I Heart Saturday Morning

Weekend plans may have to be put on hold until this Mama feels better.

Under the weather, but here are some things around the house that are bringing me joy this morning.

Aside from listening to lots of Melanie...

A beautiful gourd we found in Long Island this fall. The stem grew like that long after we brought it home. It reminds me of a pretty pear. Me and my girl both love this a lot.

So simple and unique in its perfection.

Macro-shots of new yarn for a few fun projects make my heart race just a little.

And this has been making me the HAPPIEST of all.
My girl has really taken off with her writing!
She did this completely unassisted.
It was a surprise for me last night...A follow-up to the paper heart she left in my room the day before.


My Girl, you are Mama's beating heart.
I am so proud of you!
xoxo

Enjoy your Saturday, Friends.

A Funny Story and My Second Reconstruction

Just a cute backstory to a new craft I've been having a lot of fun with lately:

The other night, a very dear pal was over and she went on my computer to check her facebook. She logged me out of my page and logged on to hers. No problem.

The night went on...cookies were made and eaten, lots of laughs were had then everyone went home. Of course, this Mama stays up late enjoying her quiet crafty time. I jumped on the computer and taught myself how to finger knit...A simple, lovely, craft.

I was so excited I just had to share...So I blabbed on Facebook:

"Finger Knitting a neckwarmer!"

Then I saw the little profile photo pop-up beside it and it was my beautiful friend, who has so many talents: healer, communicator, compassionate humanist, excellent listener, brilliant advice-giver...You get the idea. She is AWESOME. However, she is not a crafter, and is probably the absolute last person who would finger knit a neckwarmer!!

I logged out of her page quickly and realized this could possibly be interesting.

The next morning, my friend said, "So, I'm finger-knitting a neckwarmer, huh?"

She showed me all of the comments she received as a result of my accidental "hack" into her status update, and we laughed hysterically at the responses:

"Fascinating."

"Interesting. Who are you planning to strangle?"

"Could you make one to strangle my neighbor, he is a monster?!"

Yes. We had a good laugh. On my update, the best comment was, "What the ****is finger-knitting?

Well, I'm proud to display the results of my first finger-knitting party.

I made a bra top (which you won't see!) and this neck warmer...and I don't plan on strangling anyone with it!! LOL!

This, my dears, is FINGER KNITTING:

Delicate and pretty, yes?

I'm going to have fun creating lots of accesories with this technique. I'm already working on a funky twisty scarf with some thick yarn.

I highly reccomend watching some youtube and trying it for yourself.

This is something I plan on teaching my Cub.

Now, for my second clothing recon.

1) I took this old, thrifted cardigan I never wear out of the donation pile and had some fun.

I stayed up into the wee hours transforming it into a nifty sweater scarf and I am in love with the result. I was inspired by this tutorial.

2) I changed the buttons on the sweater and tied thin satin ribbon bows into the button holes.

I whip-stitched around the edged and done.

It is warm and toasty, too.
Perfect for the cold and crispy weather we're having.
Am I the only one who loves this cold?

Happy and blessed Sunday, Everyone.

Project 6- Here I Come!

Photo courtesy of Craft Hope

My heart was filled to the brim tonight after opening the recent Craft Hope post and learning that Project 6 is finally underway.

I found Craft Hope over the summer and was so happy to find that someone is actually organizing the craft community to help those in need- all over the world, too!

What a brilliant, loving and kind idea.

Jade Sims, you are an angel!

This next project is especially near and dear to my heart as the scarves will be sent all over the country to thousands of teens in foster care.

What a great feeling to know that something I make will be sent to someone I've never met...and that my scarf will help to keep them warm.

What a nice way to reach out to someone.

I can't wait to find the perfect unisex crochet pattern. That should be easy.

Funny, because earlier tonight, I bought a big skein of one of my favorites...Lion Brand Hometown USA yarn in red!

The deadline is February 14th, how appropriate!

So, I think I'll add this to my Crafty-To-Do-List for the weekend (More realistically like the coming weeks!) :

1. Finish the no-sew blanket for my sweet friends.

2. Complete that sock monkey I started a few nights ago!

3. Darn that last pair of booties and complete an overdue ornament.

4. Work on the crochet Kingston Hat I also began this week.

5. More Finger Knitting! I have so many ideas and I am in love with this at the moment!

6. Oh, yes. Make some more t-yarn to finger-knit with. I think it would be perfect.

7. Work on embellishing that retro-style photo frame I've been thinking about.

8. Headbands and more headbands!

9. More 3-D religious inspired portraits...in the future.

10. Tee-shirt reconstructions. I watched at least an hour of them last night!

11. Sew a zipper into my green crochet pouch.

12. Start and finish Cubs "Princess and the Frog" themed pillow-case!

Can you tell I've had crafting-mania lately?

Yes, it is true...but blissful. I'm loving it...So inspired and having so much fun!

Happy Friday Evening to you...

May your weekend be filled with joy and blessings.

Latest Obsession: Discontinued Yarn

It all started when I fell in love with this Caron shrug pattern.

