TimaryArt

What to do with excess novelty yarn?

2012-02-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

I've been seeing these things around lately - strands of yarn that are knotted in a few place to make a scarf. Having plenty of 'leftover' and novelty yarn, it seemed the perfect thing to try and perhaps get a valentine's gift for two for friends. Not surprisingly it turns out to be a snap. About 80-90" long seems to be the optimal length for the strands (at least for me). That leaves plenty of room for 2-4 knots (your choice) and still have lots of free swinging fringe. For this scarf I used 5 strands each of about 10 different yarns. Very satisfying to make as it is quick and easy and the results can be quite flashy. If you want one but you're not interested in making it yourself, please check my Etsy store under Shop Section 'Handmade by Me' - I have a ways to go to use up my yarn stash and these are just too much fun make to stop now.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-09-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago I designed this scarf for my sister-in-law, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. (She just passed her 5 year mark - yay!) I've made the pattern is available for free download from my Ravelry shop for you to make for someone special.

download now

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

Approximately 6 oz. of worsted weight yarn
Size F crochet hook (metric size 3.75; English size 8)

APPROXIMATE FINISHED SIZE: 5" wide by 55" long

Snow in Texas in August...

2011-08-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

I must be unconsciously dreaming of cold weather since the heat this summer in Texas has been beyond oppressive. How else to explain my current obsession with making hats? This one is made with bits and pieces of novelty yarns left over from a recent reorganization of my vast and mysterious yarn stash.

When Aliens Attack

2011-08-14T12:43:00.001-07:00

My mom is big into conspiracy theories, including alien abductions and the like. A old skein of neon green yarn and a lazy afternoon produced something she can wear to her MUFON meetings...

Brother, can you spare a dime?

2011-03-12T07:21:00.001-08:00

This is my crafty country cousin, Georgia, working on a quilt in bed. Why in bed? Because she broke her leg and had to have extensive orthopedic surgery and won't be back on her feet for awhile. And along with that surgery came huge bills for the surgeon, hospital and rehab. And like so many of us self-employed she can't afford health insurance. A huge garage sale is planned for April 9 in Rockdale, Texas, to help raise money for her medical bills. But if you won't be in the area that day please consider making a small donation using the paypal donate button below. Thank you so much.

Thrifting Tip #3 - Ball O' Yarn

2011-03-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

I only add this one because I figure you're a fiber person if you're reading this blog. If not, I'm sure you know someone who knits or crochets, right?

While you're out junking, keep an eye open for bags of yarn. That's how my local thrift stores package the yarn donations they get from overly ambitious crafters who planned to make a king size afghan but somehow never found the time (been there, done that).

It also helps to look at buying yarn this way as a personal challenge - what do I 'see' in the yarn just waiting to be created? A hat? A scarf? Not to compare myself to Michelangelo and a block of marble or anything, but you get the picture.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thrifting Rules to Live By #2 - Church Bazaars Rock!

2011-03-05T07:50:00.000-08:00

I've decided the best place to find hidden treasure is at a big church yard sale. It's a lot of driving around to hit more than one garage sale on a Saturday morning. And the thrift stores are on to the potential value of their stuff and lately seem to overprice accordingly. Or maybe it is just this rough economy - more people are shopping at thrift stores these days. Anyway, I went to a church yard sale this morning and scored: $10 bought a Dale of Norway sweater (not my size but perfect for making back my $10 on Ebay), a set of 6 linen embroidered place mats with matching linen runner, two large bright cotton mexican blankets, a round vintage Christmas print tablecloth (complete with cotton fringe edging), a cute 50s chalk mama fish plaque and her two babies, and a lovely Limoges teacup and saucer (perfect for mom, the Anglophile). And the icing on the cake? My donation was for a good cause - the new Summit Autism Academy of Austin.

Thrifting Rules to Live By - #1

2010-08-04T09:09:00.000-07:00

If it has a bar code or is marked 'Made in China' put it back.

Thrifting for Fun and Profit - Appliances

2010-07-16T08:53:00.001-07:00

In the past I have tended to ignore the shelves in the back of the thrift store that are filled with electronics and appliances. Too boring - no color or texture to draw me in. But sometimes you find treasures back there, too. I can't count the numbers of bread machines I've found for friends at $8 a pop - some of them expensive brands. Yesterday I found a Cuisinart ice cream maker. No manual, but that's not a reason not to get it - you can find most any owner's manual online. (I found the one for this item easily once I got home.) With the economy in the shape it's in,
don't overlook the local thrift store as a cheap source for expensive appliances. Even frivolous ones like an ice cream maker.

Handmade Pink Beret

2010-06-22T12:40:00.001-07:00

Hot Colors
Originally uploaded by WanderingLydia

Apparently I'm still obsessed with unusual hats. Take a look at some of WanderingLydia's over on Etsy - they are all wonderful! Wouldn't it be fun to try to make something like this from felted wool sweater scraps?

Today's Junk-it

2010-05-29T12:59:00.000-07:00

Today I was able to indulge my inner scavenger and spend the morning at my favorite thrift venues. Before I even leave the house, I find a Depression Glass guide in the mail from Paperbackswap.com. This is an auspicious omen for the upcoming hunt. By the way, if you haven't joined yet, I highly recommend it. I've been able to trade lots of old books I no longer care about for ones that I actually want - like crochet books. You can't have enough crochet books.

First stop is the neighborhood Half-Price books because they are having a 20% off sale during the Memorial Day weekend. I find this book on filet crochet for $3 (because you can't have enough books about crochet, right?) and two cooking magazines for 25 cents each (because I am a little bit cooking-impaired and can always use more recipes and instruction.) With 20% off, the total comes to $3.02.

Next stop is Thread-Bare (aka The Stitching Studio), a DIY thrift store whose proceeds go to a good cause. This shop is mainly for quilters and people who sew but they often have yarn and vintage items. I find a great 70s craft magazine and a vintage crocheted potholder booklet. (Did I mention you can't have enough crochet books/booklets/pamphlets/printed material?) Drive out is $1.08.

Onward to my two-fer: two thrifts stores side-by-side in a strip mall. I strike out at Goodwill but I find these four vintage hand painted Christmas mugs at the Salvation Army, regularly 4 for $4.99 but on sale today for half-price. I now own 4 mugs that I don't have an immediate use for and will have to store until I can figure out a crafty use for them. This sort of item is my Thrifting Achilles Heel. If it wasn't for my iPhone Ebay app, which encourages me to catch and release, I would be bringing home MUCH more booty than I already do. In fact, I think the savings from this app may more than pay for my monthly data charge. Hmmm....

My last stop is the mother of all junk stores - the Goodwill Outlet Store. I am slowing down now but I do manage to find four squeaky dog toys for a total of 81 cents. A few will go to the dog, but I plan to cannibalize the others in order to get the squeakers out. My son, who hates crafting with a passion, has actually agreed to make 'dog toys' with me. My plan is to use my stash of felted wool sweaters to cut and stitch together a dog toy or two using my thrifted squeakers. Sounds like a fun holiday weekend activity, doesn't it?

Magic Ball Scarf

2010-05-28T19:27:00.001-07:00

I'm currently working on a light summer scarf made from a 'magic bal l' - a ball of yarn composed of lengths of many different yarns. For a control freak like me it's a little unsettling not knowing what yarn will turn up next. But lots of fun as it turns out.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

How to display your wares

2010-05-27T07:16:00.001-07:00

Isn't this a clever display option? I saw this train case display recently at a local crafts show and was very impressed. I actually have a couple of these vintage train cases that I've found out junking. Didn't have an immediate use for them but couldn't pass them up. Unfortunately, I don't have the patience to do craft fairs (plus I'm too shy) but I thought I'd pass on this great recycling idea to those who do.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Repurposing old dolls

2010-05-20T06:14:00.000-07:00

Photo by Luxford St.

