Moon Tea

Warning: moping.

Meh.  I'm sick and having trouble recovering.  I got the cold right on the last day of work before Winter Break, yuck. (Teaching the third grade class for three weeks went well, by the way. Tiring, but good.)  Before I got sick, I wanted to celebrate the solstice by making one of these owl ornaments.  (This is a tradition I want to create for myself -- making a new ornament every year on the winter solstice).  I wanted to do a post showing my favorite Christmas tree ornaments (I've loved looking at other people's). I wanted to share pictures of the pretty gingerbread I made to take to my in-laws for Christmas day.  I wanted to finish the Wee Wonderfuls cat softie I started for Joe's boss's new baby.  I wanted to start running again. There's probably some other things I've wanted to do that I'm forgetting.  Instead, I only have enough energy to share these few measly pics of the three holiday gifts I made this year.  I wasn't planning on making any at all, so I surprised myself.

Quite cozy!

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A. found on Knitty.com

Yarn: 1.5 skeins Crystal palace Panda Wool in Rosewater.

Needles: size 1 circ's and DPN's

Mods: Obviously, a lot. I knit a shorter cuff (about 7 rows), did one pattern repeat, and then went right into the heel to make these anklets.  I did a short row heel, which I learned you can do when knitting from the cuff down! For some reason, I thought one could only do a short row heel when knitting toe up.  Also, when I was knitting the first pattern repeat I only knit it on the front of the sock, keeping the back solid stockinette so it would blend into the heel more.

Comments: Still lovin' the versatile Monkey pattern.  My grandmother was very pleased with her socks but now claims that she will "never wear them", only look at them! Ha...not sure how I feel about that! To each her own.  The Panda Wool looks very nice but has very little spring and stretch compared to wool. Kinda more drapey and limp.  It was pretty splitty and not as nice to knit with as wool sock yarn. When I blocked the socks, they took forever to dry and felt like wet clumps of paper while wet.  So while I think the Panda Wool is very pretty and soft when knit up, I will probably not knit with it again.

I also made a trio of sachets for each of my grandmothers.

I used some fabric scraps from my stash, stuffed them with a little polyfill (sp?) and soap shavings, and sewed them up.  I literally used a plastic grater to make shavings from a bar of soap. The entire house smelled nice for a couple days! I presented them stacked with a little ribbon tied 'round for the cute factor.  I made one solid dupioni silk sachet and backed the other two with the dupioni silk...it gave them just a touch of fanciness.  They're about 2.5" inches by 1.5".

As a result of this little project, I am now a huuuuge fan of the Zum soap company.  Their soaps are the best-smelling available! Now, I'm a bath-product connoiseur, with about 5 different soaps in my shower (liquid, solid, scrub, and cream included) but Zum is at the top of my favorites list.  Their soaps are made with pure essential oils, come in at least 20 different scents, and smell delicious.  I will be whipping up a set of soap sachets for my own drawers soon; the yarn drawers will be getting some also since I read that strong soapy smells (especially Irish Spring) keep moths away...hopefully these more herbal ones will do the trick as well.

I also knit Joe a Kureyon beanie in time for Christmas but haven't managed to get pics of that yet. I have been knitting away while sickly sitting on the couch, so I'll share some of that next time, as well as a yummy chai tea recipe I've discovered. Hope your holidays were relaxing and sickness-free!

Finished: In Town Bags

     I just finished two bags, and they're off to their new homes.  These were made for the winners of my little birthday contest back in July.  The In Town pattern by Amy Butler is one of my favorite simple sewing patterns.  It's a great stash buster, it's fun to pick out different color combinations and ribbon detailings, it's quick and easy to sew, and it makes a great small-project carrying bag.  I've made three of these so far (see my first here), and I still want to make at least one more for carrying that sock knitting around.  I'm greedy.  Aren't all crafters?

