Tunisian Crochet

It's been awhile since I've picked up the hook for "By Hook and Thread". But now I am hooked again. And just in time for the sitting at the playground for hours weather.
My newest fun is Tunisian crochet. Google it, youtube it. there's a lot out there.

It is quick and easy. A bit of knitting and a bit of crochet. I did see a proper hook in one video. It's a hook on one end that goes to a skinnier end with a knob on the end to stop the yarn from falling odd the hook. That's why I have an elastic at the end of mine. I glued a bead on it, but it took up too much space and eventually fell off anyway.

The back looks like knitting and the front has an interesting weave like look.

The front. interesting isn't it?

One direction adds stitches,



the other direction takes them off.

This pile will be sewn into a little foot rug, maybe in front of the sink. I don't know how many I'll need or how big it will be.

But this rug will be dubbed, "time I spent waiting" at various places. I did 2 at the dentist yesterday. And 2 at the playground waiting for school to start. See, it will add up quickly and I feel productive!
Oh, on a different note,
I've been getting a lot of visits to the blog from people searching with the words "hook thread" all from overseas. Places like India, Pakistan, Turkey, Israel and such. Is there something happening in the other side of the world that I'm not aware of? I get at least a couple a day. very odd.

have a good one,
Amanda

another teapot cozy

A teapot cozy in blue and greens with a splash of orange.

Fun to make

I forgot to take a picture of the back. i found a felted sweater big enough to do the back in one piece. it is a nice sandy colour.

Off to start the day,
cheers,
Amanda

Friday Finds

Happy Mother's day to mothers and a special nod to those who made them mothers!

I just got up from a micro nap under the sun in the yard. I was looking forward to that all day. This morning, I came down to the kitchen to a huge chocolate cake. It had been made after I went to bed last night, 10pm, and done from scratch, by hand, so the mixer wouldn't wake me. And yes, the icing was just as good with sour cream. Rich. Lovely. I just polished off the 2nd piece while writing up this blog. no, I'm not going to burn it off.

anyhow, this wagon of herbs have been planted and more bought since this picture was taken.

My friend and I went to a new Goodwill in Etobicoke on 50% off Friday. We walked in and commented on how fresh it was in both light, space and scent. yep, nice.
There was about 50 million and a half yards of this lemon fabric! new fabric, not even washed from the store. And the stripe one is a shower curtain. New. and half price. they rang it in as twin sheets. yep, cheap. $2 each. crazy.

some sweaters for felting. Although, the black one has been taken by my friend who was partial to it. I may even wear the purple one myself. Nice colour, but I do need some purple wool. hmmm???!!!!

Bought this pottery pot for my uncle. Nice.

What else? Some long boots, books, a Lark Publication book on hats for the whole family with the patterns and everything. Yes, it was printed in 1998, but it's all a matter of fabric. I'm sure there's something in there I will make.
My DD bought a ton of books also. All in all, a good shop, even though I wasn't thinking I liked the store. I wasn't rummaging enough. But my basket was full. go figure. Is it the thrill of the find? The rummage and the hunt? The 50% off excitement? maybe all of it.

Off to finish enjoying the warmth of the sun before everyone comes home.

Have a good one.
Amanda

Red denim bag

Here's the red bag that made everything else wait. it had to be done.

Red denim. I was so excited when I saw it. Bought some, threw it in the basement for future washing, then forgot about it.

Rediscovered it, washed it and made this darlin'. The inside birdie fabric also had to come home with me when I saw it, even though i didn't know what life it would take.

Yep, the bag was born. My 2nd attempt at this pattern. (the 1st is the green one a few posts below) and I have to say that it is that much better. Now I only have to figure out a more polished way to trim the inside of the hole of the handle. Not so sure about the binding thing.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a Friday Finds post. On Saturday of course.

cheers,
Amanda

She did it!

Remember a few posts ago when I mentioned my friend, Charlotte, and her birdies?

The one who made this,

and this,

this

this

this

and this????

well, she finally started her own blog.
Ta Da!
go visit.
never know what you'll find!
Congrats Charlotte.
And tomorrow, I'll show you a picture of something I made with my newest love, red denim!
Have a good one,
Amanda

A new bag

A friend of mine came to me with some beautiful fabric, pins, thread, snaps and an old well loved purse that she wanted made.
I accepted the challenge and sewed up this baby

Love the fabric she chose for the lining. Peek a boo.

Here it is in close range. adorable.
And the inside has a zippered pocket and a few pockets on the other side. One with a pleat.

What was that inside? A little zippy wallet. (pattern./tutorial on Noodlehead.

And here is the whole ensemble with a key thing.

And while I'm wearing my thrifted, happy, wool sweater, here's what one of the monkey heads made it into.


Off to make some more tea pot cozies.

l8r,
Amanda

guest birdies!

Aren't these adorable?

My friend, Charlotte, made these. She was inspired by the super Easter chicks found at Myrtle and Eunice and the wonderful birds as seen at Lupin Handmade

I had to hold my breath when I looked at them and sneak peeks of them. So precious.

And this ball. Which she says is being enjoyed by the boys of the house! As in the dad and son. Great projectile.

If you like these birds, comment and tell my talented friend that she needs to start her own blog. She's not listening to me. She needs to feel some love! lol

I was busy sewing all last week for a sale yesterday. Nothing new to show you, just multiples of what i already have. After I sew up a few orders, I'm going to start in on some new ideas for the big sale in June at my school's fun fair.

Have a good one,
Amanda

Around the house

This is a potato. Shaped like a heart. (Dish is from Winners, given as a gift from my friend in NS. It is huge. Holds a bag of apples, a box of mandarins and various other fruits. I didn't even know I needed it. Now that I have it, what did I ever do before?)

This is a potato chip. Shaped like a heart. (look in the strawberry) Found on the same day as the potato. Draw your own conclusions, write your own story. (this fish dish was in my suitcase from our Portugal trip a few years ago. We bought it at an artisian market on our last night. The weather was perfect, the lights, people, smells, sense of adventure. I shall return there again. I use it to hold my tea bags so I don't have to get up from the table. Draw your own conclusions, write your own story.)

We are preparing for our letters to our penpals. This is a life sized tracing of the kids that they colour. Rafael's pen pal is from Alaska and Neve's is from Australia. If the moms are reading this, the letters are not sent yet. It's on my mind and I feel more guilty every day I don't get it out. please forgive.:}


And the Mister found a few moments this weekend to dig his fig tree out of the ground and turn the soil.(fig tree not pictured) Kind of excited about the garlic. I think this is the year we should get something.

And my computer is broked again. I'm using an old laptop, which surprisingly, is better than my own. I may have to claim rights to it.

off to sew. All day. I have shipped the kids out. A sale is coming this weekend. If you're in town, it's the Mom2Mom sale at St. John Norway? church at Woodbine and Kingston rd. 10-2. drop by, say hi.

Have a good one.
Amanda

Easter tree

Happy Easter!
Our efforts at Easter decorating were practically nil. Except for this tree thing with hangy bits.

And an egg that neve did at school. I was wondering why she came home full of colours one day.

A few wee ornaments that were kicking around in a bag. Greatly loved in another time.

And bits of roving that just happened to be close by.

A few pom poms on string.



And there you have it.
Spring threw up on the tree!

Happy Easter. I'm going to curl up with a book. Much celebrating of the singing kind this past week. Some quiet is in order. If only my kids could understand the need!! :}
Amanda