Granny Stashbuster

I am super excited about my current project.  After Christmas I was trying to decide what my next big project should be and I thought I would finally tackle the amazing and gorgeous BABETTE.  

Gorgeous isn't it?!  It has been on my "To Do" list for a couple of years now!  The babette uses up to 17 different colours and you assemble it in 10 different sections. 

It is definately a large project to take on.

I really felt I needed a small break before I took on the Babette so I decided to start a really really fun and somewhat mindless project.  So here comes the GRANNIES!!!

I absolutely LOVE Granny Squares!  They hold a nostalgic feeling to me and are very vintage!  Just what I love!  The amazing thing about granny squares is that depending on their placement and colour choice they take on such different looks!

Here are some amazing granny blankets that are very insipiring to me.

by London Mummy

by Attic24

by Anna_K

On a group I am in on Ravelry called the Vanna`s Choice Group, I joined a Granny Stashbuster Swap.  How this works is we crochet 4 round grannies and send 6 different ones to each of the 14 participants using only Vanna`s Choice Yarn.  The key is to only use what you have in your `stash`, we shouldn`t be going out and buying any new yarn!

Here is my Vanna Stash:

Once we receive our grannies we can join them any way we would like.  I have decided to join mine with black because I really like the vintage look to it and it is very simple. 

I took my final inspiration for my blanket from this picture.

by Nature Nut

I have completed 24 blocks so far (only 60 to go!).  Take a look at these that I have sent out!



I have Granny Fever!

Aussie Owl

I wanted to show you all the Owl I received from the 'Ogling Owl Swap' on Swap-Bot. I received it from Leah (MadeinMonty). It came all the way from Australia! Very Cool!

There is a Mommy Owl and a baby Owl. The baby owl fits into the pouch on the tummy of the mommy! So Australian (kangaroos!) :) Leah made the whole thing from recycled materials which is so inventive! She also included a pretty handerchief and some yummy Australian tea!
Thank you again Leah for the great package!


Since our family has moved here to the Calgary area - I have noticed that we have the most AMAZING sunrises and sunsets! I am a sucker for beautiful skies and keep taking a million pictures almost every day! Here is one taken about 2 weeks ago from my front yard! I love it and love that I captured the birds flying by!

Two Handfulls of Owls!

I have been stitching up a storm trying to get these ornaments done so I can get them in the mail! They are for the Cake & Pie Holiday Ornament Swap on Swap-Bot. I love how they turned out - I think they are too cute! I hope my partners love them as much as I do!

All lined up in a row!

Wrapped and ready to be put in their envelopes and in the mailbox!

I am so glad that I finally finished them! Now I can concentrate my evenings making my meal plan for Christmas!

Unbirthday Swap Goodies!

I received my package from 'bluemerleboutique' today! It was for the Swap-Bot 'Unbirthday Swap'! WOW is all I have to say! It was full of such amazing goodies that I just had to share it all with you!

She included some Amy Butler fabric called 'Brown/lacework' from the Lotus line. I LOVE it! I can't wait to use it in a project!


I had mentioned on my Swap-Bot profile that I really like Maeuve Binchy books, so bluemerleboutique sent me this book (sorry that its sideways) written by Penny Vincenzie. Supposedly her writing style is similar to Maeuve Binchy's! I can't wait to start it!

I also received these cute notecards that will really come in handy for the swaps I send out! My daughter is already trying to steal them!

I think my absolute favorite item is this handmade pincushion! I just started collecting and making pincushions and this one is just so gorgeous and will look great in my craft room on my shelf with my own handcrafted pins (will show in a future post).

Here's the whole lot of items! Thank you so much bluemerleboutique! You made my day today!

For more information on the fun yet addictive world of Swap-Bot - click here!

Hooters and Creepy Dolls

I haven't 'blogged' for a while so I thought I'd just do a quick one with a couple of things I have been working on this week.

I am a part of the 'Ogling Owlies' swap on Swap-Bot. For this Swap you need to make one handmade Owl using your choice of materials. I did a little research and decided to do my little owl in felt! I LOVE the way he came out! I have decided to do these owls for another swap I am in - The Handmade Christmas Ornament Swap. I will need to make 10 to send off and in return I will receive 10 different ornaments from around the world! So fun!

I also tried making a "Dotee Doll' for a 'Dotee Doll Swap'. Here she is! I called her 'Paisley'. Jamie hates her - he thinks it is creepy! I think she is 'Ugly Cute'! My daughter wanted to join in the fun and has been making some of her own!

I included a 'Sunshine' knit dishcloth with this swap, I should have taken a picture before I rolled it up so you could see the design, silly me!

