greetingarts

fastest fleece project ever

Okay, I don't even know what category to put this in, because I used scissors, but there's no paper involved.  It's a blanket, and I feel like it should be in the sewing category for some reason, but there were no pins or needles necessary.

I just took two fleece panels that I got on clearance from Jo-Ann, cut the fringe, tied them together, and in less than forty minutes Rebecca and I made a 36" x 60" throw for her Kindergarten class raffle basket.  The theme for the basket was Movie Night, and while I really wanted to make a box of crocheted popcorn, I thought this was more practical, useful, and realistic for me to accomplish.  I'm really trying to be better to myself, and let go of some stress and guilt that is entirely self-imposed.  So, easy peasy fleece to the rescue.  Nothin' to it!

mail sack

About a month ago I tested another pattern for Kathy, and like last time, it was such a pleasure to sew, and such a hard thing to keep secret.

I made the kid's size for Rebecca, and used some more flea market fabric for the outside (decorator weight)

and quilter's cotton for the inside.  The pattern is simple and straightforward, detailed, clearly illustrated and just all-around very well written.  One of the best things is the instructions for customizing the length of the strap so that it hangs on the wearer just exactly right.  The kid's version has a divided pocket on the inside for sunglasses and iPod (yeah, Rebecca says two of her classmates have one - oh my, someone help me).

The shape is so sweet, I love the rounded bottom and smooth lines.  Doesn't it just look incredibly comfortable and effortless to wear? 

Rebecca brings hers out when we go to the farmer's market, library, or  wherever.   It holds a lot of loot, even the most precious of cargo.   Couldn't decide on the cuter picture, so there you go, you get both of them!

handmade books from scraps

I've been meaning to make a stack of little books for my kiddos to fill whenever they feel so inclined, like the ones here and here, so we finally got around to doing it a few weekends ago.

I got to use my Japanese Screw Punch for the first time, and the old stationery from the firm my husband worked for way back when we were engaged.  I felt guilty about recycling it all since it was a lot of nice quality paper, and was perfectly usable except for the letterhead.  So, it came with us when we moved.  But it's time to start getting rid of it!

The book covers are just scraps of cardstock left over from other projects, so some of the books are about 5" x 4", others are long and narrow, others are teeny tiny, about an inch.

A true scrap project, I even used some of Jessie's birthday cards for the covers.  They always pile up and it seems such a shame to throw recycle away the sweet sentiments, and now I won't have to.  Rebecca really helped with this project, while Jessie occupied herself with sticking stickers on the covers.  I used a Chip Clip to hold the papers and cover together, did the  hole punching myself, and Rebecca used a dental floss threader to sew the book together.  I love that floss threader trick, it really mimics a needle and helps her learn how to hold everything together so that the thread doesn't keep coming out of the eye (though it still does a lot but at least she's getting the concept). 

So putting it all together was a fun morning-long activity, but the best part is peeking to see what she fills up her books with.

i've got sunshine

Skies are very grey today and it's a bit drizzly, but I've got all the sunshine I need right here.

My little sweethearts (well, one of them is kind of a holy terror these days, we won't name names but she isn't in school yet and just turned three) brought me not one but two huge bouquets of flowers last night (just after Daddy got home from work, imagine the timing!) and in a couple of hours we're going out to Todai for lunch.

Last week's Home Depot Kid's Workshop was such a cute Mother's Day project that I finally got to play with today.  It was such a hoot, I had to help them put it together, but I wasn't allowed to look!

I got a little poem from school, too, that Rebecca's teacher helped with.  This is my favorite reason why "My Mom is Special."

Isn't that funny?  And she told me that I had ten less grey hairs today.   I wonder if she thinks I'm 65, too?

Happy Mother's Day!   I love you, Mom.

birds, bees, flowers, trees

One of the swaps I couldn't resist, I got my Notecard Swap 3 package from Regina the other day, with the most wonderful works of art tucked inside.

I don't think I'll ever be able to use these, but maybe I could display them on an inspiration wire or pinboard or something.   Even the bookmark Regina included is frame-worthy.  Check out the Flickr! group for individual credits and pictures of all the cards, and see the ones I made here.   Thank you so much, ladies.  I absolutely love the unique styles, the different media used, and now as soon as the weather starts cooperating, I'm all ready for Spring.

kerri sent

I'm still lucky!  I won another giveaway a few weeks ago, and I just got a marvelous package from Kerri the other day.

