Pile of Craft

Starting Again

2010-06-25T10:31:00.000-04:00

I have been in a funk. A justified funk as far as I'm concerned, but a funk non the less.

I haven't been crafting (save for some commissioned knitting).

I decided to make a change - to make a real effort to get myself back on track - and I think it's working so far.

Some important people in my life have recently inspired me to get back to art and back to this bloggish thing.

Also, my buddy is going to a far away land and I feel the need to keep her in the loop!

Anywho, the most recent project was the undertaking of my mermaid parade costume. I had a blast making it, and marching in the parade. An excellent start to my revived crafty life.

More from me later

cp

full set of mermaid parade photos can be found here

When Kitting Soothes the Soul

2010-02-18T14:47:00.001-05:00

Oy. It's been a long, long 20 days since my last post. I'm not sure how so many terrible things were packed into those 20 days, and if my inability to keep my eyes open as soon as I step in my door at night is a direct result from the events that occurred, but I'm trying to keep my mind and my moods out of the dumps.

I do this in little ways, trying to concentrate on how cute my little pooch is, and see the comedy in her ripping apart the house. Enjoying her scampering around in the snow on her morning walks and how much she longs to go where ever I'm going as soon as she sees my coat in my hand.

Buying new yarn and starting new projects (even though I vowed that I wouldn't).

New sock yarn purchased in St. Louis. First pair of socks ever. I realized that knitting is really a therapy for me. It calms me on the subway, and takes my mind off negative thoughts. It allows me to put all my energy into creating something beautiful that will make someone else happy.

Singing along to my tunes, even though my co-workers and folks on the subway may think I'm a looney tune.

Remember loved one's who left us too early and holding them in my heart and thoughts forever.

remembering the funny memories so I can laugh while I cry. And cooking more, so he is never forgotten.

Love you MJ

Does Cooking Count?

2010-01-28T07:25:00.000-05:00

Does Cooking Count as Crafting?

On this blog it does!

This first treat is a recipe from a friend, turtle brownies! It's double fudge chocolate cake with caramel and chocolate chips in the middle! (Once it cools a little, it looks less like Dog Food) :)

This was a treat I made for New Year's Eve, double chololate drizzled popcorn. It was a huge hit and really pretty easy. Next time I'll use a chocolate that hardens a little better, this had to dry a long time and was just a little gooie. But I didn't hear any complaints. :)

Wednesday Humpday Blog - ALTERnative Medicine

2010-01-27T07:38:00.029-05:00

Good Morning! This is my first ever entry in the Bombshell Stamp's Wednesday Hop Along Blog

The Challenge: ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (from Inky Button)

We all have our own home remedies...a pinch of this, with a dash of that and gargle. *giggle Well, it's time to put your thinkin' caps on, and ALTER an item you have laying around. That's right...don't be content with that over the counter crafting stuff...take something you have and give it a little bit of TLC; a pinch of this glitter and a splash of that alcohol ink. (Hopefully you won't have to gargle....*wink) Let your imaginations run wild as you use your Bombshells to breathe new life into an otherwise boring item.

I was really excited to ALTER this boring frame, which, I think, doesn't do this picture justice. (It's one of my very favorites.) So with a little help from the Hula Girl collection from Bombshell Stamps (and glitter of course) I made this frame as special as the photo!

I just love the Hula Girl Collection and thought it would make this Luau Party Pic POP! (say that 10 times fast)

Be sure you stop by everyone's blog and leave a comment so you will be entered to win some fabulous prizes!!

What are you waiting for? Get hoppin'!

Kas

Getting Organized

2010-01-27T07:32:00.000-05:00

While listening to a great knitting podcast (yes, that's right, they talk about knitting for a whole show) Yarn Craft, I was inspired to organize my crafty life. So I sat down, and started to make some goals.

Goal 1. I will not buy new yarn until I make it down to one basket of yarn (currently I have three)
Goal 2. I will keep myself organized by using a nifty site called Ravelry.
Goal 3. I will look at the projects currently on my needles and abandon those that no longer hold my interest.
Goal 4. Organize my yarn into baskets by color!

Tallulah Helped with this part:

See why I can't buy anymore yarn! :)

Going through this amount of Stash Yarn will be a feat, but I am ready for the challenge.

When Crafting Gets in the Way of Sleep!

