Hooded Baby Blanket-Crochet

I have a new nephew!  For Spring Break we took a long car trip. I croched this blanket while we were on the road...better than paying attention to Hubby's driving.  AAAK! 

The blanket is a free crochet pattern at Lion Brand Yarn Website.   It is the Hooded Baby Blanket.  I found this cute Car Shape Applique Pattern to put on the hood.   

Go Lightly Crochet Bag

This crocheted bag is a smaller version of this market bag.  The pattern can be found at www.lionbrandyarn.com.  The pattern is Golightly Tote (Pattern # 90136AD).

I was playing around and decided to try something new. I added the orange/white stripe. I don't really love how the stripe turned out...reminds me of the 80's...or so I'm told.  It was fun to play. 
I decided I wanted to crochet a BIG flower for this bag.  I found one in this book.  I, however, had to make a few changes. 

I do love how the flower turned out.
Once again, I used Sugar N' Cram yarn:  light blue for the bag, tangerine for the stripe and flower, and white for the stripe and inside of the flower,  green for the leaves. 
Enjoy your day!

Witches Hat

October is right around the corner!
I finally got some Halloween sewing done.  There's more I'd like to sew but I'm easily distracted I guess.  :)
I am going to use my hat for decorating purposes. 
I decided to make my hat out of orange polka-dot cotton fabric.  I used a heavy weight interfacing.

There is wire in the brim and in the hat. 

Here is a link to the pattern I used.  Witches Hat

Enjoy! 

Boxy Bag

My daughter is taking a sewing class.  She is going to learn to sew.  :)  I think she'll learn more that way.  I took a sewing Home Ec. class in Jr. High.....I hated every minute of it.  Yes, it was a shock to many when, out of the blue, I caught a sewing bug a some years ago. 

I made her this boxy bag to store and carry her sewing supplies. 

I added a handle.  I just cut a 6" x 10" piece of red canvas.  I folded/pressed it in half, then opened it up and pressed both edges into the center.  I edge stitched down both sides.  I pinned it in place 1" on each side of the center of the zipper.  Then stitched the sides. 

For the inside lining I used red rip stop nylon.

Colorful Crochet Bag

Happy Spring!  I know it's not really spring, yet.  However, around here it kind of feels and looks like spring.  The wildflowers are blooming and a few trees are blooming.  BEAUTIFUL! 

This crochet bag is called Spring Petals Backpack.  That name fits well. 
I fell in LOVE with all the colors of this bag.  She has some cute crocheted things on her blog.  You really need to check it out http://asparagusmayonnaise.blogspot.com/.  Yes, she is kind enough to offer this as a free pattern!  That is very generous of her!
Here is the bag I made using her directions.  I didn't change a thing.  Except I think I croched all the scallops upside down....oh well, still a cute, cute and fun bag!  :) I did, however, use the Sugar 'N Cream yarn in the exact colors and order.

As a friend said..."It makes me happy just looking at it!"  Yes, that it does.  :)
Have yourself a happy day!

Clutch Purse

Here is another pattern I found online.  I was trying to get myself sewing again.  So, I made this clutch purse. 

I found this fabric when we moved and I thought it would be perfect for this style of bag.  The pattern can be found here.
Below is a pic. of the back and handle. 

The only change I made to this was I added a pocket to the inside.  I cut another font pattern piece out of the lining fabric.  I then folded it over 1/2 inch and pressed it.  Then I folded it another 1/2 inch and pressed and sewed it.  I then sewed the pocket to the back lining piece before sewing the front and back lining pieces together. 

Pic. of the inside and pocket.

Also, I think, if I were to make this again, I'd make the turning opening in the bottom of the lining instead of centered at the front where you sew the lining to the outside. The outside fabric is so much more heavier and bulkier than the inside. When I turned it, the lining fabric ripped and it was very difficult to get the edge to look nice where the turning opening was. 

This is really a good size clutch with a cute shape.  It is nice to have a handle.  Enjoy!

Key Fobs with Secret Pocket and Lanyard

I thought I'd make this lanyard so that I could put a gift certificate in it for a birthday present.  Here is the lanyard post and pattern.  I used an old pair of jeans and some flannel that I found in my stash.  It's amazing what you come across when you move. lol  DH had this flannel fabric before we were married.  Yep, time to use that stuff up. 
This is a quick project and a great tutorial and pattern.  The only problem I ran into is that I couldn't get my swivel hook over my grommet.  Maybe if I used a different grommet or bigger swivel hook?  It took a while to get this one to work, but we forced it over the grommet with pliers. 

Hope y'all have a great day!

Crocheted Treat Bag

Here is another crochet project.
I finished a project and I wanted to use up the remaining yarn.  So, I decided to make this striped treat bag.  There is another bag on the same pattern that is a Frankenstein bag.  But I thought that this treat bag could be used for anytime of year...like Valentines day or Easter.

