100% Cotton Therapy

I learned to crochet a few years ago and have made a few scarfs and a few cotton dishcloths and even a huge afghan for my sister. I have never been able to make the edges straight and uniform. While I have been going for rectangular or square for these simple projects, I usually get trapezoids.

I am so happy to say, I think I have finally mastered the turning around at the end of each row so my edges are now straight. With practice, has also come the ability to make multiples of the same size so an actual color coordinated set of dishcloths is now within my reach. The dishclothes are fun to crochet and they make thoughtful and practical gifts... especially if you add some cool dishwashing liquid as part of the gift. You can never have too many cloths for handwashing dishes or cleaning the counter.

I also think a gift set of hand crocheted clothes would be nice for the bath, too... with some body wash. I love Zum Body Lemongrass Body Wash. I have just learned that they now have aromatherapy laundry soap, which I would love to try at some point... $19 for 32 loads is pricey but the Sweet Orange or Eucalyptus-Citrus fragrances sound fabulous.

Because I am so excited about my new skills -- the straight edges and the ability to make multiples of the same size, everyone I know will be getting hand crocheted cloths from me. In fact, I gave away three tonight. How can something so simple be so relaxing and restorative? I love the repetition, the colors, the soft 100% cotton thread... very therapeutic.

A cute gift for a cute kid

Several weeks ago we made plans with friends to meet for dinner this weekend. Since we first made plans, I have had something brewing in my mind as a gift for their adorable 2.5 year old daughter, Katie, who would also be coming.

I wanted to do some sort of quiet activity or kit, possibly some sort of felt book with a pocket full of the letters in her name. I also had in mind that I wanted it to be small and help to entertain her while we all visited. The weeks and the days have slipped by and I never got it together.

About two hours before we were going to meet, I pulled out a big box that holds my felt supply and a quick AND cute gift came together in about 20 minutes... a portable felt "board" and shapes.

For this project, I used 35% and 40% wool felt. I think it would work great with other wool blends or acrylic felt. I used Sizzix dies to cut the letters of her name - first and last, as well as a cute little shamrock in green. I cut out other shapes with scissors -- flowers, stems, leaves, lines to make a tic-tac-toe grid and small circles in various colors to be used as playing pieces or polka dots. A yellow circle can be a happy face when a mouth and eyes are added, or a shining sun when little rays are added.

The felt pieces cling to the background felt, so there are lots of possibilities for play and for learning. All of the pieces fit nicely in a slightly oversized gift card tin I had on hand. Two pieces of felt wrapped around the tin and tied with a ribbon completed the kit.