MKissa Creations

O.W.L. Proposal for HPKCHC

2010-05-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

Here is what I am up to, on top of many other crochet projects for the HPKCHC I am going to be attempting to earn an OWL. Here is my proposal for my Care of Magical Creatures OWL, Option 2: Hatch an Egg. Identify your egg (dragon, phoenix, etc.) and knit or crochet an object inspired by your creature. If you make a physical creature it must be a minimum of 12inches in at least one dimension.

So here it is...

After a trip down Knockturn Alley (I shop proudly there) and a conversation with a few shady witches and wizards I came into the possession of an egg that I suspect to be that of a Common Welsh Green.

Pattern and Yarns

I would like to hatch this egg by using the JJ the Fire Dragon pattern http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jj-the-fire-dragon---amigurumi-pattern I’ve never made an amigurumi this big before and the biggest challenge of this project for me is going to be sticking with the project, I tend to set down larger projects and start smaller “instant gratification” type projects, and then pick up the big projects months and months later. Plus this has way more “bits” to attach than I have ever worked with before, on other amigurumi projects I have worked on it has just been color changes, and increases and decreases. The other major part of this project that seems to be difficult is that most rows are not identical and it will require a lot of paying attention to (as opposed to sitting in front of the TV and mindlessly crocheting), the pattern is 19 or so pages long.

Scary pattern...

I’m planning to start with the wings and legs (instant gratification), and then move on to the body (where I plan to add a few lines of a different shade of green to give it a more "realistic" dragon belly look) and end with the scales and the face.

I will be using Caron simply soft which should turn out just the right size dragon. About 6.7” high, and 22” long. I will be using a 3.5mm steel hook. Swatching was important for this project (even though gauge is not) because the pattern calls for a 2.5mm hook and I needed to make sure that the stitches would be tight enough with the larger hook so that the stuffing would peak through the parts that are to be stuffed. I will be using fiber fill to stuff this guy, and have both plastic and steel tapestry needles availble (sometimes I prefer one type over the other, and never know until I get stitching). I have also included some stitch markers in my photo because there are times when I use them even when not called for.

Hook, needles, stitchmarkers and my swatch!

From the Harry Potter Lexicon:
Common Welsh Green  
native to: Wales  
habitat: nests in higher mountains  
appearance: green  
flame: narrow jets 
food: sheep  
eggs: earthy brown speckled with green
Thank you for you consideration!

*Update: Project has been approved, and as of the time of this post I have one wing completed.

I wanted to share

2010-05-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

the fact that I am participating in the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup, and have been sorted into Slytherin house. This is a very motivating project for me, its forcing me to get things done... things for myself and things for others... I want to share my most recent entry in the dungeons for the HPKCHC, because there are pictures of pretty FOs and a choice hottie!

I hope he's still staring at me dreamily when I get back home...

Update on my assignments...
-HoM - Completed and turned in Basilisk Skin Beanie http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MKissa/diamond-ridges

-Herbology - Completed and turned in Herbology Hot Pads http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MKissa/crochet-flower-hot-pad

-Charms - Still contemplating pattern
-Ancient Runes - To be completed this week
-DADA - Not sure yet
-Potions - Frogged once... will attempt again this week
-Headmistress Challenge - One bookmark done, 3 to go
-OWL Proposal - Swatch and Proposal to be turned in tonight for JJ the Fire Dragon http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jj-the-fire-dragon---amigurumi-pattern

CAL Progress

2010-04-17T13:25:00.000-07:00

I am participating in a Crochet A Long at http://community.livejournal.com/starknuts/ and I am finally catching up. I was planning on doing all Slytherin blocks, but as I have been on a D/Hr kick lately I have started thinking about making a set of the blocks for each Slytherin and Gryffindor and putting them together in one larger afghan... still unsure of what I am going to do and how big of an afghan I want... we shall see.

Here is my progress so far:

July

August

September

October

November

December

Progress

2010-02-27T14:59:00.000-08:00

I finished my first two quilt blocks for the pinwheel sampler quilt a long at www.psiquilt.com

They went together really easily and I really love the way they turned out. The instructions are very easy to follow. I cannot wait for the next blocks!!

