About Tricia

I am Tricia. Momma of nine, homeschooler, artist, foodie and maker of all kinds of things. It's a pleasure to share here our family homesteading adventures, the things we make, and what inspires our days. Read more about my family and work here. Thanks for visiting!

Author Archive | Tricia

Handmade Christmas Craft Along Week 2 and Winner

By on October 27, 2011 in Handmade Holidays and Celebrations

Sorry for the delay, boy what a day.  Something terrible occured (though I have no idea what it may have been) and my kitchen sink and solid surface countertop have some pretty big cracks in them making using them very tricky.  I have been all over town looking for replacements, Lowes, Home Depot, HHGreg, Sears and last and most fun, IKEA.  I also have children preparing for speach contests which needed to be finished tonight and I am half way through 6 costumes for All Saints Day….I am exhausted!  The good part is, I will have some remodeling projects coming up to share with you in the near future. 

Thank you so much for all your super kind words on my knitting project yesterday. Every comment left here is very special to me : )  With every comment I read I felt like “hey, I think I really can do this!”  I can’t wait to finish the baby kimono and share it with all of you.  I also got so many great suggestions on patterns to try, Thank You!!!!

To begin this week, I want to announce the winner of the pair of earrings from The Clover Dilly is…..

Mandi @ Catholic Newlywed said… I love those earrings! And I love the idea of homemade Christmas gifts
Mandi, please email me so I can get your package out to you : ) 

I really love these earrings so much!  I own a few pairs and they are so sweet.  I am super excited to share a super good deal that Alex from The Cloverdilly has extended to my blog readers.  If you order two pairs she will give you another of your choice for free.  Yippeee!!!  These are very well received as stocking stuffers or gifts for any girl (any age) on your list.  You can visit her store right here. (Note* to receive the free pair, just leave the color you would like for the third and free pair in the comments section when checking out)

If you are joining in on the Craft Along, just leave a comment and a link to what you are making or made in the linky link or in the comments box.  It doesn’t have to be recent but it does have to be handmade.  To see the challenge pledge click here
Here are my handmade gift ideas for this week:
 
I was not able to find a link to make this corner book marker but I am planning on making it from two triangles of wool felt and embroider the recipients name on it.  I have a few book lovers on my list so this is on my list to make.   
 

This next one comes to us from Skip to My Lou.  The tutorial is very easy to follow. I plan to make from super soft cotton knit and with a yard I can make a few. 

Isn’t this knot tote so cute?  I really can’t decide whether I will make this to give or to keep but I will be making it!  Jessica at Me Sew Crazy posted this project back in the summer and I tucked it away for just this purpose.

I love coasters!  I found these on Flickr by NanaCompany and I believe she sells them on Etsy but you will have to check for yourself here.  These would not be hard to make without a tutorial but again if you cannot make it yourself, buy it from someone who can.

Do you have someone on your list who runs on a treadmill (not I, but I am sure they are out there).  This Ipod holder would be very useful.  Find the tutorial here.
I could use these business card holders.  Go on over to The Craft Cupboard to see how.
Of course on my list there are knitters and crocheters (in my same house really) so some crochet hook and knitting needle cases are a must.  Here are a couple of different ones.

you can find the pattern here
and this sewn version also has some cute hand embroidery.  This would make a very special present for any yarn lover in your life.
OK so that is it!  What are YOU working on?  Please share with us.  If the Mister Linky Link dissapears, please share in the comments section and I will try to figure out the linky thing.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or follow me by email at the top right hand of the screen to have future posts sent to you. Tricia (Crunchy Catholic Momma)

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Giveaway, Yarn along & Handmade Christmas Craft Along

By on October 26, 2011 in Waldorf, Yarn Along

If anyone missed me, I have been draggin my sick self around my house trying to keep everyone going while battling the flu. I have been snuggling on the couch with my herbie rice pack, putting eucalyptus oil in the humidifier and lots of herbal teas.  I realized I have not blogged in nearly a week…yikes!

I will be ready for Thursdays Craft Along so please share your projects with me.  I would love to see what you are making and excited to host this weeks giveaway. Seaking of giveaways, please remember tomorrow is the last day to enter the handmade contest for this week.  Alex of The Cloverdilly is giving away some really sweet little earrings in your color choice, a perfect gift for any girl on your list.  You can see how to enter here

One thing I was able to do while on the couch was work on my project for this weeks Yarn Along over at Small Things.  Reading other posts for the past two weeks has inspired me to do something different.  I put down my crochet hooks and picked up my dusty knitting needles! I have to say, after some very trying days, I am loving the rhythmickness of pulling yarn through my fingers, the swishing sound of the wood needles slding over each other. 

This week, the flu has got me reading The Waldorf School Book of Soups. If you are sick, you want this book!

I am working on the easiest sweater I could find on Ravelry. It is a kimono sweater, you can see what it here. It is made for a baby but I am playing around with the pattern to fit my sworthy 2 year old.  This will be the first garment I have ever made. I have not knitted in years and even back then it was just a sorry little scarf…nothing to write home about. 

 so far I have the back done

The first day of knitting I could not remember if I was purling or knitting or if the yarn went in the front or back or what to do next.  I started out the first night making a blanket, but realized quickly that I would not have enough yarn.  I ripped out my stitches a half dozen times and one time I even threw the yarn and needles across the room and went to sit in a rocking chair while feeling sorry for myself.

My stitches do not look anywhere near as nice or magical as most of the knitters I admire at my fave blogs..wink,wink, (you know who you are…hi!) I think I need to work on my tension but I hope they will improve with time.

 In the meantime, I am enjoying the process.  What is your favorite easy for a begginer knitting pattern?  Please do share!

The blanket was not a total waste of time because now I know if I am purling or knitting : )  I am excited to see the sweater on Livie and hopefully will tweak it further to fit my bigger girls too.  So what are you working on?  Come back tomorrow and share your project at the Craft Along.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or follow me by email at the top right hand of the screen to have future posts sent to you. Tricia (Crunchy Catholic Momma)

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