See You Soon!

Well, kids. That's it for me for a week or so. Hold down the crafting fort while I'm away! I'll miss you!

Rum Stripe

Two days left, but I feel like I'm already on vacation! Today, I'm doing a career fair at a local middle school, so when I shut down my computer at work last night, it felt as if I was closing up shop. Ahh....it's a good feeling. After the career fair, I'm having lunch with my work peeps, then I'm meeting Jess's friend (and now my friend) Shannon to help her with some knitting. After that it's off to a blissful one-hour pedicure. Ahhh...(again).

In the meantime, I'm knitting another tank top. It most likely won't be done in time for vacation, but since Jamaica is all that's on the brain, I'm naming this shirt Rum Stripe. "Rum Stripe" in honor of the Red Stripe beer I wish I could be able to drink on vacation if I weren't gluten-free, and the Jamaican rum I AM able to drink. Plus, I don't know, I look at the colors of this top and "Rum Stripe" just seems like the perfect fit. Hopefully the top will fit me just as perfectly.

The Sweet Life

Three days til I'm off to the sweet life. However, it's not lost on me that my life is pretty sweet with or without a vacation. I have a husband who makes me laugh and listens to me complain about all my daily aches and pains. I have friends near and far, who would be there for me in a second's notice if I ever needed them. I have a family that loves me regardless of how non-conformist I choose to be. I have a job...sure it makes me crazy, but it still gives me *somewhat* of a creative outlet. I have a roof over my head (even if it comes with running toddler feet of my upstairs neighbors). And I have a blogger friend oceans away who gave me an award just for doing what I do...show-and-tell crafting. Thanks Ning!

Now to share the love! I'm passing this award to: LollyChops, designwaitress, oneshabbychick, carolkroll, and yummygoods. Your blogs inspire me and entertain me so much!

Come Fly Away

Four days til I fly away, so today's post is about the birds. I've made these birds before, but this batch is extra special because they're for Jess's wedding! As an unofficial member of the Bridal Brigade, I offered to lend a helping hand by sewing some birds she needed for her ceremony. I just love all the colors together. So springy!

All sewn and ready to go.

Open noses, ready to be hand sewn.

Machine stitched and ready to be flipped and stuffed.

And speaking of birds, I'm on Twitter now. Come tweet with me!

Bob Marley Crafteroo

Five days til Jamaica. Ah....can't wait! And who better to be featured in the countdown than Bob Marley? I went out to Etsy and typed in "Bob Marley" not really expecting much to come up. I was sooooo wrong! Take a peek at what I found:

morosemelonhead

doodle shack

sharininthegrove

brilliant

cloud9 shoes

Let the Vacation Countdown Begin!

T minus 6 days 'til I'm headed for Jamaica. I can't wait!!!! And lookie what got done in record time so that it could join me in the Caribbean:


While vacation was one reason I was inspired to knit this, I also have the Antropologie sping Knit Along (KAL) to thank. Every season the Anthro group on Ravelry kicks off a KAL with a theme appropriate for the season. This season's is tank tops. But since I got this done in a jiffy, I plan to knit another top so that I can participate more fully in the KAL fun.

Oh, and I posted this pic in my the KAL group and got a lot of oohs and ahhs over the ribbon I chose. The funny thing is that I didn't have any ribbon on hand after I finished this top and was too lazy (and cheap) to run out and get some, so I used a fabric sash that I stole from my mom when I was about 12 years old and was all about wearing fabric belts and scarves as headbands. (What can I say, I was big into the TV show "Blossom.")

The Rest of Emma's Gift

Along with the ladybug top I knit for Emma, I also sent her a little note and a ladybug barrette. I made the barrette by looping and gluing ribbon and then gluing it to a fabric covered barrette. (After all, a girl just isn't complete without her accessories!)

Ladybugs for Emma

In high school, I was obsessed with ladybugs. I even wanted to get a few tattooed on my foot (and almost had my mom convinced to allow it). Recently, my high school friend Tasha told me that her wee toddler Emma has been all about ladybugs lately. I knew then and there that I had to make her something special. Below is the black tank top I made her. I sewed on red buttons and made felt applique ladybugs. I hope it fits!

A *Heart*ful Thanks!

I received the sweetest note and handmade heart from the Dee, the organizer of the Mattaponi charity project, on behalf of the women of the Mattaponi tribe. While I was completely happy just to help, this little note really brightened up my day. What a wonderful surprise.

