Little Projects

After finishing a project one of my favorite things to do is to look for little ways to use the supplies left- the scraps!

That is what happened when I had finished making this hat for my sister and had a little bit of left-over yellowish yarn. Around that same time my mom asked me to make her a bee mobile for her mother's day gift, after seeing this photo while I was looking at my favorites on flickr.

So while noticeably different from the inspiration, I quite like how it came out. The wings are made from leftovers of this shawl, the black leftover from an amigurumi I made.
After making the bees, I strung them up with fishing wire from a twig.
Easy-peasy :)

It was so quick and fun!

These bees are quite chunky, but I think endearingly so, don't you?

Hee hee :)

Then after finishing another project, my Snow Drops and Snap Peas shawl, I had a little ball of yarn left.

Oh what to do?

Well, I made a bookmark. It is from the book More Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson,called Linen-Stitch bookmark. This is the second pattern I have made from this book and this book does not disappoint. It is so easy to follow, and it really was quick. In fact I have already made four more and given them as gifts.

Yay for quick projects!

They make life great don't you think? Who doesn't need a little instant gratification now and again, I know I do sometimes.

Anyways, my summer is going to be a little busy, I am going to be working not one but two jobs. So don't be surprised if you see a lot more quick and easy projects popping up around here.

Hope your day was great, I spent mine drawing while listening to Lisa Hannigan, Fleet Foxes, Mamma Mia, and Laura Marling. It was heaven!

What did you do?

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

A Dapper Dachshund Amigurumi

My dad loves dachshunds.

They are lovable little dogs, with a stubborn streak which can be made up by their love of snuggling.

This doll was made with one of our old pets, named Wilhelm or Willie for short, in mind. He was the sweetest little dog. He passed away when I was in middle school, after having an accident. I still miss him.

Anyways, he was a playful little fellow, completely one of a kind.

So when my dad's birthday rolled around I knew just what to make him. It is kind of a tradition that I give my dad something dachshund related on his special day, and this crocheted one just had to be made. It was easy to make, and quite quick too. Loved making it.

Lily tried to snatch him while I was photographing this. Then she had the audacity to smack the camera.

She is not amused.

Happy Tuesday.

:)

xoxo, Callie

the magical bean

Gift from Twistyfishies

I was ecstatically overwhelmed to receive a package in the mail the other day from Kristie of Twistyfishies. When I sent her an 'angel' package in the mail, as a part of the Crafty Goodness Swap, (she never got anything), I sent it off and expected nothing in return.

However, she kindly sent me a thank you package in return. I am so pleased that she did.

I love everything in it!

As you can see in the above photo I got not one but two monster plushies!

Also inside were some sweet stickers, a lovely card, and her card and tag (both are designed so prettily I had to show you).

All in all it was an amazing gift.

The package was really nicely wrapped up...and I would've showed you but I was so happy to get it I tore it up to quickly to get any photos.
Can you blame me?
I mean how much cuter can you get than a one-eyed bat monster?
He is definitely going to hang up in my car.
Already, the yellow monster sits in a place of honor on my bed.
All it needs now is a name...
Any suggestions?

Thank you so much Kristie for your kindness. I really appreciate that you took the time to make all these wonderful goodies for me.

If you haven't already checked out her wonderful etsy shop, Twistyfishies, please do. She has such cute amigurumi, plush monsters,and felt plush. Very talented, is she not?
Also she has a blog of her own, here.

Once again thank you Kristie!
XOXO, Callie
the magical bean

Tinsmith's Wife Anniversary

Last Friday was the second anniversary of my favorite yarn shop The Tinsmith's Wife out in Comfort. If you have been following my blog for a while you know how much I love going there. The owner Wendy is the best as far as I am concerned, not to mention her amazing parents Susan and Bill. They are kind, sweet, and all around good hearted. They are just wonderful and I really wanted to find some way to let them know it.

So I decided to give them a little gift in honor of their celebration. I had drawn this little sheep knitting (shown above) a bit ago and it just seemed perfect, so after framing it, my lovely mom and I set off on Friday to give it to them in person. Along the way there we got a flat tire, and a very nice old cowboy stopped to help us put on the spare (many thanks Brad!).
Once arriving I gave them my gift and I was so excited to see that they liked it!
Many hugs were shared and happy tears. It was a very happy moment. They then hung up the picture on the wall, right away! It was so touching.

