Mushroom Madness #3—70s Hidden Picture

mushroom_teapot1
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Another cool find from my mother-in-law, dropped off this morning. Yes, this is the wallpaper in our bathroom—It's been there since about 1978.

Crochet Baby Blanket—WIP ptII

crochet_pieces_front
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.
crochet_quilt_back3
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

I wasn't happy with the way this project was turning out—too much time, too much money, too symmetrical. So, I took out the basting and rearranged. It reduced the number of squares I needed to make by ten and allowed me to immediately start sewing it together. As I was whipping this together I was thinking about futuregirl because she goes out of her way to not piece together her crocheting. Now I just need to work in the remaining 200 plus ends before revealing a finished shot. Wish me luck, I'm having a hard time not moving onto the next blankie, which, by the way, features rainbow colors. Stay on target. Stay on target.

Christmas in August

gold
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.
orange
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen
grey
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

I've been saving these stockings to share at a time when everyone is not overwhelmed by the holidays. Hopefully they will inspire a whole mess of embroidery projects. I've had close up details posted at Flickr for some time now. I made seven of these for my family Christmas 2004. Looking back now, I remember that they were the beginning of my new craft era, and part of the catalyst for our wacky idea to put on a craft show.

P.S. Have you all been to Getting Stitched on the Farm? I think I'm in love: the painted wall; the socks for Vogue Knitting; the animals. Sigh...

Mushroom Madness #2: Gifty Goodness

from Claire
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.
from Alison
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.
from Bethany
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Mushroom goodness comes in gift form too. From top to bottom:

Toy Mushroom
A vintage wooden mushroom with holes in the top. I'm not sure what it's original use was, but I'm using it for crochet hooks. I love the grass accent. Thanks again for everything Claire.

Frog and Mushroom Fabric
Part of a surprise gift in the mail from Alison. I think I will be making some pants for my boys out of this. Alison has a great yarn and fabric store in Felton if you are in the Santa Cruz, CA area. Check out her blog for sale info and finished project shots.

Bluebird with Mushroom
Part of my birthday gift from Bethany. She also makes a mean cupcake. Only one more day and she's quitting the man to become a craft entrepreneur. Go B!

Some of My Favorite Things

Favorite Things
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

I keep these tasty bits on a very cluttered shelf in my craft/crap area.

Left to right:

Velvety paper flowers that remind me of being a kid.

Edward Gorey-esque dog finial for lamp.

Scary clown drawer pull to give kids nightmares.

Chalkware woman torso that reminds me of Ulla.

Feather bird on a hand as found at garage sale.

Kitty graphics on empty spools.

Doll face—scarier than the clown?

Sterling moon face sweater clips that I traded crystal candleholders for.

Porcelain pansies.

More and complete shots of favs at Flickr.

Motherlode & Father's Friends

notions2
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

notions1
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Stashed
for
thirty
years,

it
almost
went
to
the
dump—

My
father’s
friends
rock!

Thank you Peggy!

more photos here

Crochet Baby Blanket

crochet_blanket
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Here's a work in progress (WIP). I never can get these things done on the appropriate day, but I figure it doesn't much matter in this case. For this project I was inspired by the book 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton. The book is fun and really gets the ideas percolating. It has a few sample layouts, but mostly it has patterns for blocks, which you mix and match to make whatever you want. The instruction is a little slim sometimes. For the bobbles I had to improvise because I didn't really understand what to do.

Just a simple thanks

baby_hat
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

I've really enjoyed reading the comments on my last post. It seems to have encouraged people to write lengthy posts and/or write their own related posts on their blogs—the conversation continues. A couple people are now writing about how their blogs are their tidy corners, which I can also relate to.

All this has got me wondering why anyone has any complaints about any blogs when we all have the choice to pick which ones we want to read. I go for the feels-good-to-me ones. Why would I waste my time feeling funky.

P.S. The baby is feeling fine. Thank you. And, I wish I had time to reply to all comments. My goal is to at least visit all the commenters that are new to me. Thanks for making this a community.