*~whoops, still learning to focus the camera properly...please excuse the blurring~*

Here's bag number two:

*~ready for knitting action~*

    Little projects like this have got me back into my sewing groove, and I have big plans this fall for other sewing projects! Mostly bags and purses (yes, I already have too many, who cares?) and mostly Amy Butler patterns.  Adorable (and gigantic) Weekender Bag, anyone?  Or how about the patchwork purse from her book that's the current In Stitches sew-along assignment? She has a new line of bag patterns for Fall coming out as well, Ashbury being my favorite.*  A knitter can never have too many cute things to tote her knitting in!!**  I feel like an Amy plugger, but her patterns are inspiring, so bring on the sewing!

 
*ETA: Oh no! I just found out the new Amy Butler bag line is only pre-made bags for sale, not patterns. =(  No way I can afford those! I'm sure some non-sewers are happy they can finally have a bag made from her fabrics, though.

* *Wow, that's the third time in this post I have justified my bag/purse greed.  Maybe I'm guilty? Nah.

Handmade for baby

What have we here...

Finally, something's finished around here!

I'm pleased to announce the arrival of...

A pair of baby faux-Uggs, and a fleece-y blanket!

Pattern: "Suede" booties from Knitty Gritty.

Yarn: 1 skein each Berroco Suede in a light brown and dark brown. 1 skein Berroco Plush in Crema.

Needles: Size 4 and 5 straights.

Modifications: The pattern suggests weaving the Plush yarn through the stitches once to create the fuzzy trim; I found I had to do it twice to create the full look.  One round of the Plush just looked too sparse.  I also bought some puff paint and squeezed small dots onto the "soles" of the booties in case baby should try to stand up...I don't want her to slip in my booties!  Here's my "non-slip tread":

Comments: This pattern was a breeze. The booties are so small I finished them while watching the Mad Max trilogy (awesome) and they took minimal concentration.  These things are way too cute, people who have seen them always exclaim over them!

The Berroco Suede I used wasn't the exact colors recommended by the pattern as my LYS didn't have them.  I don't remember what colors I picked out but they look just fine!  I have enough of the yarn leftover to do another pair of these, which is good since my fiance's boss is having a baby. There's *tons* of the Plush leftover especially, since it's only used for trim.  I made the size recommended for smaller babies, so for the larger baby size I don't think there'd be enough yarn for two pairs.

My only other comment on the booties is that they seemed rather large, even though I knit the smaller size.  I guess this is good because they'll last her a bit longer, but they're definitely not for those little babies!  She can always wear them with socks too, I suppose.

And the blanket? It's just a slightly rectangular shape (don't remember the measurements) cut out of adorable fabric I've had sitting around.  I bought some bright orange fleece and sewed wrong sides together leaving a small gap, turned inside out, top-stitched the gap shut, ironed, and voila! I didn't even top stitch or blanket stitch around the edges because I liked the casual look of the plain edges.  Hopefully, it will wash okay and not get too bunchy.  It can always be ironed so it lays flat again.

All in all, a cute, simple gift set for baby! I hope she and her mommy like it. =)

Stash flash

Thanks for voting everyone! Wow, what a help.  Now, I know an Italian reader said the cylinder vases filled with petals and a floating candle reminded her of something you'd find decorating a bathroom in Italy, but I think I'm still going to go with that idea! Heehee. I'm thinking of using that centerpiece at some tables, and at other tables a small floral arrangement with citrus involved.  Then again, I may line our small outdoor aisle with potted mums and use those as centerpieces at the reception. Then guests could take home a nice potted plant with them at the end of the night.  I'll say it again: this wedding planning and decorating stuff is a great outlet for your creativity.  My crafting is acutely affected by this, and so to keep the craft ball rolling I'm just going post a little inspiration.  And anyway, fabric stash flashing seems to be in the air in blogland.  =)

This stack of purple and greens is destined (I think) to be cut into strips, sewn together, and then cut into strippy circles for the Big Dot pillow from Amy Butler's In Stitches.  You can see the Big Dot Pillow on the cover of her book here:

And these black and white prints were purchased to make wristlets for my bridesmaids to use on the big day.  We're using black, white, and yellow accents as our wedding colors.  I love the way any graphic design looks in black and white.  In fact, Joe is planning on getting a different pair of black and white designed Vans for each of his groomsmen!  I'll probably get an Etsy crafter to make the wristlets for me; there's too much other wedding stuff to take care of! 

