a blog about me trying to get my craft on amongst other things.

Photo Catch Up!

2012-01-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hand knit coffee cozies!

Bunnies! I am going to try to have some of these available at

Stash in Castle Rock, CO and maybe Etsy for Easter!

Paper Clay snowmen! Google paper clay…

this stuff is so interesting to work with!

Hand knit snowman. Working on one for every member

of our family. I still have me to do…can't wait until they are done. :)

Hand crocheted hand warmers made with rice, lentils and lavender.

Nuke for 30 seconds and stays warm for 40 minutes!

Slacker

2012-01-20T09:57:00.004-07:00

So recently someone pointed out that I am a slacker at posting to my blog (yeah, you know who you are), and to be honest they were totally right. All this social media stuff really takes time though! If you do not sell things online it may not seem obvious how this can happen but you can spend a whole day just updating your sites. You take pictures to upload, but then the lighting is off and you need to retake them just to find out that the pictures don't fit in the online template so you take them again and guess what, they come out blurry so you retake them again and finally it all works out so you are about to upload and be done but then it's time to pic up your kid from school and rush back home to download….and that's just one site.! Me personally I use Blogger here for my blog, Facebook for personal use and for The Lemonade Shop, Tumblr, Twitter, Etsy and my actual website as well so it can take a whole day just making sure you are current on everything! I would not change it for the world though, so I will again promise to keep my blog current at least weekly. For more of the daily stuff going on I would encourage you to "like" The Lemonade Shop on Facebook by hitting the big blue f on the right! :)

Talk to you soon and will post some well overdue pics very soon!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-29T11:02:00.000-06:00

Happy Halloween! Hope you all have a fun and safe holiday!

Cozy Up!

2011-10-27T10:45:00.000-06:00

I made these a few years ago and I just love how they fit and how cozy they can make a cold night. I think I may make some more pairs in wool as gifts and for myself. They are called the Oma Slipper and they are all kinds of happy…here is the pattern!

Harvesting

2011-10-26T10:02:00.000-06:00

We grew sunflowers this summer and you will not believe how fast they grew! We got a ton of really tall & big sunflowers. When they started to dry up we cut off the heads and as a family we harvested the seeds from each one. Now next year we will be able to plant a lot more!

www.thelemonadeshop.com

2011-10-11T19:30:00.000-06:00

I have been a bad blogger but I promise to get better.

Exciting things have been going on and have taken me away from a few things! I started my online shop for my handmade knitting stitch markers and have started doing crochet hooks too. For the most past it is done and I plan on updating it was new things become available.

In addition to starting the website have begun trying getting into local shops as well. As of now I have things at Stash in Castle Rock, CO; Fabric Bliss, Denver, CO; Fancy Tiger, Denver, CO and Cake Crumbs, Denver, CO…and working on getting into more as I type.

So, that's what's going on! Take a peek and I promise to write again soon! :)

Cupcakes!

2011-10-09T11:08:00.000-06:00

I am a little behind on my blog! Yikes!
Thought I would post a little of what has been going on. A few months ago I started working with Cake Crumbs who also run The Denver Cupcake Truck. The owners, Denon and Sean Moore, are the nicest of people and they happen to make the most most amazing cupcakes. The chocolate chocolate is my favorite. The frosting reminds me of my grandma's fudge and it is as thick too. How can you not like a cupcake where you have to bite off the frosting? If you are ever in Denver you must stop by (it's a hop, skip and a jump away from the Denver Zoo) and it is also where you will find the little cuties below. Cake Crumbs sells my cupcakes and lattes which happen to make really great gifts. It's a win win, a cupcake to eat and a cupcake to keep!

Pretty Gloves

2011-10-02T18:47:00.000-06:00

This is what happens when you see a pretty project and make it easier so that you can actually finish it! I have to say I LOVE the way they came out. Don't you? I foresee these being under a lot of trees this Christmas as well. Ho, ho, ho….

JANSJO

2011-08-14T12:37:00.001-06:00

I love IKEA and am so happy we finally have one! We went for the first time Friday night and my husband pointed out I should get a task lamp for when I am knitting/crocheting in "my" chair in the family room. I found a light that I liked but it was white and I hate white. I looked around but I still liked this lamp so we bought it and brought it home. Then it hit me…Yarn bomb it! So I picked up a ball of Liberty Wool out of my stash and began to yarn bomb my new lamp, on the end of my bed at 10 0'clock at night. I love the result, I love my new lamp and I love Liberty Wool. At first I bought this yarn because of the colors. I am not a huge wool person but after working with it I have to think of a fun project so I can work with it again! I go have quite a bit left too so maybe I will see what else I can yarn bomb today. :)

Elsa the Owl

2011-08-10T13:16:00.000-06:00

What is it with owls lately? It could be that they are super crazy cute!
I see owls everywhere and I have done quite a few things with them but what I am about to tell you will blow your mind. I wrote a pattern. I know right!?
So, meet Elsa the Owl. Love her…not only is she a babe she is also a quick project!
Pattern available on etsy by clicking HERE! :)

Crazy

2011-07-26T12:01:00.001-06:00

So, since I started my new Etsy shop, Lemonade Shop, things have been a tad bit nutty. Which for me I guess is good.
The shop is going well, I have not sold of items I already have posted but have customers for Custom Orders so I can't complain!
Lemonadeshop also joined Facebook. I am going to have a giveaway for my first 100 "friends" and it's gonna be good so I encourage you to head on over! :)
I did my first craft show in Castle Rock, CO this past weekend and it was good! I sold a little bit of everything so I guess that means everything was liked. :)

That is about it for the crafting world. I am working on a new pattern, working on those Custom Orders and working my "real" job in between!

Craftstravaganza!

2011-07-17T17:41:00.000-06:00

I will have a booth here this upcoming weekend, July 23rd.