Quilt A Long

2010-02-27T11:55:00.000-08:00

Its looking pretty gloomy here in Orange, so after spending two hours cleaning the bus... and pulling the awful pea soup shag carpeting off of some of the walls and scraping the 25+ year old glue residue off I called it quits to come inside and start some sewing.

I have decided to participate in the psiquilt.com Pinwheel Quilt-A-Long.

Here are the fabrics I pulled from my stash for the Quilt-A-Long. :)

2010-02-26T11:05:00.000-08:00

Wow. I cannot believe how productive of a month I am having. I mean, I really set out to have one, but I am actually doing it, lists are getting crossed off, projects are being completed, rooms are being cleaned, and life is improving.

On Satruday I went to a birthday party for my friend Jenny’s daughter’s 3rd birthday. What a trip that my friend has a 3-year-old, but, of course I did not plan ahead of time and had no gift as of Friday night at 5. Sooo… I got my shift covered at the pizza place and headed to Joann’s. Oh my gosh, it has been almost 3 whole months since I purchased any fabric. It was hard to go in there and get back out only buying what I needed… oh the pretties…

Six and a half hours later I came out of my sewing room with these two items. The dress is a McCalls pattern. I made it in a size 5 because Miss Mackenzie is tall and is already wearing a 4T. The purse is just a freehand project, both the princess fabric and the purple lining are sparkley.

Little girls love things to put their things in…

Theeeeeen… I finished the MAN’s LA Kings scarf… BEFORE HOCKEY PLAYOFFS… WOOT!!!

As always… you can click the phots to see them larger.

2010-02-15T19:07:00.001-08:00

I just finished the quilt label for the quilt that I made for the MAN...

Messy applique... but I think its got character... :)

and the quilt for reference... clicky to make bigger...

The biggest project

2010-02-09T09:37:00.000-08:00

She isn't ours yet... but, we had to sneak a peak at the storage yard, through the fence, and the rain... here she is!! A little more rust than expected, but not on any crucial parts. Hopefully she will be coming home in the next week or so.

And... she still has her original Cali black and yellow plates... oh gosh...

I definitely have my work cut out for me on the interior. As you can see in this picture the upholstery is semi non existant, so yeah, that is going to be LOTS of fun.

Next week we will see the rest of the interior, but we are sold on it already. The body is in too good of shape to pass up for $500. Plus... PROJECT! Can't wait to get her painted!!

Fun with magnet paper

2010-01-31T22:40:00.001-08:00

So, I've been playing with the magnetic ink jet paper...

I made a Buffy magnetic "poetry" set for one of my best friends. It was really fun to come up with all the different words, I'm not really sure how many words I have in there, but there are definitely two full pages of Times (font) size 13 bold, just to get an idea. They fit nicely in their Altoid box home.

The back.

Linus Connection

2010-01-26T12:48:00.000-08:00

A wonderful crafty lady that I know, Jennifer of http://blog.sewhooked.org/ does a lot of work for the Linus Connection. Linus Connection is a charity in central Texas that provides blankets for children (infants to teens) in need. They may be homeless or in foster care, or even in the hospital.

Last month when her group had their monthly meeting they discovered they were 200 blankets short of those that were requested of them. Jen put a call out to her crafty friends, to send her orphan blocks (yarn or fabric). I am always working on a crochet blanket in front of the tv, so I had one nice and ready to send along to her. So instead of just sending blocks I was able to send her a whole crocheted baby blanket.

Here is a picture of that, and it is even from a pattern that Jennifer wrote called, "Oh Wavy Baby" http://blog.sewhooked.org/2009/02/07/crochet-oh-wavy-baby/

Then... I glanced at my stash of fabric and knowing that it had been just a little too long since I had finished a quilt top, I pulled out the Spiderman fabric I got on super sale, dug through my stash for some coordinating colors, found the perfect pattern, and got cutting. A day and half later I had this...

