Crochet, Spiderboy, & Art

I have been making lots of creatures.

The funny thing is how they all look different from one another. Each one has its' own personality even though they are all from the same pattern. Maybe some of it is because I have been watching entirely too much tv while working.
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Miles has been busy too. Here is Spiderman casting his web.

Here is battling Venom. For some reason unknown to me he also calls Venom by another name--Dennis. I do not know why.

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I bought the most awesome crochet bag ever. It is by Land's End. I like all the interior pockets and the fact it is stable on the floor. It never tips over. I should add I doubt it was made specifically for crafting, but it works well for me.

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Here is Spider boy all dressed up and ready to fight crime:

Notice the back won't stay closed anymore. I think he is outgrowing it. I may have to spring for one in his size.

Too cute.

Have a great weekend.
Karen

I'm back!

It's been a long time since I have blogged. I can't really give one reason why I quit. I guess I got out of the habit and life kept "happening," so I was preoccupied.

I have kept busy with the same interests and the addition of two new ones: Netflix (streamed through Roku box) and the Wii. Oh my! The former may explain some of my absence. I love watching trashy tv. It is escapism at its' finest! The wii is fun too. I love to box. I think Kevin is *slightly* worried about my passion for punching!

Here are some things I have been working on:

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Alright...switching gears....
Does anyone out there read Readymade? I used to like this magazine. I don't know what happened to it. Maybe I changed? All I can think is "WTF happened to DIY" when I see magazine covers like this one:
Yes, the lamp base is made from a book.... Imagine dusting this thing. Or imagine the heat from the bulb hitting that paper. Wonder what that paper is treated with? I bet you could shellac it for future generations.
Yeah, this is one of the best projects of the year. Gah.
Am I wrong on this? Do you like it?
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Good to be back. I will try to update more frequently.
Karen

Creating & Scarf Project

This project was on delay forever it seems. I had a hard time getting an "E" and a "R." For awhile I thought I was only going to make a "BAD" sign. If you ever want to cut a license plate up, you need tin snips. I nailed the top and bottom of each letter to the wood.

My favorite part is that the "B" came from a CA plate, and above the letter is "for"....so it looks like "for BREAD" and I find that charming!

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Mimi's been hard at work too. She is making turkey art for gifts.

Isn't this so stinking cute?? She has such initiative. She will sit and create the coolest things.
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This scarf is for this project here. I hope whoever gets it likes it. I am working on the second one now. If you cannot knit or crochet, they do accept gift cards.

Have a great week!
Karen

Making Stuff & Silliness

For a long time now Skipper had no hand. She was attacked by a shark, but doesn't like to talk about it. SO, Kevin took the dremel to her arm, and there you go. Now she has a hand. Kevin is not a licensed surgeon, so maybe keep this on the down low....
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I made some more curtains. Yes, the bottom part was a shower curtain. For some reason it was on clearance at Target. Maybe no one wanted this color in their bathroom? I like it as a curtain. The top part was a real bugger to sew though. It has all these beads in it, and I had to remove the ones in the line of the sewing machine needle. I ended up missing two and breaking two needles. Oh well. You live and learn!

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I cut wings and beaks for 14 more owls. After I make this 14 I will be done with the owls!!! I am looking forward to having this project completed.
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This is our last batch of tomatoes! I know we were incredibly lucky to have a garden last so long in the year, but now I regret saying I was tired of tomatoes. Nothing compares to a home grown garden tomato. Don't let those look-alike store tomatoes fool you! They look pretty, but lack the flavor of garden ones.
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More hair clippies for X-mas. Hope my SIL likes the button ones. Look away Lacy!! :)
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Kevin made the cat, Stripey Stop Sign, a proper scratcher. I want a new couches this upcoming year, and I am NOT going to do it if she keeps it up. I feel conflicted about declawing. I want to make a pact with her instead....I will give her catnip and seafood medley cat food in exchange for her leaving my crap alone. I think she secretly understands me and defies me....just like my kids! :)

Have a fun-filled week!
Karen

Making Gifts

It's making quality gifts-as-fast-as-you-can season here. Every year I SWEAR I will start sooner, and I do, but here is the problem....I LOVE to give away things after I am done. I need to save!!! I made a million little hair clips and barrettes. And I have been making crochet flower pins too.
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This sad looking pillow is for Miles. It is a book cover! It was on clearance for under 50 cents after school started.

He likes it and that is all that matters!
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Here is the start of another blanket. WHY? Because I can never have too many ongoing projects! I have someone in mind for this, but I need to discuss it with them first!

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Here is a little something for me:

I love the look and it stores supplies nicely!

Have a fun week!
Karen

Projects

I've been making things. I've been lazy about taking pictures. These flowers are for a pillow I am making. I hope to have it done before the weekend is up!
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This is a rough sketch of a bunting doll I'm going to make. I have several felted sweaters that would work for the body and hood. I found several sellers on etsy, but the cost was always around $40 or up, so I am going to see if I can make some for Mimi and her friends. We'll see....
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I'm not the only one making things. Mimi drew this of our family. I think it's great. Kevin has little dots on his face...Apparently that reflects his stubble from lack of weekend shaving! I also like our fingers. They are so animated.

Have a fun weekend.
~Karen

Finished!

It's done! Finally I finished Mimi's blanket. She loves it. I hope it keeps her warm this winter!

Now I am working on new projects. I will update later with pictures!
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We had a great T-day! I fixed salmon, cous cous, butternut & acorn squash stuffing, and spinach casserole. We ate like royalty! It was fun.

Have a great week!
Karen

Crochet Projects

Crochet projects are addictive...especially when there is no pattern involved. I like to make my own design, and see what I can create. The process is a love/hate relationship. In the beginning I am excited to get it going, and I can visualize the end project, but by the time I am half way done I get discouraged. But I crochet on closer to the finish line. Towards the end of the project momentum builds and I become excited to finish. All in all it is a rewarding process, and it allows me to express my creativity. I love to think the things I make live on and may even out live me.

This is for a dear friend:

Here is a new project I am working on:
It's Mimi's birthday gift from me. She picked out the colors. I have to make 20 squares, and then I will connect them, and make a nice pink border around them. I can't wait to put it on her bed.
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In other news (the bad kind), I broke a tooth in half early in the weekend. :(

Have a great week!
~Karen

I can't believe it's mid-November. My work station shows it. I have 5 different projects going on. I know. 5. That is too many. Look at my space:

Hopefully by 2010 my junk will be reduced as the supplies get used up!
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Here is a blanket I am working on. It is killing my hands. I should have opened it up to show you, but I was too lazy!

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Here is Ralphie. He is getting bigger.

I can't resist saying "Fly away!" when I see him. Look at those ears!

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I finished The Bastard of Istanbul. I really enjoyed the book. It didn't have this perfect Hollywood ending either, and I can appreciate that.

What book are you reading?
and
Are you making most, all, or none of your holiday gifts?

~Karen

Fred, the beta fish, is the newest member in our family.

He requires very little attention. The perfect pet!
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Remember one of my favorite things?
Look at it closely:

Yep, it broke. It broke the day we had the new heater installed. Just a clumsy move on my part was all it took. It may sound really weird, but I think I may like it more now. Not that I like having broken things, but it reminded me to enjoy things while you have them, and not keep them aside for someday.

It inspired me to properly display some favorite pottery pieces:

So, now we can enjoy it!

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I've been crocheting

I love this one:

I'm thinking it will be a pin....still a work in progress!

Another baby blanket:

Off to do laundry! Have a great week!
~Karen