Quill and Needle

Belt Blues

2009-04-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

I put together this great outfit for a job interview and needed a quirky belt to add a bit of personal flair. This belt is made from an assortment of yoyo's created from upholstery fabric and the waist band from an old denim skirt. It was perfect!

Retro Inspiration: Mod Cloth

2009-03-19T05:42:00.000-07:00

www. modcloth.com

I've always been a huge fan of retro/vintage clothing. As far back as I can remember I have filled my closet with old and unusual clothing from thrift stores and forgotten attics. The best "Christmas dress" I ever had was a knee length vintage wool skirt (blue) and a black tie collar blouse, topped with a blue rabbit fur vintage hat. I wish I had a pic to post! I was 15. My hair was bobbed and I flipped up the ends. I was the odd girl, but I loved it!

Now, I am incorporating vintage cuts into my own designs. This site is a great example of retrowear for the modern girl. Funny thing is, now that retro and vintage are fashionable I try to use them in a more understated sort of way. I've never liked following the trends. I attempt to keep the cut and grace of bygone eras while incorporating something new. My latest collection (a class project) melds classic cuts with world wide folk styles.

The necklace is found in the accessories collection at http://www.modcloth.com/ What a great piece for any fiber artist!

Prototypes

2009-03-03T16:09:00.000-08:00

I have once again resolved to start an etsy store. As a fashion design student, I believe it would be beneficial to my career and pocketbook. Another motivating factor is the recent blessing of 3 boxes of upholstery fabric and swatches. Although my friends had a good laugh at me, digging through those boxes was just as good as Christmas. For now, the idea is to focus on fabrics I already own and see where my creativity leads me. Hopefully, I will be able to continue to find fabrics from alternative sources and therefore focus my designs on re purposing.

On the left, you see the first handbag created from the swatches and the first shaped bag I've ever made. I used two 12 x 12 swatches to create the body and folded the bottom as if I were wrapping a present. The interior is lined with two 12 x 12 cream colored linen swatches. I used cluny lace from my stash for trim (left raveling by design) and scrap of contrasting upholstery fabric for the rosette and handle. Although the exterior looks great, the interior is a little messy since I failed to think through the application of trims before I stitched in the lining. The perk is it's imperfections give me a perfect excuse to keep it my self!

If I didn't need to stock a store, I'd save this tropical tote bag for myself as well. It is created from two 12 x 12 swatches of a cotton blend with two 4 x4 patches appliqued for interest. The bottom/gusset/handle is made of a complimentary scrap of cotton bled yardage. The best part about this tote is the fact that the colors are reversed from front to back with teal being the main color on the other side.

In the process of creating myself a new wardrobe I am designing my own line of clothing for the grown-up hippie chic. Not only do I love the way this top looks and wears, I love it's eco sense. The only part not re purposed is the thread holding it together. The floral fabric is vintage flour sacking. The beige waistband and trim are recycled from a cotton jersey tank I no longer wear. I also used the ribbon ties from the tank to seam finish the front neckline. My next sewing project will be a similar top for etsy.

Inspire Me

2009-02-18T06:24:00.000-08:00

It's no surprise to anybody that I love all things creative and fashion oriented. This morning, I discovered a new designer who is the epitome of all I want to be professionally. Her designs are beautiful, functional art and many are created from pre-worn, cast off garments. Take a look at www.beckyearley.com

Border Print Blouse

2009-02-08T15:53:00.000-08:00

Here is my latest creation. Completely mine from design to construction. It is sewn from a poly/rayon blend. To give a flattering fit, the lower portion is self lined with side roaching and the sleeves are hand hemmed. The idea was to come up with a top that was as easy to wear as a tee, but had a classy grown up look. I think I succeeded.

I wore this new creation to church today and got rave reviews! Not only is it the newest addition to my closet, it is the prototype for an etsy piece that I plan to make out of a similar fabric in royal blue and purple.

Look Whos Yarning!

