The first one I want to tell you about is one I have been dying to get my hands on. A lovely friend passed along a copy of Linda’s beautiful book Crochet Adorned, and I jumped right in.

Crochet is another one of those things that I learned at my mother’s knee when I was small and home sick from school. Despite years of practice, I can never really remember all the different stitches or where exactly to join a round with a slip stitch. So I was very grateful that Linda’s book does not assume prior knowledge, but gently and thoroughly explains all you’ll need to know to do the projects — with excellent illustrations besides. The instructions and stitch charts for each project are very easy to read, and in addition to the beautiful projects, she includes an amazing compendium of patterns at the back of the book. I’m particularly intrigued by the daffodil pattern, and if I had the right weight and colors of crochet cotton I would make a teeny weeny one to put on a hair clip for HMB (which would be immediately pulled out and tossed, but it is the thought that counts, yes?).

Anyway, since I did want to do a project before posting, but also wanted to post right away, I chose a small but lovely one– the Dainty Earrings. I did not use the crochet cotton called for by the pattern, as I was in a rush and grabbed what I had, but was so happy with the outcome nonetheless! And so quick–the crocheted part was completed in the 30 minutes between my waking up and HMB calling me to come get her this morning.

They are like glittery snowflakes, and I adore them. I did spray them with stiffener once I was done, as I think the larger thread makes them floppier than they would have been if I’d used the specified thread.

I am itching to try some of the more advanced projects, and as I’ve *already* begun to think about my post-baby wardrobe (SO tired of wearing either maternity/nursing clothes, which I’ve calculated I’ll be in/have been in for at least 3 years before I’m done), I think I might just go ahead and get started on the Floral Motif Yoke Top, which I’ve wanted to make since Linda posted her original version at least a year or two before the book ever came out!

Anyway, if you haven’t already added it to your wish list, I wholeheartedly recommend this one. Even if you don’t think you are a crochet sort of person, this is just the book to really inspire you to give it a go!

As it is approaching my bedtime, I’ll get right to the craftiness! When we were visiting family in New England last month, I took the opportunity to gather up some acorn caps. It may be I just don’t go to the right places in California, but I’ve never found regular, dear, bulby acorns here, and I had some roving that wanted to be made into felt acorns


I can’t tell you how much I love looking at them and running my fingers across them in their wooden bowl. Unfortunately HMB is far too interested in pulling them to fuzzy bits, or else they would be a fun part of autumnal play– maybe next year? I do not, sadly, have a tiny drill, so have no way to hang them unless I was to run a needle and floss through the roving under the cap. For the moment, though, I’m just going to enjoy them as they are!

The deliciously colored roving is from the wonderful Mary Jane’s Attic. If you happen to be in the Bay Area, you can get Jamie’s roving samplers at her lovely store, Urban Fauna Studio. They also have gorgeous yarns, 100% wool felt and a variety of highly tempting craft supplies. She is awesome and I wish I had a smaller stash and more crafting time so I could do even more to support her crafty business venture!

I made some other wee crafts from New England flotsam that I’ll show you when I’m back next– hopefully very soon!

Anyway, I have been working on a few projects lately, mostly small and handworky. I am going to try to blog more frequently, and since I have a backlog of things to show you I’ll probably be back again this week.

More often than not I make things for HMB, but before our 3-week trip back East to visit family in August, I made a little something for myself. I find that I don’t really need to carry around a diaper bag full of gear for a toddler for walks or trips to the park (I never liked carrying one anyway–they are always so huge and unwieldy!), but I can’t leave my valuables in the stroller to dash after little miss busy when she’s on the loose. The solution? A slim shoulder bag for just the essentials– wallet, phone, keys, sunscreen stick, lip gloss and tiny organic hand sanitizer.

I had a lot of fun making it- I used some Echino fabric I had been hoarding, and two super-fun zippers in purple and bright orange.

The outer zipper pocket is for the stuff HMB would love to get into, like my lip gloss. The webbing strap is long enough that I can sling the bag across my chest and forget about it until I need it.

I miss sewing for myself! I’m looking forward to being my normal size again someday (2012?) so I can sew something other than pajamas and accessories! In the meantime, HMB is getting lots of little pants and appliqued tops, which I’ll show you in another post… to come soon, I promise, lovely blog friends!

And a new friend for Miss S flapped his way into our life yesterday. Meet Isaac

Miss S was immediately captivated and knew just how Isaac likes to play

hugging (he’s got a squishable little body)

chewing (his pointy little owl horns are perfect)

and shaking (he’s got a little rattle)
Isaac was made by the amazing Shannon, a person to whom I owe much of my crafty prowess. Back when she lived in SF and ran Muse Sewing Workshops, she taught me not to be afraid of my sewing machine, and that sewing didn’t have to be fussy work involving too many pins and charcoal marks and boringness. She made sewing seem easy, fun and stylish, and the rest is history! Now she lives in LA, has a darling wee boy, and runs a LOVELY blog called Handpicked Handmade, where she writes about great handmade items for children (and their moms). Isaac came from her equally lovely etsy shop, which I urge you to visit if you have any wee ones in your life deserving of a gift. Her owls and balls have been market tested by the most discerning of focus groups (her son), and as such, have every necessary amusement for a busy girl or boy, as you see above! Miss S has lots of toys and is sometimes blase about new things I present to her, but she was immediately enthusiastic about Isaac and gets a happy little grin on her face whenever she sees him!

I’ve been a big fan of Jamie’s since I met her before Maker Faire 2007. She is an incredibly talented person who caps it all off by being super productive as well! Not only does she make beautiful hand-dyed roving and divine yarns, she’s the mastermind behind Bizarre Bazaar San Francisco and Indie Craft Gossip, not to mention an incredibly nice person. I’m looking forward to supporting her creativity and incentive by shopping at Urban Fauna Studio, and I hope to see you there too!

I had my eye on these at Renegade

but the baby was being kind of fussy and it was loud and overwhelming and I hadn’t had enough sleep so I whiffed on buying anything. Thankfully when I came to my senses Ali still had a pair! And because she likes me (you do, right Ali?) she also sent me this super-neat little zippy bag:

How cool is that? Next time I see her I’m going to ask her for tips on free motion sewing…

Abigail recently has been making lovely tiny pendants with petite portraits in them.

The moment I saw that one on her blog I knew I *had* to have it (much as I felt about Bethany’s pillow). And lucky me, I snagged it in time! She sent it beautifully wrapped, with lovely goodies:

aside: Abigail, if you want to sell me a print of the illustration on your postcard, I would snap it up but quick, so let me know
And I put it on immediately

Hooray! Do visit Abigail’s Etsy Shop and check it out if you are as in love with her charming, whimsical aesthetic as I am!

Something else thrilling came in the mail yesterday that needs a whole post to itself, so I’ll tell you all about that tomorrow!

And now I’ll sign off with the obligatory baby picture, dressed in her tres chic petunia picklebottom onesie

Ciao!

Bethany, sweet thing that she is, also included a beautiful gift for the wee one, which as you can see she really likes:

I snagged a few more handmade wonders that I’ll share with you as they roll in. In the meantime, do head over to Bethany’s shop– my pillow, like all of her whimsical treasures, was one of a kind, but there is PLENTY more over there to tempt you.

I put a few extras up in my little shop if they strike your fancy and you’re buying handmade this holiday!