So I'm trying out wordpress.com to see how I like their blog setup. I like my blogger account; it was the first one that I have ever had. But I fear I may have outgrown it. The themes are not quite up to what I want & I am not HTML/CSS savvy enough to change them myself.
If I do decide to change my blog over, I'll post the link so the few people who have linked to me will be able to change their links. Thanks for looking guys & wish me luck!
)O( Heather
18 April 2009
09 April 2009
A stab at a new craft & LOTS of pictures!
This is my first try at drawing. I know I have very little spatial comparative ability and have never endeavored to draw before because of it. But here goes.
This horse is my first drawing ever (besides the doodles you do as a kid & in your notebooks in school if those count). Literally ever. It's done on sketch book paper with charcoal. I never knew how messy these stupid things were. My fingers were black for a day afterward from all the shading & blending.
The next one is another charcoal sketch that I did a couple of days later. He is a wizard modeled after a little figurine I have. I really like how he turned out. I love wizards with voluminous beards! His robe has moons & stars on it and the folds actually turned out very well. I was pretty proud of this one :)
These next few pics are in a series that I started that were inspired by the artwork of a woman I found on etsy.com. She repurposes book pages into art. I decided to do a little homage to her & made these. The first two are my metallic trees; the tree on left surrounded by silver, the tree on the right done in gold.
I love that you can still see the text in & around the trees. These two were from a book called "The Junior Classics" that was printed in 1985.
This one is another permanent marker drawing on "The Junior Classics" but it has a different feel. A hauntingly romantic red background paired with a tragically dying tree. A great allegory for love. The little twiggy parts are my favorites. They were a little wide so I tried the image again with an ultra fine point marker. Strangely I was able to get smaller lines by hovering the thick tipped marker over the page that I was with the UF marker.
The next two images are the same drawing but two different photos of it. This one is from the same book, on a page with nursery rhymes on it. Done with prismacolor colored pencils.
I love how the trunk is ashy white but you can still see the text through it!
And last, we have a few more permanent marker drawings. But these are smaller & on the pages of a different book. These are from a play called "Two for the Seesaw" from 1963. I purchased this little book specifically to be ripped apart. I love the size of it & the neatest part is that the book came with the agency card still inside reporting that the play carried a royalty of $25 per performance to be paid to the agency. So awesome!
The left image says "ERECT" and is supposed to be phallic. And the scantily clad can-can girl on the right says "LINGERIE".
These are the first two in a series of Naughty Images that I am doing. I have one that drops the F-bomb that I am debating putting up. I don't know how to censor it & don't want the wrong person to stumble across it. Maybe I'll just post it on Craftster so that I can tag the photo. We'll see. I also have several different subversive cross stitch patterns that I designed that I want to show off, so I may just put the warning in the title of my post.
I guess this post is long enough for now, so I'll let you all go :) Happy crafting and have a blessed day!
)O( Heather
This horse is my first drawing ever (besides the doodles you do as a kid & in your notebooks in school if those count). Literally ever. It's done on sketch book paper with charcoal. I never knew how messy these stupid things were. My fingers were black for a day afterward from all the shading & blending. 
The next one is another charcoal sketch that I did a couple of days later. He is a wizard modeled after a little figurine I have. I really like how he turned out. I love wizards with voluminous beards! His robe has moons & stars on it and the folds actually turned out very well. I was pretty proud of this one :)
These next few pics are in a series that I started that were inspired by the artwork of a woman I found on etsy.com. She repurposes book pages into art. I decided to do a little homage to her & made these. The first two are my metallic trees; the tree on left surrounded by silver, the tree on the right done in gold.
I love that you can still see the text in & around the trees. These two were from a book called "The Junior Classics" that was printed in 1985.
