1.03.2024

2010: Day 3

Happy New Year! It's been a long, long vacation for us, mostly spent hanging out at home, surviving toddler boredom and its ensuing chaos. We've had a lot of fun and some relaxation, and I've been happily knitting and sewing like crazy. It's been nice to give my typing fingers a break from the keyboard and get back to crafting.
I feel like this year I'll be in more of a crafting groove, as the past few months have finally been productive for me. Though I didn't meet last year's resolution of starting an Etsy shop, I'm on track to do it this year. I made my banner and all, and have a few things to sell.

I made this cute little kitty for my friend Shana's daughter, who adores all things kitty-cat (her favorite word is kit-a-cat).
I used a hand-me-down Abercrombie and Fitch sweater (oh, the horror! cutting it up!) and sewed it together using a zigzag stitch on the machine. Let me tell you that was quite difficult with knitted material, though the hand sewing was no picnic either.
I also knitted an apple cozy. Mr. Geek laughs at how silly it is, but I was sick of carrying apples in my purse only to have them all bruised up. I found the pattern here, and it only took an evening to knit.
It has an opening to slide the apple (or pear or orange) into and a knitted bobble button on top to close it. So far, it works great.

And on Friday, my obsession with knitted, felted bowls and containers transpired.
I found a pattern in Leigh Radford's One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit or Crochet book, and have been making bowls en masse all weekend.
Once I knit them using scraps of wool, mohair, and alpaca yarns, I felt them by hand in the kitchen sink, using hot water and soap, which makes the fibers tighten and shrink, similar to when you accidentally put a wool sweater in the washer. I just love how they've turned out, and they'll make wonderful containers for craft supplies or toys.

Not sure what's next on the horizon with crafting, but I'm sure I'll be working on something soon. I can't wait to see what's in store for the new year. What are you looking forward to?


11 comments:

Lindsey said...

I have to tell you that I LOVE the apple holder. Its such a cute idea!! Are you going to sell them? If so...I would love to buy one :)
Happy New Year!!

JDaniel4's Mom said...

The apple holder is great! You should have giveaway for one.

Braley Mama said...

I love all of ur crafts...........so creative! Great work mama!

TheEclecticElement said...

All of your crafts are super adorable and so much fun! I'm going to try to do the apple cozy when I get a chance-I think that would be really handy to have :)

Kari @ A Giveaway Addicted Mommy said...

Oh that apple cozy is so smart! You think my husband would use it if I made one for him? He loves apples & I know they end up looking like someone kicked it down the street by the time he gets around to eating it.

You are just amazing. Every time I visit I am forever in awe!

Happy New Year my friend!

Naomi said...

Of course I love the kit-a-cat but you are so stinking cute to have knitted an apple cozy! Too adorable for words...

Nicole Feliciano said...

That cat is awesome--very Where the Wild things are! I too had a family-filled vacation--looking forward to the school routine tomorrow. Happy 2010!

Jingle said...

OH, that kitty is simply fabulous! My studio is in shambles due to a minor re-organization, but I hope to be crafting again this week! HOPE!

Over the Mountain Mommy said...

You go, crafty mama! I love your bowls, too!
The apple cozy is kind of whimsical, just don't start making lots of fruit cozies and carrying them around like they are real fruit. Like those ladies who "mother" dolls.