Cabled baby mitts

A good friend of mine told me she was looking for some homemade baby mitts to give to her SIL for a baby shower. It's been so long since I've knit anything, that I jumped at the chance at making an easy/quick project like baby mitts.

Also, her nephew was born 2 days before Jackson, and it turned out that we were neighbours at the hospital (right beside each other!). So even though I never see them, I feel a little connection to the cute little guy :)


I used the Cabled baby hat and mittens pattern from Paulina's Blog. The patterns was well written, easy to follow, and resulted in a darling little mitty (if I do say so myself).

I also used a new technique - and was quite pleased with the end result. As with most of my knitting education, it came from a wonderful tutorial on YouTube. It's like watching a silent picture show, but this video of the Kitchener stitch (for closing the end) is fantastic! Who needs words when you have such a clean demonstration?

I made a boo-boo at one point on the first mitt that I was too lazy to go back and fix, but I it didn't show (instead of switching to the larger needles at the beginning of the mitt, I switched at the end of the increases). So, I just made the same mistake on mitt #2.



Materials:
Needles: Estelle bamboo DPNs - size 3mm and 3.75mm
Yarn: Lang Merino superwash in "oatmeal"
Tools: Tapestry needle, scissors

Now I need to make some for my little boys! Off to find a good pattern for a 3 year old :)

-tb:oxo

Rock Star!

I'm so thrilled! This week I was chosen as the "Rock Star" at the Friday Mashup challenge!!! It was such a fun project to make, and a fun challenge to participate in! :)  My submission can be found here.

Looking forward to playing with them again this week! If you haven't played along, you really should - They are super fun.

As if Friday's aren't exciting enough as they are... ;)

-tb:oxo

Mojo Monday

This week's Mojo Monday sketch is awesome. I love, love, love it! I also love, love love the Spice Cake DSP from Stampin' Up! So, why  not combine my love, love, love's?! Exactly ;)

Thanks {so much}

 (MOJO212)

Materials used:

(All products are Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla

Paper: Spice Cake DSP

Stamps: "Thanks" and butterflies from Kindness Matters, "{so much}" and flowers from Tiny Tags

Ink: Early Espresso, Pool Party

Embellishments: Pool Party ruffled ribbon,

Tools: Large Oval punch, Jewelry tag punch, Decorative label punch

Oh - and joy of all joys, I've joined the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator. Frabtious day, Calloo Calay!

-tb:oxo

Friday Mashup on Tuesday :)

The Friday Mashup has a fun challenge this week! "It's a Wrap" challenge gave the following options for submissions:

1. Make a project featuring a "Belly Band"

2. Or make a project using "Twine"

3. Or, Mash it up and create a project "Using Twine with a Belly Band".

I chose #3 again. I love being able to mash it up. And every time I hear or see "Mash it Up", my brain somehow brings me to the Shake a Tail Feather scene in the Blues Brothers movie... And the only reason I can think of is because they say "do the mash potato". You should watch the link - you'll love it :) Ray Charles is lovely.

Congratulations

(closed - with belly band)

Opened up

(FM29)

Materials used:

(All SU unless otherwise stated)

Cardstock: Island Indigo, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Real Red

Paper: Timeless Portraits DSP

Stamps: "Congrats", Chandeliers (Hero arts)

Ink: Basic black

Embellishments: Buttons (from my bin), Black twine (The Twinery)

Tools: Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Scallop border punch (EK)

-tb:oxo

Inspire

Below is my submission for this week's Play Date Cafe challenge. It's their 2nd anniversary, and as such, I thought I would make a "thank you" card of sorts... A thank you for your constant inspiration!

Happy 2nd Anniversary, Play Date Cafe - and thank you ever so much :)

Inspire

(PDCC104)

Materials used for "Boo":

(All SU unless otherwise stated)

Cardstock: Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Old Olive, Butter (Bazzil)

Stamps: "Inspire" from Define Your Life set

Ink: Wisteria Wonder

Embellishments: Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon, Pearl dots (MS)

Tools: Decorative Label punch, sewing machine
Card design idea came from an old Paper Crafts magazine.

-tb:oxo

How exciting! :)

This morning, amidst all the rain and cold, I woke up to a very pleasant surprise!

