§ampler §ally

Happy Neu Year!

2011-01-31T12:58:00.000-08:00

Well it has been quite some time since I've posted anything. Yikes. A lot has happened in life, but I will save that for my real-world-in-the-flesh journal.

I got married to my man of 5+ years and we are now living in Portland. I love it, though I can't wait for the sun to show itself more. I never thought I'd be saying that, since the central valley california winter weather is usually so mild. It does get grey and rainy and nasty there, but up here it just feel so much more oppressing. Like the clouds actually hold weight that pushes down on you and you do what you can to bear up. It's quite different really.

But enough about that. I am working on a new blog entirely. A new address, a new look, a new feel. I haven't decided what the focus will be, or if there won't even really be one. But for now, stay tuned :-)

yarn yarn yarn!! (inventory-ish)

2010-03-10T15:45:00.000-08:00

So I thought I would be productive today and see *just* how much yarn I *really* have... (click each pic for MUCH bigger views!)

...Wow, that's a ton! Well, not really, but you get the idea. It's actually not as much as I thought it would be-- there's still room to squeeze a *few* more skeins in... (wink wink, nudge nudge!) It actually makes me want to just dive in and swim and revel in the beauty that is my yarn!...

So it all started by clearing out my various bags I take with me to crochet nights.... sometimes I just throw in random yarns, my notions pouch, and a book or magazine at the last minute without really having a plan as to what to make out of it. I laid out all the yarn and noticed that I have a lot of the same color or brand, and wondered how much I really have of the same thing I buy all the time. (It's like the whole "little black dress" syndrome... you know it works for any occasion, it's just how you choose to style it that matters-- so you buy a variation on the same thing every time!)

Then, I got tired of having to go through an obstacle course every time I wanted to get to my yarn drawers in the corner of my room, so I organized all my printed out pattern pages into one stack, magazines in another, pattern books in another. With that out of the way, and with reverent fervor, I commenced the withdrawing and the laying out of yarn. First the purples, oh the perplexing plethora of purples... then on to the greens, I'll keep them over here, separate from the purples. Now on to the blacks, the greys, the bountiful browns.

I continued in this manner until hardly a single space was left on my bed. Once I had cleared and laid out all the free yarn I could find, I then proceeded to group together the yarns that were still chained to a project (haha get it-- chained? crochet joke?.. occupational humor?....... no takers?........ k. well, I thought it was funny.) ANY-hoo, without further babbling on, I will move on to the pictures now-- enjoy :-)

^^Reds, Pinks, & Variegateds ^^

^^ Oranges, Yellows, Neutrals^^

^^Greens & Blues^^

^^Purples^^

^^Blacks^^

^^Greys^^

^^Browns^^

Now, what am I going to do with it all? (That's the FUN part!)

p.s. i just KNOW i have a bag of about 20 mini balls of yarn i haven't come across yet. it's a bunch of different colors of elann.com's Luna. This calls for an investigation!

Later that day....

Voila!!

(Caution: Sexy Yarn Time!!)

Textured Towel FREE PATTERN

2010-02-08T11:47:00.001-08:00

Here is a pattern I made up as I went along for a crocheted towel/dishrag. It has a ribbed nubby sort of texture that is reversible. I started with a certain number of chains, but feel free to make it as small or as large as you want. (note: I made the font size larger for easier reading or printing, I find myself always magnifying my web pages, so hopefully it's better for you!)

Materials:

-- Lily Sugar 'n Cream yarn (100% cotton, Worsted Weight yarn, but use whatever you feel suits you..)

-- I/9 (5.5mm) hook, or size appropriate for yarn choice

Guage: not important

here’s the gist of it:
– CH 31 (i use only 1 turning chain-- which does not count-- for HDC this time to keep ends tighter, but you can do as you normally do.)

(Row 1&2): HDC across. (30 HDC)
(Row 3): DC across.
(Row 4): alternate FPDC/BPDC in each stitch across.
repeat rows 1-4 until satisfied, then repeat rows 1&2.