The flower is from a different pattern.

view from top

The free crochet pattern I used can be found at www.lionbrand.com.  The pattern is called Halloween Treat Bags (pattern # L0112AD).  I used Sugar N' Cream yarn in tangerine and hot purple. 
The flower is from the book "Crocheted Flowers" by Nicky Epstein.

Crochet Water Bottle Carrier

This was a gift for a friend.  She had asked about a crocheted water bottle carrier.  So, I searched online.  I found a few options. 
I ended up using this pattern from Vallieskids Blog.  I think I made only slight changes on the handle and maybe the top band. 
Here is the result:

My friend wanted the handle to be long enough to go across the body.  I, of course, had to add a flower.   I think this can stretch to fit a variety of different sized water bottles.   

One Skein Summer Wrap

Here is another crocheted Christmas present I made this year. 

The pattern for the wrap can be found at the www.caron.com.  Or by clicking here.
I also added a flower from "Crocheted Flowers" by Nicky Epstein.  I used the Lady Finger Lace pattern.  I made two of them and sewed them together. 

Time Out Cowl

I crocheted a few of these cowls for Christmas presents this year. 

The pattern can be found by going to www.lionbrandyarn.com and searching for "Time Out Cowl" or pattern number 90652AD.  Or try clicking here.  You will need to sign in to get the free pattern.
On this one I added a flower from Nicky Epstein's book "Crocheted Flowers".  It is the Lady Finger Lace pattern.  I used different sized hooks to get the graduated sizes and then stacked them and sewed them together. 

Bath Buddies

These bath buddies were so much fun to make.  They didn't take very long to complete either. 
They are made using Sugar N' Cream yarn.  I used a pattern found here.  You'll have to search for the pattern called "Baby's Bath Buddies."  You'll need to sign in to a free account you set up to view instructions.
The pattern is for a frog and a whale.  However, they show an alligator not  a frog.  LOL!  Now, I want to make an alligator.  :)   
My whale looks more like a dinosaur or monster, too. 
I suppose these could also be used as puppets.  I know I sure thought it was funny when I the puppets told the kids to do their chores.

Dublin Scarf

Time for another crocheted scarf!  Yippee! 
I've mentioned this one a few times on my blog.  Finally, I'm posting THE SCARF! :)

I've used the flower from this pattern on many projects.   I actually made up all 8 flowers that the pattern suggested.  I just couldn't find a way to add them all to the scarf in a way that I liked.  So, I have a few extra to use on other projects.  :)
The pattern for the Dublin Scarf can be found by going to www.lionbrand.com and searching for Dublin Scarf  or pattern # 80883AD.  Or by clicking here.  You will need so sign in to download the pattern. 

Charleston Cloche

Time for another fun crochet project. 
This was my first time crocheting a hat.  When I attempted this pattern for the first time, I made a mistake somewhere in the middle of the project.  I tried to unravel only a few stitches, but got too lost and had to unravel completely.  I gave my self a few weeks to grieve--HAAA HAAA-then attempted it again. This time it was a success! :)

The crochet pattern for this super cute Charleston Cloche Hat  by Debbie Stoller can be found here. 
I did make the flower that is included in the pattern.  However, I changed my mind and decided to use a white flower that I didn't use on a different scarf project.  (scarf pattern)
Have a great day!

Crochet Flower Ear Warmer

Sorry, I tried and tired, but this is as good of a picture as this ear warmer would take.
Walking through stores, I'd notice these neat knitted/crocheted flower headbands.  They began to grow on me; to the point that I HAD to make one.  Since I LOVE to put flowers on most things I make, I, of course, had to search for a pattern.   Got to LOVE the Internet for this purpose.  :)
Here is a free crochet pattern I came across Flower Ear Warmer.    I used the flower pattern as listed, but I changed the band part some.  However, I do think the band pattern will work as listed. 

I just haaaad to try to take a better picture....UNCLE! 

I also made another style of ear warmer....

This one has an adjustable band.  I added bling to the center of the flower.    Here is the pattern for this Crochet Flower Headband.  (click on name).

Enjoy your day!

Dress Form Pin Cushion

The moment I saw this tutorial, I KNEW I had to make it. 

It is a simple, quick, use your scraps kind of project. 

I made mine in a polka dot.  I know shocker for me, huh? 

If you'd like to make one for yourself...or make and send one to me (HAAAA) the pattern and video tutorial is here.  I saw some other projects that I'm going to have to try. 

Bijoux Baby Jewelry Roll

     I was so excited when I saw this pattern. I couldn't wait to make one.  I don't know why.  I've been wanting to make something like this for a while. 
     This Bijoux Baby Jewelry Roll pattern is offered exclusively at www.fabric.com for free. 
     It was really a quick project to make.  Only about 4 hours including cutting-out pieces and hand sewing the back of the bias binding. 

