The Totally Not So Secret Secret 2014 Project of Secret Awesomenss!!!!

It has been a while, my friends. Lots of changes have happened in my life that have prevented me from actively pursuing blogging. I hope to change that this coming year. As a way to help ensure that, I will be partaking in an adventure that will see me all the way through 2014.

In collaboration with my good friend, Miss Morgan, we proudly present our newest hairbrained scheme:

THE YEAR LONG BLANKET PROJECT!!!!!

For those of you who don't know, Morgan and I are yarn smiths. We both knit and crochet, and have a passion for a good yarn on our hooks and needles. Mostly, we have made small projects. Hats, scarves, mug cozies, shawls, and Morgan has been adventurous enough to make a baby blanket. But neither of us have been brave enough to try a full sized, can actually wrap an adult in it, blanket. So, that's our challenge. We have each picked a project that we think will not only be a real challenge for our skill sets, but will also become an heirloom for generations to come .

Tomorrow, I'll go into more detail on what projects we're doing. Patterns, yarns, etc.

For now, though, may you all enjoy your New Year's Eve! Happy 2014, everybody!

Fingerless Gloves Crochet Pattern

After looking around ravelry, I couldn't really find a good fingerless glove pattern that I liked. I tried one pattern, but didn't like how the closed rounds looked on the finished glove. So I did what I always do and improvised! These gloves are made in a continuous round. Gauge is not super critical. After Row 1, try glove on to make sure it fits.

Supplies:

• Worsted weight yarn
• Size I crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors or yarn cutter

Chain 22. Slip stitch to join
Row 1: Chain 2. hdc in beginning stitch. hdc around. (22)
Row 2: hdc around. (22)
Row 3 - 8: hdc around. (22)
Row 9: hdc (9), ch 4, sk 4 hdc, hdc (9). (22)
Row 10: hdc (9), hdc 4 in ch 4 spc, hdc (9). (22)
Row 11: hdc around. (22)
Row 12 - beyond: hdc around until desired length is achieved.
Last Row: hdc (20), sc (1), slp st.

Weave in ends.

Notes:

• Add rows for larger palm area between rows 2 - 8
• For gloves longer than wrist length, add an increase at 1st and 11th hdc stitches in rows after wrist length has been achieved. Continue to add increases in rows until width is achieved. In final row, work hdc until last 2 stitches. Then sc 1, slp st. Weave in ends.

New Year's Resolution

I know I'm a little late, but Happy New Year!!! :D

I've worn my family out with all the stuff I've made, so now it's time to flood blogger with them again!

We'll start off with something I consider to be among the COOLEST and most AWESOME things I've made.

My Half-Moon Shawl by Lion Brand. I finished the top blue section and then just went off on my own. I don't think I've ever done a full pattern from start to finish yet. haha

It only took me a week to do, which really surprised me. I had a lot of fun making it.

And a little more info on the yarn.

The light blue is a wonderful angora blend I got from New England Restoration Yarns. Can't recommend them enough.

* The dark blue and olive green is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Tweed in Marine and Dill.

* I also have some green tweed mixed in with the knit picks that I believe is a discontinued color of Rowan Tweed.

* The brown/cream is a locally made alpaca from Coffee Pot Farms. I got it at a local mill festival.


And the link to my ravelry project page.

Plenty more projects coming in 2013! Cheers!

Summer is here?!

So, it's been a while. I've been bad about keeping this updated. Not going to apologize or make silly promises. :)

Things have been crazy around here, like always. Mom's still in school, but the girls are out for the summer. John and I's first anniversary is come and gone. He's now been at his job for over a year. We've moved to the upstairs of the house, so HOLYCRAPSPACE!!!! We've got the whole floor to ourselves which is AMAZING. We're supposed to be getting paint for the bedroom in a few weeks, so once that's done I'll be willing to show it off.

Crafting wise, things are going well. I've now sold three purses on etsy, one to a friend, and have two more commissions. I'm also making one for an online friend, but can't say much more in case she sees this. :)

On to the pictures!

Purse made for my grandma's coworker. And Jass refusing to move out of the way.

