Facebook Plushies

That's right, the Facebook! I recieved a request to make 19 plushies for some Facebook employees in late March. They came complete with custom embroidery on the backs. :) It was not only fun to work on, but probably the funnest box to address that I've done yet. Well, mailing posters to Dr. Leemis was pretty sweet, too.

Here are some pictures that they shared with me. Enjoy!





They look happy in their new home. :)

Happy Birthday, Sis!

For one of my sister's birthday's (back in February) I made her a case for her new hobby. She has recently started to knit and crochet things. Since Christmas she's finished (that I know of), a scarf, a few pairs of baby booties/mittens, and at least one hat.

Rumor had it that she needed a case for her hooks and needles. So I made a giant pencil pouch for her to keep some stuff in. She's a professional tuba player so I lined the inside with some music fabric.

Happy Birthday!

Chalkboard Paint

I had no idea you could make your own chalkboard paint. I should try it with some of the leftover paints we have in our garage.

Here is a link from Martha Stewart for uses and, more interestingly, making your own!

Thank-You Gift

Back in November, a fan asked is she could interview me for her crafty blog, Nerd Craftices. It is in Portuguese, so you may not be able to read it (but its a very nice looking blog with good photos). Here is a direct link to the interview itself: Interview by Érica.

Well, after the interview, she sent me a sweet gift. And I mean sweet, this calendar is pretty awesome. :)


It's truly a stat nerd's calendar. She used R to create the images for each month! How cool is that. I love it. It sits on my bookcase where I can see it easily from my desk. :)

Thanks so much for the great interview and awesome gift!

A Twist on Science

You may have seen pictures of my subject pencil pouches, in particular the SCIENCE pouch. That one is by far the most popular.


A week or two ago I was asked if I could put a different word on the side of the pouch, instead of SCIENCE. After come conversing, we decided I would make a custom pencil pouch that said CULINARY instead.



I found some groovy purple print fabric for the lining. I like the way it came out and it sounds like she did too!

Cross-Stitching for the Classroom

I always enjoy pictures from customers! Be they pictures for contest, appreciation photos, or pictures of finished cross-stitches. Well I've got another one, and it's extra extra educational!


An AP Statistics teacher purchased a few patterns and has finished the first one! She stitched it up quickly so it could make it to her classroom in time for teaching inference.

How cool is that?! I'm so pleased to see it as educational classroom art!

A couple notes about how she made it and the finished product:

• It's framed in a 9"x12" frame and is large enough to be read from the back the classroom.
• It's done with #3 Perle Cotton thread, but it didn't quite lay flat for each stitch.
  
• Aida fabric was used, she doesn't quite remember the size, but it's probably about 11 count. (original pattern is for 18 count and finishes for a 5"x7" frame)

Thanks so much for the picture and for sharing your method! Can't wait to see the next one!

A Hat for Keagan

My aunt bought my daughter her first winter coat. Its mint green and lilac. And I've been meaning to knit a new hat for the little girl, too. What a great time to do so. And I don't have to decide the colors.

It also works out that I don't have to choose a pattern. Before she was born, my husband and I created a little hat for her, a little bug hat. But she has the curse of a large head (from me) and outgrew it in about 4 days.


So, her new hat is like her old hat, but bigger and different colors. I decided to write up the pattern as I went and share it with the world. It is my first time writting a knitting pattern, so hopefully its understandable. I'd love comments or pictures if you make it!

Keagan's Bug Hat

Fits about size 6-9 months. Finished size: 7.25" by 6" tall , when laid flat.

Uses less than half a skein each of 2 colors of yarn. I used I love this Cotton in a light purple and a light green.

Worked on size 6 DPNs.

Cast on 64 stitches with the long tail method. Distribute evenly among 3 dpns.

Rows 1-5: Work in 2x2 ribbing around in one color.
Row 6-35ish: Work in stockinette stitch around. Change colors after every 5 rows.

Bind off using your favorite method.

With seam line (where color changes occurred) at the middle back, stitch the top of the hat together, except for the last 5 stitches in each corner. I don't know what the name of the stitch I used is, and you may know of a neater way to do it. But I basically used a mattress stitch to join the two sides.

In one corner, pick up the last 5 stitches and use it to make I-cord. I changed the color every 5 rows again. My I-cords are about 8" long each. When you're done with the first corner, cut the yarn and go to the second.

Weave in all your ends and that's it! A hat with little bug antenna.

Notes:

• My daughter likes to chew on the cords, so I'm glad I made them long.
• You can make your color change at any point you'd like. If you want smaller or larger rows, or a mix, go for it!
• I also made her a scarf to go with it. I just cast on 16 stitches and did 2x2 ribbing for about 33 inches,changing color every 10 rows. Oh, I also slipped the first stitch of each row.