ginger and i have been busy
Thursday, January 03, 2008Labels: craftiness
A couple of years ago, my best friend Jess made me an awesome blanket. It folds up into its own little pouch to become a pillow. When I started sewing last year Josh asked if I would make him one. I agreed so we bought the material. Knight Light got so busy this past fall that I didn't have time to even think about sewing something. Finally on New Year's day I started (and finished) his blanket/pillow.
I've really been putting my new sewing machine (Ginger) to work! Josh also asked if I could make a laptop sleeve out of an old t-shirt. I pretty much had to wing this one but I made the sleeve, added batting and put in some lining. I thought for sure the laptop wouldn't fit when I was done. But it does!
I'm still working through my Bend-the-Rules Sewing book but now I have received Amy Butler's In Stitches and Last Minute Fabric Gifts. I can't wait to try my hand at other projects!
mittens
Tuesday, December 18, 2007Labels: craftiness
We got quite a bit of winter weather this weekend. When I'm stuck indoors I love to be crafting. I had the idea to make a couple little felt mitten ornaments. I drew a little mitten on cardstock and cut out the felt. Once I made one, I decided I should do a few more because I had other ideas.
I ended up making fifteen of them. No idea what I'm going to do with them. I am thinking about looking for a little tree on clearance after Christmas and hang them all together. I thought I could crochet a long skinny "scarf" to use as a garland.
I think they turned out pretty cute. Quite honestly I could have kept going! Just an easy way to burn off a little bit of creative energy...
it was like coming home
Thursday, December 06, 2007Labels: craftiness
I started crocheting again this past weekend. I haven't crocheted in months, maybe almost a year. Last Christmas a friend of mine paid me to make a bunch of scarves for her to give as gifts. I think I burnt myself out because after that I couldn't pick up a crochet hook.
One of my goals for the weekend was to crochet again. I made a scarf this weekend and already finished another last night. I'm on a roll. Now my goal is to use up as much of my yarn stash as I can so I don't feel bad buying more.
more sewing, this time with snaps!
Thursday, August 09, 2007Labels: craftiness
I made some baby bibs last week. Three actually, for three different babies... I picked out the fabric (polka dots on front and green flannel on the back) and could hardly wait to get started. I tried out snaps for the first time which was exciting. Oh good grief, did I just say that snaps were exciting? I am such a dork. Actually my future sister-in-law, Emily, called me a "cornball" when she found out I bought fabric for the shower to just sew my own tablecloths and runners. I laughed out loud when she said that.
That's alright. I like being a crafty cornball.
party planning
Wednesday, August 08, 2007Labels: craftiness, family matters
My mom and I hosted a bridal shower for my future sister-in-law, Emily, on Sunday. We had such a good time planning it. We decided to go with a brown and pink theme and all of the food was chocolate related (expect for fruit and dip). Emily loves chocolate! I bought material from Hobby Lobby to make the tablecloths and table runner. It was much cheaper than buying something and all I did was hem up the ends. My mom made the killer food (check out those linzer cookies!).
I guess my mom and I teaming up was a crazy combination. Not only do we think alike, get excited about stuff like this but we love to plan parties. I have been reading blogs like Hostess with the Mostess so I was all revved up for this. It was simple and classy but not too formal or stuffy. I mean, can the party really be stuffy with tissue paper pom poms hanging from the ceiling? I think the shower was definitely a success.
learning to sew
Thursday, July 26, 2007About a month ago I got the book Bend-the-Rules Sewing. I consider myself a fairly crafty person; however, my sewing isn't very good. I have sewed a hem on a tablecloth I made. I didn't wash the fabric first and must have not sewed it very well because it got shredded the first time I washed. I did sew most of the curtains in my house, but really how hard is that? Labels: craftiness
I took the one sewing class offered when I was in high school. Actually technically I think it was a general Home Ec class that spent a couple weeks sewing. I made an awesome nightgown. Anyway, since "borrowing" my mom's sewing machine over a year ago I have really wanted to sew. When I saw that book by the lady who writes a blog I read, I knew I had to get it. Last night I made this:
It's called "Simple Tote" although I didn't think it was all that simple. I ripped out a seam twice. It turned out alright though. I used leftover fabric from my little camera case.
