March 6, 2012
by Tammy
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Well, this is my maybe 4th star style afghan, and I have not idea when, where, or what went wrong, but as you can see from the photograph, this thing will not lay flat. It’s like a wavy star! I think it is still worth adding to the donation bag. However, obviously I don’t have this pattern down like I thought I did. Oy!
March 5, 2012
by Tammy
6 Comments
Technically, my February donation drive is over (since it’s March), but I have a few weeks left before I bring the donated items over to Okeechobee, so I thought I’d try to squeeze in one last baby afghan. During a recent (and unplanned) yarn purchase, I picked up a skein of Bernat Baby Blanket yarn. It was on sale, and I was in the mood to try something new. Let me tell you; this is one hunk of a skein of yarn. It is 10.5 ounces (300 grams) and 258 yards. It is also super chunky weight, so my hope is that I can make a small granny square style baby ghan out of just one skein. I hope…I hope…it will be enough. I’ve learned that sometimes chunky yarn can be deceiving as far as how much you think you have versus how far it will go in a project.
I’m using a size N crochet hook, and the thickness of this yarn took me a little while to get used to. However, I’m getting more comfortable with it, and boy, howdy, I am so falling in love with this yarn. It is so, so, so SOFT! And it is squishy, and well, as we say around here, “It is snuggly buggly.” Yes, it is made in China (yeah, bummer!), and yes, it is 100% polyester, but it’s washable, and I am now a blanket yarn convert.
March 4, 2012
by Tammy
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Ah, Herbie, he is so, so sweet! We are celebrating 11 months as adopted cat parents this weekend, and this little guy has really come a long way since he first came into our home and spent the first few days hiding behind a desk. Now, he still is not completely out of his kitty shell, but every day there is a little more progress. More and more he is trusting us. I can pick him up briefly, kiss him on his head, and when I’m in another room with the door closed, he will often be waiting for me on the other side of the door with a high pitch kitty squeak at the ready. In another year, he might be sitting on my lap as I work at on my computer.
Okay, now time for some craft web surfing!
Eileen – The Artful Crafter
Make custom envelopes the quick and easy way with the Crafter’s Companion Ultimate crafting tool.
Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi shares a few more ideas for manipulating fabric and shows off her textured quilt top…now it’s time for embellishments!
Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
How to make a recycled wool felted sweater Peep garland.
Aileen’s Musings
Aileen invites you to check out 3 pages of freebie projects and techniques to help inspire you and get your craft on!
Carmi’s Art/Life World
Carmi shows you how to apply tissue papers to new wood shapes by Claudine Hellmuth.
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a bit of fashion and jewelry inspiration, spool and thread unconventional ideas, info on the upcoming Makerie event and Stitch & Craft Show along with how to make and eat stuffed artichokes.
March 1, 2012
by Tammy
1 Comment
The Principles of Knitting: Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt has recently hit the book shelves! It is published by Simon and Schuster, Inc. via Touchstone books, and though it retails for $45, as you can see from the Amazon link, it is (as usual) less expensive over there. The first thing I thought of when I picked up this book was, “Dang, this sucker is huge!” 712 pages actually, but who’s counting?!
Now, as you know (if you’ve been reading this blog at all), I’m a novice knitter. So I was kind of freaked out about the size of this thing that I was sent a review copy of from the publisher. After I finally got the nerve to crack it open, I realized this book is sort of like the Joy of Cooking for knitters. It has go it all. I say “sort of” because like the Joy of Cooking it has tons and tons of information about knitting and yarn too; however, the Joy of Cooking has recipes too, and this book is a reference book, not a project book. I have a few books similar to this for other crafts such as crochet and jewelry making, and they tend to be the type of books I refer to over and over again when I have a question or need extra help with a particular technique that is giving me trouble or I just plain want more information about an aspect of the craft.
While, from what I have read of it, the book has the beginning knitter in mind, I would hesitate to say that anyone who has never picked up a pointy stick (ever) would be able to learn to knit just from this book. Now, if you have picked up some point sticks and like me only have some minor knitting knowledge, then you will find this to be a handy reference, and I would imagine the same would be true for more experienced knitters. There.is.just.so.much.information.here!
February 28, 2012
by Tammy
5 Comments
Baby crochet and knitted items are still coming in these last few days of February. These little hats were knit by a member of the Crochet List group. Are they too cute or what?
Not long after these baby hats arrived, this tiny hat and sweater set came from another generous member of the group. These are arriving at school, so here I am working away and just couldn’t help but take a picture. Notice the little heart buttons on this!