Come visit if you are local. :)

Etsy

2011-07-17T16:44:00.000-06:00

See that little orange buttom to the right? The one that says Etsy?
You know the one that officially marks the fact that I am crazy and enjoy having too much on my plate? Push it! It will take you to my new Etsy site so you can see for yourself.
I have figured out that my favorite projects are cute little crocheted amigurumi's. So my thinking is, why not share it with the world or at least the continential United States as stated in my shipping policy? :P
Wish me good luck and spread the word! I am going to be having contests for free gifts and all sorts of stuff!…and of course it goes with that little Facebook logo that will take you to my new Facebook page. Can't have one without the other right?

Summer Dress

2011-07-10T22:00:00.001-06:00

The downfall of spending time at Stash? People come in looking for materials for pretty darn cute projects. This one I could not pass up and I blame Jill. :)
This is the Two Summer Sundress. The knitting portion was pretty simple but I had a pretty hard time with the fabric portion. It seemed just waaay to complicated than it needed to be. Thanks to Jackie's advice to just wing it!
So I think we will get two summers out of it. She has worn it a bunch of times already! Yay!

Shalom

2011-06-12T22:30:00.000-06:00

I actually made and finished the Shalom sweater by Meghan Macfarlane! I used Berocco Weekend Chunky and I love the feel of it. I think it will wear nicely. I had originally intended to put quarter length sleeves on it but after trying it on I just did not have the heart…I love it just the way it is. I think I will make another one for fall that is a little less open in the front and has long sleeves. I am thinking Navy blue Rittenhouse by Manos. I love that this pattern is on circulars because I if it wasn't I am not sure I would have gotten as far as I did. Love this little sweater! Shalom!

Bess

2011-06-06T22:05:00.000-06:00

Moo….
So, Bess is my contribution to Stash's Amigurumi Contest. She is from Owlishly on etsy. Getting the pattern was not the easiest but I am over it and don't really want to rehash it. Her patterns are lovely, well written and the end product is super cute. I have to admit, I am glad that she is done though….there were just so many parts to attach, but in the long run I think she was worth it. It's funny, my husband asked what the contest was for. Truth is, I don't know. I was just up for the challenge. :)
For the record it was the first time in a pattern I read "stitch 4 teats"….too weird, too funny.

Sunglasses for my iPhone

2011-06-02T21:21:00.000-06:00

Have you ever sat in the shade with a nice cold iced tea, a book and your phone?….but then the sun creeps up on you and your phone is baking in the sun? Is the lens okay? Will it ever be cool enough to hold and did I fry the insides? I think of these things. To which I have to get up, go to my yarn stash and start yet another project. I finished this little case that can sit with me outside and I can just dump my phone out should I need it. No fighting to get it out of some fancy contraption…just this fun little sleeve.
Pattern is easy. It's just two crocheted rectangles, a little fabric made into a little sleeve then sewed inside and then it's whip stitched together. It's just that easy!

Cupcakes

2011-06-01T21:23:00.000-06:00

I love cupcakes
Tasty fluffy cupcakes
Yarn stuffed cupcakes
Cupcakes cupcakes cupcakes
I love cupcakes

Olivia

2011-05-23T22:38:00.000-06:00

We love Olivia in our house. She has been part of the family before we were a family! There is quite a bit of of this little girl around here so when it came time to get out the clay she was an easy subject to find. I think she turned out pretty well. :)

The Nerd Machine…all things nerd.

2011-05-22T14:14:00.000-06:00

How can I be posting all all my projects without being a total and complete nerd. Have to ever been the The Nerd Machine? If you are a nerd you must go there now. So between going on TNM and making stitch marker and charms for the shop this was created….

The Blanket That Almost Wasn't

2011-05-20T20:50:00.000-06:00

I really had no intention of making this throw. A customer signed up to take a crochet class at Stash wanting to recreate a blanket she bought on Ebay. Not knowing her intentions and the fact she did not even know how to crochet created some issues. First, I taught her to crochet. Second we worked on what the pattern was. I messed around with it and finally figured it out…..just to find it as a free pattern on Lion Brand's website later (Here is the pattern). Then me being me I just could not do a little of it and stop. No, I had to finish it. Good thing it was super easy, a lot of reputation and could be done while watching TV. That's my kind of pattern!

John Mayer

2011-05-19T16:18:00.000-06:00

Some of you know that I think John Mayer is kinda nifty. I have noticed lately that he is changing his look. He is growing out his hair which I think is fine but I just can't keep from thinking he looks like he just stepped out of a Chico's commercial.

Truth be told I much prefer this John Mayer…
…and either way I am excited for his new album in October 2011

Giant Pokeball

2011-05-19T08:57:00.000-06:00

Like I even know what that is. A certain 7 year old is obsessed with Pokemon and is really quite knowledgeable about the whole thing. Most of the time I have no clue what she is talking about. I have picked up on some of it enough to know that she would really like this. She keeps in on her bed as a throw pillow! There was not a pattern but here is the gist:

With red, crochet in the round until you have 16 stitches between the increases.
Single crochet 12 rows
Switch to black and sc 2-3 rows (I did three but looking back 2 would have worked)
Stitch to white and sc for 12 rows
Decrease starting with 16 stitches in between the decreases. SCTOG until the hole is closed.
Don't forget to stuff before you close up the hole and you may want to sew on your "button" while you get get your hands in ball. The best place for the button if where you change colors so they become hidden and seamless.
For the "button", crochet in the round with black until you feel the size is good, Then make another one in white that is a little smaller and attach to ball.

Pug Luv

2011-05-18T21:52:00.000-06:00

Our family loves pugs! For my mom's birthday I thought I'd make her a puggie since she also has two pugs of her own. I thought about making him in a medium size but she has lots of pug plush and I wanted to do something different.NOt having a pattern was not helpful either. I remembered seeing on Tumblr some little amigurumi's that are literally the size of your fingernail…no I didn't go that small but this little pug is for sure on the smaller side. I used crochet thread and a C hook and just kinda made it up as I went. I even got it to her before her birthday which is the real accomplishment here!