And I got these prints to make some fun, kitschy napkins for summer:

Mmmm...fabric.  =)   

Not as productive as I look

First of all, props go to Elli for reminding me (I forget how) that, yes, you can checkout audiobooks from the library. Duh! I promptly got a library card and my knitting productivity has gone way up.  Knitting to an audiobook is much less distracting than knitting while watching t.v. or a movie, and more enriching, of course.  I've been listening to Bless Me, Ultima.  I've also been enjoying all kinds of free books, including knitting books.  How could I forget how much I love the library? Oh yeah, I remember: it's called "college". =D

So...yeah, I've been knitting and sewing, and not blogging about it.  Oopsie.  I figured I had better post some of my progress before I head out for Portland tomorrow at 3:30 a.m. (cough, hack) with my boyfriend and his family for 4 days.  Thanksgiving here we come!  While what follows may seem like a good chunk of knitting (and sewing), don't be deceived! All of these things still need finishing of some sort, blocking, seaming, etc. and my project queue is waaay backed up. Argh!

I'm going to make a little list here to remind myself of what I've got to do, and get it off my mind:

1.) Knit Joe another much-needed hat with grey wool stash yarn (maybe while on trip to Portland?)

2.) Knit little Christmas ornaments (mini stockings, sweaters, and balls) for gifts for family...and for self. That's all I'm doing for gift knitting this year.

3.) Buy yarn and knit a Noni felted bag for friend of Joe's mom.  She's been asking me for a felted bag forever! I *must* get this done.

4.) Charity hats! Before it's frickin' summer again.

5.) We Call Them Pirate mittens for Colorwork knitalong in December (I forget who's doing this...)

6.) Rogue, poor negelected Rogue.

7.) Get started on Tweedy Aran Cardi by January as I will be starting a knitalong for it then.

That's enough for now, I'm sure there's more...

Moving on.  Progress:

One finished faux-Ugg baby bootie sitting on my cluttered dresser top, waiting for its mate to be seamed.  (Owl figurine for size comparison).  I love knitting for babies, so when I heard one of Joe's friends was having a baby I quickly started these. 

I also went out and bought some orange fleece to match this stash fabric I had, so I can make her a simple fleece backed baby blanket.

Finished some Lizard Ridge squares, the two on the right are for the Afghans for Afghans charity. 

And, a new small tote for my knitting projects awaits finishing (handles, a lining, and a drawstring and casing) on my sewing table:

I used the In Town bag pattern by Amy Butler. I made another tote using this pattern a while ago; they're perfect for stuffing a bit of knitting into before heading out the door. 

And last, but certainly not the least, the Menorah Pillow from Handknit Holidays:

Knit using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, this will be heading to Joe's parents' house for Hanukkah.  I've got the front completed and one of the back halves.  The two halves "button" together in the back with buttonholes and i-cord buttons, so the pillow can be removed.  The border around the front and the two back halves are knit in moss-stitch, which I think looks really neat.  Now, I just need to finish the other back half and then seam the whole pillow cover together using an i-cord bindoff (I think).  Shouldn't take too long, I hope!

'Pincushion' the mouse says:

"Happy Thanksgiving!"

A handmade inheritance

     Whoops... it seems my posting has slowed as I get used to my new job.  The good news is... I love it! I've been working as a K-5 substitute teacher, and as a second grade aide (tutoring, grading etc.) and I'm loving working with young students.  I find the day really flies by, and I also love getting off work at 3:15 (woohoo!) and having regular vacations (double woohoo!).  Also, the district I work for has a modified traditional schedule which means instead of two long vacations (winter and summer), the children get to take a couple weeks off during other months, though summer vacation is shortened a bit.  I don't mind: I loved getting a two week break in October!

I do have some progress on a few projects to share, but right now I'm inspired to share the wealth of crafty-goodness I've come into recently.

