Blogging, Creating, and Posting

Well, I have not posted in a LONG while. But here's the deal: I have been creating. I have made so many things. But now that I am not doing OPAM this year, I don't have to blog about it. And I haven't. But I want to. But I haven't. So you see how this goes!

Right now, my daughter and I are making tons of bracelets for this project with Craft Hope! I will share a photo when we get ready to mail our package!

In the meantime, just know I have made a bunch of knitted dishcloths! I made several sets of baby booties for expecting moms. I have mended 3000 pairs of jeans, or it may be 3 pair that feel like 3000! And I started crocheting these by modifying a pattern I found on Ravelry:

They are wonderfully soft face scrubbies made with cotton or cotton/bamboo yarn. My daughter loves them! I have bought some fabric recently and need to get sewing! I am hoping to post more often :)

OPAM December!

Well, I made it! *whew* I actually finished 12 projects this year. Some of them were small and some more substantial, but I did it! And thanks to Kris for being such a wonderful and gracious OPAM hostess! Here is my final 2010 OPAM project, yes, another set of crochet booties! I have another friend having a baby :) I find myself saying that I'm "crocheting and praying" when I make these booties for people. And now I know that I will be working on another baby quilt in the future! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

OPAM July

I got an idea from another blogger to use individualized coasters for each of my children to put their glass on every day. That way they always know which glass is theirs! So I crocheted a couple of those and I knitted a couple of dishcloths for a friend. All my sewing has been mending jeans- argh! I am hoping to get back to some quilting or other stuff next month. I am looking for fabrics in my stash to do the Craft Hope Project #9- cheerful handmade pillowcases for hospitalized children. If you want to join me, click on the craft hope button on the left hand side and check out the project! :)

OPAM June

Sadly, I finished something yesterday, but didn't get the email off to make it count! :( But I did finish a project I have been working on for a while: a crochet tank for my daughter :)So I went from this wonderfully soft cotton/bamboo yarn:

To this:

Hurray!
I have been knitting a lot of dishcloths and have actually sold a few. But I am getting the quilting bug again. I just don't know what kind of project to start (or finish). I guess I have  "quilter's block" (which is like writer's block for quilters, not like a "quilt block" which I haven't made... ). I guess I need to browse some blogs and the internet to get inspired, right? Or maybe attend a quilt show or go to a fabric store. I think THAT is what has been missing. I am trying to use up my stash, but maybe I need a few "inspirational pieces"to help me along.

April OPAM finishes (note the s at the end... woot!)

Although I haven't done a lot of blogging lately, I have finished more than one project for the One Project A Month challenge! I have made 1 pair of sleep shorts from some fabric I bought to make 4 pair for the kids :) No photo there :(

I went to visit my mom, dad, and grandmother in Kansas. We had a great time and had a chance to relax. I made mom the pink "lace" for her table and I made several dishcloths and also a few sets of baby booties for friends back home in Florida.

While there we even had time to put a line in at the lake :) We didn't catch any fish, but it was enjoyable :) I'm now starting a crochet tank top for my daughter, so we will see if I can finish that one by the end of May.

I also have noticed that our two pineapple plants have begun to bear fruit!

OPAM 2010 March Finish

I have been doing a lot of knit and crochet lately. I guess I can sit and do that while sitting next to hubby at night, so I like that. Plus I have an older machine, which I LOVE by the way, so it kind of makes a whirring noise that I'm afraid will wake the kids, overcome hubby's TV show, etc. etc. I have several projects on the needles, but I do have some finishes :) Here are my OPAM finishes for the month of March: Numerous knit dishcloths as gifts, to sell, and for the Batten Disease Auction and this crochet doughnut at the request of my daughter :0 I think it turned out pretty cute :) All the patterns are from Ravelry- my latest obesession! I have also been watching Quilting Arts on TV and I am working on a few concepts for art quilts. I am excited to get back to quilting, I just need to get more time and energy, argh!

