaper than buying a ready-made dress." Yes. But not by much. Some of my other excuses were, that I didn't want to be looking for my Cinderella or Snow White in a crowd of Cinderella's and Snow White's... it can double as her Halloween costume this year and that puts me way ahead of the game come October... oh who am I kidding. I wanted to do it, it's what I do. And I stand by the fact that if you compared quality to cost it was much cheaper than buying one....

The goodies! Teal and pink satin (costume satin on sale for 2.99/yd. I haven't completely gone off my rocker...) The silver and blue netting was from their prom collection fabrics and marked down 60%, plus I got a remnant of 2/3 yd for another 75% off! Score! Pink netting and jewels that I didn't end up using... this time around.

Part of my creative process, as this time around I used no pattern whatsoever! I have to admit to being just so slightly pleased with myself for just sitting down with no idea of where I was heading and having it come out so right! The upper sleeves did have to be cut out twice due to a drafting error on my part, but still...

TA DA!

I finished it the night before and was so excited to see how it would look on my little princess!

Practicing her curtsy, so sweet!

We decided that she was Cinderella from The Slipper and The Rose version, which just happens to be one of my favorite movies of all time!

P.S. to Me: Chrissy- next time you do something like this PLEASE try to remember no matter how good it looks in the end costume satin is a PAIN in the REAR to work with!!!

Evie's Hat

2010-06-18T13:50:00.000-06:00

I really love this hat pattern. I have made 4 of them so far, one for each of my girls and 2 for baby gifts. I love that with a few different details, it can be perfect either a boy or a girl. And maybe most of all I love that so far all of them have only taken a single small skein of yarn. (Even when I sized it up to fit my older daughter.) So this adorable vision in pink cost me less than $4!

(Just ignore the messy face, about the only time I can get her to hold this still is lunchtime...)

I just clipped one of her flower hair bows to the band. So she could wear it plain or with a flower or bow. I am excited to see the many possibilities we come up with. I also love that she loves it, she calls it her "cute hat" and wore for the better part of the day.

Sew Through the Decades Challenge: Week 2

2010-06-13T15:19:00.002-06:00

This last week was 1910-1919. I loved looking at all the pictures of the little girls in the dropped waist dresses and I liked the detail of the sash through bands of lace or fabric like on image i below.

So I designed a sun-dress for my three year old with those elements.

The dress is white cotton eyelet. It sewn almost like a tube top, with elastic around the top and the skirt gathered slightly to the bottom. Then I took 3" wide lace and tacked it in place at the top and bottom of the dress and stitched across it at the skirt seam to create a pocket for the ribbon sash to go through.

Each lace band runs up and over her shoulder to create a strap/sleeve at the top. I also added a tiny cotton lace trim at the bottom of the skirt for a finishing detail.

With the hat and gloves from our dress up box I think she looks ready to head to the shore "In The Good Old Summertime".

I also entered the dress into this contest. There are a lot of fun projects to look at over there.

Sunday dress for Evie

2010-06-06T18:16:00.000-06:00

I finished this dress a week ago, but I had to wait to get these cute pictures of Evie in her new summer Sunday dress. I have a weakness for full skirts and puffed sleeves on little girls. Aunt Caite said she looks like she is ready to step into Alice's Wonderland.

I also have a weakness for how adorable it is when you catch a peek of the lace on her slip...

Baby Take a Bow!

This dress also cost me $5. I got 2 yards of this plaid seersucker cotton on sale for $2/yd. It would have only been a $4 dollar dress, but I only had a 7" or 22" white zipper on hand so I had to buy a 14" zipper. I love how fresh and summery she looks, so we'll call this another success!

A summer challenge...

2010-06-05T15:52:00.002-06:00

A few days ago while blog surfing I came across a blog where they are doing a challenge that could have been tailor made just for me!

Click here to check it out!

Many, many years ago (sometimes it feels like another lifetime...) I was studying to become a costume designer. Then I met my husband and got married and started having children, and what with one thing and another, that (going to school) part of my life has stayed on the back burner. But as I started looking around at the links she has to all the costuming and historical clothing, I knew that I had to do this challenge.

It was already more than halfway through the first week of the challenge, so that is why I opted to only do a small project this time.

Week One: 1900-1909

Knickerbockers for Lila!

I finished them this morning and brought them upstairs to try them on her. I was really pleased with how they turned out. But even better is I had her show her Daddy, who I hadn't told anything about this challenge or what I was doing them for, so as far as he knew it was just another piece of clothing I had made for one of the kids. He chuckled and said, "Those make me think of old-fashioned golfing pants." I think he was a little surprised at first at how happy that made me!

I made these by customizing a shorts pattern to add the bands at the bottom so that they gather and poof at the knees. The bands snap to open and close with the button sewn on for decoration. I wanted to have the old-fashioned look of knickerbockers, but modernize them with the choice of fabric and make them easy to get on and off a squirmy 18 month old!

New Church Dresses

2010-05-25T21:39:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago, while getting ready for church, I realized that both my girls have recently gone through major growth spurts. You know it is a problem when there are over 20 dresses hanging in their closet and the only ones that fit are for the wrong season...

No problem- time to whip up a few summer dresses.

The first one completed is for Lila:

This dress cost me $5. The gingham is a cotton/linen blend that I got on sale for $4 and then when I got home I found a remnant that I had bought a few months earlier for $1 that was the perfect shade of matching purple! It was meant to be.

I already had the pattern and the buttons, which I bought on sale for a quarter. Okay, it cost me $5.25. Still not too bad...

Flowers and Bows

2010-04-27T12:04:00.002-06:00

So a couple of weeks ago I hosted a bow-making day for the women in my ward. I cleaned the house, borrowed a table and chairs from my dad's and sent Brian and the kids out the door for 5 hours. And waited.... and waited.... and ate a snack... and waited... and finally realized that no one was coming.

But please don't think I am complaining, I had a clean house and 5 (count them! FIVE!) blessed hours of peace and quiet all to myself. And we are going to try doing it again on another day. But in the meantime, since I had everything out anyway, I've added to our rather large collection of hair candy...

I think the orange, pink, and green bows on the bottom left are my favorites... except for the fact that I really love the combo of black and white... and I have been wanting to make the daisy clips with the red and white gingham centers ever since I saw something similar at Gymboree last summer...

I'll admit I have a problem when I have to get a 2nd shoe organizer to contain them all.... maybe.

February and March's Socks

2010-03-30T11:42:00.005-06:00

Even though it's taken me until the second to last day in March to post them, I really did finish a pair of socks in February for my personal crafting challenge. Two pairs of socks actually....

The green one are another 2 ft. pair for Brian. (I call them 2 ft. socks because they measure at 24" of knitting from cuff to toe... and that is a lot of stockinette.) The little watermelon ones are Lila's, and they are a simple 2x2 ribbing down to the toe.

These are Brian's 3rd pair of sock I have knitted for him and he has proven himself eminently knit-worthy. (To be knit worthy you have to value the time and effort I put into making the whatever it is, you have to actually wear/use it, you have to care for it appropriately, and you tell me that you can't wait until I knit you some more!) The "eminently" in Brian's knit-worthiness came when he said he would love another pair of socks and I told him I wasn't sure if I had another manly colorway to knit for him. His response was, "I don't care if they are girly or not, they are the most comfortable socks I've ever worn!" Talk about the way to a knitter's heart! About the only thing that could top that would be to drive them to a yarn store, hand them a credit card and say, "Go crazy!"

Evie has out grown the socks I knit for her and wants to know when she gets another pair. I've promised her the next socks on my needles will be for her. In the mean time she contented herself with trying on Brian's...

...which Lila found quite distressing for some reason. The whole time I was trying to snap a picture of Evie wearing her daddy's socks like thigh-highs, Lila was trying desperately to pull them off her. I thought maybe Lila wanted a turn wearing them, but once she succeeded in getting them off her sister's feet she toddled off to play with something else.

