Winter is for crafting

I have come to the realization (very recently) that I am starting to really like winter. *GASP* And I mean real winter. Not the southern California winter I grew up with. It has been snowing, it is cold, and going to get very cold in a few days. However I am happy with it, because it means I get to be inside reading, cooking, and best of all, crafting. I also have the next several days off work for the holiday, which would help anyones mood.

This whole crofting (homesteading, small farming, whatever you want to call it) lifestyle is hard work. Good, satisfying work, but hard nonetheless. Spring through fall we worked our regular jobs, and worked the rest of the time on the farm. I'm proud of what we achieved, and I'll be even happier when the pigs and sheep are in the freezer next month. Winter means less outside work, and more relaxing and more time for creating, which I enjoy. Oh seasons, you are so wonderful. 

A year or two ago my sister cleaned out her craft cupboard, and I added a few things to mine. I do love this sort of cleaning that other people do--when it involves me getting new things for free. I got a shaggy baby blanket kit, which I stored away in my cupboard. Then this baby boom hit, and this morning as the snow fell, I knew it was time to get it done. The blanket is for my co-worker, and she isn't due until May. However, in May I'll be busy getting the garden started, and going on a trip to Peru, and there will not be time for sewing. I'm planning ahead!

All you do it sew the rectangles together in the manner laid out in the pattern, and then cut the pieces to be "shaggy." It only took a few hours, and is currently in the washing machine. Great, right? Yeah, my weak little wrists are sore from all the cutting.

I've also been on a real bag-making kick. I think because they are small and fairly easy to make, yet you can challenge yourself. I found a free pattern on Pinterest called Trail Tote, and made the small one first.Quickly realizing that it was nowhere near big enough for me, I made the larger size, using what I'd learned making the first one to make it even better. 

 This picture is me wearing the larger bag. I've been using it as a purse for a month now, I love it!

If I can find the pictures, I made a couple more bags for presents, I'll post them next. Until next time, thanks for stopping by and have a very Happy Festive Holiday season!

Babies, babies, everywhere

Hello! So not one but two of my co-workers are expecting babies, and best of all, so is my niece. I cannot believe that I'm old enough that the girl I watched come into this world is having her own baby. I've accepted it now that I've had time to digest the idea, and I'm so freaking excited. I have already picked out a baby blanket to knit (she picked forest green, it should be pretty), but I've got plenty of time because she isn't due until May. 

I was cleaning out my craft closet the other day, and decided sewing was in order to rest my wrists a bit. I've been Christmas knitting like a fiend and it was starting to hurt. In the midst of my cleaning I found some fabric that my mother bought me when MY babies were actual babies, that I never got around to using. My niece isn't into gender biased colors so I figured these were perfect.

A while ago I stole borrowed this sewing book from my Grandma. It is called Sewing in a Straight Line by Brett Bara. I like several of the projects in it, but this quilt looked pretty, and easy, and like something I could handle. My sister (soon to be the grandma) approved so I got to work. It went very quickly, and cost only around $20 for the batting, backing, cream fabric, etc. I do love to use a Joann's coupon, or three.

I messed around with placement and ideas, and then one day it just HIT ME, and I was happy with how I arranged everything. I do love it when things come together. 

I just quilted straight lines as well, because that is about all I can handle. Even that was a challenge at the start--but I got there in the end.  

I'll be delivering the present this weekend. I hope the snow doesn't make the drive too terrible!

Sewing

I am, by no stretch of the imagination, a seamstress. In fact, I think I'm rather terrible at sewing. And yet. And yet I just keep on doing it. In the last few weeks I've had two sewing projects, some pillow covers, and a basket liner.

I bought those blue pillows in Australia......for very little money. They were great, until they were worn out. I used the previous covers as a guide, and I did put zippers in so they would look neater than an envelope pillow. They got better as I went along, so that by #3 I was rather pleased with how the pillow looked. I bought this fabric at JoAnn's on sale, and I really wish they had the exact same but with a different color flower pattern. I've got a few more pillows to recover (yes, we have a ridiculous amount of pillow on our huge couch). I'm also toying with the idea of knitting a few. Like I don't have enough to knit right now!

