SSSPYCE CRAFTS

GRANDSON NO. 1 HAS STOLEN MY HEART AND MY CAMERA.

2011-03-01T17:49:00.004-05:00

For the first time since I have had a blog, I have no pictures of my last few projects. I made some really cute little baby burp cloths for my new baby and I forgot to even take the pictyures I was so exited to be with him. Oh well< I didnt forget to take his picture though. Here he is.

GORGEOUS MUG RUGS RECIEVED!!!

2011-02-26T18:49:00.004-05:00

DEBBIE from Busyascanbe.com sent me the greatest mug rug combo ever. The colors were so bright and fun and the quilting was perfect. But on top of that she sent me the nicest mug, journal, calendar, magnet and mousepad set ever.
The theme is Dream in Chocolate, yummy. Thank you so much Debbie. You really bringhtened my day, especially since my brandnew baby grandson went home from his first visit yesterday and I was already a little sad to wake up without him this morning.

From 01CRAFTS

MUG RUGS FINISHED!

2011-02-19T22:31:00.002-05:00

After what turned out to be one of the wierdest couple of weeks ever, I finially finished my mug rugs for the swap. They weere some difficult little taskmaters. Especially, since I had to go without access to my machine for way too long. But I got some goo handwork experience in and I hope my partner enjoys them. One represents me here in MI with Olive Rose by Valorie Wells green and blue colorway. The other represents my partner in TX with the red orange brown colors. I love them all and seems like the more I use the more I have. I keep sneaking off my quilt stash but I just love the vibrant lush colors. So I even tried my hand at some applique of states sillouettes. The chop ( Looks like) and the mitten (all the way back to grade school). Thank God I dont live in the upper peninnsula. Any way, here's what I came up with, plus 2 little extras.

GRANDSON NO. 1 YEAAAAAAAAAAAA!

2011-02-05T17:50:00.004-05:00

Up and Coming Doll Quilt

2011-01-26T00:05:00.003-05:00

This is just one of the many projects I am completing currently. I think I liked the fabrics better before I put them together. Im thinking they would work better with more solid fabric to rest the eyes on. I must be learning. Yeaaa Me!

2011-01-23T08:01:00.001-05:00

TOO LATE TO BE UP TO DATE!!!

2011-01-23T07:30:00.002-05:00

I hope this small slideshow will help to show you what I have been doing lately. It doesnt begin to tell the whole story but I will be back to explain more and bring more pics later. Until then, enjoy the show.

MUG RUG SWAP!!!

2011-01-23T04:03:00.003-05:00

This is so much fun! I have joined the Quilting Gallery Mug Rug Swap. I was trying my best to attend to my messy blog before the assignments were sent out. Unfortunately, I feel like a host who isnt ready when her guests arrive. At any rate If you would like to check the fun progress of the swap, here is the link for the Flickr Group.

If you happen to be my assigned person, please visit again as I will continue to update the blog. Thanks.

2010-10-19T01:03:00.003-04:00

DOLLS AND ALL THEIR STUFF!!!

2010-05-02T23:49:00.003-04:00

Have I been away too long???

2010-04-29T19:01:00.005-04:00

Well I have been so busy lately, not to mention that sometimes I fall into my quiet mood. Its not really a funk because I still feel very upbeat and happy. But its just a time to reflect and keep my mouth quiet while I hear from the Lord. It's very informal, no big announcement, no rites or any ceremony, just plain quiet.

Buttt, while doing so it sweems the projects certainly get completed a lot quicker. Let me update you on what I have been up to.

PEACE

First, I have been plucking away harvesting fruits of the spirit. I create each one with a favortie somebody in mind. I already introduced you to Love, Faith, Joy. Next, in honor of my 21 year old man child, I decided to do Peace. He reminds me of this big tough guy from the city but he is a real animal and little critter lover. It is not unusual to find him gently cratling some little thing or sheading a tender tear over a lost little pet. He's just a very sweet spirited big ole guy. I had wanted to try Lynne's wonky butterfly pattern for a while. And I decided to try my hand at piecing a peace sign. It came out ok. I was going for a little more masculinity, but its ok because it will live here with me and the girls anyway.

LONGSUFFERING

Then I continued on to Longsuffering. Wow, not only is this a complex spirit to comprehend. It is also a little long to peice quilt. But my MIL requested it and gave me the concept behind why whe wanted it and so I performed as instructed. I will share with you her story behind this fruit. While raising my husband and his two older brothers, she had a really hard time. Their father and her husband was not very supportive and eventually she left him. And when she did she cried out to the Lord to help her raise these boys to become educated and God fearing. God sent her a vision that not only would they be that but they would become Ministers and Businessmen, all of them. Since that day she devoted her entire life to God's work. Though her sons gave and continue to give that promise form God a challenge to say the least, she has never let go of the dream. Everyone who knows her knows this is her wish for the remaining two sons. The eldest son, Vic, a CPA, was saved and began a wonderful ministery with his wife and family which consisited of 7 adopted children of all races and ages. Two years ago, he passed away. MIL was very stoic as we lay him to rest. But since then she says that all along she wondered why Vic had been so adament about his salvation and ministry. Now she knows that he was to one who would return to the Lord first so he had to hurry and establish his way.She finds tremendous solice in this and so do we. Her little quilt speaks for itself.

A VERY FAMILY OF SERVICE EASTER!!!