Love this hat rack (limb rack?) from Luxford St over on Etsy. Lots of other clever and useful reused items there as well.

Silk Necktie Art

2010-05-15T15:21:00.001-07:00

Lilian Asterfield Ascot
Originally uploaded by LilianAsterfield

I went to the very first Austin Renegade Craft Fair this morning. Lots of great creative stuff. I think I was most impressed with Nicole Deponte's upcycled neckties. I've always thought there should be some use for all those beautiful silk neckties that I see at every thrift shop. Something besides making quilts or pillows, that is. Check here for more of her work.

Ride the Wild Rooster

2010-05-13T13:53:00.001-07:00

ride the ... rooster screen print, originally uploaded by howtouseart.

Not completely sure why I like this print but I really do. More great art from Tessa McSorely can be found at her Etsy store, How to Use Art.

Let's Get ready to Scrumble!

2010-05-07T20:29:00.001-07:00

freeform knitting & crochet, originally uploaded by freeform by prudence.

One of the things on my crochet to-do list is to learn how to scrumble. Scrumbling is free-form crochet, i.e., making it up as you go along. I found a great set of tutorials to download here. Anyone else going to try it?

How to make an astronaut spacesuit

2010-04-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

Figuring out how to make an astronaut costume on the cheap for a homeschool class turned out to be a fun exercise.

Here's how you make the helmet:

1. Find a 'helmet size' bucket or basket. This will be your mold.
2. Put a plastic bag (the type you get at the grocery store) over the outside. This will be the 'lining.'
3. Using duck tape in the color of your choice, tape all over the plastic bag.
4. Using regular scissors, trim around the bottom of the helmet and remove the helmet from the basket. It should lift off easily since the tape stuck to the plastic bag, not the basket.
5. Cut out the faceplate.
6. Give it to your favorite Jr. Astronaut.

Oh, and while you have that duck tape out, go get two 2-liter soda bottle to make a set of oxygen tanks.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Speaking of crowns and hats...

2010-04-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

I found this fabulous vintage Vogue hat pattern while on a junk walk-about. I am hack seamstress at best but there are only four pattern pieces so maybe I can manage.

I'll dig through my fabric stash and keep you posted.

Crocheted Crowns

2010-04-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

Not only is the temperature flirting with the 80s around here, the pollen count seems to be permanent stuck on 'high.' So lately I haven't been too motivated to crochet or even handle yarn. But I do still enjoy surfing Etsy where I found some wonderful 'crocheted crowns' like the one above by Xenobia Bailey . Now that's what I call a hat.

Just your ordinary every day Slack Set

2010-02-28T16:03:00.000-08:00

I was glancing through old 70's crochet pattern books and found the pattern for this 'slack set.' Surely this marvel of design deserves a more imaginative name than 'slack set'? Any ideas?

Hooded Scarf, or Scood to you.

2010-02-18T07:56:00.000-08:00

With blizzards seemingly everywhere this winter this simple head wrap seems like a good idea. It's called a 'scood' - short for 'hooded scarf.' Or should that be 'scarf with a hood'? In any case, it will keep both head and neck warm.

Pattern available in my etsy shop or on Ravelry.

What NOT to Crochet

2010-01-28T16:44:00.001-08:00

Could you use a good laugh? Even if you don't crochet, please check out the What Not to Crochet Blog. The picture above is a mere sampling and one of the less offensive of crochet offenses.

Make a Rose Scarflette for Valentine's Day

2010-01-24T14:29:00.000-08:00

A customer asked for this design not long ago, and I had a lot of fun trying to figure out the easiest way to construct it. After a few false starts, I finally came up with something I'm happy with. It can be made with a tie (shown) or a button closure.

Pattern available in my etsy shop or on Ravelry.

The Biggie Circle Scarf

2010-01-02T13:34:00.000-08:00

I have been admiring the circle scarfs that seem to be so popular, especially the moebius strip type that, technically speaking, have only one side. Alas, my version has two sides but it is very easy to make and works up fast (would you believe less than an hour?) when you use a giant hook (size Q) and 5-6 strands of yarns at a time.

Pattern available in my etsy shop.

Speaking of crocheted hats...

2009-11-27T10:37:00.001-08:00

I made this hat using the instructions in my previous post for a friend who saw a similar knitted one she liked. I used two strands of yarn crocheted together - a bulky weight pink yarn and a white eyelash yarn. A second friend saw the hat when my husband passed it off to the first friend and asked for one in red for her mom. Since I was on a roll (and have quite the eyelash yarn stash), I worked on a white on white one during the long Thanksgiving drive to Dallas which promptly ended up on the head of my teenaged niece. Several other family members noticed it during the holiday feast and requested hats in various colors. I am quite surprised - but pleased! - at its reception. What with two strands of yarn and a large (size K or more) hook, this thing works up surprisingly fast - 3 hours max. So if you need to make a last minute Christmas gift, may I suggest....

No Gauge Custom Cloche

2009-11-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

I have been in a hat/cap/beanie making mood lately. I have no idea why since I live in Texas and it is the rare day that Texans need to keep their heads warm. But in any case, here's my 'make your own custom cloche' instructions no matter the head size or the yarn/hook combo. Works for little girls, works for big girls.

First you need to measure the circumference of the head in question. For most adults you can figure 21" if you don't want to go to the trouble of digging out the tape measure. Now we all remember that the circumference of a circle equals 2 times pi times the radius. (Where the heck is the pi symbol on this keyboard?) Moving everything around through the magic of algebra we have

diameter = circumference/3.14

The diameter is the important number here. In our example of the circumference being 21", we have a diameter of approximately 6.7". Now you crochet in the round in a continuous spiral, starting with 6 SC in the first round and increasing by 6 each time around. In other words:

ROUND 1: CH 2. SC 6 in the second chain from the hook.
ROUND 2: (2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around for a total of 12
ROUND 3: (SC 1, 2SC in the next stitch) all the way around for a total of 18
ROUND 4: (SC 2, 2SC in the next stitch) all the way around for a total of 24
ROUND 5: (SC 3, 2SC in the next stitch) all the way around for a total of 30
.... and so on....

until the diameter is close to what you calculated (6.7" in our example.) Doesn't have to be exact, just close. Now for the easy part. However many rounds you have made so far, make twice that many without increasing (one SC in each stitch from now on.) If you had 8 rounds now add an additional 16. Finish off and weave in loose ends.

In summary:
1. figure out the diameter you need (circumference of the head divided by 3.14.)
2. crochet in the round in a spiral increasing by 6 each round til you reach that diameter.
3. Now do twice as many rounds as you have already done, but only do 1 SC in each stitch.
4. Finish off and weave in loose ends.

And if you want it to be a beanie, just do fewer rounds at the end.

Groovy Crochet Vest

2009-11-07T06:16:00.000-08:00

I scored some great 70s craft magazines at a thrift sale recently. Ah, the styles of my youth. I remember wearing vests similar to this, although growing up in Texas we were never fashion forward enough to wear them this long. Wonder what my teenage niece will say about it?