Since Josh was reading Harry Potter all evening I sat out in the kitchen and worked on this bag. I finally finished it and proudly took it in to show Josh. He looked it over and decided that it looked very cool except then he said, "What will you use it for?".
Hmmm.... Does that matter? I made it myself!!
jewelry as art
Wednesday, April 18, 2007Labels: craftiness
I have been increasingly frustrated with my tangled mess of necklaces. It's not like I have a ton of jewelry... It just was really hard to keep my fun things untangled and organized. Because they were such a mess I usually forgot what I had or just wouldn't take the time to wear one.
Well I had this idea a while ago (or maybe I saw it on a blog somewhere...who can remember), to buy an open back picture frame and use it for my necklaces. Josh and I hunted down some chicken wire-like backing at Menard's last weekend. All I needed was some little "S" hooks and I was ready to go. (Of course that's after Josh attached the wire to the back of the frame and cut his hand.)
I'm not sure where I'm going to hang it yet (for now it's stuck randomly on my wall) but I love being able to see a bunch of my necklaces at one time.
taggie
Friday, January 19, 2007Tuesday night when I was at my sister-in-law's playing with Kate, we were talking about baby toys. The first thing Kate does is put the tags in her mouth. Missy mentioned that she should get some of those taggies. I had never heard of them before but would you believe the very next day there was a tutorial on one of the craft blogs I read! How weird is that. So Wednesday night I headed to Hobby Lobby for some fabric and ribbon. I whipped one up that night. Labels: craftiness
I pretty much followed the tutorial except that mine is slightly smaller and I put some batting in the middle so it was squishy. I found those two fabrics in the clearance bin and I thought they were perfect together. I can't wait to give it to Kate!
etsy shop
Wednesday, November 01, 2006Labels: craftiness
Hey, hey . . . new scarves on in my etsy store. And just in time for Christmas shopping!
weekend part 1
Sunday, October 08, 2006Whew...it was one of those weekends. Crammed fun of goodness. My good friends, Jess and Nicole, came for a visit. We kicked Josh out on Friday night so we could drink wine, make crafty things, and girl talk. Saturday we painted pottery which is always a blast. Labels: craftiness
It takes a lot of creative energy to do that! So great to see the girls and have some crafty fun. Thanks for coming girls!
yarn and crocheting
Tuesday, September 05, 2006Labels: craftiness
I have been crocheting up a storm this weekend. In the past two weeks I think I've finshed 5 scarves, 2 ipod cases and I'm almost done with a 6th scarf! Be on the look out for updates to my Etsy shop.
My day off was pretty good. I spent the day cleaning, loafing around, visiting with my little momma and cuddling with my puppy. Oh...and of course, crocheting. I've been working through my leftovers so that I can finally buy some new yarn. I always feel like I can't buy new yarn until I get rid of a bunch of the old stuff. Sometimes I hate being so practical.
robots and such
Monday, August 21, 2006Labels: craftiness
What a beautiful weekend! This weather is amazing. I absolutely love having the apartment opened up. It makes this rundown place seem more like home. I crocheted up a storm this weekend...trying to get my little etsy shop ready for fall. Josh and I spent a lot of time with Brett this weekend which was fun. (After you watch that video of Brett, check out Long Awkward Pose...funny stuff.)
The guys spent most of yesterday evening making a robot costume (flickr photos) for a speech Brett has to give on Tuesday (he's Student Body President). It was a good weekend. Now it's back to the daily grind and wishing for next weekend...
weekend rehashed
Monday, August 14, 2006On Saturday Josh and I headed up to the bank to talk to the home loan guy. We really just needed to figure out what we're up against. I left the meeting feeling very encouraged, like we're actually on the right track. The bank guy was very impressed with our credit scores. He showed us some different options on buying a house. After the meeting Josh and I walked out and were already on the same page. We've decided to stay in the apartment for at least another year so that we can save up a down payment on a house. I'm going to pay off my car hopefully by the end of year and then save, save, save.... I'm excited to fill like we have a P.O.A. (plan of attack). Unless a house comes up that we can't pass up before we have a down payment saved, we'll be going with that option. Labels: craftiness, kodachrome
Saturday was pretty much a blur after the meeting... I cleaned like crazy. Ran over to see some friends that were in town. My brother got home for the weekend. My good friend, Erin, stopped by. Ate supper at my parents. Went to a little party for the friends that were in town and then hung out with my brother.
