Tag: Chocolate Dog Studio

Posted on by

Sampler blanket / Makerspace

This week I have been working on the sampler blanket / makerspace. While cleaning up the yarn mess to create the makerspace, I came across these blocks I started from my Sampler blanket. I haven’t really forgotten them. There has just been a huge amount of other stuff that I have had to work on. I am blocking them today and I have to admit that they are beautiful!

Sampler blanket / Makerspace

I thought that they would be ok, but they were so wonky that I  needed to block them. I block on my ironing board and use my steam iron. I am sure to never touch the iron to the acrylic yarn. This sampler blanket is reminding me of doilies. I love the taupe carpet color behind these squares. It makes the sampler blanket look so clean and lacy.

Sampler blanket / MakerspaceBefore blocking….

After blocking they are a much more uniform size and the edges are straighter. This will make joining a much simpler job.

Sampler blanket / Makerspace

We are creating a makerspace. What is a makerspace you ask?  well, it is a space where you can make stuff. We have a spare room right now that was our den but as hubs needed a bigger workspace and I needed a brighter workspace, we are creating a makerspace. We both love creating but not the same things. This space will be an area where we can be together but working on different things. He is into electronics, engineering, gizmos, gadgets and 3-d printers. I am into sewing, yarn, painting and artsy craftsy stuff. So we are moving furniture around, sending some off with grown kids as they move on in their lives and getting rid of others. We no longer need a huge room for 8-10 people to watch movies or play video games. We do need a place where we can all gather and make cool stuff.  Our kids are rather techie/creative types, one a programmer, one a mechanical engineer, one a digital design artist (studying), and one into sewing,  So we really do need a space where they can all create!

It will contain:

  • a largish table for group work  or cutting
  • 4 chairs for the table
  • 3 -4 sewing work spaces
  • Storage for yarn, fabric and other soft stuff
  • Tool storage on wheels
  • 4 roller secretarial type chairs
  • Mats for the roller chairs
  • a cell phone docking station for all the phones
  • wifi access
  • several outlets
  • a 3-d printer
  •  a fire alarm/smoke alarm/co2 detector
  • lots of counter space
  • a couch or some comfy chairs for people to hang out in
  • good lighting
  • all with a industrial type- 50s era style (this is subject to change)

I think we can put together a reputable space without spending too much money.  We will use what we have until we are sure that working together in one room is actually going to work out! Here are some links to different maker spaces that I found.

http://spaces.makerspace.com/

https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eli7095.pdf

http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/a-librarians-guide-to-makerspaces/

 

We have also set some ground rules, of what can be done in the makerspace. One of the prime rules in our makerspace is no woodworking or spray painting. These both have the potential to damage the machinery in the room.

I will be updating soon with photos of the Sampler blanket / Makerspace.  I hope to include some photos of the creation of the makerspace as we ordered some chairs for the space. I am so excited to see how they look. We almost never buy new things. Our budget and family has prefered the upcycled, recycled, used furniture look. We haven’t bought new furniture in quite a while.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

Posted on by

Spring Break Progress!

Last week was Spring Break for our house and home school. While the college kids were home the first week in March, we did not take off school as we did last week. I am sure that you noticed that I have been missing the past two weeks. I did write blog posts but we were busy doing fun things. I did get so much sewing done last week and it was great. I have a few photos of new items that were on the To Do list a long time. It was good to get them finished as they are also on the Use My Stash Challenge items. They were also on my To Do List, so I am quite happy about last weeks progress!

I finished these baby swaddling blankets. They are reversible with white flannel on one side and the chevron on the other.

Spring Break Progress Spring Break ProgressI also finished a fox blanket that was sitting around waiting to be stitched. So it counts in the total. I completed two of the red blankets, one blue and and the one fox blanket. So these would be numbers 18, 19, 20 and 21

I also sewed up these cute baby burp cloths.

Spring Break Progress Spring Break Progress

 

I completed 8 baby burp cloths total; 2 in the red chevron,  4 truck burp cloths with chenille on the backing, and 2 truck burp cloths with the diaper backing. They sure look cute. These are numbers 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28.

I also completed several capes that I bought fabric for two years ago. They are definitely sewn out of my stash fabrics. The capes are reversible.  There are several different color combinations. My boys would have loved them when they were little. I finished about 4 of them total. I have several more that just need the finishing touches. These are numbers, 29, 30, 31, 32!

Spring Break Progress

The baby items will eventually find their way to ChocolatesBabyShop.etsy.com and the capes are for an event later this summer.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

Posted on by

Use Your Stash Challenge…14 – 17

I know that you are probably wondering where I am in the Use Your Stash Challenge! Have I been hiding, or have I simply forgotten about the Use Your Stash Challenge 2015! The truth is neither, I have been hard at work on this challenge. Here are some new things that I have made using supplies that I already had on hand.

