New Pattern

 (This photo was taken directly from TheTrainToCrazy.com)

Just found out about this lovely pattern on Whipup.net.  TheTrainToCrazy.com is offering this cute pattern and tutorial for FREE!  If you're interested in trying it out for yourself, click the link above to download it.

Hope each of you have been enjoying your summer and finding time to craft!

5 for 5 Challenge :: 1 Completed!

I've been waiting to post a photo of the handmade item I made until my first and only (so far) participant received it--so she'd be surprised.  Today, Rana @ Free to Learn an Lovin It, got the package.  I am so happy to know she likes it!  There's something about seeing my work on her blog--I'm rather proud of it.  You can check out her post about it here.  Here's a photo I took right after making it.  It's a nice and fun reusable bag.

Rana has asked me to put a tutorial together.  So, I'll plan do that when I start on my next one.

If you're interested in joining my 5 for 5 Challenge, I'd love the opportunity to share some other handmade creations with four others.  Click here to read about the requirements and leave a comment letting me know you wanna play along!

Happy Hand-making! :D

Thrift Store Finds

Yes, I did it again today.  It's been awhile and I've been itching to create/make/upcycle something!!!

Well, I found some lovely vintage pillow cases, several random good-sized pieces of fabric, and a curtain with a very cute pattern.  I'm seeing some reusable bags and a cute tote or two for the girls (out of the curtain).  We'll see.  I'm going to spread things out on my create table and see what comes to me.

Hope you're finding time to create, too, this summer!

5 for 5 Challenge :: UPDATE

Well, I've finally completed the item I've been wanting to my for my participant--Rana!  I'm so very excited about how it turned out.  I will be putting it into the mail today so won't share a photo just yet.  I've been finding time amidst all the packing to create and make.  My plan is to pack up my sewing items last--I girl has to be able to create on a moment's notice, right?

Hope that each of you are doing well and finding time to create.  Happy Tuesday!

Is This Not the Coolest Thing?

I found the link on Whipup.net.  In my quest to find more eco-friendly storage, I'm excited to have found this.  Yes, I'll be adding this to my growing list of projects! :D

You can click here to go directly to Allyson's blog and find out all the details. (The photo is Allyson's.)

The List Lengthens

My roll is slowing down a bit.  It's the end of the month...packing is looming ahead of me for next month.  I've found some really cute projects that I'd like to try my hand at.  Not sure if they were happen before the move or after we get settled again.  I've decided to post them here so that I can easily find them again.  Perhaps you'll find them interesting as well and have a go for yourself.

I found both these links on Whipup.net.  They're good for sharing all kinds of crafting, handmade things.

The first is a reversible bag (I love a good bag!). VeryPurplePerson shares many more projects on this blog.

The next one is a pattern for hand smocking a sun dress (something I have been looking to do for awhile). Over at ikat bag there other patterns and projects shared on the blog regularly.

Then, there's the pillowcase tutorial from FilmintheFridge, yet another sewing/quilting/fabric blog.  It's beautifully inspiring over there!!!  I have looked through books that repurpose pillowcases for other things but hadn't thought about making my own.  Hmmm....yes, ideas! :D

 The post of the Strawberry Fold-away Bag grabbed my attention. Had to add it the my list!  Isn't it just adorable???  It's another project from ikatbag.  The entire bag fold up into this little strawberry.

Here's the re-purposing pillowcase post: pillowcases to shopping bags.  This is great to do with old cases around the house (if you have them) or you can find them at thrift stores and tag sales. SpiderWomanKnits shares a few more photos and the tutorial.

So, I've added each of this to my lists of crafting/sewing/re-purposing list for this year.  I'm hopeful that I'll get to at least one before the year is out!  With any luck all of them! :D

Happy Crafting!!!

Photo credits: ALL photos shared here are taken from the Whipup.net posts and were [more than likely] taken by the original crafter/designer of these patterns and tutorials.

Seersucker Sun Dresses

I love seersucker!!  It just says, "SPRING!"  I got this fabric on sale and whipped up another set of dresses for the girls.  I'll have to put the final touches on them in the morning, as the girls have long been asleep.  Here's a peek at them...will share more when they're completely done.

I also love this pattern--very easy!  Only two pieces for this particular dress. (Notice, they're sleeveless)  I did get some more patterns that I'm planning to try over the next week or so.  I found some really nice material at the thrift store.  I'll wash it up and then cut out some more play clothes for the girls!  I'm ahead of the game (so far that is!) LOL!

Some Sewing

I made time today to whip up these two cute sun dresses for my girls.  I went to the fabric store and found a wonderful sale!! YAY!  I got several new pieces of fabric (I know) but will be using them over the next two weeks to update the girls' summer wardrobe.

I'm on a roll! :D

A Simple Sun Dress

In the midst of all my decluttering, I woke up with the desire to sew.  And so, I did!  Here's what I made:

It's for my pretty girl.  I need to run to the fabric store to pick up two buttons or other artsy decoration to add to the front.  But other than that it's finished!

