Orange Numbers 21 and 22: Coasters

After coming back from vacation, I had lots of ideas for new projects I wanted to start, and I was loathe to return to the orange fabric. I wondered if anyone would notice if I just stopped at 20. But, I think it's important to follow through, so here I go.

I made two sets of 4 coasters, one set is a little smaller than the other. They are just two layers of the fabric, sewn together and then top-stitched. Nothing too fancy, but it makes good use of the rubber backing - skid proof and water resistant.

Craft Swap Underway!

I put my Craft Swap glove animal in the mail today. I'm a little jealous of his trip across state lines to make a new friend. I've been so excited about sending mine that I kind of forgot until today taht I should be expecting a package in the mail, too! I'll be sure to share all the images I get as they arrive.

Crafting can be a great vehicle for creating community I wanted to do this swap to take my blogging experience from a one sided exhibition to a community activity.

Betsy Greer, from craftivism, in her thesis "Taking Back the Knit" on the current resurgence of craft, said:

I am re-establishing a connection via my own channels, reclaiming something that was lost in the postmodern quest for more more more. We are no longer knitting together out of a necessity for basic clothing needs, we are creating together out of necessity for closeness.

I guess there are lots of ways to create closeness, but I thought a craft swap would be a fun one. Let's do it again sometime!

Knit a Market Bag

The market bag I made on my trip turned out so well, I decided to share the pattern (below). I started with the pattern from purl bee, but I wanted something with a heftier handle, and a little more shape. As usual, I just sort of made it up as I went, but unusually - it turned out well!

When I first finished it, I was afraid I'd made it too small, and gathered too much so that the opening was too small. I had yet to realize how much this little bag would stretch. It turns out it's perfect.

Here it is , stuffed full of groceries on my kitchen counter.

I unsuccessfully tried to hold it up and take a picture. It was pretty heavy. It will hold a lot more than a plastic grocery bag. This picture shows the bag with all the stuff that was in it: 4 can goods, a bottle of olive oil, a bottle of sesame oil, a lemonade canister, a bag of beans, jar of peanut butter, coffee can, cornbread mix, and a small canister of sea salt.

Here's a close up of those handles I'm so proud of. I think the gather looks really cool. You can also see the little antique pin of a cuckoo clock I got on our vacation. Lovely.



If you like a little flexibility in your knitting, then this is a good pattern for you. I was so excited to see how it turned out, I could hardly put it down. this is the first knitting pattern I've ever written out to share, so let me know if anything doesn't make sense.

Market Bag Pattern

what I used:
5 oz (145 g) of 100% cotton yarn, 4 ply
size 10 knitting needles
size 10 (J) crochet hook
size 6 circular needles (I used these for the straight part and the circular part)

1.)The Bag

knit a lace rectangle that is 8" x 24". This is where the variation comes in - you could do this with a variety of lace patterns and needles. This is what I did:

using size 10 needles, cast on 35 sts (this lace pattern requires an odd number of stitches, if you use a different size needle, use however many stitches makes 8", but make sure it's an odd number). This will be the top front of the bag.

pattern from purl bee:
Row 1 and 3: purl
Row 2: k1, *yo, k2 tog, repeat from * to end of row
Row 4: *ssk, yo, repeat from * to end of row, k1

follow this pattern until your pieces measures about 24", bind off.

2.) The seams

fold your rectangle in half so that it measures 8" by 12".
beginning about 1.5" down the side, sew the side seam closed (leaving the top 1.5" open) with a crochet hook:

start with 1 loop on hook, go through top seam stitch on front of bag and the top seam stitch on back of bag, pull yarn though (now you have 2 loops on your hook), pull yarn through these two loops so you have 1 loop on your hook. Go down the side seam, repeating this until you have closed the side of the bag. leave a tail a couple of inches long, and weave in. Repeat for the other side seam.

3.) The gather

using size 6 needles, pick up 18 sts on the top front. (You are now "gathering" by only picking up every other stitch, so your number of stitches here will be half as many as you originally cast on. You will need an even number of stitches for the pattern.)

Work in seed stitch (*k1, p1, repeat from * to end of row) for 8 rows. bind off.

Repeat this on the top back of the bag.

4.) The handles

Using size 6 circular needles, starting at the far right side of the top front of the bag, pick up stitches in the open part of the seam (which now includes the 8 rows of seed stitch on both sides). You will pick up sts first going down the open part of the front side seam and then coming up the back side seam. I picked up about 1 st per row, but I picked up two stitches per row where the seams met. You should have something like 32 stitches on your needles.

Now cast on 36 stitches (or twice as many as you picked up in step 3, If you want longer handles, increase this number to 72).

Now pick up approximately 32 sts in the open part of the opposite seam in the same manner as the first.

Cast on 36 stitches (or twice as many as you picked up in step 3, If you want longer handles, increase this number to 72).

Join. (It's okay if your number of stitches varies, especially if you've used a different size needle. Just make sure you have an even number of stitches on your needle for the pattern) Work in seed stitch for 8 rows. bind off. Weave in any ends still sticking out - and you're done.

