Hi, folks!

I’ve been away for quite some time, but I’ve still been actively creating, whether it’s finishing the pair of socks for my g-pa or coming up with a unit for my 10th graders. I’m counting the minutes until summer (but I’ll be able to enjoy it so much more when I get my callback for work).

I wanted to point my readers to a kick-ass contest sponsored by Katrina of elementnineteen. She is hosting a contest to win the cutest bunny necklace ever. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!!

I’m still around, and shocked that my first year of teaching is almost over! It’s been excellent and hilarious overall.

Just a quick note because I should be in bed.

I’m alive, I love my job, and I was even able to sew over my Feb. vacation.

My etsy shop has been updated–please visit for handmade yarn bags in all kinds of fancy prints, including Japanese linen and cotton.

Triptychs are fun and functional.

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Craft

Work has definitely eaten up all of my crafty time (who am I kidding, work takes up all my time!). I cannot wait for the break–I plan on getting ahead on my planning/grading and sewing up a storm (or at least a drizzle).

Until then, I am going to post some ancient Old Ball and Skein pictures. These are some of the bags I sold at the BBB last winter. Notice how the style has slightly changed.

I helped set up Miss T.’s table this year, but sadly couldn’t stay because of m’job. I had a few bags out, but nothing new.  We sat next to the charming Skunkadelic, who made this incredible clarinet “gun” that played Louis Armstrong when someone pulled the trigger.  Brilliant. I bought myself a birthday bag from regeneration.etsy.com and another kick-ass hat from beplanted.etsy.com.

Work

I want to gush about work, but I’m never sure if this is the correct forum for it. Please know I’m totally happy and totally a) lucky to have a job and b) lucky enough to work with so many amazing, talented, and generous people. The kids are also fantastic. I might post a picture of my (shared) classroom soon. It’s a pretty a amazing/hilarious/kind of messy/inspiring space. I do feel overwhelmed about the lack of crafty/gym/friend/laundry time, but that will get better soon. And really, right now it’s all worth it.

…and number 10 is the winner! Congrats, Kenyetta! Email me with your address and I’ll send you the magazine and pin!

Thanks to everyone who played!

Here’s my finished quilt and a blurry picture of my living room. I used seven different fabrics (from Fabric Place [rip], the old Joann, Purl Patchwork, and Valley Fabrics) and the binding is an extension of the backing. I’m calling it Woodland Quilt because of the forest-y fabrics I chose. I love this thing!

There are still three days left in the OBS Anniversary contest! Good luck to everyone playing!

To celebrate one year of blogging (and to drum up some noise over here) I’m hosting my first ever blog contest! Yay!

I have one issue of Craft Magazine #5 and one one-inch OBS pin up for grabs. All you have to do is introduce yourself. So new readers, hello!

Contest ends one week from today. Good luck!

Whew! Long overdue blog update. I can’t believe a month has just slipped by.

First things first. Teresa and I ventured a bit south for the Crafty Bastards sale in Silver Spring, MD. Teresa let me tag along as her assistant and she graciously let me sell some of my yarn bags at the table.

Yarn bags?

I brought nine and sold six. After my success at CB and the Bizarre Bazaar in Boston last year, I decided to open an etsy shop. Please visit Old Ball and Skein for your knitting/crocheting in public needs!

This design is original and brand new (for selling…I’ve been making ‘em for years). The bag protects your yarn from getting dirty, tangled, or falling on the floor while the flaps allow your working yarn to feed out of the top. The box bottom allows the bag to stand up on its own and the snaps allow you to switch out projects without cutting and weaving extra ends. These bags are pretty big; they accommodate a range of weights from sock to chunky. All are fully linked, have a huge back pocket, and are machine washable.

Here’s an example of one in the shop right now:

That’s all I got for now. Next update will feature my finished quilt.

It’s been a minute, hasn’t it?

Yesterday Teresa and I went to Northampton to visit Tara. We ate delicious breakfast (peanut butter pancakes!) and then shopped at Valley Fabrics and Webs. I picked up a pattern to make what promises to be a stress-free quilt. We’ll see about stress free. Here’s the fabric before I mess it up.

I sewed a few small gifts as a thank you for my amazing mentor and friend. The fabric is left over from some Ikea curtains. The tissue cover pattern came from here and the small card case pattern came from here. Both patterns were super easy to follow–thanks to the generous authors for offering the tutorials.

I’m feeling discombobulated by the recent events affecting the community of my school. Appreciate life.

Wow, my last post was in the middle of January. I’m not surprised, especially because I started student teaching right after that post was written. I haven’t finished the program quite yet, but it’s a wonderful sign that it’s Sunday morning and I’m blogging instead or grading or planning like a maniac.

Blogs are better with pictures, but I got nothing for you right now.