at last...

I am super thrilled, elated, excited. After years of wanting, and searching and trying to learn I have finally figured out knitting!!! In 20 minutes I learned to cast on, knit on (which I prefer), knit, and purl!!! I am so proud of this accomplishment. And look at what I got done while sitting for half an hour last night  

It might not be the most advanced or the loveliest thing but to me it is absolutely beautiful! Not bad for a newbie. And now that I have figured this out the sky is the limit for patterns and crafts! I have wanted to knit since I picked up my crochet hooks at 15 years old. Crocheting will always be a love of mine but there is something about the lacy delicate beauty of the knit patterns that is so enticing. And the crafts that you can do when you can knit are so much more exciting. I can barely contain my enthusiasm. There are sweaters to start, socks to create, and some extra little surprises for someone very special in my life who will be having a baby soon! Oh the ideas are just bubbling. And you never know. Next will be spinning and maybe even my own sheep or two. Even if I don't get the sheep yet I live in farm country; where the different kinds of fibers from all of the glorious alpacas, sheep, goats, and rabbits makes my fingers twitch with anticipation! Oh happy days. For now it is time to finish off the scrap yarn in my bag...waste nothing you know. Oh the joy of small successes!

reversible vest

I love making clothes for my children. It gives me a huge thrill to get the idea, pick the fabric, and create clothing that they will enjoy wearing. An outfit they feel extra special in because it is one of a kind just for them. Since the Easter is right around the corner, it seemed the perfect time to make new start of Spring outfits for my three 'littles'. My 7 year old is pretty rough and tumble but he can also be a fancy man so for him a dapper vest and pants outfit.

Reversible Vest

While I did not take pictures of the first few steps they are really simple. Pick out the two fabrics you want to use and the pattern (or clothing item) you plan to base your vest on .For this I used a t-shirt that is a little big for him so that it will fit longer. (A good example on how to do this can be found here Make It-Love It) Next, sew each individual side together leaving the tops unsewn. 

Pin the two sides of the vest together with the right sides facing in. 

 When you sew the sides together, leave the top portion of the outer vest unsewn. (As shown below)

 Fold the raw edges in and slip the open end over the sewn part of the vest sleeve cap.

 And tada! You now have a super simple reversible vest!

seeds and bargains

 

best laid plans

As I sat at the end of the day yesterday, I took note of the fact that not one thing I had set forth to do that day had been accomplished. No sewing was touched; in fact my projects in process pile has gotten as tall as my four year old. No dishes were washed nor any laundry cleaned folded or put away. And the yard work was woefully neglected. Yesterday morning my well shut down and halted all other projects until we could figure out what happened. Turns out two pumps were down and we had a leak in the line. Since we had to wait for the problem to be fixed and wanted the children out of the way of the person fixing the problem we went miniature golfing! And yup I forgot my camera...oops! So now that this is fixed today I set before myself the same challenge as yesterday. I am sure that most of my things will get done this time but if not well there's always tomorrow!

 My tragically neglected work area :)

Christmas Creations

Although I could celebrate Christmas and the Solstice for a month each, I am super excited now that the holidays are over, because now I can share some of what was made with you. 

 Flower Ear Muff Headbands (tutorial to come)

 Upcycled Wrist Warmers for my nephew with antiqued wooden buttons

 Upcycled Sweater Dress with Corduroy neckline, bow, and wide hem for my niece

Upcycled Wrist Warmers for my brother

 Constellation Cards for my sweet astronomer

 Carry Case for the Constellation Cards

 Upcycled Portable Denim Road with Travel Bag

 Aprons for everyone!

Salt Dough Jewelry for each munchkin to paint as they please

 8 Foot Teepee's for the two oldest 

Cozy Cuddle Pillow for the littlest 'little' in the house

How was your Handmade Holiday? What extra special creations were gifted to you or the ones you love? What extra special gifts did you make to gift? If you would like to share your handmade holiday with us, leave a link in the 'comments' section for all to share and see.

