12 Weeks Christmas - Week 2 Reveal

The Week 2 ornament is one of my patterns that includes a cute, easy to make, quick mitten pattern. What I love about small patterns like the stocking and the mitten is that I can fit them into a busy schedule with no problem. Within 5-10 minutes I have a completed ornament that I can give as a gift or add to my overflowing Christmas tree. As the weeks progress, the patterns will get slightly more time needy.

I have used tons of colors of yarn on this ornament and it still looks adorable.

Like last week, I used "Christmas-y" colors to crochet the mitten. Here's the pictures:

Hanging up.

From last year.

In the above pictures you can see two different ways to accomplish the handles. I did one as I was crocheting (the first picture). The second picture was an addition of the handle by adding yarn to one side and attaching it to the other after about 15-20 chains.

What is your favorite type of ornament?

Sarah

Clothespin Snowflakes - Photo Heavy

I recently saw a pin on Pinterest for a cute and inexpensive ornament that had my heart aflutter. Snowflakes, snow, and snowmen are my most favorite ornament and Christmas decoration out of everything. I can pass up Santa for a good snowflake! So when I saw this cute little pin, I knew I had to try it. I already had the glue sticks. I had the ribbon. All I needed was the clothes pins!

A few weeks ago, I found myself in the craft section of my local Walmart looking for clothespins. They had a set of 18 or so for almost 4 dollars. That makes this project less budget friendly. So I headed to the laundry section to see if they had a better pack for cheap. They did! A 50 pack for about $0.97. That is more than budget friendly as I could pick up 3 packs of 50 for the price of 1 in the craft section.

Materials:
50 pack of Wooden Clothespins from Walmart ($0.97)
Glue sticks (In stock)
Glue Gun (In stock)
Ribbon (In stock, but cost $1.00 per spool)

Optional: paint, glitter, craft glue, paint brushes


Now, for the instructions. I will be posting a set of pictures with the instructions below it. Please view all the instructions before beginning the project.

Here's the materials. I chose to not use paint and glitter, although I am looking into adding that later.

Twist the clothes pin until the twisted one pops out the spring.

Lay the one side off and pull off the spring.

It should be relatively easy. I have no use for the spring, so I just toss them.

Now you are let with both sides. Lay the sides with the straight sides up. Make sure the cut outs are facing the same way.

Place a line of glue along the pin.

Now that it is on, place the two sides together. Match up the cut out.

Here you can see what the glued pin looks like.

Tie the ribbon. I am going to show pictures of how I do it, but feel free to do it how you feel comfortable.

I actually added my ribbon into the pin as I glued it for the most stability. It is about an inch from the top of the pin.

Next, add some glue to the bottom of one pin and attach another completely opposite.

In the center, add another bead of glue and attach another pin.

Repeat for the other side.

Now, in each area between two pins, add glue and another pin. I did have some issues getting the pins to completely adhere due to the angle, but I just added some glue up the sides so the angles attach.

Here's the completed snowflake.

From one half of the package, I got three snowflakes. These are unpainted, but still beautiful.

One thing I would caution you about is that the glue does snow, but can be covered with paint and glitter to mask. I do not have a problem with the view of paint, but some may. The original pin shows these snowflakes stained as more of a vintage look. What I say is to do what you like with them!

In about 30 minutes, I had all three completed including taking photos for this post! That is a quick and inexpensive ornament. The cost breakdown is below.

Costs

8 clothes pins  -   $0.16
1/2-1 hot glue stick   -   $0.10
Hot glue gun  - free
Ribbon     -$0.16
_____________________
Total Cost - $0.42


Each pack of wooden clothespins (50) can make 6 snowflakes.

Happy Crafting

Sarah

INTRODUCING: A New Spring Pattern - Barbie One Shoulder Dress

Okay! I told you I am attempting to get my Spring Barbie Line ready and published so I can start on the summer, fall, and winter versions!  Well, I am introducing a new addition to the Spring Line.

The One Shoulder Dress

.

Short version

Back of medium

Medium

Here are the links to the published patterns! Available to purchase now. I will also crochet custom colors in this dress for sell in my Etsy shop!

Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/barbie-one-shoulder-dress
Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/toy/barbie-one-shoulder-dress
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186211763/pattern-barbie-one-shoulder-dress

Have a great day!

