Her hair cut is better than yours

Remember how I posted last week about Lena's really cool painted gourds? You have to check out this witch one with the cute hair.

I think she's really fun and a little bit threatening. I swear that even though her mouth isn't moving, she's saying, "Look how sexy I am. My hair cut is way better than yours."

And I can't believe she's only $15. I know Lena was up all night finishing her latest batch and I think she must have been delirious when she priced them. I really want the witch but I have to sell something of my own first. Maybe one of the children. Bella just got out of naughty time so I would definitely pick her.

Crafty Mama for Vice President!

You voted and I delivered. Hey, maybe I should be Vice President of the United States. I hear they'll let almost any woman do it these days. C'mon, you know that was funny.

I finally got back to sewing today and whipped up this little number. Love the color combo in the fabric and it's even more vivid in real life. This listing includes the matching zippered pouch so I absolutely expect one of you who voted in favor of it over there ----------> to buy it right now.











































Oh, and this bag does have some historical significance. For the first time ever, I actually folded and put away the fabric I used after finishing it. I know, it a very new, novel concept. I prefer to let everything pile up until I literally have no more empty workspace. But since my mother sustained injury in my craft room this weekend while spending lots of money buying Christmas gifts for some of her fellow teachers, I figured I could make more of an effort to keep things clean. And to the teachers reading this, if you pay me $100, I'll tell you what you're getting.

Still here

I can't believe it's been a week since I've done any sewing or listed anything new. I've been battling a cold all week, complete with raw throat and missing voice. Remember how I posted about the Duggar's last week and how I wish I could have Michelle's calm and patience? I think the universe heard me because I've had to parent with a gentle whisper the last few days.

Anyway, I'm hoping to be back to sewing tomorrow and am also hoping to do a little catching up this weekend. I'm trying to dig down to the bottom of my fabric stacks to find a few patterns I haven't used in a while. I have an adorable apple print from Sandi Henderson's Farmers Market line that would be a perfect teacher's Christmas gift when paired with a neutral linen but I can't seem to find it anywhere in the black hole that is my craft closet.

I've been thinking about adding a few new items/features to my shop. Crafty Papa gets on me at least once a week about adding a hook for a key ring. Can you tell he thinks order is much more important than I do? We also have weekly refrigerator organization discussions but that's another post. Anyhow, I'd appreciate you voting in the poll on the right.

Basking in my Awesomeness

You're correct, I have no shame.

You may remember me mentioning in our Thursday Night Knitting Club meeting last week that I was starting another crochet project (since my other two projects had turned out so well). Well, I not only started it, but got it all finished on Sunday. I'm endlessly pleased with myself, as evidenced by the title of this post. It is an actual wearable garment.

How cute is this? Notice the adorable rounded collar. And the cute flower button. My grandma said, "That button really makes the sweater." No, the hours of work I put into it makes the sweater:) Did I mention how impressed I am with myself? Just in case, I'll mention it again...I'm awesome.







































I sent Bella to school in the sweater and found her without it when I picked her up. I was horrified until she told me that the button came off so she put the sweater in her cubby to keep it safe. Awww, how sweet. And I'm fairly certain that I can blame the wayward button on my mom since she did all of the weaving in of the ends. (She did tell me that I cut the yarn on the button too short but since I know there's no way she'll sign up for a blogger account and leave a comment, I think it's ok to blame her).

So, I've moved on to my next project. A blanket made from mismatched squares using yarn I have left over from countless failed projects. I've made four 10"x10" square so far, and I use "10"x10" " loosely. I even tried actually counting stitches here and there but it's not working out for me. So, I think my blanket will end up being rectangularISH and I'll just pretend that the "ish" was intentional.

And I know I really need to get back to sewing. It's just not as motivating when nothing is selling. On top of that, I'm still adjusting to a medicine I've starting taking for Fibromyalgia and I don't seem to really be waking up until 7:00...pm. So, during my usual sewing time in the afternoon, I've been crocheting because it requires less movement and actual thinking. Buy something and re-motivate me.

