Mobile for Nina's adorable nephews

aye aye maties!

You may or may not know that I recently became an auntie, to these two awesome little guys (yep, twins!):

They're here visiting with their mom, my sister-in-law, so I got my craft on and made them this mobile: 

Cute, huh? Just makes you want to drift happily off to sleep... or at least that's the idea. I used a wooden embroidery hoop for the top, and some felt and fabric scraps for the clouds, etc. The only part I haven't figured out yet is how to attach it to the crib - gotta scour the hardware store and come up with something.

Also, in case you don't waste enough time finding craft ideas on pinterest, check out craftgawker - kindof more of the same, but still fun. 

Finally four months later...

Finally I have finished my shoulder bag! I started this project when I was taking a sewing class over the summer and then took some very long breaks but over the weekend with help from my mentor, Melissa, I put the finishing touches on it. This is my most advanced sewing project ever and the one  I am most proud of - it even has a zipper pocket!

Inside: four different pockets!

nina's sweatshirt to skirt

my dear pirates!

The 95-year old woman I work for had cleaned out her closet, and I took her outcasts, which included the periwinkle cotton sweatshirt below. After discovering this great pencil skirt tutorial, I decided to make a fitted skirt out of the sweatshirt. Like one of those sexy, stretchy skirts you pay $50 for at American Apparel. I love the style of those skirts, but the price does not jibe with my thrifty tendencies.

Fortunately, as it turns out those skirts are incredibly easy to make! Even for someone who doesn't really sew much, like me. I just cut the sides of the sweatshirt, marked my measurements on the material, pinned it, tried it on and adjusted it a bit, then sewed it! 

Et voilà! I used the bottom ribbing of the sweatshirt as the skirt waistband, which I like the look of. (also, I apologize for the terrible, I'm-taking-my-photo-in-a-mirror photos)

It turned out my skirt was a bit tighter than I expected, so I had to add a zipper in order to get it on and off.

Also, the raglan seams from the sweatshirt sleeves came together into these neat little triangles at the side bottoms of the skirt. Unfortunately I wasn't really paying that much attention as I was making the skirt, so they ended up asymmetrical, but when I make more of these skirts (which I definitely will, since it was so easy and so cool-looking), I'll try to make those more symmetrical. 

Pretty sexy, huh? ;)

 Now I'm hooked, I can't wait to make more clothes!

more craftiness

been getting my craft on lately. here's what I've made:

seat cushion for uncomfortable chair, made with thrift store fabric. don't know why I didn't think of this ages ago, my bum would have appreciated it long ago!

and this fun frame-thingymabob, including this little inspirational quotation, which I think came from one of my fellow craft pirates...

Sock update! And next projects.

Dearest fellow craft pirates,

I'm happy to report that the second sock is now finished, achieving my goal of finishing the pair for Christmas (I even got some time to spare)! Unfortunately, it appears that while knitting the second sock, my stitches were significantly looser, because upon looking at the finished product, one sock is HUGE and BUTT UGLY compared to the other one. Oh well, so goes the life of a craft pirate. I'm pretty sure my brother will like them anyway.

In other crafty news, I've decided to craft all of my Christmas presents this year. This is something that I tell myself I'll do every year, and which I always fall through on (example: failed sock frenzy of last fall). BUT! This year, I'm starting early, I'm trying to plan my gifts now, and plus I already have one finished (the socks). My plans so far include a crocheted circle scarf à la this, and a shelf for my brother like these.

yay crafting!

When Nina grossly overestimates how fast she can knit

I've been a knitter for a few years now, but I have yet to actually finish a project. Remember that sweater I posted on here a few months back? I started it about five years ago and it's still sitting on a shelf waiting for the sleeves to be sewn together. Needless to say, I have a little trouble committing to projects, so last fall I decided to start knitting smaller projects: socks! Seems perfect, right? I figured compared to my 5-year sweater endeavor, a sock would come together in no time. 

Around October I started working on a pair of socks as a Christmas gift for my brother. I went on a little yarn shopping spree at Webb's, thinking I would knit socks for practically everyone in my family for Christmas. Ha! That was a funny thought, Nina. By the time December snuck up on me I was rushing around buying gifts, since I was clearly not going to be giving anyone socks this year. I carried Toby's half-finished sock to our holiday celebration and told Toby he would get a pair of socks for next Christmas. 

It looks like that more realistic goal will actually happen. I just finished the first sock and I'm getting started on the second one! Seeing as I'm currently unemployed, I have a lot of time for knitting.

The finished sock! Note: I'm modeling the sock on my own foot, but it fits much better on Toby's foot, for which it is intended.

With the beginnings of sock #2

tiny treasure tin

hello pirates,
big news crew! i was in my first craft fair and though i was not there in person (i had to work and rach graciously attended in my place) rach met some lovely people and as a result i am now famous: tbrwd.blogspot.com/2012/05/one-crafty-bandit.html  thank you brandon! check out his awesome buttons on his website! here's a tiny treasure tin by me: