Developmental Ball

I found this pattern online and, believe it or not, followed it pretty closely to make another toy for my daughter. I did make the mistake of putting it in the washing machine instead of hand washing it, which flattened it a bit. She still loves it, though!
I crocheted this with white and red cotton yarn. The red yarn was one deviation from the pattern. I figured it would be just as eye catching as the black and white, but a little happier and using the yarn I had on hand.

Knitted Kitty

I knitted this cat in a handwork class while at Waldorf teacher training one summer. It's basically a knitted square sewn and stuffed in the shape of a cat. I added the embellishments using the same yarn used to knit the body. The yarn and stuffing are both 100% wool, because natural materials are best for developing children's senses, according to Waldorf methodology. I agree with this premiss and hope to make more toys for my daughter using all natural materials, which means more blog posts. :)

Four Leaf Clover Bookmark

I crocheted a four leaf clover bookmark for a St. Patrick's Day swap. I started to write down a pattern, but I was being too perfectionistic about it. So, I abandoned the pattern and went free form. One day, I'll have patterns to post on this blog. For now, here's my Irish creation.

Dishcloth Swaps

I participated in dishcloth swaps in January and February. Here are pictures of the dishcloths I made. I even used patterns and stuck to them! In January, I used patterns from a little booklet I have. In February, I searched an online crochet pattern directory and found two patterns I liked.

January Winter Dishcloths

February Valentine Dishcloths

Farmgirl Winter Mug Rug Swap

I recently participated in a very enjoyable swap on the MaryJanesFarm Farmgirl Connection. Our task was to make a winter themed mug rug for a partner and send it away in the mail. It was an excellent challenge, because it was my first quilting project. The mug rug concept kept the project manageable and fun. I feel very accomplished at having completed it.
Here are a couple of pictures of the mug rug that I quilted:

Here's the back of the mug rug, where my lifelong struggle with sewing straight lines is evident. At least it adds character.

The front of the mug rug.

The front of the mug rug in a different light.

I also included a winter themed bookmark that I crocheted:

The bookmark is on the right side of the mug rug.

I had a wonderful swap partner who made a beautiful mug rug that felt perfect for me right out of the box. She also cross stitched a little bib for my expected daughter. Here are a couple of pictures of the mug rug package that I received from my partner:

Jak enjoying a photo op in the top right corner.

As you can see, we love including goodies in our swap packages.

New Mantra

I have been reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. One task in week 7 uses the mantra, "Treating myself like a precious object will make me strong." The object of the task is to creatively post the mantra in a prominent location. I neatly wrote the mantra on a small, wet-on-wet watercolor I painted when teaching the fifth grade at a Waldorf School. Then, I gathered fallen twigs from our yard, scraped off the bark, sanded them, cut them to size, and conditioned them with a beeswax oil I had made specifically for wood. I used hemp string to tie them together and fashioned a small easel for the watercolor. It now sits on my bedside table along with the rocks I found for a task in week 5.

Amigurumi Jack-O-Lantern

Embracing the season, my second amigurumi project was a pumpkin. I used three colors of yarn, so I could make a jack-o-lantern face and a stem. I made it up and stuffed it as I went along. Like I wrote in my previous amigurumi post, pattern schmattern! It's much more fun to make it up as I go along. I think it allows the project to take on a life of its own and be what it is meant to be.