Fiber artist mother writing about her fiber-capades and the life that gets in the way of it....
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Leaving this one...
Friday, August 29, 2008
Chuck E. Cheese coupons!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
They are also having a demo on how to make chocolate covered pretzels.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Coupon
25% off one item from August 25, 2008 to August 30, 2008.
Coupons
40% off one item from August 24, 2008 to September 6, 2008.
10% off entire purchase August 29, 2008 to September 1, 2008.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
The winner!
The winner of the headbands was Peculair! Congratulations!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Grocery Comparisons
Bananas (per pound)
0.69 = Publix (Aug. 3, 2008)
Blueberries
5.87 = Sam's Club (2 pounds) (Aug. 2, 2008)
Children's Vitamins
13.34 = Sam's Club (Flintstones Brand) (exact price is 0.03335 per day for a 2 year old) (Aug. 2, 2008)
8.88 = Sam's Club (Member's Mark Gummy brand) (exact price is 0.03552 per day for a 2 year old) (Aug. 2, 2008)
Eggs
2.02 = Sam's Club (18 ct of x-large) (.001761116 cents per gram) (Aug. 2, 2008)
Milk 2% gallon
3.64 = Sam's Club (Aug. 2, 2008)
4.19 = Walmart (Aug. 1, 2008)
Onions
2.28 = Walmart (Yellow, 3 pound bag: 0.76 per pound) (Aug. 1, 2008)
Oranges (per pound)
1.99 = Publix (Aug. 3, 2008)
I am also blogging about what I am buying when on this blog.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Free makes me happy!
A Giveaway!
This is what you will win:
It may not be the *exact* ones pictured but will be of the same fabric.
How you can win:
Go to her shop, find a headband that strikes you and then write a Haiku about it and link it. (must be in English) One entry please.
Who can win:
Anyone that can be mailed to.
When the giveaway ends:
Aug. 8th at noonish Eastern Time and announced Aug. 10th sometime. Winner will be decided by random number generator. Winner will be posted on this post (or emailed if they provide an email) and must comment with their email addy or address (I have my comments monitored so I will make sure it doesn't post). If the winner does not claim the prize in 3 days of being posted the second runner up will be posted and so on until the prize is claimed.
I am also part of the giveaway carnival! Check The Bloggy Giveaway out!
photo is owned and copyrighted by Bargain Headbands.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Bubbles!
1 cup water
1/4th cup liquid dish soap
1 teaspoon sugar
(site I got the recipe from)
the bubbles are GREAT! My little one is going CRAZY for them.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Knitting Resources I Like
Knit Pro: Takes images and makes them into patterns. Kinda cool!
Knitty: A website with FREE knitting patterns on it, very cool.
Random Stripe Generator: Need random stripes for a project, well here you go!
Ravelry: Great knitting, crocheting and spinning site. It is worth checking out. It is in BETA so expect a waiting list (but the wait is right now less than 24 hours so really is that a wait compared to the 3+ months I waited?). I am MamaMay if you want to look me up.
Wiknit: A knitting blog that keeps up with all the contest that are knitting, crotchet and even spinning related. If you want to check it out, please do!
Wilton's Colorant Mixing Page: Anyone that id going to try dyeing with Wilton's Icing would benefit from this pages recommendations.
Yarn Sizes and Substitutions: Good resource for finding the weight of recycled yarns.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Sorry...
My car got broken into at McDonalds. I walked out as they were jimmying my car. I was carrying 2 kids at the time so I didn't get plates as they drove off. I have NO clue why they would break into my car. I have a blue POSH car (Piece Of Sh*t Hatchback) that doesn't have air or a radio and has the paint is peeling. I might have understood if we had just filled the tank, but the tank was on E.
We are completely out of the old apartment. I have to turn in the keys but that is it. I even sold the washer and dryer for 250. It feels good to make money!
We went to Chick-fil-A yesterday dressed as cows and got free food (the second Friday of July they have Cow Appreciation Day and they will give you free food for dressing like a cow). On top of that we found out that ever Monday in July all the Chick-fil-A's in our area are giving FREE breakfast! Talk about a deal! I know where we are going for breakfast!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
What, it's FRIDAY!?!
I really like the new place but it does have it's... lets call them highlights, just to be nice.