The Forgotten

2011-05-15T14:42:00.000-06:00

I can't believe how long I slacked off for! I just got back into the swing of things and have started finishing projects and making new ones. As I walked around the house I saw quite a few projects that had been forgotten. Here is a glimpse of them. Hopefully finished projects will be posted someday and then you can say "Hey, I knew you when your were just hanging in a bag on a hook".

Jail

2011-04-19T20:23:00.000-06:00

No, I have not been in jail but I should be….in blogger jail!
I feel so bad for not blogging but this have been a little chaotic here. We moved! Moving is a wonderful experience but the act of moving is simply awful. My yarn is in my husband's office, my sewing machine is on a shelf in his office closet, my paper is still in the moving box next to the sewing machine and the rest of everything else is in a cabinet in my daughter's playroom. The playroom that also has my nifty yellow desk that has somehow become her desk! I have no where to go and frankly it makes me not want to work on anything. I hope that is about to change. I am going to the mattresses and getting my craft back!!!

Baby Fat Birdies

2011-03-16T18:30:00.000-06:00

Meet the chicks! These little guys are waiting to make their spring appearance and with Spring around the corner they are very excited. For the pattern visit here!

Baby Hats

2011-03-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

So many babies this month! Here are two hats from More Last Minute Gifts. I have to laugh because I knit these two little hats weeks ago in anticipation of these two new babies and have yet to gift them. It should be called Last Minute Giving! Perhaps they will make their way to those to little heads today.

Pottery: Signed, Sealed, Delivered...

2011-02-18T21:22:00.000-07:00

I finally got to bring home the first pieces I made at the beginning of the class! There are ones I love and ones that I am just thankful made it home. I think I am really getting the hang of it and will probably keep going to open labs. It is quite the process so over time I really hope to improve…but still not to shabby for my first time. :)

2011-02-17T21:54:00.000-07:00

Boiiiiing!

2011-02-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung at it is getting to be that time of year. Yeah, that's right…it's time to start knitting in the car! It was 67 degrees here in Colorado today and why not celebrate by rolling down the windows and knitting with some Manos? Who cares that there are still several inches of snow on the ground??

Pottery Progress

2011-02-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of my last trip to the studio. Almost have some pieces I can bring home!

Mittens of Love

2011-02-08T22:11:00.000-07:00

For Valentines Day I thought it would be nice to make my gifts to my husband and daughter. I had originally wanted to use Spud & Chloe Outer but it would have taken two skeins…..I already had quite a bit of the Manos Maxima left so it got paired up with cream Lanaloft Bulky and voila! I started down a path with one pattern but it ended up somewhere else, which is fine because I think they turned out pretty cute.

It's Burning My Eyes!

2011-02-05T21:51:00.001-07:00

I made a cowl in the new Manos Del Uruguay Maxima. The color is called "Shocking" and boy is it ever. I have tried and tried to take pictures of this yarn but it is simply too bright! We went shopping on Snow Day and tried to take pictures all over town…in a shop, walking down the street, under a lamp and finally in the car. I think the one we took in the car is the closest we got (that is me by the way). Do you remember (if you are old enough) the hot pink mess from the 80's? That is the color! It is quite lovely and safe as I'm sure I can be seen for 200 yards or 182.88 meters as one of my twitter followers kindly reminded me of.
So behold it's neon glory in all it's color and warmth!

Butter London

2011-02-02T17:32:00.001-07:00

Have you ever heard of Butter London?
I have been wanting to try their products and today I dove hands first (haha, get it?) Here's what they have to say about their products:
"butter LONDON is a 3 Free company. Our products contain NO Formaldehyde, NO Toluene, NO DBP, and NEVER have."
The products are amazing and the colors are insane. I got Macbeth and Yummy Mummy and plan to get a couple more in the near future! Check them out!

You Are What You Eat

2011-02-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

Did you watch Oprah today? O and most of her staff went vegan for a week. Whatever I could care less but I did learn two things….
   #1: The slaughterhouse segment REALLY bothered me. Kathy Freston, "The veganist" perfectly described later in the show that when she saw the segment it it was just wrong in her soul. I feel the same way. I don't understand how someone can watch it and then walk away thinking. "Gee, I could really go for a steak". Granted, people do and people eat meat everyday, but it's just not me and I am fine with that.
   #2: I am already a vegetarian. I was for 10 years and then went back to eating meat. In October 2009 Jonathan Safran Foer was on Ellen promoting his new book Eating Animals. I listened as he spoke and in the five minutes it took him to tell the stories of his research for the book I decided to go back to being a vegetarian. My husband thought "yeah right", but almost a year and a half later I have not gone back. Which makes me think how far am I from being vegan? Not that far actually. The only thing is that is making me wonder if I can can make the transition is I like cheese and Danskos.
   I know I can be a dietary vegan, I already am sans the dairy. I am just not sure if I can not do the others things that come with being a vegan like avoiding anything that comes from an animal….that means wool! Looks like I have some thinking to do as I continue to knit my cowl of course made of, you guessed it wool!
I'll have to get back to you on this….

PANTONE Color of the Year for 2011!

2011-01-16T18:49:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the Pantone Color of the Year?!
It's PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle!

I love this color and I am so happy to see it be color of the year. No matter what color phase I am in I always go to this color. Doesn't it make you happy? As I look around me lots of things are in this color like the text in header and the yarn on my needles for a pair of socks. So this year as got to be awesome with this color all around!

Chocolate Cheesecake

2011-01-14T21:29:00.000-07:00

Those people at Kraft really know how to put out a great cheesecake recipe. In years past I have done their Swirled Pumpkin Cheesecake which was awesome. This year I tried something different when I saw in the newspaper the recipe for this bad boy. It was awesome. Not only did it look good it tasted even better. So here is the recipe! Enjoy!

Petals Bowl

2011-01-10T07:54:00.004-07:00

My first project on Edna, my sewing machine, who by the way is lovely & awesome! So even my little bowl looks a little different from the pattern, it's still cute. The bowl seems to have gotten shorter and I'm not sure how it could have been avoided, but it makes me happy...it's brightness and since it is made of scrap fabric it is full of memories.

Noro who?

