artsy-crafty babe

a year of living

After my last post I did some thinking.  This space, though mainly a place to record my creativity, is also a journal of my life, which is so, so much more important than all the making.  After seeing Jessica's year in review post, I had to do one of my own.  Here it is, my life month by month (gosh, it was so hard to narrow it down to one photo a month!):

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

I have to admit, I got a little teary going back through all my photos over this past year.  It was a good year, so very full of living and fond memories. 

I chose the last image for December, of the camellias, not only because camellias remind me of December, but because their beautiful blooms remind me of my favorite saying "Bloom where you're planted".  This is how I try to live my life, to be the best I can be, with what I have, no matter the circumstance.

May we all bloom and thrive in 2010 - Happy New Year!! (again :-))

a year of making

It's always fun to look back on the year to see what has been accomplished.  In my mind, it doesn't seem like I accomplished all that much, but when I went back through my photos - holy crap!  Seriously, did I do all that?  I have the photos to prove it, so I guess I did. **warning, photo heavy post!

It looks like I sure got into my knitting groove this year!  Over the course of this year I completed 8 sweaters.  Of those eight completed projects, three of those were baby sweaters, two were short sleeved and one was a vest.  I also managed to end up with 6 wip's (works in progress).  Oh Christmas day Matt and I each wore a hand knit to church, which I thought was pretty cool.  I still need to post about his vest and my finished red featherweight sweater.

I had kind of forgotten about this category, but I also managed to sew some things for myself and my girls.  Back in the early spring I got on a dress kick, resulting in 5 dresses for me.  There was also a dress for my friend's daughter, a first communion dress for Lily, a birthday dress for Ava, a pillowcase dress for Craft Hope and 2 Alabama Stitch skirts for me (which are my favorites of them all).

Participating in two quilting bees made quilts a constant in my making.  It's been a lot of fun trying out different quilt blocks.  I also completed 4 quilts (2 for me, 2 given away) and started a few quilt tops as well.  Piecing a quilt top is my go to craft when I feel the need to just play with fabric.  Quilts are such a satisfying thing to make.

Some time this summer I got on a home decorating kick.  After 5 years in our house I was ready for some change and wanted things finished.  I'm the queen of half-finished decorating projects!  My focus was my living room and the girls' room.  I made pillows, 2 chair slip covers (for the same chair), a table skirt, a bookcase skirt, curtains, a futon cover, and more pillows.  I never did give you a full reveal of either of these rooms, but they're coming.  As soon as I take down all my holiday decorations I'll show you my living room, but I'm still finishing up the girls' room.  Just this past week I did a lamp project and hung some art on their walls, so it's almost there.  I'm determined to get their room FINISHED.

Last but not least, bags.  Ah, bags.  Can I really count all the bags I've made this year? I had photos of 27 bags in my flickr set, but I know there were more than that.  I don't usually take photos of custom orders and I don't seem to have any photos of the bags I made for my pattern covers.  What can I say?  I love to make bags.  In all my bag making, I came out with 5 patterns, one for free, three for purchase (which are still on sale in my shop), and one in Stitch.  I'd say that was a pretty good bag year!

Dang, what a year!  I'm starting to think that 2010 needs to be the year of rest and slowing down.  Who am I kidding, I can't sit still long enough for that.  I promise, I am NOT a robot, but I may be a little crazy ;-)

Thank you all for sharing this knitting-sewing-making journey with me.  All your encouragement and kind words really do mean the world to me.  One thing I'm not so proud of in 2009 is my lack of comment replying - sorry about that.  One of my goals for 2010 is to do better in that department.  My interaction with you all is what makes this fun for me.  Please know that I do read each and every comment you leave me.  Thank you for taking the time to stop by here.

Well friends, Happy, Happy New Year!!  I wish you all the best in this upcoming year.  Here's to another crazy craft filled year in 2010!!!

all prettied up for christmas

At this point in the game, our house is about as holiday ready as it ever will be.  I've been sharing bits and pieces on flickr, usually my photo of the day, but I thought it would be nice to pull it all together here.

