Snowflakes

These are some crocheted snowflakes I made for christmas. I found this pattern on the Attic24 website and couldn't resist making some. I had been at the craft store last last week picking up some yarn I had ordered and they had 3 skeins of holiday yarn up by the register and I couldn't resist. That is the yarn I used to make the above snowflakes, though they use very little yarn you can use whatever is in your stash as well.

You can use whatever size hook you want.

I used Bernat Happy Holidays yarn:
31005 Silver Sparkle
31707 Red Sparkle
31708 Green Sparkle

I will be making some more of these using different size hooks to get different size snowflakes to hang in my windows.

Apple Cinnamon Ornaments

Apple Sauce
A whole lot of Cinnamon.


You add the cinnamon to the applesauce until it makes a non sticky dough. Roll it out and use holiday cookie cutters to cut out shapes. (TIP: make sure dough is at least 1/4 in. thick.)

You can use a straw to make holes for ornament hangers
or press in a paper clip/ornament hanger before drying

2 options of drying

the FAST METHOD: Place cut outs on wire rack in a 150 degree oven for 1-2 hours or intil no soft or moist parts are left

the SLOW METHOD lay out on wire racks 2-3 days or until dried all the way through.



*these last for years if they don't break. And they make your Christmas storage smell great. They are brittle though. Be prepared for breakage in weak spots.

New Aprons by Lexi

I had a few requests for custom aprons this Christmas. Here are two I made today. I didn't use a pattern for either just winged it based upon what I thought worked for each person.
This one was a request from my friend Brittany who wanted one made for her mom. She came with me and picked out the fabrics, ribbons and beads. She gave a brief description of the apron her mother has been dreaming of and then gave me the artistic freedom to put it together. She helped with the final touches and was very pleased with the results. Hopefully her mom will be as pleased as she is.
This one was made for my Gramma who requested one after seeing pictures of the others I had made as mothers day gifts. She requested a feminine design for entertaining and so I designed this with her favorite color of blue. Hopefully it was what she was thinking.

Hexagons

This is a hexagon pattern I had so much fun with. I crocheted the hexagons to the blanket as I went along. The pattern is on the Attic24 website.
The yarn I used was Bernat Super Value Yarn:
07421 Black
07407 Winter White
53044 True Grey
00607 Berry
I had fun doing this blanket. I wanted to make it a little bit bigger to fit a full size bed but decided it worked for being on the couch with a book for now. My hubby said I could always go back later and add to it which I might do.

Crocheted Bag

These are two bags I made using a pattern from Attic24's wesite. The pink one I made just like the directions but the bag is a pretty big size. It works for the next to the bed or couch big projects. The black/grey one I made to use to carry projects with me.
I used Bernat Super Value Yarn:
Pink Bag:
53435 Cameo
53531 Rouge
Black/Grey Bag:
07421 Black
53044 True Grey

My Eyeball Bag

So I made this small bag in October thinking it would be fun for Halloween. The pattern is on The AntiCraft website. This was very simple.

I used a size F hook and Bernat Super Value yarn, colors:
07407 Winter White
00607 Berry (red)
07483 Walnut
07421 Black
00615 Carrot

Overlaid Checks blanket

This is an overlaid checks pattern that I found in The Crochet Stitch Bible. It is an easy pattern and a very quick project. I made this for a friend as a baby gift.
The finished size laid out is 3' x 4' (36" x 48"). This is 168 base chain stitches + 3.
I used a size G crochet hook and Bernat Super Value yarn, colors:
Color A: 53022 Dk Heather
Color B: 07681 Pale Navy
Color C: 53222 Fern

ch= chain stitch
st= stitch
sc= single crochet
dc= double crochet

To start make a chain using color A in multiples of eight until you have the desired length (or width) that you want, then add 3 more chain stitches.
R1: Do a double crochet in the fourth chain from the hook, (The 3 ch on the end are considered a dc) do 1 dc in next ch st, *1 ch, skip 1 ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 ch, skip 1 ch, 1 dc in next 5 ch repeat from * to the end of the row. ch 3 and turn.
Repeat pattern until you have the desired length (or width) that you want. You should be about to see where the double crochet stitch and chain stitches go.

