tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55662882455390091912024-03-12T18:49:17.119-07:00Dream DesignAssunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-89726723940171132082017-09-20T01:00:00.000-07:002017-09-20T01:00:15.252-07:00The San Diego Yarn Crawl 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This past Saturday I carpooled down to the San Diego area with a couple of friends for another fun yarn crawl! We met lots of cool people who ran the shops, made the yarn, or were fellow yarn enthusiasts like us. We visited six shops total, plus the Yarnover Truck (which, as you may already have guessed, is a truck full of yarn). There were many more shops we didn't see and the yarn crawl officially ran Thursday through Sunday! Now that's a lot of yarn crawling!</div>
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There was so much beautiful yarn and fiber that I couldn't possibly buy everything I would have liked to. I did stay within my budget and get three skeins or yarn that I absolutely love!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-OxKta8mjE/WcCLqF53iNI/AAAAAAAACOg/OPk7WJxDbOk7-o5YHxzlHCdJNKMLfxjogCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170916_183127_944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-OxKta8mjE/WcCLqF53iNI/AAAAAAAACOg/OPk7WJxDbOk7-o5YHxzlHCdJNKMLfxjogCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170916_183127_944.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The name of the one on the left is exactly what you would expect it to be: Neapolitan Ice Cream, by Candy Skein. It is fingering weight. The other two are Rainbow in the Dark by The Fiber Seed, DK weight.<br />
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Stay tuned to see what what these skeins turn into. Also, the Vista Fiber Fiesta is coming up in October so there is even more yarn in my future!<br />
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-AssuntaAssunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-64885211480701247512017-08-30T01:00:00.000-07:002017-08-31T21:56:08.818-07:00OC Fair Entry Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Orange County fair was fun as always this year! My sweetie and I went once just the two of us and again later with some friends. There was lots of delicious (yet oversized) food, cool animals, and of course, lots of fun art! Of course one of the first items of business was to stop by the Fiber Arts building to see how my entries did!</div>
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I was delighted on my first visit to see a 2nd place ribbon on my mermaid tail for the crocheted blanket category!</div>
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None of my other entries had any ribbons on them at the time, so I figured that was it. Then on our 2nd visit, I noticed a Staff Award on my knit Captain America dress! This is a discretionary award given to exhibits that the judges feel deserve recognition. What a nice surprise!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3j00QOlhrTA/WaORlVGxxtI/AAAAAAAACMc/fP2NKTnH0uYOy7KZEACkGlf7Nia_3HdVACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170812_103450_373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3j00QOlhrTA/WaORlVGxxtI/AAAAAAAACMc/fP2NKTnH0uYOy7KZEACkGlf7Nia_3HdVACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170812_103450_373.jpg" width="512" /></a><br />
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Another favorite from the fair this year was the Fur, Feathers, and Fiber exhibit, which of course included a display of different kinds of yarn and fabrics, and the plants and animals used to make them. My favorite example was this adorable French Angora bunny. Not only is it a sweet and cuddly pet, but when the bunny starts to shed you can take the loose fur and make soft and beautiful yarn! How perfect is that?</div>
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I hope everyone is enjoying the last couple weeks of summer and getting ready for some fun fall crafts!</div>
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-Assunta</div>
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Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-70254556803672292042017-06-07T01:00:00.000-07:002017-06-07T01:00:45.565-07:00Orange County Fair Entries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Orange County Fair is just around the corner! I actually forgot about it until the day before the entries were due, oops! Luckily I had a few things ready:</div>
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1) I enjoyed watching my favorite yarn from the LA Yarn Crawl turn into this awesome rainbow shawl! Lace shawls are pretty common at the fair and I didn't win anything for the one I entered last year, but I thought I would give this one a try just because the yarn is so cool. The pattern for this shawl is available on Ravelry (not my design) and is called Mother of Dragons.</div>
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2) Next, because I am such a super-hero nerd I just had to make myself this Captain America sweater dress from the book Geek Knits! Normally, I struggle with modeling my projects so I asked a friend--who is a model herself and an excellent photographer--for some help with the posing and picture taking.</div>
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My last entry is my mermaid tail, which you've all seen and which has already had a couple of pattern sales on Etsy and Ravelry!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZc8_nlx7wk/WORarcS44TI/AAAAAAAACEo/EQPYZ3cpnUgGALOFMqXpXR0t8BENQ1eOACPcB/s1600/IMG_20170402_124840807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZc8_nlx7wk/WORarcS44TI/AAAAAAAACEo/EQPYZ3cpnUgGALOFMqXpXR0t8BENQ1eOACPcB/s640/IMG_20170402_124840807.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Because the OC fair gets such a huge volume of applicants, there is a juried selection process before entries are shown at the fair. Then there is yet another judging process to decide which things actually win prizes! I find out on Monday if any of my entries are selected for the fair. Wish me luck!</div>
