Mystery Guest

I was working on some fun cross-stitch tonite while watching some dvds. Can you guess who this is? He needs his hair and eyes but he's out of this world. A lot of fun to stitch in just shades of color.

Fun day crafting

Worked hard at crafting today and had tons of fun. This is my December project of the month with the stitching that I had finished. Everythings pressed and ready for a lot of assembly.
Here is the pillow assembled but flat ready for stuffing and embellishments.
It's done!!! It came out really nice. It's hard to get the specialty sparkly threads to show up nice on camera but the snow is velvety and sparkly. Very nice.

From there after a short dinner break it was on the the November project of the month. I beaded the tree, garland and wreath and pressed everything in readiness. I decided not to add the clay stockings that were included. I think they were too flat a texture against all of the sparkly beading and sparkly thread.
Here are the parts after a lot of fitting and glueing. The front is ready to be hand sewn onto the easel back.
Here it is all finished. I was unsure of the bow so it is just stuck in firmly with a really long pin that is hidden.
Now finally a look at the back upon completion. Hurrah, a great day of crafting and finishing. Now since I finished two things I can start something new!! I did work some more on the Rainbow sock last night whilst watching the nailbiting Patriots game. The heel is turned and I am onto the first foot. A great project to do because I find I'm not watching my knitting all of the time. Cool. Ninja Knitting.

Updates and progress

This is a picture of what the December project of the month should look like.
This is what my December pillow looks like at the present. Lots of stitching to go but it is fun to work with all of the specialty threads.
This is how much of the rainbow sock has been knit. I like the color stripes but I think I prefer more patterning in the yarn. I'm using a K3P1 ribbing for good stretchability. The next sock will I think be a more fancy rib pattern or easy cables for a bit of interest.

So to all out there, Happy Crafting!

No pictures

My computer is not near the scanner or the camera today so sorry but no pictures. I worked on the rainbow sock and knit the leg and almost all of the heel flap. Worked on the December needlework project of the month and did more backround stitching.

Happy Days

Had a great day off today. Got lots of exciting stuff done like paying the bills, laundry, dishes and taking out the trash. But then I got to craft. I worked on a needlework "project of the month" for December from Silver Needle. It's going to be a pillow with a snow scene on it. There is a horse pulling a sleigh and its done in specialty threads. It's coming out quite nice. It's been a happy crafting day.

Resting on my laurels

No real crafting happened today, unless you call knitting gauge swatches crafting. It is a necessity though when knitting mystery yarn from the attic stash. I had fun using my new yarn winder to redo balls of yarn, getting them ready to transform themselves into new and exciting something or others. I suspect that socks are going to be a featured product this year. The gauge swatch is the key to success.

Good comments from all the receipients of my labors. That makes all of the hard work worth while.

Happy Holiday Crafting

The holidays were a great sucess and lots of fun. Had a great time with friends and family and all of the crafting paid off big time. I didn't have a lot of time to craft at all. I did cast on a new sock in multicolored rainbow strips and knit just 3 inches.

I did get a ball winder and swift for the holidays. I just finished winding my 1st ball of yarn on the winder. I love it. Now I can split up my yarn balls and rewind a lot of misc yarn in the attic as well as all of the hanks I own. I love knitting from center pull balls (less mess). I also got some wonderfully soft yarn with pattern and knitting needles with kitties on the tops. Oh, so cute. They are going to be fun to knit with.

Back to crafting tomorrow with some socks and maybe even a little needlework. Can't wait for the fun.

Blue Socks are Done

The blue socks are completed and ready for transfer to the wrapping area of the craft factory here. They came out really soft and nice and are completly washable. We'll see how they hold up.

In other crafting updates I worked on a cross stitch fireplace scene at lunch today. I'll post a picture later when it actually looks like something.

Now on to prepping the house for the holidays. That means no crafting until it's done!!

The deadline looms

Took a break from all of the holiday preparations today and went to see Johnny Depp in "Sweeny Todd". Loved the movie not knowing anything about the story. A little bloody (spurting, dripping, splashing) but no more than alot of samurai movies I've seen.

Oh yes the crafting. I've worked more on the blue sock and have turned the heel and am decreasing towards the foot. I hope to have it done by tomorrow nite.

The "Field Guide to Christmas" is getting great reviews and feedback from those who have received a copy. All that work was worth it.

Let it snow ...

Today was spent shoveling, wrapping presents, shoveling and wrapping and finally a little sock knitting on #2 blue sock. This yarn knits up really fast but with the big day rapidly approaching the fun knitting gets put aside for housework and holiday prep. It's all worth it though because I know everyone will get a lot of joy out of all of the hard work.

