Projects so far.

Birthday present sewing. Used scraps and fussy cut to make a quilt/play mat.

Front of a play quilt/mat. Dolls come out.

Back. 

Halloween sewing:

Pattern tested for SweetBriarSisters. SpookySpider.

How cute would this be as a little octopus!

Costume accessories. Stuffed cat, and a costume for an American girl doll.

Knitting:

The dude sweater, again. 

My second attempt, and it's going so much better! Details in the link.

August

Finished Object Friday!

I've been saving this post just so I can have a FO Friday!

Pretty psyched about this project too for a couple of reasons.

Last year, I was slacking in the knitting department. Well, any kind of "handmade gift department".

I was really impressed with people who made quilts, and stockings, 

and kitchen accessories, etc for gifts, and gave them on time.

So in December 2014, I made a goal that in 2015, I would  plan ahead and start the handmades way before. Kind of hard when you are prone to procrastination, and have so many things you want to make and no time.

I've been really awesome so far though! 

Easter is coming around the corner, and I make little softies for my kids. 

They get a small basket with some chocolate, and candy, and something handmade from me.

I made them bunnies, then stuffed little eggs, and this year I made lambs.

Pattern: ASE's Little Lamb-Knit Version by Anita Elmore

It's a fairly simple pattern, and quick to do. When you're making 3 of them in a row, it can get kind of boring. 

lamb butt

I did all their "fleece"gray so there would be less fighting.

lamb feet

lamb head

The lamb's eyes are felt circles. The ears are gathered felt. 

The pattern called for knitted ears but I was done knitting honestly. I don't think I could of knitted 6 little ears.

I added little felt bows for the girls and I'm done!!

Ahead of schedule too!!

finished lambies

Finished Object (FO) Friday!!

Yay!!

I can finally have a FO Friday post! I usually don't have the proper timing to do that.

Here's the finished Daisy Chain pattern by Amanda Lilley

It's exactly what I wanted, and pictured actually! I'm so happy. Sometimes when you're knitting you have no idea how it's going to turn out, and other times, you just "feel" it's going to be perfect!

I stopped the pattern short, a couple rows under the arms, because I wanted it to be a summer bolero for a 3 year old. 

You know, to throw over a summer dress just to make it a little fancy.

It's made with cotton-ease, so it's soft and perfect for anytime.

It's suppose to have embroidery on the front, and I just couldn't get it to look nice. I tried.

 I also had a problem with leaving the back of the embroidery exposed. I like things to look neat from the inside as well, and I just couldn't get it to look satisfactory. I didn't want to have little fingers poke around either. 

I do think it looks so cute with a little brooch! I will probably make some knit-friendly, kid-friendly brooches with felt and magnets.

Progress so far.

Daisy Chain

by Amanda Lilley

I'm starting on the sleeves! I wanted this to be a short bolero for a 3 year old. 

It's suppose to be embroidered along the sides and I can't wait for that part!

Happy Friday!!

January Baby Sweater

Pattern - Baby Boy 5-Hour Sweater by Gail Bable 

Yarn is Vanna's Choice, gray marble

Needles size 8

I added the button loop.

I ribbed the sleeve cuffs, and the bottom.

Friday (NaBloPoMo)

Friday-Friday. Weekend plans.

I'm going to finish knitting a square for a blanket.  It's just one square to be part of a blanket for a friend who lost someone they love. As a person who makes things, when we want to comfort someone, we do what we know. We make.

I could of just knitted any old square, but for some reason I wanted it to have more meaning. Even if that meaning behind all the stitches was just for me to know.

I decided to go with the pattern called Heavy Rain. It's a simple repeat worked on the purl side, and easy to remember. I added rows of plain stockinette to break up the "drops".

back

Its suppose to symbolize rain drops, or in my case, tears. It's just beautiful to think about the process of when you are grieving, you are crying. You're crying so much, and then you get a break. Whether it's from a friend's comfort or a funny memory, and then it's back to crying again.
 It's a long cycle that lasts days, years even, sometimes it seems never ending.

I hope that the person getting this blanket will have long breaks between the crying, filled with loving thoughts from someone who is no longer here.

front 

WIP-Photo

front windows, back windows on the needles

Victor Van Knitted Toy Pattern by Prue Loone

Knits'n (Finished projects post)

Just a quick post on my finished knits for August! 

My first scarf I've made for myself. Really. And too bad the yarn was discontinued so no matching gloves, or hats! 

It is so airy and light, and the colors are just...perfect. 

noro yuzen yarn, stocking net stitch, size 15

Next is a baby gift:

Pattern info here.

Look how great those buttons match!

It's August!

Seriously? It's already August. What the heck. 

Last year here, you'll see that we are "surprise gardeners". What surprised us this year?

Butternut squash, cantaloupe, strawberries (but they get drowned out by the bigger plants), tomatoes (plum and a beefsteak), sunflowers...we planted, ( threw in the dirt, actually) potatoes, and a bitter green mix.

I'v started the "pink baby tweed" which is in this book. It's a gift for my new niece.

And I've been practicing my crochet by making dishcloths:

I love these so much better than a sponge!!

I think my sewing mood has finally returned. Maybe it's been the autumn-like days that have been happening.

baby onesie romper thing

dress for my new niece 

fleece coat, with pink corduroy collar
(this is the start of a back to school wardrobe.)