OPAM 2010 February finish

I have not been doing a lot of creating, mostly trying to get well! But I do have a little time in the evenings to do some knitting and crocheting. I finished this little garland and have it hanging on my hutch in my dining area now :)

One Project A Month Finishes for 2009

We are starting a new OPAM for the year 2010! You can read more about how to join and rules etc.here or by clicking on the One Project A Month picture on the left hand side of my blog. I'm excited to get started!

Just for the record:
Jan.: car trash can

Feb.: peasant blouse

Mar.: DD's quillow

Apr.: pink peasant top

May: doll for Craft Hope

Jun.: bandana tops

Jul.: fall star quilt

Aug.: curtains

Sep.: embellished dish towel

Oct.: recycled denim skirt

Nov. and Dec.: oops, I missed these!

Free Crochet Christmas Stocking Ornament Pattern

I wrote this pattern down after I wrote my Busy with Yarn post. I have a complete inability to make the same thing over and over, but I am working on more ornaments with slight variations, I thought there might be someone else out there who would like the pattern :)


MATERIALS: Size H hook, single strand 4 ply or 2 or 3 strands baby yarn.
Made in rounds.
Row 1: Ch 12, sc in 2nd st from hook, sc in next 9 sts, 3 sc in end (toe) st, continue along the other side of the chain, sc in next 10 sts, 3 sc in end (heel) st. Do not join.
Row 2: Sc in each sc, 3 sc at end of each row.
Rows 3, 4, 5: Sc in each sc, do not inc.
Rows 6, 7, 8: Sc in each sc, dec 3 sts at toe, sc in sc to heel.
Row 9: Repeat Row 8, at heel, join with sl st, ch 1.
Rows 10-16: Sc in each sc around.
Row 17: Sc in each sc around. Join with sl st.
Row 18: Change colors for “stocking cuff”. Chain 1 and make 2 Sc in first sc and then 1 sc in each sc around. Join with sl st.
Row 19-23: Chain 2 and make 2 Hdc in first sc/hdc and then 1 hdc in each sc/hdc around. Join each round with sl st.
Row 24: Sc in each hdc around.
Join with sl st and break off. Weave ends into work. Turn cuff down over stocking and add a small piece of yarn in a bow to the top back for hanging.

If you find any errors, please let me know so that I can fix them!
Thanks for reading and have a Happy Thanksgiving (in the United States)!

Free Crochet Webkinz/Stuffie Sweater Pattern

Here is a pattern for the crochet version of my easy stuffie sweater that makes a quick and easy gift :) Thank you for reading :) If you find any problems with the pattern, please let me know so that I can correct it, thanks! I'm working on the stocking ornament pattern too :)

Super Easy Crochet Webkinz/ Stuffie Sweater

Supplies:

Worsted weight yarn (two strands- can be the same or contrasting colors)

Size N and G  hook

Instructions:

With size N hook, chain 18 for a lil’ kinz and 22 for a regular size webkinz.

You may want to leave a 6-8 inch tail for stitching at the end.

Row 1: Sc in second chain from hook. Sc in each sc to end.

Rows 2-7 Sc in each sc.

Row 8: (for regular size webkinz, add 4 rows here): Sc in each sc.

Optional: you may add a few rows here to make it longer

Row 9- 13: At beginning of row, skip one sc (or any decrease) and then sc in each sc to last two, skip another sc (or any decrease) before last sc.

Row 14: Sc in each sc.

Row 15: Chain 14 with the size G hook and break off yarn, leaving a tail for finishing.

Finishing:

Sew sides together (first 8 rows).

For a different look, you may easily change the stitch pattern to all sc, ch, sc and have a lacier look, or use any pattern stitch.

Busy with Yarn

I have been busy making a few little things for a few friends :) Here are a couple of my latest projects... a baby bib and booties and a pattern I made up for a Christmas tree ornament. Oh, and a really interesting insect we found on the wall of the house...