Toast, anyone?

A few years ago we got a very nice toaster oven from Williams-Sonoma as a wedding gift. That was perfect because that meant our old toaster can be used to bake clay! I finally had a chance to dig out that old toaster today and made tiny stitch markers with polymer clay. It's as if I don't have enough hobbies as is. Yikes!

They are so tiny! They measure less than half an inch. 

I love the way the toasts and the sushi turned out, but I'm not sure about the donuts. I think I need to do something different with the frosting. It didn't come out as pink and white as I would have liked. 

These make perfect knitting stitch markers! I can't wait for the weather to get cooler so I can start knitting using these tiny stitch markers! Now that I am hooked, I must pick up more clay in all colors available. I see endless possibilities with polymer clay in the near future... perhaps sewing pin toppers?

George's New Friend

I made George a new friend awhile back, but didn't have a chance to share her with you. I used leftover pink sock yarn. I had just enough to whip up another elephant. If you can't tell yet, I really enjoy this Elephant pattern by Ysolda.

She measures 7.5" sitting. 

They are hanging out on my new shelf in my sewing corner keeping me company :)

Watermelon Seeds

I completed the most adorable watermelon socks this week using Felix self striping yarn gifted to me by Maryse. Not only is Maryse a fantastic knitter, she also has excellent taste in yarn. Check out her blog when you have a chance; you will not be disappointed. I am in love with this self striping merino yarn that she got me. Check out the seeds in this yarn! Who knew watermelon and socks had something in common!

Happy toes!

I made this pair of ankle socks following Alison Blue's free pattern online. These socks come with adorable pom poms, but I haven't gotten around to it. I just couldn't wait to snap a few photos to share with you. This is a great on the go or traveling pattern. It's so ridiculously simple! It does require using short-row technique, but you can master it in no time given all the free tutorials on YouTube. The heel and toe areas were both made using the exact same short row techniques.

I am a huge fan of ankle socks, so this pair is perfect for me. I look forward to sporting these! Is winter here yet!?

 Thank you, Maryse! :)

Stamps, Brads, Oh Goodness!

I attended the annual scrapbook EXPO this weekend in Santa Clara and spent a good few hours there. It's always fun to attend these events filled with booth after booth of whimsical stamps, innovative tools, beautiful scrapbook papers, ribbons, buttons... the list goes on! The best part of it was getting to see how creative people are; their creativity inspires me. There were many fun "make and take" workshops. I was super into scrapbook years ago. I wish you could see how beautiful my scrapbook was.

Check out these tiny brads I purchased. They are the size of penny! Aren't those mixers and measuring cups darling!? I can see them on party invitations. And these farm animals? Too cute! I love the pink pigs. I love pigs. My dad always calls me "mini pig," and I love it!

I also scored these stamps. I plan to use them on cards and fabrics. We will see how they turn out. 

My husband and I went on a date over the weekend and saw "The Dark Knight Rises." Have you seen it? Goodness, it's so good! Three hours just flew by, and I didn't even realize it. Action packed, good storyline, full of surprises, Anne Hethaway, and that hot batman costume... now that's one good movie!  

Quilting Hoop

You know you are serious about your hobby if you have multiple tools to serve one purpose. Take me for example, I have over six hoops for embroidery and hand quilting. This didn't stop me from investing in my first floor-stand quilting hoop by Hinterberg. My hoop finally arrived last week, and my husband spent about two hours assembling it for me. That process looked pretty complicated. While he was assembling my new hoop stand, I was very busy trying to piece and sandwich a lap quilt so I can put this new hoop to the test. I have spent a few hours working with my new floor-stand quilting hoop. I have no idea why I didn't purchase this sooner?! What was I doing it without it?!

It's resting comfortably in my sewing corner. 

The folder quilt on my quilting hoop is my American Jane quilt. This was pieced with a triangle charm pack I purchased from PIQF 2011. The quilted top came out a lot smaller than I would have liked, so I decided to add borders to it so it's slightly bigger.

I will never quilt without this floor-stand ever again! I can quilt so much faster and more comfortably! I also got the Half Hoop Adapter, which will allow me to quilt the borders of the quilt. These are the parts too small to fit snugly in the large hoop.

If you enjoy hand quilting, then it's time to purchase one. Like me, you will be wondering why you didn't get this sooner!