Crochet Christmas Ornaments

Hello all!  I am just popping in mid week to share some crocheted ornaments I have been working on.  They are for office gifts.  I think my favorite is the Christmas tree.  If you are looking for the pattern, you can find it here. 

I punched out some little tags to sign and put the date, and of course added a little bling.

Sorry it's fuzzy, red is so hard to photograph, especially in the evening! 

I did mix up some stiffener and blocked them, and I added some glitter to the mixture, so they do glitter a little bit although it's hard to see here. 

I hope to get a few more done this week.  Shopping is about done!  So it is time to sit back and do some fun Christmas crocheting!

Bye for now!

Dawn

Snowflakes and Pom Poms!

This is fun crochet for me.  I have been working on all kinds of things this week.  One of which is the snowflake garland.  The other is a garland I put together wish some bright colored snowflakes and glitter pom poms.  I put them over the bed, and kinda like it there. 

The red snowflake garland couldn't be any more easier or faster. 

I love making the granny Christmas Trees!!!  I have some being blocked as we speak that I want to add some bling to.  They would be cute on their own or as a garland.

Whatcha think???  I am loving it...could you not curl up here and take a cozy little nap!!!!

I have also been working on these little wine cork Christmas trees.  Saw the idea on pinterest and had to give it a shot.  Only thing, my wine corks are not real cork!!  :(  So I am on the lookout for the real thing.  I am quite happy with them.  

I even added some bling to some of them to see how they looked.  Rather "Dr. Seuss-Like" if you ask me. 

I also made a Dollar Tree Snow Globe for one of my friends.  Isn't he cute!  I used a small shaker I got from the Dollar Tree, the rest of the supplies I already had.  I love the Dollar Tree!  I was actually looking for a covered candy dish and having no luck, but I found this little salt shaker instead.  It worked perfectly! 

The wreath is now on the door and decorations are out.  This year I kept it fairly calm compared to what I usually do.  Being gone on Thanksgiving put me behind.  I made this little owl sled for the kitchen.  I actually found the small owls at Walgreens!    I snatched them up fast, got the last two.   If y'all know me, you know how much I like owls.  It just would just not be Christmas without having my little owlies about the house!

 (and, yes, I made the little pine needle basket, too!)

 

So after the grocery store, cooking supper, and doing laundry I sat down to a little hooky time in front of the high def fire place.  I have been curious about this.  It is on one of the on demand channels, and pops and cracks just like a real fire, and plays Christmas music, too.  I so miss having a fire place, words cannot describe.  I was surprised to find myself enjoying it and also found it very relaxing, too.

I want everyone to have a great week.  Those last minute projects still have to be done, so we all need some good crafting mojo!!! I took this little picture of me and Phoebe this morning.  She looks sleepy, and she was so snuggly I couldn't stand it!

Peace

Finally!!!

Happily I share the pictures of my latest blanket.  I have had to keep it top secret until it was given to its new home.  And boy, has that been hard!!!  It's not that I can keep a secret, but I was about to bust to get it to its new home!

Do you like the little bug on it??? 

I really enjoy making granny blankets like this.  I love the join as you go method!  And I like the bands of granny squares sandwiched between rows of granny stitches.  And this time I tried something new.  A final row of solid colored two-rounders border the blanket.  I love them, although there was a lot of ends to weave in, the final effect is so worth it!! 

I also learned a couple things making this blanket, which is always pretty cool.  First lesson learned, Resolve Carpet Cleaner will remove red dye that bleeds onto white!!  Oh, yeah!!  I was freaking!  When I went to block it, the red yarn bled a little.  I wasn't sure what to do, and my husband said try some resolve!!  Thank God it worked!

I also picked up a few tips on the little squares border.  It could be worked a couple of ways.  In strips or attach them as you go.  I attached them as I went around the blanket, which I think I prefer. 

All in all, I am ecstatic with how it turned out, and when I gave it to my girlfriend I believe she was, because she immediately teared up! 

After Christmas I think I am going to make a granny blanket for my bed.  I'm planning it in my head now.  It will definitely have red in it, too!

It just makes me smile!

Finally I got the tree up.  I am keeping it simple this year.  It's pretty.  All vintage!

And I found the tinsel icicles at Target.  Yay.  I had a small box of ornaments that come from Brad's Grandma's house.  You can tell they are old and have been used year after year.  So this year, I decided that's what I wanted to do.  And I love it!

Check it out!  Isn't he cute?  I think it is paper mache or stiffened fabric.  I have a couple more made like this I will share next week.

 And who doesn't remember these!

I have a few more ornaments left over, so I may do something with them if time allows.  I used my old quilt top for the skirt.  One made by my grandmother's aunt, so it is seriously old.  It makes me happy to be able to use it! 

I'm off for now.  Have a busy day ahead and a full week.  Plus, I haven't bought any presents yet!  Oh my!!

Funky Crocheted Snowflakes!

 

I have been wanting to do some Christmas crochet for a couple of weeks now.  Last night I finally got the mojo going and came up with these little snowflakes.  

I am thinking of adding some beads and tassels, and hangers.  I was also toying with the idea of a garland.  Right now I am not sure. 

They are all in acrylic yarn and I am using a size E hook. Pretty simple actually, all you have to do is crochet two snowflakes and sandwich them together and crochet an edging around them.  I am still experimenting with different shapes and colors.  Of course, they can be done in white...but I love the color!

Any granny square or flower pattern will work.  I am going to do some square grannies and see how they come out.  I like them because they are bright and kind of funky!