The Magic (Yarn) Ball

2009-10-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

My friend Leslie over at Wool Mountain Studio told me about 'the magic ball' the other day. How have I not heard of it before? You take your leftover yarn odds and ends and tie them end to end to make one long ball. Voila! You've found a use for all those short lengths of yarn and created a 'magic' yarn that is full of surprises. I'm crocheting this hat with a magic ball made from a big tangled glob of leftover wool needlepoint yarn. I must admit it IS fun watching the colors change as I go along. And in case you are wondering, I haven't crocheted in the loose ends on purposes. I kind of like the way it looks - it fits the whimsical nature of the Magic Ball, don't you think?

Easy Crocheted Hooded Cowl

2009-10-24T21:24:00.000-07:00

Our first cold snap put me in the mood to create something warm. This cowl will keep your neck warm. Or pull it up over your head like a hood to keep your head and ears warm. Or pull it down over your shoulders to keep them warm. Or do all three.

Pattern available in my etsy shop.

Ready for the Renaissance Faire

2009-10-05T15:02:00.001-07:00

This Juliet cap was specially requested by a friend. It takes less that 100 yards of yarn, can be easily finished up in a hour or two, and it's absolutely perfect for the Texas Renaissance Festival! If you've never been, I strongly encourage you to go - and wear your walking shoes.

Pattern available in my etsy shop.

Double, Double Boil and Trouble

2009-08-22T15:03:00.000-07:00

DH pointed out that I haven't posted to my blog in a LONG time. The killer Texas heat has definitely been a huge factor in slowing me down. Combine that with malware that brought my PC to its knees (I'm still trying to recover - I am currently using my son's borrowed PC) and I'm surprised I even get up in the morning. Not really, but it feels good to complain.

I have tried one new thing - I finally dyed some old vintage white hobnail bedspread fabric using Rit dye. I wasn't brave enough to dye it in the washing machine so I used a pot on the stove. Very easy after all! And the end result is a much more interesting color than white. Now to figure out what to do with it. Suggestions, anyone?

How to buy a bread machine for $10 or less

2009-07-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

The short answer: Goodwill. I've noticed that Goodwill stores are a great place to find expensive appliances (like bread machines) for a few bucks. The trick is knowing that Goodwill lines them up along a back wall in the least interesting part of the store. My eyes used to just bounce off of them like some high-tech reflective surface. When I seriously started looking for a bread machine a few months ago I finally noticed them. Now I know what electrical treasures lay buried in the nether regions of the local thrift store.

For example, this morning I saw two juicers, three bread machines, a deep fryer, and several other appliances I couldn't even identify. For $10 I picked up this bread machine, brought it home, cleaned it, found the instruction manual online, printed the manual, and then made a loaf to be certain it works. My husband was convinced that something must be wrong with it, that it wasn't going to work, that no one would drop off a working bread machine at Goodwill. I, of course, knew better. Because I understand how those appliances get to Goodwill in the first place. One gets a fancy new gadget, uses it a few times, gets bored with it and finds somewhere to store it. Later (could be months or years) one gets rid of it while in a frenzy of de-cluttering.

By the way, this bread machine is headed for a friend who needs one - it's pictured loaded up in my car ready for delivery. I was tempted to pick up one of the juicers, too, but I already have one in storage that hasn't yet been de-cluttered.

Oxymoron of the Day: Kosher Creole

2009-07-11T19:57:00.000-07:00

Can this be? Can shellfish-rich creole food be kosher? Can Nawlins Jazz and Jewish Klezmer make beautiful music together? What do YOU think?

Second Liners Jambalaya

1 1 lb jar gefilte fish, drained
2 C cooked rice
2 T butter or pareve margarine
1/4 C chopped green pepper
1/2 C chopped onion
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp thyme
1 10.5 oz can condensed tomato soup, undiluted
1 C milk
paprika

Saute onion and green pepper in butter until tender but not brown. Add salt, pepper, thyme, soup, and milk. Mix with rice. Pour into greased 1 1/2 qt baking dish. Arrange fish on top. Press into rice mixture and sprinkle with paprika. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

The Chard that wouldn't die...

2009-06-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

Swiss Chard, that is. If we ever experience another Great Depression, my family won't have to worry about having greens on the table. My one plant has been going strong for right at a year now and shows no signs of slowing down. If you have any interesting chard recipes, please let me know. My latest find is this 'greens soup' which is actually quite tasty:

large bunch of mustard, kale, chard or spinach; chopped

bunch of cilantro, arugula or parsley; chopped

4 leeks, sliced and rinsed

juice of 1 lemon

chicken stock

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp salt

Sautee leeks in olive oil with a few bay leaves and minced garlic

Add brown sugar and salt. Cook for a few more minutes.

Throw in greens. Cover with stock.

Simmer 30 minutes.

Stir in herbs and lemon juice.

Rites of Passage

2009-06-07T11:27:00.001-07:00

Today was B's first time to help mow the lawn. And at his suggestion.

Bean TeePee Update

2009-05-26T11:21:00.000-07:00

The bean plants are growing and have pretty little white flowers. Quite a difference from my previous TeePee post. Hopefully the beans themselves will be not be too far behind. DH asked recently if the beans I planted were 'french cut beans.' I am only slightly more plant savvy, so white flowers (rather than brown leaves and vines) are a very promising sign.

Roses and Vines

2009-05-02T14:55:00.001-07:00

Summer is just around the corner. Roses blooming all around me inspire this new lariat design.

Pattern available in my etsy shop.

How to Make your Swiffer Green

2009-04-28T17:07:00.001-07:00

I have a Swiffer and I like it. But I keep forgetting to buy those sheets for them. And since I am a bit of a tightwad, I resent having to buy them in the first place. They seem expensive, don't you think? Anyway, a crocheted swiffer sock pattern over at Craftstylish looked like a cheap (and green) solution - a reuseable cover that can go in the washing machine. The next thing that popped into my head was those 50's crocheted dusting mitts with the loops. I'm a sucker for everything mid-century modern so I had to have one with loops. Add research on the loop stitch and ugly old acrylic yarn and I've got my loopy duster. And I bet synthetic yarn is better at creating static electricity than the fancy stuff anyway.

How to Cook Greens

2009-04-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

My gracious and generous neighbor, Redneck Mother, dropped off a mess of Swiss Chard from her garden the other day and I wasted no time in cooking it up. A few years spent in Mississippi taught me to truly appreciate plants with huge dark green leaves. Although they may look a little daunting (I have seen my MIL refuse to cook them up because they are 'too much trouble to wash') , they don't have to be labor intensive. Here's my shortcut, good for greens of all persuasion:

Put the greens in your kitchen sink and fill it up with cold water from the tap. Let sit for about 30 minutes. Any grit left on the leaves will have sunk to the bottom of the sink.

Take the greens from the sink and set them aside. Don't worry about drying them off - a good shake to get most of the water off is sufficient. The water that still clings to them will be used to cook them in a minute. Chop them roughly. (I like to include the big stems but some people prefer to cut them out.)

Heat a big skillet. Add a tablespoon or so of olive oil and a minced clove or two of garlic. Saute the garlic for a minute.

Add the chopped greens. Cook, tossing occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes. You want them wilted but not mushy. (See? The water still clinging to the greens steams and cooks them!) And don't worry about an overly full skillet - these babies shrink up a lot.

Put them on a plate and add a little salt and pepper. If you're from Mississippi, you'll have a bottle of pepper sauce handy. If not, a splash of balsamic vinegar is nice, too.