2010-04-05T15:56:00.002-04:00

While I am no longer able to go out among the homeless of our community because of doctor's orders, my children always make their effort to represent the whole family in service. My children dont want baskets anymore. We usually go somewhere for dinner, but this year all extended family went out of town. So, my MIL brought a small buffet style dinner to us and it was delicious. We had bible study and ate and fellowshiped.
Below is a picture of one of the bags my kids passed out to underprivileged children. They brought this one to me. They also served Good Friday dinner, performed the Ressurection skit, and played games like Cakewalk where each kid got to win their own big Easter cake. Funny, because when we celebrated my daughter's birthday this weekend we had to go out and buy a cake after having given out all those Easter cakes. As I said, it was a great Easter for us.

This is the sweetest little elephant that ever graced a chain. My eldest daughter, who is always thinking of me, brought this back from the mall. I just adore it....so cute!

Well thats all for now. I hope your Easter was as blessed as ours. I'll be back tomorrow with a craft finish.

THANK YOU THANX TATA TX GAY FOR BEING MY FIRST FOLLOWER!!!!

2010-03-31T05:15:00.004-04:00

I have a follower .... yessss. I have my first follower and her name is Gay. She hosts a great blog named It's a Hodge Podge Life and she has a really beautiful Etsy shop where she sells handmade jewelery. She hosts a friday linky party where you can show off your favorite creation of the week. You can visit her blog by clicking the button. Thanks again Gay!

I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS WOULDN'T YOU???

2010-03-28T00:03:00.002-04:00

Just enter the giveaway at Jenny's blog, off on my tangent

HARVESTING JOY!!!

2010-03-27T02:41:00.008-04:00

This is the third piece in my Fruits of the Spirit series of quilted wall hangings. This one will belong to my daughter because she brings me so much joy.

I've linked this post to some really amazing blog parties. Check them out:

POTHOLDERS' ON THE BRAIN!!! #3 Sisterly Love

2010-03-25T02:25:00.003-04:00

Well I couldn't have my sweet little sister come over and just watch her looking longingly at my new kitchen accessories. So I had to make her a set of her own. and here they are, including a towel set that I fashioned out of one towel and their mainly just for dying your hands while your working in the kitchen. They aren't really big enough to dry dishes with or on.

POTHOLDERS' STILL ON THE BRAIN!!!

2010-03-23T01:03:00.003-04:00

I got the message loud and clear. I made the promised potholders. You know I wonder about the function of the teenage brain sometimes. My youngest (Alleycat) liked that I had made the new potholder (the wonky house). She grabbed it from me and immediately used it to take out some of that bubbly diet lasagna. I almost stroked out. But what did i think, that is what they arre made for. She threw it back to me unceremoniously. Then I finished the bird one. She loveddd it and told me how much she loved the color combo and the way I had quilted it in the Grecian key kinda wonky pattern. I said so you like the bird huh? She said bird? What bird? She was serious. Sh turned it over. She dared me to show her a bird . I had to trace the bird with my finger. She was like, Ohhh, I thought you were going crazy talking bout a square bird. I promise you I felt like I was in the twilight zone. But then I said, well maybe Bizzy (the older girl) will like the house one. Alleycat looked straight at me and said, What house one???!!! Sometimes all you can do when raising a child is pray and then pray again.

POTHOLDERS ON THE BRAIN!!!

2010-03-23T00:20:00.005-04:00

So, a little while ago, like 2 maybe 3 weeks or so, I made these dishcloths and tea towel from the last of some cotton scraps. It was intended for my own kitchen which I tend to neglect somehow by throwing anything in there to handle dishes. I had some nondiscript potholders which I think my kids threw away. They began grabbing anything to us as a potholder substitute. So I knew I would soon make some new ones.

Apparently I was not quick enough as there seemed to have occurred a mishap with my lovely tea towel. Boy was I mad. No one fessed up to the dasterdly deed. After the initial shock wore off, I investigated the burned area. To my dismay it came apart in my fingers. I began to unravel first the crocheted edging , then the chinese waffled sticthes. It had burned form the bottom edge; even more disconcerting this because one cannot simply frog and restitch from the wrong end. I knew I had to go down at least to where I'm pointing to clear the scorch.

So I unravelled backwards not at all like simply pulling the yarn, I had to take each stitch one at a time. Finally, that done, I had to sort of pick up stitches from the wrong side and recreate the pattern backwards; knitting where I had purled and purling where I had knit and slipping stitches backwards. It was crazy.

Especially since I only had this small amount of yarn left to redo it.

But i made it work and after it is laundered, it should look good as new. Yeaaaa Me.

BIG BLOG LIST!!!

2010-03-20T23:23:00.002-04:00

It seems that there is no end to the wonderful ways to network online. Just tonight I discovered the following. I signed up but it takes at least 2 weeks to be approved. In the meantime, I will share the info.

NEW FRIEND FRIDAY

2010-03-20T05:28:00.002-04:00

This seemed like such a great idea, I joined on Saturday. oops. This is the brain child of the Girl Creative.
It's an effort to make blog friends and I could definately use a few of those.

I'M HARVESTING FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT ONE BY ONE.

2010-03-14T01:17:00.007-05:00

THIS IS LOVE. It belongs to me because its my favorite fruit of the spirit.

FAITH belongs to my 12 year old who inspired this project in bible class by saying the the most important fruit to her was Faith in a very eloquent testimony.

This is the next fruit. It will belong to my 17 year old. It is JOY because she is such a Joy to me.

AFRICAN INSPIRED BLUE JEAN CIRCLE WALLHANGING!

