Simple Crochet Flowers

Today I have a simple crochet project to share with you.

 

crochet flowers

I watched this video to make them.

It was a great tutorial- very easy to follow.

 

I will admit that my first flower (not pictured) didn't turn out very flower-like.

But after a little practice, I was able to whip them up.

I'm thinking that I'd like to make several more, then make a garland out of them.

Wouldn't that be cute?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

But the Lord is faithful,

who will establish you and

guard you from the evil one.

2 Thes. 3:3

This post is linked to Crafts a la Mode, Embracing Change, The Craftberry Bush,
and Tatertots and Jello.

Tiny Crochet Basket DIY

I've been practicing and practicing my crochet skills.

I'm slowly, but surely improving.

I have yet to actually be able to read a pattern, but I can follow along to video tutorials.

I just finished making these crochet baskets.

They're little and cute.

I think they'll look darling holding supplies on my craft desk.

You can go here to see the tutorial on how to make them.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Let your speech always be with grace,

seasoned with salt,

that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Col. 4:6

This post is linked to Life with Lorelai, That DIY Party, The Crafty Blog Stalker, and Lil' Luna.

Cute Little Crochet Coasters

This project has been on my to-do list for the last month.

So finally, I sat down with some Fixer Upper reruns and got to it.

How cute are these crochet coasters?!?

Wait until you hear how simple it is to make these. . . 

I started with a size F crochet hook, 

cotton yarn (Lily Sugar n' Cream yarn in a variegated color),

and Alene's Tacky Glue. 

You start with a chain (the most basic of crochet stitches, I believe),

and start winding it into itself.

I used a toothpick to apply the glue to the edges as I swirled the chain around in a circle.

You should keep going until your circle is about 3 1/2" across.

When you get it large enough, you just cut off the excess and tuck the little strands under the coaster with some more tacky glue. Then you use that end to start winding the next coaster.

I had mine sitting on wax paper to keep from getting glue all over the table. 

I let them dry for a bit on the wax paper, then peeled them off 

and set them upside down to continue drying.

 

I'm tickled pink with how cute they turned out.

I think a set of these would make a great gift.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

He who pursues righteousness and love 

finds life, prosperity and honor. 

Proverbs 21:21

This post is linked to Between Naps on the Porch, Embracing Change,
The Girl Creative, I Heart Naptime, and Skip to My Lou.

Thrifty Thursday #124

Have you hit any good yard sales lately?

The last couple of weekends, my neighborhood has had a slew of them!

Unfortunately, I've had busy Saturday mornings and haven't been able to check them out.

Not cool.

 

But my hubby and I were out and about recently and we got to stop at a yard sale. 

I didn't get anything, but he picked up this lovely afghan for $6.

The couple having the sale was older and the man said that his mom had made it.

I was surprised that they were selling it. (I would have treasured it if my mom had made it.)

Sometimes it's strange to see the kinds of things that people get rid of.

Anyway, my hubby is 6'5 and was pleased to see that this will be long enough

to cover him all the way up.

 

On my weekly (well, almost every week) jaunt to the thrift store, I found this lovely platter for $.75.

Old platters just make me happy.

I love using them when I bring baked goodies to a function.



 

I don't always find old gems like the above platter.

Sometimes I find useful stuff.

Although these aren't as exciting purchases to share with you, I still want to show you good deals:)

I never pass up graph paper at the thrift store. I got this practically new package for $.50.

I also got two bundles of staples for a quarter.

 

 

Another item I never pass up is metal embroidery hoops.

Love them.

This one was fifty cents.

They work great for mobiles- I've used one on a snowflake mobile.

I plan to use one to make a vintage silverware mobile. That will be cute, huh?

 

Well, I'm not working this Friday, so I'm hoping my neighborhood yard sale scene will be hopping this weekend. I hope you all have great luck in your neighborhoods, too!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

 

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,

but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:17

 

This post is linked to Be Different, Act Normal, Junkin' Joe, and Embracing Change.

Snowflake Mobile

     My grandma loves to crochet. Whenever she comes to see us, she brings her yarn and crochet needles and make doilies while she visits. She has given all of her grandchildren a crocheted afghan. 
     Many years ago, she gave my parents a set of crocheted snowflakes, then my mom gave them to me to use as Christmas tree ornaments. This year while hanging them on my tree, I thought there had to be something more I could do with them.
     Hence, my snowflake mobile . . .

     In addition to my grandma's six snowflakes, I also used three tiny crocheted doilies that I got at a thrift store.

     First, I used fabric stiffener on all of them.

     Then, using ribbon, I tied them to a small metal embroidery hoop. Have you ever seen one of these before? I hadn't til a lady from church gave me a couple. How cool are they? I love the metal look, so I didn't even consider covering the hoop.
     To finish it off, I tied three lengths of tulle to the hoop, then tied them together at the top so the mobile can be hung.

