For a Friend

I can't seem to knit enough mittens this season. They are so great for stash yarn and make a great gift. These are for a friend. I hope she likes them

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More Mittens

I'm working on another pair of mittens. Love the colors and the yarn (Berocco Comfort). Can't wait to finish them!

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Plum Perfect Hat

I finished this hat last week. It turned out great! I found the pattern on the Lion Brand Yarn website. It's called the "Plum Perfect Hat." It was a bit of a challenge, but I love the texture and so far it works pretty well :)

I'm thinking of making a few more with some of my stash . . . green, blue . . . we'll see!

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Last Custom Project for a Little While

I just finished this skirt and shirt set for a friend. Turned out pretty cute, I think. I'm going to be taking a break from custom work for a little while b/c we're in the process of moving and I may not have access to a sewing machine for a bit.

I hope to start the new year off in a new space and maybe even with a new sewing machine (I'm thinking a serger would be nice). Cheers!

Aravis Cowl

Back in October we were downstate for a Michigan football game. I found out that Melynda of French Press Knits was doing a trunk show at Have You Any Wool? in Berkley. I decided I'd stop by and introduce myself. Melynda and I are connected in a few ways (through a college friend and a cousin). It was great to meet her in person. I also picked up a copy of her Aravis Cowl pattern and some Malabrigo yarn. I finished this last week. It is pretty sweet. I LOVE the color and the yarn is fantastic! The hood is such a sweet touch. Mine is a little snug when I have it up, but it's warm enough just as a cowl around my neck.

You should check out all the patterns French Press Knits offers and her great site! Also, if you are in Berkley, MI and looking for a great yarn shop, Have You Any Wool? is awesome!

So cozy . . .


Extra warmth


Cute hood action in the back.

Tooth Fairy Pillow

My SIL asked me to make a tooth fairy pillow for my niece. Her birthday is coming up and it will be a birthday gift. After finding out her favorite color is green I dug through my fabric scraps and found these awesome greens. Took a little time to think about the design and then Viola! Pillow, done. I hope she loves it :)

"I love teeth."

Mittens for the Season

I recently finished these mittens to keep my hands warm this winter. We're in a kind of "transitioning" period right now and all my hats, scarves and mittens are in a box in storage. So, I decided I'd just knit myself some new mittens. I LOVE the colors. They match my sharf (shawl/scarf) and they match another knit that I recently finished and will post about soon.

YUM :)

First Shawl Finished!

While I was down in Kalamazoo I was able to finish up my first shawl! The pattern calls it a scarf, but it has the shaping of a short shawl. It is so soft and so versatile.

Tied as a traditional scarf.


Worn as a traditional shawl.


A more open shawl.


Back view


The pattern was pretty easy. The edging is crocheted and it took me some time to figure out exactly what stitches to pick up. The yarn is fabulous! I will definitely use it again . . . maybe even for another one of these. But, first, I will be doing a project on large size needles :)

This was made using the "Typha Scarf" pattern in the Fall 2010 issue of Knitscene.

I used Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine yarn.

Holiday Craft Fair Follow-Up

I was down in Kalamazoo this past weekend for the Holiday Craft Fair at the Fairgrounds. My mom was able to help me out with this fair and we had a lot of fun. Our hands almost froze off while we were setting up and the doors were wide open and it was only 20 degrees outside . . . BUT we warmed right up after the show started.

Here are some pics from the event. Thanks to those who stopped by to browse, say "hello" and shop :)

Mom and Me workin' hard.


Booth shot


Close up of the table layout.
My husband helped me to create some wooden table top hangers so that I could display a few things on the tables. They turned out great and worked really well. I set up little outfit ensembles.


Another close up of the tables.


People browsing.


View of the entire fair.
It was a smaller fair, but set up very well. It was easy to get around all the vendor booths.

Thank You, Fabric Fairy

I am way behind in giving proper thanks to my Fabric Fairy. Today, I put the finishing touches on a few items I will be sending to her. I made an apron for the fairy and three peasant tops for her granddaughter who will be one in December. I hope they enjoy the items, as I really enjoyed making them and the fabric is so fantastic.


Fabric Fairy's apron. Isn't the fabric perfect for an apron?





Peasant tops for the granddaughter. I'm considering naming this top after her and calling it the "Ella." What do you think?