2010-03-02T11:28:00.005-05:00

What follows is my first ral attempt at free motion quilting. As you can see if was a fail. It cost me like an hour and a half to finish less than one third of the back panel for my pillow and three broken needles. I dont know what I was doing wrong but I just could not get it right. I left it like that as motivation to get better and to show how far I have come hopefully one day. lol The other side of the back I did in a wacky crazy zag. Straight lines are so much easier. The front I wanted a little more finished looking so I did that in a somewhat more uniform zig zag. The whole pillow could probably go under some category of lazy quilting, but whatever. What you are looking at is the inside where I used scraps and stuff. The solid pink is actually from the beautiful pillow case that started this whole project. My daughtert used the pillowcase like a potholder and burned it (why I will never know). I love these sheets and need both pillow cases. These are Isaac Mizrahi sheets now. So I used what was left of the burned case and embellished it with other fabrics to use as a replacement and to practice on the cheap.

This is the outside of the finished pillow case. The batting and quilting will make it extra comfy.

This next project was inspired by a group of African fabrics. I am not sure how to quilt with fabric like this , so I thought I would just improvise something. I didnt want another hexagon pattern but I did want something I could make at night while watching tv or just chatting with my girls. So this is actually Doreen's Circle blur jean pattern. I modified it a little trying to make it a lap project. I tried several ways of sewing the little windows by hand and it just didnt look good. Finally I had to zigzag the windows but I did mattress stich the resulting squares. Its actually hanging on my wall now. My daughter liked it so much she wants me to frame it, which I do beleive I will. Gladys, my wonderful new friend who helps me keep clean and orderly at home, would like to sell a few at her church. So I will count this project a success and make a few more it seems.

TV TIME EXTRAS #2

2010-02-27T19:05:00.003-05:00

My attempt to hand quilt the Blue Jean Circle Quilt per Doreen http://www.equilters.com/library/jeans/jeans_gallbaros.html in wall hanging size.

***

My initial sketches in an attempt to build the better toy elephant.

CAN ANYONE JUST WATCH TV ANYMORE???

2010-02-27T18:49:00.004-05:00

So, my question is what are you also doing while you're supposed to be watching TV? Pre-crafting, I would watch the telly and thaats it. No need to busy my hands or mind with a lap activity or tray table activity as the case may be. But now I simply must have something to keep me busy while also concentrating on my favorite shows, Grey's Anatomy, CSI wherever, Survivor. etc. Even when I have missed the line up and have to catch it late night on Fancast, I still need an extra project to work on or I feel like some useless time wasting is going on. Soooo, my question is ... am I alone in this little trait? Hopefully my kid is wrong in thinking that I am alone on the blog and wont get a reply, but nonetheless, the only dumb question is the one not asked. And to spur you on , tyhe following are some of my little projects. The first one actually has no goal in sight, just yarn busting, but fun.

IM IN LOVEEEEEE!!!!!

2010-02-22T01:24:00.004-05:00

2010-02-17T00:52:00.001-05:00

Go checkout the fabulouse Blush giveaway at 44th Street Fabric on Etsy.

CREATIVE KETCHUP?!?! OR BLUE BLING FETISH???

2010-02-16T23:27:00.010-05:00

Some stuff I really find makes me happy has one thing in common, BLUE BLING!!!

Like.... condensation.... was like... getting on the furniture and stuff.... and i didnt have a coaster big enough for this mug... So like... now I do.

New dishtowel and 2 dish clothes made from leftover cotton yarn yeah. The last of the last of the leftovers made the mega coaster mentioned above.

My daughter (almost 18) begged me to make her a pillow with the rest of the doll coat fleece.
It's small but she likes it and came up with this really wierd trim from scraps.

Cellphone cases for both girls. I dont think they really liked them as much as they thought they would when they saw my camera case. Kinda hard to text constantly 24 hrs a day if the phone's in a case. Those of you with teens know what I'm talking about.

And, last but not least, the beginnings of a new project. Love these colors.

2010-02-15T05:56:00.002-05:00

Head on over to Make it and Love It by clicking the button below. She has another great giveaway taht you dont want to miss.

DOLL CLOTHES

2010-02-12T05:23:00.004-05:00

Well it seems the Mom's like the blue jean outfits and the fancy dresses best. They arent that crazy about the cotton print outfits but the little girls like them better becausee of the cute colors. The moms will probably like the cotton outfits as spring and summer approach. But for now the girls and their dolls will need dresses to wear the a father daughter dance and a mom daughter tea. And they want to stay in the $10-15 range. I am using left over fabrics from stuff I have made for me and the girls and I tried to add on cute embellishment to each outfit. On some its the trim and for some others its a little handmade piece of jewelery.

I DONT HEART VELCRO!!!! ARGGGG!!!

2010-02-12T04:26:00.005-05:00

The project was coming along wonderfully. I had modified the pattern for the cell phone case my little girl requested once she saw my camera case from yesterday. She wanted it to be the same material i had been working on for her pillow. So I decided to use parts of 2 of the squares that I had not squared yet. Hence, the whole thing form start to finish was taking about a half hour, plenty of time for me to start dinner before they got back form a group meeting. Just as I was finishing and trying to iron the flap seams into submission, IT happened. You know what I mean; the IT that makes you want to say "SSSSHHH*******". I had pressed the velcro. I got a small sick feeling in my gut. The sticky part was completely gone. I thought maybe it wasnt as bad as it seemed so I tried to connect the two parts anyway. The sewing gods laughed. So I had to pull out the old SR (seam ripper; synonymous with grim reaper). Ok I was refocused. I'll just hand stitch it, no problem. My kid wont even notice the black remnants that wont come off. I got right at it. Thimble in my quilting basket by my bed, I will go barefingered for this little task. I finished in record time. I auditioned the close and ........ WTFFFFFFFFFF???? I had sewn the wrong piece. I now have two sticky pieces and no fuzzy piece. I looked around for the camera. This had to be a prank. The little faux pas* had already caused the half hour project to take forty five minutes. Alas, I perservere. Voila! ... the proof, pics:

