Recent Treasure finds

To go along with my recent Creative Myths series, I wanted to share some recent thrifted treasures.

This stash was from a bag of notions. I don't remember exactly but I think the bag was no more than $2.95. It contained mainly vintage sewing notions. I couldn't resist. There were two packs of snaps, two small containers of grommets, hook & eye closures, collar stays, elastic, vintage lace elastic, wire stays, roll of pink binding, a few patches, ribbon, vintage lace, vintage wool mending yarn, crochet hook w/ wire (& knitting needles w/ wire not pictured) and some other items I am not sure what they are but they look cool.

Then I found this fabulous treasure for $1.95:

The roll is 10 yards of brand new flat white lace, and tons of other lace trims:TONS. I wish you could see the cream eyelet trim up close. I think it's my most favorite. But...the BEADS! What a steal, huh? They are so pretty and lovely!!! Who knows what project will grace their trim.

TRUE CONFESSION TIME:
When I'm at the thrift store & I see home made items...I feel SO bad for them. I wonder if that is what will happen to all the home made gifts I give....they will be donated to the thrift store!?!
I know how much time and energy goes into a crocheted blanket or home made quilt. Many are very lovely too, not just yellow baby blankets. I always want to buy them all...out of appreciation if nothing else.

So the other day...I did! Birdy and I found two big bags of crochet granny squares. I have not counted them all yet but I think there might be around .... 200? Maybe. They are in the loveliest colors too!

These pix do not even show them ALL. many of them are squares with a flower in the middle. So lovely. Both bags together were under $10. We have big plans for all of them. Some will be a blanket, then maybe a scarf, a bag...so many possibilities.

Even when you are low on funds, as you can see, you can find plenty of materials for inexpensive at the thrift store. I know you can find items at yard sales too! Don't be afraid. Get to crafting!!!

Whoooos got a Kindle?

This was the original E-reader I made. I began crocheting one before I decided to sew the one I posted about previously.

I was not happy with how it came out over all, but I do think it's really cute.

I realize some modifications I could make that would help me (or anyone) enjoy it more.

I wanted it to open so I made the wings with the ability to open. Pretty cool design but it ended up with to many 'pieces' IMO and too bulky over all. The bulkiness might be really helpful if you drop your bag or something--it would help cushion the blow.

I meant to write a pattern for it, but then I forgot.

I think I can figure it out by next week.....

This one is going to be donated toward an auction that will help support artistic, theatrical endeavors that a friend is involved in.

Crochet Washcloth

This is the first crochet washcloth I have ever made, believe it or not. I made this for my neighbor as a gift.  I will be including a bar of home made soap, maybe one of the ones I felted...

I am not too happy w/ the mix of colors.  I like each of the yarns individually, but they don't work as well together as I was hoping.  

It's a nice & easy pattern though. I'd like to make it again using solid colored yarn instead.

Baby Shower gifts!

I attended a baby shower on Sunday afternoon for a long-time friend, she's expecting a girl after two boys. I knew I wanted to give a home made gift but I had not been on the ball @ all. I whipped together one of my owl but in miniature size. It came out adorable AND was super fast to make....it took my standard time of 'about an hour' from start to finish.  But what else?

My wheels of creativity started turning over night so that morning I whipped out a couple burp cloths in coordinating fabric, dug through my stash of crocheted items and grabbed a hat that was cute but had been too small for Birdy when I made it, found a small, cute canning jar & filled it w/ some home made detergent and put a piece of coordinating fabric over the lid. Voila'! Instant gift package. Then I wrote a blessing on my card to her. Bummed that I forgot to take a pic of the jar of detergent.

I was pleased how it all worked out! Everything looked adorable & she loved it. I dug through my stash of cloth diapers and was able to find 2 that I had purchased specifically for that purpose but never made. Then I lucked out to actually find a lid that fit the canning jar on the first try too! ;-) I already had all the supplies on hand and didn't need to spend any money.

I am also hoping to whip out a pair of crochet Mary Janes for her little bebita....because admit it, it's not every day you have the opportunity to crochet a sweet little pair of Mary Janes! ;-)

Still Creating: wip

I haven't posted anything recently because I've been forcing myself NOT to start any new projects until I finish up my projects for the FAIR! I am still crocheting that afghan of circles that I started....Really, I'm bored. There I said it. I took too long and now I am sick of these circles! They are so easy and I can whip them up in no time.  There is no real reason it's not finished except that I am bored! 

I know I will be pleased once it's done...but it doesn't spark much creativity.  I think I might even change the original pattern up a bit, more than I already am with the colors....but only because I am in no mood to crochet a million small squares to connect all the circles. I don't know. I'll have to see how it looks when I have the circles all done...if I ever do.