I also made a scarf this weekend. Erin brought me a birthday present of fall-colored yarn! I was so excited that I couldn't wait to start it. It is so yummy, I can't wait until fall to wear it.
This picture also showcases the lens I got from my parents! They decided not to wait until Wednesday to give me my birthday present so instead I got it yesterday. The 50 mm lens I was desperate for!! It's AMAZING. I cannot wait to test it out some more (especially on Kate!).
camera case
Friday, July 14, 2006Labels: craftiness
Last night I did what any self respecting crafty person would do if they just got a new camera. I sewed up a little case for it. As you can see from the sitches it's probably one of the worse sewed but I like it and it'll do for now. I just needed something to put the little guy in before I "toss" it in my purse. It's going to be perfect to have tonight when Josh and I go to our friend's wedding.
Screenprinting Part 2
Thursday, March 09, 2006Labels: craftiness
Screen Printing and Boots
Monday, March 06, 2006It was a good weekend. Too fast, of course. Josh and I got our Papa John's pizza which not surprisingly wasn't as good as I remembered. Saturday I spent the morning cleaning the spare room which you can now actually walk in. That was a huge accomplishment. We washed my car and Josh even tried out this technique for screenprinting. Labels: craftiness
You can see a few other pictures on Flickr.
Yesterday we went to a Church which has an average attendence of 3,000 people. That's a big difference from what I'm used. I really enjoyed the service. The music was wow...powerful. They had around 25 people playing instruments and probably twice that in the choir. I thought that I would feel like it was completely impersonal but really it wasn't. There were greeters all over and everyone was so friendly. I'm glad we went and may even go back. After church we hit Walmart for a couple things. I found snow boots for NINE DOLLARS! I don't use snow boots very often but I really wanted a pair this winter. I've had been looking and finally I found some that weren't super ugly and cheap. I actually needed them yesterday too. Fifty degrees on Friday and snowing on Sunday... Ahh, Illinois weather. But at least I've got boots.
"Photography Business"
Wednesday, February 22, 2006I have sold a couple things off of Etsy so far and it's so exciting. Last night I printed up address labels. I actually just had my first "non-friend" sale last night. A girl from Michigan bought an iPod cozy. Woohoo, I was so excited! Labels: craftiness, knight light
I also made up a business card for my "photography business". I wrote on the back that Jess has permission to reproduce the images so now hopefully she won't have any more problems getting prints from Walmart. One of Jess's co-workers asked if I ever have considered doing weddings. Her daughter is getting married in November and they're just having a small wedding. I just don't know. I mean, I feel like I can easily see a good picture but I get nervous about the technical side of it. That would be a lot of pressure! I definitely feel like I need to do the air quotes around photography business so people don't take me too seriously!
Yarn
Tuesday, February 21, 2006Labels: craftiness, knight light
I was so excited about getting my scarves up to sell that I bought a bunch of yarn yesterday to make some more. I guess if they don't sell I have a lot of Christmas presents ready for next year. Now I wish I could sit at home and crochet!
Yesterday Jess called me because she had something to tell me about my photography. She went to pick up prints that she had requested at Walmart. The lady brought our her envelope of pictures but wouldn't give them to Jess. First she asked to see the originals. When Jess looked confused, the lady asked about the copyright of the photos. She wanted to know who Jess's photographer was! Jess told her that it was just her best friend and the pictures were taken in her backyard. Jess even offered to call me so I could talk to the lady. Eventually the Walmart lady gave her the pictures but Jess said that she still didn't believe that the pictures weren't professional. That was awesome.
Scarves for Sale!