*So my lovely mature 17 year old has an excellent vocabulary and has been known to read the dictionary and use a new word everyday. She is so concerned with words that she makes up completely convincing words and phrases the either dont exist or are completely nonsensical. She has even fooled an educated adult now and again (but not me... lol). So anyway, the other day we were playing Scrabble and I kinda slid in the word "faux" on her (not above the occasional challenge to the rules). So she goes, "foux" like fox with an extra vowel. I said no "faux" like "faux fur" meaning fake. She got this wierd look on her face, sort of blank but sad but disgusted. Then she looked me in the eye and said, "Mama, you mean to tell me all this time I thought I had some kind of fancy animal hair jacket because when Daddy bought it there was a big tag that said "faux fur" and all I got is a fake fur...manmade????!!! I thought I was gonna have cramps I laughed so hard. Kids... you havent lived without them.

DO I GET STRING CRED FOR THIS????

2010-02-09T22:47:00.007-05:00

Ok, did I actually eliminate two items on my list this time? Well that remains to be seen. What I did was make a camera cozy ala Sew-Mad's camera case tutorial. I think it came out very well. I chose to string quilt the outer shell because I love those colors and they are fabrics I only planned to use together on accessories because they dont seem to be suitable for a quilt per se.

So my question is whether it can be considered one of my projects for Loft's String Quilt Challenge ? It's actually more than 50% strips on paper foundation. (ssspyce pushes the latent lawyer tendencies down). Well I'm going to ask Stephanie. I'l be crossing my fingers. lol

Here are the pictures. I first took it with my phone inside because I was using the camera to take the picture, duhhhhh. But as I was posting this I looked in the drawer and found an older camera to take a camera actually in the camera cozy pic. lol

MAKE IT AND LOVE IT GIVEAWAY!

2010-02-09T05:54:00.006-05:00

Click the button for all the info.

BOY STUFF!!!!!

2010-02-08T01:16:00.006-05:00

Check out Celebrate the Boy Month over at MADE.

I was so glad to find this because they are going to post tutorials and other goodies all month exclusively for little boys. I my extended family there are like 10 boys under ten years old and two little girls. My nephew especially wants me to make boy stuff. And let me tell you even though I was excited about the teddy bear string quilt, he wasnt all that impressed. ahahha

STRING QUILT EXCITEMENT!!!

2010-02-01T00:48:00.001-05:00

Yeah! I finiwshed my first string quilt. It was so much fun. I am going to give it to my nephew as a teddy bear blanket. I love the colors and overall design asthetic. I ven like the size of the block and trim peices in the front. I did like the back but I had a few problems with it as I quilted. Got a little confused about the mitered corners. They did not turn out right. Also I had a hard time with the hand quilting method of rocking the needle. I like the concept and I was able to acheive a version of it. But I couldnt keep just the tip of wither finger on the needle; I had to pinch the needle a little to feel like I had control over where it was going. Furthermore, the bottom shifted a little and I ended up with an unwanted pucker. I am also wondering whether I should allow the puckering I encountered during the n0rmal course of quilting or should I be doing something differently. Hmmmmm???? Well I was in a hurry to report the finish to Stephanie over at Loft Creations for her No Strings Quilt Challenge. But I think I will sleep on it and try to come up with some solutions for the problems I encountered.

These are the pictures of the little quilt but not the actual bear recipient. This is just a standin.

STARRY NIGHT, STASHING AND OTHER SUCH STUFF!

2010-01-22T15:00:00.003-05:00

These are just a few of the things that can bring out my smile on any old random day. First we have a little something I ordered on the net. For the longest I had a piece of cork but with the new pc it just seemed a shame not to have something cute. So this is what I ended up with because of my fetish for blue, love of the original, and novelty of the following. ... It's a one piece puzzle!?!?!
No .... it's Starry Night by Van Gogh and it's my new....... mousepad! Loooovvve it.

A gift from my sweet sister and a new addition to my collection in beautiful turqoise and ebony. I love the colors. And since I am revealing all of my little idiocentricities today, I have to add that my sister is one of the few people who shares my exact love of containers. We always notice bags boxes and containers. But since she is less likely than I to retain them, she usually gives to me. All that said, I love the box that came with the mug. Its definately going in my collection.

Then there came the following additions to my fastly growing addition to collecting quilting fabric. I love the african inspired print with the mommy and little girl. An the batik that I bought with it is in one of my all time fave color schemes. These will end up in several things but first I have a girlfriend that moved away that I love and miss sooo much and I am goind to make her a quilt for her new home.

Then there's this little bunch of sunshine. Lovveee it. All of these colors make me smile and most will go on my own personal quilt which I haven't been able to decide a motif for. It may be a log cabin design.

DOLL QUILT UPDATE!!! I am hand quilting and really enjoying it. I am doing some kind of spiral on each flower design. Can you tell? Its puckering already. I wish I had someone to critique it so that I wont get into any bad habits. so if by chance you are reading this and want to tell me something I am doing all wrong, please do so. After this I will start my first string quilt project. Another doll quilt will make me practice more. I like the hand quilted look but I know I can only handle it on small projects. And I will follow a pattern so that I am not just making up as I go. We'll see.

