Turtleweenies

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Kelli

I think I’ve determined that the short period between Christmas and New Year’s is my favorite time of year. There’s something so liberating and almost electrifying about packing up Christmas and putting it all back under the stairs…my excitement about the new year intensifies with each and every dry pine needle my vacuum sucks up. I just love it.

It must have something to do with the sense of completion I feel that I really don’t feel at any other time of year and somehow I’m not at all weighed down with thoughts of beginning that annual journey all over again in a week. Instead, I look forward to beginning again and to doing it different and better than I did the last year.

I hate to be thrown into things. I love to plan and be prepared and i think the week between is my special time to do that for the next year. Along with all that comes a cleaning frenzy, as if Spring cleaning comes early (or late – however you want to see it) for me. It’s that whole out with the old, in with the new thing too that happens after a flurry of gift giving.

Anyway, I have these feelings each year, but this year, it was all accompanied by something else…something kind of surprising and really wonderful…a sewing frenzy! Seriously, after not sewing for some time (I had been crocheting up a storm for months and not sewing much at all the whole year); then, immediately following Christmas, I went nuts and sewed all this stuff in a matter of a few days:

1. a whole bunch of elastic top bags for next xmas
2. a few drawstring bags for new toys with small pieces
3. a sewing machine placemat for a gift
4. four pair of pajama pants for the kids
5. a wine sack and set of wine glass coasters for a hostess gift
6. an overnight bag for the dogs
7. a casserole carrier
8. and helped the oldest with her very first mini quilt top

I’m not sure what’s going on, but I like it. One thing that’s not so awesome is the state of the ‘sewing room/play room/guest room/library/office/craft studio’. I nearly didn’t share this photo out of shame…

…yep, that’s what’s going on there. Just so we’re clear though, the rest of the house is spic and span – remember that Spring cleaning thing I was referring to above… (apparently that doesn’t apply to the ‘sewing room/play room/guest room/library/office/craft studio’).

Sooooo, there’s that.

But, in the spirit of the New Year, I have a fabulous idea for moving my creative activities out of that room altogether. I’m truly excited about it. Dave may be less so. I’ll keep you posted.

Anyway, this wouldn’t be a true New Year post without touching on resolutions, would it? I agree with most about them being silly and if you’re really going to do something, you should just do it no matter what time of year it is, etc, etc…but as a dedicated list maker, it’s only natural to list them out this time each year with everybody else. Mine this year include all the usual suspects (yawn…) but one in particular sticks out both because it is specific, measurable, sacrificial, and craft related…are you ready???

1. I resolve to not purchase any craft books or magazines.

This is kind of a big deal for me, as I would think it to be for any crafter. The fact is though, I have sooooo many books and magazines, and patterns and inspirational publications already that I could be crafting for years to come just out of those (plus there’s the whole freaking interweb!) But really, all those cute covers and photos just get me every time…so I’m putting my foot down and that is my resolution for 2013! (I’m super glad I bought that new crochet book I wanted back in November – plus, my wonderful friend signed me up for a Crochet Today magazine subscription (of which I received my first issue today! – thanks Erin) So, as difficult as those so cute images will be to resist in the stores and on Amazon, I will still have tons and tons of inspiration at hand. I think this will also help to keep me more focused on all that stuff I want to make that I already have ideas and patterns for.

Well, this is my first 2013 post and I promise I will not post another scary photo like that again. (I just felt like it wouldn’t be such a dirty secret if I posted it here…)

Happy 2013! May it be a super wonderful and crafty one for all!!!

Posted in Miscellaneous | 2 Comments

Crochet a Cute Little Christmas Tree!

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Kelli

These tiny Christmas trees are super cute and really easy to make.

Just use a size G crochet hook and worsted weight yarn (I used cotton).

Begin with an adjustable loop and continue with each round in a spiral (not joining rounds). Use a stitch marker and counter to keep track of rounds.
Rnd 1: 6 sc inside loop; pull loop tight (6 sts)
Rnd 2: 1 sc in ea st around (6 sts)
Rnd 3: (1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (9 sts)
Rnd 4: 1 sc in ea st around (9 sts)
Rnd 5: (1 sc in next two sts, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (12 sts)
Rnd 6: 1 sc in ea st around (12 sts)
Rnd 7: (1 sc in next three sts, 2 sc in next st) 3 times (15 sts)
Rnd 8: 1 sc in ea st around (15 sts)
Fasten off and weave in end.
(The larger trees just continue the pattern, increasing by three stitches every other round until you have the height you want.)

