Not Your Average Granny

In my last post I mentioned the wallet I made for Craftaholics Anonymous Handmade Gift Exchange Summer 2013 . This is the gift I received from my crafting partner. A small cork board, a book mark, and 3 fabric coasters. Thank you so much, Courtney!! I have always wanted to make my own decorative cork board but never have gotten around to it. The bookmark will come in handy. I love to read! Also, I am using one of the coasters already which is why it's not in the picture.  The Gift I Received The Gift I Gave Here is a link to my last post for more information on the "wallet" I made. Enjoy!

I signed up for a craft exchange hosted by Craftaholics Anonymous . This is my 3rd summer participating. I choose this small organizing wallet to make for my partner.  This is the first wallet I have made and I think it turned out well. I follow a blog called Sew Can She . They have many cool craft tutorials featuring different tutorials from other blogs. So, the pattern actually came from LBG Studio . Next time, I will know what I'm doing and will make a few changes.  Front view. Open view Back view Inside Left. Inside Right. The right pocket is just big enough to put a small memo pad in. Also the left side holds cards or whatever you would like. I think it's a really neat thing to have in your purse. One always needs paper for something and extra room for do-dads. Also, kids would love this. I'm going to make some more for the granddaughters.

I've been busy making soap! It seems all I can think about it soap, gathering ingredients, and finding time. My son says I'm obsessed. I guess so; since I just made my fourth batch. I have been wanting to make soap for years but I was too afraid of the lye. Also, the cost of everything and finding everything was overwhelming. So, I'm at that point in my life where I've decided to just do what I want and I'll deal with the consequences (the consequences are all financial on my part). I choose to make Hot Processed Soap because I want it NOW. Not a month or two from now. I can't remember when I started and figured I better start blogging about it before I forget what I have done and which recipe I used. As it is, I'm digging into the recesses of my mind (what there is of it). My first batch of soap, I used this recipe from the blog One Good Thing From Jillee .  I had my youngest son help me and had him mix the lye up; so if anything happened it would h...

I participated in my first craft fair November 10th. I was scared to death. But, I did it! My second one was yesterday. I must say, it is work getting ready for them and so much to think about. I am selling these pillows for $20 each. Email me at micheleo@notyouraveragegranny.com  if you are interested in purchasing them. I personally love them!  

As per a recent post, I mentioned that I was in a craft exchange that ended June 30. For more information on that exchange, you can see the side icon for the link. I participated in last summer's exchange and this time it was a little different. Instead of just 2 partners that were paired up, there was one person to make a gift for and another person that made a gift for you.  This is the gift that I received from Crystelle. It's a slip case for my Kindle.  I have been wanting to make a case for my Kindle since the fall and now I don't have to. Thanks, Crystelle, I love it!! I choose to sew a little bag for my giftee, Lorisa.  This was the first time I ever made a bag and was quite pleased with the results. I took it to work with me and everyone just loved it and now wants me to sell them some bags. I found the pattern on the internet.  I now have made several bags for my granddaughter's and for an auction for our family reunion coming up. ...

I am participating in my 2nd Gift Exchange hosted by Linda from Craftaholics Anonymous . Sorry, the deadline has already passed. The link gives more information and the date of the next one.  Here is a link to the post of the 1st one  I was in last summer. I will post pictures when the exchange is over and we have received our gifts. I have an idea of what to make but have to wait and get the know my partner a little better.

So, I see I haven't posted anything since Halloween. I have been busy trying to knit 15 hats and 4 scarves for the grandchildren for Christmas Gifts. Oh, and a gift for a friend. The hats still are not done. Ugh!! I never have enough time to get things done. I only managed to get 3 hats done for one grandchild: I'm desperately trying to get the others done but now my car is out of commission. There is always something in the way of my crafty leisureliness. I'm still waiting to feel grandmotherly with all kinds of time on my hands. It hasn't happened yet.

These pillows turned out to be the cutest ones I've made so far. They were for a gift. I wanted to keep them for myself.

The whole entire month of June and into July, I have been making pillows. I seen this pillow pattern and had to make it. You can see the picture of the pillow I made in my last blog post below. When my grandaughter, saw the pillows that I was making she just had to have one. So, I found another pattern (here) that was more kid friendly and easier to make and made all 6 of the grandchildren a pillow plus one extra for a prize for my daughters baby shower.  I made 2 pillows for the gift exchange and 2 for a friends birthday, plus 2 practice pillows that I am keeping and am partial to even though they are filled with flaws. Now these pictured. I'm all pillowed out now but have to make more. My daughters want some and I have to make one for my niece. She loves to be included in everything. When I gave my 3 year old grandaughter her pillow this evening, she was happy, but wanted to know where her blanket is. She is under the impression that I am making her one. I don't know wh...

I recently participated in a Handmade Gift Exchange in the month of June. I read about it from the blog:   http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/ Linda has been hosting this event for a number of years now. This was the first that I have heard of it and thought it would be fun.  When you sign up and participate, she pairs you up with a gift partner. You then make a gift and have it sent by the deadline. Your partner does the same. You can email your partner and maybe become friends if your lucky. Also, Linda hosts this event twice a year. The next one is in November so I'm sure that one will have plenty of Christmas items exchanged. I am very happy to have received my gift in the mail today. Here is what my partner sent to me: Below is the gift that I sent to my partner: I hope that she liked it. I also made a set of pillows for a friend's birthday but I forgot to take a picture of them. They are the same pattern just different material. The patter...

This was a practice piece so do not judge me on the color choice.

  This quilt is for my niece, Maddie. She requested a red quilt and this is what I had on hand. It's still in progress (as well as #3 and #4). I have to pick out the material for the border and backing. Then it's on to #6 and #7. After that, I will concentrate on the quilting process. Then I can start on my queen size railroad fence quilt. And somewhere in there, I need to find money and time for knitting.

I haven't had too much to say lately. Just the usual work and daily annoyances. I am working on quilt number 4: Just started a book last night. I'm on page 62 and still can't keep the characters straight. I hate that.

Natural light. Artificial light. Close up. This quilt is for my sweet grandaughter, Kaelynn Nicole.