ohmygoodknits! » valentines

Day O’Love

Lisa — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 22:17:20 +0000

I might not be around the interwebs, tomorrow. My hubs leaves for a convention in Las Vegas (a men’s fashion convention–ha!), on Monday, so we’ll be spending Valentine’s Day packing and dealing with the emotions (mine. anxiety, hello!) of his departure. I’m trying my best to focus on the positives like:

-Andy & I get the bed to ourselves.
-I don’t have to practically beat him up to get him to wake in the mornings.
-I can practice taking photos with my brand-new Lensbaby.
-I can fart whenever I please.
-I can knit after the kids go to sleep without feeling like I’m neglecting someone.

But I’m finding my mind settling on the things I’ll miss. Like his help with evening meltdowns. His laugh. The way his hair smells. And his middle-of-the-night cuddles. It’s only 4 days. Only. Only. Only.

you COLOR my world!

Lisa — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:00:36 +0000

Valentine’s Day is less than a week away! Yeah, I know, it’s a faux-holiday invented by major corporate scum to steal all our money! And blah blah blah. It’s also one of the few times a year I get to play with pink! I think I’ve said this before, but being a mom means I don’t often see pink. You could say that’s my fault for following gender rules, but really, my son loves pink! He just doesn’t choose it as often as he chooses red or orange. It’s ok with me, because I do love me some orange. I just get a little tired of passing over pink, is all.

Anyway…This weekend, my sister chipped in and helped me with the single party favor I had my heart [!] set on making for Nate’s pre-k class. Heart crayons. Though stripping them of their paper and breaking them into small enough pieces was an absolute [and literal! my thumb still hurts] pain, they came out lovely.

Most how-to’s on the subject of heart crayons show an aluminum pan filled with crayon bits. Well, I went out and bought an aluminum pan, made a batch, but could NOT get them out! It was awful. So, I went out again and found a silicone pan and these lovely hearts were easily achieved.

I actually didn’t have enough crayon scraps (and I wasted a lot in the aluminum pan), so I bought 2 boxes of 64 Rose Art crayons ($2 each) for these. We split them up by color group and filled the slots accordingly. The aluminum pan fiasco taught me that contrasting colors didn’t go too well together in this project. I tried my best to keep them all within the same color group. I love the marbled–spin-art-ish–look!

I made a cheesy little tag with the line “you color my world” on it. V-Day party is this Friday!

scoop of hearts

Lisa — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:55:36 +0000

little heart pins made with guidance from the purl bee. check out the tutorial.

My initial plans were to make a few as little Valentine’s day favors. Well, I started and then couldn’t stop making them! Andrew was napping and before I knew it, I had finished my first sheet of red felt (it made 6) and so I started with pink, then white, and then I made another batch of red. What I’m trying to say is…I have about 24 little heart pins sitting in my cool Regaline bowl, now. I made them throughout the weekend. During naps, late-night movies, when my kids left on a lunch with grandma, etc. I’m all out of felt, now!

see more photos on flickr.

‘Tis the season for Cupcakes!

Lisa — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:14:33 +0000

I haven’t spoken about it here, but we’re currently house-hunting. This means I have to pinch pennies and save save save. There is no longer any “extra money” to blow on whatever my crafty little heart desires. Living off of one income is tough, but it’s our life. I stay home with the boys–they’re my 24/7 “job.” It would be nice to have some extra dough, though. SO….

I am opening myself up for cupcake orders. I hand crochet and assemble these cute little things. They are the perfect size for your little Valentine(s). You can buy an 8oz (I recycle various condiment/yogurt containers for these) cupcake for $15, shipping included. Since Valentine’s day is upon us, I am having a sale. You can get 3 containers for $35, shipping included. You get to choose what color(s) you want! This special price is valid until Saturday, January 23. I am giving early notice, so I can make and ship all containers on time for Valentine’s Day!

Each little container opens up with enough space for a little treat for your special person. If you’re into giving bigger treats, I have two slightly larger cupcakes that are in need of good homes. There’s a 16oz chocolate on pink cupcake and a GIANT, 64oz, one. It’s a white cupcake with a pink frosting top. I’m sure you could find something completely awesome to put inside. Heck, you could put a smaller cupcake inside it! Nesting cupcakes–imagine that! The 16oz is available for $20 and the 64oz is $35, shipping included. Buy them both for $50.

If you’re interested in anything, please email me! lisa@goodknits.com
I’ll be accepting orders through next Wednesday (January 27), but the special price is only valid through THIS SUNDAY. Payment will be needed before I start your cupcake(s). Contact me with any questions/concerns!

If you would like to see more photographs, please click HERE.

heart friend

Lisa — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:24:05 +0000

It’s been a bit since I posted something in the crochet or knit category. You must be tired of my kids and/or my week-long obsession with pom-poms. Here’s something new.

Is it too early for Valentine’s Day crafting? I’m not much of a romantic, but I do like hearts and flowers and OMG!pink! I suppose I get so tired of all the blue, the millions of cars and trucks and construction scenes, that I’m happy to have an excuse to display some hearts and make little cutie pie things. Even if my own personal Valentine has been absent from 2 of the 4 past February 14’s, thanks to a little convention in Vegas that is anything but MAGICal.

I bought a handmade heart garland at the thrift store, a few weeks back. It was less than a dollar and I couldn’t bear to just leave it at the store. Someone definitely put some time into it. It’s comprised of many little stuffed hearts. It’s hanging on a hook in my living room, patiently waiting for it’s Valentine-decor spot.

I made this little amigurumi heart yesterday. The pattern was as easy as they come. It’s this free one at roxy craft. Pay attention to the stuffing note. I stuffed and stuffed and still think it could have used a smidge more poly-fil. I used some Caron Country and a 4.25mm (G) hook.

I was thinking of making these for Nathan’s teachers, but then I remember the cute little heart pins on the purl bee and decided I should make those instead. I just need to buy some felt. I have amassed a collection of random craft things but I don’t have any felt. That’s really weird, no? Felt is so lovely, but I tend to only buy the cheapo stuff at Wal-Mart whenever I need a bit to make something specific. I want some wool felt in all the lovely colors of the visible spectrum. If that’s too much to ask, a few squares in some pretty colors would be sufficient.