thinking about spring

Here is my entry into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Get Krafty. The challenge was to use kraft cardstock. 

The kraft cardstock is glued onto a green cardstock. I used my scanner to get this picture and it looks like there is a white card underneath but there isn't. I used a little Fiskers flower punch for the flowers. The edges of the cardstock are cut with Fiskars paper edger scissors. The butterfly is a Hero Arts wood mount stamp called "Artists Butterfly". I used my Copic markers BG78, B04, B01, B28, B24 and B06 to color him in then "fussy cut" him out. The think spring words are from a Studio 112 dollar stamp set.

just for fun

I colored this little guy in with Copic Sketch markers a while ago just for fun. It's a Hero Arts clear stamp.

fluffy gift

My other entry in the Simon Says Stamp Monday love notes challenge is a  small "note card" size valentine. This was made with an older Inkadinkado clear stamp called "Gift from Kitty", that I was fortunate enough to find on Etsy. It was packaged as a birthday set but I turned it into a valentine with a valentine sentiment on the inside and ribbon down the inside edge. 

Hey pumpkin

Card for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything goes. www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/challenge-anyt... Its my first time entering a card challenge. It's January so of course I'm thinking about halloween. I just got the Simon Says Stamp "Hey Pumpkin" stamp set a few days ago. I used Tim Holtz frayed burlap distress ink on the edges and pearlescent watercolors to color the kitty and pumpkin. Stars are punched from a fishers punch.

dusting off the blog

I haven't blogged in a while (years) but just got the urge again...

Some recent projects of mine....

I made this cute little Pup from this pattern:
Craft Project Little Pup at Woman's Day

I made this purse from Little Betty Bag tutorial

I used a chain for the strap (not shown in the photo)

I made this bracelet as a gift

And...my major project last fall was the Modern Craft Table from ana-white.com Modern Craft Table

These are photos of it just after completion before it was loaded with tons of crafty goodness. This table took me a big long time to make (think months). I really had no experience building something like this. I'd built an aquarium stand but this was quite different. I'd never used a circular saw or bought real quality lumber before for example so each step took me a long time. I really like the finished item but if I were to do it again I would somehow make it shorter. It's pretty tall. I bought a wooden swivel barstool from Khol's for it. Again, very tall.

I also busied myself last year making fabric wallets, faux cloissone pendants, purses, beaded bracelets, coasters, hair bows, and polymer clay items some of which are for sale at my etsy store nightowltoo.etsy.com

And...I also did two craft shows (neither of which were too successful)

My first craft show set up

My second craft show set up

Good stuff huh?

sewing more animals

I made this elephant Dec-Jan '10. I used felt for the body with cotton fabric for the insides of the ears. The pattern is from Simplicity 2921. 

I also made this lion from a pattern from funky friends factory There are a lot of really cute animal sewing patterns available for sale at that site.

more sewing

I made this cute little kitty

from a pattern from this site http://mylittlemochi.typepad.com. I think it turned out pretty cute.

I also made Simplicity pattern 2701 as a Christmas present for my mom.

It fits me perfectly (it fits mom too). I may make another one for myself someday. I like the details on it like the pleated pockets, collar and pleat in the back.

sewing projects

I've been sewing quite a bit since last fall. I'm finally getting around to catching the blog up on all of my recent projects. Last winter I made this red fleece jacket. Pattern: Simplicity 4032 view C size 8. I was pleased with how well it turned out but it is snug. I should have made a larger size.

                         

I also made two pairs of pajamas. First the blue plaid ones from McCall's 4833 view D. 

Then the bright reindeer ones. The top is also McCall's 4833 view D and the bottoms are Simplicity 5877 view D.

Somewhere around that time I also made this robe. Pattern Simplicity 3696 view F.

Then came a vest. McCall's 2270 view C.

A bear. Simplicity 5461 view A.

A lined jacket. Kwik Sew 3085.

Another vest.

 This one more fitted. Simplicity 2633 in denim.

 A summer top made in June. Simplicity 4176, view B, size

10 in linen. I embroidered the design with my embroidery machine

And then at the end of June I made this bag for the fourth of July. It's Simplicity 3822 view A. I used a peanuts character print fabric. Instead of using a fleece interfacing I used a stiff fusable interfacing so it holds it's shape pretty well. The bottom layers got to thick to sew though and I had to improvise.

