sewing stuffies, a little charitable knitting and some christmas crafts

I bought some new felt from here



and am making Wee Wonderfuls gnomes.
I can't resist cute little elves.



I went to my LYS last weekend and was asked to knit a 7" x 9" square to be part of a blanket that will be raffled off for the homeless. I never do anything charitable ( I know I should) and just couldn't say no to one square. Here is a closeup. It looks like a mini blanket for a tiny doll.



I also started working on a button wreath. I was inspired by some of the button wreaths that popped up around blogland last year. I bought some 12" green foam wreaths which was all that was available at the JoAnn's near my Mom's but, wish I had went somewhere else for a smaller size or even better used cardboard. It is using up a lot of buttons. Ideally, I want to make three of these. I also finished knitting up another clutch and bowl that need to be felted and started a hat for someone special for Christmas.

I'm really looking forward to getting into the kitchen to do some baking and chocolate making soon. Yum!

So, this posting everyday thing is done now. Well, like I said I missed one day in the beginning when I didn't know about NaBloPoMo but, I did it from there on out.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and I'll be back next week.

xoxo

woodland animal ornaments

I am still working on these here and there when I get a chance. So far 3 squirrels, 3 birds and 3 bears. Still to do - deers and bunnies. Then I need to attach some bakers twine and voila they will be done...eventually.

new felted clutches

Here are two new felted clutches I finished up over the weekend and added buttons to on Monday. I love them both so much. I wish I could keep them but, they are headed to work with me tonight at Mackey Blue. If they don't sell by the end of the month I plan to put them up in my Etsy shop. I'm also trying to make some for the shop over the next few weeks and have almost one knitted up. We will see how much I can get done.

totes for the little ones

I decided to do some applique with fabric and stenciling for 4 of the little ones in our lives for Christmas. I bought the totes at Michael's and used heat n' bond to applique the fabric pieces on. The stenciling was done with carefully cut letters by Mick and then painted using the freezer paper stenciling method. The three stenciled ones are for three of my nephews- Jake, Brandon and Javier. The bird tote is for my niece Lillian. I had hoped to stitch around them too but, can't fit the piece under the sewing machine so I would have to take the canvas tote side seam apart and am not confident that I could do a superb job putting it back on with the sewing machine I have. I think the pieces will stay on okay but am debating putting fray check on the edges although I worry it might stain so I'm not sure. So...these are no-sew totes. If anyone is timid out there with the sewing machine perhaps you want to give this a try. Supplies needed- fabric, fabric paint, foam paint brush, heat n' bond, freezer paper and an iron..oh and of course a canvas tote. I kind of wish I just made the totes themselves so the whole project was handmade but there is always next time. Oh, and yes I still haven't gotten a new sewing machine but maybe Santa will bring something special although Santa still needs help deciding on the model which is really up to me you see.
These totes will be great to house their other gifts and for them to carry around their cars, toys, dolls and books with them when they are on the go. Little ones love to bring their stuff with them. I'll have to make one of these for my own little guy someday.

little trees

little trees
Originally uploaded by nancy cook

These trees are made out of thrifted and vintage green velvet. I made these last year from a pattern by Little Birds.
I have yet to decorate for the holidays. I decided I would wait until December 1st.

striped garter stitch scarf

I began this scarf (idea from Needlebook- mine is a little shorter) on Thanksgiving night and finished knitting it in bed this morning while sipping my tea and munching my Mama's cranberry nut loaf and then sewed my ends in at the nail salon late this morning. I then stopped in for a latte (decaf for me) at my favorite local coffee shop and chatted with the weekend girls that work there -Strawberry and Heidi. I'm hoping for a walk in the West Village this afternoon if Little M wakes up soon enough. He fell asleep for nap very late. Dada doesn't follow schedules as well as Mama and put him down late.... tsk tsk Dada. Oh, like I should should be complaining.... I was at the nail salon getting my toes done while the boys were at the playground.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

cookie monster bowl

Me want cookies!
Doesn't this bowl make you think of Cookie Monster? I just had to go and get some chocolate chip cookies to photograph with it. Too funny. I've made 4 new ones and I'm going to post this one on Etsy and maybe one more but, I might gift it. Two others are going to go to Mackey Blue. They are still drying even though it's been a few days.

