I have a lot of craft bits. Time lately, hasn’t been my friend enough to allow me to do all of the little projects I want to do. I think I want to try and change that. Josh and I have talked about doing some things around the house that will possibly let me be a bit more crafty than I was in 2010. Let’s hope so.

In other fun, I’ve discovered some new sites. Crafty Storage is a site after my own heart. Crafts and organization. Of course through Crafty Storage I discovered Creations by Christie. I love that she puts up crafty deals and steals on her site in addition to her work. I also discovered Bad Skirt with her clever use of binder cases as pattern cases. This gave me an idea to use poly envelopes for mine. Ideally yes, the boxes would be nice but poly envelopes will work for what I need.

OK. I think I need to go sit in my little ole craft closet and ponder what to do next.

The holidays are fast approaching. Last year I found garden gnome holiday cards at IKEA and purchased them to give to co-workers. I had planned on making cards, but this was too perfect. I don’t particularly like garden gnomes. You can thank a Goosebumps TV show episode, Revenge of the Lawn Gnomes for that. Those gnomes were creepy. Anyhow, I decided to embrace the gnomes and get the cards. To top it off, I decided to make little gnome hats for all of my coworkers. I made felt cones and used scrapbooking brads as decor. For the Christmas folk, they got “Christmas” colors of green, red and gold. Hanukkah folk got “Hanukkah” colors of silver, blue, and white.

This year, I’m not sure I will do anything. There is a lot of new staff and they haven’t quite learned about my quirky need to craft. I will probably need to break them in easy. But, I may also be inspired and do something after all. Rip the craft band-aid off quickly.

Anyone have any inspiration for their holiday projects? A theme for this year?

Oops. I’ve been terrible about posting. Sorry.

I discovered this quick little felt Ogee Ornament tutorial this evening. I have fun ideas for next holiday! I have never thought about using felt to make them.

A modeling program to help you design your own plushie. Um, so cool!

I wanted to knit something, but I wanted to make sure I would finish it. So, I thought I would knit these one hour baby booties for a baby shower gift.

I had originally done them in a smaller needle size, but my gauge was so tight that they would barely fit my cat’s front paws. I upped the needle size and came out with a pair that works. The pattern is pretty simple. The first time I knit this pattern was when I was teaching someone to knit. The most complicated thing in the pattern is skp, which is pretty much like binding off. Not something to be afraid of.

Pattern: One Hour Baby Booties by Heidi Neurauter from Stitch N’ Bitch Nation
Materials Used:
US10
Paton Cotton Top: Undyed (double stranded)

Update: For those that have asked both here and via email, I don’t have the local copy available right now (machine upgrade, yay!), but I will try.

Update 2: Word is that Mazz is going to be talking to the Beeb soon, so hopefully it will be posted again. 

While the pattern has been taken down at the request of the BBC, I was still able to finish knitting my Adipose. I had saved a copy locally and there is also the google cache page I have linked to below.

This pattern combined many of my worst knitting enemies. Grafting, picking up stitches and embroidering faces. I suck at all three of them.

I’m not overly pleased with the way I knit it, but had I paid attention to the pattern more closely, I think it would have turned out a lot nicer. Still, not bad for a first go.

Pattern: MazzMatazz’s Adipose Pattern
Materials Used:
US7
Wool Ease Sportweight: Natural color

Forgive me knitters, for I have sinned. In the last week I have sinned twice. The first time was when I bought two sweaters. Each were $3.00 and very nicely made. They were on clearance and to purchase the yarn for such a single sweater would have been easily ten times as much.

My second sin was yesterday. I purchased a lovely 100% lambswool pullover for $3.50. It is beautiful and actually looks rather appealing on me. Again, the costs of the yarn for such a sweater would have been more than ten times what I paid.

In other news, I am on a quest today to finish my unfinished objects! I have a couple of projects waiting in the wings, but I am determined to get these UFOs done! All that I have to finish are the appendages of both the Adipose and the Furryness.

I wanted to knit something else for a baby shower gift, so I decided to give this ago.

It was cute and quick. It took my a while to realize what they meant by a running stitch. While I knew what a running stitch was, I was completely implementing it in the wrong way

I think the next one will be in a natural cotton color.

Pattern: The Trouble with Tribbles
Materials Used:
US7
Peaches and Creme: Variegated pink and white

A friend of my sister in law is having a baby girl. There is a baby shower coming up and I made this as a part of her gift.

I don’t really like seed stitch, but when I was experimenting, the yarn felt nice in this stitch.

I’ll probably be making more of these.

Pattern: Seed Stitch, 28 sts across
Materials used:
US7 Straight
Peaches & Creme in varigated pink and white

OK, folks, more links.

Sewing:

 Woven needle books. You could use swatches for these!

The Eddie Cap tutorial is for a cute little train engineer type cap. Cute.

Knitting:

Zetor is just an awesome lace shawl!

A knit chocolate bunny pattern. I may knit this for my soon to be niece.

A Jelly Baby knitting pattern  for those Doctor fans out there

If you loved Blush on MagKnits (before they closed shop), never fear, the designer has posted it on her site where you can find her other patterns as well.

Crafty:

Instructions to make your own round knitting loom.

Make bowls from magazines.