Now, sew on buttons and a star on top, or leave them plain. I added a hanging loop for an ornament and just added a yellow star on top.

Voila!

Posted in Crochet, Holiday | 2 Comments

Apples!

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Kelli

(Warning, if reading about vomit makes you unhappy, don’t read this post.) We went apple picking for the first time, and despite the steady flow of kid vomit; it was a success! That’s right, super gross-out backseat vomit on the way up the mountain (apparently, I’m not the only one in the family who gets a little motion sickness from time to time…). Anyway, we went to Carter Mountain Orchard, which is about an hour and a half drive from our house, but well worth it. It’s right next to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and quite literally right next door to the historic Michie Tavern.

This is one of our favorite drives (from Fredericksburg to Charlottesville) on old country roads, through hilly, green, grassy areas laden with really beautiful, historic Virginia estates. Love it. Then the barfing starts up in the backseat and it all quickly comes to a halt. After an abrupt pull over and spot clean, we’re back on the road. The orchard is on a big mountain (big by east coast standards, mind you) and as we begin our winding ascent, more cookies are tossed in the back seat. At this point, we’re thinking that we may have to cut our losses and rethink our apple extravaganza, but as we arrive and park, Miss Pukey Pants pipes up from the back seat in her semi-usual matter of fact tinged with a hint of ‘bossy’ tone, with “Can someone please clean me up so I can go pick apples?!”. Yep. And so the apple extravaganza was back on.

This does not look like a kid who just lost her breakfast. Unless you factor in her outfit. What do you wear when you no longer have a passable shirt? All the clean coats from the way back of the car. And how do you put jeans that are soaked in vomit back onto a kid for apple picking fun? Wrap her in paper towels first and pull the wet jeans on over the paper towel mess. (Plus you have to have a super tough kid who really wants to pick apples.)

Picking was super fun. We know better now what to bring for next time. Ironically, in Washington we never went apple picking ourselves, unless it was to someone’s house or something. We somehow always just had access to a crate someone else had brought over from eastern WA or something. Anyway, now we know the routine. We brought a picnic and had our lunch after the picking.

…and of course, sampled some of the goods…

We read a story about a tractor in the gift shop where we bought some wonderful cider doughnuts that were made onsite (I think) and a gallon of the most expensive and best tasting cider I’ve ever had.

It was a fun time and I would for sure go back there for another picking session…I think peaches late Spring…??? Anyway, the kids had a good time, the people were friendly, the prices were fair and the donuts and cider were so tasty!

And once we got this home, we went into an apple frenzy in the kitchen that lasted several days…

First, apple pie…

I’ve never made a beautiful apple pie. I usually just randomly jab at the edges with my fingers before I put it in the oven because then I feel like I made an attempt at a nice edge, even though I truly have no intention of learning the art of nice pie edges….at least not yet. It tastes great though, and really, that’s all I care about.

Apple granola….

Of course, apple sauce…

I’ve seen some recipes that call for water and sugar, but I don’t use a recipe and I definitely don’t add water or sugar. Along with some lemon juice and cinnamon; I just throw in some really good apple cider and it does the trick perfectly.

The girls won’t even eat store bought apple sauce anymore, so that makes all this worth while.

And we made dried apple rings in the oven on stones because all my drying racks are coated with something weird.

OMG…yes, I said it…this was so not worth it. Below is one whole batch from the oven. They tasted great, but lots of effort for little reward.

The girls had tons of fun eating the skins and feeding them to the dogs. Whenever the apple peeler comes out of the cupboard, the kids get all apple skin ravenous and it’s best to just stay out of their way.

Posted in Good Food | Leave a comment

Free Coaster Crochet Pattern

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Kelli

I suddenly found us in need of a second set of coasters for the upstairs living room since the ones I quilted before are now in use in the basement family room. (I know – huge problem right?).

Anyway, I came up with these because I’ve been wanting to crochet some round coasters lately for some reason, plus, our friends already use crocheted blanket squares as coasters when they’re over anyway so I figured it would be a good way to ween the company off my in-progress blankets.

