Use it or Lose It: Stash Knit-down 2013

 

The ladies over at the Stash and Burn podcast issued a challenge last January: to knit 13 yarns out of your stash in one year. I came to the party a bit late, but joined in especially for July's goal: knit your dishcloth cotton. A quick look at my stash and I found 9 balls!

Dishcloth cotton comes in many forms, but my favorite is the garden variety "Lily's Sugar & Cream." It's easily found and one solid ball usually can give you two dishcloths. There are SO many patterns to choose from on Ravelry. Google "dishcloth cotton" and you will find several to choose from. The easiest one is called "Grandma's Favorite." Here's the pattern:

Cast on 4 stitches.

Knit 1 row.

Knit 2, YO, knit across. *continue this way until you have 39 stitches.

Knit 1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, knit across *continue until you have just 4 stitches.

Knit 1 row.

Bind off.

So far, I've knit 2 balls of cotton yarn or 4 dishcloths. If I knit all of my cotton, I'll have 18 dishcloths. Of the handknits, dishcloths really work hard. They are great for dishes and cleaning sinks. It takes quite a few uses for them to wear out. They make great housewarming or "just-because" gifts. Dishcloth knitting is also great for when you are between projects or when traveling. I like knitting dishcloths during the summer when it's so hot outside. You can try out stitch patterns on a dishcloth to see if you like it for another project.

Speaking of, Deb Buckingham of TheArtfulYarn blog, just published "Dishcloth Diva" over at Cooperative Press. For about $0.50 per pattern, you can have 20 new washcloth patterns to use and share. So far, I've knitted Abstract, but there are several in my que to knit up.

** I'm on my way to using my little stash of yarn. I added it up recently and discovered that I have approximately 9,919 yards of yarn. Compared to others, that's not much. And I'm not counting, my handspun just yet. Not willing to cross over the 10,000 mark.

Gotta get to that stash! My knitter friends, have you added up your stash? I'm curious to know if I'm average...

 

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Saturday's Spin Class

On the third Saturday of the month, I meet with a bunch of ladies to learn the art of yarn spinning. Today's class was all about fiber/yarn dyeing.

Dyeing yarn is a multiple-step or oceans. First, you soak your fiber in a vinegar bath. Then, you use acid dye on a paint brush or in a squirt bottle to add color. After cooking your yarn in cling wrap for a few minutes, you rinse and then let your yarn dry. In a nutshell, within the hour, you should have yarn drying. In a few hours, you should be able to spin or knit your yarn.

 

Today's project was challenging. I feel that I have a eye for color, especially with my quilts. In fabric, i combine colors, often without thinking about it. It was challenging to look at a white piece of fiber and know exactly what I wanted it to look like. I learned I gravitate toward jewel tones, but I would like to experiment more warm colors like gold, ecru, etc. Knitty has some great articles on dyeing yarn.

I have another 10 oz of wool left in my stash. That's quite a bit....maybe I can figure out the Pantone fall color for this year, and get started on a cowl...

 

 

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Crafty Mondays

In the summer, my friends and I renew our creativity by meeting each week for Crafty Monday. We gather around my dining room table, working on our current project. Each one of us brings something different: we have photography, knitting, crochet, scrap booking, quilting, and sewing.

This year, our group has a bit of focus: zentangles or doodling. What is a zentangle? In short, it is a meditative way to doodle. You divide your paper into sections and add different repetitive patterns to each section. The zentangle website has more information. A purist might use the itty bitty papers the website calls for, but basically we create shapes and/or pictures and add patterns with sharpies, watercolor paint or markers.

This photo was taken by my friend Jean Christian. She is a Tulsa photographer who is quite talented behind the lens. Her portfolio is on her website. She has a great talent for color!

Janine has a Pinterest board devoted to zentangles. I also love her "things to make" board.

Next week, we might use this art as inspiration for our doodles:

It's from Elizabeth Caldwell of ecdesigns. I found the print on etsy. I love her moleskin journals!

There are TONS of places to look for doodle art inspiration. Tammy of DaisyYellow, is a great place to start. She has a whole part of her website devoted to just getting started.

 

Happy doodling!

 

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Sewing From Within the Stash

I get so many compliments from this GREAT project bag wherever my crafting adventures take me. It has two front pockets, button closure, and is extra roomy inside. When I took it to my monthly spinning group, my friends told me they had "bag envy." I said, "Thanks, I made it myself. No big deal."

 

Really, the bag is a secret up-cycling project. I sewed a pocket on the front of an old conference bag that had potential to be something better. After disclosing this, I told them that I could try to reproduce it. After measuring, cutting and sewing (and ripping back a few times), this is what I came up with:

 

It's the same bag with room for improvements: inside pockets. Seriously though, a few years ago I was obsessed with sewing bags. I made so many I swear that my family was planning an intervention. It's nice to know that I can still whip those things out pretty quickly. And now, without buying a pattern!

 

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Quilty Wednesday

In the past week, I have quilted two quilts. It is so much fun on my new machine. There's this pedal-free mode where all I have to do is just press start and sew a straight seam. Love! Here is Meri-Sue's vintage quilt top - just needs a finished binding.