So this is my computer desk--covered in two different knitting patterns, a tape measure, and a knitting project on the left that is currently hibernating. I barely turn the computer on it seems.

Speaking of knitting, the next project was a basket liner--specifically for knitting. I have quite a few baskets for my WIP's. I do love baskets. This one in particular isn't a very nice one, I bought it on clearance at Michael's for a Christmas present that didn't happen. It is sort of rough and I don't want it snagging any of my projects. I did an internet search for a pattern, and then sort of cobbled it together.

I couldn't be bothered sewing a tie, I just hate to turn them right-side out. So I used ribbon instead, and it works just fine. I used some stash fabric from when the girls were little. They haven't seen it yet, but I'm sure when they do they will try to steal this. I should have known better than to use pink........

And that's all for now. I've cast on yet another knitting project (socks!), which is ridiculous but such is life. One day, I'll finish one of the projects I'm working on. I'm still loving the Grandpa Cardigan (in the picture above), but I've got a while yet to get to 15" in length. Take care, happy crafting!

Sewing with the kids

Hello! Lately, my kids have been very crafty. First, they asked me to teach them how to knit. Oh, yes, with pleasure I will teach them to knit. They are (slowly) working on some garter stitch squares.

Then, somehow (none of us can remember how it came up) they decided they wanted to learn to sew. A pillow, to be precise. So I taught them, because sewing a square and stuffing it with fluff is just about the easiest thing to learn. They were super excited, because it was fast. And don't we all like instant gratification?

So they made themselves some pillows. And then, they each made me one. And their Dad. And then they made their grandparents each one for Christmas.   

We used stash fabric, except for two pillows (the grandparents pillows), and we did buy fluff. But otherwise, quite an affordable and enjoyable project. Plus, now I have a perfect pillow to use when we are travelling in the car! Next up, they are making themselves fleece ponchos!

Sewing Project

Ahhhh, autumn, I do love you. I love the crisp, sunny days, and the cold nights. I do not love snow on Halloween and how cold and windy it was. But I guess you take the good with the bad, and it all evens out.

These girls, they were not cold. I was though. They raised nearly $50 for UNICEF as well as a bucket-load of candy. I'm proud of them.

I'm knitting lots right now, and loving it. I've even placed a rather large yarn order, with enough to keep me busy right through the winter. I finished Isla's cardigan, but right now I'm going to talk about sewing. I'm not very good at it, but I do give it my best attempt. I've been teaching the girls, but more on that in another post.

First, let me just say we all used to be young. And in my younger days, I was slimmer. The before days. Before kids, before marriage, before I was tired and didn't want to exercise. Just, before. I don't want to go back to those days, but I wouldn't mind going back to slimmer days. I have a Carhart jacket that I love, because it is warm and has lasted over 10 years. Partly because my hips got too full to wear it much. Until I decided to take the scissors to it.

I was scared to cut into this jacket, but if I couldn't wear it, what was the point in having it? So cut it I did. Then I ironed on a heavy duty patch to each cut side and sewed it on as well. 

It isn't pretty, but it does work, and that is what matters. This isn't a fashion coat, it is a work horse coat, and now, I can get even more wear out of it. I'm super pleased.

Next post, all the pillows my girls are making for Christmas!
 

Knock knock, is that you Autumn?

I love the fall!! I've been working on the west side of Michigan the last week and a half, and man, the leaves are starting to turn. It is gorgeous, and the weather has been fantastic. I've got a cold at the minute, so I'm sleeping as much as possible.

I've been making good progress on Rori's tiny tea leaves. The body is finished, as well as one sleeve and the button bands.  She's excited! I couldn't wait and cast on Isla's tiny tea leaves as well, but it is on hold because I'm so close to being done with Rori's.
 

Lastly, I've been making slow progress on the quilt. I've got the first two rows done, but not joined together just yet. It seems that things keep getting in the way. At any rate, you can see how it is shaping up. Jess thinks it is a good place to rest her head.  

