So I made these guys. First off, I never use a pattern (I truly cant understand them). I usually let the yarn take me there. Secondly, Just because I don't have a pattern doesn't mean I don't have a plan. I usually sketch out my ideas and then design around that. I let the shapes of whatever I am making break down. For example, the dinos are simple round bodies with tails, then I add the feet, head and lastly the details. Crazy?

Who else doesn't use patterns? what kind of process do you use?

My step daughter wanted a Dino dress fro xmas. We pick up the dark dino fabric at Hobby Lobby (picked up 5 yards, but used only 2 yards). I used the Simplicity pattern 2231 because it has no zippers and she can dress herself. I did adjust the pattern to be longer. Michelle is very lanky and if she bent over you can see princess undies. I added about 5 inches to the end. She loves the dress and now wants pjs to match! please ignore the mess, I do sew on the floor.
Total cost: about $10 for fabric, pattern and elastic

I have a patio garden. I am a college student that lives in a typical college apartment. Last year I found that my deck gets decent sun and had a tomato plant that did really well. This year I have a tomato plant again, cucumber plants, broccoli and herbs. Also on my deck I have wildflowers. I found that the containers are better than having them in the ground. If a plant is getting too much sun I can move the container. The sun also works well for my laundry. I have a line that I dry most of my clothes this summer.
Here is a view from my living room onto the main part of my deck:

This picture is looking down my deck towards the narrower part.

This is back towards the main area; you can see my broccoli on the shelf.

This is my main container of herbs (basil, cilantro, and chives)

My lavender and flowers:

My cucumber plant (I have already gotten 12 so far):

Close up of my broccoli:

Close up of my green tomatoes:

My mint (great for my recipes):

This was a little sprig when my mom gave it to me now a large brush of rosemary:

The wildflowers on the side of my porch:

Overall, I believe that I have created a getaway spot for me. I am able to use my deck (no matter how small) to grow many things that I use in my kitchen every day.

For this project I used a great piece of wood that I cut down to an 18" by 18" size. The thickness of the wood was maybe 3 inches when i started. For a reduction, the background color is printed first. I cut the background then printed, then cut again for the next color. I did this for 4 colors. By the end of the process, the block is reduced to nothing. This makes the artist only have a certain amount of prints. I made a total of 10. The print is of a field of pinwheels for the organization Pinwheels of Peace.

I wanted to make a old table into a real modern sculpture. This table is actually one that was in my family dining room for years. I cut the table down into different shapes with straight sides. To have the different planes to fit together, I cut notches on each piece. I did built it piece by piece so that it was balanced. It does stand 6 ft tall and currently in my father's backyard where a vine is starting to grow over it.

Last year I made this purse for my step-daughter who was 4. It took me about 2 days to finish and I used left over yarn from the other gifts I made. I made the bag first which was more a white hat that went wrong. I added a handle and crochet the eyes and nose. I sewed the features on and even stuffed the nose. She loved it I carried it past X-mas. She did end up putting a juice box in it and staining the yarn. After I washed it she now has a pink snowman (which she likes better).

I have a couple broccoli plants and I am wondering if you can use broccoli leaves for cooking and if anyone has any recipes? Thank you!