2011-01-09T22:19:00.000-07:00

Remember those cute Noro fingerless gloves I made? This Bernat yarn reminds me of it. For one, I love the color. Two, it was cheap at under $5 a hank and Three? It's not Noro so I won't have to pick out those little hard black things. I have no idea what I am going to do with it but I can I say? I'm a sucker for color! :)

Pottery? Yes please!

2011-01-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

The last time I threw pottery was in high school circa 1991. Throwing pottery is when you put clay on a wheel, throw caution to the wind and hope no one gets hurt. Much to my surprise nothing flew off my wheel tonight. I fully expected to hit some poor soul in the head and have to spend the rest of our studio time at the sink trying to get clay out of her freshly permed hair. The first "bowl" I made ended up going back in my 25 bag of Dover colored clay. It was very wide and got so thin it had a hole at the base. It would have been a great strainer! The second attempt came out a lot better. Is it award winning? No. I really don't care though... I expect to get better and get lots of practice in over the next eight weeks and by the end of the class I bet I will have made some lovely pottery and of course I will share with you along the way!

Kill People Bags

2011-01-04T21:57:00.000-07:00

… at least that is that is what we said on the price tag. These are the bags Renee and I designed. The ball is in her court with these right now but I just wanted to share. :)

Meet Edna

2011-01-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

Meet Edna. She was my Christmas present from my husband, daughter and 4 furry babies this year. Sad thing is that it is the first week of January and I have not even threaded her up yet. Perhaps it is nerves. I have never really sewn anything. No wait, that is a lie. I have lined a few bags and made a dress with an insane amount of help. However, I do have a project in mind…I even have the fabric cut out. It is a tad on the more complicated side but when do I ever do things the easy way. So stay tuned, soon you will either see a cute project posted or a big ball of cut out fabric with thread poking out.

Nintendo DS Case

2011-01-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

Ever get an idea to make something knowing it would be so much easier to buy it instead? For some reason I had it in my head that I would make my daughter a case for her DS knowing for $19.99 I could have gotten one for her at Target. Why take the easy and cheaper way though?

Products I used in this project:
Amy Butler's Belle Organic Yarn in Rose doubled up.
Joel Dewberry Woodgrain Fabric (discontinued).
Clover Bags & Toes Snap Closure
Jolee's Hot Fix Jewels
Wool Felt
Frey Check
Invisible Thread

It turned out great and I'm pretty happy with it. I did not write a pattern but just did a lot of measuring and detailing. The theme was based on The Powerpuff Girls…Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice with a little dash of Chemical X. :) My hope was that later on down the line she could use it for something else. I won't lie, it was a lot of work but well worth it!

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T11:23:00.001-07:00

I hope you all have a very happy New Year. I can't tell you how excited I am to see 2010 go. I follow Caprice Crane on Twitter and I think she says it best…
"Hey, 2010: We had some fun, but it didn't work out with us.
Get dressed and get out before I call the cops."

The Kitten Wears Prada

2010-12-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

As I sit down to write a little bit about 2010 I noticed something. How could I be up for two hours and walk into my office without noticing? Our cute little 3 month old kitten has unraveled an entire call of yarn! In big clumps, around chairs, in chewed bits is this entire skein of yarn! Our older 4 year old cat watched as I wound and spliced the entire skein back into a pretty little ball. I asked her to show him the ways of the yarn. Little shit!

The Culprit and The Master:

My first pair of SOCKS!

2010-12-29T11:21:00.002-07:00

I know right? For the rest of my life I will never put on another pair of socks without thinking about knitting these socks. I have had the yarn (Manos de Uruguay, Wool Clasica in 115 Flame) for about a year with intent that I would knit my mom a pair of socks. The one issue that was holding me back was that I have never knit a pair of socks. So the yarn got stored and time went by and Christmastime came around again. I made a cowl for my dad and wanted to knit something for my mom. They only thing I wanted to knit was the socks. So pattern and yarn in hand and gas in the car off to Stash I went. Crystal had to hold my hand through 98% of the first sock over a course of two days. I had no clue what I was doing. It said right there in black and white and in English no less but to me it just looked like Chinese. After going through the motions and Suzanne emotionally forcing me to get the second sock done, I did it! I did need a teeny bit of help on the second sock but close enough to doing it myself! So here are the results….two red socks, that are the same size and fit my mom perfectly!

I would like to thank the academy, ha ha, no….big thanks to Crystal and Suzanne for getting me through. Now to make a pair for me so I don't forget how to do it! :)

Oink Oink

2010-12-28T16:47:00.000-07:00

Per request of the best this little piggy was born. From what I understand he is in loving hands, but no word as of yet was his/her name is. He was made of Casade 220 because they had the perfect color of a pinky purple which for a little girl is very important. I am starting to really like Cascade 220. I love their colors and it's pretty inexpensive as far as yarn snob yarn goes! :) The pattern comes from Lion Brand and was also featured in Martha Stewart Living earlier this year.

The Force is strong with this one….

2010-12-27T18:03:00.001-07:00

Girl Owl

2010-12-26T12:05:00.000-07:00

Whoo-whoo…

Love this little girl owl made for Laura's daughter in Chicago. I fell in love with her pig tail ears. Too cute….might have to make one for myself!

Ribbit

2010-12-10T18:31:00.006-07:00

This is a Christmas teachers gifts for our special first grade teacher. She loves frogs and has more than I could count so I knew if I was going to give her a frog it needed to be handmade. I want to keep it! He is made of Misti Alpaca with a Manos scarf on top of it. He is one juicy frog! Ribbit!

Michael Franti & Spearhead

2010-11-28T14:26:00.004-07:00

We saw Michael Franti & Spearhead yesterday. Once again, wow. It happened to be Grace's 1st concert and it did not let down. He is always amazing and has a great message. If you have not checked him out here is the link to his website.

