Summer is for Sewing!

I have a tendency to sew more in the summer and knit in the winter. Someone told me I was backward on this, but hey to each her own! I've fallen in love with softies. These little whimsical creatures are the cutest. My daughter has a list for a new softy to whip up daily. Right now I've completed only one. I think he may be my favorite. This little creature was designed by Lynda Lye, I found this pattern in the "Softies" book by Therese Laskey. I call him my tree huggin' friend. He's filled with recycled/reused materials. For his trunk I used plastic shopping bags. It gives him a crunchy feel. Up on top I used left over yarn and fabric scraps. I know I'll have a nice little collection of these cute softies soon!

Addicted to Gumdrops

I admit it, I'm addicted...addicted to gumdrops. I started one as a sample to show in the store and now I'm up to three. Two large and one small. When I look at our fabric all I see are gumdrops. The old advertisement for "tootsie rolls" pops in my head, "What ever it is I think I see, becomes a gumdrop pillow to me!" I'm not sure if I'm at the point yet where I need an intervention, but I'll let you know. I'll post the picture of the third one soon!

Kids Knitting Club

Kids knitting club at Stash. What a blast! The kiddos had a good time. They are little sponges, just absorbing it all in. They learn so fast. Before you know it they'll be teaching us a thing or two.

Gum Drop Pillow

I finished my next project. I did Amy Butler's Gum Drop Pillow. It was so easy and so much fun. Just follow the instructions word-for-word, and in about four hours you have an awesome new ottoman/small coffee table/new seat! I used Amy Bulter Nigella Home Dec in Grandflora Aqua and some of my own left over gray canvas (this canvas has become somewhat of a signature fabric for me). LOVE IT!

Finished Shokay Hat

I finished the Shokay hat, and-then-some. It was the never ending skein! I knitted the first hat on size 8 straights (the pattern calls for size 8 circs). I couldn't find my circs at the time and wanted to get started A.S.A.P! The straights worked well, but the circs were much better. I guess I should follow the pattern :) This adorable hat is knitted from the top down, very intersesting. The Shokay yarn is so yummy to work with and once you throw it in the machine, yes, I said machine! It gets even softer. So I knitted the first hat, then the second , and the third. The last one has stripes. And I still have yarn left over! I'm sure I could get another small hat out of the left overs, we'll see. But, it's time to move on to the next project...

Shokay Hat

This will be my next project using Shokay 100% yak yarn. Get the free pattern from http://www.shokay.com/. This yarn is so yummy. Softer than cashmere, if you can believe it! And it's machine washable. It actually gets softer the more you wear/wash it. I'll be doing my hat in solid Azure with a Buttercup trim. I'll keep you posted. It's time to start knitting!

Emma's Knickers

These knickers were really fun to knit up. I was a little intimidated at first when I read through the pattern. There were some techniques that I hadn't done before. Like adding the lace to the bottom with double points and K2tog. The crochet cast on, which I've done that before is not my favorite. But when all is said and done, I'm so glad I did the pants. They are so flippin' cute. When my daughter Emma runs around in them it just makes me happy, her too! I got the pattern from http://www.knitty.com/ the pattern is named Emma's Underthings. Not the same Emma! I used Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Caribbean Blue. My Emma picked out the color, she has an eye for fashion and flare!