I usually try to do one new project a year, but I didn't have it in me this year.  I pulled out all our regular stuff, our favorites, and many projects I completed in the last few years, like the button wreath above and the felt stockings below.  Just as in years past, we are having a candy-colored Christmas.

  
 
 
 

I wanted to incorporate some poinsettias and paper-whites, but I never got around to it.  I did plant an amaryllis bulb, but it is off to a slow start.

Even though most of the things I used this year aren't new, I did try to use them in different places.  I like to change things up to keep it interesting.  I think we've had our tree in a different spot every year that we've lived here.  We should have thought this year's placement through a little better - the tree is directly in line with the hallway where the kids' bedrooms are.  All they have to do is pop their head out their door to get a full view.  Santa will have to be extra sneaky this year!!

I love filling bowls with glass balls.  These are special because they came from my Grandmother.  Not all these balls are the old painted glittered type, just the ones on top.  This bowl is up high for a reason, though we've already has one casualty.

Come to think of it, we've had lots of casualties this year, due mostly to a 3 yr old and a little dog.  When the tree first went up, we were losing about 3 ornaments a day.  Ruby thinks the tree is yummy.  Now the only ones we're losing are the plastic balls that the 3 yr old keeps throwing on the floor for the dog to chase.  They're a team, I tell ya.

I wanted to do more in my kitchen/dining area, but all I got around to was the wire tree on the table.  After the first of the year this space is getting re-vamped, so next year it will be ready.

This post may be it for me until after Christmas.  If I don't pop back on here before then, have a very Merry Christmas! 

randomness

 
**I started this post on Friday, but somehow it never got published.  Instead of trashing it, I decided to go ahead and add to it.

It's kind of hard NOT to be random right about now, don't you think?  Even though I've tried really hard to take the stress out of the holiday and keep things low key, I still feel like my mind is going in a million different directions.  In an attempt to get some of these things out of my mind, I decided that a post in bullet points was in order (i love bullet points).

• I'm happy that today is Friday and the sun is we've had 3 beautiful days of sunshine.  Bright, beautiful sun, I've missed you so!  Lack of sunshine on these short days is the pits!
• Friday night was Matt's work party.  Honestly, the last thing I felt like doing on a Friday night was going to a party. I prefer to spend my Friday evenings in stretchy pants with take out dinner, a glass of wine, my knitting and some TV watching.  I'm sure once I get there I'll have fun...I sure hope the food is good.  We went, and I'm glad we did because we did have fun.
• Finding Martha Stewart craft kits at Big Lots for $2 was a score.  There will be lots of felt flower accessories and pom-pom animals in my future.  Okay, maybe that wasn't such a deal - those pom-pom animals aren't too easy to make, but the flowers are great.
• I'm a little bummed that my tea leaves cardigan is too big.  I didn't check my gauge (bad, i know).  I think I can fix it with blocking, I hope.  I planned to wear this as more of a jacket anyway, so it shouldn't be that big of a deal.  I'm still mad at myself for a stupid mistake.  After much thinking about this, I've decided to rip it out.  I'm over it now and have already cast on for a new one.  That's all part of knitting.
• Why can't I find a 2 pack of decent paper towels that don't have stuff all over them?  I like plain white ones, not paper towels with christmas trees or spices, or some other cutesy kitchen theme.  Plain white, absorbent, strong, please?
• We finally got our family Christmas card photo taken.  I don't love it, but it's done.  I think the photo of just the kids looks better, but Matt wants us all to be in it.  Taking a family photo is infinitely more difficult than taking one of just the kids.
• I really want to bake some Christmas cookies, but having a broken oven is a problem.  It might work, or it might not.  I could always make small batches in my toaster oven if I have to, but I'm not sure if I want to make cookies that bad.  Maybe I should just make bourbon balls, which require no baking at all.
• I have the house all to myself right now.  It feels weird.  I should probably take this opportunity to seam up Matt's gift, wrap some of the kids' gifts, or finish the laundry.  Knowing myself, I'll probably do none of those things...a nap would be nice :-)