So, I am officially in love with these because they’re so bright and cheery (and quick and easy). I used all Lily Sugar ‘n Cream yarn with a size “H” hook. They are absorbent and machine washable and dryable (although, I would recommend flattening them out somewhere to dry so they’ll maintain a good coaster flatness).

Below is a heavily photo laden tutorial from beginning to end, but I’ve included a no nonsense version of the pattern at the beginning for anyone who wants to just dive in on their own (you know who you are).

Here’s my pattern for these really cute, colorful, cotton, crocheted coasters (did I mention my affinity for alliteration???):

Size H (5mm) hook
Rnd 1: 6 sc in an adjustable loop, join (6 sts)
Rnd 2: ch 4 (counts as first dc, ch 1), dc in same st, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1) in ea st around, join and change color in 3rd ch of ch-4 (12 sts/12 ch-1 spaces)
Rnd 3: 2 sc in same ch-1 sp, 3 sc in ea ch-1 sp around, 1 sc in starting ch-1 sp, join (36 sts)
Rnd 4: ch 2, hdc in ea st around, join and change color (36 sts)
Rnd 5: (sl st in next two sts, 3 hdc in next st) around, join (12 scallops)
Fasten off; weave in and trim all ends.

And here begins the photo tutorial version of the pattern:

Using a size H hook (5mm), make an adjustable loop.

…make your yarn into a pretzel…

…insert your hook through the pretzel from the front…

…draw your yarn back through the pretzel (1 loop on your hook), yarn over and draw your yarn through the loop on your hook…

Rnd 1: 6 sc inside adjustable loop, pull tail to tighten loop, join with sl st to first sc (6 sts)

Rnd 2: ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 1), dc in same st, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch1) in ea st around, join in 3rd ch of original ch-4 with second color (12 sts & 12 ch-1 spaces)

…insert your hook through the 3rd chain of the chain-4…

…pull the new color through the 3rd chain and the loop on your hook…

Rnd 3: with new color, 2 sc in same ch-1 sp, 3 sc in ea ch-1 sp around, 1 sc in starting ch-1 sp, sl st to join last sc to first sc (36 sts)

…when you make your last sc, you will have a total of 3 sc in the first ch-1 space of the round because you made 2 sc there to start…

…slip stitch through the middle stitch of the three in that ch-1 space…

Rnd 4: ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in ea st around, join with sl st in top of original ch-2 with third color (36 sts)

…insert your hook through the top of the ch-2 that you made at the beginning of this round…

…pull the new color yarn through the chain and the old color loop on your hook to complete the slip stitch join and color change…

Rnd 5: (sl st in next two sts, 3 hdc in next st) around, finish with sl st in first sl st of round (12 scallops)

…to start this round, slip stitch in the first two stitches…

…make your first scallop in the next stitch and slip stitch twice more…

…join with a slip stitch through the first of your two beginning slip stitches…

Fasten off and weave in and trim all ends.

Posted in Crafts, Crochet | Tagged adjustable loop, beginner, coasters, cotton, crochet, easy, flower, free, in the round, lily sugar 'n cream, magic loop, motif, pattern, scallop, yarn | 9 Comments

I yarn bombed a horseshoe…

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Kelli

So, I smuggled a spent horseshoe 3,000 miles back from my parent’s house, as their farrier had been there during our stay. I had an image in my mind of how it would look wrapped in cotton yarn with some cute crocheted embellishments…and it turned out nearly exactly like what I had in mind.

I free-handed the flowers and the leaves and they’re all different and I really don’t even recall what I did there…

I added little buttons to the flower centers because we all know that everything is better with buttons.

I sewed everything on in this project. No adhesives whatsoever. I wrapped the shoe in yarn before I did the flowers and leaves. The tight wrapping made a good anchor for the flower and leaf yarn ends that I used to tie them onto the shoe.

It’s a bit of good luck with a twist of cute. 🙂

Posted in Crafts, Crochet | 2 Comments

Free Mini Frankenstein Crochet Pattern

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Kelli

Here’s my super quick and easy pattern for this cute little Frankenstein head Halloween ornament:

Finished size: approximately 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 2″

Materials:
worsted weight yarn in green, black, purple, and gray
crochet hooks in sizes G and F
tapestry needle
9 mm black safety eyes
stuffing
Note: I used cotton yarn in all colors except gray which is acrylic.

