Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011 Thing a Week - Year in Review

So after making a thing a week for a year I have to say it was pretty dang easy. If I was only knitting things it would have been much more difficult, but with sewing I can get something done in an hour or less. If I forget to make something, at the end of the week I can put something together after Minnie goes to sleep and still get to bed on time. Knitting things definitely takes more time and planning.

It's also been nice to make so many gifts this year. It doesn't take much time to knit up a hat or sew some burp cloths, but it's so much fun to see people using the things you've made. I've made presents for baby showers and birthdays, but I didn't make holiday presents this year. Well, I started one that I messed up a bit, and I still haven't fixed it. Sorry, Mom! I'll get it to you at some point!

One thing I need to work on this next year is my blog. Sorry friend, you've been terribly neglected. I get so excited about making things but I don't spend much time recording what I've done. I also need to work on some tutorials for things I've made, like that dang shirt bib, so that you can make them too! I also need to post some on my works in progress. I can even post gifts as the recipient won't know it's for them, right?

So, holiday presents and blog. Anything else I should work on for 2012? (I totally wrote that as 2011)

Here's some of my favorite projects from this year:

Coasters for Melissa
I wear these socks all the time.
Shirt Bibs!
Yellow Dress
Sunshine Sweater




Friday, December 30, 2011

2011 Thing a Week - Week 52 - Drawstring Bag

One thing I'm bad at with my knitting is keeping things organized. I tend to just shove everything in my knitting bag (which I love, thank you hubs), and this can cause a problem as sometimes the double pointed needles will fall out of the knitting or the yarn will get twisted. This was an extra big problem lately as the sweater I was knitting is now put aside to make some gifts. It takes up so much space in the knitting bag that it was hard to look under it for the needles to yarn that was underneath.
I sewed up a project bag this week to keep the sweater in. I'm thinking I should sew up a few more so I can keep each project in its own bag. Maybe it's just a sign that I'm in a sewing mood rather than a knitting mood?

Oh, and I sewed up a few coaster sets to give as gifts. I really need some for myself since the coasters are a little too hard when Minnie throws them at us. I only took a picture of one set. I've got extra of the green fabric so I may make some more for us. I love this Nicey Jane fabric!

Friday, December 23, 2011

2011 Thing a Week - Week 51 - Double Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Cookies

So Dana from MADE posted this super yummy recipe and I knew I had to make them. I especially like that they are not super sweet. I think her photography helps to make them look extra yummy. With my camera is was hard to make them not look like poo.

I love them. I haven't made cookies in a long while and this was a great recipe to get back into it. They really are best to eat right out of the oven or within a day or so. After that they are terrific as double dark chocolate chip cookies with a bit of a crunch. Over time the pomegranate seeds will lose their juice and the cookies will become more moist. They are still super terrific, just less pomegranatey.

Friday, December 16, 2011

2011 Thing a Week - Week 50 - Toddler Bed

So this week we put together a toddler bed for Minnie. I know it's kind of a lame thing to post as my Thing this week since all I did was put it together, but I can't show you the other things I've been making because they're gifts. Here she is after her first night.
On the second night she started out on the bed but then she slept on the floor with the bottom half of her body under the bed. Silly bear.

Friday, December 9, 2011

2011 Thing a Week - Week 49 - Purple Sundress


It's been a few months since I made her last simple sundress, and even though it still fits (more as a top than a dress) I thought it was time to make her a new one. Hubs picked out the fabric, and I was bummed at first because I didn't have a coordinating print for the tie. I went with a solid white bow and I actually really like it.

I whipped this up in like an hour and a half because on Friday evening I realized I didn't have anything made for the week. I sewed up this dress after Minnie went to sleep and still had time to cuddle on the couch with the hubs. He's been all about playing Skyrim lately, and he wasn't even super excited about getting it. Anyway, it always surprises me how quickly this dress comes together, and how well it looks. Pattern available here.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

2011 Thing a Week - Week 48 - Kukui Nut Leis

This week I made Kukui Nut Leis! The hotel has a class they offer once a week. They have baskets with the different colors of nuts and you get to pick your own and arrange them how you like. We made some last year too, and I'll try to get a picture when we get back.


This is supposed to be for my mother in law, but Minnie loves this.

I made this one for myself.

This is the one I made for Minnie. She likes to wear both rainbow
leis at once.