The Two Year Cross Stitch Project

by Kelly

I have finally, finally finished it. I started this project way back before I even learned how to knit or crochet, so you can imagine how happy I am that it's finally finished.

This is a kit from Dimensions, called Garden Door. I customized it a little, but the changes were very minor. All I did was use different colors in certain places. And since I have a super abundance of extra embroidery floss on hand, it wasn't like I had to go shopping for those extra skeins of floss.

Here's the original, so you can see what it's supposed to look like.

I changed the flowers in the left corner to Black-Eyed Susans, changed the ribbon on the hat to yellow, and changed the kitty to look like our late cat, who was always outside sleeping in the garden somewhere. Or at least, if he wasn't in our garden, he was in a our neighbor's.

I'm really happy with how it turned out, but mostly I'm happy that it's finished, washed and ironed, and ready to be stored until I can find a mat and frame and all that.

Whew! Now, where did I put that knitting...

Ruffles, Ruffles, and more Ruffles

I've finally managed to post one of my current projects in the store. It's a ruffled scarf that I just think is so cute. I made a thicker one for myself too. :) And to model these works of art....my little work of art. :)

I actually made two different versions because I was playing around with a few different ideas. I have one that is just the two solid colors and then another that has the two colors and then an edging of the opposite color. I kind of like them both.

I'm thinking of my next one being just one color all together for both sides.

Also, upcoming.....baby hats. I actually came up with my own design that has these hats coming out to look like little tulips or roses. (I know those are probably totally different but I'm not a flower person. :P ) I have some hats with a stem and without. I'm also thinking up some ideas on how to add leaves to it.

Must Have Crafting Kits

by Kelly

When I want a simple, mindless knit that I can do while watching TV, I usually turn to scarves. This explains the sudden surplus of scarves that I'm currently experiencing. At the moment I even have the lead on my husband, who has three - one Dr. Who (Tom Baker) scarf, one random scarf from his childhood, and one piano key scarf. I refer to this last one as his 'David Hasselhoff' scarf, which makes him wrinkle up his face and say in a haughty voice, 'It's a 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' scarf, thank you very much."

FT@RH

Regardless, this is off topic. What I really wanted to talk about is knit and crochet kits.  Kits are the next step up from scarves - you buy everything in one simple package, and when you're ready to start crafting, you open up the kit and follow directions. No searching for patterns or yarn required.

With this in mind, here are some of the most interesting kits I've found...

Knit Your Perfect Boyfriend Kit

Puppy Paws Mittens from the beloved Morehouse Farm

Knitwhits Elfin Booties
these are sized for kids, but there's an adult version, too.

Crochet Bracelet Kit


Icicle Angel Crochet Kit from Annie's Attic


And here's another luscious crochet bracelet kit, from essentialelementsbeads. They have quite a few of these kits, and they are simply beautiful.

via EssentialElementsBeads

At the moment I'm working on my cross-stitch backlog, so knitting and crochet is taking a backseat. But maybe my next project will be a kit. I'm feeling partial to the that crochet bracelet above, only I've never had much luck working with teeny little beads.