Winter Fun

Here are some items I've been working on this winter. It just seems fun to "re-create" with things that you have. You know, that cute sweater in the closet that just doesn't fit right but you can't seem to part with...it's just so soft and pretty. Well, let's use it again, sista!

I know it's hard to grasp the idea but it's fun to see what you can come up with. I've seen sweater skirts, sweater purses, headbands, seatbelt covers for kids, pillows, toys, the list goes on! These cute barrettes came out of playing around - knit a little, cut out a little, stack a little, change colors a little. See? Just sit down on one of those cloudy-can't-get-motivated afternoons and allow the time to put together some new ideas. Hey, if it doesn't work, put it in your box and come back to it later. My "come back to it laters" have scored me big!

Craft Show Prep

Here's the life the next few days. I carry my yarn and needles in my purse so I can knit a flower in a snap. You would be surprised how fast those little segments of time can add up.

Here's the last few days of "found" hours. I still need to sew the button on and add the headband. I learned how to do short rows and scale the flower bigger or smaller based on yarn size and needle size. It's so fun to see how they turn out and I've found myself snooping around for a new skein of yarn just so I can see a new one. So here I go....knit, knit, tic, tic, click, click...the sound the neeldes make!

Craft Show, Craft Show, 1 more to go...

Yeah! This was the last craft show I entered. It was sooooo fun! I loved seeing other artisans there with a nice intimate setting. Such a lovely night with crafts, sales, charity auction, coffee, and great food. How could you ever go wrong?

Gearing up for the next one in 7 days.....ahhhhh!

Busy Little Bee

I've had a hectic few weeks and that makes my creative thread that much more tense. This post is to remind you that creating is an outlet and a form of therapy, not a luxury misunderstood.

The holidays are just around the corner so I must start on my ideas. I usually get the urge right before Halloween anyway because of the change in weather that says "please stay inside in the warmth" and I do...

I started on cards and gifts. I actually write out a list of people and ideas because my mind is always going and I'll forget if I don't have a reminder. Every year I go to www.realsimple.com and type in "holiday gift list" for a list printout. Write it in pencil so you can make changes as you approach the holidays.

I love this forethought! It's attentive, sincere, frugal (without being cheap), and maybe a little on the luxurious side. When you have time to really think and consider what someone else would be happy with, you have a new perspective. It's the little thoughts that come up everyday that remind you of that person not just because they're on my list and I need to give them something. So get the list out, find some ways to be creative and put your thinking cap on.

We are doing a homemade/heritage Christmas this year and it's so fun to have a challenge like that. We will stay on budget and be resourceful while keeping in mind the likes, wants, and needs of the other person. Our range is from 1 year to 85 years old. Do we really NEED anything? ...or can we just make this fun?

Ok, well, I have to say that we don't have any teenagers or grouches. Everyone this year will probably love whatever is made...you may need to really think about the recipient. It's just going to work out perfect this year so we'll just ride the holiday wave.

Finished Knitted Dress

Yes, folks, I finished the dress! I know, it's been way too long for me not to post this but bare with me...here are the pics!

This image is from the inside of the dress. It has a lattice look where I wove the elastic in and out on the backside. I took the proper measurements but I have to say, it was very tight on her. So for the next set of pictures, I snipped off almost all of the elastic and just let about 3 strands hold up the dress.

And here we have it...it worked great! This white ribbon can be changed out for any occasion.This was for First Communion and she wore a little cover-up over the shoulders. The pattern called for straps but I thought they would fall off the shoulder (and I ran out of time) so we decided to skip them.

And here we changed the ribbon to red for our 4th of July party.

It is so soft and light weight, perfect for our summer party.

I do have to be realistic and know that she will only wear this for about 10 minutes (enough for me to get a picture) and then it will be shorts and t-shirt time. Ahhhhhh, the 4th....

Knitted Dress

I'm back! After being out for a recovery period, I'm glad to say that things are getting back to normal. While I was recovering, I was able to work on my daughters knitted dress. She was wonderful in picking out the style she wanted. I love seeing those eyes light up when she finds the dress she loves. We chose the yarn together at L & B Yarn where they walked us through the store and gave us some pointers. Then it was off to knitting...

The pattern called for 5 hanks of yarn but I think I need one more to finish up.
The sweet design she picked was a lattice on top and stockinette stitch for the skirt. The pattern is called Crumpets from http://www.ravelry.com/.


It's coming along nicely. We have about 3 more inches to knit and then it's elasctic and straps.

The elastic will bunch the lattice together to make a smocked look.

This is the view from the knitters eyes. My husband and I counted how many hours for the skirt (you may not want to know that) and counted how many stitches. Right now the skirt is at about 26,264 stitches. This is something you've got to love...and I do!!!

Winding Yarn

This is a picture of my daughter winding some yarn for a scarf that she wanted me to make. She picked out the colors and told me exactly what she wanted! The picture is a few months old but I'm posting it as a precursor to projects on the horizon. I might be knitting her a dress (if I think she will wear it more than once) and I will be teaching a couple of girls to knit. Who would have thought our amazing craft night would become multi-generational.

She's had the start of a project by going to the yarn shop, winding her yarn, and watching mommy make the garment. Soon, she will be making a small piece with lots of pictures attached!