Adult Merit Badge

For RenStar For the Adult Merit Badge Swap on Craftster WOOT!

The swap was fun, as we got to think of 5 different adult merit badges achievements our partners would choose to craft from.

Above you will find the Merit Badge for:

Kept a Poker Face in front of Idocy

Didn't Swear at Idiots

These totally resonated with me!

Home Alone Hoopla

KEVIN!!!!!!

I stitched this "little" doozy for my good friend Melissa waaaaay back in 2015 for the last Coffee Hag Knit Nite Xmas Swap.

Melissa has a soft spot in her heart for Home Alone, so I couldn't resist.

This was crazy fun for me, and it's still one of my all time fave hooplas!

The Majestik Moose Hoopla!

I stitched this up for Jillybeans in

The Enchanted Woodland Swap on Craftster.

A moose once bit my sister...No realli!

She was Karving her initials on the møøse with the sharpened end of an interspace tøøthbrush given her by Svenge - her brother-in-law - an Oslo dentist and star of many Norwegian møvies: "The Høt Hands of an Oslo Dentist", "Fillings of Passion", "The Huge Mølars of Horst Nordfink"... We apologise for the fault in the subtitles. Those responsible have been sacked. Mynd you, møøse bites Kan be pretti nasti... 

We apologise again for the fault in the subtitles. Those responsible for sacking the people who have just been sacked have been sacked. 

The details:

I got the pattern for this at Andrea Zuill's Blog

Here's the link: BadBirds: Free Patterns Archive

On her amazing Blog she also has embroidery patterns for purchase!

Such cool stuff, I strongly suggest you check it out!

Lego Movie Hoopla Triple Threat!

This seemed to be, above all The Summer of Lego around here.

I have to admit, I love Benny.

His joyfulness to make a spaceship is how I feel about a great deal of things.

Maybe too many things.

Maybe I'm overexcitable?

Morgan, of course was all about WyldStyle and Will had a big thing for Emmet. 

After I first stitched up the Benny Hoopla the kids promptly put their orders in.

Below is a montage of close ups and basically me playing around with an intagram app for the first time.

I've been pretty busy lately, and a lot of crazy creatively awesome

things have been going on.

My sincerest apologies for leaving this blog for so long.

But no fear, the creativeness has (for the most part) been

captured for future blog posts!

I also have a serious backlog of Craftster Swap items 

to post for posterity.

(Even if it's for my own enjoyment.)

But, on a fun side note, I looked at my Stats on 

here and my Lalaloopsie crocheted hats have 

been viewed 124 times from France today!

One word to leave you with:

SPACESHIP!

Pinterest Stitch

This wonderfully snarky stitchery was stitched up 

for my friend Alex!

I'd found the original on pinterest

and she saw my pin and asked me to make one up for her

Sometimes these nice little Cross Stitches are a great 

little palate cleanser of a project!!!

                

I couldn't find the original stitch Artist so 

here's my pinterst link (right here!).

It leads to a tumblr and I can't follow the trail from there.

                                   

I just LOVE snarky Cross Stitch!

Frozen Conspiring Hoopla!

This Hoopla is inspired by the Art of Steve Thompson.

And when I say "Art" it's because when I stumbled on the images of 

his drawings, I was obsessed.

I couldn't look away!

I stitched this for GrindHouseHussy19 in the Frozen Swap,

trying desperately to mimic his pencil sketching.

The way the sisters have their heads together as if they're sharing a giggle over

some silly thing Olaf is doing was so endearing....

I just had to stitch it up!

Here's a link to Rick Andrioli's Pinterest Board dedicated to Steve Thompson's 

amazing art: Steve Thompson's Cool Disney Creations

Mr Thompson is a principal designer for the Disney Store.

Here's a couple of fun interviews with him from the D23 Blog:

D23 Blog Steve Thompson

I think his art is such a breath of fresh air...

just because you work at Disney doesn't mean you 

have to conform.

Check out his stuff, he's awesome!

Olaf Impaled Pencil Holder!

Ever since seeing those Urban Pac Man Yarn Bombing,

(Pinterest Link: Sorry, I can't find the original artist post!)