More information on the Linus Connection can be found here: http://www.linusconnection.org/

Holiday gifts

2010-01-13T15:26:00.001-08:00

This was finished before the holidays but it was the last gift I gave out. I can finally post the pictures. I made three of these sets, with different colors and themes, but all of the others were made last minute... so there are no pictures.

The pattern is the Flirty Skirty from The Apron Lady Sewing Designs http://www.weekendkits.com/apron-lady-flirty-skirty-pattern.html They worked up super quick and I made matching oven mits for each apron and everyone seemed to love them. Now I just need to make myself one... haha... perhaps after I clean my sewing room. It is once again a mess.

Just a Few Snapshots...

2010-01-01T16:47:00.000-08:00

of what I have been up to. For some holiday gifts this year I made some pot holders/hot plates for a few family and friends. I used some of Jennifer Ofenstein's patterns. I really like the way that they turned out. They were quick, easy, fun, and well received. I also managed a few aprons and matching oven mits. I only took a picture of one of the sets and that gift has still yet to be given... but I will post pictures of them as soon as I give the gift.

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Patterns for both designs can be found at sewhooked.org

Quilt for the MAN

2009-11-10T00:18:00.000-08:00

I've finally made something for my MAN. It is not totally done, but here is the top.

I really wish that I could have gotten my hands on some more of the VW Combi Bus fabric by Heather Ross, but by the time I figured out I wanted it, it was $11/fat quarter. I bought half a yard and set out to find the perfect pattern where I didn't have to cut the fabric up too much. i think that I found it. This pattern is "Perfect Ten" by Swirly Girls Design. It went together really fast. I was able to do all of my cutting at the Orange Quilt Bee on their awesome tables which I think saved me a lot of time as I don't have much of a cutting table at home.

More of a close up of the fabric...

I love it, it is so soft. A nice poplin, its like super comfy sheets. I haven't decided what I am going to back it with yet, but it will happen eventually.

Pimping My Sister

2009-11-05T10:07:00.001-08:00

My little sister (not that little, she's a college student) had a Halloween party at her apartment. She needed to make some party games and for college age that means BEER PONG, and when you are from our family it means FANDOM BEER PONG. Our family (3 sisters and our mom) work in a few fandoms (Buffy/Angel, Twilight, and Harry Potter). Youngest sister (Rachel) and I are the most alike and are both bigger HP fans than Mom and middle sister (Laura).

With that, I present you… Harry Ponger!!! Rachel painted each crest! I am totally a proud big sister.

Post Halloween Post

2009-11-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

WOW! Halloween was a blast this year. A little busy, but, all in all, good fun. The last few days I felt a cold coming on, but refused to accept it. Well... today I was forced to deal with it and am at home from work drinking fluids and watching bad TV.

I figure I will get my Halloween pictures posted before everyone switches into Christmakkah mode. I worked hard on our costumes this year, and am really happy with the results. I made the shirt for my dirndl and I made the vest and pants for the MAN's Sam Adams costume. They were the perfect costumes for bar hoping as all of the drunks recognized the pair of us. :) Our friends were the Leg Lamp and Ralphie from a Christmas story and an Oompa Loompa.

We had a fantastic time. There are 4 bars in Old Town Orange, in the Circle/Plaza so we did a mini crawl with our little group. The bartender at Haven Gastropub gave us free shots (under the condition that our Oompa Loompa friend danced for 20 seconds while the rest of us sang a song for her. FUN! The Oompa Loompa was super popular and everyone wanted to take pictures with her. The leg lamp rocked in the costume contest at Paul's Cocktails and won third place. At O'Hara's Pub a little person came up to the Oompa Loompa and accused her of stealing her costume. It was definitely a good laugh for all. Nothing too exciting happened at the District Lounge, but there was definitely some good music to be had.

My HP pumpkin. I used Jennifer Ofenstein's HP block pattern (can be found at www.sewhooked.org) with a few modifications so that the pumpkin pieces would stay in the right spots.

Candy Corn!