And here are March's socks. So far I have one sock and one inch, and yes I am aware that I have about 36 hours to be done. The pattern is the Mock Croc and the yarn is Berroco Sox, which is a 75% wool/25% nylon blend that I am liking the feel of. One of my knitting buddies, Natalie, moved last week back east. Before she left, she, I, and our other friend (and knitting guru) Jeanette decided we would make matching socks. Because that is how knitting geeks roll....

...something blue!

2010-03-19T00:25:00.002-06:00

This is my favorite detail of Janessa's wedding dress, I love the blue lacing up the back!

I love how the dress is simple and elegant (and sparkley!) from the front...

...and then sassy and fun in the back with that punch of color!

Evie dreaming of the day it is her turn to dress like a princess all in white.

Wedding Projects Weekend

2010-03-06T01:28:00.003-07:00

So I didn't get knitting gold during the Olympics. I would place myself in the running for a bronze, as I finished more that half of my goal. I made Brian's socks, Lila's socks and am 2 inches shy of finishing Jake's socks. Oh well, I gave it my all, and at the end of the day that is all you can do. (I'll be posting pictures of them as soon as I can get all those feet together...)

I had to radically shift gears last Friday and start working on these...

My cousin's wedding dress and her sister's flower girl dress. It was a long weekend, with lots of decisions to be made. But we got it done and she was happy with the end product, which it the most important part. I think she looks beautiful.

I also snuck in a little knitting project in the wee small hours after we were done with sewing for the day. I was teaching my cousin Tiffany this cute hat pattern, so I knit one along with her so I could show her the steps as she came to them. It turned out so perfect! I made one for a shower gift a little while ago, and knew that I would be making another on soon. This one was a bit of experiment as I added the row of eyelets so I could thread the ribbon through it and make it a little more girly.

I love my sweet little model! She actually wore this hat for quite awhile today before ripping it off her head and figuring out how to untie the bow and unthread the ribbon. I was hoping to make the ribbon interchangeable, but I might have to make a commitment to a ribbon and add a few stitches to the bow so she can't undo it... what do you think? Keep the more neutral color, or go for something with more contrast like a chocolate brown?

P.S. I am hoping that Tiff will post pictures soon of her cutie pie modeling her matching hat. *wink, wink... nudge, nudge*

Knitting Olympics

2010-02-10T22:06:00.004-07:00

What are they you ask? A very cool idea that was started (if I have all my information correct) by the Yarn Harlot during which knitters sign up to start a project during the lighting of the flame during the opening ceremonies and... ready for this? Finish it before the flame goes out during the closing ceremonies. That is 17 days. 2 1/2 weeks. Am I crazy? Maybe. My project(s)? A pair of socks for each member of my little family. The really hard part. I will not spend any money to do it. I will only use what I already have in my stash. And while I do have a lot in my stash... well yarn has become something of a compulsion for me. (As might be evidence that for my birthday next week all I want is yarn, or yarn money.) Add into this craziness the general melee that is being mother to three small children who think they need to eat more than once a day, and that I will be also helping to sew a wedding gown and two flower girl dresses... Oh well, too late now, I am already signed up and committed. So cheer me on like we'll be cheering on our Olympic teams. I am really looking forward to watching the Olympics with Jacob, he is mesmerized by extreme athletic displays. Brian, well he really likes to watch the ice dancing...

Caite's Birthday present...

2010-02-09T19:44:00.002-07:00

This is my cute little sister, Caitlin. And now you can see the mitts modeled by the hands they were made for.

I had just enough yarn left after knitting the mitts to crochet these three little flowers. At first I thought I would attach one to the wrist of each mitt, but when I eked out a third flower I decided they would be much cuter grouped on a hat. And I was right!

Her birthday isn't for another month, but I had toyed around with the idea of giving them to her early because it is winter now. In another month she might not really need them until next winter. I had her try them on for size and she begged me to give them to her early. That made the decision easy. So Happy Birthday Caite! (even though it isn't until next month...)

On and off my needles...

2010-02-04T10:41:00.004-07:00

A sampling of current and recently finished projects...

A simple raglan sleeve sweater for Evie. It is the same pattern as the first sweater I made her last year. She was wearing the purple one the other day and it just looked so stinkin' cute on her I decided to make another one. I am really liking this yarn, it makes me think of cotton candy. Yum.

If you are thinking these mitts look a little big for Evie, it's because they are. I just needed a pair of hands to model them... but after seeing how cute they look on her... well, I might be making her a pair in the near future.

They are a birthday present for my sister. And I am not giving anything away because she picked out the yarn and requested mitts of some kind. So... Happy birthday Caite! (Maybe you'll get them a little early so you can use them through the end of winter.)

Oh my, what's this? Something not girly? Crazy.

Poor Jake, he definitely gets the short end of the stick when it comes to crafting around here. There has been an imbalance of hand knits in favor of the girls, so I got down to business and turned out a nice sweater vest for him to wear for church. I let him pick the yarn and at first I was a little worried about the color. It is a deep, dark aqua. But it really grew on me as it started to take shape on my needles. I was also having an awful time finding a pattern that I liked, too plain, too boring, too complicated, ect. So I combined two patterns, a basic vest with well written directions, and another to get the pattern of purled diamonds. I love texture when I am working with plain yarn.

I am not sure how I feel about this twirly skirt. I love it now that it is done. But I hated the amount of plain stockinette knitting it required, and I don't like knitting with cotton. And it was a lot of pink... although I did like watching the color changes. But it took me as long to knit the bottom tier as it did to knit the first three. I do love the finished skirt, but it wasn't one of those projects that I thought, "That was fun! I am going to knit that again."

So to end on a happy note, another skirt! I found this tutorial online and just had to try it.

One pair of old jeans, some scrap booking templates to get the flower and leaf shapes, and two hours later we have an adorable new skirt! And even better it was totally free! The jeans were given to me by my grandma and I already had every thing else. Gotta love a free project. I will definitely be making more of these, I am thinking hearts or stars would be really cute!

My knitting bag

2010-01-27T22:54:00.003-07:00

I am so excited to have this project finished! Several months ago I saw a knitting basket that I fell in love with. It was a woven sea grass basket with a fabric lining that was taller than the basket with a drawstring closure. So when you weren't working you could keep everything secure with the basket closed, and when you were working you could fold the lining over the basket to have it completely open. It had a price tag that was way outside my budget though, over $100. I could have bought it and then not had any yarn to knit for then next year maybe...

I thought that I would be able to reproduce something similar for a fraction of the cost. My first attempt was to line a basket that I got for a few dollars at JoAnn's. It really didn't turn out though. I cut the lining too small so it fit the inside of the basket, but wouldn't fold over the edge. And I couldn't figure out how to attach the lining to the basket in a secure fashion, because sewing it by machine didn't work and by hand was too hard.

Then my cousin and I got $20 gift certificates to a local quilt shop and we went shopping when they were having a great sale. 30% off your entire order. Yea for sales! I spent just under $4 for my fabric, high quality quilting cotton. I spent a very pleasurable hour and a half wandering the store and picking out just the right color combination.

My finished bag with the drawstring closed! I added a pocket to the front with a magnetic closure and made coordinating piping to add detail between the side and the lining.

I got the lining right this time so that I could open and fold it over the edge when I am ready to knit.

Lots of pockets to keep all my knitting paraphernalia organized, I really like the tall pocket in the back that fits patterns and magazines! I added elastic to the top of it so that it won't gape open.

On one side I did three rows of pockets so I won't run out of places to put things! (Plus I just love that pink fabric and wanted to make as many pockets as I had fabric for to showcase it!)

An above view so you can get an idea of how much this will hold. The pockets around the sides are perfect for the smaller skeins of sock yarn, and there is plenty of room in the middle for larger projects.