I'm absolutely head over heels for this lantern-shaped bag.  The froggy fabric is great, and who doesn't love dots, but it's the silhouette that's got me totally ga-ga.  Right now there's some test knitting in it, and it barely ever leaves my side.  I've almost always got it within arms reach because the chubby little form just makes me happy.

She also included this book because she happened to have an extra, and she saw that I was a knitter.  I love stitch books, and this was  new one to me.  It's great!  Chock full of cables, lace, ribs, colored swatches, even edgings.  I'm sure I'll be using it often.

And finally, there was this little embroidered cell phone pouch that she picked up in Yemen.  I'm fairly certain that I will never be going there in person, so how wonderful is it that I can still have a piece of that country in my own living room?

Thank you so much, Kerri.  I think of  you every time I see these little treasures, and smile.

hampton roads & pocahontas

This month I can't go to the Monday night Block of the Month class because I have to attend a special program at my daughter's school.  As a result, I had to finish the blocks (yes, they gave us two this month instead of just one!) a few days early and will be going to the Early Bird session tomorrow.

I cranked this one out last night, finishing up most of it during  commercial breaks for CSI and Lost.  It's called Hampton Roads and I love the diagonal checkers.  Some people get all crazy trying to line up the plaid and make everything absolutely perfectly straight.  I'm definitely not one of those people.  I'm just happy if I don't chop off any points.

And this block is Pocahontas, one of my least favorite (no offense, Pocahontas.  It's not your fault they named this block after you.  And it's also not your fault that I put it together so badly).  Look at how poorly I did those seams and those points.  Whack, whack, whack!  You can practically hear them getting chopped off, willy nilly.  And those that didn't get hacked aren't lined up or connected as they should be.  I think I might have to take this one apart and redo it, but... knowing how many quilts I want to make and how little time there is even if I live to be 122, maybe I should just leave it and call it "good enough?"

may day accomplishment

Look at what my baby learned to do on May Day!

Wow.  Look at that bow.  Good job, Rebecca!

pintail whale

I know a Pintail is really a type of duck, or a kayak, but I just liked the name Pintail Whale, the way it was so appropriate, and rolled so easily off the tongue...

... so here is my creation for the March/April Pincushion Challenge.  The Sea was the theme, and this little guy is knitted with US size 3 double pointed needles (no reason they have to be double points, I just like the length of them, especially for a small little project like this) from 100% cotton fingering weight yarn, Paton's Bumble Bee in Morning Glory (fancy name for light blue).  He measures about 3" from the tip of his nose down to his flippy little tail.  I found the pattern on the Knitted Toy Box, a gem of a site.  So now you can go knit up one of your own!

lunchbox swap

I mailed off my package for the Lunchbox Swap today, making the deadline with several hours to spare.  Quite unlike me, don't you think?

For my little lunch tote I decided to incorporate a lot of different crafts.  Knitting, crochet, and sewing.  The outside was knit from hemp twine, and is a one time only deal.  I'm never going to use that particular kind of hemp again.  It really wasn't meant for knitting, it's literally just a thin rope, and was the roughest thing ever.  "Difficult to knit" would be putting it mildly.  Especially since I have a very tight gauge.  My hands were rubbed raw and I had to take very frequent breaks.  But I think it looks nice, and that's what matters.

I sewed a little lining for the inside, out of fabric I've used before, which I thought was perfect for something that's supposed to hold food.  Then I used some cotton crochet thread and steel crochet hooks (1.5mm and 2.35mm) to make the handles.

I included some Hello Kitty sandwich bags and summery, barbeque napkins just for fun.  I really hope my swap partner likes it.

And now, I get to show you all the goodies I received from Christina.  In the photo, it looks black, but this cute lunch tote is a dark denim, with the red/green paisley print apple on the front and inside the handles,

and one of my favorite color combinations of pink and green for the lining and ribbon closure.  There are pockets on the inside,

and even one on the back.

And look at all the little treats she stuffed inside!  More pink and green, buttons, fabric, a yummy fun magazine, and rubber stamps.  I love my little tote and it really does fit my style.  I've already got a little knitting project settled inside it.  But you know, on second thought, since it was supposed to be for lunches, I think I should find some food to put in there... I'm sure there's a bar of dark chocolate around here somewhere.  That's a good lunch, right?