Dobby Redux

Better photos of Dobby from the internet revealed that he does in fact have...some hair on top of his head.

Printing cards...

With the garden slowing down, I've squeezed in a little time for printing and I'm thinking it's time to make some new Christmas cards.  This design idea came to me while I was out picking tomatoes and couldn't wait to come back inside to try it out!  I'm experimenting with different papers and colors and welcome any suggestions!

Sunflower Bouquet

Since I've been busy gardening and not had much time for crafting lately, I decided to post a photo of some sunflowers that have finally begun to bloom in my garden.
They had been growing taller and taller and I was beginning to wonder if they would just keep on gowing and not produce any flowers, but then one day, there they were!  I think they were worth the wait!

small crocheted containers

I've been needing some little containers for holding various small things and these crocheted bowls serve the purpose very nicely!  They are so easy to make and it's fun choosing the different color combinations.  I've filled one bowl with some flower appliques which are quick to make with the leftover yarn.

Dobby Meets Sock Monkey

A recent trip to western Massachusetts gave me an opportunity to introduce Dobby, the House Elf to Sock Monkey. My best friend Susan posted this picture on her blog, http://westernmassfengshui.blogspot.com/ . I had to post it here to show off a couple of my crochet projects that ended up somewhere else and provided much amusement. Another house elf is under construction by a Kingdom Krafter in town. And another sock monkey will be given to my friend Susan for a gift. More adorable pictures to come when Dobby meets another sock monkey.
This is silly, but somehow "such fun".

The World

Ocean

Beaver Pond

The crocheted world, became Ellie's World recently. Once she understood the different habitats, the world became populated with a variety of creatures and things. From the beavor pond, downstream to the cranberry bog, Christmas tree plantation, wheat field, flower garden with beehives, veggie garden, and finally to the rocky shore and sandy beach of the ocean, creatures, aliens, and miscellaneous objects filled the world and became a play stage for all sorts of activities, including the Teddy Bears picnic, sung by me.

Crochet cotton facial pads

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been enjoying making little crocheted drawstring bags and then I found a nice scalloped pattern for these little facial pads that fit perfectly in the bags, so I made a set of 6 in coordinating colors.  Rather than being thrown away like disposables, these eco-friendly facial pads can be placed in a washer and used over and over again.  They are made from 100% American grown cotton and are so soft and absorbant!  They are available for purchase at RebasPrints.etsy.com or on the etsy link on the sidebar of this blog.

Crocheted Lobster Buoys

The weather turned on us during our vacation on Grand Manan Island this week. With so many lobster buoys to look at here, I had to crochet a few. I don't think that crochet is done here, just knitting, so many people came up to look at them in the cafe today. These are very easy, make use of left over scraps of yarn, and look best with pieces of bamboo skewers. They are about 5-6 in long and the base is somewhere around 14 SC in circumference. Would be good xmas ornaments, too. 

Crocheting pouches

I've been enjoying making these little pouches with leftover balls of cotton yarn,

They make ideal gift containers for round facial scrubbies, but could also contain

various other small items.  It's fun experimenting with different colors of yarn for 

the trim and ties.  I'd like to look for some large wooden beads that could be used

to fasten the ties.  The pattern was free on a ball of Coats and Clark's, "Creme de la 

Creme" cotton yarn.

Table Weavings

The weaving that I did on the rigid heddle loom, see earlier post, was finished and used on the table tonight. 2 placemats and a table runner, turned sideways on the end of the table. That way I can still keep the lazy susan. It is very satisfying to weave something and then actually use it in the house. I suppose "real " weavers that I know do this all the time, but for me, brand new to this, I find it extremely satisfying. So much so that I am going to get another loom, one the folds and can travel, only 24 in wide, but perfect for table runners and placemats. I plan to take it on vacation with me, sit and weave looking out over the ocean, etc. glass of wine...etc. So this weaving thing is just about the best craft that I have discovered, thanks to good friends who encourage me.