Knit Washcloths

Some of you may know that my youngest daughter has multiple life threatening food allergies (among others).  This past Thursday we took her to the allergist to undergo what's called a "food challenge" for her soy allergies.  During this appointment, small amounts of soy will be digested to see how she reacts.  It's a long, drawn out process as the doctors administer tiny amounts at a time and slowly increase the amount of soy if she doesn't have a reaction.   After almost over 4 hours of this, she passed her challenge.  She is officially not allergic to soy anymore. :)

To reward her, we went to get her nails done but we arrived much too early for the appointment.  So we browsed AC Moore Craft Store and found a lady, knitting at a table in the back of the store.  On the table were a number of small, square, knitted and crocheted washcloths.  I inquired about them and she said she was accepting donations for the Gulf oil clean up.  The volunteers will use them to clean off oil from the wildlife.  She will ship them out and have been doing so for a few weeks now.   She also teaches a knitting camp for kids at the store :)  I may sign Victoria up for this!

So what do you think I'm doing now?  I'm making washcloths!  It's very easy and fun to make as it's a quick knit.

Here's one that's done.

Another view (and a terrible picture at that!)

This is one I'm working on.

10" x 10" Washcloths

MATERIALS:

• 1 skein of Lily's Sugar and Cream yarn or the like (I used Lily's Sugar and Cream for the blue washcloth and Lion Brand's Organic Cotton for the cream.  Both work fine)
• Size US 8 straight knitting needles
• Row counter

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cast on 3 sts
2. Increase in the first stitch by knitting in the front and back of the first stitch
3. Knit to the end and turn
4. Repeat #2-3 until 50 rows have been completed
5. Decrease by kniting the first 2 stitches together at the beginning of the row
6. Knit to the end of the row
7. Repeat #5-6 until 3 sts remain
8. Bind off
9. Weave in ends
10. DONE!

If you need help deciphering stitches,  KnittingHelp.com is a great website for knitting resources.  They have a video tutrial of the increase here (see KFB).  See a video of the decrease here (see k2tog).

Now go and make a few washcloths!

Wordless Wednesday - Too Much?

This picture, taken on an iPhone.

Summer Test Craft #1 - Terrariums

Considering I want to hold a summer craft camp for my daughter and her friends, I figured I should test out some of the crafts I will make with the kids.  The Terrarium was the first one Victoria and I tried out.

First you must find an open area where dropping soil and sheet moss particles won't bother you. (say "hi" V!)

1 bag of little rocks, charcoal (horticulturist charcoal) and sheet moss is enough for a whole bunch of little or medium size terrariums!

I don't have pictures of the process but you can follow the same instructions I used here.  Look at them!  So cute!  

I found a little turtle figurine at the craft store.  She looks so comfy in there!  I think I'll call her Shelly.

Victoria decided to put a puppy in her terrarium!  Woof!  So cute.

There's a great lesson to learn about terrariums.  As I explained to Victoria, they have their own ecosystem, like being in their own planet.  Since it has an airtight seal, we only have to spray it with water once in a couple of weeks.  The moisture in there now will keep the moss alive.  The charcoal will keep it from molding and smelling awful.  The rocks help drain excess moisture.  In the medium size terrarium, I was able to plant a small piece of ivy.  The ivy will survive on it's own with minimum help!  This is a great lesson for the kiddos.

Enjoy!

My Container "Garden"

I thought I'd share with you my new hobby.  My container garden :)  My pathetically, teeny, tiny veggie (one veggie btw) and herb container garden.  I love it.  It's small enough to manage and it has almost everything I want in a garden.  I say almost because I would like to add peppers to the mix but hey, it's my first real garden.  I'm getting use to it.

Before I show you my "garden" I need to show you the *giddy* cute, apple green watering can with which I use to nourish my herbs and veggie.

OK, don't hold your breath anymore.  Here is THE "garden":

Tada!  What?  You were waiting for something a bit more extravagant?  Sorry, I did say it was a pathetically, teeny, tiny garden!  Still it's perfect for me :)  I made the chalkboard terracotta pots.  Get instructions here and make one for your teeny, tiny garden!

OK you see that??  That yellow flower???  That's my tomato plant!!!  I'm so excited.  I've never grown tomatoes before.  Rather, I should say, "I've never SUCCESSFULLY grown tomatoes before".  This is the only veggie (or is it a fruit?) in my garden.  The rest are herbs.

Here's another tomato plant I am growing.  See the green flower bud in the center?  Soon I'll have tomatoes for my salad :) 

A look at the patio set my husband refinished.  It was THE ugliest shade of orange.  He bought a can of Krylon paint for plastics in a wonderful red color (my favorite).  I found the pillows at Pier One Imports.  I need to go back and get more for the rest of my deck accessories.

 This stuff is like plastic magic in a can.  Read more about it here.

Here's a closer view of the pillow and chair (and rain drops) :)

Here's a better look at my chalkboard terracotta pots.

Ciao!

Reversible Fabric Headband

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am NOT a morning person.  My son had an super early morning flag football game and my husband usually takes him.  Not this morning.  My husband was sick so I had to fill in!  That's where the headband came in.  Waking up late, I had no time to shower and do my hair.  I threw on the headband and I looked fantastic, if I do say so myself :)  Here's a how I made it:

MATERIALS:

• 2 coordinating fabric pieces (you can purchase fat quarters as it's enough to make two or so)
• elastic hair ponytail holder
• coordinating thread
• interfacing or stabilizer (to stiffen the fabric a bit)
• This template: http://freepdfhosting.com/dae318cc35.pdf

DIRECTIONS:

Print and cut the template

 I used the same method of cutting multiple fabrics found here.

Fuse the stabilizer to a fabric of your choice. 

With right sides together, fold both fabrics in half and lay the template on the fold.

Pin then then cut all three (this is not the best way to pin FYI).  Remove the pins.

 

I don't have a picture of this next step sorry!  Take each fabric piece and fold the raw edge towards the inside center of the wrong side 1/2 inch.  With wrong sides together, place one fabric piece on top of the other and pin in place.

 

 Starting from one end, sew one side then the other keeping the ends open for the elastic.  Don't forget to back stitch!

Take a ponytail holder and cut it in half.  Stick one end of the ponytail holder in the opening of the headband and sew it shut.  Now sew the other end of the ponytail holder to the other end of the headband.

Viola!  You have a reversible fabric headband!

You may be asking yourself, why did she cut the ponytail holder in half?  Well in my first try I didn't cut it and it was too tight.  so I had to cut it in half.

 

Now go make a few to match some outfits!  There will no longer be a bad hair day!

Teacher Gift - DONE!

Guess what I did?  I finished my daughter's teacher gift nice and early.  Take note because I NEVER do anything nice and early.

It's a supply, tackle box!  I got the idea from eighteen25.blogspot.com.  The example in that blog looks so neat and pretty and her pictures are so clear.  Mine isn't as nice and the pictures were taken from my iPhone but I do love the stuff inside!

My favorite item is the "oops" eraser!  I have an empty spot to the right that I need to fill up.  Maybe some mints or something.  I got all the items at the dollar bin at Micheal's Craft Store.  This project was very easy.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• Jewelry tackle/organizational box
• 1-2 inch grosgrain ribbon
• Coordinating scrapbook paper x3
• Stick on letters
• Coordinating pencils, clips, magnets, erasers etc...
• Glue gun

DIRECTIONS (my half hazard way):

1. Glue gun the ribbon to the center of the tackle box
2. Glue the scrapbook paper however you would like it to appear
3. Attach the letters
4. Fill 'er up!

For better pictures and instructions visit eighteen25.blogspot.com!

Ciao