Headband

I walk to work. I try to walk as often as I can as a matter of fact, but over the past month or so it has been bitter cold. By the time I get to my destination, my ears are red and sting horribly (this whole being outside in the winter thing is a new concept to me, so I'm learning what I need to be doing...). In any event, the weather has prompted me to make something that would cover my ears and keep me toasty and stylish at the same time. Here is my version of the blueleaf headband by Adrienne Krey (found on revelry.com):

A Productive Year

So far, 2013 has been a hugely productive year...much more so than 2012 was. It's less than a month in, and already I've written and knit two patterns. I also have sketches of a few other ideas that I want to start on as soon as I'm finished putting the first two together!

In any event, the two patterns I wrote are both Aran pillows, updated to fit a modern living room. I used bold colors and large needles but with traditional Aran cables and moss stitch. Both pillows will be about 24"X24". The yarn is super soft and warm...perfect to cuddle into.

wow, it's been a long time since I've posted...sorry to anybody who follows my blog on a regular basis...you two know who you are!  I've been VERY busy....but here are a few things I've been up to these last 8 months!

Beauty Night

I decided to do something nice for myself tonight. I haven't been feeling that pretty lately. My skin has been breaking out like a fifteen year old (and that's pretty bad when your almost 30!!), and my skin has been so dry from the winter that I look like I have 90 year old lady hands...so, tonight I used a clay face mask (for the second time this week) and I did my nails! I came across a cute design a few months ago that I couldn't get out of my head. You can find the tutorial here. I like my version better though...


Cute, yes? SUPER easy. I used O.P.I in "Aphrodite's Pink Nightie" for the base (two generous coats), and Sinful Colors Nail Art in "Bad Chick" for the dots. Of course I applied Sally Hansen's Hard As Nails clear coat over the top so it would last a little longer!
This week I also made some Christmas presents for my family, but that will have to wait to be posted until after the parties this weekend!

What a Cold Day

We had (and are still having) our first real snow of the season! I would love to say I hate the snow, but that's only true when I'm driving in it...I think the snow is beautiful. Especially the snow of an evening snowstorm still untouched by footprints and snow plows! Very peaceful. So, with snowy days come (naturally) craft days. Here's what I did today...


These bracelets remind me of something you would see on a yogi (not during a yoga session, of course!). They are made of braided cord, wooden beads on the right and metal painted beads on the left, and finished off with button toggles. I added a charm that says "hand made with love" for what turned out as a very pretty touch. I found the tutorial here...but didn't want to use leather....but, thankfully I'm a craft supply hoarder and had everything I needed on hand..including animal friendly cord.

I found this post about sleeping with a sock bun in your hair to get gorgeous waves for an easy, no fuss do. But my hair is not quite long enough for a sock bun...plus I was impatient and wanted a faster way of doing it...this is what I thought of...but I didn't think about taking a picture of the finished product before I took the next picture, so my cute curls became a frizzy mess once I came back in!

This is the kind of snow I was talking about in the beginning of this post. It's a heavy snow that muffles any sound that may be out there...not that there were many cars out tonight...everyone is tucked safely away in their nice warm homes, dreading the drive into work in the morning. (I don't work though, so I won't have to worry about it!) It was such a peaceful, calming moment that I didn't want to come back in! Unfortunately, my camera was getting wet, so I had to come back in...but I will be making another trip outside very shortly to enjoy the peace, sans camera, of course.

And to warm up, I made a nice steaming hot pot of coffee...the nectar of the gods.

Happy Accidents

I got some very cute metal coin purse frames a few weeks ago. They are all different colors! So, I wanted to do something cute with them! My first project turned out cute...but the bottom of the bag was too fat, and I thought it looked a little strange.


But I did learn a new technique for a flat bottom.




I really like the way it turned out! So, I thought I'd modify the original pattern and make the bottom a little less bulky. But, I messed it up! I didn't cut the fabric with enough seam allowance, so when I sewed the body together, the frame didn't fit. I was UPSET. I just wasted 45 minutes of my time drawing, cutting, and sewing, only for it to not work out?? But, as I was looking at my failed project with disgust, a new vision showed itself! It wasn't a failure! It was a happy accident! An accidental new design!



I'm really pleased with the way it turned out! Now, I just have to draw up a new pattern (there were two flaps...the other one was tucked into the body, adding unwanted bulk). Hopefully it will turn out the way I want it when I go to sew it on purpose! It is lined, and it has the same flat bottom that the bulkier purse has! I love the colorful button on the front!

Comfort Project

I have had a highly stressful two weeks. I don't really want to go into detail, but I've reached my breaking point, and something's gotta give. I decided I needed to do a comfort project. Something that is warm, beautiful, and relatively quick to finish. I haven't knit in a while, and decided I could use some new accessories. So, I decided on this pattern. It's called Spatterdash.
Here is the yarn I purchased for it:

The yarn is made by Cascade Yarns and is their merino superwash wool/mulberry silk blend. Yes, it's machine washable! I've come to the conclusion over the years that if it's not machine washable (whether it be clothes or dishes) that I don't want it. This yarn is knit on size 1 (eek!) needles. I've never used needles this small, so it should be interesting! Wish me luck!