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2013, A Year in Review

Posted on January 1, 2014 by | Comments Off on 2013, A Year in Review
This past year's work collage:


So, what *did* I do last year?  And, did I meet my resolutions from 2013? Let me revisit my resolutions, and let's see how faithful I was to them...
"And, my 2013 New Years Resolutions...knitting- publish a few more patterns, learn brioche knitting. Crochet - do a bit more of it. Sewing- sew a pair of perfectly fitting jeans/trousers, drape 1 dress or outfit. Quilting- finish quilting the 2 quilts from last year and make 1 quilt. Design - learn more about WordPress to create an online shop"
Knitting - I definitely published more patterns than I was expecting: Lustig Hat and Gloves, Squishy Cabled Vest, Easy Lace Loop/Cowl, Rosita Hat and Mittens, Bow Slouch, Columbina Camisole, Tyrian Loop, and Laren Fingerless Mitts... phew!  And, two projects still aren't published... more about that in the near future.

Rosita Hat & Mittens, photo copyright Knitscene/ Harper Point
Brioche knitting - I signed up for a class, and started learning, but then forgot to finish the online course!  Oops.  Let's give that one a try again this year.

Crochet - I used it more frequently this year, and I made a few amigurumi gifts and used crochet as a border in some of my own projects.


Sewing - I did manage to create a pair of jeans that fit me really, really well!  BUT... then I grew out of them, and more on that in the near future.  I loved participating in Me Made May, and hope to do it again next year if possible.
((Confession.)) I still haven't draped anything!! I failed here.  I did start drafting skirt and bodice slopers, but definitely no draping!  ((Ugh.  Guilty feelings here.))

Quilting - I did way more quilting than I thought I could!  I learned to free-motion quilt and I finished a bed-sized brown quilt, a mini lap version,  the blue sampler quilt, a baby quilt, and a double-wedding ring quilt for a friend.




Design-  I finally got my portfolio site transferred to WordPress, but I still haven't created an online shop.  Anyone have advice on easy PDF distribution systems with templates on WP?  Also, I redesigned my crochet font StitchinCrochet(PRO), and released it!



2014...  Truth be told, I don't know what resolutions I should make.  I am anticipating some big changes in my life, and the only things I can hold onto at the moment seem very vague...

1) make some art:  get back into pen and ink, finish digital illustration commissions
2) make some things with yarn: finish hand-knit projects, use machine to stash bust
3) make some things with fabric: continue on the quilting and sewing goodness track
4) blog more efficiently and step away from the internet traps (facebook and cheesy news sites)

Happy New Year!
Cheers to the new year!

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Weekend Update

Posted on August 10, 2013 by | Comments Off on Weekend Update
Based on my last few posts, it might seem like I'm not knitting or sewing.
But I am! Really!  I just haven't been as diligent with taking photos and uploading them.

I was also recently commissioned to make twin baby blankets for a pair of recently born fraternal twins.  So, that was taking a bit of my spare time thinking how I was going to make it happen by October.  Enter the knitting machine manual, a garter bar, and I'm finally on my way.  I'll be using Cascade Yarns Heritage Sock yarn thanks to a friend who wanted to de-stash and some local stores that are carrying it!  I still have to figure out what will happen with the border, but I get ahead of myself...

Here's the plan:
the plan of action

The new mom likes purples and pinks for the girl twin, and greens for the boy twin - check.

The swatch says it will work!

I had to figure out how much yarn was actually needed so after an initial gauge swatch to choose the best tension on the machine - I liked 6.25 - I did a test run.  The test blocks revealed that each 6" x 6.5" block takes circa 8g of yarn.  Which means when multiplying 8g x 48 blocks, 384 g total yarn is needed, and I have 400g of yarn (100g x 4 skeins).   In the plan, there's 12 pink blocks, 12 purple, and 24 white so it should be enough yarn!  Same with the greens: 12 dk green, 12 lt green, 24 grey blocks.  

yarn with previous plan of action
I'll probably add texture in the form of cables and random garter stitch just to change things up, but we have the main knitting settled.  Crossing my fingers it'll be enough yarn.

 lilac, pink, and white

greens and grey
If not, I'll reach into my stash and make it work...

I've also been working on a skirt which is eluding completion due to the fact that I somehow thought it would be a cool idea to have a side seam zipper as well as side seam pockets.  Yeah.  I'll see how that works out.
Have a great weekend!