vintage dresden plate quilt blocks

I purchased this recently off ebay. It is a lot of 26 vintage Dresden Plate quilt blocks from the 1930's-40's. There is some machine piecing but, most were pieced by hand. They vary in size from 9 to 91/2 inches across. Some blocks alternate between just two prints and others are mix of lots of different prints.
I'd like to applique them and make a few different things. A lap quilt, a doll quilt and an applique on a skirt and/or dress. I'm debating between the various methods of applique and am looking for some advice. Do you think this would be a disaster with heat n' bond? Should I do freezer paper or fusible interfacing? I'm really inexperienced in this arena so any advice would be appreciated. I don't actually forsee myself doing this until next year at some point but, it is a project I am excited to try out.

happy thanksgiving

On the menu at Grammie and Pop Pop's
- spoon corn bread, bread stuffing with cranberries and walnuts, chickpeas with dill, shepherds salad, cranberry bread, brown rice nut loaf, baked sweet potatoes and apple, green beans, cranberry orange sauce

I only mentioned the vegetarian portion of the meal because that's the part we eat.

And, of course pie. So far, I've only had the apple which was very yummy.

There was also pecan pie and pumpkin pie.

houses

On my mind...
houses
Will we ever find one? Will we sell our condo?
Will this happen before the new little one comes?

Without any answers to my questions, I've started obsessing about more tangible realities ...

like this one



- a sewing kit from Cath Kidson- oh, how I love this

and this one



from Mahar Dry Goods which I really want to play with.

I could stitch more of these...




or make and eat these sweet gingerbread houses from last years MS






Maybe I need to drink a potion like 'Alice' and miniaturize myself so I could live in one of these...
Yes, that's it.

elf clogs

I stitched up these itty bitty elf shoes and they are so fun. Pattern here.
I am feeling like a elf working in Santa's workshop these days more and more even though I'm just starting Christmas crafts and presents. Well, I did make a few things last month but, I've got a bunch more to get done.
If only I had more time. It seems Little M is on strike from naptime...3 days in a row and 2 last week. Oh boy! I'm in trouble.

Felt Dresses and Skirts

As I finish up orders (at least temporarily) for Mackey Blue my mind is shifting towards Christmas. I actually tried out some Christmas crafts this weekend but, they didn't work out so well and I have nothing to show yet from them. I was super tired and pushing myself and I think that's why I ran into trouble.
Here are some wool felt dresses and skirts I sewed and embellished last year that I hung on my feather tree. It's making me want to pull out my Christmas decorations straight away but, I think I will wait until at least Friday. I definitely want to make more of these.

Scarry

I love the illustrations of Richard Scarry.

Grammie gave this book to Matty about a month ago. He likes it but, I like it even more



Here is one that Little M just adores. A perfect book for a little boy. The fun part for me is finding Goldbug.




And, here is one of his illustrations on the cover of the Holiday Magic Cabin catalog.

Birthday Cake

Yum! Apple cake (2 layers) with Cream Cheese Frosting. Recipe from here
Little M had a really fun birthday party. He didn't eat any cake though.
He ate his hummus sandwich and one bite of cupcake and one bite of licorice.
Parties are a lot of work. I'm going to put my feet up and do a little crafting before I go off to dreamland (or kickland).

Little M turns 2 & Tikki Tikki Tembo

Today is Little M's 2nd Birthday. It's hard to believe 2 years have gone by already. It's amazing what happens between 1 and 2.

Here is a photo of him eating breakfast this morning.



One of his favorite books is Tikki Tikki Tembo. I decided to theme his party loosely around the book.



And, here are a few shots of the decorations for his party tomorrow.




Okay, I've got to go bake a cake now.
More party shots tomorrow.
Have a lovely weekend!

xo

candy cane and hot cocoa

Today Little M took a long nap (shh..he is still sleeping). It must be the gloomy weather and rain.
I worked on these for the shop (appliqued onesies).



and made some for Little M





and for the little girl on the way





Yesterday, I bought her first pair of tights. I couldn't resist. It will be one pair of hundreds I buy because I love tights.