I am just a little bit impressed with myself for creating this without any pattern or directions, just an idea from seeing a basket six months ago! It inspires me to create even more and it just makes me happy every time I sit down to knit. And maybe the best part of all is that when all is said and done I probably spent about $10 for materials instead of over $100!

January's Socks

2010-01-25T19:47:00.004-07:00

I have decided that my crafting goal for this year is to knit (at least) one pair of socks each month. This is a very doable goal. I probably already have enough sock yarn in my stash to accomplish this without having to spend any money. (Plus then on the plus side, if I knit through my stash I get to get more yarn to replace it. Win-win!) So here are the socks I finished in January. The pattern is called Harris Tweed and the yarn was a stocking stuffer. (Sock yarn for a stocking stuffer! Almost as good as getting socks in your Christmas sock...)

It is Cherry Tree Hill Supersock, colorway Champlain Sunset. I love the bright pink with the hits of orange and aqua. I thought they were very cheery, just what I need to battle the winter blues. And I have enough yarn left that I am hoping to get a matching pair for my three year old out of it!

I got them done in just under two weeks, despite all the help from my one year old...

I guess that will teach me to leave my sock bag where she can get to it.

Bedroom Banner

2010-01-17T22:57:00.004-07:00

Hear ye, hear ye, let all who pass through this doorway know that two very special princesses live in this room...

I started this project about a year ago, just after Lila was born. I got it to match the sweet, matching quilts my mother-in-law made for the girls.

I don't know if you can see the details clearly, but we picked this fabric because it has "cloud castles" on it.

When I was a little girl my dad would tell me bedtime stories about Princess Chrissy who's father, the king, was an inventor. He built her a playhouse that was a castle on a cloud, and it could fly. So she and her brother, Prince Joshua, and then later Baby Princess Caitlin, would fly around and have amazing adventures. But they were always home in time for dinner. I knew when I saw this fabric that those stories would be a tradition I would be passing on to my two little princess.

Orange shrug

2010-01-05T17:32:00.002-07:00

I guess I am ready for the freshness of spring, because this is what I made the week after Christmas. I have been in love with the color of this yarn for quite awhile now, and when it went on sale at my LYS I snapped up a couple of skeins to make another shrug for this outfit.

There is still a foot or so of snow on the ground and I am thinking Easter dresses... I just really want to be better at not waiting until a few days before a deadline to start sewing this year. That's my crafting NewYear's Resolution! That's it, I am going to go get started on Christmas presents...

Lila's Christmas Stocking

2009-12-24T10:51:00.003-07:00

I guess third time is the charm, since that is how many times I had to make this stocking before I got it to hang the right direction.

But it is done and just in time to hang it with care...

...because St. Nicholas soon will be here!

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope your Christmas crafting was successful and you are ready to enjoy a relaxing holiday.

Christmas Crafting...one week to go...yikes.

2009-12-18T22:47:00.003-07:00

What is it about crafters of any kind, sewers, knitters, crocheters, etc., that we consistently underestimate how long it will take us to make something? Every year, at about this time, I find myself scrambling frantically from pile to pile of unfinished fabric, yarn, and ribbons. Today I realized that one week really only has 7 days in it, and since most of these things are meant to be wrapped and under the tree or tucked into stockings, that is really only 6 days and I had better kick it into high gear. (And maybe be more realistic about what I can actually accomplish between now and then without permanent back or nerve damage...)

item 1: For Jake, a vest and tie. Since I make Christmas dresses for the girls, I thought it would be nice to do something for the boy too. Cut out, except for the tie lining which I need to go rummaging through the stash to see if I already have some so I don't have to make yet another trip to Jo Ann's.

item 2: The aforementioned Christmas dresses. Well, the idea of them anyhow. The fabric is washed, the pattern pieces are cut out, but I am sort of designing and drafting as I go so we'll see how close the finished project is to what I am envisioning. But don't you love the fabric? It's called Cookie Angels and I love it so much I went back for more...

item 3: Okay, this looks like much more craziness then it actually is. I am not making Jake 8 pair of pajama pants, only 3... maybe 4. This is just the fabric selection laid out while I try to choose which ones.

item 4: this is only a maybe, if I finish everything else (hey... it could happen...) I'm thinking of a cute top and skirt for Evie. Of course everything else also includes items 5 and 6: two knitted hats, and item 7: Lila's stocking, which is now correctly pieced and about 75% embroidered. Oh yes, and a doll blanket for Evie that has a crocheted edging, that's almost finished too.

This is my first felted knit project. I love this pattern! And no, these aren't for Christmas. I took time out to make these because I live in a constant state of denial when it comes to crafting. They turned out cute though. Once they are dry I need to sew on the straps and pick out some cute buttons, I'm thinking some black ones will really pop against the red.

And just to end on a positive note, an actual finished and completely completed project! Yay. Jake and Evie's Christmas eve jammies. Evie picked out the snowman fabric for the pants and I found the shirts at Walmart. Love it. Love it. Love it! Can't wait to see them on. Alright, off to get something else done.

Michaels Photo Entry - Thanksgiving Shirt

2009-11-30T12:16:00.001-07:00

Michaels Photo Entry - Thanksgiving Shirt

Posted using ShareThis

Ready for Turkey Day!

2009-11-14T01:39:00.004-07:00

I've had the idea for these shirts floating around my brain for a couple of weeks now, ever since I saw this post on Ucreate.

I really loved the three-dimensional look the ribbon gives the shirt. I am still trying to decided what kind of skirt I want to make to go with them. I am thinking a shorter skirt in orange or yellow (or both), with brown leggings underneath...

Keep an eye out for pictures of the whole outfits, complete with my models!

Fall knitting

2009-10-29T12:37:00.002-06:00

Just because it's Halloween, I wanted to knit something orange.

Just kidding. I am making a top for Lila like this one I made for Evie. I am thinking in terms of a birthday outfit for my fall baby. It blows my mind that she will be one year old next month.

And these are my fall wristers. (Basically, they are fingerless gloves.) I finished them last night. Just in time for trick-or-treating!

My new ribbon rack!

2009-10-25T01:27:00.003-06:00

I am really lucky to have my Dad. He is able to build just about anything I can dream up. It isn't unusual that I start a conversation with him with, "I was thinking..." or "I was wondering..." or "Do you think it would be possible..." A month or so ago I went to him with the idea for this ribbon rack.

As you can see I have a LOT of ribbon. Mostly collected over the past couple of years as I got into making hair bows for my girls. My cousin came down one day to make them with me and she had all her ribbon on a cafe rod that she hung in the window of her craft room. I loved the idea, but the only window in my craft room is too small and high to make that a workable solution for me. So then I thought about my mom's wrapping center and thought that would be perfect scaled down for my ribbons!

I love it, it is exactly what I was envisioning. Now I can see exactly which shade of pink will match the best, or whether zebra or cheetah print will work better. Before it was all jumbled together in a laundry basket and it was a lot of effort to pull it all out to make a hair bow. Now I will have a hair bow station under it with the hot glue gun and every thing setting out and ready to go, so it will be the work of a moment to make just one or two. Like tonight when I realized that I didn't really have anything to match the girl's church dresses for tomorrow.

Ta Da! Two hair bows in 5 minutes. And I didn't have to lug everything upstairs to the kitchen... perfect!

A busy knitting week...

2009-10-22T22:34:00.003-06:00

Because of sick kids, I have spent most of this week watching cartoons and knitting with one or more child draped across my lap. Not the ideal way to knit, but I still got some things done.

This cute top for Evie. I really love how this turned out. I needed to add a couple of inches on the length, which will allow her to get a lot of use out of it.

I also finished a ear flap hat for Jake. (My first hat ever!) This still needs ties on it, but I do love how it turned out. I had to use the adult pattern to fit his huge cranium, but that works out nicely because now I can make one for Brian too.

