Marie Angel, Come on Down!

A big hearty congratulations to Marie Angel! Of the nearly 350 entries, the Random.org selected #40 as the winner. Thanks to everyone for playing, sharing your craft pics, and for suggesting such great prizes! It was hard to pick which prize idea would be the best, so I decided on the "Your Wish Has Been Granted" prize. What does that mean? Basically, I would pick an item from something the entrant suggested and make that the prize. I'm grateful to Marie Angel because she offered lots of choices, and none of them were tropical vacation, mansions, or sports cars! Here's what Marie Angel said, "And for prize suggestions... bright colorful yarn, bamboo circular needles or crochet hooks, one of those cute yarn cutting gizmos that you can hang around your neck, sheep and angora goat toys."

I was intrigued by the cute yarn cutting gizmo, because as a knitter, I've never heard of this. I did a little Googling, and found some cute pendants, but it was in the Etsy shop Kelly Is Nice that I found a necklace that was simplybeautiful. So Miss Marie Angel, here's what you'll be receiving:

Last Chance to Win!

I'll be picking a winner tonight. If you haven't signed up to win a surprise gift, now's your chance! Go here for the details. And check back tomorrow to see if you're a winner...well, everyone's a winner in my eyes. =)

A funny mirror from the Etsy shop SickonSin.

A Knitted Hug for Aunt Jean

I finished the shawl at the end of last week, just in time for the sun to start shining. Hopefully, the gift will bring a little sunshine to our aunt. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers!

This was my first attempt at blocking lace. I didn't have all the right tools, but I improvised.

Kristi's Baby Blanket...and Bonus Mouse!

Remember all the babies (and baby mamas) that needed gift blankets knit? (No? Go here.) Well, Shelley's turn was up next with Kristi's blanket. We had originally planned to all do the same blanket, but Shelley didn't think she was up for the round and round stripes of that pattern and decided to do a log cabin instead. And since she's very pregnant (her gift blanket will be coming soon), we tend to let her do what she wants. =)

She ran out of yarn to make the blanket as big as she wanted, so she quilted it with the knit top instead. In turned out REALLY sweet. And with the little bit of yarn she had left, she squeaked out a mouse. (Get it, squeaked...mouse...ah, I make me laugh.)

Want to make your own mouse? Pick up Lucinda Guy's Handknits for Kids!

Cancer Doesn't Give a Hoot...But I Do!

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but it sadly seems as though cancer is a theme for the month. An online friend from Ravelry's Knitters for Obama found out she has breast cancer. This is the woman who coordinated all the charity knitting for the Mattaponi Tribe. So a bunch of KFOers decided to knit her a surprise blanket to let her know we're thinking of her. We each had to knit (or crochet) an 8x8 inch square in green, blue, purple, or black. The design could be whatever we wanted. I decided to do a sweet owl, since I enjoy knitting them so much and they help make people smile.


Here are some of the other squares people have posted that will help make up the blanket. I can't wait to see how it all comes together. Everyone did such creative things!

Crocheted by aimeecrochets.

Knitted by doulaknitter.

Knitted by pezqueen.

Knitted by historyweaver.

Knitted by upstateknitter.

Knitted by colorfulknitter.

My 300th Post!

Yahoo! I made it to my 300th post...and just in time for the Sew, Mama, Sew May Giveaway Day! I think this calls for some sort of celebration. Hmm...I've been so busy knitting the shawl, that I wasn't able to make something in time for the big day. But, I want to commemorate the event. So let's do a giveaway...a surprise giveaway (it'll be surprise for all of us!). Maybe it will be craft supplies, a book, something I make, a gift card, or who knows...the options are endless! Just know that it will be crafty related, it'll be fun, and it'll make you smile. With that said, let's get this party started. See below on how to play:

(Those are actually soaps! Find more like them by searching on Etsy...these sold after I posted them on my blog. ETA: To clear up some confustion, I didn't make these, although I wish I had since so many people love them!)

1. Leave a comment (and your email address) with a creative idea for what I could include in the giveaway. Deadline has been extended to end of day May 31. (1 entry)
2. Blog about this contest and leave me a link with where to find the entry. (2 entries)
   
3. Twitter about my contest and leave me a link. (2 entries)
4. Show me a craft you've made in the past month that makes you happy by leaving me a link to a picture on your blog or Flickr page. (5 entries)

Winners will be picked at random, and I'll post the winners on Monday. Good luck!

A Creative High

I don't know why...maybe it's spring with all its splashes of new colors and fresh smells or maybe it's the quest of looking for a house (aka...a needle in a haystack) or maybe it's because I just passed my one year Blogiversay...but I'm on a bit of a creative high. I'm still knee deep in knitting the shawl for Shane's aunt, but it's coming along beautifully (and with help from Judith, I was able to track down the type of yarn...Prism in Cabernet. Phew!) I have so many craft ideas running through my head at the moment, that I feel like I'm going to burst. Below are just some of the things that are inspiring me for a big bunch of different crafts. Hope they lift you creative spirits as well!

Bella Blu Designs on Etsy

Digital print-outs used as irons from Kitschy Digital Blog

Amy Butler fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop

Wide-Eyed Dishtowel from Anthropologie

Wonderland Honey Bun Fabric from Mo Mo (Fat Quarter Shop)