On the first night, there was a shooting in front of the building we live in. Seven shots fired and no one was hit that we know of (at least no blood). I didn't even know that someone was shooting, I though someone was just knocking on someone else's door very enthusiastically.
The next day we found out our washer didn't work (Well it worked but it didn't shut off the water so it overflowed...). Maintenance came and fixed that problem as well as the leaky basin. We also met a few neighbors and was asked if I smoke pot... I turned them down.
Day three was uneventful, but I was mostly at the old place packing.
Day four I just unpacked stuff.
Day five the washer broke again and they decided to just replace it. (the maintenance workers are super nice!)
Today I discovered that the bathtub in the back bathroom doesn't work (no hot water...). I am NOT calling it in until we are more settled though.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Advertising spots
Like the new look?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
I need a new header...
Monday, June 23, 2008
Brita coupons!!!
You might be wondering why I would even want a Brita water filter, well, having just moved we are now drinking WELL WATER. That is right, 3 miles in from the ocean and we have well water, meaning that it is SALTY to the taste. YUCK! Anyway, Brita here we come.
Ok, so it is really easy! You take the pledge and you get money off Brita stuff. Good stuff.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Sharing... 2 year old style
Right now she is in her room crying (not real tears, the fake type, which is really more like loud whining) because *she* isn't tired (she slept a bunch while sick) and wants to play (even though all of her toys are IN her room) and mommy is sick and needs a nap. Will I get one, VERY unlikely because every 10 minutes or so she will open her door and peak out to see if I am awake. If I am not, she will destroy the house if I am awake she will go back into her room and "cry".
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Well, that isn't fun...
Anyway, I have decided, 100% to let my esty shop die out. This blog will then just revert back to my mommy blog that tries to find time for knitting. I am actually excited to have the yarns expire. I really want to get my needles into them. (If you by chance like ANY of the yarns I have for sale and are hoping for a deal after expiration, tough! I didn't buy one sweater that I personally didn't want the yarn from, just in case I got stuck with it!) The washcloths will be sold, but I will most likely make it into one big ole set and sell for cheaper. I might go into soap making (I can make soaps out of the home a lot easier than trying to go to Goodwill and find sweaters to recycle with 2 little munchkins underfoot!). I don't know, we will see and do more research. (I have been making handmake soaps as gifts for a while... so soap making isn't a huge jump, just need to keep better records of what materials I use.)
I do intend to still advertise and promote Etsians (they are a nice group and usually on top of things).
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Etsy?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Oh the Blessings come pouring in!
*Got a call earlier today and we have the apartment I was hoping for! We sign on Saturday at 10 am and get the keys then. Oh-yea!
*This apartment needs a stackable washer and drier set and I got an Email for one in town for 200 dollars. Great!
*I have been really wanting an interchangeable knitting needle set and I got an incomplete Boye set from a Ravelry member for 5 dollars (shipping costs). AWESOME!
*I wanted to have a complete set of Boye needles so I Ebayed and got an unopened set for less than 13 dollars... and it included a Crochet Master as well! AMAZING!
Needless to say, I am dancing around the house and praising God. The little 2 year old is dancing too... and singing. At least she was before she went to bed a few hours ago.
... I just noticed that the knitting related blessing got all caps... Te he.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
$200 a month feeds a family of 4
I ALWAYS ask myself if something is a want or a need before I buy it (or eat it). Then I ask myself how can I get it cheaper. An example of this is milk. Having small kids makes milk mandatory, but you can drink dried milk, or at least cook with it. This can cut a huge chunk from you how much you spend. I also weigh my eggs and see which is the best price per ounce. I know that seems extreme, but those little bits do affect the way your family eats when on a tight budget.
I also don't buy foods we really don't need. Anything convenience is just a big NO. This goes for sodas, bottled water or even crackers and chips. In fact buying foods based on the vitamins and other nutritional need is good to do.
Over eating is seen in my house as wasting food. You don't need that food right now, you could wait until tomorrow to eat it. For small children that means making them beg for more. Kids under the age of 5 will not overeat unless urged to by an adult, so as the adult not wanting food wasted only put one piece of each type of food on the child's plate. when they eat what is there let them ask for more and only put one more piece on the child's plate. This goes on the whole meal and helps train the child to be healthier in not overeating or wasting food.
