Festival Bag

Hi,

      I was having a little think about my next project and decided that I really needed a bit of colour for the next thing I would tackle.  By colour, I mean bright and bold!  So thinking about this made me think Summer and of the festival season.  So this lead me to come up with an idea for making a festival themed bag.

     I had a little look through my stash of wool and came up with these colours. (I later added a purple too!)

Then I went on to use a granny spike stitch using these colours to create the main body of the bag.

Following this, I folded it over and created an overlap for the opening and then stitched the sides together.

Once this was completed, I added tassels at the bottom of the bag with the coloured wool to create a lovely rainbow fringing effect.

Next I used a piece of muslin to create a simple lining and then sewed this securely into the inner of the bag.

After this, I began to crochet a multicoloured strap and edged it with red.

Finally, I added a lovely large button and a small crocheted loop to close the bag.

Then "Ta-dah!"   All done!  I really love this bag and it makes me very summery.  Take a look on my Etsy shop if you would like one.

Bye for now

Von  xx

A Wedding Card

Hi,

    My brother got married this Easter and I wanted to make a handmade card for him and his new wife.  When I had visited the Hobbycrafts show at the NEC in November I had come across this lovely stencil from Imagination Crafts.

        I got a piece of linen and then drew out the stencil pattern on to the material.  You will notice I used a biro - I tried with pencil but it wasn't very clear.  

       

       I then began to embroider the branches with brown thread.   You can see from the photos below how I gradually built up the embroidery using the stencil outlines.

Following filling in the main picture, I added some seed beads to the flowers which lifted it a little bit.  

After that, I then used a simple running stitch to create a border.

Finally, I carefully removed threads to create a frayed edge and taped it to the card with some strong double sided tape. I have tried to use glue in the past and found it just creates awful looking lumps. 

So there we go... Ta Dah!

Really pleased with the final piece...Did keep looking at the space in the bottom though wondering whether I should have added some text.  Maybe another time...

Bye for now

Von xxx

Easter Chick Tutorial

Hi,

    I have had such a busy week at work that I really needed to switch off this weekend so I set about focusing on a tutorial for my Easter Chick.  I have some of these made for sale on my Etsy shop too.

1. Chain 18, then join in to a circle with a slip stitch.

2. Chain 2, then double crochet around.

3. Chain 3, Triple crochet into the same stitch, *triple crochet into      the next stitch, then 2 triple crochet into the next stitch.      
     Repeat from  * around.  Slip stitch to chain 2.

4. Chain 3, then triple crochet around joining with a slip stitch to initial chain 2.

5. Chain 3, triple crochet decrease, 10 triple crochet, triple
    crochet decrease, 11 triple crochet, then slip stitch
    into top of chain 2.

6.  Flatten the piece and then slip stitch to join through 6 pairs of      stitches.

7.  Chain 2, double crochet around and slip stitch to join.

8.  Chain 2, double crochet all round and join initial chain 2 with       a slip stitch.

9.  Chain 2, 2 double crochet in the next stitch, 1 double crochet           in the next stitch, continue in this pattern around. Slip stitch         in initial chain 2.

10.  Chain 2,  double crochet all around, then slip stitch to join.

11 and 12.  Repeat row 9 twice.

13.  Chain 2, *2 double crochet, then decrease, continue round
       from * slip stitch to join in the initial chain 2.

14.  Chain 2, *double crochet, decrease. Continue from* round
        and slip stitch to join in the initial chain 2.

15. Chain 2, then decrease around joining with a slip stitch to
       initial chain 2.

16. Chain 2 then decrease around. Then fasten off. I sew the end in to
       close the hole at the top of the head.


To finish:-. Using some bright orange yarn I crochet a simple beak.
1. Chain 5, then double crochet across from 2nd chain from hook.
2. Slip stitch two ends to join.
3. Double crochet across opposite stitches twice keeping loops on
    hook, then pull thread through all loops. Fasten off.  Sew to
    head.

Then, using some black embroidery yarn I stitched two eyes.

Finally, add your chocolate egg and Ta Dah!

  Enjoy making and have a lovely Easter.

Bye for now

Von x