Butter Knife Screwdriver

Granny Hat

2012-01-29T16:02:00.000-08:00

Here is a fun hat I made this week using some extra acrylic yarns I had (Vanna's Choice and Bernat Waverly). It is based on this hat I made a while back.

Leather charm

2012-01-16T19:02:00.000-08:00

One of the things I don't like about crafting all weekend is that hours go by and I am having so much fun I forget to eat. I just ate so now I can post this cute necklace charm I made based on this and about 40 other blog posts with similar tutorials. I should't even post this one as the example because her's is so much better than mine. I skipped like 4 of her steps and just glued pages in the leather cover.

Oh, and I cannot find my twin set of little pliers for the jump rings so I had to bend a little wire and make my own, but I sorta like it better this way. I am going to make more I think, this was just a rough draft. (My excuse for a crappy mobile phone photo? maybe...) I made another one with stiffer leather and sewed the pages together, I think I like that effect better. I do love the look of uneven pages. I am going to play around and I will post some more when I make them. It might be a while but I got a ton of leather scraps (mostly burgundy) so I will have fun with them before they get thrown in a pile along with my felt and other recently-unloved craft supplies.

Here is me

2012-01-12T16:52:00.001-08:00

wearing the small cowl from my last post. I like it. Easy on, fits in my purse. Warm but not too hot since it is not too cold yet.

Bernat Roving Yarn

2012-01-02T15:46:00.001-08:00

I have had 4 days off in a row, today is the last day and so I am crocheting a little grey cowl from this cool yarn I found out about from this post. It is Bernat Roving. Nice, affordable and easy care. I do love it.

As you can see I also made the "Nordland Morning Mist Cowl" and even used the same color, though because I am lazy to take a proper photo and there isn't good light right now you can't really tell.

Laser and I have snuggled, and relaxed. Happy New Year!

Christmas Ornaments

2011-12-17T10:14:00.001-08:00

Pictures of some stuff I made this year as well as the stockings my great grandma Shirley made for my family. They are crochet. Also a photo of my mom's semi-rude cat.

The Birds

2011-10-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

If you know me, you know that I am terrified of birds. The reason? maybe an early life viewing of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. I get nervous when I see them, and their wings and beaks freak me out. Don't even get me started on their eyes! Anyway I decided last year I wanted to dress for Halloween as Tippi Hendren's character, Melanie Daniels. I saw it online and I knew I could do it better. I just needed a dress. I scoured thrift stores and even looked online but I didn't find anything so last year I went as a Zombie Barista, which I admit was fun.

I kept my eye out for a dress or suit but none were what I had in mind. Finally in January of this year my mother-in-law asked me if I wanted to go through a large pile of clothes "for work" I said yes, and I did grab a few things (mostly dark colored skirts) to wear to work. Then I saw it, SEAFOAM GREEN, skirt, belt, jacket! PERFECT FOR THE BIRDS! She said I could do whatever I wanted with the clothes so I grabbed it and waited.

The jacket had long sleeves and sort of 80's shoulder pads. I removed the shoulder pads and shortened the sleeves using steam-a-seam to give it a more 1960's feel. The jacket was meant to be left open, and in the movie she wears a dress with a matching jacket and that would have been ideal. There was no matching top and I didn't want my white shirt shirt to show (I am anal) so I used velcro tabs to shut the up of the jacket and belted it at the waist.

A friend donated some foam-cored birds with real feathers. I pulled the legs off 3 and filled the holes with glue and inserted a pipe-cleaner bent in the shape of a U. I then sewed the pipe-cleaner to the jacket using a whip stitch. For the head piece I pulled some feathers off an extra bird and make him wings that spread out so it didn't look like she was just hanging out on the top of my head. The bird on my shoulder got to keep his feet. I used the wires that came out through his feet to secure him to the shoulder seam then I sewed eat of his toes twice so He would stand tall. I also glued his legs in tight for extra security.

Hair and makeup, my favorite thing. I did a matte face with just a little blush and a strong brow, and of course cat-eye eyeliner with lots of mascara and a peach lipstick. I curled my hair, sprayed the hell out of it and swept it back like Tippi. (the headband my bird lives on helps.)

I was very lucky to get most of this stuff for free and had a lot of it on hand (crafters have velcro and steam-a-seam on hand ya know) so I only bought some black feathers to make the head band and stuck some in my hair.

Petal Beret! DONE

2011-10-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

I finished my Petal Beret, a pattern I bought from www.lindamade.com. The designer, Linda Permann is my favorite crochet designer. She really can think in 3D and her patterns are fun and a challenge.