Okay, I'm sure I've bored you enough with my randomness.  Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and have a great week!!

shop talk

 
I wanted to let you know that all the PDF patterns in my shop are on sale for $5 each for the remainder of 2009.  If you've ever thought about trying out one of my patterns, now is the time!  I only wish that I had thought about offering this sooner.  I've also marked down the two bags that are left. 

Happy Sewing!!

i'm here

 
Okeedokee, Christmas is knocking on the door, and all I want to do...is knit.  I still have presents to buy, presents to wrap, cookies to make, meals to plan, a house to clean, parties to attend, Christmas cards to make and send, and on and on.  Hmmmm. The strange part is that I don't really feel stressed.  Maybe it's the knitting?  I am happy to report that my one and only handmade gift will be completed in time.  I do wish that we had the card thing out of the way, but with our gloomy weather over the last few weeks, we haven't had the opportunity to get a decent photo.  Perhaps we'll go with New Year's cards instead.

I think part of the reason why I'm holiday-stress-free is because my brain has skipped over Christmas and has already started thinking about the new year.  I love the new year and all the fresh starts and possibilities that go along with it.  I've been thinking about what I want to accomplish, the big events that will be happening, so, so much to think about.  One specific thing my mind keeps returning to is a personal art challenge.  I want to do something that is uncomfortable and unfamiliar to me.  I haven't settled on anything yet, but the thought is there. 

Despite my thinking ahead, I am enjoying the moment.  And really, there is lots to enjoy right now.  Having the house prettied up in colorful lights and shiny balls makes the routine seem so special (I take great comfort in the routine!).  Nope, I'm not worried about my Christmas duties, it will get done in time.  Reflecting and being present, I'll take that over holiday stress any day!!

a year in the making

 
Last year when I made my back-tack swap goodies for my partner, I started a little something for myself.  For some reason or another, I never finished it.  I tossed it aside and forgot all about it.

Fast forward to a month or so ago when I found my work-in-progress.  To keep it on my mind, I placed it on top of the stack of stuff on my bedside table.  That technique didn't really work because it never crossed my mind to finish it up until last night.  I re-discovered it in my search for a crafty activity to get my mind off a frustrating day.

 
It was just what I needed.  The button snowflake was already sewn on, all I had to do was add the borders and turn it into a pillow.  I'm glad that I waited a year to complete this because I'm sure had I completed it then, it would look quite different.

The snowflake is made from sparkly and mother of pearl buttons, sewn on to natural linen with silver thread.  The gray woodgrain print is from joel dewberry (i think) and the rest is off-white linen.  I made the pillow with an envelope back and a narrow flange edge.  So simple, so pretty.  I think I'll keep it out long after Christmas has passed.  As much as I love my candy-colored Christmas, I feel a new direction coming on.  I should probably keep my eye out for neutral colored pom-poms...

keeping my hands busy

 
Late last week I decided that I wanted to make a Christmas gift for Matt.  A knitted gift.  Yes, Ms.-I-don't-make-christmas-gifts is making a gift.  Ever since I started knitting, Matt has requested that I knit him something, but I'm a selfish knitter.

After a quick search on Ravelry, I decided on an easy sweater vest pattern.  I told myself that it didn't have to be finished by Christmas, but as long as it was well under way, that would do (no pressure). I started last week and so far, I'm done with the back and have moved on to the front.  I'm not knitting it all that quickly, but it is coming together quickly.  Not having to knit any sleeves is a plus, but it is my first seamed knit, which has me a little worried.

I've been knitting this right in front of Matt, but he doesn't have a clue.  He usually asks what I'm knitting at some point during a project, but he hasn't said a word.  That may be because this yarn is so close in color to the yarn I'm using for tea leaves, he doesn't even notice (or he's so used to seeing me knit he doesn't care anymore!). 

