On Felting and Life

I knit Megan a Sunday Sweater two years ago this fall.

She loved the color, I loved the pattern.

She lost the sweater, I found the sweater.

She rolled in leaves in the sweater, I picked bits out of the wool.

She learned to wash and dry her own laundry. I breathed a sigh of relief at having a couple less loads to do.

She washed and dried the sweater. We both cried.

A summer went by. And a fall.

Now, on the cusp of our 'winter' I decided to try wet blocking it to see if it would 'un-felt' a bit and return to at least a little of it's former beauty and fit.

I soaked it in cool water. I squeezed the excess out. I rolled it in a towel and stood on it to press out the last of the water. Normal procedure. Nothing new.

I unwrapped the soggy towel, I looked at the sweater--same size as before all the soaking and squeezing.

So I took a sleeve and stretched and stretched again. Then stretched the other direction, all the way to the cuff. Then the other sleeve. Then the back and the fronts. Slowly, her sweater--the one I'd spent hours knitting and caring for--began to show itself out of the felted fibers. The lace panels once again opened up and the stitches showed definition.

As I was pinning it to the blocking mats, I began to think about how I often 'felt' things in my life. How I take over a job I'm ill-equipped to perform because someone has to do it. How I oh-so-often do things without really giving them my full attention. How, when I 'felt' things in my life, God has to reach down and make things uncomfortable in order to stretch me back into shape. How, if I would simply keep my eyes on Him, focus on the tasks He sets before me, and give thanks in all things (even the laundry piles of life) I wouldn't need so much 're-shaping' in this life.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Sunday Sweater

Sunday Sweater by Ginny Sheller.

Ravelry link here.

Light Box

Parchment glued to bottom & sides, lights laid in the box w/cord hanging out.

Lid latched--scissors & pencil for size comparison.

Ready to go!

All lit up!

I found a great website for sensory activities that showed a home made light box. The one I really want (anyone want to buy this for us???) is just way too expensive, so I opted for the $7 version from Satan's House.

I bought a small thin clear storage container for $3.97 and a box of 100 twinkle lights on a white cord.

I tried taping a piece of parchment between the lights and the box, but tape doesn't stick to parchment. :o) I pulled out the hot glue gun and glued the paper to the bottom and sides of the box. I laid the string of lights in the box and latched the lid in place. The bottom of the box I bought was flatter than the top, so we're flipping it upside down. I left a few inches of the cord hanging out so we can plug her in.

Here you see the box lit with clear glass floral beads depicting a cloud in the sky.

So much fun in store for us with this!

Lip Balm

Grated beeswax, coconut oil, Shea butter & peppermint oil. Mmmm...

My February Lady

I finally finished my February Lady Sweater. Find the details here.

Photos by the Sweet Pickle!

Pickle's Popcorn

As all five or six of you faithful readers know, our Pickle girl has a habit of rubbing and pulling her hair. It is a subconscious act of self-soothing.

When her larger bald spot got to about three inches across, her Daddy came up with the idea for me to make her some tight-fitting caps so that she couldn't get to her hair to pull it.

I picked up some crochet thread and small hooks at the ever present Wal-Mart and made her a couple of simple hats while we were on vacation.

The hat-trick seemed to do the trick! She wasn't pulling nearly as much and, since we've always made her wear hats to protect her face from the sun, she doesn't mind wearing them at all.

We visited a couple of wonderful yarn shops while we were in Colorado and Pickle picked out two skeins of yarn. I decided to experiment with the green she chose earlier this week and came up with a simple popcorn stitch pattern with a wide band around the base.

This is my favorite hat so far! She even wore it to dinner the other night because she likes likes wearing her 'green popcorn.'

Surprise!

Look what . . .


came in the mail yesterday!


Maya from Maya*Made offered up a free pincushion for the first two people who ordered her new bucket pattern, and I was one of them!

The pattern is awesome, and as soon as I get things back together here after our vacation, I'm going to get started on some buckets with the coffee sacks my sister brought me last month. She made a special trip to the coffee roaster and packed an entire suitcase with coffee sacks to fly out to me--how cool is that?

When I get some buckets made, I'll be sure to post photos.

