All My Lobsters

Here a crocus, there a crocus

2011-04-13T22:03:00.002-04:00

Chipmunks love crocus bulbs. So much so, that they will dig up shallow bulbs and hide them for later tasty eats. However, when Chip forgets where he left those bulbs, those crocus will bloom in unexpected and unusual locations. It's rather sweet, but you know that Chip is just kicking himself for the short-term memory lapses. Oh, there it is....

There's still snow in the week's forecast, but ...

2011-04-04T15:29:00.003-04:00

There are signs of spring. :happydance: My allergies are acting up, and the juncos have moved on to colder climes. Most telling, the snowdrops have emerged. Optimistic little flowers, aren't they?

This is me, taking an example to heart.

2010-01-18T00:53:00.002-05:00

This is a little sweater I made for the aforementioned littlest Princess. She’s still got a fight ahead of her, but in every stitch, I put an extra dose of good thoughts and prayers.
It’s adapted from pattern in Crocheted Layettes for Baby (Carole Prior, 1990). The yarn is Patons Beehive Baby Sport in Big Girl.
I also posted it in the CraftStylish Gallery. http://www.craftstylish.com/item/54047/crocheted-baby-sweater-in-variegated-pinks

One for you, one for me

2009-07-17T09:30:00.001-04:00

One of the best rewards of knowing a craft is being able to teach it to a younger person. These are bracelets that my niece made. She did a great job of choosing complementary beads and stringing them, only needing a little help with the clasp.

This one's for the girls, the wee little ones

2009-07-16T01:01:00.000-04:00

There's a wee little thing by the name of Amelia, and she's a fighter. She was born much earlier than expected, but she's growing a little more everyday and getting past the obstacles in her way. She's got a wonderful family and a ton of community support, and this is my drop in the bucket of love. Baby hats for tiny little baby noggins, not only for Amelia but also for the other children who are fighting their way, one baby step at a time.

And the Ring goes Round and Round...

2008-12-08T00:28:00.003-05:00

In the past three years, I've lost weight, to put it mildly. I'm still surprised by some of the unexpected changes in my body. For example, my thumbs got smaller, approximately two ring sizes smaller. Now, most people probably wouldn't notice, but this little big change means that I can't wear my favorite thumb ring anymore. It's a simple stamped silver ring that I got about fifteen years ago and have been faithfully wearing on said thumb since. Something about that ring felt crazy, sexy, cool, and a wee bit rebellious. Needless to say, I was a'bumming when the ring was officially retired. But no fear! It's now my one of my favorite pendants. Strung on a faux leather cord, the ring is now a charm holder, with a selection of old earrings, beads, and charms. It's about 24 inches long and makes for a great conversation piece.

My original, not-so original Thanksgiving centerpiece

2008-12-05T01:47:00.002-05:00

I had this great idea for a centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table. I grabbed three assorted baskets, a lot of pine cones, a can of coppery spray paint, and the fabric leftover from the table runner. Spritz, serge, wrap, pile, and voila! I had a very appropriate and seasonal decorative piece, not to mention an original one... Or maybe not. Since then, I've seen the same idea (spray-painted and piled pinecones) in at least two magazines. Mind you, there were differences as to color and container. But I can't help but wonder: was I influenced by seeing this idea in a magazine sometime in the past? Did my subconscious copy the idea outright? Or was it purely a perfect storm of coincidental pine cones? How much of this creation was a creation, and how much was an evolution of someone else's example?

Pink and brown freeform peyote bracelet

2008-11-27T22:29:00.004-05:00

This was my second attempt at freeform peyote beadwork, and I just love the color combination. The pink pearly beads add an almost modern aspect to the field of beads in various shades of brown. A close-up of the bead work. It's freeform peyote, which essentially means that you stitch together beads in random patterns until you're done. Well, not really, but I enjoy the freeform aspect, weaving waves of texture throughout the bracelet. By the way, all the beads were salvaged from the local Claire's outlet store. If you have one close by, it's the best for discount jewelry to rip and refashion.

It looked like it needed something

2008-11-27T00:38:00.003-05:00

This ancient leather tote had seen better days. Tired, worn, but still fundamentally usable, and I'm loathe to discard something with potential. Before, it was an eyesore, but after an attack of fabric paint? It's a-swirl with swirls. I do love doodling swirls so.

"Make It Pink" CraftStylish challenge

2008-11-25T14:00:00.002-05:00

Craftstylish issued a "Make It Pink" challenge: for every pink project posted to their gallery during the month of October, they made a donation to a charity fighting breast cancer. With a challenge like that, I couldn't say no...Necklace, approx 19 inches long. It's three crocheted chains, each with beads added in. When done, I dipped the chains and beads in a fuchsia Rit dye bath for that splash of pink.