crocheting | Bead Happily Ever After

Potholders Anonymous

Posted on April 8, 2014 by crystal

Hello.
My name is Crystal and I can’t stop making potholders!

In my last post, I mentioned that I couldn’t find quality-made potholders in the stores, so I decided to make my own.

Who knew they’re as addictive as potato chips??? (I sure didn’t!) 😉

It all started out innocently enough . . .

I finished the one you saw “in progress” last time.

And then I made another.

Next, I found a pattern for a nice thick one (with a pretty ridged design), and decided to give it a go.

And before I knew it, I was beginning another – with a rainbow color scheme!

Since then, I’ve bought enough cotton yarn to make several more. They’re so fast and easy – great to work on while watching TV – but I have a question…

Just how many potholders does one kitchen need?

I may have to set some aside as Christmas gifts.

Christmas gifts finished in April?

Now, that will be a first!

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! 😀

Anything But Grey

Posted on February 10, 2014 by crystal

Here in New England, our frosty winter days are usually accompanied by clear blue skies and lots of bright sunshine.

This year, however, has been remarkably cloudy – not rainy, just CLOUDY!
And the combination of grey skies and short winter days gets old pretty quickly.

What to do? Well, I like to grab some colorful yarn and ignore the bleak weather.

Here’s my idea of an afternoon break.

I’ve just begun this blanket. Generally, I wait until I’m finished making all the squares (or other motifs) before sewing them together. This time though, I’m joining them as I go – which means the blanket will already be in one piece by the time I make the last square! 😀

Have you had a cloudy 2014, so far?

What do you like to do on a dreary day? C’mon, please tell us!

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! 😀

A Little Magic with Yarn

Posted on September 20, 2013 by crystal

Ladies and Gentlemen!
You’ve heard of the Amazing Kreskin?

Well, prepare to be entertained by the Not-Quite-As-Amazing Crystal!

For my first trick . . .

I will begin with a crocheted yarn ring!

Next, I make 5 more, overlap them, weave a strip through the centers to hold them in place, and then crochet around the outer edges in contrasting colors.
(You’ll notice I have nothing up my sleeve!! 😉 )

And now, I wave my magic crochet hook and Presto! Change-o!
A vintage-style trivet/hot pad!!!

Pretty cool. Don’t you agree? 🙂
I think it looks like a Celtic knot, or maybe a brain teaser puzzle?!?

I used left-over yarn for this. It was a delight to make – very easy and very fast! I must get some yarn in my kitchen colors and make a couple more.

The pattern can be found by clicking here.

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! 😀

Snowflake Smiles

Posted on March 13, 2013 by crystal

My daughters seem to have an innate talent for finding gifts I love.
This Christmas, my youngest gave me a wonderful pattern book!

And to go with it – some delicious cotton yarn (Patons “Grace”).

The book is chock full of amazing snowflake designs. I could hardly wait to get started . . .

Believe it or not, I was actually making these during a snowstorm!

Before long, I had a little pile but, as many of you know, crocheted items often come out a little wonky (wrinkly) at first and need to be blocked into shape.

In addition to shaping them, I wanted the snowflakes to be stiff enough to hang on the Christmas tree next year. As soon as I gathered a few supplies, I was ready to begin work on that part of the process.

After painting them with a thin coat of the Mod Podge, I gently pulled them into shape, and then pinned them in place to dry.

I had planned to paint the second side (after the first side was totally dry) but eventually changed my mind. They seemed firm enough with just one coat.

All finished!

Looking at them makes me smile – they were so much fun to make.

Here in New England, it’s beginning to look like Spring, so I’m thinking that Mother Nature and I may be finished with snowflakes for a while . . .

But, I’ll be sure to make another little “blizzard” of them in time for next Christmas.

Hugs,

I’d love to hear what’s up with you!

Click the envelope to leave a comment! 😀

Ever Seen a UFO?

Posted on September 3, 2012 by crystal

Welcome to week 2 of Make somethin’ Monday.

I have to start by thanking you for your sweet comments last week!” 😀

It was wonderful to read each and every one of them. Your enthusiasm has sent me merrily searching through my supplies and project ideas to plan the next few weeks of items to show you . . .

Ever Seen a UFO?

No, not that kind! 😉

Many of you know that “UFO” is an abbreviation used by crafters to refer to projects started with great gusto and good intentions but, somewhere along the way, relegated to the back burner. I must confess I have several UFOs – UnFinished Objects.

So, in addition to the new things I’ll be making, I may sometimes pick up one of my UFOs to work on and feature on Make somethin’ Monday.

For example, a while back (Yikes, it was in 2010!), I began making this crocheted pillow. I talked about it in a blog post, and mentioned that it would eventually be round!

Fast forward to this week… I picked it up again and now I’m well on the way to finishing it.

With a just little more sewing, I can slip it over the pillow form, it will be complete.

I may add a decorative button to the center, or a maybe a flower (either fabric or crocheted).

Or should I just leave the center plain?

Hugs,