I just love surprises, don't you?

"This is cute!" said Pickle.

"Thanks for sewin' with me Mamma."






I cut, she 'sewed' the side seams and I hand stitched the handles in place.

Link to the tut.

Gift Bags

Photos taken.


Bags delivered.

Friends happy.

The End

Sidetracked

So I started the day with the intention to finish a hat like this chunky knit beanie (link is on her sidebar) for Pickle while the girls played. I did. Yea me.

Then, I figured, I should dust the family room before a bull-dozer is required to remove the mountains that are forming.

I did this instead.

(Please forgive the shamefully blurry photo. I used the point and shoot and couldn't see the screen for the sun glare, so just winged it. I'm impressed it's centered!)

I had been storing my yarn needle inside the leather blade cover the scissors came in and got tired of losing my needle every time I pulled my embroidery scissors out to snip yarn/thread.

Of course, something had to be done immediately. Because, you know, this has been happening/bugging me since I was given the scissors. Two years ago.

Ahem.

Wool felt is so great to hand embroider on. I love it!

What hand work have you loved lately? Anything that beats out dusting?

Favorite Things: 1/2/2009

Yikes, that's the first time I've written 2009. Where did the 80's go?

Knitting. I know I've only known how for about a month, but really, this is fast becoming a favorite thing.

First up, a short scarf for Mamma. If you know me, you know I have a cold neck. And ears. And nose. And hands. And feet.

Anyway, I decided to focus on the neck issue. I love scarves, I have lots of them, but they're all l-o-n-g. A long scarf while you're chasing toddlers and cleaning and sewing and doing dishes and stuff is a big pain in the patootie.

So, instead of another long scarf, I came up with this. A wool-acrylic (washable) short scarf in a basic K2, P2 rib stitch. It's just long enough to tie around my neck and tuck in the ends.

If Mamma has somethin' Pickle thinks she needs one too . . . so here's her little 'Mistake Stitch' scarf. This was super quick and easy, made from leftover yarn from another project about three years ago. Fun!

And now, for my first real project: a neck cowl. This is knit in the round on circular needles and has a pattern row of yarn over/knit two together to create the little holes. Much more advanced for a novice like me . . . and I have only found three mistakes so far!


This is what I really wanted when I knit the short scarf, but knew I needed to just practice, practice, practice for a bit first.

Also, I was waiting for my invitation for Ravelry to come. If you haven't heard about Ravelry, let me tell you it is my newest (like I needed another) way to eat up hours at a time, usually late at night while I freeze in my poorly heated office. It is a community of yarn crafters who share projects and patterns. It is SO MUCH FUN! I have so many patterns saved in my favorites and a few too many in my queue as well!

If you knit or crochet, check it out! In order to join, you have to request an invitation and wait a few days for it to come in your email. This is because it is completely run by a lovely couple and their dog. The dog just can't do everything at once--he has no thumbs!

Four Friendly Froggies Frolicking for Fun

I love alliteration!

I also love these froggy bean bags. Or lentil bags in my case. Are lentils a bean?

Anyway, if you like what you see, you can download the pattern here.

That super long stocking needs lots of little bits to fill it up!

Back to the grindstone sewing table for me . . .

Christmas Is Coming!

And here's our decor to prove it!

Warnings:
1. My camera was not sitting level on the
tripod, so please tilt your head slightly to the left. Thank you.
2. Our home has small rooms. Really small rooms. My family
room is the size of some closets. No kidding. It is also incredibly difficult to
photograph due to lighting issues. I apologize in advance for any eye
disturbance this may cause.

I've never done a home tour either virtually or in person, but since my Auntie Em had inquired about our decorations this year and BooMama has her tour up, I figured I'd give it a shot.

We don't have a fireplace, but we do have this entertainment center.


I was inspired by all the great garlands popping up all over blog land (you can find a ton here if you haven't already) so I decided to add a garland this year. Complete with fake greenery, berries and even fake ornaments-plastic ones left over from our child & puppy friendly tree.

On the left are J's and my stockings hanging from a LOVE stocking holder; on the right is Pickle's stocking hanging from a snowflake. I made these from felt for Pickle's first Christmas. Her stocking is as long as she was that Christmas!

