Rediscovering Knitting

First of all, thank you for the encouraging comments! You guys are the best :)

There are a couple of posts around here about things that I knit. Such as this Honey Cowl, this scarf and this sweater (which I actually finished... even though it's a pretty sad/weird sweater). But then I kind of stopped knitting for a while. And crocheting. I was a one trick pony for a period and that trick was sewing.

But now I've picked it up again and I have to wonder.. Why did I ever stop? I have been enjoying it immensely and have been finding myself trying to sneak time in here and there just for one more row or a few more stitches. The result? Well. I finished the ugly sweater mentioned previously. It's ugly mostly because I didn't follow a pattern, had no idea what I was doing, and picked it up after setting it down for months and I couldn't remember anything about it. So, it was a little wonky. The arms are too long and the ribbing on the cuffs and bottom don't really match in tension (I think I must have used different sized needles or something). But it was DONE and I was SO HAPPY.

So then I decided to re-knit some reading mitts. I made one once, not sure if I ever posted about it. But I made the wrong size and had to frog the whole thing. I was so sad! After that, I just shoved the whole thing in a bin in my sewing room and forgot about them. That may have been the moment I gave up on knitting for a while. All that hard work! And for what?? (Never mind that this was all my fault and the heartache could have been avoided had I just measured my hands).

But I decided to give them another shot, this time with the benefit of actually knowing how big my hands are so I could choose the right size (I know, seems like such an obvious thing, right?). And well, now they're done! Both of them! And they fit! And I LOVE THEM SO MUCH OMG. Seriously, guys. The other day while I was sitting in the car with Mario waiting to meet a guy from the internets about trading cars (yes, that's pretty much my life), I was wearing my pretty new mitts (even though it's May in Tucson and woolen mitts are really not necessary) and reading a book about dyeing yarn. I was the picture of yarny contentment.

I haven't really put down the yarn since then. Right now I'm working on a sweater for Mario and am eyeballing shawl patterns. I'm thinking something easy and free for my first every shawl. Like maybe Zilver? I'll keep you posted!

Finished: Circular Knitting Needle Case

Hiiiiiii!

So. Here I am again. Without a tutorial, but WITH something pretty cool to show you! I have been knitting a lot lately and my collection of needles has been growing. Particularly since I decided to buy an interchangeable circular needle set from Knit Picks. Up until now, those needles have had various homes around the house... sometimes at the bottom of my project bag, stuffed into a drawer full of sewing notions, stuck inside bins full of yarn. You get the idea. I just stashed them where ever I found space. BUT NO LONGER.

BECAUSE NOW I HAVE THIS. It's a little roll up case to house all my needles! :D It isn't perfect, of course. This was my first attempt, and true to fashion, I decided not to follow a pattern. I knew the general shape I wanted and just decided to figure out the math myself... Well. My math isn't perfect yet. I put the magnetic snap in slightly wrong (okay, I was about an inch off with one of them, it's kind of a lot), which it why the bottom edge of the flap is curling a bit. I kind of have to strain to close it...

The back has a little zippy pocket to put my stitch markers and cabling needles and whatnot in. Not that I have used any of my cabling needles so far. But I have them for the next time I feel brave! I'm not totally happy with how it turned out. I don't like how much of the lining fabric you can see. But next time will be better!

The inside has 15 pockets. These aren't all my needles, by the way. I haven't yet gathered them all together. These are just the ones that had been lurking in my sewing notions drawer. In the next version I will change a couple of things about this. FIRST. I will make an even number of pocket rows so it more happily folds into thirds. That was a huuuuuge oversight! SECOND. I won't make the taller two rows of pockets end all the way at the bottom of the bag. That seam is super bulky. And even my biggest needles get almost swallowed by the top pockets.

So. Is it perfect? No. But do I love it? YES. I'm so proud of myself for figuring this out and making it functional! I learned a lot from this little bag and my next version will be waaaay better.

What have you been working on? Linking up to Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts!

Making Clutches

Hello all! How was your long weekend? Mine was filled with family and friends and food. But I also managed to get some sewing time in. I have been wanting a little clutch to take out with me so I don't have to lug my whole purse around, but still have all the essentials. I couldn't find one I liked, so I decided to design one.

This was my first attempt:

It was okay. I like the bow, but it seemed like it could be a little wider.