Thankful

2010-11-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

Hoping you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

It was quite easy to think about what I am thankful for this year,

I have a wonderful daughter and I simply adore my husband. We have had a hard couple of years with the economy and still through everything our family has stayed the same. We may even love each other a little more for it. XO

Bags

2010-11-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

We all use bags and those of us who knit or crochet use bags like mad for projects! So why not make it fun? This is a bag that I had made for the shop. We have this one and another that repeats "Just one more row" three times. They sold out in under one week so more are on the way including two more so stay tuned….

Fingerless Gloves

2010-11-19T18:39:00.001-07:00

I bought some yarn and I had no idea what to do with it….what a shocker! We were in Chicago, we went to a yarn shop and there was some lovely brightly variegated yarn that was just dying to come home with me. I finally had a thought and the result was this pair of fingerless gloves. The yarn I bought was Noro. I loved the color but as I started using it a few things happened that I was not thrilled about. There were these sharp little black "things" in the yarn that I had to hand pick out, mid-green it just ended at a knot and bright blue started You will notice it below and then when I was midway on the second glove the colors just got really gross so I broke it and took a few yards out and picked back up at another color. In the long run I like the end result and they are really cute on her!

Tonight was my first

2010-11-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

Tonight was the first night that I looked at my yarn stash and caught myself saying…Crap I have a lot of yarn! If you follow my blog you know that not all that long ago I had a bowl full of yarn. Actually the bowl that is sitting on top of the totes…and by all means it is not a small bowl. Here we are later on down the line and that bowl has turned into projects and three totes full. All according to lovelyness. Good (Michaels stuff), Better (Berocco, Lambs Pride, etc) and Best (Manos, one skein of lovely Shokay, etc). I need to start getting this pile down, but geez there are so many yarns out in the world and they are all screaming "Take me home", so what is a girl to do. I'll do my part to give them a home and who knows, maybe some of them will make it into projects.

I will also make a loose promise, which actually is not a promise at all, but if I have to add a fourth bin I may actually have an actual yarn addiction.

Box of Fun!

2010-11-14T20:57:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Jenny sent my all her Grandmothers knitting supplies and there was a ton of fun stuff! Lots of circular needles and lots of Double Points. My favorite part was the prices! The circulars were $2.99 and the DPN's were $.85! Boy have times changed. I look forward to using everything and thinking of all the wonderful things that were knit on these before me.

By Grace

2010-11-10T18:10:00.002-07:00

Every week Grace brings home a book that her class writes. Each child has a page. This book was called "My Mommy is the Best". This is what Grace wrote. It may not be true but she thinks it is and that is all that matters. :)

…and apparently I am flipping someone off too which may or may not also be true. :)

The Wurm

2010-11-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

I liked this hat and then I put on the the little tab detail and now I love it!
This pattern is called the wurm and it is a dandy of a project. For some reason it took me a while and there were a couple steps that I had never done before but in the long run it was fun to figure them out. I used Berroco's Weekend and even though I really like the way it knits up there is no hiding any mistakes. Hence my mistake turned treasure. Underneath the button tab is a little twisted stitch that someone may have never noticed but it is all I saw when I looked at it. After it was knitted I added the little kitty fabric with a button sewn on and to honest I am glad I made a mistake because otherwise I never would have added this detail. I think I am going to start knitting simple projects and then adding little things here and there. It's all in the details right?!

A Crafty Call To Arms by Martha!

2010-11-01T17:45:00.001-06:00

How cool is this?!

Martha Stewart is having "A Crafty Call To Arms" to sell your goods at her annual craft sale! Me? I'm going to pass but YOU?Go for it!

Warning: OGRE!

2010-10-22T09:58:00.000-06:00

I had made this hat for Cameron, a newborn that we were aching to see in Chicago. Ravelry had knit versions of this hat but I wanted to crochet it. So one day at the shop I had a lull and had time to sit and create with one of our favorite customers. That night I finished the hat and a few days later we gave it to Cameron. Yeah….it didn't fit. He is a big boy! So off to a local yarn shop where my friend picked out Misty Alpaca and later that night hat number two was created. Here are some pictures of both!

Barely A Stitch Vacation

2010-10-21T18:47:00.001-06:00

After a recent week long trip in Chicago I was sure I would have come home with a hat that would ready to be finished off, instead I came home with a hat that was barely worked on! I did a little on the flight there, a little more one night chatting and then a few more rows on the flight back... I guess that is the sign of a good vacation! Enjoy my lack and great accomplishments!

More Last Minute Hat of Goodness!

2010-10-10T09:16:00.000-06:00

I love this hat by Joelle Hoverson from her latest book More Last Minute Gifts. I am on my third one and I don't see stopping now. The one made here is made out of Lumpy Bumpy Yarn in Azalea…..and hey wouldn't you know it you can get it all at Stash! I made the second one out of a cheaper yarn and although it is still quite cute it is really best in a better yarn. The third one I am now making out of a Purple variegated Manos and it is so lovely to work with! I'll post a picture if it here when I am done. You should make one! They are super fast and very enjoyable to make.

Moments

2010-10-07T10:24:00.000-06:00

I think sometimes a picture is just enough. I think every once in a while I will just post some photos that speak for themselves. No words needed.

Is this my first scarf?

2010-10-02T19:38:00.000-06:00

This very well be my first scarf! I can't remember but I am pretty sure it is. Love it!

Rainbow Blanket

2010-10-01T13:42:00.000-06:00

It's finally done! 15 skeins later it is finally done!
…and wouldn't you know it, I don't think she as used it once. She will I hope. It is just getting into the higher 70's here after a very hot summer so I still have hope. She has a full size bed so you can se it is quite large…larger than I thought so hopefully it will be going with her to collage.

So here is the scoop on my, I mean her, blanket:
13 skeins of worsted weight Berroco Comfort for the actual blanket part and 2 skeins Berroco Comfort DK (doubled) for the crocheted edging.

