creative things | the annie blog

crafterly things

Posted on October 29, 2012 by annieblog

Knitting Kit-Jimin (Photo credit: nist6ss)

I am a crafter, and I always have been. Though there have been seasons in my life where I haven’t crafted as much. My parents would buy me paint-by-number sets, and markers, and eventually I started to cross-stitch. I thought I was pretty hot stuff then. In high school I would cross-stitch once in a while. Hardly ever. Like, I don’t think I even finished a project. In college, I didn’t work on it either. But, right before I graduated, I went out and bought a HUGE cross stitch project. Well, big for me. It was like 9 x 11. And, I started it. Then I put it away.

In grad school, I picked up a couple more cross-stitch projects. Then I started to sew. Because I had to. We had to do costume shop hours. So, one summer I spent 4 hours a day in the costume shop. I learned to sew. I learned to surge. I learned a lot! I loved it! I felt creative again!

After grad school I got my first sewing machine. It was pretty basic, but it totally worked for me. I did some cross stitching, some embroidery, and then I started to learn to knit. I was busy! And, it really kept up from there. My one craft I love is knitting. I love to sew. I am lucky enough to have a little one that loves to do all those things as well. We totally love crafting together. It’s been a joy for us.

I try to do something crafty every day. Mostly knitting, but not all the time. Sometimes I have to forego my projects so I can help her with her little projects. It’s a lot of fun.

Filed under: creative things | Tagged: Craft, Cross-stitch, Knitting, Sewing | Leave a comment »

Truckin’ along

Posted on October 2, 2012 by annieblog

Yesterday was a great success (you need to say like Borat in order for it to be effective). Anyway, I conquered my list. My uber long, lengthy list! And, the wee one conquered her little list. Much happiness all around.

The biggest news of all – the wee one finished a dress:

She is wearing it to school today, and she couldn’t be more proud! It’s a bit wonky, but she doesn’t care. All she sees is beauty – pure beauty. And it’s with those eyes that I desire to see the world. So, when she came to me asking if she could wear it to school today – the day of school pictures – I said “YES”. She will feel so beautiful in her dress, and I can’t wait for that happiness to shine through. Now, is the dress perfect? No. Does she care? No. It’s the little things guys – it’s HER loving a dress that makes me keep things in perspective. That’s why she is in my life!

Filed under: creative things, motivating things | Leave a comment »

quilting

Posted on July 11, 2012 by annieblog

I started off the summer by going through her closet and drawers. I saved all of her old T-shirts and cut them up. For the past few nights, I’ve spent some time sewing pieces together. This afternoon I finished it!

She is so happy! So am I!

So, to celebrate, I had some French Vanilla ice cream with some donut peaches.

It was delish!

Filed under: creative things, food things | 2 Comments »

no KAL

Posted on June 27, 2012 by annieblog

I made a decision last night. I am NOT going to do the Knitting Daily KAL for the Pan-Am Jacket. Here is why.

I had been reading the forums. I still hadn’t received my yarn, but I was totally catching up on the forum and taking notes. Anyway, there are many frustrated people on these forums. Many. They are stressing about the pattern. So, I continued to take notes and hope that I would be able to conquer the pattern.

I had bid on the perfect yarn via ebay. Well, I won the bid. Then the seller contacted me to say she didn’t actually have the correct amount of yarn. She made a mistake. She offered to cancel the sale. So, I had her cancel the sale. Then I made a decision. Maybe I’m not supposed to do this darn thing. Maybe I’m supposed to just work on my current project and call it good.

So, I unsubscribed from the forum and guess what? I felt relief! Relief! I had no idea I was even stressed about doing this. But, the relief tells me that I was indeed stressed. So, I am happy with my choice.

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Posted on June 26, 2012 by annieblog

So, it’s summer around here. The pool is open. I am enjoying my afternoons. I am happy!

What am I crafting?

Well, I am currently knitting the Belinda shawl from Mason-Dixon: Knitting Outside the Lines

I am using Elann Peruvian Baby Lace Merino in the colorway Ruby. So far, so good.

