A FO and another on the way

Ta Da! A FO for me! (That's a Finished Object for the uninitiated.)

Sorry about the dark photos. Although we have windows throughout the house, there isn't really any space that's good for shooting crafty photos.

This is the best shot of the front I could get. I don't think you can see the stitching as well here. The shirt has a V-neck collar.

This is Jane Snedden Peever's "Surf and Turf" pattern from "Crocheted Sweaters: Simple Stitches, Great Designs."

I made a tan crocheted hoodie like this last year for my sister-in-law. Mine is burgundy and a size larger. I debated whether to leave off the hoodie, but decided it gives it more character than just a plain ol' vest. I also added two inches to the bottom for a longer fit and I really like that.

The color is off, but here's the hoodie without me wearing it. I took some close up shots to try and show the stitching but they didn't turn out all that great. I really need to figure out a good place to shoot photos!

I did not, however, make the tie/belt that is included in the pattern. I didn't think it was needed and it would just be something I'd have to try and keep up with each time I clean the shirt.

On the hook now is the Hot Cross Slouch Slouch Beret by Jennifer L. Appleby, which was published in Interweave Crochet's Winter 2007 issue.

This yarn may prove to be too stiff for this pattern. I've got six more rows so we'll soon see how it works out!

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Here's some books from Jane Snedden Peever. I don't know much about these books, but I enjoyed making the Surf and Turf pattern (I did make it twice after all!) and these books might be really cool to check out.


I've also included "Interweave Crochet" and "Interweave Knits," both really good magazines filled with all kinds of patterns and inspiration.

       

How-to: French Napkin Fold

When I packaged the Christmas napkins I made for family members this year, I used a French Napkin Fold I saw in my parents' "Food Network Magazine" issue. You can see the magazine's instructions here and my version follows below.

Here's a nice way to package up napkins for gift giving.

Start with the napkin right side up.

Fold the napkin up, with right sides touching.

Then fold a quarter of it down (right sides are showing).

Carefully flip the napkin over so the wrong side is showing and fold the napkin into thirds.

Now you have a little pocket where you can slide in silverware. You can stop here or go to the next step, which makes the napkins easier to store or package.

Fold the top half of the French Fold Napkin over and you have a perfect square for storing or wrapping as a gift.

Christmas napkins

As you're reading this, we're probably already on our way to Indiana to enjoy Christmas with the hubby's family. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the company of loved ones!

Ta Da! The final crafty Christmas presents of 2010 (minus some last minute baking) -- napkins! These are four sets of 9 napkins made out of fabric Chris selected earlier in the year (scroll to the bottom of that post to read about it).

(From top left, clockwise) American flag and bird fabric for Chris' parents, vine-y fabric (which I think looks sort of Christmas-y) for Chris' aunt and uncle and butterflies for my parents. All this was bought at Mountain Plains Fabrics in Fancy Gap, Va.

I cut out 14-inch squares and rolled hemmed the edges with my serger. This is a quick and easy project if you're still looking for something to make as a last minute gift.

To make more fancy napkins, cut out squares that are at least 15 inches and create mitered corners (here's one way to do it, as seen on BurdaStyle). You can also make larger napkins, if you like.

Fold and tie them with extra yarn or ribbon and they're ready for gift giving!

Christmas scones 2010

Bam! I just baked 30 scones in an hour and 10 minutes! Yes! Half the holiday baking is finished. :)

Raisin-cinnamon scones, a recipe from Easy Everyday Cooking.

You can find the recipe here. I added one tsp. of cinnamon to the first step.

New Publication: CraftSanity Magazine!

Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood of CraftSanity has published her first magazine!

This image belongs to CraftSanity and is from the Etsy site. Now, go buy a copy!

Jennifer and many contributors offer a variety of recipes and crafty projects in this inaugural issue. You can order the 'zine on Etsy in the print or PDF format.

I've followed Jennifer for a couple years now on CraftSanity and encourage you to check out her new product. I'm sure it's wonderful! (I haven't gotten a copy yet, but plan to.)

Christmas dish clothes

I've finished two Christmas presents! Yay! Time to celebrate!

The last two dish clothes are bigger than the first two, which doesn't look as nice, in my opinion. Checking Ravelry, I notice that I only stitched up 42 stitches, not 44, for the first two clothes because I used a larger needle size than the project called for. Oops! Wish I would have remembered that before I finished the last two!

(You can read the first post about the first two dish clothes here.)

Other than that, I am pleased with how well they look. I think the clothes together look like a sunset at the beach -- tan for the sand and the blue-orange-yellow-white for the color of the sky. Nice! That's what I'll call 'em -- Sunset Dish Clothes!

I've got 2 more to projects to complete, not counting baking I want to do. If I don't get to them today, next Saturday and evening hours this coming week will be the only time I'll have to tackle them. (You can see the fabric for these projects at the bottom of this post.)

Those projects require the sewing machine, so I gotta brave the cold basement to finish 'em up. The snow outside doesn't make it any warmer either!

Luckily, those projects are quick and easy. I just got to make time to finish them.

First, however, I've got an app to fill out and it requires 4 essay questions. So, I'm off to finish that, eat some lunch and then, maybe, begin the projects.