Wednesday, December 16, 2009

catch-up

It snowed and snowed and snowed and snowed all weekend long.


 


Much to my childrens delight.



Finn loved playing outside in the snow with the big kids.



And catching snowflakes on his tongue. Goofball.


 


After living in this house for over a year, we finally got the curtains put up in the living room. No more free peep shows.



I decided that starching and pinning every single snowflake on the garland was ludicrous and would take about a month to finish, so I strung it over the pine garland on the bannister. I like it.



Using string, tape, and a ruler, I laid out a grid over top of a quilt I'm putting together so that I could tie it somewhat evenly. I finished tying it last night and I plan on binding the edges today.



I made five loaves of Honey White Bread yesterday afternoon. By this morning there was only one loaf left. At least I know they like the bread.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

on the brain…

Hooded capes and furry, satin lined muffs. These have been on my mind for quite some time. I want to make them for my two youngest girls. I have to make them. Have. To.



 So I dug up some fabric from my shelves and started in.

One muff completed. Possible size revisions might be necessary next time, but over all it didn't take long to make.


 


Now to decide between the neck strap, or maybe just a hand loop? And maybe a furrier fabric, or is dot-less minky the way to go? I guess I had better make another one...

Monday, December 7, 2009

blizzard

I have been crocheting up a storm, a literal snowstorm of snowflakes. Yep, I went overboard. What else is new.



I love how they turn out so fuzzy and soft looking, just like those big fluffy snowflakes you get sometimes.


 


It was just as much fun to make them into a garland.



Here is my do-it-yourself starch board I made with several pieces of cardboard, tape and some plastic wrap.  Woo, fancy! I soaked each snowflake in liquid starch then shaped and pinned them, and waiting for them to dry. It's going to take me longer to starch and pin this entire garland than it did to crochet the whole thing. Funny.


(the pattern for the two thread-weight snowflakes on the starch board are 'HERE' and 'HERE' in case you want to try these.)


These snowflakes are simple, quick, easy, fun, and addictive. Want to have some snowflake fun too? Go 'HERE' for the pattern. It's free, super easy, and you can either make single snowflakes or crochet them into a garland, its all up to you. Want more snowflake patterns to choose from? Go 'HERE' and hope you have fun. I know I am!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

decked out and ready

We finally found the lights (hooray!). So I got the ornaments ready by adding a bit of bright green to each one, and the girls helped me to get it all on the tree (the boys were out playing in the snow).



It won't look like this for long since my little ones can't help but rearrange the ornaments to suit their fancy.



And I found these stockings at the Dollar Store. They look so much nicer than a Dollar Store stocking should. Still planning on sewing a new set someday, but for now these will do.



And after so many years of red and white ornaments, I am really enjoying this year's new color combination. So much fun.


Thursday, December 3, 2009

awesomely hooky

I love to crochet. Especially in the colder months, it's so fun to have a wooly, yarny project to work on. So when I stumbled across this super cool site a few months ago, I fell instantly in love.



(photo from attic24)


I love her pictures, I love her posts, I love her tips and tricks, I love her crafting, and I especially love, love, love her crochet. Her projects use so many bright, happy colors, and there are so many fun and cool uses of simple and classic patterns. It's such a treat to stop by her blog, I truly enjoy reading it and I am dying to try out a bunch of her patterns.


And she was also just featured on 'Whip Up' with a seriously fun and pretty crochet snowflake tutorial. I just adore these.


 


Seriously, I could go on and on, but instead I just urge you to check her out. Just know that I am currently setting aside yarn for another afghan project, this one using lots and lots of very bright and cheery colors. Oh the hooky joy!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

too much fun

Used this pattern...



...to make Haven and Gracen new dresses. Love it!



This pattern is up next. I have three very bright fabrics in mind that I want to use.



Remember 'this doll' from earlier this year? The pattern I used to make Jessa Mae was from 'Bit of Whimsy Dolls', and I loved it so much that I just hit their Black Friday pattern sale and I now own this one...


 


and this one...



I was ever so tempted by this one...



and this one...


 


...but I decided two patterns was more than enough to keep me busy in the next little while. But seriously, I was sooooo tempted!


Still working on this afghan, and I have managed to fill a 2 gallon ziploc with oh so many little crocheted granny circles. Not sure if I have enough to start putting the afghan together, so I keep crocheting. I love a project that I can pick up and put down as I want/need. Although this means it could be years before I actually finish it.



What are you working on?


(p.s. ...Pikitis!)