Cactus or Pincushion?

Pincushion cactus:

source

Cactus pincushion:

I started with the tutorial from PC at Meijo's Joy. (So cute!) I drew a cactus-shaped paper pattern that looked like a good size for some 2-inch clay pots I got at the craft store. I used the pattern to cut out 6 felt pieces for each cactus.

I made the base narrow, but this was unnecessary since it gets hidden in the pot, and it also made it more difficult to stuff, so I think next time I will make the base wider.

I used a very short stitch and a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

I backstitched a good 1/2 inch at each end at the opening, since that part gets the most stress.

Turned - almost a cactus!

After turning, I stacked three of the cactus pads together and stitched them together through the center, bottom to top.

This was extremely difficult with the thick felt - I could barely get it under my presser foot!

nice and even at the top

In some cases the tops did not come out even, but I can disguise that with fancy pins!

very uneven!

Each little section had to be stuffed - I used polyester batting.

Stuffing is easier with long tweezers and very small bits of batting.

I packed it tightly so the cacti would be very solid.

Once all six of the cactus sections were full, I slipstitched the bottom closed.

This will not be visible and will not have much stress on the stitches.

Now for the little pots. I decided to have some plain and some wrapped in a loosely woven fabric that looks like soft burlap.

For the plain pots, I glued a piece of cork to the bottom just in case the pot is placed on wood furniture (we don't want scratches).

The pincushions will be top heavy, so to keep them from flopping over, I placed a small handful of pebbles in the bottom of each pot.

To finish, I simply glued the pincushions into the pots. Then it was finally time to put the pins in!

I made some fancy pins with beads and earring backs. (They are hiding my uneven cactus tops.)

Here I pinned bee and ladybug buttons to the pincushions.

I call this one the princess cactus.

The finished cactus garden.

Now, these were supposed to be gifts, but will I ever be able to let any of them go?

Katrina

The Autumn Afghan

This blanket is only my second crochet project, after a skinny and unevenly stitched scarf, and I admit that the scope might be a bit grandiose for a beginner.

The finished size, if it ever does get finished, is supposed to be 60 by 80 inches. I started this back in November, or possibly even October, so I can’t remember why, exactly, I thought that size was necessary.

It’s a granny stripe pattern based on Lucy’s gorgeously gorgeous blanket of gorgeousness.

The important thing for me is that the stitch looks fancy but it is super-simple and very repetitive, so I can’t get into very much trouble. (Although I do occasionally do a group of four or one instead of three if I’m not paying attention.)

This Autumn blanket is now a Winter blanket, which is very nice for working on, and under, while watching TV in the chilly evenings. But if I don’t hurry up and finish, it will be a Spring blanket.

Katrina

Colors

I did not decorate for the holidays this year, but I didn't have to go too far to see the traditional bright colors of the season.

The garden is full of bright red, green, and gold.

faded gold grape leaves (and two little dogs behind them)



this Euphorbia turns red at the tips when temperatures drop



exuberantly red berries of the Pyracantha

three golden grapefruit weighing down their tiny tree

Best wishes to all for a happy and colorful New Year!

Katrina

Craftsy

Are you a fan of Craftsy? I’ve spent enough time on there to warrant the full expression: fanatic.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned my lust for learning: the multiple 4-year degrees that I dragged out to 6 or 8 years just for the joy of taking classes, the online writing courses, the annual art retreat… those were the days. Unfortunately, education is exceedingly expensive, and taking classes just for fun has gone beyond the reach of my fixed income.

 

Thankfully I can afford Craftsy. As you can see from my course list, I’ve gone a bit overboard in signups. Mainly because they keep having sales!

 

I've managed a bit of weird, wobbly crochet, thanks to talented instructors Vickie Howell and Linda Permann.  

I know, I said I did not need any new hobbies! I was wrong. Between crochet and quilting, I’ve had a nice break from sewing.

 

Katrina