Size 10 32" circular needles
F crochet hook

No pattern, just kinda did what I liked. :)

Cheap Glitter Shoes

2010-09-19T12:28:00.000-06:00

This is the third year in a row that my daughter has asked for those cheap glitter flats from Target. If you are lucky enough to find them in your daughter's size here is a tip for making them last a little longer. At Michael's and I'm sure any other craft outlet there is a product called Triple Glaze. It is super thick (think nacho cheese) and is easily applied with a thicker kids watercolor paint brush. I usually goop it on super thick at the toe…this way they can go the rest of the season without rubbing off all the glitter instead of coming off the first day!

A Fall Cowl

2010-09-08T19:55:00.000-06:00

I recently saw a really cute cowl by Linda Permann. Totally cute. I had to make some adjustment to fit a 6 year old but other than that it was a fun and fast project. I made the buttons out of Sculpy clay and painted them with Polka dots. Now I wish I had one!

Posts? I have no stinkin' posts!

2010-09-07T16:54:00.001-06:00

So I have not blogged any projects lately. Two reasons. One they are all lengthy projects and have not finished one in while. I promise to take some works in progress photos soon! The other is because I have been enjoying summer. Here is my summer in a nutshell...

……more beep beep.

2010-08-27T18:25:00.000-06:00

So, knitting and crocheting in my car is becoming an everyday thing. Everyday when I get to my daughters school at least 30 minutes early and work on my project (and scary enough I am not usually the first one there as you may know). I open the door, push the seat back and enjoy the quiet. Having a project in the car works too because I had to take my daughter to the eye doctor. What a handy thing this yarn stuff is!

Hey how'd that get in there? So yes, the car is also a good place to eat a Jr. Whopper, no meat, extra pickles!

Sock Yarn

2010-08-21T19:08:00.000-06:00

I bought sock yarn! I have never used sock yarn and was not sure what I was going to do with it but I just had to get this yarn. It's wool which I am not thrilled about but I LOVE the colors. Isn't it pretty? I figured I'd wait for the perfect pattern for it because there is no way I am learning socks yet. Then Crystal at Stash made this scarf that I liked but didn't think twice about the yarn. Then a few days later when looking at the pattern I saw it was made with sock yarn! Score! So this is my next ongoing project. Considering it is almost time to start making Christmas gifts, stock The Nook with gifts and making things for an upcoming online store (What what?) it will have to be a background project…but I'll post it when I'm done!

Stitch Markers

2010-08-13T23:18:00.000-06:00

I have been making stitch markers to sell at the shop for a while now. They always seem to sell which is great, but it is always so hard for me to come up with new designs. Here are pics of the latest batch including the schmancy Star Wars set!

…beep beep

2010-08-10T18:43:00.000-06:00

I am still trying to get used to this 1st grade pick up and getting the 'Kiss & Go' nailed down. Yesterday I got there when school just got out and quickly realized that is a big no no. I found myself about a half mile from school waiting in line for what seemed forever. Today I planned on getting there early, actually 22 minutes before school let out….and I was still 12th in line, criminy! Today was different. Today I planned. I returned phone calls, texted and whipped out a crochet project I threw in the car a few days ago for this exact occasion. I actually got a few rounds in! This waiting game might end up being quite productive!

Hair Pretties

2010-08-08T18:05:00.001-06:00

I was reblogged! You mean people are actually reading this?!?!

2010-08-08T11:24:00.001-06:00

So, in addition to all the things I have going on in my life I love to go online to blogging sites to see what people have going on. I love Twitter for the celebrity factor but I LOVE tumblr for the craft side of it! People post the most amazing things on there. Things they have made, things they have seen and they are all pretty original. For the most part I just watch for what people have to post but every once in a while I'll throw something into the virtual pot. Today when I was scrolling looking at the latest post and I ran across my Stormstrooper from this blog! Someone actually reblogged me! Do you know what this means? People are listening to what I have to say!

If you want to get on Tumblr log on here

For sure check it out. You are bound to get some great ideas and if not at least put a smile on your face!…and oh, thanks for listening! :)

FLOWER BOMBED

2010-08-05T09:20:00.000-06:00

Now I'm not saying I did have something to do with this and I'm not saying I didn't either. I'm also not telling you if a cutie blonde with fancy red lips and anything to do with it, or maybe she did. I also am not saying that you may or may not find the flower pattern here.

This flower bombing happened at Stash, Castle Rock, CO on the evening of her one year anniversary. How odd...

Ruffle Bag

2010-08-04T21:31:00.004-06:00

Yay! It's done!
I finished the Ruffled Bag yesterday and used it today! Love it!
I love the colors, the ruffle and it is so so soft. I also am in love with the fact that I am done! I think the problem with my procrastination on these lined bags is that they are really two projects. You work so hard to finish that yarn part of the bag and when you finally finish the fabric is just sitting there saying "Hey, look at me, I'm the second part of your project...you're not done yet!" I guess there will be a third part too if I decide to write the pattern out. It seems to be a good idea. :P
Just in case you were wondering I used Sprout 100% Organic Cotton yarn & Anna Maria Horner's fabric from her Garden Party collection. YUM-O!

In A Rut and feel like Debbie Downer

2010-08-03T10:11:00.000-06:00

So I have not posted anything for a while and there is actually reason for it. I have not finished anything! Gasp the horror of it all!
I have finished crocheting a bag that was a pain in the ass (remember the whole yarn debacle?), but I still have to line it with fabric. I am just procrastinating because I am not sure I have enough of the fabric that I want to use, I have to use fusible interfacing which I have never used and the last time I had my sewing machine out it was busted. So with all of those factors I am just not motivated to do it. My goal was Grace's first day of school which is Friday. UGH, I better start...
The other project I am working on is a knitted blanket for Grace. Her knitted rainbow blanket that I hope to have done by the time cool weather sets in. I am on the color orange and I am okay with that. I have been working on it here and there but now that my bag is done I think I will work on it for a while before I start a new project.

Here are some preview photos!

Denver's 7's A List

2010-08-03T09:49:00.000-06:00

By now you may know that I get 99.99% of my yarn and fabric from Stash in Castle Rock, CO. Well they are in the running for Denver's 7's A List. How cool is that?! I voted for them...will you?

VOTE HERE!
...and then go there if you can to see it's loveliness! :P

They emailed me back!

