'Twas *The Nightmare Before Christmas*... - Dec 2012

Inspired by the love of The Nightmare Before Christmas and a Nana's love of her grandkids, these hat and scarf sets belong to a pair of siblings.  While I personally do not favor the movie, I have enjoyed working in knit and it is a pleasure to add this to my repertoire.  I know this pattern will mean a great deal to the family who receives the gift.

Blessings and Peace!

Tabi

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Adventures in Dr. Seuss - Dec 2012

The Lorax is a movie based on a Dr. Seuss book.  In this movie there is a product called a "Thneed" which is "The Thing that Everyone Needs"  A lady I met through networking ordered this for her sister's Christmas gift.  Made with Angel Hair yarn this "Thneed One" is a multicolor scarf-based work of irregular stripes containing pockets and a hood and fastening together at the neck line with a button.  It is also completely reversible from the hood to the pockets so there is no "right" or "wrong" sides.  A joy to work and complete!  I plan to make more of the "Thneeds" and also write a pattern.  See my Facebook page or contact me for more details concerning the pattern.

Blessings and Peace!

Tabi

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Beard and Hat Sets - Dec 2012

A lady from church ordered a beard and hat set for her husband for Christmas.  I must admit, I enjoy experimenting and stretching my skills.  My first attempt at this particular pattern is the top picture with a green hat and a brown beard.  The actual special order is the bottom picture with a navy blue hat and a tan/cream beard.  Through several messages and a few pictures sent, the lady who ordered seemed very happy with her choice.

I look forward to many more hats and themed hats in the future!

Blessings and Peace!!

Tabi

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Adventures in Angel Hair - Dec 2012

Angel Hair yarn from the Sensations line is so soft!  It is my favorite yarn to work with for many of the products I make... like these!  There are limited colors and shades, but that does not take away from the overall wonderfulness I have found in the Angel Hair yarn.  I have yet to find another yarn that comes close.

Long Fingerless Mitts in Angel Hair green and purple: This pair of fingerless mitts was a special order from a lady I met through a vendor event.  I am happy to say she loves them!

Basic Crochet Cap with Ear Covers:  A special order from a lady I know through church, this hat was especially fun to make.  Through a little experimentation I discovered a method that works well for this design in two colors.

Blessings and Peace!

Tabi

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Christmas Tree Cup Cozies - Dec 2012

Inspired by the Christmas season and intended for our guests at the Women's Christmas Party, these cute little hand protecting cup cozies are unique.  I finished these not long before the Christmas Party, so these are the pictures of the very first one and the 8 that weren't taken as gifts from the party.  (There were a total of 16 made.)  If only I could have found a moment and a place to capture all of them at the same time!

The "prototype" of the Christmas Cup Cozies

Eight of the uniquely hand made Cup Cozies not taken by our guests.

Flower Accessories, Take One - Dec 2012

Through a series of conversations and after some thought I was inspired to make these little creations.  I enjoy making these because they are easy to crochet up and take little in terms of materials so I don't have to have a full, or nearly full, skein to start.  Also, they are wonderful gifts to spice up any outfit, hat, scarf, or hair-do!

Small Flat Japanese Flower Accessory (about 2 1/2 inches across)

3-Tier Japanese Flower Accessory (about 4 1/2 inches across)

3-Tier "Climbing Petal" Flower Accessory (about 4 1/2 inches across each)

Merry Christmas and Many Blessings!!

Tabi

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Christmas Stockings - Dec 2012

A special order came to me by Facebook private message requesting hanging Christmas stockings for a family of five.  Gladly I undertook this adventure and came up with these Basic Knit Stockings.  This pattern is an expanded sock pattern using the stockinette short row heel and basic decrease toe.  The edging at the top is an eyelet turning ridge allowing for the back to be knitted in row to the front on the inside.  I look forward to working up more Christmas stockings in the future!

Merry Christmas and God Bless!

Tabi

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Adventures in Completion - Nov 2012

A lady I met through social networking contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I could and would complete a product she started about 30 years ago.  I said, "Sure!"  Through this vintage pattern and scented yarn I pressed through to complete two-thirds of one sleeve, attach the two sleeves, and finish the baby sweater.  Since I am used to the newer and standard pattern style I found it interesting how this pattern was worded.  It wasn't hard to figure out how the pattern worked, but I must say it was interesting to realize I was knitting backwards.  That's right, the lady who started this knits right-handed and I knit left-handed.  The good news is there was very little I had to undo in order to have it all facing the right direction.

Blessings and Peace!
Tabi

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Adventures in Warm - November 2012

This little set was inspired by a lady at the AIDS foundation.  As a good gender-neutral color combination and beneficial products for the winter months, I made these with a wide audience in mind. Whoever wins this auction set will be pleased.  