With green, ch 9
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch to end, ch 1, turn (8 sts)
Row 2: sc in ea st, ch 1, turn (8 sts)
Rows 3-6: repeat row 2
Row 7: sc in ea st, ch 1, do not turn (8 sts)
(You will now be working in squared rounds and joining each round.)
Rnd 1: sc between ea row down left side, sc in ea st across bottom, sc between ea row up right side, sc in ea st across top, join with sl st to first sc, ch 1 (28 sts) (make sure you only put one stitch in each corner)
Rnd 2: sc in ea st around, join to first sc, ch 1 (28 sts)
Rnds 3-6: repeat rnd 2
Rnd 7: sc in ea st around, change to black when you join with sl st to first sc by pulling black through both green loops during the sl st, ch 1
Rnd 8: sc in next 6 sts, (2 sc into next st of row below current row being worked, sc in next 2 sc) 3 times, sc in last 12 sts, join, ch 1
Rnd 9: sc in next 6 sts, (1 dec, sc in next 2 sts) 3 times, sc in last 12 sts, join, ch 1
Rnd 10: sc in ea st around, join, ch 1, turn (28 sts)
(You will now be working in rows across the back of the head.)
Row 1: sc in next 8 sts, ch 1, turn (8 sts)
Rows 2-6: repeat row 1
Row 7: sc in next 8 sts, fasten off and weave in end

Neck bolts (make two):
With gray and F hook, make an adjustable loop
Rnd 1: 6 sc in loop, do not join
Rnds 2-4: sc in ea st around, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing to head

Fasten eyes to face.
Using purple yarn and tapestry needle, stitch scar to forehead.
Sew neck bolts into place.
Sew head flap closed, stuffing as you go. Make sure that your stitches are lining up with the rest of the head so the corners meet to make a cubed look when you’re done.

You can add a loop to hang him up for Halloween, fill him with something heavier for a paperweight, or hide him around the house for kids to find (they love that stuff)…

Enjoy!

Posted in Crochet, Holiday | Tagged child, crochet, cute, frankenstein, free, green, Halloween, kids, pattern, scary | 9 Comments

Free Bite Size Candy Corn Crochet Pattern!

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Kelli

These are really really cute and I love them because real candy corn is super disgusting (like eating sugar flavored wax), but you can still enjoy them for the season by making a few of these little guys!

Seriously, you could probably make a little jar full while watching a movie…but I will warn you, they’re a hand cramper for sure (I crochet pretty tight anyway, so maybe that’s just me).

I was inspired by this free pattern on the Lion Brand website some time ago (seriously, like two or three years ago because that’s the kind of procrastinator I am) and finally got around to making one up. I liked the pattern but the size of the candy corn was a little off for me. It was cute but didn’t do much for me by itself and I didn’t really want to make a bunch more in that size. So, I added 6mm safety eyes, stitched on a crooked smile, and a sisterly MMA fight ensued. (If I need some household entertainment, I simply make ONE super cute thing and toss it casually into the girls’ vicinity).

Personally, I think it either needs to go bigger (like a decorative pillow) or smaller (for more of a life-size candy effect). I opted to go smaller this time to make a little candy jar. As a result, I ended up decreasing the number of rows and changing the stitch counts, in addition to downsizing my hook.

Anyway, here is my pattern for “bite size” crocheted candy corn:

Bite Size Crocheted Candy Corn
Using hook size E and cotton worsted weight yarn (I used Lily Sugar n’ Cream) in white, orange, and yellow;
starting with white, make an adjustable loop
Rnd 1: 6 sc inside loop (do not join), (6 sts)
Rnd 2: 1 sc in ea st around, (6 sts)
Rnd 3: (2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next) 3 times, (9 sts)
Rnd 4: 1 sc in ea st around changing to orange on last st, (9 sts)
continuing with orange
Rnd 5: (2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 2 sts) 3 times, (12 sts)
Rnd 6: 1 sc in ea st around changing to yellow on last st, (12 sts)
continuing with yellow
Rnd 7: (2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 3 sts) 3 times, (15 sts)
Rnd 8: 1 sc in ea st around, (15 sts)
Rnd 9: 1 sc in ea st around, (15 sts)

Leave enough tail to sew bottom closed and fasten off. Stuff candy corn and press candy corn closed with the tail on one end of the seem. (You’re sewing a straight, flat seem, not pulling together a round closure.) Using a tapestry needle, sew through both layers to close up the candy corn (I had to use a smaller tapestry needle than I usually do with my crochet because the stitches are so small on this project).