2009-10-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

Hooray for Halloween. So far I have made 6 of these little guys (and gifted 4 of them). They are about 3 and a half inches tall each. The pattern for them can be found at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/amigurumi-candy-corn

The ones that I have created can stand up on their own. The way that I did that was by changing the last row of stitches to skip one st, 1 sc in next 4 st and then skip again, sc in next 4 st... continue until you get to the stitch marker. Then when sewing the bottom together I sewed the outside on each stitch together. I LOVE how they turned out!

Oh... also if you need some stitch markers for a project like these you can view a tutorial to make your own at http://wilcoxwizardwears.blogspot.com/2009/10/stitch-marker-tute.html I happen to be the lucky owner of those HP stitch markers. :)

Paper Pieced Block Drawing

2009-10-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

Over at sewhooked.org... this should be fun!!

V-Log

2009-10-14T11:16:00.001-07:00

Okay, so for awhile I have been participating in Talk to Me Tuesday. It is an awesome way for a bunch of awesome crafty ladies to share what we have been doing online, and it was started by Jennifer Ofenstein of www.sewhooked.org. You can read more about it here: http://blog.sewhooked.org/2009/04/29/talk_to_me_tuesday/

Aaaanyways, I have been somewhat reluctant to share my videos on this blog because it is so public. At this point though, what the hell. Most people know how nutty and nerdy I am. Perhaps what you might not know is how many times I can say "Um" in 8 minutes. Being in front of the camera makes me nervous... what can I say?

Okay, so you want to know I have online crafty friends, why can't I make crafty friends near my home? Weeeell... it seems that the average age of crafty/quilty/crocheting women is about 52. While I can get along with 52 year old women fairly well, it is nice to be involved with a crafty group that I have a bit more in common with.

This video is a response to Jennifer's weekly video, which you can get to by going to the youtube page and clicking on the link right under my video, which reads: This is a response to: Talk To Me Tuesday - Pigtails!

So... I hope you enjoy my nerdiness!!

Granny Rectangle #2

2009-10-07T23:16:00.000-07:00

I started this blanket while finishing the last baby quilt that I made. It seemed like our friends and family members kept announcing pregnancies and I was unsure how many would continue to roll in. So this is the boy baby blanket that I made just in case. I used the same pattern as the blanket in the entry below.

It turned out a bit larger than the typical crochet baby blanket, but I am sure it will make a great baby/toddler blanket. Something that the child can snuggle with until they are 4 or 5...

This blanket and it's pattern can be viewed on my Ravelry. Username: MKissa

Granny Rectangle

2009-09-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a completed Granny Rectangle laid out on my queen size bed. This thing is a monster, the last two rows used an entire skein of yarn. It was a gift for a friend who is a USC grad and it has finally been gifted so now it can be posted.

I used this pattern: http://iamtotallyobsessedwithyarn.blogspot.com/2006/01/granny-square-pattern-with-pictures.html but I changed the way the corners were done. It seemed like there were too many shells in there for my taste.

Bella's Beach Hat

2009-08-03T11:49:00.001-07:00

My little sister is a non-reader, but actually read all of the Twilight books cover to cover. She really enjoyed them, so for her birthday (in the summer, cause I have tge dumb) I made her this awesomely WARM beanie!

The pattern can be found on ravelry here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bella-swan-la-push-hat-from-twilight-movie-2008

or http://jennyhats.blogspot.com/2008/11/bella-swan-la-push-hat-from-twilight.html

It was a really quick and pretty easy crochet, plus it taught me two new stitches, FPtc and BPdc.

I am mkissa on ravelry as well. I love new crafty/lj/ravelry friends.

Paper Piecing Challenge

2009-07-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

Come join us in a Paper Piecing Challenge

If you are new to quilting, paper piecing is a great way to start, it is easy to follow and there are tons of patterns and "how to" videos and tutorials available online. Try www.sewhooked.org it is where I started, but beware, its addicting!

I will be participating in this and already have some great ideas!

