Category: Crafts

Happy hooker: Crocheted my first (human) hat

Aynaria 20 Comments

Crocheted Hat 1 12 27 11

Today, I made my first human crocheted item, a gold hat for my daughter. If you closely look, you might see a bit of pink yarn tied into this crocheted hat. I tend to use bits of yarn as stitch markers.

This hat isn’t completed. I’ll be edging it with pink yarn. Perhaps I’ll add some embellishments? Crocheted flowers would be nice… this hat is for my daughter and though she’s a tomboy — she loves her outfits to be very ‘girly’.

Regarding this hat… a few mistakes were made, but I was able to correct them. I cannot tell you what stitches were used besides the chain hook, single crochet, and a row or two of double crochet. The reason is simple, I let my fingers and hook explore, and tried out a few variations with my crochet hook and this is the crochet stitch that appeared. I used a few variations throughout this crocheted hat project. It sure was a lot of fun. It will be interesting to come back to this piece after I’ve been crocheting for a while. Later this week, I’ll try to do a search and see what’s it’s called. I’ve seen it before, I just don’t know the name. Anyway, I thought this stitched worked well with the hat. It was simple to do, and I liked the lace-like pattern it created.

Crocheting: Doing my own thing

When it comes to crafts, I learn best by simply doing my own thing. Getting acquainted with the artsy vibe of whatever medium I’m working with. After I’ve satisfied that itch, everything falls into place, and I find listening to the experts talk about the craft isn’t hard.You would think since I know what works best for myself, I would have bypassed the books I picked up on crochet, right? Nope, didn’t happen…. I searched Youtube for crochet videos, and even acquired books from the library. Although I did glance over them, and some of the videos (and books) were well written, it didn’t make much sense to me until I explored on my own.

My daughters Monster High dolls now have competition, since I’m slowly starting to make crocheted garments for people.

Did you know that some crocheters call themselves ‘hookers’? It makes sense when you think about it, since a crochet hook is used. When I first heard the term “happy hooker” applied to someone who crochets. I admit I chuckled a bit, since I thought it meant something else entirely.

Christmas tradition; A bit crafty

Aynaria 11 Comments

Christmas Ornaments 1

Our Lutheran church had its Sunday service a day early (today). It was wonderful watching my daughter’s choir perform (along with the other groups). More important the pastor preached an excellent sermon. Then again he always does, but it was nice to see so many new faces hearing the message. Our Lutheran church had five services available throughout the day; 10:00, 1:00, 3:00, 8:00, and 10:00

Although not the official day of his birth, Christmas in our household is a time to recognize Christ’s birth. Along with his birth we talk about the story of Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection. It’s a great chance for us to reflect on what Christ has done for us which is indeed the true meaning of Christmas.

Creating crafted gifts for Christmas

In my household, it’s become a tradition to make hand-crafted items for one another. As I type this, I noticed that my daughter has added a few items under the tree bearing my name and I’m eager to see what she’s created. She’s quite the talented artist, and I’m hoping she’s created something that I can grace one of my bedroom walls — but I’ll be happy with anything she has created for me.

Our Christmas tradition of making items for one another began a few years ago. I created my three-year old daughter a “design studio” where her creative talent could soar. I set aside a space in her room, complete with easel, shelves, construction and printer paper. Additional Items such as colored pencils, crayons, markers, and watercolors were purchased from the store — but the majority of the items were made by myself.

This year, all the items that I placed under the Christmas tree, were handmade. I’m actually proud of that fact, since some years I had a mixture. A lot of thought, time and effort are put into the items I create. I want people to feel special. I make items I know they want.  So no… I don’t make items because I’m too cheap to purchase anything. They’re definitely high quality items. I do spend money to purchase the materials I need to craft items, once you factor in the time it takes me to make some of the crafts it would have been easier to purchase something, but in my opinion, it wouldn’t be as special.

Christmas: A bit of Commercialism

A few days after Christmas, my daughter and I do visit a few stores.  I give her an allowance of what she can spend. It’s not excessive, but she’s happy and is thrilled that she can pick out her own gifts.

You see the above picture, those ornaments were made from soda cans. I’d planned on writing a tutorial post before Christmas, but the past few days I haven’t been on the computer to much, and so that tutorial will have to wait a bit longer.

Crochet: Basic Beanie hat for Monster High doll; Frankie Stein

Aynaria 6 Comments

Monster High doll Frankie Stein Crocheted Hat

Yesterday, I posted a picture of a crocheted hat I’d made for the Monster High doll, Draculaura, she’s a Monster High doll.

That hat was actually a crocheted square. I sewed three corners together to make it into a hat. I mentioned that I didn’t feel confident enough to make a proper hat. Well… the more I thought about that comment, the more I realized I was just being silly, and so this morning I searched for a hat video. I found one, but I simply couldn’t follow the directions, since the Youtube instructor was going too fast. It’s not the same Youtube lady I posted about yesterday. Crochet’s videos are really good.

