With Halloween over, on comes the rest of the holidays. Now it’s all about preparing for Thanksgiving but most of all Christmas. I’m going to be making most of my holiday gifts this year… I’d list them out but I’m all about the secret of Christmas morning. BUT until I can begin the holiday gifts I’ve got to complete my other projects. My crochet lap blanket and knit felted bobble scarf are all that stand in my way before I begin my Christmas crafting list. My first holiday projects will be knitted stockings for my boys and knitted ball ornaments. You know I’ll be using Vanna yarn… I love Vanna’s yarn.

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I am lucky enough to work for a company that LOVES and celebrates Halloween. Everyone is encouraged to dress up, kiddies can come and trick or treat at 3 and there is a tons of prizes. We dress up by department. There are prizes for best department theme, best treat, best individually decorated cube and best costume. Lynn and I started to work on my costume for this year’s theme but unfortunately I can’t show / say much, just a sneak peak, because with so much at stake I can’t chance anybody finding out outside my department… I’m being dramatic but I take this very serious… we must win this year!!

no not Christmas (that would be Fred’s holiday) - IT’S 3 weeks until HALLOWEEN! Okay, I admit… I have a weakness for the holiday. Who doesn’t love dressing up BUT much more who doesn’t love the tricks and TREATS! This weekend I helped Lynn put together some hand crafted treats out of some gifted yogurt jars, mixed candies and cello bags. The final result is was something even Martha would envy.

Lynn is sporting part of her Jet Girl costume she found that day at Target. LOL

Mary and I had been working on these baby gifts for some time… on Friday we finally gave them to the mom to be. The yarn was this awesome Cotton Tots yarn by Bernat. The yarn was super soft and we knew it would be durable since it was 100% cotton. I chose a bright color story for the yarn we both used. I crocheted the blanket because I was not ready to use circular needles to knit due to not knowing how to cast on correctly. Mary knitted 2 crazy cute hats.

As I’ve said in my previous post I have been very busy with my various projects.

At the start of last week I had been craving cupcakes. I have a thing for cupcakes and all baked goods that are full of fruit and nuts (door stops as Lynn says). I finally broke down and bought some cake mix and frosting. Out of the box is not normally how I roll BUT I was hard up and didn’t want the major undertaking for from scratch cupcakes… yes for me it’s an undertaking. I bought the new Pillsbury Reduced Sugar cake mix and frosting. I’ve been trying to cut corners and find better ways to have the foods I love with out all the fat or sugar or calories or in general the “bad tasty stuff” and this was a great option. The cake mix was delish and you would have never known it was reduced sugar!! The frosting however was kinda odd… gritty and gooey but you know I ate them anyway… Fred like them - he had no complaints.

I thought I’d do another quick knit project. I found this felted “bobble” scarf from Lion Brand Yarns website. You have to sign up to get access to all the free designs but I must say it is worth it! I have found many great patterns that I want to try - some I have to work up to… However this felted scarf is really easy. You need wool yarn, large wood bead or nuts and string. You knit the scarf in stockinette stitch until you reach the length you want (keeping in mind the scarf will shrink), Tie the scarf around the wood beads or nuts with string then wash and dry the scarf until it’s lightly damp. You then pull the scarf into shape and allow for it to dry completely. I figured I could manage that. Of course I don’t really like the placement of the bobbles per the pattern image so I decided to create my own version of the scarf using warm fall colors in the Lion Brand Wool Ease� “paprika” and “violet”. The violet stripes will have the bobble effect - I’m making the stripe pattern up as I go. At the half way point I will then mirror the stripe pattern I created so the scarf is even. I’ll share it when it is finished.

Lynn and I have approx. 2 weeks until we test launch our website for our brand 2 Girls & Plastic (2girlsplastic.com). We’ve been working on product constantly preparing. We are currently working on revamped vintage skirts with different “themes” in both the Jo and Lola style. The close up is of our “Fairytale” skirt in Lola colors. The ribbon and the appliques will be stitched down securely in a decorative way. So far we’ve created t-shirts, skirts, wristbands, sachets, ties and altered or restored vintage pieces such as tops and dresses. We are very excited and there is much more to come…

I have been having my hands in a lot of pies - Brandy Pie Hands! - but I will blog on that a little later when I download my camera and upload all my pictures. While I have you waiting talk amongst yourselves… Here’s the subject : this AWESOME super cute retro style leopard pattern cardigan (1st image - gold) that I found while looking through the pages of Mary’s k.1. (knit.1) magazine.

I’m looking into hiring a knitting tutor for garment creation and construction. I believe this may be my first project!!

So after I learned to knit my goal level was to be able to cabling - CHECK! My second goal was to knit a hat - (waiting on Mary to show me her techniques) BUT my third goal was to knit doggy clothes for my little boys - CHECK! YEAH! I knitted a chunky “thick and quick” wool doggy sweater with fun fur trim. It was quick (about 1 day). The pattern was a two piece construction that you sew together. I added a crochet fun fur trim which helps hide construction flaws that sealed the edges. I know Jackson felt left out so I made him a scarf out of the remaining yarn.

I would like to add that Victor promptly peed on it - about 15 minutes on…

Just like money burning a hole in your pocket my new Vanna’s Choice yarn has been constantly on my mind… so I decided to attempt Cables! While out with my friend Mary a while back we picked up a free quick pattern for a cable knit cell phone holder. Mary was very successful with the pattern so I figured that I’d try it out. I have to say that it was a step up in my skill level and I had to retrace my steps a few times. Honestly I almost gave up BUT I am glad I kept on it - I left the strap off. Now my ipod has a cozy little home that I am so proud of.

Not really BUT I’d really like to buy more of this great yarn designed by Vanna White and manufactured by Lion Brand Yarns. Yes that is right Vanna is doing more than just turning letters pressing buttons on screens these days. When I first found this yarn at my local Joann’s Etc. store I scoffed but I was quickly eating my words because the moment I picked up her yarn I was in love. It has a very soft feel and comes in some of the most wonderful contemporary yet traditional colors available in mass market today. I’ve showcased my favorites below along with one of her two new pattern books that I want to own. I treated myself to the “Pea Green” but now I’ve got to find that project that is just right…

since I’ve really sewn anything. I found this pattern for a plush kitten in a vintage needlecraft book that my friend Mary bought on Ebay. It is an awesome book that is a wealth of knowledge and has a ton of craft projects. I took the original pattern and modified it to look as if it is sleeping. I used a combination of new and vintage fabric. I also tacked the tail to its back and added a bow. Over I think it turned out really really cute. I’m pretty happy with it.

Original pattern from the book —> My finished product