I know one of the reasons I love it so much is the yarn and that d-ring. Cool, yes?

Oh, then the yarn name, "Black Magic." Ohhhhh. Interesting.

A very short search revealed that sadly, this yarn was discontinued.

Hmmmm. I never thought about that before!

Just look at this yarn! What can I say? I love it! If I were a yarn, I think I would be this one!

I'm a sucker for a 70's color palette...and then that whisper of metallic yarn running throughout.

That sealed the deal for me.

So off to ebay I went in search of my Black Magic.

Sadly, I don't think anyone has four skeins of any of it.

Well, maybe one seller. But I'm still waiting to hear from her.

Oh, the things I could make with this.

I have so many ideas. Too many!

Here is one purse I am cuckoo over. I MUST...I WILL make this for myself...After I get my hands on some more of this, that is!

(Am I the only one out there that gets really excited about things like this?!)

While up late cruising around for discontinued yarn, I ran into this absolutely adorable capelet...

Coats and Clark...I'll never sleep again with all of those yummy patterns!

I think last night I copied at least fifteen free pattern numbers into my project log.

Looks like I'll be wonderfully busy for a while.

Anyway, the saga continues 'cuz the yarn used for this creation is also...

DISCONTINUED!

Moda Dea Cache in Rave...Where are you? Back to ebay.

Turns out this is a bit easier to find. At least Moda Dea lists all of their discontinued yarn on their site...Wow. I wish I had a ton of money to buy up all of these chunky, bright yarns, with their metallic threads and retro-flavor!

Love Moda Dea yarn.

I guess now I know I have a "type" because these two have a lot in common!

See for yourself. Sigh...

So, yeah. I've been up later than I should the past few nights.

I've bought lots of discontinued funky yarn.

I'm happy! Excited! Can't wait to make stuff!

INSPIRED!

And now I'm tired.

Night-night.

Thanks for letting me share.

Inspiration Everywhere

Looks like I'm already gearing up to take the two-month Wardrobe Refashion pledge. I must admit, I'm getting pretty excited and inspired after reading what many creative people are doing over there daily. Awesome. I've started putting aside pieces of our clothing for refashioning instead of the usual donations. I love having an ongoing project such as this to prepare for.

I wasted no time getting to work after seeing this lovely scarf posted on the very first day of the year! Late last night I removed some tired black buttons from this recently thrifted cardigan and spruced it up with some vintage pearl buttons. Here's a two-for-one shot of both!

The scarf was originally given to Cub, who never wanted to wear it.

However, the ruffle and large button have won over my girly-girl.

I guess we'll be sharing this one, which is definitely all right with me.

A trip to a favorite dollar store is always a source of creative inspiration. Tonight, I scored a pack of 8 zippers in rainbow colors - perfect for my new crochet pouch obsession...and some pink and white knee socks with black skullies are presently being transformed into my very first...

SOCK MONKEY!!!!

I've been wanting to make one of these for a while. This is a super tutorial, if you'd like to join me.

Have a happy week! xo

The Fine Art of Procrastination:

1. Finally make all that Peppermint Bark you were going to before the holidays.Preferably do this while simultaneously preparing two separate dinners. (Plus, kale chips, that were amazing; even Cub crunched on a few!)

2. In the middle of melting the white chocolate, try dipping some pretzels in, the way

they did on all those nifty tutorials you were reading last week (while home relaxing...Ahhh.).

These are really yummy, by the way...and addicting!

3) After being completely wired on sugar from all the bark and pretzels consumed with a strong cup of tea, read two veeeeery long stories to your little one before putting her to bed, organize all of your WIPS, wash a gazillion dishes for the umteenth time today, chat a bit with a friend,

and stroll around the grounds over here until you find something you just HAVE

to make...

4) Go ahead and crochet that flower headband (First photo above...too tired and lazy to re-do the order!) and then...

share the madness!

I can't believe my vacation is over. I guess I'm still awake because I really don't want it to end. It was absolute perfection. It was sweet and delicious. One of the best winter breaks EVER!

...And I'm going to miss my little girl like crazy tomorrow.

Best wishes for the upcoming week, Everyone!

Must Make and Do In 2010 (The Abbreviated Version!)

Happy New Year, All.

I can't help but look ahead to just a few things I'm going for in the upcoming year.

Here is a sampling from my larger list of simple goals:

1) A weekend visit to this ashram with my daughter.

Very soon.

2) A New Abode...Destination Unknown.

This is going to be ours someday (in Paris)!

Ha, ha...Why not dream big?

Thanks, (now defunct) Domino magazine for the lovely inspiration.


3)Continuing my love affair with CROCHET and making lots of
vintage-inspired coin purses and clutches, like the one below and this cutie.



4)To eventually join Wardrobe Refashion and begin with a 2-month pledge.
Hey, I have to start somewhere!


5) And when I am in the throws of my 2-month pledge...
I'm going to make this dress with all of those ties I've been collecting.
I luuuuuv this dress!




6) More prayer, yoga, meditation and overall focus on healthy living.

Here's to a magical and blessed year ahead.

xo