SC around all edges to finish.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Please leave a comment of praise or any suggestions! Let me know if there is anything that doesn't make sense or could be written better.

"Of Corset!"

2010-02-08T10:10:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, February 6th, was "Free Museum Day" in Sacramento, CA. Laddy & I went and started in Old Town to see the Military Museum, the old school house, the old theater and such, but did we even make it to ANY of those? Nnnooooo. We just ended up visiting all the bars instead. (it can be an education sometimes, right??) There's just something about screaming slobbering kids and trying to avoid the stroller wars that makes us head the opposite direction...

We did go to a neat store called "Sacramento City Dry Goods".

It was neat! They have reproduction period clothing (1800's) and accessories, and patterns to make your own. I couldn't decide between a corset pattern or the corset DVD: How to Build and Fit a Victorian Corset... I thought, "I already have a few good corset patterns, but don't know what I'm doing...", so I bought the DVD.

It didn't work on my computer straight from the disc, so I had to decrypt it and watch it from the files stored on my hard drive. I don't know if it was just that disc itself, or the formatting, but watch out for that if you consider this dvd.

It is about 2 hours long, so I will post a review of it once I am done watching!

Merry Christmas holiday cocktail recipes

2009-12-09T16:59:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas holiday cocktail recipes

Posted using ShareThis

more projects between xmas gift projects.

2009-12-07T20:22:00.000-08:00

this is pretty much it for now, i just keep making more small things in procrastination of the xmas projects. i'm going to regret it, i know it. but somehow, i know i'll get the important ones done.

Crochet Collar

2009-10-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

pattern: http://theongoingproject.blogspot.com/2008/06/crochet-collar-pattern.html

I've already made two more with edging variations, so stay tuned...

one more for the books..

2009-07-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

i made this for my friend Jasmine. I've never met her before, so I hope it fits.

been busy crocheting like a granny on her deathbed.

2009-07-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

I don't feel like typing much, so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

...and i will DEFINITELY let these ones speak for themselves, even though there is a story behind it. ENJOY :-)

if only but for a day...

2009-06-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

what i wouldn't give to have a wardrobe like this...

Rainy Lady by ThisIsCrazy on Polyvore.com

(i don't yet understand that website, but it looks neat...)

Vintage Presents!

2008-10-31T11:10:00.000-07:00

So my adorable wonderful Aunt Jackie started sending me crochet patterns and finished pieces mostly of my Great Grandmother, and some of my Grandmother's.. and to think that she was debating on "throwing them out" years ago but just couldn't part with them! i'm sure glad she didn't.. and you'll see why. I have scanned the cover and inside cover with their respective copyright dates highlighted. Included in this assortment is one I had bought at an antique store for 10 bucks! (it's the first picture in this post.) Oh the COOLNESS of it all!!

(click the pictures for more detailed versions..)

Cool Cats, Martinis, & Cranial Accessories-- OH MY!

2008-10-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

so there's this cat who lives next door... talk about cool-looking!! it's (i'm not sure what gender it is) one of the friendliest kitties too!

(clicky the pic-ies for more biggie)

and here's a video of it doing its thang:

i just love getting my "Kitty Fix"!
(i'm thinking of naming it-- any ideas? something unisex perhaps?)

here's a bar towel i knitting a few weeks ago. now i wanna make one for everyone!

and the PDF file of the pattern i got it from.

here are two "in-between-projects" projects, kind of just quick fixes.

it's mah Hello Kitty bow.

pattern by CreativeYarn.

a quick hair flower for a Luau we went to this summer.

pattern by SKAMAMA.

i should have taken the picures when i was all done up-- i was PROUD of my really cute hairstyle, i don't normally have patience for that-- but oh well. maybe another day...