And for the inside, I knew I wanted card slots so I wouldn't need a wallet and a pocket for my phone so it doesn't get all scratched up by my keys. It was sort of successful. Everything worked, but the opening was too narrow to easily get the cards in and out and things were just generally a little cramped. Which led me to version 2:

Ooh, those reds look crazy, don't they? They aren't that crazy, promise. But anyway! In this version, I kept the height but widened it two inches. Then I got rid of the bow and went for patchwork instead. And added a wrist strap. I also used the tutorial by Michelle Patterns for hand finishing the zipper corners so they wouldn't look all smashed in. Kind of a pain, but really worth the result I think!

This was a much better size! It fits all my essential stuff: phone, keys, cards, maybe a hair tie and my little portable brush/mirror. The cards slide out nice and easy in this version, but don't come out while you're just walking around. It's perfect! Since it is for "just the essentials," that's what I shall call it. The Just the Essentials Clutch.

Not bad for a few hours' work!

I might have to make a couple more of these. I'm thinking maybe one for work to replace my current pouch that has no interior pockets. Such a handy little clutch!

Linking up at the very last second to Sewjo Saturday with Kim at My Go-Go Life!

Dumplings for Everyone!

Okay, I do kind of wish this was about food. Do you like gyoza? I LOVE gyoza. But this has nothing to do with tasty little pockets of MAGIC.

I stumbled across this pattern and had to make one.

And me being me (who doesn't understand the concept of "trial run") decided to go for broke right out of the gate and make it in PATCHWORK. Because pretty. :) Also because it's for my mom. And she deserves pretty, special things for mother's day.

But then, of course, I couldn't stop. And soon I had two more. One for mom, one for aunt, one for grandma. Yes, I know, the other two aren't patchwork. But making that little patchwork panel took a lot of time and it's Friday night and I work tomorrow so I can't spend all day sewing like I'd like to. So, quick was the name of the game!

Look how cute! All in a row! I love these little bags! And now I shall fill them with candies and soaps and nice things all in time for Mother's Day.

Did you do any Mother's Day crafting?

Linking up to Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts!

New Work Pouch

Goooood evening!

You may remember that once long ago I made myself a little pouch to carry around a couple of essentials with me while I'm at work. You know, like my work phone, and a tube of chapstick. But! I got a new phone. And once I put a case on it, my little elephant pouch was just too small.

So what was a girl to do? Make a shiny new elephant pouch, of course!!

Adorable, no?

I used a tiny elephant print for the outside. Not sure what it's called, but I really love it! The blue is some quilter's linen. I love the texture. And the inside is Joel Dewberry. I love a lot of his prints for the insides of pouches and purses! And I finished it off with a little strap made of the purple ombre from Simply Color.

This fits my new phone and my work phone comfortably along with all my crazy pens. Perfect!

I'll have a very big and exciting finish to share with you later this week! :D What have you been working on?

Linking up to Show and Tell Tuesday with Randi!

Valentines Finishes

I have been so bad about making stuff for the boy. Really. I've told him I'd make him pants and quilts and lunchboxes and all sorts of things. You know what I've made for him thus far? A drawstring pouch (that was really just a vessel for chocolate) and a rather poorly constructed wallet. He used the wallet to death in spite of the construction, so that was good at least!

So this Valentine's Day I decided to remedy that. Somewhat. There are still plans for future makes!

First up: Portal wall hanging.

I was pretty excited about this one. I wasn't actually planning on it. I was originally just going to make pajamas. But! I was struck with an idea and went hunting for patterns.I was going to make the patterns myself if they didn't exist, but I got lucky! Thank you, Fandom in Stitches.

 

I just love how it turned out! :) 

I also made a new wallet. This time I used a pattern from the wonderful Noodlehead. Last time I sort of half followed a random Pinterest pattern and half did what I want... It was okay. But this one is better! It's a good basic bi-fold that uses suiting on the outside. Kinda cool.

 

Excuse the crappy cell phone pic. I didn't take any proper photos before giving it to him and it is in his pants right now...

The gifts were definitely well received :) And we've been designing a quilt for him together, too! I want to get it done before his birthday at the end of May. Of course, I haven't started yet. Or even bought fabric. But I have a sketch and the yardage math done, so I'm on my way! More on that... probably when I actually buy fabric.

Feels good to have gotten something done for a change! What have you finished lately?

Linking up to Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts!

Friday Finishes

Hello!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, however and whatever you celebrate. Mine was quite lovely. Spent time with family and friends who are pretty much family. And I spent a good deal of time sewing, which has been fantastic! Here are some things I did.

