Cornflower Blue: February 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

DIY for Knitters & Crocheters :: How to Organize Bits of Yarn

Knitters and crocheters know that throwing out leftover bits of yarn is crazy - you can always use them for something! Some decorative edging, making little hearts, or tying up packages. But we also know that it's crazy to have a million little balls of leftover yarn laying tangled up in a basket, box, or bag. It makes us crazy when we need to find a color and have to un-knot it from the mass of yarn still in the basket. Those little balls never stay neatly wound!

Well, gather up your tiny bits of yarn because I'm going to show you how to organize them once and for all!

This little tutorial is so simple that it hardly needs written instructions! Just gather up your bits of yarn, wind them around wooden clothespins, and clip the loose end in the mouth of the clothespin.

Ta da!

I like wooden clothespins better than plastic ones because they have a little texture to them, which hold the yarn on the body of the clothespin without slipping off (and I just don't like plastic too much, anyway).

Now you can put your yarn back into its basket, box, or bag without it getting all ratty and tangled. In fact, this idea is so cute you may want to display your favorite yarns in a little ceramic bowl!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

{Edwardian Girl}

I added this Edwardian Girl to the shop over the weekend - I'm so pleased with the final project! The photograph is a copy of a vintage photo from my own collection (marked from Hill studio in Toledo, Ohio). I think her lacy white blouse seems to be Edwardian in style... any thoughts?

I've been watching episodes of Victorian Farm and Edwardian Farm online and they are incredible - I love learning how average people went about daily life!

I used my favorite shades of DMC Perle thread in this piece and I love how they pop against the white.

Monday, February 27, 2012

time to go outside (and make some apple butter).

I was able to squeeze in a little outdoors time over the weekend - we've had some nice weather so it was time to enjoy it! Today I have a bit of sock knitting in mind, as well as canning some apple butter (I saw a great deal on apples at the grocery store this week!). I'm looking forward to breaking out my big canning pot and getting to work... I may make some pear chutney,too, we'll see how ambitious I get!

I've mentioned it before, but one of my favorite books for canning is this one and I have a vintage BHG canning recipe book that I use, too. Do any of you have favorite canning recipes? I'd love to hear about them!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

{deep teal}

New in the shop!

I love teal blue : )

Friday, February 24, 2012

DIY Photo Jars (a fun weekend project!)

These jars are a great little project - even kids can have fun making them with pictures of themselves or their friends. I think they would be really cute with old yearbook photos, as well. These are great for holding desk supplies, craft supplies, or even packaging little gifts. How funny to give your siblings some cookies in a jar that has their weird picture from 1984 on it : )

You'll need a photocopy of some favorite photos (I'm using some photos of me as a kid that my mom gave me over the holidays), scissors, Mod Podge, a paint brush or sponge brush, and glass jars (my jars used to hold salsa and peanut butter, so they are medium sized). You can also add decorations like yarn or ribbon if you like.

First, cut out your photocopied pictures. You can cut them into squares & rectangles, or cut around the figures to accentuate a funny pose (like me acting like a ballerina when I was 4).

Next, apply Mod Podge to the back of each photo and press it smoothly onto the glass jar.

Then, brush a layer of Mod Podge over the photo to seal it. If you are a messy Mod Podge-er (like me) you can use a damp cloth to wipe off the extra around the edges.

Let the jars dry completely. Now you can add some fun colored ribbon or yarn around the top for decoration.

Voila! Use them in whatever creative way you choose!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

{studio day}

Today I'll be listening to Fleet Foxes and working in the studio (with one small break to return an almost-due library book). Have a nice day!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

new designs in the shop

I added these new designs to the shop...

because who doesn't love nerds & moms?

(answer: everybody loves nerds & moms)

I like to upgrade

A few days ago I mentioned that I was upgrading some of the materials I use to make embroidered notes - well, my supply order has arrived so I'm ready to let you in on the details!

I'll now be using a new, eco friendly quilt batting called Dream Green - it is made 100% from recycled plastic bottles! It takes 10 post-consumer plastic bottles to make one pound of quilt batting, and this product is also free of resins and dyes.

I have also upgraded my embroidery floss to a 100% bamboo floss purchased at my local yarn shop (you know I love to support local businesses!). I decided to switch to bamboo thread instead of plain cotton because it is fast growing and does not require pesticide application (whereas cotton production uses 16% of the world's insecticides - more than any other crop - and it takes almost 1/3 lb. of synthetic fertilizers to produce 1 lb. of raw cotton). A bamboo grove also releases 35% more oxygen than a similar sized stand of trees.

Also, this embroidery floss is just beautiful and great to work with. Bamboo floss has a feel similar to silk, but it is less expensive and vegan friendly : )

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

vintage sock pattern... a pleasant surprise!