Crocheting without a pattern

Today, I made a proper hat for Frankie Stein,  another one of my daughter’s Monster High dolls. I had some free time, and crocheted the hat. I have several of these hats, that I wear during the cold months. It’s nice to keep my locks protected from the elements, now and again and what better way to do that then rock them with a funky beanie hat. I’m absolutely thrilled that I crocheted a miniature beanie hat for one of my daughter’s dolls.

Crocheting this hat wasn’t a smooth process… I made a few mistakes. The majority was caught, and so I was able to pull the stitches out and redo, but others I didn’t see until after I was completed. It’s all good though. I’m now using a row marker, and I’m making a point to count the rows. Something, I’ve been avoiding doing — until now. Perhaps as I progress, I won’t have to do it as much?

Clothing design

As a child, I didn’t have too many dolls. They didn’t interest me. The only time I gave them any attention was to clothe them in the various designs I’d created. I started sewing at eight years of age, and continue today. Over the years, some of my work has been featured in local fashion shows, and a few of my designs have graced some local boutiques too. In late teens through twenties, I made the majority of my clothing and often received comments about where I’d purchased the outfits I wore, since they hadn’t seen them anywhere. That was a perfect opportunity to market myself.

I already have a lot of crocheted designs, I’d love to make, but until my skill catches up with my ideas, they simmer on the back burner — a bit longer.

Beginner Crochet: Completed hat and cape for Monster High doll; Draculaura

Aynaria 4 Comments

Monster High Draculaura

Since I’ve gotten back into crocheting, I haven’t made too many items, but I’ve decided to show the one above. I used three stitches with this ensemble; Crochet chain, single crochet, and double crochet. My gauge is still off, as can be seen in the ‘crocheted hat’ it’s not a lace crochet pattern, but look at how ‘holey’ it is! 🙂  I know in time I will get better. I just have to keep practicing.

You want to know something?  This past Sunday, when I started crocheting, I wasn’t planning on making an outfit, I just wanted to practice crocheting… However, as the rows accumulated, I thought about Draculaura (one of my daughters Monster High dolls) and I realized that the pale pink yarn would compliment her outfit, makeup, and skin tone. I now had a crochet project!

My crochet skills are limited, because of this I’m not making anything fancy, at least not yet. In reality, the hat, and cape are crocheted squares. To make the hat, I stitched three corners together with a tapestry needle (using the same yarn). While I realize I can make a proper hat (stitching in a circular pattern) I haven’t become confident enough to do so. In time I will. The cape is a larger square. I simply attached a flower button to one end, and a yarn loop on the other side.

I was planning on wrapping this up and adding it to the pile of handcrafted gifts that are under our Christmas tree, but instead I gave it to my daughter. She was so excited about her early Christmas gifts that she immediately clothed Draculaura in her new outfit. I quickly crocheted some hair ribbons using the same yarn (which I hadn’t made at the time I took this picture) and my daughter put her dolls hair in two ponytails.

I’m sewing clothes for some of my daughters dolls, and I’ve decided to add crochet trim, to some of the outfits for Draculaura. I should be finished that today, I’ll wrap them up in one of the “clothing trunks” I made for a few of her dolls, and slip the completed items (wrapped of course) under the Christmas tree.

Beginning Crochet Videos

If you’re interested in learning crochet, I’d suggest you check out Youtube videos created by Crochet. She has some informative crochet videos including videos on beginning crochet stitches. I really enjoy them since they walk me through the entire process.

Mrs. G, from my quilting group was kind enough to show me several crochet stitches. However she’s not always available, and so I can refer to the YouTube videos, when I need assistance with crochet.

 

Simple Christmas card; Digital stamp and recycled paper

Aynaria 11 Comments

Christmas card WOB Butterfly

Yesterday morning, I made this handmade card for my daughter’s third grade teacher. Included with the card was a lovely poinsettia plant. Because my daughter had too many items to carry, I went with her into school, poinsettia plant in hand.

Her teacher loved the plant, and she really liked the card also. In fact, she liked it so much that she commented about it again, once I picked my daughter up from school. For myself, it’s not a big deal, I enjoy creating things with my hands, but I was pleased that someone genuinely appreciated the item I’d made.  Her reaction, is the same one I have when someone makes me something that’s hand made. Even if the item is simple, I’m thrilled that someone has thought enough of me to take the time to craft something with their hands.

About the card

This is an ‘environmentally friendly’ card. The card was created from leftover scrap paper I had. The original paper is recycled paper I purchased from a local store. The small circle at the top of the tree, was actually a soda can.

More on what you can do with soda cans and a die cutting machine (such as a Cuttlebug) in a later post.