I made the 'fab four' over at Play Date Cafe with this card! This is one of the first challenges I started participating in, and haven't missed a week*. I love their story boards, and their design team is brilliant.

Can't wait to play along again this week :) Check out the gorgeous colour palette!:

Yes, I realize there is a plethora of exclamation marks in this post, but I'm OK with that. Hope you are too! (!!)

-tb:oxo

*OK, to be completely honest, I missed one.. but I was in the hospital having given birth to my lovely little boy. Excusable?

A (very) quiet day...

My (big) boy is having a play date today, and despite my very best efforts to force my (little) boy to stay awake and play with me, he'd much rather sleep! So... I've been forced to try and entertain myself. ;)

After a tea and a lovely snack of toast with apple butter, I got to 'work' on playing along with some challenges.

Lucky me, today is new colours day at one of my favourite challenges, the ColourQ (btw, if you haven't played along with them, you really should. They have a great team who comes up with wicked colour combinations - and the DT cards are always so pretty). Today's colours were Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie and White.

I used the colours to make this cute little Hot Chocolate holder for my son's friends for halloween. I found the tutorial on YouTube and couldn't wait to try it. I ended up making two of them exactly the same. They are going to two sisters, so I didn't want one to turn out better than the other ;)

Boo! 

 (CQC107)

I also played, for the first time (!!), along with Friday Mashup. How cool is that concept?! Their challenge this week was to choose one of the following:
1. Create a card with snowflakes
2. Create and easel card
3. Or "Mash it up" and create an easel card with snowflakes


I love the quote here: "A snowflake is winter's butterfly". I have a thing for snowflakes. I find them absolutely fascinating, and in fact, I have one tattooed on my foot.

I chose to do the mashup #3. I just recently learned how to create a twisted easel card when I was a guest at an SU demonstrator meeting, and couldn't want to try one for myself from scratch. Also, for the first time, I tried my hand at paper-piecing. Although time-consuming, I love the results and had tons of fun.

Merry Christmas

(FM28)

I'll be attending a Christmas Card class on Friday, and after that, I think I'll be done with Christmas cards for this year! Yipee!

Materials used for "Boo":

(All SU unless otherwise stated)

Cardstock:Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: "Pocketful of Posies" DSP, "Well Worn" DSP

Stamps: "Boo!" from Tiny Tags

Ink: Early Espresso

Embellishments: Lucky Limade ruffled ribbon, Pumpkins (??)

Tools: Decorative Label punch, Corner rounder (EK)

 

Materials used for "Merry Christmas":

(All SU unless otherwise stated)

Cardstock:Early Espresso, Pool Party, Whisper White

Paper: "Mom's Diner" and some random plaid (both Recollections)

Stamps: "Merry Christmas" and snowflakes (Recollections)

Ink: Pool Party, Chocolate Chip

Embellishments: Pool Party ruffled ribbon, White ribbon (??)

Tools: Large Oval punch, Decorative Label punch, Scallop edge punch (EK)

 

Thanks for stopping by :)

-tb:oxo

Play Date Time

My take on the Play Date Cafe colours for this week: 

(Love the doorway image from the story board... and the bed! Would never have thought to decorate my room in those colours, but it sure is gorgeous.

Thinking of You

 

 (PDCC103)

Materials used:

(All SU unless otherwise stated)

Cardstock:Whisper White, Island Indigo

Paper: Cajun Craze DSP

Stamps: "Hello" from Tiny Tags, "Thinking of You" from Essence of Love

Ink: Island Indigo

Embellishments: Buttons from my stash, Twine (The Twinery)

Tools: Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch

 

 

 That's it for today, promise ;)

-tb:oxo

A burst of colour

With all the comfort food, crunching leaves, and fireplace fires going on these days, there's no doubt it's fall! But I was in the mood for something a little more colourful today.


Using the Mojo Monday sketch, this was my attempt at recapturing the essence of summer (bright colours and pears! yum). And believe it or not - those cute little brackets were made using the Stampin' Up! Decorative Label punch. I LOVE finding new ways to use punches.

