meet Astrid the aqua sewing machine! {+ what I've been up to lately}...

 

 Isn't she a beaut?

She's actually a bit darker colored in person.

(It's so hard to get a good pic indoors.)

My sweet parents made my day year by buying me this retro chic sewing machine in my favorite color.

She'll be perfect for stitching up more bedsheet dresses such as...

 

 

this one that I made this past week.

 

 

 ~*~

I've also been doing a bit of decorating.

 

 

These pink wall pocket baskets were a steal of a deal for 70 cents from a favorite antique mall that was {sadly} closing. The faux strawberry plants were dissected from a thrift store find for $3.50.
{Isn't faux such a much nicer way to say fake? *wink*}

 

 

This sweet planter from Target, reminiscent of a vintage head vase, was originally intended to have a succulent atop her head, but I think that this pink yarn bun fits my style even better! Doesn't she look like a giant egg cup though? *giggles*

 

 

This wire wastebasket was from the dollar section of Target for $3!

It makes such fun & cute storage for extra yarn leftover from previous projects.

 

 

The colors of this baby blankie I made for a friend's baby girl make me think of yummy saltwater taffy.

 

 

Though it may be in the 90s still outside in my neck of the woods,

inside our house it is decidedly Autumnal,

September 1st being our un-official first day of Fall.
Lovely 70s are forecast for next week though.
I can hardly wait for crisp air, colorful crunchy leaves, snuggly sweaters, & sturdy boots.

 

What have you been up to?

 

Much love,

Miss Michelle ^_^

consider the stars...

 ☆"Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars,
The One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,
Not one of them is missing."
{Isaiah 40:26}☆

"He who counts the stars and calls them by their names,
is in no danger of forgetting His own children."
{Charles Spurgeon}

I'm so excited to show you all one of my latest crochet projects -
this star bunting!
I made the original as a gift for a dear friend's birthday.
I'm now offering them for sale in my Etsy shop as well!
It looks so "4th of July" with our cheery red gingham kitchen curtains.
I want to make myself some in pastels for my bedroom.
Wouldn't they just be the sweetest thing in a nursery though?

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;

What is man that You take thought of him,

And the son of man that You care for him?"

{Psalm 8:3+4}

 

The star theme brought to mind these precious verses as well as this beautiful song from the Getty's newest album.

 



I also just finished this patriotic star shaped doily for my Momma.
It may look like I'm practicing some sort of voodoo, but rest assured,
I am not.
I'm just starching & stretching this doily so it will stay in its crisp shape
& not be all wiggly-woggly.

 

Oh, by the way, if you do bop over to my Etsy shop be sure to check out the cute vintage patterns I've been listing. Perhaps there's something there you just *need*. ;)

 

 

What do you think of my star garland?

 

Have you been working on anything that you're excited about lately?

 

Much love,

Miss Michelle ^_^

recent makes...

As promised last week, here is what I've been working on as of late.



That sweet knitted dress for my cousin's baby girl is all done & delivered.

I just love the simplicity of this precious knit.

I used a natural shell button for the back closure to echo this simple design.
I always pick up vintage baby hangers at thrift stores when I come across them. I think they make a fun addition to my handmade gifts.

For the bride & groom:

Mr. & Mrs. Aprons! :)

This is the 3rd set I've made for wedding gifts, and I always try to consider the tastes of the couple in the style & colors used. These are for Taylor & Tanner. She loves bird motifs so this lovely printed cotton was just the ticket. I drafted the pattern I used to make her apron all by myself a few years ago. :D The gathered bodice would have been well nigh impossible to embroider "Mrs." legibly. So, I embroidered it on a piece of ribbon instead. I think it looks rather sweet. :) For Tanner's apron I cheated & bought a plain white apron.

{I tend to leave things to the last minute, so I simply ran out of time.} 

I just embroidered Mr. on it & called it good. It's still a very useful item & they'll look cute as can be wearing them together. {In my humble opinion.}

In other knitting news:

I did finish my Cath Kidston Coloured Victory Jumper, but alas, haven't had a chance to get photos of me in it yet. Plus, it's a wee bit too warm to wear that wooly thing now.
Here is what I'm working on now - my summery pastel cotton version. I started out using this bluish green yarn as the main color, but I wanted it to feel more light & lovely.