Although you can’t see it, the ‘butterfly’ is actually raised above the card. So it’s not flush on the Christmas tree. To get the raised effect you can use pop dots or you can get creative like I did, and use some other material to raise your creation off the card. Since I didn’t have my homemade pop dots, I made do with some moveable eyes.

The picture is actually a coloring page. I shrunk the image, printed it on regular printing paper, and colored it with my Bic Mark It pens. To make it ‘Christmasy’ I added a Christmas tree. Which is actually a triangle I cut myself, glitter was included to bring a bit of sparkle to the card.

Busy fingers and the Mother Bear Project

Aynaria 16 Comments

Yarn

Besides spending time with my daughter… crafts, volunteering, fitness, gardening, and writing are the things I enjoy most.

Earlier this week, I stumbled upon an amazing opportunity, called The Mother Bear Project. I learned about it through a local yarn shop, Lovely Yarns.

The Mother Bear Project is a grass-roots, non-profit group dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children, primarily those affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of hand-knit and crocheted bears.  To date, 27,300 bears have been sent to South Africa, Zambia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi, Malawi, Botswana, Rwanda, Uganda, Namibia and other countries as we find out more about children in need.

What a great cause, right? I did have a slight problem…I haven’t crocheted in years. Last week I told one of the ladies from my quilting group that I wanted to pick up crochet again. She told me to bring my hook and yarn the following Monday.

Naturally I took her up on that offer. Do you think I’m going to pass up on that opportunity? Mrs. G was thorough! I really appreciated that she took her time to teach me some crochet stitches. Thanks to YouTube, I was able to brush up on the basic and the more complicated stitches that she showed me.

Being that it’s been a while since I’ve picked up my hooks, I was repeatedly pulling out my stitches before I finally hit the sweet spot (well at least for the basic stitches I’m doing) and I wasn’t making anymore mistakes. What a great feeling! I won’t be making a bear right away, I want the first bear I make to be really nice, and so the next few months I’ll devote to making a variety of items before I make a bear for the project.

I learned about The Mother Bear Project (indirectly) through Julia, of Aberrant Crochet. Julia makes gorgeous crochet, so be sure to take a peek at her virtual home. Julia was kind enough to reply to my comment in her Mommy Can’t Right Now, She’s Texting. In her comment, Julia was kind enough to share a few sites that would be beneficial to a noob crocheter like myself.

The website, Ravelry, is an online knitting and crocheting community. It’s chock full of information, through my virtual puttering around on that website, I discovered there were quite a few local yarn stores in my area! Who knew? I visited a few of the websites, and that’s how I eventually learned about the Mother Bear Project.

Crocheted Projects

Let’s see… I’ve already made a shocking pink cape for Draculaura, one of my daughter’s Monster High dolls. Currently I’m working on a cute cream colored mini-skirt for Clawdeen — another one of the Monster High dolls.

My daughter is a true fashionista, and so for Christmas (or perhaps a little after) I’m making her a scarf with beads woven in the fiber. It’s safe too say that I’m enjoying my crochet time. 😉

 

Volunteering: People will judge you by your actions…

Aynaria 13 Comments

Quilters June2011 1

Say hello to the quilting group where I’m the newest member.

The above picture was taken last year. I wasn’t a member then. However, it includes some of the ladies that are part of the quilting group. We meet each Monday for three hours. It’s a great time of fellowship, and it gives me a chance to do something crafty… sewing. I learned how to sew when I was seven.

“We judge ourselves by our intentions, but others judge us by our actions.”

Many of us have the best intentions when it comes to serving others, but how many of us follow through? If we don’t watch out, we can easily forget the promises we’ve made.

Since my parents have always been active in helping others (even when the early years when they were poor themselves) I try to make an effort and give back to those who might not be as fortunate as myself.

Helping others, is something I strongly believe in, and it’s something I put into action since I was a child. My parents are great role models. The days when I struggled financially. I still helped others. I look back on my early twenties quite fondly. You should see some of the recipes I came up with then — however I survived.

Quilt Pinning 2 11 21

In todays quilting group, I managed to take a few photos. The majority of our time together is spent working, but we do manage to squeeze in conversation too. Because of the groups friendly nature, it gives everyone a chance to get to know one another — and to form genuine friendships too.

Quilt Pinning 1 11 21

As the newest of this group, there are times when I’m in the spotlight. It’s natural, they want to learn about me and so I’ve been happily weaving in bits of my daughter and my life into the conversation. Because of their friendliness, it didn’t take long for me to feel like one of the group, and so I look forward to my Monday quilting sessions.

Next Monday, one of the ladies is going to help me with my crochet. In the top photo, do you see the tall lady to your right with the sunglasses? Yep, she’s the one that will be helping me. She’s German, and I enjoy chatting with her. She’s told me a few stories of her country.

What’s brought these wonderful ladies together? A common desire to help those less fortunate. I’d say its even more fulfilling, because of the friendships that have been made. They’ve effectively turned their belief, of helping others, into action.