Now, I'm sitting and relaxing and enjoying this. Hot cocoa with whole milk (yes, you read correctly and that is a big no no for me- I always do skim) and a peppermint candy cane. I love candy canes and peppermints. My Nana always had the round peppermints in her purse for me.





Ok, now he's up. You knew it was only a matter of a few seconds, right but, wow I got a lot done.

sketches

I don't always sketch out my ideas but, I think it is a good idea and one I should continue. Here is some of what I had in mind for fall/winter and holiday. I think I did this back in August or very early September.
I'd still like to make more inventory on these items but, we will see how much I can get done.
I've been so caught up with making things for the shops so I still need to finish those woodland creature ornaments & I'd like to make more felt dresses and skirts like the ones at the bottom there which I did last year. I'm going to declare a day soon where I stop working on inventory and just concentrate on holiday. I think sometime next week. Once the holiday is over I think I'll concentrate on getting ready for the baby until she comes and then well I'll have pictures of the baby to show you and who knows how much I will be making in the first few months..

robot monster

Little M is turning 2 on Friday and I decided last year that I would make him something every year for his birthday.
I asked him whether he wanted a robot or a monster and he said 'Robot Monster' and so Shaggy was born.
I didn't follow a pattern and just made him up as I went along.
Little M knows that I finished him yesterday because I was telling Mick in front of him and he could see just a tiny bit of his leg peeking out on top of Mick's dresser and so he was imploring us to 'pick up' and 'look Shaggy.' I told him he has to wait until his birthday for his present. The funny thing is I don't know where he came up with the word shaggy and I think it's so cute that he already has named him.

Last year I made him a Wee Wonderfuls Bear which you can see here on my flickr. The bear also has his own handknit sweater and a felt scarf for the colder months.

ric rac napkins

I stitched these up Saturday and Sunday. They are from the October Martha and also in Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts. They were fun to make (except for the part where my 6 1/2 month pregnant self was cutting the fabric on the floor)... and ever since I did the mix and match ones I've been wanting to make more napkins.



I am really looking forward to having a dinner party again once we have a house (if that ever happens! please please) as Little M's room is currently right next to the dining room and therefore not allowing us to have a grown up dinner party.

I love all of them so much and they seem very autumny. I wasn't sure about the turquoise and yellow one at first because it doesn't match the color scheme quite as well as the others but, it was the only fabric I had that looked good with the other prints and I've decided it's the fall sky and golden yellow leaves (um, ok?).

Made by Dada

Mick did this freezer paper stencil for Little M about a month and a half ago but, I forgot to post about it. The tee is an organic cotton American Apparel from their Sustainable Edition and the stencil is from the Ottobre website. I first saw this design on Blair's site and thought it was a good one especially for a little boy.
If you have never done freezer paper stencils and have a little time it's a great, quick and satisfying project. Some info. here on how-to.

vintage notions and thrifting....

I love working with vintage and second hand notions. These ric-rac labels are from a work in progress I will show soon...hopefully tomorrow but, most likely on Monday. I love the graphics, the fonts and the quality of the materials. Don't you just love the illustrations of the women on The Silhouette and Penimaid labels?

I bought a lot of ric-rac off ebay recently which you can see over there on the right under 'Thrift Store Finds.'

Unfortunately,I don't get to go thrifting as much as I would like. I used to go weekly. Plus, the thrift store in town and ones close by are not so good or get picked over by employees or something too fast. Or maybe I just don't go enough. I like going to garage sales and stoop/gate sales as well though I haven't had much luck this year. I did miss out on a great lot of fabric this summer or at least that's what I was told by the seller because I was too late. What a tease that lady was!

At least I've got Ebay.

200th Post!

Today marks my 200th blog post.

I really enjoy doing a blog and reading others blogs and sharing in the passion of the craft community.
What an inspiring little world! I value the blog friends I have made and sharing my adventures in thread, fabric, yarn, notions etc. with you as well as the life adventures. I want to take the time to Thank You for reading and encouraging me. I really love this blog community I have found and and am so grateful for it.


