Little Bits Journal

Little Bit has been working hard on her journal. Here are a couple of pics. Her work includes Stamping, Stickers, Watercolor Paint, and of course her precious little words.

Fairy Houses

My kids and I have been delving into the world of fairies. The little flower fairies that help the plants and grow and thrive. A very cute book by Tracy Kane tells a story of fairy houses being created in Maine. A big tradition up there which we decided to bring here to Texas. Here is a picture of their first fairy home. They are getting more creative as they work them. We hope to provide wonderful spots to encourage the fairies to come take good care of our garden.

Journals

Journal samples to show the kids in a class I'm going to teach this week. The kids will make their own journals. Try out different binding methods. Then they will swap journals and embellish a page in each of their friends journals. They can draw, doodle, stamp, write, add quotes or poetry. Whatever speaks to them. I'm excited to see how it goes.

Ramblings

This week has been super busy and I haven't gotten to any knitting. It sits in my bag next to the couch calling me back. the projects I have cast on currently are just not working for me though.

I am going to hunt for some new fun patterns, cast on my socks, and get out of my knitting rut. Wish me luck!

Now off to see if I can remember how to do the kitchener stitch....

Embroidery closeup

Embroidery

First time embroidering. I used my journal duck as a template.

Pinks

I'm lovin' the pinks these days. Very feminine and fun!

Alpaca hat

Livy's new hat made from Grandma's special alpaca yarn sent for Xmas. Livy started it but had me finish it for her.

His and Hers

Connor and Livy's new water bottle covers in coordinating colors.

Red bottle

My next cover in a deep red, pink, and tan color.

Bottles Galore

The brown cozy is a fabulous organic soft cotton. The peach is from a ball of dishrag cotton. Both are great and cover my Kanteen's nicely. I have one more of my Kanteen's to go. I'm thinking a reddish color on that one.

Tree sweaters

Here is a picture of my little knitted Christmas tree ornaments. They are getting packed away for another year today.

Birding Journals

Watercolor homemade birding journals. And yet another hobby fills my life.

Xmas yarn

The kids got me new yarn for Christmas. How fun. I'm happy to report to my very special friend in CO I will finally be making my socks. Now only if she was here to help me.

Wine Accesories

Little wine accessories. These were a special request for a very special friend. I love them. They came out really cute.

Pooh

And for the little woman I've got a Winnie the Pooh apron. I took the pic on my phone and can't seem to flip it. Sorry.

Batman

Here is a batman apron I whipped up for the little man for Christmas. My kiddos love their aprons for cooking and crafting.

Bye-bye

Well our snowman moved on to a new house. Ashley really wanted to give him as a present for a gift exchange.

I'm happy to report I've got white yarn cast onto my needles and I'm making another one. He's too cute not to have one sitting in the house.

Frosty

After my dishcloth madness I needed to change things up a bit. I found Frosty online and think he is adorable. The kids think I need to make a Mrs Frosty to go with him.

Lacy Edge Dishrag

Here is my new favorite dishrag pattern. It's a single crochet square dishrag with scalloped edge. (CH 4, sk a st, sc in next st) repeat around entire dishrag.

Dishrag Frenzy

I have been knitting and crocheting up a storm. I pumped out so many dishrags this month, but have forgotten to photograph them..... Next time. Most were gifts for birthdays. I made myself up a handful to go in my stocking for Christmas. I usually gift out everything, so decided Santa owed me a gift. They are made with that fabulous RED color and will be such a joy in the kitchen. The kids have been complaining our rags need an upgrade. Can't wait for Xmas morning! Silly I know, but with tight funds, this was one way to upgrade my rags. I'm thinking Santa may even drop in a few balls of Dishrag Cotton for the mama too. Imagine my delight to find even more cottons to work on after the new year.

Texas Tea

A common occurrence lately.

Love in a dishrag

I found a new dishrag cotton this week. A new color is always so exciting. This is my favorite color I've found as of yet. I love this red and can't wait to send some to a special friend in Cali, who has a red kitchen theme. I will however make several for myself as they are just to fantastic to part with all of them.

Scrubby Lady

I've been named the Scrubby Lady. Lately everywhere I've been I've had either a dishrag in hand or a dish scrubbie. I am in love with these fabulous little nylon scrubbies...... My grandmother loves them too, I'm mailing her some for her upcoming birthday and I'm keeping some for myself.

Dishrags Galore

I've been on a fun dishrag frenzy. I'm trying lots of different patterns with both knit and crochet. I do wish though I didn't have all these ends to weave in.

Winnie

Here is a little Winnie for my little Bit who is in love with Pooh Bear. I'll be working on a piglet for Xmas.

Pooh Purse

A Winnie-the-Pooh purse for Little Bits birthday.

Project List

Well after much deliberation last night, I'm going with.......another felted wallet and a dozen eggs (you will just have to wait and see). I am also ripping out (gasp) the fingerless gloves I started. I don't like the way the pattern is turning out. This yarn is too special to waste on a pair of gloves I don't like. It'll keep me busy this afternoon and evening. PIctures to follow.

Short Rows

I don't like short rows!!!!! They are holding me back from a few projects. I may have to sit and watch utube videos over and over this afternoon so I can figure them out. They never seem to come out right and really frustrate me. Grrr......

