Gardenia's Miscellany

What I Learned on Winter Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:45:00 +0000

In an earlier post, you saw the start of a couple of projects. On our trip to California, I knew that there would be plenty of time for knitting, so the projects came with me. During the six hour plane trip, I made it through a lot of the first of the LTYC Sock Weight Fingerless Mittens. Over the next few days, I finished it! So it was time to start on the second one, right? Apparently, that wasn't a good decision.

I worked on the second mitten for a few days, but I really had a lot of time to work on it while I was waiting for an appointment at the spa. I relaxed and knitted my way through the second mitten. I was really relaxed...

The mitten in the middle was the second one I started. The ribbing at the wrist is the same size as the two complete mittens, but do you see what happened in the middle? I was at the spa. Same yarn, same needles, one really relaxed knitter. The gauge was off and it is huge!

So the moral to the story is that knitting and relaxation do not mix. And measure your gauge throughout the project. Now I need to use a larger set of needles to make a matching glove.

Finished Object Friday -- Ocean Yarn

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:49:00 +0000

Here is the first sample that I have spun from the December Phat Fiber box. This is about 20 yards of 2 ply yarn at about 15 wpi so it comes in between sport and fingering weight.

We just returned from a vacation by the ocean and I was able to spin part of this ocean themed sample as we drove down the Pacific Coast Highway.

The colors are almost a perfect match!

This was a Sparkle Cloud called "Seaside" from Moonwood Farm. The fibers in it are alpaca, various wools and maybe milk, bamboo and or soysilk. It also "contains bunny fluff."

The instructions said to card, felt, or spin as is, so I chose to spin as is. It was a challenge to change from fiber to fiber because they were not all combined smoothly, but over all I was happy with the consistency of the single. There were not too many areas of thick and thin yarn.

WIP Wednesday - CoMC OWL Edition

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:40:00 +0000

Thanks to help from my SIL, over the Summer I started to learn how to knit. I decided that I wanted more practice knitting, so this term I proposed an OWL in the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup (HPKCHC) group on Ravelry.

I want to make a beautiful pair of fingerless mitts from the Jane Austen Knits 2011 magazine. This is a very advanced pattern for me. It has a lot of techniques that I haven't tried yet, so a simpler pattern is in order so that I can practice.

This LTYC Sock Weight Fingerless Mittens is perfect. It starts with a simple ribbing and has a thumb gusset that is shaped. Here is the swatch that I submitted with my proposal. The yarn used is Zwerger Garn Opal Harry Potter in the Harry and Ron colorway.

This is the swatch for the Kensington Mitts from the JA Knits magazine. Max decided that he needed to make an appearance in the picture. This yarn is Araucania Itata Multy that was from a yarn tasting at at LYS.

After about six tries, the gauge swatch for this came out the exact size for the pattern!

I've found Phat Fiber!

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:05:00 +0000

A few months ago, I learned about Phat Fiber through Ravelry. Each month, contributors send in samples of their products. These are put into a box and sold.

It takes some luck and timing to snag a box. I've tried for three months and I was finally able to get one! I chose a mixed box that has samples of yarn and also fiber to spin.

My box contained samples from:

All for Love of Yarn - Pattern
Play at Life - Fiber
Moonwood Farm - Fiber
The Alpaca Legacy - Yarn (and a ducky!)
Out of Step Dyeworks - Fiber
Mad Angel Creations - Fiber
Fiber Fancy - Fiber
Copper Corgi - Bulky Yarn
Lanitium ex Machina - Yarn
Taylored Fibers - Yarn
Bitsy Knits - Yarn
Funhouse Fibers - Angelina Ornament
The Dyeing Arts - Fiber
Tomorrow Farm - Yarn
A Million Stars - Yarn
The Sheepy Kitty - Silk Hankies
Wild Fiber Arts - Stitch Marker
Caliope’s Fibre - Stitch Marker
Winemakers Sister - Stitch Marker

I've been wanting to get this blog going again, so I am going to post items that I make from this box to get me started.

