Insta love: Colorful Crochet

First row  Via, Via, Via

Second row Via, Via, Via.

HAPPY MONDAY!

5 Weekend Projects to Try: Christmas Decorations

 

Here we are with the traditional roundup for Christmas decorations making. I tried to keep my list short, although I've found so many attractive projects, tempting to be tried.

 

All of these require minimum time to be made - given they are all weekend projects - and with the materials ready at hand, your crafting time and the ultimate result will be really fulfilling.

 

 



 

Christmas Village Wreath

 

 

 

Christmas Trees

 

 Christmas Tree Candles

 

Fabric Christmas Trees

 

Felt Garland

 

For those of you who are here for the first time, we have a Xmas Gifts Making Series running on the blog and here is what we have made so far and what is to come.

 

 Do check back next week!

 

 

DIY Flower Bead Necklace

Welcome to our second tutorial from the Xmas gift making series!

To make this necklace you need a crochet rosette )(pattern given below), different sizes of beads - both crochet and bare. Different shapes also make the necklace more playful so try this and experiment.  And a crochet tie or a sateen one. 

Rosette pattern:

Ch 6 and join to make a ring.

Rnd 1: in the ring, ch 4 (counts as 1 dc + 1 ch), next dc 1, ch 1 six times. Sl st to end round. There should be 7 dcs in the ring. 

Rnd 2: Ch 3 and sc at the back of the dc post. Repeat pattern around. There should be 7b chain spaces. 

Rnd 3: repeat rnd 2.

Rnd 4: in the ch space - sc1, dc3,sc1. Repeat this pattern for all chain spaces around. Sl st with very first petal to end round.
Rnd 5: Ch 4 and sc at the back in the stitch between 2 petals. Chain all around. 
Rnd 6: In the chain space - sc1, dc4, sc1. epeat this pattern for all chain spaces around. Sl st with very first petal to end round. Cut yarn, tie knots, weave ends. 

Crochet a long tie (maker's choice) or use a sateen ribbon instead. Work on the design of the necklace. I used eliptical beads as ends in between of which I placed small are beads and big crocheted ones. Slide the beads on and the necklace is done!

I hope you like the tutorial and would love to see yours if you decide to make one!

Crochet Bead Earrings - Xmas Gifts Making

 

 

Are you ready for some lovely gifts making?

Join me in making these sweet earrings.

 

 

What you need:

 

* crocheted beads - 2 cm big or other size but you have to use adequate pin

{you can buy these at the jewelry supply / craft store} or make them yourself using this tutorial.

* 6 pearl beads /size 1 cm

* 10 pearl bead caps and 2 bigger flowery caps

* 6 eye pins

* 4 jump rings and

* 2 earring hooks

Nose pliers also necessary.

 

Step 1: String /Pin your beads

 

 

Don't let the picture misguide you. These are ordinary pins, but for our earrings you need eye pins. Take an eye pin, slide the bead cap, slide the pearl bead, add another cap, then take the nose pliers and fold the pin to make an eye. One pearl bead pinned and capped. Make another one.

 

Step 2: Join the beads

 

 

Join the beads with a jump ring. Attach an eye pin to one of the pearl beads.

 

Step 3: String the crochet bead

 

 

With eye pin attached, slide in the bigger (floral or whatever you find/have) bead cap, slide in the crochet bead. Holding the whole thing tightly, add the pearl bead, cap it and use the pliers to make an eye.

 

Step 4: Finish it up

 

 

Next, attach a jump ring and the earring hook and your earring is done! I don't think it can get easier than this!

Make the second earring.

 

 

 

Do you like them? You can whip them up if in need of a last (or not) minute gift and they surely make a fantastic stocking filler.

 

You can experiment with larger / different size beads and caps to get a variety of designs.

 

 

If you like crocheted earrings, you can also see my Jhumka Earrings and these delicate babies.

 

Don't forget to visit us on Wednesday for we'll be making a flower beaded necklace!

 

 

 

 

Xmas Gifts Making Announcement

 

This year I thought it would be interesting if I made December a bit more festive around the blog.

