I also decided to play with some of the beautiful blue wool/mohair yarn that I have as well. I found this really pretty crochet pattern that I thought would look fantastic with the yarn color that I have, so I downloaded it.  Just for something a little bit different to work on since I don't have the right stuff for the princess blanket yet.

I found this pattern on freepatterns.com and thought it would be cool to try to work it up. It called for 2ply yarn and a K hook, but what I have is 4ply and I'm working with an H hook. It comes out to the same gauge, so it's all good. I like the way it's working up. It looks really neat and is working up quickly. I just hope that overall it doesn't take a ton of yarn to finish. I'll likely mix in a few white rows to break up the blue monotony, which will make it a lot easier on the wool. I've got a lot of rows left to go and I'm almost through one skein already.

Something else I've done with the pattern is to take it and cut it down to the width of a scarf and have been working that up with a skein of Red Heart soft sport yarn that my husband got me. It didn't work for the project it was for.  It was the wrong weight and wouldn't work with the hook that I use for it.  So I've got that in progress as well.

Hi, there! I just want to start off this wonderful blog by welcoming you all! In case the little description isn't enough for you, this post is just more detailed information about what to expect me to post.

This blog is for all things sewing, knitting and crochet. I'll post about various projects I'm working and how you, too, can make those things. I'll also post my progress and final projects with tips on understanding that particular pattern (especially if I've made it up myself), things I found confusing, difficult, or uneccessary, things I found easy to understand, easy to do, or great embellishments.

I'll also try to find things in the news pertaining to these arts! Yep, every now and then special knit or crochet items make it in the fashion news.

To start you off, I'll give a brief list of projects I'm currently working on:

• Scarf for my niece (Christmas present)
• Mommy and Me blankets (for my husband's co-worker who is expecting his first child with his wife)
• Little Bear Blanket (for my son)
• Beefy Beanie (for one of my best friends)
• Pegasus Bag (for my other best friend)
• Many pairs of slippers (for various friends and family)

That's only the tip of the iceburg, too! Sound fun, though, huh?

So, be sure to keep an eye out for what might be your favorites because I'll be including free patterns and links to different sites with tools, tips and free patterns.

AP Bulletin out for Casanova Frosty:

Be on the lookout for a plump, frosty male, with orange nose, dark eyes and manic smile; was last seen wearing mittens, scarf and top hat. This wanted individual has been known to frequent areas with less than hospitable weather conditions. He is considered armed and dangerous as he frequently carries on his personage two thin sticks. Should you see this person, do not approach without proper winter attire, and call your local authorities.

You will need the following from your local arts and crafts supply store for your own Casanova Frosty. The directions follow:

• Polymer clay
• Polymer liquid clay
• Paint brush
• 20 gauge wire
• Clothespin
• Exacto knife
• Scrap fabric
• Toothpick
• Elmer Super glue
• Aluminum foil
• Glaze
• Large knitting needle

The following is recommended but not necessary:

•  Miniature cookie cutters
• Clay oven
• Pasta machine
• Powdered chalk

Make three descending-in-size balls of white or pearl Premo polymer clay. Take a toothpick, cut off the pointed ends and insert each ball of clay making sure the toothpick does not poke out of either the bottom or top of Casanova Frosty.

Using rounded miniature cookie cutters make two circles, one slightly larger than the other. Flatten, on a 5 or 6 setting on a pasta machine, a rounded ball of clay and cut a long rectangular piece, roll and fit between the two circles to form Frosty’s hat. Use a large knitting needle to form a hole at the bottom of the hat so as to fit on the snowman’s head.

Make Frosty’s face with various size round balls of black clay with orange for a nose. A scarf can be made following the instructions from Santa’s in the House. 

For Frosty’s belly, use a miniature heart cookie cutter on flattened Sculpey II clay on a six or higher setting on a pasta machine. His gloves are slightly flattened circles with two tiny circles for thumbs. Twenty gauge wire is perfect for Frosty’s arms.

Once complete, take the 20 gauge wire and poke a hole in the bottom of Frosty going as far into the clay as possible, remove and set aside for later use.

Use Polymer liquid clay for adhesive, powdered chalk for antiquing if desired, bake according to instructions.*

As Frosty is baking take a clothes pin and wrap 20 gauge wire around one side leaving plenty of overhang to re-insert in the bottom of Frosty, securing with super glue. Allow time for glue to dry than glaze as desired. Scrap fabric wrapped below Frosty is a perfect way to hide the 20 gauge wire.