So, I started over with pink as the main, and I rather like it. A lot, actually. Plus, I think the white pops more in between the green than it did in the pink.

I find I don't knit nearly as much this time of year as I do in the colder weather.

{Which, I'm sure, is quite common.}

I need to get crackin' so I can wear this cutie before the seasons change again! ;)

Oh, I also made another custom babies don't keep embroidery, and another fox scarf.
Sorry no pics. But! You can see that sweet gal, Jessica, wearing my scarf on her blog, Chronically Vintage. Thanks so much for featuring my little knitted critter, my friend! ^_^

 

~*~

 What have you been working on?

Do you find that you knit less in the warmer weather?

{Photos by this girl!} 



Aimee's cabled sweater...

Hurrah! It's finally finished-

my lovely sister's Christmas Birthday sweater!

(And, only a few days after her birthday.)

I think she's pleased with it.

At least, she's not telling me if she isn't. ;)

 

 

We've had some more snow & quite cold weather lately.

I'm glad it didn't go *poof* Spring outside so that she can get some good wear out of it,

before packing it away for the season.

I used Wool of the Andes Worsted from Knit Picks in Cobblestone Heather,

and this free pattern by Debbie Bliss from Love Knitting.

 

I just love looking at all the intricate cables.

They really are such fun to knit.

Although, they are time consuming, and brain consuming.

 



 

After all. that. grey.

I was craving some color!

My Cath Kidston Sewing Kit was my color inspiration for this sweater.

I'm using Knit Picks Palette in Rosehip, Wonderland Heather, & Custard.

I just had the yarn in my stash. Knit Picks runs great sales throughout the year,

so I always snag any color I'd like to see in person.

(It's never quite how it looks on my screen!)

Pretty much if it has a cute name I'll like it. =)

 

The pattern is a free WWII era "Your Victory Jumper" from the Victoria & Albert Museam Website.

 

 

Unfortunately, I've run out of my "Wonderland Heather" & I have the sleeves left to knit.

So I'll need to make another yarn order before I can finish. (Tragic I know. I just hate buying yarn.) ;)

 

One of my Aunties has commissioned this fox scarf. So I'll make it in the meantime. :D

Isn't it the cutest thing? It's also a free pattern. (Man, I'm on fire!) :P

I'll be knitting it in Knit Picks' Brava Premium Acrylic.

I've never used it before, because I'm so terribly fond of wool & cotton.

Aunt G. says wool makes her itch so... acrylic it is!

I've never been disappointed with anything I've bought from KP so maybe this will be the start of  a new chapter in my knitting. (But I don't think so.) ;)

Photo Source

I'm glad I squeezed this post in before the end of February.

Tomorrow, being March 1st, is my unofficial First Day of Spring. :D

I've got plenty-o-cotton yarn in the stash to start planning some warm weather knits...

progress...

 

Ever so slowly...

Yet ever so surely...

Progress is being made.

After a couple minor freak-outs,

a few rows ripped back,

a few moments of questioning that fact that knitting is supposed to be a relaxing hobby,

I think I may finally have gotten my poor brain wrapped around this pattern.

 

 

Oh yeah, knitting is fun!

:)

{Listening to Ella Fitzgerald}

{Drinking Tetley British Blend with way too much 1/2 & 1/2}

{Enjoying the scent of Scentsy's "My Dear Watson"}

My idea of a perfect Saturday.

 

***

 

Still time to enter:

 

Click here to do so. ^_^

the rest of my knitted gifts...

I finished Mom's shawl on Christmas Eve Eve. (December 23rd)

I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Mom was quite pleased with it too!

 Yay!
It's so pretty & soooo soft!
 

 

The photo below looks like the sort of gift I would love to receive...

BUT...

it's not for me!



 

This is what happens when you don't get all your knitting projects done!
It is supposed to be a cabled sweater for my sister Aimee.