Finished Titania

Pattern: Titania by Elizabeth Klett from A Mingled Yarn
Yarn: 4 skeins Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Candy Apple
Needles: US 4
Started: September 2, 2008
Finished: March 2009
Very pretty sweater and a very well written pattern. Didn't really take 6 months to knit, as I set it aside for several months. I made this one for my mom. I had given her several patterns to pick from and she chose this one. We are both pleased with the way it turned out.

Heartland Lace Shawl

I did manage to finish my Heartland Lace Shawl back in August.
Pattern is by Evelyn A. Clark
Yarn: 3 skeins of Knit Picks Gloss in Cocoa
Needles: US 6, / 4mm
Started May 26, 2008
Finished August 24, 2008

sewing

I've taken a break from knitting for the past few months. I've been sewing instead. I made this bag back towards the end of summer.
It's from Butterick See and Sew pattern B5172. I used stiff fusable interfacing so the bag holds it's shape well. It has two outer pockets on each side and one pocket on the inside. One of the outer pockets has a snap flap. The upper inside edge is done in the butterfly fabric and the lower inside lining is the black fabric used for the outer upper cuff. I'm really happy with how it turned out. It inspired me to do more sewing projects.

I also made this little outfit for a lawn goose. I embroidered the apple design with my embroidery machine.

Gypsy Mesh Pullover finished

It's done. I like the finished sweater. It fits well and looks good. I worked on it in bursts with long periods of setting it aside. I love how pretty the yarn is but I didn’t like knitting with it. I don’t know how many times my needle just slid right out from the stitches because the yarn has no stretch or grab at all. And I had to pay close attention to avoid splitting the yarn. I didn’t knit a gauge swatch. I just guessed on needle size and lengths and got really lucky.





Pattern: Gypsy Mesh Pullover by Norah Gaughan
from Interweave Knits , Sping 2004
Yarn: Reynolds Gypsy, colorway willow gold
needles: US size 6
blocked (5/12/08)
final ends woven in on 5/23/08

first sock done

One done...

One to go.

Sock knitting

I've never knitted socks before and thought I never would. I always thought why spend so much time knitting something at such a small gauge that's going to be worn on your feet where most people wouldn't see them and that will wear out pretty quickly (if you actually wear them). Well....the pretty Knit Picks felici yarn got to me and so here I am, knitting my first sock. And yes, it is slow going. But it's pretty simple knitting. It's a nice and easy, portable knit project. And I like knitting them for that reason. I can work on them on car rides, which is something I personally can't really do with straight needles. I'm using the Provence colorway and size 1 (2.25 mm) toothpicks, I mean double pointed needles. The needles are ones I bought with the yarn. It's the 6" nickel plated double pointed sock needle set from Knit Picks. I really like them.

I also started a cable pullover. I worked on it pretty steadily then set it aside to knit the socks. It's a pattern from an old 2002 issue of Knit It! magazine knitted in Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick. I'm knitting it in the round instead of flat. It's so stiff an bulky that I'm not too enthused about it. I couldn't bring my self to take a photo. I'm to the point where I've divided the front and backs for the armholes.

And...I knitted this little bird using the free pattern from Berroco. The beak doesn't seem quite right. I think he would look better in blue with a yellow beak as a blue bird like in the pattern. The red yarn is Paton's Classic Merino.

Seaman's Scarf

I finished this scarf last week
It's the Seaman's Scarf pattern free from KnitPicks. I used two skeins of Paton's Shetland Chunky yarn and size 10 needles. I added several repeats of the cable due to my gauge being smaller than what the pattern called for (and I like the look of the cable). The two halves are knit separately and then joined at the center with a kitchener stitch. Overall it was a pretty quick and easy knit.