It felt good to make something.  I haven't done it in awhile--sewing that is.  We'll see what tomorrow will bring!

Books, Books, Books!

For the past week or so I've been so busy with life (cleaning, reading, getting outside, running errand, etc) I haven't taken the time to craft. Now, I've definitely been meaning to.  I guess my reading has sort of taken over my evenings.

Well, I've come across several great crafting books that I thought I'd share here today. Over on Home-Grown Love I participate in Book Sharing Monday.  I normally share some of the books my children are enjoying as we read through our library.

If you're anything like me and enjoy books and crafting I think you'll enjoy these:

I've been wanting to make one of those felted bags like on the front of this book.  There are also a few other easy looking projects to do (scarves and hats).

This is the sequel to the book One Skein by the same author: Leigh Radford.  I'm eyeing a few projects in here as well: a Cravat, a pair of fingerless gloves (love them!) and some placemats (think they'll be a cool addition to my table).

A friend of mine shared this book with me as she knows I like to do a bit of sewing.  This is perfect for using up all those little bits of fabric I haven't quite used yet.  I also like that this is a hidden spiral bound book so I don't have to totally destroy it to use it! :D

I have a few things I'd like to do/make.  Right now I'm about to sit down and knit while my kids watch a video (they've been good most of the day).  I am sticking to my "complete a project before starting another" mantra I've started for this year.  So far, so good! :D

Are there any crafting books you've come across recently that you're enjoying? Do share!

Works in Progress

I'm writing today, here, not because there is anyone in particular who is following this blog (I haven't been active here in quite some time) but so that when I look back I'll be able to see just what was going on with me and what I have been doing!

Surprisingly enough, despite all that has been going on in my life, I've found a bit of time to knit.  Now, I have not finished projects (smile) but I do have a few that I'm working between in times when I have both hands free!

Take a look:

 Seed stitch on wool ease

 

 Seed stitch on the 'like suede' yarn

 

Two-strand/yarn scarf

I've also been teaching my oldest daughter to knit.  She recently turned 7 and I promised her that when she was 7, I'd teach her to knit.  She's working on the 'knit' stitch, and doing very well!

I'm also working on a few holiday gifts and pulled out/dusted off my sewing machine to assist me in the venture. In the event that one of my family members/dear friends just happens to check this blog, I'll refrain from sharing pictures or any description of these projects, as I'd like them to be pleasantly surprised when they receive them! (hint, hint!)

I also have a few other ambitious projects I'd like to complete before Christmas as well.  Since we've been doing handmade gifts in our immediate family for the past 7 years, I've been trying to come up with what I'll give my children and husband this year.  I think I've posted photos of last year's gifts--oh, wait, that was two years ago now.  (Shaking head--time is really moving!)  I'll have to post photos of last year's gifts.  DH and I found some less than perfect bookshelves and rebuilt them and painted them for the kids last year.

Anyway, I'm wanting to make some skirts for my 4 yo daughter--she LOVES being in dresses/skirts.  I'm also thinking that I'd like to make something like this (see photo below) to hang over both girls' beds.  Now to think of something for the boy.  Perhaps something to hold/hang his ever growing dinosaur collection.  Hmph...need more thinking time.  Oh! he has been asking for a "King Hat" (a crown) so perhaps I'll make one of those!  We'll see.

I've also been spending a good deal of time blogging on my other blog: Home-Grown Love.  I am giving myself permission to take care of myself in all the necessary ways.  So, with that in mind, I hope to share something at least once a week here...starting in the new year to help me get back in the habit of crafting--making things with my hands!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!!

Projects!!!

So right now I've been going through books and magazines again deciding upon my next big project and a few small ones. I've started another scarf and since I've completed by 9 month in the making blanket for my son, I think I want to start another long project. We'll see!

I made the girls hats and scarves again this year. I wanted to do some mittens, but those haven't appeared yet. Knitting with more than two needles is a bit scary, so I'll wait a bit more before I try.

Three Christmas' ago, Melvin and I decided that we would make the gifts we give as to cut down on all the expense of the holiday as well as make the gifts more special and meaningful. This past Christmas (2007) I made a reversible tablecloth and matching seat covers for the girls' table. It was patchwork and turned out lovely! You'll have to take a look at the pictures. I want to make some napkins for my table and a few place mats. I'm thinking of embroidering them and even allowing Jaya to help with that. She's five now and I think it's time for her little hands to learn to sew!

I've made my son a fleece coat/jacket and am planning to make one for Jaya. Kari is swimming in coats for now. I do want to make something special for her. She loves to color orange so I'm looking for some really nice orange yarn. I'm thinking that I'll knit her a poncho.

So, these are just some of my hopes for this new year! I'll keep you up-to-date with how things a taking shape!