It is day 23 of going "Cold Sheep" as the group that I have joined calls it. I have not purchased any yarn at all this year and I have dumped all my subscriptions except for Potomac Beads Best Bead Box XL and Simply Earth's Recipe Box. When I joined Simply Earth's Recipe Box subscription, I got a $40 gift certificate to use. Now they are giving $50 gift certificates! If you are interested in trying this box and getting the $50 gift certificate, use the code THERESAD504.
I have a 31 day goal tracker in which I am using to create some good habits. So far, I have not missed a day on any of them. They are simple goals:
Bible Reading
Work on my reviews
Take my vitamins
Work in basement
Clean cat box
Drink at least 32 ounces of water
Like I said, nothing earth shattering, but necessary. One thing I'm finding is that I am doing much better when I have a daily to-do list.
Spinella Scarf
I also have some finishes for this month so far. I've made 2 bottles of a wonderful citrus foaming soap (recipe from Aromahead Institute) and a bottle of Sunshine Body Wash (recipe from Simply Earth). I have some more things I'll need to make this month in the Bath and Body department.
I was subscribed to Mary Maxim's Crochet of the Month Club as well as their Knit of the Month Club. I cancelled that for a number of reasons, but mostly because of all the stuff I had to do. I was getting behind on the kits. This was from the last kit I got - November's Crochet kit. I decided to knit this, as I couldn't see the stitches easily enough to crochet. This was a no think piece to knit on - just a cast on of 30 stitches and then knit each row until I ran out of yarn.
Included in the kit was Lion Brand's Spinella Yarn of the most "not me" colorway. The colorway is 602 Vintage. I knitted up the scarf and even though it's soft and really long - well over 6 feet, it just doesn't do it for me. It went into the donation box. Maybe someone will love it more than I do.
Crater Lake Hooded Cowl
My next finished project was from Mary Maxim's September 2020 Knit Kit of the Month Club. This one is called the Crater Lake Hooded Cowl by Grace Akhram and the pattern can be purchased on Ravelry if you are interested in making one. Personally, I was disappointed with the pattern. It was super, super easy. From what I saw from the photos on the pattern, I thought the top of the hood was rounded in the back to fit the shape of your head. Nope - it's pointy and looks like an elf hat. In the photo I pushed the point down and in the hood. It looks better, but you can still see the hint of a point. Even though I'm disappointed, the hood itself is comfortable and I'll be wearing it - it just not what I really wanted. With that said, the yarn that came with it was nice, though. It was Louisa Harding's Pitturissimo in the colorway 218 The Scream.
Viola Earrings
My January subscription box arrived from Potomac Beads and although I love everything in it, I decided to go back to an older one and make the Viola Earrings. They are a post earring that has a cabochon in the middle. There is beadweaving around the front and back to hold everything together and they are so pretty when finished. I wish my photo would show exactly how pretty they are in person. The nice thing about Potomac Beads is they always have a tutorial online, so if you like the things I post here, you can go to YouTube and you'll be able to get the supplies list and follow along with the tutorial. The colors in the tutorial are different than the colors I received in the box and I like the colorway I received a LOT more.
3 in 1 Handwarmers
Now down to my latest finish. These are the 3-in-1 Handwarmers designed by Marly Bird for Red Heart yarns. The pattern is free from Yarnspirations and there's even a YouTube tutorial and CAL that goes with it. These were a little of a challenge for me because of the new-to-me stitch that it uses. I decided to make the crocheted version of the mittens and after a bit of working the split crochet stitch, I was really thinking of ripping the whole mitten out. It was stiffer than I thought I'd like a mitten. I was already past the thumb gusset, so decided to just bite the bullet and make the pair. If I didn't like them, I could always donate them, right?
These mittens really surprised me. I think they will be warm and after crocheting both, even though they are still stiffer than knitted mittens, I think they will soften up after washing. That's usually what Red Heart yarn does. For these mittens, I used Red Heart Super Saver in the color Ecru and Red Heart With Love Stripes in the color Fiji.
