Happy Earth Day!

I've been meaning to post pictures of this super cute cardigan that I made last week or so. It's not an original design, but it is my original take on it. This idea was contributed by Cal Patch on the Craft Stylish website. Here is the link if you'd like to make one of your own. http://www.craftstylish.com/item/44793/how-to-upcycle-a-t-shirt-into-a-cardigan This was an old t-shirt of my husband's and I had already been working on doing a "shredded t-shirt" technique to it. Well, that ended up being just way too time consuming, so when I found this idea I knew I had to do it. The edges are crocheted with Noro Silk Garden. I did cut this a little too narrow, so instead of buttons, I usually just pin it at the neck with a fused glass pin I made years ago at my friend Jean's house. I'm really liking this "upcycling" thing; turning old things into something new.

In other "Earth Day" news. I had wanted to ride my bike to work or the MAX bus, but it is still way too cold and rainy to do that today and since my Wednesday noons are spent running to WW, I just don't have the time for the bus. Maybe tonight I can get those reusable mesh produce bags sewn up.

I'm going to try to blog more and Facebook less.

Flashdance style at Church

I wore my newly finished leg warmers to church this past Sunday with a dress I've had for years. The dress is long, made of rayon (I think) so it's kind of full and drapy, it has long sleeves, and it exactly matches the bright blue/purple color in these leg warmers. You could only see them at the ankles, but they kept my legs nice and warm to and from church and to the grocery store afterwards. Yeah! I love them. They were knit with Noro Kureyon yarn.

Creativity weekend!

I'm looking forward to a creative weekend starting tomorrow with my friend Kimberly. We are getting together and making cards and maybe ATCs and who knows what else. We both have huge stashes of stuff. It's going to be so much fun!!! I'm hoping to post all that we do from this weekend on Monday and maybe by then I'll have the Noro knitted leg warmers all sewn up and have them photographed and ready to post too.

December activity

It's been a LONG time since my last entry. I've just been so addicted to the rapid release of Facebook; but I really miss blogging, so here it is.

The right mitten to match the left that I started ages ago is almost done (see photo above). Gotta finish that before I start ANYTHING else. I hate unfinished projects! It may be done today at lunch or tonight at Jarod's Tae Kwon Do lesson.

On the subject of Jarod and Tae Kwon Do. Jarod will test on January 10 to be accepted to Black Belt camp classes at Chan's Martial Arts. He will then be taking Black Belt classes twice a week in addition to his regular twice a week class; that will make four classes a week! I'll keep you posted on this.

The Christmas cards are out and the presents are wrapped. Never did any projects out of that Christmas magazine; though I suppose there is still time. I may have to look that over tonight (yes, after the mitten knitting). There were some darling Candy Cane holders that I wanted to make. Still have four or five of the fabric hearts left that I may give out as small gifts. Not sure if I like them well enough anymore to gift them to anyone.

(Hanna, Don't read this next part if you haven't received and opened my gift.)

Finished the knitted leg warmers for the Free People swap. They turned out super cute! Gonna have to make myself a pair; just cast on five stitches for one of them this morning. I'm going to knit both at once again; that worked out really good. You don't get one done and then still have to knit the other. I want to knit one or two more pairs of wristlets; one for me one for a friend. I want to add thumbs to at least one of them; so the fit will have to be more exact. Ooh ooh ooh and I still want to knit that shawl out of Noro Silk Garden. Yes, even with my stash I may have to buy some more yarn. Online though, since the local store that sells Noro is staffed with screamin' meanies.

Got a commission yesterday to paint three dalmations for someone I did a dog painting for several years ago (See "Dusty" above.). But I really have to clean up my studio in preparation for that. Not sure when I'll get the photos to start. Does God have to speak so loudly to me sometimes?

Knitted Wristlets

WOW! I know what you are thinking; two posts in one day! But I have been the uber creative, busy girl this weekend. I painted the pumpkins in the previous post, filled my window boxes with fake flowers (Which I won't probably show you because they are, well, fake.), and knitted these "wristlets". I love this yarn.

A very generous co-worker friend gifted me with tons of beautiful yarn that I'm sure I would never have bought myself because I'm too cheap to spend that much on yarn. This stuff is gorgeous!

The wristlets here were knitted with Noro, Silk Garden. The yarn in made in Japan and is beautiful. It self strips and each skein contains many colors. These were done with one skein and look at the variety of color. Amazing stuff.

I have one more skein that I'm going to make a hat from. I also have at least two skeins from Noro of Kureyon. I'm really going to have to take a knitting class. I don't have enough skill to get through all of this.

(Thank you Marylynn!)