Magic Circle Crochet Loop

Good Morning!

I am a self taught crocheter.  I decided after we brought my son home that I wanted to learn.  So I bought an illustrated book, a hook, and some yarn and tackled the instructions.  I discovered that it was fairly simple and really enjoy making crocheted items.  Over the years I have learned many new stitches and little tricks to make my finished items either easier to make or look better in the end.

With that said, somehow I never learned the secret of the magic circle crochet loop.  But, today, I can share it with all of you.  Follow the link to a video that shows how to do it.  There is no sound so don't be worried when you start it.  So without further ado and for your viewing pleasure - Enjoy!

Magic Circle Crochet Loop Video  Thank you Vimeo!

Short and sweet today.  But have a great one and see ya soon!

2x4 Wood Bees

Good afternoon!

I have been enjoying my hubby being home this week.  He's been diligently working on our new laundry room!  It is coming along quite nicely I have to say. The floor should be done today and then we have to have the plumber and electrician come to help get the washer and dryer hook ups done.  It's going to be great to have this completed!!!  I've taken pictures as he's done each step so I'll post everything once it's done.

Today I want to show you a cute 2x4 craft.  I originally made these for Cristian's kindergarten class, since they are the Belmont Bees.  His teacher gave them to the kids at the end of the year as part of their graduation.  There are boy and girl bees - can you tell which is which?

They are very easy to make.  One 12 foot long 2x4 makes 24 bees.  Each bee is 6 inches high.  Once you get the 2x4 cut, be sure to sand the edges and corners until they are smooth.  Then paint it yellow.  I used self stick felt strips for the bottom (but you could probably use chenille stems as well).  I printed the faces and after laminating them glued them to the front.  The chenille stem antennae is inserted in a drilled hole in the top with a black pony bead to give it a more finished look.  The girls got a bow and the boys didn't!  The wings are simply round pieces of black tulle gathered in the center and held in place with a piece of a chenille stem. They are hot glued to the back.  All done!

Hope this has inspired you to make your own little hive of bees - LOL!  

Have a super Sunday - see ya soon.

Adorable Anthro Knock-off Bag

Good Morning and Happy Monday!

I hope your weekend was great.  Mine seemed to go by very quickly - probably because we went to dinner with our friends without the children. You know that no kid time always goes by way too fast!!!  But, we had a nice dinner at San Jose along with adult beverages - margaritas, to be exact - wonderful!

Anyway, I've always really liked purses and shoes.  Sadly, the ones I usually like are on the expensive side.  So I'm always happy to find a bargain.  What a better bargain than one you can make yourself?  I'm definitely putting this project on my ever growing to do list!  In fact, I have a fairly new sewing machine and a super nice sewing table just waiting to be used (my Hubby got it for me several years ago and since I never really learned to sew that well - it sort of just collects things on top for now.  My intent had been to learn how to machine quilt - but that's another story altogether!).  So as soon as I figure out the sewing machine I'll get to work on this - check it out:

Anthro Knock-off Bag with Printable Pattern at thelittleappleseed.blogspot

Even though I really like this bag - I certainly wouldn't pay $498 for it - would you? But I'm certainly keeping the pattern so I can make one for myself and now you can too!

Have a terrific rest of your day and we'll chat soon!

Dip-Dyed Baskets

Happy Tuesday!

Today is the first day of EOGs for Cristian and he is a nervous wreck.  He did pretty well on the 'mock' EOG a few weeks ago so I know he'll do great!  But none the less he is a little scared.  I have to say his teacher is doing everything possible to encourage the class.  She asked for donations from parents for the kiddos snacks this week as well as cards of encouragement that she can give them each day.  I loved that idea!  I made each child in the class a 'lucky' penny with a little poem that my hubby and I came up with.  His teacher seemed very pleased with them!  Sadly, I didn't take a picture of them before I sent them in to her so I can't show them to you.  I promise that if I make more in the future I will take a picture!!

Anyway, today's find is thanks to Martha Stewart!  I've seen these baskets and like them very much.  Now you and I can make our own!  Go here for the tutorial on her site: Dip-Dyed Baskets

Have fun making your own dip dyed baskets!  Short post today since my hubby has the day off and we're making our new mailbox - the one from Lowe's Home Improvement.   I'll show you tomorrow the finished project (if we get it done today)!