Clip Frosty to curtain rods, attach to gift bags, use in flower arrangements, to hang your child's artwork, the possibilities are endless!

*Once again, this can be a large piece to fit inside a clay oven. Use aluminum foil around Frosty to keep him stable. If necessary, remove his hat to bake separately and super glue together once cool. And remember, don't box yourself in, make various winter-themed characters or start now on the next big holiday by making Valentine or St. Patrick's theme creations. Spring will be here before we know it, make butterflies, flowers, etc.

I am currently unable to share images but will be posting pictures as soon as this is resolved. 

My holiday crafts are coming right along.  The Christmas ornaments for the girls are completed.  I have one blanket finished and two left to knot.  The paper mache  boxes were started last night and are looking good.  I have to work on the tops today.  Sophie and I picked up some supplies at our local craft store yesterday to add to the tops of the boxes and I can't wait to get them finished. 

In the rest of my Christmas world, the baking is well under way.  I haven't started the cards yet.  I am waiting on one package before sending off my box of gifts (as well as finishing up a blanket and two boxes).  Things are starting to come together but my house is starting to fall apart!  I am leaving B in charge of gifts for his father and brother, so I don't have to worry about that, at least.

Because I am not with my family this Christmas and everyone will be at my parents' house on Christmas Eve, I called the local florist to have a fresh flower arrangement sent to my mother.  I know Linda (she's been our florist for years - my mother used to babysit her daughter, and I tutored her daughter... all years and years ago) will do an excellent job with the arrangement.

Once Christmas is over, I'll be able to work on my knitting and hopefully finish up the baby blanket I started... in January of last year (yes, I feel shame).  It's probably about half done, but if I'm not careful, my niece will be graduated by the time she receives it!  I would like to knit Sophie another scarf since I wound up giving hers away by accident.  I don't remember the pattern I used (I made it up) but I still have the yarn I used (Misty Alpaca, if I recall correctly - very soft and cozy) so I should be able to come up with something.  I might make a hat to match.  I think I'm ready to knit another purse and felt it.  Perhaps I can make a bag big enough to be a diaper bag.  I might even take the time to try my hand at crochet again.  I really just need to master my tension.  However, the baby blanket must be finished first!!

Pictures will be forthcoming as soon as I am able to upload again.  I can't wait to show off the decoupaged paper mache boxes!  For now, back to baking and blanket knotting!!

I am writing a few tips for crafters that do shows. These are a few of the things I like to do, to keep up with the competition. They are simple but sometimes forgotten.

• Don't get stuck in a rut. Don't only make things you like. Not everyone shares your tastes. To be productive and profitable, you have to think of what others may like. For instance, I made this wreath. I threw it together with scraps I had laying around. I took it to a craft show and it was the first thing I sold. I wouldn't want it for free. I was shocked. The best part was, the woman who purchased it asked me to hold it for her for a bit. So I put a sold tag on it and kept it on my display. Would you believe I received two more orders for that nasty thing and had to go dig for stuff to make it again. So, in short you never know what people will like. You have to be versatile and willing to try new things. 

• Pay attention to new yearly styles and ideas. I like to browse magazines and even store flyers for new ideas. Some of my best sellers were things I saw in magazines, and I would say "Hey I can make that!". Then I would make it for much less and make a great profit. There is nothing wrong with seeing something someone else has made and then making it yourself. You put your own twist in it. It is like receiving a recipe. No matter how many times you make, it will always be a little different each time, and it never tastes like the original.

• You really need to update your inventory. Selling the same thing year after year gets old quick. You have return customers who are looking for that special item that they know only you can make. They tend to find a liking to your style and creativity. They get excited when they know a show is coming up. They can't wait to see what you'll have this time. You can still keep your best sellers around. New customers are always browsing. Try making something that you usually wouldn't tackle, like crochet a baby blanket or knit a scarf. Both of those items would be a challenge for me. It would also keep you from being bored doing the same holiday crafts over and over.

• Another tip for shows, always be courteous and smile. Talk with your customers. It lets them know you care about them and appreciate them. They will come back time after time if you are friendly. Help them find the best gift for someone, or help them in selecting a piece that will suit them. I have had customers like a certain piece but wanted it in another color. I would offer to make it for them and deliver it with in the week. They love the personal service and the care you give them. They are more likely to  tell friends and family about that beautiful floral arrangement you made, when you  are nice to them. Customer service is key to having a great business.

