Fuzzy Sheep Crafts - handmade just for ewe

Pick my next knitting WIP!

2010-03-10T11:38:00.001-06:00

I am working from the stash, and the stash only.

I have the stash to do the above projects – so help me pick. I’ve signed myself up for a knitting night at the local library, so I better have something to take with me!

So, what do you think?

Elephant, in pink organic cotton

Star Bouncy Thingy, in green stripey Felica from knitpicks

Steggie for SpacePirate, in CottonEase (thanks again Pam!)

A pair of socks (I have Vesper watermelon stripes (got any good patterns for stripes?), Sunshine yarns Harry Potter stripes (I’d go basic toe-up here), Crystal Palace Panda Cotton, maybe THIS pattern)

Rabbit for LittleMissZ and Ribbit for SpacePirate in Spud-n-Chloe

Another Sheepie or two (I did promise a new knitty friend one!)

the poll is over there ------------------------->

please let me know, and leave a comment telling me what you picked!

you HAVE to watch this!

2010-03-07T09:52:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Pam for showing me this! Note: The video was shot in ONE TAKE! Amazing!

Winter City Wedding

2010-03-05T07:55:00.000-06:00

Just a random shot I caught while wandering the city recently.

Classic Chicago

2010-03-04T14:24:00.001-06:00

The Chicago Theater sign.

SpacePirate

2010-03-03T10:16:00.001-06:00

a quick shot grabbed with the DSLR on a recent trip into the city.

‘shrooms

2010-03-02T11:48:00.001-06:00

I had the opportunity to pull out my big DSLR this past weekend, and while checking the memory card, I found these shots. I have three lenses for this bad boy – my favorite being the macro lens. I took these early one fall morning, after padding down the driveway in my nightgown and fuzzy slippers, and promptly laying in the wet grass. It was a great way to introduce myself to my neighbors, don’t you think?

Woooo! Hot Mamma!

2010-02-19T18:46:00.001-06:00

What do you think?

Mmm… Cakey Goodness…

2010-02-15T05:17:00.000-06:00

Happy Love You Day!

2010-02-14T08:27:00.001-06:00

Happy LoveYou Day, everyone!

These were our gift to Xiris. LittleMiss thought the idea was great fun – SpacePirate only had jumping on his mind, so we made it work!

FuzzySheep meets Spud

2010-02-12T15:36:00.001-06:00

Today, we had the distinct pleasure of introducing FuzzySheep to Spud & Chloe.

FuzzySheep promptly fell in love and will never look at another, ever again. Ever.

FuzzySheep loudly declared that none will ever match the soft, squishy, squooshy, happiness that is Spud & Chloe. Ever.

If you’re super nice, FuzzySheep might let you have a teensy peek now and again. Only time will tell if the smitten FuzzySheep will release the soft, squishy, happiness long enough to share.

This will all we wound into cakes tonight. Little yarny cakes of heaven.

And it’s ALL MINE! *neener, neener!*

Tutorial: Easy Window Hearts

2010-02-08T12:24:00.003-06:00

Certainly not an original idea – but they are so easy I thought I’d share with you how we did them.
Materials:

wax paper
crayon shavings
iron/ironing board
floursack towel or kraft paper (or paper bags)
scissors
fishing line
clear tape

Step one:
Lay out your towel/brown paper to protect your board. Tear off a length of waxpaper and sprinkle one half of the waxpaper with crayon shavings. Keep in mind that they really spread when melted. Fold waxpaper in half, cover with another towel or piece of paper.

Step two:
Set your iron on as hot as it will go, NO STEAM (in fact, if you iron is like mine, drain it of water, mine will make a very small amount of steam no matter what). Iron the waxpaper sandwich until all the shavings melt. It only takes a few seconds. Depending on how you smoosh the iron around on the paper, the shavings move around a bit, and will leak out (hence the craft paper or towel you don’t love!)

Repeat with more paper and shavings.

