The Shtick I Do

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 ...

A couple weeks ago I linked some of my favorite patterns for the floor of your home. Now, I want to share a few things that you can do to turn your crochet into art!  (Pattern/tutorial links are shared with the image.) 1. Take most  any doily pattern and put the finished product into a frame. Voila! You have a beautiful piece of art to showcase your work (or the work of a vintage crocheter). Hang it in a prominent location for an instant conversation starter! Image from Crochet Nirvana   2. You can use your crochet in a nursery as art by making the baby's name out of a simple chain! In this image there's also a crochet bird hanging out back there. You could take this to the next level by making an entire wall of crochet art by using animals, birds, flowers, cars, trucks, planes, boats, trains, dinosaurs . . . and that list goes on and on! Image from Pinterest 3. Need something for the bedroom? How about a crochet dream catcher? This one is beau...

How many times have you watched a TV show or made-for-TV movie and seen something crocheted? Maybe a slouchy beanie in one scene, a beautiful afghan laying on the back of a sofa, stuffed toys in a baby's crib. Very short cameos by lovely crocheted items. But did it excite you? Me too!!!!! My family just rolls their eyes and shakes their collective heads. But I find it invigorating!  So how do you think I felt when I saw Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson (yes, that says Joan, not John) walking through an ART GALLERY FULL OF CROCHET?!?!? Your assumption would be correct. I freaked. I record my favorite shows and watch them later - just so I can fast forward through the commercials. Whoever thought commercials needed to be recorded a kajillion times louder than the program needs to have a life sentence of listening to the worst offenders. In headphones. Without a remote control. Anyway! I digress. I was so excited I actually spit out my drink because I was trying to gasp, yell, la...