Spring Craft Fair

My neighbor and I recently decided that we are going to do a Spring themed craft show together.  I am so excited - here are a few sneak peeks at the types of things I plan to make.  Everything has a spring / earthy feel to it.  Very fun.

Crocheted Newborn Baby Crocs (I love love love these).

Knitted Slipper (I am currently finishing up the second one).

Crocheted Animals

Jewelry (I liked the leather cord this necklace is on).

Book Thongs

My First Etsy Sale!!!

I am so excited - I just sold two necklaces on Etsy the other day - it was my first Etsy sale!!!

Here is also a necklace that I recently made - I love these Jasper pieces.

Jasper Necklace

I was at the bead store today and I found these really cool pieces of Jasper...  I added a 1/4 inch disc and pearl to this piece.  I love this necklace!  I made a bunch of other necklaces too but since they are Christmas gifts I don't want to post them yet...

Silhouette Ornaments

I finally finished the Silhouette ornaments that I was working on.  I love them and I'm very happy with how they turned out.

PS.  I am also in the progress of knitting a pair of arm warmers that have turned out to be a huge pain!  But I think I have learned everything I need to know now and hopefully I will finish them soon.

More Necklaces

I took a break from knitting tonight and worked on some more jewelry.

I love the way the circles looked on this necklace!

These necklaces are for two little girls for Christmas - I did the stamping in pink instead of black and hung them on ribbon instead of chain.  I think they are adorable...

Silhouette

When I was growing up my grandma had silhouettes of all of her kids cut out from black paper and framed.  I used to love them.  Earlier today on Etsy so I saw some of the same silhouettes and I thought to myself - if someone else can do it I can do it too!  So I made one of Chase.   The below one is a bit messy since it is just a template that I then cut out of paper but it gives you an idea.  I am going to cut some out of paper and make Christmas ornaments on square pieces of chip board.  I am pretty excited.

Baby Hat Disaster

This baby hat has been the biggest disaster ever!  I am trying to make one for a Christmas present but the first one I made was too small (see pictures below).  So I started to make another one just like it that is the right size and it got so messed up I had to start over.  Very frustrating!   I am determined to get it right though because it would be a great little gift.

Knit Hat Ornaments

In order to practice my knitting a bit I have been making little hat Christmas ornaments.  I think they are adorable!

Knit Baby Hat

I finished my knit baby hat last night!  I love it - I can't decide if I should sell it on Etsy or keep it for Chase.  I am very happy with how it turned out.  I may add a bead embellishment still...

Back to Knitting

Over the years I have had a love hate relationship with knitting and crocheting.  I start project after project but I never finish anything.  I finally finished a scarf that I started while I was pregnant with Chase!!!  I should have taken a picture of Chase wearing it as it is much more adorable but he is with his Grammy this afternoon.  I am once again determined to learn how to knit - so I started to knit a baby hat and I ordered a pattern for arm warmers - we'll see if I am more successful this time around.

Necklaces

Here are two more stamped necklaces that I made.

Scarves

One of my neighbors is a total rock star seamstress (www.handmadebyhooli.blogspot.com) and yesterday I went to a craft fair that she was having.  I bought an adorable kiddo apron and I won a really cool scarf in a raffle (the first picture below).  I love the brown and blue together!  Well the scarf inspired me to learn how to make button holes and make a few scarves of my own.  The first one is for Chase and I used a nickel instead of a button - I think it is adorable.  The second one is for me - I used flannel on the front and fleece on the back so it is reversible.  I also like that it is a bit more light weight (and can be used during the fall) since the other one is really warm and is more of a winter scarf.  So thanks to my neighbor for the great idea!!!

Cherish Every Moment Necklace

I made a new necklace using a domed 2.4 cm sterling silver disc.  The necklace has the phrase "Cherish Every Moment" and it has a chocolate colored coin pearl for a detail and is hung on an 18 inch chain.  I really like this one...it mimics something that I saw online that I really loved.

Dragonfly ATC

These are the Dragonfly ATCs that I made for the latest swap that I am doing.  I am really happy with the "Inspire" one and I liked the way the texture from the fabric looks.

Beaded Circle Necklace

Nothing fancy about this - it is just a simple beaded necklace.