Hook Holder

2009-07-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

I've created my second crochet hook holder. I made if for a swap over at StarKnuts the HP crochet and knitting community over on livejournal: http://community.livejournal.com/starknuts/

The lion on the front is Jennifer Ofenstein's Gryffindor pattern and can be found a www.sewhooked.org. I think I have a few more of these to make, but for now, here are some photos of my most recent.

Front

Back

Inside

Anchors Away

2009-06-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

My third quilt... all done. I forgot to take a picture of the paperpieced anchor lable I made. The pattern for the quilt is from Sugar Sack Quilts by Glenna Hailey scaled down to a baby quilt size (idea taken from a Jo-Anns ad).

Full Quilt

Close ups of the blocks

I can't believe I finished quilt #3 already!

First Two Completed Quilts Ever!

2009-04-26T12:31:00.000-07:00

I gave my first two completed quilts ever yesterday to two soon to be parents of twins (a boy and a girl). The soon to be new father has been friends with my boyfriend for over 20 years.

They twins nursery has had a monkey mural painted in it, so what better than monkey quilts.

I just can't believe I actually got them done on time. They are totally machine sewn and while I would have liked to have at least done some hand quilting, I just didn't have the time. I had a couple of really really late nights making sure these were done in time for the shower.

The label for Tyler's quilt. I designed the paper pieced banana on my own.

The front of Tyler's quilt.

The back of Tyler's quilt.

The label for Madison's quilt.

The front of Madison's quilt.

The Back of Madison's quilt.

I am here...

2009-04-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

But currently sinking under the loads and loads of things that I need to do. I really needed a three day weekend. I was really really productive, not lazy at all, and I really just needed that extra day. I almost stayed up late last night but decided that being tired would make me less productive.

So... on to what I did get done this weekend. I did go to the Green Scene at the Fullerton Arboretum and picked out the plants that I wanted to put in my new garden boxes (which I made last week, btw). Then I came home and planted them all. Last week while preparing the boxes for their new tenants I also turned my compost pile. Oh my gosh. I AM SO PROUD OF MIKE AND I. Our compost is delicious and earthy smelling and although there is not much now, this winter and next summer I should have an amazing amount.

Public service announcemnt about compost:
This is one of the most amazing things I have ever done. Our kitchen trash is one hundred times less stinky, and we produce about 50% less trash. I would like to encourage EVERYONE to take a step in the compost direction. It really does make a difference. If you are interested here: http://www.howtocompost.org/ Some of the sites and all of the information make it seem like a lot of work to compost. IT IS SO EASY! Granted, if I paid more attention to ours it would probably work faster, but for me, this is not a race, it is just me doing my part, or at least, part of my part. :)

On to the garden here are some pictures of my garden on it's first day.

Short Box- Planted Green Beans, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Mix Lettuce and Yellow Squash.

Tall Box- Planted Green Beans, Sun Flower, Bell Pepper, San Marzano Tomatoes, Italian Roma Tomatoes, Rowdy Red Tomatoes, Green Onions, Carrots, Poblano Peppers, Anaheim Chilis, and Jimmy Nardello Sweet Non-Bell Peppers.

We will be having progress posts on the garden, as well as harvest day porn. :)

Saturday after we were done planting we relaxed in the back yard, had a little bonfire and just enjoyed our accomplishment of the day.

Sunday we woke up and road our bikes to breakfast in Villa Park, and then took a ride down to Old Town Orange for the annual show. By 10 it started to head into the nineties so we decided it was best to head home. Came home and promptly plopped myself in front of my sewing machine. Baby shower for the twins is on Saturday and I have only just finished piecing the blocks for BOTH quilts. Arg. So, thats what I will be doing every night this week.

About 3 o'clock I was totally exhausted and took an hour and a half nap, and then headed to my mom's in Costa Mesa for our post Passover Passover Seder. Got home at 9 and sewed again until 11:30. Then decided I would probably be more productive today if I went to bed then instead of at 1:30. Sleep was not easy though as MAN had a wrestless night and kept waking me up. Sigh... work today from 8:30-5 and then Zitos from 5 until it gets slow, then the gym for at least two miles and ten minutes on the deathly stairmill, then home to shower and sew.

