D is for Digital Scrapbooking

Digital Scrapbooking how I love you!  You make it so easy to be a perfectionist in an art genre that strives for the imperfect.  I love manipulating items on a page of "paper" for hours on end.  I'm constantly finding new features of my scrapbooking software (Digital Scrapbook Artist 2 by Serif) that enhance my layout designs and push me more into this new world of DS :)

My current project is an ABC scrapbook for Lillian's first year.  It is exciting to build a scrapbook that accentuates the photos that we've captured this year.  Here is one of my favorite pages from the album, enjoy!

Photography by Emily Piraino
http://emilypiraino.wordpress.com/

Grab Ball Update:  All of the pieces are made, working on the assembly...hoping to finish the ball tomorrow!

Good Start

I'm off to a good start with this ball. 

Here are the materials I'm using:

• Bernat Softee Baby Summer Ombre yarn (color A)
• Bernat Softee Baby White yarn (color B)
• Poly-Fil
• Size D Crochet Needle

The pieces are very easy to stitch, but I need to make a ton of them - 36 total pieces.  The trick is to distract Lillian long enough to get a couple done...here's one way to do that :)

Don't worry, I kept a close eye on her and the string at all times!

Here is the first section of the ball...I need 4 of these to complete the project...might take a couple more days since Lillian's Superdad had to return to his day job today.   

Nasty Bug

Our house was struck by a nasty stomach bug.  The only reason to stand up yesterday was to take care of Lillian.  Thankfully we are all feeling better today and I can get back to my current project. 

As I wait for my new crafting books...including Sew Everything Workshop and Crafty Mama...I started a crochet "grab" ball for Lillian. 

Here's a link to the pattern:
http://priscillascrochet.net/free%20patterns/Baby.pdf

This will be my first time using fiberfill and sewing pieces together...a new challenge!

Check back later for the completed ball (hopefully)!

Crochet for a Cause

Earlier this year I stumbled upon an amazing group for my love of crafting.  It's a knitting and crocheting group at our church.  We have been making beanies for children in Honduras and most recently we've been working on hats and scarves for San Diego's Homeless.  I feel like I'm finally using my "skills" to support great causes.  We met last night and this is the hat that I finished this morning. 

This will probably make it's way to a child's cold head in the coming months.  I'm thrilled to say that I put my mom's night out to good use!

In the beginning...

Mom, Dawn, Lilla, Grandma...my models for crafty women.

Sandy...my first inspiration to learn a craft as an adult. 

It all started one morning at work.  My friend walked in with a shell-shocked expression on her face.  We're both twenty-two, engaged, and living far away from our families. 

Turns out, she's pregnant! 

I start thinking about what it would be like to be in her shoes and decide that I should do something special for her and the baby.  I instantly think of my mom who crochets blankets, call her up, and employ her to make the blanket. 

Fast-forward a few months...baby is here and the blanket is not.  As the months pass by, I realize that my mom is too busy to make the blanket.  Instead of going to the store and buying a blanket like a normal person, I decide to make my own.  Without experience in knitting, crochet, or sewing, I head over to our local Michael's.

Browsing through my choices, I decide to get a kit called "I Taught Myself to Crochet" by Boyle and some soft baby yarn. 

At home, I spend much of my free time learning my new craft and about 6 months later as Sandy and the baby girl are getting ready to move across the country, I present my first hand-made blanket.  The blanket is not even close to perfect, but I'm proud of what I made. 

My only regret...I didn't take a picture (or I've lost the picture) of that blanket.