Crafts during a hurricane

This is what I did during Hurricane Sandy.  I needed something to take my mind off the water collecting in the basement!

First, a green cotton doily.

Then, a simple garter stitch washcloth with a cotton variegated yarn.

Then, I even tried my hand at tatting!  

Another decoupage pumpkin, this time with polka dots!

I went on a quest for orange tissue paper in Center City the other day and it turns out that few places have it.  I also looked for patterned tissue paper, and even less places have anything that fits that bill (including Paper Source).  But I found something to my liking at Papyrus of all places.

You may recognize it from my earlier post about pumpkin decorating parties.  

I used this tissue paper in a modified way to make this:

The color didn't change...the lighting did.  The first picture was shot under flourescent bulbs, the second in sunlight.  What a difference a little natural lighting makes!

To "modify" the design of the tissue paper, I cut out small pieces between the multi-colored confetti and glued it onto a papier-mache pumpkin, again using Aleene's Tacky Glue.  I had to overlap the pieces quite a bit, making the polka dots a little haphazard and some cut in half.  

For the stem, I painted it with Folk Art Acrylic paint (another favorite product of mine) and when it was dry, covered it with more Tacky Glue for a glossy finish.

When I get around to it, I'd like to spray the whole thing with a varnish to protect it from UV rays and drastic fading.

Very simple... and I have to give credit where it is due.  I was originally inspired to do this project by The Smith Family blog, with its leopard print pumpkins.  I'd love to show a picture, but her website doesn't allow linking to pictures.  

Ideas for Pumpkin Craft Parties

When I was little, my nickname was Pumpkin.  Maybe that's why I have such a love for the round, orange squash.  I've realized lately that decorating pumpkins, eating pumpkin foods, and making pumpkin crafts are great ways to celebrate the fall without subscribing to any beliefs or holidays, which seems to be more and more problematic in our politically correct society.

In this case, I have no problem with this "no holiday" rule, since pumpkins are awesome and need no lofty reason to be celebrated.  Bonuses: you can do pumpkin crafts any time between Labor Day and Thanksgiving and no one has to wear a costume.

Here is an "easy" craft to make at a pumpkin-themed party, if you don't want to go the traditional route of painting or carving real pumpkins.  I mean, how passe!

Hit the "Read More" link for this project's materials, tips, etc.

Sriracha Halloween Costume

My husband loves sriracha sauce.  And since I love my husband, I decided to make him a Halloween costume that is easy to wear and fun for me to knit.

Behold, the iconic bottle cap, in hat form:

I knit it using Sugar'N Cream cotton yarn that I've had hanging around for ages.  Bonus: since the hat is cotton, and not wool or heavy synthetic, it has a good change of being breathable and comfortable on Halloween, thus ensuring that it actually gets worn, not just put on for pictures and then taken off to avoid sweat and overheating.

I didn't take too many notes while knitting, but if I remember correctly. the ribbed bottom is 150 stitches on a 3.25mm circular knitting needles (US size 3).  I just purled 3, knit 1 then repeat.  I did about 6 inches worth of rows and folded the bottom hem under about 2 inches, just to reinforce the shape.

The cone nozzle is about 100 stitches cast onto the same size needles, although I used double pointed needles so that I could decrease the size so much at the top.  I pretty much decreased a stitch at six points in the round, then knit regularly for three rows; decreased a stitch in 6 places, knit regularly; etc.  At the top to make it a little longer, I knitted 4 to 5 rows between decrease rows.

The cone is stuffed with polyester batting, and there is a little piece of scrap fabric inside holding it in place, just sewn with a messy whip stitch.

This is how the hat looks when it's just hanging.  I thought this demonstrated the shape and construction a little better.

For the rest of the costume, we took the easy way out and ordered a shirt from Etsy, specifically from I Heart Analogue.  

Also, if the hat survives a couple of years, I can reuse it as the top of a green crayon costume.  

October Philly Etsy Roundup

If, for all intents and purposes, autumn is made of three months (September, October, and November), then October is the best of the three.  In September, I am still mourning the loss of summer, clinging desperately to the hopes of one more trip to the beach, especially when the weather can be so tantalizingly warm.   But by October, I finally embrace fall and effortlessly enjoy the wonders of the season.  Also, it helps that my birthday and Halloween both fall in this month!

My favorite jewelry color combo: pink and gold.  I've never seen a pink opal!

Pink Opal Earrings: $35

If you have a Halloween party, why not thank your guests for coming with these thank you cards?  Reasonably priced, too!

Set of 10 Note Cards: $15

Another great part of the month of October: trees in our area begin to change color!  These coasters seem to embody all the lush hues starting to appear along the Schuylkill.

Rich Tapestry Stone Coasters, Set of 4: $32

Football season is well underway, and for the newest Eagles fan in your life, you can have a football hat custom made with green and white ties.

Football Hat for Babies: $18

And not to go crazy on the baby items this month, but I adore this hourglass quilt.  If only I could have/afford a queen-sized one for my guest bedroom!

Orange Hourglass Baby Quilt: $78

South Philly Fall Fest - October 21, 2012

I love East Passyunk.  I love handmade and vintage items.  And I love October 21, because it's my birthday!  So the South Philly Fall Fest, presented by Sweet Jane and Lucky 13 Pub, is possibly the most perfect combination of things possible.

For more info, check out the Facebook page, or Sweet Jane Vintage's website.  

PS: While you're there, check out the awesome handmade-ness of the following stores: 

• Nice Things
• Nicole Rae Styer Boutique (and studio/workshop!)
• Fabric Horse

And also get some homefries at Chhaya...some craft beers at the Bottle Shop... some gelato at Capogiro.... some vintage housewares at Era Atomica... Good lord, I've already spent about $300 in my head, and it's only Thursday!