Is that more baskets... or are you just happy to see me?

I finished baskets 8, 9, and 10 this weekend. Here they be:



One of them (in front) is a new color scheme, but the other 2 were made from fabrics I had already made a basket from and had lots left over. Now that I've met my minimum requirements (10 baskets), I am taking a break from them for awhile. I'm tired of constantly lintbrushing the strings off my clothes and everything around me!

I also finished embellishing the wine carrier, but it's currently drying and will have to be photographed at a later date. I think I really like it... much more than I did before.

Underwater Basket Weaving

That's basically what I was doing today. I woke up and got ready for work and tried a few different routes out of my condo complex, but to no avail. When I finally managed to trudge through parts of road with water halfway up my tire and got to the part leading out onto the road, it was a definite no go. So I turned around and headed home and called in my weather day in the middle of July. My one weather day for the year. And we have some nasty winters... but oh well. Found out a bit after I got home that we (our county) was declared a state of emergency and several homes and businesses had been evacuated - what fun! So instead of working, I cut and whipped up this baby:



Another basket from the pattern I got out of my head. I also finished up the crocheting on this:



That's a wine carrier for a housewarming barstocking party the boy and I are headed to in a few weeks. My plan is to embellish it and fill it with a nice bottle of Ohio vintage wine... and take it off to Pittsburgh for the festivities. Not sure what I am going to do to dress it up. I have some ideas which include beaded fringe and/or felted grapes and leaves. We'll see! Here's hoping I can eventually leave my home ;)

A few FO's to show off. First, a baby blanket I had crocheted some time ago but didn't have my large eyed needles handy to weave in the ends. Here it is:



And a close up of the colors:




I had the blue/pink because I had bought 2 balls of it on sale for $1 each. I didn't know what I would do with it at the time, so that's all I bought. I then decided to do this easy stripey blanket, and purchased 2 balls of white to match. I used Bernat Baby Boucle for the entire thing.

Next up, 4 more fabric baskets... 2 just crocheted today:



That makes a grand total of 6 so far... and I need at least 10 for X-mas presents. I may make some extra as well, since they're so quick and easy and I have tons of fabric. I'm working on a wine cozy now for a housewarming/barstocking party the boy and I are tentatively attending in a few weeks.

My mom is currently in Vegas, hopefully breaking the bank (theirs, not hers)... so I took today off in an effort to unwind. I decided to stay in Pittsburgh until this morning, and then woke up at an impossibly early time (read: the numbers on the clock are ones i ONLY ever see in the PM) and left a little before 7... coasting into my driveway around 9. I've spent the day working on the baskets and watching Queer as Folk - The Final Season. Fun stuff... but I'm utterly exhausted from the lack of sleep and looong drive, not to mention my allergies are acting up. Back to the grind tomorrow... :-/

Fabric Baskets

Here are the fabric baskets I have been working on:



I'm not using a pattern to make them... except for the one I've made up along the way. These are going to be used as Christmas presents, and will be filled with a gift in a jar, chocolate covered pretzels, and the like. My mom is amazed by them and wants to take one to work to show off. Perhaps I will even be able to sell some. I have TONS of fabric and this is just the project to use up some of it. I spent a lot of the day today sorting it into piles of what would work well for crocheting (thinnish, possible ugly or busy pattern, moderate amount present) and what wouldn't (plain, too thick or thin, tiny amounts present). And since I have a fringe measuring cutter thingy and a rotary cutter, the strips don't take long to cut at alllllll. The worst part is getting the strings all over as I make it.

Speaking of strings, they are semi visible in the picture. Anyone know the best way to remove these. A sweater shaver... or other? Or do you just have to leave them?

This is definitely turning out to be one of the most fun summers I've ever had. This past weekend I headed to Pittsburgh (as usual), where the boy and I planned to buy some tickets Friday night to see a concert Saturday. Instead... we ended up getting the tickets and parking FOR FREE from a friend of his. We got there a bit early and hung out in chairs by the car enjoying the sunshine and some potent potables, then wandered inside for a bit. We got a free pic with the Geico gecko:



The quality is bad due to it being a picture of a polaroid, but that's the best I could do. After the opening bands was the Goo Goo Dolls (meh) and Counting Crows. It was sooooo much fun hanging out on the lawn with lots of space in which to dance. I can't wait for the next concert!

Crafty content will come when I can get a daytime pic. Tomorrow I am off to look for an interview outfit... as I have 3 45min ones back to back on Tuesday. Eeeeeks... wish me luck!

Made a couple of felted bags... in various states of undoneness. Both of these use Lion Brand Landscapes.




I had 3 skeins each of these colors and whipped them up. The first one features some tabs I am planning to use to attach handles. I also have some left over yarn of this one so I can do a pocket or flower or somesuch.

Off to shop now, bbl

I have some new projects in the works, but I wanted to do this list instead cause it is FUN

1. Put your iPod (or MP3's) on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question.

How am I feeling today?
Age Six Racer - Dashboard Confessional (Like a child? ALWAYS!)

Will I get far in life?
Joe DiMaggio Done it Again, Billy Bragg & Wilco (This one makes no sense...)

How do my friends see me?
The Patron Saint of Liars and Fakes - Fall Out Boy (HEY!!!! I love you all tooo)

When will I get married?
Dawn - Devision (Awwwwwwwww)

What is my best friend's theme song?
If I Can't Change Your Mind - Sugar (Really, my friends are pretty tolerant. Pretty song, tho.)

What is the story of my life?
Get Out Of My House - Kate Bush (OH YEAH! And my head... and my life...)

What was high school like?
Buffalo Soldier - Bob Marley and the Wailers (Well, I did work hard)

How am I going to get ahead in life?
(skipped one cause the title is a number) I Am A Scientist - Guided By Voices (Well, I majored in Math & Chemistry... so I HOPE that's how I get ahead!!)

What is the best thing about me?
Sulk - Billy Brag (I have been told I'm cute when I pout.)

How is today going to be?
Lonely Day - Phantom Planet (Awwwww... yes and no)

What is in store for this weekend?
Lovers - The Tears (No comment)

What song describes my parents?
5 times out of 100 - Hot Hot Heat (... they don't pester me? Noooo that would be much lower)

Done At Last!


I finalllly finished the afghan this weekend. The border did not come out as well as I'd have liked... in part due to the fact that Red Heart sucks and each "no dyelot" skein had a different color and gauge. But my man likes it and thinks it'll be good for the raffle, so I'm happy.

Also finished a baby blanket but I don't have my yarn needles to weave in the ends, so no pics of that yet. Now I am working on some quickie projects cause I am tired of laboring over huge, hot blankets in the midst of summer. Happy 4th to everyone... hope ya all are off this Tuesday!