Fall Knitting, Cute Crochet and a Linzer Torte

Been busy, thinking of new ideas, cleaning and organizing my space, finishing old projects and getting my kids ready for the start of the school year.

Embroidered some embellishment onto the wrist of these mittens and have set them to block now (been “almost done” since June!).  The plan is to have a collection of one-of-a-kind fingerless mittens to sell locally this fall.

Tweaking bear ideas as I use up stash yarn.  Thinking of making the body smaller and adding some details like hats, scarves, bows, buttons:  

Thwarted, by my talented kids, from my dieting plans.  This was the scene last night at midnight on my kitchen counter:

I resisted nibbling on it then, but come morning, it disappeared with my coffee. 

6 comments crochet, food, knitting, plush animals

Blog Carnival – School Time!

EtsyBloggers question:

1) School time! What is your favorite memory from kindergarten or taking your kids to kindergarten?

Well, I don’t remember my own kindergarten experience.  At all.  So… as far as my kids go – when they were little I had to send them to a private kindergarten.  That was in 2000 & 2002.  At the time, kindergarten was not mandatory in New Hampshire and the town where I lived didn’t even have a public kindergarten as an option. 

At first, I sent them because I wanted them to have an academic edge (yes, yes, I know, was pushing my kids too early), but I quickly learned that at that young age, socializing was most important (see!  I learned).    It was a fantastic experience - but really, I wanted to write about something else here.

Our town got a public kindergarten!  To make a long story short, I encouraged my husband to do something about the things he didn’t like in town -- he volunteered, then campaigned, ran for a position on the local School Board and worked with others that had been trying for decades to get a public kindergarten.  (I’m proud of my guy and all the hard work he does for our community.)

In 2004, voters passed the proposal during voting and in the fall of 2006, the school opened.  Since then, NH became the last state to require public kindergarten.  It’s still the only state that doesn’t require adults to wear a seat belt.  “Live Free or Die”

5 comments

August EtsyBlogger - Patch

As an EtsyBlogger team member, of course she blogs - here.  To me, it’s exotic to read about people from around the globe.. and at the same time realize everyone is similar – wanting to find local sources for materials, making “to-do” lists and being creative.  Her jewelry photos are beautiful and you should see her origami!  Patch also writes about her life over at Patch’s Diary and I think I’ll be stopping by there more often.

Am I the only Etsy seller with only one shop?  It’s beginning to seem like it!  This lady has three!

Jewelry shop - http://patchfirstshop.etsy.com

Vintage shop - http://patchvintageshop.etsy.com

Supply shop - http://patchsupplyshop.etsy.com

 

My fave from her jewelry shop, because this is my birthstone:

From her supply shop, I thought this was so unique… check out these origami flowers made from Thai Lottery Tickets.  Beautiful.

 

Stop by Patch’s blog & shops and get a taste of some of her exotic beauties for yourself!

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Thank You!

Thanks to all you readers and your wonderful comments.  They’re all very encouraging and I appreciate the time you take to stop by and leave a note.  Your comments and emails over the last few days have been great and really mean a lot to me.  “Thank you!”

1 comment crochet

The Never Ending Quilt is Done!

It’s ready to hang on my wall and I’m ready to clear my desk and get started on some new projects.

14 comments sewing

Cute Candy

3 comments paper

Conquering Sewing & Knitting Projects

Yes, “conquering”.  That quilt has been in the back of my mind for years… I can’t move onto any other quilts before it’s done (not that I’d ever make such a big one again!); let alone justify buying any new fabric.  And the scarf below is such a task of concentration that I’m looking at finishing it as a challenge – I will definitely be wearing it proudly when it’s done.

Here it is.  I’m finally fed up; jamming the whole thing under my presser-foot and free-motion stitching every appliqué down.  My original plan was to hand-stitch most of it, but that went out the window quite a while ago. 

Today, I finish sewing down all the flowers.  Tomorrow -  the binding.  Wednesday – embellishments.  Thursday – I hang it.  If anything else needs doing after that, I’ll stand on my couch and work on it while it’s on the wall.

Last week, I knit and knit and knit.  Ripped out.   Knit again.  I’m learning patience while working on this one.  The yarn and bead investment are making me commit to finishing it and wearing it before next spring:

 

I completely missed the “Christmas in July” craze… but of course I still have Christmas ribbons!  As much as I try to sell them all, I think they multiply in my closet when I’m not looking.  Please stop by my etsy shop if you’d like some great deals on ribbons – and if you’d like to buy lots of it, let me know, I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse!