FIRST. I did it! I finished all 25 cats for the catventquiltalong! If you follow me on IG (crookedbanana), then you've probably seen all my cats. But for those of you who don't, here they are in all their rainbowy glory:

YUM. That's all I can say. I'm so proud of myself for seeing this through til the end! Now I just have to sew all those cat faces together into a super awesome little quilt that will hang on my wall. I can't have real cats because Mario is allergic, so I guess this will have to do!

I also learned to make an infinity scarf!

I only got a phone/IG picture of someone actually wearing it, oops! It was super easy, though! I decided I really would like to be able to sew with knits. I tried it once before with pretty awful results, so I thought maybe trying a scarf that is meant to be worn all bunched up and lumpy would be a much more forgiving choice than a shirt. I was right! It still isn't perfect, but I think this is a great way to get comfortable with fabrics other than quilting cottons. I read a few tutorials, but just kinda did what I wanted. Here's one if you wanna give it a shot, though: http://www.sewcreativeblog.com/tutorial-how-to-sew-an-infinity-scarf-30-minute-project/

And finally, I finished my bee blocks for the month. Of course, I forgot to go to the post office today so they're going to be a little late... but hey. Holidays and finals. Right? And she's getting 2 instead of just 1 because my sugar and caffeine-addled brain thought 25 squares would yield me 25 HSTs. WRONG.

Oh man, hot pink is hard to capture, huh? And the dying sunlight didn't help. No excuses, though. I just forgot to take pictures until twilight... Oops!

So those are the things I have finished! How about you?? Linking up to TGIFF hosted by the lovely Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts :)

Bee blocks!

The blocks have been arriving pretty steadily over here, but I thought I would wait til I had most of them to show them to you...

Here they are, so happy together. I know they look like they're all different sizes- it's because they are. Some of the ladies purposely left them big so I could trim them down myself. Aren't they fun? I thought at first I would sash them all in white when I put the top together but now I'm not sure. What do you think?

This represents the efforts of 8 of my bee mates with one more for sure on the way... It's a newbie bee and we've had some problems with people disappearing, so I'm planning on just being content with what I receive.

Action shot of the hyper pooch leaping over the blocks (at least she jumped over them instead of running through them?):

Silly dog.

I also made a cover for the cushions on our new couch. See, we bought these awesome new leather couches... The price was so good, we just could pass them up. And honestly, we hated our old couch. It was waaay too much of a hair magnet to have a husky. No amount of vacuuming ever did any good. But we realized (after we paid, of course) that our dogs are definitely not trained to stay off the couches. Which is fine, really. I've never in my life had pets that stayed off the furniture. But that did present the problem of their little claws scratching and ripping our pretty new leather couches...

Enter: super cheap chevron canvas at SAS and my brilliant idea of sewing up a little "fitted sheet" for the cushions. The dogs don't really go on the arms of the couch and I didn't want to cover the whole thing up, so this seemed like a pretty good solution! What do you think? It really is made like a fitted sheet. It has elastic in the bottom to keep it on and boxed corners. So far it's working really well! I know it looks a little loose, but that was intentional. Canvas doesn't really stretch and when there's two or three people on it, it becomes much more taut but not so taut that it pulls the elastic up. Of course, we'll have to wait and see how long it hold up. But at $5 a yard for pretty heavy canvas, I wouldn't really mind making another set!

 I haven't finished up the one for the love seat yet and I have been trying to take pictures of the process. Would anyone be interested in a little tutorial? I figure there must be some other people out there with pets and couches to protect :) Let me know in the comments!

Also, that giveaway I keep promising... it IS coming. As well as a proper post on my first year of blogging! It's just been hectic here and tomorrow morning I leave for Atlanta for my FIRST EVER conference (if you don't count the state thespian conferences I went to in high school)! I feel like such a grown up! I'm going with my team leader and one of the team supervisors, so it's a little nerve-wracking. I'm also using Airbnb for the first time- staying in a nice couple's apartment who travel a lot for business. I'll be sure to report on my experiences on both fronts! But yeah, the blogiversary giveaway will definitely have to be when I get back next week!

I'm linking up today with Show and Tell Tuesday with Randi and Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts!

All I've Done This Week...

Well. Other than making it to gym #7. And finishing Sense and Sensibility. And Eleanor and Park. I have been on a huge reading kick this week...

A little wall hanging for a friend's housewarming/halloween party! I used this pattern from Cut to Pieces To be totally honest, though, I only did the quilting and binding this week. I actually finished the piecing sometime in September. Then I got distracted by the Split Personalities quilt. But I finished in time for the party and that's the important thing, right? RIGHT?

