Top Secret!

Shhh, don't tell my mom or my sister, but I've been doing some serious christmas present knitting the past few days. My fingers are SORE. I'll start by showing off what I just finished. These are for my sis, she wanted grey knee high socks. And yes, that is a bit of my thigh in that picture. I in fact AM just that sexy. Thank you for asking.

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Pattern: "Palmikkosukat" From the Novita website (only in finnish)
Needles: 3,5mm & 4mm
Yarn: Fleur by Anttila (100% acrylic)
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I'm pleased with myself for knitting them. And it only took me 2 days. But then again it only took me 2 days to knit two pairs of socks that my mom is getting for christmas. (No, I haven't been sleeping too much the last few days..

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Pattern: Just basic socks
Needles: 3,5mm
Yarn: Satu (100% acrylic)
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For some reason I can't attatch a link to the other picture without it taking out everything I wrote so far. And I'm too tired to start figuring anything out. But they look the same, except with contrasting colours. You can see them on flickr.

Obsession

I'm obsessed. With the MMA fighter Gina Carano. She's gorgeous, and can kick some ass! Don't know who she is? One word sweethearts: google. Anyhow, my obsession inspired me to do some cross stitching:

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Long Time No ...Anything

I haven't been doing about anything the past few months. But I'm trying to get my life (crafting) going again. Hope someone still reads this blog. Oh, and my computer died on me... There goes ALL the crafting pictures from this year. FUCK!

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While I've been silent, I've still crafted a few things. I even experimented with polymer clay. And my first project was earrings for my friend:

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And I made a new friend, obviously I had to make her something too. Oh, and she makes the BEST VEGAN CUPCAKES!

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Fresh New Ink

School is taking up a lot of my time right now, so I haven't really had time to craft. But that doesn't keep me from getting new ink..

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Just got that done this sunday. And it's still one big outch! As well my other tattoos this also made by my favorite tattoo artist Juha Lensu. One could never tell that there used to be a..mistake.. I made when I was 17 on my upper back. And yes, I got ridiculously sun burned this summer, thus the tan lines..

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-cherry Shoes!

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So.. the idea came from seing this guy with Sailor Jerry chucks. Since I don't have that much to spend on shoes (and one most likely couldn't get those from Finland) I had to get crafty. And by now everyone knows I have a slight obsession with cherries, right? The pattern for the skully cherries is from Urban Threads . Now my shoes and my brooch match!

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It's painfully obvious, that I was in a hurry stitching these to the shoes. I'm at my mom's now, but when I get home I'm gonna finish them up with fabric glue.

Keychain LipBalm Cozy (+ tutorial)

I finally started to write up something of a tutorial for this keychain lipbalm cosy. And here we go:

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Yarn: Novita Kotiväki

Hook: 2mm

You'll also need: a button and a key loop (or whatever you call them)

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Make a yarn loop, crochet 6sc:s in the loop
1st rnd: 2sc:s in every sc = 12sc:s
2nd rnd: *1sc, 2 sc:s in one sc* repeat *-* till the end of the round =18sc
This was big enough for my lipbalm, if you have a thicker lipbalm try making one more increase round.
Continue rounds of 18sc:s until your lipbalm fits all the way in the cozy

FLAP:
*turn your work, ch 1, 5sc, turn
*ch 1, 5sc, turn (rep rounds until you flap about as big as in the pic)

BUTTON LOOP:
(obviously the size of the button loop depends on the button you use, but this one worked for me)
*next round: 1sc in two sc:s (1 sc decrease), chain 6, 1 sc in two sc:s, turn your work
*sl 1, 8sc:s in the chain stitch loop, slip stitch all the way around the whole flap and the edge of the cozy.

FINISHING:
Wiggle the keyloop on to it's place at the base of the flap. Sew in button.
Weave in ends. And you're done!!

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This tutorial is for personal use only. As always I'd love to see it, if you're making one.

Going Marine!

I was in a bit o a earring kick this afternoon. Just made simple earrings out of some scrapbooking stuff I got at a craft store. These I'm going to keep for myself:

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And these I'm going to give away. The lighthouse one is going to a friend with a lighthouse tattoo (among others)

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I love them. Cute and simple, just like me. Haha.

Missions.

I’m a girl on a mission. The mission being making sure I always carry condoms with me in every single purse. Let’s just say I never ever want to be in a situation of “you don’t have any either??” (again).

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hook: 2mm

yarn: novita kotiväki colori (100% cotton)

pattern: made it up as I went along

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There it is. The dircreet little condom pouch. I thought about making a picot edging, but then I thought why bother. 'Cos let's face it: nobody is going to be paying attention to my delicate handiwork in a situation where this little pouch comes to play. It's big enough to hold two condoms. Just in case..

