Handmade for Him

My latest set of 5 nesting bowls is perfect for the man in your life.  Let him organize his man cave accessories in style!  Each bowl is different, but they are all crocheted from a double strand of handsome cottons for extra strength and durability.  Blues, greens, browns, ecru... and *shhhhh* just the slightest hint of very manly eggplant.  ;)

Makeover Monday: 5/9

 For today's project, I rooted around in my stash of cotton yarn for the brightest colors I could find!

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I had so much fun making this nest set that I couldn't stop at my usual 3 bowls- I made 5!!  I call these my gypsy bowls, for their exotic and colorful nature.  Look for them in sosorosey sometime this week, or ask for a set made just for you.  I have PLENTY of yarn left, lol!

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I'm feeling a bit like that first photo of the yarn- somewhat frazzled and coming undone.  We had an amazing Mother's Day weekend; having the chance to spend time being a mother with my mother was really special.  But, whenever we go away- even for a weekend- it takes a little time to get back in the groove. 

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I realized today that Sophie only has a month left of preschool.  That means *I* only have a month left before summer vacation!  So, in an effort to get things done that need getting done, I have appointments this week for Sophie's dentist, an oil change, and my hair.  Next weekend I'm off again- this time to Frederick, MD.  I'll have my semiannual shop-til-you-drop, eat-and-drink-til-you-bust, talk-til-you're hoarse overnight with my best gal pal.  I'll also bring a few goodies to restock the shelves at The Muse.  More on that later in the week!

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Enough about me- what's new with YOU?  Any special thrift finds or projects?  Did you have a wonderful Mother's Day?  Do leave a comment and share!  Hope you have a happy, happy week... I'll be back to regular blogging as soon as I have dug myself out from under this mountain of laundry :)

Welcome Back

It seems like it has been eons since I've made a set of rag-topped nested bowls!

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I've had the bases of these three made for quite some time, but I've had a heck of a time finding just the right fabric to tie the colors together. I set the bowls aside for at least a month.

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On Monday I found the soft old cotton kerchief in photo one, remembered my bowl bases, and brought the nest set back to life.

~*~ While I'm always thinking of new items to make for sosorosey, the rag-top nested bowls are one of my earliest *signature* creations. I'm glad to have some new ones back in the shop :)
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How many projects do you currently have sitting around waiting for the perfect finishing touch?
Please share!

Fun With Hemp

Santa brought me some beautiful hemp cording in natural tones. I decided to try a hemp-topped bowl set, and I love the combination of textures here. This set, "raspberry truffle", can be found in the yarn bowl section of sosorosey.

It's a bowl, it's a nest, it's...

... the jute bowlee!

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I'd wanted to try my hand at crocheting twine for some time, but was always put off by the rough and scary texture. The other day I decided to brave it, and I'm so glad I did! I love the way the natural fibers come together in an almost felted look. The manly jute combines with the femininity of the bowlee size and shape to make this the perfect gift for anyone on the shopping list. Peek here for more photos!

Makeover Monday: 6/8

So. We take a ball of robin's egg blue cotton yarn...

...add a strip from a discarded Old Navy cotton scarf...

...and voila! Some of the prettiest nesting bowls I have made to date.

This is such a special combination, isn't it?

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Rag topping tip: take the time to find just the right material. I have found that what works best for these small stitches is tightly woven yet thin cotton. Look in the scarf section on your next trip to the thrift store! Think bandanna fabric. You have to cut the strips pretty thin (half inch or less), and the wrong material will just ravel or break for this job. Frustrating!!

Do you have a new project to share? I'm all ears!!