I came home this week to some great crafty loot in my mailbox:
These were a surprise gift from my knitting circle friend Sarah. So sweet! She made the small orange bag to hold a knitting project. I’m using it to hold my lunch today. I love the colors.
I love having crafty friends. Thanks again Sarah!
~K
Today I’m wearing a new shrug, my first knitted project for me. One of my New Year’s resolutions was to knit a sweater. I previously started a caplet out of Weekend Knitting, but I didn’t like the way it was looking. I figured why waste another two months with a project I wasn’t sure I’d absolutely love? The $65 in cotton ribbon yarn now sits in a dusty heap in my studio. Oy. Those are going to be some expensive washcloths once I get back to that yarn.
Instead, I jumped from sweater to shrug. This is a Martha Stewart Omnimedia influenced craft decision — crafty, but sneaky. Not true to my initial intention of knitting a sweater, but good enough. This shrug, from a Craftster tutorial, knitted up quickly. I was finally able to use the Manos de Uruguay yarn I’ve been hording for nearly a year. This is my favorite yarn of all time hands down. I love the feel and the color.
~K
Have you seen Finny’s blog today? Can you tell we recently spent a weekend together crafting? Great minds think alike. Actually, she mentioned using scraps for a Mom Wristlet (where you can throw a credit card, tube of chapstick and a couple valium) and I fully stole the idea.
Here’s my interpretation of the same ole’ Nappy pattern, yet again. This baby is going to charity for a silent auction item. I stuffed it full of goodies too.
For those of you with Spring/Summer birthdays, I’ve got a thing or two up my sleeve. Think Covington, bright and real purdy.
~K
p.s. Are you gorging yourself today on goodies? Fat Tuesday indeed. Tomorrow starts a long 40 day fast of a few fun things in my life, but I’ve got an interesting twist to the Lenten season this year. I’m looking forward to sharing with you manana.
My first quilt: African Sunrise. It is far from perfect, but I am pleased.
This is the fabric Robin sent me from Mali. I think it is fantastic and I’m excited for a bit of Africa to be wrapped around this little one.
~K
I attended a baptism this weekend and didn’t want to show up empty handed. Plus, this gave me the perfect opportunity to try one of the sneak peek patterns I’ve seen from the new Mason Dixon Knitting book coming out next month. (Seriously. Can’t. Wait. I love Kay and Ann.)
~
In other news, I had a wonderful three-day weekend. (God bless you Abraham and George.) FinnyKnits came for a visit. After getting the weekend off to a rocky start with a driving snafu including a field sobriety test, which Sweet Jesus thank you Lord I passed (don’t get caught up in conversation and drive recklessly in front of a bar, or you might get pulled out of your car in front of the bar by a cop you went to high school with and be forced to look like an idiot in front of all the fun people you were just enjoying. Yes, rocky start indeed.) Saturday included pedicures, massages, craft supply shopping, crafting and meeting other girlfriends for dinner. When I couldn’t think I could have more fun, yesterday and today have included seeing Walk the Line, (LOVE this movie. So, so good. Five out of five bananas absoloodle.), more crafting, a long hike today with my friends Mr. Saguaro and Mr. Palo Verde and a sushi date tonight. Life is good.
I hope you’ve also had a nice break. Photos manana!
Cheers,
K
Today is Ms. Kacey’s 27th birthday! (Ms. Slackdaddie too!) Happy birthday to you both.
I’ve mentioned before that I grew up with a group of girlfriends who I chat with everyday. After reading Rebecca Well’s book, we oh-so-creatively started calling ourselves the “Ya Yas” several years ago. The Ya Yas and I have been plotting for several weeks about how to spoil Kacey with a sewing machine she’s long wanted.
The gift was delivered to her Chicago doorstep this weekend, along with a package of materials and sewing notions we’d all pitched in. I know I’m not the only one to be happy about having another crafter among us! One of my additions to her gift was my January submission to Tie One On. The theme of which was to create an apron out of an old piece of clothing.
