(Another) Bookish Christmas Tree for 2014

Hello, friends!!! Between the busyness of this season and the wonder of celebrating Christ’s birth this Christmas, my posts will continue to be sporadic. With that said, I want to share my recent bookish project: a book Christmas tree!!! It makes my bookshelves all festive.

You might remember the little stack of green books from last year I set up as a small book Christmas tree. This year, I decided to make one slightly bigger. Who knows, next year I might go all out and stack a life-sized one on the floor! (Lookout, world! This could prove challenging if any munchkin family members visit for the holidays…..we’ll see)

This was super easy to make. All you need is a small space to stack, a variety of sizes of books (They don’t even have to be green!), and a small-ish string of lights! I used a small table as a base, but I’ve seen some on Pinterest using cake stands. Just begin by arranging larger, sturdy books at the bottom (started with 4 hardbacks), then add slightly smaller groups of 3-4 as it grows.

Have you ever made a tree using books? Or any other book “sculptures”? Please share your craftiness in the comments! I’ve love to know!

Mink Knitted Helmet Hat & Passenger Cowl

I’m finally ready to share two of my latest knitting projects, a knitted “Helmet Hat” from a Vogue Knitting pattern and a knitted “Backseat Passenger Cowl” from a free Amy Castillo pattern on Ravelry.

Helmet Hat

I used size 8 circular knitting needles and 1 skein of Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Mink Brown.

I followed the pattern as written, but modified the side pieces slightly. As the pattern was written, I thought they would be too tall and floppy.

Here’s what I did:

After the textured rib pattern repeat, work row 1 again.

Next row: K1, p2 *ssk, p2* repeat from * to *, end with k1. 25 stitches total.

Next row: P1, k2tog, *p1, k2tog* repeat from * to *, end with p1. 17 stitches total. Bind off.

Passenger Cowl

I used size 8 circular needles and 2 skeins of Lion Bran Wool-Ease in Mink Brown.

I followed the pattern as written except for 2 minor things: I casted on 144 stitches instead of 157 and I added 1 additional knit & purl round repeat.

 

 

I love how this pattern is reversible! Each side has a different look due to the number of purl stitches. One is a bit chunkier.

 

 

 

Visit my Ravelry projects page to see these and more of my projects!

Backwards & Forwards

A look back at 2013 and looking forward to 2014 (to the empty shelf challenge).

2013

Looking back at 2013 here at The Green Mockingbird, I’ve done a little bit of everything. Several crafting projects, including finishing a quilt; conducting a solar-dyed yarn project & making a hat from the same yarn; and adapting a scarf pattern to crochet a table runner. I’ve shared some photography news and a few photos from this year. In the cooking department, I’ve made my own birthday cake, shared a strawberry pina coloda granita recipe, and an easy iced chai tea recipe.

Most prominently, in 2013 I began featuring book reviews, book-related posts, and occasional “Fun Find Friday” posts covering several topics. Looking back at the books I’ve read in 2013, I have to share my favorites. They include (in no particular order) the entire “Winds of Change” series by Julie Lessman, “Fired Up” by Mary Connealy, “The Breath of Dawn” by Kristen Heitzmann, “Fifteen Minutes” by Karen Kingsbury, and “Dear Mr. Knightley” by Katherine Reay.

2014

Have you heard about the Empty Shelf Challenge for readers in 2014? It’s a challenge to start with an empty bookshelf and fill it as you read in 2014. Supposedly, I should be more motivated to read and fill it if it is a visibly empty shelf. I had to rearrange a little – ok, a lot – to empty a shelf to start fresh in 2014. I’ll be keeping track and sharing my progress on my Pinterest board. Find out more info and read the original post here. I read a total of 33 books in 2013, not counting what I’m currently reading. My goal for 2014 is at least 40 books.

Empty Shelf Challenge 2014, a photo by courtneyec90 on Flickr.

If you participate, use the hashtag #EmptyShelf in social media.

As we look ahead to a fresh year, I’d like to wish you a Happy New Year! May God bless you abundantly in the coming year.

-Courtney

Fun Find Friday: Antique (free) Craft Pattern Library

This week I stumbled on an awesome website through another craft pattern blog post. It has HUNDREDS of old craft patterns for knitting, crocheting, tatting, quilting, cross stitch, embroidery, and the list goes on……

It’s the Antique Pattern Library compiled by New Media Arts, Inc.

The booklets on this website contain antique patterns, some published as early as the 1800s, with links to download the complete booklet in .pdf form (for free)! I have loved looking through some of these pattern books. I think it’s fascinating to see the old styles and fashions, as well as the cover artwork.

How awesome is this Irish crochet coat from this booklet? Can you imagine wearing it as “everyday” clothing?

I hope you enjoy this trove of patterns – they will certainly keep you busy!

Fall Harvest Wreath

I love fall. It’s one of my favorite seasons! (I really do love them all, but I’m not a fan of the hoooot summer days). With pumpkin EVERYTHING, what’s not to love? My favorite pumpkin food would be a pumpkin pie, made with a fresh pie pumpkin, and real whipped cream. A truly unique pumpkin food I tried recently was pumpkin ravioli with browned butter and sage. Yum!

I was inspired by all the fall decor I had seen in different stores recently. And on Pinterest. I decided to make a wreath from various picks, pumpkins, and gourds I gathered from my favorite craft stores.

 

This is the result!

Here’s the burlap bow I made! It was simple and easy. I used wire-edged burlap ribbon.

And, a close up of my favorite gourd.