Made one? Add it to the wewilsons pattern pool.

Mystery Solved - sort of

I posted a drawing of a toy I had as a kid last year hoping someone would recognize it and remember it, and maybe tell me where I could get one. Truth be told, you guys really weren't much help. But when I came home from vacation, I had an email waiting form a girl who saw my post on Dr. Toy and told me she had this toy!



I was very excited (and relieved that I'm not just crazy). The toy has Hasbro Playskool markings from 1982, but neither of us know what it's called. Did anybody else have this? Anyone know where I can get one (no luck on ebay).

It's so totally cool. I've been imagining all the different arrangements and combinations of pieces ever since she sent me the pictures. (Thanks, by the way!)

aside: the picture of the drawing in the original post is missing, as are all of my pictures from before last november. when i unexpectedly switched back to blogger, I lost all the pictures I had posted on my old domain and I haven't bothered to upload them all again. You'll have to use your imagination.

No, I'm on vacation. Really.

Okay, our departure has been delayed by one day. So, I had all my stuff together, and my little glove animal just waiting to be sewn up... I whipped him together before dinner. Really, the whole thing, handstitched, took an hour - maybe. I've never made a sock/glove animal before, so I didn't know, but it turns out it's pretty simple (this should encourage those of you who haven't started yet). Since he was such a quick make, after dinner, I took a little time to make him some accessories. I want him to be a surprise, so I'll just give you a little peak now.

Also, L and I were watching the "birdies", and I just had to share - if I can get this thing to upload. My first exposure to hummingbirds was at my Granny's breakfast table. We would watch all morning, and when one came to the feeder by the window, everyone would hold their breath. I always thought they were skittish.

Imagine my delight to hear a constant hum on our front porch where a handful of hummingbirds fight for their spot at the feeder. They aren't the least bit shy, buzzing past our heads when we're on the porch. I wish I could have Granny over for breakfast. I also wish my video had sound because these guys sound like a racetrack!

Vacation

We are leaving for our vacation tomorrow, so you won't hear from me for a little while. I thought it would be great to finish all my orange projects before we left, but I didn't get to any of those this week since I had a sling order, play group, the craft swap, and packing and cleaning to do. Oh well, 20 down, 5 to go!

Speaking of the craft swap: we have six participants, and the project is underway. Remember to take pictures of your projects and put them in the mail around July 29!

I've got all the ingredients for my project packed up in my bag, ready to make in the car. After I saw Julie's cool market bag at play group yesterday, I also had to throw in some knitting needles and yarn to start working on this pattern. I like the lace in this pattern, but I'm going to change the handles to make them look more like Julie's reusable bags string bag. (Julie's been very inspiring lately!)

Also, I made L some banana bread sticks so she'd have something healthy to eat in the car. Then I also found these just veggies, and I've decided freeze dried may very well be the best way to get your veggies.

If you're terribly bored without my blog to read this week, hop over and read Chara's blog and Whitney's blog (two of our swap participants).

I'll leave you to meditate on this picture from my summer folder:

Orange Number 20: Shoes

I got this pattern from Craft via Make Art Not Trash, which is full of good upcycling links.

I used Whitney's suggestion and put the rubber side down on the sole, so no slipping. I didn't realize the straps were crooked until I was finished, which is pretty typical of me. I guess it wouldn't be too tough to fix it now, but I'd have to find my seam ripper, and that could take awhile...

I thought these would go on Etsy, but I guess I'm realizing I can't expect to make something well enough to sell the first time I try the pattern. But it was a pretty simple and fun pattern, so I may try it again in the future for Etsy. Though not with the Orange fabric because I'm running out!

We're going on vacation next week, and I thought it would be great to finish this project before we left. I've got the next four orange things cut out already, so it's possible. We'll just have to see how much time (and motivation) I have to sew this week.

Craft Swap - Last Call

Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the sock and glove animal craft swap. (see details here).

We still have a few spots available. See the instructions and links to patterns in the initial post. If you want to join in, comment here or email me quick!

wilsonlauralynn[at]gmail[dot]com

Orange Number 18 and 19: pillow cover, and yet another sketchbook cover

I made this little pillow cover quickly last night. It lays so nice and tight - I was just so pleased with it. I may have to make a second.

I hope it isn't cheating to keep remaking the same thing - because here I am with my third version of the sketchbook cover. This was supposed to be like the second one with a few minor improvements to put on etsy - but i liked it so much more, I decided to keep it myself. Who knows, maybe etsy will still get one.

This one fits the journal a little more snugly. I also had a small pocket for an eraser above the pencil pocket. On the outside, I added a small pouch for holding other odd things that won't lay flat on the inside (oops, I forgot to sew the button on!). Plus, this version is blue and orange which is only my favorite set of complementary colors - how could I not keep it? So, remember the other two? I don't have a use for them, and they aren't sell-worthy. Anyone want one?

