Oh, Hello There!

Hmm... I think I mentioned that I would be back in, what was it, April?

Oops. Sorry about that. Really. I work as a substitute teacher both in town and in the next town over, so I can get a little sidetracked and busy. Okay, a lot sidetracked and busy.

I don't have any pattern round-ups for you, but I do have a few photos of what I've been working on. Sadly, it's only been one project (not counting the order I'm still working on), but I can say that I've made my first "real" clothing item.

This is the Amelia Toddler Sundress. It was meant to be a birthday gift for one of my nieces (I have two little  bitty ones now), but I foolishly made a mistake when reading the pattern and had to restart the entire skirt the night before the party. So, I've decided that it'll be a Christmas gift instead, which is fine because that gives me time to finish it properly (and go buy more yarn that I ran out of, of course).

Here is a couple of Work In Progress photos. I'm actually nearly done with it now. It's super cute and I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and make one up for my other darlin' niece for Christmas as well. I'm super proud of this!

Isn't this just the cutest thing? I love it already. I can't wait to make another in a different set of colors. (This is currently being worked up in Peaches and Creme's Happy Go Lucky.) Takes up a fair amount of cotton yarn, but it's well worth it.

I'm on the fence about taking orders for Christmas at this point. I've got a commission to finish and my own gifts to work on (they're a little more complicated this year).

However, regular commissions are still open. I'm more than happy to make something without a tight deadline (like Christmas), so feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to order something.

No promises as to when I'll post again, but I do hope to post again when I'm finished with this dress and maybe even add a sneak peak of what I'm giving away for Christmas gifts to all the women in my family this year. (So maybe next month?) Going to aim for a Halloween/Fall themed pattern round up as well, seeing as it is that time of year.

Until next time, my dears! :D

I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.

So, I've been utterly swamped this year, since it's my first year with a job. My advent calendar fell short of what I wanted it to be this year. It is currently day 13 of my calendar and I haven't even posted for days 11 or 12.

Due to this unplanned/poorly planned scheduling issue/not being prepared enough - I'm stopping the calendar. I'll find something for days 11 & 12 - to round it out, but I will not be continuing it further this year.

I did not plan correctly, didn't get information out soon enough, didn't work hard enough to get all 25 days filled. I will constantly be days behind schedule and I can't deal with the stress of "OH crap, I didn't get one for 'Day x' finished, let me panic and stay up all night trying to make something". I will have to do better for next year, starting now, otherwise this may be the last time I do this.

I will still post anything I have made this holiday season, however none will be assigned specific "days". This will hopefully allow me to make up for unfinished gifts and do about two weeks of work in the span of one.

I sincerely apologize and hope that you can understand. I will do better next year, if I decide to repeat this. Thank you for reading and your time.

COMMISSIONS:
These will reopen mid-January, if you are interested. Send me an email or drop a comment down below.

(bonus points to anyone who knows where the title came from)

On the Tenth Day of Christmas

Day 10 and these cuties finally arrived to their new home. My dear friend "Jazz" (the woman who I featured a few days back) ordered these for her two little boys.

Again, I have learned so much from making little stuffies like these. The blue/green one is a little thicker than the red/orange guy - stuffed him a little and it seemed to make his head a little more stable. I have also learned that hair is a pain in the butt sometimes. "J" has a slightly crooked face, but I think he looks heroic. "C" has the written mouth, while "J" has a mouth made similar to the stitch used for the eyes. (Can you guess which one I like better?)

They may have been a little difficult, but they are well worth it. I love them so much. I may make some next year for my nephews. I really hope Jazz's little boys love them as much as I do. These will forever go down in my book as a favorite pattern that I'm totally willing to repeat.

Standing guard over my yard - or at least until they move to their new home!

The pattern can be found at RedHeart.com under the name Boy and Girl Super Heroes. They're adorable and not as difficult as I had originally thought. And they actually work up rather quickly too, since the head and body are one single piece. The thing that took the longest was the cape, but even that wasn't too terrible. Learned so much about weaving in tails for these guys too.

I'd like to remind you that anything that you see within my blog I can make custom for you. And almost every pattern I find is available to you on the Free or Paid pattern pages at the top. Feel free to contact me or dive into the pattern pages! If you make something from any of those pattern, I'd love to see! I'll even give you a free feature just so that others can see the amazing work that you've done as well!

On the Ninth Day of Christmas

Day 9 and it's another feature!!

This amazing woman I have known for several years as well, again through summer camp at Magic Sky.

Coral Gracey does a few things, such as sewing and knitting. Featured below are some of those photos - scarves, pillow cases, vests, and a knit tam. How awesome is this kind of stuff? These are pretty cool photos, and since I can't knit, I find it even more amazing.

The photo on the left here is a picture of a Tam Knit hat from her mom's chemo days. I think it's pretty nifty. I always like knit things, but am not skilled at all with those needles! The photo on the right is a photo of two of her knit infinity scarves. Don't they just look so soft and cuddly? I want to take one and curl up with it and pet it for hours!

Pillow cases! Aren't these cute?

Vests sewn for Grandma. These are just awesome.

What she doesn't have photos of are dog bandannas and coats - but sadly her model wouldn't sit still long enough for her to get any photos. Maybe, if you email her, she can get you some photos of the work she does with that. I bet those are just darling too.

For your very own custom knitting and sewing, contact Coral at crgracey@live.com. She'll hook up with all sorts of neat stuff! Tell her I sent you by, so she knows where you came from! And it's all custom, 100% handmade stuff. You can't argue with amazing stuff like that. Seriously, I'm jealous of her knitting skills and sewing ability. I'm going to learn to sew one day, but I may never be able to make stuff like that.