How-To Video for Using Citra-Solv (tm) to Alter Photos

Experimenting with Design

I bought two balls of the most beautiful yarn:  shimmery, slubby, ivory with flecks of many colors.  I wanted to make something that would show it off, but it is so spectacular that it could easily become gaudy.  So, I made a scarf and used this yarn to run through it for effect.  Then when I fringed the ends, I fringed with this yarn where it ran through the scarf.

I used simple single and double crochet stitches.  Then I had a little green left over so I made Katie a little purse.

Llama Llama Red Pajamas!

Made especially for my little cousin, Dylan Smith.  His mom, my cousin Katy, said they had read the book and he would love a llama to go with it.  I coincidentally had just found a llama pattern.  Here is my 10-yr old daughter holding the llama to show how big he is.

New Year's Resolution #2: Ten Potholders

 

My Original Blog

My digital art from computer and mouse!  Also handmade ATCs (artist trading cards).  I thought this was lost, but here it is.

http://mommabellelovesart.blogspot.com/2007/05/gone-digital.html

Spinning Yarn

I have GOT to learn how to spin my own yarn.  I have a bag of wool roving in assorted colors. to start playing with.  I want to make a hand spinning tool.  But it seems like there is so much to learn about fibers, combing, etc. 
Here are some links on the topic:

http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/
http://no-blog-rachels-blog.blogspot.com/
http://www.plimoth.com/kids-corner/kits

THIS is my DREAM:  a week at the John C. Campbell Folk School, in my favorite place on earth (other than my home)--the mountains of western North Carolina!
https://www.folkschool.org/index.php?section=subjects&subject_id=41

Discovery Today for Knitting and Crocheting Fans: the Nostepinne

This is a handheld ball winder for turning skeins of yarn into a ball.  I am charmed by anything rustic, simple, portable.  I am going to ask my father-in-law to make me one--he turns wood.  Here is a video that explains how to use it.

Red Dog

Dog made of two combined patterns.  Should've made floppy ears because she looks like a bear.  But she is nice and solid and sitting height under 8".

My Doodles from Summer 2010

Bizzy and the Kodamas:  Forest Parade

Bizzy and the Kodamas:  Home Base

Good Reading

I am a magazine addict, so I always look for titles for my hobbies.  For crochet, I enjoy the articles and patterns but I also like ads for supplies and events.

New Year's Resolutions!

1.     Make enough small animals (15) to apply for Thread Guild Membership
           PROGRESS:  5

2.     Crochet ten potholders (a quick, easy goal to keep motivated!)
           PROGRESS:  one

3.     Crochet a garment
           DONE:   purple shrug for myself
           DONE:  blue shrug for daughter

4.     Make twelve items (one per month minimum) for charity
           PROGRESS:  one dog blanket for Snuggles project http://www.snugglesproject.org/

5.     Crochet a full-size afghan.
           PROGRESS:  nearly finished with the 99 required squares

6.     Sell items (i.e. booth at festival or website)
7.     Visit a real yarn store!
           DONE!  http://www.theyarncottagefairhope.com/    Fairhope, AL
                        cozy shop, super friendly people, a shop cat named Tilly,
                        and only 25 minutes from home--woo hoo!
           DONE!  http://www.yarniverse.com/  Memphis, TN
                        two-story heaven! the main room was working alive with women knitting, talking, helping.
                        VERY friendly ladies, amazing button collection, lots of knitted and crocheted items hanging
                        in shop.  I bought three balls of yarn and brass stitch markers.

8.     Buy a new sewing machine

9.     Teach daughter more sewing skills and maybe crochet

10.   Get some traffic on this blog!!!

Gotta Have It!!!

I was looking at this in Barnes & Noble and it was KILLIN' me that I couldn't buy it that day (other shopping to do).  If you craft, you gotta see this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Ass-Book-Crafts-Mark-Montano/dp/1416937854/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293472713&sr=8-1-spell

My Cartoon Portrait of My Daughter, Katie

The clouds are a tiger and a llama.  One of her favorite manga characters is Kisa Sohma from "Fruits Basket" manga (Kisa changes from human to tiger), and she got a stuffed llama from Santa last year--she is crazy about llamas.  The llama's name is "Yama".

The bow is real ribbon, and the pink/green outline/silver dress is 3D paper paint.

Hobby Lobby ROCKS!!!!!

I haven't shopped yarn in Hobby Lobby for years but made it in today.  After about 15 minutes, I wanted to SCREAM from the OVERLOAD!  I touched, and dreamed, and put back, and picked up, and staggered up and down the aisle in a frenzy.  I had an acrylic hook and some other gadgets in the basket but put them back for yarn.  I had to watch my spending because I was also shopping for eyes and noses, and air dry clay to make "dolls", and my daughter wanted a sketchbook.  I finally left with only three skeins (but giggly happy! what IS IT about yarn?!). 

1. Yarn Bee chinchilla in "fling", a variegated blue/purple with subtle sparkle a big chunky yarn, to make a critter for my daughter. 

2.  Patons Lace in Patina, a gray/tan/cream variegated, a skinny acrylic/mohair/wool for small bears. 

3. Yarn Bee Snowflake wool blend in Tangerine (variegated orange/pink/brown) for critters. 

Yes, I have a thing about variegated yarn!  I love color.  I have plenty of solids in my stash, hopefully something I can coordinate with these, but if not, no problem because these are scrumptious to the touch and for the eyes!

My First Teddy Bear

She's about the size of a Ty Beanie Babie.  She has matches underpants.  I want to make her a stuffed animal of her own.

This pattern is from a book I bought.  I worked this one in a regular yarn with a size F hook, and I am making the same pattern in crochet yarn and a 1.65mm hook.  The size difference is astounding!  There are so many freaking ADORABLE patterns out there but I am really enjoying bears!

The book as listed on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Itty-Bitty-Animals-Annies-Attic-Crochet/dp/1596352515/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292863046&sr=1-1

This turned out rough but the pattern is SO much fun to work and I adore this bear--which I gave to my daughter!

The pattern is from Demonstrative Bears---too much amazing cuteness in one place!!!  My idol!

http://www.demonstrativebears.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/amigurumi_demonstrative_bear_free_pattern.pdf

The Rabbit that Wasn't

I started a white rabbit for my daughter, but when she saw it unfinished, she thought it looked like a kodama and didn't want me to finish it.  I stitched on the black mouth and gave it to her.  Kodamas are forest spirits (see middle photo) from one of our favorite movies, "Princess Mononoke" by H. Miyazaki.  In the right photo, you can see it is a good snuggle size!

pattern:  Bella the Bunny
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80448AD.html?noImages=

My New Pin Cushion!

I started with green wool needlepoint thread but ran out and switched to what I had in my bag!  This is from a free pattern off the internet but I made a lot of changes.  He is about 3-4 inches tall.
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70584AD.html?noImages=

Learning Amigurumi!

This little Auburn Tiger was one of the first animals I made (I was working on the alien at the same time.)  He is about four inches tall and is made from a heavy embroidery.

free pattern on the internet
Sherbert Kitty from http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Amigurumi/Sherbert-Kitty

Painting