The color pattern is 3 rows of color A, 1 row of color B, 1 row color C then repeat. In the chain spaces do an overlaid chain stitch rotating colors B and C. Unfortunatley I couldn't find tutorial online for the overlaid chain stitch, but you should be able to pick up the book at your local library.

8-point Ripple Round

I've make this baby blanket along with anthor for a friend who is having a baby, but not finding out what they are having. I used left over yarn from the overlaid checks blanket to make this one.
I found this pattern on Ravelry when looking for a baby blanket pattern. The pattern , however, is actually on a blog site called Trinket's Yarn Box. It is crocheted and I used a size G hook.

I used Bernat Super Value yarn and the colors I used are:
53022 Dk Heather
53222 Fern
07681 Pale navy

Nurse Scrub Top

The wonderful thing about an older sister leaving you all of her old quilting scraps is that when in a financial pinch and in need of new scrubs, one can dig through the bin of fabric and for little to nothing be set to go. This pattern is Simplicity 3542 and was really easy to complete. I think I am going to make a few more tops using some of the other fun scraps!!

Shopping Bag Pattern

2 - 13 x 14 inch rectangles (front and back)
1 - 40 x 9 inch rectangle (side & bottom)
2 - 42 x 3 inch straps (folded over and hemmed to create a 1.5 in strap)
1 - 13 x 9 inch rectangle bottom insert
1 - 12.5 x 8.5 inch cardboard stabilizer for bottom

This is the order I sew the bags in, but figure out what works best for you. It took me a couple of bags to get a pattern going as I made these up loosely based on the bags you can buy at the stores.

-Place the bottom 13x9 insert in the center of the 40x9 rectangle and pin in place.
-Next space the 42x1.5 inch straps 6 inches apart on the bottom insert, tack in place and sew all three layers together. Repeat for second strap on alternate side.
-With the straps on the outside and the bottom insert on the inside of the bag, fit the two 13x14 panels in by aligning the 13 inch bottom with the insert and then working out to each side pinning in the side panel as you go.
-Sew each full side together with one long stitch reinforcing corners with a corner stitch.
-Turn bag right side out and stitch straps to the outside of the bag for stability.
-Place cardboard rectangle in bottom of bag between base layer and bottom insert to keep it in place.
- Fold and go...Enjoy!
Front of bags, the left has the side panels pulled out so you can see them.
The inside of the bag to help you get a better idea of how to put it together. The previous post also has a picture of the bag open on the manikin as well so you can see how the long panel wraps around the front and back panel. Let me know if you have any questions. (Sorry I don't usually make my patterns with directions, as I am usually the only one using them :-)
Oh one additional note you may notice my bags have stitching in the side panel, this is to create a permanent crease here because I am anal retentive, it is not necessary and I made Mindy's bags without. If you want it sew in an upside down Y in each side.

Aprons and Bags

I love sewing and creating my own patterns. Many of the inevitable patterns are inspired by pictures I've come across in books, magazines or movies. These were inspired by an apron pattern book I came across at Barnes and Noble. Although I didn't by the book or use and of the actual patterns it was a great way to get started and I highly recommend combing through "how to" or "pattern" books when wishing to start a new project, but lacking the spark of inspiration.
The aprons were made as a Mothers day gifts for my mom, Jeff's step mom Dana and Jeff's mom Mindy. The shopping bags were an additional gift to Mindy because she kept trying to steel the ones I made for Jeff and I when she visited.
Mya's apron. I went with a striped green and floral pattern to show off her gardening side. She requested a full bib with a towel loop and so I added those criteria while keeping the design feminine with pleating and a wide defining waste strap. The diamond pocket opens from both sides for easy access.

Dana's apron. I designed Dana's after what I imagined as the 1950's Batter Homes and Gardens classic apron. The colors are soft and made to go with a multitude of outfits. The round pocket looks ornate but it was easy to make and provides a nice space for small odds and ends. It's feminine with its ruffles but made from a durable fabric that could hold up to the kitchen mess.
The bags I made for Jeff and I a few year ago are khaki and green and fit our personality well. When making Mindy's I wanted to make sure and stay true to her personality as well, and so I went and picked a few neutral sheik patterns. There were a few of each but I only have one of each design shown here.
Mindy's apron. I made Mindy a reversible cocktail apron to match one of her shopping bags. Here a I have the entertaining side showing, but with a flip you reveal a standard camel colored fabric ready for the splashes and smudges of party prep. The sash (although not shown here) is also long enough to be wrapped around and tied in the front to create a fancy bow when entertaining.

