Christmas Updates

My Christmas to do list has shortened, I think.

I have completed:

sister- yoga socks

mom- knit frog

brother- brown hat

brother-in-law- hunter green neckwarmer

child- piggy slippers

husband- hat

As of right now everyone has 1 knitted item completed but my daddy. Which, I decided, is getting framed photos of R and his late kitty, Scruffy.

R is getting a purple winter hat which I plan on doing this weekend.

Slipper Project-

child- done

dad- 80%

husband- 40%

brother- 5%

brother in law- 0%

sister- 0%

mom- 0%

It isn't looking very good, is it? I can have my sister's finished in no time, so I am not too worried about those. The mens' slippers are about to kill me. Easy pattern, but excruciatingly boring after the first pair.

I am so ready for knitting freedom. I have been knitting for someone else or for Christmas since September.  Plus, I want to knit myself a sweater in time for Christmas. Not happening.

Good news, I have all of my commissions finished but one. I think I will force myself soon.

Non-knitting topics:

I have been slowly building up my Doll Blog- http://www.pandorasdolls.blogspot.com/. I have 2 customizations still in the works. I am building a boy Blythe.

I have to serve on jury duty two days after Christmas, while I am on Holiday Vaction. :(

Petite Dresses for Petite Blythe

Petite Dresses for Petite Blythe

Supplies:

US 2 needles

DK weight yarn

Yarn darning needle

Notes: This is a formula that gives you general guide lines to construct a Petite Blythe Dress.  It can be completely customizable.  Make sure to cast on extra yarn to use as a tie.

Instructions:

CO 11

Work 2 rows.

Work 4 sts, YO, work 3 sts, YO, work 4 sts; this should be on right side.

Work 5 more rows (less or more to your desired style).

Increase on right side as many or less as you prefer.

Work shirt rows to your preference.

BO on wrong side.

Stitch up the skirt portion until it is sufficient space to slip the body inside the dress. Weave the stitching yarn up to the neck. Anchor and use as a tie.

Want more specific instructions?

Pink Example                                                   

CO 11

Garter st for 2 rows

K4, YO, K3, YO, K4

St st for 5 rows

*K1, KFB* repeat to end. (I ended with a K1)

Garter stitch for ¾”

BO on wrong side

Stitch up and create ties.

                               

           Grey Example

CO 15

Knit

Purl

K4, YO, K7, YO, K4

Purl

Knit

Purl

*K2, M1, K2* repeat to end.

St st for 1 1/4 inch.

BO on wrong side.

Stitch up and create ties

Copyright by Natalie Scrimshire 2010

This is for personal use only.  Please do not sell pattern. I can be reached at nscrimshire@gmail.com or at Ravelry user name- PandoraPhelps

Wondering what I have been up to?

Commissions, Commissions, Commissions. About the time I think I am caught up, I get another request. Thanks goodness they are something simple like baby hats.

Now, I have the fear that my Christmas knitting will not be finished. I have been so busy trying to finish up other people's projects, that my Christmas knitting has been place on back burner. Stupid me thought everyone needed slippers. Gahahahahaha.....that is a laugh of insanity....... What the xxxx what I thinking? Only set completed is R's....

I will try my best to photograph some of the FO's laying around my house. The Scoop Pullover I made will be going to my sister since it is entirely too big for me. That was a bummer. I made TinyOwlKnit's Woodland Hoodlet with great success though. It is very warm.

Announcement!

I have three announcements!

1- I am receiving 3 new dolls in result of a yarn-doll trade! I am getting 2 petites and a 12 inch one. She is Takara Prima Dolly Ginger.

Holy crap am I excited!

2 I bought another Blythe before the trade. She is a Takara Very Vicky. 

I am excited, but less so because of the money I spent.

3 I have a new blog dedicated to Blythe! www.pandorasdolls.blogspot.com  This way Stitch Journal can be about knitting again.

I will be cross posting some things I am sure.

Christmas Knitting

Some progress has been made on Christmas gifts. I have one slipper out of 6 mens' slippers knitted. Which isn't real progress but hey, they are started.