WTFFFFFF WALMART?????!!!!!!

2010-01-19T19:52:00.002-05:00

Ok so like I was innocently cruising the web when I came upon The Home Ec Teacher's Daughter. While commenting at her 200 post celebration and taking a look around (for things that can improve my blog) I spot this list that she has of places she goes on the net to relax her mind. I had no idea what I was in for when I clicked on Walmart People. OMG!!! My trips to Wallyworld have never been this eventful. Before I knew it I had been on the site for 2o minutes and was still in the January to now posts. Who takes these pics??? Employees? Shoppers? I'm in shock. I am so glad we dont see these people in our WM, because my kids simply could not be controlled and I would have to leave the store from the embarassment of the scene they would cause acting a fool all up in the people of WM's faces. HHHHHaaaaaaaaaa.

THE QUILTS OF GEE's BEND!!!

2010-01-18T19:12:00.004-05:00

IM SOOOO EXCITED!!! The Gee's Bend Quilts are coming to Flint, MI. That's less than a hour from me. There will be an exhibit from January 23 to April 18. As far as I can tell, this is a rare occurrence . The specifics are here. If you are not familiar with the story of Gee's Bend, it is a fantastic one of culture, family, community and tradition. I am in awe of the whole thing. Check it out for yourself at the website.

DESTASH ALONG 2010!!!!!!

2010-01-16T23:43:00.003-05:00

I have joined a Destash Along that runs all of 2010 hosted by Crafting with Cat hair. You can join too. Just click this button in the sidebar.

MAKING STUFF

2010-01-16T22:56:00.003-05:00

So I have started the doll quilt that will eventually belong to my neice. This is definitely stash stuff. I just trying to get some practice. One thing that I need to work on is putting my color combinations together. I prefer to not use the already designed fabric combos. But I think studying them is in order so I can make better color combos myself. Also, I seem to get little puckers in some of the corners. I'm not really worried about that but I wonder if other people get them too. Personally, I'm hoping that the ironing will take care of it. Anyway this is what I ahave accomplished so far.

DOLL CLOTHES SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES!

2010-01-16T09:30:00.005-05:00

I just thought I would post some of the pictures of doll clothes that I have made recently. These are all sold now, but some are just sooo cute. One little girl came over with her mom and she had on a whole set of my clothes including a jacket, hat and scarf. Please excuse some of the pics my 12 year old took. ( she likes to help somtimes)

STRING QUILT CHALLENGE!!!

2010-01-16T09:12:00.003-05:00

Yessss! I have joined my first quilting challenge. I'm so geeked up, as we used to say back in junior high, all of which dates me in the most embarassing way. But if I'm to continue my committtment to blogging I simply cannot edit every thought for image. So like I said, geeeeked up. haha. You can check out the great challenge at Stephanie's blog by clicking the link below. This almost sounds like I know what I'm doing, right?

WOODEN SCULPTURAL INSPIRATION

2010-01-14T01:23:00.003-05:00

I love the internet. If you are ever looking for inspration for your craft you cannot beat it. I just came upon this fabulous page where quilts are sculpted in wood and painted. You couldnt possibly tell that these where not made of fabric. Love it. http/:www.gofraser.com/photos.htm

I CONTINUE TO RECOMMIT

2010-01-13T23:46:00.006-05:00

Well, I have begun the new year as I love to .... crafting. But I just haven't been able to commit to blogging the way I thought I would, even after getting all new computer equipment. So tonbight is time for recommittance to blogging. I will make an effort to log on for at least 15 minutes of uninterrupted posting at least twice a week. At this point I get on the computer and by the time I check email and my usual websites of interests, hours have accumulated and I feel I'm cheating my crafting so I log off without a word of posting. Event the times when i come to the blog I end up playing with the layout ... which i still am unsatisfied with. I am rtying out a few things right now because i felt like it needed some sprucing up but i havent found the right background or colors or banner yet. I will keep trying. But I have to commit to wirting somehting for an uninterrupted time in order to advance this blog as I know i can when i focus.

Speaking of which i would ike to share some pics from my new camera as well. Im just learning it too but its fun. I know several techiniques for better merchandise picture taking that i need to implement soon. For now I am just trying to get some stuff up and running.

These first pictures are my initial attempts at quilting. I thought I would make a few small projects so that i could experience a few techniquea relatively quickly. I lovedddd the english paper peicing of the hexagon quilted sewing machine cover. I needed something other that unfinished peices of material to cover my machine overnight as putting it up all the way was too much. Further I am not sure if yuou can call it a quilt if there is no batting or quilting. I like it this way but i definitely see where i would want the quilting for a cover of any kind. Also I made a cover for an old looseleaf that i need for project organization and maintenance. And I had a buch of these materials that i then realized I have always used in making trial projects, hence the pincushion which just happened to be sitting there when i took the pics.

Well I have wayyyyy surpassed my 15 minutes tonight. I have other things to share so I will return soon.

2009-12-24T17:20:00.001-05:00

2009-11-23T03:22:00.001-05:00

CRAFTSHOW UPDATE!