2008-12-31T11:01:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, Lonnie told me he wanted to "yarn" himself a sweater. I convinced him that while a sweater was a great project, he should make a scarf first. Then we had to decide what kind of "yarning" he wanted to do. Crochet won out. After raiding my yarn stash, we sat on the couch and started his very first crochet project. It only took about a half hour for him to pick up the basic single crochet for the body of his scarf and the chain stitch needed to turn.

I thought his little hands were so sweet holding his project. I just had to take a photo of them as well. He caught on so fast. I'm sure it has a lot to do with spending his 7 years of life watching me "yarn".

Two in One

2008-12-30T13:21:00.000-08:00

Bonnets have been my theme this week. I sat down to make a bonnet for my dear niece and ended up just having to make another.

Selah's bonnet is a replacement for the newborn bonnet she has already outgrown. It is made out of the same high quality acrylic as her layette and has the softness of baby wool with the easy care her mama requested. Although the photos are not exceptionally clear, this bonnet is spectacular! I love the rose and petals detailing across the back and just can't wait to see my nieces sweet face poking out from beneath all those ruffles
This second bonnet is for a baby at church. I took a look at her sleeping face during Sunday school this week and knew she needed a bonnet too. Since her family is getting ready to move to a colder climate, the timing is perfect. I like the lacy effect of the triple crochet trim and the swirl back.

I Can Cable...

2008-12-27T10:38:00.000-08:00

and this is only one piece of evidence to the fact. The month of December I made three men's cabled caps (sorry, only one is shown due to a glitch in photobucket).

The cap below was made by a request from one of my dearest friends and was a Christmas gift for her husband. I also made a blue one for a gentleman from school (he loves to watch me knit and tells me how much it reminds him of his late mother) and a green one for my dad. They are all made with wool blend yarns. The cap pictured is made with one strand wool yarn and one strand silk/bamboo, it reminds me of black licorice. The original (blue cap) was made using "The Wedding Hat" pattern found in Yarn Girl's Beyond the Basics by Julie Carles and Jordina Jacobs. The other two were slight variations of the pattern.

Christmas Creation

2008-12-24T15:51:00.000-08:00

The babies and I spent the afternoon working on a very sweet project. It has been so long since we sat down to create together. We really enjoyed ourselves and are very proud of our creation.

Farmgirls, please note the wood pile on the left hand side of this photo!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! GOD BLESS YOU, EVERYONE!

Bragging on Another Farmgirl!

2008-12-03T21:56:00.000-08:00

FebruaryViolet at MaryJanes Farm has just posted the sweetest knit cap I've ever seen. This is going on my 2009 "gotta make it" list. Take a peek, I'm so proud of her. http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27248

Isn't it Beautiful!

2008-11-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

Hippie-Chic Hat

2008-11-22T05:49:00.000-08:00

It would have been better if I could have gotten the hippie-chicka to model it, but we just couldn't get together. So her punk best friend stood in her place for the photos. The hat is 100% wool with a loop fringe and an embroidered butterfly mofit. Although you can't see it in the photos, the top has been left open like a dready hat.

Inspiration for this great hat came from the hippie-chic herself and the fall/winter catalogue from Gypsy Rose (www.gypsyrose.com).

Wool Mushroom Hat

2008-11-15T10:40:00.000-08:00

This great little hat was made using up scrap wool in shades of blue and aqua. The upper portion was worked holding 2 strands together, one of worsted wool and another of cotton/silk. The brim was worked in a bulky weight wool.

Citrus Set...For Me!

2008-11-13T13:07:00.001-08:00

I'm spoiling myself here lately. I whipped this set up for myself one week end and then had a ball modeling it for a friend. The yarn was Hobby Lobby clearance, a fluffy synthetic in variegated citrus colors with a variegated jewel toned ribbon running through it.