I do have on more finished item - but it's a test, so I'll need to make sure I get the OK from the designer to post it.
That's all for now. I know this was a long post, so if you've made it this far - THANK YOU!!!
One of my favorite places to find tutorials is at Potomac Beads. They have very detailed videos that will walk you step-by-step on how to make all different types of projects. There are hundreds of videos on their YouTube channel.
While browsing the different channels, I came across an earlier subscription box that had the pattern for the Cherry Blossom Earrings. I was absolutely fascinated by them and really wanted to learn how to make them. I went to their site and found that they had a video tutorial, list of all the materials needed, so I immediately ordered the petal beads to make them. I love the options for these earrings – besides the tutorial, they also have kits, a written pattern as well as the past bead box all for purchase.
As soon as the beads arrived (they are really quick to ship!), I dropped everything and beaded my little heart out. In no time at all, I had a new pair of earrings!
The seed beads came from the July Best Bead Box XL from Potomac Beads. They were the leftovers from the Bonnet Bracelet “kit” that was included in the box. The earrings were quite easy, but a little fussy when putting the first petals on and trying to keep the post, petals and beads all together. It gets easier after the first 2-3 petals. I love that there’s no glue or anything except thread, beads and posts. So cool!!!
I finished the earrings and am quite pleased. I did have some problems with the second one. I ended up accidentally wrapping the thread around the earring and ended up having to pull some of it apart. After doing that, I couldn’t get the bottom bead point to sit as nicely as the first. Of course, I didn’t notice it until after I had finished and I wasn’t pulling it back out again. It isn’t perfect, but I’ll wear them just the same.
I’m finding that I’ll have to pull out the camera instead of using my phone to get a more clear and true photo. I had an awful time trying to get pictures of the earrings. The phone kept adjusting and making them silver and turning my black background to a grey color.
These earrings are so much prettier in person. They really sparkle and the picture just doesn’t do it justice!
I had to put them on and see how they looked. They are a little more true to color here, but Monday’s post is probably the most accurate of all of the photos. I do like these earrings and will be making them in more colors combinations to practice putting colors together. I think I need a course on color theory – actually I need a brain that can actually put things together like my daughter does!
I accidentally stumbled across a FANTASTIC blog that has tons of free beading patterns. I was so thrilled with what I found, that I had to start reading her blog from the beginner. If you're interested in beading or just seeing gorgeous jewelry, you really need to visit Linda's Crafty Inspirations! She has posted so many lovely projects - and not just beading. It really is worth the visit.
While on Linda's blog, she had shared a project she had made using a free pattern from another website called Deb Roberti's Around the Beading Table. Oh my! This is another source for free as well as paid beading patterns and another place that has a wealth of information. I spent another few hours on Deb's site and found many patterns I want to make. Unfortunately, with just starting out, I don't have a lot of beads yet, so I combed through the site looking for something I could make.
Trinket Earrings progress
I came across a lovely pair of earrings called Trinket Earrings that I wanted to try and had beads I thought would be appropriate to substitute since I didn't have any 4mm pearls. I thought I had everything as I had jump rings, the fish hooks, thread and needle as well as beads I picked out to test to see if I could truly substitute different colors and beads and make them look good together. I was beading along when I went to put the jump ring on and found that I didn't have any 4mm jump rings! UGH!!! So I had to set the earrings aside and order some from Michael's. We have to run to town tomorrow, so we'll do a curbside pick-up then.
I'm using:
Black Wildfire .006 thread
Size 12 needle
11/0 Miyuki Seed Beads - Gold
4mm Cryistal bicone beads - Marine Blue Iris
4mm Faceted Glass beads - Aqua
This is a very simple pattern and I was really enjoying it. Sadly, I had to stop. I really can't wait to finish these. I think they will turn out nicely - even with my own color choices!!
