Crochet Blanket Edging

I have been cleaning out my closet over the last couple of weeks.

Yep, it took me that long to dig through

everything that was in there

and

"declutter" it...

 And, boy did I find a lot of forgotten "stuff".

One of the things I found was this little blanket.

I had bought this to put in Miss A's room when I redid it.

I had wanted to crochet an edge around it

to dress it up a bit.

But, it was summer and for some reason I just hate to

crochet in the summer.

That is a craft I do only when the temps are cool -

fall and winter...

So, it got put back and totally forgotten.

When I found it I  decided no better time than now to finish it.

I added this sweet little scallop edging to it

and

I think it really dresses it up.

(And so does this cute little purple dude.)

It's a very simple edging that I like to add to these plain fleece blankets

to dress them up a bit.

I have done this to several we have here.

This edging is quite simple

because

I use the already existing blanket stitch around the edge

of it for my base.

You can see it better here -

I have just crocheted each stitch in the stitches of the blankets edge.

The pattern is as follows:

( Now I hope this makes sense as I do not write crochet patterns.)

Also this is a pattern I made up in my head.

I start by attaching the yarn in a stitch anywhere except a corner.

I then single crochet in each stitch all the way around the blanket.

At each corner I increased as needed to keep the piece lying flat-

with no puckers.

I do this by making two single crochets in about every third or fourth stitch.

This will be different for each  blanket.

Join the first row with a slip stitch in the first single crochet,

chain one and single crochet in same stitch.

Skip the next single crochet then do 5 double crochets in the next single crochet,

skip the next single crochet,

do a single crochet in the next single crochet.

Then repeat this pattern all the way around.

(* skip 1 sc, 5 dc in next sc, skip next sc, sc in next sc*) repeat

all the way around the blanket

slip stitch in beginning stitch and tie off leaving a short tail

to weave in.

A very simple and easy crochet pattern that makes such a difference

on one of these plain fleece blankets.

I love doing these. 

The blankets are quite inexpensive and the pattern is simple.

It took me all of two hours to do this whole blanket.

And.

what a cute gift this would make for someone

for Christmas.

What do you think?

Think you might want to make a couple of these for Christmas gifts?

You can also just buy the fleece in a 1 1/2 yard or 2 yard lengths,

then punch your own holes.

Then do a blanket stitch around it and proceed with the edging

pattern after that.

I have made several this way also.

I just use a plain old paper punch.

(Your hand will get tired)

But, when I want a certain look or pattern I have done this.

It still is quite simple and can be finished in an evening.

So, get yourself a cute little blanket and crochet a cute little edge

on it to keep you warm this winter.

And maybe this sweet little purple dude will come visit you...

Have a wonderful week

and

make something you love....

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there....

Happy Birthday, Sissy.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today is another special day at our house...

Today we wish our

sweet Sissy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY....

 

Sissy turns 17 today

and

finally ended the month long time

of sharing the same age as Mimi...

 

Mimi and Sissy  are sisters

and

are alike in some ways

but,

so much different in others.

 

 

Sissy is very quiet and introspective

with

 a very serious attitude toward life.

She pretty much knows what her goals are

and

what is going to take to achieve them.

But, as most young ladies her age

is

questioning some of her goals...

 

 

She enjoys playfulness just as much as seriousness.

 

 

Loves horseback riding

 

 

The beach

and

plays basketball and volleyball...

 

 

 

Very diligent in her studies

and

has been earning college credits

even though she is a high school junior....

 

 

Our sweet little Sissy

has

grown into

 

 

a beautiful and wonderful young lady....

 

 

We love you Sissy...

Happy Birthday....

 

 

 

Grandma Cathy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Paper Crafting

Today I want to show you a few of my gall paper crafts.

I love working with paper.

Any kind of paper from

book pages to the elaborate scrapbook papers

just speak to me.

And, I absolutely am in love with words on any

form of medium.

I think there is nothing that can take it's place.

So, I would, of course, have to have paper crafting

included

in my Fall decor.

This little vignette is full of paper crafting.

It starts with a stack of books - no covers.

And on top is a dollar store pumpkin that I decoupaged with

book pages.

Then inked it to make it look rustic.

Then I glued some faux flowers and leaves on top.

The pumpkin on the left is a book page pumpkin made from

an old paper back book that I added a stick stem

and a piece of burlap to.