The big day approaches

Finished the first blue varigated sock today and cast on for the second. It's now a race to the finish.

In the gifting department the "Fudge of Christmas" a five piece fudge assortment in a snack size ziploc bag went over really big at work. Every one loved the idea of a little bit of homemade fudge but not too much. Just enough for one. The "Field Guide to Christmas 2007" was published today and everyone who received a copy loved it. I know the family will love it.

A whole lot of getting ready going on

Not a lot of crafting per say today. I work on the blue sock and am almost up to the toe decreases.

I assembled about 20 cookie plates and about 40 fudge sampler packages. The "Field Guide to Christmas" is printing out now for it's final review and I will get it printed tomorrow to include with the cookies. I had a lot of fun producing this booklet. I think the family will get a kick out of it to.

Back to work, I have to create and print out labels for the fudge sampler before I go to bed.

Little bit of sock

Only got to knit a little bit on the blue sock, but am now knitting the foot. It will be warm and toasty but a bit thicker than what I am used to knitting on.

In the kitchen. Made peanut butter fudge and maple walnut fudge.

One pair done, Another begun

I finished the jay socks today in between shoveling and shoveling and shoveling. I love the "jay" yarn and they are soft and cosy with a lot of stretch and give using a k2p2 ribbing throughout. I started another sock using a worsted weight yarn from Reynolds this time. It's called Signature and is an acrylic/wool blend. The yarn is a soft dark blue varigated with no decernable pattern. It is knitting up quickly as you can see next to the helper cats tail. I've turned the heel and and on to the gusset. I have a recipient in mind that would like these.

In the baking department I made many batches of caramel corn. Yum!

Cookies from and elf

Not too much crafting today. I did manage to cast on the second Jay sock and knitt the cuff and started on the leg. In the kitchen I made 10 different kinds of cookies for Christmas. My favorite so far are the "Gingerpet", gingerbread cookies using a cat and dog cookie cutter from my extensive collection. They are set to decorate come tomorrow night.

Snowy Day

The area was hit with a quick messy snowfall today that clogged the roads because everybody left early and all at the same time. I did manage to make 2 of these ornaments out of beads. Very cute and much more three dimensional in person. Easy to make if youhave all of the beads. I also made an ornament out of preforated paper. The person who designed it should have checked the grain of the paper. It had different counts of holes per inch in the length versus the width. That made a simple project almost impossible to put together on the bias. Preforated paper tears easily when forced into place but extremly pretty but horrible to work with metallic thread. The thread unraveled and then cut into the paper. It's done but not my best work.

Jay sock

One jay sock is done. On to the second. That is all.

Jay sock

Worked on the Jay socks today and am almost up to the toe. Crafting is competing with cooking and baking for the holidays. Today I made "People Chow" and 3 types of fudge. Back to the kitchen.

Socks and more socks

I finished the tiger socks today. They are ready on to their next stage in life. The wrapping department. They came out really lovely and will wash and wear well.
I cast on another pair, this time the color Jay. I did a K2P2 rib for 2 inches and then a K3P1 rib for the remainder of the leg. This gives the sock just the right amount of elastic and really shows off the colorwave of the yarn.

I tried using the 2 circular needle method but gave it up. I was spending more time adjusting the circular needles and getting them in the correct position to start knitting again. Maybe my hands and fingers are just so used to double-pointed for the small sock project. I don't even have to think about it to much. I really like the Jitterbug yarn. It's a little thicker than the Opal, so you have to use a larger needle and less stitches. That means faster knitting. What you give up in this yarn is the easy care. These are gentle care items, but so soft it's worth it.

Little bit of knitting every day

Only a little bit of knitting done today. I'm on my way to the toe of the tiger sock. I should be finished with it tomorrow. On to a party tonite.

Deadline

Worked on the tiger sock, turned the heel and am working on the foot. Great progress today!

Christmas Elf

I feel like a christmas elf today. I finished the first tiger sock and cast on and knit 5 inches of the second. There's a deadline!!

Worked on my christmas baking today and made 21 Swedish Coffee Breads. The first 15 have already been gifted and I know the recipients will be enjoying tomorrow morning.

I also worked on my "Field Guide to Christmas Treats 2007". This year all of the recipes that I am using are going into a booklet of some type. I have to work on my picture taking to get good shots to put in but I'm hopeful.

In answer to a comment on jewelry glue: There are lots to choose from in the craft stores. I use a product called "Zap-a-gap". It's very strong and is almost like a super glue. Check the labels to see if it will work attaching beads to metal.

Teaching

Worked on more icicle ornaments today. I think they will be used as gift tags.