I also created this little felt pouch to house all these items in. I made a cute yo-yo flower out of the same material as my Dotee Doll to embellish the front...

and I used a simple black button for the back so it could be used for stuff in the future - like makeup, purse items, whatever she likes!

I have been pretty crazy busy trying to get all of these done! I have almost completed all of my 'hooters' and hope to get them in the mail on Monday! I will post a picture of them when I have them ready to go!

I received this tag from someone and decided to share it with my great friend Jenn V. She posted it on her blog and I thought I'd share mine with all of you! Enjoy!

1.Your Middle Name: Ji'Neille. My Mom actually made it up! The 'Ji' is after my Dad 'Jim' and the 'Neille' is after my Papa 'Neille'! I love it!

2. Age: 33

3. Single or Taken: Taken by a hot cop!

4. Favorite place to hang out: At home with my family.

5. Favorite pet/animal: Toby, my 1st dog who was my best friend, I miss him everday . Although I do love my dog now - Jasper!


6. Favorite Band/Artist: Nicole Nordeman Her music is so intelligent and inspiring. It is not fluff!

7. Favorite Movie: Anne of Green Gables. I know it word for word! Don't you ever wonder what Raspberry Cordial tastes like?

8. Tattoos and/or Piercings: Yes, I have piercing in my ears (1 in each!) and a flower vine tattoo on the top of my foot (near my toes). I got this tatoo at a 'girls getaway' in Kelowna with my girlfriend Mandy! We both got the same one - I don't regret it at all, it was really fun and was a good bonding experience!

HERE COMES THE FUN ... ... ...

9. Whats your philosophy on life: Celebrate the little things in life!

10. Tell me one odd/intresting fact about you: When I was in Grade 8, my best friend was Tammi I. She had this red sweatshirt that every time I went to her house I would wear - inside out. I LOVED this sweatshirt so much - it made me so happy for some reason. Well after about 1 year of borrowing it every time I was over - she said 'you can have it'. That was 20 years ago now - and I still have that sweatshirt! I wear it AT LEAST once a week with my Pj's! I still LOVE it and it still makes me happy! Thanks Tam!

11. What is the craziest thing you've ever done: Wow, I'll just say husband.....porta-potty.....Canada Day Celebration......

12. Ever been arrested/ gone to jail: Nope, but I go 'behind the scenes' all the time now!

13. Do you think I'm attractive: I think you are beautiful (inside and out)!

14. If you could change anything about me, what would it be: Your insecurities.

15. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be: I read too much into things and it affects my relationships sometimes!

16. What do you wear to sleep: My husband...Ha Ha! No seriously I usually wear a t-shirt and flannel pj bottoms (sometimes with my fav red sweatshirt (still inside out) - see above) !

17. What is your favorite thing to do in the world: Besides being with my family, I would say travelling!

18. Would you go on a date with me if i asked you: For sure (I should ask Jamie 1st though!)

19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together: We would meet up for coffee, have a good long chat, head to the states to go shopping, and then end the night at the movies watching 'Knocked Up' and killing ourselves laughing until we pee our pants!

I participated in my 1st swap a couple of days ago. I had so much fun! The rules were you had to purchase one roll of ribbon and 3 matching buttons! I decided to go with a Christmas theme so that my partner could use them during this season! My partner lives in Oregon and I can't wait to receive my goodies in the mail! Here's what I sent out:

The middle one is hard to see - it is a long-legged reindeer with a wreath around his neck! Too cute! I hope my partner enjoys them! I will post my parcel or goodies when it arrives!

Swaps

I have just discovered the online world of Swaps. I am sad to say that I am addicted!!! I think it is so fun to connect with others around the world that have the same interests and hobbies and to send them a little something from your heart - what can be better! I also LOVE to receive real mail - like actually something in the mailbox!

I have entered 4 swaps and I think I am limiting myself to those 4 for Nov and Dec. If I join anymore I will be running around like a chicken with my head cut off!

2 of the swaps are for new Christmas ornaments that you purchase and then mail to your assigned partner. 1 of the swaps is for a handmade 'Dotee Doll'. The other swap is for a handmade Christmas ornament - this one you have 8-10 partners that you have to make an ornament for - which means you receive 8-10 ornaments! I am SOOO excited!

I have been thinking about what to make for the handmade swap and I have narrowed it down to 2. I will let you know when I have decided!

Here are a couple of links that I have found that hooks you up to all different swaps - so check them out - and if you create one yourself - don't forget to invite me!

Swap Bot & Swap Dex