Well...let me correct myself, the United Way Art Auction lost it's "Art" from the title this year. So while it's still an auction filled with great arts and craft made by co-workers (as it was in the past), it now has the added...and dare I say "dreaded" bonus of "stuff." I'm talking world record number of theme baskets. But the best: "crap" from people's attics. No kidding. Don't get me started.
On a brighter note, I'm dedicating this week's posts (well, as many days as I can) to the ART in UW Auction. First up: arts and crafts from my peeps. I have such talented pals! Way to go, girls (and guy)!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Live...from the Art Auction
Monday, March 30, 2009
Poor Patty...You're Just a Loser
Well, kids, Patty didn't win the big contest. All that lovely yarn will not be coming home to me. *sigh* But, I'm happy to say that my little Irish gal at least made a good showing--113 votes. Can't beat that. Below is the winner. She had 228 votes. Her scarf is beautiful, and I'm at least glad to see the yarn is going to a good home. Still, it would've been nice. Ah...to dream.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Another Donation
Friday, March 27, 2009
Deconstructed Sweater Reveal
Ta-dah! I didn't have a clue what I was going to do with my accidentally shrunken sweater, but just like the book said, the sweater just sort of turned into this. Read yesterday's post for the first-half of the story.
I'm going to be donating this purse to the United Way auction at my work....despite my strong dislike of the United Way. I'm focusing less on the organization and more on a chance to share my craft with others. (Which I guess goes against the whole idea of donating and giving, but whatever...)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Book to Check Out: Second-Time Cool
I found this great book at the library the other day by complete accident. It's called Second-Time Cool: The Art of Chopping Up a Sweater. I've had a few sweaters get washed that weren't supposed to be (not naming names =), but I have a hard time throwing them out or giving them awat. I usually keep them around for crafting, but I as of late, they've just been taking up space. I definitely needed some inspiration. This book has some fun pictures and ideas. The only downside is that it's light on instruction. I was kind of bummed about that at first, but after reading a bit, it kind of got to the point that the sweater sort of dictates the craft. I was skeptical, but come back tomorrow and see how that statement proved to be true.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Spring Makeover for the Bedroom
...sans wall art, though. =(
The bedroom had a bad case of the blahs going on, and with the wonderful feeling that comes along with spring, it was time for a makeover. I didn't have to do too much beyond unpacking and moving around a few more items, but it's still a fresh look since I never used any of this stuff in the bedroom before.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
One Baby Blanket...done!
I finished Julie's baby blanket! For this being my first blanket. I'm very happy with how it turned out. It starts from the center and works it's way out. I must admit that by the time I got to the last two colors and the border, I was ready to be done with it! It's a pretty mindless knit, but in the process of making it, I had some weird allergic reaction to something (still haven't figured out the culprit) that caused me to have hives all over my face. Pretty. They're gone now thanks to practically ODing on Benadryl, but who knows what caused the hives. Stress? The yarn? The change in weather? All of the above? Just like the number of licks it takes to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop: the world may never know.
P.S. Notice that these pictures are taken outside!! Yay for spring! And I didn't have to wear my coat, hat, and mittens! Double yay for spring!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Tough Competition for Patty
Voting started on Saturday for the St. Patty's Day Irish theme competition on Ravelry, and Patty's doing OK, but she's not near the lead. As I write this, I believe she has around 80-something votes...yay! But below are some of the projects that are ahead of here (or darn close). I think the top one has the most (and well deserved since they're gorgeous!) at 120-something. Voting ends on March 27th, so if you have a Ravelry account, or know someone who does, be sure to go out and show your "love" (as in the love button) for Patty here.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Owl Sweater
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
More owls!
What feels like a million years ago, I told you I'd show you the mittens I made to go with this hat. The thing is, while they were knitted and I was wearing them, I had never actually sewn on the eyes or blocked the mittens. They were just all smooshy and weird looking...but, hey, it was cold, and I had a cute hat that needed matching mittens. I was desperate. So after sewing a whole lot of buttons on my owl sweater (pictures are coming...sooner than these mittens did!), I figured I best sew on the mitten owl eyes, too. So here they are...a little dingy and fuzzy from wear, but I'm hoping and praying that these owls get to take a LONG, LONG spring/summer nap before needing to come out again. But I live in Wisconsin...so owls, I'll be seeing you next week, I'm sure.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patty's Day!
Cheers to you on this Irish of Irish days. Patty is all finished, complete with her green beer. I've never knit a beer before, and I did this one without a pattern. I think it turned out pretty decent. For all you Ravelry member readers, Patty is going to need your votes starting on the 19th (I'll post a link when it's available). Fingers crossed that she's as lucky for me as a four-leaf clover!
ETA: I thought the Ravelry Irish theme voting started today, but alas it starts March 19.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Hoot! Hoot!
Just a quick owl sweater update. It's KNITTED! Yay! And in record time no less. I think it took me about four days. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. It's currently drying at the moment and waiting for me to sew their hootin eyes (which I don't have yet). But here's a sneak peek.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
An RAK for Kyra
I love buying patterns as RAKs because it's instant gratification--I can purchase them, download them, and send them all in a matter of minutes. Plus it's fun to see what other people plan to make. This month, I bought Kyra (on Ravelry) the Silk Corset pattern she wanted. It's just gorgeous! I might just have to buy a copy for myself. So many things to knit...so little time.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A Big Fat Carrot
You may (or may not) have noticed the decrease in posting I was doing last week and the week before. Part of that was because I wasn't feeling great...stupid cold. The other part was that I was struggling with a project and could barely see straight. I think I'm out of the woods with it now (or I'm at least on a sunnier path out of those woods). To keep me motivated, I dangled a big fat carrot in front of me...in this case, yarn. I came across the cutest ever adult owl sweater pattern. As soon as I saw this, I wanted...no, needed!...to make this. My reward was getting to buy yarn with the sole purpose of knitting this lovely. Once the baby blanket is finished (another reason for a big carrot), this sweater is going on my needles...and then onto me.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A Baby Blanket for Julie
A while ago I mentioned that a bunch of friends/co-workers are having babies. There is a group of us at work who usually knit up blankets for our friend's new babies. Well, with layoffs, the knitting group is down to four people, which happens to be the exact number of co-workers having babies. Instead of passing a blanket around and worrying about gauge and seaming, we decided to each do one blanket on our own, but still present them from the group. Originally I was supposed to do Shelley's blanket (she's having a boy, code name "Moose," in August). However, the baby shower for Julie is happening at the end of this month and I said I'd swap with Judith since I had nothing on my needles at the moment. I started this blanket two days ago, and as you can see, it's coming along quite quickly. (Actually, it's much bigger than it looks, but the circular needles are pulling it in). I have about four more color stripes to do, and than I can start binding off. We don't know if Julie is having a boy or girl, hence the neutral colors.
Monday, March 9, 2009
A Lovely Lolly Giveaway
Little Miss Lolly Chops is giving away this super cute felt topiary over on her blog. She also gives instructions on how to make your own. Head on over to enter by March 12, and tell her I said Hi! Good luck!
Friday, March 6, 2009
A Patty Update
I couldn't wait until St. Patty's Day to unveil Miss Patty. However, I'm planning to add a little knit beer to her hand and take some better pictures, so this is really only a sneak peek. I knit her body, dress, and shoes. Her hair and eyes are made from felt and then sewn on. And her lips and the shamrock on her dress were done by needle felting. I think she turned out pretty cute. Although she looks a little like she belongs in the Jim Henson family. Hmm...
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Fun Things Around My Home
I've acquired a few little goodies in the past few days so I thought I'd share.