I figured out how to size the pattern down to make one for Lila too. Couldn't be cuter. (I might be biased because of the model though.) I am working on one to match for big sister...

I absolutely love this hat pattern, they work up so quickly too. So fair warning, if you are on my Christmas list and you have a head, you will probably be getting one of these.

Lila's Watermelon Ensemble

2009-09-06T23:02:00.003-06:00

It looks even cuter with a baby in it, but I was in Mommy burn-out mode today and didn't even think to snap a picture when she had it on earlier. I found the dress pattern on Knitting Pattern Central under the girl's clothing section. (I have spent many happy hours browsing the free patterns they have collected in one convenient spot, and there is a sister site Crochet Pattern Central if knitting isn't your thing.) The shoes are a basic bootie pattern out of one of my growing library of knitting pattern books, and the hair bow is because I found that adorable watermelon button when I was picking out the little black buttons for the dress and shoes. And it's not like you can have too many hair bows, right?

I hope to have some more finished projects to share soon because I am going on a quilting retreat this next weekend. I am so excited. Three days of no kids and friends who share my addictions to fabrics and fiber. I think it is fun to have to take into account how to fit 10 sewing machines while packing the cars... And I don't want to get any one's hopes up, but considering that this is a quilt retreat, someone who has been waiting for over two years for a purple and butterflied quilt just might be pleasantly surprised. No promises though.

Is it any wonder I can't get things done?

2009-08-20T15:39:00.005-06:00

This is what happened yesterday as I was trying to knit on some socks...

Isn't she so helpful? The problem is, she is so cute I have to stop what I am doing to hug and kiss her!

I know I've lost my momentum...

2009-08-18T16:16:00.003-06:00

Last Friday would have been my mother's 51st birthday. It was also 6 months since her funeral. Dealing with that has just sucked up all my emotions and energy. I have been knitting some because that is something I can do while sitting upstairs with my kids. Anything else has required too much thought, and my brain just isn't working very well right now. (On the positive side, my dad came over and fixed my sewing machine so it is working again. Yea!)

I did make these Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog Wristers. I found the pattern on Ravelry and thought they were fun and funky. Plus it was a quick project, always a bonus.

The brown yarn was a worsted wool left over from Jacob's sweater and the buttons are made out of coconut shells.

Bring on the fall weather. I am ready!

Day 29: sort of...

2009-08-13T00:44:00.003-06:00

So I figured out why I haven't posted anything for a few days. I don't want to end my challenge! I seriously have a sickness when it comes to not finishing things... how sad. I have been crafting, and starting some new projects but the finishing drive is gone. I am going to try for something amazing to finish off my challenge and hope it carries over into the rest of my life, I need finishing power there too. Putting the laundry away after it's been folded. That sort of thing....

Day 28: Something I haven't done in forever...

2009-08-11T02:23:00.002-06:00

Thread crochet bookmarks. Why? They are quick and fun, and I haven't crocheted for awhile. I did get a replacement light bulb for my sewing machine tonight so hopefully tomorrow I can get back to it. 24 hours in a day just isn't enough time to get all the crafting done that I want to.

Day 27: Jacob's Sweater and an explanation...

2009-08-10T02:46:00.003-06:00

This weekend has been very busy for me, I've been gone more than I've been home. And on Friday I was gone from 9 am until 5 pm running errands. By the time I got the groceries unloaded and put away, the kids fed and bathed and in bed it was closer to 9 and I was exhausted. I took my machine back downstairs (I had lugged it up to my cousin's the day before) and was setting my sewing table back to rights. When I plugged it in there was a blue flash and loud pop! The light bulb gave up the ghost after more than 35 years of faithful service. Not the end of the world perhaps, but it's made my life hard to not have my machine. I kind of feel like my right hand has gone missing. Fortunately my machine was built by my dad many years ago when he was a sewing machine mechanic, so I don't have to go far for help. Tomorrow it shouldn't be too hard to find a replacement bulb and be off and sewing again.

In the meantime I have focused on finishing this sweater for Jacob that has been sitting in my knitting basket waiting for one sleeve for the last four or five months...

But it wasn't as easy as just knitting that second sleeve. I tried it on him and the body fit fine but the sleeve was skin tight and about an inch too short. Yikes! I had to rip the first sleeve back and start them over. But it was worth the effort as he looks very handsome in it and I think we should be able to get two years wear out of it, barring an unforeseen growth spurt. (I'll have to get a shot of him modeling it tomorrow since I finished it at 2 am and he was, of course, sound asleep.)

*edited to add: No I didn't wake him up to model the sweater, this is his GQ, "I am too cool for words" pose. The thumbs up is his ringing endorsement for my knitting abilities. I know he liked the sweater because he gave me a quarter. Nice.

Day 26: Sandwiches fixin's

2009-08-06T22:09:00.002-06:00

I went to my cousin's house today (kind of on a whim...) and we made this fun play food out of felt. Those are the fixings for either a meat and cheese sandwich or a peanut butter and jelly, not purple meat like everyone in my knitting group thought. And please ignore the fact that my banana is naked, the peel has ended up being a little more error than trial...
It was a lot of fun though, the kids got to play with the cousins and it's always fun to have some else there to bounce ideas off of.

Day 25: Brian's socks

2009-08-05T00:02:00.002-06:00

Each one of these socks are almost 2 ft. long from toe to cuff. That is a lot of stockinette (i.e. boring) knitting. But I love my hubby so it was worth it. He is happy with them. In fact, when he tried them on he said, "I'll take 12 more pairs." Yikes!

Day 24: felt food

2009-08-04T01:13:00.001-06:00

Have you seen these online anywhere? There are some seriously yummy looking play foods out there. It inspired my own sad first attempt above. (They are supposed to be sweet rolls if you can't tell...) I am hooked though. I want to make much, much more of this fun felt food for my kiddos. Tea party anyone?

Day 23: A new tradition...

2009-08-02T00:27:00.003-06:00

I made this sash out of a scrap of satin and painted the lettering with a stencil. I wanted to start a tradition of having my girls wear this each birthday. Evie thought it was awesome and made her look like a princess...

I can't wait until she is 12 or 13 and is rolling her eyes at me as I pull out the "birthday sash" and make her put it on for a picture.

Day 22: Baby shower gift

2009-08-02T00:20:00.003-06:00

Have I mentioned lately that I love the combo of pink and brown? I was excited when I was asked to make this rag quilt for a baby shower on Brian's side of the family, and I found out they are expecting a little girl and her nursery is done in pink and brown! So much fun for me. I had enough fabric left over to make some raggy burp cloths and a taggy toy.

Day 21: A birthday dress

2009-07-31T02:23:00.004-06:00

I found these fabrics in the clearance section during a sale for an extra 50% off, and I decided to make a beautiful birthday dress for Evie. (Plus the blue is a nice palate cleanser for me after a surfeit of pink.)

I love it when I can make fancy dresses for my girls for less than $10. I ended up only using half of what I thought I would, so this dress probably cost me about $7 or $8 when you figure in the cost of the thread, zipper, and pattern. I stock up on patterns when they are on sale for $0.99, it has saved me hundreds of dollars and I have an extensive library of patterns for everything from baby clothes to costumes. (Oh, that is a good tip. Buy the expensive costume patterns when they are on sale earlier in the year, instead of in October.)

I can't wait to see my two princesses dressed for the ball.

Day 20: The last doll clothes... that I will ever make! (possibly.)

2009-07-29T23:28:00.003-06:00

I am really, really sick of sewing little, teenie, tiny seams. I am done. I refuse to sew anything for a doll. ever. again! (Or at least for six months.) Of course it all depends on how Evie likes them when she opens up her birthday presents. I spent hours making my son an alphabet quilt for his first birthday and he wouldn't even look at it when he opened it. I no longer quilt, if that tells you anything about me...

