Q and A Giveaway - Fabrics?!?

For Christmas, I recieved a great present -- two sewing machines! (LOL)
One is a Viking Emerald 203 and the other is the Mini Rex Cordless Sewing Machine. I actually did want them both, though I didn't expect to recieve them both at the same time.
So now I have one burning question-- Where do you buy your fabrics?!?! I want to buy some cute fabrics so I can start putting these puppies to work!

To enter this giveaway, please comment on this post with your favorite stores or sites to buy fabrics. You can increase your chance of winning by blogging or twitting about this giveaway on your own sites. Please post a seperate comment with a link to your post if you do!!
Giveaway is open until midnight on Sunday 2/7/10, EST. Winner will recieve a special suprise present from me. (Who doesn't love something cute in the mail?!?)

*Please include your email address in your comment or profile so I have a way to contact you. If I cannot contact you, I will have to pick a new winner*

Crafts for the People I Love

My boyfriend is starting a new job on Monday. I wanted to make something cute for his desk so he can look at it and think of me while he works. This will be the first job he has had in 8 years that where I am not working too. I miss eating lunch with him and the commuting company, I can tell you that. Anyway, I made him this cute little pink excited, panicking emoticon. It is supposed to remind him of me. When I freak out, I spin in circles like the animated guy on a message board he uses. (<-- Not sure why the animation isn't working on this GIF, but that's the guy.) This one is just the same, except this one is pink-- my favorite color.

Also, my friend Dani is having a birthday this weekend. I wanted to make something little to give her. I used the pattern for a pin cushion that I found at Bitter Sweet Blog. Its a pretty sweet little cupcake. I am giving her the one on the right.
It seemed like a good opportunity to memorize the pattern and crank out a few extra for emergencies at the same time. My boyfriend has a bad habit of telling me we are going to see someone on their birthday with less than 24 hours notice (and I am horrible with remembering those things by myself).

I'm back!

Great 4 day weekend trip!

This was my first S.A.V.E. trip and it was a ton of fun. I set my alarm to wake up early and went to bed at 2 when they kicked us out of the reception hall.

One of the neat things about this trip in particular (aside from all the other crafty people you meet) is the oppertunity to learn new skills. I took a class called Funky Flag Book. In it we learned how to take two pieces of chipboard as the front and back cover and four 12x12 pages, cut down into an awesome book with a ton of movement, excitement, and really neat techniques. (I'll post a picture when I dig out my camera from my luggage!) Here is the class description: "This spin on the flag book is nothing short of funky and fabulous! Using Prima's new Tropic's line and some of their most gorgeous products, you'll create this mini-book filled with flips, folds, pockets, transparencies, and uniquely blinged-up treats. There's 5 different kinds of "bling" just on the front cover!! Be prepared to place with paint, ink, Glimmer Mist, custom dyed fabric, Blond Moments Pearls, Alcohol Inks, Stickles, and more!"

S.A.V.E. Scrapbooking Trip!

I am excited to say that I will be going on another scrapbooker's holiday this weekend!
Scrappin' Away Vacations (S.A.V.E.) is at the Slippery Rock Resort.

I'll let you know how it goes!!

Merry Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas eve, readers.

I just wanted to thank you for a terrific 2009. I have had a lot of fun writing (sporatically) and sharing my crafting adventures with you.

Have a safe holiday and see you in 2010! I have a scrapbook trip on MLK weekend-- can't wait!!

Brrrrr. Chilly!

Check out the scarf I made for my nephew last night. I used a pattern I found in Crochet Scarves! by Candi Jensen, made with Lion Brand Chenille Thick and Quick in Periwinkle and Caron Jewel Box in Emerald. The original pattern was made using the same weight yarn but I used a 3 and 4 weight for added interest.

It turned out really cute.

Finally Finished, Danny Boy!

I feel like I started this little pink bunny soooo long ago. He turned out pretty cute. I think I will call him Clever Dan. I made him using the pattern I found on Jilly Flowers. Actually... it is the only thing on the Jilly Flowers site! I think the owner abandoned her blog :-( Well, regardless, I am super happy that she did leave the pattern there. It was the first amigurumi that worked the body and legs in one continuous piece. It, also, was my first expereince making a pompom. The orignal pattern offered the idea of a pompom, but also gave a pattern to make a single crochet ball for the tail. I used the simple tutorial at Bella Dia to work that out. The directions were very easy to follow and turned out a pretty cute, fluffy tail.

well, I hope you like it. Time to finish the OTHER bunny pattern I had started in a brown brindle cotton yarn with a differnt pattern. This one may take a little longer. We'll see...

Protecting My Lobes

So... at work I use headsets and earphones every day. Several months ago, the foam ear guard on my phone headset bit the dust, ripping to the point that it was more annoying to keep it on than to take it off. Since then, I had been dealing with the foamy-pad-less-ness. Just yesterday, I saw that the foam pad on my earphone was ripping. I remembered seeing on a site somewhere that you can crochet replacements that can look pretty cute too. I whipped these up in an evening and I think they turned out pretty great-- nice and comfy and cute. The pattern links are below. Enjoy and go forth to make your own! Circular Earphone Cover

Oval Earphone Cover

P.S. A co-worker saw my new cozies and said she was going to have to make some too. I think I may have started a new trend in my department. We shall see!

Etsy for Me

Yay Etsy purchases!

This is a 50's Silver Spinner Heart. Isn't it charming. I found it at RagTrader's shop. There are some really fantastic metal objects as well as some really charming vintage pieces. I recommend you take some time and look around. I almost also purchased the Love Meter necklace (in English and French) but I managed to contain my shopping fingers... for now.

This fantastic piece is from SpoonerZ's Etsy Shop. There are several really interesting objects made from forks, knives, and spoons available at the shop. Most of the items are made custom to order. I asked for this necklace to have my family name, centered, and the names of my family members surrounding. I am really excited to receive this item in the mail.

I also picked up a number of different eye sets from the 6060 Etsy Shop. These little gems I have been oggling for a few weeks as I don't exactly *need* additional eyes right now but I really liked these. The eyes at 6060 were what had set me on my Esty shoping adventure. I had fun, I have to admit.

There were so many other things I wanted to buy but... I'll wait another week and see how I feel about them after giving more consideration.

Oh, who am I kidding? I am such an impluse shopper it is rediculas. More purchases will be posted soon, I am sure.

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.