Knitting Finger Puppets for a Cause

Hello to my blog readers, old and new!


Recently, I stumbled upon a Facebook post calling for knitters and crocheters to make finger puppets for children in Canada.  I looked into it further and decided to lend a helping hand to this worthy cause.

The puppets go to Nova Scotia's children's hospital, IWK Centre, to children who are undergoing medical procedures or blood work.  The hospital says it gives away over 1,000 puppets a month to patients and their families, which are hand-knitted by volunteer groups and individuals. 

Click this link for more details, including free patterns and information on where to send puppets, should you decide to participate:


http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/nova-scotia/iwk-finger-puppet-knitting-donations-1.3750252

Here are some photographs of the finger puppets I made:

 

Backside

   

Front, ready to be stitched up

 

 

Hair added, and now time for a haircut!

I enjoyed making these little finger puppets very much, but it took more time to complete each one than I had imagined.  I did finish three, and I am going to send them off in the mail to Canada next week.

Here is my trio of finger puppets. Ta da!

Thanks for reading!

See you soon,

Marsha

Free Crochet Pattern - Cute Christmas Wreaths

Hello all,

There is nothing like getting a jump on the holidays!  Here is a wonderful, super-easy pattern to make wreath decorations for your tree, or to decorate anything, really.  And, you help save the planet by using recycled plastic rings from your plastic containers.

If you can single crochet and make slip stitches, you can make this wreath!

Here is what you need:

Size G Crochet Hook
Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn (I used Lily Peaches and Cream)
Plastic rings from juice jug or other drinks (I used rings from bottled ice tea and Vitamin Water)

1.  Pull a loop of yarn through the center of the ring and single crochet (I did not show this step but as long as you put the ball of yarn on one side of the ring and the crochet hook on the other before you start, you should be fine).

2.  Stitch 35 single crochets (sc) around the ring.  When you have gotten all the way around the ring with your single crochet stitches, join the last stitch to the first stitch with a slip stitch.

3.  Chain 2 and single crochet into each stitch (35 stitches) around again.

4.  Slip stitch to finish.  Weave in ends.

5.  Add any variety of ribbon.  I love the look of the dainty baker's twine that I used. 

Enjoy your little creations.

With pre-holiday joy,

Marsha

Chalk Art Festival 2016

Hello Again,

A few weeks ago, I  participated in my first (and New Haven's first) Chalk Art Festival!  Professional and amateur artists were invited to create 3' x 3' chalk masterpieces in the Broadway shopping district in the center of Yale University.  

Prior to the event, I fiddled around with a few different designs, finally settling on a geometric quilt pattern.  I cut out a 3' by 3' piece of paper at home and penciled in each design by hand, using plastic lids and embroidery hoops for the circle shapes.  It was fun deciding what each quilt block would look like, but it did take some time to measure out the angles for each square.

Once I completed the full size rendering, I made a small sample of the design to carry with me on the day of the event.  I packed up my chalks, rulers, circle forms, water, snacks, and drove to New Haven.

I parked in a downtown garage and hauled my gear two blocks to the chalking area.  The temperatures were pushing 90 degrees and there was very little cloud cover.  I spent the next three hours crouched on red hot pavement, chalking my creation.  It was inspirational to peek over my shoulders to see what others were creating, but I found that I couldn't take many breaks since it was taking me longer to finish than I had hoped.

Getting started.

Measuring squares.

Taking a break!

Once I had the outline of my design completed, I started to add in some color.  I found that the best way to blend the chalk was to rub it with the tips of my fingers.  (My poor fingers were black and raw by the end of the day).

Blending the colors.

Progress!

The finished design took a little over three hours, far longer than I had anticipated.  The heat added to the challenge....

Detail.

I would have liked to go back into the design and do more blending and outlining, but I was pooped and figured I'd just leave it be.  The event was well-attended, and it was gratifying to see so many people admiring the chalk artists and their work.

Admirers.

More admirers.

All in all, it was a super-fun day!

See you soon,

Marsha

Water, Water Everywhere!

Hello all!

The summer months have flown by.  I kicked off the summer with the showing of my mobile at Spectrum Art Gallery in Essex, CT.  It remains there as part of their Water, Water Everywhere exhibit for just a few more days.

It was such a thrill to attend the Opening Reception and to have my work included in the exhibit. 

Here are a few highlights:

The front of the gallery.  Love the red doors!

Here I am, thinking, "Wow, this looks even better than I imagined it would!"

It is hanging in a perfect spot in the gallery, where lots of light flows through it.  Lovely. 

A few of my favorite admirers.  The admirer on the left gave the mobile its perfect name, "Go With the Flow."

A postcard for the Water, Water Everywhere exhibit at Spectrum Gallery, Essex, CT

 Until next time,

Marsha