OHHHHHH! So Cute!

OMG...look at how cute this little duvet is? It's killing me. But the best part is that Etsy gives you a tutorial on how to make it! Seriously!

Vacation Clothes

In less that two weeks, I'm leaving on a jet plane for Jamaica! Sun, sand, and sleep are what I'm looking forward. With all the cute summer knits to make, I decided to quickly knit up a tank/halter/tube top (haven't decided on the straps yet). The bottom is all lace and the top is stockinette. I still have more lace to do since I want it a tad longer, but I ran out of yarn. Here's where I'm at so far. It looks pretty chunky and heavy right now for the Jamaican heat, but once I block it, it should look better.

Remember That Lace?

So WAY back in February I told you I was working on some lace that would eventually become a top. Remember? (If not, go here.) What you see in the old pictures and what you see below are not the same pieces. Oh sure, they're the same pattern, same needles, and the same yarn, but they're not the same. Nope, no they're not. Know why? Because when you leave your knitting on the couch for weeks with no needle caps while you work on other projects, you subject you lace from falling off the needles. That's right--about 12 stitches fell off the needle. And with me being new to lace, I have no clue how to pick up all the dropped stitches and yarn overs. Hours of knitting (and yes, that only led to a few inches) gone...all gone.

But, I gained new focus (and a rubberband to stop slipage) and got back on the knitting horse. Below is where I'm at. Weeks it has taken me to get this far. And I have to make two of these...plus sleeves! I'll be lucky if I'm done with it by the end of summer. Oh well...it saves me from buying more yarn to do new projects (or does it?)

Cards with Attitude

I came across these funny cards on Whimsy Press and just had to share. About a year or two ago, I had bought a couple cards at a craft show that these remind me of. One said, "Suck It" and the other said "You just suck the life out of me." (Both were done in a pretty script.) I still have them. I'd like to hang them up somewhere. Maybe I need these extra cards to add to the collection.

Carrie is Knitting...Back Soon!

I seriously had a few things to show you--a couple of cute cards I made and a little knit top for my friend's daughter. But then, like a moron, I edited the photos, saved them (to my CAMERA, not my computer) and then deleted them. Nice. I'm a moron. I am knitting something right now. It will never be done since it's lace, but I promise to take pics soon and share my progress. For now, enjoy this cute picture from Ashleyg's Etsy shop. Too cute!

Art Auction: Let's Put This Baby to Bed

OK, technically, the art auction ended at 5pm on Thursday, but I had more pictures than I knew what to do with. Add that to the fact that I'm low on the crafting due to numb hands and a pain in my back. Instead I've just been doing a lot of lying around. Lame, I know. Yes, I'll admit it, the art auction was a cop out. But it was better than nothing.

Here are the last two crafts that just didn't seem to fit in with anything.

Record bowls and chart topping coasters. So creative!

Teensy weensy baskets. I mean teeny! Someone handmade these. Amazing.

Auction Day 6: Cubicle Quilts

I don't really use quilts as art since I love cuddling up in quilts more. But I know how beautiful they can look in a room. And in a cubicle...genius! This mini-quilts are called Cubicle Quilts, and they're just the right size. The details are amazing...but yeah, the camera. Whatever. I'm over it.

Art Auction Day 5: Jewelry

I never really make jewelry, so I'm always blown away but people who can. Here are a few pieces on the auction block.

Art Auction Day 4: Actual Wall Art!

Hanging leaves. The colors are really vibrant.

Beautiful butterfly photo

And another

Trees in sepia tones. So serene. Sorry my camera f-ed up the beauty of these!

Auction Day 3: Let It Sew

Here are some sewn treats from the Art Auction.

I can't believe how detailed this fairy and tree house are. I just wish my camera would've captured it better.

Another one my camera fails to show detail. In real life, this bag has so much texture.

Rubber ducky, you're the one. You make sleeping on the couch when it's cold so much fun!

Auction Day 2: No Foolin'

I'd like to say that I have some great April's Fools Day joke planned, but I don't. Boo. Instead I bring you knitted items from the UW Art Auction!

Lots of itty hats for the wee ones. I love the strawberry hat.

Felted bags

I think these are knitted, but they might be crocheted. Teeny easter baskets with candy. Yum.