100th Post Giveaway Winner!!!

Congratulations Amanda (Petunia Picklebottom)! You are the winner of the 100th Post Celebration Giveaway. Thank you to everyone who participated and thank you all for being here with me. It means the world!!!

(Choice of one of the three items above; prize won't be identical to pictures fabrics will vary.)

To claim your prize, please send me a message with your prize preference and mailing address. Have a great day!

100th Post and a Giveaway!

Today marks a milestone in my blogging. Today is my 100th post and to celebrate I am having a giveaway! One lucky reader will receive one of these three lovely gifts as my way to say thank you for hanging out here with me and supporting what I do.

 Upcycled Wristwarmers with wooden buttons (child or adult size color will vary from these)

  Plush ABC Set with Drawstring Bag

Sweet Lil" Helpers Apron (fabric will be different)

 All you need to do is leave a post in the comments and you could be the winner! (Winning number will be generated by a random number generator.) Have a great day, good luck and thank you all for your support!

sweet lil' helpers apron tutorial

Howdy and happy Tuesday!! Today I thought I would give the gift of crafting to all who wish it. Our Solstice/ Christmas Holiday was a nearly entirely handmade one which is exciting for me being that this is my very first handmade holiday. I stuck to simple and sweet gifts to create so that I would not bite off more than I could create in time. With three little ones I managed to have more creations than time though and so they will be receiving gifts for a while until momma is all done sewing...lucky munchkins! One of my favorite presents to make was the "Sweet Lil' Helpers" apron. Here are directions in case your mini chef needs cover for cooking their masterpieces!

Sweet Lil Helpers Apron

What you will need:

2 types of material  big enough cover your little ones front (upcycling works great for this project)

elastic (I used 1/4 inch but 1/2 inch would work fine too)

Button (large wooden or plastic -if no wood is available)

Thread and needle (for hand sewing the button)

sewing machine

1. Fold your fabric in half. Using a children's shirt as a rough guide trace a pattern out onto a piece of paper (grocery bags or art paper works fine). Take the pattern and place it onto your fabric with the flat side lined up with the fold of the fabric. Trace and cut out. Repeat with the second piece of fabric. Set aside.

2. Cut out a long piece of fabric, approximately 4 inches wide and 12-20 inches long (depending on the size waist of the little person you are sewing for) for the waist strap. Cut another strip of fabric, approximately 3.5 inches wide and 18-22 inches long (you can adjust these measurements as needed to fit the size of your little helper). With the right side of the fabric facing in, fold the strips in half and sew the long edge. Flip these right side out and set aside.

3. Take the two body pieces of the apron, face the right sides of the fabric together. Sew from the top of the collar to the edge of the arm area. Take the waist strap and pin one end into the seam area of either side of the apron. Now the waist strap will be on the inside of the two apron panels. Continue to sew both long sides of the apron and flip it right side out.

4. Place a safety pin on the end of your elastic and thread it through the neck strap. Sew the elastic into one side. Pull the elastic as taut as you need for the strap to fit comfortably and hang where you want on your little helper. Once you have the proper tautness, sew the other opening and elastic together. Take the neck strap and pin the two edges into each corner of the top of the apron. Sew shut.

 5. Pin and sew the hem of the apron.
6. Sew the button to the side opposite the waist strap.

7. Using the piece of fabric that was cut from the arm hole section of the apron, place the long edge of one of the pieces onto a folded piece of fabric, trace and cut. Next, face the two half pieces right side together and sew the long edge. Now you have to half circle shaped pieces. Place these two half circles wrong side out and sew along the curved edge leaving only the top open. Turn the piece right side out and sew the top closed. Now you have the front of your roo-pocket.Center and pin this to the front of the apron. Sew and voila a roo-pocket is born!

8. Using your machine or by hand sew button holes on the waist strap. Tada you are done!

Have fun. I would love to see your finished results. Leave a link in 'comments' so we can all enjoy your creations!