Sorry for the dark pictures... I literally finished it *just* before the party and it was dark by then so... Yeah. I'm actually really pleased with how the quilting turned out. It's a star! Like, a Mario Bros. star! I printed a picture from the internets and traced it. It's pretty awesome, I think.

If I'm really, really honest, I hated piecing this. I hate tiny squares and I don't think I'll ever have the courage to make a super awesome David Tennant quilt. But that's okay. Because at least I gave it a shot, right?

If I'm really, really, really honest... I'm two glasses of wine in and typing feels like a lot of work. It has been a LONG week. Promise that giveaway is still coming. Just need to recover from all the craziness of the week first.

Linking up to Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts!

A Happy Little Project

I just wanted to share this little project with you today. I made it for my mom's birthday a couple of weeks ago, but now that she has it in her hands, I can show it to you.

Isn't it cute? It's just a little fabric basket. I didn't use any tutorial, just sewed up some rainbow squares and did the math to figure out how big to cut the other pieces :)

I used the little scraps left over from cutting all the rectangles for the Scrappy Chevron quilt that is currently in progress. The inside I believe is a Joel Dewberry print. Not sure what it is exactly, sorry!

The bottom is the Fireworks print from Frippery. I did a slight oops there- I forgot the interfacing. But at long at the basket is sitting on something, it's just fine.

Of course, I filled the little basket with other goodies before gifting it to my mom :)

What have you finished lately? Linking up to Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts!

Finish it Up!

**There is still time to enter my little giveaway!**

I was hoping to have a new Swoon block to show you today, but I haven't quite finished it. SO I must keep you in suspense.

But! I did take the scraps from my little baskets and made another basket!

Please ignore all the random stray threads.

I couldn't help myself. Isn't it cute?? I know the light is awful, but I didn't want to wait...

What is that fabric it is sitting on, you ask? That is a yard of some tiny elephants from Kokka, which is just some of the new fabric I bought that just came in...

Here's the rest of it! Yes, I went a little overboard... but Form and Fabric has a TON of fabric on sale at 60-75% off! What's a girl to do?? You should go scoop some up before it's all gone! Most of these are Joel Dewberry prints with a couple of random others thrown in that I couldn't pass up.

Do I know what I am going to do with this mountain? Well, no. But at a little over $4/yard, I am willing to wait for inspiration to strike. I might turn the adorable elephants into a new tablet case. We shall see!

Linking up to Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts and TGIFF hosted this week at BedTime Quilting!

First Ever Giveaway!!

Hey guys!

Last you heard of me I was fighting with my machine, which was making unhappy noises and munching on fabric... Well, we established a truce. I cleaned her out again, spending lots of time getting into all the little nooks and crannies with my tiny brush. Then I switch out the needle and rethreaded her once again and even switched bobbins (hey, you never know!). Now it seems we are back on track. And to celebrate, I got SO MUCH DONE this weekend.

A couple of things I can't show you. I want them to be a surprise for the recipients!

But I did replace the fabric that wasn't big enough for my Swoon. I think I like these even better:

I had planned on using a very pale blue and a darker purple- the same one from my Hounds tooth quilt, in fact. But my elephants are so happy and bright, I decided I needed something better! I'd tell you the names of the colors if I could remember. How have I forgotten already? Oops...

Then I cut some little elephants... haven't started the blocks yet, but they're so cute!

 I really can't wait to get back to my Swoon. I finished all my major commitments except the wedding quilt, but that's all basted and ready for quilting so I am feeling pretty good about it. I think I can allow myself so Swoon time :)

And finally, I learned to make little fabric baskets!!

Aren't they awesome??

The bigger one has a 4" base with 2.5" sides. The smaller one is the same height, but with a 3" base. I love them! I want to make about 50 more...

I used some scraps of chevron fabric I had hiding in my stash... I cleaned and organized my sewing room yesterday and was amazed by all the treasures I found! Definitely need to pay more attention to the things I already have.


So how would you like to win these cute little nesting baskets + some scraps of cute animal themed fabric? I am now up to 46 followers on Bloglovin' and I want to say thank you guys fr being so awesome!! :)

I might add a couple more cute animals to this pile. Maybe even a scrap of my precious elephants! ;)

All you have to do to enter is leave one comment on this post. I'll choose a winner this Sunday, August 11th. I'd be happy to ship internationally, too!

I'm linking up with WiP Wednesday with Lee at Freshly Pieced and Sew Cute Tuesday at better off thread... :)

WiP Wednesday: Trying not to Procrastinate!

