What I’ve been doing lately

I hate to post another one of those posts, but here it is: Sorry for not posting lately. There are several things that are commanding my attention:

1. Electrical disaster – many of our electrical items were fried by a power surge. Luckily, the power company took responsibility for it, and they replaced and/or fixed all of them. Among the carnage: One TV, three digital clocks, our doorbell, our oven, hubby's shop light, the computer (under warranty, but data retrieval paid for), the computer speakers, the modem, our phone, our stereo…and I forget what else. It was just CRAZY. I'm just glad the madness is over.

2. I'm going to college for Library Science (Library Technician) starting this summer, but my situation has several unique qualities that have to be addressed. First and foremost, this is through the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program – so it's papered to the hilt. I have to have paper for each step. Second, the program starts in the fall, and I want to get some of the harder courses that I wouldn't DREAM of taking online taken in a classroom at my local Community College. Third, I have to coordinate through both colleges to get this all done – and it's not as easy as it sounds. It's taken me almost two weeks to start my Education Plan – something I need to have done by the next couple weeks, or getting in to see an advisor is going to be a nightmare., because registration for the Summer quarter starts soon, and everyone needs to have an advisor sign off on their course selections. Nothing says "fun" like a looming deadline, huh?

3. My grandpa has cancer. I know – crap. But that's all the bad news. They caught it early, and they're starting treatment immediately, so his chances are great. He also seems to be taking the news well.

And concerning arts and crafts goodness (what you come here for, dontcha know!):

4. I'm preparing an attempt to launch my own brand spankin' new etsy store, where I will sell my creations to you, the adoring fans!

Oh, and there will be posts relevant to arts and crafts coming up next month. I've done stuff; I just have to get around to taking and uploading pictures! Thank you so much for hanging in there with me – I love you guys!

 

~Auð

The Earflap Hat + Book Review

I know I haven't posted in about three weeks - and I'd like to apologize. My husband and I have been busy with the house, there's a housewarming party this Saturday, I have a dentist appointment and a VA appointment in the same week - and I need new glasses. Next week, we have to get our taxes done. It is a little more expensive to heat the house than we thought it would be, but we planned for that - and although money is a little tighter, I wouldn't trade my drafty house for a drafty apartment! lol! I'm glad we have money saved for renovations!
Well, on a more positive note, I would love to show off my new creation:



The chunky ear-flap hat! It's based on a design by Ann Regis (called 'The Cap' in the book CrochetWear). I had to alter it, because almost ALL the designs in this book, even the hats, were TOO SMALL for me. If your head is bigger than 20", or, you're larger than an off-the-rack medium, I wouldn't get this book, or even borrow it from the library. Although, I guess the 'Wraps' portion of the book might be more versatile. For a last gripe about this book: the pictures of the models had me scratching my head...are they imitating hipsters, or are they just dressed badly? If that's what passes for fashion now....count me out.

Special Olympics Scarf Project

In the New Year, I have resolved to give more charitably, whether through monetary means, or through donation of goods/services. By chance, I received my regular Crochet newsletter, and the USA Special Olympics Scarf Project was featured.
I decided to crochet a scarf, but had a hard time finding both colors of yarn. I was quite desperate, when I turned to a place that I never shop, Wal-mart. It turns out that they did have the color...and I could finally start my project, after bouncing around town to 4 stores.

Here is the finished product:



And the pattern, if you find yourself so inclined to crochet or knit one of your own to donate:
http://www.scarvesforspecialolympics.org/files/upload_file_806701660.pdf

I hope everyone is having a terrific New Year so far!

Melting Snowman Amigurumi

I was looking for something to make a friend of mine for a Holiday gift - because I like handmade things, she likes handmade things...and, well, I'm cheap. I just bought a house and I need money for the improvements - give me a darn break, already!

When I found the pattern for this project, I really loved it - and I thought she would get a kick out of it, too. There is a story behind this gift, though, and you'll have to live through the story before I'll allow you to see the awesome amigurumi that I made :

My friend is 81 years old. She lives in a 55+ community, and every year, they have a craft/hobby fair. She bought a badly made snowman from a lady because she felt sorry for her. The snowman had a WHITE scarf (really - a white scarf on a snowman), and it's arms were jutting haphazardly out of it's hips. Needless to say, this poor snowman looked like he suffered an industrial accident. So - her and a mutual friend of ours, Sarah, went to JoAnn's Craft and Fabric store, and picked out a bunch of decorative stuff to hopefully fix the train wreck that was this poor snowman.

It didn't work. It's an inside joke now, something to poke fun and laugh at - that silly deformed snowman. So - in honor of that poor, deformed snowman, I made this:



It's a melted snowman!

I found the pattern here, at Fun and Fang, if you would like to pick up your hook and make one of your own.

Hope you're all doing well, having a great holiday season - and staying warm!

Fan Light Pull

A few days ago, my husband expressed frustration when trying to find the light pull on a fan in our house. As you may know, this house is new to us - but it was built in 1972, and has changed a few hands over the years. The previous owners weren't too handy around the house...they half-assed repair jobs, and they sure as heck didn't leave us anything they didn't have to. The light and fan pulls are both short - so they're pretty hard to find in the dark.
So, I came up with this solution, after sifting through my art stuff for about 15 minutes:

I've had the green pendant for a while now - I suspect I found it on one of our family's yard-sale excursions when I was a teenager. I got the fake pearls at our local JoAnn's Crafts store. I attached the pendant to a length of craft wire, then threaded on the beads. I weaved the craft wire around the existing fan light pull, and VOILA! A new, sexy fan light pull. Well, maybe not sexy, but it is pretty stinkin' cool, if I do say so myself. :)

Crochet Bell Necklaces for Wooden Deer

My dad made me these awesome wooden deer years ago, and I haven't had much of a place to put them until now. So, I decided to pull them out and make them festive this year.



I bought some big bells at my local JoAnn's Craft store, and then scoured my yarn stash for the right shades of red and green. I made a cord, using this method ( I used technique 2) , and threaded the bell on when I thought that I was halfway done. I left a few inches on the end of each thread, and tied them around the necks of the deer. Cool huh?

I'm so crafty, I amaze myself sometimes! :D

Homeless Hat

While moving, I found a few hats that I made that I seldom (if ever) wear. I decided to give them to a homeless ministry, and started to look around for one...unfortunately, I was unable to find one in my area, but I did contact Clark County, Washington's Council for the Homeless for information. I was kindly referred to the Friends of the Carpenter, a homeless ministry that is, in short, amazing. They have a large wood shop, and teach the local homeless how to use the equipment to make beautiful, mostly religious themed items. If you're interested, their Product Catalog is here.

Now, in addition to the hats that I found, I decided to make a special hat, specifically to give away to the homeless. Here's the hat:





Feel free to flatter the beautiful model with compliments. :D

I decided that every time I do an "experiment" or practice another crochet skill, that I make a large swatch of it, and make it into a hat. This one was done in rounds, though, with no seam. Here, I was practicing crochet ribbing, and it turned out so well that I was just a little bit sad that I had to give it away.

I hope it will make someone very happy - and very warm - this holiday season.