2010-08-02T11:25:00.000-06:00

So they emailed me back. Pretty standard stuff. Where is the I'm sorry for wasting all your time? This is a huge yarn company! I expected more. This is what they had to say...

Dear Heather,
Thank you for taking the time to let us know about the problem you had with _______. We will take the suggestion for changing the put-up under construction.
Sincerely,
__________

First of all, thanks for the form letter. Second what the heck does that mean? To me that means, thanks we will add that to our circular file.

Uh, oh well....

Love / Hate

2010-07-27T16:29:00.000-06:00

I LOVE the way this yarn feels and the way it crochets up. I HATE the way they package it. 10 to 1 it was a guy who designed the packaging. I got 4 skeins. The first grey skein took me and hour and a half to get untangled. The second, no problem! The third took two hours! Lucky for me my MIL did most of it as we chatted at our dining room table. so, I am going to write the company. Doesn't it look lovely? Don't be fooled! I will post the outcome after I hear back from them and will post my project. Hopefully it will all work out in the end...

Crafting at the Potty Store

2010-07-27T16:19:00.000-06:00

When your kiddos were small did you ever call stores something other than what they where. For example, the grocery store was the food store? Well, my husband taught our daughter that any home improvement store is called the Potty Store. Why? Because they have sooo many potties!

Last weekend Daddy had to work so Grace and I did something we had never done before...we crafted at the potty store. In other words we did the Build and Grow program at Lowes! It's free, they supply all the materials and she got to make a UFO with a LED light that lights up...pretty cool! You should check it out HERE.

My Birthday Hat

2010-07-25T11:33:00.000-06:00

So remember that hat that I loved and they store I shall not mention said they did not have the pattern? Crystal recreated the knit pattern for my birthday!

I think the pattern in available for purchase if you want to make it too. Just email crafts@fystash.com or just visit Stash in Castle Rock, CO!

I love it! Thank you Crystal!!!

Chewbacca

2010-07-19T19:34:00.000-06:00

Okay, I have to say this was not my favorite project at the beginning, after all you are crocheting a long brown tube for half of it. I changed the face rather than doing what the pattern called for and in the long run though I ldid learn a new "stitch". As an added bonus he did turn out pretty cute! C3PO is next from what I hear....

Betsy McCall

2010-07-18T10:34:00.000-06:00

Who doesn't love the old Betsy McCall paper dolls? I remember that at knit night a few months ago we were talking about them and how we all wish they were still accessible. I ran across a website that you can download and print all the magazine pages in high resolution! Here is the link.

Fun stuff...enjoy!

Summer Crafting

2010-07-18T09:49:00.000-06:00

When Grace got old enough to hold a crayon I went balls out...bought every Crayola product known to man, went to the teacher store and stocked up on paint, brushes, big pieces of paper, then went and stocked up on all sorts of stickers, glittery glues, and put them all in the p-touch labeled clear totes I got from the Container Store. (I know, I'm anal) Like me, my daughter was going to love to color in coloring books and love art. Yeah, that didn't happen. We have coloring books out the wazzoo and I think she has colored about one page. Every once a while she will either do some watercolor, or glue some foam and pom poms to a page but other than that she could care less. She sees me making all this stuff and has some interest, but not much.

One day when we were at a yarn shop buying contra-ban she spotted a kit by My Little Experience. It was pretty inexpensive and I was like sure!, you want something crafty? So we bought the kit and the little animal inside was kinda small, would it be too hard, then I thought...hey, you are kinda crafty and you have all these materials! So we sat on the floor of my office, drawing, tracing, cutting and stitching and made this....

A kitty she named Heather Kelley.

She did a great job with a little help from mom. I was so proud of her we ended the day by painting our toes blue and having popsicles outside while they dried. Maybe there is hope for her crafting future after all!

Winners!

2010-07-16T17:38:00.000-06:00

Here are the winners from the Blog Contest!

  Christi Strom- Felted Bowl
  Jackie Pacitti- Sublime Stitching Pattern
  Simply Claudine - Fat Quarter Trio
  Kate - Clay Necklace

Congrats!
If you won leave your email in the comments area and I will get your prize to you! If you are local, you can pick it up on the shop as soon as tomorrow!

A Glimpse at a Gift

2010-07-15T11:13:00.000-06:00

I can't post the whole thing because it's a gift but here is a glimpse!

Stormtroopers Don't Smile

2010-07-14T10:52:00.000-06:00

Nerd say what? I kid! I kid!
So here is the first little Star Wars guy we did in our crochet along. I have to say, he turned out pretty cute. I did not put a mouth on him because he either looked like he had a french moostashe or was smiling. I don't know a lot about Star Wars but I do know that Stormtroopers don't smile!
For the patterns visit here.

Granny Square Blanket is done!

2010-07-13T10:07:00.000-06:00

I finally finished my granny square lap blanket!
Lessons learned, use at bigger hook. I used a G, but wished I used a H or an I. I also used a teeny little dab of Liquid Stitch and my ends since I used a super-wash wool. Other than that I am pretty happy with the end result. I love the little ruffle on the edge, I really think it adds a little sompthin' sompthin'.

A great tutorial for granny squares is from Linda Permann if you are going to do lots of color changing like I did. Otherwise if you are going to do all one color it might be best to find a different tutorial because the technique is slightly different at the color change point.

Birdie Cowl

2010-07-12T20:00:00.000-06:00

Yay! I finished my Birdie Cowl!
I did this project to practice my knitting...the thought was after I messed up 20,000 times I would be a knitting pro. I did have to rip it out at the very very beginning but after my last attempt I did it! All the way through...no mistakes, no lost stitches nothing so even though it makes of one good lookin' cowl it didn't turn me into a knitting wiz. Oh well, maybe the next project will go horribly wrong. (I kid, knock on wood).