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-Assunta </div>
Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-65404442306526398902017-05-31T01:00:00.000-07:002017-05-31T01:00:26.828-07:00Catching Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Even though I have been lazy about blogging, I have still been getting a lot of crafting done. This post will catch you up on all the news I haven't had time to share in the past few weeks.</div>
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First, remember that baby mermaid costume I made back in <a href="http://dreamthenbuild.blogspot.com/2017/01/happy-2017.html">December</a>? I gave it to my friend for her baby shower and this week she posted a picture of her beautiful daughter wearing it! While any outfit would look good on a model this adorable, I'm pretty happy with how this mermaid costume turned out.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XvG0NS1aqmo/WSO04x8gJlI/AAAAAAAACGw/em0HlM7H8I4y7uNfQOJrkk3jaUFNGhFfwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20170522_191322_498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XvG0NS1aqmo/WSO04x8gJlI/AAAAAAAACGw/em0HlM7H8I4y7uNfQOJrkk3jaUFNGhFfwCLcB/s400/IMG_20170522_191322_498.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also finished knitting this chunky cabled blanket that I made as a wedding gift for some friends. I love cables, they are so much fun!</div>
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I also added a few new items to the Etsy shop, including more Edison lamp jewelry...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-obS9D056SuA/WKe050VFKtI/AAAAAAAACBM/TZiVr02EVvsu-2P3R0vW35ZoNjStZKNigCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170210_162137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1600" height="183" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-obS9D056SuA/WKe050VFKtI/AAAAAAAACBM/TZiVr02EVvsu-2P3R0vW35ZoNjStZKNigCPcB/s320/IMG_20170210_162137.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...my mermaid tail blanket crochet pattern...</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZc8_nlx7wk/WORarcS44TI/AAAAAAAACEo/EQPYZ3cpnUgGALOFMqXpXR0t8BENQ1eOACPcB/s1600/IMG_20170402_124840807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZc8_nlx7wk/WORarcS44TI/AAAAAAAACEo/EQPYZ3cpnUgGALOFMqXpXR0t8BENQ1eOACPcB/s320/IMG_20170402_124840807.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and my Lil' Cutesies doll mermaid costume crochet!</div>
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Lastly, I crocheted this blue teddy bear sleep sack for my new little nephew, who is expected to arrive this summer! It was from a free red heart pattern, which you can find <a href="http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/baby-bear-cozy">here</a> is you are interested. The original pattern also has a picture of what it should look like with a baby in it, which I can't show you yet.</div>
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I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!</div>
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-Assunta</div>
<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-73785157985143520722017-05-24T01:00:00.000-07:002017-05-24T01:00:04.883-07:00The LA County Yarn Crawl<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
When I first got my Electric Eel Wheel (see previous post), I was having a problem with my yarn breaking as quickly as I could get it started. Fortunately, I sought help from Alexandra of Alexandra's Crafts. She was doing a spinning demonstration at Needlepoints West up in LA during the Yarn Crawl a few weekends ago. She had a similar electric spinning wheel, although it was from a different manufacturer. She was very friendly and helpful when I explained the trouble I was having and she told me to loosen my tension and try a longer stapled fiber. I did both and have been happily spinning ever since!</div>
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Alexandra also makes gorgeous yarn and fiber. I just couldn't resist picking some up! Her luxurious merino, bamboo, and silk blend is on my spinning wheel right now and I'm very happy with how it's turning out.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G0RNgm_8mIc/WSUBSDltXrI/AAAAAAAACHI/bSJp2wYWvBIz5bDAT9xrS2fs8mLkF8dUwCLcB/s1600/20170523_192248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G0RNgm_8mIc/WSUBSDltXrI/AAAAAAAACHI/bSJp2wYWvBIz5bDAT9xrS2fs8mLkF8dUwCLcB/s640/20170523_192248.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is the fiber, along with a sparkly rainbow gradient that I tried to resist and ended up going back for. It's just too pretty!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KJOygxSSCmA/WPKmKY7sbjI/AAAAAAAACFI/1KxE4mbHNEIgI5mHt6kXae_zuz5zL7ZGwCLcB/s1600/20170408_184421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KJOygxSSCmA/WPKmKY7sbjI/AAAAAAAACFI/1KxE4mbHNEIgI5mHt6kXae_zuz5zL7ZGwCLcB/s640/20170408_184421.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What kind of craft supplies do you find hard to resist?</div>
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Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-19887497535838365722017-04-19T01:00:00.000-07:002017-04-19T01:00:30.261-07:00The Electric Eel Wheel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few weeks ago I recieved this awesome little gadget in the mail: </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WT2kMT1oAnA/WPQBDAnWOhI/AAAAAAAACFY/zd3CSk0OGuUhQ2-7zFfKxi5seLbE-R91QCLcB/s1600/EEW%2BLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WT2kMT1oAnA/WPQBDAnWOhI/AAAAAAAACFY/zd3CSk0OGuUhQ2-7zFfKxi5seLbE-R91QCLcB/s320/EEW%2BLarge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's called the Electric Eel Wheel, and it's a very light and quiet electric spinning wheel! I helped fund it through Kickstarter. If you've never used Kickstarter (and I hadn't before this) you can make a monetary pledge to support a project that you find worthy. If the project doesn't get enough support, nothing happens and you keep your money. If the project is fully funded they build it, and supporters get the thing they paid to support! In my case I got the wheel, 11 bobbins so I can really spin a lot of yarn, and all the handy tools that go with it! It comes with a wall adapter and one for the car (which I will only use if someone else is driving, I promise) but my friend bought a rechargable battery pack on Amazon for hers and I am thinking I might get one too.</div>