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Me-Made-May 2013 Challenge Pledge

Posted on May 2, 2013 by | Comments Off on Me-Made-May 2013 Challenge Pledge
me-made-may'13

I took the plunge!

I, Adriana of Adri Makes a Thing or Two, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May 2013. I pledge to wear at least 1 hand-made/up-cycled item 4 days a week for the duration of the month of May.


There it is!  Plunge taken.  Every year I see wonderful outfits and things that people have made, and I always miss the cut-off dates to join in the Me-Made-May challenge.  So, this year I made sure to note the calendar dates and be sure to join in.  If you'd like to learn more about the challenge, click on the button "Me-Made-May '13" above.

This is May 1st's outfit...



Item 1 is a knitted cowl I made this year.
Item 2 is the plaid skirt I made for last year's Sew Weekly childhood challenge.

I'm hoping to get some use out of the many items I make and try to rotate them a bit.  Does that happen when you make something too?  You start to like the look of something and then forget the rest of the clothes in the closet.  Perhaps, this challenge will get me to purge a few of the non-flattering items in my repertoire.

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Beads & Quilting

Posted on March 23, 2013 by | Comments Off on Beads & Quilting
These days, I've been working on a top-secret project for an unnamed magazine.
See the sneak preview below...


The photo shows several different types of beads and how they look on the project's yarn.  Any thoughts?

And, in the quilting world, I've been prepping!


All my quilting blocks from last year's Craftsy Block of the Month Sampler needed some sashing in order to free-motion quilt them.  So, I'm taking that first step and adding 2.5" strips around all the blocks.  I can't wait to start FMQ'ing!  I may start before I finish sashing them all.  I don't think I have that much patience to wait!

And, news on the Knitmaster knitting machine,  I've opened it up to inspect its condition, and there's a lot of dust and cat hair, but as you saw, the machine can still knit.  Plus, the needle retaining bar (aka sponge bar) needs replacing, and once that's done it will be a lot smoother.  So, that's what I'm up to this weekend!  Hope you are all doing well yourselves.  Anyone doing any fun projects this weekend?  I am sorta missing sewing clothing.  Perhaps once the quilt and the deadline projects are done, I'll work on some trousers.

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In the meantime…

Posted on February 13, 2013 by | Comments Off on In the meantime…
Lately I've been so hesitant to post, and I keep waiting to post, and holding out for something big to happen.  Today, I decided to forgo that train of thought.  I mean, why am I holding back?  I started this blog to share what I was making - whether they be big breaks or small, right?  So, here goes.

I've been on a dumpling kick.  So, I've been making lots and lots of these delicious little pasta pockets.  Thus far, I've been using one cookbook that several of my friends purchased whilst I drooled over it. The book is "Asian Dumplings" by Andrea Nguyen, and there's an accompanying website: http://www.asiandumplingtips.com/

Here are my creations based on recipes found in the book... a set of "big hug" folded dumplings right before they were cooked and devoured.

So far I've done the first 2 recipes:  Pork and Napa Cabbage Water Dumplings and the Meat and Chinese Chive Pot Stickers.  I've steamed, boiled, and cooked them like pot-stickers, and so far we have enjoyed them greatly!  I really like the process of rolling out the dough and folding into the different shapes.  I found that the 2nd day dough is much easier to work.

I've also been working in the background for several already-released patterns and several new ones!  The rights for the Orange Blossom Camisole have reverted to me so I can self-publish the pattern which I did on Craftsy, Ravelry, and Patternfish. 


In sewing and quilting, I seem to be acquiring patterns, cutting them out, but hesitating before making them.  I don't know what's stopping me, but hopefully I can snap out of my reluctance.  It's annoying me.  I'd like to just clear off the table and finish the quilt I started last year with the Craftsy Block of the Month.  I have everything even the backing ready to go!  So what's stopping me?  I have no idea.

Sewing mojo come back!!

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Postcards from Outside My Window

Posted on May 6, 2012 by | Comments Off on Postcards from Outside My Window

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Postcards from Outside My Window

Posted on May 6, 2012 by | Comments Off on Postcards from Outside My Window

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WIP: January is Flying By

Posted on January 18, 2012 by | Comments Off on WIP: January is Flying By

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