Day 19: My kind of magic...

2009-07-28T22:49:00.004-06:00

One of my all time favorite Cinderella movies is The Slipper and the Rose. If you haven't seen it (and if you are a romantic at heart) you really should. I think that this is where my love of costumes and period clothing stems from. I remember watching it over and over with my mother, from the time I was maybe 4 or 5 years old. One of my favorite scenes is when the wicked step-mother tells Cinderella that they have been invited to the royal ball and she must take some of their old dress and "make three splendid new dresses" out of them. Poor Cinderella has no dress making skills and is feeling despair over her task when her Fairy Godmother shows up; and with some magic, and a keen fashion sense, saves the day. I don't know why, but that scene has been playing over and over in my head for the last two days as I transformed this pile of scraps...

... into a dress fit for my princess.

The green satin is literally the scraps I had left over from sewing a vest for my cousin Tiffany's husband, for their wedding last year. And the floral patterned fabric I found in my quest to organize my stash, a 1/2 yard can go quite far. Simple and pretty, I can't wait for church this week.

Day 18: Still in miniature...

2009-07-28T02:24:00.002-06:00

But how sweet is this? This is the preemie sweater I mentioned yesterday, it's for a family friend who just had a 4 lb. baby girl...

One nice thing about knitting something this small, I started this sweater on Saturday night. Kind of instant gratification.

I feel like I have been sewing all day long with nothing to show for it. I got all my squares layered and sewn for the rag quilt, I spent almost an hour on a doll romper suit that ended up not working because of sleeves, and I am halfway through a dress for Lila that I can't wait to post about, but I've run out of the color of thread that I need and I also need to get a zipper for it. I keep ending up with all these half finished projects and thinking that one of these days I will be able to post 27 finished items. Ah well, the kids think they need to eat three times a day. It cuts into the crafting time.

Day 17: more doll clothes...

2009-07-27T02:21:00.003-06:00

I am going to be dreaming in miniature if I don't finish these soon. They are pretty cute though, aren't they?

Of course it doesn't help that my knitting project is a preemie sized sweater. I am surrounded by tiny crafts! I may have to switch it up an make a dress or something tomorrow... just for a change of pace.

Day 16: More birthday presents...

2009-07-25T23:10:00.003-06:00

I was very sick on Friday. Crawl from couch-to-bed-to-bathtub-to-couch-again kind of sick. So I am going to consider the challenge paused for Friday and pick right up today. I cut out a bunch of doll clothes to make for Evie last Christmas, but they didn't fit the Cabbage Patch doll I was making them for. And they didn't fit any of her other dolls either. So they have set tucked away for the last seven months. A couple of weeks ago I found this doll at Dollar Tree and they actually fit her! Hooray! (Plus she even has a cute face, which usually the dolls at the dollar stores don't.)

So now I have a week in which to hurry up and sew! There will be a lot of girly projects for the next little while.

Day 15: Monster Pants

2009-07-23T00:40:00.003-06:00

Pretty self explanatory. You can't really tell from his expression, but he was quite happy with them. And Evie kept trying to try them on to prove that she is as big as Jake...

I also got most of the red and black skirt sewn up. I am loving my sewing room being all organized... I feel so productive!

Day 14: Too Sweet!

2009-07-22T01:54:00.003-06:00

*Warning* This post is so sweet it may cause a toothache!

My little girl will be turning 3 in a couple of weeks. She has asked for a pink birthday. She wants to go to Build-a-Bear and make a pink bear and then go to a pink movie. (I am still trying to figure that one out.) Pink is obviously her favorite color, and she also loves to play with her baby dolls. So I found this basket at the DI for $1.50 and with some pink flannels from the remnant bin...

The perfect birthday present for a pink-loving, almost three year old!

The best part for me is that I probably spent less than $5 on materials and this ended up way cuter than anything I could have bought in the store. Plus it is one of a kind!

Days 12 and 13: The Very Big Project

2009-07-22T01:39:00.004-06:00

Two days. That is how long it took to unearth all my fabric and yarn that were packed away in totes and boxes, and basically a big jumbled mess.

I sorted all my scraps of fabric by color and ended up with 11 totes that I can now look through quickly when working. Plus I think it sets a good perimeter on what I can keep. If it won't fit in the tote then I have to get rid of some. (That's the theory anyway...)

The drawers are now for my yarn storage and sorted by weight and style of yarn. I think 4 drawers of yarn should be enough for anybody, right?

And the big blue tote in the corner? Yeah. That is all my pieces of fabric that are a yard or more. I made a solemn vow not to buy any more fabric until I emptied that box by sewing my way through it... that vow lasted about 6 hours until I went to the fabric store with my cousin tonight and found a beautiful, butter yellow, fine gauge corduroy in the clearance rack. Hey, at least I am not addicted to crack or heroin...

Day 11: Dead on my feet...

2009-07-18T23:34:00.002-06:00

The "Very Big Project" continued today with a garage sale to free up storage space and make enough money to get the storage I want for my sewing room. It was a successful day, but due to insomnia and a baby wanting to eat at 4 a.m. I didn't sleep last night. By the time I got tired it was 5:30 and I needed to get up by 6 to set up the yard sale. And it was so stinking hot today! I got about an hour or an hour and a half nap after the sale, but I can barely type this post let alone try to work on any of my projects. So good night to all and I will hope to have something more interesting to share tomorrow.

Day 10: A very big project

2009-07-18T00:12:00.002-06:00

I am determined to set my sewing room in order. To that end, today I spent sorting through my children's toy room and 14 totes (I am not exaggerating that at all, I counted them...) of baby and children's clothes for a yard sale tomorrow. I got down to 4 totes of clothes and cut down at least a fifth of the toys. I am hoping in a few more days to be able to post pictures of a clean, well-organized, creativity-inspiring sewing room. But with a project this big my other interests will have to take a back seat for a little while.

Day 9: that stuff you never thought you'd use...

2009-07-16T23:59:00.006-06:00

Yes, I am talking about math. Today my project was drafting out the plans for both a skirt and a baby quilt. Sewing is a lot like carpentry... measure twice, cut once. If you take the time to plan everything out on paper it makes for smoother sailing later on. So I knew that I wanted to make the baby quilt 36 inches by 48 inches, and I knew that my finished squares would be 4 inches on each side. So using that math drummed into my head by the public school system I figured out that I would need 108 squares. But... this is a rag quilt, which means that each square is comprised of 3 layers. So that means 8 yards of fabric cut into 324 individual squares. More than 4 hours later and this...

becomes this...

Not bad for a day's work if I say so myself. (The black and red fabrics on the right are going to be my skirt. I am quite excited to make it, I don't sew for myself very often.) And an added bonus, my kids love when I am cutting out projects. They love to play with the scraps. It never ceases to amaze me that even with a play room full of toys, they will spend hours playing with little pieces of fabric.

Day 8: an even shorter post...

2009-07-15T23:47:00.002-06:00

Today the most I could do was finish the purple shorts, that did mean loading three kids into the car and going to the store for a spool of purple thread... okay, I'll quit whining.

I also did quite a bit of knitting and I made homemade cookies. From scratch. Yeah, you wish I was your mom.

Day 7: a short post

2009-07-14T22:56:00.003-06:00

I am feeling thwarted by the sewing gods. I ran out of purple thread with 2 seams to go, arrrgh!! But I finished the teal ones so I am counting those for today. Again, a simple project that I cut out probably close to a year ago and then has sat in my to do pile. I am glad to be done with them... almost.

Day 6: a clever fix...

2009-07-13T22:17:00.003-06:00

I found this cute ballerina fabric in the remnant bin at JoAnn's awhile ago. "Just enough to make Evie a pair of pajama pants!" I thought, and you really can't beat getting a pair of pants for under $2.

