Knitting Christmas

Now that it's officially over, I can share some of my handmade projects. I am so blessed to have a family that appreciates hand crafted gifts & I enjoy creating new things for them whenever possible.

This year, it was mostly knit items that were gifted, but I did make the hubby a new case for his Nook & a squishy velour pillow case.

Nana got a Cedar Leaf Shawlette. I absolutely adore this pattern & used one of my favorite yarn bases Madelinetosh Vintage in Kale.

My Dad works at a nuclear plant, so I just had to make him a mutated fish hat. We've always joked if you ate the fish from their cooling pond, you would glow in the dark. LOL
This is just one out of a set of four holiday wash/dish cloths I made my Mother-in-Law. She got a shawl for her birthday in November, so I kept her presents simple this year :hides:
For my teenage stepsons (and my pre-teen & teen nephews) that are too cool to wear a scarf in the chilly Illinois weather, a cool mustache cowl. These were a huge hit & they have been wearing them indoors even! Knit using my own Shelby Merino Superwash Wool in Grasshopper.
My Great Grandmother has lovely blue eyes & this color looks fabulous on her with her silver hair. It's also knit from Tosh Vintage in Baltic.
Bad lighting, but this Boneyard Shawl is also knit from the same dye lot of Baltic & looks fab together.

Sneak Peek

The fundraiser items have started to arrive. I got a box of squishy soft Malabrigo yarn today that will become a couple newborn sets. I plan to have one girly set, a boy set & hopefully a gender neutral set if time allows. This yarn is so unbelievably soft & absolutely perfect for wrapping a newborn in.

Here's a couple of my recent knitting projects:

This hat was knit from the Truffula Tree yarn I kettle dyed.

Part of a custom order for Shane. Still have a couple matching dresses to finish up.

Fundraiser

In September, I will be holding a fundraiser on my hyenacart shop to raise money for Operation Smile. All monies will be donated in honor of sweet little Carter. I am currently looking for donations, if anyone is interested in donating a handmade item, yarn or a knitting slot, please contact me at pinkebody@yahoo.com or simply leave a comment here with your contact information so I can get in touch with you.

It only takes $240 for one operation, which will change the recipients life forever.

You can also donate directly via TeamCarter's One Smile page.

Custom Updates

I know I've said it a thousand times....I'm going to be more organized & keep my blog updated, yada yada yada... Well, this time I mean it! No, really. I promise. I'm also going to be regularly updating my etsy shop :)

Blog updates will be coming at least once a week & the shop will be updated the first Friday of the month (at least to start out). I also stock at Capella the third Monday of every month, along with several other talented ladies.

I'm also working on a new blog header & have a few patterns running through my head that I hope to finally get written up to share with my fellow craft junkies.

Now, to the custom list.

Shane ~ started 7/22

Melissa ~ starting Monday 7/26

Stacie ~ starting after Melissa's (should be Tues or Wed of next week)

Dye job

Anyone that knows me, knows that I cannot sit still. My hands are always busy. When I was younger, I was always drawing or writing. I absolutely love to work with color & I still sketch out clothing ideas as they pop into my head.

Lately, my creative outlet has been yarn. Knitting mostly, but I decided to dabble in dyeing & I.am.hooked.

These are a few of my attempts & I see a LOT more in my future. I am taking a couple along on vacation & will hopefully return with finished garments......depends on how well the fish are biting ;)

I will share my creations in two weeks when I return, until then I leave you with some yarn porn.

I have a new addiction

Carter Needs Our Prayers!!!

If you could spare a moment & say a prayer for sweet little Carter & his family, they could sure use it right now. This beautiful little boy has had a special place in my heart from the day he was born & he has touched so many in his short time here. I truly believe he's not finished with his journey, but still has a long way to go.

You can read all about Carter here

Craft Show Booth & Custom Update

Please excuse the cell phone pic, but I wanted to share some of the fun from my first craft show. I shared the booth with my friend Kelly(the cutie in the pic) of Megan's Musings & we had such a blast! It was a first for both of us & we can't wait to do it again.

I'll be listing my leftover merchandise in my etsy shop this week & Kelly has her extra bows up on facebook ;)

I am going to use my blog to keep an update on custom orders from here out. I am so thrilled with all the requests I've gotten recently, and look forward to seeing all your little cutie pies in their pinkebody gear :)

Ok, here goes....

Kristen ~ crossover tee, recycled footies & elastic repair on 3 diapers ~ cut out

Allison (the fancy one) ~ 18 month reversible dress w/bloomers, Apron knot dress size 8, boyish embellish burp cloths ~ cut out

Aimee~ 2 twirl skirts to match "just peachy"

Alison (TM) ~ twirl skirt to match Octo tank

Issa ~ Raspberry Ginseng Sydney jacket size 8, seahorse tee & crab tee

Fabriholic's Will

Being of sound, mind, and body, I _____________ do hereby record my last will and testament, knowing that _____________, my ______________ (husband, sister, daughter, etc.) has no appreciation of, or in some instances, knowledge of my extensive fabric collection deposited throughout the house.
Knowing that also _____________ has contacted the local thrift store, should I precede him or her to the great fabric shop in the sky, to pick up or dispose of the aforementioned collection.
Therefore, I do will this collection and all collections related to it, to my dear fabric preservationist ______________. It is my wish that she upon hearing of my death, and the inability to take it with me, come to my house and stack my entire collection in my studio.
She should then purchase refreshments for all of my friends and they shall gather in that room and remember me, then peacefully divide the collection amongst themselves.
Be forewarned, I will be hovering over this process! The rest of my worldly possessions (cars, stocks, house, etc.) can go to those who do not understand this event.
Signed __________________
Date____________

Let's Do This!!

What a busy month February is turning out to be! Not only is there a stash game going on over at sewingmamas, there is an ebay listing challenge at herecomesthestork. PLUS, I'm testing a new knitting pattern for my friend Lynne.

So far, I have been very productive! I've finished 2 knitting projects ~ a fish hat for one of the hubby's friends & a pair of longies for Lala.





I've also been productive in the sewing department. I've finished a custom hooded dress and a horse themed raglan tee for my oldest daughter.







There are several other projects in the works that just need finishing touches (including something for ME, yay), but those will be finished up before the Super Bowl tonight.

I finally listed the embroidery accessories I don't need/use or had duplicates of on ebay and 2 of them sold within 24 hours!! If that isn't motivation, I don't know what is!

AND, in case anyone is wondering, my kids ARE all fed & the house is clean (minus my stuff to list pile by the computer). I can't say they don't spend some days in their pj's, but it's too cold to go play outside anyways ;)

Not too shabby for the first week, eh?