Dilemma

I've made the decision to frog. I'm not happy with the arm holes or the plain decreases.

Homemade Body Oil

I made this for a friend who's tired of having dry skin. The main ingredient is Jojoba with vitamin E, and Almond Oil. I added almond extract for scent but I think the alcohol caused cloudiness. I'll just use essential oils next time.

Baby Cardi

It's almost finished. It needs buttons and blocking. I used one skein of Malabrigo Merino Worsted, #99 Stone Blue. It has a bit of Periwinkle Blue. The armholes are a bit wonky because I chose the wrong raglan stitch. Next time I'll use a pretty double increase.

Folding Fans

These are a few of my favorite folding fans purchased from Daiso. I plan to hang them on a wall in my hallway.

This fan is made of silk and bamboo in green and gold.

Black Cotton and bamboo.

Paper and Bamboo with The Great Wave off Kanagawa.

cha_cha_ring (1)

Via Flickr:

Cluster ring or what I like to call "Cha Cha," made from a tutorial from the Interweave website, by Margo Farrin O’Connor. I had to add extra loops due to my larger ring size. 16 gauge silver plated copper wire. I'm not found of the tool marks but I wanted to try and use the cheaper stuff before using Sterling.

I ran out of head pins and had to stop and make more.

The finished ring. I used Swarovski Pearls in Cream and AB Crystal butterfly and flowers.

And here we are the first ring of the new year!

silver_tube_2374

silver_tube_2374, a photo by blacklovelythang on Flickr.

This bracelet started out as an ankle bracelet for my mom. I made it for her years ago. It was one of my very first creations. I even used stretchy cord so it will still be comfy when her ankles swell. After a while it started to patina and she didn't like it anymore. I don't know how or when I took it back from her, but I must've been attracted to the patina. Sometimes different sources of silver patina differently, but not this bracelet. The color is very uniform and also delicate. I haven't been able to get this tone with chemicals. I shortened it into a bracelet for one of my guy friends. It was perfect for him because he's not the type of person to wear any sort of adornment, except glasses. He wears plain white tee's without graphics. I just had to make him something. He liked it!

Via Flickr:
Natural patined Sterling Silver tubes and red Czech Glass on stretchy cord.

Mirror Ring

mirror_ring_2686, a photo by blacklovelythang on Flickr.

I wanted to add a the Rhodolite cabochon, but I'm so out of practice that I couldn't get the bezel soldered on straight. So, I did what comes most natural, I hammered it very constructively. In hind site I wish I'd made the band slightly narrower, but I think the customer will like it anyway.

Via Flickr:
Sterling Silver, hammered ring, with tapered band.

Another Beret

I knit this on a whim. I just wanted to do it. It'll make a nice gift for someone one day. I put some of my Knit One Crochet Too Babyboo to work on this All-Day Beret from Debbie Stoller. It was fun and knit-up pretty fast. I've seen other knitters finished Beret's on Ravelry and many have the same net drape like I do. My favorites are the people who used the recommended yarn Bamboo Ewe. Such nice colors. I want some.

Pillow Cushion February KAL

This is my first KAL in the UAE. I'm really excited. I chose a huge pillow to cover. It's 44cm's square. I bought it from Ikea already covered to go with this woven stool.

I thought it would look nice with a knitted cover in a fancy pattern. Some of the nicest pillow patterns are with cables and I was trying to avoid them because I've never done them before. I originally chose Knit One Crochet Too Babyboo and the Willow Bud and Carillon Pattern, but I didn't know how to k1 p1 k1 p1 into the same stitch. I don't think the yarn and this pattern would've worked anyway.

So I switched to the Embossed leaf pattern instead. It's very easy to knit and the stitch count makes it versitile enough for any kind of panel. I love this pattern but it didn't work with the yarn either. The yarnovers at the base of the leaf was too open. You'd be able to see the white cushion underneath.

Then finally I decided to shop for new yarn. I found Dream Classy, from the LYS Magrudy's. The suggested needle size is 5.o but I think a 3.75 would net better results. I chose a new stitch pattern called Firefly. It's originaly from the Vogue Stitchionary book, but I found it on the Lion brand website for free. Although I think it works best with finer gauges, I think it's going to work.

Red Bone Hoop Earrings

redbone_hoops_01
Originally uploaded by blacklovelythang

I bought these in S.A. They had base metal earwires, linked with a jump-ring and a black seed bead. I refinished the red bone and refashioned the metal findings with Sterling Silver. I like the sideways placing of the subject but I have to be careful with the focus. The camera wants to focus on the front earring or the back one. It's difficult to get both in focus. I want more shadow around the corners but I don't know how.

Raspberry Beret

I made this for my little cousin Acacia. Her mother had a navy wool beret at the same age. I thought Acacia should have one too. The little girl likes glitter so it's no wonder that we've become friends.