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I won't go into too much detail about the wheel because I am not the manufacturer, but if you want to learn more about it the website is <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1492884446/electric-eel-wheel-5?ref=nav_search">here</a>. All I can tell you is I like it a lot so far and it was very highly recommended to me by my friend, who also had the previous generation.</div>
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Stay tuned for future spinning projects!</div>
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<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-18604612036744654192017-04-05T01:00:00.000-07:002017-04-05T01:00:00.737-07:00Mermaid Tail BlanketAs a child, one thing I always wanted to be was a mermaid. Since I am also always cold, I couldn't resist getting in on the mermaid blanket trend. It seemed like the perfect way to keep warm while feeling like a magical creature!<br />
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I used pieces of a couple of different patterns to create my ideal mermaid tail. What do you think?<br />
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I posed with is by the pool for fun, but it's really just for feeling cute and warm while I read or craft. I don't think it would do too well in the water!<br />
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Just keep swimming until next week...<br />
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Assunta<br />
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Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-83864249773442904272017-03-29T01:00:00.000-07:002017-03-29T01:00:31.128-07:00Pussyhats Galore!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This isn't a political blog but I don't think most people would be too shocked to discover that I support women's health care. As a knitter, making a bunch of Pussyhats for the Women's Movement seemed like a great way to show support!</div>
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So far I have made 11 of the iconic Pussyhats for friends and family. Some were paid requests, some I gave as gifts. Now these hats have finally made it to my Etsy shop! I know they are in high demand, so if you knows someone who is looking for one, please encourage them to stop by! </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PCIpitm7DU/WMtjKjou8pI/AAAAAAAACDg/SaqybmQtmsgqSz7mBzA1yQWwxnaGofCkACLcB/s1600/1488761454674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PCIpitm7DU/WMtjKjou8pI/AAAAAAAACDg/SaqybmQtmsgqSz7mBzA1yQWwxnaGofCkACLcB/s640/1488761454674.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A special thank you to my Momma Cat who just sent me two more giant skeins of pink yarn to continue the crusade!</div>
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<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-13890344751407748162017-03-22T01:00:00.001-07:002017-03-22T01:00:06.406-07:00Rapunzel Cowl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some of you may remember that last year for Christmas I recieved some gorgeous merino wool from my sweet and thoughtful in-laws.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CWJW02Hj1o/VqhTQ5V6vNI/AAAAAAAABR8/yyNWz6sNhmspnEL1WzrV0yIXx5s9LDy5wCPcB/s1600/IMG_2612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CWJW02Hj1o/VqhTQ5V6vNI/AAAAAAAABR8/yyNWz6sNhmspnEL1WzrV0yIXx5s9LDy5wCPcB/s400/IMG_2612.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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After a couple trial runs with other wools on my drop spindle, I felt comfortable trying to turn it into yarn.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EB68d8MH5S0/V3x2stz7VnI/AAAAAAAAByU/g-xuA8zGmRAAEsfkV5nXCF-KRKutIsKDwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20160703_234254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EB68d8MH5S0/V3x2stz7VnI/AAAAAAAAByU/g-xuA8zGmRAAEsfkV5nXCF-KRKutIsKDwCPcB/s400/IMG_20160703_234254.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I came up with a 2-ply DK weight, and the colors in the yarn reminded me a lot of Rapunzel's dress in the movie Tangled.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4u4Xcx6bf9s/WM3hDVscDRI/AAAAAAAACDw/fiLGcdAQvAoXLl2CNunbwdc73Q3bTdjnACLcB/s1600/disney-tangled-rapunzel-1280-720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4u4Xcx6bf9s/WM3hDVscDRI/AAAAAAAACDw/fiLGcdAQvAoXLl2CNunbwdc73Q3bTdjnACLcB/s320/disney-tangled-rapunzel-1280-720.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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After several more months of thinking about what the perfect crochet or knit project for this yarn might be, I finally settled on this modern re-telling of Rapunzel's outfit: a cowl in the shape of a thick braid like the one she sometimes wears in her hair!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ACP846CqhMM/WLuX6kDC61I/AAAAAAAACC4/4shiguMn63Ej861WTeoqtKw071DlnKRdwCLcB/s1600/20170304_141533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ACP846CqhMM/WLuX6kDC61I/AAAAAAAACC4/4shiguMn63Ej861WTeoqtKw071DlnKRdwCLcB/s640/20170304_141533.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I chose a button with a sun-like shape because the symbol of Rapunzel's kindom in the movie is the sun.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sM6kZUoymSA/WLuX6zUWv4I/AAAAAAAACC8/KxUZQ_TVXLU9glAC4qpoJPNPISrRqp1uwCLcB/s1600/20170304_141622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sM6kZUoymSA/WLuX6zUWv4I/AAAAAAAACC8/KxUZQ_TVXLU9glAC4qpoJPNPISrRqp1uwCLcB/s640/20170304_141622.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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What do you think? Is is fit for a modern Princess?</div>
