Pinspiration: Key Chains

Are you hooked on Pinterest?  I have to get a daily fix!  So very many cool things out there, and perhaps my 'search engine' of choice when it comes to looking for crafty inspiration.  My latest search has been for a thank you gift for folks who are participating in Bertie's Blankets.  Just a little something, something that communicates my gratitude for the support.  At first I found some little charms that were essentially a combination of a hand, heart and angel.  What could be more perfect - handmade items, that are made with love by dear sweet angels!  So I ordered a bunch of them thinking I'd figure out something to do with them when they arrived. 

They arrived, they are lovely, but I drew a blank!  I wracked my brain for something that could be useful for all... I know, a key chain.  So I added a charm to a key ring... boring! Added beads to it... meh! Harrumph, it was time to call Pinterest to the rescue!  Sure enough, I found a link via Pinterest to a fun project on the blog Craftiness is not an option: Fabric key chains.  Excited about this discovery I jumped into my car and headed over to Joann's to pick up supplies.  Returned home and started up the production machine, with my trusty creative director (Joe) kindly agreeing to come check out each and every step!  (Ha ha, I married a good patient and supportive man :)))



I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out.  This is a fabulously easy project that makes great use out of small leftover pieces of fabric.  I followed the directions step by step, with one exception - I added an extra layer of batting in the middle.  Which made the trimming with the pinking shears a little more difficult, but was well worth it for the extra padding.



I need to reach out to a couple of you for addresses so that I can get yours in the mail.  I'll be in touch :)
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Sam
xxx

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year?
Ours was lovely - the first year where Naomi really started to get excited about Santa coming to visit, and enjoying all the attention from visitors.  We've been busy here with family visiting and also a couple of little get togethers.  But the last set of folks left yesterday and so I'm starting to get caught up here and on all of your blogs.  I can't wait to read what you've all been up to.

I thought I'd start the New Year with a re-cap of 2012 projects.  In pulling the pictures together, I was a little stunned at how many projects I'd cranked out in 2012.  Granted most of these are smaller projects... but still... It was a good crafty year:

There were the gift knits:

 

As you can see, I worked up a couple more of the Phydeaux Twist Cowls for some of the ladies at daycare. What I left off this piccie are the 8 pairs of plitters (felted clogs) that were requested and completed this year - everything from Santa Slippers, Miami Dolphins slippers and UCF Team Spirit slippers. All good fun and keeping loved ones' toes toasty and warm!

And of course there were the charity knits - a couple of Project Love hats for kids. But closest to my heart is the beginning of Bertie's Blankets. I've already started to receive a couple of squares from you (Thank you soo much), and have added to this 6 sock yarn and 4 aran weight squares of my own. I'll be dedicating a lot of my crafty time in these first few months of the year to completing the 3 Bertie's Blankets that we have started.

In addition to gift and charity knits, I'd also created a few little things for the 3 of us. Not surprisingly Naomi has been the main recipient :)



Then there is the sewing... I really got stuck into sewing, quilting and needlepoint this last year:

 


I finished a Sherbet Pips quilt for Naomi. My 2nd quilt ever. And started 3 more - Swoon, Farmers wife, and a quilt for Mum. The quilt for Mum is my other area of focus over the next few months. I was hoping to have it completed by now, but hit a little roadbump that caused me to put it aside for a few weeks.

  

Whew!  Lets see what 2013 brings.  I'm thinking Berties Blankets, Mum's quilt and then perhaps some sweaters.  Certainly those that have been laying around in the WIP pile for far too long.
What crafty plans do you have for 2013?

Wishing you the very best for this New Year,
Big hugs,
Sam
xxx