This giraffe is number 14

Use Your Stash Challenge

 

His friend is number 15.

Use Your Stash Challenge

This is number 16.

Use Your Stash Challenge

This baby blanket is number 17.

Use Your Stash Challenge

So, I have been working on it but the items are more complex and take more time! It is great as they also use up more supplies! This is the last post I made in the challenge.

I have started a couple of new blankets but it is taking longer than I expected to get them finished.

Use Your Stash Challenge Use Your Stash Challenge

 

I have been looking at some ideas that will use up more of my fabric stash. The Use Your Stash Challenge is making me think about what I can do to use up what I already have. I feel a bit guilty as I bought some yarn yesterday in order to work on a new crochet blanket idea.  I gave myself permission to buy if needed. The purchase is within the rules I set.

Here are some cool ideas I found on Pinterest.

This i

Use Your Stash Challenge
http://thesewingloftblog.com/create-scrap-binding/

This is a brilliant idea and while I found it on Pinterest I am not pirating any one else’s idea. I can use my scrap binding on anything I want!

http://www.howdoesshe.com/easy-diy-road-for-toy-cars-made-out-of-your-old-jeans/

This is also a brilliant idea. I would add hook and loop tape to the back since we have carpet on our floors.

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5d14f8180102dt0k.html

These are wonderful. I used google translate and the meaning is never quite right but I think the photos are enough direction to be able to make these scissor keepers.

This pot handle pocket is along the same line and just as simple.

 

Use Your Stash Challenge
http://www.sameliasmum.com/2014/02/pot-holder-pocket-week-2152.html#.VPTT3_nF-So

 

These bunnies are so cute and a perfect Spring time sewing project.

 

 

 

 

http://733blog.com/2014/03/scrap-fabric-bunny-softie-tutorial/

 

Just a few ideas to get your creativity flowing! Winter will soon be over in my part of the country. Well, at least it will be in the 70 degree range next week. We do have ice and some snow forecast for this week. We still have snow in the yard from this weekend.

Talk to you later,

Karen

Posted on by

Log Cabin Quilt

Taking a quilting class can be fun. It can be educational. It can be both if you take the class with friends. I have never really quilted. I decided to use my scraps as it would be a great way to use up scrap pieces. This was not a great idea. It has been really hard and I have ripped out more than I care to admit.

Log Cabin quilt

I set out the fabrics to see if my idea would work.   After taking all the squares apart and putting them back together about 4 times. I have learned some things.

  • When you take a quilting class for the first time. Buy exactly what they say. If it calls for 1 1/2 yards of color A then either have 1 1/2 yards or buy 1 1/2 yards of one fabric.
  • A class is not the time  to vary from the instructions in any way. There is a reason why they want you to do the work a specific way.
  • Buy the gizmos and gadgets that they list in the instructions
  • It is stressful to the teacher for you to vary greatly from what everyone is doing. She worries that you won’t get it done, or that it will reflect badly on her.
  • It takes time away from the other students, if the teacher spends her time working with you on your crazy project.

Now you know what I learned this week. It has been incredibly stressful and I spent several nightmare days ripping out sewing and then doing it again wrong. I can easily say that this has been the single more frustrating thing I have ever done, and I brought it all on myself. I persevered and got it done.

Log Cabin quilt Log Cabin quiltI almost have the blocks finished. I have two left to rip out and sew again. That will give me 13 blocks and allow me a spare for the layout process.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

 

Posted on by

4 crochet blocks a week: Week 7

Here is the next installment of 4 blocks a week. These 4 blocks a week are giving me fits as time seems to grow ever shorter. I seem to have more things to make than I have time to make them. I have so much to do and I have been incapacitated lately. Which means that I have been getting exactly nothing done.

4 crochet blocks a week

 

This was a fun square within a square pattern. I like the diamond shape in the middle.

4 crochet blocks a week

This on is a fun mitered square. It has no holes which would make it a good blanket square.

4 crochet blocks a week

This square reminds me of butterflies.

4 crochet blocks a week

Here is a compilation of all of the squares so you can see them all together.

I think this is all of them. I may have left a few of the easier ones off. I have bought a new book for a few new squares and I will get started with it this week for next weeks blocks.

I am also behind on the Use Your Stash Challenge. It has been hard to sew with a bad back. So, I babied my back the last two weeks and I think I am getting better. At least today I woke up feeling good! Yay, progress!!