Had to relearn the classic "German Paper Stars" and teach it to one of my friends. She had got a kit with pre-cut paper strips but the instructions were horrible. I had made lots of these a few years ago so with the help of the internet and finger memory I was able to teach her how to do them. I think next year I'll make some dipped in wax and glitter as ornaments.

Socks

Worked on the tiger sock today and got 6 inches of foot knitted. One more inch to go to the toe decreases.

Worked on the tiger sock today and have finished the heel and gusset. It's on to the the foot.

Made a few more christmas spirelli cards this evening so I could finish my card list. Now I have a couple of extra for those who I have forgotten or missed.

Found my icicle project and finished the ones I had cut out. These are just a few. They are cut from metal roof flashing I bought at the hardware store. You cut out long thin trianges. Round off the wide top end. Punch a hole in the top to string a hanger through. Wind them around a tapered item. I use a paint brush. Then pull them out into an icicle like shape. They are really fun and easy to make. Be sure to use old scissors or snips to cut out the metal. I have to hide these in a box because my guy cat it very interested in them. He was trying to abscond with them and get them out of the scanner.

Socks and more socks

Work on the tiger sock today and turned the heel. Am now working on the gussets decreases. It looks the same as yesterday only longer.

Sock Progress

The tiger sock is progressing. I'm almost up to the 9 inch mark for the heel. I like the stripy effect the yarn is making but I don't see a tiger in there. The recipient will be happy with them though.

Santa's on his way

Didn't do a lot of crafting today, but I used sealing wax and sealed all of my christmas cards and got them off into the mail today. And it's before christmas!! I finished this 3-d paper santa and reindeer from the canon website.
http://cp.c-ij.com/english/3D-papercraft/index.html I've been having a lot of fun making these items. Santa will be residing outside my office at work preparing us for the holidays.

Worked on my christmas cards tonite and finally settled on using a spirelli template. You place the metal template on card stock and using an exacto knife, cut it out. I had some holographic thread and used that to wrap around the points. It's just like spirograph but with thread. I purchased the template from http://www.ecstasycrafts.com/. They have other shapes and sizes and precut cards. This is a great site for paper crafters.
Here is what my finished design looked like. I used a rubber stamp of a snowflake for the inside design and for the outside envelope. This design covers all people on my card list. I finally hit on using 527 multi-purpose cement to attach the elements to the sparkly cards. I think the recipients will enjoy these holiday greetings.
I cast on the correct number of stitches for a men's size sock in the tiger yarn. It met with approval and now it's on to 9 inches of leg to knit.

Sock do-over

Cast on for a new sock today. Have to rip it out and recast on with less stitches. I think I'll cast on the "Tiger" yarn instead on work on those tall ones next.

Working on my christmas cards. One design has bit the dust. I was using a pattern template called"incire" that you cut the paper and fold tabs back and it looks really cool. The paper cutting is going great, but the cards I bought to mount them on are sparkly. I can't get the cut out to stick and stay on the sparkly cards.

They do look cool in the double-sided foil origami paper.

Finished a pair

Finished this pair of socks tonite. They came out really nice using a k2p2 ribbing thoughout. They should wear well for who ever is the lucky recipient.

Worked on my christmas card design today and am rethinking the project. I am almost ready to just purchase them at a store, but my craft vibe says NO, you have plenty of time to make them.

Socks, wonderful socks

Worked on the second sock today, turning the heel and now decreasing down to the foot.
These are giving trees that will be filled with candy and then either hung on a tree or sit on a table. To make these go to www.marthastewart.com/giving-tree and print off on cardstock. I didn't have all the required supplies (1 inch circle punch or silver paper) put I think they turned out okay. I don't think I'll be making more though. I have more socks to knit!!

Socks

Cast on and worked on the 2nd sock today. It is coming along quite nicely. It's mate is waiting for it in the bottom of the sock bag.

Santa's coming

Not a lot of crafting done today. I printed out a paper diaorama from the canon website.
http://cp.c-ij.com/english/3D-papercraft/event/santaclaus_e.html
of santa flying off in his reindeer in his sleigh. I love to cut and paste these together. So far I've cut a lot and pasted a little. It doesn't even look like any thing yet. Tomorrow though it will look great.

The canon website is great if you like to do paper crafts. The instructions are easy to follow pictures and the projects work. You have to be patient, use tiny scissors to cut out the fiddly bits, score all the fold lines with a ruler and stylus and use fast drying paper glue. Print the parts out on card stock and you'll end up with a lasting project. The website is always being updated with new projects.

Happy T Day

Had a great thanksgiving celebration with friends and family. Worked on my stripy sock and need to sew off the toe and one half of a pair will be done. On to another cast on.

The pirate has been put on hold for a few days. I did get some hair spray, $1.99 the cheapest I could find, to stiffen up his hat. I'll work on him later this week.

