Inspired Projects

It was not my intention to be away from my blog for so long.  My computer has been down for a couple of weeks thanks to my cable company.  Exactly why I hesitate to make changes to ANY services we have.  Anyway, I'm back and have been busy with many projects. 
My grandson turned 8 in October and decided he wanted a pirate birthday party.  As the resident cake baker I decided to go all out on this one.  It was super fun!

I made a four layer round cake.  The top two layers are 8", the bottom two are 9".  All layers were frosted with off-white buttercream icing.  For the map, stripes, skeleton scarf and eye patch I used prepared fondant.  It came in all white so I kneaded the gel colors into the fondant for each piece.  Then for ease of rolling I used my hand crank pasta machine.  The skeleton was formed out of rice krispie treats and then dipped in white chocolate.  On the map I used gel colors and paint brush to paint on the features.  The treasure box of course is made out of chocolate graham crackers. The plastic chain and play plastic sword gave it a really dramatic effect. 

On the yarn and needle side I was inspired by a class I took with Edie Eckman.  Edie highlighted the techniques from her new books.

  She has some wonderfully beautiful crochet motifs in the Connect the Shapes book. I am envisioning a table runner and placemats with some of these interesting motifs.  I was especially 

inspired by her free-form crochet hand bag.

So of course, I had to try my own.  I used Noro and separated the long colorways by color.  What do you think?  I added a zippered and pocketed lining, purse feet, an acrylic purse bottom and store-bought handles.  The base material is plastic canvas.

On My Needles Now

Currently I am designing a Christmas gift.  My grandsons love to get dressed up.  My youngest grandson requested an orange, button-down vest.  It features an argyle-look cable up one side.  The vest will be v-neck with four leather buttons.  The button band is worked simultaneously with the piece and will "wrap" around the neck. 

What are you working on for Holiday gifts?

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with friends and family!!