Oreo cookies that never get stale

2009-04-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

I had some leftover black and white yarn from an amigurumi class that just finished up. Guess what I couldn't get out of my mind? For each cookie, make two black and 1 white of the following:

CH 2. Work 6 SC in the second CH from the hook.

Make 2 SC in each of the 6 stitches (12 SC total.)

(SC 1, make 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (18 SC total.)

(SC for 2, make 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (24 SC total.)

SL ST to the next SC and finish off. Weave in loose ends.

Use a tapestry needle and a length of the black yarn to sew together the three pieces with a running stitch. Now I'm off to the store to compare them to the real thing...

2009-04-23T20:39:00.000-07:00

This lovely poem posted recently by a dear friend reminds me that both Spring and Life are fleeting and for that reason should be savored all the more.

Baby Seed Song by Edith Nesbit, 1858-1924

Little brown brother, oh! little brown brother,
Are you awake in the dark?
Here we lie cosily, close to each other:
Hark to the song of the lark
"Waken!" the lark says, "waken and dress you;
Put on your green coats and gay,
Blue sky will shine on you, sunshine caress you
Waken! 'tis morning 'tis May!"
Little brown brother, oh! little brown brother,
What kind of a flower will you be?
I'll be a poppy all white, like my mother;
Do be a poppy like me.
What! You're a sunflower! How I shall miss you
When you're grown golden and high! But I shall send all the bees up to kiss you;
Little brown brother, good-bye.

Recycled Windowsill Garden

2009-04-22T05:46:00.000-07:00

Here's my entry for the Crafty by Nature Contest over at Craftstylish.com. It's easy and simple. It's not horribly impressive, but did I mention that it's easy and simple? You'll need:

* empty tin cans, rinsed out
* old wool sweater(s)
* bedding plants (or seeds) and a little soil
* a pair of scissors

Toss the sweater(s) into the washing machine using hot water and the highest agitation setting. Since they are wool they will shrink and felt up. Then toss them in the dryer or let air dry. Cut tubes from the arms the same length as the cans. Pot the plants/seeds in the cans. (And probably you should nail a hole or two on the bottom for drainage, although I didn't.) Slip the sweater tube over the can. Instant windowsill garden (or pencil holder or vase if you don't like getting your hands dirty.)

BTW, you have until midnight tonight to enter the contest - let me know if you do!

Strawberries take a little patience.

2009-04-15T17:13:00.000-07:00

I planted strawberry plants last fall. And being the total gardening noob that I am, I thought that the few strawberries I 'harvested' (did I actually 'harvest'? and can you call a handful a 'crop'?) was it for those plants. Not so. I guess they take the winter to get established because now I have big healthy plants, quite a few flowers and the beginnings of a REAL crop. The Kid even got a little into it and sampled the first one. Getting him involved is the most important harvest of all.

Felt Nest with Robin Eggs

2009-04-10T19:07:00.001-07:00

This little nest with robins eggs measures about 3 inches across. I sewed on a pinback so I can wear it. Can these count as Easter Eggs?

Embrace your Inner Grouch

2009-04-05T10:28:00.001-07:00

[image: pocomedia.etsy.com]

"Meet Annie and Keith. They've been battling it out their whole lives - too bad mom forgot to keep score. They still love each other though, in a hate-hate sort of way. Black eyes, bruises, bite marks and unexpected haircuts are just a few ways of saying "I love you" to your sibling. Good thing they are related or it might be considered assault!"

Finally! Dolls that speak to my inner misanthrope! I've admired the twisted little dolls from Gravel Alley Primitives for quite some time. Reading their stories makes me laugh and reminds me not to take life so seriously - after all, no one gets out alive. I've leave you with another story for the road.

[image: pocomedia.etsy.com]

"She looks forward to the day when she can call you "hun" and make you wait 13 minutes while she changes her cash register tape. She'll giggle and say, "I'm new," even though she's not. She'll forget to scan your coupons and then make you stand in line at the customer service counter to get your discounts. She's mean like that. "

Felt Easter Egg Tutorial

2009-04-04T08:18:00.000-07:00

These felts eggs are easy to make and I'm pretty sure they are fun to play with.

You'll need:

craft felt (a 12" x 9" square will yield 6 eggs and cost about 25 cents at the local big box store)

polyfill for the stuffing

embroidery thread and an embroidery needle

three straight pins

sewing scissors

an egg template

For the template just trace an egg and then add 1/4" all the way around. You can also get find a free template here but you will need to reduce it to 75% the original size to get an egg that will fit in an egg case.

Cut out the egg shapes using the template. I fold the felt in half, pin the template to the felt and then cut two egg shapes at once. Two pieces will make one egg.

Whipstitch the two pieces together using the embroidery thread. I find that about a 30" length of embroidery thread is just about right length for me.

Leave about a 1" gap on the bottom of the egg for turning it inside out.

Turn the egg inside out.

Stick your finger in the egg and push out the seam all the way around.

Stuff with the polyfill nice and tight.

Now whipstitch the bottom of the egg closed. Have fun!

Free Yarmulke Crochet Pattern for Passover

2009-04-03T09:59:00.000-07:00

The Purl Bee has graciously posted the pattern for these crochet kippot . These skullcaps would be perfect gifts for Pesach, which starts next Thursday, April 9. These are so appealing they almost make me wish women also wore them.

Sugar Free Peeps for Easter

2009-04-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

[chiwaluv's Etsy Shop]

I found a crochet pattern for these adorable amigurumi peeps at

Chiwaluv Amigurumi Critters - perfect for Easter. Only 4 bucks for the pattern - about what you'd pay for real peeps plus your kids won't get cavities.

The Kindness of Neighbors

2009-03-29T07:19:00.000-07:00

That's a busted skylight if you can't quite tell what my photo is. We had quite a hailstorm a few days ago. Here's a pic of some of the pea, nickel and quarter size hail we got.

But this post is really about a very nice neighbor down the street. M is out of town on business so it was just The Kid and me. After staring at the broken skylight for most of the next day, it occurred to me that I probably ought to tape some plastic over it, especially since more rain was forcast. So I headed down the street to borrow an expanding ladder from a neighbor I thought might have one. He ended up doing all the work of getting up on the roof and taping down plastic. And then the next day he came over and swept all the leaves and broken tree limbs off the roof (and there was a LOT of green up there.) I'm so thankful for his kindness, which reminded me that no one can go it alone - we all need help once in awhile.

Non-Euclidean Geometry meets Crochet

2009-03-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

Ever heard of Hyperbolic Geometry? Apparently it is the geometric opposite of the sphere. On a sphere, the surface curves in on itself and is closed. On a hyperbolic plane the surface curves away from itself at every point. In other words....

In Euclidean geometry, as a circle gets larger, the length of the circumference increases linearly. But with a hyperbolic plane, we're talking EXPONENTIAL increases. Got that?

Oddly enough, the concept of a hyperbolic plane can be physically modeled using crochet.

Yes, you can impress your family and friends by making your own hyperbolic surface! All you do is increase the number of stitches in each successive row or round of a crochet project. That's it. Here's how to make a 'pseudosphere' (like the one I made pictured above):

1. CH 2. SC 6 in the second chain from the hook (6 SC total).
2. SC 2 in each stitch all the way around (12 SC total).

*BTW, I like to crochet in a spiral and not worry about ending rounds and starting another. So just keep going with step 3 - don't worry about making a SL ST to the last stitch in the round and all that stuff.

