Projects up the wazoo!!

So the bad news is it's been slow at work.  Summers are always like that.  The good news is MORE TIME FOR EMBROIDERY AND KNITTING!!!!!!!!!!  That's right!  Why waste the day away reading the same magazines over and over again when I can stitch the day away?  Yes, I do get funny looks at work sometimes when I whip out my latest project in the lunch room, but I think they're getting used to the idea that some people out there in this big wide world actually like to fill there time with creating awesome stuff by hand.  


One of the WIPs I have going is the Ilene Bag by Hannah Ingalls of  I Knit You Not  blog.  I believe it is a free pdf pattern so check it out!  

Just the handle is left!

It's a great bag for grocery shopping or anything else you need to tote around.  It's super stretchy and can fill a lot of items in it.  The instructions are easy to follow and it's a fast knit.  I used Lily Sugar n Cream cotton yarn in Bright Navy.  3 balls is more than enough.  

Super Stretchy Mesh.

I made one for myself in pink egyptian cotton and another for Sister S (middle sister) in lime green.  This navy beauty is for Sister W (oldest sister).  The great thing about this bag also is that there is no blocking required!  Hurray!  I hate blocking.  That's part of the reason why my finished shawl is still scrunched up on my desk.

The second WIP is this friendly little skull, displayed below, I drew and stitched up.  I'm in the process of filling in the yarn and still have the needles, eyes and nose to do.

He prefers eating yarn rather than human souls

I have a few drawings that I specifically drew up to embroider.  If I get my act together I would love to sell some of these babies as pdf embroidery designs.  I have to figure out all the things involved with that first.  I have an Etsy page but sadly no shop.  One day it will be filled with goodies, but I just don't know when.  Stay tuned!


Remember I mentioned I wanted to embroider a family tree for my dad as a belated present?  Well, I took the first step!  Finally!  I asked him to print up the names that he wanted represented and the genealogy program that he uses put it in a tree-like format for me!  

This saves my brain from trying to think of the proper layout.  It will definitely be a big and lengthy project to accomplish, but it will be much loved when it is finished.

The next post the bag will be done and hopefully the skull will too.  Now I must leave you so that I can make dinner and fill my belly with delicious salad filled with grilled chicken and eggplant and yummy ripe tomatoes from the garden.  Good day to you!