Sarah

Bonus Make it Monday: Washcloth Bunnies

Because it is close to Easter and I know that some of us crafters *cough me cough* sometimes wait until the last minute to crochet gifts (shifty eyes), I wanted to provide a bonus Make it Monday. Like the washcloth lollipop, you will need a washcloth, cello bags, and ribbon! No dowels.

Of course, the one I chose is in baby print. It's a 6x6. That is the size I do for child size washcloths.

Roll from one corner to the opposite corner

It will look like this.

Now turn it over so the corner is closest to you. 

As you can see in this picture, you fold the washcloth in half. The corner is poking out the back like a tail!

Here's the front. Carefully wrap yarn or ribbon around the halved washcloth and tie tightly. 

You have ears and a cute little bunny shape!

Turned over, the corner looks like a tail.

Here it is packaged in a cello bag.

With the lollipop!

Total for this project

$0.50 for the washcloth
$0.02 ribbon
$0.04 Cello bag
_______

$0.56

In less than 30 minutes I crocheted the washcloth using half double crochet with a single crochet border. This will work with purchased washcloths so do not let the crochet stop you! Obviously if you buy washcloths the price will rise.

Can you imagine these hopping into your baby's Easter basket?

Happy Crafting

Sarah

Inky Rainbows

A few months ago when I decided to try paper crafting, I found a technique I was interested in trying. It involved pigment ink, a dauber, a white wax crayon, a stamp, and a piece of white card stock. The idea was that you stamped a certain image onto the white card stock and used the white crayon to cover up the area you did not want colored. I tried with an owl stamp. I covered up the face and began rubbing the stamp with purple and yellow ink. I found that the ink did not quite work as well as I thought. The purple bled and the yellow did not.

What I realized is that I REALLY enjoy the technique without using the crayon. I began experimenting with just a piece of white card stock and pigment ink. The result was a great, bright background. Here's some examples:

If you would like a photo tutorial, let me know!

Do you have any unique techniques involving ink?

Sarah

What am I working on....

We made the decision to try to sell this fall at our local market and start working on building up stock to participate in future craft fairs. So this morning, I went through what I had already made and packaged to make a list of what I need to make. Anyone who has done this knows how daunting it can be - the inventory and the lack of inventory.

Yes, I know it is April. But, I started working on Fall/Christmas stock because some of them are a) easy to make, b) great in between project fillers, and c) a little elaborate. Yesterday, I posted that I was struggling with what to do next, so I started on something I enjoy - ornaments. My goal is a bit on the larger side, but that's okay. Better to shoot for the moon than shoot for just a few feet in the air.

I wanted to start small because it was late in the night. This is what I did last night:

Christmas Stocking Ornament in Dark Orchid

This morning, after inventory I chose to do my own pattern - Medallion Christmas Ornaments. I ended up developing two other sizes, which I might release as a e-book closer to Christmas! Today, I do not plan on actually creating the medallions by sewing them together. I am just making the sides. I've gotten 4 sets of sides done so far - with many interruptions!

Aren't they lovely? The coloring is off, but they are red and green. I plan on making many colors and having some for purchase in my Etsy shop closer to Christmas.

What are you working on today?

Sarah

Where I live

I was beginning to think as I reflected on the veggies we planted today about how my location is a bit of a mystery to the reader! Now, normally I would love to keep that part of me hidden. But, in the scheme of the coming year, I wanted to mention where I live.

Nestled in the valleys of the Great Smoky Mountain is a little town most people just drive through to get to a tourist spot. Each little home are individuals who more than likely had ancestors that grew up, thrived, and died here.  Here...well that is in Cosby, TN.

This beautiful area is home to some of the most diverse plant life (causing major allergies) and also where I call home. After 8 years living a more nomadic life with my sailor of a husband, we settled back down in the place I have always called home. Each morning we wake to see mountains in the distance. Animals weave in and out of the National park. Deer hop across the road. And we live in a more tranquil environment with beauty abounding.

This past winter was a bit more bitter and brutal than it has been in a while, but I am sure happy that I can get out and try to grow more. We usually do not get out to enjoy this amazing view due to tourists and traffic; however, we sometimes grab a creamsicle and head up on the Foothills Parkway to take in the breathtaking views!

Have you been to East TN?

Sarah