I don’t keep clothing past its prime, and am an avid Goodwill purger. What isn’t used must be given to someone who will use it. This was my first time doing crafty with a garment and I can’t say I’ll do it again. Nonetheless, I am impressed by Amy’s creativity in coming up with apron-related themes.
Jacket I’d only worn twice. It had shoulder pads. Ew!
I won’t lie. There was some strange gratification in cutting this thing to pieces.
Two pockets? One? Where to put the scissors?
Mr. Chair — the apron model for the girl who lives alone. Voila - an apron for sewing, with scissors and a pin cushion pocket.
Otherwise you get photos like this.
Happy day to you birthday girls!
~K
I’ve decided my new dream job is to be a TV host for the PBS show “Globe Trekker.” Have you seen it? It is just about the best travel program I’ve ever watched. To my delight, last night’s program was about Cameroon. I was able to see several of the places I visited (Mount Cameroon, Limbe) and several that I wish I’d gotten to (Waza National Park, the north). Such a great program. You can see photos from it here.
~
One of my goals for 2006 was to learn to quilt. My mother, as I’ve mentioned, is an incredible quilter. I, on the other hand, can’t sew a straight line to save my soul. Nor do I have the patience for cutting all of those itty bitty teeny tiny squares and then having to sew them on a straight line. But I do have an appreciation for fabric and I do want to learn patience. I figure quilting is a good way to honor both.
Inspired by Denyse Schmidt’s very different designs, I am working on my first quilt. (Well, my mom has held my hand through two other small quilting projects several years ago, but this is my first solo adventure. Let’s hope we don’t lose communication somewhere over the Pacific, a la Amelia.) It is small — 36″ wide by 44″ tall, and is a gift. I find projects are easier to complete when I’ve got a recipient in mind. I am using fabric for the backing that was a gift from American Robin. She purchased it in Mali and I’ve been waiting for just the right use. Thank you again Robin!
This is the Denyse quilt I’ve got in mind. I cut my fabric yesterday (ever so carefully) and I imagine I’ll start sewing them together tonight. Very slowly. On a straight line. I do have a couple of questions for you quilters out there:
1. What type of batting do you purchase for a quilt? Any suggestions on brands? Do you buy it by the yard?
2. Do you add the binding and then quilt the layers together? Or, do you quilt it all together and add the binding last?
3. Have I lost my mind thinking I can do this?
My fabric selection for “African Sunrise:”
Good luck and advice are sincerely appreciated.
~K
I hope your day is full of loved ones, great food and peace. Merry Christmas!
The Christmas Craft Bonanza is officially posted.
Well, we are leaving today for the motherland/ the land of obnoxious republicans and my two little sweethearted parents. (Who may say they are republican, but I know otherwise.) Before I go, a few more revelations:
Jess got her apron yesterday. She took the photo of the dahlia and I swiped it for this project.
Kristi’s 1.25 skein wonder. She loved it.
Min’s requested leg warmers. I would do these differently now that I know how to rib, but I am happy with how even the stitches are, if nothing else.
On the agenda for my Texan adventure: three knitting projects, two quilting projects, preparing at least one home cooked meal, including a fancy dessert, for my family, ample time for exercise, time with my brother, time for the riverwalk, and time to shop. I love Dec. 26th shopping, especially at one of my favorite home stores. I may need to bring an extra piece of luggage…
~K
P.S. Here are some photos from this weekend’s holiday festivities. And this is what happens when you give a man a camera and said holiday party.
I’ve been planning to reveal my Christmas craftiness on the 25th, but as you may well know, I am impatient. Here are a few of the gifts I’ve recently given:
Pencil cases for the boys. Inspired by RedCurrent.
Golf club head cover — I created my own knitting pattern for this one.
Owl pin cushion, inspired by Molly Chicken.
Each grandparent got a set of slippers. They loved these. The pattern is from Knitting Pretty.
Sue loved her sewing organizer. Pattern by Butterick.
I’ll post more when I know that I won’t ruin the surprise. I’ve also received many sweet and thoughtful gifts. I think the word is out that I love knitting. I’ve been given yarn, patterns, books and supplies. YAY!
Eggnog lattes and peppermint patties for everyone,
K