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PS- If you would like to knit a version of this cowl, the pattern is now available in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/505563810/knit-pattern-rapunzel-cowl?ref=shop_home_active_1">Etsy</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rapunzel-cowl-2">Ravelry</a> shops! </div>
<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-90568598020818150092017-03-08T01:00:00.000-08:002017-03-08T01:00:19.404-08:00Pretty, New Carpet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We finally got both of our bedrooms painted a cool, calming gray after the color explosions that were there before, but before we were actually able to sleep in them, we had to do something about the horrible, dirty old carpet that covered the floors of both rooms. Last Friday, we had beautiful new carpet installed. I can hardly believe how much better the bedrooms look, feel, and...smell! Now we can actually sleep in our bedroom.</div>
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Happy to be sleeping in the bedroom at last,</div>
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-Assunta</div>
<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-74269120041939161602017-02-18T08:30:00.001-08:002017-02-18T08:30:59.012-08:00Edison Bulb Jewelry!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is what you get when a lighting designer makes jewelry...or when a crafter works with light fixtures all day. When I found these tiny glass bottles, they reminded me of perfect little Edison lamps. All they needed was a filament, a metallic base, and a chain or ear wire to display them properly. I gave them all those things and I love the way they turned out! </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-obS9D056SuA/WKe050VFKtI/AAAAAAAACBI/Q7l4JjHHMJYxvuVNusNmWS4cZ2yMRlzrACLcB/s1600/IMG_20170210_162137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-obS9D056SuA/WKe050VFKtI/AAAAAAAACBI/Q7l4JjHHMJYxvuVNusNmWS4cZ2yMRlzrACLcB/s640/IMG_20170210_162137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Everything you see here is now in my Etsy shop, except for the round earrings on the right. My mom ordered those as soon as she saw them. I plan to make more soon, so don't despair if those were the ones you wanted too. All of the metal is hypoallergenic: the necklace chains are sterling silver and the ear wires are surgical steel. </div>
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Happy weekend!</div>
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Assunta</div>
<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-29837690441434691512017-02-01T01:00:00.000-08:002017-02-01T01:00:11.694-08:00A Busy Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This past weekend was fun but busy, with lots of painting and crafting!</div>
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First things first: the sun finally came out again and I was able to take a picture with my rainbow sweater!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f27uUt0oqEI/WI7ONBwiKSI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/N3gfnrlZrtQY2h01LUoS9LpQgFqZePvoQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20170128_161113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f27uUt0oqEI/WI7ONBwiKSI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/N3gfnrlZrtQY2h01LUoS9LpQgFqZePvoQCLcB/s400/IMG_20170128_161113.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next, here are some pictures from painting this weekend. I still haven't found my good camera in our moving boxes or figured out if I can take a wide-angle picture with my cell phone, but you can at least see that our bedroom walls are now a cool gray with white trim, as opposed to many different pastel colors with hunter green trim. I'm so happy with how much better they look, and we're almost ready for new carpet! We also hired someone to scrape the popcorn ceiling a couple weeks ago, and that was also a huge improvement.</div>
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Master bedroom after:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d7IQwX_Ko0I/WI7Qn58OR-I/AAAAAAAAB_4/JSxfMBIZvCE3P-1bNd0f2BHfjKOeCSEGQCLcB/s1600/20170122_163853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d7IQwX_Ko0I/WI7Qn58OR-I/AAAAAAAAB_4/JSxfMBIZvCE3P-1bNd0f2BHfjKOeCSEGQCLcB/s640/20170122_163853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Guest bedroom after:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvWxXxejAUs/WI7QozHmxqI/AAAAAAAAB_8/FNGVaSOmzb0kE2NDN_5HQ4B83-7oqOQhACLcB/s1600/20170128_141704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvWxXxejAUs/WI7QozHmxqI/AAAAAAAAB_8/FNGVaSOmzb0kE2NDN_5HQ4B83-7oqOQhACLcB/s640/20170128_141704.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Closet and bedroom doors to hallway:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-laCMx61jw4U/WI7Ow26SabI/AAAAAAAAB_c/JNNRQ5iIjfgKrR8j_Nx1uzkXdVcxN4kEwCLcB/s1600/20170129_164912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-laCMx61jw4U/WI7Ow26SabI/AAAAAAAAB_c/JNNRQ5iIjfgKrR8j_Nx1uzkXdVcxN4kEwCLcB/s640/20170129_164912.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Master bedroom before:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71eQU6mqorM/WI7PmaNF9ZI/AAAAAAAAB_s/UUYSKsaVCwUINrl1K9cdg-R1iZGtazHCgCLcB/s1600/Bedroom_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71eQU6mqorM/WI7PmaNF9ZI/AAAAAAAAB_s/UUYSKsaVCwUINrl1K9cdg-R1iZGtazHCgCLcB/s320/Bedroom_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Guest bedroom before:</div>
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Isn't it amazing what a little paint can do? </div>
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And, just because I thought it was pretty, here is a picture from Newport Beach on Sunday night. We made it down their for a quick walk right after sunset.</div>
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I hope you had a great weekend too!</div>
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Assunta</div>
