Update – Mostly Craft related… – January 22, 2019

Wow… okay… so there hasn’t been an update here in ages. I’m mot going to make any grandiose promises of weekly updates or anything like that. I am going to just to update more frequently. Yes, more often than waiting 2.5 years between posts.

I’ve made a few things here and there, learned that I love diamond dotz, or diamond painting (cross stitch meets rhinestones lol), and tried to make time for crafts. On the other hand I’ve had work schedules that are rotating and full of hours, so, I haven’t had, or to be honest, haven’t made the time to be as creative as I’ve wanted to, or should be.

New year is here, and I’m working on slowly making changes. Trying to go to the gym more, and making time to craft, both for pleasure and for listing on my Etsy shop. So, you will get to watch a few things going, mostly though the things I plan on making to list. Here are some “artful” (as artful as possible with an iPad camera) pictures of the first project I picked.

It is a piece titles “Coffee Break” and its a cute little piece showing different types of coffee.

I picked up this over the arm holder thing on clearance at my local Walmart. I’ve always had a bad habit of sticking my needles in the arm of the chair or couch I’m sitting in while I work, and while not a big deal with cloth upholstery, not the best plan when you have a leather couch. It has a pin cushion, and pockets for scissors, etc., handy little thing, if I do say so.

Last but not least, some tools of the trade, lol. The Aida cloth that came with the kit, my favorite type of “hoop” ( snap frame actually, I like it better and it doesn’t stretch the cloth as bad), the pattern, and painters tape. I get questions on that one a lot, I know most people say to just use masking tape, but I find that painters tape holds to the cloth just fine, and leaves less adhesive behind when removed.

That’s it for me tonight. I have some edges to tape and a center point to find!

Weekly (ish) Craft Update – Monday October 26, 2015

Okay, I did promise that I would get back to this as soon as I could. And I’m trying.

I have also been trying to craft, to mis-quote the Starks, “Christmas is Coming!!” (but said with nearly as much panic)…

Now, I mentioned before, if you see something here and it shows up under your tree or in your mail, act surprised, please. *giggles*

First and foremost, the fairy really hasn’t been touch in months, which makes me rather sad, but now that we are getting more and more settled into our new living arrangements, and this semester is almost over *whew* I’m hoping that I might be able to get back into a routine of at least getting a few stitches in every day. I apologize for her wrinkles, she’s been folded into my bag thingy for a few months.

I have been crocheting a lot more though, since that is a slightly more portable craft, and with ballet season in full swing, portability has been the name of the game.

I finished this ripple afghan a couple weeks ago, it’s my first ripple and the first few rows got FROG’d a few times (rip-it, rip-it) BUT I finally got the hang of it (and learned to carry a notepad to keep up with counts) and i’m happy with the results. It’s definitely a lap-ghan, it’s not quite big enough for much else.

Then, thanks to my subscription service, I got a kit to make a yarn ball holder. I’ve seen them in stores, made of everything from fiber to ceramic, but I thought it would be a cute thing to try. This is the one that came with the kit, not completely finished (still needs decoration and a few finishing touches) but, you get the idea.

So, of course, now inspired, I decided to try with some yarn from my stash, and trying to make it slightly larger, so far it’s working, I’m up to the decreases for the top, but this is how it’s coming along…

Last but not least, the Bargello patterned bag front has been complete and had it’s edges finished, just need to sew it onto the bag. I know, I know, too many unfinished things, but that’s what happens when stuff gets packed up lol

That is it for today, I think. lol

Keep smiling, keep crafting, keep supporting your small business crafters (my Etsy is here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ImpishCreations) and remember this (I found this meme the other day, and loved it…)

Weekly Craft Update – July 20, 2015

So, I missed an update last week… Things have been getting busier and busier as we get through summer. I’m busy, the kids are busy, my darling hubby is crazy busy at work. Plus trying to de clutter the house and heal from a minor procedure I had done.  

With all this going on, obviously I haven’t had a ton of time to sit and stitch, or crochet much at all. But, I do have a progress update. I am making another amigarumi for a friend’s grandson. I will get pictures of that one as soon as I can. 

Picture for this week, of the fairy…

  
Little more work on her face, as well as the wings and background. 

Don’t forget to take a peek at my Etsy shop and eBay page, both links are in the about me, up at the top of the page. As I de clutter, more and more is being added. 

Keep smiling, stay cool and happy crafting!

Weekly Craft Update – July 6, 2015

I hope everyone here in the U.S. had a safe and happy July Fourth. Other than the little dog not liking the fireworks nearby, things were great here. Cooked out with family, had a few sparklers and watched everybody nearby shooting off all kinds of pretty things. 

Progress on the cross stitch was good this week, but was slightly delayed because I was “commissioned” to do a quick amigurumi crochet project for a friend. That friend is giving it as a gift, so I can’t post pictures yet until I know the gift has been received. It has inspired me though to try my hand at it again and pull out the steel hooks and old embroidery floss to see what some minis would look like too. As for the fairy, what work I did get done was mostly in the wings. So. Many. Colors. Lol. At least now you can see the top wing’s shape and slowly starting to see the background taking shape. 