My brain was so scattered this weekend I did not really get too much done. I restarted R's backpack and I am making it up as I go. I did not like the kitty backpack design I found on Ravelry because it has too many pieces. I am a firm believer in things knitting in the round to avoid seaming. To add cute detail I plan to glue felt onto the back to give it stripes.

I made a baby boy hat as a commission. Nice, quick project.

I have had some interest in my Zero scarf lately. I have one person wanting to buy one and while I knit it I plan to write the pattern.

My Dolls

White hair- Angelina
Blonde with red dress- Fleur
Sandy blonde with blue dress- Hermione
Red hair- Penelope
Orange hair- Ginny

I think I may start a new blog. This blog has been over run by Blythe so maybe I need a blog about Blythe alone. That way I can list the girls and all of their changes.

I see one more Blythe in my future soon before I start back to school.

Before shot of custom dolls

This photo was taken by the ebay seller rich_amphai. Silly me did not take a before shot. Newly customized final coming soon.

Stock photo from Amazon of Roaring Red.  Soon newly customized doll photos will be posted. I am waiting on paint to finish her up.
Unfortunately, I think I missed my chance to get the photo for the third doll I am customizing. 

Can you believe it, 3? I was so nervous about cracking open the real Blythe doll (Roaring Red) but all is good.

Parrot Dream

Never have I had the desire to own an exotic bird, but last night I dreamed I rescued one. Strangest thing.

I was walking home from work and I noticed that in a tree a Green Macaw had a string wrapped around it's let and a tree. I somehow climbed the tree and untangle the bird.  I carried it home to care for it. I had to contact someone I know that owns birds to help me with necessary items and how to clean it. 

There are several things wrong with this. For one, I am scared of heights, and two, like I said above, I am not a bird person. I am not sure if a Green Macaw is a real bird breed.

I made flyers trying to find it's home and no one claimed it. I then became a bird owner and taught Tico to leave it alone. Go figure.

I guess this is better than dreaming about the library basement. I could have gone all my life without seeing it. My first basement excursion was on Monday and I had to go down there again yesterday. I just knew it would fuel a nightmare.

And I scream loudly in the library....

That I finished 2 Christmas presents! Yay, Yah, Yah....

Yoga Sock- done.

Piggy Slippers- done.

Next to come, more slippers and a backpack.

Sneak Peek

Isn't she pretty!

I am having body issues though.  The World of Love doll, Soul, did not match the paint. I thought it did in the store. Damn crappy Hobby Lobby lighting. So, now starts the hunt for a new body. I probably screwed up Soul's body by trying to spray paint it.  Joe, my hubby, gave me fair warning.

She has 2 new sets of eye chips and I am still attempting to fit eye lashes in the slot.  Grrr....buttons. It is not easy.

A few more thoughts on my Roaring Red customization. She was NOT assembled with water soluble glue like I have read.

Blythe Day

Today I have have been working on customizing my Blybe and my Roaring Red Ashton Drake Blythe.

The spray painting the Blybe is finished, the unfortunate thing is that the paint did not match the body. I am not sure what to do- sand it and start over or find a new body.  I forgot that Bratz dolls have weird feet so that option is out. I might check the Moxie doll and see if she is suitable.

I can't seem to get the eye lashes in the slots either. Much harder than I anticipated.

My Roaring Red, I have never been happy with her. I bought her brand new and her hair was ferocious.  The other day I noticed that her spring was about to slip off which it did. I got it back on but it was stretched. I decided to pull the scalp off and start over.  Which, by the way, was not nearly as easy as I have read. Her scalp was completely different that the way Puchi Collective Tutorial described. I did it, but I will be order a new scalp and wefting for new hair.

We will see how all of this plays out. I am giving my Blybe a night to dry and then I am spraying a clear coat on her.

It's October!

I don't know where September went to! I have kicked it into high gear on Christmas gifts.  I have made a pretty fair dent in them.  If I could quit adding to the list I would be okay. I have now decided that everyone should have knitted slippers.  R's slippers are back to the original plan of piggies. 

On top of Christmas presents, I have several commisions.  Woohooo....money!