Sunday, February 19, 2006I got my little scarf shop up and going! I asked the beautiful Jen Dama to model them (since Jess and I forgot when I went to visit her). Josh, Jen, and I traipsed around Eureka College campus today taking pictures of Jen wearing the scarves. She was such a trooper. She had no problems laying on the freezing ground or climbing up into a tree. Jen, I definitely owe you one! Labels: craftiness
Our fingers and noses were frozen by the time we were done but it was a lot of fun and I got the shots I needed.
Check out my shop at: http://knightlight.etsy.com/
Scarves!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006I have been crocheting ALL the time lately. I think it's been a good stress reliever. I'm sure Josh's friends from Eureka think that's all I do because every time they're over I crochet. But honestly it's not! I decided a while ago that I was going to finish my half-made scarves and try to use up scraps of yarn leftover. Now I have around 10 scarves, a couple neck warmers, and a few iPod cases! So I've decided to sell them online. At Etsy, you can sell homemade goods. I'm getting really excited about it. Labels: craftiness
This weekend Josh and I are going down to Jess's so that us girls can pick out the bridesmaid dress. I'm going to take some pictures of her and Tommy that they'll be able to use for engagement announcements. She doesn't know it yet but I'm going to have her model some of my scarves too.
I'll let you know when my little shop is up. Hopefully I'll sell a couple.
One more thing... HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICOLE!
Is it the weekend yet?
Monday, November 07, 2005Oh my gosh, how is it already Monday again? Ugh. My weekend was good but as always it went too fast. Bebo was really good this weekend. Even when I gave him a bath on Saturday morning. He was super snuggly that morning which lead me to realize just how stinky he was. Now he looks very handsome. Labels: craftiness
I am so ready for Christmas. The mall is like full-blown decorated for Christmas. It's so great. I got all of my Christmas decorations out of my parent's attic. (Although I won't decorate until after Thanksgiving.) I even have my Christmas cards already. (I always buy next year's cards right after Christmas because then they're half off!) I'm so totally listening to Christmas music at work today.
I saw a picture of a wreath made out of Christmas cookie cutters so I decided I would try to make my own. The cool thing about the wreath is that if you give it as a gift the person could cut the wire apart and then just have cookie cutters! Bed Bath & Beyond has a set of 30 cookie cutters for only $15! Yesterday I got out wire, wire cutters and went to work. I'm going to make a new bow but it turned out pretty cute.
Shadow Box
Tuesday, October 18, 2005One of the things I did over the weekend to occupy my time was work on this shadow box. I really wanted to do a shadow box for our trip to Bar Harbor so I found one at Target. The back is a map of the island and down on the bottom are shells and sea glass we found. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Labels: craftiness
Now I want to do another one for our wedding. I think I'm going to put Josh's boutonniere in the wedding shadow box. So I have the ideas, I just need to get another shadow box!
Crafting Table & Napping
Tuesday, October 11, 2005Labels: craftiness
I finally have a work table for my "craft room". (Craft room has to go in quotes because technically it's still just our spare room.) Josh's mom found this on a garage sale for $20 and I'm stoked. The sides fold up or down for added space. The legs are a hunter green color so I'm excited to get some paint and repaint them. I'm thinking a lime green. I feel like I'm actually making progress on the room!
So yesterday I had a SERIOUS case of the Mondays. I did something that I never thought was possible...I dozed off at work. Um, yeah... I was sitting at my desk, staring at my computer, one hand on my mouse. I rested my head on my other head and zzzzzzzzzzz. It was only for a couple minutes but it screwed up the rest of my afternoon. I still can't believe I did that. The funny thing is that I probably could have slept for an hour and nobody would have noticed.
Martha?
Saturday, September 24, 2005Labels: craftiness
Josh and I got this awesome picture frame for the wedding so I decided to go totally Martha Stewart with the ribbon. It looks pretty nice!
Randomness
Wednesday, September 21, 2005Labels: bebo, craftiness
Be sure to check out www.betterluckthistime.com! Josh and I have been working on my brother's band website and I'm pleased with how it turned out. It's a work in progress but we've got the basics out there.