So, here is your picture for this week…

  
Keep smiling, keep crafting, stay cool out there! Don’t forget, my etsy shop link is in the “about” section above and you never know what I might be listing next!

Weekly Craft Update – June 15, 2015

Summer is definitely here! Temperatures are supposed to hit the 100s F this week, with indexes even higher. The pool will be getting lots of use I believe. The rest of the time will be spent inside, hiding from the heat. I am really glad I use LED bulbs in most of my lamps now so I can at least stitch without being under a hot light. LED has quickly become my favorite light because it is very clean and bright and helps when I have so many shades that are very similar. 

Progress this week includes we now have a general idea of where the other side of her head is, and some more filling in. I think because so many of the colors are very similar I am finding myself switching frequently because I start having trouble telling them apart lol. 

Here is your picture!

  
I did manage to get some old craft supplies on Etsy this past week as well, mostly beads and things like that, be sure to check it out, the link is in the “About” tab up above.

That’s it for this week! Stay cool, use your sunscreen and keep smiling! 

Weekly Craft Update – June 8, 2015

SUMMER IS HERE!!!!!

Both kiddos are done with school and so even though the calendar doesn’t agree with me, in my book, summer has arrived!

Needless to say with all the craziness this week, I didn’t get quite as much done as I wanted, but progress is progress. Every stitch counts, right? Baby steps, as long as they are towards the goal, that’s what matters. 

Here is the picture for this week…

  
Keep an eye on my Etsy shop too, I’ve been cleaning out closets and bins and things, so craft supplies I’m not using and have no plans for are going to go on there. The link to it is in the about me section up top.

Keep smiling and happy crafting!!

Weekly Craft Update – April 27, 2015

Hello my lovelies!

It’s been a good week for the cross stitch. I’ve really been focusing on that, so my crochet probably won’t have updates for at least another week or so. 

I occasionally suffer from some insomnia, and let me tell you, Netflix and cross stitching at 3am is very soothing. It kept me from focusing on how early I was awake, as opposed to thinking about how little sleep I actually got lol.

I am not the fastest stitcher in the world, but I am very pleased with my progress this week. Especially since I have gotten to my first edge! That always excites me when I can get to them, since that starts really giving me a real idea of the size and scope, and how much I have left. So, look closely, I have found the bottom edge, only three stitches, but hey, progress is progress!

Here is the picture for this week. Excuse the wrinkles, I finally got the fabric cover for my 8×8″ q-snap (which I totally love now since I still use a smaller frame even for the bigger pieces, it’s easier to hold onto for me), but since I’ve been working on the bottom, the top half has been kind of rolled and tucked under the cover to keep it out of the way.

  
Have a wonderful week everyone, keep smiling! As always, check out my Etsy site (click about me up top, the link is in there) and if you can, give my shop a favorite and let me know, I’ll reciprocate!

Weekly (hopefully) Craft Update – March 2, 2015

Okay! First and foremost I apologize for my long absence. I have been working just not been updating all of you! 

I have more motivation to update you all more regularly again. I have started a new big cross stitch project! I’m excited about this one, it’s going to be gorgeous I think. I was reminded why I love presorted kits though. Here are some pictures of prep…





Gotta love it when you have five shades of peach and colors called “darkest grey green” lol. 

I officially started stitching this past Tuesday, the 24th of February, so here is my first week of progress, which I am quite pleased.



It is done on evenweave which I haven’t done a lot on before, but I am getting used to it. 

I have been busy with other things, most of which can be found on my Etsy site (see about me for that link). Here is some of it.





This last big mass of purple is something I love. 



It’s warm and soft and perfect for cold nights, and the sleeves are mid arm so perfect to wear while working on other things! 

I think that’s everything! Oh, I have gotten everything together for my next portable crochet project and as DS is getting ready for the final ballet production of the season, I should have some work on that to show in the next week or two. 

Keep smiling everybody!

Weekly Craft Update – October 20, 2014

Okay! Here we go.

So, last week I showed you one small project I’d pulled out of my unfinished projects box. I got it done. I still need to wash, press and frame, but after a trip to Michael’s, I will have it done soon. They had some cute frames with mats on clearance (yay!) plus for my birthday month, I had an extra coupon.

So, here is that project…

Next that got done last week, was another small project, one of Dimension’s “Daydream” collection. It also needs a bath and pressing, but I am going to do that today. The interesting part of these is that they come with a mat that is patterned to match the stitching and then sandwiched between glass and backing board. It doesn’t look like much, but when I can share the mounted version it will look even better.

I’ve also had lots of crochet time. I have less than four inches to go on the bag. I am going to be trying to focus on one project at a time now to be able to accomplish as much as I can between now and Christmas. Some for presents, some for Etsy (see “About” above for that link). During my last trip to Michael’s I also picked up more yarn for a couple of projects. Some are going to be gifts, but I won’t give away for who, since I know my family and friends read this lol. Anyway, bag progress…

And with a ruler, to show to size…

That’s all for now. Keep smiling and keep crafting!!