What Luck!

I won a giveaway at Shop with me Mama's Blog! I just received The Busy Preschooler's Guide to Learning, available for purchase at IBW Books. One of the really neat things about this guide is that it integrates using the computer (see www.busypreschoolers.com) into everyday lessons that include emotional and intellectual development. Very nice.

Thank you, Mama!

What to do with the Scraps of the Scraps?

Call me a crazy conversationalist but I keep the tails of my yarn from projects after I weave in the ends. Yes, I am my father’s child—never let anything go to waste.

So today I spent some time trying to figure out what I can do with these pieces that have been piling up. When I started holding onto them, I had the vague recollection that they can be used in felting so that is where I started.

Basic Felting Instructions
Felting with Scraps – Appliqué
Creating Felted Balls from Scraps – Jewelry
Felting Balls Without Deconstructing the Yarn

Ideas for Scrap Yarn Uses (assumes you have a small, workable amount like a partial skein)
Embroidery with Scraps

Also, check out this tutorial on making felted soap. I stumbled upon their blog while leafing thru random Etsy shops. Check out what the ladies at Persnickety Pelican have done with this technique. This is fantastic. This weekend, I’m going searching for the tools I need to try this. Yay!

Hooked on Comfort

My little brother is in film school at Drexel University. One of his friends is looking for a house to film her final. She came by this past weekend to take pictures. Of course, my brother thought to ask me as I bought my house a little over a year ago AND remember what it is like to be a struggling art student. So today I made it my mission to organize and clean up my craft room. Believe me-- it needed it. The real problem is that I just let everything pile up until it is a 3 day project to dig out of. Story of my life, people. Lucky for everyone involved, I had the day off. I spent 10 hours cleaning. I'd say it is about halfway put together.

Anyway, all that time spent in the craft room storing my hooks and needles made me remember that I wanted to search for an ergonomic option. I have carpal tunnel and tendonitis in both my wrists. I don't let that stop me from enjoying crafts, trust me. I do, however, try to find a way to make it less impactful on me the day after a marathon of creating.

At first, I came across this tutorial. This site teaches you how to take something that is the right basic size and shape of the handle you desire and modify the hook and the object together. Two more homemade removable solutions were offered on Craft Stylish.com. The site suggests modifying your hooks using tennis racket grip tape or a combination or masking tape and pencil grips like the ones used in grade school.

Polymer Crochet Hooks offers a tutorial with video on baking permanent grips onto your aluminium and steel hooks. The process seems easy enough. The only catch is that you have to make note of the size hook you are covering before wrapping it in the clay. You will want to etch the letter/number in the handle or find some other decorative way to designate the size. Now, I know that there are hook sizers available for purchase at stores like Joann's but really-- it is much more convenient if your hook simply says what size it is without all that hassle.

Instructions on how to carve your own wooden crochet hooks can be found at the Gourmet Crochet. I am going to ask for this book for Christmas as I have been trying to restrain myself considering the recent amount of crochet pattern purchasing I have been doing. If you are so fortunate to pick up this book, I also suggest that you check out the My Work With Crafts blog. Lady Skye Frye offers her own experiences and lessons learned having utilized this book and craft.Terrific insight.

Fashion Forward and Festive

Look what I made last night!

I used the pattern found on the Lion Brand site. The pattern was really easy-- worked totally in the round. This was also my first attempt at felting. It did not turn out, sadly. The handles worked out fine but the bag itself still has very pronounced stitches and the gaps that come with crochet.

Here is what I did: I used Lion Brand Wool Ease (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool) as the pattern called for. Unlike indicated by the pattern, I used two strands for the ensure project because I was worried about the bag's stability (I wanted to use it as a handbag for the week). I washed the individual pieces in detergent and warm/hot water with a load of towels (to help agitate the yarn). I placed the crochet pieces in the dryer and pulled them out a little early so they were still slightly damp. I then placed the bag on top of a water bottle to allow it to complete air drying. Anyone know what went wrong?

An Emmett Corn!

Look at my festive, adorable bunny, Emmett. He is so sweet and tolerant of his mama’s crazy antics. I have five rabbits with five very unique personalities. I think that Emmett is the only bunn that wouldn’t try to chew up the yarn or shake his head to dislodged the hat until he is dizzy. Emmett is sweet and laid back—I like that is a bunny.

I was (am) in the process of making a whole bowl of the crochet candy corn pattern I got from the Lion Brand site and noticed that before stuffing and whip stitching the bottom seam closed, the candy corn would make for a cute little hat. I think I will try it in black or dark purple with a band near the bottom of the cone and try to fashion a brim for a witch’s hat. That would be pretty entertaining and fairly east to do by modifying the corn pattern. I’m going to give it a whirl! I’ll post the pattern and results if it works out!