Hope your Tuesday is terrific.  See ya soon.

Stacked Succulent Planter

Hello.  Did everyone have a good weekend?  I know that we certainly did.  It went really fast though - but don't they all!

I came across this planter and I think it is lovely.  It is very simple and elegant.  And it appears very easy to make.  I've always loved this type of plant and this planter is the ticket!  If you want to make one for yourself the tutorial is here:  Stacked Succulent Planter 

I'll be back tomorrow with some cute pictures of our new 'babies' and the awesome red velvet cheesecake cake that I made for my friend Michele on Friday.  I still can't believe how good it was!

Have a wonderful Sunday evening and I'll see ya soon!

CUTE Balloon Wreath

Good afternoon!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!  Ours was very nice.

Last week I was looking for ideas to make a spring wreath for my front porch.  In the process of searching, I came across this balloon wreath.  Isn't it cute?  You can check it out here:  Birthday Balloon Wreath  at landeeseelandeedo.blogspot.com

I had seen this before but the colors had been mixed up instead of done in sections.  I'm not sure which way I like it better, but either way it's a unique wreath and totally different from anything than you can buy at the store!  I'm even thinking why would it have to be just for birthdays - why not make one for spring (pastels) or winter (blue and white) or Valentines Day (red, pink and white) or St. Patrick's Day (green and gold) - the possibilities are endless, really.

So, maybe this will be the spring wreath for my porch after all!  Well folks, that's all for today.  Enjoy the rest of your Monday and we'll chat soon.

Bunny Ear Napkins, Chocolate Eggs, Basket Favors and More - Oh My!!

Good Morning!  I'm sorry to have been AWOL the last couple of days - spring break sorta took over.  But, I promise that today's post will make up for my absence.  It's filled with the last of my finds for making your Easter lovely.

Aren't these napkins the cutest things you've ever seen?  Wouldn't they really shine on your Easter dinner table?  Want them on your table - here's the link to the instructions: Bunny Fold for Napkins  Thanks Martha Stewart!

Next, we have sweet Easter Basket favors for your table.  Cute and easy - here's the link:  Easter Basket Favors  Thanks again, Martha!

In my opinion, these look delicious!  Wouldn't your family or friends be surprised to crack an egg and find it filled with chocolate?  My hubby would be in his glory for sure!  Want to make them?  Here you go - Chocolate Filled Eggs  And yes, again we need to thank Martha!



FUN!



These confetti eggs are really cool.  Make a wish and crack an egg on someone's head - sounds like a quirky tradition to me - but I like it!  Cristian would love to crush confetti eggs on our heads!  How about the kids in your family?  They might be a cool addition to your egg hunt...sneak a few in and the lucky ones who find them get to make a wish then crush it! Hmmmm - might have to do that next year! And finally thanks again to Martha Stewart for sharing an unusual tradition with us.  Want to make them part of your Easter festivities?  Go here for instructions: Confetti Eggs

And last but not least, this snuggly crocheted Yo-Yo Bunny!  I've made these in the past and it is super easy and very cute when done.  I've always used pastel colors since that reminds me Easter and bunnies and springtime.  It may be too late for one in your kiddos basket this year, but you'll have plenty of time to get one done for next year!  Absolutely love the thought of something handmade for them to cherish - don't you?  Interested?  Go to Free-Crochet.com, sign up and download the free pattern.  I believe it's listed under Seasonal in Spring & Summer Crochet Patterns. 

Well, that's it for today.  Have a wonderful Easter Holiday and I'll see you soon.

Beaded Eggs

Hey there! 

These beaded eggs would be cute in a basket (without the hanger, of course) or hanging from a branch of an Easter Egg Tree.  Either way, I just love the look.  Want to make your own?  Here's the link and yes, we have Martha Stewart to thank, again - lol!  Bead Kit - Martha Stewart Crafts   I'm not a big fan of blown eggs, so plastic ones would be the ticket - definitely more durable.

I'm happy to have found several different ways to decorate eggs this year versus the regular dye kits at the stores.  It really makes them unique and one of a kind - don't you think?