No knitting

I have finished up all but one project. For the first time in forever I'm working on a one by one basis. A weird feeling but I am liking it. I've been working on mini projects and sticking with that for awhile. Life is so busy it seems the best for now. Tonight I sit tucked in bed devouring my huge stack of personal knitting books looking for the perfect project to entice me. The problem is picking just one is too hard. Hmmmm my one by one plan is slowing fading away.

Little Turtle

This is a little crocheted turtle I've whipped up for a park biologist as a thank you for a special tour. She is a lover of turtles.

Beach Bag

I finally finished my knitted beach bag. It's a flax wool blend. It feels so soft but is also durable at the same time. We are headed to the beach today in fact. I'm going to pack it full of sunblock and snacks and see how it holds up.

Last Photo shoot

Little cactus getting a couple more shots in before heading to AZ.

Cactus

For my mother's birthday I whipped up a cactus. She lives in AZ and it seems only fitting. She doesn't keep live plants very well and I thought this would be perfect for her. Happy Birthday Mom!

Another view

Sting ray

Here is the newest sea creature being added to the collection. What a cutie!

Little Bit's Hat

Here is Little Bit's new hat! She crocheted the flower and I made her the new hat to go with it. The pattern came from one of the ladies at knit night. We are going to another teamwork effort and make a second.

Finished Scarf

It's done! It's a med length scarf with a fabulous shimmer to it. It's almost cold enough this week to wear it.

Gray and Red Pouch

I'm finally finished with my felted bag. I was going to make a tote styled bag out of it. Then decided to turn it into a felted zipper pouch. Once it's finished drying I will sew in a zipper. I may turn it into my new wallet. I am really happy I went with the pouch. I'm loving how it turned out. The magic of felting, it's always a surprise......

Finished Bowl

Another little bowl. This one in very autumn colors. It too will be filled with shells when it's done drying.

Pinky the JellyFish

My little Jellyfish is complete. I love this little guy. We have named her Pinky. The kids are all requesting one of their own now. For now Pinky will live hanging on my china cabinet in the dining room. She may request a spot next to Star the Starfish in the bathroom later though.

My goal this week is to actually get some projects finished up. Good luck to me......All I can think about is starting new ones.

This is the life

The line on my pocket from my new bag says it all.........of course Little Bit helped make this one too. She hogs the machines these days.

Pencil Cases

Sticking with our love of all things ocean..... pencil cases. These are for our art supplies when we go out on nature sketching days.

Little Bit Creations

Little Bit has been back at the sewing machine again. A new purse/tote for herself. Tomorrow matching wallet to go with it.

Dashing

Although I have projects stacked up everywhere I've decided to go ahead with my yummy cotton/wool blend. I finally (after a year) have found the perfect pattern for this super special yarn.

I'm making the "Dashing fingerless mitt". I believe its from the Knitty website. They will run up my arm a bit more than the Fetching Pattern I usually use. There will be some cabling involved which I'm excited about.

It's 6am. I'm up listening to tropical storm winds and rains and feeling in the mood for my winter gloves. Happy knitting to me.

No knits

I have been really busy the last few days and haven't had a chance to pick up my knitting. Today I am going to devote my afternoon to knitting. I want to finish up a few WIP's, so I can start a few new ones. I'm going to make Olivia a cardigan. I've only done newborn sweaters, this will be a fun and exciting challenge for me. I also am going to make some lacy hats with a flower thanks to a pattern passed on to me. Can't wait till later.

WIP Bowl

Last but not least. Another bowl is sitting here ready to be thrown into the washer for felting. Love the Autumn colored yarn.

WIP Misc

I've got a couple of other projects just hanging around. A simple cotton white washcloth. A hemp yarn I've tried two ways to see what I want to do with it. Either a knitted bath scrunchie or I am going to crochet a washcloth. There are also these two FABULOUS balls of a cotton/wool blend my mom gave me that I have been saving forever. I'm going to turn them into a neck warmer or hand warmers. This yarn is really special.

WIP Scarf!

Grandma sent us boxes of yarn!!!! Of course most of it is intended for Little Bit. I did steal a couple balls of the top though. I am making this fabulous scarf!!!! It's a cotton blend. There is a ribbon type yarn woven through it which puffs our here and there. It is really shiny and I can't wait to wear it this fall. It will be the perfect weight for Texas. I started off using a lacey pattern but found that it really looks best with a simple garter stitch and letting the puffs do all the work.

WIP Seed Stitch Bag

I've decided I don't like the shells being woven into my drawstring bag. I ripped (gasp) it out and have gotten it back to the point I was at. I'm liking this a lot better. I will add the shells to the string tassels instead. Love the chocolate brown colorway, one of my favorite colors.

WIP Jellyfish

Here is the top of a jellyfish. Sticking with our ocean theme Jellyfish will be hanging around the tub. I just need to crochet the tentacles. Crocheting has been hurting my hand so I am back to knitting for the week.

WIP Bag

This is a Paton's wool that I'm knitting in the round. I will felt it down to either a zipper pouch or, depending on how small it gets, maybe a little tote. I've put it down for a while but am ready to finish it up. It's grey, red, and black.

WIP Scarf

It's slow going on this project. It's a merino wool from Morehouse Yarns. I love the yarn though and think it will make a great scarf. For some reason I haven't been really motivated on this one. Maybe I have too many projects going. he he he.