February 26, 2012
by Tammy
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Needless to say, I was not at my blogging best last week. I have had tons of work-related meetings, which edged into my paper grading time, which edged into my blogging time! At least I have some links from other craft bloggers to enjoy today.
Carmi’s Art/Life World
Carmi turns a rub on from Claudine Hellmuth into a fabulous wearable!
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside there are tutorials on how to make a dog paw print plaque and cover a cake with fondant along with some cool deck railing details and a bead and chain bracelet.
Eileen – The Artful Crafter
Do you have old shower curtains in your linen closet? Make them over into garment and shoe bags. Waste not; want not!
Mixed Media Artist
Taking tucks further: Cyndi works on adding texture to different fabric shapes.
February 21, 2012
by Tammy
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Back Dog Publishing sent me an offer for my blog readers to get 40% off this new book called Tapestry: A Woven Narrative. Contributors include Caron Penney, Fiona Mathison, and Timothy Wilcox. Here’s a blurb about it from the publisher:
Tapestry: A Woven Narrative is a review of contemporary tapestry design, discussing the progression from early designs to tapestry production today. The book looks in detail at the current tapestry scene, in which weavers and artists across the globe have begun appropriating the medium to present their work and ideas in a previously unexplored fashion, creating a fascinating juxtaposition between the socio-cultural documentation of many historical works and the more abstract, contemporary and personal themes often dealt with in tapestries today.
The publication includes works from notable modern artists such as Annika Ekdahl, Chuck Close, Fred Tomaselli, Marta Rogoyska, Archie Brennan, RB Kitaj, Lynne Curran, and Tracey Emin. In addition, the publication also looks at the output of the Dovecot Studios, West Dean Tapestry Studio, and the Australian Tapestry Workshop, the three most eminent studios of their kind in the world. Tapestry: A Woven Narrative also discusses the practical aspects of tapestry production, taking in both historical methods and those employed by the few specialist tapestry houses flourishing in the world.
With insightful original texts from experts in the field: curator Timothy Wilcox, noted academic Fiona Mathison and eminent weaver and West Dean Creative Director Caron Penney.Beautifully illustrated, Tapestry is a stunning and comprehensive exploration of this historical—but progressive—tradition.
To receive you discount, contact Jess at jess@blackdogonline.com .
February 20, 2012
by Tammy
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This one of my cats’ favorite windows. It’s a cat version of TV for them.
Aileen’s Musings
Get your grunge on with Aileen’s Grungy Heart Shrine tutorial.
Carmi’s Art/Life World
Carmi get’s to work with the new Claudine Hellmuth HSN kits!
Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside there are chances to win 2 sets of 3 fabulous craft books, your choice of Indygo Junction patterns along with info on the Vintage Inspired Modern Style Design Challenge, a tutorial on how to paint on fusible web and a recipe for vegan Oreo cookie cookies.
Eileen – The Artful Crafter
Sew a cute pin cushion bracelet to keep your pins (literally) on hand.
Mixed Media Artist
Mixed media cards were the order of the day when Michelle Mach hosted a challenge!
Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
An old purse gets a new look with Simply Spray paint.
February 19, 2012
by Tammy
0 comments
One member sent 15 hats, wow! And they are cute with a capital C! Here’s a picture of just a few of them so you can see the cute little swirls on the top better.
I am expecting more baby items from the group, as a number of members have told me they have either mailed them or getting ready to mail them soon.
Crochet people really are the best!
February 18, 2012
by Tammy
1 Comment
After reviewing Drew Emborsky’s book called Hug It Out, I was ready to try a project and selected the baby hat project since I am in the middle of running a donation drive for a local Healthy Start chapter. I love how it turned out, and I started hat number 2, which I hope to finish this weekend.
Not only was this super easy to make and used medium weight yarn (so it works up pretty quickly), it has a really unusual texture to it, sort of like a basket weave. I’m not sure if you can see that from the photos or not. It is all made using single crochet and chain stitch, and by skipping some of the single crochet stitches and doing a chain instead, it creates a wonderful texture to the finished hat.
Since this uses two stitches that most beginners tackle first, this is a great beginner project. In fact, you don’t make it in the round like most hats. You make a square (again very beginner friendly), then whip stitch up the ends (directions for this are in the back of the book), and then sew up the top draw string style.
The hat pictured is using the largest size hat measurements provided in the pattern. The second one I am making is going to be a little smaller (the large size 8×5 inches). This way I can donate an assortment of sizes. The hook size is I, and I used Vanna’s Baby for my hat in a color called Bluebell, which to me kind of has a purple tone to it.