I used this pretty yarn from ArtFibers in SF. The yarn is a lace weight, it is silk and the line is called "Tantra"

I loved making this hat and as usual the photos don't do it justice!

I also made my mom a scarf!

Not really a craft but I did this Flickr project...

2011-10-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

Traditionally I have been a pixie cut kinda girl, so in September 2011 I decided to grow my hair for 1 year, I got a couple of trims and "maintained" my bangs, but for the most part I let it grow. On the last week I cut it to my shoulders.

Check out my 52 weeks project

Taking a photo of myself every week in my cubicle was fun and sneaky. I might do a 12/12 every year from now on. I def. want to do one to watch my dog grow old and of course when I have a baby.

Baby Blanket for L & J 's little girl

2011-08-21T18:39:00.000-07:00

A friend is having a baby girl. I emailed the momma to be to get a feel for what colors she'd like and this is the finished product. The blue is the only color that doesn't photograph well. It blends in a lot better in real life. I feel like it stands out (in a bad way) in these photos. I assure you I have a decent eye for color!

It is about 34 inches by 34 inches (it is a granny SQUARE after all.) I really like this. I used Vanna's Choice yarn, not the baby yarn, just the regular stuff. I love it a lot and I never stop singing it's praises, however I have some yummy wool to dive into for fall.

green bunny

2011-07-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

I will make his arms, when I feel like it.

WIPs!

2011-05-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

I can't get anything done because I just keep starting things, above is my blanket, which I hope to make 6 panels for and join with 2 row of pea green yarn (the one on the left is finished.) Then there's the grey cowl I'm knitting and 2 hats.

This hat is my first lace-weight project. It is turning out great so far. The pattern is hard, but I am following so far. I will do a full post on it when I am done for sure.

This is a hat I started because I wanted to wear one soon and the lace-weight one won't be done for a while.

Another look at my WIP pile. On to some finished items.

My "Fanny Pack"!!

I never shut up about this. I am going around the top flap with single crochet so it will have more structure.

And a super simple scarf I crochet using triple, (or treble) crochet.Trying to practice this stitch, I am a master now. For some reason it was really hard for me to get at first. There's a shawl I want to make so I am glad I made this scarf for the practice.

Wrist Warmers

2011-03-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

ignore my ugly stubby fingers please.

South Bay Shawlette

2011-02-19T19:43:00.000-08:00

I finished it but I haven't taken photos of it finished yet. Pattern found here: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90489AD.html?r=1

Keni wearing his robot hat!

2011-02-19T19:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas Hats!

2010-12-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

I made 5 Christmas gifts in the form of crocheted hats this year. Hats are easy and fast so I thought, 5 in the month of December? EASY! I had the hardest time making a hat for a 2 year old. The size was so hard to get right. I gave that one to his momma and didn't even get a photo. So here are the photos of the other 4. Like I thought, the crocheting was fast. The rest was time consuming, but I am happy with my work.

reindeer

2010-12-07T21:33:00.000-08:00

A scarf for my sis

2010-12-05T18:07:00.000-08:00

A work in progress

2010-11-14T18:50:00.000-08:00

I am having a hard time finishing things right now, I am restless. Here is something I am working on, yoyos.

Fall is here (it's HOT in SF)

2010-10-12T20:49:00.000-07:00

Roasted pumpkin seeds and some cool pumpkins from the pumpkin patch right out the front door.

My first knit scarf. It's Lionbrand Amazing yarn in "Ruby"

Joe's new hat and a baby owl for Zelda

2010-09-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

The State Fair!

2010-08-28T23:41:00.000-07:00

Plush Chinese Dragon! Gives new meaning to soft sculpture in my opinion.

Over a month ago I went to the California State fair with some really radical folks, none of which wanted to check out the "Crafts" expo with me. I went in by myself to check out some of the state's finest handicrafters. Here is a few photos from the exhibit. I am not sure what awards any of these items won. I was in a hurry when I was in there, but I am glad I got to stop by.

Gorgeous leather hand bag. Want it!

Knit and crochet garden!

Silly frogger

Doll house made of yarn and plastic canvas. Love.

Crochet rules!

A baby blankie!

2010-07-18T16:15:00.001-07:00

My college roommate is having a baby! I made her a granny baby blanket.

Felted handbag.

2010-05-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

I just made this up. I used Some Crystal Palace yarn and Lion Brand Alpine Wool.

gifts for Jessica!

2010-05-09T16:44:00.000-07:00

Roseville's Antique Trove.

2010-04-26T14:50:00.000-07:00

A day spent looking but not really touching. I love Pyrex!
Crochet goodies!
Vintage Liberty of London scarf. Take that Target!
Crochet Potholders.