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My 10yo niece was with me for a few days at the beginning of this week. She was on a mission too. Her mission was not to separate her new diary and the pen that goes with it. My mission (at that time) was getting her to do some crafting. Not like she needs to be persuaded. Here's the product of our mission (and her hands):

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A little kitty drawstring pouch for her diary. Cute right?? All I did was cut the fabric and of course tutor her through the whole thing. The kitten embroidery is her very very first embroidery and done with sublime stitching pattern. It took her a while to choose.."How can I choose what I want to embroider when you've got so damn many pictures?". Oh how I love that kid. Color me proud!!

Pom Pom!

I saw this yarn in the store, and I just coudn't resist it.. I have no idea if I'm really even going to wear this, but we'll see..

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Yarn: Novita Pom Pom (100% Polyester)

Hook: 6mm

Pattern: None

Mood: Ambivalent

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I'm usually not a big fan of really cooky efect yarns, but there's always I first time. It took me about an hour to finish.

Cherries, Cherries, Cherries..

Those of you who have been reading my blog for some time may have noticed I have a some sort of a fixation to cherries. Especially crocheted ones. So here we go again..

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Pattern: By me.

Yarn: Coats Lyric 8/4, 100% cotton

Hook: 3mm

Mood: Very very pleased!

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I'm seriously going to start using more headbands. I just usually (since the bangs/fringe) use a bandana. And yes, I am that white. I can't help it. It's ridiculous, like I'm border line albino or somthing. And no, my lovely knitting tattoo has not faded that much, it's just the light.

Light Summer Knitting

So I actually have some knitting done. Who new I could still knit?

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I made the Everlasting Bagstopper for my mom in her favourite colour. I made it as a "Hi, I came to visit again"-present.

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Pattern: Everlasting Bagstopper by Amy R Singer

Needles: 3,5mm&6mm

Yarn: Novita Luxus Cotton

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My 10 yo niece has been crafting too! Isn't it awsome?? I'm so proud

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Apparently the horse is made using a tree branch, pantyhose, toilet paper, yarn and felt tip markers. Talk about inspired!

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Finally A Brooch (And Great Times)

Remember these little embroidery pieces I made using Urban Threads patterns? I finally made the cherry one into a brooch. I gave the clover to a friend.

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It has two layers of cotton fabric with some padding in between them. Not to mention some lovely sequins and some matt&clear beads for that special something-something. Simple and cute (kinda like me..)

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Oh and I have to tell you about my last weekend. It was one of the best (if not THE best) weekend I've ever had. Austin Lucas and Mike Hale had a show here in Jyväskylä. I went, listened to great music (obviously) and somehow me and my friend ended up going with them to Tampere the next day. Great guys, great music. Fun times. Always great to meet new people. The obligatory groupie-esque photo of me and Austin:

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Play Safe!

I made this for a friend. Who.. well he likes sex, a LOT (who doesn't?). And I want to make sure he's safe out there. In his defence I've never heard the "I just didn't have one on me"-line from him, and cos I never ever want to I made him this:

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It's going to have either a snap closure or a little piece of velcro (wich ever I find first in this mess). I figured those would be the simplest to operate, 'cos lets face it he's not like a rocket scientist. Not to mention that in a situation where he needs to open this pouch (quickly) there is most likely not goin to be all that much blood pumping through his brain..
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See that? The happy little condom is ribbed for you pleasure.. The "pattern" was just drawn by me.

Skull Candy

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I don't remember when I started it, but let's just say it wasn't stitched in a day. I had to include an "in progress" shot 'cos the piece just lookes way cooler in it. The awesome pattern is from Urban Threads.

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I used split stitch, back stitch and satin stitch on it. I framed the finished piece and gave it to my friends who are a couple. They both have dia de los muertos style tattoos so I figured it would be fitting.

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Mine is not as hot as Rachel’s but I try. The awesome pattern is from Urban Threads. I’m getting totally addicted on those patterns, I’m working on one right now.

The Good Auntie

My niece is turning 10 allready. She's going to be a teenager in a few years. Oh my.. She's having a birthday party next saturday, and she wanted me to make "little surprises" for the girls attending her party. What's an aunt to do?

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I cut out some old jeans and made the girls little key chains. All the hearts have a little patch in them that has the recipients initial stamped on it. There's one for the birthday girl too. The one with the O. In the pictures the key chains didn't have keyrings yet, 'cos I bought those on the way to the post office.

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And what did I get her as a present? Two plain white long sleeved t-shirts and a bundle of fabric markers. I'm getting that girl into crafting even if it kills me!

