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...

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...