Crafts | Bead Happily Ever After

12 Ornaments of Christmas – Pt. 1

Posted on September 29, 2009 by crystal

Ok, I know. I KNOW!!! We may not be ready to think about the holidays just yet, but if you’d like to make gifts or decorations this year – time’s a wasting!

Today I’m launching a new series, “The Twelve Ornaments of Christmas”. Each week from now until Santa’s on the way, I plan to post a new ornament that I’ve made, along with the directions for you to make one too, if you like!

This week, I have a little sneaker, or “tennis shoe”, for the knitters among you!

It was not very complicated and fairly quick to make with small scraps of yarn. I used holiday red but this would be cute in any color as a party favor, perhaps? I can imagine it filled with candy or a tiny stuffed animal and then set at each guest’s place for a birthday party or an after-sports event. You can find the pattern here.

It’s going to look adorable on the tree this year! 🙂

There’s a Day for Everything

Posted on July 2, 2009 by crystal

A couple of weeks ago, I was cleaning out a bureau where I store craft supplies and assorted sewing projects. One of the drawers has pattern pieces that have been cut from fabric, snippets of yarn and lace, and various items in different stages of work – most of them are nowhere near to completion. They’re leftover from the days I used to make dolls and ornaments for gift shops and fairs.

But at the bottom of the pile, I found these five pieces!

I had done the hard part long ago! It wouldn’t take much to finish the little guy. I remember that I made a bunch of them in cotton prints way back when, but this one is a fine wool in a pretty camel tan color.

Whenever my grandmother was working on something that she had put off for a long time, she’d always say, “There’s a day for everything!”

So, this was Teddy’s day. I decided to make a bow tie for him and found some dark brown gingham.

Instead of the usual buttons, I chose tiny metal snaps for the eyes – mainly because I didn’t like any of the buttons I had on hand. Up until recently, I probably would have delayed finishing the bear until I could shop for the right buttons, but I have tons of stuff already and lately I’m thinking I should at least try to use something I have!

So here he is – all done!

He needs a name. Any suggestions? 🙂

Cupcakes – Never Say Never!

Posted on June 4, 2009 by crystal

I know I said I was finished knitting cupcakes . . .

I am . . . This one is crocheted. 😉

What can I say, I saw this pattern and wanted to see if crocheting a cupcake would be easier/cuter than knitting one.

This was definitely quicker to make and I think it looks more like a cupcake than the one I knitted (found here).

This one is much smaller – more of a “mini” cupcake.

Would I make another crocheted cupcake? I think I would!

(Oh, oh! She’s going to make fake food, after all!)

I’m thinking one of these would be an adorable gift. It could be presented in a little (handmade) bakery box with a gift card that reads: “Thanks for being so sweet!!”

Make a Cute Notepad Cover

Posted on May 20, 2009 by crystal

It’s probably no surprise that I love beading and beads but lately I’m really fascinated with all of the beautiful things people are making with paper and rubber stamps and those fancy paper punches that create lacey borders and assorted cut-out shapes!

Scrapbooking is lovely but time is always short, so I look for quicker projects like greeting cards and gift tags. I enjoy “variety” when I craft. Instead of being totally devoted to one craft form and making large projects in that medium, I tend to dabble in several craft categories and then try to complete small projects in each. For example, I wouldn’t make a quilt, but I would sew a small quilted ornament. But getting back to paper crafts . . . 😉

Recently, I found a great tutorial that I thought you might like so I’m including it below. You use those inexpensive little notepads that are sold 4 in a package. Add a decorative paper cover and you have something that’s absolutlely adorable! Perfect for small gifts, party favors, or just for you!

Thank you to Angie Kennedy Juda of ChicnScratch for the this fun project!

Sweet Notebook Tutorial

purpleflowerborder

After you view Angie’s tutorial, click this photo to see the ones I made! 🙂

Food for Thought – Knit Cupcake

Posted on May 6, 2009 by crystal

Have you noticed that the world has gone crazy for cupcakes? There are cupcake stickers, cupcake note cards, rubber stamps, fabric, wall art, and even cupcake jewelry! Of course real cupcakes have always been a favorite with just about everyone, but lately they are very much the “in” thing to serve at parties of all kinds.

And, suddenly, it seems everyone is knitting cupcakes! If you told me six months ago that I would knit a cupcake, I would have asked you if that was really coffee you had there in your coffee cup! 😉 For a long time, I just didn’t “get it”. Why would anyone want to knit “pretend” food? Sweaters, potholders, placemats, even handbags – yes! But a cupcake? What would you do with it afterwards? Have a plate of inedible cupcakes on display to tease your guests? Seems a little mean!

I guess they would be cute for kids to use for teddy bear tea parties – that is if the kids are old enough to play with beaded items. But toy stores have lots of very realistic play food for reasonable prices. There’s no need to spend hours knitting cupcakes!

You’ll probably laugh when I tell you that I finally gave in, though. Was it peer pressure as in – “Everyone is making them!”? Or maybe it was more “If you can’t beat ‘em; join ‘em”. LOL I’m really not sure, but I came across a cupcake pattern (click here) offered by the fabulous Julie and decided to see what all the fuss was about.

So far so good:

Hmmm . . . knit, sewn together, and stuffed – but it doesn’t look too much like a cupcake.

Maybe if I decorate it with a “frosting” flower and add some beads for sprinkles:

Better yet – on a little china plate:

Well, there you have it. I knit a cupcake. It’s kind of cute.

Would I make another one or a whole plate of them? No, I don’t think so.

But I have decided that this one will make a pretty little pincushion! 🙂