 



 

I got her a necklace & headband & stuck them in the bottom of the box.

Then I piled in the yarn for her cabled sweater & a "learn to knit" booklet!

Inside the booklet was a little note.

I think I thought it was a lot funnier than she did!

(I can't help it if I crack myself up!)

Thankfully her birthday is in February - a more realistic goal.

We should still have some winter weather left to wear it in too -

if this year turns out anything like the last.

vintage pixie hat & a squirrel purse...

 

I don't believe I've ever introduced you all to my newest niece, Annelise!

Isn't she just the cutest thing?

I made her this hat for Christmas & gave it to her early so she could get some good use out of it.

 

 

She also received a wee bolero just like her cousin Abbey, only smaller. ;)

 

This squirrel purse was made for my Aunt Becky.

She LOVES squirrels.

She feeds them cookies.

So they love her back. ;)

 

Acorn fabric for the lining, naturally.

Only gifts left to make are a lacy shawl (on the needles now) for Momma.

Made of the finest fuzzy lace yarn I have ever used. (Finer than frog's hair as Dad would say.)

& a cable knit sweater for my sister Aimee.

Made of grey wool. Cuz Aims likes her "Sombertown" garb. (Just kidding Aim!)

Oh, and a couple pies for the Bros.

Made of deliciousness.

The end is near! :P

 

How are your projects coming along?



two checkmarks on the Christmas knit list...

This little bolero is for my niece Abbey.

Though it's not actually her Christmas present it is to wear on Christmas.

She'll be wearing a lovely off-white dress

that she wore as a flower girl this past summer.

The yarn used is Knit Pick's Wool of the Andes Sport in Hollyberry.

The pattern is a Debbie Bliss pattern for babies

 that I adapted from 12-18 month to fit a 6 year old.

I also added the bobble trim cuz I'm just fond of it! ;)

 

 

This next knit is probably the manliest thing I've ever featured on this blog. ;)

For Dad, ever the war history buff.

This "trigger mitt" pattern is from 1951.

Here they are in progress.

 

 

And here they are all finished!

 



Along with a stocking cap made from the 1934 pattern book.

Honestly a stocking cap is a stocking cap. I'm sure the pattern hasn't changed much.

BUT I know the that it's made from a 1934 pattern & that makes me happy. :)

the cutest cowboys ever...

 As promised a while back, here are James & Jack in their cowboy sweaters.

I made them for their birthdays from a vintage pattern from the 50's.

These cute cousins are just two months apart in age,

 so most of their gifts from this Auntie will probably be matchy-matchy. ;)

 "Tough stuff" :P

 Naturally, getting a nice shot of the back of their sweaters was as easy as saying "RUN BOYS!"

 Admiring each others boots.

James

Jack

(The photo credit for this last pic goes to my sister Beth, Jack's mommy.)

I can not help but smile every time I look at these sweet faces.

***

I am considering making this sweater for custom orders.

 Feel free to contact me if you are interested.

recent knits...

I've heard that sweater weather is forecast for the end of this week.

It just happens to be my very favorite sort of weather. :D

I thought a post about some of my most recent knits would be appropriate!

***

This little number was made for a shower for a dear friend of mine.

This ballet style sweater is one of my favorites to make for little girls.

Naturally I had to make matching maryjane style booties since I had enough yarn left over!

Don't you just love this sweet bobble edging?!

***

Here is a recent make for myself.

The original pattern had a very low neckline so I added this rose yoke to make it more wearable.

When there's a chill in the air I can't hardly make myself put my needles down!

Even as I was waiting for these photos to upload I was clickin' away.

Here's what I've got on the needles now.

It's going to be a 40s style cardi for me. :D

Sorry for the spookiness of the pic.
It's just too dark in here I guess. :)
 I made a cowboy sweater from a vintage pattern for my nephew James' birthday.
I forgot to take a pic of it before I wrapped it.
Hopefully I can get some cute photos of him wearing it.
I'm making my nephew Jack one as well so that should make for some good photo-ops! :}