This summer I spent time in Eugene, Oregon with my mother and came away with some really neat things my talented grandmother made.  I was so happy to have these lovely handcrafted things!

This is a gigantic (queen or king-sized) duvet my grandmother sewed, I think in the 80's.  I love the retro-looking colors she used and the *gigantic* bird applique in the middle.  Too cool.  In between each row of color she added a strip of lace, a nice touch.  This will definitely be on my bed someday...when I get a much larger bed!

I also inherited this amazing quilted and appliqued sewing machine cozy she made.  Words cannot relate how much I love this thing.  I remember seeing it when I was little covering her machine, but not until recently did I develop appreciation for the work that went into making it.  And how cute it is!  Protecting my machine from dust, it spruces up my crafting table nicely!

I got to bring home this little doll she made for me after rummaging through boxes in the garage for it.  The red "hair" is actually sewn into the little cap.  I remember loving this so much, and I'm still happy to have it around so I can appreciate its handmade-ness and my grandma's obvious love for her granddaughter. =)  A neat feature of this doll is that her head swivels around, and four different faces are sewn on the sides: happy, mad, sleepy, and sad.  Here's sleepy along with the rest of the wardrobe my grandmother made:

I can only *hope* that I have a fraction of her sewing skills someday.  The rouched dress and ruffled cap...too much!

Now, these simple little babies are more my skill level:

I remember her sewing these for me in about a day one summer when I was staying with her.  They're made using leftover flannel from the multi-faced doll, and the "picnic blanket" is also a little bag to hold them all.

My grandmother was also a talented cross-stitcher, and I love this framed piece she made for me when I was very young:

I say "was" because she can no longer see on the tiny scale required for cross-stitching.  I learned to cross-stitch from my grandmother at the tender age of 8, and one day I plan to stitch this beautiful piece that's in a needlework book of mine:

Little squirrels and acorns and a well-worn aphorism? I must have! This pattern is the only thing I've ever wanted to cross stitch.  It'll take me forever. Better get started!

And finally the last handcrafted item I inherited while at my mom's in Oregon, this small-ish quilt:

It was made by a talented quilter friend of hers and I love the colors and simple design.  It now lives at the foot of our bed and does wonders for brightening up the bedroom.  I only wish I had pictures of the beautiful crocheted afghans my mom used to make! Unfortunately I don't own any of those.

In an attempt to stretch my own rusty sewing skills I made these 'moopy' bunnies:

One lives in my potpourri basket, and the other...

with (naked) Raggedy Ann.  She lost her clothes long, long ago.  She also has a prosthetic arm made out of a rag as her original arm ripped off and apparently disappeared!

I like the droopy ears on the second one, and I like the fact I got to use the tiny scraps of this lemon fabric I couldn't throw away as patches on his tummy.

Cacti, and robots, and pie, oh my!

Our cactus has been doing interesting things lately.  Over the past month or two, it has started looking rather rabbit-like... It kind of reminds me of one of the Cactus Friends characters!

Here's a close-up of the little pink "bunny ear":

Soon it will flower.  Meanwhile, another cactus we brought home put on a show:

Recently, my boyfriend and I went cherry-picking in the agricultural area outside of stockton.  $2.50/lb. for cherries you pick off the trees in the orchard yourself...a deal! We had a little too much fun climbing on the branches and picking, so I was forced to make a cherry pie.  Poor me. =)

This is the German Cherry Pie recipe from Joy of Cooking. It was excellent, but the recipe calls for cinnamon, sugar and egg in the crust; things I don't usually add.  I prefer lighter, flaky, plain crusts.  The lattice didn't hold up as well as it has in the past with other recipes.  As you can see, it kind of collapsed into the pie.  Good pie, but I would reccommend Joy of Cooking's Fresh Berry Pie and Basic Pie Crust recipe over this one.

In crafting news:  I sewed a very basic little patchwork pouch out pre-cut quilting squares I ordered on ebay.  Then, I appliqued a little bird on the back of the pouch for kicks (I love applique work).