I have some deadlines approaching. A couple of blocks for something secret, two swap items, and a wedding quilt (no, I still haven't basted it!). So what have I been working on?

An improv-pieced panel that will become my new grocery bag dispenser! It is high time I put some cuteness in my kitchen. I used some precious elephant scraps (don't worry, I still have plenty for the Elephant Swoon!) and other random bits. It was so much fun putting this together! I think there will be more improv piecing in my future.

I also did one productive thing and made this month's bee block:

Little fiddly strips are not my favorite thing, but I think it turned out pretty well. She wanted it completely scrappy.  I think I got that covered!

I would also be working on my Swoon... but tragedy struck. The piece of light blue fabric I had earmarked to pair with the rest of my lime green elephants is sadly too small. I guess I need to go shopping because the only other piece I have that might be big enough is brown -.- I don't think brown has a place in this quilt. So that is tabled until I find some motivation to cut the next color of elephants or get some more fabric!

Maybe my grocery bag dispenser being almost finished and my Swoon disaster (I know I'm being dramatic!) will get me to work on the things with deadlines. Here's hoping!

What have you been working on?

Linking up to WiP Wednesday with Lee at Freshly Pieced!

Let's Get Acquainted

Hey there.

I'm linking up today to Plum and June's Let's Get Acquainted Monday Link Up! If you're visiting from there, hello! I hope you'll take a look around and say hi. I am just starting out as a quilter and crafter and love the encouragement and inspiration I get from the blogging community!

I don't have anything new to share today, sadly. I spent yesterday making English muffins and cutting and piecing quilt backs for 2 quilts I am working on. Not terribly exciting work (except the English muffins! Sooo much better than store bought) - but it will pay off when the quilts are all finished and given away on Christmas :) Here are a couple of pictures of what I have been working on.

First Quilt Top

Pillow Covers

Frippery Table Runner

Crocheted Hats

Notebook Cover

See? These hands have not been idle. And in the last push to Christmas, they will continue to be busy! So keep an eye out- I am going to be making some fun things :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Little Things

Saturday already!

I'm so tired already, but looking back on today, I don't feel like I got a lot accomplished. I did make a pretty quilted cover for my notebook. I want to make one for a friend who likes to draw for Christmas, so I thought a trial run was in order. I think it turned out pretty well considering I decided to just wing it and not bother trying to find a pattern (although finding a pattern probably would have saved a lot of time....).

Isn't it pretty? I used some Flea Market Fancy I picked up from the Fat Quarter Shop on Black Friday. I looove the dots and flowers. I think that's my favorite print. It's just so simple and cute!

So now my notebook is all dressed up. Hopefully this will make me was to use it more!

Here's a shot of the inside- one with a notebook and one without.

I really like the way it turned out! There are actually 2 slots for pens. I was aiming for 3, but I failed to take seam allowances into account for the far left pocket, so it has 2 useful pockets and one for... a lollipop? Yeah. That was the plan all along.

And now that I've done it, I feel confident that I can do it again for a Christmas present :) Yay! It was actually a lot of fun working without a pattern, making it all up as I went. Gave my brain a workout!

I also made myself a cute little pincushion.

Before I was using the little plastic box that the pins came in for everything... and after spilling pins everywhere (TWICE... because I'm clumsy), I decided what I really needed was a pin cushion.

It's really simply, but I love it! Probably just because of the fabric. Marmalade! I got it from Fresh Squeezed Fabrics when Randi was having a customer appreciation sale :) I love this shop! Such great service and fast shipping.

Isn't it cute? And it has already come in handy so many times... I even put the silly little box of pins away so there is no longer any danger of spilling pins everywhere because of my clumsiness :) Happy, happy day.

I have to say, I am so enjoying having my weekends to myself for once instead of thinking about what papers I need to write or what quizzes I need to study for. Instead, I just got to wake up this morning, catch up on my blog reading, and sew.

I didn't get started on either of the quilt tops I need to quilt, though. I decided I needed to make cookies instead. Because sometimes cookies are necessary. And also... I had a half bag of potato chips leftover from Thanksgiving that were languishing in my cupboard. So I turned them into Potato Chip Cookies. Sound weird? Well, they aren't. They are salty and sweet and nutty and perfect. Seriously. Smitten Kitchen has never led me astray. I REALLY want the Smitten Kitchen cookbook. Hopefully for Christmas...

I think that's enough of my rambling for one day. I will leave you with a much nicer picture of my finished holiday quilt top for Mario's parents :)