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personalized denim tote bags

small denim gift bag

Thanks to Sister Diane, I spent more time cleaning than crafting this weekend. She wrote a post about how we crafters just don’t seem to put things away and I looked around my room and thought, “Yep, that’s me!” I figured if I wasn’t brave enough to take a picture of my to-do piles then they needed to go.

I did get a little bit of sewing done, though. I was inspired by a denim tote my daughter received as a gift and decided to make a few for upcoming birthdays. I found this denim in my stash and it was already hemmed at the top (yes!) so all I had to do was serge the sides and make some handles. I used Heat n Bond Ultra Hold for the initials. I made a total of three small and one big, which I think is destined to become a project tote for myself.

font: I used the House Industries Haulnhouse font for the initial caps. You can find a similar, free download of the “Austin Powers” font from about.com. By the way, House Industries occasionally gives away free fonts. You should check them out because they are all pretty awesome.

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pattern: tiny crochet pumpkin

crochet pumpkin amigurumi

On Monday I mentioned that I had been playing around with variations on the Tiny Crochet Ball pattern. Hmmm… it’s October. Is it any surprise that I’m making pumpkins? Here’s how you can, too.

Using Tiny Crochet Ball pattern:

Pumpkin
Magic ring, R1-2: brown yarn
R3-R11: orange yarn
R12: brown yarn

Stem
R1: using brown yarn, chain 5
R2: sc in second bump from hook, sc in next three bumps*

Finishing
Break yarn and tie a knot. Using a darning needle, attach the stem at the top and bring the ends down through the bottom. Squinch the ball until it’s pumpkin shaped and tie a knot to hold the shape. Bury the ends inside the pumpkin.

*Go into the bumps on the back of the chain, not the stitches on the front of the chain.

Enjoy!

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review: the creative life by julia cameron

creative life julia cameron

I thought this book would a collection of essays like Po Bronson’s What Should I Do with My Life?. I was surprised to find it reads more like a diary. You won’t find chapters dedicated to specific people, but you’ll learn about them over dinner dates, vacations, piano lessons, musical readings, teaching classes and baking gingerbread cookies. People weave through the book just as they do through Cameron’s life.

Even though these artists don’t use the same tools as I do (most of them are in musical theater), our creative process is essentially the same. We all get blocks. We all feel vulnerable when sharing our craft. We all experience a euphoric high when we succeed.

You may remember me writing about The Artist’s Way awhile back. As much as I love that book, I’m surprised that I haven’t read more of her work. I just happened to stumble upon this at the library. It came at a good time in my life. I did a lot of thinking on vacation about my next steps. I’ve checked out The Vein of Gold: A Journey to Your Creative Heart and I’m about to embark on a creative quest. I’m excited!

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my creative space

my creative space

Our knitting guild has received yarn from the Land’s End Share the Warmth project. Have you heard about this? For every Feel Good sweater that is purchased, Land’s End will donate yarn to The Knitters Guild Association to be made into squares for Warm Up America. Our guild received three cones and I’ve got three “yarn cakes” to turn into squares. The colors are really beautiful and the yarn is super soft. I’m enjoying these squares a lot.

What are you doing in your creative space today? If you knit or crochet, consider making some squares for WAU! (You can use any yarn.) Details are on their website. Don’t forget to hop on over to Kirsty’s blog, as well, for more creative spaces.

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tiny crochet ball pattern

tiny crochet ball pattern

It took a few tries until I was satisfied with this pattern. At first, they were coming out too hexagon shaped, so I decided to alternate the increase/decrease placement every other row. That gives the ball a more round shape.

I also wasn’t happy with the gaps that the decreases made, especially on the navy ball. You could see the white stuffing! Then I remembered this invisible decrease from Planet June. Problem solved!

Have fun with this one. On Friday I’ll show you a little variation. Stay tuned!

Tiny Crochet Ball Pattern
worsted weight yarn (I used Aunt Lydia’s cotton)
size G/6 (4.25mm) crochet hook
polyfil for stuffing
tapestry needle for weaving ends

sc: single crochet
inc: 2 sc in one stitch
dec: 1 sc over two stitches through the front loops only

gauge: not important, but mine are about 2 1/2 inches wide

Make a magic ring.
R1: 6 sc into ring
Ball worked as a spiral. Place marker to keep track of rounds.
R2: inc in each stitch around
R3: *inc, sc* around
R4: *2 sc, inc* around
R5: *inc, 3 sc* around
R6: *4 sc, inc* around
R7-11: sc around
R12: *dec, 4 sc* around
R13: *3 sc, dec* around
R14: *dec, 2 sc* around
R15: *1 sc, dec* around
Stuff with polyfil
R16: dec around

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my creative space

cotton crochet bottle

The day before our vacation the little crochet bottles sold. When I got back home, I started to miss having them around. So I’ve decided to make a few more—some for the shop, some for gifts and some just for me. I’m also experimenting with different sizes, shapes and types of yarn. I love how a little re-purposing can transform a castaway into something beautiful.

Speaking of beautiful, don’t miss the lovely spaces over at Kirsty’s blog.

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can’t wait to unravel this sweater

cotton sweater for unraveling

I think my exact quote for the morning was, “You are not allowed to buy any more sewing machines and I am not allowed to buy anymore sweaters for unraveling.” But when my friend and I got separated at a street filled with garage sales, I had no one to help me with my will power. This sweater is so soft. The colors will look great in my house. I’m thinking join-as-you-go granny square lap blanket.

recycle: “…to take an unloved garment, destined for the landfill, salvage the wool, and give it a brand-new start as a beautiful knit gift; it’s sure to be appreciated by any recipient who loves the planet.” Lee Meredith

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reader q+a, plus 2 success stories

While I was on vacation, I received a few questions on some of my posts. Here are answers!

homemade granola
Could you possibly share the recipe??? Thanks, Deborah M. in CA
Definitely! I’m making the recipe again and reworking it to cut down on calories. I hope to get it up later this week.

my creative space (crochet squares at the beach)
Oh they look terrific! What pattern are they? In a book? On line? How big are they? The pic looks deceiving I think! Mandy
Mine are about five inches square. The pattern is Wagon Wheel #2 from Granny Crochet Favorites, which I first read about on Attic24. There are two free versions on ravelry.com.

little crochet balls
Love this ball – where did you find the pattern? Anne Marie
I just started to crochet this out of the blue. I finished my second one and have made a few changes. I’ll take notes on the third and post a pattern. Look for it maybe next week.

I also wanted to share two of my success stories with you.

reusable fabric snack bags
These bags worked great! I used them on vacation for everything from pita chips, cheerios, pretzels—even carrots and raisins. I never had any spills in my purse or when my daughter dropped them. You really need to make some for yourself. They will make you very happy!

wardrobe refashion: beach dress blahs
I’ve changed my mind about this dress. I wore it out to dinner on a date with my husband and wound up really liking it. I paired it with a black cardigan and sandals that had a small heel. It’s been saved from the donation pile!

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back home from vacation

starfish in the sand

My brain is ready to go with lots of new ideas, but my body is ready for bed. I can’t tell if I’m just exhausted from yesterday’s travel or jet lag has set in. Either way, I’m taking it easy this weekend. I’m going to tackle the laundry and some books from my library stack. Have a great weekend. I’ll see you next week.