 

I'm also still 'working' on Sammyboy's quilt from *last year's birthday*! It is almost finished really--I just have NOT sat down & forced myself to finish. The basic quilt top, the hardest part is done. I only need to add some trim and then sandwitch it together and do the binding & quilting....that pic above is the back side trim fabric. Although that pic is the fabric backwards. I actually liked it better than the front side and wanted to use it like that. But I didn't....it felt like too much 'rule breaking'....like there really ARE rules! pshaw!

I should finish it tonight...if I just sat down at my machine & got TO IT!

You should know by now though, that I really couldn't NOT do anything. I've been making soap! And laundry detergent. The soap takes a bit more creativity and is super easy and FUN of course. I like the idea of adding herbs and essential oils and seeing what happens.

Cheer me on!

afghan parts

I've finished 12 circles....only 48 more to go...plus 73 small squares.  I need to find the rest of my yarn.  I timed it and I can get a circle whipped up in about 15 minutes.  With that in mind--I should really be moving *a lot* faster on this.  I can get a couple done during school just in the minutes I'm waiting for class to start! 

If I can find the coordinating yarn I used to have around here.....I think I can have this finished by the end of the month...

What do you think?

Maybe it will be my personal Valentine's gift to myself. ;-)

Free crochet snowflake pattern

My first pattern!

I made these little ornaments for the season. I created the pattern myself although you can find many similar free patterns online.  I've tried writing my patterns down in the past, and let's just say, it didn't go very well.  This one is simple enough that I think it's understandable. If you are an experienced crocheter, you can create your own pattern and/or you can even add more *arms/petals* to it, to create various sizes.

H hook (but really, you can use whatever you have or can find--I lose my 'favorite sizes' often! LOL eyeroll)

chain 4 (or start w/ magic ring),slst (slip stitch) in first chain to create ring.

round 1: work 6 sc in ring, join with slst

round 2: 2 sc in each sc (12 sc) join with slst

round 3: chain 3 in next st (counts as dc), 2 dc in same stitch, sk next st, *3 dc in next st, chain 1, skip next st, repeat from * 4x, join with slst

round 4: chain 1, slst in first chain, * (sc, dc, sc) in next st, sk next st, sc in ch-1 sp, sk next st, repeat from * 5x join with slst.

Pull loop up to create a long loop for hanging. Knot at bottom to secure.

If you use white yarn, these look like snowflakes, don't they?

If you use cotton yarn, they make great make-up removing or small facial cleansing cloths.

You can create a garland by *not* pulling up yarn loop & cutting. 

My gift to you.

Merry Christmas!

Finished the sweater!

Just in time for it to get WARM! of course.  I did not follow a pattern, as most I found require you to crochet all separate pieces and then sew them together. I hate having all those separate pieces.

I simply started from the bottom, worked my way up, back and forth, creating one base piece. I did do the sleeves separate but I worked those from the chest out, in rounds, resulting in a bit different texture than the rest of the sweater.

I attached two vintage buttons to finish it off.

It fit him quite well, I think only for this season though.  I could have done a few more rounds for the shoulders but I was afraid of running out of yarn.  I had enough left over but when I did the shoulders I had not worked the sleeves yet.

The way I kept it as one piece was this:  I started a chain (bottom of sweater), worked back and forth.  As I got up high enough to the arm holes, I only worked so far as to the hole, back and forth.  When it was as 'tall' as I wanted, I slip stitched down the inside side and then began the back rows.  Back and forth. Same thing down the side to work the other side front.  Then I attached all pieces across the top working back and forth.  To create the shoulders I began to decrease my stitches to bring it in.

I worked the sleeves in rounds from the armhole out.  I did not realize at first the different texture that was being created because I was not going back and forth.  It turned out ok though.  If I have time...later...I'll try to work up a pattern...someday. :-)

crochet cup sleeve

I guess most people might call it a *cup cozy* but that just sounds lame to me...even though I usually adore alliterations. Go figure.  This is a simple craft for beginners and youngsters. It's something actually useful they can create.  It can be plain or embellished to your fancy.

My dd made this one, the band is white.  She chose the button and yarn color then I quickly worked up a flower to attach. I like it.  I always forget how much I love making flowers.  They are so simple and easy and super quick to make.  I didn't even need a pattern for that flower.

I like these vintage buttons.  I have a rather large collection of vintage buttons I sort of inherited from my grandma.

My new favorite bag!

I started this toward the end of our road trip when DH was doing all the driving & reading in the car makes me nauseous.  I had A LOT of the yarn on the bottom of the bag & I was sick of it so I thought i would use up what I had & make a bag to SELL, since I did NOT like that yarn.....but when I added other colors to it...I began to fall in LOVE....

Finished...sorry not very good lighting but the colors are scrumptious!  The straps are long enough that I can wear it across my body over the opposite shoulder & it's very roomy but NOT too deep that I lose my keys in it!

