last minute birthday gift

purl bee fabric beach ball

I had planned on telling you about the lounge pants I made today, but while I was finishing them there was a knock at my door. Our new neighbors invited us to their daughter’s birthday party — this evening. It was quiet time and my daughter really needed a nap. I didn’t want to risk a trip anywhere, but could I make something that fast?

Then I remembered the Purl Bee beach ball. I’ve made a bunch of these and they’re always a hit with kids. The pattern is really easy and I got done with an hour to spare. The only bummer: we had to leave the party early because we had plans later in the evening. I really love watching kids open gifts that I’ve made by hand. I hope she liked it.

stash: I can’t believe I’m almost out of polyfil. Must thrift some more soon.

my creative space

my creative space

In my creative space today I am grateful that I love the process as well as the finished product.

Now that I have mornings back to myself (thank you summer camps!) I’ve been doing more sewing. You’d think that a peaceful house would mean überproductivity, but I find myself spending too much time with my friend Sea M. Ripper.

Maybe it is too quiet?

Have a peek into some other creative spaces over at Kirsty’s blog.

shop: handmade cotton coasters

crochet coasters

Remember my stash-busting garden scarf? I still have some little bits of those pretty colors left and have been working on some projects to use them all up. Combining them with natural colored yarn again, I designed these cute coasters. You can find more pictures and details in my shop. I’m working on some other stash buster ideas, too. Stay tuned!

p.s. I plan to have the pattern available in my shop soon!

shop: set of upcycled crochet covered vases

set of two upcycled crochet covered vases

They’re finally here! I think I love these too much to list them, but I can make more. Lots more, actually. I used wool from the big spool and clear plastic containers handpicked out of my very own recycle bin. More photos and all the details are in my shop.

Have a great weekend everyone!

thrifty thursday

aunt lydia's denim quick crochet

I looked and looked for cotton yarn from every thrifty means available to me and finally caved and bought some from a craft store. Now, all I see is cotton! I got a nice sweater that’s in the unravel pile and the above lovelies for a buck each at a garage sale. I may have gotten a little out of control and bought a pink and purple, too. Oh, well. You can never have too much dishcloth yarn, right?