All this crafting, and writing about it, is really getting me in the mood to do shows again. If I decide to embark on this endeavor again, I will need to find some shows to participate in. Some shows are easy to get in. For instance, local schools and charitable organizations do them as fund raisers. They are easy to get in because they are not always juried. They are usually on a first come first serve basis. The larger juried craft shows can be tough. The organization hosting it will basically judge your work on originality, creativity, and presentation. It usually costs more to be in this type of show, but it is worth it. They tend to draw in a larger crowd and you have the potential for greater profits.

One of my favorite art and craft shows to attend (shop) is the "Christmas in the Country"  arts and crafts show in Hamburg, New York. It is spectacular. I was in heaven walking through it. They hold over 400 vendors in 3 different buildings. You need to make a day of it to enjoy everything they have to offer. I never applied for this show (yet) but I know there is a waiting list. I think I should start out small, don't want to be overwhelmed. 

For some great craft show information. You should check out the Sunshine Artist Magazine.They give tons of information that every crafter should read, especially if you are doing this as a business. I find it very helpful and full of information. I enjoy reading the reviews for the art and craft shows, and scanning the listings of show dates. If you have any questions for me please leave a comment. I would love to help if I can. Have fun crafting and selling!

Husbands sure are a distracted bunch. Is it really that hard for them to look away from the television or the computer long enough to answer, “Does this outfit make me look fat?”

I mean, honestly, what kind of response is a half-hearted grunt coupled with a, “I don’t know.” shrug?

I expected a little more than that when asking for his opinion on what to call my latest Christmas crafting project. But my husband’s response was nothing, not a word, not a peep, not so much as a knitted brow, or roll of eyes.

So fine, be that way, dear. I’ll just call it the, “The Wand-of-Something” and be happy with it.

I guess. 

Fair warning though to the hub, when our next child is born and I sign his birth certificate Bartholomew Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, don’t say I didn’t ask for your feedback. You grunted in reply, so I took that as a yes.

For your own Wand-of-Something for yourself, as a Christmas gift or to keep the kids busy during a snow day follow these easy instructions that combine my love of sculpting, working with wood, fabrics and beads.

You will need the following from your local arts and craft supply store:

• Wood dowel (3/8 x 36 cut in half)
• Polymer clay
• Liquid clay
• Paint brush
• Elmer’s super glue
• Electric tape
• Steel jump rings
• Scrap fabric, ribbon and/or yarn

Recommended but not necessary:

• Clay oven
• Knitting needles
• Tiny glass beads
• 32 gauge wire
• Various sterling silver beads
• Powdered chalk
• Glitter paint
• Aluminum foil
• Exacto knife

For this entry I’m going to show you how to make a very simple Wand-of-Something Cupcake. But don’t box yourself in a corner, wood dowels are very inexpensive, have fun and make dozens of everything imaginable!

Steps on making a cupcake can be seen on my previous blog entry for the Treat Tree.

The only difference is the size of the cupcake, which top and bottom measure close to the diameter of a half dollar. Once your cupcake is made, make a slight indention on the bottom with the dowel; set aside.

Your cupcake is going to need a base to assist in the later attachment to the dowel. Take a ball of clay and make a long snake and then coil it gently around the top of the dowel. Do not wrap tightly, this is just to get a proper fitting. Once the snake is coiled about the dowel paint liquid clay on top and fit the cupcake over top. Now gently press the cupcake and coil together, just enough to stick, and then pull both off the dowel.

On a protected surface further press the cupcake and coil gently together, and then add as many jump rings as you wish to the back of your cupcake. The jump rings will be used to add fabric, ribbons and other notions to complete the Wand-of-Something in a later step.

A great way to add dimension to your clay work is by using powdered chalks. Gold is a great way to give your clay piece an antique look. I have lightly brushed gold colored chalk to various areas of the cupcake and coil.

Use liquid clay to further secure coil, cupcake, jump rings and cherry top.

Set aside.

Take another ball of clay, the diameter of a quarter or less and fit on the end of the dowel. Push as far as you can without sending the dowel through the clay and remove. Re-roll the clay gently in your hands and refit. Do these steps repeatedly until you have a nice round shape and decent fit to the end of the dowel.

Bake all clay pieces according to instructions.*

Once the cupcake and single clay ball is completely cooled, decorate with paints and glaze as desired.

While waiting for the paints and glaze to dry take the dowel and wrap 4 to 5 inches of one end with electrical tape. Leave a quarter of an inch or so exposed dowel at the very tip so that you can super glue the single baked clay ball at this end. Allow to dry.