I think I am going to start making MORE of these simply to DESTASH my VERY large collection supply of yarn!  It was simple & I just LOVE the way it turned out!!!

Another one for a gift

After seeing K's cute ears hat, a friend ordered one to give as a gift.

I did the reverse crochet stitch around the ears and I really like how it came out.

Ears!

I made this sweet hat for my babe! I wanted to see if I could make a hat w/ ears on my own...I did.  I did not follow any specefic pattern.  I used my knowledge of the simple beanie and made to flat circles for the ears. I want to make a Disney Mickey ears hat for him now that I figured out how.

Another Baby Shower...

Tiny charm tag.

Card.

Cotton washcloth & matching beanie.

Boys booties w/ strap across w/ button.

Cupcake inspired baby shower gifts

A friend, who is due a week ahead of me & is having a girl, had her baby shower. Her invite showed a cupcake theme so even though I had a few items already prepared for her baby dd to be, I decided to start over & create a few cupcake inspired gifts instead.

I also included 3 cotton wash cloths. I always though wash cloths were a waste but these were too cute & I think they may be my new *favorite* item to gift.

Skirt Slit Solution

I got this skirt (maternity) from the thrift store for about $3. There was a slight fray next to the slit & I didn't like how wide the slit opened when I sat down anyway.

I found this pattern online to embellish the pant legs of jeans & adapted it to fit in the slit instead. Then I sewed it right in. Voila'!

It's CROCHET people!!!

Why does everyone assume if you are holding a ball of yarn you *must* be knitting? lol

Seriously, *every* *single* *person* asks me what I'm knitting or makes the comment: Oh, my _____ knits too!

2 hooks = knitting
1 hook = crochet

Has *no one* ever heard of crochet?
Or is it simply that the word "knitting' is prettier & rolls of the tongue in a much smoother fashion.

Say it: kknnnniittting.
Now try: crochet!

lol

Whatever. I still prefer 1 hook. I'm totally partial, I know. But not discriminatory. I would learn to knit if I could...someday. ;-)

Beret

The pattern was a bit confusing @ first....the whole increase 6 each round thing, but once I figured it out, it was a snap...then the edging...I didn't like that it called for it be made seperate so I decreased myself then made the band by continuing on my own.

I'd like to make more for some other lil girls i know, but it was a bit time consuming.
It kinda looks like a muffin hat instead. lol Maybe a smaller band--not so wide?

I think it might look better in a solid color too.



I got the pattern from Lion Brand yarn site, I think...it's the purple one not the white one.....

Sweaters

I've been doing alot of crochet lately to prepare for the holidays.

I made this beanie to go along w/ the sweater below.
I added a flower to each side of the beanie.

I still need to put buttons on this one.

Lacy chain edge I added.

I really like it!



Vintage buttons for this sage one.

Unfortuneateley the yarn had a slight variation from each skein that was annoyingly noticeable. Initially this was made to sell but due to that variance, I gave it to dd instead.
I think the chain edging adds such a sweet look to it.
The blue sweater above was the first one I made. Although I followed the pattern directly it produced a sweater too big for dd. I was able to figure it out msyelf to add a few extra rows along the top, decreasing accordingly to make it fit her perfectly.

I have also been creating other styles of beanies that are rectangularish & have a tassle in each corner. I need to get back to work now....

Here are the patterns I used:
Sweater Pattern (may have to register)
Beanie Pattern (adjustable sizing)
Flower Pattern (minus the leaves)

Yarn Peeve!

Sometimes when using a skein of yarn, you'll come across a point in the thread that was cut during processing & is tied to a new piece of matching yarn.

Normally it's no big deal, especially if it's a solid colored yarn, you won't even notice.

But....tonight I was working on a beanie/hat & was trimming it w/ this lovely jewel toned, variegated yarn. It was working out quite nicely that the colors were matching up w/ each 'round'...then that bump!

The yarn ended @ lavender & 'whoever', tied a blue edge to it! So it totally changed the color pattern it was making on the edge of the beanie.

It was looking so pretty too.
bummer! ;-(

Inspired

I caught sight of 2 new yarns today in lovely variegated colors that I DON'T already own & just HAD to have!

Unfortunately I was disappointed to see Walmart's yarn prices go UP, while skein sizes have gone down. :(

One skein is black w/ various shades of grey. I think it will make the perfect Raiders inspired scarf & beanie for DH.

The other is also variegated in lighter shades of browns & pinks, but is similar to a brighter on I have. They would actually compliment each other very nicely.

I can't wait to get started.....but I feel obligated to finish a sweater I am in the middle of...luckily I am almost finished or else it would go into the 'almost-but-never-finished-projects' pile! lol