LindaPermann

I love this-- and you beat me to the posting punch. I ordered some spoke cards for the election here: http://obamaspoke.com/--great for those of us who bike instead of drive. I haven't made anything yet, but hopefully I will have 4 more years to show my support. :)

the way i see it, even if it does take me a long time to make something (for myself), then the $ i spent on supplies counts not only as "useful thing I am making (ie scarf)" but also as entertainment. I've gotten to the point where I really just don't like mass produced things the way I once did- I know I will hang onto something longer if I had a step in making it, so it's worth it to me, even if it costs more.

the one thing i really try to be good about is not being a consumeristic crafter. if you're buying yards and yards of fabric and not sewing anything, i see that as basically the same thing as going on a shopping spree at the department store. it helps keep my hobby spending in check.

Thanks for posting your results, HoneyandDaisy--your flower looks great!

LaughingPG--It definitely adds a new layer of excitement when you open the washing machine! Now I just have to be careful not to buy a bunch of old sweaters that clog up my craft room....too late.

Jen1964- I am relatively certain that any store that already carries Coats products will be carrying the new lines (it's up to the individual stores...but it is worth checking!). Both yarns were soft- especially the cotton. The acrylic is definitely- acrylic- but I could see uses for it (just maybe not something to wear...but I am picky!).

Thanks ladies! I got my doilies from e-bay (check etsy too), but I know that Joann's also sells plain doilies for a buck or two a piece. You can also check thrift stores for some great finds- some of the more colorful doilies would look great all on their own!

Cute! I never thought about washing them to fluff them up--that's smart!

Jen1964- These are great questions for the original poster (I am linking to her tutorial, I didn't put it together myself). Of course you would likely not want to make anything to be worn or to be placed outside, but it would make for an interesting vase, rug, or other decorative item.

Craftaholic- I didn't write up a pattern for the pouch, but here's how you do it. Make a rectangle from single crochets that's slightly bigger than the side of your camera. Single crochet around the edge of the rectangle, and keep adding rounds of single crochet (just 1 single crochet into each stitch from the previous round) until the pouch is as tall as your camera (keep placing it inside as you go so you can tell how much it stretches, etc). Once the pouch reaches the desired height, work single crochets in rows back and forth on one of the long sides of the rectangle to get the flap. When the flap is about as long as you want, do a row of sc, but ch 2 or 3 stitches in the middle of the row and skip the sc stitches below to make the buttonhole, then continue to single crochet across. Add 1 or 2 more rows of sc, then sc around the flap and opening with an alternating color to finish. I hope that gives you an idea of how to make it- perhaps I will post a tutorial in the coming weeks.

Mainard,
I think the bird fabric is called Bird Seed and I know that it's by Alexander Henry. The polka dots are from the Wee Play collection by Sandy Klop. I got them both last year but I bet you could still find them online somewhere.

I can't wait to see your finished tie back, please share if you have a chance. :)

these are darling! i second the idea to enter them in the flower power challenge.

The MyPicot site appears to be down right now -- I suggest waiting a day or so and checking back.

these are so cute. i love to make them with my yarn scraps.

and if anyone has a hard time finding a vintage one, most craft stores still sell these under the name of "bloom loom".

these are pretty Mary! I am adding them to my to make/gift list.

neato! I love how it is arranged in jars! i've ordered from them before but never seen the inside of the store- thanks for sharing!

Thanks all! Erika- that's the idea (to get you crocheting!).
This really is easy, and it makes my happy curtains even happier.

these look amazing! nice work.

this is really cute, and i love the color combinations!

This is a great idea, because I am so not about wrapping my floss around little cardboard thingies. And also because then you can remember what the color number is if you happen to need more (the first thing to get lost for me is that little band with the number).

I love how this turned out- it's on my "to try" list now!

eveh- I think you can do it too! If you can't figure out the crocheting, you could probably get away with just wrapping the flip flops in a similar manner. Good luck!

these are great erika! I don't do that much embroidery but when I do, it's good to know that I can do more than the chain stitch. :)

It's great to recycle your plastic however you go about it. At 20 cents a yard it would be $20 for 100 yards- while that is a little expensive, I doubt there will ever be a day when one person making something specifically for you will ever be able to match the price of a yarn manufacturer.

thanks Susan!