The manger scene pieces are actually bisque candle holders from Party Lite about 10 years ago. I love them, but don't burn candles in them anymore, so that's what the twinkle lights are for! I got that idea here.

Everything else on the top shelves are things that normally grace those areas--I've just added a bow here and there along with more fake poinsettias. The photo of Pickle in the center was taken when she was about nine months old in my Great Grandad Zern's christening gown. I love that photo.

The JOY nativity in front of the TV is from my friend Jessica a few years back. It is one of my favorite decorations of all time! Jesus = JOY! How perfect!


J made this table for me when we were in high school. What a romantic! The book holds Pickle's Christmas photos with Santa and the little sled has some picks I bought 10-15 years ago that Pickle decided to destroy the little packages on last week, sweet child that she is.

The frame was a gift from my Aunt Max five or six years ago and has our Christmas photo from that year to prove it! The snowmen music player was a gift from my Secret Santa about six years ago when I was still teaching--she did a whole week-long snowman theme for me. She is the best Secret Santa ever!


This little table was part of the first bedroom set my Great Grandparents ever bought themselves. I also have the slipper bench. I love it! The little tree on top is our Advent Jesse Tree. We use this book along with handmade ornaments. Pickle doesn't get it yet, but really loves putting the ornament on every night after we do our 'Bible Study' and pray.


This table is one I bought at an antique store in my hometown of Chickenburg when I was in high school. It is one of my two favorite pieces of antique furniture. It is handmade with pegged joints. The shelf below is held in place with hand carved horse head pegs. I call it the horse table.

The photo above the table was from last Christmas's family photos. Pickle's Daddy is a sucker for big photos. The rose bowl has some simple fake poinsettias and the metal bucket is filled with picks I bought along with those other oldies years ago. Pickle tore apart the packages on these ones too (I don't think she'll have any trouble opening gifts this year!). The little nativity set came from my mom and the candle/stand is from Party Lite.


Finally, here is our tall, skinny tree. I love it so much more than our first tree which was just as tall and at least three times as wide at the bottom. It literally took up 1/3 of our tiny family room.

J and I have bought an ornament together every year since we've been married (11) and we've bought Pickle one every year since the Christmas I was carrying her (4). These are at the top of the tree and the bottom only has the plastic balls to keep things child and puppy friendly.

Speaking of Lucy, her first night in once the tree was up, she kept taking the balls off the tree and dropping them (all slobbery, I might add) around the family room. I never thought I'd say it, but I'm so thankful we went with the plastic!

There are bits and pieces sprinkled throughout the kitchen and in the hall bath, but I'd had it with the bad lighting and didn't take any more photos!

Have fun touring all the homes on the list!

Edit:

I forgot all about the recipe! Here is one that is super easy and SO GOOD! You make these six-layer cookie bars in the micro.

Six Layer Bars

1/2 c. butter, melted
1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1 pkg. (6 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips (about one cup)
1 c. flaked coconut
1 c. finely chopped nuts (any work, but I love walnuts for this)

1. In each of 2 (8 inch) square baking dishes, pour 1/2 butter. Sprinkle each with 1/2 crumbs, pour 1/2 can of milk equally over each dish.

2. Top each dish with 1/2 of chocolate, coconut & nuts; press down slightly.

3. Heat one dish at a time, 5-6 minutes on 70% power. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes; chill. Cut into squares to serve.

Makes 32 bars.

I don't have a photo of these because I just got the recipe from my Auntie Em--we made these at her house on vacation all the time when I was a kid--and I haven't made them yet!

Enjoy!

I'm Continental, Not English. Who Knew?

I tried teaching myself to knit about a year ago. I got the knit stitch and did about 10 rows. Then I found a crochet pattern for what I wanted to knit, dropped the needles for a hook and never looked back.

Until a few weeks ago. I saw a post where a lady demonstrated how she knits so much faster when she knits Continental.

I didn't even know there were different methods of knitting. I did a bit of research, found this amazing video, and bam. One evening (actually only about three hours) and I now know how to knit and purl and have cast on a fingerless glove for myself. Hopefully I won't quit again before he has a mate!



