Sunday, January 30, 2011

Valentines Cards

This weekend I whipped out a batch of Valentines cards for my family back home. I figure it's a nice way to send a recent photo of Naomi, as well as my love. (And who doesn't like to get something nice in the mail every now and then?)

Picture valentine

As usual, my supplies are from "stampin up" - card stock, heart patterned paper, heart stamp, ribbon, frilly border punch. I think they turned out nice, although if I were to re-do I would have done these portrait, not landscape, so that I could make the picture of Naomi larger. And maybe use the sepia version of the picture instead of full colour. Hindsight is 20/20 as they say.

Valentines card 3

(FYI, I use Picnik to work on my photos - it's a great, free, web tool that enables you to make various edits to your photos. I've also been using it to put a 'brag book' together for my Mum, using some of the collage style layouts they have available. Hmm, thinking of which, maybe I should share some of this in a future blog post?).

In addition to the Naomi Valentines, I normally get together with a couple of girlfriends each month to stamp. Here are the cards that were produced this month. (Sadly I wasn't there this time as Naomi had the bug-du-jour from daycare, but my girlies made these cards for me :) I especially like the one that uses a chocolate heart as decoration.

Valentines cards

I can hardly believe that Valentines day is just around the corner. This means my baby girl will be turning one very soon. And might not be considered a baby for much longer and she tries and tries to stand and walk... that's right my baby girl is becoming a toddler.

Wishing you a happy rest of your weekend,
Sam

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

This year's annual batch of felted slippers

These felted slippers probably aren't the prettiest things, but they are soo warm and comfy that they have become a must-own item for most of my family. And since they are loved soo much, they pretty much get worn out each year. This is a good thing in my mind... much prefer that my hand knits be well loved and consequently well worn vs sitting unused/rarely used in a closet or wardrobe.

So this year I've churned out another batch:
First request was from my brother for some in our local football teams colours - the Tangerine Army. And I'd heard that his wife needed an updated pair too.

Baz Blackpool Fc and Clare fuzzy slippers

My Mum is probably the #1 fan of these slippers so I made another pair for her:
(I think Naomi is inspecting the workmanship of these since they are for Grandma!)


Picnik collage mum's slippers

Joe is a huge fan too. To the degree that he gets a little disappointed when he has to throw an old pair away. So he's been looking into ways to make them last a little longer by putting a protective coat on the bottom (similar to that used on the underside of some non slip rugs). I'll let you know how that pans out...

(Love Bella to bits, but she's nowhere near as cooperative a model as Buster used to be)Picnik collage Joe slippers

And one of my good friends had a birthday and I know she likes these.

Picnik collage Cheryl

Finally I also like to have a new pair each year. I normally use scraps of yarn for my version and used up a bunch of leftover tapestry/needlepoint yarns again this year:

Picnik collage my scrappy slippers

Our newest family member has taken quite a liking to these. But given his fondness of chewing, this is the first and last time he'll be allowed to be this close to them :o)))

Besides he's found a much comfier place to lay down and rest - right on top of poor Bella!

IMAG0480

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

More holiday handmade

The rest of the photos are now downloaded and I'll start with the good news about the scarves - everything came out in the wash! I was over the moon happy and the scarves went off to the ladies at daycare today. Yay! (Better late than never I say ;) I used a little ribbon on the packaging and these super cute sheepy gift tags that Terrie had made (she made bundles of these for all our knitty girls this summer and gifted them to us at knit camp). I think this was the icing on the cake, thanks Terrie :)

Cute tags from Terrie

First Thermis - I've been wanting to make this one for a while, and it is a great gift knit as it is fairly quick to whip out. Think I might be making one for myself to keep warm now that the cooler weather has come by. I used RYC Cashsoft Aran, and made no mods to the pattern. It turned out nice - not too flopsy, but still retaining the softness of the yarn despite the density of the knitted fabric.

Thermis
(Oooh nice crows feet, and don't even ask about the hair ;o)))

And second is the ruffle scarf, a fave of mine - I think this might be the 4th version of this that I've made now. Another great knit that's pretty quick if you are looking for a last minute gift or relatively instant knitty gratification. Again, used the RYC Cashsoft Aran.

Ruffles
(OK, maybe smiling is more flattering, despite the crows feet!)

In addition to the scarves, I've also put together some thank you cards for all the lovely gifties Joe, Naomi and I were lucky to receive this year. These were fun to make, and I'm pleased with how they turned out. If you are a stampin up stamper: Colours are tangerine tango and baja breeze, and I added some chalk to the petals and leaves to add some shading, and a little glitter spritz on the petals.

Thank you cards

On the topic of stamping goodies, check out the gorgeous hand stamped gift from my friend Cheryl -- it's a big ole batch of the most decadent chocolate cookies that I've ever tasted. What an awesome idea - she wrapped the jar with pretty Christmas paper, handstamped the labels and added her secret recipe on the inside of the tag. Love this super thoughtful gift!

Cookie mix gift from Cheryl

And last but not least I'll leave you with the felted animals that the super talented Jessica made. Note that this is her first 'attempt' at needle felting - yes, she truly is a natural at everything she tries her hand at.

Felted owls made by Jessica

Felted sheep by Jessica

Hope you also enjoyed some handmade lovelies, and crafting, over the holidays.
Love,
Sam xxx