Tomorrow won't be better. But... I think that I am going to take some time off after I run our Golf Tournament (May 4). I am just going to take some time off for me, not go on vacation just work on getting the house straightened out and cleaned up.

Baby Blanket #1

2009-04-13T12:38:00.001-07:00

Tiramisu Blanket 002
Originally uploaded by mkissa

There are a lot of babies coming into my life soon. None of them will be mine, but here is the first of 4 baby blankets. It is for the baby of a sorority sister.

The blanket is 25"x25" made with Lion Brand's Pound of Love, a 5.5mm (I) hook, and some brown ribbon. I just love the way it turned out. It will be gifted later today or perhaps Wednesday.

The pattern is by Alicia Paulson and can be found here: http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2007/04/free_pattern.html

Reusable Shopping Bags

2009-01-15T10:40:00.000-08:00

At our house we are committed to reducing our impact and have switched from paper napkins to cloth, we no longer buy paper towels, we compost and we use reusable shopping bags. I made two new reusable shopping bags for a swap.

The first one I affectionately named the watermelon bag for obvious reasons, was made from some scrap fabrics, the green I got at the Crate and Barrell outlet for about $0.05 and the pink came from Jo-Ann's for about $0.25. Score! I really didn't want to give it away. The second bag was a stash buster, just some cool fabrics I had laying around.

The watermelon bag...

The apple bag...

More holiday gifts...

2008-12-19T19:25:00.000-08:00

Cork Wreath. BF and I made three of these this year for various family members and friends. Upcycled corks are boiled and dried before glued on to the wreath. I made personalized bags for all three of them too.

Over Thanksgiving I taught my BF's niece how to crochet and then her x-mas wish list, to my delight, included crochet items. So I made this case for her hooks and a new hook. She is 12. This is my first ever quilted project. I just dove in. Didn't really use a tutorial, I just kinda winged it. Turned out pretty much the way I wanted it to.

Craft Update

2008-12-19T17:57:00.000-08:00

I've been sick, but busy.

I made a one skein scarf (from the Happy Hooker) with some Vanna's Choice for a holiday gift exchange at my office.

And a special bag for it to be gifted in (I am trying not to use much wrapping paper this year).

2008-12-15T14:47:00.000-08:00

Now that the gift has been gifted I can post pictures.

Made my second starghan, its a ridiculous 78" from point to point. It took me a month of crocheting in my down time. I am really happy with the colors and the way that it turned out. It is picture here on my queen size bed. It is definitely the largest afghan I have ever made.

Then I made this awesome pillow case to serve as a gift bag. I didn't use a pattern other than getting the size from a pillowcase that I already had and then I made it a little larger in case of shrinkage.

The result:

Eeep

2008-12-09T09:43:00.001-08:00

I have so many things to post, but must wait until everyone receives their packages! Will update with some craft porn soon!

Corkboards!!

2008-11-12T18:13:00.000-08:00

I finally got one of my upcycled cork boards up on my etsy at MarissaCharlotte.etsy.com

I am super excited about these as they are made from totally upcycled material. Reused corks and the backing of the board is from the side of a wood wine box. Anyways, check it out!!

Front:

Back:

First Post

2008-11-05T11:28:00.000-08:00

Well... it seems that I have started to devote most of my free time to crafting and wanted to have a blog where I could share with everyone what I am working on at the moment. The hardest part right now, is that most of the items that I am working on are gifts, and cannot be pictured here until they are given.

This first project took me about a month. I crocheted mostly in the evenings in front of the TV. It came together pretty easily, a bit boring on the last few rows, but totally worth it. The final size measures 55" from point to point. I couldn't be happier with it. It is a gift for a friend who is writing my astrological chart for me. She is a Leo, which made my color choices easy.

Please don't mind Dexter and Rupert, they are just preforming the final quality controll checks.

The patterns that I used (by Beth Parsons) is here: http://www.angelfire.com/va3/heartfeltangels/littlestarafghan.html