This one is another permanent marker drawing on "The Junior Classics" but it has a different feel. A hauntingly romantic red background paired with a tragically dying tree. A great allegory for love. The little twiggy parts are my favorites. They were a little wide so I tried the image again with an ultra fine point marker. Strangely I was able to get smaller lines by hovering the thick tipped marker over the page that I was with the UF marker.The next two images are the same drawing but two different photos of it. This one is from the same book, on a page with nursery rhymes on it. Done with prismacolor colored pencils.
I love how the trunk is ashy white but you can still see the text through it!And last, we have a few more permanent marker drawings. But these are smaller & on the pages of a different book. These are from a play called "Two for the Seesaw" from 1963. I purchased this little book specifically to be ripped apart. I love the size of it & the neatest part is that the book came with the agency card still inside reporting that the play carried a royalty of $25 per performance to be paid to the agency. So awesome!
The left image says "ERECT" and is supposed to be phallic. And the scantily clad can-can girl on the right says "LINGERIE". These are the first two in a series of Naughty Images that I am doing. I have one that drops the F-bomb that I am debating putting up. I don't know how to censor it & don't want the wrong person to stumble across it. Maybe I'll just post it on Craftster so that I can tag the photo. We'll see. I also have several different subversive cross stitch patterns that I designed that I want to show off, so I may just put the warning in the title of my post.
I guess this post is long enough for now, so I'll let you all go :) Happy crafting and have a blessed day!
)O( Heather
07 April 2009
Holy FO, Batman!
So this is a rare treat. I get to blog several times in one day. My digital camera is still in storage 3 hours away, so these photos will not be stellar, but at least I can show that I haven't been sitting on my ass the whole time I've been out of work :)
This first is a baby bib I made for Michelle Sargent's baby shower. I made everything in cream, chocolate brown & pink and called it my "Chocolate Strawbaby Gift Set". I didn't get a pic of the blanket before I sent it to its new home, but I did get photographic evidence of the bibs :)
This is the same bib in chocolate brown. The picture makes it appear much darker than it truly is. The thing I love about these bibs (aside from them looking like adorable purses) is that they are so modern that they could be heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation until they fall apart from overuse. For that reason, I made these in durable but soft yarn and doubled it up so they would be thick. I am really digging this assymetry too!
This dragon is from Dragon Dreams as well. She designed it for the tsunami that swept the pacific ocean, but her continent silhouette didn't include New Zealand, so I reworked mine to include it. It's barely visible over the dragon's hand, but it's there :) I would have preferred this little guy in green, but then the earth wouldn't have been in such contrast to the body, so I'm pretty ok with how this turned out.
This one is a cute little dragon in a tea cup from Dragon Dreams. The text says "A Spot of Tea." I think if I do this design again, I'll change the color scheme a bit.
This last little project is a garden square from Joannesanderson.com. I liked this little guy a whole lot & it's going to be a present for Brandon's mom. I've lost touch with her over the past couple of months and I need to rectify that. I didn't get to give her a b-day present this year because of the breakup, but I'm going to mat & frame this little bugger & give that to her :) This woman has the greenest thumb I have ever been witness to in my life!
My next couple of projects are going to be adult-themed cross stitches. I love it when these shocking phrases are so lovingly cross stitched. It's especially awesome when they have cutesy little borders and such. So keep the little ones away from the computer & keep an eye out for my next projects :) They'll be originals.
This first is a baby bib I made for Michelle Sargent's baby shower. I made everything in cream, chocolate brown & pink and called it my "Chocolate Strawbaby Gift Set". I didn't get a pic of the blanket before I sent it to its new home, but I did get photographic evidence of the bibs :)
This is the same bib in chocolate brown. The picture makes it appear much darker than it truly is. The thing I love about these bibs (aside from them looking like adorable purses) is that they are so modern that they could be heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation until they fall apart from overuse. For that reason, I made these in durable but soft yarn and doubled it up so they would be thick. I am really digging this assymetry too!
This dragon is from Dragon Dreams as well. She designed it for the tsunami that swept the pacific ocean, but her continent silhouette didn't include New Zealand, so I reworked mine to include it. It's barely visible over the dragon's hand, but it's there :) I would have preferred this little guy in green, but then the earth wouldn't have been in such contrast to the body, so I'm pretty ok with how this turned out.
