E-Z Self-Fabric Buttons

 In progress: McCall 6256

The kit for the self-fabric buttons is so cute. On the front it makes the claim - make them round or flat. When you turn the card over to get the instructions the flat version is made by smashing them flat. copyright 1957 by E-Z Buckle, Inc. 

Finished: Covered lampshade with granny chic crochet edging.

the instructions for crochet edgings can be found here

the covered lampshade tutorial I used  

Crochet Adorned review

What a great book. It is full of cute project ideas.
I took some time today to work on the cluster trim shown.
The crochet thread is from the thrift store, and it just happened to exactly match some knit jersey in the stash. I'm in the process of beefing up my top shortage.

more Linda Permann

My MMMay photo for day three is here. My fourteen year old photographer has serious focus issues. I fired him last night. Although he hid it well - I could tell that he is just crushed.

Crochet fingerless gloves...

patterns can be found here

My sewing machine has been in Tennessee since November 25. The Pfaff service department completely went through the machine for a cleaning, and to fix a timing issue. This is the machine that I use every day. I have been in total withdrawal. When I'm not pouting, I'm using this down time for yarn-y projects.

I found this pattern on etsy. The designer is while they play. She also offers the pattern for the longer length, which she calls the Audrey fingerless glove. When I went over to get the link, I noticed that she's put new patterns on. She offers both crochet and knit patterns. If you want to cut to the chase, I see she's got several items already made up. I have posted a pattern review for both pairs on ravelry.

disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the designer or her shop. I'm just a fan, and love to share the work of other indie designers.

Crafting Japanese

I have a huge fondness for Japanese Craft Books. I have collected a few, and have actually used them to make several items, all sewn.
I stumbled upon some crochet books - written of course- in Japanese. Just for one little second lets ignore the fact that I'm a fairly inexperienced crocheter, not to mention I cannot read a word of Japanese, not one word.

How could I resist? The cute factor is just to great.

Cute.

Cute.

So... I'm boldly forging ahead. The crochet patterns are all on schematic charts. Because this method is international, there are several sites online that offer information on how to follow this method of crochet. The information that I found even suggested that the system was invented by the Japanese in the 1960's. For many years it was referred to as the JIS (Japanese International Symbol) system.
The premise being, that if there is only one set of symbols - internationally recognized- language would not matter, as you would only need to know the symbols to "read" the pattern.

Excellent.
Now, I just need to know a few key phrases to get my needle size and yarn type/weight.

I purchased this pattern book here. You can also find this seller here. I have shopped this store before - numerous times - and have always been happy with the transactions.
The book is called 18 projects of Making Room Hats
Publisher Nihon Vogue Sha Nov.'06
I am unable at this time to find an isbn #

Fat Bottomed Bag

I found this vintage enamel pin and put it on my crochet bag. It occurred to me that I've never posted the fat bottomed bag finished. The project was from some time back.

I added my own lining, the pattern doesn't call for one. I just flattened the bag (before I added the band that gathers it all up) as much as I could. This became my lining pattern. I gathered the lining onto a velvet ribbon to hide the edge, and hand sewed it into place.

Some of the paint has chipped off, but I think it makes the pin even more charming.
I love the bag, but my kids say it looks like an old grandma bag. I'm off to run errands, rockin' the old grandma look.

Swirls Cap

I found this newsboy cap pattern - offered by Sophia Kessinger on ravelry. It was just screamin' to be made up. What a fun project. I now own two of these. The wool is vintage, and is a denim color with a cool under tone of brown.

The flower accessory is also offered in the pattern. I'm not wild about it on the cap. I'll probably put a pin on the back and wear it on a jacket. Not at the same time.
The fabric that I used as my backdrop in this photo is the lining for the handbag I'm working on.

Ravelry you are totally messing with my sewing mojo.

happy feet

Last fall I learned to crochet. My first project was a granny square pillow. The original plan was to add crochet detail to the knitted projects I planned on completing. Now it is fall again, and I've yet to complete one knitted project.
I did discover that I really like to crochet.
I expressed at one point how it is just too bad I can't make shoes - as the shoes I covet are usually way out of my budget.
That's right, now I make shoes. I tried two different versions. The black version has hemp on the bottom and can be worn to the mailbox. The yellow pair has wool on the bottom and I consider it more of a slipper.
I know, hippie shoes.
I found this pattern on ravalry. It is for sale on etsy here. The pattern is well written and has lots of high quality pictures.

If only I could make them look like these.
These shoes are from anthropologie - this season

On the cutting table...or when did this turn into a knitty blog?

Why?
Because Julie Holetz says, "A girl can never have too many bags, especially if she can make them herself." So I am 3/4 of the way to having a fat-bottom bag, and I have new shoes. I am a Happy Hooker .

fini

Grannys Pillow

Although I have not received an official diagnosis, I am fairly certain I suffer from Crafty ADD. I am only hoping someone (anyone) can relate. This project went something like this.
I want to make a granny pillow. I am sure that I can remember the crochet stitches I learned when I was ten-ish. Several hours and You Tube ( great resource for crochet tutorials by the way) later I am going for it. I realize that I do not have anything to keep my unfinished project in. Short break for a quick (?) fabric box to hold the crochet project. The vintage fabric matches the wool I am using. Yes, that's the box in the upper left corner. You might have noticed (although I am sure that you are to kind to mention) the box is unfinished. Oh, did I forget to mention that I am making this pillow to give as a gift? That I have an actual deadline to meet? Snap. Back to the pillow. So her birthday has come and gone. I had to give her an unfinished pillow with the promise that I will get it done soon.
Hey, where did I put that lavender silk yarn I used to have. Didn't it just match that boiled wool jacket that I found at the thrift store that is just begging to be refashioned?
And sew it goes...

a special thank you to my friends Stephanie and Lesli for the crochet help