Facebook Snapshot

What really got me about this article, was when Roger Ebert explained the cravings for the foods he could no longer eat. He craved foods that had a long history with his life. Childhood candy flavors and dinner favorites. He didn't crave any foods from famous restaurants or chefs. I thought that was a bit of truth about never forgetting where you came from especially if it was a good place or subconsciously wanting the foods that are comforting.

Claude is just a little off sometimes.

Another Baby Kimono

I made another Baby Kimono from the same Jacki Kelly pattern. I didn't knit it exactly by the pattern. I didn't taper the sleeves and I made the ties I-cord. I love the green color. I also used metal snaps again for the inside closure. I'm not happy with the blemish caused by sewing the inside snaps. I don't think I'll make this sweater again until I find another way to avoid it. I used Gedifra Extra Soft Merino purchased from Leslaines. I really like this yarn. It's so springy and stretchy. I'm still a big fan on The Complete Fabrication. I've learned a lot from her patterns.The photos are pre-blocking.

This is a picture of Baby Landon and Uncle Brenden, modeling the first Baby Kimomo. I was afraid the sleeves would be too short so I'm glad he'll get more use out of the beanie. There may be a teddy bear around somewhere for the sweater. Isn't he a cutie? Of course I mean the baby.

Bird Charm Bracelet Re-shoot

Well, I'll try again in the morning.

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5. bird_charm_teal_03,

6. bird_charm_teal_02,

7. bird_charm_teal_01,

8. bird_charm_aqua_02

Jewelry Repair

This poor necklace was in pieces. I don't know how Granny broke it. I had to figure out where to put the charms. I tried to use symmetry. Now that I see it in photo form, I'm thinking that it's too much symmetry. Besides one of the anchor's looks lopsided. Granny's repaired Nautical Enameled necklace. It's now ready for the next nautical season.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Baby Bamboo Sweater

My newest creation for Baby Mahdi. I'm very proud of this sweater, if you can't tell already. Also, playing around with my camera and Photoshop again. I used Baby Boo by Knit One Crochet Too, Bamboo and Nylon in Olive. This isn't my favorite stuff to knit which is too bad because I have loads of it. This little sweater only consumed two balls. I don't like the feel of it, nor do I like the loose ply. I think the nylon is there to give it shine. You can see how the camera picks up the reflective properties of the nylon. I'm not going to rag on it too much because it works well with this particular pattern. It gives it good weight and the gauge works with size five needles. The neck has an opening over the left shoulder for the baby's head. I crocheted the button loops. Yes, I used a hook and didn't muck it up! The closure doesn't overlap completely but it's fine. I constructed this using The Complete Fabrication's (Jack) Seamless Baby Kimono as a size reference. I don't need to tell you how much I adore her patterns. I also used concepts and formula's from Barbara G. Walker's Knitting From The Top down. Sometimes I'm a slow learner. It's taken me four patterns and ten projects later to finally fully understand this book. Did I ever say how much I love Schoolhouse Press? I think the lovely wooden buttons are German and therefore not cheap. I'm trying to decide on which material to use next just in case the success of this sweater was a fluke. I'll tweak the neck opening along the way. Wish me luck!

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6. green_bamboo_baby_sweater_02,

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9. green_bamboo_baby_sweater_01

No Superwash?

Why doesn't Elann.com keep superwash wool in stock? I can never get enough of the stuff and they're my main mail order supplier. It's difficult to get the yarn I need living in the U.A.E. Not very many yarn companies ship here. My next trip to the U.S. isn't going to happen for a few months. Elann.com let me down.

Dress Forms

This is my collection of dress forms bought at various stores here in Dubai. I was amazed when I saw my first one. I'd never seen anything like them in the States. Of course I had to have them all. I was experimenting again with photoshop and with my camera. I don't know what I was thinking by arranging the plant like that. Maybe I'm just proud to have a healthy plant. As if no one would believe me if I didn't take a picture of it.

I decided to change the look of the mosaic. I think the black border makes them look professional. Big Huge Labs is my favorite new website.

1. dressform_0467, 2. dressform_0470, 3. dressform_0466, 4. dressform_0465, 5. dressform_02, 6. dressform_01

Mosaics

After looking at Steph's Flickr page, I decided to try a mosaic. It works better if you have the correct ratio of images. I'll be more careful the next time I edit a set.

I'm still learning to use my new camera. A new light bulb comes on every time I use it. I've started using a UV filter and little different colored flash diffusers. I also love the portrait setting and adep setting.

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I knit these booties for Baby Oliver using Lorna's Laces, superwash worsted in Camo. I can't correctly remember the circa 2005? Pattern by Uniform Studio, but I think I found the pattern first on Ravelry.

1. camo_booties_03, 2. camo_booties_02, 3. camo_booties_01

Johanna and Hassan's Wedding

It was an experience that I'll never forget. Everything was perfect. I was a little tired after working a twelve hour shift. The picture with the bride shows my tired eyes.

Gemma, Theresa and I

The Beautiful Bride and I



Later that night at the bar next door. Dodging creeps and hookers.