Blessings and Peace!
Tabi

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Cat and Hat Mohawk Set - Nov 2012

This special request was a fun one to pull off!  It took longer than I expected it to, but it was pretty simple overall.  I think, however, that I will play with the design of the "hair" for future usage.  

Mohawk hat as modeled by Mani.

Two of a Kind.

Cat hat as modeled by "Plasti" the plastic bag.  (Come on!  I had to find something for the ears!)

The base of the hat is single crochet in the round, then front-post double crochets for the last four rounds.  The cat's hat is single crochet in a band from front to back between the ears then single crochet in the round making holes for the ears, finishing up with front-post double crochet for the last 3 rounds. The "hair" is tied on the inside and pulled through to the top.

I hope you enjoyed this one!

Blessings and Peace!

Tabi

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Cup Cozies Round 2 - Nov 2012

I am pretty excited about this cup cozie thing.  The same lady that bought the first three cup cozies ordered these and I delivered them the other day.  She has a business with chai tea so she has a market for people who would like to protect their hands from hot cups... win win I do believe  =-)  On top of this, there are other ladies interested in their own designs for cup cozies.  I see more cozies in the future!

The base is a straight single (or double) crochet to fit the desired cup and the flower is loosely based on the Japanese flower design (seen in recent posts).  

Grab a cup of your favorite winter warmth and a cup cozie and cozy up with a loved one this season!

Blessings and Peace!

Tabi

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Cotton Cloths - Oct 2012

I'm sure you have seen me write about vendor events and raffle gifts and wondered what it all meant.  Well, basically when a business signs up to be a vendor at an event the host of the event requires the business-vendor representative to fill out a form for vendor information, pay a fee, and provide an item or service which can be used as a raffle prize or door prize at the event.  

Here are the two donations (one for each night) for the annual Family Worship Center Women's Christmas Party.  I have signed up to be a vendor for both nights of this fun and festive event!  This will be the first year for the Christmas party to have more than one night, but what can you do but learn to grow and expand within your means!  I am extremely excited about all the opportunities I have been able to be a part of this year!  I feel so blessed!

Above: Cotton Cloths in multi-colored Bernat Handicrafter Christmas yarn, "double stitch" pattern.

Below: Cotton Cloths in Bernat Handicrafter watermelon and twisted melon yarns, "double stitch" pattern.

Blessings and Peace!

Tabi

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A Christmas Table Runner - Oct 2012

For many months I thought about and tried to figure out a particular pattern I saw in some blankets at my friend's house.  I was beginning to wonder if I would ever be able to recreate that design.  Either way it caught my eye and it was not about to leave.  Finally, though, it dawned on me!  One of the most simple things gives such a beautiful and complex appearance.  Working both colors in the same row, but not on the hook at the same time, in a "split shell stitch" yields a reversible crochet design that is both eye catching and simple.  Needless to say, I am excited about this pattern and will be using it for other items in the future.

Blessings and Peace!

Tabi

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Cup Cozies and Appliques - Oct 2012

Some of the things I am inspired to make come from people tagging me in pictures on social media sites.  Here are a few items sparked from one such encounter.

Above: Heart Applique fingerless Mitts.  These were made as a raffle donation for a vendor event.  While I was working a pair of fingerless mitts (in pink) I looked at the picture where I had been recently tagged and decided to change course.  Instead of solid pink I decided to incorporate red and play with decorating.  The result was this pair of highly coveted fingerless mitts.

Below: Heart Applique Cup Cozie.  Around the time of the fingerless mitts above, I was in conversation with a lady through a networking group who is interested in cup cozies for her business.  In fact, I believe it was this lady who tagged me in the inspirational picture.  So, between a picture, a pair of fingerless mitts, and the idea of a cup cozie, this particular design was realized.

This flowered cup cozie was the second in line.  I dug out my wool yarn to play with the effect of using different yarn types.  By the time I made the first row I figured the wool cup cozie would need to be felted... so that is exactly what I did.  By felting the wool it creates a tighter appearance to the design and "fluffs" the flower.  Before felting the flower laid flat and after the flower took shape.  I am well pleased with this experiment.

And finally this multi-colored cotton cup cozie came about.  Using the idea of feeling different yarn types and a taller stitch, I originally determined to make a multi-colored base (cozie) and use a solid color for a flower, however I like the multi colored so much I changed my mind on the flower!  Maybe I'll make another one with a solid base and a multi-colored flower.  I like that idea.  

Overall, all three designs for the cup cozies made a great debut.  The lady wanting the cup cozies and her barista couldn't decide which one they liked best!   Although, there is a flowered theme for the "pin-up-girl flavors," so that's likely what we will be going with for future designs. 

I hope you enjoyed this little adventure!