Fall Dress

2008-11-12T08:15:00.001-08:00

Who would believe that this started out as a glorified bathrobe?! This summer I found a wonderful 1970's lounging dress at a yard sale. It was handmade and had its owner must have treasured it because it had been dry cleaned and lovingly stored. I just couldn't resist its flowing russet toned fabric, so for $3 I brought it home. Because of its humble orgins and intended use, the dress is very easy to wear while still making a statement.
Like I've mentioned before, Clarisse doesn't have quite the curves I do, but she still looks great in this creation. It is the type of dress I can imagine myself wearing for many years and I designed it to be forgiving of almost all the common figure flaws that naturally come with age and children. It is also one of those great "best friend" dresses because it could be worn by women of a variety of sizes and shapes.
The detailing is really what makes this dress. It takes it from a fun fall romper to an elegant fall gown. Its initial purpose was to be worn to an outdoor wedding and it was one of the most elegant dresses there! Many people questioned me about it and were very excited to hear that it was my own design. Those who know I am working toward a career in fashion were doubly enthusiastic.
This trim did not turn out quite as I had invisioned it, but the results are still awesome. I wanted a bit more gathering, but the slick fabric I was working with had other intentions. The chocolate fabric used in the belt and on the hem is tafta. All told, this creation cost me $9.

Another Hat

2008-10-14T22:18:00.000-07:00

Hats seem to be my theme this fall. My friends see me working on one and just fall in love. They all have to have one for themselves. The basic design for this hat was made for a friends little boy, but I just had to make a matching one for his mama too.

Pixie Hat

2008-09-22T08:03:00.001-07:00

This great pixie hat was another of my fusion projects, combining both knit and crochet. It is made from an amazingly soft bamboo/synthetic yarn that I just couldn't resist.

Let's Just Say I'm Ahead This Year

2008-08-04T08:28:00.001-07:00

We don't really have to let it out that I started this dress for last Christmas, do we? One way or another, it is finally done and I will wear it this holiday season.

The dress is a customized vintage pattern, made from vintage fabric. It is fully lined and tailored to my figure. Clarisse, my dress form, is a size smaller than I am and doesn't have the boobie power I do, so it hangs a bit on her. I absolutely love the belt detailing I added!

Water Bottle Sling

2008-07-24T14:27:00.001-07:00

My water bottle kept sweating all over the papers in my book bag, so I whipped up this quick and easy solution using a felted wool sweater. The whole operation took about 15 minutes and is so handy!

Baby Goodies!

2008-07-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

I just love making goodies for all my friends when they have babies! This is a set I've made for a friend who is due tomorrow. These are worked in worsted weight acrylic yarn on size 8 dpns and circular needles.
The center of the blanket is knit in the round as shown here http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/round-baby-blanket.htm until it no longer fit on my needle and then finished off with crochet. Using a size J hook I made row of single crochet (working two stitches in the same increse stitches used for knitting), two rows double crochet, and a shell edging (worked slip stitch, *dc second stitch from needle 5 times, slip stitch second stitch from needle* around).
The hat was a very quick knit worked as follows:
Using 16 inch size 8 circular needle, cast on 58 stitches.

Join piece and work in 1x1 ribbing for 4 rows.

Knit until entire piece is 5.5 inches. BO

Turn hat inside out, flat (BO edge to BO edge) and mark fold lines with pins. Refold hat so that the pins meet and once again mark the folded edges. This will divide the hat into fourths. Bring all pins to meet in center and pin so that the top of the hat has a star like shape. Whip stitch closed and turn right side out to hide stitching.

Introducing My New Sewing Buddy

2008-07-05T13:51:00.001-07:00

A few months ago, I visited a going out of business sale at a local botique. I noticed three beautiful dress forms in the window and just had to ask about them. The owner of the store was not available at the time, so I left my number with the clerk and asked that the owner contact me if she was going to sell the forms. I didn't hear anything back for nearly a month and had almost forgotten about them when the owner finaly called. Not only was she selling the forms, she was selling them for the fabously low price of $25 each!

