Digi Scrap Page

I made this for the cover of the wedding planner I made for Tori.

Yay Crayons!!!

I finished this awhile ago and have been meaning to take pictures and post it, but as things have been crazy around here I hadn't gotten to it. I made this for a friend to give as a teacher gift snd really enjoyed doing it. Each of the crayons are done individually then sewn together, making it easy to carry. I went with a small variation to the pattern by crocheting the crayons together instead of seaming them. The pattern for this can be found here.

Hook used: US H (5.0mm)

Yarn used: Bernat Super Value Solids

(1) oo607 Berry

(1) 00608 Bright Yellow

(1) 00615 Carrot

(1) 00609 Kelly

(1) 00610 Royal Blue

(1) 07773 Lt Damson

(2) 07421 Black

The only thing I didn't do on this pattern was write the color names as I could get the letters right.

Sprial Hex's

This is a fun pattern that I found on Ravelry.com, but the pattern can also be found here. This pattern was super quick and super easy. I did both of these in four days. I would have finished the first one in one day but had other things to do as well.

Hook used: US I (5.50mm)

Yarn used:

1st Spiral:

53022 Dark Heather - Bernat Super Value Solids

598 Jet Stream - Caron Rainbow Dreams

2nd Spiral:

53235 Soft Green - Bernat Super Value Solids

0559 Jewels Ombre - Caron Jumbo Prints

I only used one skein of each and the finished size is about 40"x40". Perfect for baby blanket size.

My Nook Holder

I've been wanting to do this purse pattern since I found it on Ravelry, but kept putting it to the side. Well for an earlt birthday present my hubby got me a Nook. I'm a little afraid to just toss it my purse for fear that the screen might get scratched. Well this purse is the perfect size for a holder and I can still stick it my purse with no worries.

The pattern is called Sao Paolo Purse.

Hook used: US H (5.0mm)

Yarn Used: Bernat Satin Solids
04044 Stone
04430 Bordeaux

Not sure yet if I'm going to keep it as my Nook holder or make something new but for now I'm liking it. Its simple and quick to make.

French Braid Quilt

This pattern came out of the book "French Braid Quilts: by Jane Hardy Miller. It's called "Big Red" but you can use any color you want as long as the colors fade from dark to light. My best friend had bought this book last year and I really like the patterns and the way they look so had to do one. She helped me pick out the fabrics, but wasn't able to make it before leaving for Germany so here it is.
I did this on in eleven shades of blue and the center diamonds are eleven fabrics of black and white. I really like how it came out and have it as the quilt on the bed in my guest room.

Granny Squares

A friend of mine asked me to teach her how to knit and crochet. Knitting was easy I started her off with a basic knit, but with crocheting there are so many ways you can start: straight stitches (single, double, treble), circular, squares, etc. So I helped her set up an account on Ravelry to look for a pattern. She choose to do granny square afghan for her husband.
I used three colors I had in my stash to teach her how and then liked the color combo I had picked for mine I decided to do a light weight coverlet for my bed for summer. Now I have my room done in greens (and have the yarn for it) but haven't found a pattern I want to do for this room yet, so this one is on the bed for now.
The only thing I don't like about doing granny squares is making them all and then having to sew them all together. I joined (crocheted) them together as I went. Attic24 has a good tutorial for this method.

Hook used: US I (5.5mm)

Yarn used: Bernat Super Value Solids
07551 Pale Antique Rose
07636 Burgundy
53022 Dark Heather

This pattern is a classic granny square and the pattern can be found here.

Double-knit Star Scarf

I found this pattern on Ravelry.com and loved it. It is knitted using the double-knit method. Pattern can be found here.

Needles used:
US 7 (4.5 mm)

When I wanted to start this scarf we were having some pretty bad snows (for this area) and almost everything on base was closed. Sooo I had some yarn I had picked up on the German economy to try makinf slippers with but used for this instead. I love how it turned out.

I did have some problems reading the pattern and thanks to my best friend was able to figure it out. The nice part is the star is graphed so you can take almost anything you can graph and make a double-knit something. I already have two more started with other graphs and I will post them as soon as I'm done.

If you have any problems with the pattern let me know I kept Stef's rewrite for future reference.

Digi-Post 2

Latest Digi - Page

Just finished this one today. I have been wanting to scrap these pictures since I took them back in January but simply didn't have the time. Finally got the time with Spring Break and then found myself stumped as to how to put the page together. Luckily I had Carrie's help and with a few e-mailed rough (very rough) drafts and some good advice I was on my way to a fun flying adventure :-)

digi scrap info

If you have used a program to edit photos, you most likely have just the software you need to scrap digitally. What are the benefits? Well, there are quite a few.
-My "by hand" ones have pictures that pop off. I hate that. Digi pages print out one neat and clean photo.
-Do you ever cringe cropping that really cute photo into a frame, or cropping grandma out because she just won't fit? That doesn't matter with digi scrapping. You still have the original pic and you can adjust the frame size and picture size as you like it.
-Children. Ugh, scrapbooks are such a mess! The kids get to the scissors, those 12.99 papers you splurged for and any and every cute sticker you have. Stamps get all over them and we don't even want to think about those felt tip markers being mashed into oblivion. All I have is my laptop on the table. Easy peasy. Low stress.
-Crop nights. Ha! I love walking in with my laptop as these hard core scrappers haul in thousands of dollars worth of supplies that weigh a ton.
-$$$$ I have a digital camera, a lot of cute papers and elements are found on line and that page that would cost 4-14 dollars is only $2.00 for me.
-copies. I can print pages for family and each kid if I want instead of making a bad photocopy or redoing the page over and over.
-Kits. one kit is usable over, and over and over. You can adjust the color of that cute element that just isn't the right shade.
-Spell check for journaling and fonts gallore!