Halloween Sale!

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:37:00 +0000

My Etsy shop is part of the EtsyVeg team Halloween sale. We're offering 10% off any item tagged "Halloween" in the shop.

Also, if you purchase an item from a participating shop you could win a great prize! Just leave a comment on the EtsyVeg blog post.

For more information on this Spooktacular event visit the EtsyVeg team blog.

Hufflepuff Project of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:57:00 +0000

My current crochet project has been picked as a project of the week on the Huffleblog!

I've been sorted into the Hufflepuff house as a part of the Harry Potter Knitting and Crochet House Cup on Ravelry. It's been a fun group to hang out with!

Endorsed By Etsy Team Columbus!

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:56:00 +0000

Did you know one of our items was endorsed by Etsy Team Columbus?! Check out this blog post for more in formation!

Custom Orders

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 21:59:00 +0000

Last weekend at the Ashville Viking Festival I took a few custom orders. Here are a couple of hats for a mother and daughter.

The mother wanted a grey hat. I found this lovely grey yarn from Dark Horse Yarns.

The daughter is a pink girl (like me!) and I found this great hot pink yarn. I added a drawstring so she can adjust the size if she needs to.

Three, count them Three!

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 22:38:00 +0000

I have three upcoming shows! Please come out and say hello!

April 24-25 Ashville Viking Festival

May 1 Ohio State University Medieval and Renaissance Festival

May 22-23 2nd Annual Etsy Team Columbus Eco-Chic Craftacular

Crochet Sweater and Other Projects

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:23:00 +0000

For Christmas I received a Jo-Ann's gift card (thanks, Beth!) and here is what I did with it...

This is the Moderne Jacket pattern from Lion Brand.com. I used Lion Brand Jiffy in blush, combined with Vanna's Glamour in topaz.

Here is a closer view of the front.

And a closer view of the back.

I've also added several new items to the Etsy store. Take a look!

New Cloak!

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:06:00 +0000

Here's a new cloak that was just finished today. It is based on the cloak that I have on Etsy.

This is a shot of the back with the hood down.

And a close-up of the inner lining.

And a full-length shot with the hood up.

And one of the back with the hood up. I've flipped the front point around to show off the lining.

The measurements for the cloak are:

26" from the bottom of the hood to the center back
34" from the bottom of the hood to the side points
24 1/2" from the hood to the bottom front

Fonts Available For Engraving

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:47:00 +0000

Here are some of the fonts we have available for our engraved items at randw.etsy.com. We can engrave using almost any true-type font, like Comic Sans or Helvetica. Some of the fonts look better than others so, of course, we use the nicer ones more often. Here are our most popular fonts:

Click on the image for a larger version. Examples of other fonts are available by request.

More Treasury Fun!

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:52:00 +0000

It seems like all I am talking about lately is the treasury. Julie Webb made a treasury for the May EtsyVeg challenge "Please Stop Raining." She included my pink patchwork hat!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=55821

I created a Treasury!

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:39:00 +0000

And it's full of Scotties! Check it out:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=61808

Etsy Veg Team Blog!

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Wed, 27 May 2009 01:35:00 +0000

Check out the Etsy Veg Team Blog! There are a lot of things going on. Our Flowered Regency dress has been included in a treasury.

Gardenia's Garb is also one of the featured stores on the blog as well!

The Bracelet is done!

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:50:00 +0000

I finally have a complete beaded crochet bracelet! Closing it off was much easier than I expected it to be.

Some of the "Wall of Bloomers" have been posted on Etsy. Check it out!

A Fun Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Sat, 16 May 2009 13:27:00 +0000

Lots of things are going on this weekend! I'm going to the EcoChic Craftacular later today.

WarmandFuzzyBaby included me in a bright yellow treasury. (See it before it expires!) http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=58533

Thursday I made another try at creating a beaded crochet bracelet. I've tried this I don't know how many times and I've never been able to get past the first few rows. I have over an inch done already! Now, let's see if I can actually join it together once I'm done.

