My family

Sunday, December 25, 2011

My special Christmas

Well, it has been a very long time since I took the time to write on this blog.  I got so busy preparing for a craft fair and then for Christmas. I did a lot of crocheting- mostly scarves and caps.  Well when my husband, went to the hospital to have his rotator cuff fixed, I brought my crocheting so I could have something to do while waiting. The simple surgery quickly turned to danger.  Buddy's heart showed an abnormality. After an EKG, the Dr. said he was sending him to the Medical Center for a heart catherization.  Worse went to worst when we discovered all 3 of his main arteries had blockages and open heart surgery would begin in the morning.  I was given his wedding band before he was wheeled down. Pondering the importance and immensity of  this situation, I knew I had to do something to keep me busy.  I did try crocheting on a scarf but I could not concentrate. Feeling his huge ring in my pocket an idea came to mind.  I began crocheting a line of chain stitches until I felt like it was long enough.  Then I got his ring and single crocheted around the ring leaving the top 1/2" open.  I finished up the other side of the necklace and connected the two strands together adding more chains in the form of a bow (extra decoration and security).  I was proud of what I had done.  I could wear his wedding band close to my heart until he could put it back on again.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Some more hats and stuff......













I've been a little busy over the past few weeks.  Too bad I haven't had a model for some of the hats. 

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Crochet my week away....

My obsession continues with another week of crocheting.  I hope my obsession continues since I bought a bag full of yarn from Hancock Fabrics.  They had a 30% off sale and I had a $2 off coupon.  And I've got to use those coupons! 
 

                                                                                          I crocheted a lot of cute hats this week.  And thanks to Lyndsey I had a pretty pink to make the green and pink flower top hat.  It is very hard to guess what people will like so if you have any ideas or suggestions for me, please let me know.


I used a tan chunky weight yarn to make this little beanie.  It is really think and will keep your baby's head warm on a chilly morning.






I think I made the tail too long, but I really do love making these long-tailed elf hats.  This time I used a blue bird blue.  I'm thinking I might add some eyes and a beak to make it even cuter.  








I'm trying to throw in a few headbands or ear warmers.  This one is black (duh!) with popcorn stitches that were too hard for the camera to pick up.  Sorry.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

A week's worth of crocheting....


Whew!!  I've been busy finding solace with my crocheting. 

This is such a cute hat with its tassels that look like pig tails.  It is made with pink camo.                                                                                                                                                                                             This is a head band that measures approximately 2 1/2 inches wide and has alternating popcorn stitches.  This one to the left is wider and measures
 4 inches wide.







This is such a cute red, white, and blue beanie.  
Just right for a baby boy.








Such a sweet little hat with a frilly edging.  Sooo Sooo cute!  See the variegated middle section.  This is made from 100% cotton yarn for extra softness.

Another Grinch long-tailed elf hat.  This one will be just perfect for a Christmas baby.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Cute Crochet!

I just love to crochet. I have really been into it lately too.  Kind of obsessed....  So far I've made a Ponytail hat and 2 Long-tailed baby Elf hats.  I've got lots of yarn ready to do more.  

I think I'm going to put some in the Rutledge Christmas Craft fair in November.


 

Monday, September 5, 2011

Sew Coupon Crazy!!

My daughter is coupon crazy!  She is super into savings right now and I claim a little bit of that nice trait. I never bought clothing and other things unless they were on sale while she was growing up.  I never was that in to coupons though.  But she is working on teaching me all the ins and outs of using coupons.  We've gone shopping several times and have had lots of fun saving money as well as enjoying each others company.


When my daughter and I last went shopping, we both had our reusable bags, our lists, two binders (1 small and 1 bigger) to hold all of our coupons.  I also had my new All You magazine since I hadn't had time to clip those. It seemed like a lot and it did take up a lot of space in the buggy.



One of my favorite crafty blogs is Sew Dang Cute, and they are sponsoring a contest called Crafting with the Stars.  I was so excited!  I knew I could combine my love of sewing and crafting with my new "almost love" of couponing.

Now that my Wal-mart finally got smart and restocked the fabric to the store, I went shopping for just the right material.  I already had the natural colored pre-quilted fabric and just bought 3 different but coordinating  green, brown, lt. turquoise prints. I used my embroidery machine to label the tote and sewed it together.  Not terribly complicated.  

But I just had to try it out. The Dollar General is the store closest to my house.  I found an empty aisle to dress my buggy (tie the tote to the buggy) and pose it.  It works great!  There is room for my binder and my reusable bags. There are two pockets that I put my scissors, my list, ink pen, and my small cut coupon binder.  There is also a ribbon with a key ring so my keys or scissors can be attached if needed.  Even my wallet was easily protected and I didn't have to worry about carrying my purse.  When shopping is done, I can zip it up and not have to worry about my things falling out.  Success!!

Wish me luck with the contest!  


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Pinwheels


One of my friends has a baby girl turning 1 next month. Mom is planning a pinwheel birthday party. So I decided to make a few pinwheel hair bows in her planned colors. I've never done this before so I experimented with the sizes.   The biggest is a 4" square and the smallest is a 2" square. Well, we'll let her choose the size she likes and then make a few more. I found the tutorials for these creations online. Check them out if you want to give them a try.
The pinwheel ribbon hair bow can be found here.  And you can find the fabric pinwheel hair bows here.
Let me know what you think.  

Linking up with Today's Creative Blog" . Go visit and see all the creative people out there.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Giving Quilting a stitch....

I'm taking advantage of my "free" time during summer (between classes and taking Tori places) and giving quilting ago. My dad and sister traveled to Texas to the Neeley family reunion.  I have always admired my cousin Lonette's quilting and finally got the courage to try one myself.  Since I wasn't going to be at the reunion, I felt a little safe concerning possible scrutiny.  Anyway, I already had 4 quilt squares put away for a later project. I got those out and decided to embroider some Texas graphics on 5 more squares.  Rag quilts are easier to put together and likeable. I also cheated by using the stippling pattern on my embroidery machine.  I've got to practice a little more with that.

While they were gone to Texas, I used a few more of the Texas fabric scraps and made a 16" Sprocket pillow. I think it is pretty cute but I will definitely line 
the next one I make. The  tutorial is on the Cluck Cluck Sew website.



My next project is called the Colorful Coins Quilt.  I saw this tutorial also on Cluck Cluck Sew!  It's a great website!  Now I just need to figure out the backing.  I'm thinking of a nice baby flannel.  Then it will top quilting time.  I hope I can do it!  Wish me luck.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

A few firsts in my sewing room

I made my first ticker-tape wristlet following the wonderful tutorial of Mandy at Sugar Bee Crafts.  It wasn't so difficult, but I can tell that I need quite a bit more practice.  Anyway, it will suit its purpose.  I needed a little bag for ink pens and my GC ID card for my college courses.

I also made a hooded baby towel for a special little friend.  Easton was born a few weeks ago and I meant to give this to him at the hospital but mom went home too fast.  Oh, well.  He will get it soon.

I entered a Swap-bot challenge to make a potholder for a partner.  I tried to follow some of the neat ideas I had seen through the internet.  This potholder is a little bigger than the norm.  Partly because I embroidered a cute little pig driving a corn-on-the-cob race car on the off-white quilted fabric.  Above the piggy is veggie material formed in a 2" pleat.  Red binding completes the potholder.

Monday, May 30, 2011

My 2nd pillowcase dress

I am a participant on the online swapping site-  www.swap-bot.com. My latest swap was to find my partner something she might enjoy from a thrift shop.  So I went to our salvation army not having a clue as to what I would get.  While at the Salvation Army, I always look for fabric usually in the form of leather or suede skirts, baby flannel, bedspreads (chenille or quilted), and sheets.  Buddy, this time I hit the jack-pot! I found a gorgeous vintage looking piece of material. It was a thin and stiff cotton with chenille flowers and vines all over.  I knew exactly what I would do with it.  And no, I selfishly decided to keep it for myself.

I have a number of friends with baby girls who I love to sew for.  Little Alita was going to be the lucky recipient of this new pillowcase dress.  It is lined with a nice white cotton quilting material so I can be reversible if necessary but I would be afraid that the chenille fabric might be itchy.  I added a cotton trim, around the bottom.  Gorgeous and such fun to watch it all come together.

Now I'll just have to convince dad to send me a picture of his baby wearing it.



And no, I didn't forget my swapping partner.  She got a beautiful vintage red glass candy dish that I filled with some old buttons.  She (said) she loved it!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

My First Pillowcase Dress

Well, I made my first pillowcase dress for my cute little test subject, Elin.  I can't wait to see her in it.  I cant believe how easy it was.  Now I'm working a pair of bloomers to go with it. Coming soon.