Artist at Heart

Yesterday while I was talking with a friend I came to a startling realization about myself. I have always thought of myself as the scientist / techno geek type but the truth is, I have no passion for science. The only reason I work in technology is because I like the money that comes along with it. I really think I am an artist at heart - who would have guessed. I suppose just because I am good at math and science doesn't mean I am interested in it.

The other thing I realized is that maybe that is why I am so drawn to my husband (because we really have nothing in common - we don't like the same types of movies, we have different hobbies, we like different types of music, basically we are interested in different things) but Boris is definately a kindred spirit in the fact that he may excel in the math and science area but his true love is for music. It's funny what makes you love a person...

Things that made me come to this conclusion:
- I hate reading or watching the news or anything that is based in reality. I would much rather snuggle up to the farthest fetched fantasy or romance novel.
- I have no interest in retaining any scientific knowledge. In fact the chemistry and biology talk that my fellow lab geek friends enjoy bores me to death. I draw no energy or excitement from thinking about anything technical.
- I like to stay rather detached from current events and would much rather be elbow deep in a craft project.
- While battling my illness one of the major thing that keeps me from becoming depressed is spending time doing arts and crafts...or plotting my next project...

Initial Necklace

I am still waiting for my 1 inch silver discs to arrived but in the mean time I made this necklace for myself with my initials (I must admit I stole the design from someone else but it was much cheaper to make it than buy it).  I love it - Simple and tiny but cute.  The discs on this one are 1/4 inch big so they are pretty small.

I've already decided what my next adventure in crafting is going to be.  I want to buy a kiln so I can start doing Precious Metal Clay stuff!  Talk about jewelry making!!!  I'm excited about that too - now I just need to save up so I can buy materials.

Jewelry

My metal stamping supplies finally arrived!  I am still waiting for a few more things but here are a few of the pieces I made with what has already come.  I can't wait for my 1 inch metal discs to arrive so that I can make the necklace I want to make for myself with Chase's name and birthday on it!

Metal Stamping

I recently fell in loved with stamped metal jewelry and I was having a hard time deciding what to buy when it hit me that I could make the jewelry myself!  That way I can have as many different necklaces as I want!  I just ordered the supplies today - I can't wait for them to arrived - I am so excited!

Baby Blanket

This baby blanket is fleece backed and stitched with pink and green stitching.  I was happy with how the folds down the middle of the blanket turned out and I like the contrast between the black, white, and pink.  I also am happy with how modern looked the blanket is.  The white fabric is a white on white fabric which you can't really tell from the pictures...

My Very Own Etsy Shop!

I am so excited - I just opened an Etsy shop - who knows if I will have any luck with it but I hope that people are interested in the things I made.   Here is a sample of a wall quilt that I am selling.

Abstract ATCs

Here are the three Abstract ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) I made for the swap I am participating in.  I have never made ATCs before (2.5 x 3.5 pieces of art) but I am pretty happy with how they turned out.  I used scrapbooking paper and alcohol inks to make them and embellished with a few brads and beads.  I hope my swap partners like them too.

Baby Stuff

Here are a few other baby things that I have recently made for the craft fair....

Wall Quilt

I just finished a new wall quilt that I am going to try to sell at an upcoming craft fair I may do with my neighbor.  It is kind of retro looking and fun.  I went with bead embellishments again - it is becoming one of my favorite looks.  Overall I was very happy with how it turned out - it had very minimal bunching and I liked the color mix.

My First Quilt Swap

I am so excited - I just finished my first quilt swap doll quilt!  I am VERY happy with the results which unfortunately means that I am going to have a really hard time parting with it.  This is one of my favorite things that I have ever made - I love how much texture it has.  It was inspired by my swap partner so I would never have gotten the idea if it hadn't been for the swap but it is depressing to see it go.  I hope my swap partner loves it as much as I do or I will be disappointed.  I can't wait to see what I get in return...

I ended up doing some raw edge applique for the first time on this quilt and some bead embellishment.  It went pretty well overall - I like how it looks - especially how the fabric colors work together.  I will have to use raw edge applique again in the future.

(I don't think the pictures do it justice but here they are anyways...)

New Sewing Room

I have a new sewing room now!   We converted our empty room to have two tables set up for me at all times.  Now I will be able to sit down and sew while Chase naps or when I get a 20 minute break here and there.  I am so excited - I hope this enables me to get to all of my crafting projects.