I'm always tucking projects I'm working on away in backpacks or purses.  A cute pouch is better than stuffing it all into a ziplock bag to keep it together and keep purse crud off, IMO.  More are definitely on the way!

A second Jess Hutchison Robot is on the way, for my old roommate; the last roommate in my college career and a very good one! Mr. Robot is very interested in her progress...

Stitch markers for me:

ROYGBIV ones and a set with cute silver charms.

Orange Tivoli's ends are woven in! I promise. I haven't blocked it only because I've been busy getting ready for a trip to Oregon. I can't wait to get it done so I can finally finish the long overdue Hourglass.  It seem there are a lot of set aside Hourglasses out there.

Sew your veggies!

Things have been crazy over here; I officially moved out of Berkeley, ended my jobs and my volunteer work, my roommate left for another state, and I've been unpacking and setting up the apartment in Stockton with Joe.  I'm taking a break from packing for a trip to San Diego to visit family by writing this post! Most likely I will not find time or matrerial to post about while down there, so expect a lack of blogging for the next two weeks. (Not that that's all that unusal around here!) 

In the meantime, here's some sewing I managed to squeeze in before I left Berkeley!

This is the drawstring purse in the Intown Bags pattern by Amy Butler.  I got inspired after finding the cute veggie fabric at the local fabric store! I love the matching ribbon I found to applique over the seams.

It opens out into a tote bag, and is lined inside.

What's this? A Matching set? My grandmother would be proud! Inspired by Elli's DPN case, I decided to make one to match the drawstring bag:

Unrolling...

And all the way unrolled.

  I based the pattern as Elli suggested on the needle cases at The Organized Knitter site (sorry, no time to find the link!).  It was a little tricky and required a bit of math, but it was a fun challenge and I'm pleased with the result.  Even if it's a bit skewed in places.

I like the set and will definitely use them! Now that my old sewing skills are warmed up, I plan on doing more.  And what will I be working on while in San Diego? Well, hopefully I will return with another Tivoli, this time in orange. Off to catch a plane...

Christmas crafting part II

Finished the Cherry Garcia cabled neckwarmer for my roomie:

I tried it on, it's pretty cozy.

Pattern: Cherry Garcia
Yarn: Colinette Prism in Morocco colorway
Needles: Clover bamboo circulars, size 10 (pattern recommended size 11, but that pruduced a neck warmer that was too big in my opinion).

I don't know if it's really for me, but my roommate always wraps her skinny scarves completely around her neck, so I figured this way she could save herself the trouble of wrapping! I still have quite a bit leftover that I need to figure out a project for...

I was thinking maybe a cute little pouch like this (lower left hand corner) that I saw in the BackTack gallery. 

Also working on wee ornaments for my mom and grandmother.  They're just in pieces so far.

Embroidering their little faces is really fun, I'm addicted to blanket stitch!

Time to get back to work on knitting, sewing, wrapping, and studying. Phew!! (But it's fun...well, except for studying.)

A little Christmas crafting

I haven't felted my last Booga bag yet, it's patiently waiting for me to knit a button loop, and a few more inches of i-cord for the handles before its transformation into a fuzzy little bag.  So of course, even though I just have these last tiny tasks to do, I start another Booga bag!

I finished the body (Noro Kureyon #90).  And again, I'm employing the smart suggestion of knitting the base and the handles in a cheaper yarn, so I'm only using two balls of Kureyon.  This bag will be my mom's Christmas present, instead of the Debbie Bliss rabbit I was working on earlier.  My Christmas list often changes like this, as I come across gifts I think someone will like better (and that I have more fun making).  I'll still finish the rabbit, but she was eyeing Joe's mom's Booga, and I had two balls of this Noro around, and I realized she'd like these colors.  I love making these bags! They go quickly, and it's fun watching the Noro change (people who don't knit would think that's a nerdy thing to say).  My plans for lining them and making a pocket or two will slow things down a bit, I'm sure. 

Next project on the list: Christmas ornament making. I've got my Holiday fabrics all laid out, plus a couple of other prints not shown here.