 

     I think this will be pretty hanging throughout the winter- especially since we don't get real snow here!

     If you like the idea of using an embroidery hoop for a mobile, take a look here and here where I used them to display photos.

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

I will be glad and rejoice in You;

I will sing praise to Your name,

O Most High.

Psalm 9:2

This post is linked to Skip to My Lou, Making the World Cuter, Between Naps on the Porch, and Craft-O-Maniac.

Thrifty Thursday #41

     I found another community wide garage sale going on last weekend. I got some good stuff, but I have to say that I probably won't go to this area again simply because it was far enough away that it may not have been worth the gas. My hubby came with me (I love that he loves going to yard sales with me!), and we stopped at a few local sales before heading to the community wide sale. By the time we got there, we only went to about three or four houses before it was time to head home.

 

I got this pitcher at a sale in our neighborhood. It was so pretty and only $1- I couldn't pass it up.

My mother-in-law had a beautiful collection of pitchers. I may start my own collection in memory

of her.

 

I got this Pyrex bowl at the same sale. You can't tell it in the photo, but it's really large. I have a hard time passing up mixing bowls- especially when they're only $1.

The lady selling it was moving and told me that her daughters were only letting her bring some of her stuff to her new house (I got the impression that she was a pack rat). Anyway, she kept going on and on about this bowl, so I told her she could have it back. She declined.

Her loss- my gain.:)

 

The community wide sale was in a very nice, new, ritzy subdivision. I was delighted when I stumbled across a boxful of old books.

I absolutely fell in love with the Spelling Dictionary on the left. It may be too small to turn into a journal- that probably won't stop me from trying, though. . .

 

This is a crazy pamphlet from 1952 that gives highway accident data. The seller had several, but I only bought one.

 

It's full of silly graphics of accidents. Somehow, I don't think a pamphlet with such light-hearted photos of accidents would be printed today.

 

This American Red Cross book, from the fifties, doesn't have a cover and was only a quarter.

When I get books in poor shape, I don't feel so bad cutting them up!

 

This is the first page- what beautiful graphics!

 

At one sale, there was a boxful of doilies- all with amazing handiwork. Look at the details on this set- can you believe I got them both for a quarter?

 

 

I am collecting handmade doilies in all colors for an upcoming project. Only spent fifty cents on both of these.

 

I found this old hankie with amazing needlework along the edges. Don't know what I'll do with it. Perhaps get a few more and turn them into a cute pair of kitchen curtains?

 

My final purchase was this heavy duty stapler for a quarter. I've been working on a couple of bulletin boards at church and this fella will come in handy!

 

I spent less than $5 while we were out and about. My hubby spent $10 for one of those contraptions that tosses clay pigeons in the air. It was practically new. It's these sort of deals that keep him interested in coming with me.

 

I hope you all find some good sales this week. Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'

John 8:12

 

This post is linked to My Girlish Whims, Cap Creations, Apron Thrift Girl, and Shabby Creek Cottage, 

 

Layout of the Week #30- Using Crocheted Embellishments

     I've been on a kick lately trying to find uses for a crocheted tablecloth I was given. The tablecloth is too worn to still be used, but too beautiful to throw away. So today, I'll show you how to incorporate crocheted embellishments on our layout of the week.

 

This is the layout we'll be creating.

See the two crocheted embellishments at the bottom left corner and the top right corner? The one on the bottom, I trimmed off the tablecloth. The other one I got at a thrift store.

 

 

To make a layout like this you'll need:

one piece of 12"x12" pattern paper

one piece of pattern paper measuring 6"x 10 1/2"

one page out of an old book measuring 4 1/2"x7" (you could use pattern paper if you prefer)

one strip of border measuring 6"x 1" or 1 1/2" (I just trimmed a strip off of a piece of pattern paper)

letter stickers for the title

 2 crocheted flowers/doilies (you can find these at Hobby Lobby in the embellishment section)

optional: assorted flowers, buttons

 

First, place the border strip along the top of the pattern paper which should measure 6" x 10 1/2".

 

Place it on the right side of the 12"x12" pattern paper. There should be about a one inch border on the top, bottom, and right side.

 

Then place your book page or second pattern paper measuring 4 1/2" x 7" on the left edge of the pattern paper. It should butt up to the other mat.

 

Next, place a horizontal 4"x 6" photo in the center of the mat on the right. Then place one crocheted embellishment at the bottom of the book page and one at the top of the right mat.

 

Using letter stickers, place your title on the book page paper.

 

Then if you like, add journaling right below the photo and place a button at the center of the bottom crocheted doily. Place flowers at the corners of the photo. Ta-da! We're done.