Hello, Friends

2008-07-03T14:40:00.000-07:00

I’ve gotten very bad about posting lately. For starters, my computer is going through some sort of depression. Then school and sewing are keeping me busy. I got the new power cord for my machine two weeks ago and have kept the house humming as much as I possibly can. The hum of a sewing machine is such music!

To reassure you all that I am indeed making progress, here is a list of my completed summer projects.

· Tube top for me (fun-n-funky made from cotton handkerchiefs)
· A cotton asymmetrical skirt for me
· A sleeveless cotton blouse for me (refashioned from a man’s button down)
· An artwear skirt for each of the girls (refashioned from stretch pants and embellished)
· A shrug for my oldest daughter (refashioned from her favorite hoody that was badly stained)
· A tank-top for me (refashioned from a poly/satin drawstring skirt)
· Two artwear t-shirts for a friend and two for my stb etsy store
· Two artwear hats for my stb etsy store
· A artwear jacket for my stb etsy store

This isn’t counting all the UFO’s laying around my house in various stages, so I’m not doing too badly. I hope you all are having a productive summer as well!

Celebrate!

2008-06-03T04:48:00.000-07:00

After 6 long months, my dear sewing machine is home! I have missed her so much! Yes, my old Bernina plugged along for me a few times, but that old girl is ready for a break and some TLC. Now that my girl is home and ready to go, I have a list of projects a mile long. I need to buy her a new power cord, then I am sewing me some summer clothes before I start getting the girls' wardrobe ready for fall.

Refashioned Summer Tops

2008-05-25T14:17:00.001-07:00

My sewing machine is on the fritz, so these satisified my creative urge this morning. I think I'm going to make a few for myself as well.

Ouch!

2008-03-17T13:38:00.001-07:00

I injured my right thumb at work and have been unable to knit much lately. Maybe my spring sweater will be done in time for fall.

Same Old World

2008-03-08T12:37:00.000-08:00

The world has not changed.
It is no more evil
Than the world of our parents.
We do our best
And face each day with hope.
We grow our children
To take over
When our time is complete.
We pray our grandchildren
Will live in a better world.
It is no less
Than what our parents did.
Perhaps more…
At least, we face our sin
Instead of hiding it in the closet.

A Good Start

2008-03-01T09:22:00.000-08:00

I have the yoke and about 1 1/2 inches of the bodice done on my spring sweater. It is knitting up fairly quickly, but I did have some issues with rowing on the yoke. I usualy knit in the round and forgot how much more difficult it is to maintain even tension when knitting flat. The rowing shows very little on the outside of the garment and I am hoping that I can fix it with blocking. If anyone has some advice on even tension while knitting flat, I would love to hear it!

Writing Fiction

2008-02-24T07:32:00.000-08:00

I live in the stories.
The ones I build around myself,
Telling me, someday
My world will be right again.
I construct each story
Piece by piece
With silver linings and golden dreams,
Trimmed with sky blue hope.
Each story is interlocking-
Entwined with each of the others.
A card castle waiting to fall
With a slammed door
Or a raised voice.
And they do fall,
Over and over.
And I rebuild-
With greater skill each time.
Making each new piece of architecture
More difficult to part with
Than the last.

2008-02-21T06:04:00.000-08:00

I started my spring sweater last night! I'm about 8 rows in and so far so good. School is closed today for the weather, so I expect to get a good bit done. I am using Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool in Nature's Brown and intend to trim the neckline and sleeves with Natual. I'll post a pic once there is actualy something to look at.

http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/yarnInfo.cgi?yarnPage=1419777

Chullo Hat

2008-02-18T07:00:00.001-08:00

Felted Flower Toddler Hat Etc

2008-02-17T07:35:00.000-08:00

Here is one for my stash! It is a small toddler size wool hat with a felted wool flower. The flower is knit, but the stem is crochet chain stitch...I just didn't feel like making i-cord.

Speaking of stash, somebody loves me! Look what I got for Valentine's Day!

Fusion

2008-02-17T06:19:00.000-08:00

Cast on the rhythm
Leaving enough tail
To weave in latter-
Neat and tidy.

