Nook Sweater

I finally made a cover for my Nook. A crocheted sweater using this tutorial as a guide. A very loose guide. I can’t follow a pattern because I’m too lazy to look up the abbreviations. So, I guess at what they mean. Now that I look back at the tutorial (its so pretty), I’m disappointed. I don’t think I got the moss stitch right. And, I KNOW I didn’t get the flap and buttonholes right. I took the thing apart 6 times. It will work for now.

Crosstitch Keeper

My sister came for a visit this winter. She has always been an avid crosstitcher. She has a made a beautiful 3-D house picture marking the wedding date  for  her sisters and her daughters. It seems she is always working on a new one, and her pattern is getting worn! She was carrying her supplies in a ziploc bag  and I wanted to make a gift for her to remember her visit. Here is my idea for an organizer for her.

I have a purse made out of this material that she commented she liked. The flowers and the blue are both denim. She is a missionary in the Amazon and fights mildew growing on everything. Hopefully the denim will wash well if needed.

For the plastic sleeves, I had business card plastic pages that I cut and sewed through to add to the binder. I just used one of the card pockets for the name pocket on the front.
These pockets are great for keeping floss and finding the right color easily.

The inside back cover has a metal board slipped in so she can use magnet markers for her pattern.

A snap closure for scizzors.

Miscellaneous pockets and zippers for thread, glasses and needles.
Covering a 3 ring binder is a simple way to organize small craft supplies in a pretty way.

Weaving Potholders

Remember these? I do! And I remember always wanting to make more. As with all store-bought craft kits, the supplies run out too quickly.  While at the store a few weeks ago, I saw an inexpensive box of the knit bands. I didn’t realize that the loom was is the expensive box beside it. So, I came home with a bunch of bands and no loom. Stephen to the rescue! He framed 4 – 2x2s and lined the sides with trim nails (the ones with no heads). 18 per side. Eleanor made one potholder and was done. Maybe Henry will like it better. I have plans for it too along the lines of this woven trivet.

Crafty Valentine Ideas for My First Grader

I think I’ll let Eleanor decide what to make her class this year. Happy Picking!

Long-stem roses using egg cartons.

Love bugs

Stick of Gum Butterflies

Sucker Flowers

Heartbreakers (again, so cute!)

Sew felt heart cards

I Got a Crush!

Crochet Heart Garland

I’ve seen these things all over the place! So quick and easy. And cute. And lasting.

One heart took me less than five minutes.

And I like using up my scrap yarn!

I think this is my second time crocheting. So, its an easy project. Inviting you to make more and more!

Links to heart garland pictures and tutorials around the web:

• Little Birdie Secrets This has a video of how to crochet the entire heart. Perfect for those who’ve never held a crochet hook!
• Design*Sponge This is a different pattern from the one I used. Tiny and precise.
• Wise Craft I used this pattern. I love the way she used gray and black! And her crochet skills are way better than mine.
• Skip to My Lou I think this pattern is the one that sparked the craze. Its a bit different from mine, attached in two places.
• Maize in Montana

Number 3 and Flower Power

For the last 3 weeks, I’ve been fighting exhaustion and nausea. I’ve always felt horrible when I get hungry; cranky, shaky, head-achy, light-headed. Now, I’m experiencing , those symptoms every hour or so, and I’m not hungry. You guessed it. I don’t have a horrible disease. I’m building a baby. Hence, the laying on the couch and no sewing lately.

Women’s Retreat

This weekend is our church’s yearly women’s retreat. We get together and do nothing. Its great. This year, we decided to throw in a crafty time. We are going to do body painting inspired by The Body Project. I can’t wait to see how the cool paint and soft brushes feel against my skin! Fun! And for those not as wild as me, we’ll make ribbon flower corsages inspired by V and Co. I made one for example out of vintage cotton ribbon I grabbed years ago at a yard sale. Gorgeous!

Bibs Three for Max

Nothing like fun fabric and bias tape to make a baby fashion statement! My church keeps me busy with baby showers! And the flip side…

Kindergarten Valentines

“Imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery.” So true, so true.  I got this idea from Dana Made It : Heartbreaker Valentines. Eleanor made these for her class-mates. She did it all, except stapling, because we have a 20 year old stapler from hell. Great job!

Sew A Valentine

Sew, Mama, Sew is holding a True Love Valentine Contest! I’m always looking for projects to use my Great Aunt Mary’s quilting pieces.  She cut and collected tiny shapes through the years, but didn’t finish a lot of her projects. I inherited all those fabulous vintage shapes! So, I made a “crazy” pieced Valentine for someone I’m crazy about!

Sushi Cake for Baby

Sushi Shower Present

I guess these are the new thing in baby shower traditions along the lines of the diaper cake. I saw them for sale at The Silly Wagon boutique and over here at etsy.com for $100! Needless to say, I made mine for a lot less. Happy babies Alison!