My Little Crafty Corner

Archive for December, 2008

I saw these tv stands systems that look really cool. I am thinking I might want to get one, and use it in my scrapbok area. They have some that look like armoirs, so I can close it up when I am done working, and it won't take up a huge area in my living room like the table set up I have right now.  It just makes everything look messy and cluttered.  Time to save up some of the green stuff and possibly buy one. 

Now the Christmas is over with, I can now get back to working on other projects. I need to get back into scrapbooking, as my pictures are piling up and i have yet to print off a single picture that has been taken on the new camera. I have over 4,000 pictures that have been taken just waiting to be printed. I spent some time today going through my scrapbook area seeing what all I have for supplies. I came across some Ferrari parts stickers that I have no idea where I got them from. The things you find when you clean!

I have been baking so much lately, that I am starting to not like baking right now.  Ugh.  

One weekend this month was the cookie exchange for church, had to make 6 dozen cookies.  Then last weekend was my turn to make cookies for church for after service; 8 dozen there.   

Today I have been making banana bread, mini loaves, and full loaves for gifts; peanut butter temtations for us.. Mmmm.. then peanut brittle for another gift.  

I boiled up 3 pounds of red potatoes for the cheesy taters for tomorrow night.  As soon as they are cool, it will be time to mix them all up and get it in the fridge to chill, can't wait to put them in the crock pot and get them to smell up the house!  Mmmmmm

As soon as the baking is done, then I need to get the house cleaned up.  Nothing has been done in here for a while, so I need to get busy on it!

Well, I best get back to baking.  

I am on the hunt for a new comforter set. I need to see if I can find one in the same shade of blues and brown like I have now, so I don't have to make new curtains. Although making the curtians was lots of fun. I would like to get one of those sleep number beds. We have one of the mattress water beds.  It has been nice while we have had it, but I think its time for a change.  I know that Trent would love to have a sleep number bed, but now that he has a loft bed, its not an option.  

I am going to start working on gifts for next year.  Starting with this cute ornament.

Fair Isle Snowflake Ornament

I can do them up in different colors, as I have tons of yarn left over from various other projects.

What the heck is conversion rate optimization all about?  I have no clue, so I went surfing to see what I could find out about it.  Its some thing that can help you increase traffic and responses to websites.  I should look into this to see if it would help with some of my websites.  I can always use more traffic to my sites.

I melted the candy cane kisses and dunked the Oreo's in it.  Yum!

 Now just waiting for the chocolate to set so I can have one!

I want to  make a few of these for next Christmas.

This red and white striped boot can replace or compliment the socks hanging on the mantle. It is a quick and easy knitting project, and if you look at it's shape, it sure can hold more presents and goodies from Santa than a mere sock!!!

 Make a few in different colors for all the "kids" in the family.

MATERIALS:

1 set Boye® 10" Aluminum Knitting Needles Size 10 (5 3/4 mm) (#6327)

1 Boye® Yarn Needle (#7508)

1 Boye® Aluminum Crochet Hook Size H (5 mm) (#6218) (for loop and tie only)

1 skein Red Worsted Weight Yarn

1 skein White Worsted Weight Yarn

 SIZE:

Approximately 4" wide (across top) x 7" long (from top edge to base of heel).

GAUGE:

In garter st (knit each row), 11 sts=3"; 8 rows=1"

 INSTRUCTIONS: (Note: Top section is worked on the bias)

 Beg at top, with red yarn, cast on one st.

Row 1 (right side): Knit in front and back of st (inc made) (2 sts).

Row 2: Inc in first st, K1 (3 sts).

Row 3: Inc in first st, knit rem sts (4 sts). Drop red (do not cut – color is carried up side of work); join white.

Rows 4 & 5: With white, rep Row 3 twice (6 sts). Twist colors at edge of work by bringing dropped color (red) to front of work and then up and over color being used, and drop color at back of work (color twisted). NOTE: Twist colors in this manner on each following stripe – between 2nd and 3rd row of stripe.

Rows 6 & 7: Continuing with white, rep Row 3 twice (8sts); 2 stripes now completed. Change to red (drop white and pick up red behind color just used).

Row 8 thru 27: Alternating colors every four rows (beg and end wih red), rep Row 3 twenty times. NOTE: At end of Row 27, you should have 28 sts and a total of 7 stripes – 4 red and 3 white). Change to white.

Row 28: With white, K2 tog (dec made), knit rem sts (27 sts).

Row 29: Inc in first st, knit rem sts (28 sts).

Rows 30 & 31: Rep Rows 28 and 29. Change to red.

Rows 32 thru 35: With red, rep Rows 28 and 29 twice. Change to white.

Rows 36 thru 39: With white, rep Rows 28 and 29 twice. NOTE: At end of Row 39, you should have 28 sts and a total of 10 stripes. Change to red.

Rows 40 thru 66: Alternating colors every 4 rows (beg and end with red), rep Row 28 twenty-seven times. NOTE: At end of Row 66, you should have one st and a total of 17 stripes – last stripe will have 3 rows instead of 4 rows). Top section is now completed. Finish off white; continue with red.

With wrong side facing you, use needle with one st on it and pick up 21 sts along long edge (approximately every other row) for a total of 22 sts.

Beading Row: K2 tog, * YO, K2 tog; rep from * across (21 sts – counting each YO as one st).

Next Row: Inc in first st, * K3, inc in next st; rep from * across (27 sts). Finish off red; join white and work instep as follows.

Instep

 Row 1: With white, K18 (leave rem 9 red sts unworked).

Row 2: K9 (leave rem 9 white sts unworked).

Rows 3 & 4: Knit across 9 center sts. Drop white; join red.

Rows 5 thru 24: Alternating colors every 4 rows (beg and end with red), knit even on center 9 sts for 20 rows. NOTE: at end of Row 24, you should have 6 stripes). Finish off both colors, leaving sts on needles. Now work foot at follows.

Foot

 Row 1: With right side of work facing you and using needle with 9 white sts on it, join white and pick up 11 sts along right edge of instep, knit across 9 instep sts, pick up 11 sts along left edge on instep, knit across next 9 red sts (49 sts).

Rows 2 thru 4: Knit. Drop white; join red.

Rows 5 thru 12: Knit 4 rows with red; change to white and knit 4 more rows. NOTE: At end of Row 12, you should have 3 stripes – 2 white and 1 red. Finish off white; continue with red and work heel and toe shaping as follows.

Toe & Heel Shaping

 Row 1: K4, K2 tog; K12, K2 tog; K9, K2 tog; K12, K2 tog; K4 (45 sts).

Row 2: K3, K2 tog; K12, K2 tog; K7, K2 tog; K12, K2 tog; K3 (41 sts).

Row 3: K2, K2 tog; K12, K2 tog; K5, K2 tog; K12, K2 tog; K2 (37 sts).

Row 4: K1, K2 tog; K12, K2 tog; K3, K2 tog; K12, K2 tog; K1 (33 sts).

Row 5: K2 tog; K12, K2 tog; K1, K2 tog; K12, K2 tog; (29 sts). Bind off all sts in knit. Finish off, leaving approximately 24" sewing length. Sew sole and back seam. Weave in all ends.

Loop

 With crochet hook and red, ch 10, sl st in 10th ch from hook. Finish off, leaving approximately 6" sewing length. Sew loop to top edge of stocking at back seam.

Tie

 With crochet hook and red, make a chain to measure approximately 18" long. Finish off; knot and trim each end of chain. Beg at center front and weave chain through beading row and then tie ends into a bow.

Enjoy!