 

Here is another example with a couple of crocheted flowers at the top of the page and on the left of the page. I got these crocheted pieces at the thrift store! I'm telling you, you just never know what you'll find at a secondhand store!

 

     If you like the look of the crocheted embellishments, you may want to take a look at this project where I used one in a glass frame charm necklace.

 

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach

a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

Proverbs 9:9

     This post is linked to Tip Junkie and Todays Creative Blog.

Crocheted Lace Necklace Tutorial

      Recently I received an old crocheted tablecloth that had enough wear on it that it couldn't be used anymore, but not enough damage on it to throw it out. The lady who gave it to me said she figured I could do something with it.
     The detail on it is amazing and as I am a wanna-be crocheter myself, I always admire the handiwork and the hours spent on pieces like this.
     When presented with such a challenge, I let the ideas bounce around my head until I come up with something do-able. I know I'd like to use part of this as a pillow cover, but the piece is so large, I should be able to use it for several different projects.

    

 

Here's the first project I came up with.. .a necklace

 

Here's the tablecloth- pretty, huh?

I cut one piece off of it.

Then I got these 1" square frame glass charms and a 30"chain from Hobby Lobby.

Using one of the pieces of glass as a template, I chose the area that I wanted to save and trimmed around the glass.

Then I placed the square piece that I trimmed in between the two pieces of glass and placed it in the frame charm.

 

Then I used a head pin and a pearl and followed this tutorial to make a dangly charm to hang in front of the frame charm. I attached this charm and the frame to the necklace chain with a jump ring.

 

If you'd rather, you could use a piece of lace to make this necklace. Even a piece of fabric would look good.

 

Pretty and easy.

 

 

     This would be a great way to preserve a special piece of clothing- perhaps a baby blanket, wedding dress, or even grandma's apron!

 

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

 

 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

     This post is linked to Todays Creative Blog, I Heart Naptime, Craft-O-Maniac, Brassy Apple, Skip to My Lou, and Between Naps on the Porch.

Thrifty Thursday #36

     As promised, here's a look at the loot I got at the city-wide yard sale I told you about last week. I so enjoyed walking from yard to yard looking at stuff. My hubby even told me how much fun he was having. My younger son trotted alongside us in his football cleats (we headed out right after his game and forgot to bring him some extra shoes). My older son mostly sat in the hot car- but he was reading a book, so I didn't give him a hard time.:)

I scored this cool feed bag for fifty cents. The guy selling this said it was his last one and he had already sold quite a few which were in better shape. Too bad I didn't get there earlier!

LOVE this colorful crocheted blanket. Guess how much I paid for it-- $1. Can you believe it? Someone put hours of work into this.

I spotted this rack from across the street. Only cost $1.

Wait til you see what I do with it. . .

I am an avid reader and I'm cheap. Yard sales are the perfect place for me to find books. At a quarter apiece, I can't beat this deal!

A life preserver- kind of a crazy thing to buy secondhand. . .unless you find one that has never been used for a dollar!

My father-in-law got a new boat and is giving his old fishing boat to my hubby and boys. My boys are still young enough that they are required to wear one while on board.

Now if I could only find another one for this price. . . .

 

 

Not too bad of a haul, huh?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

He who walks with integrity walks securely.

Proverbs 10:9
 

     This post is linked to Apron Thrift Girl, Cap Creations, Liz Marie, and At the Picket Fence.

Thrifty Thursday #27

     Hey Guys! I have got some cute stuff to show you today. . . I made a quick stop at the thrift stores on my way to get groceries. No, the thrift stores aren't actually on the way to Wal-mart, but my boys were behaving and I had some extra time, so I made the detour.:)

I fell in love with this little yellow bowl for fifty cents. It will be cute to put toppings in when we have tacos for dinner. 

Then, a little farther down the counter, I found this yellow and white bowl (I put the small yellow bowl inside for the photo) for $.75. It will be a good cereal bowl. My mother-in-law always had cute mismatched bowls like this; they make me think of her.

I couldn't pass up these three crocheted circles. I put a quarter next to them so you could see what size they are. I plan to put them on a cover of a scrapbook- they'll add a little homemade touch.

I'll be homeschooling my boys this year (with K12 online public school). We needed more binders, so I picked these up for a quarter apiece. They've hardly been used. I'll wipe them clean with a Clorox wipe and they'll be good as new.

This is the best purchase today- a beautiful, colorful crocheted blanket in awesome shape for only $4!

I feel like I should pick up handmade blankets when I find them; somebody put a lot of time and heart into them.

The checker at the thrift store somehow forgot to charge me for this. I was down the road when I realized it, so I turned around to take it back and pay. I wouldn't have felt right using it without paying for it! 

I found this old beauty in the "Free" box. I have plans for this. . .stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4

 

 

 

 

This post is linked to Apron Thrift Girl and