Here is my attempt at using up all those little extra balls a of yarn left over from other projects.



They are simple to make, and I added a keyring to maximize convenience.

I made this little guy up as I went along, so no pattern. It was a quick, fun little project that used up a tiny bit of excess yarn. Hope you like him. 

This was for the Zombie swap and my partner really wanted a doll. Having never made one before I bought the presewn muslin form that you are supposed to stuff, sew, and decorate. Well I broke out my sharpies and went for it...

Front...



Back...



And a Head Shot...

It's a bird like thing! I got the pattern from here...

http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/2007/02/19/birds-of-a-feather/

I modified it a bit, adding the crocheted beak because I don't like glueing anything on. It's made out of some vintage acrylic yarn I had in my stash. I had a hard time photographing it since it is cherry red and the flash kept blowing it out.

Thought I'd share a few bad pics of a good oil painting I created in my painting 1 class. It was hard to photograph because of the glaze work that reflected the flash. The piece is 16x20"...

I'm looking for that Ecospun yarn, doesn't have to be a name brand. It's just the soft yarn made from recycled soda (PET) bottles. I've tried to google with no success.

I just bought the one skein a spinner had left on Etsy, it was $10 for 66 yds. But what can you make with that? I can't seem to find any more.   

I really want enough to make a couple of scarves for holiday gifts.

This was my first pattern, and although the 4 pieces were easy to put together the fit was really off. I'm a size 18, I cut the 22 and the waist and hips were too small. I had, well really my visiting Mum, had to add a triangular piece to the back after it was done to get it to fit. Before cutting, I had to add an inch to the bodice bottom front so that the empire bust line was in the correct position.

What a nightmare. I really hate the vanity sizing of patterns. Being a size 18 in store bought clothes, it was really disheartening to see I was off the charts on Simplicity world. Somewhere around a 24-26. Why can't women's clothes be like men's. A size 38 is 38" never 42" or 30".

I'll post pics when I get brave enough to step in front if the camera.

I do a ton of random charity work, and when I went in with my monthly donation to Milo over this past weekend I was told that they are in great need of cat toys. They took in a ton more cats/kittens then normal for this time of year, and they are in great need. They said that they are good on blankets and towels, but since most cat toys that they receive are soft and can't be washed they go with the cat/kitten when it is adopted.

So I figured I would ask for help here. If anyone has any cat toys to donate (hand crafted or store bought) I would gladly take them to Milo or give you their address directly if you feel more comfortable.  Please PM me for my mailing address. Thanks for reading this.

Here is their website... http://www.milofoundation.org/

I am a big fan of big hooks and ran across the new Lion Brand "speed hook" at Joanns last night. It's a size "S" hook, and I was wondering if anyone has used it yet? I emailed lion, and they only have 1 offical pattern right now, but I bought it anyway. With there 40% off coupon it came to about $4.50. Anyway, if anyone has any experience with it, I'd love to hear it.

After my first project (big blanket) http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=112135.0
I decided to try some other thing out of the one stitch I've learned so far...


My first purse using Jiffy thick & Quick, and some cheap satin ribbon


Interior view of purse


Matching scarf


Close up


Scarf using some clearance yarn called Life that I picked up at Joanns


Close up

I can't wait to learn some other stitches.