Quite the 'Pear'

(MOJO211)

Materials used:

(All SU unless otherwise stated)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo

Paper: Anne Griffith

Stamps: Quite the Pear set (Studio G)

Ink: Lucky Limeade

Embellishments: Ruffled ribbon in Lucky Limeade, Pearl dots (MS)

And just for fun, I made this card. Another one of those "just because" cards to send my ma over on the island :)

Hello

This one was totally CASEd from the Stampin' Up! catalog (pg 103)

 

** ask me how disappointed I am that the "hello" is crooked **

Materials used:

(All SU unless otherwise stated)

Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White

Paper: Random stash paper

Stamps: "Hello" from Tiny Tags, Bird (Michael's find...)

Ink: Wisteria Wonder

Embellishments: "Blossom" twine (The Twinery), Pearl dot (MS)

Tools: Scallop Border punch (EK)

Thanks for visiting! Have a wonderful Monday :)

-tb:oxo

Making Robots - Part 2!

If you've missed "Making Robots!" part one, you can catch all the fun here :)

A year later, our robot has become a little more sophisticated - most notably with moving parts! What most amazed me during all this was how much more 'structured' his imagination was. Whereas last year it was a simple "glue and stick" philosophy when it come to construction, this year, he really built the robot with a vision.

He gave it a face, hair, arms and even shoes! I love watching this kid grow and learn :)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend :)

-tb:oxo

Mmm autumn!

I love autumn. Not quite so much as I love spring (which means everything is going to turn green again!), but there is something so cozy about the colours, smells and tastes of fall.

This week's Pals Paper Arts challenge was to do a fall/thanksgiving/halloween themed project using this picture as inspiration. My oh my, how I wish I had a front entrance as inviting and festive as that! Alas, mine is about one tenth of the size, crowded, and the only thing rustic about it is the long-forgotten mailbox - which is actually more rusted, than rustic ;)

Last night I was fortunate enough to be a guest at a meeting filled with lovely ladies and lovely projects. Bottom line, it was lovely! We did a project using the Spice Cake DSP, and luckily for me, I had the foresight to purchase it a few weeks ago. So with that beautiful paper in my hot little hands, I created the following:

Every Leaf

(PPA115)

In other news my baby is 1 month old today. I just can't get over how quickly time passes when you get to spend your days in the company of such awesome little boys! :)

Materials used:

(All SU unless otherwise stated)

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Paper: Spice Cake DSP

Stamps: No stamp! Printed on my computer...

Ink: No ink! I know... for shame.

Embellishments: Ruffled ribbon in Pool Party, brad (random)

-tb:oxo

Very Merry Color Throwdown!

I still can't believe that I'm making Christmas cards! But then, it really is only 2 months away!! Today's card is using colours from the Color Throwdown challenge. I used the herringbone technique again, because I love it so much!


Once I saw the colours for this week's challenge, I was so excited, because they are all used in the Pocketful of Posies DSP pack - which I really, really like.

Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzaz, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso

Very Merry

(CTD163)

Materials used:

(All SU unless otherwise stated)

Cardstock: Pear Pizzaz, Early Espresso, Poppy Parade

Paper: Pocketful of Posies DSP

Stamps: "Very Merry" from Short & Sweet set, Penguin (??)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Yo-Yo Yellow, Kiwi Kiss, Gray, Blue Bayou

Tools: Blender Pen, 2-way glue pen, Scallop punch (EK), Corner punches (EK), pearl dots (MS)

Thanks for looking :)

-tb:oxo

Key to my heart

"I got this from the school library. Did you know you could just borrow books from there?!" - Finn Hudson

I started watching "Glee". My sister-in-law lent it to me, and it's become my secret obsession :) This line cracked me up...

Anyway... moving on ;)

Made this card for two challenges: Mojo Monday sketch, and ColourQ colour challenge.

 Key to my heart

 (MOJO210)

(CQC106)

Off to borrow some books from the library :)

-tb:oxo

A card-making kind of day!

Today I finally built a light box. I say finally because for the past year or so, every time I see the sheets of foam board, I say "ah yes! The light box project!"... Then I walk away and make a card, and said  light box project goes forgotten again.

But not today, my friends :) Today the light box got made. Granted, I don't have the appropriate light bulb, but that will come.

With my big ol' project completed, I needed some cards to place inside:

First up is my (very) simple take on the Play Date Cafe challenge for this week:

Slime Green.....Frightful Fuschia... Putrid Purple...Black as Night

Thinking of You

(PDCC102)

The next two were just for fun. I needed some extra Christmas cards, and a 'manly' birthday card.