3. SC 2 in each stitch all the way around (24 SC total).
4. SC 2 in each stitch all the way around (48 SC total).
5. SC 2 in each stitch all the way around (96 SC total).

I think I stopped after step 5 but feel free to keep going!

You'll get a kinesthetic feel for what 'expanding exponentially' REALLY means. Early rounds go quickly, but each successive round takes longer and longer (and also eats up exponentially increasing amounts of yarn.)

If you want to learn a little more about the mathematics involved, check out this article or just google 'hyperbolic crochet.'

Felt Food - A Mixed Baby Greens Salad

2009-03-24T10:02:00.001-07:00

Yum, yum. I wish I had thought of making this. What a great idea for kids AND grownups. So much more fun to play with than plastic food from the big box store, don't you think? I found this handmade felt salad at dashingBean's shop on Etsy. Her stuff is currently all sold out, but hopefully not for long. I'm hungry for more (sorry, couldn't resist...)

Free Felted Coasters Crochet Pattern

2009-03-23T18:19:00.000-07:00

I saw something similar to this somewhere and thought it might be fun to make up a set. The coasters and their case make an easy project for the beginning crocheter - they work up fast and make an unusual gift. You'll need:

about 3 oz of 100% wool medium weight yarn. (Make sure it's wool - otherwise it won't felt.) I like Lion Wool Brand and Paton's Classic Wool. If you are using 2 colors like I did, a couple oz. of each color should be enough.
a size F or G crochet hook
a 28-30 oz can of vegetables (say, a 28 oz. can of tomatoes)
a zippered mesh laundry bag (like the kind you wash delicates in)
a tennis ball or a pair of jeans

You're going to do all the crocheting in a spiral rather than end each round and start a new one. I think working in spirals is SOOO much easier, plus it's going to be felted in the end anyway so who will know?

THE COASTER (Make 4 of these):

Make a circle of 6 SC. You can do this one of two ways. You can CH 2 and then make 6 SC in the second CH from the hook. Or, you can use the 'Magic Adjustable Ring.' Check the video I have for this if you don't know what I'm talking about.
Make 2 SC in each SC around (12 SC total.)
(SC 1, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (18 SC total.)
(SC 2, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (24 SC total.)
(SC 3, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (30 SC total.)
(SC 4, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (36 SC total.)
(SC 5, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (42 SC total.)
(SC 6, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (48 SC total.)
SL ST to next stitch and finish off.

THE CASE:

Repeat steps 1-8 of the coasters.
(SC 7, 2 SC in the next stitch) all the way around (54 SC total.) If you want a two-toned holder, here is a good place to switch to your second color.
SC in each stitch all the way around (54 SC total.)
Repeat step 3 for 9 more times.
SL ST to the next stitch and finish off.

FELTING:

Now you are ready to felt this stuff. Put everything in that mesh laundry bag and put it in your washing machine with that tennis ball or pair of jeans. The tennis ball (or jeans) will help agitate the wool and get it to felt up. Set the wash on the lowest water setting, the highest agitation setting and use hot water. Run it through a wash and rinse cycle. If the pieces aren't felted enough to your liking, you can wash 'em again. Trim any loose ends. Now to shape everything. It should be pretty easy to get the coasters flattened out - just stretch with your hands, if needed . As for the case, put it over the end of the vegetable can and tug it into shape. You make have to pull a bit on this one. It should look something like this (can you tell I live in Texas?):

Once you get it evened out, let everything just sit until it's dry. This could take up to 24 hours but overnight usually does it for me. That's it! Here's my set going for a test drive.

Let me know how yours turn out!

Don't plant a Southern Magnolia

2009-03-21T15:14:00.001-07:00

This is why.

I started picking up these seed pods this morning. The count is up to about 150 with no end in sight. And these things are about the size of a hand grenade. So you can't just mow over them. You have to pick. Them. Up. Not to mention the leaves, which are bigger and also (according to my husband) cannot be mowed over.

So. Think twice before you plant one of these things. But if you still want one, here's a very important tip: never trim up the branches. Leave the lower branches low (as in close to the ground.) That way this mess stays hidden.

Make a Bean TeePee

2009-03-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

You know how people say that as a woman gets older, she gets more like her mother? Could be. I find myself more and more interested in things appropriate to a farmer or even a pioneer. And guess what my mom's nickname is? Pioneer Mom. As in the old pioneer days when you did everything yourself. I actually have a long way to go before meeting her high standard of self-sufficiency, but I'm working on it. I checked out The Urban Homestead: Your Guide to Self-sufficient Living in the Heart of the City (Process Self-reliance Series)
from the local library. I highly recommend it for those who really don't have a clue as to where to get started (and that would be me.) It's full of easy and inexpensive ways to dig in. Hence, my new pole bean teepee. I scrounged some bamboo poles from the garage and a large tree branch I had been meaning to throw away, lashed them togther with some of the t-shirt yarn mentioned in a previous post (didn't see that application coming) and instant teepee! Once I clear the grass and make a trip to the local nursery for beans I'm set.

Everyone needs a pincushion, right?

2009-03-19T09:58:00.000-07:00

I found a cute set of tiny (3" high) pottery mugs while junking and couldn't bear to leave them behind. So they sat on a shelf at home for a few weeks while I awaited inspiration. Sure enough, I came across a similar item made into a pincushion. Eureka! Funny how that works, isn't it? Here's one of the mugs in its new incarnation as a sunny holder of pins.

How to Make T-shirt Yarn

2009-03-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

I looked at a lot of instructions and videos on the net and here is my take on how to make yarn from old t-shirts:

The t-shirt must have no side seams, otherwise it's not going to work.
Wash the t-shirt in hot water and dry on high to make sure it's shrunk as much as it is going to.
Get out your ironing board. (no, not to iron the t-shirt.)
Slide the t-shirt on the ironing board. This will make subsequent cutting much easier. (BTW, set up the ironing board opposite how you usually do it. If you are right-handed, point your ironing board to the right. If you are left-handed, point it to the left.)
Cut off the bottom hem of the t-shirt.
Cut along the bottom edge at an angle until you have about 1" in width. Then keep cutting in a spiral round and round, keeping the strip approximately 1" wide. This is where the ironing board makes it easier - just rotate the shirt around as you cut. And don't be OCD about getting it exactly 1" or exactly straight - just guesstimate. Or make it wider than 1" if you what. Your call.

You will eventually hit an obstacle - either the armpits or a print on the t-shirt. This is the end of your yarn-making adventure (at least with this t-shirt.) Let go. Cut it loose. Now, hold about a foot between your two hands and pull apart. The strip will naturally curl on the purl (or is it knit?) side. Whatever. It will curl on it's own if you pull it hard enough. Work your way down the strip pulling for the entire length.

Voila! You have t-shirt yarn! This bright green t-shirt was a size XL and I got about 32 yards from it. Now I just have to figure out what to do with it.

Eco friendly dryer sachets

2009-03-16T18:27:00.001-07:00

Ok, ok. I was supposed to explain how to make t-shirt yarn this post. I'll do it tomorrow - I promise. But for now, look at these great eco-friendly dryer sachets filled with lavender from ReFabulous. I bought some of these a few months ago and LOVE them. We are a family of allergy sufferers, just like most families living in Central Texas, so I've always stayed away from the dryer sheets. But these are sooo wonderful! Lots and lots of creatively upcycled products in this shop. Go look!

T-shirt Yarn Purse

2009-03-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

Isn't this cute? I found it in Lifesanadventure's Etsy shop. She made it from old t-shirts that she cut up and knit together. I've noticed the t-shirt yarn for sale on Etsy and of course I immediately wanted to know how to make it. Turns out to be pretty easy. I'll explain next post...

