dolin bliss

New Tutorial is Up on the Craft Blog!

Things are happening behind the scenes here in my studio.  Sometimes it is stuff I can't talk about while I am working on it, sometimes it is stuff that has taken me forever and a day to actually finish (so embarrassed) and then there are those ongoing projects that I just wish I could snap my fingers and be done with them.  

I recently wrote a fun tutorial for Craft on how to refashion old or ill fitting tee shirts, into this tank top:

The tutorial went up onto their site today, so check it out when you have a chance.  It is a pretty quick project, some basic sewing and crochet skills are necessary.  

Remember this post from way back in October, about starting the Stitch Diva's Hourglass Jacket?  Well, it is finally finished!  Geez, took me long enough.  I love it.  I did need to rejigger a few things, but I am happy with the end result.  

Oops, I just realized I forgot to button one button, before taking the picture.  Typical.

Another, sort of ongoing thing I have been working on has been reorganizing the studio.  It has been a challenge, since I also still need to work here, but it is coming along!  I hope to post some before and after shots soon.  I know I always like to see where people create, especially when they have small work spaces.  My studio is not huge, it is only 9' 6" x 8' 6" and I have a lot of crafting crapola.  Don't get me wrong... I know I am lucky to have a room devoted to just me and my work, but I still can't fit all of it in here.  I have been able to bring more of my stash out from the basement, which has triggered some new ideas.  My next project for the studio is to make fabric valances (is that what they are called), to hide my rolling window shades when they are up.  I will keep you posted.

Progress on my Hourglass Jacket

I have been having fun crocheting the broomstick lace Hourglass Jacket, I posted about previously.  I am at the point where I am going to start the crochet ribbing at the waist.  

I am now a top down crocheting/knitting convert... it makes so much more sense and you can try it on as you go, so you know when to make any necessary adjustments.  Here is the vintage yarn I am using for this garment.  It says it is all wool, but it doesn't feel like it, it is so very soft.

Have you seen this quilt?

It is by Denyse Schmidt (I have been a big fan of hers for a long time) and it is up for auction here!  What a great cause and such a cool/historical way to do it.  

Like I need another time suck!

But OMG, I just joined Ravelry and spent over 3 hours browsing around on it.  I love it!  So much fun just looking around and finding new projects, ideas, groups and anything knitting/crochet related.  I don't know why I waited so long.  I have never been one to join "networking" sites, it is just not my thing (I have never joined Myspace and don't plan on it).  But since this one is craft related, I am behind it all the way.  I was waiting for my invitation to join and was so excited when I received it today, my name at Ravelry is of course, lulubliss.  Look me up there, sometime (not that I have a whole lot on there yet).  

On that note, I started a crochet project yesterday... the Hourglass Jacket from Stitch Diva.  I sat and watched the broomstick lace tutorials that are posted on the Stitch Diva website and couldn't wait to download my pattern.  It is a lot of fun and pretty fast.  I am using a vintage peacock blue wool yarn that is called Nubbee and really liking the way the stitch looks with it.  It gives it a more vintage look than the recommended silk yarn.  Fun stuff this Saturday!  

Life versus Crafting!

Life seems to be getting in the way of my crafting!  I just don't know where all the time goes.  Well, I do, but I know enough of that time isn't going to my crafting.  I did manage to squeeze a bit of time in this weekend and made an orange beaded crochet necklace:

Here is a close-up of the beads:

I got the inspiration for this project from this Stitch Diva pattern.  While her pattern is a lot more intricate and so pretty, I wanted to try something a bit more simple and straight forward (since it was my first attempt).  I am very happy with the results and it was a really quick pattern.  Once I figured out the correct length I wanted, it only took about an hour and a half from start to finish.  I still am trying to figure out a nice way to do the closure, any tips?  I saved one of the larger buttons for the closure, but I am struggling with how weave in all the ends neatly.  Once I figure that out, I have many more ideas for more beaded crochet necklaces.  Talk about instant gratification.