Isn't this yarn gorgeous?  It's rustic tweed by Queensland Collection.  I keep picturing Matt wearing this with a white shirt.  I hope to finish this up soon so that I can get back to my WIP's - tea leaves is calling and featherweight still needs a cuff.  It's fun to knit for someone else for a change, but I'm still a selfish knitter at heart!

**if you happen to see my husband in the near future, don't ruin my surprise! he doesn't ever read my blog, so i figure my secret is safe here ;-)

pom-pom garland

 
Often, when I mention things on the blog, I assume that you've been here from the beginning and know exactly what I'm talking about...like the pom-pom garland.  I made my pom-pom garland back in 2005 after seeing it on thisblog.  There really isn't anything to it other than having lots of pom-poms, some heavy thread or fishing line (I used upholstery thread and haven't had any breakage in my 5th year of use) and a needle.  It isn't rocket science, but I'll share a tip or two that I've picked up over the years.

As I mentioned in that way-back-blog post, I found that the best pom-poms came from the Dollar Tree.  These work well not only because of the price, but these pom-poms have a nice thick center, giving you something to push the needle through.  The ones I picked up from Hobby Lobby were skimpy at the center, so it was hard to secure them onto the thread.  Of course that was 4 years ago, the pom-poms from each store may be different now...the ones I picked up today from the DT weren't all that thick, but it did have a distinguishable middle.

What I like to do, is make several strands about 6-8' each.  If your strand is too long, it can easily tangle up on itself...I know this from experience.  Using several strands makes them easier to handle as well.  For these photos, I used 2 bags of pom-poms, one 80 count and one 60 count, and ended with about a 7' strand.  That should give you an idea about how many bags to purchase. 

To make your garland start by threading your needle.  You can cut a length of thread if you'd like, but I usually keep the thread on the spool and push my pom-poms down as I go until I get my desired length.  Insert your needle through the center of each pom-pom, making sure to hit the center.  If you don't get the center, your pom-poms won't be secure. 

Once your garland is long enough, tie a knot around the last pom-pom you strung.  Knotting around the pom-pom itself will ensure that the pom-poms won't fall off.  Go back over your pom-poms, spacing them so that they touch, but aren't smooshed up against each other...giving your pom-poms a little breathing room allows for nice draping.  Lastly, cut your thread from the spool (if you haven't already) and tie the loose end around the first pom-pom.   That's it, easy peasy. 

Warning, this is very addictive!  Hmm, now that I think about it, some pom-pom garland might look nice on my stairs...

i'm getting there

 
My bah-humbugness from last week is lifting.  This past weekend I got my tree up and decorated.  Seeing the colorful lights on a daily basis is helping.  I don't usually get my tree up this early, but it feels like time is passing so quickly...if I didn't do it now, when?

 
Of course, the kids are over the moon.  The only problem is that they can't. stop. touching. everything!  Alex & Ava seem to think that some ornaments are toys.  Dorothy and Mary are their favorites.  Also, the snow globes get rearranged daily.  Like years past, I went with a candy colored christmas.  Most of the ornaments on my tree have some sort of memory.  My grandmother started giving me an ornament every year when I was a baby and has continued that tradition with my own kids.  I still hang the clothes pin reindeer I made in 1981 along with the glass icicle ornament I bought the weekend before my wedding.  Sometimes I change things up by adding something new, but at this point, I have so many ornaments there isn't much room for that.  I thought about not hanging my pom-pom garland this year, but I couldn't help it...the pom-poms are still in. 

 
On Friday night we got a surprise.  It didn't compare to last year, but we got snow.  This is quite a rare thing in south Louisiana.  And now we've had a taste for 2 years in a row.  Amazing.  Of course, it will be in the 70's later this week.  At least now when it doesn't feel like christmastime outside, it will look like it inside.