Pinterest and Ravelry Dump

I, like many others, have found countless DIY projects and inspiration on Pinterest and Ravelry.  I have convinced myself that it doesn't matter how many hours I spend pinning as long as I actually attempt/complete the project.  In most cases I have included the link to the pattern/inspiration but the pictures are of my own completed projects.

DIY Wrap Cardigan

http://blog.megannielsen.com/2009/12/how-to-make-a-wrap-cardigan/

These have become a staple in my maternity wardrobe.  Super easy to make and can be worn after babies.

Hospital Gown
http://bellabama.blogspot.com/2012/05/these-gowns-are-perfect-for-anyone-with.html

I am probably only going to be doing this once so I may as well add some flair to it.  The picture doesn't include the ribbon for the waist sash but I've tossed it in the hospital bag.

Crocheted Baby Beanies

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/inside-track-brimmed-cap

Car Seat Blanket/Cover

http://cally-cruze.blogspot.com/2009/10/infant-carseat-blanket.html

http://www.craftychelsea.com/2012/10/car-seat-cover.html?m=1

For Jelly's I used buttons to secure the straps to the handle

For Peanut Butter I used velcro.  

We will see over time which one holds up better and if necessary I can easily change it.

Adjustable Crib skirt

http://www.viewalongtheway.com/2012/04/silliest-little-adjustable-crib-skirt-tutorial-on-the-web/

I added the center pleat to Jelly's but only on the side panels.

I omitted the pleat for PB as I figured it would get lost in the pattern

 Converted Maternity Pants

http://modestmaven.blogspot.com/2009/11/converted-maternity-pants-tutorial.html

Super easy to do.  I have at least three pairs of khakis so no real sacrifice was made.  Luckily I am all belly so the pants didn't need any adjustments other than adding the band.

DIY Eye Mask

 http://www.instructables.com/id/Eye-mask-pattern/

Because I can and do fall asleep anywhere these days.

Crocheted Ripple Blankets

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/crochetwithcris/rainbow-ripple-baby-blanket

Crcoheted Football and Hat

http://hereinthewaitingplace.blogspot.co.il/2012/04/crocheted-football-baby-cocoon-hat.html

DH always joked that he would carry our kids like footballs.  I am just making it convenient and cute.

Crochet Mary Jane Booties
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-booties-with-strap

Crayon Area Rug

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-me

Short Sleeved Jacket

http://danettesangels.tripod.com/patterns/pattern_short_sleeve_jacket.html 

It's Autumn

Finally the weather here is starting to feel like autumn and not early spring.  I had time to spare while flying last week and decided to use it to whip up a scarf.  I wasn't sure how much of it I would get done but I got about 1/3 of the way through on the way out and finished, except for the edging, on the way back.  All in all I guess it took about 6 hours which isn't too bad.  The pattern was posted on ravelry and crochetville and can be found here.  I like my scarves nice and thick so I decided to lengthen mine by about 100 chains and added two extra rows. It's still not as long as I would like once I bundle up but when it hangs loose it is fine. 

Cardigan Pattern

I forgot to mention the crochet pattern that I am using for the cardigan.  The pattern is called Chevron Lace and I found it on ravelry.  If you are interested the pdf file is here.

In progress-Crochet Cardi

While I was going through my sewing funk/losing the battle with technology, I decided to pick up my hook and crochet something.  Well actually start to finish something.  Before I started my new job in March, I had found a fairly easy, functional, and cute cardigan pattern on ravelry that I decided to try out.  My crochet skills still need some work so I didn't use a high quality yarn for this project.  Before life took over I managed to get the yoke done but now that I am 2/3 done, I wish I had used better yarn.  Oh well, it's such an easy pattern that I plan to make another one in the future.

Here's what I managed to get done while vegging out on the couch. 

Pic of the clasp I plan to use once the cardigan is done.

Crochet Projects

Last week I mentioned how my sewing mojo was MIA, but that at least I had been crocheting some things. I figured I would post what I have been up to.

