Pinwheel quilt

I made this quilt several years ago during my winter break from school. I was very into the pink/brown color combination then. The quilt measures approx. 4'W x 6'H. It's a good all-purpose blanket. I use it while I watch tv, knit, read a book, etc. I encourage all quilters to try at least one pinwheel quilt. It was tedious, frustrating and fun at different points during its production.

Felted bag

My sister provided me with the handle/lining to make this bag. I took an old recycled/felted sweater and cut a bag shell out of it. I finished by embroidering a flower on it (many french knots). The picture makes the bag look oddly-shaped. It's very old lady, very me.

Coffee + book = a good afternoon

The book:

The D.O.s: Osteopathic Medicine in America

I'm very interested in medical history. Even more so when it encompasses the field I plan on going into. Interested? Check it out here.

The coffee:

Mandy's Mocha

The recipe:
Combine 1 cup brewed espresso, 1.5 cup steamed milk (skim or whatever), a heaping Tblsp. of cocoa, another Tblsp. of sugar. Mix well. Cover top of cup with whipped cream and sprinkle some cinnamon to taste. Enjoy!

An Altered Urban Aran from Paton's 'Street Smart'

I adored the sweater Jared (b r o o k l y n t w e e d) created using Paton's 'Street Smart' Urban Aran pattern. He modified it to create a very functional cardigan, see here. I used the same pattern and made similar modifications to produce this:

I began knitting the sweater in December ('06) and completed it about a month ago. I used Elann's Peruvian Highland Chunky yarn in Red Maple. Of course being June, I haven't had the opportunity to wear it extensively. I am definitely looking forward to the fall.

Excerpts from "Gee's Bend: The Women and their Quilts"

I wanted to share a few pictures of my favorite quilts from "Gee's Bend: The Women and their Quilts." This is a fabulously illustrated book of quilts from the south (Alabama) which features stories and narratives of their creators. I saw the Gee's Bend exhibit a couple of years ago at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and have been in love with these quilts since. The Annie Mae Young quilt has inspired me to create a denim quilt made out of my father's old work jeans. Another popular material used in some of the Gee's Bend quilts is old flour sacks (during the Great Depression, women would use whatever they had).

Below I have shown the artist on the left with her quilt to the right.

Nettie Young

Annie Mae Young

Linda Pettway

The Making of Knitting Needles (Part II)

I thought I would post my handmade knitting needles. I made most of them from oak and the others from various hardwoods. For the tops I used covered buttons from scraps of fabric I had sitting around. If you like them, you can buy a set at my Etsy shop.

Summer, summer, summer, summertime.

I'm not posting a project today. Instead, I wanted to share some pictures of flowers from the garden.

A collaboration with my sister.

My sister and I each embroidered part of the flower on this pillow. The pillow was a birthday gift to our mom a couple of years ago and was meant to blend in with her "Shabby Chic" decor.

The making of knitting needles...

Today I spent the better part of the day buying supplies (dowels, pencil sharpener, sand paper, wood finish, etc.) and shaping several sets of knitting needles. I made these once before, but this time I hope they turn out a little better. Once they're finished, I'll post another picture of the completed project.

Bag lady.

I went to the American Apparel store a few months back and saw this simple bag (American Apparel LA-Z Girl) that I wanted to duplicate:

(Picture taken from American Apparel site)

Here's my version in green (bigger handle and boxier shape):

My sister's wedding favors

Today I am featuring a picture of my sister's wedding favors-to-be: potted alyssum. That's right, this past Saturday she and my dad planted nearly 250 alyssum in tiny pots. Fingers crossed that they stay healthy and thriving for the August 11th wedding. More on the wedding to come...

Take this test.

I found the link to this test site on the How about orange blog. Try it here.

My results: Dynamic Creator.

Crocheted bunny = cure for boredom

I crocheted this bunny about six months ago, probably some night when I should have been studying. I'm not sure if I intended for it to be a dog toy or just a stuffed animal. Anywho, here it is:

LOL - it kind of looks like its rear end is in the front. It's my first stuffed animal, so I get a break. I again used Lily Sugar'n Cream in natural (I love basic cotton yarn b/c it's cheap and non synthetic).

I started this last summer.

This crocheted blanket was intended as a gift for someone, but I never got around to finishing it. I would say I'm about halfway done with it. The blanket is made of Lily Sugar'n Cream cotton yarn (in natural and various Kool-Aid dyed pinks and blues). I had a good ol' time dying the yarn -- my family got pretty ticked b/c our kitchen smelled like vinegar for two days. They got over it.


The more I look at it, the more the blanket looks like a baby blanket. I might end up keeping it for a friend or sibling's future baby.

First post...

I've been wanting to create a blog for quite some time now. I creepily stalk other blogger sites (look to the right) and covet their art and creations. My new camera came in the mail yesterday, so there are no more excuses to procrastinate.





An introduction: My name is Amanda and I am a recent college graduate currently in the process of applying to medical school. I am beginning my interim year of volunteering this August and studying for the MCAT in the meantime. More or less importantly, I love to make things -- anything. Most of my projects featured on this site will include knitting, crochet, drawing, sewing/quilting, gardening and photography.



First up...some drawings (given to my sister as gifts). I loved to draw when I was a kid, but haven't done much since. I recently started drawing a bit, mostly floral arrangements. I don't have the courage to attempt figures. Maybe someday.

I also recently finished making a chair slipcover. It's for my mom's old blue chair which will be in my new apartment. Take a look:

Before (blue) After (off-white)

More to come soon...