Craftsy Broken Spider Web Block

I really like the scrappy look of this block.  I got the idea of doing one half in light scraps and the other in dark scraps from a book.  It is pleasing to my eyes.  The whole quilt would be neat because you would get a light colored spider web and a dark one too.  I finished it just in time!  Last day of the month.  Tomorrow new blocks.

My husband took this picture of my girls. Sort of has a spidery feel to it.

I better try and clean up my stash.  Fabric thrown everywhere.  I like browns, purples, blues and pastels.

Cup cozy and my big mouth

I spent most of my "craft time" this weekend crocheting a cup cozy for a coworker I hardly know because of my big mouth.  She saw my cup cozy on my desk and commented on it. Asking if I made it and how cute it was.  Well my ego was so appreciative of the compliment it made my mouth say some ridiculous thing like "would you like me to make you one?" I can tell you she didn't hesitate for one heartbeat to say YES.  I daresay I did not make haste in getting it done, but it started to nag in my conscience that I gave my word and I had better get it done.  So I whipped out my pattern and got going wondering why it was not turning out like the one I made for myself.  After struggling for awhile I realized I had incorporated what I liked from several patterns and did not at that time write the combined pattern down.  A lot of crocheting and then uncrocheting was going on this weekend (frustrating - as this was something I was just going whip up quickly - HA!).  She, (Jane) has a hoodie the color of the green in the cup and she looks rather good in it with her peaches and cream complexion. Well everyone knows this shade of green, which I will call Kiwi, goes very well with teal.  They compliment each other. I hope she likes (loves) it.  After making one for myself I realized I don't like the yarn too close to where I am drinking.  So that is why there is almost an inch of the cup exposed.

I feel guilty this cup cozy is not going to my sister.  I guess it will teach me to watch what I say when someone compliments my craftiness.  One good thing is that when I do make one for my sister I will probably crochet a line of teal on the bottom of the cup also.

The other goings on in my life are my girls.  Here are some photos of them growing up so fast.

All winter they talked about painting the sidewalk when it got warmer.

Starting some tomato seeds and saying hello to our friendly worms that aerate our soil.

We went to several thrift stores to find a used helmet, but wound up buying a brand new one so Audrey could try out her new bike with training wheels on it.

The entire family shared in this new milestone.  Is this considered a milestone?

It is one of my deepest wishes that my girls establish a close bond and will be there for each other throughout their lives.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Craftsy Block of the Month March

My first block for March, the String Block completed.  Made with foundation piecing.  So fun to sew.  I found some pre-cut fabric at Tuesday Morning and wonder how it would look on my string block.  When I finished the block, I thought, oh how interesting.  Then I put the block down and a little while later happened to look upon it and thought how happy the colors were.  I had extra fabric already cut up and I knew I didn't want to do the other foundation block with the same colors (why not, I'm not sure), so I decided to play with the extra fabric and came up with this doll.

The colors are happy to me.

Foundation pieced doll made from leftover fabric.  I became overly ambitious having her hold some beaded wire that spelled out Peace, but it gets lost and may be distracting, so I will probably get rid of the beaded wire. I tried different designs with the beads and still nothing.

I was lazy about her back. I am really enjoying this block of the month by Craftsy and Amy.  I am trying out new blocks that I may not have gotten around to trying for many years.  I feel I've accomplished something but am not committed to making an entire quilt.  I'm looking forward to trying out the next type of foundation block.  So much fun!!

My First Amigurumi

I first saw this Amineko cat while standing in line at JoAnn fabrics.  He was on a book by Nekoyama called Hello My Name is Amineko... I wanted to try to my hand at an Amigurumi and thought this might be an easy pattern to follow.  After crocheting him I would have to say easy is relative.  Single crochet is easy, but using a D size hook and 3 ply yarn made for some of the pieces to be small to crochet around.  He is small, but not too small. Mine is probably huge compared to some I've seen on flickr that are the size of a double A battery!  Here is a free pattern from raverly

Tom the cat sitting on Connectagons

Such fun to pose him with his friends.

I won't bore you with all I would do different next time around.  Let's just say he is a little lopsided, but aren't we all!

I also just bought the Flower People pattern on Etsy.  I can't wait!

Go Away Bug!

I took my daughters to the Children's Museum and took home an unwanted visitor.  A nasty flu bug that is taking its sweet time leaving. Fever, sneezing, runny nose and low energy.

Jamie on a big ant.

The faucet with the runny nose.  Little did I know I would experience my own Grossology!

Clouds above rolling around getting ready to make thunder.

Want to hug?

Jamie usually has a shell shocked look when surrounded by so many kids, but she does like face painting.

(I almost took a picture of nostrils in the mirror with Jamie.)

Ruby Doll from One Red Robbin

I had fun making this little Ruby Doll.  She is much cuter in person than in pictures.  I got this free pattern at One Red Robbin.  If you like to make dolls, you should give her a try.  I definitely learned a few things, like I should practice sewing around curves.  Also when sewing the legs and arms not to stuff them too much by the opening because the sewing needle has to go over this area.  Also I'm not sure if my seam allowance was 5 mm.  I just moved my needle over 3 times to the right on my Bernina. I wish I had used different fabric on the bottom of her dress.  I liked the bird but can't hardly see it when she is all sewed and stuffed.

I was going to take pictures during the making of her, but it got late and I forgot to take pictures towards the end.  Here are some during the beginning phase. I plan on making another one so maybe I can take pictures during the later phase.

Copying the pattern. I use my fine Sharpie.

I cut out each piece according to direction how many of each.

Assembled all pieces I would need. Multiple layers on top of each other.  Also took liberty to giver her a thumb, just a thing with me not liking the amputated hand look.

Sewed, stuffed and closed her appendages before continuing. (See how far right the needle is.  You definitely need an open-toe foot to accomplish the adjusting of the needle.)

This is where it started getting late and I just forgot to take more pictures. I did sew on her acrylic felt face after the body was done because I wasn't sure how well I would sew curves and didn't want to sew on top of her face.  I hand sewed it on with monofilament thread. The challenge with using monofilament thread was getting a knot at the end - wiry little bugger.

Have a great week!

Balkan Puzzle Block

The second February block the Balkan Puzzle block is a fun block.  Learned a new way of making fast half triangles.  I used the scant 1/4 inch and am happy I don't have to do it over again.

I also crocheted a few more coasters.

Sleeping Audrey