Knit the words
And write each purl
In capital letters.

Slip, Slip, Knit
To shape the verse,
Pulling together
The variegated strands of life.

Create on paper
The human experience
For all who care
To try it on.

Real Men Knit

2008-02-16T08:09:00.001-08:00

Use the title of this post to see some manly men with knitting needles. Just too cool! I have an uncle who knits, I guess it's getting to be quite a thing.

Day Dream

2008-02-16T07:15:00.000-08:00

When I grow up
I will no longer be a mommy,
I will be a princess.
Then I will wear a satin gown
And a glittering tiara
While I dance at a ball.
I will live in the moment
And smile for my own prince charming…
When I grow up.

Some childhood dreams are just too good to let go of, this is one of them.

Toasty Toes

2008-02-15T13:07:00.001-08:00

These are the Valentine's for my little lovies!

Awhile back I promised further sizing for these slippers and here it is!

children's size 8-12 use 2 strands worsted weight yarn and size 1o.5 needles
children's size 12-3 use either 1 strand super bulky and 1 strand fingering weight or 3 strands worsted on size 11 needles

Woven Transverse Herringbone Stitch

2008-02-12T16:17:00.000-08:00

I decided to learn a new stitch pattern today. I was looking for a pattern that included slipped stitches to help prevent pooling in the beautiful variegated yarn I added to my stash last week. This stitch works beautifully, but is rather unwieldy with the super bulky yarn. I am now using worsted wool for my learning sample. Once I have finished my swatch, I am going to design a hat pattern using this stitch in worsted on #9's. I intend to knit it in the round, with the WTH around the band.

The instructions for this stitch were found at http://www.knittingonthenet.com/stitches/wovenherringbone.htm.

Night Science

2008-02-11T15:59:00.000-08:00

What do I care of biology,
"The way of all living things"?
For it tells me not of fairies
Nor their tiny dancing rings.
And it overlooks the elfin men,
Who on their reed flutes play
Songs that fairies dance to
Until the break of day.

*my girls are fairy crazy and I guess they must come by it naturaly. I wrote this poem my sophmore year of highschool, most likely while I was supose to be doing biology homework.

Romantic Country Memory Books

2008-02-10T08:43:00.001-08:00

Fun and Funky Memory Book

2008-02-10T08:42:00.001-08:00

2008-02-10T08:38:00.001-08:00

As you can see, I've been busy making memory books. They are all for dear friends who have been absolutely wonderful the past few months (but then they are always wonderful). Since paper is not my usual medium, I have no fancy scissors or cutting gadgets, but I think they turned out quite well anyway. The first two were made using scrapbook paper and embellishments, but the third was created from scavenged materials (old books, newspapers, junk mail envelopes, etc). Over all, the Fun and Funky version was the most fun to make.

For archival purposes, the memory books can be viewed via these links. When I try to edit the posts to include labels and notes, I loose my slide shows.

http://quilandneedle.blogspot.com/2008/02/fun-and-funky-memory-book_10.html

http://quilandneedle.blogspot.com/2008/02/romantic-country-memory-books_10.html

Felted Handbag

2008-02-09T06:17:00.000-08:00

I made this bag a few years ago for my sil, bff, birthday twin. I found the pic while sorting through my pictures yesterday and thought I'd share it. The entire bag is made from a wool sweater my mama pulled out of a give away bin and I machine felted. The pocket on the front is the perfect size for a cell phone. Hands on time for the entire project was less than 45 minutes.

My needles seem to be going non-stop here lately. I am knitting slippers for my lovies this Valentine's Day. The pattern is easy and mindless, so it is a good one for a mama with a stuffed up head. The gift actually serves multiple purposes. 1) It tells my babies that I love them. 2)It keeps little feet warm. 3) It keeps them out of MY slippers.

Poll Winner

2008-02-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTdahlia.html

Here is the spring sweater I will be making! Yah! Now to find a yarn shop and some beautiful yarn to work with!