I also signed up for the Pan Am Jacket KAL at Knitting Daily. I am anxiously awaiting my yarn in the mail. I ordered some Cascade 220 in the colorway River Rock. I need to get it and start swatching!

I am reading the first book of Game of Thrones. I have watched the first season and am waiting to watch the second season until I finish the last 100 pages of the book.

I am still keeping up with new recipes every week. I am keeping the house extra tidy. I am on top of things and it feels great!

Filed under: book things, cleaning things, creative things, food things, mom things, organizing things | Leave a comment »

pinterest challenge #11, #12, and #13

Posted on May 30, 2012 by annieblog

Here is #11, #12, and #13 for my pinterest challenge

First off, #11. Late last night I finished this hat.

Here is my model wearing it:

I used Lion Brand Homespun for the hat. Then for the edging I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes

I like it. It was an easy pattern and knit up quickly!

Then for #12. Mark grilled out and I made this salad to go along with our chicken.

Here it is:

We LOVED it. The basil was from our garden, so that made it super great. We finished it up, and we will have it again.

And #13. After dinner I made these cookies.

Here they are:

I made some changes. I did not want to roll them out and put them into logs. So, I just froze them in the bowl and scooped them on to a cookie sheet. The difference – they were not super thin. But that’s ok. The hubby likes them a lot. I think they’re ok. The wee one won’t even try them. Oh well, two good pins and one not so good – not bad.

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pinterest challenge #9 & #10

Posted on May 29, 2012 by annieblog

This is my pinterest challenge #9 and #10

For #9 I made this hat for Mark for Father’s Day. It’s coming up!

Here is a pic of him modeling the hat. I know it’s not Father’s Day, but I told him to act surprised when he opens the gift bag.

I used Store brands Pure Wool in gray. I started it on the 19th and finished on the 21st. Very simple pattern. I fell in love with the yarn. But, alas, it’s discontinued.

So, with the rest of the yarn, I made these cabled mitts

Here is the lovely Atlantis modeling them ont he way to the lake this weekend. It was my car knitting for our trip to the lake.

Same yarn – and same happiness level. I started these on the 21st, and I finished them on the 27th.

I totally love both of these projects!

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pinterest challenge #6

Posted on May 20, 2012 by annieblog

This is my pinterest challenge number 6!

I started this on May 5 and actually made 2 matching ones. One for Atlantis, and one for myself.

Here is the pattern:

Here is my end result:

I love it! I used some basic Red Heart Super Saver acrylic.

I am very happy!

Filed under: creative things, pinterest things | 2 Comments »

pinterest challenge #3

Posted on May 9, 2012 by annieblog

This is my pinterest challenge#3

These frames were my inspiration

So, I had these leftover wood rings from something. So, I decided to use them.

I dug out the ribbons and stared wrapping. The first one I hung in my daughter’s closet to use as the pull-string for her light. I hung it with a pink shoe string.

So, I started to wrap the other ones and add buttons here and there:

Some of them had two types of ribbons or lace. This is what I ended up with:

They aren’t really frames, so I decided to find a place for them. And, I found her boring little lampshade in her room:

So, I hot glued them to her lampshade:

This was a super easy project. Very colorful and fun. Plus, the wee one is please – and that’s all that matters. I would call this one a success!

Filed under: creative things, pinterest things | 3 Comments »

pinterest challenge #2

Posted on May 7, 2012 by annieblog

So today I completed Pinterest Challenge #2

We decided to this elephant. I have it pinned on my craft board.

This is what she created:

I call this one a success.

I had black acrylic paint and white acrylic paint. We mixed it up on a paper plate with a brush. We did a total of 5. The first 2 were kind of a trial-and-error for us. Once she really got the hang of pressing her hand on the paper, all went well. It dried all day. Then she glued on a googly eye. Then she used a black Sharpie to make the tail, ears, trunk lines and feet.

They are going in the mail tomorrow morning to the family. I’m sure they will be loved!

Filed under: creative things, pinterest things | Tagged: Crafts, Paint, Pinterest | 3 Comments »