I actually started to make a blanket with a different pattern, but got 1/4 of the way through and wasn't happy with it, so I went back to a pattern I know makes lovely blankets: the Tiramisu!    It makes a nice, thick blanket which I'm told is a good play surface for little ones because it's so cushy.   

Link to the fabulous free pattern: http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/TiramisuBlanket.pdf

Used Elann's superwash bamboo yarn which wasn't terribly soft as I was working with it, but after a soak/wash it became much softer. 

Photos!
 

I love round ripples - great project that doesn't require a lot of attention once you get going!

This is my third (gender neutral baby gift):







(Done in Bernat Satins.)

I started down the craft road as a beader and for a long time did nothing but beadwork.  Then I learned to crochet, and sew, and weave.... and my beads didn't get out much.   Lately I've started to get the urge to play with them again and have some finished projects to show off!

The pendant I started over a year ago and just lost all enthusiasm for (all that wire wrapping!)... but I'm super glad I finished it, I think the end product is pretty special.   The chain necklace I whipped up much faster, it's a simple asymmetrical dealie.       It's good to have finished projects to show!

[excuse the large images!]

I snagged a nifty small floor loom a few months ago - so happy to find something that (sort of) fit into my tiny apartment.   Over the holidays I got a chance to warp it up finally!    I used some yarn I had on hand that I recycled from an ugly sweater (it's an angora/wool blend, super soft).   I didn't do anything complicated, since it was my first go on a floor loom ever!

Once warped up it went really quickly.   I still have to finish the edges and wash it so it'll relax but I couldn't wait to show it off....

here's the floor loom, and my view while weaving (of the heritage house next door):


And here's the almost finished product:

 

My first finished project of 09.... it's a small one, but it's done and I love it!

It's the Divine hat - pattern here: http://www.rheatheylia.com/index.php?page=patterns&id=0

Done in Bernat Satin yarn in a fantastic purple colour.   I love this hat!

I went to London last year to visit my sister, which was awesome. She lived in Notting Hill at the time and I loved the neighbourhood - the streets with picture perfect Georgian rowhouses... I'm a sucker for that stuff. There was one cute little shop there full of delightful things that you would expect to find in a charming, quirky shop in Notting Hill. Including a fabulous umbrella. I loved it, had to have it. Bought it. Forgot that I still had several international flights ahead of me. Needless to say, the umbrella did not survive the baggage handlers. So, I mourned my umbrella - Vancouver would have given it lots of use too.

Here it is being enjoyed by my cat. Notice the handle has broken off. It took forever to get the umbrella open once it had broken.... then we couldn't get it closed again. It sat around, open, looking sad for a while.


Then, inspired by a friend, I decided to use the leftovers as a light cover!

I had a drab, boring light in the little entryway alcove to my tiny apartment so I decided to string it up there. A hacksaw shortened the remainder of the pole, and then it was just a matter of some eyehooks screwed into the ceiling and some wire - and - bob's your uncle - it was done.

Here are the before shots (yawn) - we've got nice high ceilings, otherwise this wouldn't have worked:
 

And after - much sassier, I think:


I encourage everyone to use pretty umbrellas as light covers!

I made this super simple scarf following this pattern: http://littlesliceoflife.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/cascade-scarf/

I think it turned out pretty and romantic-looking.... and it means I've finished one christmas present !  whoo!

I loved these stencils the first time I saw them so when I got it into my head to try a freezer paper stencil to do up a t-shirt for my boyfriend... this was the post that came to mind!

Here's how mine turned out...   (Thanks so much for posting the image!)




(I had a bit of a flub with the red on the eye patch but was able to mostly fix it (this pic is pre-fixing).


(That is a grimace of extreme happiness.)

One of the things that has always bugged me in life has been the fact that my duvet shifts around inside the duvet cover.   It's a small, inconsequential thing that kind of drives me crazy.

I finally did something about it... and since it gave me such satisfaction - I thought I'd share the stupidly simple fix with you all in case it's helpful....  here goes:

I sewed a bit of ribbon to each corner of the duvet (nice and securely):


I sewed a bit of ribbon to each (inside) corner of the duvet cover (nice and securely):


Then I put the duvet inside the cover, tied pretty bows at each corner


Then I  slept soundly, knowing my duvet would remain anchored in place inside the cover, no matter how much tossing and turning I would do.

I finally found a floor loom small enough for my tiny apartment in Vancouver!  Yay!   And it was cheap!   

I can't get started until I get my hands on some shuttles, but here are some pictures.  I'm hoping someone can identify it - there are no identifying marks on it anywhere... maybe it's homemade?