2009-11-22T20:42:00.000-05:00

Finally my health allowed me to attend my own craft sale. My wonderful daughter and sister held the other ones down for me. So anyway, I didnt make as much money as I expected from what I will consider my first show. But I did have a great time. I met a ton of crafters. I even receive an email from one customer thanking me for making her dishcloth set. Can you imagine such nice people? So all in all I am very happy. I plan on doing 3 more holiday bazaars before the holiday. I will make more dishcloth sets, they sold really well. I had decided not to make anymore doll clothes but then I got a call from a lady who saw my neice's doll clothes and wants to order lots of outfits for her daughter and two of her friend's daughters. And she invited me to a craftshow at her daughter's school on the 14th that she swears I can sell out however much I can bring in. So I'm excited about that. I just love making crafts and I really want to share what I make. This is a great outlet for me. I could never use all the things I make.

IS YOUR COFFEE COZY?

2009-11-13T02:37:00.001-05:00

LIZARD RIDGE LOVE

2009-11-12T13:40:00.000-05:00

Remember my accidentally inspired Lizard Ridge Explosion afghan??? Well the pattern designer, Laura Aylor, featured a picture of my afghan on her design page at Ravelry. You can check it out here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lizard-ridge-dishcloth . I am so pleased because I really did goof up her pattern. lol

Is everybody ready for a craft show ????

2009-11-11T15:51:00.000-05:00

Yeah it craftshow time again. I have been so busy trying to get my wears in order I dont kno what going on. Here are some of my contributions to the efforts. Uh oh false alert gotta go. bbs.

2009-10-25T07:39:00.000-04:00

BLOG, BLOG, BLOG!!!

2009-09-15T03:25:00.000-04:00

Somehow I have become a blog stalking maniac. It is simply amazing to me how creative the average blogger is. I can't seem to stop searching for new blogs. It's really addictive. Its taking my time away from my own little cyber contribution not to mention my crafting efforts. At any rate I always like to give a nod to somebody who is apparently uber creative. Such is one Jennifer Maestre. She sculptor who uses pencils and nails as her medium and you would never imagine the creations she erects. Check this out.

SHE LIVES!!! or SEPTEMBER ALREADY???

2009-09-10T00:53:00.000-04:00

Yes, there was an August but it was tooooo crazy to post about. Anyway, I can hardly beleive summer is over what little summer we had here. The kids are back to school so I should be able to focus on some serious crafting. I'm supposed to sell some goods in a craft show in November so I'm trying to bulk up my sellable items. So far I have dish cloths, tawashis, and pincushions. I plan on making more coffee cup sleeves ( I gave away the few I made), neckwarmers and cowls, hats, more pincushions and even a few doll dresses. So I have some pics of course.

RANDOM RAMBLINGS...

2009-07-26T03:57:00.000-04:00

I cant believe E Lynn Harris is dead.

I finally ordered my own copy of Brick Lane after two years or so. I listened to the audiobook last year and loved it. So when they made a movie I was so excited. But the movie only showed at one theatre for a little while during which time I was ill. So I missed it. Waited and waited for the dvd, but no one rented it and it was like $26, (crazy for a video and I'm cheap too). So finally I found it for $5 on the net and yeahhhhh it was so good. loved it.

Now another one of my little quirky favorites is coming out. I always think the stuff I like is quirky, then I find out the whole world likes it too. Which in some weird way is a little disappointing to me. But, I digress. The time Travellers Wife .....yesssss, is coming out August 14th. Loved the book. cant wait.

YUMMY SOUP FOR MY TUMMY!!!

2009-07-26T03:42:00.000-04:00

I have always seen these blogs where people display their food. It always looks like some gourmet meal. Then one day my daughter Al said my soup looked like a Martha dish. So I figured I would pt my out here for the world too. There is no recipe, just whatever veggies you have around, some kind of stock or I have even used V8 for a change and chicken. I always comes out different but healthy and tasty. Sooo, here goes.

UMMMM ok so my picture staging and taking could use some work but it tastes really good.

HERE ALLEYCAT! HERE ALLEYCAT!!!!

2009-07-23T20:14:00.000-04:00

BEHOLD MY LATEST KNIT CREATION, ALEX'S PINK AND BLACK ALLEYCAT AFGHAN. (audience applause) lol

This is my effort at designing a tesselating cat afghan. I wanted to see if I could design and implement from geometry to knitting. I think it was a success. Its not the most complex design but I love it because it also includes my daughter's favorite animal. I didnt want it to be too kitschy(?) so I just added stockinette eyes and noses. I am trying to get the pattern together.

AFRICAN INSPIRED DOLL CLOTHES!

2009-07-23T05:48:00.001-04:00

MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!

2009-07-01T02:21:00.000-04:00

MONIQ'S DOLL BOUTIQUE

2009-07-01T02:15:00.001-04:00

DOLLS NEED STUFF TO WEAR TOO

2009-06-04T02:28:00.000-04:00

SONALI GOES TO CHURCH.... in her pink hand beaded and embellished ensemble, accessorized by a matching headband and pink sparkle shoes.

SONALI ALSO ENJOYS A SUMMER DAY... in her brand new summer dress of rose and blue posies on a yellow background and matching kerchief.

Keep returning to see more Spyce designed doll originals.

OH MY, 3 LIL FISHIES ARE SWIMMING BY!!!

2009-06-04T02:21:00.001-04:00

KNISSUES!?!?!?

2009-05-26T02:38:00.000-04:00

AM I EXPERIENCING KNITTING ISSUES???