I can keep going.... But I'll just eave you some great sites to look at instead.

Tutorials and cute kits at 2 peas in a bucket:
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/cg_list.asp?t=133

Shabby princess:
http://www.shabbyprincess.com/downloads.asp

And Craft Crave who finds the freebies people have to offer on their blogs.:
http://digifree.craftcrave.com/

Digi-Scrap-booking

I realized we are missing a great craft entry on this site...digital scrap-booking! Here are some of my pages. I use Photoshop to put mine together but there are other applications. The backgrounds, frames, and add on pieces came from my friend Carrie. I hope Carrie will post some of her pages as well as some hints for finding the scrap book materials online. She taught me how to digi-scrap and her pages are far superior to mine!

More Aprons from Lexi

Perhaps a bit vain but I thought these looked different on then on the manikin and so I modeled them myself, as I didn't have any other girls at the house. I think these photo's emphasize one of my favorite things about a good apron...they can make you look thinner than you really are :-)

Yep...More Aprons

I made a few aprons as Christmas gifts and thought I'd post them. In the past I've been asked how I make them and so I'm attempting to post a basic how to on the first one to give you all an idea.

I start with fabric selection which I try to tailor to the recipient of the apron. Then I think of the style and shape of apron and begin cutting out shapes and creating a rough pinning of the pieces which you can see below.

I then pin these rough pinned pieces to the manikin to see how they will lay and then make adjustments from their.

After all pinning and sewing is complete I put the apron back on the manikin to make sure it is still laying properly, make any additional adjustments and off it goes.This one is designed to look like a 1950's party dress apron.

Luck of the Irish Apron.

Pretty in Pink cocktail hour Apron.

Ice Cream Colors

A friend asked me to make her a baby blanket to give as a gift. The colors were pink and brown and the theme was polka dots. I found this pattern on Ravelry, however the actual pattern is on The Lion Brand Yarn website. The pattern is called Circle to Squares afghan (here).

Hook size used: I
Bernat Super Value yarn used:
07483 Walnut
07407 Winter White
53435 Cameo

These colors make me think of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream. lol I had fun making this one.

Round and Round

This I found on The Royal Sister's website. The pattern is called Grandma All Round (here). These I think would be a nice coasters for candy dishes or other small dished for a holiday party.

Hook size: I
Bernat Happy Holidays yarn:
31005 Silver Sparkle
31708 Green Sparkle
31707 Red Sparkle
Another impulse yarn projects awww.

These were quick to make and for any holiday by changing your colors. Also can be made in any size by changing what size hook you use.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

I found this pattern on The Royal Sister's website. The pattern is called Grandma Tree (here). The tutorial is really easy to follow, even for beginners. Also a quick little project while watching a movie, for some homeade decorations.

Hook Size: I
Bernat Happy Holidays yarn:
31005 Silver Sparkle
31708 Green Sparkle
31707 Red Sparkle
Another good project for inpulse yarn. :)

Will also be making more of these later in different sizes and adding them to my christmas garland

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

When reading a post on Attic24, she talked about these little stars that are on The Royal Sisters website. This pattern is called Grandma Twinkle (here). The tutorial was super easy to follow and they are quite quick to make. I'm looking to do more in the future in different sizes to make garland for the windows.

Hook Size: I
The yarn I used is Bernat Happy Holidays:
31005 Silver Sparkle
31708 Green Sparkle
31707 Red Sparkle.
These were an impulse buy at the craft store around christmas and couldn't resist.

Think I may do some in red, white and blue for 4th of July too.

Okay, not a craft but....Scissors were involved

Tip and Brag Post
Tip: If you find yourself feeling like a change...go for it! Change can be good, but make sure you have clear idea of what you are thinking so you can relay your thoughts clearly to the stylist. If your not sure what your thinking or aren't sure if you can clearly convey what your thinking look online first and print off a picture of what you would like. This will ensure you really get what you want :-)
Brag: While on my recent trip to Utah to visit with friends and family, my dear friend Carrie stated that she wasn't crazy about her hair. She felt it needed a trim or "something." So, as a former Theatre person with hairstyling know-how I offered to give her a new do should she have an idea. After a quick search of short hairstyles via google she found the hairstyle below and...

I think I hit it on the money. More over I think it was an excellent pick for her. It looks totally sassy on her and is easy enough to maintain with little ones! - Her daughter Gwynn pictured with her thought it was pretty good stuff too :-)

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