The Shtick I Do

Camera tricks are sometimes necessary when taking pics of kids and infants and there are so many out there to choose from. One easy way is to have cute little "pets" on your camera lens! I made one just for fun (and to give to a friend of mine that's wanting start her own photography business).  This is a really SIMPLE and QUICK project that will take less than an hour for the intermediate crocheter. So you advanced peeps will be able to whip one out in no time at all - but here's the great part - this pattern is also perfect for beginners. Materials: Scrap yarn in the color of your choice size I/9 5.5MM crochet hook elastic hair band yarn needle scissors Attach your yarn to the elastic hair band with a slip stitch and chain 1. Round 1: 30 SC around the elastic hair band. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1. Round 2: Double Crochet in each stitch around. (30) Join with a slip stitch. Chain 3. Round 3:   ** 1 Double Crochet in the next 2 stitche...

I got to thinking about last weeks post and realized I didn't give a step by step "how-to" for framing your own work. So this week, with the help of my daughter Maeghan, we put together a quick guide for framing your work. Step one: Block the work that's going to be framed. Blocking will allow the work to maintain it's shape. I used a paper towel between the doily and the cardboard to keep it from leeching any of the ink off the box. You don't have to have expensive mats or special equipment for blocking. As you can see I used a cardboard box that we got from Sam's Club and some T-pins from Hobby Lobby. You can use regular sewing pins but they might rust, so I highly recommend getting the stainless steel. They were about $3 for 50 pins. If you don't have a cardboard box like this one, use the non-greasy side of a pizza box, a stack of 2 or 3 towels, or a kids' foam play-mat and you will get the same results. Step 2: Gather y...

I finally finished the project I started last week. The hubby and I made a trip to Hobby Lobby in the pouring rain, no less, to get the supplies I needed. I over-bought on the fabric and got a half yard when in reality a much smaller amount would have worked. (The fabric was on sale for 30% off!) Since the project turned out so well, I think I'll make a couple more! The frame we got is a 12"x12" picture frame with real glass (not plastic) and real metal framework. That was on sale for 50% off! I love project making when supplies are on sale! =D Materials for this project include a finished doily, fabric, frame, scissors, and a ruler. I used the back of the picture frame as a template when cutting the fabric to size. The doily looks fantastic in the frame and the fabric background just makes the work pop! I'm completely in love with how it turned out. The hubby is pretty impressed, too. I've already gotten another doily finished and I'll be putting ...

I got it into my head that I wanted to make a doily so I went in search of patterns that would be 1) quick and 2) easy. I was browsing around on You Tube and found several that looked really good but for some reason I just wasn't feeling like they were the right ones for me. I've made several so making a doily wasn't intimidating, they just didn't fit into my two requirements. That's when I stumbled upon  Jeego Crochet . This guy has so many fabulous doily patterns and I couldn't take my eyes off them. The more I looked at his channel the more stunning I found the work. But again, I was looking for 1) quick and 2) easy. He has a two part video series for the Beautiful Mini Doily - Pineapples Pattern that fit the bill. He uses a #3 crochet thread for this one   (I think)  but I wanted a more delicate piece so I opted for what I believe is a #10 nylon or acrylic thread. I can't be more certain than that because I've tossed the label that came on it ...

On June 26,2015, a truly creative person took her own life in her struggle with depression. Marinke, better known as Wink , from A Creative Being succumbed to her battle and now her talent is lost to us in this realm.  If you've had or known anyone with depression you know the struggles it takes to just keep living "one more day". Often times, medication and therapy can help but it's not enough for some. I've struggled with a bit of depression from time to time in my life, but I can not imagine the pain a person would have to feel in order to end it all.  To those who knew her and to her family I express my  deepest sympathies and want you to know that my prayers are with you and with Wink. To honor and remember Wink and to raise awareness for Depression, Kathryn from Crochet Concupiscence has begun a project that all crafters are invited to participate in, Mandalas for Marinke . You can follow the links on that page for FAQ's and direct links to...