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<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-90126833730121431272017-01-24T01:00:00.000-08:002017-01-24T21:25:13.904-08:00Rainbow Sweater!This is going to be a very short blog post because I have been spending a lot of my spare time painting bedrooms. I will try to have pictures of that for next week. In the meantime, here is my rainbow sweater, which I have finished and is now blocking! I'll try to post a picture of myself wearing it later when it's warm enough for short sleeves again.<br />
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Have a great week!</div>
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-Assunta</div>
<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-44302238627735979182017-01-11T01:00:00.000-08:002017-01-11T01:00:09.746-08:00Out with the Old...<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes celebrating a new year means saying goodbye to things that aren't working anymore. The same can be true of a new house! Since our escrow finally closed at the end of December, my sweetie and I have been having fun doing some demolition work on parts of our condo that we don't like or that need to be updated. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PU2WVY1naFk/WHW8fpxQM3I/AAAAAAAAB-g/vqGgD8BCqmk3vn88RbjPx9ccvsy4xPjjwCLcB/s1600/Bedroom_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PU2WVY1naFk/WHW8fpxQM3I/AAAAAAAAB-g/vqGgD8BCqmk3vn88RbjPx9ccvsy4xPjjwCLcB/s640/Bedroom_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">One of the first things to go was the built-in furniture that you see behind the bed here. (This picture is from before the previous owners moved out.)</span></div>
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Here are all the pieces of that furniture after we deconstructed it. The room already feels much bigger!</div>
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Next was the soffit in the master bathroom. It housed a lens for a fluorescent tube light that we won't be using anymore, and was much sturdier than it needed to be anyway. It also detracted from our nice, high ceilings.</div>
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Adam and our new reciprocating saw made short work of that. He has since cut it down all the way to the wall and patched and textured the wall so it's ready to paint. Will still have one more soffit to take down in the other bathroom.</div>
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Speaking of paint preparation, here I am getting ready to sand down some doorframes so that we can paint them again without them getting too thick.</div>
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Here is one of our door frames before sanding (left) and after (center). It is so nice to see natural wood under there! It turns out this green paint (that seems to have been the unifying theme of the house) comes off much easier than expected. The image on the right shows a chunck of paint I took off a door in one piece, just by grabbing it and pulling. I only really needed to use the sander for some stubborn spots, and for the layer of paint below the green one.</div>
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Another thing we need to do before we can paint is get rid of the popcorn ceiling. The contractors are coming today to scrape it and I can't wait to see how it looks when they are done! We want to do most of the work ourselves but decided it was worth it to hire this one out.</div>
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Are you making any changes this new year that you are excited about?</div>
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-Assunta</div>
<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-36630539649054590762017-01-04T01:00:00.000-08:002017-01-04T01:00:05.107-08:00Happy 2017!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted. It's a whole new year already! I have been busy traveling and crafting for the holidays. Also, our home sale finally closed so my husband and I will now be able to put our creative energy toward fixing up the house! Here is a barage of images to show what I have been up to for the past month. I hope to resume my regularly blogging schedule starting next week. Apologies for the image quality, many of them were taken during our holiday road trip and all without the aid of my light box.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before we left on our trip I knitted this dress for my niece for Christmas. She is about 1 1/2 years old now!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxRFSa8qblk/WGyFfUijAfI/AAAAAAAAB9c/R09BvodkFTofJ43kv_pcMEWmKNMpFdKZgCLcB/s1600/1482620960723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxRFSa8qblk/WGyFfUijAfI/AAAAAAAAB9c/R09BvodkFTofJ43kv_pcMEWmKNMpFdKZgCLcB/s400/1482620960723.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These crocheted stacking animals are also for my niece. The leaves on the palm tree took me forever! I was working on that tree for a big part of our journey north.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While visiting my husband's aunts and uncles in Sacramento we came across a shop called Rumplestiltskin. Since I love everything to do with fairytales and yarn, I just had to go inside and pick up some gorgeous wool for spinning!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnM8iuPKL3c/WGyFftWBgjI/AAAAAAAAB9o/TOFaVStvyi42ls4t9E-hemsw6jEb5NaUACLcB/s1600/1483083830798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnM8iuPKL3c/WGyFftWBgjI/AAAAAAAAB9o/TOFaVStvyi42ls4t9E-hemsw6jEb5NaUACLcB/s400/1483083830798.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While in Portland I made this baby mermaid costume as a custom order for a friend who is expecting in February!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I received a Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer amigurumi kit for Christmas. Here's Rudolph in a hotel in Redding, on the way back to SoCal. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EDh515rvII/WGyFfzLkPoI/AAAAAAAAB9k/ElkglORo5XssE7QnTCgn-pOSau4PFHkBgCLcB/s1600/1483226437199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EDh515rvII/WGyFfzLkPoI/AAAAAAAAB9k/ElkglORo5XssE7QnTCgn-pOSau4PFHkBgCLcB/s320/1483226437199.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now I am working with my Sheepicorn yarn from Electric Sheep. This is how much I had knitted at our last stop in Santa Cruz.<div style="text-align: left;">
