Big Project

So those who have been wondering where I've been:

A few years ago I did a large project for the Mayor of Miami,  a limited edition run of 20 of these:

 Well, there's a new mayor in town, and he's asked for 20 more!  WooHoo!  I know, they look small.  But anyone who does stained glass will tell you...the smaller the pieces, the MORE work it is.


In other news, guess to turned a whole year old this week?

Happy birthday to my baby girl Alice!

Crochet Kimono Baby Jacket

While I was pregnant, I started on a beautiful crochet coat for my baby-to-be.

I just finished it.

That baby turns 1 year old in a couple weeks.

But I finished it. You can't tell me I never finish anything.

Good thing I had the foresight to make it in the biggest size, huh?

The stitch pattern used is called 'basketweave', and is a lot simpler than it looks.  Just a bunch of front and back post double crochets.  I also love the kimono front styling.  The yarn is a sport weight bamboo/modal blend, which makes for a buttery soft texture, even if it was a bit slippery on the hook.  Because of the density of the stitch pattern and the fine yarn, this is a very warm coat.  Where we are, there aren't many cold days, so I'm hoping that this stretches into next winter, after we move to a slightly chillier climate.

The applique for the original pattern called for a pink moose.  Yes, a pink moose.  No thank you.
 
Using some scrap denim trimmings and a cute button I had around (because I save stuff like that), I got out some web fusing and PRESTO!  Flower!

And PRESTO!  I need a new iron!

And finally, here's your lovely model:

Baby Alice, with room to grow!

Thanksgiving SALE

I hope everyone else had an awesome Thanksgiving!  I had a quiet day with my husband and Baby Alice, and had fun making some yellow squash bread and muffins, which I am pleased to say turned out very well.  Can't even tell there's a vegetable in there.  On the subject of vegetables though, I did enjoy the Science Channel's  Punkin Chunkin alternative to football, while eating pumpkin pie.  Where else is 'pie' used as a verb?


We're skipping the coffee and hot cocoa fueled all-nighter outside the local store this year, opting to get some sleep instead, and go get my caffeine after the wave has come and gone.   For those of you who are doing the same, here's a little treat:  from now through Monday, use coupon code PUMPKINS2010 and get an immediate 20% off anything in my Artfire and Etsy shops!

Happy shopping!

On the Carousel of Progress

Mama is having a VERY productive naptime today!

Highlights of the last couple weeks:

• My newest design was featured on this fantastic Christmas list by VickyVK
• Got my first International Order --to Switzerland!
• Baby Alice learned to drink from her sippy cup--what a big girl!
• I finished crocheting her first coat--just in time for the cold weather!  (This thing will be getting it's own post shortly--I'm THAT pleased with it!)
• Playing with some ACEO-sized art.  I've got the drawing bug, just not the time to focus on bigger paper.  This is Coriandre, a halfling chef/cleric I play on an Eberron IRC chat. (If you're into the RP thing, we're looking for more players--ask me!)

Yay poison immunity!

 And some updates in pictures of some other projects in various stages of work.

Yes...still working on it.

I call it "Upside Down Box, with Primer"

Something's cookin' in the kiln...

 

FP is for Front Page (not Fist Pump)

So here I sit in bed trying to get over tangling with a nasty bout of the flu :sniffle:.  My trusty laptop in hand, I was looking over some Google Analytics data.  Normal results, the numbers continuing their slow but steady rise since I've started paying attention to these things again :yay sniffle: and then...hey!  What's that big spike?


Holy bottom dwelling river fish Batman!  I had Etsy Front Page real estate!

And so off I flew to Craftcult.com to confirm this.  Indeed, noonish last Tuesday, while everyone was pulling levers and waiting for those oh so unsurprising election results, my Great White Shark glasses were hanging out on the FP in this awesome manly man treasury by simplyriveting (whose rings, by the way, totally are just that).  I had seen this collection earlier, and thought it was really nicely done.  "The Etsy admins might even notice this one." I remember thinking to myself.

I must be developing an Etsy-sense.

:tingle sniffle:

Works in progress

No completed projects to show for this week.  I've got a few things in progress, just haven't managed to reach the finish line on anything this crazy week.

There's a crochet jacket for the baby that sits there, taunting me with it's half of a sleeve left to go.

There's a Mod Podge box project, at a standstill while I wait for a sign from above regarding whether or not spray paint is necessary.

And of course, the coffee table/chest also waits patiently.  It's so understanding like that.

I did manage to play mad scientist with some glass painting and kiln firing though.  And only one batch ended up in a puddle of melted glass!  That's good odds for me!

"Trash" Bag Project

It used to be one of my favorite wrap skirts from my thinner days.  I wore it to the beach all summer.  It's amazing how much sentimental attachment you can have for a couple yards of paint-spotted fabric.

Now some of it can live on in a cute bag!

As part of beefing up my sewing skills, I try to choose projects that give me a chance to learn a new stitch or technique.  This time, it was the 'box stitch.

It looks like a box.

The idea of a box stitch is to reinforce where your handle attaches to the rest of the bag on the inside to help it stand up to the stress of use.  This thing isn't coming off anytime soon

The pattern (from the One Yard Wonders book) calls this a "trash bag to keep your car tidy".  I'm don't know what this bag is saying to me, but I'm pretty sure it's not 'trash bag'.

Maybe I'll hang it off my bike or something.