I've just moved all my "office stuff" into our spare bedroom, so for the first time in a long time my office is separate from my craft room. We will see how I like that. It is necessary though, because the sun room I have been using is going to be cold this winter, and I can knit anywhere (normally sitting at the computer or on the couch!

That's all from me just now, take care and see you on Friday if I can organize a photo of the new sweater!

on into August

Welcome. I hope that your August is starting out as well as mine. I'm finding some serious crafting bliss.

I've been working on my scrap quilt pretty regularly, and all the pieces are now cut out. It is really very fun. There is a certain freedom using only what I have, no buying of any fabric has taken place. In fact, I've only spent a wee bit of money on thread (because I don't have much of that) and some batting. I've got four blocks quilted, and I'm ready to start joining the first row together. The quilt is a total of 16 blocks.

Seeing how the squares will look together

I love that I can use scrap batting as well. I have always saved my left-overs, and this will pretty much clean me out. The book I'm using shows how to sew two scrap together and use them as well. Love! I also love that I can do it in bits and pieces. Tonight I plan on sewing at least two squares together. I've sort of put it off due to the hand sewing, but now I feel ready to tackle it. 

In other exciting news, my new yarn order from Knit Picks arrived on Monday. It is enough for three sweaters. I'm very pleased the girls picked colors other than pink. We are making progress!The girls are both getting new cardigans, and I'm getting........ something when I get finished with the ridiculous amount of WIP's and new projects I'm about to start. It will probably be after Christmas by the time I get to use this gorgeous yarn.

Lastly, I'm seeing the end of my Braid hills. As always, I slowed way down on the sleeves, oh how I hate to knit them. And the first one was too small, so I had to rip it all the way back and knit it with no decreases. I'm guessing it will still be tighter than I'm used to, but some variety in my wardrobe would be a good thing. I just need to finish sleeve #2 and do the neck band. Hurray!

That's all for me, see you next week. I might even have a FO (but don't hold your breath!)

 

What's happening here

It feels like yesterday that I was over enjoying lori times five's blog, when I learned about yarn splicing. She's got a video here, where she demonstrates how to do it. Recently, I've adopted it when knitting with 100% wool (both the sweater I'm knitting and the cardigan are pure wool). I love it! I love not having to weave ends in. Thank you Lori, you are an inspiration!

Recently my Dad made me this:

Which I also love. I know, it is a big, but it can sit out of sight under my table when not in use. And it makes life easier. Much easier. And faster.

In other news, I am trying to learn Continental knitting instead of English. I've been suffering from repetitive strain injury for what feels like forever. I get better, then knit too much, and it comes back. So after reading that Continental is better for people that suffer like me, I'm trying to switch. It is hard, and I am not patient, but I am trying. I used this video as help. I'm using some stash bulky and huge needles to make a scarf just like the very first one I ever made (in 2009, yipes!), when I learned English-style.

Lastly, in an effort to let me hands rest a bit, I decided to start a scrap quilt. I am not a quilter, but I do try. I'm using this book:

to quilt as I go. I'll let you know how that turns out. I'm mostly using fabric my Grandma gave me, with a few scraps of my own, so I feel happy every time I work on it. I love my Grandma!   

Happy Crafting!!

Hungry Monsters

Hi guys. We've had a mixed bag of weather this week, but some days of beautiful warmth and sunshine. Oh how I love the sunshine. Luckily the sunshine hasn't made it too hot for knitting, but I've been getting some sewing done too. Right now I'm working on my quilt for my daughter, since I finished her sisters. I just finished the top today, so hopefully it won't be too much longer.

Now on to my FO. A wee while ago I downloaded a cloth napkin pattern on Craftsy, to get some ideas on making new ones. Afterwards owner of the pattern emailed me with a link to her newsletter if I was interested.  I didn't think I would be, but I was wrong. She sometimes includes free patterns in the newsletter, one of which I thought was too cute to pass up.

It is called Gobbler, and it's a pencil case. I made these three for my nieces and nephew in Louisiana. I've put some goodies in as well, because I couldn't resist. 

I used fabric that my Grandma gifted me a while ago, she tie-dyed them all, and I love love love them! I had enough to make two bigger ones for my own girls for Christmas, but I won't put a picture up just yet. They are nosy wee girls and might see it on my blog and then the gig would be up!