I've been looking at those wire mesh office supplies in a whole new light!

I made a pencil holder to hold Olaf being Impaled By Pencils Pencil Holder!

(Whew, that was a mouthful...)

                                       

Olaf was stitched onto regular old white felt and then I tacked him to the

wire mesh as best I could.

GrindHouseHussy, who this was made for in the Frozen Swap, said her 

favorite Olaf moment was when he declares his impalement.

So, I also included some actual Impaled Olafs!

Big Thanks to Morgan for letting me swipe some leftover pencils 

from the Valentines she passed out.

He's just so nonchalant about it. Love him!!!

                                       

Boondock Saints Hoopla!

Made for Spikefan in the Geeky Christmas Swap!

Boondock Saints was one of her inspired fandom suggestions.

I happen to love this movie.

Our two heroes, which are also brothers, are bickering about 

what to take to a massive showdown.

Guns, check.

Knives, check.

Rope?

Charlie Bronson never is without one!

Celtic Knots, as much as I love them, make my eyes all googly!

If you haven't seen this movie I suggest you check it out...

(A young Daryl Dixon never hurts.)

If you're squeamish of cursing, Irish accents, or some violence

you may want to watch through a thin blankie.

Here's the clip this quote is from:

Slainte!

Elsa Frozen Hoopla!

I'd signed up for the Frozen Swap on Craftster and

I knew Miss Morgan was going to be a bit miffed I was making all

this cool Anna and Elsa stuff for someone she didn't know.

I decided before we got partners to stitch up her own Elsa Hoopla!

I got to utilize some not so constantly used thread 

like the silver metallic...

And GLOW IN THE DARK!

Miss Morgan chose for her hair to glow 

(Rupunzel *is* Elsa's cousin after all)

So she wanted everyone to know...

Translation: Hair is the only glow in the dark thing

As predicted, Frozen took over our house in a big way.
I've even caught my son singing the songs.
Elsa's his favorite too.


UPDATE!
This hoop was recently featured on Craft Gossip!!!
Holy Moly here's the link!

Thanks Pam aka kittykill for the amazing write-up!

Calvin and Hobbes Triple Threat Hoopla!

Calvin and Hobbes.

My favorite!

I had a partner in the Affirmation Swap on Craftster who also was keen

to those spiffy guys!

This was what I stitched up for her.

I chose to leave the smaller 2 hoops in Black and White to 

mimic the "weekday" comics and have the large one be "sunday".

(wink!)

Affirmation Swap Hoopla

The Affirmation she chose and the pinterest board for C and H just clicked together for me.

Those two get into so many fun things and have amazing conviction for all

their shenanigans!

Putting on the Ritz

 This image on my partner's pin board was titled "my favorite" so I had to stitch it!

Close up and personal

As Affirmations themselves, they tend to boost us in some way.

So do hugs...so I had to do this.

I like big hugs and I cannot lie!

Who doesn't want a big Hobbes Hug?!!?

 This was the BIG hoop in the triptych.

I found this image during a google search and couldn't get it out of my mind. 

Short hair, don't care!

 Most of the fill in stitches are a haphazard all over the place type.

I thought it looked a bit like fur for Hobbes and messy Hair for Calvin.

Grrrr, I dare you to mess with how okay we are with ourselves!

Calvin's teeth we're accomplished with help from my friend Shannon who 

suggested I go with grey for the detail.

She was right! 

I love how the grey creates a slight shadow.

I think black would've been to drastic of a contrast and end up

looking like he had missing teeth.

I really miss these guys brightening my day.

I have some of their books that Will and I share and enjoy and

one of these days I need to crochet up a Hobbes of his own 

for Will adventures.

Who is your favorite Newspaper Comic Strip Hero/Heroine?

BIG UPDATE!
These were picked for a Featured Project on Craftster!
Super happiness everywhere!

Shut UP, Hitler Hoopla

Rory Williams Pond...

Hitler Puncher and all around Centurion Step-Up Guy!