Lacy Table Runner from Scarf Pattern

I had big plans to crochet a lacy scarf I found on Ravelry.

As it grew, I decided it would be better if it were a table runner.

It was a little too wide to be a scarf, partly due to the yarn I chose. So, what began as a frilly scarf became a perfectly sized ivory table runner.

I used the Tours Scarf pattern on Ravelry, with a few alterations:

• Size B crochet hook
• Artiste #8 Crochet Cotton, in Ivory, 5 balls
• For the foundation chain, chain 79 instead of 112. The pattern will repeat as written over those stitches. Repeat the pattern until piece measures close to 51 inches in length, not stretched.
• On the last round of the edging, I didn’t follow the pattern as written. Instead, I worked a sc in each of the dc’s and the sc’s of the previous row. And, I chained above all of the chains of the previous row. So, the last row of the runner went something like this: *sc, ch, sc, ch* repeat.

Finished size: 12″ x 52″

Edging detail.

Have you ever changed your plans for a project part of the way through?

Americana Four-Patch Quilt: Top Finished!

Hi, everyone!

I wanted to share this photo of a quilt top I just finished.

I designed this twin-size pattern and sewed it with my mom’s scraps from another quilt. It has taken me several months to complete, mostly because I have not worked on it since last fall. Last night, I decided to get it out – and I finished it in about 2 more hours. The top is now done, and it’s ready to send to the quilter’s! I really like the Americana-style color combination. It will make a nice throw for me – plus I’ll use it to “decorate” my bed for July 4th!

 

Finished Hat from Solar-Dyed Yarn Project

Hi everyone! I wanted to share these photos of my finished project. After completing my solar dyed yarn project, I searched Ravelry for an interesting pattern to use my new yarn. I chose the free knitted hat pattern ‘Felicity‘ . I did make a few changes – I completed fewer increases and made the hat slightly shorter overall. I’m happy with the results. What do you think?

How-To: Solar Dyed Yarn Project (With Kool-Aid!)

Today I’d like to share with you my recent experiences with a solar dyed yarn project — with Kool Aid!

I’m always searching for affordable, interesting yarns for my crocheting and knitting projects. With that in mind, I’m usually picky about color combinations or variegated yarn in general. I discovered this blog post about a method of dyeing variegated wool yarn with Kool-Aid, and my quest to choose the perfect colors began.

I was surprised at how simple the process seemed –and it really was easy to do!

After a little more research and a trip to Hobby Lobby, I was ready to begin my project.

Materials:

1 skein animal fiber yarn (such as wool, mohair, or alpaca) I used Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Wool! in Ivory, 220 yards.

Kool-Aid (or other powdered drink mix) I used 5 packets. 3 would work for a lighter result.

Ice Tray(s)

Glass baking dish. I used a 9×13.

About 2 TBS white vinegar

Plastic Wrap

A sunny day for solar-powered heat – or an oven.

These are the flavors I used. The Strawberry-Kiwi flavor powder is actually a light pink color. For more info on color combinations and results, see the links at the end of this post.

1. Unwind your skein of yarn and re-wind it in a loose hank. Secure it in multiple places with a  loosely-tied piece of acrylic yarn (or some other yarn that won’t be effected in the dyeing process).

2. Mix each packet of Kool-Aid with enough water to fill approximately 4 cubes in an ice-cube tray. Colors can be combined for different results. You might want to wear gloves in this step because the powder can stain your hands. Don’t add sugar to the Kool-Aid mix – just water. Freeze these trays overnight or until frozen solid.

3. Prepare the yarn by soaking it in cold water and vinegar for about 10 minutes, then wring out the excess water. This ensures that the yarn with accept the dye and wick it up thoroughly. Place the yarn in the glass baking dish.

4. After the dye-cubes are frozen, place them randomly on the yarn in the baking dish, and cover with plastic wrap.

5. Place outside in the sun for 2 hours. Flip the yarn over, and wait 2 more hours. The yarn has to reach a temperature of about 180 Fahrenheit to set the dye. You could also do this process in an oven heated to 180 for a shorter time period.

The following photo is what my yarn looked like after 2 hours. Much of the dye at this point was saturating the yarn in the bottom of the pan.

 The following photo is my yarn after flipping. The dye-soaked yarn was then on top, and the colors seeped back down to the less saturated portion of yarn in the dish.

6. Check to make sure the dye is set. The yarn should be very hot, and the remaining water in the dish should be clear – all of the dye should be absorbed by the yarn. At this point, remove the yarn and rinse it in a mild laundry detergent and cold water (it’s very important to use only COLD water here – warm water will start a felting process on this type of yarn). If any dye is rinsing off the yarn, place it back in the dish in the sun for another hour or heat it in the oven for another half hour.

7. Hang the yarn to dry for about 24 hours, rewind into a skein, and make it into something fabulous!

Additional Ideas:

Kool-Aid formulas for dyeing over 100 different colors. http://www.dyeyouryarn.com/kool-aid.html

Kool-Aid Colors. Examples of each flavor and resulting dyed yarn color. http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall02/FEATdyedwool.html

How to dye self-striping yarn using a warp board. http://charisa-martin.livejournal.com/13165.html

How to dye various blue shades using black beans. http://waysofthewhorl.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/natural-dyeing-take-3-black-beans/

December Photo-a-Day Challenge 18. Stocking

18. “Stocking” Crocheted Candy Cane Stocking, a photo by courtneyec90 on Flickr.

December Photo Challenge, Day 18. I crocheted this candy-cane striped stocking a couple years ago.