Basket for a 'tween.

January 14, 2012

I decided to see if I could do a small basket.  I also decided to try and make a pre-determined shape.  Often in my art I let the materials lead me...that is why the last basket has sides that slope outwards.  I was really thinking along the lines of a basket with C shaped sides when I started it.

This time I got the shape I wanted.  It is 5 1/2 in. at it's widest, and 1 1/2 in. deep.  I used blue and purple because I happen to know a 12 yr. old that loves these colors together.  I made her the little Peace sign envelope bag if you remember.  To my great pleasure she carries it every day.

She got a new desk for her bedroom for Christmas and I thought she might like a little basket for things like paperclips, rubber bands or whatever.  So without further ado...the 'tween' basket for Aye.

Isn't it cute!  I used a wrapped pine needle center, not an easy thing to do, so I wanted the practice.  The blue stitches are the V stitch and the dark purple stitches are the Fern stitch.

When completed I rubbed a piece of candle wax on the stitches (they are also rubbed with wax as I stitch) and then popped it into the microwave for about 45 seconds to melt the wax.  This gives it a nice firm feel, even though it was very firm with just the stitches, and it doesn't mask the pine scent I love so much the way waxing the entire basket does.

I thought of adding some embellishments, like beads, but then decided that it stands well on its own merit.  

I think she's gonna to like it.  :-)

 Here you see the side shaping. 

EDIT:  Feb, 7, 2011 (approx. date), the basket has been present and is duly loved!  It sits proudly on the new desk in her room.

Look what I did!

September 3, 2011

As most of you know I am from an entirely female family...no boys...at all.

So when it comes to giving presents to a boy child, I find it especially difficult.  Up until now, The boy in question has been too young to notice if I gave something to his older sister, however, now at 6 yrs. old I believe he will indeed notice.

As you may re-call I recently wove a purple band with peace signs in it fro my friend Max's daughter Aye.  I have been procrastinating on sewing it up until I had at least 2 projects for the sewing machine to be drug out.  I now have the band for Alissa's pencil pouch complete and need to do my sewing.  This did leave me with the dilemma of what to gift to Aye's brother, Monster.

When Aye decided she was into peace signs, I already knew she was into purple, so it was kind of a no-brainer to weave up something for her...what in the world do you weave for a boy?????  My first thought was a belt.  Only it has to be pretty narrow to fit through the belt looms of a 6 yr. old's belt.  This meant an extremely low thread count and I wasn't at all sure I could chart up a skull that tiny.

So, at work the other night I was talking to a woman who acrylic paints.  I happen to have some paints so I decided to give it a shot...let's just say painting is not my forte'!  I did Captain America's Sheild, and believe me I have new respect for the folks who paint.  Very hard to stay in the lines with a wet medium.  So I got out my pencils, color pencils, and markers.  Did a google search on skull image's and used the results for inspiration.  

CHECK IT OUT!  I did it!  Here it is still on the board.  I added his name and 'KEEP OUT'!  For the door of his room.  Can't show the finished product because of his real name being on it...But this time I have something totally about him to give him!

One for Aunt Marsha!

And he LOVES it!  I did give him the Captain America shield painting, but thank goodness it went to a 6 yr. old.  I won't be gifting any more paintings for quite a while. lol

Purple Peace signs!

August 5, 2011

I have finished the purple 'Aye' strap with the purple peace signs. 

I have it folded but not sewn up yet.  To the right you see what was left over warp and I just kept weaving.

Notice that the hearts are both right side up!  Next time I want to get all of the motif's running in the correct direction.

Here you get to see the back side.

Aye's envelope bag! Purple peace signs!

July 30, 2011

Originally I wanted to alternate purple heart, white peace sign both right side up, then white heart and purple peace sign both upside down.  Well it turned out that I didn't like the way the white motif looked.  Also turned out that my charted peace sign was VERY elongated.  So lots of un-weaving, per usual...LOL.

Then I did indeed get a peace sign completed that looked almost right, now I have also done the second one and it is even better.

I actually have a plan for this weaving.  I knew when I warped about what width I would get.  I also knew about how long and wide I wanted the envelope bag to be.  What I didn't know was how large the motif's would be, so there are going to be some wingin' it going on there.

It is intended to be for my friend KraftyMax's daughter, Aye.  Her favorite color is purple, of course.  I want to make it where it is carried over one shoulder and since 'peace signs' are her thing I thought hard about how to make them show up right side up on the side where the closure flap is.  So far so good.

Notice my home-made loom bars and sword!  Even the pick up sticks are double pointed needles I made myself!

I absolutely love the way double stranding two threads of the same color but different shades gives that steaky look!