Step Three:

Allow all the new stained glass sheets to cool completely. Once cooled, they will crisp back up. Using sharp scissors, cut out hearts (or whatever shape makes you happy!). Lots of them! They’d be really sweet cut out with all those fancy scrapbooking scissors… wavy edges, pinking shears etc.

Step Four:
Once cut out, use fishing line and clear tape to hang them in your windows. If you sun ever comes out, they cast the prettiest light and fun shadows.

ENJOY!

xoxox,
CBear

Something

2010-02-02T19:50:00.000-06:00

Blog my disappear soon. Testing things.

WIP

2010-01-30T08:41:00.001-06:00

Here’s a little work in progress, that is almost finished.
The top is complete, and is just waiting for a backing. I am planning to piece the backing with some leftovers from the top. I made this pattern up as I went along, and the quilt comes out to be about 45x50 – the perfect size for a baby. The plan is to have this little sweetie finished and listed in my shop next week.
If there is interest, I will gladly kit this pattern up, as I have lots of leftovers. There are alot of great designer fabrics and Japanese imports. Totally fabulous in aqua and pink, don’t you think? It’s fast to do, and simple enough for the beginner. I can even write up the pattern.

If you are interested in this little sweetie, let me know! Want one in different colors? Drop me a line and I can work one up for you.

Sunny.

2010-01-27T10:01:00.001-06:00

I’m pleased to announce the newest addition to our family. Meet Sunny.

She’s the first little Sheep of our soon-to-be flock. A few more are due soon – this little one made her appearance last night. She is already anxious to start grazing the fields, as you can see above. She’s been staring longingly at that green goodness, so I finally decided to let her out to pasture this morning.

The cool, crisp air took her breath away. There is still snow on the ground, and the grass is a bit too crispy and sharp for her yet. The wind kept gusting and mussing up her little “Foof” on top of her head – and she’s much to vain to stand for that for long. Birth stats:

Pattern: Little Lamb from IttyBittyToys by Susan B Anderson

Yarn: Bernat Soft Boucle in cream and BlueSkyAlpacas Dyed Cotton in Shell

Needles: US4 Brittney DPNS

Thoughts: I *love* this little pattern. It’s adorable – and ingenious! The legs are simply i-cord, but they are stuffed with a piece of drinking straw – so the toy can stand up! I’ve already started another, and plan quite a few more.

Gettin’ my crafty on!

2010-01-20T10:53:00.001-06:00

But… Shhhhhhhhhh! It’s a seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeecret!

Breaking News!

2010-01-18T09:10:00.001-06:00

The last time I knit was… uummm… after going back through my blog entries… MAY! HOLEY MONKIES!

It was Mister Edamame the Bunny.

So, what am I knitting? Something cute. Just wait.

DESTASH #2

2010-01-15T16:10:00.003-06:00

Here’s just a bit more. Please drop me an email if you are interested. I’ve lowered my prices a bit as well. All prices include US Shipping.
Additionally, I am throwing this option out there: I will sell the *entire* box of yarn that is left at a discount – and I am that desperate to get it to a new home. There will probably even be more in there than shown here! All of it goes for $100, US Shipping included. I really want to find a new home for these little guys.

~~1 gallon bag of small portions of yarn. All different kinds. There is cotton, wool, silk and all different weights – lace, sock, handspun, chunky. Great for crafting or colorwork.~~
~~$15~~

SOLD! :)

Knitpicks Andean Treasure. Rose (discontinued color) 8 balls. $35

~~Rowan Classic Cashsoft DK. a really soft blue, GLACIER. 8 balls. $35~~

SOLD! :)

Jaeger. Baby Merino in the softest green. $10

Fleece Artist Kid Aran. Renaissance. $20

Fleece Artist Sea Wool Bordello Sock. $20

Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Socks that Rock- Lightweight 100% Superwash. Chapman Springs.
$20

PENDING! :)

Dale of Norway, Baby Ull. 2 balls. Great cornflower blue. $8

The Great 2010 DESTASH #1 (yarn! fabric! stitchery!)