Curly Q

2009-03-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

I saw a scarf somewhere that was filled with these spirals. I tried to make something similar but it just took too darn long (and used too much yarn.) So I went for a lariat instead. Still get the fun spirals but you can make it in an evening with much less yarn.

Pattern available in my etsy shop.

My New Favorite Crocheted Rose Pattern

2009-03-13T18:10:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to post this picture for awhile. Rarely do I find a crochet book that I really, really like. Well, I really, really like The Crochet Bible: The Complete Handbook for Creative Crochet
by Sue Whiting. These three roses were made from a pattern in the book and I love how they turned out. (That's the same pattern as the red rose in the upper right corner of the book's front cover.) I used a slightly larger yarn than called for so these came out about 5" across - hooray for big flowers! I tend to think of them as camellias rather than roses but who cares what you call them. There are a couple more projects in the book calling to me - always the sign of a good crochet book.

The Slip Stitch

2009-03-05T13:45:00.000-08:00

The slip stitch (abbreviated 'SL ST') is very easy. You will see it in lots of patterns, especially when you have to connect pieces or move along the edge without adding any height. Just slide the yarn under the next stitch, YO (yarn over) and then pull through the stitch and through the loop on the hook.

Help Baby Ike!

2009-03-02T11:16:00.000-08:00

This is Isaac, nicknamed Ike-a-saurus by his big brother. Ike’s mama is the author of Haiku Mama and the amazing blogger behind Haikuoftheday, where you can read a lot of their story in her own words. Ike was born 13 weeks early and spent a lot of time in the NICU. Ike finally got to come home but then his dad got laid off and their insurance was cut off the same day.

Now baby Ike is back in the hospital and is very ill.

Many mamas from the Austinmama community are rallying together to organize fundraising events to help with mounting medical bills. You can help by donating at Ike's website. You can also help by going shopping! Some Etsy sellers have offered to donate proceeds from designated items to help Ike. Rachel Hobson, over at the AverageJaneCrafter blog, has all the info on the shops involved. Go check it out and see if you can find something you can't live without. And help baby Ike at the same time.

What sport did you letter in?

2009-02-26T12:20:00.000-08:00

While searching for treasure with my friend, I came across these chenille letters. I'm guessing (hoping?) I have it upside down, but it gives me any idea. Sewn on an appropriate sweater or jacket it will make the perfect 'gotcha' gift for a certain sister-in-law who should really read my blog more often.

Crocheted Pillbox Hat

2009-02-24T17:53:00.000-08:00

For some time now I have been a little obsessed with creating a pillbox hat. I'm not sure of the source of the urge since 1) I don't wear hats myself, 2) 'fashionable' is not an adjective that describes me, and 3)I live in a part of the country where the purpose of a hat is to keep the hot sun off of your face (or neck, as the case may be.) But, still, a cute little pillbox hat. Just the name sounds exotic. I originally envisioned a felted one, but that hasn't worked out too well. Probably I need a hat form for felt to work. Instead, here is what I finally came up with - a pillbox hat of sorts. I used an extra bulky yarn and added a novelty yarn for the 'flash' factor.

Pattern available at my etsy shop.

Artisan Bread For Dummies

2009-02-22T12:13:00.000-08:00

I got this great bread book for Chrismas - thanks, Leigh! The book is Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
and I figure I am the perfect test case since I have never attempted to bake my own bread. (Bread machines don't count.) Here's what you do: Mix up a big batch of dough that will keep in your frig for 2 weeks. (And I do mean mix - no kneading required.) When you are ready to bake a loaf just pull off a hunk. The '5 minutes' is how much time you actually handle the dough - there is some added wait and bake time, but who cares about that? I am happy to let the dough rest for 40 minutes while I do something else and then bake for another 30 minutes while I still do something else. And no kneading. Ever. Big plus. The photo above is the basic loaf, but the book contains lots and lots of different recipes. I made the sweet rolls the other night - very tasty but a little too much work for lazy me. I'm going to stick to the easy ones like this...

Crocheted Fern Scarf

2009-02-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

This scarf design was inspired by the wispy look of ferns, so I've titled it the 'fern scarf.' It was crocheted using a bulky yarn and a large hook. I also tried with a blue-gray yarn, in which case it looked a bit more like the 'fishbone scarf.' Stick with green.

Pattern available at my Etsy shop.

The Perfect Crochet Book for Beginners

2009-02-09T10:56:00.000-08:00

I recently volunteered to teach a group of kids to crochet. Since I learned the craft rather haphazardly (whatever I picked up as needed) I thought it might be a good idea to review my favorite how-to book. Sure enough, I am doing a few things wrong (like how I hold that darned hook.) This aptly titled book is extremely readable and is perfect for absolute beginners. It even explains the hieroglyphics that pass for instructions in most patterns. Check out Crocheting in Plain English: Easy-to-follow lessons in patterns, Sensible solutions to nagging problems, The only book any crocheter will ever Need over at Amazon where you can view the Table of Contents and read the first chapter.

Free Amigurumi Heart Pattern

2009-02-06T15:08:00.000-08:00

Just in time for Valentine's Day! Surf on over to roxycraft.com to find the free crochet instructions for these cute amigurumi hearts.

The Single Crochet Stitch

2009-02-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

The Slip Loop and The Chain Stitch

2009-02-05T06:36:00.000-08:00

How to start your crochet project with a Slip Loop - and how to make the foundation row with the Chain Stitch.

How to hold the yarn and the hook

2009-02-04T19:48:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the grainy image - I used an old digital camera and it was also an overcast day. But hopefully this will help you get the idea. Bottom line: left hand holds the yarn and doles it out, right hand wields the hook.

For someone who has never attempted crochet, I suggest starting with a size F or G hook and a plain medium weight yarn (the yarn label will say either 'medium' or 'size 4'.)

Red Hearts

2009-02-03T17:35:00.000-08:00

Is this adorable or what? It was on Etsy's front page treasury so I tracked it down to Samiskiart's shop. I must be subconsciously looking forward to Valentine's Day because it seems lately I only notice things that are either red or heart-shaped (or both.) There are lots of other adorable little wall plaques in this shop. Go take a peek.

Crocheted Rose Lariat

2009-01-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

I love surfing etsy - everyone is so creative and it helps get me moving forward again when I get in a slump. One thing I've noticed lately is the 'lariat.' To me a lariat always meant a lasso, but apparently it can also be a length of yarn that has been fancied up a bit. I guess it's a little flourish to wear around your neck. My version has little rosettes made with a chenille-ish yarn.

Pattern available at my Etsy shop.

Crocheted Wrist Warmers

2009-01-22T14:46:00.001-08:00

These fingerless gloves super easy to make and very popular with the young crowd (my 15 year old niece was the impetus behind their design...) Using only Chains, Single Crochets and Slip Stitches, you can knock these out in an evening. I used worsted weight yarn and a size F hook with these.

Pattern available at my Etsy shop.

Why I prefer thrift stores to big box stores

2008-12-31T14:26:00.001-08:00

$8.99. 'Nuf said.