 

 She asked for a huge button and two tassels. The coworker, that is.

Some paper cutting I did. I love how Sherlock turned out.

 

A sheep pillow I made for our new bedroom. The blue background fabric is left over from the wedding. I included all of the colors we're planning on using in the new room.

Three other bags I made. The brown and blue ones are origami bags. Very easy to make and are used as gift bags. The tiny one was used for a charm for my mother-in-law's trollbead bracelet for her birthday. The green fairy bag is a flea market bag. I added straps to it and a velcro closure. Love it so much. Planning on making some and putting them in the shop.

 

A flea market bag I made for youngest sis. Made one for middle sis, but she snatched it up before I could take pictures. 

We have a new member in the family. Say hello to Phelix! Someone dropped the little guy off at my in-law's and I couldn't just leave him there. Seriously, he's the coolest cat ever. Very, very chatty and just loves to cuddle. And sleep in weird positions, as you can see. :)


Remember that little, tiny puppy we brought home back in November?

 

This is her now. Rotten thing, but we all love her.

 Ivy and her daddy. :3

Well, that's all for now! I have quite a bit more, but don't want to clog this post with fifty million pictures. 

Have a great week! :D

And we're back!

Talk about a hellish winter! And no, I'm not talking about the lack of snow. We lost quite a few friends and relatives over the season. But spring is now here ripe with new possibilities!

I am happy to announce that I have finally put merchandise in my etsy shop. I have two purses listed at the moment, but hope to put quite a bit more up in the next few days. I have one person who is ordering a purse from me from reddit, which makes me so friggin happy. I never really thought my stuff was good enough to sell, so it was a bit surprising. It's given me a boost and I'm going to try and keep the momentum going! I have so many plans for Ribbon Whimsy and I can't wait to see of they pan out.

In other news, the spring craft show at the Dover Armory snuck up on me! My mother-in-law called me a week before and asked me how much I had done. The silence was profound, to say the least. I managed to throw some flower pins and hair clips together and made a decent $32. We're planning on being there for the fall craft show on November 10th & 11th. Mark your calender, kids!

Can't leave you without some pictures!

This one is up for grabs in the shop!

So is this one!

 Can't have this one. It's mine. :)

 And one for the middle sister!

Visit the shop! I take custom orders! http://www.etsy.com/shop/RibbonWhimsy

I miss it! I miss my beautiful snow! I'm one of those crazy people that LOVES the snow. I could live in the arctic year round and be as happy as can be. This bizarre weather has me and the whole family all sneezey and snuffly. I'm just now getting over a cold that lasted two weeks.

On to crafts! I'm currently in five different craft exchanges at the moment. Four are rematches for a fall craft exchange and one is a winter craft exchange. I've been working hard on making something special for each one. I'm also working on some stuff for friends. And a few things that started out for friends but I love too much to let them go. Such are the trials of a crafter. :)

 

Wrapped yarn wreath.

 

Felt roses and brass wire.

 

Doesn't the yarn look like birch wood?

 

The brass wire pieces are left over ornament hangers.

 

Standing pincushion.

 

Vintage button.

 

Needle books.

 

Extremely geeky and awesome needle books.

 

Knitting needle holder.

 

Sewing the pockets on that pink fabric was crazy!

 

I should have more done in the next week or so. Until then, enjoy your Valentine's Day!

The Generosity of Redditors

In just 20 hours, my fellow redditors have raised $73,000 for an orphanage in Kenya, far surpassing the mere $2,000 originally needed to build a wall to protect them. I'm so shocked and humbled by the fact that we were able to do so much good for so many people. With this money, not only will they be able to build a wall, but they can outright buy their land, and get much needed supplies. Truly, humanity isn't as doomed as some of us think.

Here are a few links:

Blog Post summarizing what happened

Original Reddit Post

A Thank You from Omari

Latest Reddit post with pictures of happy kids!

Where you can donate

I've never been prouder of an online community! Reddit regularly donates to a whole spectrum of organizations and events throughout the world. I love you, guys! Keep up the awesome work!