It seems that I, a prolific knitter, at least in quantity of knitting if not in sophistication of knitting, am having an issue regarding yarnage. I am the proud owner of an envious stash of luxury yarns. I have hand dyed(s), hand spun(s), superwashes(s), silk blends, cashmerino, and several designer novelty yarns in sufficient quantity of afford a really significant project. The issue? It seems that I am stuck in a cheap scratchy brashly colored world of acrylic from the superstore. I cant bring myself to use the more mature and sophisticated yarns I have. For instance, I have been promising myself that I would make something just for me with a lovely supply of handspun wool in shades of pumpkin russet gold and a mix. Its been six months now and I havent touched the yarn. I made my cousin a prayer shawl with a gorgeous silk mohair and wool. The whole time I had this nagging feeling that I wasnt doing the yarn justice. That somehow, my knitting was not worthy of such a luxurious fiber mix. I have decided to force myself to use this yarn soon. But even as I type this, I am remembering the stash of cheap pink acrylic waitng in my craft closet. I may have to seek counsel. Pray for me.

SUESSPIRATION?!?!??!

2009-05-26T02:21:00.000-04:00

ONE FISH,

TWO FISH,
RED FISH,
BLUE FISH!!!! LOL

LUCKY BABY!!!

2009-05-15T17:39:00.000-04:00

SOME FAVORITE FO'S

2009-04-23T00:10:00.000-04:00

The following are finished objects from various past projects. Included among them are the Fetchling Fingerless gloves and Spring Forward socks that everyone on the net has knitted. I often try to stay away from such patterns but with Ravelry and all it seems that more and more the knitters chose the same patterns which are both beautiful and a challenge to knit. But my favorite thing is the green and blue afghan the I crocheted without a pattern using a millions different yarns and especially the novelty yarns that you pick up and then cant find a good use for. So here goes:

COLORSPIRATION

2009-04-20T23:52:00.000-04:00

Most recently I have realized my true affinity is toward more color. It appears to have a spiritual affect on my psyche. So I am giving in to the concept of color inspiration or maybe color exploration. Really, its just about trying to find images or inspirations that I like. I tried this meme thing where they ask you to answer a bunch of questions about yourself and then type the answers in flickr and post the first image taht comes up. Well, I didnt like the first images. But some of the others blew me away so I stopped the meme thing and just searched in a kinda looking at the pretty pictures sort of way. Below is what came up when I typed in Spyce.

Happily off to a new adventure ....... (hint, hint, wink, wink)

2009-04-18T00:04:00.000-04:00

Lizard Ridge Explosion

2009-04-17T23:58:00.000-04:00

OKayyyy, so, this is what happens when you make the dishcloth and love the pattern so much you want to make the throw. But because your printer is broken and you have a sleight case of ADD, you assume (be nice) that the dishcloth pattern is the same as the throw pattern just smaller, or something like that. Futhermore you have some cheap yarn that you prefer to experiment with that your kids thought was cute but you would not make anything to wear using. You mix two of these skeins and the colors just make you happy, kinda giddy, almost euphoric. You cant stop … you send the kids youknowwhere to buy more ugly cheap yarn. The brighter the better and dont try to match anything. Well to make a long story shorter somewhat, you and everyone else absolutely love the result.

UNUSUAL INSPIRATION

2009-04-17T00:49:00.000-04:00

SHHHHHH!!! WIP

2009-04-04T21:24:00.000-04:00

Who said cheap yarn cant be beautiful and oh so much fun to play with?

NEW BLERT!

2009-03-29T23:25:00.000-04:00

BLOG ALERT = BLERT

Ive been working on knitting projects and charity work, etc. and trying to find the right inspiration for the direction that I want my blog to take. While cruising the net today I came upon a blog I didnt think would be something I would be too interested in ... high fashion. Not that I dont like high fashion. I mean doesnt everyone just love it. But Im usually one of those people who likes to look at the pretty pictures as opposed to reading about the movers and shakers of the industry. And never have I ever cared about being up on designer brands. But I found this site somewhat intriguing ... at the moment anyway. Perhaps its because the author actually appears to be semi intelligent as opposed to a wannabe name wearer...I think. Any way here it is. http://stylechile.blogspot.com/

BEADS MARK THE STITCH.....

2009-03-17T15:32:00.000-04:00

LOVELY HANDMADE STITCHMARKERS.

I wonder if this counts as the same hobby as knitting or an additional one.

THE PRINCE'S LITTLE CROWN

2009-03-16T23:35:00.000-04:00

The little hat for my upcoming cousin nephew is finished. This is my own design and i have kept meticulous notes from which I will write the pattern. Its actually really styled after a crown with knitted jewels, diamonds, a shaped crown with a star motif that ascends into bobble jewels and a top tassel made of knotted i-cord. I dont know if you can tell all that form the pics but maybe i can talk somebody into taking better pics for the pattern.

and I even made a pair of little footies to go with it. I still have enough of the green left over to add a motif or something to the navy that I am going to make his other stuff with. So, eventually he will have a really cute set.

And finally, I just want to say that I love my little Bella (16 yr old daughter). Everytime this girl goes somewhere, she buys me something. She is soooo sweet. The other day she bought me 2 roses, some Obama pins, and Delta Sigma Theta footies. Today she brought home this mug that she saw me looking at like 6 months ago at Rainforest Cafe but I refused to spend that much on a mug for myself. Can you imagine a teenager being that sweet. Its rare and believe me she has her moments but I am still blessed to have such caring girls. The other one, 11 yrs, went with Grandma last weekend and bought her older one a cute shirt with big rhinestones on it. And she said, "I spent my own money that I earned cleaning for Grandma". I just love my kids, especially now... when they are sound asleep. lol

Options Needles Rock

2009-03-15T01:55:00.000-04:00

This is a post I made in my Options ravelry group. thought it was cute and wanted to share.

