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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Adventures in Christmas - Oct 2012

Many gifts have been made by these hands, and this is the newest addition!  With Lion Brand Chenille and a set of circular knitting needles in the "Magic Loop" I stitched my way to a pair of beautiful fingerless mitts for this Christmas.

Normally the "Magic Loop" is used for knitting socks, but it works well for fingerless mitts or gloves or whatever else needs to be made in pairs.  Basically, using one circular needle, both pieces of the pair are cast on at the same time.  The first of the pair has a round knit, then the yarn is switched for the second of the pair and the corresponding round is knit.  This ensures the pair are (a) the same length and (b) made at the same time (no more unmated of a pair!).  I have definitely fallen in love with the "Magic Loop."

Peace and Blessings!

Tabi

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