Oooh, great applique tips

I was just reading these instructions on basic sewing machine applique - I could have used this last year. I'll just have to find another excuse to use it now...

Upcycling Craft Swap anyone?

My friend Julie showed me this beautiful little book on making animals from old socks and gloves.

I thought this would make a great idea for a craft swap! This will be the first swap I've ever hosted, so I'm going to limit it to 10 - 15 people. Want in? It's open to anybody who likes to sew and get stuff in the mail! This is what you do:

1. Email me at wilsonlauralynn[at]gmail[dot]com. include your name, address, and blog link (only if you have one, so I can link back to you!) by next Tuesday, July 15th.
2. At the end of the week, I will email everyone back with someone else's name and address.
3. Everyone will make some kind of stuffed animal (or person!) out of an old glove or sock - be creative!
4. On July 29th, everyone will put their stuffed sock animal in the mail to their person. This gives you about two weeks to make yours.
5. When you get yours in the mail, jump up and down with glee, then take a picture and send it to me.

Please, only sign up if you can follow through. It's easy to keep everything you make, so I think its a fun challenge to make something with the idea of giving it away. I've put some links below for ideas, or check out some in my etsy favorites (in the left sidebar).

Hurry up, and email me, I'm eagerly waiting!

Inspiration:

three dogs and a cat via schmeebot.com
sock monkey tutorial via crafster.com
bunny and dog from Kanamori's book from marthastewart.com
octopus sock puppets from objektknot

Orange Number 17: Giraffe!

This is a good one. I am thinking of naming him Sunkist, since I stayed up late randomly drinking orange soda while sewing him together. But we'll let L decide (sorry, this one isn't going on Etsy).

It was one of my first ideas, but I was a little nervous about tackling the whole making of the pattern. But after my bit of experience with elephant making, it came together pretty well with a few revisions. I have some ideas about how to make it even better (don't I always say that), and I may try to make some more one of these days in some fun fabrics for etsy. (My very own pattern - I've come a long way!)

Here's my submission to the Living Creatively competition. I had such a blast making it, and I loved the way it turned out - especially the way the metal wire and the soft quilted fabric contrast with each other.

It is a little notepad from upcycled materials, similar to the little notepad I write my to do lists on.

It's obviously a little more theoretical than functional, but it exemplifies the preciousness of our resources by giving new life to old materials and giving them a form that encourages keeping rather than disposing. But also, by requiring me to embroider my to do list, instead of scrawling it carelessly, it causes me to slow down and interact with my resources in a more thoughtful and deliberate way.

I've enjoyed browsing the Living Creatively zine - check out the cool winning entry to the Creatively Competitive competition - a scarf made from selvedge!

Creatively Comptetive

I took a little break from my orange crafts yesterday to put together a little entry for the Competitvely Creative "How Green Are You" competition. Living Creatively is a craft zine out of Australia that hosts competitions monthly. I'll post more about my entry later.

Orange Numbers 15 and 16: sketchbook folios

Okay, my chronology is a little mixed up, because I actually made this first sketchbook cover last week sometime, but I wanted to wait to post it for a couple of reasons. The first one being that I didn't like it so much.





The little flap that holds the sketchbook is too thin and doesn't really account for the width of the book. Also, I decided I'd rather have the book on the right side rather than the left, and the pencil pocket is lumpy where it is, so I thought putting it on the "spine" of the cover might make the whole thing lay better...

So here is the second version:





I like this one much better, although I made it just a little too roomy. There's plenty of pocket space for tucking in notes and images for inspiration - so maybe I'll stuff it up soon.

I used to have a big corkboard full of images to look at when I painted (because artists should always have a visual base to draw from). Since I've scaled down my studio, I don't have one anymore, so I put some of my favorite images into a little book to tuck into the sketchbook case. I glued images to blue typing paper and then covered each whole page with contact paper, finally stitching all the pages together with a little yarn. You can see my Vuillard's showing here. I just love him.



I'm thinking of using the first one for a coupon organizer, except I never have any coupons... I might make some more like the second one to go on Etsy, we'll see.

The second reason I wanted to wait to post about these is because I have a whole new project in mind - but it will have to wait until I finish the orange project. 9 more to go!

Orange Numbers 13 and 14: Belt and Doll

I was thumbing through some of my supplies looking for ideas, when I saw two d-rings. I had already cut the hem off of the curtains thinking it would be better to take advantage of the crease than try to iron it out. So, here was the perfect use. One d-ring belt, 54" which may be a little long, I guess. It has contrasting blue lines sewn the length of the belt for a little extra detail.

Then, I wanted to make L a doll using the black apple doll pattern with a few modifications. I used orange wool yarn for the hair, then felted it and tried to fluff it up a bit - this only sort of worked. This is the first "person" doll I've made in a long time, and I thought it was fun. I think I'd like to do it again, a little better this time. Technically, it has very little of the orange curtain in it - it started out with more, but it was slowly whittled away for the sake of the final project (and maybe my sanity - I'm beginning to get weary of orange!). Anyway, I make the rules, so it counts.