My vogue cable cardigan is slowly progressing. It's basically finished except for sewing the side seams, the button loops and buttons. I also have a little more done on the gypsy mesh pullover. Here is a progress shot

Christmas knits revealed

I have a couple of Christmas gift knits I can now reveal.This is the third felted bag I've made based on the booga bag pattern. I used size 11 needles. I did the bottom 34 rows with Patons SWS in natural berry double stranded, then knitted 56 rounds of the body single stranded with Patons SWS in natural plum. I added a flap then did 3 rounds of edging in natural berry. The cord was done on my icord maker with the SWS in berry. (knitted 12/2/07 - 12/4/07) The button is only decorative. There is a snap underneath
This one is a scarf version of the clapotis.
Yarn: 1.5 skeins Patons Decor in secret garden
Needles: size 7, 10" straight
Started 12/11/07, finished 12/18/07
I did 2 repeats section 2 (plus 6 rows), 15 repeats of section 3, and 3 repeats of section 4.

finished dishcloth

I've taken quite a long break from working on the Vogue cable rib cardigan. I've mainly been working on beading projects. I also finished this dishcloth. The pattern is the Hot Chocolate dishcloth from this web site. It's knitted in Lily Sugar'n Cream color softly taupe with size 7 needles. I think I could have gone down a needle size or two but oh well. I still think it turned out pretty well.

crafty pursuits

Just giving an update on my crafty pursuits. I've finished the left front and back of the Vogue cable rib cardigan and am working on the first sleeve. I'm starting to worry about the size and how it will block. I set this project aside to make another infamous anthropologie inspired capelet (pdf file here). I'm done with the body on that and just need to do the sleeves. I've also been working on a couple of bracelets. I've been toying with the idea of selling some of them on Etsy.

Also, for anyone who may be interested, the pattern for the macrame owl from a few posts back is the "Mr. Owl Ornament" from a booklet titled 'Twas the Knot Before Christmas' by Judy Palmer and Lois Anderson copyrighted 1978 and published by Quality Craft Instructions. There are numerous copies for sale on ebay right now.

Vogue Cable Rib Cardi WIP

Here is my progress so far on the Vogue Cable Rib Cardigan. There is some of the sleeve, some of the back and some of the front. It's not much to look at yet. I like the feel of the Cascade 220 superwash. It seems to be quite soft.

Halloween charm

I finished this Halloween charm bracelet today
I've been working on it for several days. I really did it up big with the charms. This is the first of this type of bracelet I've made. It's got some weight to it. I made all of the dangley bead charms myself with beads and headpins. This is the first bracelet that I've made using a chain instead of a wire. I like how it turned out. I wish it would have photographed better. I used black beads, hematite beads, and amethyst bicone swarovski crystals. A couple of the dangleys are two part dangleys.
I haven't abandoned knitting. I've started the cable/rib cardigan #20 from the Holiday 2004 issue of Vogue Knitting. I've got a little of the left front, a little of one sleeve and some of the back done so far. I'm switching from section to section.

Also, I've finished the back and front of the Gypsy Mesh pullover. I plan to block those two pieces and then the shoulders get stitched together. The sleeves are made by picking up stitches around the top fronts and then knitting the sleeve down to the cuff edge. I once again have stalled out at the blocking step. I started the cable/rib cardigan instead.

has anyone else noticed....

Cable Luxe Tunic, pattern featured in the latest Lion Brand Yarn catalog.
Victoria's Secret Cable Sweater, featured in their latest catalog and on their web site.

They are almost identical! The Cable going around the shoulders and chest is identical. The cables running down the front are exactly the same with the spacing between them slightly different. And, the VS sweater has ribbing around the neck while the Lion Brand one has garter stitch. But still.....
I really liked the Lion Brand Cable Luxe Tunic and bought the pattern for it. I was considering knitting it next. Then I saw that VS is selling practically the same sweater. I have a kind of criteria for choosing knitting projects and one of the criteria is that it needs to be something unique and not available to be bought in a store. I don't want to knit something that someone can just go out to a store and buy. Humpf.

(edited to add: I guess I'm behind on this one. Evidently this same sweater was put out by Pringle of Scotland (a high end clothing company) almost a year ago. There is a knock off knitting pattern for it out in blogland and on Ravelry. The latest issue of Rebecca magazine #34 even has a similar pattern)

...and does other crafty stuff...

Here is a macrame owl I made yesterday. My mom found some old macrame craft booklets and gave them to me. I couldn't resist making this little owl.

I keep putting off starting the Vogue Silver Bell sweater because I'm not sure I like the color of the yarn I bought for it. I worry that it is too dark. I can't decide what I will do now. So, in the mean time I made the owl, and some bead bracelets and I guess I will continue with my gypsy mesh pullover.