Plastic Canvas tote. I wish I had bought this, it was gorgeous.

Knit and Purl

2010-04-23T20:29:00.000-07:00

Sunburst Pillow

2010-04-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

LASER is a fan of the pillow.

Crochet over the past couple of weeks.

2010-03-10T14:20:00.000-08:00

Laser is enjoying the new granny throw pillow cover.

Doily I made with my favorite find, a yarn called "browns" The pattern was found in Crochet Today! my favorite magazine of alllllll time. I believe it was the Feb/March 2010 issue.

Made a couple of cotton and acrylic (Japanese "anti-bacterial acrylic" to be exact) dish clothes. I purchased the yarn at Daiso.

Lazy dog loves it when I crochet so he can snuggle up.

I baked some (gluten free) bread!

2010-03-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

Trying to post this before 24 starts!

2010-01-25T20:42:00.000-08:00

Hat and neck warmer, crocheted by me. Improvised as per usual.

My hat

2010-01-11T18:37:00.001-08:00

This small guy...

2009-12-20T19:40:00.000-08:00

Took me forever to finish, so I am keeping him for myself. I got the pattern from Crochet Today! magazine. It's an older issue.
He is actually supposed to be this color, but I didn't use the flash on him so he looks green.
Also, I'm cold.

Sad Clown

2009-12-04T14:16:00.000-08:00

This little guy was rescued from "Joey's Favorite Toy" box over Thanksgiving weekend. I have plenty of things I should be making as gifts, but I couldn't resist his sad face. His face and hands were made of socks, and over the years those socks withered away.
Even his little hands fell off!
I had a felted sweater I'd been using for other gifts and it was just the right color! I made him new hands and a new face. I also reattached his head, nice and tight.
Here is a close up of this new face.

Fantastic Mr....

2009-11-24T18:20:00.000-08:00

I was playing with my yarn when I saw this orange color. I have a wall hanging of Cornish Wildlife above my bed and it has a cute fox. I went from there. I didn't use any sort of pattern. All it is is an increase triangle in single crochet, half-doubles for the body, then decrease triangle and color change for the tail. I also worked into lower space for the tail as you can see in the 2nd photo. I used safty eyes and two smaller decrease triangles for the ears. next time I will make him a little longer and make the face a little shorter. I am pretty happy with the tail.

Paper Flowers.

2009-11-21T18:16:00.000-08:00

I saw these online on Friday and I had to make some first thing Saturday morning. Mostly because I knew I had everything at home already and didn't need to make a trip to the crafty store. Ended up going to one anyway later in the day to pick up poly beads for crazy insanely labor-intensive project that I have worked so hard on I am going to keep for myself.

Gingerbread Men Chirstmas Decor

2009-11-16T19:49:00.000-08:00

Felt with embroidery and crochet scarf.

Laser Beam

2009-11-15T10:26:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T21:28:00.000-08:00

I don't know if I could look more miserble. I am a pumpkin and Joe is "Drinky Crow"

Some stiching

2009-10-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

Silly Snakes!

2009-10-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

These are a super simplified version of silly snakes I saw in Craft. I will be giving them to Joe's nieces and nephew for Christmas. I bought a wool sweater at a garage sale, felted it then cut it up.

I embroidered their initials on the tail and gave them a nice needle felted heart or star.

I gave them wool felt tongues and button eyes. For baby Ashley I made felt eyes because she is too little for buttons.

I KNIT!!!!!!!

2009-09-25T20:41:00.003-07:00

I finally was able to produce some sort of fabric by knitting. This cowl is the fruit of my labor. I used lionbrand.com and taught myself to knit and purl. As any knitter knows, purling is a pain. This is alllllll garter stitch but I love it. I used Lionbrand Woolease Thick&Quick which I think should be renamed "Hipsters love to over charge for me on Etsy." It's funny, on that site people tend to charge more for thick yarns, which takes less time to work with. Strange.

Not drunk, unless you mean drunk on the power of knitting!

Thriftstore score!

2009-09-21T18:12:00.000-07:00

Weird yard and 70's cross stitch book!

Cool crewel. I didn't even know they used to sell this kinda stuff at Macy's (for $3!)

Crochet Bag

2009-09-12T22:28:00.000-07:00

Tried to felt this bag.... humm.... the washer and dryer at my apartment building sucks. Need a top loader.

A Gift for Another Ashley!

2009-08-02T08:18:00.000-07:00

This is an illustration from the patent for hair nets. It's from the 1920s. Google patents has tons of awesome old timey illustrations that can be traced and converted for all sorts of projects.

