I Heart Piddleloop!

The inspiration for the calaveras illustration came from the Alexander Henry fabric on this Piddleloop Sewing Team knitting bag.



Sherry always raves about their products and customer service, and now I see why. These gals are first rate. The craftsmanship is excellent, and the fabrics are ones you want to show off.



Not to mention the plethora of treats they threw in. If you look at a few of the stitchmarkers below, you'll see an 'M' and an 'H'. It could be a coincidence that those are my initials. After a few emails back and forth with Jen, I doubt it. She's that good.



Here is the swag in it's full glory. Let me tell you, when I unwrapped the package, I kept exclaiming to myself, "Are you kidding me?!" I was so impressed and surprised.

I think I also like Jen so much, because she's a fellow Indiana University graduate and ex-Collins resident. Thank you, Jen, for making such great products. I love my new bag!

I think Olivia will be getting one next. By the way, Olivia is still blogless, but she is on Ravelry (Olily). So go ask her to be your friend, after you buy yourself a bag from Piddleloop...

Elisa's Nest Tote

Ah, progress! I finished the second of two market bags I started in July.

This is my variation of Elisa's Nest Tote, a free pattern from the Purl Bee. I knit the bag the same, but crocheted the top and handles instead of doing a knitted i-cord. I attempted to do the i-cord, but gave up in favor of crochet. Perhaps the next one will adhere exactly to the pattern.

Here is my finished bag.

These bags stretch tremendously. I recommend making the length of the bag on the shorter side.

I also recommend putting some honeycrisp apples into your bag, and then taking them home and eating them!

Turqoise Market Bag

I finished one of my market bags. This was adapted from a Peaches N' Cream pattern. I'm not the greatest at crochet, but I enjoyed this fishnet type of stitch, and how easy it is to improvise with this craft.



It really is quick. I'm no convert, but did enjoy a crochet refresher lesson with my friend, Clara last Sunday.

I also added individual Pink Peony Cards to my shop today.



Alright, someone needs to get off the computer and pack for a weekend roadtrip. Goodnight!

Ice Blue Sparkly Things

I hope you have all been well. I found myself quite sick with the stomach flu last Thursday, and needed a few days to recuperate. I was too sick to even knit, can you believe it? I am very lucky to have a beau as sweet as Mike, who made me chicken noodle soup and bought me two gallons of Gatorade.

In fact, I was so ill that I didn't even have a chance to show off my lovely new haircut! How refreshing, I finally feel like myself again, only much sassier.



I went to American Mortals on 7th and Walnut and saw Sandi. She was fantastic and really listened to me and offered advice. I left with exactly what I had wanted, but didn't have the means to articulate. Perhaps she moonlights as a mind-reader?

They are very friendly, talented and not at all pretentious. I'm so glad that my friend, Jennifer, recommended this salon. (For someone who used to have such a phobia of the hair salon that she went to the biker barbershop with her dad--this is a very high recommendation!)

I enjoyed my stint as a "bag model" for my friend Lisa's Etsy shop, Purl Mia Loggia. Lisa is selling gorgeous hand-knitted and felted bags in all sizes.

And speaking of Etsy, I bought my first item on there. Generally, Etsy overwhelms me, but these earrings from sulu-design left me inspired. I couldn't let someone else have my blue earrings! The owner seems very sweet and I will certainly shop there again.

Since I have little knitting progress to show you, I'll share a thank you card I sent to someone who showed me how to seam a sweater.

Sitting next on the card is another bust that my mother gave me. She is wearing a racy dress and graciously holds jewelry for me.



There will be more knitting soon, as I'm feeling the urge and am eager to finish my sweater, socks and even the Clapotis. However, adorable Peyton Manning is on Letterman and there are Valentine cupcakes to frost, so I must go!

Vanillabean's Knitting Bag

In my quest for the perfect knitting bag, I have found that they are either too expensive, don't have enough pockets, or don't have areas to put personal non-knitting items. Then I end up having one bag with tons of little bags and pouches inside, which drives me crazy...

Since I am not in a position to buy the coveted Lexie Barnes Lady B Knitting Bag at this time, I decided to make my own. I'm winging it, but am happy with how it's progressing.
I was inspired to start quilting last year and bought a sewing machine. My boyfriend and I made an awesome quilt, that I'll post at a later time. I wanted to create a quilted material that had a vintage look. I selected two prints in similar colorways and plan on embellishing the exterior of the bag later with embroidery.

The requirements for my bag are to have plenty of pockets, nooks and crannies for needles, hooks, measuring tape, a notebook, mini cacha cacha, etc... I also wanted to have a place to put my wallet, cell phone, ipod and keys. However, I don't want to feel like a pack mule!

Above is a diagonal pouch which can fit 14" long straight needles.



Here are smaller pockets with pearl snaps to hold smaller, easily accessible items.

I made an exterior pouch for my non-knitting essentials. There are pockets for my cell phone, ipod, pens and keys to fit.



Shown here is a removable insert to place needles, a notebook, and a magazine or pattern on the other size. This way, if I need these supplies, they can fit, but the bag can be uncluttered if need be.



And the finished product, unless I add some embroidery...hmmm...