Gypsy Mesh

I want to thank everyone who left comments regarding my Bell Sleeve Jacket. It was really nice to receive them. Thank you.
My blog is one year old now. It doesn't seem like it's been that long. I've knitted more this past year than usual. All of the great knitting sites on the internet have kept me interested.
I've been working on my Gypsy Mesh Pullover. I started this one back in May 2006 and then set it aside until recently. I picked it up again as I had finished my Bell Sleeve Jacket. I was just going to work on it until the yarn for my next project came in. But now that I've gone back to it I want to continue until it is finished. I'm about ten rows from finishing the front. Then I will block the front and backs and sew them together at the shoulders. Then the sleeve stitches get picked up along the edges and knitted down. I'm going to leave the stitches at the top edge live until it is blocked because I'm really guessing on the length. Because this is basically lace, the size will change (stretch) a bunch durning blocking and I want to be able to easily add more (or take away some) length if I need to. I'm really hoping for luck in the sizing of this thing. I really didn't do a guage swatch because of the way the pattern is, and I'm using 100% cotton yarn and it is lace, so..... we'll see what happens.

Bell Sleeve Jacket Finished!

Here it is...my finished Bell Sleeve Jacket
Pattern: Bell Sleeve Jacket pattern #15 from Vogue Knitting Holiday 2006
Yarn: 7 skeins Cascade 220 color #8234 Pistachio
Needles: size 6 straight
started 6/16/07, finished knitting 8/13/07, last end woven in 8/18/07
I knitted the small size body and the large size armholes and sleeves. (measurements went out the window at the blocking step as they usually do)
Modifications: I changed the lower edges of the fronts and back. The pattern called for it to be a reverse st st edging. I changed it to match the edging of the sleeves and collar. I did this by casting on 160 stitches for the back instead of 118, then I did (k4p4) for 4 rows then I did a (k4, p2tog, p2tog) row with an extra k2tog at each end to end up with 118sts. Then I purled one row (WS) before starting the [p1row, k1row]twice (RS). For the fronts, I casted on 91 stitches (instead of 66). I did 4 (k4p4) rows, then a (k4, p2tog, p2tog) row while keeping 5 sts at the front edges k3p2 (so I didn't p2tog on those). So the extra 3 k sts +2 p sts=5 stitches for the edge. Then I purled one WS row before starting the patterns [p1row, k1row] twice with 71 sts (pattern calls for 66, plus my extra 5 was 71). Then I didn't cast on the 5 extra sts called for at row 12(WS row), I just continued the rib as it was. I like this look much better and was surprised that it had been designed with a different edge.
Also, I didn't do the belt. Instead I added 6 buttons with crochet button loops attached to the edge.Errata: I found errors in the pattern that weren't listed on Vogue's web site. My work arounds for those errors were: for the left front row 63 instead of the k5, I did k1, k2tog, k2. Then on row 65 right after the cable cross it says k2tog, k1....I did a k3 instead. Then on row 89 for the small size it says you should have 37 sts when I had 36. Also, for the left front armhole shaping next row(RS) it says to do a RC, but this didn't end up being the correct row to cable on for me so I didn't and just kept to doing my cable crosses as had been established.
Two things that are listed at their site is that for the left front right after you cast on, the [p1row, k1row]twice, is missing. And at row 39 a k4(8,12) is missing.
I like how this one turned out. I like the fit. The narrow waist part with the cables seems to sit at the right spot so that the flared bottom looks good. I think the length is just right. I was worried that the sleeves would be to long, but now that it's finished I think they are just right. It is described as a very close fitting jacket but I made mine to be a bit looser. I think it still looks nice without being uncomfortably tight. I don't like tight. That's why I made the armholes larger. The collar doesn't cover as much of the sweater as I thought it would. It kind of folds on itself and stands up around the back of the neck so as not to really cover the sweater much. If anything it pulls sweater back so that the shoulder seams pull to the back a bit. But since it is 100% wool, I think that can easily be corrected with a bit of spot blocking and stretching of the collar around the back neck area now that it is assembled. I liked knitting this. It had just the right amount of cables and details to keep my interest. I like the leaf shaped bobbles and the bell sleeves are cute without being too big.