My week in crafts

Since I'm addicted to instagram, I have been neglecting my blog. Not on purpose, but my instagram will not send to my blog for some crazy reason. I'll work on it. Or you could just follow me on Instagram: michelejm

Any how, here's my week. I found this picture of a cool wreath, bought to bows, have the wreath form, decided to go to bed early and never got started. Sooooo, this is on my to-do list for the week. I finally finished the evil Barb's Koigu Ruffle Scarf. I should have known I would dislike the pattern by the name (Barb), but I didn't catch on until the scarf was well underway. Still not quite sure I like it... And the last picture shows my indecision. All major projects are finished except a pair of socks and I don't want to carry over any projects into 2014. As a result, I'm working on multiple quick projects so I don't have to concentrate too hard, I can just relax and "be." The hat I finished in one day, a kumihimo bracelet, a washcloth in a pattern by Creating Laura and a bookmark pattern from the Loopy Ewe. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Mad mad world

This cat represents how I've been feeling the past couple of days. I was assaulted at work this week. It was very traumatic for me. I've been assaulted in the past--hit, kicked, punched--but this one was different. It makes me question the world and how we are preparing our children to cope with real life. I'm no longer going to discuss this incident--my aching body and broken heart will heal--but what of the rest of the world?

More color

You know of my obsession with perler beads? Well, today I'm working on Instagram key chains (the kids will love them!) and I made the Christmas tree from the perler idea book. Pictures tomorrow!!

Many many colors

I resisted for so so so long! The rainbow loom craze just was not going to suck me in. I'm. So. Weak. Two looms and 5000 bands later, I spend my free time making bracelets for my students. And giving away bands if the girls need them. It's very therapeutic right now. I need the calming effect of them--and the quick gratification of a completed object.

Awesome mail and cool local finds.

My husband thinks I'm having an affair with the UPS man. Not really, but it's a running joke around here. As a result, while I was out of town, all these lovelies arrived! Whimseybox, DIY snowflake kit, and YARN. He didn't, however, see the goodies I scored while I was out and about! Loads of craft supplies (coupons!), a new journal (coupon!), new zipper pouches from a local holiday stroll, and a new charm for my necklace (shopping local!). Now to set out a plan to get some lovely things made...

Selfish Crafting

I finally put the kibosh on special orders and starting knitting things I wanted to knit. As a result, after 3 days in Columbus, I finished 3 ruffle scarves to add to my collection. I also finished my Berroco socks today and worked on my needlepoint kit. My goal is to finish all my WIP's before New Year's Day. That is 1 shawl, 1 scarf, and one pair of socks. (And my needlepoint!!) fingers crossed!!

Tess!!

Just got home this afternoon from visiting my parents for Thanksgiving. It was a relaxing few days, that my dog did not appreciate me taking. Here's my destroyed kin that Andrew discovered when he walked in. He says, "Man, she was pissed at you!" Thanks, Andrew. I can tell. So I cut off the top, unraveled the yarn and decided I would try again Some other day. Right now, I'm just sad.

Progress! Finally!

I am finally getting things done. You know how you get stuck making a project for someone--something you know will take forever? Pictured below is that project. Completed! So, now I'm able to focus and progress on my second sock in Berroco Metallic, and I even started a sock in DK weight. (The DK weight sock is going super super fast!). This weekend, I'm going to a craft show, a pop up shop, and I'm going to complete two hats for students. Next week will be all,about some selfish knitting, baby!

Camouflage bags for Andrew.

I can sew. It's not difficult, but it's not really fun for me. Sure, I'll make something for myself, but shortly after it's cut out and pinned, I start to wonder what I was thinking. Enter Andrew. He had me sew these old jean pant legs so he could put rice in them to use as props for long range rifle shooting. Then he actually asked me to go to Joann's. Camouflage fabric to cover the jeans. (Insert my eye roll) (Insert another eye roll) I put it off for quite a few weeks until he gave me the sad face tonight and the soft voice, "you said you were going to do them this past weekend...." So at 8pm, I made him 2 bags. They were quick and easy and he was so happy. Just can't quite figure out why I take so long when it comes to the sewing machine. I have tote bags I want to make that would probably take 20 minutes tops, but I put the machine away and put off the bags once again. I'm such a sloth.

Foiled!

This lovely yarn calls my name each time lollipop yarns updates her shop, but I never am quick enough to get it. Today, it was in my cart, but someone checked out quicker than me and it was gone! Sigh.... And these are so so so my colors.....