 

Aside for my roundups of Christmas decorating and gift wrapping ideas, I thought making December a fully crafting month, with free tutorials for handmade gifts, because I love handmade gifts and if you do too, I hope you join me so we could have fun crocheting together!

 

So this is the schedule I planned:

 

 

 

Christmas falls on a Tuesday this year and Wednesdays being my tutorial / pattern sharing days, this leaves me with only 3 Wednesdays till Christmas, so to gain on time and compensate, I will have 2 tutes next week, the first one coming live tomorrow.

 

Until then, enjoy your Sunday!

Crochet Bibs

 Happy Friday guys!

Today I am showing you two of my crochet bibs from my baby collection. Not a single bib in this collection repeats in pattern and these two were the first to be made. I started with a traditional shape for the pink one but after making it, I thought making a funkier one would be even better - hence the orange bib was born. 

I also sewed a couple but they will be left for some other time. 

I will talk to you soon!

Blog Friends: Mia from the Craftarista Blog

 

 

Before

 

After 



Being a blogger for so many years, among other wonderful things, has given me the unique possibility and privilege to meet many amazing, gifted and creative bloggers.

 

Mia from the Craftarista blog is one of them. I met her through one of her crafty adventures with a bag, if I am not mistaken. As they name of her blog suggests, she is a true craftarista - her blog is filled with wondrous projects whether they are sewn, crocheted, decoupaged or painted! She is a fantastic inspiration!

 

 

And she loves interacting with the blog community and even more - giving them gifts! On one such occasion I won a beautiful gift, the contents of which you can see here and when I first opened it, well if I say that my eyes popped out, it would be an understatement.

I was truly blown away with the gorgeousness she compiled for me. Starting from a fantastic skein of yarn through lovely ribbons, jewelry findings and wooden buttons, a handmade necklace, topping this all with mouth watering chocolates and a beautiful card, Mia has managed to surprise me greatly and show her kindness and thoughtfulness.

 

I would love if you could spare a minute and visit her magical blog!

 

Thank you Mia! I am eternally indebted and grateful! 

 

 

Insta Love: Hens Teeth Art

 

 

 

Viv Sliwka is an artist that inspires me greatly! I eagerly wait to see what she's been up to and she never ceases to impress me! I got acquainted with her work many, many years ago and I've been following her closely since then. And when you see her photos, you'll understand why.

 

 

 

What she says as an introduction to the public:

 

"I am a textile artist based in Staffordshire, UK. Working with worn fabrics, ephemera and stitch. My inspiration comes from my love of antique textiles, vintage haberdashery, Folk Art, gardens, flowers, beloved pets, the British countryside  and birds. Form, texture and humour too."

 

I am still fascinated by the unique way she transforms old letters and personally, I would love to try that myself. Isn't that an interesting project?

 

 

 

 

 

  

You can follow Viv on instagram or buy her unique art on etsy.



Anchor Crafts

 

 

This is a sponsored post

Recently, I was contacted by Anhor Crafts to see if I was interested to collaborate with them and upon seeing their amazing offer I couldn't pass such an amazing opportunity.

 

Anchor Crafts is a premium quality crafts brand with over 250 years of experience, developing high quality threads to suit all forms of creative crafts worldwide. They have a wide variety of threads with colors, thickness of fiber and compositions suitable for all craft techniques. Whether made from mercerized Egyptian cotton, pure new wool or rayon - all their threads offer stunning quality and endless possibilities.
 

 

 

 

For the project I had in mind I  chose their crochet yarn called Creativa and this was an excellent choice; the lightweight yarn made from natural fibers has a soft, silky touch that makes your crochet adventure an exhilarating experience. Working on my pillow was a real treat! Check their other brands for crochet yarn!

I also received embroidery floss and to my greatest pleasure - the Egyptian cotton floss which I have never worked with before, along with its thicker sister - proved to be such a unique material and tool at the same time to make my brooches exquisite.

 

 

Be sure to check them out! They also offer kits and patterns and you'll find many interesting projects right now before the holidays to stuff your stockings with!