BTW...#3 was a close second, with #2 only recieving 2 votes (one of them by my 9 year old son).

Linking to another farmgirl blog.

2008-02-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

Tell Kay what you love about spring and she will enter you in her drawing of loverly, rustic, farmgirl goodies (the exact handmade yumminess yet to be disclosed).

http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com/2008/02/spring-fling-contest.html

2008-02-06T15:54:00.000-08:00

I have found the most amazing knit-designer. She is only 13 and does awesome work! I am so impressed, I just have to share the link to her blog. This girl is going somewhere in the world of fiber art! For a frame of reference, she is the designer of Sweater 1 in my poll.

http://indieknits.wordpress.com/

Nana

2008-02-04T17:06:00.000-08:00

She went to him,
twice each day
and fed him
from a spoon,
baby-sized bites of banana.
Some days he called her, "Mommy,"
others he saw her
as a stranger.
Very few days
did he call her "Dear."
Still,
everyday she went to him
to hold his hand.
For nearly a life time before
she had promised,
"For better or for worse."
And although he
would have known no diffrence,
she would have.

I wrote this poem in highschool, about a long time family friend. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I felt compelled to share it now. It has been published under my maiden name.

New Additions to My Stash

2008-02-03T09:02:00.001-08:00

Hobby Lobby had a .99 cent yarn sale I just had to get in on. I got each of these $4-6 skeins of yarn for .99 cents each. Yay! The sparkley red will be valentine slippers for my babybug. The other two have uncertain futures, but I'm sure they will be well loved.

As long as there is yarn, someone will be knitting!

Shimmer Fingerless Gloves

2008-02-01T15:33:00.000-08:00

These fingerless gloves were made for a dear grandmother who has been experiencing artharitc pain in her hands. The body of the glove is very loose to allow for swelling of the nuckles and wrists many elderly folks experience. Since this dear woman is allergic to wool, this pair of gloves is made from cotton/rayon blend yarn and worked up much better than I expected. The following pattern has directions for both the looser version shown and a more fitted version.

Materials

1 skein Aunt Lidia's "Shimmer" Fashion yarn in Lilac
1 skein Aunt Lidia's "Shimmer" Fashion yarn in Lt. Linnen
1 pair size 8 needles
1 pair size 10 needles
yarn needle

Note: numbers in () are for more fitted gloves.

Using smaller needle and holding both yarns together, CO 32 stitches.

Knit in 1x1 rib stitch for 3 (5) inches.

Switch to size 10 needles and knit in seed stitch for 5 (3) inches.

Return to smaller needles and knit in 1x1 rib for 2 inches.

Stitch up side seam, leaving a 1 1/2 inch opening just below 2 inch ribbing for thumb hole.

One of the girls at MJ's farm mentioned that she would like my pattern for the wool fingerless gloves I posted last week. It is as follows:

Materials

1 ball worsted weight wool yarn
1 pair size 8 needles
1 pair size 10 needles
yarn needle

Using smaller needles, CO 32 stitches.

Knit in 1x1 rib for 2 inches.

Switch to size 10 needles, continue knitting in 1x1 rib for 6 inches.

Return to smaller needles, knit 1x1 rib 1 1/2 inches.

BO.

Stitch up side seam, leaving a 1 inch opening 2 inches below top for thumb hole.

*both patterns are worked from the bottom up.

Romantic Poet like Mick Jagger?

2008-02-01T10:14:00.000-08:00

John Lithgow thinks so. In his brilliant poetry complitaion, The Poet's Corner, John Lithgow gives this facinating and insightful look at the man behind some of the most beautiful love poems ever witten: Lord Byron.

"Byron was an aristocrat by title but a scalawag by reputation...I imagine Byron as the Mick Jagger of his time. Famous the world over, he left a swath of passion and creativity and scandalous relationships in his wake. One of his paramours, Lady Caroline Lamb, notably described him as 'mad, bad' and dangerous to know'...Byron was a poet who lived his life unapologetically with the pedal to the medal-the English tabloids would have loved him."