Mische,
I believe what you're referring to is a fphdc (front post half double crochet). This page illustrates where to insert the hook for a front post double crochet- but you use the same technique for a stitch of any height. Just insert your hook from right to left around the stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, then continue making the stitch as usual.

http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa060797.htm

Hope that helps!

nice! I might have to add a rolled hem foot to my list of things to buy for my machine.

Pandabearcubs-- I am sure you could try posting on a site like freecycle.org to find someone who has yarn to part with. Thrift stores are also good places to find lots of yarn for very little.

I have been curious about this tool- looks like it would work for me! I always wish there was an easier way to mark all of the dots on clothing patterns. So far, stickers are my favorite because at least they are easy to see and remove. Sometimes I cut up old address label stickers that I get in the mail to use for that purpose (because I am cheap/crazy).

Carolyninoz,
I'm glad you like it! I think it's a great idea for exactly that- yarn so unique and pretty that it needs a pretty button to match. It's also just a nice way to camoflauge those brown buttons we all have, and use up yarn scraps at the same time! They'd be cute on a card...I could see a row of button flowers.

oooh, so pretty! there are so many surfaces you could apply this to, too. fun!

these are great ideas. i'd love to have it all in one displayed space, but there's no room in our apartment! I think being able to see it is a definite must!

I'm going to check around for a local group that might want the yarn, but if not, I'll donate it to goodwill where I am sure some thrifty, crafty soul will be happy to find it.

Joannie,
Don't worry, I hadn't heard of dryer balls either till my mom raved about them. Basically, they are supposed to bounce around in the dryer and fluff up your towels (and apparently eliminate static cling, too). There's some debate about whether they actually work (referring to the pvc kind here), but, i think the felted ones are a fun idea for the loads where you don't want to use softener.

I know- I want to go make some right now. We finally live in a place with our very own washer/dryer--time to celebrate!

Hooray! I love the flower blooms and that pop tab bag is totally amazing!

I love snapware plastic (see through) boxes for sorting my buttons--they are basically shallow tray-like boxes that snap together to make one big box (making it easy to remove one tray at a time to assess the contents). The only problem is I keep filling them up....

wow, those paper wigs are amazing!!!

I've also been told to stay away from them. In addition to the concerns you mentioned, I think the thread is cheaper and leaves me with a lot more lint to clean up. But- I do understand the convenience draw!

Woolldayfelter--
Sure- hdc is a half double crochet. Ch-2 sp is the chain 2 space (from the previous round), and sl st is slip stitch.

Here is a link to standard crochet abbreviations, which I guess I should have posted sooner!:
http://www.yarnstandards.com/crochet.html

It looks great! You are fast!

pretty! i like the mix of colors you chose.

i definitely need to take more walks! going from working full time in an office to working at home has been a huge adjustment for me and I didn't really realize until recently how, even though it gives me creative time, it also leaves me really isolated. to get inspired, i usually have to clean everything (once the place is clean i strive to mess it up again!) and sort through some of my supplies.

Jennifer-
It's definitely worth a shot. This pattern includes stitch diagrams (basically, a map of where to make each stitch) as an alternative to written instructions so it should be really easy for beginners to follow along.

Yay- it makes me feel less bad about the fabric that just hangs around. You can tear it into strips while you're watching tv and have a basket of fabric yarn ready to go.

oooh, we are moving to a place where we'll have our own washer in a month and i can't wait to felt it up. thanks for the tips!

It really is simple- especially for small projects. I only started blocking a couple of years ago and once I realized what a difference it makes (especially on lacy things) I became addicted.

so cute! i love how you used the bobble stitches to emulate gum drops!

wow, now I *really* can't wait till someone stocks them locally.

very well done Diane! this is one of those techniques i keep meaning to try...one day!

that souds like a cool class! sorry you missed it.

JulieB17--Oh, I have multiples of everything too, and sometimes you have to try different brands to know what you like! But I found there were some hooks that I didn't have at all and every time I went to the store to buy them I'd forget which ones I was looking for. I'm not against multiple hooks--some are bound to get lost in the couch!