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I hope your year is off to a wonderful and crafty start!</div>
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-Assunta</div>
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Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-12175973925915809312016-11-23T01:00:00.000-08:002016-11-23T01:00:25.322-08:00Handspun Yarn for My Mom!My mom is one of my very best friends, and she's also the one who taught me to sew and crochet! Ever since I started learning to spin, I have had an idea in my head to make beautiful yarn for her. Of course, it took me a few test skeins to get to gift-worthy yarn, but I think I finally did it. My mom's birthday was yesterday, November 22nd, and this is what I gave her:<br />
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I even made my own custom label, but I must give credit to <a href="http://blarneyyarn.etsy.com/">Blarney Yarn</a> for her super-soft wool blend and gorgeous hand-painted autumn colors.</div>
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You may recognize this wool from my past post on the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5566288245539009191#editor/target=post;postID=8712191769038899976;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=4;src=postname">Vista Fiber Fiesta</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvUJvNeWekQ/WDUh2LHjv4I/AAAAAAAAB6E/RylZFd82wB0mpkmsapS8MUqfs-LdzGmFACLcB/s1600/1478933215326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvUJvNeWekQ/WDUh2LHjv4I/AAAAAAAAB6E/RylZFd82wB0mpkmsapS8MUqfs-LdzGmFACLcB/s640/1478933215326.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I spun and plied the yarn on my trusty Ashford spindle.</div>
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Stretching the yarn out on my noddy-noddy showed the colors to their best advantage and got it ready to soak. </div>
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Yarn soup! Soaking the yarn helped clean it and set it.</div>
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Last, I hung it to dry on a hook that was left in front of what will soon be my craft room. (I can't wait to repaint or replace that door, though!)</div>
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What do you think? I want to try dyeing my own yarn next!<br />
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-Assunta<br />
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PS- I had a great time at <a href="http://dreamthenbuild.blogspot.com/2016/11/hearts-hands-2016.html">Hearts & Hands</a> on Saturday. I brought a friend and we each made a few spool knit hats for refugees. Making the hats was fun, but the best part was being around people from different backgrounds all working together and using their creativity to help others! It was wonderful to see!<br />
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<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-70598395521840329162016-11-16T01:00:00.000-08:002016-11-16T01:00:09.893-08:00Hearts & Hands 2016I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted! My husband, kitty, and I are all successfully moved into our new house. We are still renting for the time being, but as soon as the home repair projects begin, you'll see them here.<br />
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In the meantime, some of the goings-on in the world have made me feel a little extra motivated to have a positive impact. This weekend I plan to participate in Hearts & Hands 2016, and event where volunteers complete craft projects to help refugees and victims of human trafficking. If anyone is reading this in Orange County, you should join me! If not, I'll let you know how it is.<br />
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Please see the flyer below for those who are interested:<br />
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As we move into the holiday season, I hope it's full of love and laughter for all of you!</div>
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Assunta</div>
<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-20013999896852856822016-10-19T01:00:00.000-07:002016-10-19T01:00:01.651-07:00Moving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Sorry, there is no blog post this week as I prepare to ...</div>
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...to a new house.</div>
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I will hopefully see you all next week assuming I can find my craft projects among all the moving boxes. The house will be an art project all on its own, as you will soon see. Until then! </div>
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<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-55213398405360364412016-10-12T01:00:00.000-07:002016-10-12T01:00:08.264-07:00Return of the Fat Baby Challenge!About two years ago my mom and I found two adorable baby dolls at a sale. We decided to challenge ourselves to make cute outfits for them without showing each other the outfits until they were done. And so the Fat Baby Challenge began! If you want to see the original blog posts, they start <a href="http://laughingcatcreativeenterprises.blogspot.com/search?q=fat+baby+challenge">here</a>.<br />
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After the original challenge was over, we found more "fat babies" at Toys R' Us and discovered that they are actually called Lil' Cutesies. We bought a couple more, and this week I finally had an idea for an outfit for mine.<br />
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I've recently had a few requests from friends and coworkers for mermaid-tail blankets. I even promised myself one awhile back! I decided to test my pattern idea on my fat baby and here is the result!<br />
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I made the whole thing out of Red Heart Boutique: Unforgettable yarn in the color Candied and I love the way the rainbow of colors came through! I like this even better than my previous fat baby outfit, what do you think?</div>