What are you working on today?  Planning holiday crafts yet?

3 comments knitting, sewing

Travel Pictures

Just a few pictures from a very quick trip to NYC.

Window at the Lion Brand Yarn store (I tried to edit the reflections out…).  It’s so impressive that it’s all made of yarn.  I especially love the ball winder at the top of the tower.

Coney Island vs. Knit & Crochet Island:

Not all of Coney Island was so spiffy:

Hot & humid, even the chocolate chips started to sweat:

Of course I have some family pictures, but I have a lot of fun taking these odd shots.   What do you take pictures of when you’re on a trip?

2 comments photography

I’ll Be Back

 

Thank you Jessica at Zakka Life for the awesome graphics.

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A Five Day Post

I may be without a computer for a few days, <gasp> … will do my best to survive.  I will be working on a new scarf and the Reverse-Appliqué Swing Skirt from the Alabama Stitch Book. Maybe I’ll take some pictures.  Try to relax with my family.  Relaxing is never really easy for me – hence the planned projects.  If I can keep my hands busy, then it should keep my mind calm.  I hope.  

I should take pictures of the other projects I’ve been working on:  I finished the basic shape and blocking of the hot pink handbag I was knitting a while ago.   Next, I have to assemble it, add handles and a lining.  I’ve also crocheted a purse, with that same yarn, and it needs a zipper.  Started a hunter green bag in crochet.  Set aside some antique lace to dye and be appliquéd to a tote.  This is all in anticipation of a December craft fair – I’m having a ball coming up with one-of-a-kind pieces.  I’m sure I have even more projects lying around that are 90% finished and haven’t mentioned – once they’re done I’ll photograph them all!

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1 comment books

Practical Sewing

"Necessity is the mother of all inventions"

Necessity:

I’m the mother. 

Invention:

Soft polar fleece lining to keep my sunglasses scratch-free:

Squares were cut 1.75” x 1.75” and pieced together using the help of this tutorial.  In addition to finally using the flexi frames that I purchased a long  while back, I got to use up a bunch of scraps that I had piled in a basket on the floor near my work table.  Add your scrappy pictures to my “Off the Floor Recycling” flickr group here:

(You can save that picture to your blog and link to the group if you like.)

“Before” picture:

At my Etsy Shop - ** SALE through 8/15 ** 40% off non-ribbon items with "Birthday" in notes to seller.
My birthday - your gift! Everything sold this week will ship 8/16. **

1 comment bags, fabric, recycling

Old Books & New Art For Sale

Pretty descriptive title, huh?

I’ve finally made something new & that fits into my EtsyChai membership – a “Commandments” wall hanging -

found at my etsy shop.

Next, I have tons of old books that my mom brought over from Israel in 1960.  Many of them are school books and they’re all in Hebrew.  I figure someone out there may be interested in these, so I’ve put them up for sale on Ebay.  You can see them here.

 

I actually have many, many more than these 24 – some encyclopedias and more fiction.  I hope someone wants them.  If there’s interest in these 3 lots then I will list some more.

3 comments books, embroidery, gifts, sewing

Discovering NH

Exploring some NH locations – Yesterday was Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves:

It was a nice walk, beautiful scenery, and the caves I attempted were interesting.  Here’s one shot, lightened up, of the “lost” river flowing inside the Shadow Cave:

So, have been out, carrying a crochet project with me, but not getting much crafting done. 

2 comments photography

Hearts & Shopping Online

A Monday Mash-Up of many different things:

I’m participating in the one-week EtsyChai’s Sweet Deals for a Sweet Year promotion at my etsy shop.  Lots of deals to be had, and many participating businesses.  For more information and other shop links, click here.  I’ve been updating my shop with Lost & Found necklaces and coming out with a new item or two this week – each piece is one-of-a-kind and truly unique!  Crochet key necklaces are nice and light-weight and you can see many of them here in their test tubes:

666 hearts.  Hmmm…. :

I’ve donated a few items for sale at the HOST (Helping Others Street Team) shop – be sure to check them out and see all the good they do!

If you join by 8/8/10, all new Rue La La members will get a $10 credit.  I’ve gotten a sweater from the site so far, and was pleased with the packaging, quality and quick delivery.  (Credit needs to be used by 10/31/10, and I receive a $10 credit when you make a purchase – it’s a win-win deal!)

Many of my family members live far away so I do a lot of shopping online and have birthday and holiday gifts sent straight to them.  How about you, do you do a lot of business on the internet?

5 comments fabric jewelry