Tomorrow we are going to pick strawberries - can't wait for strawberry pie and jam!  Stay tuned for more Easter stuff coming up.  Have a great Wednesday - see you soon!

Elegant Easter Eggs

Happy Tuesday!

Aren't these eggs gorgeous?  Want to know how to make them?  Go here to find out how:  Elegant Eggs - Martha Stewart Holidays 

Thanks to Martha Stewart!  The above link will take you to step by step instructions formatted for printing. 

This tutorial is basically the same as the fabric one I posted earlier but I wanted you to see that you can also use other materials to get the same effect.  Also, I would use plastic eggs so they would keep for the following year instead of the blown eggs - but it's certainly your choice. 

That's it for today - have a terrific day - stay tuned for more Easter stuff!!

Fabric Easter Basket

Good Monday morning to one and all.  This week is Spring Break so Cristian is home.  I think we're going to go pick strawberries one day this week - yummy!!!  He can't wait and neither can I - Love strawberries!

Anyway, today's post is another with an Easter theme.  I think that the basket pictured above is lovely and it appears very easy to make.  Maybe I'll make it in a solid color and then use it to display my fabric covered eggs....hmmm, I may have to get busy - lol!

Here's the link for the step by step picture tutorial: Fabric Easter Basket

It appeared on the modabakeshop.com site and the tutorial was done by Vanessa Christenson at V and Co. Thanks to them for this great tutorial!

Well, have a wonderful Monday.  Oh yeah, almost forgot - watch for more Easter themed tutorials this week!

Fabric Covered Easter Eggs - Tutorial

Good Morning.  I'm going to make this quick today since I'm going shopping at one of my favorite stores - Michael's!

I came across this tutorial by Vanessa Christenson and knew that I had to share it with you since Easter is right around the corner.  Aren't they sweet?  I display ceramic eggs in a basket but wanted a new look for another basket I want to put together.  These totally fit the bill!

You can find the tutorial here:  Fabric Covered Eggs

Or if eggs aren't your thing then check out the whole list of tutorials at Vanessa's blog here:  V and Co Tutorials   She offers many for free and some are available as PDF files in her store.  Go check it out!

Well, I'm off to shop 'til I drop for more crafting supplies - Yippee!!!  Have a terrific Saturday and watch for my next post for making your own Easter Basket!

Easter Bunny Bottle - CUTE!

Good morning fellow bloggers! 

Just in time for Easter, yesterday I stumbled upon this website and loved this idea!  It is the cutest thing ever and I think it would be very easy to make as well.  Maybe as something to put in your child's Easter Basket or as a treat for their classmates - whichever way you decide to use them, I just think they are adorable!

So go here:  Easter Bunny Bottle Tutorial   This link will take you to the instructions at HappyClippings.com and includes not only a step by step pictorial but also free printables you need to complete the project!  Awesome!

Well, off to work on more washer jewelry pieces!  Have a fantastic day!

Crochet Tear Drop Earring

Well, it's Monday, again.  Hope everyone's weekend was great!  Today is a teacher workday so no school today.  Cristian and I are just relaxing!

Today's post is a link from my favorite crochet blog -  Art of Crochet by Teresa .   I just love the look of these drop earrings, don't you?  I'm thinking of giving them a try.  The link to her blog gives you not only hand written instructions, but also video instruction (via YouTube) to follow.  Awesome!

Glass beads come in so many different colors that the sky is the limit with this project.  I'm not a huge fan of white crochet thread but it works with the beads she has chosen.  I would probably use a color of thread that coordinates with what the bead colors I decide to use.  Of course, there is no right or wrong to this project - whatever you fancy is the perfect choice!

So, if you're feeling crafty today and want a pretty pair of earrings when you're done,  go check out the tutorial.  I'm definitely putting this on my to do list!

Hope the rest of your Monday is fantastic!  See you soon.

Crochet Crocodile Scale Stitch Tutorial

Good Afternoon all! Just a short post today. A crochet tutorial from Art of Crochet by Teresa again. I hope you've had a chance to check out her blog - isn't she terrific?

I think that is the coolest looking stitch ever!  I can't wait to give it a try - what about you?

Happy crocheting!  See you next time.