This one is a cute little dragon in a tea cup from Dragon Dreams. The text says "A Spot of Tea." I think if I do this design again, I'll change the color scheme a bit.
This last little project is a garden square from Joannesanderson.com. I liked this little guy a whole lot & it's going to be a present for Brandon's mom. I've lost touch with her over the past couple of months and I need to rectify that. I didn't get to give her a b-day present this year because of the breakup, but I'm going to mat & frame this little bugger & give that to her :) This woman has the greenest thumb I have ever been witness to in my life!
My next couple of projects are going to be adult-themed cross stitches. I love it when these shocking phrases are so lovingly cross stitched. It's especially awesome when they have cutesy little borders and such. So keep the little ones away from the computer & keep an eye out for my next projects :) They'll be originals.
06 April 2009
My first pattern!
Ok, so not technically, but it will be the first one I'm sharing on my blog. I made this little lady for a friend who had to undergo an emergency hysterectomy. She wanted me to make her something that would make her laugh & she has an amazing sense of humor. So I decided to make her a happy uterus to replace the very unhappy one she was losing. I called her Womb-y, but she renamed her. Introducing Ursula Uterus!
I made her out of some leftover baby yarn and a hook one size smaller than what is called for on the yarn label. She also has pipe cleaners in her Fallopian tubes to make them poseable. Once my friend saw her, she immediately asked me to make Ursula some friends, so I whipped up this little entourage to remind her of all the things she no longer needs to worry about: Sally Sanitary-Napkin, Tammy Tampon & Sid the Sperm.
I am happy to report, my friend loved them & they now live on her desk at work. I love the expression on Ursula's face; I think it makes her look like she has a secret. So now, on to the pattern. If you have any comments or corrections, just let me know & I'll fix them! :)
What you will need:
pink yarn (I used Bernat Softee Baby)
small amount of white yarn of the same weight (Again, I used Bernat SB)
small amount of black yarn for features
hook 1 size smaller than called for on the label (I used an F)
stitch marker
2 pink pipe cleaners
yarn needle
fiberfill
Abbreviations:
BO = Bind off
Ch = Chain
Ea = Each
Sc = Single crochet
St = Stitch
Sctog = Single crochet together, used as a decrease. You may use an invisible decrease if you prefer
Happy Uterus Pattern
This project is worked in the round throughout.
Using pink yarn, ch 2
6sc in first stitch (6 st)
(2sc in ea st) (12 st)
1sc in ea st around, using front loop only (12 st)
Work even for 1/2- 3/4" (mine was 3/4" to use as a reference)
(1sc, 2sc in same st) around (18 st)
Work even for 1 row
(1sc, 2sc in same st) around (27 st)
(2sc, 2sc in same st) around (36 st)
Work even for 1 row
(3sc, 2sc in same st) around (45 st)
Work even for 9 rows
(4sc, 2sc in same st) around (54 st)
(5sc, 2sc in same st) around (63 st)
Work even for 5 rows
(5sc, 2sctog) around (54 st)
(4sc, 2sctog) around (45 st)
(3sc, 2sctog) around (36 st)
***Stuff with fiberfill before continuing for a firmer finished result***
(2sc, 2sctog) around (27 st)
(1sc, 2sctog) around (18 st)
(2sctog) around (9 st)
***Stuff with fiberfill. Make sure it is as firm as you would like before you continue***
(1sc, 2sctog) around (6 st)
(2sctog) around (2 st)
BO & close hole
**I chose to embroider the features on her once she was stuffed, but if you would prefer you can put on the features before you stuff the main body of the project**
Fallopian Tube Pattern (Make 2)
Using pink yarn, ch 5
Sc in ea st around (5 st)
Work in the round for desired length (Mine are 4 3/4")
Thread pipe cleaner through center- this process can be eased by threaded pipe cleaner through yarn needle & using the yarn needle to help the pipe cleaner through the tube.