Our library received the book "Knitted icons" and it is really cool. You knit a basic people doll and then dress it to took like your favorite icon. I knitted the pieces but all they look like are tiny beigey knitted rectangles. Some assembly required in this piece too. They have a cute "Gojira/Godzilla" to knit and I found some green yarn in my attic stash that will be perfect for a city crushing knitted pal.

On my way home from Thanksgiving this morning I stopped in a local yarn store and got 3 skeins of sock yarn. I love knitting with Opal yarn. The color waves are so interesting. The one on the left is really rainbow colors and will knit up into larger bands of color. The middle one will be more animal patterned. The jitterbug yarn on the right is lovely to knit with. I love it's feel and softness.

Posing a Pirate

Worked on the pirate tonite and he's almost ready to go out to sea. His hat needs stiffening so it will look less lumpy. The parrot needs grooming and blending. The jacket needs some adjusting so it won't fall off. I need to find my doll stand so the pirate can stand up on his own two feet. He likes to sit and slump now.

Worked on my sock today and am almost ready to start the heel flap.

Hat

This is what the pirate's hat looks so far. Not much to look at but wait until it's shaped. I also knit on my sock and am up to 4 inches. 2 more and I'll be turning a heel.

Parrots Progress

Worked on sewing the pirate together today. Here is is with his coat attached.
Here he has his coat with arms and cuffs attached. Soon his parrot will join him on his shoulders. I still have to knit his hat but he'll have some legs attached soon. The parrot needs some eyes and a little shading to come to full parrot potential. The mermaid says she's pining for her sailor.

Wee bit of sock

Not too much crafting at all today. Just a bit of a sock started on during my lunch break. Instead I got caught up in reading "On strike for Christmas" by Sheila Roberts. A fun quick read, just in time to temper my over the top crafting and cooking spree for the holidays.

He's got legs

I worked on the pirate today and got his legs and boots assembled, his sash and his jabot (scarf). Next up is assembly of the coat. There is a lot of work on just that part. He's coming out nicely though and the mermaid is looking forward to having a friend.

I stiffened the reindeer pin and added a pin back so that project is completed.

My mom purchased a kit for a watch. You cross-stitch teeny tiny quilt blocks using one strand of floss over one strand of fabric thread. Using these tiny designs you make covered buttons that are then glued to the watch links. I got the kit out, substituted better fabric (the one that came with was not the greatest), organized the threads and started stitching. This is one project I'm going to need to use my magnifying headset for.

Beaded Reindeer

Worked on beading this tiny reindeer. After a pin back is attached and a coating of clear nail polish for stiffening he'll be ready as a nice gift. His antlers are very fiddly to bead so I don't think I'll be doing another one of him.
I am borrowing my son's camera which does close-up pictures better. I had my kitty assistant Sailor helping me by him try to abscond with the tiny reindeer in his mouth. Sometimes good help is hard to find or shoo away.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Was busy at work all day so I just started a beaded reindeer that will be a lapel pin. It's from the Jill Oxton magazine. http://www.jilloxtonxstitch.com/
I stiffened the gold beaded box and finished the top with a sand dollor charm that looked nice.

Blanket and Box Lid

Worked on the beaded box and finished the lid. It's really small. Next up is some charms for the top and a dose of clear nail polish to stiffen up the sides and it's done.
I picked up and knit for an hour on a basketweave baby blanket. The yarn is Plymouth Encore Colorspun. It changes color as you knit and makes the finished item more interesting. Because you can machine wash and dry the finished item it makes it practical for baby items. Soft and easy to knit with. The pattern is from the book "Never too old to knit" by Karin Strom. You do have to count the rows but the pattern is easy and the result is worth the effort.

As I was trying to take a picture of the boxes my other helper cat Sailor was picking up the box and/or lid in his mouth and taking them away. He loves to come and get brushed when I sit at my craft desk. I couldn't get a clear picture of him with a box in his mouth, and believe me I tried. They were all just blurry smudges. Here is the one clear one of him next to the scanner waiting for me to brush him.

I have my ironing board set up beside my craft desk and the end is right by a window. This is his favorite spot during the day, keeping watch over the squirels and birds that cavort in the yard and trees. He's a happy crafting cat who likes to check out all boxes, totebags and baskets that enter the house. He makes sure that everything is cat approved.

Pirates Progress

I was working on the pirate today and got the main body done, his legs stuffed and one boot started. You can see from the magazine what he's supposed to look like when finished. Mine won't match because I'm using different colored yarns from my attic stash. You have to be patient also and work on the parts in order. No hurrying a pirate.
I sewed small red seed beads on the lab rat scarf and now it's complete. I like it a lot better with eyes.