Aren't the monsters cute?After I made my first batch of bibs, I realized that I didn't really know how big they had to be - I had just downloaded a template from the internet somewhere, and it seemed like the neckholes were really small. So, for this set I went with a different fastening method - pretty blue ribbon. I thought that might make it easier to actually fit them on a child.

Then, I realized that, having never put a bib on a baby, I didn't know if that would be annoying or not. So, to the moms out there - ribbon ties on bibs, annoying or not?

I've also been having some fun knitting squares for this charity. When I graduated from college, my grandmother bought me a copy of the Complete Guide to Needlework, and so I've been trying out different stitch patterns. However, I've had some trouble with my February charity, Knitting and Giving - their site says to email them for an address, and they haven't responded to my emails! Guess I'll just have to send the hats the same way as the squares. I've been having so much fun knitting squares, I've decided to make that one my April charity as well (I can still meet my goal of doing 12 different charities because of my unexpected donation to the Appalachia Service Project).

It has been fun to look into different charities - I'm keeping an eye on CraftHope, hoping they will begin a new project soon!

Happy Spring (almost!)

Despite the fact that it snowed twice last week, the crocuses outside my door are beginning to bloom. So...
A happy spring bunny, and an improvised Easter "basket" for him. Here's what it looks like empty...

Tutorials here and here.

I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with the result.

I donated this one to an arts auction - the proceeds go to send local kids on an Appalachia Service Project.

Babies, babies everywhere!

Two of the lovely people I work with are having babies this spring...so last week we had a little department shindig to celebrate and, of course, give adorable baby-sized gifts. I had already shown you these a few weeks back:And I added these to a gift for my friend Jen, who had her baby boy this past weekend.
Bib and burpcloth - so easy, yet so cute!

My friend Andy and his wife are having a girl, so I went a different route for them.


I made this little blanket, and instead of cotton batting I used a fleece blanket I had in my stuff-to-be-crafted box. Warm and snuggly! I quilted over the little hearts on the design so you can see them from the back (picture, as usual, isn't great, but what can you do?)

I have always liked baby projects because there is instant gratification!

Creative Space

One thing that I do not have in my current living arrangements...creative space. Hubby and I live in a one-bedroom condo, and my sewing machine sits in a corner, all alone.

I need a space like this one.
With a cute little dog!
This is my nana's studio. She lets me share sometimes.
Look at all the cool stuff she has made!
Feeling inspired...here's what I'm working on :)Doesn't look like much yet, I know...but I have high hopes!

March Charity: Knit-A-Square

My camera is on the fritz, so I'll have to wait a bit before posting pictures, but I have a dozen hats to donate to knitting and giving. They'll be in the mail in a few days. My mom made one too! It was a lot of fun to play around with different types of yarn and different gauges to get different sizes and styles.

For my March charity, I've chosen...
Knit-A-Square asks knitters to knit 8" squares, which are then sewn together to make blankets which are given to AIDS orphans in South Africa. These children are often abandoned and live in abject poverty, so this charity looks to provide warmth and comfort.

Here are their goals for 2011:
I loved knitting hats, so I might make a few more of those, but I think I'll try some squares too. The blankets they make look so warm!
For these squares, you can use any type of yarn, and any type of stitch you like, as long as they are warm and cozy!I'm looking forward to getting into this one! For more information, check out http://www.knit-a-square.com/index.html!

Goal #2: Use what you've got!

Goal number one, if you recall, was to give to charity.

I've made some progress on this one. At the end of the month, I will send a donation of hand-knitted baby caps to Knitting and Giving, who will distribute them to families in need. I like to think of these cute little caps keeping heads warm!
Given the ridiculous amounts of snow we've gotten this winter, I think these will be particularly helpful. I didn't bother taking pictures of the duplicates, but I've got 7 done to date. Not bad for the busiest month of my year!My favorites are these cute little cabled ones. They were sort of an improvised pattern, but I'm quite pleased with the result.

That takes me to Goal #2: Use what you've got!.
I've mentioned before that Keith and I live in a very small condo. So, the overflowing bins of fiber and fabric are getting a little overwhelming. These little hats are a great way to use up bits of leftover yarn.

I've also been working on some odds and ends for some friends having babies this spring - all from things I had around the house!
I used this tutorial for the bib, although I ended up improvising a bit with the edging. The author of the tutorial described using a zigzag stitch on the bias tape, but I couldn't get it to catch the front and the back evenly, so I went for a more time-consuming method and attached the bias tape the same way you would attach a quilt binding. Still, given the trial-and-error, the whole thing probably only took an hour. Then, I used an old towel to make a matching burp cloth. Perfect!

And today's project: a great scrap-buster for a Valentine's gift for hubby. I was inspired by my friend Carole Ann's beautiful quilt here, which directed me to this method for making improvised quilt blocks. I had also been thinking of making one of these, which led me to combine all these ideas.
Keith carries around an old composition notebook everywhere, so I thought I would fancy it up a bit. It's not perfect - I definitely learned from the process and when I do this again I will make some changes. But I think it's a cool combination of ideas anyway :)

Also in the works: a non-goal-related project, which is neither for charity nor makes use of my stash. But, I'm going to give this a try anyway.