Savannah's First Embroidery

I've been working on an embroidery project at home, and I thought it would be the perfect time to introduce hand embroidery to my six year old daughter.   So, I got out my 3" hoop, drew a heart, and got her some heavy floss, and showed her the ropes of how to do the back stitch. She immediately caught on, wanted to make another heart.  Then, today (the next day), I drew her a stick figure girl, and a pumpkin on another scrap fabric. Then, we pulled out a fabric with a design, and I traced a daisy and the words, I'm a Girl Scout Daisy. She did about 3 petals, and her hands got tired, but I'm sure she'll pick it back up soon. She's an embroidery fanatic now! It's fun to sit and do needlework with her!  I think I'm going to commission her to help me make Christmas presents! LOL

Anyway, here's a pic of her first two embroidery...prepare to be amazed!

Embroidery like a boss!

Falling For Autumn Swap Rd 2--what I made

I have been organizing Round 2 of the Craftster, Falling for Autumn Swap, and it's been lots of fun.

I was partnered with kbrison, an amazingly fun, and very nice woman. I've very much enjoyed my time being partnered with her!  We had very similar wish lists, and so I decided to make her a wreath and a table runner.

She had a lot of quilted things on her pinterest, but when I came across a VERY extensive pattern for a crocheted doily-type table runner, I went that route instead.  And, while I only did 2 of the 3 motifs, and skipped the frilly border, it came out amazing, and she loves  it. 

And, it only took me 30+ hours to make! Yes, that's oh, 10x or so the minimal requirement for a large item in a craft swap.

The Table Runner in all it's glory!

Up close view

The adorable wreath!--I'm thinking of making myself one!

What I received in the Zoo Swap

All the goodies

A shark wallet for my son, and a manatee purse for my daughter.

A manatee puzzle

A tiger puzzle

Goodies for my daughter. My son ran off with his before I could get a group shot.

I asked for ornaments for the kids.Manatee for Savannah, Turtle for Jarron. Cute hoop for me!

Backs of ornaments and hoops again.

Thanks so much crazyda79!!

Zoo Swap--What I sent!

My partner, crazyda79, finally received her package for the Zoo Swap. I was crafting for both her, and her daughter. Her daughter is 13, and is into art, and stuffies. Crazyda79 wanted anything.

All The Loot!

Manatees weren't on her list of animals, but I had made this as my alternate choice for the last round of the 4x6 swap, and sent something else instead. So, since crazyda79 has been in many of the 4x6 swaps, I thought she'd appreciate it. I framed it with an oceanic decoupaged frame.

I absolutely adore this hoop. One of her favorite animals is the Phillpine Tarsier (I'd never heard of it!) I found this picture which I embroidered  onto this leafy fabric. I love it because it makes him look like he's hiding! I love the strip of blue which states his name and that sadly he's endangered. I printed on the fabric, then heat n bonded it to the leafy fabric.

Another of crazyda79's favorite animal is the narwal. I had originally wanted a nautical themed fabric, but couldn't find what I had in mind at my local JoAnn store, but I found this cute sharky ocean fabric. And, the blue fabric with bubbles is so great. I printed the narwhal out on fabric and colored her in with fabric paint. Then cut her out and heat n bonded her to my bag. This nifty bag has a pocket on the outside, too!

Believe it or not, but I had never made an amigurimi before  these two. And, believe it or not, the smaller one (dolphin) is followed by a pattern and is supposed to look the way it. does. Really.  The elephant is from a Vanna White Critter book which I ordered when I was having trouble sleeping at 2:30 am!

Another view of the ami's

Everything was shipped in this neat-o box! Cheetah/Leopard duct tape and check out that cool scrapbook paper decoupaged onto the lid. Perfect!

I guess I didn't take pictures of the journals up close, but you can see them in the first picture. They match the box! I had such a good time crafting. I can't wait to see what crazyda79 has made me and my kids!

Savannah's Completed Blanket

I finished it! I finished it! Happy Dance! Happy Dance!

Jarron's Finished Sunshine Blanket

After months and months of working on both my son's sunshine granny square blanket, and my daughter's granny square blanket, I finally finished his. I have another row, and a border to complete my daughters. 

My *almost* 5 year old  son loves red, yellow, and blue, and he also loves when I sing "You are my sunshine" to him.  That's what gave me the idea to put together this Sunshine design with those colors for his blanket. 

I've had a little issues with the sizes of the squares being off (I think it being different lots or something of the yarn...so some of the yellow is MUCH bigger than others, but I'm still really new at this, and he loves his blanket anyway, so I didn't really care...let it bunch a bit)

Anyway....the completed project:

A total of 195 approximately 4" granny squares, then sewn together, and bordered with an off white in double crochet. I haven't gone around it yet with a single crochet...he was too anxious to use it, and it's bedtime! He's going to be be comfy cozy, and sleep well tonight.

[PATTERN]
(13 columns x15 rows) OR (15 rows by 13 columns) However you see it :)

039-YELLOW SQUARES (Y)
020--RED SQUARES (R)
136-BLUE SQUARES (B)

I haven't measured it yet, but I think the row/column with 13 squares is around 50" when using the approximately 4" square. So, make your squares bigger/smaller to your liking.


1--B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B
2--B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B
3--B B B B B B B Y B B B B B B B
4--B B B Y  B R R Y R R B Y B B B
5--B B B B Y R Y Y Y R Y B B B B
6-- B B B R R Y Y Y Y Y R R B B B
7--B B Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y B B
8--B B B R R Y Y Y Y Y R R B B B
9--B B B B Y B Y Y Y B Y B B B B
10- B B B Y B R R Y R R B Y B B B
11-B B B B B B B Y B B B B B B B
12-B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B
13-B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B 

Suprise Swap--What I received

I just received my surprise swap package today, from the lovely co-organizer, Susanab. She went with my Big Bang Theory obsession, and made  me a Bazinga tote bag, two math geek inspired coaster, some rock paper scissors lizard spock magnets, and sent me and Curtis our own "decision dice."