Wouldn't these look so cute with a pair of jeans? I love the vintage vibe of the fabrics and the style of the top. Adding the bird appliqué just gives it a little bit of a modern twist.

Road Trip: Gwen Frostic Studio (Benzonia, MI)

Yesterday, we took a road trip. We headed out to Benzonia, MI to visit the Gwen Frostic studio and store. For those of you who aren't familiar with Gwen Frostic's work, you're really missing out. After I graduated from college they named the new "School of Art" after Gwen (previously it was a "Department of Art"). Her prints are simple, yet have so much depth to them. You can read more about Gwen HERE. You can also visit the website for the studio/shop HERE.

Our trip started with a stop at Don's Drive-In in Traverse City for some lunch. Nothing like a Coney Dog, some fries and a Coke to start off a great road trip.

Yum!



Once we were successfully full, we were off to Benzonia! I am certain that anyone who lives in Michigan should visit the Gwen Frostic Studio. It's very special. The building itself is built into the landscape and sort of blends in with the landscape around it. I believe this was Gwen's intent when she built it.

View of the building and entrance to the studio/shop


When you walk through the door, you are greeted by water fountains and pools and large wooden beams . . . and then rows and rows, and shelves and shelves of notecards, books, calendars, napkin and placemat sets. It's almost breathtaking.

Just inside the entrance to the studio/shop


Jim perusing racks of notecards


Just below the shop area you can actually watch as pressmen print items from Gwen's blocks. They have an impressive set up and I was in awe. Of course, I got a couple photos . . .

Heidelberg presses hard at work (they have 12 total, I think three were working while we were there)




I also HAD to take a video so that you all could hear the sounds of these glorious presses. It was the coolest "swoosh, swoosh, swoosh" sound. This is my first time posting a video . . . enjoy!





Of course, we didn't leave without making some purchases. Here's my booty:

Small 2011 hanging calendar



Large 2011 hanging calendar. Had to get both, they have different prints :)




Michigan notecards



Small raccoon journal



This place was spectacular! So inspiring. It made me want to get my little Kelsey press up here so I can try some more printing on that tiny little thing :) We'll see if I can find a good place for it for the winter and make something happen.


Since we had the time, we did a little driving tour of the area on our way back. We stopped at the Point Betsie Lighthouse to take in some Lake Michigan views and enjoy a bit of time outside on such a gorgeous day.

Point Betsie Lighthouse


Pretty view of the beach



And, last, but not least, we made a stop at the mall in Traverse City. I know, doesn't seem like the mall can compare with the rest of the day, BUT take a look at what I picked up . . . and you might change your mind :)

Three Wolf Moon T-shirt . . . YES!

My Fabric Fairy

My mom's very good friend gave me a bunch of fabric that belonged to her mother, who used to quilt but can't do so anymore. I can't believe how awesome all of it is. This woman has an eye for great floral prints. Check them out:

Look at this gorgeous stack of lovely floral prints!


Here's a few close ups of the patterns.






As a "thank you" to my mom's friend, I am making a couple of dresses for her one year old granddaughter out of a few of the prints. Here is my first attempt at a peasant style dress. What do you think?



I'd like to add a little more flair to the skirt and also even out the neckline a bit, but overall I think it's pretty cute. I'm also thinking of adding a few of these to my product line. Wouldn't it be so adorable with some tights and maybe a matching pair of THESE baby shoes?

Thank you, Fabric Fairy, for your generosity and total awesomeness!

Let's Accessorize!

I'm gearing up for a Holiday Craft Show in Kalamazoo on November 6. If you're in the area, be sure to come by and say "hi," and do a little holiday shopping :)

I decided to add some accessories to my inventory. I've been playing around with baby shoes, hairbows and crocheted bracelets. Here is a sneak peak, so far, of what I'll be debuting at the show (keep your eyes out for possible leg warmers and hats as well!)

Baby Shoes
Soooooo cute! and the perfect addition to any of our pant or skirts outfits.





Hair Bows
No little girls outfit is complete without a hair accessory! I'm playing around with different variations on fabric flowers, and creating headbands, pony tail holders and clips.




Crocheted Button Bracelet Cuffs
I love these! You can wear one . . . or two . . . or three if you really want to get noticed. They are super soft and comfy and add just a bit of fun to any outfit. I plan to have these in adult and children's sizes.