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

Queen Headwrap

2008-08-03T14:25:00.000-07:00

Last night I finished the "Queen" Headwrap, from the book "Get Your Crochet On!" by Afya Ibomu, and here are a few pics of it:

another crocheted cap

2008-07-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

i finished this whilst not sleeping in the middle of the night last night, grr. it's called the "Avenue C Slouchy Hat" from GleefulThings.com, and i must say, i don't think i finished off the puff stitch rounds right. it came out bunchy and bumpy, not at all what the pattern pics look like.. maybe i'll have better luck if i use more than one color..

the next one i'll use at least two colors and i'll do the brim version.. i'm not giving up on this pattern yet!

juice for the health of it

2008-07-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

I JUST GOT A JUI-CER! I JUST GOT A JUI-CER! (neener neener neener!)

so i was reading the book "Fit For Life, NOT FAT For Life" by Harvey Diamond, and was excited to see that i could afford the juicer that he recommends on his website.. it is SOOOOOOO stinkin' nice! of course, i got the commercial model and in *black* :-)

so... anyone up for a juicing party?? it can make sorbets and smoothie bases as well.. (and i must say, that a gin and orange/pineapple juice is *out of this world* with this thing!)

Goings On Ongoing..

2008-07-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

alright, so it's about time for a new post! update, update, everyone loves an update!

here's what i've been working on:

"Twins: Anna" from Knitty.com

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"King's Cozy" from GirlOnTheRocks.com

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"Ruffled Corset Belt" by Tricia Royal (from "Stitch N' Bitch: The Happy Hooker" book by Debbie Stoller)
p.s. you must be a Ravelry.com member to access this link.. sorry.

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plus a few more goodies that i can't post yet because they're birthday presents (of which came to pass a few weeks ago! sorry sisters, my crafting is so unpredictable... i messed up a few times on cari's and haven't finished it yet!!)

so stay tuned...

and go sign up on RAVELRY if you haven't already, you won't be sorry!

Antique German §ewing Basket!

2008-05-09T13:06:00.001-07:00

meet the newest addition to my family of antiques! i've had her on a 2-month layaway (for $110-- who wouldn't!?), so i'm finally glad to welcome her home!

my camera didn't quite pick up the true colors of the thing. the wicker pretty much matches the dresser behind it, and the pink is not really pink at all. it's more of a deep yet transparent red wine color.. not quite the whorehouse red you see here :-P

and barely detectable on the label in the space above the wording are some numbers written in pencil.. it's more noticable in person, but my best guess is #21?8871 (anyone else wanna give it a go? click the pic for a larger version..)

it is a sewing basket, but i think it's seen better days, so i'm just going to use it as my current knitting/crocheting project since a skein of yarn won't really do any damage. it is tattered and missing some wicker brackets on the underside of the back, but i think it just adds to its charm :-)

French Smut Friday!

2008-04-25T13:41:00.000-07:00

I Love my Boyfriend... oh how he indulges me... look at what came in the mail today!:
(click for larger versions)

he's so cool. he called me on his lunch break today to have me check the mail. he said "my package was delivered this morning, can ya go check for me please?" "--SURE! give me a minute... (insert giddy squealing here)."

lots of photos, a few stories, and of course-- boobies ;-) there's no date to be found on it, but my best guess is mid-to-late 50's. i'll have to do some research, but it's cool that it is a"Volume 1 Number 1" issue! oh, and whoever sold this at one point wrote on the cover with a sharpie "50 cents/ 5 for 2.00" so i had to colorblock over it-- BAAH!

thong th-thong

2008-04-01T19:43:00.000-07:00

i finished knitting my Lacy Thong! it was a hoot. like any visually interesting pattern, it tested my patience in a few spots, but nothing i couldn't get myself around or out of.. at least it fits like a dream!

i used a length of some pale pink vintage ribbon from my craft extras, but i'm going to try and find a different one, hopefully at the antique store i'll be visiting soon.. the edges of the front are stitched to give it a "finished" look, but they keep on rolling inwards. looks like i need to learn "blocking" after all..

if anyone wants one, let me know your hip size (or where ever you want the waistband to sit) and what color, and you just might have the coolest birthday/whatever present on the block.

it's biscuit bliss..