My DH tends to lose things-namely his glasses and winter hats. On a weekend retreat with my sorority, I needed to keep my hands busy on the drive up so I whipped him up some hats. That was less than two weeks ago and I currently can only find 1 of the 3 that I made him. Sign, I love that man though.

Here is the one in a burgundy yarn with a gray stripes.















Another I did was a reverse with the hat being gray and the stripes burgundy. The only difference is I made one large stripe instead of two smaller ones. The third was just like this one with the hat being black and the stripes in gray. The pattern was very easy and can be found here or here.

One of my Sorors is having a baby and as soon as she announced it I went into baby blanket mode. I started working on this super easy blanket. It's called Purely Square and it's free on Ravelry on the Lion Brand website.

















Because I didn't check the dye lot on my skeins of dark blue yarn, I of course picked up two that were completely off. If you look closely in the picture below, you can see the color difference.













I decided to finish off the blanket in white. It won't look like I had originally planned but it will still be cute so it's all good.















And finally when I feel up to it, I have been working on this Two-sided afghan. It's not that difficult but it is slow going. I goofed on the very first row and was too lazy to rip it out. I like it though and if I can figure out what I did, I plan to finish off the last row in the same manner. : )















P.S. Iamthisclose to being finish with my anniversary dress. Just need to put in the zipper and finish the hem, so a review will be coming very soon.

Gift for Ari

My good friend's daughter just turned 4 years old over the weekend and we went to the birthday they had for her. I don't think I have ever had so much fun in a moon bounce!

Anyway I wanted to make something for her and I found this adorable and very easy bag that could be made in various sizes.

The bag didn't take up very much yarn and I added a couple of crocheted flowers to either side.

I finished it up by adding a bright floral lining to the bag.

By the way she loved it! (And so did her Mom)

Happy New Year

My first post of the new year! Wow 2009 is here...where does the time go? The past few weeks were busy yet filled with good times, laughter, and family.

The cruise was amazing! It was so good to get away and enjoy some sunshine and relax with the hubby. We enjoyed Cozumel the most but Grand Cayman was a close second. Jamaica not so much but that's another story.

I also needed to keep my hands busy on the cruise and I managed to finish a scarf and a hat. That was an accomplishment for me since it usually takes forever(a year) to finish a crochet project. I'll post pics eventually. I also made a hat for DH since he lost his (yet again). It was a simple black beanie but he loves it and now wants one in Cardinal Red and Steel Gray which are apparently the official colors of his alma mater MIT.

Christmas was interesting. My mom and sister spent the night and we got up around 7:30am and opened presents. Yes we are all big kids. Everyone had several gifts and were very happy with what they got. There was some fantastic surprises and I got some good pics with big ole' cheesy grins. All was quiet for a few hours and then the craziness began. There were some 25 people at our house, which included some unexpected guests. I refused to let drama invade the holiday so we kept the peace and the respective parties in separate parts of the house. I was exhausted afterwards but I got my wish-a house full of family and friends.

We hadn't really made any plans for New Year's and in the end decided to spend it at home. It may sound uneventful but it was great. Ringing in the new year in the new house was just as it should be.

We went to dinner at Ruth's Chris on Saturday for date night and it was sooo goooood. Ruth's Chris is pricey but a good place to go for atmosphere and a special occassion. There was not a single thing on my plate that was not fabulous. And dessert-OMG! They brought us the sinful chocolate cake on the house since we were celebrating my birthday late and we also ordered the apple tart cake. That thing was huge but it was so good I wanted to slap my mama. We ended up wrapping it up since we were so stuffed but finished it later that night at home.

That pretty much sums up the past few weeks for me.....

On the sewing front I am working an view A of New Look 6823 as well as view D of Mccall's 5271. After they are complete I am not sewing anything else for myself until after I finish a dress and jacket for my auntie. That should motivate me to finish something for someone else huh?

Here's to a Fantastic 2009!