Festive Amigurumi Rabbits!

Something that I have really been enjoying this October has been the blog Moon's Creations. She is running a series called "31 Amigurumi in October". These rabbits are *too cute* and I am not just saying that because I completely love bunny crafts. These creations are really detailed and well thought out. Each new moon bunny has a specific person (or thing) that is being emulated. Very cleaver! I think that so far, my favorites have been Edward Scissorhands and Edgar Allen Poe (pictured above).

Jump over to her site and see what new creations she posts as the month is winding down. I am really excited to see what she comes up with next!

Candy Corn: The Saga Continues

Excitment! My ever-loving boyfriend pointed out that I could crochet a few festive candy corns to decorate the place. Yay!

I found two cute patterns on Lion Brand.com. I am starting this one tonight. I thought that I'd make a bowl full of the amigurumi candy corn (they work up to be 3 inches)... and then maybe make a few for the neighbor kids. Take a look; doesn't look too complicated.

Amigurumi Candy Corn (follow the link for complete instructions from Lion Brand)

Supplies Needed
1 skein of Wool Ease Yarn: White/Multi (620-301)
1 skein of Wool Ease Yarn: Gold (620-171)
1 skein of Wool Ease Yarn: Pastel Yellow (620-157)
Lion Brand Crochet Hook – Size G6
Large Eyed Blunt Needle

CANDY CORN
With A, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in first ch. Place marker in first st for beg of rnd; move marker up as each rnd is completed.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around – 8 sts.
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around.
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around – 12 sts.
Rnd 5: Sc in each st around.
Rnd 6: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts, rep from * around – 16 sts.
Change to B.
Rnd 7: Sc in each st around.
Rnd 8: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * around – 20 sts.
Rnd 9: Sc in each st around.
Rnd 10: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 4 sts, rep from * around – 24 sts.
Rnd 11: Sc in each st around.
Change to C.
Rnds 12-16: Sc in each st around.
Fasten off.

FINISHING: Lightly stuff Candy Corn and sew lower edge closed.Weave in ends.
Just imagine a bowl full of these delights on your coffee table! (Nice to have a non-breakable decoration there isn’t it?) For those looking for something else, check out the links below.

Attack of the Candy Corn!

Dear World,

HAPPY CANDY CORN SEASON!

I am not sure when it started but I have love-love-loved delicious candy corn all my life. This season, now that I am established in my own home and can do whatever I care to to celebrate the holidays, I plan to celebrate by paying homage to this tasty, autumn treat.

I came across a recipe yesterday in my Internet wanderings. I am not sure why it has never occurred to me to make my own candy corn at home versus purchasing some packaged at the store but now that the idea is in my hear-- I can't resist. I want to try Cakespy's Homemade Candy Corn recipe this weekend (hopefully). I haven't ever really made something this "homemade" at the house so I suspect that there are quite a few things I need to purchase to make this happen.

For more information on the history of candy corn, visit the National Confectioners Association website. Yum. History can be delicious too. ^_--

For more candy corn recipes, take a look at: Candy Corn Cordial, Candy Corn Martini, and Candy Corn Parfait

Yay Autumn!

Miss Matatabi Giveaway

Miss Matabibi has an ongoing Autumn Sale with everything at 40% off! If you're planning to create something handmade and heartfelt for your loved ones this holiday season, there's no better place to visit than Miss Matatabi. There are lots of gorgeous fabrics to choose from for any handmade project.

I heard about this awesome sale on Sweet Tidings. Mss Matabibi's ETSY shop is also having a very special promotion for Sweet Tidings readers! Any Sweet Tidings reader who purchases fabric from Miss Matabi ETSY shop between October 14th - October 21st will receive a free fat quarter fabric surprise! Please enter the code "I love catnip" in the "message to seller."

Present from a Wonderful Artist!

S0 excited! I was the grand winner of Little Brown Rabbit's September giveaway. I'm not usually especially lucky so I was very surprised to hear that I'd won. I love her adorable designs as well as her great affection for the little hippity-hops. This is the sweet print I received today. It combines three of my favorite things-- bunnies, hearts, and delicious cupcakes. Yum!

Thank you so much, Emma!

S.A.V.E. 2010

I just signed up for S.A.V.E. 2010. S.A.V.E. stands for Scrappin' Away Vacation Event. It is the ultimate scrap-over in the area, from what I hear. It is being held at a beautiful resort -- the Split Rock Resort in the Pocono Mountains (PA).