Talk to you later,

Karen

You can find the previous weeks squares here:

Week 6

Week 5

Week 4

Week 3

Week 2

Week 1

 

 

 

 

I have been behind on posting these squares.  I hurt my back and it kept me off the computer.   I am also behind on the Use Your Stash Challenge. It has been hard to sew with a bad back. So, I babied my back the last two weeks and I think I am getting better. At least today I woke up feeling good! Yay, progress!!

Talk to you later,

Karen

Posted on by

Baby Giraffe

I spent some time last week trying to figure out what I could crochet. I had hurt my back and I felt burned out crocheting baby blankets. I have recently finished two blankets and I was wanting to do something completely different. I ran across a really cute pattern on Pinterest. It seemed to hit the right chord and off I ran. I actually was able to use up some bits and pieces of yarn and I love the end result. These two cuties do fit with the Use Your Stash Challenge as I used up some small balls of stash yarn.

Baby Giraffe

I showed you the arms and legs on Instagram and then quickly added the bodies.

Baby Giraffe

Baby Giraffe

Here they are together as they are already best buddies. The colors in the lower photo are a bit darker than they should be.

Baby Giraffe

Perfect for babies or big sisters and brothers. The faces are embroidered on with yarn and the bodies are firmly sewn on. They sure are cute and were fun to make. You can make your own if you crochet. I will be adding these to ChocolatesBabyShop on Friday. The pattern is available on Ravelry. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-giraffe-2 

So this would be 14 and 15 on my Use Your Stash Challenge! I love these and I will make some more Amigurumi. They are easier than I thought they would be.

The snow is continuing to fall today. It started looking like this at about 9 am this morning.

Baby Giraffe (I know that this isn’t much snow if you are further North than we are but it happens infrequently enough that it is a pretty big weather event for us!) I live in Colorado for several years when I was a child, so I know this isn’t much snow!

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

 

Posted on by

Use Your Stash Challenge-2015 Numbers 8-13

It has been a really busy week, I have been working on the Use Your Stash Challenge-2015! I have gotten several projects done and I might even be out of the single digits.

#8 I have finished this scarf/shawl combo.Use Your Stash Challenge-2015#9 I made four of these for a friend. Since they used stash yarns I am counting them as one item.

Use Your Stash Challenge-2015

#10 This crib springs recycle to wall storage. I know it looks half finished but it is ready to hang and painted bronze.

Use Your Stash Challenge-2015#11 I finished this baby blanket. Use Your Stash Challenge-2015#12 I also sewed up about 20 cup cozies but I am only counting them as one. I have tons to sew that are already cut out. I am going to call a group of 20 cup cozies as one item for the challenge. I will get them all sewn that way and I won’t have them sitting around as WIPS. Here they are at the half way point.

Use Your Stash Challenge-2015

#13 I also sewed some child sized reversible superhero capes. These two are blue and silver. I have a ton more to sew and it is just a matter of time to sew and the willpower to see it through.

2015-01-19 16.48.22

 

This is what is next on my list of things to do.

  •  Baby bibs: 6 done, 2 in the photo and 1 in the mail and 3 others.

Use Your Stash Challenge-2015 Numbers 4-10

  •  Baby blankets ready to iron and do the top stitching: 3 sewn and complete, 1 left

Use Your Stash Challenge-2015 Numbers 4-10

  •  Finish quilting the striped quilt!
  •  Put the binding on the stripe quilt
  •  Cut out and sew  more super hero capes
  •  Sew cup cozies that take red thread
  •  Deconstruct some jeans so they are ready for cutting.
  •  Pack some orders
  • Clean the studio

I have some fun things planned this weekend and the weather is promising to be rainy. This is good, it will encourage me to get some serious sewing done. I have so much to do. I will need to get some more navy thread, but I can sew with other colors until I get a chance to pick some up.

This year the Use Your Stash Challenge seems to be more about finishing what I have started. I like it. It is encouraging me to actually complete some things that have been hanging around for ages. I hope I can keep up the momentum and my mojo for getting things done.  I have some custom orders that are in different stages of waiting so I must get back to work.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

 

Posted on by

Jam and Jelly Making

Last weekend we made jam and jelly. The jam is cranberry cinnamon and the jelly is apple. It is a family job with pretty much everyone pitching in. I started the cranberries in the crockpot. Here the cranberries have just been added to the crockpot with brown sugar and cinnamon. The big lump in the middle is the rock hard brown sugar. I have to admit that I didn’t measure it out but just dumped it in.