And the first roses are appearing on the rose bushes.

The first rose of the year.

A pretty rosebud.

Hats and Flowers, Oh My!

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:22:00 +0000

Newly listed! Plain tan flat cap that is just waiting to be decorated. As a bonus, I've included your choice of a flower that has a pin attached to the back.

Don't forget to go vote in the Etsy Team Columbus EcoChic challenge.

And coming soon... The wall of bloomers!

Lot's of Things Happening Over at Etsy

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:09:00 +0000

Lot's of things have been going on over at Etsy. First, I've made a new shop for my parent's products. They have a trophy and engraving shop and some people like to label their products with engraved tags.

Here are some things that you can find at RandW.etsy.com:

They've also made some wood plaques that can be used for shop signs o

r personalized for whatever else you need.

I've joined a couple of Etsy teams. Etsy Team Columbus and the EtsyVeg Team. Both teams have challenges going on this month and I entered them.

Etsy Team Columbus has an EcoChic challenge going on in honor of the EcoChic Craftacular on May 16th and 17th. I've submitted a blue muffin cap using recycled denim and organic cotton twill.

Voting is taking place right now!

Here's a similar hat I created for the EtsyVeg Team. The theme is Spring at Last. Flowers always make me think of spring, so here is a pink hat that reminds me of flowers.

To see the entries for this contest, search for the keyword pleasestopraining on Etsy.

Some More Blankets

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:18:00 +0000

Here are a few more blankets that I have made. Each of them use different techniques and supplies.

Here is a quilt that I made in a serger class a while ago. It is the 6 Hour Quilt by Kaye Wood. She has the pattern available for download from her Website.

This quilt is made on a serger, with the batting sandwiched between two layers of fabric. Both sides of this quilt are the same, but you can make each section a different fabric. It is a great pattern and really does sew up quickly. I think it took longer to cut out the fabric than it did to assemble.
This is a pre-packaged needlepoint afghan. I used ribbon to cross-stitch pansies in alternating squares.

Here is a close-up of one of the flowers. The ribbon was approximately 1/4 in wide.

And this is a crocheted afghan that I made to use up some leftover yarn from another project.

Finally Some Pictures of Christmas Presents

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:43:00 +0000

Here are a couple of the things I made for Christmas presents.First, my dad got a scarlet and grey (Go Bucks!) themed afghan. It is made with Red Heart acrylic yarn. I made long strips and then single crocheted them together. I finished it off with a couple of rows of single crochet.

Here's a front view:

And a back view:

I made mom a hat to match the scarf I got her in Ireland:

Vanna's Choice Contest Entry

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:43:00 +0000

I'll be updating the blog with some things that I have been working on over the Winter. Many of them were Christmas presents, so I didn't want to post them here until they were given out.

In the meanwhile, here is my entry into the Vanna's Choice contest. This is a 30" X 30" lap blanket. It is based off of the Earth Baby Afghan pattern.

Instead of the edging that was suggested in the pattern, I used a needle tatted edging. It is the Wreath Edging from Nice and Easy Tatted Edgings by Diane DiRosa Biswas. I really enjoy this edging and made it into a wreath when I was starting to tat. Here is a close-up of the edging.

More Halloween Fun!

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:18:00 +0000

This year's entry into the costume contest.

Don't you forget about me...

Happy Halloween or Has anyone seeen Edthel?

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:40:00 +0000

When I saw this shirt over at shirt.woot.com, I knew that I needed to make it into a three dimensional object. So I present to you...

Has anyone seen Edthel?

A Real Banner!

noreply@blogger.com (GardeniaPatti, Maxwell Macintyre, and family) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:05:00 +0000

I finally have a real banner on my Etsy store, thanks to Ben! Here it is

And to see it in action, check out gardeniasgarb.etsy.com.