P.S. This is a photo of me from last year taken with my cat Molly.

baby legwarmers

I knitted these baby leg warmers after seeing them in Milk Magazine which after buying one last Spring put me in a frenzy and I can't believe I haven't picked up an issue since then. It's got to be my favorite children's fashion magazine by far.
I made them with an angora/merino yarn that I absolutely adore for it's softness. I also bought some in bright pink and yellow. It was an easy enough project to figure out from looking at the picture.
Now, I just need 'Bam Bam' to come out and wear them. 'Bam Bam' is Little M's nickname for the baby in my tummy. It's sort of a good one too because she is VERY active and they seem to enjoy communicating with each other quite a lot. Maybe this is the case with second babies that they respond to the first child as if in conversation. If only it ended there and didn't continue through the night.

knit & felted bowls and clutches

Nesting Bowls




Heather Grey and Pine Forest Bowls



Clutches that are waiting for buttons



Yes, we did in fact go to Grammie's yesterday. The felting went fast. I think it was the heavy duty dishwashing liquid but, I'm not sure.
She fed us homemade organic macaroni and cheese and a good old fashioned salad 70's style for lunch. You know, iceburg lettuce, tomato, cucumber and that Italian dressing that comes from a packet mixed with oil and vinegar. Sometimes, I still like that salad even though I never make it like that myself.
Tonight is my night at the store and I'm off to give Little M dinner. And of course, feed myself and my belly.
See you tomorrow.

deer, bunnies, birds , bears & squirrels

Woodland animal ornaments in the early stages. I've had this on the table for quite a while and am looking forward to working on them this week.

Shop Knits...

This pile of knits was brought over to Mackey Blue on Saturday. A beautiful knit hat made with Manos del Uruguay and Blue Sky Brushed Suri, a button collar in hand-painted merino, a cranberry bow scarflette in alpaca/wool and a plum pom pom head kerchief in organic merino.
I've also been sneaking things into my Etsy shop and will continue to do so. I got a little incentive after selling two more items this past week.
One of the new items is the red hand knit and embroidered head kerchief you see me wearing over there on the right side of the page.
I've got a big pile of handknits (purses and bowls) waiting to be felted which may happen tomorrow if we do in fact go to Grammie's. I don't have a top loader so I can't do it here.
Okay, now I'm off to knit some more items to felt and some scarflettes for the shops while Little M naps.
Oh, I'm doing this NaBloPoMo so if all goes well I'll be posting every day until the end of the month. I missed the first day because I found out about it on November 3rd.
See you tomorrow.

new fabric -fairytales & bunnies

Some new fabric purchases from Kitty-Craft. I hope to do some sewing and crafting later in the week.
I love the Hansel and Gretel, Alice in Wonderland and Winter Scene with little animals so much. The yellow pom pom trim is a little something extra included in the package
The other pieces are amazing as well especially the colors and the little bunnies.
I've got a bunch of knitting goals to work out over the next several days and then I'm going to do some sewing.
As usual all I can think about is my sewing and crafting ideas while I knit.

Mittens

I've always loved those old fashioned baby mittens that had a string to weave through the coat so I made some for the new baby girl on the way. I just need to block them. She won't be wearing these until Winter 2008-09 so still a long way's off.
I also want to make some for me.
Any other fans of these mittens on a string?
I love all kinds of mittens. I even like the word mittens.

Props, Visual Displays & Tiny Worlds

Down to Earth's:



After viewing this section of a window at a store in town called Down to Earth, I decided to create my own installation piece based on my love of craft. I've actually been wanting to do this for a while.
I adore a good store window and setting up my own props and handmade items and creating little worlds.

Mine:





I also love making little scenes in shadow boxes which I've done a few of.
One day I'll get around to photographing them and showing you.

A few summers back, I worked as an assistant prop stylist but, it was more calling and running around the city a lot...buying clothes or beautiful produce, calling costume shops for random items etc. It was fun but, not as visual as I would have liked.

I would love to be able to design a window for Anthropologie one day or even get the opportunity to work on one of their photography shoots. They are so nicely done.

Well, this was a lot of fun for me to do. Hope you enjoy it.

Have a lovely Autumn weekend and
Happy Day of the Dead. A sugar skull sounds yummy, no?
xx