Blessings and Peace!

Tabi

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Adventures in Decor - Oct 2012

How about a table runner with accent pads?  At 58 inches long and 4 inches wide the table runner is designed to hang off the ends of a decorated table.  Additionally, the accent pads, at 6 inches in diameter, are great for placing under clear candle plates or square mirror candle plates for added accent. 

The original thought behind this design was lending itself to a scarf, however, once I added the green, the overall feel changed to a table runner and decorations.  Made with a "J" hook and size 5 yarn in single crochets, I enjoyed making this set and playing with the colors.  I wonder what else I can pull out of these colors....

I hope this is inspirational to you!

Blessings and Peace!
Tabi

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Resources:
www.YarnStandards.com

Accent Stripe Scarf - Oct 2012

Looking for something to complete a set of Christmas gifts, I decided to make this scarf.  The light blue is double crochet and the dark blue is single crochet.  Here, the dark blue acts as an accent to the light blue and creates a desirable striped pattern with matching border that is multi-use (dress, casual, or play) and masculine.  

Mani the Mannequin looks great in this scarf.  Don't the stripes show up nicely when worn? I can't wait to see the recipient of this gift in pictures!

Blessings and Peace!
Tabi

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Fingerless Mitts - Oct 2012

I have seen more interest in the fingerless mitts than any other product.  They're a hot item!  With this in mind I think I'll make a few more pair.  It is interesting, though, the most popular size is small... apparently most ladies have smaller hands than me.  Either way, I enjoy making fingerless mitts, so it's a win-win situation!  

These first two pair are from a while back and the third pair I finished today.  Enjoy!

Size medium fingerless mitts... I use these when I run =-)

Size small fingerless mitts

Finished today these basic fingerless mitts in pink are definitely cute!

Blessings and Peace!

Tabi

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Mani and the Headbands - Oct 2012

As I was working on another product in public a lady spoke to me and asked me what I was doing.  The conversation progressed and I showed her the book I was using and she noticed the headband pattern declaring she would love to have one of those!  So... what do I do?  I grab the best choice of yarn and start working on a headband!  Over the course of a couple of weeks I was inspired to make these headbands modeled by Mani.  The orange ones are great for running and they all are very warm!

Ladies' Headband in purple (wide)

Ladies' Headband (narrow)

A second of the same headband.

Basketweave Headband [for the guys]

Stay warm as the cold weather draws near!

Tabi

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Fall and Thanksgiving Items - Oct 2012

Since the general holiday season is fast approaching, I, like many others, have been sucked into the "holiday rush" and decided to create a few holiday items.  This blog specifically features Fall and Thanksgiving items.  Even though there are more to come I decided to post these because they are a great adventure for me.  I have stepped out of my normal "square," caps, and mitts into decorative pillows and accessorizing.

Above: a set of two crochet pillow candles for Thanksgiving.

Below: a crochet tea light "stuffed" with a plastic tape roll center.

Above: the first two hanging kitchen towels I made for Fall.

Below: Hanging Kitchen Towels, set of 3 for Fall.

As I sip my hot apple cider I contemplate the future posts for the holidays.  I hope to create more for Fall and Thanksgiving, however I may skip right to Christmas.  And there are still Christmas gifts to make!!

Blessings and Peace!

Tabi

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Bookmarks - Oct 2012

In my adventures I have discovered the desire to make bookmarks.  I started with a knit design that kept curling up into a cylinder every time I let go.  I finally decided to experiment with steel hook crochet and crochet thread.  Unfortunately, though, I couldn't find any thread to start out with, so I grabbed the next best thing for the purposes of design... a ball of red sock yarn.  Sock yarn, needless to say, is just too thick.  Crochet thread is much more practical and looks nicer, too.  Below are the finished bookmarks I donated to the Ladies Night Out at church.  

Checkerboard Motif Bookmark

Sea-Shell Motif Bookmark

Filet Cross Motif Bookmark

Cables Motif #2 Bookmark

Cables Motif #3 Bookmark 

Thread Bookmark "LOVE"

Mother-Daughter Cross Bookmark

I hope you found these bookmarks to be inspirational and enjoyable!  

~Tabi

Each of these bookmarks is available for special order.  Contact Tabi with Tabi's Creating Adventures for details:

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Bacon Scarf - Oct 2012

Bacon is very popular with my crowd of people... especially the guys!  Their motto: "Bacon Makes Everything Better!"  And, for the most part, it does!  Have you ever had bacon wrapped brussels sprouts?  We call them "bacon sprouts" for short.  They are D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!  My husband never liked brussels sprouts until I tried them wrapped in bacon and baked in the oven.  

I hope you enjoyed this bacon inspired scarf based on the "Spine Scarf" pattern.

Peace and Blessings!

Tabi

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