I have been debating on purchasing a new Blythe doll. Yesterday I was convince, but today I am not so sure.  I did get my Blybe doll in the mail that I am doing my customizations on. I ordered her eye chips and eye lashes too.  Now I have a body, head and eyes.  I can't start on it until I actually receive the body and head for Christmas from my husband.  I am afraid that paint matching won't be as easy as expected. The Krylon selection seems a bit limited in the browns.

Deer Hat for Blythe

I posted my first pattern for sale on Ravelry!

Perfect quick project for fun or costume purposes for your Blythe doll! This little hat was created thanks to tinyowlknits’s deer with little antlers hat available on her blog: http://owlinthedark.blogspot.com/2010/08/deer-with-little-antlers-hat.html. 

The pattern is written for magic loop method, but can easily be converted for DPNs. The hat, ears and antlers are all knitted seperately.

Great project for using up scrap yarn. Felting is optional for the antlers.

I made the little sweater and skirt too.

Photo credits go to Joe Phelps, my husband.  I convinced him to play with dolls!

Weekend

This weekend wasn't so productive.  I did finish a thing or two but nothing real significant. 

I tested a pattern that will soon be for sale through Ravelry.  I want to test it one more time.  I used a little to heavy of yarn to make it a true test because I had to alter the pattern.  Want a peak?

Once I get ready to post the pattern for sale, I will write more about the inspiration and such.

I also have a second pattern that will be going up for sale soon after the deer hat. No peaks on that one!  I haven't tested it but I think my pattern is pretty accurate. This time I wrote as I knitted.

I restarted my Some Cloudy Day legwarmers by tinyowlknits.  I got pretty far on the first one since we took a day trip on Saturday.  The trip ended up not being overly fun.  We are searching for a place to relocated in the state for better jobs.  My job is a good one, just not necessarily what I want to do forever.  I would like to go back to school and stay home a little more with R. Joe and I had a bit conflicting idea of where the ideal location was to move. So, it did not really put the rest of the weekend in a good mood for any of us, R included.

Sunday was a nice day on a cold river though! I pretty much have refused to swim in a lake this year.  I hate how the water feels warm.  I just don't think it is real healthy for you because it is not a constant flow. My little brother owns a jet boat and he invited us to go out with some friends for the day.  The river was really low at noon so he walked to boat out where the little ones could play pretty safely...and to clear the air- we are firm belivers in life jackets.  It was really nice and R had a great time playing with someone near her age.  Poor thing almost always is with all adults. It is really sweet to see how kids can bond nearly instantly. 

Airplane Dream

I had this dream a couple weeks ago that I witnessed an airplane fall out of the sky.  I was lazing about in my parents' house yard just sitting in the grass and enjoying the day.  Something that in Arkansas has not been possible in the last 2 months.  I was looking at the clouds listening to Joe talk about something.  The clouds had hole where the plane flew through them.  The plane started taking a nose dive.  I thought it was a training procedure.  It did not pull back up and then there was an explosion.

I remember in my dream saying to Joe, that plane just crashed!  We rushed to take pictures for the newspaper.  This is jumbled because Joe does not cover things in the town my parents live in and the place where we went was nothing I have ever seen.

It was a general store and no one seemed at all concerned over the plane or the people in it.  Seating was set up inside, I guess for a press conference of sorts.  I leaned over and asked a lady if it was a Henderson plane.  The answer was no.  Henderson has an aviation program.

I don't really know why this dream has hung on this long.  Even though it was a pure figment of my imagination it was still disturbing.

Fall Outfit

Puchi Collective pants and a top of my own design

Hermione's new outfit.  Her hair will be curled with real curlers tonight.  

Chihuahua Sweater for Blythe’s Pet, 2.0

Chihuahua Sweater for Blythe's Pet, 2.0

Pattern Notes:  This sweater is essentially the same pattern just a little longer.  It was how I originally wrote the first sweater, but I thought it was look better shorter.  I tested the pattern and I liked both.

Supplies:

DPNs US 2 or 3s

fingering yarn with elastic

darning needle

Directions:

CO 12

Rib K1x P1 for two rounds.

*K3, KFB,* all around.

*K4, KFB,* all around.

K1, YO, K4, YO, K1, K all around.

