I wish....

I wish it would just slow down a bit...that it didn't go by so fast and such a blur...I wish it would literally last a "Season". I wish you could bake a little longer ans slower...visit a little longer with family and friends who come form far and near. I wish to stay in the relaxed state that you experience for a moment or two during the whirlwind of preparation...and I wish now to share with you some of the still moments below

It was a great holiday once again...I made endless finger less gloves for many many little girls...the delight when they squeal, smile and put them on and keep them on all day! I love little ones who appreciate handmades! I have older daughters who help me with the baking and pasta prep now..whew thank god!! I have young adults...school age...and toddlers all at once on Christmas morning to watch open presents and let me tell you the young adults are just as excited as the young ones!
I had a Birthday 44 now yikes!!! I got a new computer YAY!! more blogging as it doesn't take me 4 hours to edit pictures!!! I got new fabric from French General Petite Prints Deux, Luxurious yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch...some Aurifil thread sets from Fat Quarter shop.
Our big night is Christmas Eve so Christmas day is Jammies and movies...Love Actually..the Holiday...and endless Hallmark movies<3<3<3
Then a fast trip to Upstate NY to visit my in laws the snowy photos are the views from the house..it was actually there first snowfall of the season..very rare.
The last picture is of my IG account with the #bestnine2015...my most popular photos! It was a very pretty 2015 in pictures.

So back to wishing...I wish more slow days for all...I wish for more stillness...I wish for safety for all who are in need...I will just keep wishing...

Peace and Love to you all in the New Year,,,
XOXO

Be well,
Ming

Thawing out...

Sorry for the month long hiatus!! I need a new laptop and my desktop is in a part of the house that has been just too cold this winter. So I just kept close to the fire and kept stitching! Lots of projects going on and I am being very good at finishing...must cut down on my WIPS!!

I designed this bag yesterday for my La Passacalglia quilt from Millefiori Quilts by Willyne Hammerstein. It's an  English paper peicing project. I found this cute fabric at Jo Ann's. 

It's got a built in needle book and pockets for your supplies...I have more that I want to add too...this is like a "sketch" of what I have in my minds eye. So this is still a work in progress. I need to decide on some quilting.

I also crocheted a pillow cover this is the start of it...

I made some of my Easter bread last week...

I designed another "Spirit Animal" pillow for my nephew Sebastian's second birthday... These will be able to purchase for custom order on Etsy. I am now working on a bear cub! 

Crocheted some hot pads...

Made this adorable mug rug from Amy Sinabaldi's new book Sweetly Stitched Handmades... It is such a beautiful book and the projects are so well written.

And working in my Knitting Fever Noro Heart blanket Kal...

Yes, these are all iPhone 6 photos...I have better photos but again that would require leaving the fire!!! That's just how cold it's been and still is...come on spring really?!

I will expand on these projects more and if I am brave enough I may write up a tutorial for my sewing bag...yikes! 

I am also totally into Instagram these days so if you want to find me that's where I am! 

I am off this weekend to Florida for a few days... Of course it's like in the 90's!!! So we are going from freezing and rainy to sweltering...hey anything for a date with a mouse ;-)! Yes... we are headed to Walt Disney World...we are very excited and I am actually looking forward to some sunshine!

I hope you all had a great holiday week...and the weather is warming up for you!

Be well!

Ming 

. 

Merry Making...crochet gingerbread man

Merry making verb. / making things while continuing  state of merriment.

Yes, thats what I am doing this year. Making while being happy about and not rushed and agitated.

If it gets done... great ....if it doesn't ... Oh well. Thats how it is going to be this year. Enjoying the season for its real joys, excited children, first Christmases, little things that make people smile..and quite frankly things that make me smile! If Momma isn't  happy no one is !!! Right?!

One thing that has made me smile is this little Gingy that I crocheted up...

Fig. A

Fig. B 

Fig. C

Fig. D

Fig. E

Fig.F

Fig. G

Fig. H

Fig. I

Fig. J
  

Fig. K

Fig. L

 So here is the pattern: I used Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift and an E hook 3.5mm...prior to this I used Filatura di crosa sport wool which they discontinued the color.  If for play I would use a super wash and adorn accordingly for little ones. 

Legs: Figures A & B

Chain 6 join with a slip stitch

Next row: ch 3 serves as first double crochet 11 dc in ring join with slip stitch..12 dc total

Next row: single crochet in next stitch place marker in stitch just made sc around... 12 sc total

repeat for 17 rows. make 2 

Body: Figures C thru G

Join the  legs together by two slip stitch into two sc  pm in next sc. Sc around to start to form the body - 22 sc  *you do not sc into the two slip stitches that join the legs. 

Next 3 rows repeat sc around 22 sc.

Next row:  5 sc to hips increase 2 singe sc in 6th sc  pm here... 12 sc to next hip increase 2 sc in next stitch pm...sc around to beginning marker. 24 stitches

Next row: sc around 24 stitches

Next row: sc around  increasing one sc at markers 26 stitches.

Next 2 rows: repeat 28 stitches.

Begin decreases 

Next row: sc to  marker decrease 1 stitch at each marker 26 stitches

Next row: repeat 24 stitches 

Next Row: repeat 22 stitches 

Next row: sc in each stitch  22 stitches pm accordingly

Next row: Sc decrease in 1 stitch at each marker 20 stitches

Next row: repeat 18 stitches fasten of leave a long tail 

now stuff the body.

Head: Figures H-J

Ch 6 sl st to join

Next row: ch 3 serves as first dc 11 dc in ring join with a slip stitch...12 dc

Next row: pm to mark beginning of round ...2 sc in each stitch ...24 sc

Next 2 rows: sc in each stitch around 24 sc

Next row: 2 sc in each stitch 48 sc

Next  2 rows: sc in each stitch 48 sc 

Next row: decrease 1 stitch ...sc 22 pm. dec 1 stitch ...sc around to beginning marker 46 sc 

Next row: dec 2 stitches sc to marker dec 2 stitches ...sc around to beginning marker 42 sc 

Next row: repeat 38 sc 

Next row: sc in each stitch around 38 sc 

Next 2 rows: repeat 38 sc

Next row: dec 2 stitches at each marker 34 stitches 

Next row: repeat 30 stitches 

Next row: repeat 26 stitches

Next row: repeat 22 stitches 

Next row: repeat 18 stitches 

fast off leave a long tail to sew

Arms: Figure K

chain 4 join with a slip stitch pm marker to mark begining of round

Next round: ch 3 serves as first dc 7 dc into ring ...total 8 dc 

Next round: sc crochet around 8 sc 

repeat for 14 rows 

make 2 

stuff head and arms and sew doll together. 

* I do not sew up the body and the heads before joining. this is to make sure the ear has enough base so it does not flop around. So make sure you stuff accordingly so it has some strength to hold the head up.

** I am the worlds worst at typing... any problems or errata please contact me asap... I will be happy to walk through any issues you occur.

I adorned my "Gingy' with a hat, scarf ...mini yo you for buttons and plastic buttons for eyes. Be creative!

                                             

Next post will have more of what Christmas fun is going around here. This adorable house was a present from my sister for Thanksgiving. It was one of her thrift store finds...it play music and has skaters! My new favorite decoration...Thanks Sister!! 

 I hope you take a go at "Gingy" and I am working on the misses at the moment!

Be well, 

Ming