Next turn the cupcake upside down and drop as much super glue as you feel necessary to coat the coil (but don’t drown it) then immediately attach it to one end of the dowel. Be sure the cupcake is secure and straight. Allow time to dry.

Now you are free to add strips of fabric, ribbons or beaded gauge wire to the jump rings in the back or further decorate the cupcake as you so desire. The possibilities are endless!

* Because this is such a tall piece be careful when baking. Make sure clay doesn’t hit any of the cooking elements inside the oven. Also, you may need to use aluminum foil as props against the cupcake to keep from having any flat spots or from sliding off the coil. If you simply cannot get the piece to stand while inside the oven, separate the coil and cupcake, bake and when cool super glue the two pieces together. Another tip, if the coil will not fit on the end of the dowel after baking use an Exacto knife to chisel away some of the clay, but please do so with extreme care!

We’re getting down to the wire; Christmas is right around the corner. The Christmas tree should be up and fully decorated (mine is finally, satisfactorily full) and my munchkins are eager, if not downright ballistic, over Santa’s arrival.

For many, holiday shopping is coming to a close or so those who've just begun are wishing! For the latter crowd here’s a little help on that list should you find yourself in dire straits with needing something for a child’s school teacher, the mail carrier or a co-worker for the company gift exchange.

What in the world to get them?

How about something simple, not too expensive, because everyone’s wallet could use a breather this time of year, and one-of-a-kind!

You will need from your local arts and craft supply store:

• Polymer clay of various colors
• Polymer liquid clay
• Paint brush
• Aluminum foil
• Small steel jump ring
• Ribbon, yarn or string
• Exacto knife

Items recommended but not necessary:

• Clay oven
• Knitting needles of various sizes*
• Tiny glass black beads
  

When it comes to working with clay my first suggestion is to roll the clay into quarter size or smaller balls, softening and warming the clay thoroughly in your hands.

The Santa ornament starts with a scarf. Roll out your chosen color as evenly as possible to desired length. Think of a snake. I suggest laying the clay on a flat surface and rolling the clay with one finger to help keep an even thickness. Coil your “snake” as many times as you want, keeping in mind that the “head” of Santa will need to nest in the center, so make sure to test how well the Santa head fits.

Next, flatten a dime size ball of clay, the same color as your scarf, with a pasta machine at a setting of 6 or 7. Using an Exacto knife, cut out two squares of varying length, cutting “fingers” on one end for fringe, these two pieces will go at either ends of the scarf to disguise the rounded edges. Lightly push your coil down on a protected surface, this flattens the bottom just enough to keep it from rolling around your work area.

Now, let’s work on Santa’s nose by making first a tear drop shape with two tiny circles on either side for the nostrils. Attach nose to Santa’s face using knitting needles to poke holds for eyes that are then filled with one black glass bead each. (You can use small balls of black clay as well.)

I decided to put Santa’s mustache on at this point, another two tear drop shapes, before nestling his head on the coiled scarf. Push his head gently into the coil, just enough to make sure he doesn’t roll away. Once the head is secure, you're set to work on the beard, which is a dime size ball of clay, flattened at a 6 or 7 pasta machine setting.

To start the hat make another snake and coil around Santa’s head. For the remainder, take a ball of your chosen color about the diameter of a quarter between both hands and roll out to pinky length. Force your thumb through the center at one end while pulling out the surrounding edges. As the edges become larger work out the top of the hat to a point. Bend and then place hat on Santa’s head working it around the coiled edges already placed about his forehead.

A small ball is perfect for the end of Santa’s hat or use a steel bell (glue on after baking).

Now place the jump ring by pushing halfway into the center of the top of the hat, close to the forehead. A little tip here, after pushing the jump ring halfway into the hat, use a tiny ball of the same color clay as the hat and blend in above the indention to secure the jump ring to the ornament.

Once Santa’s hat is secured work on his hair, blending it into his mustache and beard. Use the Exacto knife to make creases around the eyes, and on the hat and scarf. This gives the clay texture and "life".

Use liquid clay to secure all pieces and then bake according to instructions.

Once Santa is thoroughly cooled use glitter paint on the hat or scarf, chalk for rosy cheeks and nose, before glazing.

*Knitting needles are my absolute favorite “must have” tool when working with Polymer clay. They help blend in areas your fingers can’t reach.

Try a snowman!

Or a bear!

