Queen Amidala

This first of my Star Wars Cross-Stitch design line:



She is stitched on 28 count Aida fabric, uses 21 colors, and is 75 stitches in height and 35 inches in width.

I have 90 other Star Wars patterns in line to follow her, in similar design. As well as 59 Harry Potter, 6 Lord of the Rings, and 40 Star Trek: TNG.

Whew, I better get working!

Button Jewlery!

This black and white button jewlery set is very similar to the green and blue set that I previously made. The necklace is designed a little differently and it is minus a ring, but other than that the two sets are nearly identical, save for the differences in color of course.

The whole set:


A closeup of the necklace layout:


A close up of the earrings:


Close up shot of the bracelet:


I've got a few more button sketches so expect to see some more button work in the next few weeks (I hope). I'm back to work/school next week...

Safety Pin Earrings

I saw this post on crafster of safety pin earrings. I thought these were just the cutest and most unique thing I've seen in a very long time. They seemed fairly simple to make and exactly my style.

These were very, very easy to make. I whipped up several in the span of minutes.

This first batch was made using the larger types of safety pins:


This second batach was made using the smaller types of safety pins:


If I had more beads, I probably would have made dozens more, and experimented a little bit more.

Poncho... attempt?

Raise your hand if you love your knitting looms! I attempted to make a poncho using the Serenity Loom. I followed the pattern provided with the loom but it created a short, chic like poncho and I was looking for something longer and more roomy.

Here's what the outcome looks like:



And the action shots:





I think its cute and it is comfortable but I've made some notes on where I need to make adjustments as the poncho I was looking to knit was about 3 times this size! Oh well, accidents help you learn.

Teacher Stuff

I paid a total of $2.00 for all three of these kits at JoAnn's last year. I stitched them up in one evening and hung them up in my 6th grade classroom last year. I think for this year, however, I'm going to turn them into Christmas ornaments and hang them from the tree instead. They are cute, if not borderline cheesy. :)

The Star Wars Collection, Part II

As promised in this previous post here are the photos of itty bitty Jabba the Hutt, itty bitty Jawa, and itty bitty Darth Maul.

Jabba the Hutt will require special directions for the tail, but its pretty simple.


Drawing the dark lines on Darth Maul's face with a sharpie is optional...


Isn't he cute?

Explosion

Here's the back story (yes I am long winded as many of you have probably found out!). I went to JoAnn Fabrics yesterday for their 99 cent pattern sales and while walking down the ribbon section I saw the the polka dot ribbons and went huh! That would make a crazy purse. So I picked them up and then promptly went to find a zipper of good width. Then I headed back to the home decor sections and saw a pair of tassles, which I thought would be really cute on the zipper. I didn't know what to do for handles and figured I'd worry about it later, then on my way out the door I spotted the large chunky beads and this beast was born.

It only took a handful of hours (3.5 at the most, I wasn't really keeping track). I call it Explosion because its a very, very busy purse, but I completely love it!

This is the purse as a whole:


The much necessary action shot:


A close up of the handles:


A close up of the zipper and the tassels:


I had so many requests for a tutorial on the blue and yellow checkered purse that this time I wrote up a tutorial as I worked on it and took clearer photos and better action shots. I just need to proof read it and then I'll post it. I'm hoping to have it up by the end of the day.

Halloween Stockings

Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year. Each year I go more and more out for the holiday and it is with great sadness that we can't decorate our classrooms for Halloween. All the same, I tried these as an experiment and somewhere along the line they became my Halloween Stockings.

I saw a pair of fishnet stockings, somwhere, online that was knitted with regular knitting needles. I thought, hmm... I bet I can do that with a knitting loom... and I did!

The back of the socks, laying side by side. They are sewn up the backs with orange ribbon and tied up in a bow on the top.


The back in action


The front side of the sock. In the cuff of the sock I sewed in elastic to hold the socks up.


I do intend to write up a pattern/tutorial for it.

Mr. Raines

The Pretender (1996-2001) was a TV show on NBC that I fell in love with. One of my favorite characters and villans is Mr. Raines. Pure evil in every shape and form. I sketched out this pattern from a computer image I drew several years ago and tested some DMC colors. This is what I ended up with:



This will be one of the free patterns offered on my website, when I launch it.

