Sunday, January 25, 2015

I made something other than mittens!

My visiting uncle wanted a scarf. But not just any scarf.
A scrappy scarf. 
 And I just happen to know where there is a sweater hill.
(the person below is not my uncle, he's my husband. 
He agreed to model in something other than work overalls. :})
It was intended to be 6 feet. It finished much longer than that.
  A serged scarf with black thread. My machine had white. So I hesitantly, with fear and in a calm manner, breathed deeply and changed the treads. All 3 of them without too much aggravation.
 It was fun. It was different. It will be done again. Maybe I'll start with a cowl.
 Is it winter where you are? We had a ton of this in the past week!
Have a good one!
Amanda

Thursday, January 15, 2015

craft making

Howdy!
Well, winter has set in and regular routine has taken it's hold again.
There's been less screen time in this house to make some of these instead.
 It comes from the book The Cuter Book by Aranzi Aronzo
The kids love this book because 1. the felt friends are cute, 2. the instructions are amazingly illustrated.
I get them to trace the pattern and cut it out, then I cut it from felt. 
They don't want to mess up the felt cutting so they leave that to the pro. :} 
Their stitching has improved.
 I even made the bunnies. (sorry sucky cell phone picture)
 Here are a few other feltie books we've enjoyed looking through and pondering over which to do next.
 I was so happy when Mollie Makes had an American edition and so sad when they canceled it.
But, to their credit, Mollie Makes UK are honouring their North American subscriptions by substituting with the UK version. A great win. (I regret that I didn't sign up for a 2 year subscription).
The UK version usually comes with a gift. And yes, they sent it over here too.
Cool beans.
 Even though the Christmas Mitten rush is over, I still get calls for mittens. I really need to stock up for such calls, as sometimes, people are just passing through and are not able to wait for a few days while I make them. There are some though, that live just close enough to put in an order.
Thank you. I've been busy.
 And then, this happened!
 My lovely sailor boy turned 11!!!
But now, in this winter season, he's skating boy!
And that makes me so happy.
 This is not our pond, but the neighbour's field that floods. Perfect. It's a long one too.
Now our sailing and scooter boy can enjoy the outdoors in the winter. And that he does!

It's been a white winter wonderland in these parts.
Even the birds look good.
Have a good one,
Amanda

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Bunnies!

Last year, I made this guy
And this past month, I made a girl.
(please excuse these photos. 
New cell phone camera, pressed for time and space and no chance for retake)
I did enjoy making her and her reversible dress.
So much so, I made another boy too! For a wee baby and his bigger sister.
 It was so lovely to sew for me! Something that wasn't mittens. 
I spent the day adding details, revelling in the hand stitching because I had the time to do it.
Do you like them? You can make your own.
Bunny pattern can be found in Abby Glassenberg's book

Ciao,
Amanda