Voila! Now make a bunch of them and put them in a cute container for a seasonal decoration or gift them to a dieting candy corn lover. 🙂

Posted in Crochet | Tagged autumn, candy, candy corn, crochet, decoration, fall, free, gift, Halloween, pattern | 2 Comments

Red Heart Shimmer Yarn Projects…

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Kelli

I suppose it’s a good thing to break from our personal norms from time to time, which I’ve done of late…

I’m currently riding a crochet wave where I’ve set aside my cottons for some Red Heart Shimmer yarn. It’s very soft and a little bit sparkly and a tad bit on the sportier yarn weight side I think. Anyway, I like it.

I just made that wavy blanket up there as a baby gift for a boy. (I was inspired by the ripple pattern here.) The colors aren’t true on the iPhone pic, but the turquoise, red, and black are really nice together (I like it for a girl too). Makes me think of roller derby :).

Then, I made this little number from a free pattern on the Red Heart website that I modified a fair amount. (Nixed the turtle neck; increased some of the rounds for sizing; increased some of the chain counts on most of the ruffles to make them lay down a little better.).

I found the pattern and asked them both if they would like one. The youngest said “no way” (didn’t see that coming); and the oldest said “of course” and when asked if she would prefer it as a skirt, she said “are you kidding?” who are these kids?

I like this pattern and I’m confident I could easily modify it into a skirt pretty easily as well, which I’m pretty sure is what I secretly want for myself since I keep bringing it up. …may need to tone down the color scheme a bit…

I got a thumbs up when it was finished :).

Posted in Crochet | Tagged afghan, baby blanket, cape, capelet, child, crochet, girl, projects, Red heart, shimmer, yarn | 2 Comments

At the DNC tonight…

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Kelli

…in Charlotte, NC

Posted in Crafts | Tagged Charlotte NC, Democratic National Convention, DNC, Obama | 1 Comment

Pillow Case Skirt Makeover…

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Kelli

I have this denim skirt that I love because it fits and it’s comfortable, etc. But, I can’t wear it anymore because it is way too short. I mean way, way, way too short. It’s physically possible for me to put it on and everything, and I’m pretty sure you can’t see anything you’re not supposed to when I have it on (unless I’m on an escalator), but when I factor in my age and the fact that I’m a mom and all that stuff; it would just look like I was trying to win third runner up in a neighborhood milf contest and that would be a sad day. I digress. The point is, I wanted to make the skirt work for me because I love wearing skirts and I love this skirt, so I decided to lengthen it with some fun fabric. When I was just about to do that, I saw a vintage pillow case in my sewing room that I had actually turned into a dress (yes, a dress for me and yes, I do know that I’m not a toddler; thank you) that ended up being too tight through the hips (it was a king size pillow case, so it was plenty long, but apparently the widest point of my body just is not pillow case size anymore; lesson learned) and I was planning to cut it off and make it into just a summer top, but of course it had been there all summer and I hadn’t done it. Then, a magical idea occurred to me.

You see, my favorite part of this pillow case is the trim along the opening. That, plus a little of the main body of the case would be the perfect amount to lengthen my skirt. So, I cut that much off the pillow case and began sewing it to the inside hem of my skirt. Problem. As I neared the end of the seam, I was all out of pillow case and still had some skirt. Basically, the circumference of my skirt hem was slightly larger than that of my pillow case. Darn. So, I undid it all and put my thinking cap on… And, since the skirt tapered up slightly, and since I had cut the pillow case with much to spare, I was able to resew it a few inches higher inside my skirt (I matched my thread to the skirt so you can’t even tell) where the circumference of the skirt was slightly smaller and it worked out perfectly. Yay!

I love the vintage pillow case and the skirt and now I get to wear them both. Plus, I already wore it in public and it was really comfortable and cute and I’m happy with it. It’s sort of like having a faux slip under my skirt or something. I’m sold.