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This doll will be available for sale at the annual St. Agatha Holiday Bazaar in a couple weeks (details to follow) and some day I will get around to writing the pattern and posting it on Etsy. I hope you like it!</div>
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Happy swimming!</div>
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<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-87121917690388999762016-10-05T20:47:00.000-07:002016-10-05T20:47:04.049-07:00Gem Faire and the Vista Fiber Fiesta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few weeks ago a friend and I went to Gem Faire to look at pretty sparkly things! I got lots of nice green beads to make my beautiful mom-in-law this bracelet for her birthday. I had to wait a couple weeks to post it so I wouldn't spoil the surprise:</div>
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Then last week I went with a group of friends to the Vista Fiber Fiesta. There was so much beautiful yarn and fiber that it was hard not to buy way too much! I managed to keep my purchases down to three things.</div>
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The first is this hand-painted wool by Blarney Yarn. I bought some purple and gold wool from her last year and I just love her colors, don't you?</div>
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I also got this sock yarn by Laser Sheep. I have been looking for some rainbow yarn that isn't too loud and I think this is just perfect. The color is called Sheepicorn and it's made of wool and nylon. Laser Sheep also has lots of yarn inspired superheros and nerd culture. Very cool! </div>
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I saved this purchase for last because it's the least brightly colored...for the moment. It's acala cotton from Brookmoore Creations and I'm going to try dyeing it with plant-based dyes like I saw in Guatemala. I don't know what colors I'm going to use yet, but I'm looking forward to trying it!</div>
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Well, that's probably all the new stuff I should buy for awhile, but at least it will keep me happy with spinning, knitting, and dyeing!</div>
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-Assunta</div>
<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-63716329300145048962016-09-21T01:00:00.000-07:002016-09-21T01:00:07.480-07:00More Projects!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finished a couple more little projects this week. My friend who ordered the blue owl from me last week ordered another one, so here it is! This time she wanted an all-white one:</div>
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And here is the cross-stitch pattern I told you about last week. Over the weekend I got a frame for it at Michael's. Now it's ready to go on the wall! </div>
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And last but not least, I made this little one-skein shrug from my handspun "Starlight Princess" yarn. It's a little shorter than I wanted, but I still love how it turned out, especially the colors! It's just perfect for sitting on your roof and shining starlight on a chilly evening. And the great thing about a one-skein project is that it was very quick to make.</div>
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Have a great week!</div>
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Assunta</div>
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<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-11328077012540683032016-09-14T01:00:00.000-07:002016-09-14T01:00:16.866-07:00Finishing Projects Like a Boss!I've been on a roll this week finishing up little projects. Some of them are ones I have been working on for a long time, and it feels good to have them done!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiIFwYglkkc/V9jeC_Fw-tI/AAAAAAAAB2k/LTwZt835K5gT2rz2N4Cpm7TqrPAb_I8mQCLcB/s1600/20160911_210400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiIFwYglkkc/V9jeC_Fw-tI/AAAAAAAAB2k/LTwZt835K5gT2rz2N4Cpm7TqrPAb_I8mQCLcB/s320/20160911_210400.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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One project I finished is my "Starlight Princess" inspired yarn. I started it during Tour de Fleece for my fairytale themed spinning team, Tale Spinners. In the story, the princess shines like a star and sits on her roof every evening to share her light with the world. The colors of the yarn are meant to evoke silver beams of starlight running through the night sky. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jtwchxXUAk/V9jeCucISjI/AAAAAAAAB2g/LjAmDB9wWxM59zFKkIWN3TzxsFKxibE4wCEw/s1600/IMG_20160911_214320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jtwchxXUAk/V9jeCucISjI/AAAAAAAAB2g/LjAmDB9wWxM59zFKkIWN3TzxsFKxibE4wCEw/s400/IMG_20160911_214320.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My next project was this adorable amigurumi owl that I made as a special request from a friend at work. The pattern is by Kristi Tullus and you can find it on her blog <a href="http://engsidrun.spire.ee/blogs/blog1.php/free-pattern-crocheted-owls">here</a>. I absolutely love this design, and the little owl was so quick to make!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKlyBO3GjYk/V9jeCpUPGQI/AAAAAAAAB2c/W8Yn7uLOZMEGRcZsXJriwisORQ2Q2YTUQCEw/s1600/20160911_210300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKlyBO3GjYk/V9jeCpUPGQI/AAAAAAAAB2c/W8Yn7uLOZMEGRcZsXJriwisORQ2Q2YTUQCEw/s400/20160911_210300.jpg" width="338" /></a></div>
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The last project that I finished is a cross stitch project I started when I was still in high school! I'm not going to post a picture of it this week because I need to buy a frame for it first. Hopefully next week it will be fit for viewing.</div>
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Do you have any projects that have been sitting around for awhile that you just want to finish? This cross-stitch pattern was that way for me!</div>
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-Assunta</div>