K2 rounds.

Rib K1 x P1 for two rounds.

BO and weave in ends.

Copyright by Natalie Scrimshire 2010



This is for personal use only. Please do not sell pattern. I can be reached at nscrimshire@gmail.com or at Ravelry user name- PandoraPhelps

Hair

So, Roaring Red, who is appropriately named Hermione, had a cute hair do in the photos.  When I took it out of the hair net, it was horrendous. I have been trying to style it by cutting and water.  Now it is in pipe cleaner curlers.

Hermione fits her because it was the most awful bush of hair I have every seen.  To bad I don't have any Sleekeazy's Hair potion. All she needs is a S.P.E.W. badge.

At this point I just hope that I didn't ruin her hair.

Roaring Red

Today my 4th Blythe should be delivered, officially the last for 2010.  Last real one anyways.  I plan to ask my husband for a clone for Christmas so I can customize. 

photo from amazon.com, FYI I did not spend that much!

This one is an Ashton Drake Roaring Red.  I have 3 long haired dolls with all natural hair color now.  I think Miss Red may get a hair cut at some point.

Lamby, the size of thread

Pattern from Puchi Collective.  Thanks for sharing the pattern!!

All hand stitched, my marking pen did not come out like it should, but it gives Lamby depth.  

Ginny's Mod Outfit

Ginny's Mod Outfit

I hand stitched the top.  This pattern is from Simplicity. 

Customization

I noticed some people have beautiful African/African American Blythe dolls. FunnyBunny on Ravelry has a website, http://www.funnybunny.se/, and she has a little description about her doll Chocolate Pudding.  I am awaiting on a reply to clear up some of my questions, but she created Chocolate Pudding by spay paint and a vintage doll's body.  I really want to try this. 

I want to try it with a Bratz doll body and a clone Blythe.  I will have to purchase a wig or two.  First I need to find out about paint and body.  No point in moving forward until then.  I have nearly too many projects but this one would be a lot of fun. I could practice dismantling and customization without the fear of ruining a real Blythe. While she is cracked open, I want to try the eyelid painting, too.

I hope R's gets here pronto. She was shipped yesterday.

Thinking about...

I have been thinking about the color orange.  Not particularly my favorite, but I can appreciate it.  I keep wanting to use orange for a knitting project--  pumpkins, specifically. I think I have fall fever.  Today, I have been wasting time looking through Etsy Collections people have created.  Everyone seems to be thinking about the end of summer or fall.

Something else I have been pondering is squirrels.  They are some of the most unsual creatures.  I encouter them all the time on my way to work and from work.  They have lost their fear of people for the most part and I can walk right up to them.  Squirrels are a classic case of ADHD.

I am already planning for Halloween.  I always do this and then kind of burn out before it gets here.  This year I am not making a costume.  If I ever sew for myself again I am buying a dress form.  I never really did knit any Halloween items which is a bummer.  I still have time, but who knows where my fancy will take me before October.

I joined a Halloween swap so that has got me thinking about it.  I have one item made for it and a second in the works.  The second item is very taste specific so it may or may not be used.  They are really cool.  I have made about 20 of these little treasures.  I am making Jack Skellington faces out of shrinky dinks for buttons.  I have some micro ones for a Blythe sweater and some about the size of a dime.  I have been hand drawing them.  I hope to make R a little sweater with them also.

I made some purchases lately.  I bought 2 Shaun the Sheeps for R's birthday and Christmas presents, a cheapo swift ($28 from Overstock.com!), and a clone Blythe.  The clone Blythe is for R's "Santa" present.  I am unsure the quality yet.  I looked up some reviews before I made the purchase (she was really, really great price) and they were all really positive.  I did hear rumor about high lead levels with the clones and I am looking for some place to test the doll before I give it to R. She doesn't chew on her toys so I think it will be okay, but just to be safe.... 

As I was making new outfits for my Blythes this past weekend, I was pretty stumped on my Neo Blythe, Ginny.  I was going to get Simply Gauva in the future.  Now I am thinking about passing on her.  I really prefer the Ashton Drake Blythes.  I like the fact the faces are a bit more matt finished and they feel more durable.  I have one ebay that I am watching.  I am debating.  I have an angel and a devil on my shoulders.  The devil will most likely win.