2008-03-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

so my man decided to make those nummy-yummy-oh-so-tasty "Cheddar Bay Biscuits" just like the ones at Red Lobster... i searched for a recipie that had the best reviews, and boy are they good! every time we have these now i am just beside myself with... i don't even know what. just thinking of them makes me stuck on stupid.. just feast your eyes.

now just TRY and tell yourself that you don't want a whole batch of these babies all to yourself right now...

(p.s.-- click the pic for a close-up of the butter topping just oozing into those nooks and crannies, mingling with the cheese throughout and giving birth to savory heaven..)

guilded fans

2008-03-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

my example of the Lion Brand Yarn's Crochet Stitch of the Week: Guilded Fans. (click on the picture for a significantly larger version.)

as per usual, the beginning of my work is all loosey-goosey, then i get the hang of it, and by the end my work is rather uniform and consistant. i don't know what i'd use this pattern repeat for, it is really really open and loose.. don't think it would do well for a garment. hmm, i may have to think this one over. overall, a pretty easy pattern.

yarn used: caron simply soft: victorian rose 9721

crochet hook size G/6 (4.25mm)

more vintage goodies

2008-03-15T17:13:00.001-07:00

This dress i found at the Antique Mall in Manteca.. who'da thunk?? I asked the lady if i could try it on, and she eyed me like you wouldn't believe! Now, i can usually tell if something will fit me just by looking at it and feeling its construction, so I asked. The lady pointed her reprimanding finger at me and told me not to "push it" if it wouldn't go on easily... well BIG FREAKIN' DUH. I'm not new to vintage clothing, lady. i'm not exactly the "ideal" size that most of the women then were, but i'm not a heifer either. one of the reasons women were the "ideal" size then was with a little or a lot of help from underpinnings-- corsets, merry widows, girdles, waist cinchers-- all of which i have and USE for garments such as these-- plus the fact that sizes weren't standardized like they are now. (you know how they say "Marilyn Monroe was a size 12"? well that pretty much translates in to a size 6 or 8 by todays' standards...) SO I proceded to try it on, and it absolutely fit! it was more like it just glided on. I was meant to be this garment's wearer. I came prancing out to the counter, swooped it up to the lady and condescended, "it absolutely fit like a dream." I put my hands under my chin and batted my eyelashes in a mock Scarlett O'Hara fashion. Hah. Take that.

Here is the house dress/apron dress, i'm not sure which. the tag on it said "black and white 1930's dress", but i'm not sure it was worn as such. it just seems more like a full apron you'd wear over a housedress of sorts. it doesn't look like much on the hanger, but when worn, the ties cinch the waist and gives the skirt more of an a-line look. my problem with vintage clothing is that the shoulders are usually too broad for me. even if the rest of it fits, i just don't get the full range of movement in the shoulder area. i don't always have great posture, but i've tried keeping proper in some of my dresses, and it just doesn't always work. anyways, it came with a few holes on the arms and one on the front that had been patched up with the same fabric of its time. a few minor repairs, she's as good as useful :-)

this is the girdle I bought the same day as the patterns in the previous post. it has a wonderful feel to it. it seems only lightly used, and still completely wearable. the garters still have full elasticity, the boning still strong, and the stretch fabric on the sides still feels tight. you can barely see it in this first picture, but there's a hook from a hook-and-eye sewn straight onto the middle front of the thing. i don't know if it came that way or what it's use is, but i'll leave it there either way. this fits me perfectly, and is even a hair too big. i mean, it is still very form-fitting on me, but these things were meant to "keep you in", tuck your flesh away underneath, sort of downsize your midsection.. it just kind of sits there on me and doesn't constrict much. i guess i'd wear it if i had a specific purpose to, but as it is it'll stay as more of a novelty piece, or put away until i do become a bit more "fleshy" for it's use.

my vintage crochet pattern finds!