Things have been busy here.  Thanksgiving last week, and a hectic week at work.  I have managed to get a scarf done and another "secret" project (which I am dying to show everyone!!)  

Phoebe enjoyed the beach (her first time ever).  She had a blast, even in the cold!

Here she is on the beach.  Her cuteness was blinding!!! 

Granny Blanket Is Done!

It's done!  And I couldn't be more pleased!  (Note the appliquéd owl in the bottom corner)  Yes, ends are woven in, tassels attached and I blocked the entire blanket.  It took most of the week for it to completely dry out.  I am glad I blocked it because it really lays so pretty now.  I think it looks like a piece of folk art.

Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here goes!

I  love it with my ottoman!

Oh, I also had to do some "owl therapy" this week.  That little pillow is the outcome.  I have a  deep pile of upholstery samples in the basement that have been screaming at me to be used.  So I put some to good use.

Isn't he cute???  I do have more planned.

I almost got her, LOL!  There is too much distraction for Phoebe to sit still, although she loves being in the picture.  

But I got her here!  For those interested, this blanket is done in all acrylic yarn.  I joined my squares as I  worked the blanket.  I have really become a fan of crocheting my grannies in this manner.  It looks so neat and clean when you are finished.  Of course, you can see my black contrasting color throughout.  There are large tassels at each corner, each a different color. 

I have a lot of lavender and blues in the blanket and bright red.  I really can't tell how many colors I used!  As usual, I really never have a plan, I add colors as I am working. 

For anyone wishing to try one out, if you look at the picture I have of the blanket laid on the floor you can see the entire pattern.  Of course, if anyone wants to email me with questions, I am happy to answer.

Now the question is, "what next?"  I can't decide.  I kind of want to start another blanket but I have also found a little doll pattern I want to try.  Before I begin anything I think I will devote the rest of the weekend to getting the house cleaned and laundry done.    

Happy crocheting everyone!

Dawn

Luvs Me Some Asheville!!!

 View from the front porch....

looking out....

and looking up...

Last weekend I joined our "Cheese Biscuits" to go to SAFF in Asheville.  And the fall color, well just see for yourself!  I didn't want to leave!

I could kick myself for not taking more pictures, but I was so busy having fun with the girls, well...I didn't have time.  LOL

We we all walking together in Asheville, looking for a Starbucks, and I was lagging at the end of the line taking pictures of this church.  I loved the round tower and the bricks.

This is Suz, she is so freakin cool!  Once a year is not enough to see this girl!

Suz and Annie.  You might ask what is she pointing at?  Well it's the Boston St. street sign (since they are both from Boston)...but me being such a dweeb, cut off the sign!  Thank you Annie for all the hard work you did in getting our cabin and driving us up!

A Falcon, what a beautiful bird!!!

Some yarn porn I bought at one of the local shops!!

A "knitting virgin" buying her first set of knitting needles!

Suz will probably want to choke me for posting this picture, but this hat looks so cute on here I cant help it!

So, now I am back home.  I totally missed the mountains this week.  It was so hard to go back to work on Monday!!  But I got back into the swing of things.

My granny afghan is being blocked as I speak, and I am jonesing for it to dry out and get pictures posted!  It is going to be hard to give up.  :(  But...I am already thinking of my next blanket!

Oh, this week I scored at my weekly thrift store run.  I scored this little outfit at the GW Boutique (Goodwill Store)!!

I spent a whole $8 (boots not included).  I am still not sure I am a "tuck in the boots" kinda girl though.  There must be some secret hint to keeping the jeans from bunching up at the knees, if anyone out there knows it, Please Share!

Now I am off to spend the rest of the day being a couch vegetable!  LOL

Peace!

Dawn

Dollar Tree + Spray Paint + Hot Glue =

Pure Halloween crafting fun!

My pinterest addiction has paid off.  I saw this cute "Spooky Village" while looking around on pinterest.  I thought it was pure genius!!!!  

Yes, they are little Christmas village pieces you can by at the Dollar Tree for $1!!  Needless to say...I hit it and brought three little houses home to experiment with.

Aren't they adorable!  And yes, they even light up!  It was so easy.  I spray painted the little houses black, then dry brushed some acrylic gray over them.  Can it get any simpler??

Only thing, I don't have room to display an entire village, so I had to get creative.  So I found that the Dollar Tree also sells this moss too.  

Then I searched the house looking for something to "plant" them in.

A little orange spray paint on this vase I had under the kitchen sink was perfect.  I added some sticks from the front yard and some little berries off of a silk leave bush. 

I had this little moss planter out on the back porch...perfect!!!  Just another reason to never throw anything out, LOL!

I am keeping my eyes peeled for some little orange berries.  I was wanting them to look like pumpkins.  In the meantime, I am happy with them.

I really like this one.  I spray painted the moss black, just to see if I liked it.  I do!  Now I am looking for some kind of container to put it in.

Over the last ten years I have used this poor pumpkin out on the porch.  Once again, NEVER throw anything out.  I really didn't like it...until....

I gave him a little make over.  Black paint around his eyes, nose and mouth got it all started.  Then I stained the entire pumpkin with some black wash.  
I bought a package of birthday hats at the Dollar Tree for $1 and spray painted one of them.  (I have some left for later!).  Added a little ribbon I had on hand and some tissue paper, then I put him on a black pillar candlestick.  

And now...I love him!  

I thought I would share this with everyone since I am still working on my granny square blanket and don't have any new pictures of it.  I am making progress and I guess in another week it should be done!

I'm off of here for now, I think I need to go spray paint something!

Bye!