But after I washed the fabric and got it on grain, there was only enough fabric if I cut the leg a little too short. So I did thinking I would make them into capris. But I was only a smidgen too short! Not even a full inch! Arrgh!! Then I had a brilliant thought. I bought some satin blanket binding and sewed it on instead of hemming the pant legs. Adorably cute, and if I hadn't told you otherwise you would have thought it was just a design decision I had made... right?

Day 5: KIP Bag

2009-07-12T18:06:00.005-06:00

KIP: Knitting In Progress. A very cool lady, who I met at the knitting group I go to, designed this awesome bag which is perfect for a small portable project...like socks! Ever since I saw her and her daughter's bags I have been wanting to make one. So today I did!

And when I say cool I mean works-in-a-dress-shop, sews-weddings-gowns, wears-50's-style-vintage and red-lipstick kind of cool... Okay, maybe you have to be "sew" geeky like me to appreciate that, but she is awesome! Thanks for the pattern, Tracy!

I also hemmed a few more pairs of ruined pants into summer shorts...

Another hint about this is that if the hole has gotten too big and makes it so you can't hem them without making them too short, you can cut the pant leg off as close to the hole as possible and then just sew a line of stitching around the leg at about 1/4" seam. The edge will fray, but no farther than the stitching. If these were for a girl you could sew lace or a ruffle of fabric on for added length... but I don't think my son would appreciate that!

Close up detail to show the difference between the rolled hem and the frayed hem.

Day 4: from the mending pile...

2009-07-11T23:17:00.005-06:00

This is probably self explanatory, but my project today was to turn some of Jake's old school pants that he wore a hole into the knee into some shorts for summer. It's also great for when they suddenly shoot up an inch or two so their pants still fit around the waist but are all floods at the ankles. A nice way to stretch that clothing budget.

And if you take the time to match your thread to the top stitching already on the pants no one will ever know they weren't shorts to begin with! (...and can I take a minute to pat myself on the back? Today has been so crazy I haven't had a minute to sneak down to the sewing room until 11 pm. I was almost going to throw in the towel but having this challenge has really motivated me! So a 10 minute mending job and Jake has more shorts for the summer, win-win.)

Day 3: Child's Tea Party Apron Tutorial...

2009-07-10T23:10:00.013-06:00

Today I made another little tea party apron (for my other niece, since I missed her birthday in May...) and since I got a nice comment on the last post that someone else would like to make one, I thought I would do an actual tutorial on how I make them. *Disclaimer*: I have never done this before and since I tend to be a visual learner I took a ton of pictures. I just hope that my directions make sense.

First things first: fabric requirements... (this project is a great use for fat quarters.) One fabric for the apron, pockets, and ties. And a contrast fabric for the waistband, applique, and bias edgings. A small amount of lightweight fusible web for the applique.

apron: 8" by 21"
pocket: 5" by 21"
ties: at least 2" by 20" (You can make them wider if you want a larger bow, or even substitute ribbon for fabric ties.)
waistband: 3" by 10"
bias edging: 2" strips cut by putting the fabric on grain and then cutting at a 45 degree angle across it.

You line your bias strips up, right sides together, and stitch across.

Then you trim the angled edge off.

Press the seams open.

Fold in half lengthwise and press. (Be very generous with your steam setting, it will make it easier for the fabric to retain the folds.)

What it should look like after pressing, a distinct fold.

Fold each side into the center and press.

Fold in half lengthwise again and press. Your 2" strip will now be 1/2" wide. Now we move on to the applique.

Take a small square of fusible web and iron on to the contrast fabric, then draw a simple shape (like a heart or star) and cut out. I like the child-like look I get by drawing free hand (I never claimed to be an artist...) but you could also trace a shape or monogram using a template.

Peel off the paper backing and place on the pocket and iron in place.

Make sure that you don't place it where you will be stitching the pocket sections!

Now you will stitch around the shape using a zig-zag stitch. (It is helpful if you haven't done this before to play around on a scrap of fabric trying different stitch lengths and widths to find the look you like best.)

I like a satin stitch look, which I get by having a fairly wide with to the "zig" and a tiny length to the "zag".

Now we add the bias tape we made earlier to the top of the pocket section. Simply slide the pocket piece into the fold of the bias tape with the ends being even. You can pin the bias tape in place if you like, but because it is sewing a straight line I usually don't have any trouble sliding the piece in as I go.

You want to stitch as close to the edge of the bias tape as you can, while making sure you are catching it in the back too.

Now we will measure and draw a stitching line for our pockets. I made these pieces 21" so that I would end up with 3 evenly spaced pockets. You can be as creative as you want here, you could make one large pocket and two smaller ones, or add a couple of narrower "slots" to hold a pencil or wooden spoon. You just have to take the time to do the math and figure out where you want the pockets to open. Also, you don't want to go too large or they may just gape open, but you could always add a button or snap or piece of velcro if that happened.

Here you can see the stitching line I've drawn. On dark fabrics a white dress maker's pencil or chalk works wonderful, I am using a disappearing marker here since the white wouldn't show up on the yellow very well.

Next I add pins an inch or so away from my lines on each side to keep the pocket from moving around on the apron while I sew it place.

What is should look like after sewing the lines for the pockets.

Now we cut two strips of bias tape for the sides and stitch in place like we did for the top of the pocket, making sure this time to catch both the apron and the pocket fabric in the fold of the bias tape.

Yea! It's almost a pocket.

Last step of the pockets is to sew the bias tape along the bottom edge. You'll want to add an extra 1/2" or so to each end of the bias tape.

Then trim the corner at an angle, like this.

Then fold to the inside and press so that when you sew the bias tape along the bottom you will end up with a nice finished edge on the sides.

Next we'll make the ties, fold the strip in half lengthwise and sew with a 1/4" seam allowance down the long edge and one of the short ends. Then clip your corner at an angle, making sure not to cut your stitching!

That way when you turn the tie right side out you will have a nice clean corner on the finished edge.

Press 1/2" seam allowance on both short ends of the waistband. Gather the top of the apron and pin it to the waistband, matching the centers and ends, and easing the gather along the rest. Pin the right side of the waist band to the wrong side of the apron and sew with a 1/2" seam allowance.

Once you have stitched it in place and removed your gathering stitches you will press the waist band up and then press a 1/2" seam allowance along the top.

Fold the waistband over to the stitching line and pin in place. Then stitch close to edge of the waist band.

Now take the unfinished end of the tie and insert it in the opening at the side of the waistband. (If you choose to use a wider tie or ribbon simply make a pleat in it so it will fit the opening.)

Then stitch the ends of the waistband shut and your ties are attached.

And voila! An adorable apron any little girl will love for tea parties or helping Mommy cook dinner. I hope this was somewhat clearer than mud, but if you have any questions feel free to leave them as a comment.

Day 2: Still going strong...

2009-07-09T23:02:00.003-06:00

So, would you accept one sock? Not even though this is a more challenging sock for me, with the lace pattern and all?

Yeah, I didn't think so. That's okay. I also made this.

It is a tea party apron for my little niece who will be turning 3 next week. And if you think it looks familliar, you are right. I made it to match Evie's apron that she got last Christmas.

My 30 day challenge... (for myself)

2009-07-08T19:06:00.007-06:00

I have decided that for the next month (i.e. 30 days) I am going to finish at least one project a day. I can do more than one, but then I cannot count it for the next day. "Those are the rules I just made up." So here we go.

So... I don't know that this is technically part of my challenge, because I finished it yesterday and it still needs a button sewn on. But I was excited to get this shrug off my needles! I got the yarn in the 1.99 clearance basket at my LYS and still have enough to make a matching shrug for Lila. Color me excited! (Plus, everyone in my knitting group is making this easy-peasy project... yeah... I gave in to crafting peer pressure.)

Plus she loves pink, and look how happy she is! Anyhow, moving right along...