Last night I went out to my church for a Missions Committee meeting. My friend, Liz, that I went to college with is trying to raise support to go back to Bolivia. She asked if there would be an opportunity to speak at my church so I told her I would check it out. I had heard that it was kind of tricky to get a guest speaker in but they seemed to want to have her come in. I think we're going to have a Sunday luncheon after Sunday School. I was hoping that she could speak during Sunday School hour but apparently the SS teachers get annoyed when they're regular time gets interrupted. I'm hoping that everything works out for her to come. Especially since I haven't seen her in about 4 years!
Here are two scarves that I have made this past week. Not a great picture but you get the idea. The yellow one is SUPER soft...I made it with baby blanket yarn. That one is for my mom. The green one is mine that I made to go with my khaki fall jacket and because I'm obsessed with green this season.
And here's a picture of Bebo because he's so darn cute.
Time travel
Tuesday, April 12, 2005When I was a little kid and bored I could spend hours "crafting". I would check out the same craft book from the library every other week to do all of the projects. I loved flipping through the pages of that book trying to decide what my next project would be. Hmmm....would it be homemade play-doh or maybe a mobile made from things around the house. Labels: craftiness
And then there was the attic...with hundreds of interesting things to look at I would never get tired of being up there. I would dream about making it my room (even though in the summer the temperature would be over a hundred). There were boxes of dishes, old toys, dresses of my mom's... I especially remember the fuchsia bridesmaid dress with puffy sleeves that my mom wore at my Aunt Suzi's wedding. I thought it was really cool. Next to the stairs sat a box that my mom had neatly written "Crafts" on. I would drag the box to the middle of that attic and look through the contents. Beads, yarn, scraps of fabric, miniatures... I'd conjure up exciting ways to use them all in one project.
Now at 24 years old the prospect of going to Hobby Lobby is more exciting to me than going to a bar. I would rather have a thousand dollar shopping spree to a craft store than a clothing store. I love being creative and thinking of new ways to use something.
I don't know why I didn't see all of this before going to college and picking my major. If I could go back to my 18 year self I would say, "Kimberly, sure you like computers...but don't be a geek. Do something you really love. Be an art major, do graphic design... Find a job you love." Here I am wishing that I could afford to go back to school for just that, knowing that its not even a possibility.
I guess my advice to you, dear friends, is to take chances while you have the opportunity. Do something you love...be something great.
Dream Craft Room
Monday, January 17, 2005Labels: craftiness
I would love to have this room. How great would it be to have all of my craft stuff organized and in one place. I love it. Maybe I should start buying shelves and take over the "Guy/Spare Room"... Hmm...
Keep that iPod warm
Thursday, January 13, 2005Josh decided last night that his iPod should have a case to match his scarf so I whipped one up for him. I think it turned out pretty cute. I made it just in time for the snow. We wouldn't want anything to happen to the precious iPod. Labels: craftiness
It's Finally Winter!
Thursday, January 06, 2005It's 19 degrees according to the bank clock. I'm not sure how accurate that is but it feels darn cold. I'm kind of glad...that 50 degree weather weather we had last week screws with you. We shouldn't be walking around on New Year's with no coats and getting to drive with my sunroof cracked a little bit! That just plays with your head. Well I asked for winter and boy did I get it. Yesterday was ice and this morning was the snow. The trees look amazing but the roads aren't so much fun. Luckily I haven't had to go anywhere besides work. Labels: craftiness
Tonight I'm hoping to stay inside and craft. I finally found flat marbles online. They're suppose to be delivered today so I've been anxiously awaiting the UPS lady. Hopefully tonight I'll be making my very own marble magnets. Here are instructions to make the magnets. Well Josh just called me and they dropped the box off. Me: "Well are they the right ones???" Josh: "....well, yeah." Me: "Are they? You don't sound like they are." Josh: "They're pretty small." Dangit! I guess I should have got the ones that I thought were going to be too big. I just checked the website and guess what? They're sold out. Unbelievable. I guess I'll try these ones and see how they turn out.
Knit One, Purl Two??
Monday, December 27, 2004Labels: craftiness
With my $20 Barnes & Noble gift certificate, I bought the book The Knitter's Bible. I'm going to try my hand at knitting tonight after I buy some yarn. I'm a little nervous because it looks somewhat difficult but I'll give it the 'ol college try.
