Little Mouse

Latest creation!  Very cute.  I have no idea why I made it or what to do with it.  But…it’s cute!  Right now it is sitting in a teacup in my kitchen.

New Project

I designed and made this yesterday.  It was not easy but, I was in my PJ’s the whole time so that helped ease the pain.

Robert and I were annoyed that our coffee would be cold by the time we wanted a refill or second cup so, he suggested I make it a little cozy.  Here are a few pictures of the new cozy for the French Press.

What’s new?

Ok , so I understand that no one wants to visit my blog and just see “Peepers” anymore.  Robert and I recently moved out of our condo and into my parent’s house.  Everything we own is in boxes in the basement.  That includes my camera.  I generally like to post on the blog when I’ve finished a new project and post the pictures.  However, in this case I will just write  a quick summary so that I don’t forget what to post photos of once my camera is unpacked. 

I’ve made two more hats very similar to the ones I made for myself and for my mom with the big flower on the side.  I think they’ll be Christmas gifts…In fact, one was made for Cindy in particular.

I made my first pair of booties (Grandma Rosie Style).  It was not easy.  I first made them with the ridges.  Meaning one set of three doubles on the front posts and one set of three doubles on the  back posts all the way around.  But, that looked really funny with the fluffy yarn I was using so, I tore them up and started over.  Then, I made them WAY too long so, I tore them up and started over.  So, when the pictures are posted they will really be of the third pair of booties I made with that same yarn.

I made a couple of little birds too.  The pattern came from a magazine and they turned out really cute.  The first one(Blue) I made every stitch like the pattern suggested and he did turn out cute but, I wanted the next one to be a bit fatter.   The second one (Red) I added a few rounds with increases right around the belly to give him more chub.  The red one is definitely my favorite.  I think they’ll be Christmas gifts too.  I already have the right people in mind!

I’m currently working on my most challenging project yet.  A Monkey.  The monkey will be about 18″ tall when she’s finished.  I’ve completed the face, the arms and the ears so far.  Head, body and legs to go….  I foresee the assembly to be the most difficult part.

In the meantime, Aunt Cheryl has been so kind as to agree to help Robert and I find a house.  So far so good.  We have an agreement on one house that will be a contract by tomorrow.  The house is in Henry County which is very close to Aunt Cheryl, Grandma, Amber, and my parents.  It will also be closer to Robert’s parents too!  The house sits on a corner lot and is almost two acres.  There is a white fence all of the way around the front yard so it looks like a place where you might see horses or goats roaming.  I’ve already started telling my friends that they are welcome to start calling me Little Joe and the part for Hop Sing is still open.  Any volunteers?  In the back yard, which is also fenced in, there is a pool!  We know we can not afford to maintain a pool now but, in the future that is something we do want so, we’ll have it covered for a while.  There is also a detached two car garage on the property, a huge front porch and brick grill area!  The house itself is a three bedroom 2.5bathroom with an eat in kitchen, separate dining room, and fireplace.  Originally the house had an attached two car garage but, the previous owners converted it to bonus space in the house.  I think that is where Robert will have his weight room, bike workshop, and “man room”.  As a foreclosure, the house does have some items on the to do list.  We’ve noticed a place in the roof that looks like storm damage, the downstairs A/C unit doesn’t seem to be working and the kitchen will need some painting.  We will have to find some great deals because the list of things to buy for the house is huge and growing all the time.  Currently, we’re at:

Pool cover, riding lawn mower and push lawn mower, refridgerater, washing machine and dryer, new locks for the doors, and probably an A/C unit.

Thankfully, the house had already gotten brand new carpet, paint, stove, and dishwasher!

That was a lot of information.  Please keep your fingers crossed for us that all goes well with this house.

Peepers

He’s done!  I think Peepers is a great name for him because the eyes were the most challenging part.  My neighbor asked me if he could buy Peepers for his granddaughter’s 3rd birthday.  I like the idea of Peepers having a 3year old girl!  And it’s really not bad making a little extra money either.  I think I invested $4 in the project and he’s offered me $20. 

Teddy Bear

Here is my latest project.  He isn’t finished yet but, this way you get to see the work in progress.  He is the biggest project I’ve done yet.  He stands about 12″ tall.   I filled his body with polyester pellets so he is heavier than you would expect.  I still have to make one arm and attach them to his body.  Also he is going to have a scarf or ribbon around his neck.  So far the most difficult part has been attaching his eyes.  They are safety eyes designed so that a child wouldn’t be able pull them off and choke on them.  You can see the picture below.  It is basically a screw with a washer that snaps on the back.  Robert had to invent a tool to get the washer on.  They are really tight and not going anywhere!   Finished photos will be posted soon.  Also, I am entertaining suggestions for his name.

Octopus!

I finished up this little guy today.  Amber named him Shrimp!  He is a gift for a baby boy that is going to be born at the end of the month.  This will be the third boy for my boss and his wife. 

My room

Grandma,

This is a picture of the other side of my room.  The person taking the picture is standing next to the dresser that is being redone.  As you can see, it’s a blank slate.  The walls and carpet are neutral and the other dresser is very light yellow with a sage green boarder around each drawer front.  It has the distressed look.  The bedding is like a cocoa color but I change it often.  In fact, right now it is a cream colored duvet with a dark olive green throw and pillow. 

I think that means I can do whatever I want to the dresser.  Then I can decorate the rest of my room around it.  All the colors I’m drawn to are bright and cheery.  I like aqua or spa blue and spring green.  I think I may paint it one of those colors and then do some kind of designed stencil in white.  I think the look I like is cottage/shabby chic.  I am open to suggestions.

The Dresser

Here are some photos of the dresser about half way through the process of getting all the paint stripped off.

As you can see I finished stripping all the drawer faces and both sides.  I only just started on the top.  I covered it with a sheet because I didn’t have time to finish the job and I didn’t want any curious kitties sampling the residual paint.  The process is sort of fun.  I took the dresser outside and sprayed it down with the stripper chemical.  I just had to let it stand for about 5 minutes before I could actually see the paint start to bubble up.  I then took a plastic scrapping tool and went to work.  The many layers of paint came off in big, sloppy globs.  Cool!  It is nice that now the drawers open and shut much easier!

In these pictures you can see the different color samples that I’m considering.  I feel some pressure to make it match my other furniture or my bedding or something.  I won’t be able to paint it for a while though.  No rush.

New Projects

These are pictures of my two latest projects.  The hat I made with HomeSpun so it feels great.  I think I’m going to give it to my mom.  That blue color really looks good on her.  The little bear, Bearnard, was my first attempt at making a toy.  I think he turned out ok.  However, I have to keep him for myself because I just love him so much!!  I plan to try another one soon.  I have one project lined up ahead of my next toy.  A hat for my dad!

More Tea Cup Coozies??

Are you tired of seeing these?  I think they’re so cute!  I made this one as a thank you for a lady that really helped out our company.  I think they make such a great gift.  I got the cup at the thrift store.  It appears to be nice and new from Pier 1.  Then the little packet of tea is just to top it off.