The Pattern in a Jist:

In the round, Size 8 needles

Worsted Yarn

Knit / Purl for about 1 and 1/4"

Knit the rest until total length is 7'

Purl one row

Knit until 1/2" from purl, Cast off

Whip stitch felt birdie on

I should say I saw a hat in a yarn shop downtown who had a really cute hat just like this. The hat was in the shop but they said they did not have a pattern for it, so I borrowed the color & birdie idea and made it into a cowl! :)

Trying knitting again

2010-07-11T19:50:00.001-06:00

Doing the Tunisian Crochet reminded me how much I love the look of the knit stitch. The Tunisian version is so bulky so I guess I have no choice but to start knitting again, or at least make an attempt. The clouds must have been aligned because I found the most fabulous yarns! Blue Sky Alpaca worsted cotton and Cascade Yarns Baby Alpaca Chunky. Both very lovely. I decided to try knitting with metal needles this time and made my first project a cowl. Stash is getting in this really great book in the fall called More last Minute Knitted Gifts and the hat I want to make is on the cover!...but it does not come in until the fall! I think it will make a really cute Christmas gifts!

So in the meantime, Grace also really wants a blanket so when I am done with the cowl I will knit her a blanket. Nothing says beginner knitter like knitting a whole blanket! The name of it is called Super Easy Baby Blanket...Super Easy my ass! :) However! It will get me to practice and that will lead to perfectness (is that even a word?). So here is the cowl and will post about the blanket. Plan to start tomorrow!

CONTEST!!!

2010-07-10T19:40:00.003-06:00

From now 'til noon (MST) on Friday, July 16th...

I am having a contest!

For every person that is a "follower" of my blog I will enter into the contest. Items include crafty items such fabulous designer fat quarters, clay necklaces, yarn, sewing and embroidery patterns, felted bowls & lots lots more. Most items are from Stash and The Nook so you know they have got to good! So become a follower of my blog & send this to all your friends.

Everyone is welcome to join.

Why am I doing this? I want people to get their craft on and help me along while I do the same!

** see on the right where it says FOLLOWERS? That is where you want to sign up! :) **

Fish Fingers

2010-07-10T19:30:00.001-06:00

I know, the rest of the world calls them Fish Sticks...but my daughter who is a HUGE Charlie & Lola fan calls them Fish Fingers, because after about three episodes she thinks she is British.

Have kids? How many Fish Fingers have you eaten since your children have been born? My answer to this is TOO MANY. I hate them. We eat them with Kraft Mac and Cheese and applesauce. When I was a kid in the Midwest we ate them with Tastee Dressing (which is not available here in Colorado). Grace has started eating them with a mixture of ketchup and applesauce which is beyond gross. I also hate making two dinners, one for us and one for her.

So...this is what I came up with one desperately hot night.
Summer Fish Finger "Dogs"
Fish Fingers grilled until hot
Hot Dog Buns
Sliced Cucumber
Thousand Island Dressing

She eats her fingers how ever she wants and then we can eat them this way. She refuses to eat them as they are outside her "box". Someday though, but not holding my breath! :)

Tunisian Crochet

2010-07-10T18:49:00.000-06:00

I wanted to try my hand at Tunisian Crochet and since there is not a whole lot of information on it I resorted to you tube. From there I learned the simple stitch and the knit stitch. The purl stitch? Forget it...it looked way to complicated. So here is my swatch:

I thought it was pretty cool and I really like the hand movements in doing it. The only thing I don't like is that there are there are not a lot of patterns and not a lot of books on it. I did find one afghan that I adore but it is not top on my list for projects right now.

Isn't it lovely?! If you think you want to do it check out the pattern it out here...and wouldn't you know it? It's also available at Stash in Castle Rock, CO!

Granny Square Blanket

2010-06-30T10:13:00.001-06:00

You tell I have ways to go! It's like a glorified pot holder! I am working on this blanket here and there are hope to have it done by fall when I actually can use it. I got the idea a while back from purlbee's website then Crystal made hers, then Renee made hers and I figured I better get my ass in gear. It is super easy just time consuming with all the rounds, color changes and weaving in of all the ends, but it will be worth it in the end. I already forewarned the hubby not to wash it...ever! It is part wool (Berrocco Vintage) so I can see him shrinking it down back to it's glorified potholder stage! LOL

Alien Bot

2010-06-29T18:46:00.000-06:00

I found this great book at Barnes and Noble called CROBOTS (Get it? ha ha ha). Anyway, here is a little dude that was in there. His name is Alien Bot! He is pretty small but makes up for it in his personality!

Star Wars Mini Amigurumi!!! How cool!

2010-06-23T19:49:00.003-06:00

Are these guys not the cutest thing? We are doing them as a crochet-a-long at Stash! If you wanna get in on the action we are doing them the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month starting in July! See www.fystash.com for details! If you don't know how to crochet I can teach you...go to the website!

I can't wait to do them! I am not a huge Star Wars fan but I know a family who is! I might have to do two at a time because I know Grace will want to get her little hands on them!

The Dress

2010-06-23T13:50:00.001-06:00

Okay, so it turned out better than a Gordon Gartrell. Only because Crystal helped me read the pattern and let me use her sewing machine. If any of you would like to buy me a machine I will take the Singer Confidence. :) Grace was thrilled with the dress and was very proud to wear it to her end of year kindergarten celebration! It is big enough for her to wear for at least a couple more years too! Win win for everyone!

The process of it all

Crystal & Grace at Stash

Tried to make a Gordon Gartrell...

2010-06-16T22:13:00.002-06:00

I had this great idea to sew a dress for Grace for her kindergarten graduation. Um, yeah. That was a really bad idea. I really am clueless on how the sewing machine works, I have never read a pattern and now looking at the pattern I still have no idea what it means. I might as well try reading it in Chinese. Despite that and a world of help from Crystal I am still no further along than I was yesterday. The machine is giving me an error and trying to suck my pretty fabric in. I tried fixing it a few times and it keeps happening so I think I have to concede. Bad part is that Grace was really looking forward to this dress and now I feel like an ass. So we will see what happens to it. I either need to take sewing 101 or swear off sewing forever...

Now I know how Denise felt....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crnPfls0fHw