Weave in one end of loose yarn.
Use other loose yarn end to sew the tube onto the body of the uterus.
This is the tricky part & can be omitted or done differently if you would prefer: Attatch pink yarn to exposed end. Wrap yarn loosely up & around the stitched to create loops which form the Fimbriae of the Fallopian Tubes.
Ovaries (Make 2)
Using white yarn, ch 2
6sc in first st (6 st)
(2sc in ea st) around (12 st)
Work even for 1 row
(2sctog) around (6 st)
(2sctog) twice
Fasten off, stuff & close hole
Sew ovary in the middle of the loops created at the end of the tubes.
I hope you enjoy Ursula! I'll work on getting the accessories posted soon :)
Happy hooking!
)O( Heather
I made her out of some leftover baby yarn and a hook one size smaller than what is called for on the yarn label. She also has pipe cleaners in her Fallopian tubes to make them poseable. Once my friend saw her, she immediately asked me to make Ursula some friends, so I whipped up this little entourage to remind her of all the things she no longer needs to worry about: Sally Sanitary-Napkin, Tammy Tampon & Sid the Sperm.
I am happy to report, my friend loved them & they now live on her desk at work. I love the expression on Ursula's face; I think it makes her look like she has a secret. So now, on to the pattern. If you have any comments or corrections, just let me know & I'll fix them! :)
What you will need:
pink yarn (I used Bernat Softee Baby)
small amount of white yarn of the same weight (Again, I used Bernat SB)
small amount of black yarn for features
hook 1 size smaller than called for on the label (I used an F)
stitch marker
2 pink pipe cleaners
yarn needle
fiberfill
Abbreviations:
BO = Bind off
Ch = Chain
Ea = Each
Sc = Single crochet
St = Stitch
Sctog = Single crochet together, used as a decrease. You may use an invisible decrease if you prefer
Happy Uterus Pattern
This project is worked in the round throughout.
Using pink yarn, ch 2
6sc in first stitch (6 st)
(2sc in ea st) (12 st)
1sc in ea st around, using front loop only (12 st)
Work even for 1/2- 3/4" (mine was 3/4" to use as a reference)
(1sc, 2sc in same st) around (18 st)
Work even for 1 row
(1sc, 2sc in same st) around (27 st)
(2sc, 2sc in same st) around (36 st)
Work even for 1 row
(3sc, 2sc in same st) around (45 st)
Work even for 9 rows
(4sc, 2sc in same st) around (54 st)
(5sc, 2sc in same st) around (63 st)
Work even for 5 rows
(5sc, 2sctog) around (54 st)
(4sc, 2sctog) around (45 st)
(3sc, 2sctog) around (36 st)
***Stuff with fiberfill before continuing for a firmer finished result***
(2sc, 2sctog) around (27 st)
(1sc, 2sctog) around (18 st)
(2sctog) around (9 st)
***Stuff with fiberfill. Make sure it is as firm as you would like before you continue***
(1sc, 2sctog) around (6 st)
(2sctog) around (2 st)
BO & close hole
**I chose to embroider the features on her once she was stuffed, but if you would prefer you can put on the features before you stuff the main body of the project**
Fallopian Tube Pattern (Make 2)
Using pink yarn, ch 5
Sc in ea st around (5 st)
Work in the round for desired length (Mine are 4 3/4")
Thread pipe cleaner through center- this process can be eased by threaded pipe cleaner through yarn needle & using the yarn needle to help the pipe cleaner through the tube.
Weave in one end of loose yarn.
Use other loose yarn end to sew the tube onto the body of the uterus.
This is the tricky part & can be omitted or done differently if you would prefer: Attatch pink yarn to exposed end. Wrap yarn loosely up & around the stitched to create loops which form the Fimbriae of the Fallopian Tubes.