I just got a text from my cousin asking for This is Blythe website.  She loved my dolls!  It is good to know that my dolls are liked by someone in my family other than a 4 year old.

Ginny's new fringe and freckles

From Russia with Love

Pixie Hat and Outfit

With fall, hopefully, relieving us soon from the hellish temperatures Penelope asked for a warm Pixie Hat and outfit.

Chihuahua Sweater for Blythe’s Pet

 Supplies:

US 2 DPNs

Fingering weight yarn with elastic

Darning needle

Pattern Notes:

This pattern is designed for the Chihuahua that came with the Simply Mango set. Yarn with elastic is needed to help with getting the sweater on and off of the miniature.

Instructions-

CO 12

K1 x P1 rib stitch for two rounds.

*K3, KFB,* all around.

Knit 1 round.

K1, double YO, K2tog, K2 double YO, K2tog, K all around.

Knit 1 round. *Purl the second loop of the double YO. *

K1 x P1 rib stitch for two rounds. *The rib did not come out even, add a stitch if you like.*

BO and weave in ends.


Copyright by Natalie Scrimshire 2010



This is for personal use only. Please do not sell pattern. I can be reached at nscrimshire@gmail.com or at Ravelry user name- PandoraPhelps

Bubble Top

My Knit Picks yarn FINALLY came yesterday.  I got to work immediately on my Bubble Top sweater.  I got to the point last night that I could put it on! It fits. I have the pockets left to finish and then blocking.... YEA! I order 2 skeins just to be safe, but as I figured I only needed about 80 more yards.  I am thinking of making a headband with the leftovers. 

I also purchase a skein of cotton sock yarn in Planetarium colorway.  Gosh, it is pretty. I am going to make SockPixie's Liesl Kerchief with it. 

Fair Projects

This has been a super productive weekend so far.

I have these items on my Finished List now:

purse
dishcloth
jewelry
crochet toy Owlet
Nessie
knitted toy Kitty
bathing suit
Fairy Light hat
St. Patty's Day cap


Next to finish is the baby sweater.  All I have left is buttons and an edge on the front.

I am waiting on the mailman for my yarn.  I am not sure if it will be here but I am hoping!!!  Damnit, it will be here Monday.....

Projects Update for the Week of July 25-29

Projects-

I worked on my Bubble top until I ran out of yarn.  I just ordered more today, so this is on hold for 3-4 days more.  I got the front completely finished and nearly half way through the back.  Once I finish that, the pockets will be finished off, the roll collar added and the sleeves crocheted around.  It is pretty exciting!

I started on fingerless gloves.  One is about finished but when I get the second completed it will be ripped out to where the pattern starts.  I did the chart backwards and I am just bothered by the way it looks.

Last night I started two projects- a crocheted owlet and a purse.  The owlet is nearly finish from scrappy bits. The crown section is all I have left. The bag, well, I am still not sure how I want to finish it off.  I have about 3 1/2 inches of the body.  I can't decide if I want to do pleates and a seed stitch band at the top or two big pleats and a cable band.  The easiest, of course, would be the seed stitches, but I am kind of leaning towards the cable piece. I think I can knit it seperately while keeping my stitches for the top of the bag live.  Once I complete the band, go back and pick up stitches around it and knit the picked up and live one together to attatch it.  Not sure if it will work.   Also, I am thinking about picking up stitches at the bottom to give it a bit of dimension. I am using yarn that has been in my stash for at least 2 years.  It is very pretty and I have had a hard time choosing a pattern for it.  In truth, I forgot about it a bit.  It is Trendsetters Natasha yarn in Red, Purples and metallics.

I am making a second baby sweater to enter in the fair.  It is puple ombre and yellow.  I hope to make more to give to the hospital R was born. This one is a preemie sized.  I have one edge and a sleeve left.  Here is the first one I made for a neighbor:

I picked out another future project for the Knit Picks Simply Cotton yarn in Bermuda Heather that was gifted to me, Leafy Lace Cardigan.  I hope it isn't too hard.  I am not a huge fan of lace.  Here is a photo from the designer's Craftster page.  I am order 2 more skeins of this yarn. 