I finished her purple Minnie Mouse dress. Again, I don't know that this should count for too much because I bought the pre-shirred fabric so all I had to do was sew the seam up the back and add the ribbon ties. 10 minutes from start to finish, and that includes ironing! (The real question is why in the heck I waited so long, ah well, it's done now.)

Ta Da!!! This project has been hanging over my head for several months now and I am thrilled to be finished. Some of you may remember the handmade give away I did on my other blog way back when, well this is my gift for Emily (who I still call Emser in my head...) and will be packed up and shipped off tomorrow with a deep sigh of relief that it didn't actually take me the entire year allotted. (And Amy, your gift is done too and will be in the mail tomorrow as well, don't ask me why but I had it in my head that I couldn't send one until the other was done... sorry.)

Okay! So one day down and 29 to go. I can so do this.

Baby Shower Crafting

2009-07-06T11:02:00.010-06:00

I can finally show off what I have been working so hard on the last month. Last Friday we (my sister, Caite, sister-in-law, Elena, and myself) threw a Baby Safari shower for our cousin, Tiffany, who is expecting her first baby next month. We had so much fun planning and making this shower. Give us a theme and we go a little nuts. We had yummy food, and a fun time hanging out with friends and family.

This cute crate held the prizes for a game and she can use it to store the baby's toys or shoes later on. Caite painted the words with a stencil and we glued on the cute painted wooden animals.

Tiffany is expecting a girl so we had to make some hair bows for her! I want to draw your attention to the "Pebbles" style bows in the upper corner designed by Caite and the adorable yellow flowers with the green ribbons by Elena. My favorite contribution was the lady bug clippie. (Yeah, some times we get a little carried away when we make hair bows...)

So, since we had so many cute clippies to display, Caite (I think) came up with the very cute idea of making a hair bow mobile. You can see it hanging in the grass hut that Tiffany sat in to open her presents. We jokingly called it the "fertility hut", but Jake couldn't get that right and kept calling it the "utility hut".

This rag quilt was my present to Tiffany. I had so much fun picking out the fabrics, like I said... give us a theme...

A week or so before the shower I saw this tutorial to make these taggy toys and couldn't resist. I already had all the materials and they literally only take 15 minutes to make from beginning to end.

Now, I didn't make these. These are some cute flannel burp cloths and a changing pad made by the proud Grandma-to-be, my Aunt Kamra. Isn't this a fun idea though, they are clipped so they will rag like the quilt I made. I filed the idea away for the next time I need a baby shower gift...
(Also if you noticed we have the same Jungle Baby fabric, yeah... that wasn't on purpose. Two great minds, hundreds of miles apart, will still think alike.)

I wish I had a close up photo of the cute way the tables were decorated, although you can kind of see it here. We had raffia and greenery and flowers as table runners and then sprinkled in amongst that was little stuffed animals, safari-themed rubber ducks, and a set of alphabet blocks that we painted and modge-podged stickers to. They turned out so cute!

There are more details that I am hoping that someone else got a picture of, and if they did I will post them here soon. We had camo netting hung above the tables with stuffed monkeys and birds and flowering vines hanging from it, we had animal print balloons and palm trees made out of carpet roll tubes and paper leaves and some very cute signs that Caite had painted. And we made a six tier diaper cake surmounted by a palm tree and a stuffed gorilla!

It was the best baby shower ever, thanks to everyone who came and made it that much more fun! And congratulations Tiffany, you are going to be a great mom!!

How could I resist?

2009-06-19T23:59:00.002-06:00

That sweet little voice as she climbed on the couch next to me and asked, "Can I knit with you Mom?"

She was knitting a scarf (just in case you couldn't tell from the picture...) and she wanted to "do it myself"!

I couldn't be prouder, I'll have her whipping out socks by the time she's 5.

I have been crafting...

2009-06-19T18:59:00.005-06:00

...but I just can't share any of it yet, because they are all presents for different people and occasions... well, that and I have been knitting. No I didn't follow doctors orders and wait a week. Don't look at me like that, I had to take the brace off when it was just me and the kiddos. So since it was off anyway... I am feeling a lot better though. My thumb and wrist aches a little at night or when I stretch my thumb a lot. Oh, here is what I am trying desperately to finish before next week.

It is a quilt that we started when my friend Dinee was pregnant with her first baby, who will turn 2 next week. (Yeah, I know... you don't have to say it.) And baby girl #2 will hopefully be making her appearance next week too. So I am going to finish it in time for Libby's birthday. The good news is that it will match the girl's bedroom still. Wish me luck!

Very sad news

2009-06-13T23:49:00.002-06:00

I am under doctors orders to not craft for one week! I don't know if I will make it.... pout... whimper... sob...

Another Giveaway!

2009-06-08T10:26:00.002-06:00

This giveaway is over on my friend Kristine's blog, Saying it Simply. She and her sister, Kourtney, have a great home based business where they make custom home decor and signs. And her latest creation are these adorable clutches made from hard back books. You can see the ones she has already made at her etsy shop, or they will do a custom order with a book of your choice. And she is doing a give away for a custom order right now! The hardest part is choosing which book I would want made!

Winner!

2009-06-01T09:11:00.002-06:00

So we picked a winner with highly advanced method to make sure everyone had an equal chance to win, I wrote all your names on little slips of paper and let Evie pick one. And the winner is... SUSAN!!! (And that should prove it was all above board since I didn't cheat and pick the person with the smallest foot!) For those who didn't win, well... now I have your measurements and there is always Christmas... Congratulations to Susan, I'm know from reading your comment that these socks will definitely be appreciated. Now to get knitting.

Inspired by the Yarn Harlot!

2009-05-28T15:09:00.009-06:00

I love this book! Admittedly you might not find as funny if you aren't a knitter. (Although I did read parts out loud to my husband and it made him laugh, perhaps just because he was identifying with the author's husband as a long suffering spouse of an obsessed knitter.) But the highest praise I can give it is that I was torn the whole time I was reading it between keeping on reading or putting it down and picking up my knitting.

As soon as I finished the book I finished this pair of socks. I have been inspired! I had to agree with her that there is nothing to compare with a pair of hand-knit socks. There is just something about taking a couple of sticks and string and creating something where there was nothing before. To quote the author, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee: "When it is all over, when the socks are done, a knitter will have invested an average of twenty thousand stitches in the name of love and warm feet, knowing full well that the socks will wear out. That's love. That's why socks are special." (She also makes a side note that if you like to knit socks you should marry people with small feet.) But back to the part about my inspiration, I am going to do a give away. That is right. From now until Sunday (May 31st) anyone who leaves a comment will be have the chance to win a beautiful pair of socks, knit with my own two hands, just for you. The catch is you must be knit worthy, which means you have to be willing to wear them and send me a picture. Not hard, right? In your comment tell me your favorite color and the length of your foot, from heel to toe. Believe me, once you feel your foot snuggled in hand-knit wool, you'll never look at machine made socks the same way again.

Edited to add: Just so there is no confusion you have all the way through Sunday to comment. I will pick a winner Monday morning.

Finally finished!

2009-05-17T15:50:00.003-06:00

This has been a pretty intense project for me this last month. This is a knit romper with cables and lace work. It was my first ever knit item with button holes and sewing the pieces together, and I am pretty pleased with how it turned out. I am also pleased that it didn't take me so long to finish it that she outgrew it before I got done! Now I just have to finish the little matching booties...

Spontaneous Creations

2009-04-18T23:48:00.006-06:00

How cute are these two? Katey is Evie's new friend! Joel and Kris came over for lunch and while the boys were swapping music on iTunes we decided to make the girls matching dresses. These were super simple drawstring jumpers out of tee shirt weight jersey. (On sale at JoAnn's for $4 a yard, and we maybe used 2/3 yds. per dress...) I think it looks so comfy to hang out in during the summer or for a swimsuit cover-up, I'm thinking I need to make one for myself.