Tic-Tac Snow and Beetle painting

From the Disney Family Fun site...


Here's a quick two-person game that's easy enough for little tic tac snow kids yet offers enough strategy to be played over and over.

Draw the board shown on a piece of paper, marking a dot at each intersection (eight around the edges and one in the middle). Give each player three matching game pieces(we used cotton balls glued to pennies and marked with dabs of paint). As in tic-tac-toe, the object is to get three pieces in a row. To begin, Player 1 places a piece on any dot, then Player 2 goes and they continue alternating until all the pieces are down. If no one lands three pieces in a row, on the next turn a player may slide his or her piece to the next dot, trying to make a row of three. Play continues until one person makes tic-tac-snow.

My kids go buggy over this open-ended project: decorating a beetles colony of brightly colored beetles. We usually spread out our bug-making over two afternoons--one to mold the beetles and one to paint them.

To start, mix a cup of plaster of Paris according to the directions on the box. Pour the mix bit by bit into disposable plastic spoons and let them dry overnight (we usually make 20 to 40 at a time and save some for later). The next day, pop the bugs out of the pop the bugs out of the spoons spoons and have your kids paint them with acrylic or tempera paints. An insect guide can offer some fun inspiration for colors and designs. Painting the bugs can take up the better part of a rainy afternoon, but you can also extend this project in other ways. For example, make your beetles more functional by gluing them onto magnets. Or challenge everyone to create an interesting beetle cage from any supplies around your house (toothpicks are a good jumping-off point).

Witchy Fun

I found this pattern at Ravelry.com, but the pattern is at the Caron Yarn website. The pattern is called Halloween Throw, however I felt is was to small to be used as a throw so I'm going to use it as a wall-hanging.

It is done using a tunisian stitch and is an intermediate project.

I used Bernat Super Value yarn and the colors I used are:
07421 - Black
07407 - Winter White
00615 - Carrot (orange)
07773 - Lt Damson (purple)
07483 - Walnut (brown)
53022 - Dk Heather (lt beige)

I really enjoyed doing this project and hope to do others like it soon.

Play Dough Fun

Here is something for you to whip up with the kids at the kitchen table on a rainy day. (This my mom's recipe)

Mix:
1 cup salt
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons alum

Add:
1 & 3/4 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons plus two teaspoons baby oil

Mix well, cool, divide and add coloring (food coloring works the best). Store in covered containers or zip lock bags.

Another Craft Blog

Hello Everyone,

Having moved to Germany recently I've been starting to feel a little sad about not having my friends and family to craft with, especially my best friend Stef. So I started thinking that starting a craft blog would be a great way to continue crafting and sharing ideas with everyone I know. I do know that there are tons of websites out there that one can find projects to do, but not all in one spot. There are knitting and crocheting forums, quilting and sewing, sprapbooking, needlepoint, etc. I wanted to make this a place where one can find all those things plus crafts for kids to do, beading, jewelry making, etc. whatever your heart desires. I know how excited I get when I find a fun project and then get to buy new fabric for a quilt or new yarn for a knit or crochet project and I know some of you are the same way.

Please use labels so that way it is easier for anyone to find a project. For example, I just started a Halloween throw. When I post it I will probably use the labels: Crochet, Throw, Halloween, Tori. Don't afraid to use or make as many as you need for your project. It just might help someone find it a little easier or for someone looking for something new that might not have found it.

Also please don't plagiarize. If you found the craft somewhere else please make note of it and if it came off the internet please add a link for it in your post. I know I will be adding quite a few links to start as my current projects have come from other sites.

I will be adding quite a few of you as authors and hoping to add more in the future as I'm sure everyone has fun ideas to share. So please come and share your ideas, I'm excited to see what everyone is doing. Hope to be crafting with you all soon. Happy Crafting