Creative Space: Happy St. Patrick's Day

Finished!  Get to cross off another goal for March.  My four leaf clover key chains turned out well.  However, they aren't really key chains as I used book rings because they are easier and cheaper (on short notice) than key rings.  They are for Nana Bear's class so I thought that it would be easier for the kids to open these than prying the other key rings open.

So far the luck of the Irish has been with me this week.  In addition to these faux key chains, I cut the fabric for two placements for my college roommate's twins who just turned one.



I used the yellow chick from the above (Scribble  Panel Pink from Fabric. com) and will applique it to a pink background for their little girl.


And the Puppy in the boat (One The Move Panel also from Fabric.com) and will use a yellow background for their little boy.

At first, when I saw these panels, I wondered what people could make from them.  And then a few weeks ago the light went on and eureka! I got it.  There are so many applications for these panels. The individual squares can be used in a variety of functions, including to decorate placemats and t-shirts.  I'm a little slow and unoriginal, but I get it now.  So I'm very excited to use these panels in other crafts.

On a personal note, interviewed for a very interesting, higher level position yesterday and today.  The interviews went really well and more importantly, I find the position very exciting.  It would utilize my administrative skills while allowing me to stretch my social work/counseling skills again.  And since it would be a higher level position, I should also be bringing home more money too.  EXCITING!!  Even if I don't get this position, it's great to know that there are these types of jobs available - I just have to find them.  All-in-all a much better week than last.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all - hope you are blessed with the luck of the Irish as well.

For more Creative Spaces, visit kootoyoo

My Creative Space: Practicing Loop Stitch

After a fun filled weekend, I loathed to go back to work and chores.  Instead I caught up on the craft blogs I follow.  At One Pretty Thing, I found this link to Craft Passion's Sheep Earmuffs.   The loops stitch intrigued me, so after watching her demonstration, I started practicing it.  Here is my result:

I made the loops with my index finger.  As you can see, the results are lacking... I'm still trying get my loops to be more uniform.  The middle stitches are bit more uniform, but the loops closer to the edge aren't.  But this was my first try, so I've lots of practicing to do.  I like learning a new stitch, but I'm not sure what I would make with it.  The earmuffs at Craft Passion are very cute.

For more Creative Spaces, visit Kirsty at kootoyoo.

My Creative Space: Chain of Hearts

I was purusing Kirsty's My Creative Space at kootooyoo the other day and found a blogger who had crocheted single hearts and stitched them to fabric and made a bunting out of them. She had made it for an auction for the floods. I am ashamed to say I cannot remember whose blog it was that linked to Meet Me at Mikes' tutorial to make Sweet Hearts. I had to mentally convert the directions for US crochet stitches, but eventually I figured it out. I am trying for a trickle effect and started with hearts crocheted 10 chains apart (3) and then 15 chains apart (2-3), 20 chains apart (3), 25 (3) chains apart and maybe even a couple 30 chains apart. I need to press the hearts so they don't curl in on themselves (as you can tell in the picture).

I am playing around with lengths and size of the hearts by changing how loose I crochet. The bottom most hearts are the tightest and I am trying loosen as I go up, so the hearts get bigger. Though, as I type, I think that I should make the bottom most hearts the loosest (biggest) and get tighter as I go up.

Not sure what I am going to do with the various chains. Maybe I'll attach them to a hoop and hang from the ceiling. Or attach to a rod, hang above the kids' bedroom door like a curtain. I'll take any suggestions.

For more (more beautiful) Creative Spaces, head to Kirsty's

My (Very First) Creative Space

Woohoo! My first Creative Space.  I have been following kootoyoo and My Creative Space since last year and I finally get to link up (I hope). 


The synthetic silk kimono fabric I got from Shibori bought, shipped and received in 5 days! It is about 14.5 iches wide and about 56 inches long.



With the double sided plush fleece (from Fabric.com).



This is the finished product.  I cut a piece of fleece to match the Japanese fabric.  Faced right sides together and pinned.  I sewed 3 sides and the corners of the 4th side (leaving the center of the 4th side open).  I turned right side out fixed my 4 corners.  I pinned the opening closed with 1/4 or so hem.  I top stitched the 4th side closed and top stiched 1/4 inch around. Voila!  A (synthetic) silk and fleece wrap/scarf. 

It is a little short for a wrap and a little wide for a scarf, but I'm short (4'9") too.  There are some minor imperfections, I hope to donate this to my daughter's after school program fund raiser.  I hate to be prideful, but I have been patting myself on the back since last night (completed start to finish in 2.5 hours).  My first saleable item (IMHO)!  Etsy here I come (soon). For more Creative Spaces, visit kootoyoo.