Did I mention how awesome Kris is? She gave me the pattern for this cute tooth pocket because Jake has gotten his first loose tooth. He can't wait to use it! (When he figured out the tooth was loose he said, "Oh, this is the day I have waited years for!)

And we are working on raising up the next generation of crafters! Kris got Katey and Evie these cute girly pirate necklace kits and helped them string them up. So cute. I'm not sure what Evie loved more, making it or wearing it...

I really need to hang with Kris more often... she totally gets me.
Click here to see her design talent and vote for her mood board! Any one who can get a black eye from doing laundry needs to win a vacation...

The Easter Dresses

2009-04-12T22:57:00.003-06:00

I may have finished them at 1 a.m. but they were worth it! My little models were being little stinkers today, so here you can at least see the cute dresses without crying children to detract from them...

I have been busy...

2009-04-07T12:13:00.005-06:00

Brace yourself for a lengthy update! First up are these cute little bags. I saw them on my cousin's blog when she did a give away and followed the link she provided to the free pattern.I couldn't wait to try my hand at one and whipped out the teal lined one for my sis-in-law's birthday (...that's why it is stuffed with fun little indulgences for a soon to be mother of 5... you are amazing Mandy!)

Then a week or so ago my friend Haylee had a trunk show at her house for Matilda Jane. I had never heard of this girl's clothing company, but thought their line was super cute and way outside my budget...
So I came home and created a knock-off for Evie that only cost me about $3! (Although to be fair I got the fabric at a great sale at Jo-Ann's, I think I paid about 75 cents for each 1/2 yard.) But it was a lot of fun to go and look and get ideas for cute summer play clothes, especially since Evie is such a girly girl and would wear her church dresses every day if I'd let her.

I have also been working hard on the Easter dresses. It is always nice when the idea in my head starts to take shape in real life... (and actually looks like the idea in my head...) So the under dress is ivory eyelet, and then the pinafore/jumper is pieced strips of different rose printed cottons. I haven't decided on all the finishing details just yet, I guess it will depend on how long I procrastinate.

And here are some of the cute hair bows that I did at the party a week ago. The really sad part is that my kitchen table is still buried under ribbon. Every time I get 20 minutes and start to pick it up I get sucked into making just one or two more. That is why I have an entire shoe organizer filled will flowers, bows and other hair candy hanging from my bathroom door (and sorted by color because we all have to embrace our inner Monk from time to time...)

And when I was at Wal-mart with Caite buying buttons for making the hair bows I decided that I needed to make me some knitted washcloths.
This is actually how I learned to knit the first time when I was 11 or 12, and it has been fun to recapture the memory of my mom teaching me. (I know! She knit, who knew?) The reasoning behind the need for these is that my stupid washing machine has a tendency to eat socks and washcloths and leave big ragged holes in them. I am hoping that the thicker cloth of the hand knit ones will keep them from getting eaten. I will keep you posted on that.

Also on the knitting front I am slightly more than halfway done with Jacob's sweater. (I couldn't very well make them for the girls and not for him, now could I?) I added the stripe to keep myself interested, as I have discovered that I am too ADD for plain knitting. Two sleeves to go... I can do it...

Last but not least is this fabric I picked up last weekend to make some kitchen curtains. I am not overly fond of chickens or roosters, but I was having a devil of a time finding the right colors for my kitchen that didn't have a wine or coffee motif to it. I have literally been looking for months and this actually goes really well with another project I am contemplating to decorate my kitchen. I am going to dissect an old calendar and glue the pictures onto plaques to make an arrangement on the big blank wall over my stairs. If it turns out well, I will be proudly posting pictures soon. (Nice alliteration there, huh?)

So there you have it, some finished projects, some UFO's and some of what is on tap for the near future. Now I have to be good and go clean my house so we can have friends over tonight and not lose their toddler in my mess...

Two Purple Sweaters

2009-04-02T14:06:00.002-06:00

Yea! I finished my first ever sweaters, top down raglans knit in the round. And they fit! Even over my children's extra large craniums. (Although I will admit I had to do the neck ribbing on Lila's 3 times before it would go over her head...) I now feel that I can do anything!

Group crafting ROCKS!!!

2009-03-28T21:27:00.002-06:00

Thank you to everyone who came to my little get-together today. It was like a play date for grown-ups! It was so fun to hang with you all and get creative together. I am going to do this again soon so if you missed out this time keep your eye on this blog for details of the next play date. (And I am totally kicking myself for not getting any pictures so if you have some of your finished bows you want to send me I will post them here in all their cuteness!)

Two UFOs Finished!

2009-03-23T16:30:00.004-06:00

One of the things I love about Sundays is that Brian is home and can help with the kids so I can usually sneak a few hours of uninterrupted sewing time in. I am working hard to clean up and organize my sewing room and while I was sorting through one of my cupboards I came across the summer clothes I started for Evie last year. Less then an hour later we had two finished outfits...

I'm really glad I cut them a little larger for her last year, so they will still fit! How cute is she? I can't wait for it to get warm so she can start wearing these.

Now my goal is to cut out all the projects I have been stock piling the last few months so that when I have an hour I can spending it sewing instead of digging through piles and bins trying to figure out where I have left pieces and patterns. I got part of the girl's Easter dresses cut out yesterday too, so keep an eye out for those... unless they don't turn out. I'm making the pattern up as I go and that can be iffy. (Not that they don't have enough dresses in their closets already.)

I've been on a bow making kick...

2009-03-18T22:51:00.002-06:00

And seriously, you'd think with an entire sewing/craft room downstairs my kitchen wouldn't end up looking like a bomb went off in a ribbon store.
But my excuse this time is that I wanted to try my hand at making these cute corker bows and you have to wrap the ribbons on wooden dowels and bake them in the oven, hence the need to work in the kitchen.

Some of my finished bows. I especially like the blue buttons, so simple but so cute!

And seriously, for pennies you can make boutique quality bows that they charge $5-10 dollars for. So that brings me to my next plan. I have had many people ask me to teach them how to make bows and I have been wanting to start a sewing/craft group. So I am inviting anyone who wants to come to a bow making party on Saturday, the 28th of March. (I am assuming that if you want to come you will already know me and know where I live.) It will be open house style, from 12-6 pm. Come for as little or long as you like. Bring ribbons, buttons, or whatever else your imagination can come up with to make fun hair bows for your little princess. If you leave me a comment telling me what you are interesting in making, I can give you an idea of what supplies you'll need. These would make excellent gifts for any daughter, grand-daughter, niece, cousin, or friend in your life. And if you don't have a need or interest in learning to make hair bows, bring another project and just come for some good quality girl time! My plan is to have this be a monthly occurrence where you can all come sit and stitch and visit, no matter what handicraft you prefer. So bring your mom, your sister, your friends, your mad crafting skills and let's create together!

Like I need another project....

2009-03-17T19:20:00.002-06:00

That is what my loving and supportive husband just said when I told him I was starting a craft blog. Nice. But the idea behind this blog is two-fold.

1: To share ideas and hopefully make me want to make forward progress on my many unfinished objects (from here on out refered to as UFOs).
2: To serve as a craft journal of the projects I end up gifting away.

Case in point, this adorable rag quilt that will be going to a sister in my ward who had a baby boy a month ago.
It is puppy dog prints and a red flannel back, and it worked up even cuter than I had envisioned in my mind's eye. So now I have a record to look back and remember how much I liked this finished project long after the quilt has gone to it's new home.

Another example:
This is an heirloom-quality cable knit blanket I made for my brother's first born. I got the pattern off Knitting Pattern Central, a great directory of free knitting patterns. And now that my brother is moving his family across the country I won't get to see the blanket in person anymore. (I'll miss my family too...)

So there you have it, I'll be posting pictures during all phases of my creative process. Mostly for myself, but feel free to look around and leave a comment.