Make mine a Garden Hopper

2008-12-29T15:20:00.000-08:00

Most Christmases I open at least one gift that I'm not quite sure how to react to. And naturally I have to open it in front of M's entire family. They have this little tradition where only one person at a time opens their gifts so that everyone else can 'ooh' and 'aah' and closely watch your face for reactions. Well, the 2008 Grand Prize Winner is my Garden Hopper. At first glance, this contraption looks like something my son used to ride on in his toddler years, minus the handle to pull it. (In fairness, it does have a hook where you can attach one.) It's even made by Step 2. Don't those people make toddler riding toys? But on closer inspection, I think this gift may turn out to be a big winner. It has a little seat for working in the garden - no small thing when you're middle-aged and have more and more trouble just bending over, much less squatting. And notice the cup holder on one end. I can have my beverage of choice within arm's reach. Plus there's a storage area under the seat for tools, although I plan to use it to hold snacks to go with my beverage. I still need to check the weight limit. That's the true test.

What was your 'most interesting' gift this Christmas?

Winter garden update...

2008-12-28T14:37:00.000-08:00

My little garden is still going strong. The lettuces are still alive and providing greens for salads and the cauliflower plant actually has a small head. The basil is long gone but the dill is still alive. The collard and mustard green plants are fine as well. I guess that is the silver lining to a warm Christmas. The newest addition are radishes, whose deep pink is somehow very satisfying.

Ear Flaps Required

2008-12-23T17:59:00.000-08:00

Don't obsess about the doll head. I know it's a little creepy, but I didn't have a real baby handy to test the fit and I had the urge today to come up with a wool cap for my soon-to-be new nephew. Tomorrow we leave for the soon-to-be new nephew's soon-to-be parents' house to celebrate Christmas and I want to have a little something for the new kid.

In any case, this is what I came up with and I sorta like it! Just the thing for a kid here in Austin. But Ft. Worth? Hmmm...

Pattern available at my Etsy shop.

When crochet is art

2008-12-11T03:15:00.000-08:00

This is what I aspire to as a crocheter. This is one of the many beauties that can be found in the 'Museum of Useless Objects' over at Etsy. I've loved Sarah's crocheted felted creations for awhile now. Be sure and check out all her other great stuff.

Cold hands, cold heart?

2008-12-09T12:34:00.000-08:00

DH gave me his 'I am extremely perplexed about what my wife is doing with her time' look when I showed him these things. I saw something similar somewhere and immediately thought, 'how cute! how feminine! And they look pretty easy to make and don't use much yarn.' They would probably make more sense if I lived where you actually need a coat in the winter. But I still think they would look cute peeking out from under a coat sleeve.

Pattern available at my Etsy shop.

Tomato Cobbler ... really!

2008-12-07T19:35:00.000-08:00

I was searching the web for the pickled onion rings recipe from the Cock of the Walk in Jackson, Mississippi, (and believe me, they are worth searching for) when I came across this recipe for Tomato Cobbler. Not two words I would normally put together, but it rang a bell. My father-in-law, who hails from the Magnolia State, once reminisced about having eaten tomato cobbler. I'm not sure any of us actually believed him at the time, but having found evidence of its existence I had to try it out. So here it is in all its glory. If you can get past my poor photography and even poorer presentation (no, I don't have a nicer casserole dish, and no, I do not have the patience to weave a lattice top out of pastry dough), it is actually quite good. I had DH sample it before telling him what it was and he gave it a thumbs up. The recipe is shown below in case you also feel the need to prove it for yourself. Of course, to be fair, anything with that much sugar and butter has got to good.

Deep Dish Tomato Cobbler

2 1/2 lb ripe tomatoes
3/4 C sugar
3/4 C brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 T vanilla
1/2 C butter
3/4 C water
pastry dough for an 8" pie

Preheat oven to 450 F.
Simmer all ingredients (except the dough) for 20 minutes.
Roll the dough thin, then cut in half. Cut one half into small squares about 1/2" wide.
Drop the small squares into the pan and simmer 5 more minutes.
Pour into baking dish.
Cover with the rest of the dough cut into strips.
Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake at 450 F for 15 minutes or until browned.

2008-11-08T16:51:00.001-08:00

Look what my clever friend Erin has done! She explains the the easy way to print designs on your own fabric - she used an old bed sheet, fabric paints and a stamp. Check it out on her blog. This definitely goes in my 'someday crafts' pile...

Recycled Sweaters - Part 2

2008-11-07T18:08:00.000-08:00

Here is something I first noticed my 15 year old niece wearing and since then I've seem them around: wrist warmers made from an old wool sweater. This is so easy. Now when DH accidentally runs that wool sweater through the washer and dryer at least something can be salvaged. Here is what you do:

1. Put your hands through the sleeves to see if they fit. I like them kind of snug, so I will run the sweater through the wash a second time if they are loose.

2. Decide how long you want them to be. Just past your wrists? All the way to your elbow? After you've decided, cut them from the body of the sweater.

3. Now all you need are holes for your thumbs. Since these are already felted, they aren't going to fray. Grab your scissors and cut out a nickle size hole where your thumb can poke out.

4. Voila! You have made fingerless gloves!

I added little crocheted flowers (because that is what I do) but my niece is big on buttons...lots of buttons.

Flowers made from Recycled Sweaters

2008-11-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

What, two posts in one day? Could it be the End Days? No, I just discovered all the great how-to videos on the Make website. I can tell I will be adding LOTS of these videos. (Note to self: use this blog to file all the crafts I want to try someday....) First up - flower pins made from recycled wool sweaters. Aren't these great?

Best of Maker Faire Austin 2008

2008-11-02T11:55:00.001-08:00

I found this video at the Make website. The Maker Faire was a blast - and there was so much I didn't even get a chance to see!

Vintage Edgings

2008-10-30T15:44:00.000-07:00

I had to make a stop at the local Hobby Lobby to pick up some tapestry needles and found this beautiful multicolored yarn. It is so soft and has the perfect colors for welcoming in the (eventual) cooler weather. I found an interesting edging pattern from my collection of vintage crochet patterns and tweaked a little here and there to come up with this scarf. Now all I need is a cold snap.

Pattern available at my Etsy shop.

How does your garden grow?

2008-10-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

I am exceedingly proud of myself. I finally put together a Square Foot Garden. And I did it all myself since DH is not exactly the outdoor type. When asked to help, his comment was, "but I'm a city boy..." Actually, neither of us is very good at growing things, which is pretty obvious if you look closely at the grass in the photo. I've had the Square Foot Gardening books for years (decades?) and I pull it out and look it over every few years. This time I took it to heart and even tracked down coarse vermiculite, which according to the NEW Square Foot Gardening book is absolutely de rigueur. I had to drive waaaay down to south Austin (I'm a northie) to a place called Brite Ideas, which I'm thinking might have hippie roots. ( I'll try out their hydroponics supplies one of these days.) I've got several kinds of lettuce, spinach, mustard and collard greens (I lived in Mississippi for 3 years where I developed a taste for leafy green things cooked in bacon fat and doused in vinegar), a few herbs and three strawberry plants. The strawberry plants are a sneaky attempt to involve The Kid, who's generally not interested in putting something in his mouth unless it comes out of a Chef-Boy-R-Dee can. If any gardening pros out have any advice, I'm all ears...

Keep Austin Weird

2008-10-22T10:12:00.000-07:00

I had a blast at the Maker Faire this past weekend. It was pure heaven for anyone with craft and/or geek tendencies. I was volunteering for the Texas Etsy Street Team, but it didn't feel like work. I helped with demos and learned new ways to recycle ordinary objects - like making gift boxes out of greeting cards, and making a tote bag from a t-shirt. I even got to try making a shrinky-dink out of plastic from a clamshell container from the grocery store thanks to Claire at poopscape.com. The whole experience inspired me to tackle a old pair of red keds with a sharpie and fabric paints. They obviously need a second coat of paint. Next time I'll start with white shoes...