Here is my "Royal Squares," a pattern from Craftsy. Craftsy is a great place to find, patterns, inspiration and online workshops about all things crafting. There are baking, sewing, quilting, jewelry making, knitting classes, just to name a few.

Would you believe that I have another bag and a half of scraps? Off to look for inspiration from my newest favorite quilting magazine: Quilty.

Anybody have a need for fabric scraps?

 

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Tuesday's Spin

Today's Tuesday Spin comes from Eleanor Thomas of Spin Culture. It's called "The Scream" and is a perfect blend of golden yellows, oranges, indigo and black. My goal is to 2-ply it and make a hat for Vincent. My spinning is getting more and more consistent with each batt. So exciting!

While the kids were swimming, I worked in my summer art journal. One of my summer goals is to blog more consistently, even if it is just a paragraph or two. Summer is my crazy craft period - it's where I really get to work my skills. Here are my plans, err goals.

It's sort of a summer bucket list. I plan on making a bucket list with the kids. What are your plans for summer?

 

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Crafty Ideas for 2013: Vision Boards

2012 was an interesting year for many of us. My family had many challenges and celebrations that, in many ways, brought us closer together. I feel like 2013 is going to be a great year with exciting adventures ahead. There have been some dreams and aspirations that have been flowing in my head for a few months. I wanted to see how I could keep those goals in mind as I begin another year.

So, I googled "vision board," something I had heard about, but not really understood. And did more research. Basically, there are inspiration boards and vision boards. An example of an inspiration board is kind of like what we make on Pinterest: it's a place to gather images or ideas about a certain goal. A vision board encompasses a little bit more. Many people choose a special word for the year and then create a board around that idea and how it looks in different aspects of their life. I read Joyce Schwarz's book "The Vision Board: the Secret to an Extraordinary Life." Here's a link about vision boards: The subtle tricks to building an effective vision board | Martha Beck.

I started thinking that "abundance" might be my word for the year, but after creating my board, I think my word or phrase is "creating openness." I'm still working on my board, but when, I'm finished, I'm going to hang it in my bedroom so I can see it every day. The idea is, that by creating this board, your brain is thinking of that concept regularly. Current brain research states that your brain only " knows" your thoughts, both negative and positive. So, why not bring positive thoughts and energy into your life?

Even better, make it a party! Gather some girlfriends, wine, snacks, canvas, magazines and catalogs and start creating your vision for the year! I would be happy to help you along.

 

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30 Days of Creativity

I discovered "30 Days of Creativity" through Pinterest at the end of May and thought I would give it a try in the form of an art journal. Here's an image of ideas from the thirty days website. It's helped me explore different ideas...

Mixed media art journals have been around for a long time. There are several magazines devoted to this special art form. I have friends that use journals to help them think about big ideas in their life. I have a few friends look back on their journal to discover who they are as a woman and how they've grown and changed through the years.

For me, it is a way to explore different art mediums. I also used this as a way to help my kiddos explore different art materials.

Below are some links to help anyone get started:

• Ashley from LittleBlueBoo has a step-by-step tutorial for transforming a plain-Jane composition journal into a spectacular art space.
• Tammy from Daisy Yellow has several posts with prompts. I bought one of her ezines to get even more ideas...
• Julie from Balzar Designs has more ideas for pages.

It's not too late to take the pledge to do something creative everyday in June. Check out the "30 Days of Creativity" tumblr and go make something!

Summer Of Quilts

After the end of each school year, I find myself sewing with abandon for a few weeks to rejuvenate. I've worked three quilts that have "been in my brain" for a while.

Meet "Tree of Life." Last summer, I bought some of Free Spirit's Hot Flash fabric, with the intent of making something a little chaotic. I put a border around three sides and then sewed a chevron border along the last side. I'm intending to hand quilt this one with lots of swirls to complement the movement of all the colors.

This turquoise and red quilt is the completion of an online quilting bee I participated in last year. Four times last year, I was placed with six women from around the world. We shared our color preferences and then each quilter made the SAME block in different colors for their group. At the time, I was crazy about red and turquoise together. I really enjoyed working with different colors and design elements. I think I'll just "stitch in the ditch" or sew around the squares. I bought tons of red polka dot fabric for this purpose.

This is "Royal Squares," a free pattern I found off of Craftsy. It utilizes scraps of all sizes. I only had to buy white fabric to make this. I like the way the white squares POP out. This quilt also helped me with those 1/4" seams.

Now, for a bit of sadness. My sewing machine has died. It was an old one, though. I bought it when Rich and I were in college, about 15 years ago, at least. He still has some of the shorts I made him. I've made Vincent costumes, Ava dresses, quilts, baby gifts- so much on that machine. Here's a picture:

It appears that sewing machine technology has taken off since I bought this one. Long gone are the 4-step button holes of mechanical machines. Now, there is automatic everything! Along with computerized technology comes a big price. There are machines out there that cost less than my first car! I'm researching machines and Rich is gonna give me one for my birthday. Maybe I'll be able to sew without my family hearing the loud roar of every little stitch. Looking forward finishing those quilts!