My sister went last year. She said that is is basically a ballroom full of tables, end to end. People come in and scrap until they are hungry or tired. After they break, more crafting occurs! Fun fun. There is also a "yard sale" where in you can bring any scrappy items you do not wish to keep anymore and sell them to the other scrappers. There will also be some classes where you can learn new techniques (and probably buy the items you need to use those techniques lol.)

My sister, her co-worker Amanda (whom I have scrapped with before), and two of Amanda's friends will be sharing a "party room" for 5. Cost savings - yes! The weekend is in January, leading up to MLK, but not including. I can go up as early as Thursday but my sister and Amanda cannot go until Friday. I know we can't all carpool (too many crafty items to bring!) so I am not sure if I will stay around and wait for them or go up earlier. What do you think I should do?

Information can be found at http://www.scrappinawayvacations.com/ if you are interested too.

Sorta Looks Like a Carrot...

Here is my progress so far on the cross stitch pattern I started too weeks ago. I know-- it doesn't seem like alot but I haven't had a ton of time to focus on it with school and my pet emergency and my new nephew being born today. I took the picture below in the waiting room in the maternity ward waiting to see my little sister. I am using Needle Necessities overdyed floss #s 1441 (orange) and 1372 (green) for most of the pattern and a little DMC 310 (black) for the back stitching that I will add in at the end. This is my second cross stitch project and it is quite large at that. I am excited for the finished result. I plan to hang it in my bunny room for my little rabbit-lovies to enjoy.

If you have never kept one, I highly recommend a bunny for a pet (or really 2 + bunnies so they have day-time friends. They are super sweet and a joy to play with. ^_^ Yay bunny love!

The Stash Monster (Pattern Style)

So all this talk about reorganizing my yarn has inspired me to organize my electronic files of patterns and crafting ideas. I am working this weekend at the office, so I have some time to tackle this portion of my stash-clean out now! I am opening every pattern file of different crafty things I found online to file, name, and categorize each pattern appropriately.

I have a habit of collecting inspiring images as well so I will go through them, delete duplicates, and collect like ideas together.

Also, I wanted to mention I did a Google search about organizing yarn and crafts while I was sitting here at my desk at work. I came across two links that I expect will be quite helpful to me.

This one is from Craft Stylish.com. It breaks down a step by step approach to sorting yarn.

This site is actually a blog called Yarn Harlot. I *love* that title-- well chosen! The author, Stephanie, talks about her bi-yearly ritual of cleaning out her stash. Great writing.

Anyway... I'll let you know about the progress as soon as I can. It sure is nice to get a little order back into my life.

The Stash Monster...

I will start this post by disclosing that my family has always had a "collecting" problem. Example-- Pictures of Mom's craft room.

As you see here she has packed her craft room to the seams with primarily cross stitch supplies, though there are a few other crafting pursuits in there. She has literally tons of linen, fabrics, patterns, buttons, fibers, and supplies. To be fair, she only recently had a free room open up in her house to allow her to attempt to organize her craft items so the mess is understandable. It is always messiest before total order graces a project.

So, the point that I am attempting to make is that I am humbly following in her somewhat disorganized, collecting, crafting footsteps, though with several other crafting focuses.

I have had a pleasant yet dramatic influx of yarn supplies recently. My boyfriend has pointed out to me on more than one occasion that I need to stop purchasing and acquiring and get to using or at the very least storing my supplies properly.

My organizing plan is... I don't really have one? I am buying the vacuum-sucking Space Saver bags to sort, package, and protect my yarn in some nice, convenient see-through packaging.

I'll... let you know what I come up with...

New Project (I know, I know... Not again.)

So my mother has been trying to get me to take up cross stitching with her. Of course, my crafty will is not strong... so I caved. She and I sorted thru a number of her favorite designers and found a few that I like.

I decided on this one to try out first. It is fairly large at 26 x 15 inches and super cute. It is called "Sow Many Carrots" by the designers Sisters and Best Friends. When it is done it will have some cute bee buttons with the inscription of: "Sow many carrots, so little time." I wanted to make it to hang inthe bunny room. They looooovvvvveeeeee carrots.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find a picture of the pattern all stitched up. I will post one after I am done so the world can see how super cute it will be. Naturally, I will be changing up the pattern a little. I can't help but mettle. I will be using overdyed verigated colored floss instead of the traditional DMC it calls for. It will probably take me a while to finish as I already have so many other projects I am in the middle of but at least I am making my mom happy (while making something cute for the house!).

It's Rainin' Yarn -- Hallelujah!!

Gifts from my brother's girlfriend's elderly aunt. She apparently bought the yarn on a whim because she likes the colors but doesn't know what to do with yarn in general so she was looking to unload it.