Merry Christmas

 

Best Wishes

Happy Monday, everyone :)

-tb:oxo

Bike Riding!

We've had such beautiful weather here the past couple of days. It's the perfect 'end' to the summer!

I've been wanting to get a bike now for ages. I used to love the feeling of going for a bike ride - the wind, the speed at which I could get to places! You could see so much in such a short period of time :) Plus, if the going gets a bit tough, you can just switch to a lower gear and off you go again.

 I found this super cute stamp at Michael's for $1.50. I couldn't resist it!! And when I saw the colours for this week's Colour Throwdown challenge, I knew exactly how I wanted to use it.

Pool Party, Barely Banana, Creamy Caramel, Early Espresso

The quote is one by John F. Kennedy - and boy, did he hit the nail on the head!

Bike Ride

"Nothing compares to the simple pleasures of a bike ride" - JFK

(CTD162)

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends :)

-tb:oxo

Thanks for your hospitality

My entry for Pals Paper Arts challenge. What I love about participating in these challenges is that although I may have made this card regardless, same design and vision - I most certainly would not have chosen these colours! And they are lovely!

It helps push my boundries, and sends me miles away from my comfort zone :) Which is an awesome place to be. Goodbye, comfort zone - Thank you for your hospitality all these years.

Thanks

 

(PPA114)

No supplies were harmed in the making of this card!   
Cardstock :: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberr, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie

 Paper :: Pockeyfull of Posies DSP

Stamp :: Kindness Matters
Ink :: Lucky Limeade
Embellishments :: Pearl Dots (MS)
Tools :: Decorative label punch, dimensionals, corner punch (MS)

 

Hope everyone is doing well today! It's gorgeous here, and after a wee snack, my boys and I are going for a walk :)

-tb:oxo

Should have been a birthday card

Tomorrow is my grandmother's 89th birthday. Almost immediately after stamping "Kindness Matters" onto this card, I thought to myself, this should have been a birthday card!. Alas, it is not! Perhaps I will restamp and make it one... Or, better yet, make another one of these.

I really loved the colour challenge from over at Colour Q this week. It inspired me immediately. The sketch came from Paper Crafts magazine, which I unfortunately don't have in front of me at this moment to reference!


I've seen a lot of halloween cards being made with Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder and Basic Black (from my endless midnight internet wandering!), and I was concerned that it might take on the halloween feel. That concern was totally unfounded. It turned out decidedly un-halloween like! :)

Kindness Matters

(CQC105)

No supplies were harmed in the making of this card, either! 
Cardstock :: Basic Black (SU), Whisper White (SU), 

Chocolate Chip (SU), Wisteria Wonder (SU)

 Paper :: Green polkadot (K&C)

Stamp :: Kindness Matters set (SU)
Ink :: Black, Chocolate Chip (SU), Wisteria Wonder (SU), Wild Wasabi (SU)
Embellishments :: black picot ribbon, sqaure buttons
Tools :: 1 3/4 circle punch (EK), Dimensionals (SU), cuttlebug, embossing folder (TH)

I feel like I say this about all stamp sets and papers... and well, all SU product - but I LOVE the "Kindness Matters" set! 

 

... really thinking about taking the SU demonstrator plunge. It's starting to feel more and more like the "right time".

-tb:oxo

Mojo Card!

*This is my second entry into Mojo Monday challenge. I made a scrapbook page (see previous post) using the sketch, and loved it so much I wanted to make a card with it as well. Again, here is the wicked-awesome sketch:

I've been dying to use the "Beyond the Garden" DSP from SU on a bigger scale for a long time now, and thought this would be the perfect layout/design for it.

Essence of Love

(MOJO209 #2)

No supplies were harmed in the making of this card, either! 
Cardstock :: White, Pacific Point (SU), Daffodil Delight (SU)

 Paper :: "Beyond the Garden" DSP (SU)

Stamp :: "Essence of Love" (SU)
Ink :: Pink Pirrouette (SU), Island Indigo (SU)
Embellishments :: Ribbon, flower cut from DSP, button, twine (The Twinery)
Tools :: Scallop border punch (EK), Dimensionals (SU)

I think I'm actually going to have to make a concentrated effort not to make yet another card using this sketch!! Did I mention I love it?

-tb:oxo