A Warm Hug Tucked Inside A Fleece Blanket...

link to blanket stitch instructions included below

 I enjoy fleece blankets.  They are warm and cozy, soft and fuzzy.  In other words, they're perfect.

This Christmas I made each of my kids a fleece throw.  Each one is made of two panels of fleece, each two yards long.  I place them wrong side together, pin (actually I use paper clips to hold them together but that's just between you and me).  To connect the two panels I use embroidery floss and blanket stitch through both panels all the way around.

Some people like to use an embroidery floss that matches the fleece and doesn't show.  Personally I like to use fun coordinating colors that do show.  If I am going to sit there with a needle and thread and stitch almost 24 feet then I want someone to notice it.  ... but that's just me.  I'm an exhibitionist, well a "stitch exhibitionist" anyway.

I love this project and I tell the kids that each blanket is a hug.  When they wrap up in their blanket and feel warm and cozy I want them to remember how much I love them and how important they are to me.

Handmade gifts and crafts are my form of meditation.  There are so many fleeces available at the fabric stores it is easy to find a print that fits everyone's personality.  I know who I am making the blanket for and with each stitch I sew my love for them into the project.  Totally cool, in my opinion.  Giving them away brings me joy.  I always look forward to the next one.

A great blog for a blanket stitch tutorial and many other stitches is called Stitch School.  I love this blog.  Even a "non-perfectionist" like me can understand the instructions.  :)
http://stitchschool.blogspot.com/2009/12/blanket-stitch.html

Just Looking At Him Makes Me Happy...

This little guy is a crocheted owl I made.  I know it is crude and there is an obvious mistake but he is my very first one.  I made him at work with just a couple colors on hand.  I love him and I gave him to my friend Jasmine who collects owls.  Fortunately for me... again....  she overlooked the flaw and accepted my gift in the spirit of friendship it was intended.  :)

It was such a hoot* to craft this cute owl.  I will make several in many different color combinations with my scrap yarn.  Hopefully my skills will improve so I can give another one to my friend so she will have a pair.  Look out Kids 'cause you're getting some too.  :)

I found this idea on Pintrest but when I pulled up the site the instructions were all in Spanish.  :)  I will post more pictures when I make several more and I will, also, publish a pattern for this cute little owl.

* My sincere apologies for this horrible pun but you know you would have been disappointed if I didn't sneak one in.  

Crochet Farmers Market Bags...

Free Pattern Link in Post

I made these large cotton market bags for my daughters-in (or out of)-law for Christmas.

They're BIG - about 40 inches.  They will hold a monster load of groceries and more apples than a person could lift.  They are washable and they will last For-eh-ver.  (Say "forever" like they did in the movie "The Sandlot")

I loved making them.  I will make a lot more.  I need some, my sister needs one, a friend needs one.  The list goes on and on.

Peace With Enthusiasm...

It's odd, but as I get older I really like to make things. I spent my youngest years trying to make sense of out of life and trying to determine who is actually "the boss of me".  I spent my tween and teen years trying to be cool and make friends.  Then I spent my young adult years trying to make men out of three little boys.  Now that I understand a little more and a lot less than I ever knew before I find comfort in making something with my own two hands. Something small or large to give to someone I love. :)  

Unfortunately for the recipients of my gifts I am not a perfectionist.  I love the process of learning and I don't expect the crafts, crochet or knitting projects I attempt to be flawless.  I appreciate diversity and differences in people, places and things and that fortunately applies to the things I make with my hands as well.  That's a good thing because it takes the pressure off so I can truly say that the things I make are made with love and good intentions.  

Really.  I usually know who I am making something for and I will think of them with love as I stitch.  It is like a prayer that manifests into something beautiful and functional.  That is what I feel when I work on a project, not deadlines, not frustration to make every stitch exactly like the one before.  I feel relaxed and I get to meditate on the people I love.