Show And Tell #21 - Birthday Craft-Along

I've had lots of things happening over the past two weeks since we last hung out together! Valentine's Day and my birthday were both in there so there was a LOT of celebrating and just good ol' happiness! There were also gifts, which I'll talk about in a little bit.

Before I dive right in, I just want to say that I'm hosting a Birthday Craft-Along and I hope that you will join in! I go over the details in the video, but I just wanted to add a little bit on here as well because I want to share my birthday happiness with everyone! :) Links and rules below.

Now onto the notes!

FO's

- Earbud Pouch by Mary Keenan - I used some leftover sock yarn that I used to make my first ever knitted socks for me! It's Lion Brand Sock-Ease in the Rock Candy colorway. I also used US 1 2.25 mm needles to make this quick gift for my music-loving husband as part of his Valentine's Day gift.

- Lambing Mitts by Veronika Jobe - I will be making myself a pair I do believe! This pattern was quick and straight-forward so I highly recommend it. I used US 7 needles and Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Chestnut Heather.

- Charity Hats - Part of my 2016 Crafty Goals is to make 24 hats or scarves for charity and I was able to get 4 of them done. I did each a little differently because I'm testing out my way to get a basic double crochet beanie the way I want it to be. Once I've figured all that out, I'll let you all know! :)

WIPs

- Socks using the stitch pattern from the Syncopation Socks by Mary Henninger - I have done a rounded toe, and am ready to do a Fish Lips Kiss Heel on one sock which I'll do once I've caught up with the other one since I'm doing them in tandem. I'm using US 1 2.5 mm needles and Paton's Kroy FX in Cascade Colors

- Turtle Made Fiber and 3D printed Turkish spindle - I'm almost done with the first 2 ounces. Once I've let that rest a bit, I'll start on the next 2 ounces. I'm loving the yarn I'm creating!

Buys/Gifts

- I did buy a couple of board games for my husband for Valentine's Day (Castles of Mad King Ludwig and Agricola).

- My husband bought me yarn for Valentine's Day and I did a haul video so check that out.

- He's really awesome and bought me a guitar for my birthday since I've always wanted to learn to play. So far so good except for me having short fingers. I'll keep on keepin' on!

Media

- I've watched a little Nurse Jackie and DS9, but I didn't watch much TV except for on my birthday.

Birthday Craft-Along

The Birthday Craft-Along is all about things to do with birthdays. You can use materials you received for your birthday or the project can be for someone's birthday. It can even be for a newborn! They did just have a birthday after all! When you post your photo in the Finished Objects thread over on my Ravelry group, just describe how this project fits in to the birthday theme. :) Feel free to use the tag #birthdaycraftalong on social media!

For the rules:

- This is a Craft-Along so it includes crochet, knitting, spinning, loom knitting, weaving, cross-stitch, sewing, quilting, etc. If you are in doubt, ask over in the chatter thread to make sure your craft will count.
- Your entry needs to be the finished item so if you are doing a modular blanket, the entire blanket would count not the individual pieces within.
- You must post a photo and a description in the Finished Objects thread about how your project is related to birthdays somehow.
- Feel free to double or triple dip with other CAL/KALs. As long as the other along is okay with it, so am I!
- Multiple entries are welcome just as long as your project isn't teeny tiny to be fair to everyone. If you are doing teeny tiny projects, group them together as one entry. Feel free to ask if you need clarification over in the chatter thread.
- Your project needs to be started no earlier than Feb. 22, 2016 so no WIPs this time.

Prizes:

- You must be a member of the group to be eligible for any prizes.
- In order for me to award a prize, there must be at least 15 participants. If we have a lot more participants, there is a chance of more prizes so spread the word!
- The prize is currently to be determined. I'll let you all know once I have that sorted out.

Time-frame:

This Craft-Along ends on March 31, 2016 so get your entries in! If we get the number of participants needed, I will announce the prize winner(s) on April 4th (or the next time I record after it closes).

Show And Tell #20 - Virtual Gold Stars

It's been almost 3 years since I started making videos on the CraftingWithClaudie Youtube channel! It so doesn't feel like it's been that long! My videos have evolved. I never dreamed that I would start a podcast! I'm doing tutorials and other goodies that I really had no idea would happen.

Interacting with all of you is the best part about all of this! I have made some amazing friends and hope to make more!

FO's

- Granny Square using RHSS. These were scraps from the first ever blanket I made. It was a Tunisian crochet afghan I designed and gave to my mom...wonky as it was! This square isn't going to be used for anything yet. I'm not going to participate in the Ugly Blanket 2016 challenge that Amy(mingmow) started because I have that lingering crochet blanket I want to finish before starting another giant blanket project. :)

WIPs

- I started a basic crochet beanie hat out of scraps. I really need to get to making those charity hats!

- I'm still working on the spinning I've shown a few times now. The fiber and spindle are both from Turtle Made. The project bag is from Kicks and Giggles.

- I started a pair of socks using the stitch pattern from the Syncopation Socks by Mary Henninger. I cast on using Judy's Magic Cast-on. I am doing a rounded toe and will do a Fish Lips Kiss heel when I get to that point. I'm using US 1 2.5 mm needles from Knit Picks. These are living in my Narwhal bag from Fat Squirrel Fibers.

Buys

- Spoonflower was offering a free sample so I chose this Harry Potter inspired fabric of a golden snitch designed by Karen Hallion.

- I hit up Michael's for some cross-stitch supplies. I bought some floss, hoops, and Aida cloth. I'll let you all know what I think of the cloth and hoops once I have a chance to use them. They're both the Loops & Threads brand which I've never tried before.

Life

- I have been super sick. I missed a lot of crafting time because I was sleeping and trying to get better.

- By the weekend, I felt like I could go outside again so we went to an open house in a neighborhood we like. The listing had some definite Photoshopping going on in the pictures because the reality just didn't live up to what was presented. The house wasn't bad, but it would be way too big for just the two of us. Though our two cats do take up a lot of space!

- We went to a Super Bowl party on Sunday and had a lot of fun, even if I wasn't rooting for either team. I made pulled BBQ chicken and cole slaw to take and it seemed to be a hit.

- I'm still holding strong on my Yarn Buying Ban. See the details from Erin and from Clare.

Media

- I finished Voyager and I don't think I'll be watching it again for a while. I like to take long breaks before rewatching such long shows.

- While I was sick, my husband settled me on the sofa and turned on Star Trek: Deep Space 9 to have on in the background while I slept the days away. I have watched a couple of episodes since returning to consciousness. :)

- Nurse Jackie! Oh yes, I am enjoying this show. I had heard good things about it and am glad that it is so good. I am getting nervous because things are going to come crashing down and it's going to be bad for Jackie.