Next week, I hope to post an updated fair list.  :) Yea!

Stash Busting and Future List

Hopefully with Christmas looming in the near future I will be able to stash bust.  Some of my yarn just has to be used up.  There has been yarn purchased for specific projects, gifted yarn and left over yarn.  I have 3 skeins of Cotton Fleece in Cotton Ball that will be used for Leaf Yoke Top.  It is the one with a really terrible photo.  I would have never chose the pattern with this girl modeling it. It is the one with the model with sunglasses, a hand bag, and a belt over the top.


Four skeins of Knit Picks CotLin in Whisker left over from my first Unmentionables.  I way over bought so I have been left with 492 yards of yarn without a project, too little or too much for projects. I am purchasing 2 more skeins to make this sweater, Mary Jane:

In HSKS 9 I received 4 skeins of Berroco Comfort Worsted. I thought I could use it for the Mary Jane sweater but decided it was more fitting for the Scoop Pullover. I have about 200 yards more than it requires.

This is really the first time that I have ever enough yarn to make large projects.

I hope to stash bust with Fair projects too.

Weekend in Review

This weekend was almost productive.  I had Friday night to myself because R and Joe went for an overnight stay to fish at the river.  R apparently had a blast.  They were supposed to be home at 10 am, they got home at 3:30 pm. She had decided 3 fish just wasn't enough she needed to catch more.

While they were gone I cleaned a little.  Cleaning my house is something that has been neglected for awhile.  I can actually see the top of my dining room table again.  Slowly I am getting things put away.  I also have been culling for a yard sale.  Some of my yarn is going.  Mostly it is acrylics.  I am sick of my Vanna Baby Choice.  I haven't been using it lately, so it is going. Some awful purple fluffy stuff and the banana silk.  I have been shoving it around my house since I got it. I, suprisingly, sold the purple and blue mix to a fellow knitter so she could finish up a project. Banana silk was a very expensive lesson.

As I am cleaning I am trying to organize future projects by using gallon size ziplocks.  At the beginning of summer I acquired several from places and I started storing WIPs inside them.  Depending on where I was going I would just grab a project. It was great until I spilled Dr. Pepper down one.  I am trying this method again by labeling and sorting by person or project.  So far I have:

R's Ladybug slippers
R's Future secret project (I might try to get it published.)
My sister's socks
My Leaf Yoke Sweater
R's Weasley Sweater
My future sweater, Maybe Mary Ann

That is all I remember.

Now to what I knitted on this weekend.  I started my sister's Christmas socks.  I have about 3 inches finished.  I imagine it will be a good work break project.

I finally finished the Retro Bathing Suit!  It is really cute.  Still big, but cute. I am hoping that R grows into it.  I have some awful photos of her wearing it.  She was being very contrary.

I restarted my bubble top sometime last week.  Did I even post what happened? I was on the last side decreases (about 5 inches from the beginning of pockets, 15 inches away from CO) when I realized something was very wrong.  I knew my numbers were off, but wasn't overly concerned, I thought it was just one extra stitch and I had one decrease round left.  So, I was going to compensate. I decided to count the pocket stitches to make sure I chose the ideal place for the decrease so everything would be even.  Well, apparently counting was a weakness the day I started the pockets.  I, from the very beginning, casted on wrong for the pockets. I did 37 for one and 42 for the other- 42 was correct.  I was so flipping mad at myself. I ripped and put it down for a week.

NOW, I am past the pockets and front section with all numbers mostly correct.  I think I had 2 or 3 extra stitches.  It was all good because I compensated in the bodice increases! I am so happy. The lace looks perfect and I am nearly to the arm holes. Bad news, I am on my last skein of yarn and it is half used.  I am not ordering until I completely run out.  I have many other projects that can be worked on while I wait for the mail.

Started and frogging the Beauxbatons sweater for Fleur.  It is nothing like what I wanted. I did too many raglan increases which gives it a bulky football jeresy look. I wanted a sweater that was fenimine and form-fitting.

