Busy bee

For the past few years I've spent a large portion of my time in April and May to assist with a music festival,  Roots Fest.   This year is the 8th annual festival and my 7th one attending to help promote local and regional performers and artists.  If you happen to be in the Chattanooga/North Georgia area swing by Cherokee Farms in LaFayette, GA this weekend ... tickets are discounted currently on www.roots-fest.com.

Anyways this year I have finally felt completely aware of all weather types to be prepared for and have done as much crafting as possible in preparation ... thrifty should be my middle name.  Since last year was a flood, quite literally, I have had to come up with tarp designs to prevent soggy tent and allow standing room outside of my tent and even worked on a rug, of sorts, to allow muddy shoes to dry.  I have also attempted to be a healthier camper this year so much cooking will be happening this week ... roasted chickpeas, kale chips, baked tortilla chips, granola, and who knows what else I will find the time to make.  There is also the thing of needing much sleep while camping, which the DJs playing until 4am and the sun rising at 6:30am doesn't allow. So of course some more crafting was done ...

crocheted rope rug

tore my hands up and isn't perfect but it'll do

padded extra thick eyemask for a friend

and one for me

What kind of must have crafts do you take with you camping?  

Just a little bit

I swear I've been a good little crafter,  I've just been a horrible blogger.  It is a new year though so I'm going to try to be better.  For the most part I've been keeping up with the posting on Instagram and so the majority of the below pictures have already been posted there ... ok so maybe all of them.

Aside from all of that I am in the works of collecting fabric for a new quilt.  Bright, bold, crazy, eye catching,  and colorful has been my signature with quilts thus far as I am a spring person who believes neon yellow is a staple in anyone's wardrobe but for a special someone (my sister) I shall be making a pre-technicolor quilt.  The lack of color will be a new challenge for me (as will the surprises I have up my sleeves) but I'm excited by it all.  Thus far I've gotten about 5 different patterns and fabrics with my eye on about 27 more ... isn't that every quilters plight?!

But here's what I have been occupying my time with ...

Crocheted ornaments

Hand quilted mug rug

Crocheted pot holder

Crocheted fingerless gloves/mittens

Crocheted ear warmer

Granny square that keeps growing

coin purse made from vintage fabrics

Baby its cold outside!

Being from the south I know my idea of freezing cold is what most people would consider a cool day which is exactly why I prefer to layer up with a cardigan than wear a coat but this year things are feeling much colder than before.   As I posted in my previous blog I've recently taken up crocheting as a hobby and I'm really enjoying it.  Something about working with yarn just feels season appropriate and it helps that you can quickly whip out a blanket or scarf to help combat the shivers.  This weekend was no exception as I found myself shivering in the wind and a Joann's just a few minutes away ... it also didn't hurt that I had a coupon and they had yarn that screamed my name louder than anything I've ever seen before.  After watching a few tutorials on YouTube I set out to make my very own scoodie.   For those unaware scoodie are scarves with hoods and sometimes pockets/mittens. Why yes an all in one cold weather accessory that won't mess up your hair like a hat!

It took almost 3 skeins of yarn and about 5 hours to complete the whole thing and I am absolutely in love with the outcome!

Tis the season

Since Hanukkah happened super early this year I can go ahead and post the presents that have already been given, opened, and loved. I've previously posted the quilts I made for my nieces and the apron for my brother-in-law so here is the rest of it ...

A pot holder for my ma

if you look closely you can see the Celtic knot quilted into it

another pot holder for ma

a scarf crocheted for my grandma

another pot holder (i had binding issues with this one but hey all stripes are going in the same direction!)

a floor cushion, green lantern crocheted yarmulke, knitted scarf, and embroidered "teacher" bag for Josh and Bethany ...plus a tummy stuffer monkey cause it was cute

Hope everyone that celebrates Hanukkah has a great one! I'll be posting Christmas crafting over the next few weeks. Happy Holidays!!!