A while back I mentioned that I found a really cool knitting pattern for socks that don't have a heel (originally mentioned here). Well, I've been testing out the pattern and I'm ready to report on it! This sock pattern is from the book Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush - it's a pretty interesting book that includes sock patterns published 100 years ago with updated suggestions for yarns, gauges, and the like. When I saw a pattern for a sock that didn't require turning a heel I was very intrigued, but I wasn't sure exactly how it would work in real life. I've now finished one sock and I am soooo happy to report that this pattern actually works quite well! The patterned stitch sort of spirals around the foot, so a heel naturally forms wherever your heel falls in the sock without too much looseness in the foot.

So if you hate turning the heel on a pair of socks, you have reason to rejoice!

This pattern is for you : )

One thing I was worried about with a vintage pattern (as with any vintage pattern for knitting or sewing) is the sizing... older patterns and sizes don't always fit a modern person the way you would expect (in other words they are usually too small!). In knitting this pattern with sock yarn on the 2.75mm needles I always use for socks, I found that to be true with this pattern as well - I am a smallish person, and I think the leg of this sock is a little snug. I can definitely wear it, but I'd like to have a little more ease in the way it fits on my leg.

The solution is simple, though! Since the pattern repeats in multiples of 4 stitches I'm simply going to add 12 stitches to the cast on and work it as the pattern calls for, then add a few more decreases at the toe. Really easy, and I still don't have to turn a heel!

If you'd like to find this pattern in Knitting Vintage Socks, it's called a "Sleeping Sock" and it's on page 53. If you try it or take a look at the book I'd love to hear what you think!

Would you ever consider knitting a heel-less sock?

Monday, February 20, 2012

(a new design for teachers)

I added a new embroidered note design to the shop last week - I thought it would be a really cute end-of-the-school-year gift for teachers!

I also have two more new designs coming up, they are embroidered but I have to finish sewing them up (I'm planning on doing that this afternoon).

Happy Monday : )

Friday, February 17, 2012

{super cute}

Can I share a couple of really cute things with you today?

First, Cats as Fonts.

What's the difference between a Helvetica cat and a Courier cat? Find out.

Second, Stuff Knitters Say.

Do you see a part of yourself in this video?

(Thanks, Nancy!)

Third, a really cute project made by Mariona using my How to Crochet a Heart

tutorial! I love how she decorated the jar!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

into the world...

My three newest pieces have officially been sent out into the world, on their way to the fiber arts festival.

Handing them over at the post office was a little stressful... all I could think was "if these get lost in the mail I will freak out!"

I also found out that one of my pieces (this one) is going to be featured in the Etsy Summer 2012 Lookbook and my organic cotton crochet arm warmers pattern is going to be in the next Classic Elite Yarns web-letter!

I'm so excited : )

I have so much work to do before the weekend... I think I had better get started!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

DIY Rotating Goal List

Here's an easy way to keep track of the every-rotating lists of goals we all have!

You'll need post-it notes, a pencil, markers, a ruler, and an 11 x 14 inch piece of bristol board or heavy card stock.

Start by sketching out a simple layout with your pencil. I left a half-inch border around the entire design, then added a 4.5 x 10 inch rectangle at the top of the page. Use the bottom section of the page to add six three inch squares, evenly spaced. And one more square inside the rectangle, too!

Now you can use your markers to fill in the design with lettering, doodles, borders, or whatever you like!

Next you need to decide on the time frame for your goals - are these weekly goals, things you want to accomplish this month, this season? It's up to you, and you can always change it because you can switch out the post-it note whenever you like. I decided to make my goals for the week this time.

Now fill in your goal squares with more post-its. You can put the most pressing goals first, and order the rest in terms of importance. Remove the goals as they are accomplished so you can keep track of your progress : )

I used a little silver clip to hang my list where I can see it as I work.

Leave me a comment if you make a list - I'd love to hear about it!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

{things going on in my little world}

I've added this new piece to the shop this week - it's made with cotton yarn from the Mirasol Project, which supports communities in Peru and continues the Peruvian tradition of textile arts. Plus, it's gorgeous yarn!

I'm also super happy to be featured on Geek Crafts this week : ) Yes, I'm nerdy, crafty, and I love cats. And proud of it.

And I'm really excited about some new supplies! I have now upgraded the embroidery thread I use on all the embroidered notes to a beautiful bamboo thread from a local shop and I have ordered some new batting that is made from recycled plastic bottles - amazing! I love finding cool materials to use.

I'll let you know as soon as the batting arrives and my notes get that eco-friendly boost : )

My first shop update newsletter is also scheduled to be sent out today (with a special coupon code). If you aren't on my newsletter list you can sign up by clicking the box in the side bar!

{modern cat lady}

Last night I was browsing through Etsy looking for cool, modern cat stuff - and I was not disappointed! Here is a collection for all the modern cat ladies out there (myself included)!

tinyconfession... $12.00	JennasRedRhino $69.00	rctees $35.00	CANOPYstudio $790.00
lovebybean $6.50	modernistcat $449.00	TrueTreatsPetB... $7.00	AtomicAttic $129.00
ModPet $130.00	hairbrainedsch... $15.00	GoodNiteGracie $8.00	moderncat $95.00
Janefoster $20.00	vaivanat $59.00	ModernPetPortr... $55.00	AtomicAttic $179.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

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