Okay, I have resolved my stress knitting situation.  I posted the lasted time without my fair listings.  The list is so outdated and poorly catergorized that only half of my projects are going to fit.

Here is the revised lists:

Finished-
Fairy hat (hat)
St. Patty's hat (cap)
Nessie (toy)
Fluffy Bunny or Marmalade Kitty (Knitted toy)
Retro bathing suit (other)

To make-
socks?
fingerless mitts (Emerald Mitts with leftover Ultra Pima)
crochet toy? (Pass the Pigs or Owlet, depends on which is easier due to lacking skills in crochet)
pillow cover
purse
dish towl
pot holder
jewelry
doll with clothing
house shoes?

To finish-
Bubble top (sweater- yea! almost there)
baby sweater (infant sweater)

I have a baby hat finshed that I need to find.  My "To make" list increase but with small items. I think the pot holder, dish towel and even the purse could be a one day item.

I can't belive how out dated it is, but any who....  The list isn't nearly as daunting now.

Stress Knitting

It is sad when your knitting stresses you out. I want to make so many things that it drives me insane that it isn't not always possible.

For example, I have to knit Christmas presents. I don't HAVE to but I want to.

Another example, I want to add many many items to the County Fair this year.  I have 3 list going- Finished, To be finished, and To make.  It is a sad sight.

Finished-
Fairy Hat (adult division)
St. Patty's Day Hat (child division)
Nessie

And that is it. Unless I add my Zero scarf as a finished, which just might happen.

To be finished-
Bubble top
baby blanket (which I hope is big enough to count as afghan)
bathing suit (not sure if there is even a good catergory for it)
Weasley sweater (childs)
baby sweater

To make-
socks?
fingerless mitts
doll with removable clothing
purse
legwarmer (they are being frogged)

Gosh, unless I start making some of these Christmas presents, there is no hope.

It just about makes me sick the fact all of this needs to be finished in a month. This is just the beginning of the list. 

I am going to have a short weekend because there is so much I want to do during my 3 days.

Blythe-wear

My things to make list is getting really long.  I have 3 little sweater so make for my Blythes.  Penelope and Fleur need "Weasley Sweater" and Fleur needs a Beauxbatons sweater.  I will make a sewn silky cloak in grey also. I just read on Wikipedia that the uniforms are made with blue and grey.  I thought I remembered the emblem being in gold.  I don't actually have any yarn for the two Weasley sweaters, but I can dig up some for my Beauxbatons sweater.

I am going to give the curlers a whirl this weekend.  They should be a quick and easy sewing project. I have tons of stuffing that I need to use up too!  Side note- I think they will work perfectly.  The pipe cleaner curler was a success, so why would fabric ones not be?

I want to make little Halloween costumes for my Blythes.  Now that I have three, it is going to be quite a chore. I have ideas already though.  I want Penelope to be a octopus, Ginny a pumpkin, and Fleur a pretty witch. (Not to mention I have R's costume to get together too.  I am trying to convince her to be Coraline.)

Oh, something else I would like to do is make Blythe-size buttons out of oven bake clay.  I have some, I just need to find it.  I wish I could take a week off from work and do all of this! 

Gosh, all of this I want to do, BUT I need to finish some of my UFOs. *Sighs* With the county fair coming up in September, it means I need to get somethings put together for that.  It is my only foreseen source of extra money in the future.

There is just not enough hours in the day.

Later in the day-

I forgot to post about my weird overwhelming urge to knit my Blythes winter clothing.  Yes, I am crazy. I think they all need warm coats and hats.  I want to make them fluff rimmed bonnets.  Why would I want to do this? Who knows.

Ideas

What has gotten into me?  I now want to blog all the time. Strange.

I had a though last night as I was trying to repair the damage to Penelope's bangs after having a wig on, I should my mini hair rollers for my Blythes. 

I am not sure if it will even work, but I truly should try it.  I was reading on the Big Eyes Little Sweater forum on Ravelry about making the dolls hair curling slightly in boiling water.  It was just a dip and please, no one use my info on your Blythe! Of course, I am not up to anything that scary.  I was thinking that if I made fabric curlers with just a little stuffing and ties. It would do the trick if they are slightly damp. I have seen a tutorial on how to make them for people somewhere, except I think they had a button rather than ties. It would be better than useing a pipe cleaner as a curler.