Urban Embroidery

Thanks to the awsome embrodery of Rachel I got hooked on Urban Threads embroidery patterns.

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I think I'll make these into brooches, as soon as I figure out what kind of brooches they want to be. I have some sequins and everything... But yeah, I'm pleased with the way the embroidery pieces turned out. I think the many shades of green on the clover looks very good.

Pimp My Bike!

I know I've been away for almost a month. Life just got in the way. And I still haven't sent Sanna her prize. For shame! But I'll do it next week, I promise!

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Last week some asshole stole my bike. Thanks a lot. I just got it out for the spring and the next day it was gone. So I had to get a new bike. A very cheap bike, but hey it goes from point A to B and back again, so I'm happy.

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Here she is all blinged out. Yeah.. I thought she needed a little someting something, so I glued on some bling. Me likey. All I need to do now is get some black paint, so i can cover the brand name on the bike.

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So what do we think? Cute? Over kill?

Trinkets (and Contest Winner)

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I was at a Finnish nursing convention. Lot of the booths were giving out free crap, and I got these measuring tapes from there. What's a crafty girl to do? Make a cute brooch of course. I like it. And it took all the 150cm of the measuring tape and one button.

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I made more earrings. I covered a button with fabric from my broken umberella. I'm still haven't decided if they're ridiculous or cute.

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And last but not least: The contest of post 123 was won by the lovely Sanna from the blog kesken

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123:n postauksen arvonnan voitti kesken -blogin Sanna. Laitatko miulle maililla siun osoitteen ja vaikka lempiväreistä tietoa. Kiitos.

How To Carry Your Skates In Style

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So, I finished a bag/tote for my niece's ice skating stuff. She didn't ask me to make it, she told me to make it. It took me all together 7 hours. And I have to say I loooove it! Too bad the background of the photo is not too inviting. But hey, it offers a contrast to the cuteness.

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Here's a close up on the decorations. The hand embroidered ice skate from last post was obviously for this project. I wanted to have her name in it too. They're both in the same fabric as the lining.

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And here's a close up on the pocket in the lining. It's for her water bottle and "figure skating passport" (whatever that is). I also put a little label in there too also showing the date I finished the bag for her.

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Last but no least: a close up on the drawstring. My first time using those eylet-thingys. I figured that it would be functional, not to mention that it would also add a little something-something.

123

This is the 123nd post in my blog. In honour of that there is going to be a contest, a little embroidery and some winter fun!

First the contest: I'm gonna do things a little differently. I don't have any specific prizes in mind (yet). That's why You leave a comment telling me what You'd like to receive. I can't promise you'll get that, but I can promise that you'll be heard. You have a week to answer. Simple right?

123:n postauksen kunniaksi pieni arvonta. Miulla ei ole mitään tiettyä palkintoa (vielä) mielessä. Sen takia Sie jätät kommentin, jossa kerrot mitä Sie haluaisit saada. En lupaa, että just niin käy, mutta lupaan että siun pyyntös kuullaan. Siulla on viikko aikaa osallistua. Aika simppeliä, eikö?

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A little ice skate embroidery. It is going to be a part of something bigger. My niece started figure skating this winter, and she still doesn't have a tote for her skating stuff, so auntie-Tiina to the rescue. Actually she just called me and said I'd make her one (yep, said - didn't ask..).

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Me ice skating for the first time in 6 years. I did pretty well, untill I landed less-gracefully on my side and for a little while I thought might've broken my hip. I didn't.. But I love ice skating! My niece is looking like she doesn't want to even know me.

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If there was a speach/thought bubble on my niece's head, it would say: "that is SO not the way that's done!"

Paper Crafting

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I made more envelopes. This time I used a comic book I bought from the library at a clearance sale. They came out niiiiiiice. Now all I need to do is write more letters so I can use those. Why don't people write to each other more?

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I also made my friend a birthday card. Want to guess her name and how old she is? The card is photographed on the gift I'm giging her. Can you believe she hasn't seen Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! ? Weird.. I'm not usually much of a paper crafter, but when I found those cutesy little letters&stuff from a paper craft store I knew I had to do it.

Happy Valentine's Day

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Yarn: Novita Jasmin

Hook: 4mm

Pattern: Heart Motif from Happy Hearts Purse

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I know I'm a day late, but I was too buzy yesterday. I went to a disco at night. Yep, a freaking disco! I went all out. I had ruffles on my shirt and some bling too. And I boogie oogie oogie'd 'till I just couldn't boogie no more.

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Hope all you beautiful wonderful people had a great valentine's!

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Hyvää Ystävänpäivää kaikille ihkuille! (tälleen vähän myöhässä, mutta minkäs teet..)