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<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-4467986734318295732016-09-07T01:00:00.000-07:002016-09-07T01:00:00.150-07:00A Giant Sprinkled Doughnut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This weekend I finished crocheting my newest piece of furniture, an ottoman shaped like a giant sprinkled doughnut! It's made mostly from Hometown USA yarn, which is wonderfully soft and chunky. The 22 sprinkles are made from various different worsted weight yarns.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fzpLhs7-mDw/V8-bfYIapaI/AAAAAAAAB18/WoLjXDfnErYqOlg_a-474YITTngZjWP2ACLcB/s1600/20160902_232303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fzpLhs7-mDw/V8-bfYIapaI/AAAAAAAAB18/WoLjXDfnErYqOlg_a-474YITTngZjWP2ACLcB/s640/20160902_232303.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The pattern is from Twinkie Chan's Crocheted Abode A La Mode, which is full of all sorts of cute and fun crocheted treats!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XyngFLzk2EI/VzvzM52NV5I/AAAAAAAABpk/UNHC-aQ1S3M-Ag8mtQnJgLwvecztKoylQCPcB/s1600/20160515_170850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XyngFLzk2EI/VzvzM52NV5I/AAAAAAAABpk/UNHC-aQ1S3M-Ag8mtQnJgLwvecztKoylQCPcB/s640/20160515_170850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is Chester with the doughnut for scale:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7-XmuFG6ijE/V8-bfnotBxI/AAAAAAAAB2E/Jx1cAOxM4hYg9Xa3OmPNq32BYhYvi2qKwCEw/s1600/20160904_192356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7-XmuFG6ijE/V8-bfnotBxI/AAAAAAAAB2E/Jx1cAOxM4hYg9Xa3OmPNq32BYhYvi2qKwCEw/s640/20160904_192356.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's such a fun addition to our decor, I wish I had room for a half dozen of them!</div>
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Have a sweet week!</div>
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Assunta</div>
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<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-11122160124476269162016-08-24T01:00:00.000-07:002016-08-24T01:00:30.212-07:00A Knit Top Fit For a Mermaid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm gradually working through my Vogue Knitting Live purchases. If you remember from a few months ago, I fell in love with this yarn (Bubblegum Blues by Oink Pigments) for it's bubblegum yumminess...<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lqNi8FT-0fw/VzvxqrLCmWI/AAAAAAAABpI/JwOSvF-sOloXoo22nCxVsKZXE1OBKPWzACPcB/s1600/20160515_210117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lqNi8FT-0fw/VzvxqrLCmWI/AAAAAAAABpI/JwOSvF-sOloXoo22nCxVsKZXE1OBKPWzACPcB/s320/20160515_210117.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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And all of the beautiful White Lies Designs patterns, but especially the one on the bottom right (the Kate Bustier), because it looks like something Ariel might wear in the The Little Mermaid!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kURkIVOAoY/VzvzOFf3dVI/AAAAAAAABpk/JVA2-bWwbnwdPbwGn9MpqI7Y2cToX5O8wCPcB/s1600/20160515_170957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kURkIVOAoY/VzvzOFf3dVI/AAAAAAAABpk/JVA2-bWwbnwdPbwGn9MpqI7Y2cToX5O8wCPcB/s640/20160515_170957.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Mix them together, along with some fancy blue buttons from Joann's and some magical, floaty, cobweb-weight Kid Seta for the top part, and you have...</div>
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A bubblegum-colored top fit for a mermaid!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7OrsADH4TQ/V7vSa0QWAGI/AAAAAAAAB1A/0Xx7LNMsAaQXWTNUYnx5OqSw_4BRCjGbQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160820_144232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7OrsADH4TQ/V7vSa0QWAGI/AAAAAAAAB1A/0Xx7LNMsAaQXWTNUYnx5OqSw_4BRCjGbQCLcB/s640/IMG_20160820_144232.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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I love the way it turned out! What do you think?</div>
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Just keep swimming,</div>
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Assunta</div>
<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5566288245539009191.post-12582875949183901712016-08-17T01:00:00.000-07:002016-08-17T01:00:31.025-07:00Surprise! A Light Box!This is the surprise I was hinting at a couple of weeks ago. I finally bought a light box!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQKHRSFgG74/V7PqM76PvXI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/cs0RtDf3hYwcC5inZ_YdEZh8fG00beTnwCLcB/s1600/20160807_135117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQKHRSFgG74/V7PqM76PvXI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/cs0RtDf3hYwcC5inZ_YdEZh8fG00beTnwCLcB/s640/20160807_135117.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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It's just the most simple, tent-style version you can get, but look how much better the colors and details of this yarn look! I'm very excited for how this little investment will help my projects shine in my blog and my Etsy shop.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM_MwFwM-N0/V7PsM7VuX7I/AAAAAAAAB0c/kSgJ-7oWlCk6jxcrTlg3ZEzjL_xZcd8UwCLcB/s1600/20160801_203719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM_MwFwM-N0/V7PsM7VuX7I/AAAAAAAAB0c/kSgJ-7oWlCk6jxcrTlg3ZEzjL_xZcd8UwCLcB/s640/20160801_203719.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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And yes, I'm still working on plying my blue alpaca yarn from Tour de Fleece. I'll admit my motivation has gone down since the Tour ended, but I am happy with how it's turning out. I decided to ply two strands of the blue with one strand of silver thread. It's one of my favorite color combinations, as some of you may know.</div>
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Have a great week!</div>
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-Assunta</div>
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<br />Assunta Cicalesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10122185791996543535noreply@blogger.com6