Another way to eat cheap is to make EVERYTHING from scratch. If you don't have a lot of time to cook this can be harder but still possible. You can make a casserole and freeze it for a few days down the road or you can go to allrecipes.com and do a search keeping times in mind.
If anyone has questions please post.
Aunt Kathy: Baby is sleeping a lot (and growing too). Makes me happy that I knit up small size soakers and not newborn! I am still tired but that is because my little 2 year old is an over flowing well of energy!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Well, there goes that...
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Friday's thing
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Fun with soakers and other junk
We think we have found a place to live this next year. It is something like 10 dollars over budget but we can take that out of the 200 we have to food money each month (yes, we somehow feed 2 adults, a 2 year old and now a new born on 200 a month... if people are interested in how I do that I do intend to post about it sooner or later... the more interest the sooner so post.) It lacks a lanai but has a very little kid friendly playground.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
We bought a binky
Thursday, May 15, 2008
No more sleeping in...
In other news, I am in charge of finding a new place to live in Fort Myers, FL. With the roomies leaving at the end of the month we can't afford to stay in our apartment for another year. The list of things we HAVE TO HAVE are 2 bedrooms, washer and dryer or washer and dryer hookups, centrally located to the hospitals in the area and it has to be under 700 dollars a month (actually we have 700 dollars a month for all housing costs like rent, power, water and anything else they might tack on...) so we are really praying for something to show up. I would really love a lanai, but it is not necessary.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Too much!
Friday, May 2, 2008
NEW BABY!!!
ashpags, tizz., and lobug: Thank you.
Aunt Kathy: Thank you. I don't post names, at least of family members. I know my name is all over the net, but I try to keep my kid's and hubby's name off of it.
Turtle: Thank you and you are right the real fun is now happening!
Ruth: I will give him a kiss for you.
knitsational: Thank you.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Plug Boards! The list!
First of all a plug board is a place that you can put a little picture and link for free to whatever site you want. Most have rules like family friendly only, so if you are not family friendly or G rated then might want to read the plug boards rules... and these are not always on the site it is on but the host site so look there too!
Flashy is best, in my opinion because it helps get you noticed, but too flashy can get you deleted or banned so might want look at the site a little. Standard size is 88 pixels by 31 pixels (though I have seen 50 by 50, 80 by 15 and 468 by 60 sizes as well, though more rarely).
Alphabetical order of sites:
(88 by 31)
artistic-touches.com
athomeresources.com
beadshak.net
blog.tizzalicious.com
cabwjohnson.blogspot.com
crittersnackz.com
iamtheprincess.com
indigoblah.blogspot.com
jackkyllscraps.blogspot.com
jenhintz.blogspot.com
mamamays.blogspot.com
mysticalaromas.com
outofthepinksky.net
perfectpartybycody.com
plugme.net
readybanner.com
shopwithamom.com
spirited-lady-boutique.com
thecinnamonhollow.com
thewahmshack.com
uniquecharm.net
virtualfreedom4you.com
wahparents.com
(468 by 60)
mysticalaromas.com
thecinnamonhollow.com
thewahmshack.com
wahparents.com
workfromhomeontheinternet.com
(80 by 15)
thecinnamonhollow.com
Monday, April 28, 2008
Are we potty trained?
CatherineMarissa
Etsy Buy Handmade CatherineMarissa |
*Why Etsy? Was Etsy your first online store? Do you sell elsewhere?
I had an online shop connected to my personal website for awhile, but it was incredibly time consuming without the desired results. At a show, another fabulous vendor pointed me in the direction of Etsy and I figured it was worth a shot since the listing is so reasonable and the template is easy to follow.
In addition to Etsy, I sell at a few craft shows and home parties each year and have my work in a gallery.
*How long have you been on Etsy as a seller?
I started an account in the late fall of 2006. I began listing jewelry in my shop in January of 2007. I had intended on opening sooner, but my second son showed up a couple months premature and knocked me off course.
I opened a destash shop "Jewelry Supplies" in January of 2007 and began listing pretty much immediately. "Avery Winslow" opened in September 2007.
*Why do you sell what you sell? What is your inspiration?
I sell jewelry because I enjoy designing and have gotten a good response to my work. I also sell my own line because I like having a creative outlet and, while it certainly isn't paying the mortgage each month, the income that I do have helps with medical bills and the occasional guilt free family trip.