For Baby Ashley!

2009-07-31T12:25:00.000-07:00

Kitty pillow toy!

Working away...

2009-07-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

It 's baby Ashley 1st birthday next month! I am making her a little plushy which will really just be this kitten embroidery sewn into a silly pillowy shape. I will also need to get started crocheting amigurumi for big sister Kaitlyn and cousin Milo. I missed their birthdays too!

My box.

Otherwise, not much crafting going on as of late. I've been working on little bits here and there and have little to show for it. I have being spending most of my time with a stubborn crochet project. I am making a purse and it is driving me nuts.

I have updated my Flickr as well. It has been gray and gross in SF. Just like every summer.

Wildwood

2009-07-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

I am new to embroidery. I made this log pincushion using a pattern(!) in Doodle Stitching. A very cool book. I recommend it if you are learning to embroider. They pictures/diagrams are in color and they are clear and easy to follow.

I never make things according to patterns, and I wish I had changed the top on this. Trees have rings! I should have done a cool spiral or something. Oh well. Next time. Plenty of felt in the sea.

New Sewing Machine!

2009-07-11T23:03:00.000-07:00

I got this today. I will be trying to sew a lot more now. Be on the look out for pictures.

H00t

2009-07-06T18:25:00.001-07:00

Owlets, modified from this pattern: http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/files/owlets.pdf

Greens

2009-06-28T14:09:00.001-07:00

I like olives!

Toadstool pin cushion

My new sweater coat

2009-06-20T07:58:00.001-07:00

Spring cleaning is always hard at my house. My fiance and I are both pack rats. I decided it was his turn to purge his closet. This sweater was too small for him, and a little unflattering on me.

I thought the pattern looked sort of like these cool sweater coats I saw around the city last winter so I got out my scissors and some wool yarn and went to work.

The reason it took me so long to get this posted.

I am pretty pleased with the final outcome. I crocheted all the way around the collar and folded it out to may new one. I made the belt and tried to felt it but I think it might need one more pass through the washer. Next time I will do a better job counting the stitches on the sides because one side is a little longer than the other. The work around is that is the side I will cross over when closing the sweater.

Johnny-gurumi

2009-06-11T19:24:00.001-07:00

This little thing is for my brother's high school graduation gift. I also bought him an iPod Shuffle. Shhhhhh don't tell him yet!

Flickr

2009-06-11T19:12:00.001-07:00

Just added a few photos to my Flickr. Check it out.

My favorite hat

2009-06-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

I have made about 15 hats in the past 1.5 years. So far this is the one I have kept and worn. It's Lion Brand Organic Cotton and it is soft and really floppy. Perfect for a beret.

Stab me with a needle

2009-06-07T20:32:00.001-07:00

I went to Maker Faire last weekend. It was a good time. I saw and met so many awesome people including Chris Hardwick from G4.

One thing I've always wanted to try is needle felting. I purchased a kit as well as loads of fiber. I definitely love it so far. The owl and the flower have pin backings and the chihuahua was of course inspired by Laser.

Chain Link

2009-06-06T17:58:00.000-07:00

I just chained 3, double crocheted. I gave this to my friend Alex.

Peapod Fabrics!

2009-06-06T08:31:00.000-07:00

Recently I went to Peapod Fabrics here in the Sunset (SF). It was busy and it's such a tiny store I just left with about 6 remnants for $2.00 a piece. I was overwhelmed and don't really sew a lot so I definitely did the right thing until I find a good projected to plan. So far I have used about 5% of said remnants and made 3 things. Two are the sweaters pictured above. One is mine and the other I gave to my sister.

The next thing I made was a fake wood wall hanging from contact paper and butterfly cutouts from the same fabric.

My sister in her sweater vest. She's also wearing a hat I crocheted.

Arizona

2009-06-03T07:12:00.001-07:00

Here is my interpretation of the cute crochet cactus I see all over the web lately. I used Lion Brand Organic Cotton yard (it was a left over from my favorite hat.) I bought the little clay pot at Micheal's and snipped a little felt flower from craft felt and attached with yellow embriodery thread.

There are so many patterns on the web, but here is a really great one.

Here I Am

2009-06-02T16:18:00.000-07:00

Full disclosure, I have had this blogger account for a while now and I have been to wimpy to post anything. I guess I just wanted to be sure I knew what I wanted it to be before I posted. Well, I was asked if I had a blog to link to and I couldn't truthfully say no. I have intended to post some of this for a while. So for now, here is photo of my Sack Boy amigurumi. It was the 1st amigurumi I've made, but not the last.