My Only Sunshine

I Finished Something!!

I recently posted a review, on Craft Critique, of a product I got at CHA this summer.  Now that it is nearly time for CHA winter I thought I should show you what I made.

I made these yoga socks for Bug on my Clover 9" circular needle.  Go take a look at my review.  As you can see, I love this knitting needle! 

I do pretty well with the magic loop method.  I'm even relatively good with two circs.  I just can't seem to get good at DPNs at all.  With just one short needle I can whip up a project so fast that even my short attention span doesn't run out before it is finished.  Shocking isn't it?

Can you see Bug's cute little chill bumps up there?  What a great foot model I have.  She'll roll up her pants and go out in the cold with me for a photo shoot.  She is getting a really cool pair of socks out of the deal.  At least I think they are.

These are knit with Knit Picks sock yarn that is so old that they don't have anything like it on their website anymore.  It's close to this though.

I made up the pattern myself.  It's basically just a tube.  I knit some 1x1 rib, then switched to 4x1 rib.  Then I knit another section of 1x1 rib and I cast off half of the stitches in the middle of the section and cast them back on in the next round.  When I switched back to the 4x1 rib I threw in a few K2tog.  A little more 1x1 rib and I was ready to cast off.

Aren't they cute on my little dancer Bug?  She's most excited to have socks she can wear with her flip flops.  She wants to wear new Croc flip flops no matter how cold it is outside.  Silly girl.

Copic Markers

Want to read more about this color chart?  Go take a look at my article on Craft Critique and don't forget to leave a comment so you can win some really cool stuff.

My favorite booth design - Doodlebug Designs

The Craft Critique reporters split up duty at CHA so that we could get everything done (I'm not sure we did, even with that) so I didn't look at the product of too many scrapbooking companies.  It was impossible to miss some of their booths though.  As an example, I thought Tim Holtz's Idea-ology booth was fantastic.  You can see some pics of it here.

My very favorite booth design was from a company called Dooldebug Designs.  So obviously, since I call my daughter "Doodlebug" that drew me right in.  But how could I not also fall in love with the bright colors and clever ideas?

 

Also, I'm a sucker for a sweet shop.

 

 

And cupcakes.

 

This birthday tree was my favorite but they also have them for seasons and holidays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm pretty sure I like the birthday tree most.  Which one do you prefer?

 

 

I may need to make Bitty's room look like this last one.  What do you think?

Little Windows

Check out my write up on the Little Windows booth at CHA Summer 2009 on Craft Critique.  I can't wait to get my hands on one of these kits.

I've got my feet up

CHA Summer 2009 is over and I have returned home.  These are not listed in order of importance.  Getting home was hard, I missed my kids, and boy am I happy to be here on my couch with my (sore) feet up.  What an amazing trip I had.

I met some really important people in the world of crafting while I was in Florida, which was so much fun.  To tell you the truth, it was just as much fun to get to meet my Co-Craft Critique ladies and also to get to meet so many day in and day out crafters. 

 

I also got to see many lovely things.  These are Tombow's waterbased markers.  And these are alcohol based Copic Markers.

 

Aren't they so pretty?  I do love markers.

 

How about these marbles made from Pardo Clay by Viva Decor?  Pardo Clay is made from Beeswax, cool huh?  The sun holding the marbles drew me right in.

 

This is my friend Jenny of Craft Test Dummies wearing a ring made from Beadalon's new Stainless Steal wire for wire wrapping.

 

Clark Kent left his glass sitting out in the Cricut new releases area.

So there's your eye candy from CHA.  We've been covering the trade show fast and furiously over at Craft Critique.  I didn't get home from the airport until nearly 4am this morning so I think it's time for me to hit the sack.  Don't forget to check back for more on CHA.

CHA Summer 2009 - Craft Rock Stars

This year is my first ever trip to a CHA convention and while I am trying to look calm and collected I find it hard to keep my cool faced with all of the crafting rock stars.  How often do you stand this close to Tim Holtz while he smiles right at you?

 

How about everyone's favorite Crafty Chica?

 

Maybe Suze Weinberg is more your speed?  She posted a photo that I took today on her blog.  Oh, and what a great day I had with my friends Lisa Pavelka and Jenny Rohrs.  Does it sound like I'm name dropping?  I am, because I spent my day being awestruck and I may well have embarassed myself. 

I haven't even mentioned the best part, I met Carol Duvall!

 

Tomorrow it's all about Vickie Howell.

Don't forget to check out Craft Critique for the rest of my coverage of CHA Summer and to see what the other Craft Critiquers got to see.

I won!

You know that pointe shoe photo I posted?  I won first place with it over on I heart faces.

 

I'm pretty proud of myself because the people who enter photos on I heart faces are amazing photographers.  The other award winners had stunning photos and many of the non-winners awed me.  Click the badge and take a look at all the other wonderful pics.

On a totally different subject, I'm headed to CHA tomorrow.  I leave for the airport at 4:15am.  I'll be spending five days in sunny Orlando with crafting rockstars while Buster takes a week off to be home with the kids.  Pretty cool, huh? 

Marks Paper Company

Want to learn more about this project?  Want to read my review of the lovely paper you see?  Go take a look at Craft Critique.