Summer 2011 Craft-a-Day Challenge

 In the middle of July,  I did the unthinkable- I challenged myself to make a craft each day. So far, I've kept to it.  I've made two on some days to keep on track.  I'm nearing the end of July and I've finished 8 projects!
Here are the first 8:
First project- a simple A-line skirt for Jess.

The second project is a black jersey - long skirt. Jess and I saw a similar one at Nordstrom for $56! We knew we could do better.  We made one for $15.00.  The pattern was on-sale for less than a dollar at Joann's. 

Project #3 and #4 - Cute Baby Dress and Headband

I gave this dress and headband to my friend Jenika, her baby Priya Grace was born in April. 

Project #5 & #6 - Ruffled onesies

This one (above) I kept it simple- just a few rows of eyelet.  

This purple heart & ruffled one turned out interesting. I'm not wild about the "shabby chic" ruffle - the fabric shrunk up after washing and the fabric also went wild unraveling a little. The ruffles look really cute, I'm just not crazy about the unraveling.  If it was for my child I would go crazy trimming the strings!  

Project #7 - Dress for a baby-doll  It matches the baby dress (project #1).  The funny story about that is that the pattern was a free one online. (Dress by Petchy) There was a small box on the sheet with a note that said the box should be 1cm and to adjust as needed to be sure that the pattern was to scale.  Well, I assumed that it was 1cm.  The word assumed tells you everything-- the square was 6/10 of a cm. So, it was perfectly sized for a babydoll.  Of course, I had cut it out and had to finish it.  :)  It turned out so cute-- my favorite doll "Giggles" from my childhood is the model.  

Project 8 and 9 - Baby Bibs

I have some leftover fabric from some aprons I made and decided make a bib.  The ladybug bib is larger for a toddler. I think it is needing something.  I'm looking for some material that is vinyl-like to make a large-ish ladybug for the center.

                           

I'm still here-- new scrap projects

I'm a lazy blogger-- it has been ages. But here are a few projects I'm in the middle--

Here's the April page divider - I have pictures to add to the center section.

This is May's page- also needing photos in the center section.

The paper is Basic Grey- Curio.

I'm Thankful

Yay!  My autumn/Thanksgiving banner is finally done! I'm so pleased.

Here are some close up shots of the individual letters-

Finally, some scrapbook pages!

  This is from our trip in May to Mammoth Lakes over Memorial Day weekend. We were so shocked to see so much snow!  Todd and the kids skied!  It was a great weekend.

This spread is missing the journaling and title but here it is anyway.  I'll finish that tomorrow.  I used Michelle Coleman's Summer Soiree, Glimmer paper (Fancy Pants Designs). Blue Lagoon and Charcoal Color Box Chalk, and a nice buttery yellow page of Bazzill paper.

Scarves!

Like I mentioned the other day, I am crocheting up a storm.  Here are two that are in progress. 

The checkerboard pattern is done using a Front post double crochet (Fpdc) and Back post double crochet (Bpdc).  I had to use the dummies website to learn those stitches! 

For some reason, this picture distorts the color of it.  The blurry image below shows the color the best.

The fluffy lavendar scarf is made by doing the following:
Row 1:
chaining 27, sc in the second chain, *chain 6, skip 6 chains, sc in next 2 chain, and then repeat.
Row 2:
Ch 1, sc in first 2 sc, *ch 6, sc in next 2 sc, rep from * across, turn

Repeat row 2 to desired length. Fasten off.  This is from Ruthie's Crocheted Accessories. 
My daughter is moving to Northern California and wants more, more, more!  :)  

Blog name

I am crocheting so much I'm beginning to wonder if I mis-named my blog.  Perhaps I should have called it Craft-a-palooza.  :) 
I am working on a bunch of scarves.  Jess and I went to the movies yesterday, "Eat, Pray, Love," and saw these perpetual scarves (basically a scarf that has the ends whip-stitched together so there is not end. I'll post pictures tomorrow of my progress.  I learned a new pattern and stitch.  So cool!
Be patient.  I'll post more tomorrow. 

Baby Blanket looks more like a toddler blanket

 

Well, I finally finished a baby gift for my friend Paola. She told me in the spring that she was expecting a baby and that their decor would be soft peach, yellow, green, and pink.  I found the perfect, silky soft yarn by Bernat called Bamboo Naturals.  It turned out really pretty but it is waaaay too big for a baby.  Oops!  I didn't adjust my starting length for the new larger ergonomic crochet hook that I bought to ease the hand pain.  Chalk it up to being more attentive to details in the future and that size matters (insert naughty laugh here).  ;)  Miracle of miracles, I'm done a week early!