Chompy!

Since I learned that a very special woman was pregnant, I've been working on crocheting a stuffed alligator for the baby. I chose an alligator, because I learned the baby was expected around the same time an alligator attacked a police car in the south. I showed the YouTube video to this special woman, and she immediately said that the alligator wanted to be a police-gator.... and I asked "So what would his handler say? Sic 'em, Chompy?!" Perhaps you had to be there, but it was truly funny to us, and so Chompy was born.

Now I will admit that my least-favorite part of knitting and crocheting is the assembly. All of Chompy's parts have been completed for the last month or so, but I was dragging my feet on putting him together (baby's due in January, so that made procrastination easy). However, a few days ago I told myself that was it, I was tired of stepping over his project bag, and so I finished! And I love the way the little (about 19" long!) guy turned out.

Here, to share with you, are some pictures. Enjoy!

Craft show tomorrow!

Tomorrow is my last official craft show for this season, though I'm up for a home show if anyone would like to host one for me (great Christmas shopping perks to any host!).

Tomorrow's show is at Hodgson Vo-Tech High School. They have a bi-annual craft show (spring and holiday) that is well-known throughout the region, and not easy to get accepted into. I was honored this year to be accepted; it's my first year showing there. I'm super excited. It's an exclusively hand-crafter show, so not only am I excited to be a vendor, but I can't wait to do some of my own shopping at the numerous vendors who participate. The show spans several of the larger rooms in the school, including the gym and the cafeteria, so you know there will be lots of variety!

The show is from 9am to 4pm and entrance is free. Please come out, say hi, and support myself and other small business owners.

:)

Special Offer!

Like Smile Creations Crafts on Facebook for an exclusive holiday offer, now through December 3rd.

FO (not the same as a UFO) and new items for sale in my internet storefront

First things first, I'm so excited to show off my most recent Finished Object (hence, "FO"), a tiny green woolen baby sweater. Not just any sweater, it's knit from Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Super Chunky (for those of you non-knitters, just read that as "Really Nice Soft and Super Thick Wool") :) in a pretty sage green. It's a combination of moss stitch on the arms, shoulders, and upper chest, and stockinette stitch on the bottom. The pairing of highly textured stitches with smooth ones makes this sweater interesting to knit and results in an adorable piece for baby.

Now, I did promise a glimpse of some new items up on Etsy. So.... May I present Jayden Bear!

And two new warm and toasty scarves, the first in looking festive and Christmas-y!

A Quick Stocking - How To

I wanted some small festive stockings to send to my adopted soldier and his unit, but I didn't want to spend a lot since they most likely don't have space to save them for next year. So I went to a local store and bought 4 velvet placemats in festive holiday colors. From them I was able to make 8 tiny stockings. Here is my tutorial; an early holiday gift from me to you. :)

1. Fold placemat (inside out) in half width-wise (short ways)

2. Trace the outline of a stocking on the placemat. The top of the stocking should be on the finished edge of the placemat and the toe should be against the folded edge, so you don't have to sew two extra seams.

3. Sew along the traced lines, then trim off the excess fabric no more than 1/8" from the seam.

4. Turn the stocking right-side out.

5. Cut a strip of ribbon or lace about 3.5" long. Fold it in half and pin to the inside of the stocking opening, making sure the loop is hanging out. Sew to the top of the stocking, stitching in the ditch of the existing edging seam.

6. Voila! You have a stocking! Decorate the outside as you wish; get creative with lace edging, fabric paint, even beads!

All linked up

Just a quick note to all that I've finally woken up and gotten with the tech program. :) What I mean, is that my Facebook page (Smile Creations Crafts) is finally linked to my Etsy shopfront (). Now you can 'Like' my business, and turn around and make a purchase, too!

Occupy what?

So... I'll be honest. While I've seen some posts mentioning Occupy Wall Street, and I saw a crazy picture of tents on an Oakland freeway, I really don't know what exactly that means. However, a couple days ago, I came across the above image on Facebook ... And I really like it. Even without understanding completely the Occupy Wall Street part, I support the sentiment.

There are so many awesome Mom & Pop stores out there, with fantastic customer service, and just as good a selection of products. Of course, there are the hand crafters like myself too. It's worth a little effort to support the little guy.... Remember our country was built on it.

As I learn about cool hand craft gatherings, or stand-out Mom & Pop shops, I'll blog about them.

Thanks for doing your part!

To market, to market....

with an organic market bag! Knit from cotton, linen, soy, or bamboo, these convenient little bags roll up to store easily in your purse or trunk, and expand EXPONENTIALLY!! I have two in my trunk, and have been known to fit the result of an entire grocery trip in them: a couple 2 liters, oranges, a few TV dinners, box of cereal, cookies, bread, peanut butter, coffee..... you get the idea. The design allows the bag to stretch like crazy, but remain strong enough to handle the weight.

Here are a couple of the market bags I've knit so far. Tonight I'm starting another --- it'll be granny apple green with a stripe or two of green and white variegated yarn for a different twist.

Flowers make great photography props......

So said dawn elizabeth of dawn elizabeth photography when she asked me to make some flower baskets for her upcoming spring photo shoots. Here are the resulting baskets.