I'm mostly inspired by people, as general as that sounds. I've always been the type of person who is content to sit and watch others go about their days. I'm inspired by the stories that I create for these strangers. I also find inspiration in fashion magazines, vintage clothing books, the supplies themselves, and that incredibly fascinating time each day where I drift between wakefulness and sleep.
*How long did it take to get your first sale?
It certainly felt like a lifetime! Even though I knew that wasn't the case, I really wanted to post and have that first item sell...as if to tell me "this is the place for you." In reality, I think it was around 3 weeks and I had around 30 items in my shop.
*What is the hardest thing about selling online for you and what have you done to help you do this?
No question, my biggest challenge online is photography and descriptions. When I sell in person, size is obvious (rather than struggling with a ruler when purchasing online) and the shoppers can see the sparkle and clarity of a piece with no question as to its quality. It's difficult for me to translate the beauty of each piece online. I'm working on it though. :) I've tried different styles of photography, different backgrounds, and experimented with ways to show scale. I'm still working on the best way to do descriptions that blends factual information with the fun details.
Additionally, I think selling in general is difficult for me since I'm so busy with other responsibilities and short on time. I feel like I have a million ideas for pieces, advertising, and marketing...I just need 48 hours in a day (or a full time nanny!).
* What do you think is the BEST most effective way to get your name out?
This is a question that I still struggle with. I think it's most important to first figure out who your market is and plan your advertising with that market in mind. Although I've heard a lot about MySpace working for other sellers, I know that my typical clients do not use MySpace so that isn't the best way to get my name out. I also know that many of the online features do not appeal to my customers. As more and more shopping takes place on line, I'm hoping that an online form of advertising will stand out as effective. At this point, I've received the most traffic following magazine publications or features. In my budget for 2008, I am planning to spend more advertising dollars on print ads.
Anyone selling should have business cards with them always and give those out to family and friends who are comfortable sharing information about the business. That's the easiest way to get your name out.
Please Visit her blog and website!
Friday, April 25, 2008
No computer time!
Feature friday and a computer meltdown
Thursday, April 24, 2008
No baby yet...
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Labor?
Now the nitty gritty of it all:
Contractions are about 10 minutes apart and 1 to 2 minutes long. You don't need to call your doc/midwife and head to the birthing center/hospital until they are 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long (though I have been calling my midwife and she said call her if I start progressing anymore but just to relax until I do). Now the reason I say the beginning stages is because I could very well keep at this level for 2 weeks or I could just stay like this for 2 hours and then get on to full labor... who knows, though if I had my say It would be 2 hours. Anyway, we will see what happens.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Artisan Impact
Etsy Buy Handmade artisanimpact |
Ilan, Oded and Ev are completely passionate about jewelry. They have been making and selling gold and silver jewelry for 16 years in galleries. Their designs are inspired by Spanish and other cultures.
They decided to start selling online on Ebay in the summer of 2007 but do not think it is as good a fit as Etsy is. They heard about Etsy in July of 2007 and started to sell there as well. Their first sale was a week after starting on Etsy with their second sale another week later. It took them two to three months to get regular sales on Etsy.
They have come up with a unique solution to advertising, printing a catalog called “Artisans of the World”. They print their designs and sell space to other etsyians trying to get their name out.
It is mandatory that you set aside money and time to promote your shop outside of Etsy. Posting on the boards will get people to look at your shop but isn't easily done on a daily basis.
Visit their other Etsy shop and their website.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
An appointment...
How to take GREAT photos!
1. Take LOTS of photos! If it is grandkids, something you are trying to sell, or anything in between take a bunch of photos. I take about 100 photos for each of my yarns I have for sale and up towards 300 when doing a photo session for my little un. So glad I have a digital camera otherwise I am not sure what would happen to me!
2. Check out the background. It doesn't have to be Plain Jane but you don't want it to be too busy either. With children and pets this can not always be determined until after the photo is taken but in still life you can play a whole bunch.
3. Remember that you can crop! ok, so you don't like the weird person that is standing in the background of a photo. No problem, cut them out. Don't have a photo editing software? Look into getting The Gimp for free. And check out this tutorial page.
4. Look objectively at the photo. Look at the photo and ask yourself "how are my eyes traveling around the photo?" Are they centering in on what you want it to center in on? Do your eyes move around the photo? If so where? Are these places you want other peoples eyes to linger? Does the photo direct your eyes off the photo? If it does is that ok? And remember that a man's eyes move differently than a woman's eyes.