If you don't think you can knit, I recommend trying this method. There's no throwing involved! It is so much more comfortable for me, much more like crochet--which I've been doing so long I don't even really remember when I learned how.

Go, become knitters! If you turn out to be English, I promise I won't hold it against you.

Hmmm . . . I Think I've Lost My Memory

I honestly thought I had posted this. I guess not.

I believe it was two Saturdays ago, I was able to whip up a couple of skirts for the Pickle using the Lazy Days skirt pattern from Oliver + S. If you haven't ever checked out their children's clothing patterns, you must. They are ADORABLE! Click here to go to their blog--the skirt pattern is on the sidebar under 'free patterns'.

I made this first one according to their 1/2 yard measurement. It will fit when Pickle is four or five. I guess it's a good thing I like to shop ahead and store lots of clothes for future sizes!

I did the others at 1/3 yard and they're still a bit long, even with her long legs.

This is what the hem looks like encased in the ribbon.

I absolutely ADORE this fabric! I just wish my skirt from it had come out as nicely!

Each skirt took me about 45 minutes start to finish--so simple and cute!

All Bound Up

(OK Cole, my title totally made me think of your Colace problem on your elk hunt! I actually laughed out loud. Again.)


Do you remember this post about possibilities?

And this post about binding?

Want to see the end result?


Of course you do!



The best part is, it's reversible! Of course, I didn't remember to take a photo of the other side until I was out of light and I'm stubborn about using a flash. So, take a gander at the binding post and you'll see the print on the other side.


I wore it to church on Sunday morning, held together with two straight pins! I figured if Amish women can safely work all day in dresses fastened with straight pins, surely I could teach one hour of Children's Church in a skirt fastened with them. (I couldn't find any sew-on snaps Saturday!)

I drafted the pattern to fit my measurements. I used this tutorial for the math and this post for the binding inspiration.

I think I could have made the panels a bit narrower, the overlap is huge! But, at least I don't have to worry about wearing it on a windy day. Even if the flap blew up, I'd be completely covered by the one underneath.

Also, I now realize I could use a full-length mirror somewhere in my house! I had to stand on the toilet to get a photo!

Binding

Oh, The Joy of a New Hand Bag!

Isn't she beautiful?

Last Wednesday I was inspired by this great tutorial on Little Birdie Secrets for a super easy handbag with bamboo handles.

Now, I tag A LOT of tutorials on del.icio.us, but rarely do I immediately start making alterations and customizations in my head or have a piece of fabric pop instantly to mind for making them.

This time, I did. I immediately knew that I would want larger handles to be able to throw it over my shoulder if needed and I would want to add a lining with at least one pocket. I had been eyeing some 'red tag' cotton upholstery fabric at our local fabric store (but hadn't felt justified in buying it) that I knew would be perfect for the bag I had in mind. Pickle and I would head to town on Friday, so I planned to pick up the fabric and some handles then.

Friday, my girl and I headed off for a bit of warehouse shopping, a flu shout (*ouch*), lunch with Daddy and a quick run through the fabric store. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the fabulous red tag fabric I'd been eyeing, but I did find this lovely print in greens. I was so excited to find this cotton for the lining. What do you think?

I was so excited at the idea of a new bag (I've been carrying my leather tote for almost two years!) that I got started on it as soon as Pickle was in bed. I made my bag a bit bigger, added a lining with a divided pocket (for cell phone and keys) and chose round handles instead of the ovals shown in the tutorial. Even with making alterations and construction decisions as I went (and only a couple of ripped out & re-sewn seams), this bag only took me about three hours to construct. That includes hand sewing the handles in place!

I learned a few things along the way and have made notes for my next bag to make it even better.

Does a new hand bag bring you this much joy?

My Light Box

Mrs. Merrick gave this to my sister and I when I was maybe six or seven years old. It had belonged to her two girls and came with a set of paper dolls for tracing (which I still have!).

I love having sentimental pieces that are super functional too.

What have you held onto from your childhood that still serves a purpose in your life? Or maybe doesn't serve any purpose at all?

Kooky or Cool?

What do you think?