 

 

 

 

 

Projects I need to complete in time to be mailed for Christmas arrival:

• No-sew Knot Blankets for Sophie and nieces (aka: the girls)
• Decoupage paper mache boxes for the girls' ornaments
• Ornaments for the girls (quilted nativity scenes)

Projects I would like to complete in time to be mailed for Christmas arrival:

• The knitted Boats for Cameron blanket for my niece (This has been in the works since January 2007 and I still have quite a bit left to do. Sadly, it wasn't finished by the time she was born. Oops.)

Projects for later:

• Christmas pillows started as sewing practice
• Ornaments for the girls for next year
  
• Nightgown for Sophie
  
• Scarf for Sophie
• Annouk for Sophie
• Stuffed critters for Sophie (I'm beginning to see a pattern here...)
• Knitted skull cap for B

My craft time is often limited to a few hours after Sophie goes to bed. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get all of this done during that short amount of time, but I'm going to try. It's possible I'll be able to get her to cooperate with me and play on her own for small periods of time during the day. I'm sure I can work on the knotted blankets while she's awake after all the cutting has been done.

There is a good chance I won't get the quilted nativity scene ornaments done, but I have a backup plan. If I see Christmas is closing in on me and I just don't have the time, I'll make a quick batch of cinnamon applesauce ornaments since I plan to make those for them eventually. The big picture for these ornaments and the decoupage boxes is for the girls to have ornaments and a nice place to store them for when they move out on their own. They're all babies right now, so by the time they move out, they'll have a somewhat decent starter collection if I continue to give them at least one ornament a year. Of course, now that I have this plan in place, I know this is something I can work on throughout the year (maybe even get ahead a few years?).

The knotted blankets were started today, but they're off to a very weak start. I cut the material into three different sections for the three blankets, so I made a total of six cuts. Ooh, be impressed! Tomorrow (I hope - although I do have to go to the grocery store and take my husband to the airport and make dinner for my parents), I will place the front and back together for trimming and fringe cutting.

I'm also hoping to work on the other Christmas pillow I started while my mother is still here (I feel like such a dingbat when it comes to the sewing machine still). We may venture out to find a quilting shop while she's still in town but I'm not so sure I could control myself if we do that. My love for shopping and for all things pretty might get the better of me.

So much to do and so little time... Must remember to take pictures! In the meantime, I leave you with my all time favorite knitting link (also great for crocheters): Ravelry - If you love knitting or crocheting (and possibly more yarn arts), check it out and sign up for an account (it's free).  You'll find me there as sm00bs, although I only have one knitting project in the works (yeah, it's that blooming blanket mentioned earlier...).

My childhood memories are full of time spent deep in cold white snowdrifts with a frozen face and fingers, suffering silently in order to make the biggest and the best snowman on the block.

There is something incredibly nostalgic about snowmen. Even as an adult I can't help foaming over the first perfect snowfall, eager to get outside to create! At least until I'm brutally reminded just how laboriously intensive making a snowman is, from how heavy snow can be to the disgusted discovery that the mound I'd been pushing all through the yard for the last ten minutes includes a massive spot of yellow snow!

Ewww....

So rather than get my children and myself all bundled up for what will inevitably be a knock-down-drag-out-quarrel over any of the following: How to properly make a snowman, whose fingers are the coldest and "who threw that snowball at my eye?" How about bringing the snowman making indoors!

You will need:

• White terry cloth fabric
• Fiberfill
• glue gun and glue sticks
• polymer clay in orange and black
• scrap fabric
• small sticks, bell or pipe cleaners (optional)

Make three round, connected circles on 8 1/2 x 11 paper to represent the head, belly and bottom of a snowman. Cut and pin to the white terry cloth fabric, leaving plenty of seam allowance and cutting two of each. Put like sides together, sew, leaving a large enough gap at the bottom so as to turn the snowman from wrong side to right and fill with fiberfill.

Once your snowman is full, sew the hole closed.

Using black polymer clay, make five small circles for a mouth, two larger circles for eyes and three slightly larger than the eyes for "buttons" on the belly. A carrot nose can be made using orange polymer clay; bake according to instructions.

Once the clay nose, eyes, mouth and buttons have cooled completely use a hot glue gun to glue clay pieces to the face and belly of your snowman. Use scrap fabric to tie about the neck for a scarf and more scrap fabric to wrap about the head as a sock hat. I wrap and glue the end of the sock hat just off the shoulder of my snowman where a pinch of fiberfill or a small bell completes the end of the hat.

Optional small sticks, pipe cleaners, clay or wire can be added for arms and hands. Make gloves out of scrap fabric or clay and glue to the ends. Leave your snowman without arms if putting on a Christmas tree as it makes for easier placement and storage.