5. Color accuracy is important! Ok, not so much with people photos, but with something you are trying to sell online, you HAVE TO HAVE accurate colors, at least as accurate as possible.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
24 hour shifts...
Now on to unfamily like stuff.
I am starting something called Friday's Feature and right now am just featuring Etsy shops. That will be changing in June (the theme will be Baby Showers, so only shops that specialize in babies) when I will be willing to take ANY online shop, though I will most likely have about half be Etsy. Also vote in my poll for July's Features theme.
Jelly: I am surprised at how many people don't know considering the information is sitting in my profile. Of course I don't really talk about it either.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Little Bug Boutique
Charlene has always been creating and artistic. She got her degree in Interior Design and started working in an Architectural firm. She loved her job but then some things in her life changed.
In 2001, after the birth of her first child, she was searching for something that would allow her to spend more time at home, but still allow her to get out some creative energy. She tried and disliked scrap booking. One day she woke up and it dawned on her that she should make and sell jewelry and has had a passion for it ever since. In 2005, she started to focus on the jewelry business full time. She still does some Architectural work now and then, but children & jewelry are her primary passions and keep her quite busy.
The hardest thing for Charlene about selling online is that you can't actually see and hold the item. She states, "You have to sell the picture." This means practicing and experimentation. Try every angle, light, and prop you have.
She also things the BEST way to get ones name out is by word of mouth. "Good quality and service are essential," emphasizes Charlene. Have your items shipped promptly and packaged well.
Visit her blog, website or her supply shop on Etsy.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
MAJOR toy give away!
Ok, so I am linking this because I just need to. It is such a sweet deal that I have to!
Contest ends May 7th and winners are chosen May 9th!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
FREE things on the net that I like!
Free silver jewelry: Ok, so you have to pay shipping ($5.99 USD) but really, who can resist! This is GREAT for a gift for mothers day or some other holiday! Warning: VERY ADDICTIVE!
Free samples from Wal*mart: I get these all the time. Toothpaste, shampoo, diapers, foods. They have it all and free, but it is all limited in supply so it changes often (like in daily!)
My points: Ok, so you sign up to basically be spammed in your email box but for every spam they send that you click through you get points (5 points usually but sometimes 25 or 50). Then you can "turn in" your points for gift cards (I got a 25 dollar gift card for Red Lobster so far so I know it works). you can also get more points faster if you buy stuff (right now it is 10 points per dollar with Target so if you need to buy from Target anyway... why not?) via their site or use their search bar. You also get points for referring people so if anyone wants to be nice and give me points for posting about it, please comment and let me have your email...
That is all for now, but If i can think of more I will post again.
shopinchic: Thanks for the freebie! I am now addicted!
Heart of Wisdom: Thank for the link to your site.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Spring Break is over!
Our little 2 year old is doing some really cute things too. She had outgrown the "Pat The Bunny" book and now only want to be read "The Silver Slippers" book. We have a ballet work out video that is our roommates and she "exercises" to it almost all day. Very fun to watch. We also have a under dress that kinda looks like a tutu that she insists on wearing EVERYWHERE.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
A little sad about etsy...
Aunt Kathy: Thanks, I guess I kinda expected to have a sale by the end of the first month with all the advertising and such I was doing.
Anon.: I know what you mean.
Ashpags: Ok, I kinda agree that scrolling down is frustrating, so I moved the etsy link tot he top of the page (also note that I advertise the other blog in banners all over while I do not do so for this blog). I was going to do a donation with my first sale... If it doesn't happen in another few months (the first 6 of my shop) then i will donate. The dishcloths are more because I won't be teaching anymore once the baby comes in May and though I could use them, I would rather sell them. Knitter or no.
Dotty: Thanks for commenting! I do love PW so much. And thanks for the convos!
Friday, March 28, 2008
I got pics!
Aunt Kathy: I have put 3 up now and a new yarn. I intend on putting up the rest nxt month. I also have a new yarn up! yippie! Now if only someone will buy something... oh well it takes time.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Easter and baby shower
I am officially not going to have any more knitting classes until post birth so I am selling the washcloths on Etsy when I can get photos taken. I picked them up yesterday and found out that someone stole one of them. I am taking it a a complement that they liked it.