2010-01-04T12:11:00.003-06:00

One of the few resolutions I made this year was to SIMPLIFY. I left it quite simple for a reason – so I didn’t set myself up to fail. What does SIMPLIFY mean, where it pertains to my goals? Well… taking on less in terms of things for myself, simplifying the home (i.e. getting rid of all the extra STUFF).
I still have not had an opportunity to create a space that is MY own, a creative space, a space to be what I want. Aside from the fact that it’s low down on the list of priorities – its a space I haven’t tackled yet because I have soooooo much stuff to dive through, sort and put away. I had it set up SO GREAT at the Iowa house, but the movers did not agree – instead just upending drawers/sorters/stacks into random boxes where space was needed to fill.
The end result is this: It’s just easier for me to DESTASH as I can, because I know I won’t get time to use it all… And some of this stuff is some seriously NICE product, coveted even, and for it to sit in my basement in a place I can’t even look at it makes me feel a bit ill. So, this is the start. I am not looking to reap a profit here – just break even. All prices shown include PRIORITY USPS shipping in flat rate envelopes/boxes.
If you want anything here, please email me at the address shown to the right next to my little avatar.   I am shipping only to the US, and will only accept paypal. Thanks for helping me out!
~~8 balls of SWTC Bamboo in a loverly deep purple color. All balls were overstocks, therefore no labels. $14~~ PENDING
~~Six balls KNITPICKS Wool of the Andes in Cherry Blossom (discontinued color). $11~~     SOLD!!!
~~Six balls KNITPICKS Wool of the Andes in Chambray (discontinued color). $11~~              SOLD!!!
8 balls KNITPICKS Andean Treasure in ROSE (discontinued color). One ball w/ no band, swatched but ripped and re-rolled. $40
~~A lovely purple PERUVIAN yarn. 2 balls. 90% Alpaca, 10% silk. $8~~   PENDING

Three CINDERBERRY STITCHES stitchery patterns and 2 yards of cream colored linen. $40 (each pattern is new, unopened, never used. retail for $14 each, linen is from a fine fabrics store, at $12 a yard).
FLEECE ARTIST, Kid Aran 50/50 Wool/Kid RENAISSANCE. $20

FLEECE ARTIST, Sea Wool Bordello Socks. 70/30 Wool/Seacell. (colorway not listed on wrapper – but it’s greens/grays/blues and some tan, all pastel). $27

FLEECE ARTIST, Basic Merino Sock. 100% washable wool. SEA SHORE colorway. So pretty! $24SOCKS THAT ROCK. 100% Superwash, CHAPMAN SPRINGS. $22
BABY ULL in a pretty blue, 2 balls. $8

Uhhh… I big cake of something tweedy! I have no label, or idea what it is. $5

Six FAT QUARTERS of AMY BUTLER fabrics (Midwest Modern/Lotus lines). $15

More to come next week.

XOXOX,
CBear

Dear Santa…

2009-12-16T09:16:00.004-06:00

Dear Santa,
I’d like to show you my Christmas list. I usually write it down and tuck it discretely into the tree somewhere, but I don’t know that you see it there. If I could indulge you, here is my little list. I thought tossing a few Polaroids in with the list would help you, since I know you’re so busy and don’t have time to figure out what I’m trying to talk about. I’m not asking for much, so this won’t take long.

And while you’re at it… a few hours of total peace and quiet… oh, and a sparkling clean house… and perhaps no laundry to be done. Ummm… and friends. Friends would be good.

What’s that? Oh! you want the “let’s be reasonable” list? Alright, fine! If you must!

A quilt kit from FatQuarterShop, might be nice… Perhaps Camping Under the Stars … or maybe the stripey goodness of Moda’s Spring Fever kit.

So, Dear Santa – as you can see, I don’t need much. I’ll be excited to see you this year – and be sure to get some cookies- the kids will be making them with as little guidance from Mommy as possible!
Merry Happy,
CBear
Don’t worry, honey. I would never replace you, or ask you to buy me fabric! And, if you’d like to go lay under the Christmas tree with a Santa hat on, that’d be super awesome! Oh, wait – I don’t think I was supposed to say that out loud. Oh well. I did, so go on…

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

2009-12-07T11:20:00.002-06:00

I've been playing again!

Do you know what these beads are?

2009-12-04T17:16:00.001-06:00

I have fond memories of Christmas crafts with my mom – specifically using these beads – the green ones. I know the red ones are just little tri-beads. I really want to find the green ones. They are translucent, with a slight pearlized finish (popular in the 80’s) – they are smooth on one side, textured on the other – there are four big “leaves” and in between each is a littler one that is turned toward the back. They are definately not flat – very structured, the big leaves slightly cup up, the little ones down and back…

Can you help me find them? If you help me, I will make you a Christmas ornament and send it your way!!!

Stuffed

2009-11-30T13:46:00.001-06:00

After plopping on the couch, watching parades and holiday movies, we tried our best to start our own Thanksgiving traditions this year.

Both kids are now old enough to sit at the table with us, and they were troopers. We had a simplified version of a civilized meal. Both kids are pretty picky eaters, especially when it comes to proteins, so we did our best to get them to try everything.

My favorite Thanksgiving tradition involves the use of fingers and giant black olives. It was the one day a year we were allowed to play with our food, and I completely planned on letting this happen here. And it was a success! What fun!

See this scrumptiously golden brown and delicious bird? ONE HOUR, people! ONE HOUR is all it took to cook! When we bought this house, it had no appliances. As a foreclosure, it had been stripped – so when it was time to get appliances, both Xiris and I agreed that it was time to DO IT RIGHT or DON’T DO IT AT ALL. So we researched and tested, finally settling on a Jenn-Air gas cooktop with combination gas/convection oven. SO WORTH IT. We put the turkey in at 500F for 30 minutes (btw: on rapid preheat –both gas and electric heat at the same time – it took less than 10 minutes to reach the cooking temp). After that, we stick the oven probe in the breast, tell the oven there is a turkey attached to the other end, hit ROAST CONVECT and the desired finish temp (allowing for coasting) of 161F. Oven does the rest, even shutting off and putting itself in HOLD WARM mode until you retrieve the bird. Juiciest, best turkey yet!

Melissa and Doug Shape Sorting Clock

2009-11-28T08:25:00.001-06:00

As the kids are getting older, I am finding that picking age appropriate toys is not easy. Either the toy is flimsy, isn’t really age appropriate, or it just doesn’t captivate them like I had imagined it would. I’ve recently discovered a website called ebeanstalk, dedicated to selecting good, safe toddler toys and kids toys. I like this site because we can sort toys by age, guaranteeing we will find a safe, educational toy for each stage of their lives.

One thing I particularly love is that each toy is used and reviewed by Mom’s in just my same situation. I placed a few orders myself, and was contacted by ebeanstalk, asking if I’d like to help pick some toys for our age groups. Because I had such good experiences with the company, I agreed. The toy they sent is the Shape Sorting Clock by Melissa and Doug, one of their many toys for a 2 year old

We like this toy, because it’s really two toys in one! The colorful clock combines shape sorting and learning to tell time. So far, the kids like to place the numbered and differently shaped pieces in their proper place on the face of the clock. I am working on number recognition with MissZ at the moment, and once she has that down, we’ll use the hands on the clock to practice telling time. Right now, the hands are just fun things to spin around!

The clock is solid wood, as are all the parts. The paint seems to be strong, as they’ve been chucked and tossed everywhere. I can see this toy being around for a very long time!

Plain Links: toddler toys kids toys toys for a 2 year old

FuzzySheepCrafts Review Policy: Today’s featured product for review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing agency for the sole purpose of product testing. I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. I only review products that I have personally tested and used in my home, and all opinions expressed are my own.

{Gobble, Gobble!}

2009-11-26T08:50:00.000-06:00

{Muppet Queen}

2009-11-25T07:46:00.002-06:00

I have absolutely NO idea why this is real, but it is REAL entertaining… ENJOY!