2010-01-12T22:53:00.002-05:00

Time flew by whilst I crafted away and before I knew it, it was MIDNIGHT! (I didn't get home from work until 9:00, so I had a late start).

Thought I'd share what I was working on, please pardon the Iphone photos, my camera is still MIA in my clean house... I still think that this proves that no good comes from a clean house.

Anywho, I wanted to participate in a fun Valentine's Challenge from Bombshell Stamps and here is where I started:

I wont tell you what the punch line is yet, I'll leave a little mystery. You can guess if you like. The one on the left is the Valentine's card and the lady on the right will be used on a birthday card. I'm making that pink dress into an apron... there may be cupcakes involved.

Inside of card without the punch line.

I was sleepy today, but it was worth it. I think this girls look great!

A Few Favorites

2010-01-08T18:19:00.004-05:00

Before I head out for the evening with my darling Shaney Pie, to see Wishful Drinking, I thought I would share a few of my favorite card creations from 2009. All this reminiscing makes me want to run home and craft all night, but a full schedule on Saturday and Sunday will make it impossible. Maybe I'll wake up early on Sunday...

These two lovelies might be my absolute favs from last year.

cowgirls and hula girl from Bombshell Stamps

Anyone who knows me knows that I <3 cupcakes. As a matter of fact, I think this whole card thing started with cupcakes...

"Of Corsets Your Birthday"

who gives a hoot?

and spring blooms!

That was nice... must craft soon.

When Life Gets in the Way of ART!

2010-01-08T07:45:00.002-05:00

How sad, I have been very uncreative for the past few months. I have had very little time to work on cards and have only finished a few knitted pieces! (some of them are from the pile of unfinished below, and some are NEW!! woops) This hurts me, makes me realize I need to create to survive. I need to make the time to come home and CREATE!!

However, besides always being busy at work, I did get a puppy, so that also has a little something to do with it.

Meet Tallulah;
(and my mom)

You can see how she could be distracting. Then there was a Baby Shower I planned (which is creative!)

A trip to LA (first In and Out Burger Ever)

Kickball

A Cruise...

And Christmas. So at least life is full!

(SantaCon 2009)

But Back to Crafty:

I did just finish what my boyfriend says is the "coolest thing I've ever made"

THE KRAKEN

For those of you unfamilar with the Kraken please look to Clash of the Titans or Priates of the Carribean.

The making of the Kraken:

tentacles first

then the grabber claws!

then you attach them all together and begin body building.

the head and fins are supposed to be added by picking up stitches around the body, but I took the easy way out and stitched them to the body.

This piece was made out of a wonderful book: Amigurumi Knits by Hansi Singh. This is a great book filled with cute stuff, and the Kraken only took about 4 days to complete.

I think now is a great time to get back to what I love, and I am making the commitment now!

Unfinished Works

2009-10-05T23:35:00.000-04:00

Oh my. I took a little inventory of what I had on needles at the moment...

Starting from the upper left and working clock wise

1. Wine Sweater started over the summer
2. Baby Blanket started at the end of August
3. "Barf" Blanket started in Jan 08
4. Purple Pillow started for my boyfriend's cousin. I got really far with that one.
5. Blue scarf (bottom) started before last Christmas as a gift for my grandma.
6. Green hand warmers started last summer
7. blue scarf (center) started at the beginning of July
8. Red (middle) bottom of a heart
9. Red hat started last weekend for a charity project
10. Orange hat started two weeks ago for a swap (it's going to be a pumpkin)
11. Blue Panel for a purse I started last winter for a friend... it has yet to be felted.

Pretty sad, I start new projects all the time. I always think, oh I will finish all my projects before I buy more yarn, but you can take that up with the three huge baskets of yarn in my small apartment

Pile Of Craft

2009-10-02T23:38:00.002-04:00

When I went in search of a name for my craft business/card line, I really wanted to name it "Pile of Craft" because I thought it was funny, and because I experiment with so many different types of projects. I love to knit, crochet, make cards, scrapbook, paint, rubber stamp, collage, and pretty much anything else I have tried or what to.

I thought it was about time to begin documenting my many crafty escapades and sharing them with others. Selling my creations hasn't been as lucrative as I thought it would be (let's face it, my only customers are family members) but I still want to make them!

This will be a documentation and exploration of my crafty escapades. I'm excited to jump in feet first to my giant Pile of Craft.