Quilting updates, plus more!

Well I wanted to assure anyone out there that I have not dropped off the map. In fact I have been crafting just as much as ever, I'm just a little discouraged with keeping this blog. If anyone out there is interested in any of my works I finally have an update from that Sept. 13th post about the quilt in progress.... I finally finished that quilt at the beginning of this month!
More recently I have been working on christmas gifts and decorations. I also have a special little project to share... A pair of knitted socks with pink ribbons on them. The ribbons were knitted on the top so the wearer can easily hide the ribbons in shoes if they so wish, while keeping feet warm and comfy. Instead of binding off I single crocheted (sc) all the stitches off the needles so they would be stretchy but hold their shape and not become droopy. And now that you've seen most of my completed projects... This is what I'm working on now. My next quilt is a teal ribbon, hopefully it's going to be a queen size.

Warm and cozy

Things have been slow in my crafting world lately (mainly because school has been crazy!) so I have not been crafting quite as much as I'd like. Recently I have completed a pair of socks and an extra-wide earwarmer headband with an oversized flower. I also sewed up a trash sack for my brand new truck, oh yea and I made a steering-wheel cozy for my truck too!

I made these socks this week. They are toe-up from the pattern two-at-once, toe-up socks by Knit Picks it is a free PDF downloadable pattern on their website. I didn't like the heel design, it just seemed like too much work for nothing so I changed the heel to one I got from the Toe-up fixation footies
I had to rip back to the heel and add some stitches between the heel and top stitches because the stitches got really big and made a gap between the stitches. So I ripped back and added 4 on each side, then completed the socks one at a time. I used “jeny’s super stretchy bind off” method… But I wasn’t impressed. I can get them on and off and they maintain their structure, but its really not That stretchy. So I think when I make these again (which will be soon) I will try something else.
If you'd like to see more of my notes on Ravelry you can get that page here

This headband/earwarmer is awesome! Of course it is because I keep making them! I have made 4 of these earwarmers and this is number 5. I love how cozy and warm it is and how it can be customized with a flower. This one I made wider than the others because the others didn't stay over my ears completely, that is a bit of a pet peeve for me, hats and earwarmers that do not cover my ears. So anyway, my hair gets in the way of a beanie when I run and I decided it would be far easier to wear something just on my ears rather than my whole head. So this is what I decided would solve my problem. I casted on 10 sts (though I recommend using an odd number) rather than the 7 the pattern calls for. You can find the pattern for this earwarmer here and you can also see my Ravelry notes on this as well.
The flower was crocheted using the Mother's day flower pattern from Lion Brand Yarn's website. I used an "I" hook. After looking at their picture and comparing to mine, I guess mine is inverted. But it is still cute! so this flower can be worn however you think looks best!

Vera Bradley? Yea right!

Where have I been? Here, there, everywhere, and of course no where at all! I have been preparing for an on campus craft fair to sell some of my goodies. My most favorite recently completed (tonight) project is a copycat vera Bradley tote. Who needs vera Bradley (and her prices, like $57) when you can sew?! Not this chic! Also I made some cute little (also vera Bradley ripoffs) key chain wallets, but these have cell phone cases on the back, hint they fit an iPhone with a case on! Then I made this little coin purse... And these ribbon key rings. Oh and these huge drippy bows (they're hair barrettes). Also an ear warmer/headband. All of which will be featured at the craft show, except for the tote bag.

Nap mat

This has been my latest and greatest. There were quite a few little mistakes, but they are ok. my kiddo likes Thomas the train and recently he has notice d that some of the other kids at school have these nap mats that he calls "lunch boxes." I used 1.5 yards of Thomas and 1 yard of the blue fleece (although I would recommend 2 yards for the base, since I had no room for cutting mistakes). I also used a coordinating thread (I know that might go without saying, but mistakes will be visible). I was able to use some of the blue fleece for a binding. I didn't create a tutorial for this, but you can find one here. For the cushioning I used a twin size folded 3 times, I had extra on the top that I used for the pillow (it was rolled in the 3 layers). And the buckles are quick clip, push down the button and slide. These are easy for my (now 3-yr old) kiddo to unclip. I didn't want to use a button and risk it tearing.
 

A new adventure in quilting

My latest adventure is quilting. I am working on a basic patchwork quilt. Most of what I have so far has been assembled using scraps from t-shirts and some old material that I had... But I have quickly depleted my stash and have bought some fabric in the last couple of days. I have really enjoyed working on this. Tomorrow is my kiddo's bday (he's 3!) and I will be making something for him. I will post a pic as soon as it is done.

T-shirt mod: from square to curvy

I found a cool t-shirt mod on the Internet a while ago that I had been putting off until I got my new machine. Well Betty is finally here and she is prepared to do anything I can throw at her. So tonight I finally attempted this really neat idea to turn a regular t-shirt into a feminine/chic shirt that is flattering to a woman's curves.

This t-shirt was big and loose, it even looked kind of funny to me. Now it looks curvy and cute! I really like how it turned out. I found while sewing that you have to stretch the sleeves a little bit while sewing it since your refurbed sleeves are going to come out smaller than the armholes. It's really not a huge problem though. This pattern is actually for a surger, so if you have one of those this could be a quick pattern to put it to some use... But if not, then you could always set your machine to zig-zag.. Which is what I did.. Unfortunately no sooner had I finished my shirt and the site was gone.. Just like that. I don't know what happened, but it can still be found on YouTube here.

Jean skirt and shirred top

I have been working on more odds and ends and some not so odd as well. I made an Anchor square for my afghan (and in case you're wondering how many I need, the count will be 108), I also made a jean skirt and shirred top outfit with 1 yard of fabric, and a toy storage hammock. I was so excited to accomplish the jean skirt. And I fixed my purple skirt that was a little too big, it's perfect now!