Ovaries (Make 2)
Using white yarn, ch 2
6sc in first st (6 st)
(2sc in ea st) around (12 st)
Work even for 1 row
(2sctog) around (6 st)
(2sctog) twice
Fasten off, stuff & close hole
Sew ovary in the middle of the loops created at the end of the tubes.
I hope you enjoy Ursula! I'll work on getting the accessories posted soon :)
Happy hooking!
)O( Heather
I AM really bad at blogging
Well hi there. Another pretty long period without blogging. I don't even really have an excuse for it. I'm still out of work, still applying for jobs, only issue is there are not many places that are hiring right now. Dish Network has decided not to override their 6 month return policy and indeed has upped it to 12 months. So now, I can't reapply until I have been gone for a year. I was devastated when I got that email, but I'm starting to spring back. I just don't know what I'm going to do now. You wouldn't ever think it would be so difficult for someone with a college education to be able to find a job, but it is.
The only two positive things that have come out of this are that I have been able to spend a lot more quality time with my nieces, and I have been able to craft more. But I can only craft with what is in my stash since I can't buy anything new. My newest little obsession is those origami puffy stars. I can use old magazine, junk mail, cards, colored printer paper, anything! Yesterday I made 183 of them. I know it sounds like it's a lot, but each one only takes about 30 seconds, if that.
I also was able to make some presents for my friend Michelle, who is expecting any week now. I made her a chocolate strawbaby blanket (it was pink, chocolate brown and cream) with two matching bibs in chocolate & pink. The pattern I used was the Modern Baby Bib and they turned out soooo cute!! They almost look like little purses.
My aunt & I have started a catering business called The Aunts Catering and we have had a couple of jobs so far. It's not a steady source of income yet, so I definitely am still searching for another job. This week I'm planning on applying to Verizon and the Roanoke County & City school systems. Hopefully one of those will work out, but I'm not so sure. I'm kind of losing faith at this point, but I'm trying to just hold my head up. I can't begin to tell you how embarrassing it is to have to tell people that I am unemployed. I know I am not alone in this economy but it feels like it.
Well, that is enough pity party for now. I'll update my projects list & post some pics I took with my camera phone. My digital camera is still in storage 3 hours away, so the pics are going to suck. Sorry about that. But at least you can see how cute these bibs are!! :)
This chocolate brown baby bib has a strawberry button closure & an assymetric cabled neck.
This pretty little pink bib has the same cabled assymetric neck & a pastel pink button closure. Both are knit.
Blessed Be )O( Heather
The only two positive things that have come out of this are that I have been able to spend a lot more quality time with my nieces, and I have been able to craft more. But I can only craft with what is in my stash since I can't buy anything new. My newest little obsession is those origami puffy stars. I can use old magazine, junk mail, cards, colored printer paper, anything! Yesterday I made 183 of them. I know it sounds like it's a lot, but each one only takes about 30 seconds, if that.
I also was able to make some presents for my friend Michelle, who is expecting any week now. I made her a chocolate strawbaby blanket (it was pink, chocolate brown and cream) with two matching bibs in chocolate & pink. The pattern I used was the Modern Baby Bib and they turned out soooo cute!! They almost look like little purses.
My aunt & I have started a catering business called The Aunts Catering and we have had a couple of jobs so far. It's not a steady source of income yet, so I definitely am still searching for another job. This week I'm planning on applying to Verizon and the Roanoke County & City school systems. Hopefully one of those will work out, but I'm not so sure. I'm kind of losing faith at this point, but I'm trying to just hold my head up. I can't begin to tell you how embarrassing it is to have to tell people that I am unemployed. I know I am not alone in this economy but it feels like it.
Well, that is enough pity party for now. I'll update my projects list & post some pics I took with my camera phone. My digital camera is still in storage 3 hours away, so the pics are going to suck. Sorry about that. But at least you can see how cute these bibs are!! :)
This chocolate brown baby bib has a strawberry button closure & an assymetric cabled neck.
This pretty little pink bib has the same cabled assymetric neck & a pastel pink button closure. Both are knit.
Blessed Be )O( Heather
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