Sunday, April 22

So I'm bad about posting.

Actually, I'm bad about taking pictures of crafty things. I've been doing plenty of random posting on my everyday blog. It's nothing anyone cares about, but apparently it is entertaining to at least one person. I'm trying not to have random entries here because it's supposed to be the organized, coherent crafts only blog. So on to crafts.

I've put down the Rogue hooded sweater for now. I am a few inches into the hood, but it's too unwieldy to work on at my knitting group and the freak cold snap (nothing like seeing tornadoes and a blizzard in your forecast!) is over, so there isn't a rush for it. I'll finish it once I'm home from school in May, and then pack it up until next winter. *sigh*

In an effort to do something summery, quick, and crochet, I've started the Cupcake top from SnB Crochet. I did the back on Wednesday during Lost, Daily Show/Cobert, South Park, and Halfway Home. Yes, Wednesday nights are my TV nights.

It really needs a good blocking. The new Hobby Lobby has almost no yarn, and the only non-worsted cotton yarn came in about 4 shades of hideous, so I'm doing stripes in Caron Simply Soft Brights. It's not as open or breathable that way, but it's soft and durable, and most importantly, pretty. I'm going to have to make some serious modifications to the front to add some boob shaping. With the stripes, I think the only way I can is just with well-placed increases. The beauty of crochet is it's really easy to rip it back and start again, so I'm not worried.

I also got around to making jewelry from the beads my mom and I got in Wisconsin last summer. I made a 16" freshwater pearl and Swarovski crystal necklace for me, and a smokey topaz, crystal, and sterling flower bracelet for my mom. I picked up some head pins today so I can make matching earrings for both.

The big achievement is Dogmar's couch/bed! (Dogmar is 45 pounds of pit/boxer love child.) It's pretty awesome, I must say. I had all the sewing done about a month ago, but I've been slow on the stuffing. She liked it right away. It's her special spot, but she's still within petting range of the people on the human couch. I've got to make a few modifications on the arm part and then I'll take pictures.

Saturday, April 7

Snail!

I'm so proud of him, and I think he looks quizzical. He now lives under a ceramic mushroom, and I'm going to paint him pretty colors. I was going to make him realistic, but the shell was not cooperating. Excuse the camera phone quality and the two-toned face. I got a bit enthusiastic with the slip, which dries a different color.



Thursday, April 5

I got myself, crafts, camera, and computer all in one place, just for you people.

I'm not entirely sure who you people are, other than fellow craftsters and lovers of snails. I just made a really awesome snail in ceramics. I shall have to remember to take a picture of it tomorrow, before it goes in the kiln. It's nice not having to worry about stuff blowing up during firing. In high school, something blew up nearly every time. My really awesome dragon pot had its head and tail taken out by my friend's abstract arm fist thingy. It was ironic, yet sad. My dragon is now just a flying gourd. But I digress.

Recent FO's: (bad lighting, I know, but my windows all face a wall.)

1 of 3 coil pots. This one is a squared spiral, inspired by those sticky note blocks.
Technical stuff: High fire, Rod's Bod clay with Dunham Blue glaze.


2 of 3 coil pots. Third pot is still waiting to be fired. Inspired by the way the clay came out of the extruder, and my love of yarn. I really love this pot, and for once I like that the iron came through the glaze. The second needle took a nasty fall right after I finished glazing, and then it was fired in some strange chalky stuff (hey, I'm not an art major) because I waxed over the glazed needles in order to dip the blue. It worked, and now I just have to glue it on.
Technical: High fire, Rod's Bod, Turquoise and messed up glazes.


Another angle.



Little owl dish thingy. The crack in the back happened in the glaze kiln. It didn't turn out very cute, but it's not a graded piece, so hey.
Technical: High fire, Rod's Bod, Concepts underglaze (really meant for low fire stuff, but nobody told me) with clear on top.




Tiny tiny cup. It' about the size of a votive candle. I luuurve the way it came out. It looks so earthy. I made the impressions with a nautilus shell button.
Technical: High fire, Rod's Bod, green stain with clear glaze.


Um, wow, craptastical picture. Boo bad focus on self-timer. And yeah, it's not finished, but I'm soo close! Only the hood is left!
Technical: Cascade 220 in a heathered purple, Rogue from The Girl From Auntie, size small with 2 or 3 extra cable repeats at the waist.


Size view. It's pretty baggy in the waist area, but it's a hoodie, so it's fine.

Tuesday, April 3

You know, it's about time for a craft blog.

So here one is. Currently in progress:

Knitting: Rogue Pullover from girlfromauntie.com I'm picking up stitches to start the hood, and the sleeves are already done, yay! It's just in time for our first 80 degree day.

Crochet: Nothing, and it makes me sad. As soon as Rogue is done, I'm going back to my most favoritest thing.

Sewing: Dog collars for my baby, a pit/boxer mix. I wuv her. There's also a 30 gallon tub of fabrics and patterns ready to be sewn, and a couple of sundresses that need to be redone now that I have a dressform.

Ceramics: Loads of lidded boxes, some functional, some just cute.

Random crafts: Geeky goodness with my friend Chris, including a Megaman helmet, comic book covered toilet seat, and video game melty bead fun.