Jam and Jelly Making

We used our son and daughter in law’s juicer to skip the big long process of cooking the fruit down and then hanging the fruit in the jelly bag. It sure simplified the whole process. We bought a case of apples together and split the jelly and the leftover apples. It all worked out super easy. I was showing my daughter in law how to make jelly as this was her first or second time making jelly. She loves apple jelly so the first batch was apple. We had a leftover pomegranate that we juiced with the apples so that is the lovely rosy-yellow colored jelly.

Jam and Jelly Making

Jam and Jelly Making

Isnt’ it beautiful. The deep purpley red is the cranberry jelly. I tweaked a recipe to come up with it. The basic recipe is this one for cranberry butter. I doubled the recipe, sprinkled 2 tsp of cinnamon (instead of using a cinnamon stick) and then cooked it on high in the crock pot for 5 hours before we put it in the juicer. Then I prepped it just like any jelly. I added 6 cups of sugar and the sure jell. I’m pretty sure that next time I will leave out the sure gel as it is pretty firm but still good.

Jam and Jelly Making Jam and Jelly Making

I don’t own a juicer but I am going to think about purchasing one. It simplified the jelly making and speeded it up by several hours. It is not the way my Grandma made jelly but I know she would approve as it sure saves a bunch of work. We didn’t have to peel the apples before we juiced them, or boil the apples until they produced juice. The flavor is fresher and tastes more like fresh apples.Jam and Jelly MakingWhere did we buy a case of apples in the middle of January? We bought it through Bountiful Baskets.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

Posted on by

The New To Do List

This to do list has so much marked off as I have been super productive this week. It has been good to finish up or get so much done on several of my projects. I am pretty happy about following my to do list. I started work on several super hero capes that I am working on for a show this summer. It is on the To do list as it will use up a ton of satin that I bought two or three years ago.

The New To Do List

I also finished these little Valentine envelopes that I crocheted for a friend. She has a booth at a craft/antique mall. So, it was a whole sale order for her booth. These are a perfect size for gift cards.

The New To Do ListI finished up this shawl/scarf. The colors are wonderful. I am pleased that it is finished as it only lacked about three rows and the red border.

The New To Do List

I have added 8 inches to this blanket and will probably finish it up later this week.

The New To Do List

I am pleased that it is working up so quickly.

I still need to work on these items as I haven’t gotten to them yet.

  1. Finish the quilt (there is probably only 2-3 more hours of work.)
  2. Sew 3 coffee press cozies
  3. Sew 20 coffee cup sleeves
  4. sew 3 bibs (already cut just need to be sewn)
  5. sew up 4 flannel blankets (already cut just need to be sewn)
  6. sew 10 more paper pieced quilt squares

If I break this list down into easy to accomplish steps. I would rewrite the list like this.

  1.  Iron flannel blankets and pin
  2. Iron satin
  3. Iron quilt cottons
  4. arrange sewing by color thread
  5. sew items by thread color: blue, white, red, black and pink thread
  6. cut out capes
  7. cut out quilt cottons
  8. Press all seams and completed projects for photography

I hope all of this helps. I tend to be easily discouraged by the mountain of work standing in front of me. I am still wishing for some snow. It would be nice to be snowed in for a day or two.

talk to you later,

Karen

You can visit my shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChocolateDogStudio

 

Posted on by

4 Blocks a Week – Week 4!

Another installment of 4 crochet blocks for the crochet sampler afghan! I love these 4 blocks from this book 100 colorful Granny Squares to Crochet. This bobble block has such a different look to it and was really pretty easy to crochet.

Block 13

Crochet sampler afghan

Block 14crochet sampler afghan

Block 15

I like the flower center in this one but the block needs blocking terribly as it looks a little wonky.crochet sampler afghan

Block 16

This one also has a flower in the middle. The petals on this one stand up from the back of the square. The directions on this one was a little difficult for me to understand but with the chart and the written directions I finally figured it out.crochet sampler afghanHere are is week one, week two and week three.

It has been a busy week with some appointments and new projects in the works. I am working on a new sewing pattern for some satin that I bought last year. I have been afraid to branch out in this new direction but fear is just a stupid reason to not try. So, I have been making some prototypes and trying them on the family. I know that I would have thought they are fun when I was a little person and our kids would have loved them when they were small. So, we will see if they make it to the shop. I am not real thrilled about some of the finishing that is happening and I think that they could be improved before they make it to my shop.

I have also been working on an order for a friend. It is a wholesale order and takes very little time to make so I am pretty sure that these are going to be great additions to my Etsy shop and since I am using up my stash they count to the huge Use Your Stash Challenge that I started in January. I feel that I have been slacking off but the days are filled to overflowing and I have finished quite a few large time commitment projects.

Talk to you later,

Karen