Weekend update

I had seriously big plans for the weekend until I developed a headache that had me taking off all my clothes, throwing up, and screaming to the gods for either my death or relief. Seems overly dramatic, but I assure you all these things occurred. I passed out prostrate across the bed with Tess curled up next to me and I woke 2 hours later freezing, dry and almost completely pain free (with Tess still next to me, guarding me I think). So, needless to,say, I didn't get jack squat done yesterday. Today, I started my second sock, did a row on my Koigu scarf (684 stitches), and completed 2 minion hats. Why so glum, you ask? I was trying to get all my special orders done this weekend so I could start my sweater and my Lucy hat. But, I still have 2 more minion hats, a ski mask and a cowl to complete before I'm free to create for me. Granted, I probably couldn't have finished them all this weekend, but I might have been close!

Needlepoint

I found a needlepoint kit on clearance and bought it. I've been eyeballing a kit for quite a while and I'm excited to start it. A perfect winter project!

One sock done!

I finished my after thought heel sock today. It's a but loose, but it fits! Next sock will be cast on with 8 less stitches, but done the same way. I have been using my inexpensive sock yarns trying to perfect my sock making skills. Once I find my perfect process, I'll switch to my pretty yarns from the indie dyers I like.

Hats

I really hate special orders. Really really. They take away from my own projects and cause me to resent them. These two gems were not promised, but the kids asked so many times they believed I said yes and I did them to get them to JUST SHUT UP. Cookie Monster for Davonte and orange and blue for Jasper. I have one more hat to make for Alize and a cowl for my cousin Kaylen and then NO MORE. I'm going back to the "if you buy the yarn, I'll make it" way of life. Because no one likes to go out and buy their own yarn so I never have to make things for them.

I love Instagram.

Found this little gem, and decided to use it as my lock screen on my phone. As the cute suburban girls say, "Adorbs!"

Yesterday's Theme

I love sock yarn--it's a recent love of mine. I used to be all about worsted and bulky. Then I dove into DK. And now, sock yarn. Yesterday, Another Crafty Girl had a shop update on Etsy and this is the yarn I bought--"Hey! Can I Drive The Bus?" Based on Mo Willems most awesome book, "Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!" And then I thought, fabric! So I bought 7 fat quarters of Cloud9's Pigeon fabric that I'm hoping to convince my mom she would love to make projects bag for me out of.... Hint hint

Craft roundup

I finished 4 more minion hats this weekend. I tried to "con" my mom into sewing on the eyes, but she "disappeared" suddenly. Lol.

Finally worked out this sock pattern--don't like it, I'm going to finish it. The second sock will be modified.

Random crafting

After several tries to do two socks at a time on my own, I went back to one at a time.  I know I was missing one vital step and before I started to throw things I just reverted back to what I know.  My goal is one pair of socks a month.  2 weeks per sock.  Very do-able.  I hope. I got the last three stripes done while hanging out with the guys, and I'm thinking these will go pretty fast because the stripes make you want to keep going to the next stripe. Kinda like when I would read at bedtime--just one more chapter, Mom!!!

Craft show next weekend so I'm hustling to get these infinity scarves done.  I've broken one needle and ran out of bobbin juice, but so far so good.  I'll have 26 in total when I'm done. Tomorrow will be spent ironing (ugh) and sewing the ends closed.

This lovely disaster was care of my evil Rainbow Loom that I'm addicted to despite the fact that each bracelet seems to have a tragic mishap... I finally got it right, but still!  Those 8 year olds make it look simple and fun. It is neither.

Halloween!

I wanted something cute and simple for the front door this year. I'm not a Halloween person, but I had this idea, so I ran with it. I cut tulle into 18" strips--I found cool seasonal colors in a random bin at Joann's and I found the pretty green glittery one at Michael's. I also found the "Boo" at Joann's and spiders that I'll add tomorrow once I dig out the glue gun. I tied the tulle around a styrofoam wreath form and voila! Besides being almost completely covered in glitter, it was a great project.

My next wreath will be from the same materials, just with "autumnal colors." (Check the miscellaneous aisles at Joann's for"seasonal" tulle!!)

Good weekend

I got to go home for the weekend and I delivered my first minion hat to Gerald. He seemed to like it. Because of the error I made posting the hat on Facebook, I know have special orders for a total of 13. Here's the one I made tonight for one of my students so he can have a hat for "crazy hat day." It will only spark a million kids wanting one. Ugh.

One the other bright sides got some nifty yarn!! Sparkly and gradients and sock! Yay!!

A good week...

It's been a pretty good week. Finished a scarf, finished a minion hat (and got an order for 6 and 2) and a new crafty book to help be use my incredibly large stash of felt.