Gifts from my Mom. Mom loves to shop. She also loves garage sales and never throwing away anything. Some of the yarn in this large trash back is vintage (her Nana's stock), some of it is her's (from over the years and leftover from projects), and some of it was from bargining at yard sales (she loves a good deal). Hey, I can't complain-- I love free yarn! There are some fun colors in here and yarn types too.

Yay Ebay! I won a 12+ pound box of specality yarn which I will be making into toys and dolls. I think that is my latest interest. I want to make replicas of my pets first. I am also thinking of making ones that are safe for children so I can donate them to local hospitals and day cares. I think I'll start a search of hand puppet patterns. That would be fun!

This was an internet purchase on Paradise Fibers.com. Great selection-- great sale (which is really important). I wanted to try some new fibers, thicknesses, and materials and I thought this would be a good way to do that.

We'll see how it all goes. I'll post the results!!

Birthday Beer

Today Ian and I are going to our friend's birthday... (party?) evening. Basically it is just a bunch of people getting together-- eating, drinking, and having a generally good time. Maybe there will be a birthday cake? Who knows. These boys aren't the best planners.

So I have been trying to think all week - What should we get Lauren for her birthday? It finally hit me today... I should make her something. She and her boyfriend are beer snobs-- they love to drink beer, beer, beer (the fancy kinds, of course). The only time I ever drink beer is to sample what they are having. So I thought that I would try to mke a crochet beer bottle... and if I have the time, a piece of birthday cake.

Searching online, I found a couple of sites with patterns for knitted beer bottles and I even found a picture of one someone had crocheted, but no pattern.
http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/mr.-beeree--amigurumi-beer-bottle-plushiehttp://kimberlypye.blogspot.com/2007/08/on-bender.html http://yarnzombie.net/patterns/KYOB.pdf

So I thought I would wing it. Turned out pretty cute, I think.

Works in Progress

I am not sure why I let it happen, but I have a bunch of things that I have started that need to be completed. Pictured above starting at the top left is another one of my pink squares for the Breast Cancer Awareness quilt I was making thur an internet swap, a pink amigurumi rabbit with hot pink accents, the beginnings of a leg to a multi-shaded brown amigurumi bunny (made to look like one of my own adorable rabbits), and at the bottom are two little baggies of eyes and noses for craft dolls that I purchased on ebay.

Honestly, the pink rabbit in the middle has been my main focus over the last week because he is the one that is most likely to be finished soon. The pattern you see printed in the background there can be found on Jilly Flower's site.

And as an update on the Breast Cancer pink blanket-- it is very slow going. The idea was great but, unfortunately, there wasn't a large number of participants so I have been trying to make up for the small amount of squares by making mine. My co-worker has decided to take pity on me and has offered to make a few squares as well for the cause. (THA NK YOU!!)

Rub-a-dub-dub... A Baby to Love

My little sister's baby shower was this weekend past. We did a rubber ducky theme for her (I picked it). It turned out really sweet. I can't believe that my little sister is going to have a little one of her own.

For decorations, I purchased a ton (72?) mini rubber duckys on Oriental Trading.com in several different themed costumes. We scattered these ducks all over the house and had a bucket of them next to the door for our guests to take home with them as they left.

To add a fun crafty element, I also purchased blank ducks and provided paints for our guest to DIY their own rubber ducky to take home with them. I wish I had thought to providing a finishing/sealing spray for the ducks. This, of course, would make them toxic but would protect the paint from chipping. Luckily, my brother had some spray in his room that he left out for the project. Thank you, Devin!

With all of the party preperations, I feel like I haven't had any time to devote to my crafts. I don't mind too much though-- I love my sister.

New Bunny House!

Been pretty busy since coming back from my trip.

Before we had left, I had been in contact with the head of Luv'N'Bunns, a local rabbit rescue. I have been trying to get a new girlfriend for my dwarf male, Beau. He lost his friend not too long ago and I really believe that he prefers having company to being alone.

On August 12th, we took him over to the rescue to go on a few dates with the girl bunnies they have there for adoption. After meeting several nice girls, he chose a white lop named Snow White. She is so cute and sweet-- a little shy at first. I am happy to say that she has settled in and is very happy. I think they are in love.

Also, while we were there, we met with a trio of lops, two males and one female. They come as a set as they are already bonded. They were so sweet-- I didn't want to go home without them! So Ian and I came home to make some space for a new pen/condo set up.

We also ditched our somewhat horrible-looking hand-me-down dinning room furniture in favor of giving the bunns a room of their own. We will have to keep them separate, as they are not all bonded with each other, but I don't mind. They are a joy to feed in the morning and wonderful to come home to in the evenings. I wish I could work from home so I could enjoy them more during the week... Boo work!