2008-03-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

I found these great vintage patterns at Hubba Hubba! Antiques on the Miracle Mile in Stockton.. i couldn't be-lieve how many there where. from the looks of the other offerings of the time inside the front cover, they were pretty prolific publications. but hey-- that doesn't make it any less old and intriguing to me! i really try to buy only things that i plan on using or utilizing, so i picked the most interesting "edgings and trims" type one from the lot (and there were a LOT!). Even though 3 out of 4 of these here are edgings, i made three seperate visits with three different money-spending mentalities each time, so i picked the best of what was there. As of yet, i haven't been able to find a date for these, except the first one which is 1915. i'll be doing some research on the rest and see what i can find.

i've got a few more pictures and goodies to gush about, so i'll put those in a new post.

Ooh La-La!

2008-01-28T13:18:00.000-08:00

Tres Francais! Oui Oui!

Progress on the "Frenchy" pattern. I'm also making the "Lacy Thong" to go along with it, as Frenchy doesn't have a matching one.

Almost done with the other strap, i'll just need to find some snazzy buttons to use for the top closure and the side closures for the bottom.

i can't wait to get the whole thing done! i'm also going to knit some pasties from the "Naughty Needles" book by Nikol Lohr. i swear, between this book and the two "Stitch 'N Bitch" knit/crochet ones i have, it's ALL i need to keep my interest and make things i'll ACTUALLY wear and use for myself! i'm always making stuff for other people, so it's time i spoiled myself! (i'm sure it's going to be just as much of a present to my man than it will be for me!) ;-D

LOOk what i can do!

2007-10-19T12:23:00.000-07:00

haha.. couldn't find a quarter, so a bottlecap just had to do. besides, those are EV-ER-Y-WHERE in our house. (just wish the same could be said of those quarters!)

that is the skull to the "crocheted wristlet with skull shape" pattern on about.com. More progress pics soon..

+ll Fall Madness ll+

2007-10-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

So yes, looks as though I've been quite busy with crafting lately, as I haven't posted anything for awhile now..

Crocheted a newsboy cap for my good friend Matthew from this pattern, and the results are in...

on moi:

and on the birthday boy:

too cute! did that in about a week and a half, only because i wasn't working on it constantly...

and I just finished and sent off this wonderful and fun Halloween wreath I adapted from this pattern, and made it funky and all my own:

and here was my workspace and progress--I LOVE sitting on the floor!:

I am so proud of myself! I also splurged today and bought some yummy chenille yarns for my cloche hat I will be making for myself (sheesh!! finally, SOMEthing for myself, I am just WAY too giving... hehee) using the "Essential Hats Collection" pattern from Stitch Diva Studios here, and if it turns out as well as I hope it will, a good friend of mine will get one too :-)

I can't wait to start wearing the things I'll be making soon. And if I get enough compliments, I just might start selling the things! I have an etsy account, I just want to make sure that I'm good enough at all the knitting and crocheting to sell..

well, 'tis all for now, Have a Happy Hallowe'en, Darlings!

XoXo

crocheted hair flower #1

2007-08-05T10:41:00.001-07:00

crocheted mesh bag

2007-08-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

Halfway done with my first crocheted Mesh Bag. Apparently I'm a tight crocheter. Not tight as in "cool", but tight as in the opposite of loose. this bag is supposed to measure 12"x12".. it's like HALF that now. woopsie-daisy! good thing i bought a large hook the other day. then i can make them the opposite of "change purse" size that can actually accomodate bananas...

it's so neat to watch your own hands construct something 3 dimensional and usable from one little hook and a skein of yarn. not bad for 3 hours' work, eh?
i am so addicted.

crocheted hair flower #2

2007-08-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

fun fun! i made this for my big sister with her favorite color combinations: blue & brown (well, turquoise actually, but this was all i had on hand..). and this time it only took me 2 hours (collectively) instead of 3 for the first and smaller one i did.

as you can see from the first pic, it is meant to be attached to a crocheted flap and tucked into the back pocket of your favorite pants. so many options with this when you don't do any kind of flap or attatchment. i just grabbed whatever bobby pin was lying around, shoved it through, and viola! instant hair accessory.

anyone want one? c'MON, i'll make em for ya. 5 BUCKS, well worth it. maybe i'll get some random combinations and various crocheted accents like these and throw them up on etsy.com sometime soon...