Shut Up, Hitler Hoopla

Oh did I enjoy doing research for this hoop I stitched 

for Pioneer9 in a recent craftster Who Swap.

Just do a Google Image Search for "Punching Hitler in the face".

Go ahead, do it.

I promise you won't be sorry...

I giggled at this Google for a gaggle of time!

Closer up....

I attached the stitched fabric to an old plaid shirt of Will's:

as we all know Rory has a beautiful thing for plaid.

Here's the glorious scene that inspired me...

BAM! POW!

Rory's a superhero!

BBC Sherlock Hoopla!

Happy Sherlock Day!

Today is a day I've been waiting for since 2012.

Just about 2 years ago Sherlock Holmes jumped off a building to save his friends.

I'm getting a bit sentimental...

Today is my Superbowl.

(Usually my Superbowl is Oscar Day, but I'm making an exception this year!)

Like yesterday's Basil Kindle Sleeve post this Hoopla was also made for my partner, Camezzo,

in the Sherlock Swap of early 2013.

I decided to do a study in texture (Study in Pink) to spice up the silhouette.

My Sherlockian Plan tonight is to watch the heck out of it.

Since I'm DVR'ing it as well I'm going to watch the heck out of it 

a second time to bask in the glory and maybe pick up some missed things

 from the first watching.

Then...

I'm going to do some face stretches as I'm sure I'll have a 

grin on my face for 3 hours straight.

I suppose I'll go to sleep next, then wake up...

and watch it again!

Never mind me, my favorite show has been on hiatus for 2 years.

The Doctor LOVES his Triceratops!

Happy 50th Birthday 

and 

Day of the Doctor...Day!!!

This Hoopla was stitched up for a recent Whovian Swap and 

it represents her fave episode

"Dinosaurs on a Spaceship"

I used waste canvas to do the "blackwork" (brownwork...because it's in brown).

My VERY first attempt at it thank you very much.

I can't wait to try more with this technique...The stuff I've seen

with shading by adding more to a basic square is amazing!

I threw in some french knots for texture...

because why not?

"Dinosaurs on a Spaceship"

isa cute episode and also where we get to meet Rory's Dad!

Here's a little trailer...

And yes, that is Mr. Weasley as the Dad.

Fetch, Tricey!

Stupefy Hoopla!

Here was a fun little Hoopla I did for the "Return To Hogwarts" Swap on Craftster.

Both she and I chose "Stupefy" as our favorite spell. 

I'm not sure how well the picture shows but those are french knots making up the letters.

Metallic Silver Thread French Knots!

While not the biggest fan of Metallic Embroidery Thread,

I think I loved using the knots for it.

I finally didn't have to stress about the thread twisting up on me! 

What's your favorite Potterverse Spell?

Mat Cauthon Hoopla!

A staggeringly huge 3 incher of a Hoopla!

It might be safe to say Matrim Cauthon is my favorite character

in the epic book series The Wheel of Time; written by Robert Jordan.

Mat LOVES to gamble with the dice.....and hears them rolling in 

his head when a decision has to be made. 

Also, he is quite the Han Solo of the series: he has a mouth on him 

and "Blood and Bloody Ashes" is kind of a swear phrase in the books.

Sort of like saying "Well "F" ME!" 

Nynaeve would not be pleased.

I entered this in 2 Craftster things in August.

Craftster was having it's 10th anniversary so the Aug Hoopla challenge was 

"The number 10"

There are 10 pips on the die and Mat is prominetly featured on the 10th book in the series.

Which leads us to the Nerd Games Challenge.

August Wordy: Craft your favorite Book.

Just look at that swagger.

It's as if he's saying...

"Who's scruffy lookin'?"

Chihiro Hoopla!

I Stitched this up for my partner DaphadillyArt in the Miyazaki Swap.

For some background, Chihiro is the heroine of the movie "Spirited Away"

In the movie, she is moving to a new town with her parents,

and not too happy about being torn away from everything she knows.

(Let's just say 15 year old me related to this.)

A "short cut" was taken and then the parents are...

otherwise delayed. 

Adventures, of course, ensue.

I wouldn't want to give too much more away as it's a really interesting movie!