Jumping on the Bandwagon

Knitters everywhere were making swiffer covers and I jumped on the bandwagon. It was pretty simple. Just knit a flat panel and sew up the sides and then slip it over the swiffer.



I'll probably make about a dozen more. I hate paying for those swiffer covers at the store. They are so expensive. Plus, these are more environmental friendly.

More Cross-Stitch

I just love these mini cross stitch kits you find at the craft stores for $1.99. They are nice, quick projects to work on. I like to use them to take a break from the big projects I'm working on.

First up are the Disney ones: Ursula (from The Little Mermaid) and Piglet and Winnie Pooh from Winnie the Pooh


A second Disney batch: Little Nemo (Finding Nemo), The Wicked Stepmother (Snow White), Lightening McQueen (Cars), Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh)


I Love Dogs:


I think the Racoon is absolutely adorable!

Star Wars Cross-Stitch

See? I wasn't kidding, it is a big part of my life (even though I'm 24 years old!) Actually, these were cross-stitched many, many years ago but when I was googling online - instead of prepping for the next school year ;p - I stumbled across a Star Wars website that I I had built about 10 years ago. I had completely forgotten about it. On it I found these photos - I do still have the completed patterns.

They were supposed to be Christmas Ornaments, however, only the Jar Jar one has been made into an ornament (when I dig out my Christmas materials in November, I'll try to remember to take pictures and post it).

Here they are, in all its geekyness...

The Naboo Crusier:


Qui-Gon Jinn:


Jedi Master Poof: (my 2nd favorite Jedi Master... Ki Adi Mundi is my first ;p)


Darth Maul:


Lott Dod:


Jar Jar Binks: (This one has since been made into an ornament)


Battle Droid:


There is also a Queen Amidala one but she hasn't been finished (and still hasn't 10 years later!), when - well... if - it ever gets finished, I'll make sure to post it.

The Star Wars Collection

Star Wars has always been a large part of my life. It was a big part of my middle school years and and some of the high school ones. I still remember the exact moment (I was about 10) when I was introduced to Star Wars (long story and maybe I'll share it another time). ANYWAY, before I leave you down the looney road of my brain, the point of the story. Back in my late elementary years and middle school years, Beadies (those critters made from pony beads) became famous. Everyone had them and kids like me were obcessed.

However, I couldn't find ANY Star Wars patterns anywhere. And I looked. Believe me, I LOOKED. So while sitting in Mr. V's English class in 8th grade (bored silly) I grabbed some notebook paper and started sketching out my very own Star Wars patterns.

Since I'm looking to launch my own craft pattern website/business (it will include both free items and items for purchase) I went looking for some of my old cross-stitch patterns and art work and stumbled upon these beadie patterns filed away along with my sketches. So I promptly converted them to the computer (to be shared soon) and went out and purchased about $12 worth of pony beads.

Here's the end result:

First up is Prince Xizor. The main villian of the Star Wars Novel Shadows of the Empire one of my favorite novels of the Expanded Universe. Hmmm... maybe I should go pick that up.


Four lightsabers: red, purple, green, blue


Mara Jade. Another character from the Expanded Universe. This was made before my anti-Mara era (about the time the NJO books were being published) and was based on a model photograph.


Jedi Luke from Return of the Jedi. I just love the little black glove. :)


Princess Leia's most famous look from A New Hope.


Princes Leia at the end of A New Hope in her ceremony outfit.


Princess Leia in her Ewok dress. I've always wanted one of these for myself. How sad is that?


A Jawa. Yes he is a little square, but they always - for some strange reason - bring a smile to my face.


Han Solo. My first love. :)


Darth Maul's double ended lightsaber. Simple but effective pattern.



This second Star Wars collection is entitled the Itty Bitty collection. These are minature versions of the ones above.

This is one of the very FEW prequel critters I completed. Remember these were designed just after the release of The Phantom Menance. Emperor Palpatine. I think he's so darn cute even if he is evil.


Itty Bitty Luke Skywalker in his farmer's outfit. I'll probably design a bigger farmer boy Luke at some point.


Itty Bitty Princess Leia. She's one of my favorites. Sssh... Don't tell.


Itty Bitty Han Solo


I will have photos coming within the next few days of Itty Bitty Jabba the Hutt, Itty Bitty Darth Maul, Itty Bitty Jawa, and Leia in her Hoth outfit and Endor command outfit.