Thursday Night Crocheting Club

Right about now, I'm wishing this was an actual club instead of just me.

I started and finished Matea's hooded vest in one day. She was able to wear it but it looked really funky, kind of puckering and lumping up here and there. Then it occurred to me that maybe I should have actually counted my stitches. Like, maybe that's the reason the stitch count was in the pattern. I'm not embarrassed to show you my fine work but I really can't find the vest anywhere. I suspect Tater secretly threw it away to save us both some misery.

I immediately moved on to an adorable cropped cardigan for Bella. The pattern only goes up to size 4 so I picked a thicker-than-called-for yarn, thinking that would increase the size just enough to fit her at size 5. Not so. I finished the back piece and thought it looked huge. I couldn't try it out on Bella at the time so I just kept crocheting away, moving on to the front pieces. About half way through the left front piece, I realized I had forgotten to change hooks in between the vest and the cardigan and I was crocheting with a hook 3 sizes too big.

The back piece is 8 inches larger than called for. The cardigan (minus the sleeves, which I gave up on) fits me. I'm a size 10 misses. I was shooting for a child 5. A pink, red, and orange variegated yarn isn't really my color. So, I can keep going and Bella can wear it in 25 years
or I can throw it in the dumpster with Tate's vest.

This is why I need a club. So I can sit around and talk, eat baked goods, and not actually try to crochet anything. But since I'm alone in this venture, I'm starting another freakin crochet project as soon as I post this. Maybe I'll make Crafty Papa a willie warmer. That way when I screw up and it ends up 5 sizes too big, he'll just think I'm complimenting him. My parents are going to read that and vomit in their mouths a little. And Shanna, I picked the sock monkey one just for you:)

The Duggars and Gourds

Two totally unrelated topics. Actually, for all I know, The Duggars may love gourds. But for the purpose of this post, they're unrelated.

First, the gourds. You must stop by Lena's Etsy shop and check out these amazing gourds she paints. There's a theme/color scheme for every taste, some more funky and some more traditional. She gave me an aqua and brown Santa last year and he's now one of my favorite Christmas decorations.






















I think they would make a great gift for the person who has everything or is hard to buy for. I plan on buying two myself to give as gifts this year.

Now, The Duggars. Are you guys all watching their new reality show on TLC? I've been completely sucked in by it. I find the whole family to be unbelievably fascinating and it's weird, it doesn't really have anything to do with the fact that they have 17 kids and one on the way. I'm just so impressed with how organized their household is and how little chaos there seems to be. Mama Michelle is so calm and patient and Papa Jim Bob is oozing love for her despite her desperate need for a makeover. And who wouldn't want to marry Joshua, even if it means waiting until your wedding day to kiss. While the concept of total purity until marriage (only hand holding is allowed) seems so weird to me, after watching last night's show and hearing him talk about his decision, it all makes sense and seems so right for them.

During last night's shows, I was thoroughly impressed with how well-spoken all of the kids are. You can really tell that while they have strict values, they're all happy and willingly accept their different way of life.

I spent most of last night's show yelling at my children to be quiet. Maybe I should have been thinking, "What would Mama Duggar do in this situation?". Ooooo, there's my new mantra...WWMDD?

Holiday Dolls

I officially have the holiday bug. We went pumpkin picking yesterday and then came home and covered our porch with spider webs, ghosts, spiders, witches, and orange lights. So, I couldn't help but make something holiday-ish today.

It's been several months since I've made any dolls and I had almost forgotten how fun they can be. I love this Christmas girl with red hair and lime green button eyes. Bella really wants to keep her.
























And I wouldn't be too sad if this Halloween doll ends up being mine. I really like her glittery jack-o-lantern tag and of course, the sparkle caught Bella's eye too.
























A great gift for yourself (I have dolls with all different holiday themes that I like to sit on a bookshelf for decoration) or a special little girl in your life. Only $22 for a one of a kind gift.