If you are interested the newsletter is called Shiny Happy News, and the blog is here.

Take care, I'm off to the post office to get all my crafts on a plane to the USA. I've got one more post for next week and then I'm done sharing Christmas projects (I think!).

Why didn't she tell me quilting was hard?

Hello! Today I'm taking a wee break from knitting FO's and sharing a sewing one. I know, I haven't done that in a long time. I can say things have been helped along quite a bit by actually living within 15 minutes of a fabric store. I love it so, so much. 

I started this back in May 2012, and wow that stewed for a while in the "if it is in the closet and I can't see it I don't have to work on it" pile. Of course, we had some major life events between then and now, but still, I'm glad to have this done.

It is a mish-mash of different things, thought up by my then 6 year old. I used her old receiving blankets for the strips, and she picked out all the other fabric. To begin with I thought that coral pink would be terrible, but now I have to say I like it very much. She loves the backing fabric so much she uses it both ways. Turns out I could have just bought two big pieces of fabric and quilted them together and she'd be happy. Live and learn. Anyway, the first one is done and dusted and the second one should be easier (famous last words). Stay tuned.

In other sewing news, I've also been whipping up some new cloth napkins from stash fabric:

And making dog toys, also from stash fabric. That green one to the left is an old toy I made her, it is well loved. This dog loves to destroy, and I have to use the thickest fabric I have. The blue one I just made only lasted a night, even though it had four layers of fabric........

Thanks for stopping by my Finished Object Friday. Have a great weekend, I'll see you next week! 

Twisted

Hello! I can't believe it is May already. Time has been flying as a rapid rate. I've been having a great time working on my Baby Cables top, even though about 17 rows in this happened:

 

I know, you can't tell what the problem is, but there is a twist. How long have I been knitting? Years. I should certainly know better than to wait 17 rows to make sure I don't have a twist when I joined in the round. Ah well, live and learn. I was actually perfectly happy to start over, as now I know what I'm doing, and I got to fix the stitch that was bothering me way back in row one. In all honestly, row 1 and 2 of a project are my least favorite.

I've made some good progress since then, and I've moved past where I was when I ripped it out. Things are looking better.

Does anyone else sit in front of the computer and knit? I watch shows, chat to my family. It is where my favorite knitting chair lives, and the place I knit most often. 

This was us at the weekend. I was sewing the dog a new bed (the bluish-teal thing) and cleaning out the craft boxes. The girls were helping (ha!) by beading and knitting. 

That's all from me for now, Happy Crafting! 

This Week

Hello everyone!  I've decided that I'll just do one post this week, as I have some important visitors coming at the end of the week--my parents!  We are all really excited about their imminent arrival, but I really do need to crack on with the cleaning.  I'm so easily distracted though, because the SUN is out.  It is gorgeous and I'll have to go and sit in it and knit for a while later.  First I really should clean the bathroom though.......

I've been pretty monogamous to my leaf cardigan, though it has been hard.  I've been tempted by all sorts of other projects, but.........I'm making good progress and I really want to finish it.  The back is done, the left front is done, the right front is 80% done!  I hope to be working on the edge ribbing by the weekend.

I've also been working on a bit of crochet.  I'm making another handbag/clutch, with the hopes of listing some in my shop.  They are fun, and great to make while watching t.v.  This one is Girlie Camo, and I'm just finishing up the lining and flower in the next few days.

Lastly, I was working on Isla's quilt again (until I ran out of thread and had to wait for more to arrive..... I'm still waiting).  But I had a bit of the sewing bug so I made a wrist lanyard for my keys.  

I am forever losing my keys in the abyss that is my purse, so I figured this would help me find them.  I keep my car key and my house keys separate (the only way to lock the house door is with they, so it normally just lives in the door until I leave the house) so I'll make another one today I think, for my car key.  I used some fabric that my Grandma tie-dyed, and instead of a D-ring, I just used a regular circular ring, because that is what I had.  This was a fast and satisfying project.

Look, I'm a hand model!

And that's all from me for now!  Take care, happy crafting, see you next week!