Crafting Groups

From knitting on the water front in Corvallis, to crocheting with a church group in Tigard and a whole host of other gatherings where my crafting occurs, I love crafting with others.  It is a time honored tradition to work with those around you on the projects you love.  

But what if you don't have a group to meet with?   Easy!  There are groups almost everywhere that get together on a regular basis.  Check out your local yarn stores, or quilting shops to find knit nights or quilt nights.  (There are often great prices and shop hours to go with these) Check out Meetup.com to find a group already meeting or create your own that others can come to.  Please make sure and use your common sense as you will be gathering with people you don't know.  Make sure that you are being safe, meeting first in public places, and not going to any place alone that looks too shady.  

Some of my favorites are groups that craft for a cause, donating blankets to Project Linus, and Quilts for Kids or hats to the troops or hundreds of other organizations that give out hand made items.  If you don't necessarily want to make a whole quilt or other item, lots of groups are looking for donations of yarn, and fabric for others to complete projects to give away.

I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to my next knit night, and I'm jazzed to work on a quilt for donation that I started last week!  Above all else have tons of fun with your new found friends!

State of Oregon Love

I  Oregon 

I love Oregon, even when it has been raining for three days straight in May!  Today I have found quite a few items that feature the shape of our great state, here are three of my favorites. 

Bike Oregon T-shirt

This shirt, and several others on his site are made in Portland, Oregon by Nathan Verhoeven.

I love that they feature not only the state of Oregon, but some of what Oregon is famous for. 

Oregon Shaped Cutting Board

There were several sites on Etsy that were selling state shaped cutting boards but 

this one was made in Blodgett, Oregon out of Oregon Myrtlewood.  (A wonderful hardwood, only grown in Southern Oregon and Northern California on the coast)  This cutting board is also VERY reasonably priced at $35. 

Oregon Print

Ok, so this one was not made in Oregon, but it was my favorite!

It was made in Denver, Colorado.  I would still love to have it on my wall!

Still in love with Amigurumi!

I'm Still in love with Amigurumi!

This post has a few creators that make amigurumi animals in Oregon.  Those pictured below are all larger animals.  Make sure to look around their sites if you like these, as they make several different types and sizes of Amigurumi. 

Marvin the Moose by Agape Living can be found for sale here: Marvin the Moose

Made in Tigard, Oregon by Me!  Mandy Brentano

Rinaldo the Hedgehog by misskatie87 can be found for sale here: Rinaldo

Made in Portland, Oregon by Katie Schaper

For a more out of this world creation, here is 

Alfie the Alien by CascadiaCrochet: 

Alfie

Made in Salem, Oregon by Michael Murdock

Purses and Wallet

 

Blue toned fabric purse

     I think that this blue toned purse is really cute and cheerful.  I am biased though because this is one of my creations. It is lined with a dark tan color, and has two interior pockets as well as two outer pockets to store all sorts of things.  I made it using a McCalls pattern that I really like.  I want to make another one in black and white!  Visit me at: AgapeLiving  Or find this purse at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/59389034/blue-fabric-purse-uniquely-you-from-the

cute fabric wallet

     I found this wallet by MidnightFly at http://www.etsy.com/listing/50555267/soft-wallet  I like the simple look of the wallet that holds whatever cards and cash you need to take with you.  

Black up-cycled purse

   Because I like recycling, reducing and reusing (as any true Oregonian does) I chose to include this up-cycled black purse from OregonLynne in this posting.   I just love the creativity of turning a leather jacket into this purse.  Find it here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/73204295/clearance-priced-handmade-from-a-black

Hats for Baby Girls

I am a new auntie as of last week, and it has made me very excited both to make things for baby and to buy things for baby.  I found tons of really cute hats to both keep baby warm but also make her fashionable! 

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/71140539/soft-sweet-bow-hat-choose-your-colors

I love that you can get any color you want from MadeWithHeartbyEmily.  This shop is based in Portland, OR. 

Plus who doesn't love a gorgeous baby in the picture!

This is a gorgeous scalloped hat with an adorable double layer pink flower.  In the listing it comes with a matching diaper cover!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71406906/diaper-cover-and-hat-for-newborn-to-12

This shop is also based in Portland, OR.  Shop title is lilianda

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62519338/3-piece-design-your-own-baby-gown-set 

This set is made by mamarunswithscissors also in Portland, OR

I love the idea of leggings!  And this stripy set matches leggings to hat.  There are lots of other hats and leggings from this shop for both boys and girls.

Waldorf Dolls

I was exploring around Etsy and noticed several people selling Waldorf dolls.  Now, I've heard of Waldorf school's but didn't know what a Waldorf doll was.  According to Wikipedia, a Waldorf doll is a very simplistic doll, also called a Steiner doll. They have eyes and a very small mouth with a hint of a nose. 

After looking at a lot of people's descriptions and wikipedia I've come to realize that they are designed to be simplistic to enhance imagination, rather than simply going back to a simpler time.  They are very floppy so that they can be held in a pose or change their posture very easily.  The minimalized facial features allow children to project every kind of emotion onto the doll rather than trying to pretend the doll is sad when there is a huge smile plastered on the dolls face (like a barbie doll).  With all of the TV children watch these days, and the very sexualized dolls you can buy in the stores I believe that the Waldorf dolls are a very good idea.  

Below are two sellers of Waldorf dolls in Oregon, I'm sure that there are many more, but I didn't want this post to go on forever!

In Corvallis, Oregon
http://www.etsy.com/shop/peglee?ref=seller_info
I like this shop because of the varieties of age and ethnicities included in the dolls sold at the shop.  A mixture of these dolls will teach kids about equality. 

In Oregon, city unspecified
http://www.etsy.com/shop/reggiesdolls?ref=seller_info
I like the variety of clothing that is made for Waldorf dolls in this shop, the seller has lots of costumes and every day clothing sold separately from the dolls to use in everyday play.

Lions, Hedgehogs and Beavers? Oh my!

Leo the Lion

Mommy and Baby Hedgehogs

Benny Beaver

So, I have to say that I am in love with amigurumi critters.  These are just a few that I have made.  

I made Leo out of left over yarn from other projects! The pattern for Leo came from an inexpensive book ($4.95) by Lion Yarns.  Vanna's Choice: Easy Crochet Critters






The hedghogs I made from a pattern from Ana Paula Rimoli's book "Amigurumi World, Seriously Cute Crochet."  I love this book because it has the critters in multiple sizes that are, just as the title promises, seriously cute!





Benny Beaver I adapted from the book "Tiny Yarn Animals: Amigurumi Friends to Make and Enjoy"  which I checked out from the public library!  I used a really soft alpaca wool blend yarn, I was going to sell him, but I might just keep this adorable little beaver for myself.   


Leo and the Hedgehogs can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/AgapeLiving