Crochet Stuffed Animal Hammock

My munchkin likes to sleep with A LOT of stuffed animals....so I crocheted a hammock for her lil' friends.  I could only find online patterns for the corner hammock so I made one up that would rest on a flat wall.   

 It really helps to keep her room clean and gives her much more room to sleep.

My Craft Room

I have finally finished setting up my craft room.  I have graduated from a "Craft Closet" to a full craft room...hmmm...I wonder if I need to change the name of my blog.  Anyhoo...right now I am very into neutrals.  I find it incredibly relaxing and if I so choose, I can add a zing of ANY color whenever I want with a throw pillow or a picture.

I love having the bookcase right next to my crafting table (BTW..my husby made that bookcase for me).  I can just reach over and grab whatever I need.  I also enjoy having the desk right by the window.  We live on the White Oak Mountain Range and the view is very pretty.  I find lots of inspiration from the trees and birdies. 

Speaking of birdies...

Here is a closeup of my shelves (hmmpf...that box is NOT perfectly straight)!

This is Livinia and her pincusion....two just recently finished projects.

The dresser is great storage...and it hides cluttered supplies. 
I have a drawer for odds and ends, embroidery, sewing and paint.



I purchased the cabinet in the corner from Ballard Designs. 
It has caster wheels and a little pullout desk. 
The lamp is vintage and it has a matching table lamp on the other side of the room. 
You can't tell from the pic but it is hobnail milk glass...which I adore.

Awww....look who snuck in the pic.  That is Jake....and he is a sweetie.

Oooszhhhh a Boo Boo....so cute!

Making Music - Jello Box Maraca

Whether it is on the iPod, piano or the kazoo, one of our family's favorite things to do is listen to and play music together.  My little one is always creating new sounds with homemade maracas.  To make this maraca, you will need an empty Jello box, two cut up straws, brown craft paper, glue, pencil, twine and/or a Popsicle stick and embellishments.  

Trace each side of the Jello box onto the Kraft paper.  You will end up with 6 pieces.

Cut out the six pieces from the Kraft paper.

Fill the empty Jello box with the cut up straws.

Glue the Jello box shut.

Hold it for a few seconds to make sure it sticks.

Glue your pieces to the box.  We use Aleene's Tacky Glue for most of our craft projects. 

Embellish however you like.  You can tie a piece of twine around for a handle....

or glue a Popsicle stick to the back.

Voila!

Sneak Peak

Here is a sneak peek at the sewing project that I am working on.  I have been hand sewing it a little at a time.  I would like to do some of it on the sewing machine but my 15 year old Singer is just plain frustrating.  There is soooooo much that I would like to do with a NEW machine.  I have been looking at the Brother LB6800 PRW.  It is an embroidery and sewing machine with tons of stitches and new gadgets.  My birthday is coming up in April.....hmmmmm......maybe I will get a new machine :-).

Polymer Clay Coffee Stitch Markers

One of my absolute favorite things to do is to relax in the din of the neighborhood Starbucks and crochet.  Soooo....I made these polymer clay stitch markers.  They turned out much cuter then I ever envisioned.  I can't wait to try them out.

Telephone Booth Embroidery

Here is a little lovely that I stitched up for my dear friend Helen.  Besides crocheting, hand embroidery has got to be one of my favorite past times.  I find it very centering to watch the thread tighten to form each stitch.  It is a nostalgic link to the past.  I dream of a time when manners and courtesy were a point of paramount significance.  AND, it is something you can do anywhere with very few materials.  The possibilities are endless.  I'm thrilled that it has become so popular again. 

I remember being on a retreat with my friend Helen and we shared some quiet conversation with our hooks and wool in hand.  Great memory!

Crochet ? Sardines ?

Yup....sardines!  On holidays, I like to make little crochet amigurumi for my father in law and daughter.  I stitched these little guys up in no time from this pattern.  I think it is actually supposed to be a cat toy...lol.

Owl Parcel

Here is little owlie treat that I put together for my little one. 

Today....her favorite color is robin's egg blue.  I wrapped up a special surprise in a pretty blue ribbon and added some paper doiles to the craft brown wrapping paper. I zjooshed it up a bit with a paper owl made on the Cricut with the Create a Critter cartridge.  I love the colors paired with the hat.  She loved it and wore it all afternoon (even though it is 75 degrees out)! :-). 

Pay it Forward 2011

I promised a lovely and crafty friend of mine...hint...hint... Curly Birds that I would send her a gift sometime in 2011.  I have it all packaged and ready to go.  Keep your eyes on that mailbox Helen!

Too Early for Halloween?

I don't think sooooo!  We all have terrible fall fever at my house.  First of all, the weather changed overnight...AND I swear I can smell that leafy piney cool scent in the air!!!