Storage

2008-01-31T13:00:00.000-08:00

In a four acre shoebox
they move in and out of days,
one hardly different from the last:
planting and harvesting,
living and growing,
laughing a bit too loudly
beneath the cardboard lid
to ward off the staleness of the box.

They are his treasures
and he has packed them away,
safe and secure
in four acres of wood and grass and chickens.
A beautiful shoebox,
but a shoebox the same.

Someday, maybe...
when he had finished his contract with the devil,
maybe then the will find the time
to lift the lid and unpack his treasures.
Maybe then, he will find
they are no longer his,
but have grown into their own.

Felted Gauntlets

2008-01-30T04:57:00.000-08:00

Finally, something for me! I made these gauntlets out of a felted wool sweater that once belonged to my daughter...perfect! The entire project took less than 5 minutes and I am extremely happy with the results.

2008-01-29T14:16:00.000-08:00

It's cold today. I am so longing for a cuddly, hand knit sweater. I've promised myself that by fall, I will have at least two made by me sweaters in my wardrobe. Here are a few of the links I've found to get my imagination going. Just looking at all those sweaters makes me feel warm!

Fingerless Gloves

2008-01-28T17:19:00.000-08:00

These soft wool, fingerless gloves feel so good that I wish I had made them for me! The screen does nothing to do justice to the rich fall toned variegated yarn with a subtle blue grey heather to it. I wonder if I have enough yarn left over to make another pair?

Yarn Ball Felted Pin Keep

2008-01-28T11:51:00.001-08:00

This has got to be the worlds easiest felting project. I made it last night while I cleaned the kitchen and chatted online. Thanks for the great idea, Bonne http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/.

2008-01-27T07:33:00.000-08:00

I haven't been using my needles much the past few days, but I have found some great pattern sites online.

There are enough knit and crochet patterns here to keep even me busy for an awefuly long time, so I had better get away from the keyboard and back to the needles.

Baby Booties

2008-01-24T17:54:00.000-08:00

These cotton booties are for my new little niece due to arrive this summer. They are so tiny! I can't wait to send them to her mama!

The pattern I used for them is absolutely amazing! It is extremely simple and adapts to any foot size. In the past week I have made 3 pairs in various sizes and am working on a fourth. My size adaptations are as follows:

men's-size 15 needles with 4-5 strands worsted or equivalent
toddler-size 9 needles with 2 strands light weight or equivalent

I am about to make a pair for each of my children and I'll add those size adaptations once I have them.

http://www.white-works.com/slippers.htm

2008-01-23T19:05:00.000-08:00

The Adventurer

2008-01-23T18:46:00.000-08:00

My love, he comes a bearing gifts,
Treasures from far away:
A wilted flower, smooth round stones,
Feathers of silver grey...

He is a grand explorer.
What adventures he does seek!
All through out the land of Yard
His trusty sneakers trek.

Come night he wanders home again
With treasures and tales to share,
But my favorite gift is a goodnight kiss
After his bedtime prayer.

Essay Contest

2008-01-22T19:26:00.000-08:00

Click on the title to learn more about a farmgirl essay contest that has just opened.

Saturday Pants

2008-01-21T19:11:00.000-08:00

I am tired of the jeans and sweater look for my Saturday errands, so I made a pair of comfy running around pants. The fabric is a poly/rayon blend that reminds me of the parachute pants my aunt use to wear in the 80's. Loving the fabric, but not the dated look, I decided to go for a girly cargo type pant with faux patch pockets trimmed in eyelet lace. The next time I make this pattern, I will alter it for a bit more ease, but overall I like what I've come up with.

Dance In Old Slippers

2008-01-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

Dance in old slippers,
Play ball with the moon.
Dance in old slippers,
Sing out of tune.

Dance in old slippers,
Be afraid of the light.
Dance in old slippers
For blindness is sight.