( This picture is of Wendy and I laughing; and you can even see my picture hanging in the background, photographed by Susan)

Then after all that, Wendy did something extraordinary for me that really touched me even more. She gave me a gift in return. Can you believe I teared up again? It was their special anniversary pattern and hand dyed yarn, that even came with the beads!

The pattern is for a shawl called Eurybia by Melissa Goodale from Stick Chick Knits. The yarn that accompanies it is this deep shade of beautiful green that I really can't wait to work on! It was hand dyed by Hazel Knits in the Emerald City colorway.
.

The cup is the perfect size too, and a lovely shade of blue, just the right size for my cups of tea.

Then after all that Wendy did a post on her blog about it which really made my day, be sure to visit her blog and website for her shop.

Thank you Tinsmith's Wife!

This is a moment in my life that I will always cherish. Your generosity is outstanding. I'm so glad I got to be apart of your special and momentous celebration.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

You mean a great deal to me too :)

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

my swap gift for Pip

My partner for the swap was Pip, of Pip and Life,which is kind of cool after she'd already won my giveaway a while ago. So the other night I felt so happy to see her post that she had gotten it. Be sure to check out her post here. It is so sweet! I am so glad she liked it.

This time I actually remembered to take some pictures of some of what I made...so as you can see I made:

a sunflower pin...

tiny cupcakes...

a crocheted necklace...

and of course a card and packaging...

all these made up my swap package.
Thank you Pip for your kind words about my creations for you. It does my heart good to see that you like it so much. Thank you thank you.

I am so happy you like it :)
That's me right now, happy happy happy!
XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Blue Owl

This little wooden block was painted for my brother as a gift just because he's the best brother a girl could ever wish for.

He and I both love owls so I thought he would like it.

I didn't realize until now that you can see paint on my hand.

*whoops*

I even painted all the sides with flowing organic shapes.

I painted it with blue, black, and white acrylic paint.
You can kind of see his initial M on the bottom in the above photo.

Hope your Friday is great!
I have been cleaning more and listening to Regina Spektor non-stop! Thanks to Jessica :)
XOXO, Callie
the magical bean
(P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway on Carly's blog.)

Kaitlyn's Ipod Kozy

This is the gift I crocheted for my sister Kaitlyn's birthday. It is her a little ipod cozy for her new ipod. She actually requested I make this for her.
I just made it up as I went along. I ended up using one of my vintage buttons for the closure.

One of her favorite colors is blue hence the color choice.

All in all I think she liked it!

To go along with this I gave her a drawing and a little card...

Hope every one's Easter was grand. This week is off to a rough start :(

Hope it gets better soon, Callie

Thank you so much Tracy and Sylvita!!!

Gratitude and amazement would have to be the two words that came to my mind upon receiving these two wonderfully thoughtful gifts in the mail.
The first one I received was the letter from Sylvia of Sylvita which I consider to be the best and most creative letter I have ever received. Imagine my surprise when I opened up the envelope (more like ripped it open with excitement!!!) to see Frosty the Snowman looking back at me. The world felt like it was in slow motion as I gingerly turned it over and read the list on the back and then come to find out it was a handmade record album complete with a note written on the back!!!

Sylvita you definitely win the award for the most creative and all around crafty inspiring card!!

The next package I received was from Tracy of Little T Jane. It came in a nondescript white package which made me wonder who it was from...and as I hurriedly tried to open it with my hands and failed, went furiously looking for some scissors. Luckily I found them and then after opening it, stared in wonder, at the sweetest little pillow shaped as a tree ever!! I wondered quickly if I had won something but after reading the note I learned the truth. I can't still believe how kind these two wonderful bloggers are. It still makes me happy just thinking about it.

Little T Jane Pay It Forward

I just received my gift from Tracy of little t jane from participating in her Pay it Forward!! I love it so much!! :) She gave me a hand decorated recipe box(how could she know I had been on the lookout for one already?) and a pack of recipe cards to boot. Also I got some brads, an assortment of stickers and a hand carved stamp!!! Can you believe it? I am so excited! I already had to try out the stamp which says "the magical bean" on it and it is too perfect for words... I am so pleased and grateful. Thank you so much Tracy!

This reminds me that I still have one spot open for my Pay It Forward 2009... If anyone(bloggers only) is interested please just leave a comment. All you (bloggers only please) have to do in return is post a Pay it Forward on your blog and make three things for the first three people who respond to your note. Simple, right?