Aunt Kathy: LOL! The really funny part was that I have it on my registry but no one took it off. In fact it was still there when i took it off my registry about 5 minutes ago.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Really really busy!
In other news, I am having a baby shower tomorrow. My roommate is throwing it for me but it is my job to clean the house and bake the cupcakes for it. Fine by me.
Aunt Kathy: I did get lots of good stuff. We don't know the gender.
Monday, March 17, 2008
My first treasury!
The treasury is now expired but check out the other cool treasuries out there on either the treasury or treasury west.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
working feverishly...
Ruth: I know so exciting! I am hoping to get more pics ready soon so i can post even more, but for now one a week seems good.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
As Promised!
Ruth: Thanks the color is almost right in that pic, but I still need to get a pic that picks up the tonal subtleties. The swift goes out to 2 yards around.
Jodie: It is almost electric. Very bright to say the least.
Aunt Kathy: A swift is used to either make skeins or to break them down and ball them. Also very helpful if you are going to be dyeing a lot.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
It has arrived!
Aunt Kathy: She is 2 years old, I will be posting pics whenever she lets me download them from the camera (nap time)... same goes for pics that need to go in my Etsy shop... but that is a different story.
Ruth: Pics to come! Promise!
Gnat: Agian I will get pics up! Promise!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Me and My swift!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Etsy and Me
Saturday, February 23, 2008
And now doe something completely different!
See my brainscanner results
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Even more business stuff
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Boring Business Stuff
In other news, computer is back, or should I say my hubby has set up one of the other 5 computers we own to work with the internet. He still needs his computer fixed though because he has SO much school stuff saved to it.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The system is down!
In other news, MY system is down, as in computer system. Hubbies computer died. This means all the money I have earned thus far is going to the “fix hubbies computer fund” so he doesn’t get behind in Medical School. The really bummer part of this is that because the computer was down I couldn’t schedule with A. C. Moore for classes next month. I am contemplating teaching at Hobby Lobby as well as Michael’s if they will have me.
In even more other news I made yet another free pattern. I don’t have time to post it right now (have to download photos from the camera to Flickr first).
Thank you to Jodie at Jelly Wares for proofing my Scalloped Washcloth pattern.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Knitting class and other business stuff
I am also working on getting all the crazy bookwork for a business under control. I have started to do double entry accounting on it and organizing the receipts and pay stubs. I hate this part. Love math but this just feels like busy work even though it is important. When I make enough I will invest in something like quicken but sadly that is not the highest on my list of things to obtain.
The Bible study I am in right now has a lot of bookwork in it and I am having issues balancing business and Bible study. On top of that my daughter has quit taking naps almost completely. So knitting and crochet is being pushed to the side yet again... oh well.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Scalloped Dishcloth/Washcloth and other stuff
I have been needing to post this pattern for a while. Like a week... no more than a week. Anyway it is here now!
Gauge: Unimportant.
Yarn: I used Sugar N'Cream cotton yarn but acrylic seems to stand up better to my dishes while cotton feels better on my face. Basically use whatever yarn you think will work well.
Hook: I think I used a G but can't remember. Could have been an H. Just use what you are comfortable with.
Scalloped dishcloth/washcloth
ch21 loosely
Row 1: ch1, sc into second ch from hook and into next ch, ch3, *skip next 2 chs, sc in next 3 chs, ch 3*, until last 4 chs, skip 2 chs and sc in last 2 chs.
Row 2: ch 1, turn; sc in first sc, *dc5 in the next ch-3 sp, skip next sc, sc in next sc*, finish row
Row 3: ch 4 (this counts as a dc plus ch 1), turn, skip next dc, sc into next 3 dc, *ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next 3 dc*, until last 2 sts, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in last sc.
Row 4: ch 3 (this counts as a dc), turn, 2 dc in same st, skip next sc, sc in next sc, *dc5 in the next ch-3 sp, skip next sc, sc in next sc*, until last 2 sts, skip next sc, 3 dc in last dc.
Row 5: ch 1, sc into the next dc, ch 3, * skip next 3 sts, sc in next 3 dc, ch 3*, until last 5 sts, skip 3 sts, sc in last 2 dc.
Row 6: ch 1, turn; sc in first sc, *dc5 in the next ch-3 sp, skip next sc, sc in next sc*, finish row
Repeat rows 3 through 6 until almost desired length.
