JoAnn's Sensations Thick n' Thin Yarn

So today I am reviewing using JoAnn's Sensations Thick n' Think Yarn.

I was given several skeins of this in lavender/blue, but had never worked with inconsistent yarn. So I am crocheting a very simple pattren with it since I was not sure how the yarn would work.

I have found that the yarn is really soft and has a great color palette. But the skeins are really tiny at 50 grams each (max of around 45 yards) and seems not to go very far.
Unless you are really skilled at varied weight and gauge yarn, I recommend using a loose stitch and a large hook at first.

Also, with the large variation, it is really hard to make out individual stitches, so if you are working with this product or one like it. So I'd definitely suggest using a loose pattern if you are a beginner.

Also, this yarn can tend to tangle if you tend to stitch too tight and need to pull out stitches. So remember, loose stitches, simple/open patterns, and a large hook for beginners!


(These pictures show the thin and thick parts against the same hook)
















Now onto the pattern. (warning, I'm not great with writing patterns, but here goes)

The pattern is as follows:

Row 1 - ch 335, turn
Row 2 - dc in 4th ch from hook, *ch 2, dc in 3rd ch, repeat from * until last dc, ch 2 turn
Row 3 - dc in the first dc from hook.* ch 2, dc in next dc, repeat from * until last dc, ch 2 turn
Row 4-? - Repeat pattern until length desired.

(I used a J hook, but use whatever hook you feel comfortable working this yarn with)

Now what?

So my car is mostly fixed (yay!) The basement is getting dried out and EVERYTHING is getting washed. But I'm still really having a bad allergic reaction to the mildew and mold we've been fighting off.

Ugh. So we're spraying a bleach concoction and airing out the house.

Yesterday for my mom's house, I made a cushion with hand made piping (which I will post when I can get my pictures uploaded) and two coordinating pillows in like no time flat.

And I'm going through a cleaning phase today. I'm trying to get my craft room back into order and that's been an herculean effort, if I may say so.

But I had time to sit down and craft....but I couldn't figure out what to do. It's kinda making me feel a little crazy. There are like an hundred projects that I'd LIKE to do, but I can't seem to sit down and have inspiration come!

What to do?

I have time, but how do I figure out what project to work on?

ARGH!!!

Catching up....

So most recently, I was working on an Ostara swap.

So I made a god and goddess statue, a spiral/skeleton key bookmark, a crocheted amigurumi pillar, a wire wrapped turquoise pendant and three tealight candle holders.

(Picture above attributed to Crystal)



I have to say, I had the most fun with the God/Goddess statues and the tealight holders.

My swap partner, Crystal was looking for a way to light a candle for the Olympians, the Cthonic god/desses and for Hestia/Home deities.

So, on the left, there is a set of 13 pilars, one for each of the Olympians, the middle is a Greek home with a pot & hearth fire for Hestia and Home and the last is a cave for the entrance to the underworld for the Cthonic Gods.

I also had fun making up the amigurumi pattern for the pillar, though I'd like to refine it a bit.

This was a lot of fun to work on and let me get me a chance to get sculpting again!

Thanks Crystal for a great swap and if you're not her visit her amazingly inspiring blog here!

Ugh!

Sorry I haven't posted lately. The boy's car got totaled then my car died and needed a new radiator. Then when things started to look up, the old house I owned is about to get forclosed on since the ex hadn't paid the mortgage. There goes any credit towards buying a new car.

Then, a pipe in our basement burst in the night, filling most of the basement with about 2 inches of water. Did I mention it's a furnished basement with carpet and wooden wall panneling that got all wet and it threatening mold?

ARGH!!! Things are nutso around here!

I'll post more craft stuff soon.

Working with Sculpey Ultra Light

So I had a friend recommend Sculpey Ultra Light polymer clay. She had a test piece and it was strong and lightweight, which is a HUGE plus in my book!

So I went to three stores to find it, finally finding some at Micheal's.

Several hours later, I had a piece for a prop the boy was going to wear to game this weekend. And here is my review:

Negatives:

• Sculpey UL is a very dry type of clay. This lends to difficulty adhering to itself
• It is like sculpting a marshmallow. It is low density, so it makes smoothing ans shaping difficult.
  
• If you have warm hands, like I do, it will become very sticky like unproofed dough.
  
• Smoothing and fixing fine details is rather difficult.
  

Positives:

• Once baked, it is very durable
• Baked, it is lightweight
• It takes paint very well once baked

Now, as to why I have no pictures of my awesome creation...and I wish I was making this up.

We left the room for like five minutes...and the dog literally ate it.

Argh. I'll have to try again tonight.

Boredom + Sleeves = AWESOME!

So I was bored last night. Also, I might have mention to some of you, I had a costume several months ago that required an Argyle Sweater-vest. I went to the Thrift Store and there was a perfect argyle sweater, so I had to cut off the sleeves.


So.....one and a half hours of free time, two argyle sweater sleeves and boredom created this guy...

He's got silver painted safety eyes and is stuffed with fiberfil.

I'm not particularly good with embroidery, but I made him a little silver embroidered nose.

I could have maybe gone slower and planned ahead a bit more, but from start to finish he took like an hour and a half tops and I think he turned out pretty fun!

Hope you like him!