"Hi Everybody, My name is Spyce and I’m addicted to Options needles. (hears the crowd chiming “hi Spyce”.) I am a true Options head. My needles of choice are the interchangeable circulars. I have been strung out on the nickel plated ones for like two years now. I got my first Options high after I got tired of buying circs in all different sizes and lenghts and they always looked so disarrayed. I searched and searched, didnt like Denises or Bates and Addis ddidnt have a whole set back then. Plus Options came with a beautiful case and little plastic pockets and the little keys and stuff. That was all the paraphenalia a junkie like me needed. I cant kick this habit and just yesterday I copped my delivery of Harmony size 7 interchangeables and 40 inch cables (seems like my main length these days). I didnt need them … just couldnt put off buying them another day. And you know once you buy one thing you might as well get 50 bucks worth so you can get the free shipping. (well that might be a story for another post) Just wanted to say hi and thanks for having a place for a options fiend like me to come."

PLAYIN WIT MASELF

2009-03-14T18:07:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I'm not really playing with myself because this is a family show. lol But once when my son was really lil dude, a really loud lil dude, I asked him what he was doing (because he was making so much noise in the playroom) and he said,"Oh Ah'mm jus playin wit maself". I was just one of those times that a mommy never forgets. And that's how I feel when I play with my yarns and stuff. Just damn happy. lol Let me show you why. Part of the stash from Knitpicks. The lovely Tidepool Swish and tadaaah, the exquisite Harmony size 7 tips.

This shot features Harmony and my first attempt at a ball using my new yarnballer. Probably not as neat as they will be once i get some practice.

And this is my second attempt. I held the yarn for better tension which worked out much better. But I dont have a swifter and wont be buying one so I had to keep stopping to straighten the 400 yard hank which of course is the fun and dainty Knitpick Shimmer. I have had Shimmer for at least two years, because I refuse to have two lace patterns going at one time and since my last one has been on snooze for like a year and a half, I just pull this yarn out and finger it every now and then.
More from my latest haul. This is the cheerful Essential kettle dyed sock yarn. This is just two balls but it will be more thatn enough for a cute pair of anklets and something for the baby.

Boy, do I adore those Harmony's.

These socks are like the second or third pair I made. They are Essential sock yarn in my fave color Granny Apple. And this is also how I know I can get anklets and .....

this ... which will be a hat for my new baby cousin. I think I will name it The Prince's Crown. I designed it and will share the pattern on Ravelry soon. It probably uses 20-25 grams of sock yarn. Don't you just love these cute little stitchmarkers. Would you consider making stitchmarkers another hobby or the same as knitting? Hmmmmm....

I also made these for the baby. They are like 2 inches long. cute as pie. But I'm not happy that I couldnt match up the stripes. I was really just trying to see if you could actually make theem with a ball as small as a walnut like the author said. and yeah you can and have some left over. (just not enough for the stripe repeat darnit)

Pattern Smattern

2009-03-13T17:45:00.000-04:00

I have been trying to settle down and write up my patterns for some original stuff. I have to do this but its like the most dreary part of knitting. I know the end result will thrill me but its getting there thats a drag. I already see that I will have to use pdf. Dont know how, but I'm sure it will be easy once i get started. I wonder if people write stuff down in a notebook like I do or what. I can hardly ever stop knitting to write down what I'm doing. and going back is a joke...lol. Like right this moment I'm trying to ignore the new delivery I got from Knitpicks today. But I'm soooooo excited to finally have something I've wanted for a while now. Drumroll..........A YARNBALL WINDERRRRRRRRRR ..... YAYYYYYY. I already wound a balll of yarn that was already in a pull skein but I just wanted to try it and didnt feel like going to get any of the hanks I havent touched because I didnt feel like hand winding. I works pretty good. The cakes are a little on the small side I think but thats okay. I also got a pair of the Harmony wood needles. They are so cute and smooth as can be and they feel so good when you use them. I am addicted to my Options set and adding the wooden ones works out great. Okay well back to my toys. I will take pictures soon.

OK DAY TWO...

2009-03-12T11:58:00.000-04:00

I have been going back and forth setting up a new blog for my family. I guess I should post a picture of some of my stuff. i am currently working on baby stuff for my cousins upcoming arrival and on Easter stuff for my neice and nephews hopefully. BTW isn't Ravelry just the greatest thing since sliced bread. I just luv it. Between that, ETSY and EBAY, I can hardly keep up with all my ideas.

So, here are the Valentines I made for my daughters. I call them Funky Luv. Seamless Heart-Shaped Pillow by Eva McDonald from Blah, Blah, Blahhhg

This is a cute little knitted version of a chocolate Easter Bunny. I call him Buster because he busted my stash of brown yarns. lol This one is from the same designer. Chocolate Bunny
by Eva McDonald from Blah, Blah, Blahhhg

This is Germachu. I designed him. He is …well…. he’s a germ. hahahaha. Hence, he has green ooze escaping an orange boil, fuschia pockmarks, a fly nesting on his eternally extended tongue, blue green worms coming out of his balding gray head where the only hair grows from a wart. and he only has one remaining eye having lost the other one to conjuntivitis. hehehhe

WELL, LET ME SEE HERE!!!

2009-03-11T00:07:00.000-04:00

I'm just getting my bearings here. I have been promising myself that I would start a blog forever. But now that I have one I am not sure what to do first. Hmmmm. Kinda like when you move into a new place ... you know you have a bunch of stuff to do but what's more important. Think I'll check out the Layout tab.