Be Wise

Last Friday was my niece's 2nd Birthday.

I once loved to create handmade birthday cards, but when I became a Mom, I started to rely on high street card shops, as time was short.

This week I decided to change that...

The main graphic, the owl, is from Mels Brushes. I've bought quite a bit from this site over the years and it really is worth a look.

The Whimsy Animals clipart set features my chosen owl.

As with my 'Heart On A String' engagement card project, I designed the layout via Microsoft Word - it's not the greatest application, but it does the job for things like this!

I used the Sue Ellen Francisco font (as text boxes) - I originally saw this on PicMonkey, loved it, so downloaded it for myself.

You can get it here.

As my design was quite plain, I created a patterned insert using the owl image. A blank text box provided a place for me to write my personalised greeting, once printed.

To create a 3D effect, I printed 2 additional copies of the owl; I cut out the whole owl from one and just the eyes from the other. I used foam pads to create a 3D effect.

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It's a wrap

Here's a quick-to-create crochet wrap bracelet.

I made it using some of the DK yarn I had left over from my Sunday Shawl.

Using a 3.5mm hook, I chained 212 and then sc (UK dc) into the 12th chain from the hook. This created a button hole. You can alter the size of the hole to fit your chosen button.

I went on to sc (UK dc) across and fastened off. I sewed a wooden button to this end.

Using jump rings, I attached some random charms through the button hole.

The bracelet wraps easily around the wrist and was a hit with my model (my niece). She has now claimed it for herself.

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Sunday Girl

It seems the Sunday Shawl pattern by The Little Bee has taken the crochet world by storm. Just a quick Google proves that! 

I couldn't wait to get my hands on the pattern and give it a go.

I ordered the recommended yarn from The Wool Warehouse and once received, I immediately set to work.

In no time at all I was half way through. I went on to complete it by doing an hour here and an hour there - the pattern lends itself to this perfectly.

I used the suggested colours, but I am sure it would look just as good using different ones.

It's a great shawl for those cooler Spring and Summer nights and goes great with my cowboy boots and jeans.

There's just one problem with the Sunday Shawl ... I miss making it ... so I think it will be the first of many!

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Get Out The Bunting

Spring is in the air and it's time to get the bunting out!

I made this crochet bunting using the yarn pack I recently purchased from Wool Warehouse. However, you can use any DK yarn and it's a great stashbuster project.

Here's how I made it...

5mm hook

DK yarn in various colours

Stitches used: Slip Stitch, Single Crochet SC (UK DC)

Start: Chain 2 then SC twice into the second chain from the hook. Chain 1 and turn

Row 1: SC twice into each stitch. Chain 1 and turn.

Row 2 : SC twice into the first stitch from the hook, then one SC into each of the following stitches, Chain 1 and turn

Row 3 - 25 : repeat Row 2

Row 26: SC twice into the first stitch from the hook, then one SC into each of the following stitches. Fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

Edging: Simply SC around each flag and then finish off with a slip stitch in the first SC
(NB: I made 3 SC in each corner to avoid puckering)

I made 10 flags in total in 5 colours.

Creating the bunting: Chain 70 then slip stitch into and across the top of the first flag. Chain 10 then slip stitch into and across the second flag .... and so on. Finish off with another Chain 70.

Once complete, I gave each flag a blast of steam from the iron - careful to not let the iron actually touch the flag.

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Heart on a string

As my little boy napped, I took the opportunity to make this card for someone I know who got engaged on Valentine's Day (no, not Lady Gaga!)

I used a digital stamp by Lizzy Love.

My blank greeting card was A5, so I used an A5 page layout in Microsoft Word. By trial and error - printing a couple of times on scrap paper - I found where to place the image so it would start on the fold of the card.

I added my wording using a text box, which enables you to place text anywhere.

Once happy with my design, I printed and folder my card.

 

On some patterned paper, I printed the image again and cut out the hearts - I used blue and pink paper.

I used glue dots to stick on the small hearts and to achieve dimension, foam pads for the larger hearts.

Finally, I finished it off with a simple crystal rhinestone on the middle heart and a white paper inlay.

This design could be used for weddings and anniversaries too.

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