simple crochet

I finally got to pick up the crochet needle again and I'm so excited about it. The only thing is that I have to learn when to put it down. I have the same trouble when I'm into a great book. I just can't stop myself—I want to get to the last stitch, the last sentence.



I made these slippers that are on the cover of a book I just ordered, Simple Crochet by Erika Knight (more photos on my Flickr page). They're really comfortable and warm. My little C has already requested a pair. I told her I'd be happy to make her one as soon as finished mine—because I have to figure out how to make them in her size. I think I'll be able to pull that off.

I want to make almost every project in the book. It falls within the same style of the Natural Nursery book (by Ms. Knight as well). The photography alone makes every project very enticing. I'd say it's not a book for someone looking for a crocheting challenge. It's more of a book for someone that's either starting out or that enjoys very simple design, wants to make something pretty and to relax while making it. I fall in the latter category and it's perfect for me.



My next non-paper project is going to be more of a challenge. Little C has requested a doll and it's not going to be an easy one. I also ordered Wee Wonderfuls: 24 Dolls to Sew and Love by Hillary Lang and she wants one of the dolls in that book. But before I tackle that, I'm going to do a little surgery on a doll I made when C was 2 (also inspired by Hillary's work). Her hair is all over the place and just needs to be fixed and trimmed. The sweater that I made for that doll is still my favorite part of that project.

Ordering this sewing book comes totally from my love of dolls as a child (I played with them until I was about 12!) and seeing the same feelings in my daughter. The sewing part of this will definitely not be as relaxing as crocheting or knitting. Gulp.

I think the feeling of warmer weather has definitely kick-started my project making. Spring does that to me every year. Am I the only one?

he said what?

Picture this scene...

It's a fancy 6 course lunch and you're the photographer of the event. One of the guests summons you over with two fingers (à la annoying rich man). He signals you to lean over and he whispers into your ear.

He says, "My compliments to the chef."

You nod and say that you're happy that he's enjoying his meal. He then waves you away with his hand and says,

"You may go about your business now."

Yikes!

This happened to me on Monday.

The fancy lunch was in fact the 5th grade manners (ironic, no?) banquet at school. The 'annoying rich man' had the most I-know-this-is-going-to-get-a-reaction-from-you grin from ear to ear, isn't rich (at least not financially), he's eleven and just happens to be my son.

He got me good. When I leaned over I was totally expecting something like "Do I need to eat this salad?" or whatever else. I couldn't stop laughing.

Lessons learned:
a) The apple definitely doesn't fall far from the tree. He's totally getting back at me for the times I've teased him in a similar fashion.
b) Don't take life too seriously. Yeah—that may be stretching it. But that just popped into mind when I saw the twinkle in his eye as he realized that he caught me way off base.

the basics - a kid-friendly "light box"

Today's tip is a simple one that was was born out of necessity. I did something similar in college using glass but this time I needed to come up with something safer.

A few weeks ago our son wanted to trace the face of a tiger for a drawing that he wanted to do. He was having a hard time with the paper against a window thing, holding it up to a lamp, etc. I don't own a light table so...

Light bulb moment—literally!

I told D to sit down on a kid-sized chair which is actually too big for him now—but worked perfectly for this idea. I pulled out an old white cutting board (the cheap Ikea translucent type) and told him to put the board on his lap, but to keep his feet and legs apart. I placed a small lamp on the floor between his feet. To keep things safe I made sure the lamp had a eco-friendly bulb because they don't get hot. He placed his sheets of paper on the board and it was perfect—he even mentioned how cool it was!

• • •

I can't mention the kids working on projects without showing off a bit.

Here are recent creations of my resident artists. The 2nd graders worked on horses (copied from a drawing on the blackboard) and the 5th graders worked on Picasso inspired hearts. I love all the colors!

striking a balance

I'm so glad that many of you enjoyed making the Valentine's Day match box. I still really, really like that project. I say 'still' because many times I go back and look at things and wish I had tweaked this or that—the matchbox just seems right the way it is.

Last week I was struggling with what to focus on. You see, there are some things that I've had to take care of that require me to put my 'mommy hat' on exclusively. When I'm in that mode, craft and work take second place. It fades and becomes a blur.

Somehow it seems suitable that my latest SVG home decor project is a Mesh House. As corny as it sounds... our home, our family life, is where my heart really is centered. I can't move forward until all is well with them—which it is again.

I don't mean to sound secretive... it's just that sometimes I still have a hard time with the what's-too-personal vs I can-tell-all line—so I'd rather err on the side of caution. It's a tricky thing where it's my instinct that takes the lead. I'm sure you've all been there at some point.

The important thing is that we're all ok and I'm back in the saddle.

• • •

By the way, I realize that there are many of you that can't tackle the SVG types of projects because you simply don't have the digital cutters. I don't want you to feel left out. So, I'm trying to balance my ideas between what is doable with fancy tools vs what is doable with what you have at home. In other words, fear not, more ideas are coming!