     The only part that was a little tricky is the inner part with the zippers.  When I placed the pattern pieces to see how they fit together, I sort of figured that when all parts--zippers, center and pocket pieces, were assembled it would be too long.  It was.  I ended up having to trim about an inch off of the center section.  I think this has to do with how wide the zipper is.  I also changed the button fastener on the ring holder to a snap...to make my life easier.  :)

     I don't think the instructions stated how wide of bias binding to purchase or make.  I guessed and made mine 2" wide.

     While I do LOVE many Hot Patterns patterns, instructions are minimal at best.  I have found that sometimes it is helpful to take the pattern pieces and place them together to have an understanding of how it all needs to be assembled. 

     Have a great one!

Zippy Wallet

It was the evening before the first day of school and DD came to me needing a wallet to put her money in.  She wanted something that had a zipper.  I didn't have anything for her to use, BUT I did remember seeing this awesome Zippy Wallet tut!  She dug through my stash of fabrics and pulled out the scraps she wanted me to use.  We hoped that I had a zipper that would look decent.  This is what we came up with:

The silky pink fabric lines the inside of the pocket and inside the zipper pocket. 
OK, I'll admit it, I don't know why....but I don't like to cut zippers.  I know...seek help!  :)  So, the only change I made (beside the flower accent) is I made it a little wider to fit my 9 inch zipper.   I was also in a hurry and didn't really read how to put it together...I looked at the pictures and hoped for the best.  I did have to rip out every single stitch line for one stupid oops or another.  So, perhaps reading the instructions would have been helpful.  But, in the end, it turned out great!
The flower was made from scraps with fray check on the edge to help keep it from unraveling.  The leaf is cut from green wool felt.  I had originally cut it out when I was working on this project.
I think if I were to make this again...given my zipper cutting hang-up...I'd also make it a little taller so that the bills could be put in without being folded...this one is just a tiny bit too short.  If you search on the tutorial writers blog you'll also see another great zippered clutch (I'll be making that one soon :) )that I'm guessing was designed more for that purpose...this one was meant to be small.
This is a wonderful, easy, quick tutorial.  I'd think this would also be a fun way to give  money or a gift card...maybe add a key ring, a small O or D ring,  or clip? 
Enjoy your day!

Reversible {Lunch} Bag

This was a very quick easy project.
 I had this brown and blue polka-dot plastic/vinyl.  It is exactly like those flannel backed table cloths.  :)  I thought it would make a great lunch bag.  So, I used this Martha Stewart Reversible Purse pattern.

My daughter is always leaving her lunch bags at school so we have to keep several on hand.  :)

Wrist Pincushion

Can you believe that I didn't have a wrist pin cushion?  Well, I didn't until now!  I wanted one... never thought to buy one of those uncomfortable plastic ones.  I've seen several patterns to make one. I mentally put those on my list of things to make...never got around to it.  Then, I was reading this post.   I knew what my wrist pin cushion was going to be and it moved to the top of my list.  I started this project with the idea that I was going to make mine like hers but with the felt scraps I had.  I also wanted this to be a quick project.  I cut out one of the leaves from the provided pattern and thought..."ya, I don't have the mind set for this today." So, I thought I'd put my card making/scrapbooking supplies to good use and speed up the process. 
Here is what I came up with:

For the band I measured my wrist and added for overlap with the Velcro strip.  The green strip is 8" x 2" and the pink is 8" x 1.75".  In the instructions she suggested using a wooden disk between the band layers.  I knew dh would have something in the garage, but he wasn't home and I wanted to get this done.  Also, the garage is just plain frightening. :)  I tried to think of various options for this disk. Finally,  I spotted an unused wooden paint stirrer.  I measured about 1" and cut it with a blade.  It works!  I layered it between the band pieces and top stitched them together.  I then sewed my velcro on the bottom of one end of the band and the top of the other end of the band.  (see pic)

For the big green leaves on the bottom I cut my wool felt with the larger die from Paper Trey Ink's Bloom Builders #2 Die set.  I gathered it into a circle and tied it off. 
I cut a large circle of pink felt using a QuicKutz nesting flower die--it's scalloped and you won't see the edge of this circle but I don't have a regular circle die.  I did a gathering stitch all around the circle and gathered it a little then stuffed it with fiber fill then pulled it tighter and tied it off.  I whip stitched this to the die cut bloom builder die-cut then stitched all this to the band. 
I die-cut several large rolled roses and the medium rolled rose using My Favorite Things Rolled Roses dies.  I rolled them up and then glued them using Fabri-tac glue.  I then glued the flower to the stuffed mound.  I know that there are places where there is glue and the pin won't go through but that is ok...there are enough other places to stick the pin on the cushion.  If this glue issue bothers you you could take the time to hand sew everything. 
Enjoy your day!