Repeat rows 3 & 4.
Finishing row: ch 1, sc into the next dc, ch 3, * skip next 3 sts, sc in next 3 dc, ch 3*, until last 5 sts, skip 3 sts, sc in last 2 dc.
I have not yet had someone test the pattern (meaning if there is a mistake I don't know aboutr it.) So if something is wrong please tell me in a comment or something!
Copyright 2008; All rights reserved.
copyright info at bottom of page.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Kettle/Crockpot dyeing with Kool-aid
Ok so I am FINALLY getting this thing up! I have had the pictures up on Flickr for about a week but have been way too busy.
This is the yarn soaking in the crock-pot. I let it soak for about an half an hour.
These are the "kool-aids" I am using. For the record the exact colors I am using are Kool-aid Berry Blue and Wyler's Orange. Two packets of each. I pre-mixed this time in 1/2 cup of water.
Before adding the colors I moved the yarn to make a spiral from the bottom up. I added the colors with a turkey baster, making sure that the colors got to the bottom. I then turned it on low and left it alone for about an hour. The dye bath was not fully exhausted at that time so I stirred it around gently and it immediately exhausted.
The yarn is drying in this picture.
And here is is all reskeined. I still need to find a name for it... Can't think of anything.
Monday, January 28, 2008
In a quandary...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Basic Crochet Dishcloth/Washcloth
Yarn: Lily's Sugar N'Cream is shown but can be made in any worsted weight or non-worsted weight. I just suggest that you change the hook size if you have trouble getting the hook into the stitches.
Gauge: Not important
Hook size: US G/4.00 mm
Ch20 loosely
Rows:
turn and ch2, dc into 3rd stitch and ever remaining stitch.
Repeat until desired size.
I made this pattern for a class I am teaching and since everyone seems to copyright their stuff so you have to ask permission and pay them to use their pattern in a class, I just made up my own!
copyright info at bottom of page.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
A vacation and knitting
I keep trying to make it to a knitting group meeting but so far no-go.
I did go to A.C. Moores charity knitting/crochet thing last Saturday, which was really nice. There were several people there for a while.
I have a list of things to do on this blog and I am going to list them here so I actually feel guilty enough to do them.
The List for my Blog:
Post photos of and the free pattern for my crochet dish cloths/wash cloths
Post about the yarns I have kool-aid dyed
Post tutorial for one of the kool-aid dyes
Now I also have a list business wise:
Finish all 3 patterns and the patterns for them.
Get one of those patterns emailed to Knitty (summer) and the another to MagKnits(any old time!)
Actually find a book that tells me how to WRITE a business plan and do it! (this is more of a priority but I have a strange feeling that it will be something that doesn't happen for a year!)
Figure out how to make a PDF so I can sell them via Ravelry (I don't intend to use Esty for pattern sales... ever)
Research advertisement stuff via the internet (choices I like so far are Ravelry ads and hopefully getting something printed on a big online knitting mag)
Friday, January 18, 2008
As promised the pics!
The baby surprise jacket with matching dress. I made it for my little nieces X-mas gift considering that her mom gave me the dress when our little girl was about 6 months old I figured I could at least make something to match.
The hair currlers. I have actually done all the finishing on them, but hubby deleted that pic on accident... oh well. I have used them but really need about 4 to 6 more to really get it done. Feels like a never ending project!
My calorimetry. Sadly the button is too small but otherwise very nice.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
So when do I sleep?
Been designing away. I have 3 designs I am working on for sale purposes. One is the diaper cover/soaker pattern I want to sell via Ravelry. The other 2 are surprises because I want to sell them to magazines and mag companies demand secrecy to the point of craziness!
Now that I know I can get the comp and camera to work together (though not really like one another) I am going to try another kool-aid dyeing thing some time next week. Only this time hand painted. We will see what becomes of it.
Monday, January 14, 2008
A business plan?
In other news, our little one is all better now. She wouldn't eat for the whole week she was sick (not from lack of me and daddy trying though), and it was an absolute battle to get her to drink anything. She is kinda lethargic now and has a MASSIVE appetite though I am not letting her eat too much at once due to her having basically fasted for a week (don't want her to throw it up from eating too fast or we might get her fasting again!). It is amazing to me because her legs used to be... not big but normal toddler size, and now they are SOOO thin.