I really like the wigs, but it wrecks havoc on the existing hair.  Gosh, it was unbelivable what it did to Ginny's hair in just a couple of hours.  Now, all three are on my shelf wig-less.

I have seen scalps for custom rooting hair.  I asked on the forum if these could have wigs place over the top of them.  The person who responded misunderstood me.  She thought I was wanting to put a scalp over the existing scalp.  Well, I knew better than that.  What I really was asking was can a wig fit on a bald scalp without any trouble?  I just did not envision at the time how could a wig go over the pre-existing hair.  The answer was a wig cap, but gee, it about ruined Ginny and Penelope's hair. Now, I am wondering if I could put a bald scalp on if I want to have one of my dolls wear a wig for an extended period of time to conserve the condition of the original hair.  Sometime in the future, probably no time soon, I will order one or two to try it out.  If it doesn't work, I can always use it to root hair. I will be worth it.

I hope to start soon on my secret Blythe project!

More thoughts on Christmas gifts

I have been plotting more seriously about Christmas.

Daddy-

I have been enlisting the help of Claire (Knit Unto Others yarn shop owner) and my mom to help me with ideas for my dad.

These are my options:
             -thick socks
             -vest
             -stash moth

I don't really want to knit a vest.  I just do not see myself finishing it.

Momma-

I asked Momma is she wants something useful or a sit around.  Her response, "I think I deserve both." Okay, so maybe she does. 

These are my options:
                  -selkie change purse
                  -string bean frog
                  -reading glasses hanging case

From: http://www.etsy.com/listing/49103682/string-bean-frog-with-ballerina-and-mime

Husband-

He is such a butt. I ask him what can I make him, "Nothing, I have everything." THEN, he comes up with this "brilliant" idea of me making him a gun cozy.  Poor baby's hand nearly freeze to his gun, but he won't wear gloves!!!! I wanted to make him a pair...nooooo...I don't wear gloves. I told him no way am I knitting a gun cozy.

So, there is still no advancement on ideas for him.

R-

I am making her lady bug slipper out of Polar Fleece yarn rather than piggies.  I purchase pink yarn rather than purple.  I forgot that there wasn't enough purple.

From: http://www.polarknit.com/itoolkit.asp?pg=BABY

Yarn Dyeing, Take 2

I misread the Potions assignment SO here is a second one.

Pre-soak

Rung out

Dye soak

Steam- ready

Heat up

Cool down

After rinse

Close up

Wondering how I got the twist?  This is 77% Bamboo (plant fiber) and 23% Super Wash Merino dyed with red kool-aide.  Cool, huh?

OH, I just realized today I have been spelling Dyeing incorrectly....GAH!

Pandora Phelps- Slytherin

Yea for Mail!

Protego!

In the HLBOE swap I am in a "wizards duel" with a Pixie Rib Hat.  I am pretty sure that I will be curse today via USPS!  Here is my finished "protection charm" that is going to Freya Lovegood, modeled by R:

Classic, shirt on backwards with watermelon all down it.

Yarny Yarn Yarn

I am in a swap called HLBOE on Ravelry.  This week's assignment was Potions which we dyed yarn.  I blogged previous about my dyeing excursions with food coloring and tie-dye kits.  The skein of yarn I choose to dye for the assignment is merino, bamboo and nylon sock yarn.  I went ahead and purchased some animal based yarns to use the materials that I have already purchased. 

The dye colors were royal blue, orange and yellow (kool-aid).  I might have added some purple kool-aid too.  Of course blue and orange are oposites of the color wheel.  They compliment each other but when you mix them together it mutes the colors.  Certain shades of blue and oranges make lovely browns.

I can see the appeal to dyeing wool, it is quick and easy.  It was almost instantaneous. I was not even finished squirting dye on it and it was set.  However, I had to be careful not to felt it.  Cotton, you can scrub it, squish it, swirl it, etc. and it stays the same!

Pre-wash

dye mix

squirting

lots of blue and orange added

heat up

close up

Final product to come soon.