Arachnophobia

2008-09-30T12:40:00.001-07:00

I found a vintage crochet pattern that spoke to me about my favorite holiday. I lightly modified an old pattern labelled 'A Pretty Spider Insertion in Torchon Effect.' I didn't know what 'torchon' meant, but I did like the spider-like image in the middle and decided it would make a great black scarf for Halloween. And I couldn't resist looking up torchon online - come on, you're curious, too, right?

Pattern available at my Etsy store.

The Happy Hooksters of Elk Grove, IL

2008-09-29T20:20:00.001-07:00

I sold a breast cancer awareness scarf pattern to Nina in Elk Grove, Illinois. It turns out she and a group of crocheters are going to use it to make pink scarves during the month of October to send to the American Cancer Society. We should all be so generous with our time and skills. Here is an excerpt from an article about this group:

What started out in 2005 as a lunchtime group with a common interest in crocheting and knitting, has steadily turned into a passion for providing a measure of warmth and care for those in need.
“We started out making gifts for our family, friends and co-workers, but then collectively decided to extend our reach to charitable projects, such as creating lap robes for the elderly

To date, the Happy Hooksters have completed several projects, including:
79 baby blankets and 22 newborn hats for Project Africa
72 lap robes for the elderly at the Meadow Brooks Nursing Home,
75 hat and scarf sets and 25 baby hats for the Primo Center—a shelter for homeless and
abused women and children.

The team shows no signs of stopping. They have made baby blankets for babies born to fellow employees, as well as lap robes for sick co-workers. For their future projects, the group has their sights set on creating:
Chemo caps for cancer patients,
Squares for Warm Up America,
Hat and scarf sets for a shelter,
Lap robes for veterans, and
Other projects submitted by members or co-workers (cancer awareness scarves).

Their passion has not gone unnoticed. Their work was highlighted in the book, “Open Your Heart with Art," published in 2007 and written by David L. Wilson. In his book, Wilson, interviewed several of the group’s members and even included the crochet pattern for their lap robes.

Breast Cancer Awareness

2008-09-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I wanted to to make something special for a relative, who is battling breast cancer, and came up with this scarf design. I originally was planning to save it for Christmas but maybe I should give it to her in October. Only it ususally doesn't cool off here in Central Texas until November. What do you think I should do?

Pattern available at my Etsy store.

Flower Power!

2008-09-15T16:55:00.001-07:00

My friend Erin got me making these little flowers. She wanted something small and felted to go on a project she's working on. They turned to be so easy and so much fun to make (probably because they are so easy) that I ended up with way too many. No bother. I took a picture and entered them into the 'Flower Power' contest over at Craftstylish. So there is no need to feel guilty about making so many, right?

Trick or Treat!

2008-09-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

As was suggested, this little bowl needed a face. Not exactly scary...

Happy (Early) Halloween!

2008-09-11T17:14:00.001-07:00

Maybe it's a little early to start getting excited about Halloween. But it was always my favorite holiday growing up - who doesn't love dressing up in a costume and then getting rewarded with candy? Of course, I also enjoy admiring the costumes and passing out the candy. Maybe that's why this little pumpkin bowl popped into my head yesterday and I had to stop everything to make it. Or maybe it was just an excuse to stop everything? (Nahhh...)

Ruffled Scarflette

2008-08-17T19:30:00.001-07:00

I saw some 'scarflettes' (never heard this word before, but it makes sense) online that I thought were really cute, so I worked out this pattern. Turns out I used hyperbolic crochet in its' creation! Such a high tech sounding word. It's actually a bit frilly for me, but I guess deep down I am a bit of a romantic because I do love ruffles. The pattern is available in my Etsy store if you want to whip out a few before the weather changes. Unfortunately around here that won't happen for 3+ months....

Pattern available at my Etsy store.

Tie-dye Yarn?

2008-08-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

If you are feeling adventurous, you can use the technique I described in my previous post to 'tie-dye' your yarn. The only difference is the order you put stuff in the crockpot. After the yarn has soaked in the bowl for an hour, add it to the crockpot (which is already filled with water and 1/2 cup vinegar). Now you get to mix up your colors. Mix up each kool-aid color in it's own little bowl with a small amount of water. Be sure you don't choose colors opposite each other on the color wheel - like red and green - or you will get brown. I'm guessing it's safest to select colors that are next to each other, but then I am no color theorist. Anyway, pour each color into the crockpot in its own spot, being careful not to mix the water. The colors will spread a little and mix but pretty much stay in place. Cover your crockpot and turn it on!

The Easy Way to Dye Wool Yarn

2008-08-12T17:07:00.001-07:00

It is surprisingly easy to dye wool yarn using only vinegar and kool-aid. The photo above is my 'before' picture of Lion Brand 100% wool yarn that I bought at the local Hobby Lobby. Here is what you need: a crockpot, a bowl, a salad spinner (not absolutely necessary, but comes in handy), white vinegar, and several packets of kool-aid in the color you want to use. And the process is:

Fill your bowl with enough water to cover your loosely wound skein of yarn.

Add 3/4 cup vinegar to the water, then add the yarn.

Let sit for 1 hour.

Fill your crockpot with enough water to cover your yarn.

Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the crockpot.

Add the kool-aid packets to the crockpot (the more packets the darker the color) and stir well.

Move the yarn from the bowl into the crockpot.

Turn the crockpot on high, cover and wait until the crockpot water runs clear. (The yarn will eventually soak up all the dye from the kool-aid.) This may take a few hours.

Turn off the crockpot, uncover and let the water come to room temperature.

Rinse the yarn a few times with water.

If you have a salad spinner, spin the yarn a few times to get out excess water. Otherwise gently wring out the water and then wrap tightly in a bath towel to help dry it out.

Drap the yarn on a clothes hanger and hang it somewhere to air dry.

Voila! The picture below shows how some of the colors turned out. The kool-aid flavors used were lemonade, orange, grape, pink lemonade, lime, and berry blue.

Recycled wool - part 3

2008-08-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

Ok. ok. I know I haven't posted in awhile (has it really already been a month?) but things have been very busy at home. Plumbing problems in the middle of getting ready to have the extended family in town for a 'family vacation', 100+ degree heat that makes me want to do nothing except hibernate until October, and a few other less urgent problems. That is the reason I haven't posted lately. That and the fact that the wrist warmers didn't turn out so well. In fact, I threw them away before I weakened and took a picture to show you how truly awful they looked after dyeing them orange. So just take my word for it. But, there is a silver lining. I am getting great colors dyeing new cream colored wool yarn with kool-aid. More on that once I get a few pics to show you....

Recycled wool - part 2

2008-07-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

Well, the larger bowl was a little too floppy. (Note to self: alpaca is soft and pretty, but doesn't felt that well...) But the wristlets were kind of fun to make. And they are very soft thanks to the alpaca in the yarn and running through the washer to full them a little. My 15 year old niece is in town for a few days and I'm thinking it might be fun for the two of us to dye these things a more interesting color (like maybe - bright pink?) I found this great tutorial at www.knitty.com on how to use kool aid and a crockpot. We need the method that is: 1) easy, and 2) least likely to produce stains all over the kitchen if you are the mess type (we both are.) This method sounds like the winner. And we can use kool aid, which is non-toxic and I'm guessing will leave the wristlets smelling nice.