Although this is a solid "fill in" stitch, I wanted to do some texture with the stitching.

I tried to mimic how hair falls in layers with alternating chunks of satin stitch.

I hope you check out the movie.

To be warned...

There are some intense parts.

Perhaps not "every" child friendly, but I do know of one little man who LOVES IT!

Shiny Hoopla!

Kaylee. 

One of my FAVORITE characters on Firefly.

(I currently have about 9 fave char. on that show.)

I love her optimism most of all.

In the 'verse there is a substitute for saying "awesome" all the time,

and that's "SHINY"!

This image was used with permission by the AMAZING artist Karen Hallion.

Original art is titled "Strawberry Girl"

You've probably seen her stuff popping up on Pinterest everywhere.

I just love her stuff and I hope you do too...

Please check out her site, or follow her on Facebook!

http://society6.com/KarenHallion

I'm not sure if the camera shows up the actual HOOP.

It's a thrift find, a pale blue like the jacket Kaylee wears in this scene!

I used a blend of Free Motion Embroidery and Fabric Markers.

I love how the umbrella POPS!

I also love how Free Motion Embroidery is like Painting with your Sewing Machine!

 This hoopla got to do double duty this month 

by entering it in BOTH the Nerd Games AND the Summer Hoopla-Along

Hoopla Prompt was "Favorite Phrase/Word"

I've been saying "Shiny" a lot around the kids, so that safely applied here.

Also, The phrase "When it Rains, it Pours" has popped up all year long for me...

Which leads into the Nerd Games Prompt.

July Wordy-45 points (Super Nerdy Bonus)

---Wordy: Proverbs: Every culture, tradition, and religion has its proverbs and adages. Some are elegant and poetic. Others are witty and humorous. Many convey much wisdom with just a few words. A quick internet search will yield a wealth of common adages like, “A penny saved is a penny earned,” and “Honesty is the best policy.”  Your challenge is to craft something that illustrates or is inspired by a proverb/adage. Be sure to quote the proverb in your submission. 

Do yourselves a favor a check out this show.

It's only 1 season (darn you FOX!) 

and I promise, you'll walk with some extra swagger!

Bomb Pop Stitchery!

I stitched this up for the Craftster Hoop-Along.
June prompt: Summertime!

This spring both of my munchkins had surgery to remove their adenoids...
BOMB POPS in the recovery room from the nurses were such a hit we had to stock up at home.
I then officially declared it "The Summer of the Bomb Pop"!

I'd never used Waste Canvas before and really wanted to give it a try.

I eeked out this REALLY simple pattern on graph paper and went about the stitchin'!

The backstitch lettering turned out a bit wonky, I'll need to practice that a bit...and the background fabric is an orange sherbet color my lighting isn't doing a whole lot of justice.

I just love the look of cross stitch but sometimes not the AIDA cloth. It can be so stiff!

This is going to open up a lot more opportunity to cross stitch, I can tell!

Lego Family Portrait!

Over at Craftster they're doing a Hoopla A-Long.

Our organizer posts a prompt for the month and we stitch up whatever 

comes to mind for said prompt.

May was "A Few of My Favorite Things".

I stitched my little family as Lego Minifigs!

Yes, that's Morgan as a Mermaid!

Will is super into Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc.

Now he says he wants a shirt like this in REAL LIFE!

He was modeled after the Fred Weasley minifig.

Morgan had some issues with hers.

She doesn't like that she's a mermaid and the only one without glasses.

Too bad for her having great eyesight!

Morgan was inspired by Ginny Weasley.

Lee was incredibly easy. There just happened to be a

doppelganger minifig of him! I think he's doing some 

Lego modeling on the side.....

Mine was loosely based on Molly Weasley. 

Her smirk and eyebrows mostly.

As for the base fabric, I've been playing around with layering lately.

Muslin is SO transparent, why not make that a strength?

I like how this red floral gives a muted polka dot effect.

So, I've realized this may be the way to go for family portraits.

No one's eyes are closed or sticking their tongue out (MORGAN!) and

I don't have a double chin!

This is a "win, win" situation.