 

Summer Bucket List

This is an unusual summer for us. We usually have a plane trip planned to visit family. We did a lot of traveling during the school year, so we are going to take it easy.  That said, Vincent is a little disappointed. "But staying home is SO BORING!" he says in his tween voice, voice dripping of sarcasm.  Enter the "Summer Planning Pages." I found a website that offers free blank calendars, printed 3 and we started organizing our summer. Gina from East Coast Mommy has a great, free printable I used to help get our creative juices flowing.  Here's Vincent's, all circled and ready to go! Cat, from No Wooden Spoons, has some great ideas for summer photography.  Then, I used the planning calendar pages and color-coded everyone's activities that are already planned.  Now, we are going to add all of the activities on our summer bucket list so we make sure this summer is full of possibilities. 

Spiral Scarf and a pattern

I knitted my sister Jill some spiral fingerless mitts from the book Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson for her birthday. I had 2 skeins left, so I made her a scarf to match. With a little help from Janine, I figured out how to keep the pattern while knitting flat. Some may think this is a no-brainer, but it was a growth step for me.

Now that my first knitted project is finished, I wanted to share the pattern. For an experienced knitter, it's a simple rib pattern, that twist slightly as you go. All it takes is 2 skeins of sock yarn held together. I used Plymouth Happy Feet, and size 6 needles.

Spiral Rib Scarf

CO 24 stitches.

Row 1/3: K2P2 to the end.
Row 2/4: follow pattern as set up, knitting the knits and purling the purls.

Row 5/7: p1, *K2P2 to the last 3 sts, K2P1
Row 6/8: follow pattern as set up, knitting the knits and purling the purls.

Row 9/11: P2K2 to the end
Row 10/12: follow pattern as set up, knitting the knits and purling the purls

Row 13/15: K1, *P2K2, repeat from * to the last 3 stitches, P2, K1

Row 14/16: follow pattern as set up, knitting the knits and purling the purls

Repeat until you run our of yarn or your scarf is long enough. If you make this, please link up on Ravelry - I'd love to see your project!

Birthday Girl, modeling her scarf

Yarn Resolution 2012 (And a Giveaway)

I have a confession: I love yarn and fabric. A few people I know have a room designated to hold their stash (think an ENTIRE wall of yarn!). My stash is confined to Ava's bedroom closet. It has occured to me that she may want her closet in the near future, so I've decided to decrease the stash a bit in 2012.

My resolution is to knit through at least 6 skeins of my sock yarn. Currently, I have 10 skeins, so I think this is a reasonable goal. My plan is to utilize Judith Durant's One Skein books. I have 3 and each book has patterns to choose from.

While straightening the stash, I came across this lovely little skein from Cherry Tree Hill. It's 420 yards of sock weight yarn that needs a new home. And, I have a small project bag I printed this weekend. Wanna win both?

Have You Heard of My Memories? (And a GIVEAWAY!)

I started scrapbooking when Richard and I began dating about 15 years ago. This was when Creative Memories was just beginning hit the national market for paper-based scrapbooks. I have about 10 different albums since then. I love them, but I admit, taking out ALL of the supplies to start work on an album is so time-consuming. I don't really have the time to complete large-scale albums right now.

Since then,  I have dabbled in a little digital scrapbooking. I've made several albums from different photo-printing sites. The ease of "point and click" is so much better than traditional books. I can stop and start much easier AND take my work with me on my computer.

My Memories is a digital scrapbooking company that allows users complete freedom to personalize their scrapbooks. The software only takes a few minutes and includes access to simply patterned papers to get started on your scrap-booking journey.

When you begin an album on My Memories, you have the option to create pages as you go or to create an album. It works very much like a MS Word document. You can rearrange photos or delete. You can change font size and color. The trick for MAC users is to make sure that your photos are out of iPhoto and saved in a folder on your desktop as jpeg's.

Wanna see what I started tonight?

Cool huh? My Memories has given me this code to help you get started. Here's what you do:

1. Go to www.mymemories.com 
2. Purchase the My Memories software and enter this code: STMMMS5430

for your $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10   coupon for the MyMemories.com store ($20 value)

Wanna win a FREE copy of the My Memories Software?

Here's what you do:

Inspiration and a Giveaway

So, have you found the awesomeness that is Pinterest? It is a place for you to categorize, or "pin" all of the great ideas you find online. Instead of a million bookmarks saved to your computer, you create visual bulletin boards of pictures. What's great is that you can categorize into several bulletin boards. Well, I was looking at Pinterest when I found this:

Repurposed Earrings to Bold Rings

These rings are so fun to make! To me it's an instant gratification project because you just glue and go. I find my vintage earrings and buttons from estate sales and garage sales. Look for those button earrings from the 60's and 70's. Fancy brooches work well also.

To make these rings, you'll need:

• a vintage earring 
• ring blank 
• jewelry glue
• pliers

First, use your pliers to remove the earring back or pin. It's ok if you have a little residue left over. If you are little worried, just use a lightweight sandpaper to scrub that off.

Then, apply glue to the middle of the wrong side of the earring. Add ring blank and press. Let it dry overnight so that the glue has time to adhere. 

Admire your new creation! 

Here are some more that I have made: