Redwork, simple and relaxing

Red-work is so simple you can sit and and watch TV while doing it.  I've made a few dishtowels and I'm working on a quilt that includes some panels with red-work.  I've even completed a cute pillow.  I'll have to post the picture of the pillow, I love it and I think it would fit into any decor.
So if you haven't tried doing red-work then you must give it a go.  If you are anything like me and hate the idea of wasting time watching TV then here is something constructive you can incorporate into your TV watching time.  Another plus is this is a very inexpensive hobby that uses only a piece of muslin and some embroidery thread.  I get most patterns from coloring books or from online pictures I find.  

A vintage cabinet for all my cookbooks.

I don't know about you but I am in love with Cookbooks.  I love old cookbooks, the older the better.  I noticed a long while back that if you purchase a new cook book the recipes have ingredients like " 1 can of Campbell's cream mushroom soup"  I don't so much have a problem with the soup as I do with wanting to know how to make the dish completely from scratch.  You see, I get in these weird moods and want to make silly things like saltine crackers, marshmallows etc...  and I want to do it completely from scratch. Anyway this post isn't about my love for cooking as much as it is about my love for an uncluttered life!

My collection of cookbooks have been on a bakers rack in a corner of my kitchen.  I'd look at that bakers rack and think to myself how cluttered it looks right in view for everyone to see!  I have been on the look out for a bookcase with doors, something that would fit in that same spot but not look so messy.  I FOUND IT!  The perfect cabinet for my cookbooks.  This piece looks like it was made for cookbooks; the way the little door pulls down for you to lay a book on.  I can't say for sure what it's original intention was but now it is for my cookbooks.

I should have taken a "before" picture, but I didn't.  The cabinet was so ugly; had so many coats of yellowed paint on it.  The hardware was all painted, yuck!  It took me two days to complete.  I had to strip it, sand it and clean all the hardware of years of dirt and paint before I could prime and repaint it.  I thought I might die out in the heat while trying to get this cabinet finished.  As I was working on it I thought why do I put myself through this torcher!  Anyway it is complete, all my books fit and there is even room for more!  I love the way it turned out and now that little corner of my kitchen is tidy and neat, just the way I like it.

Owl Clutch Pattern on Etsy

I finally finished this owl clutch pattern I purchased on Etsy. (http://www.etsy.com/shop/KichiKimani)
It is a lovely pattern, I did find that the instructions were not for a beginner and I feel there is over use of stabilizers so my next clutch I make I will certainly simplify. However the store owner is very nice and if you have any questions she answers right away so that is a big plus!
I made this one for my Secret Sister, I sure hope she loves it. I have another friend in mind to make one more for....probably for a Christmas present!
Kyra also makes these and sell them complete so if you're not into the whole sewing thing you can certainly get one of these cuties already made.

Clever Doggy Diaper Bands

Our little Remy is just the sweetest boy.  He doesn't even know he's disabled.  You see he was living at a local rescue and being well taken care of but never getting adopted because of his disability.  It's really a sad shame that people shy away from a special needs pet.  Really they are not much more trouble than an able bodied pet.  Remy has to wear diapers because he's incontinent.   Because he's a male dog he needs a different type of diaper to cover up where he pees <S>.  I do make doggy diaper-alls and diaper bands but sometimes the need for a throwaway option, like when you go on trips is really more sensible to have.  So I was thinking....how can I make a throwaway doggy band or even a diaper all?  I went to the store and purchased some diapers that I felt would be long enough to fit the diameter of Remy's little belly.  The size needed for Remy is 16-28 lb diapers.  Smaller will work with my solution though.  It's a great idea to get with your friends that use diapers and see if you can get one to check for size.

What I did for doggy bands is I made a elastic velcro..the male part of the velcro (with the sticky loops).  Here are some pictures of my invention.

      

      

Here are some of the diapers that I make that are re-usable.
You can make your own with this pattern.

Knit one Perl two it's code for relaxation and for SACKBOY

Knitting and crocheting is food for the soul. You can sit, relax and even watch TV while doing it. Who would have thought making little knots in yarn could be so pleasing. Like macrame it's just a series of knots all twisted up into something that might just be useful. You can get yarn in so many colors and so many textures these days. Big chunky yarn that can be knitted up into a sweater in an afternoon or the finest of yarns that can be woven on a loom. I have a love affair with beautiful hand dyed yarns. Cashmere calls out to me in the same ways as a new fabric collection.
I enjoy knitting up little tiny treasures that don't take more than a few days. Children's sweaters are oh so sweet (even if I don't have a grand child yet). And of course the little sackboy's I designed for my son who was so in love with Little Big Planet at the time and begged me to make him a his own.
Here are a few of my favorite things that while sitting and relaxing came to be....

My sackboy pattern I designed.  Isn't he the cutest thing ever!

Sackboy hanging out.

Sackboy playboy bunny???

and of course more sackboy!