The subway art is a piece of plywood

I painted with black chalkboard paint

and

then applied a rub on sticker to that I had from years ago.

All three of these items I made last year.

The owl came from Michael's this year

and I love it sitting here looking so cute.

This wreath I made several years ago.

The flowers are all cut with the Cricut from scrapbook papers.

The centers of the flowers

are large brads, buttons, ribbons, whatever I had on hand.

Faux leaves were added to the cardboard base

before the flowers were glued on.

This is a very simple project

and I love the bright colors in it.

This simple paper vignette sits on top of our bookcase.

How appropriate book page crafts

above books -

quite thought provoking don't you think....

What is your favorite go to medium for crafting with?

Do you use old paper books in any way?

Until next time

have fun creating something you love...

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there.... 

Haunted Halloween Village

I love those cute little Halloween villages that are seen in the stores. But, they can get rather expensive and I don't like spending a lot on Halloween décor.  I wanted to do an easy craft for Halloween with Miss A. She loves crafting and helping Grandma make things. She also loves painting and glitter. So I went to Dollar Tree and purchased five of their little Christmas village houses and a package of bottle brush trees.

Easy Halloween Candy Jars

Good afternoon everyone.

I'm going to share a really quick and easy project today.

Halloween Candy Jars.

I am on a kick of gluing candlesticks to everything that

stands still long enough for me to do it.

I love the fact that the candlesticks can turn an ordinary

object into something so cute and different.

These are oh so simple to make.

All you need is:

An empty jar

A miniature wooden candle cup

(found in the wood section of crafts stores)

A candle stick from Dollar Tree

(or wherever)

Black spray paint

Glass bond or glass glue

The jars I used are empty mayonnaise jars.

I spray painted the candlesticks, jar lids and

candle cups with the black spray paint.

When they were dry

I glued the candlesticks to the bottom of the jars

and the

candle cups (turned upside down)  to the tops of the lids.

Let the glue dry.

This only took a couple of hours and

I had a set of candy jars.

We filled these with some candy corn,

gummy body parts,

and

eyeball bubble gum

for a little get together we had for

Miss A's friends on Sunday.

They were a quite the hit.

( I think the candy more than the jars).

Very simple to make and can be used for all sorts of things.

I am thinking if you used different colors of paint for different holidays

you could have custom made candy jars year round

Or, they could hold marshmallows and DIY hot chocolate mix

for the winter.

There are all sorts of uses I can think of.

So, that was definitely a quick and easy project

you can do in just a couple of hours.

Have a great day

and

create something you love....

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there.... 

French Sewing Box

  

I was really excited about this project when I first started it but, it proved to be one of the most frustrating ones I've done in a long time.

Drop Cloth Pumpkins

Good morning friends...

This morning I am going to show you my drop cloth pumpkins I made.  I have seen so many kind of pumpkins, made out of so many types of mediums this fall and I am in love with all of them.  Especially the cloth ones- sweaters, velvet, old shirts, burlap, vintage handkerchiefs.... so, I decided to go to my favorite fabric and make drop cloth pumpkins.

Textures of Fall

Good morning friends.

How is your morning going?

We're having an absolutely awesome fall day

here at the beach.

It's 73, sunshiny, breezy

and

beautiful.

A perfect day to go for a walk

or

work on one of those many projects I have on hand.

I thought I would show you a couple of my

fall vignettes today.

I like to use lots of texture in my vignettes.

This one has many a varied texture in place -

the dried hydrangeas, basket, ceramic bird, metallic painted pumpkins,

beaded pumpkins, mod podge paper pumpkins

and

some potpourri.

 I left the hydrangeas on the bushes to dry most of the way.

To do that you basically just leave them on until they are turning brown

and

almost crunchy to the touch.

I then brought them in and placed them in the ironstone pitcher

with the stems covered about 2 inches with water.

I let the water evaporate over time

and

this dried the hydrangeas beautifully.

Now, mine are blue and brown

but,

that is exactly what I wanted as our décor is basically

neutrals with blues and browns.

They fit in beautifully

and

I love them this way....

The basket is filled with pumpkins, pumpkins and some

more pumpkins

and then a little potpourri with mini pumpkins.

The large pumpkin is a dollar tree pumpkin that is

mod podged with paper pages and then faux flowers and leaves

glued to the top.

You can read more about that here.

There are two small pumpkins that I painted with metallic paints

and

a beaded pumpkin that I have had for years.

The blue bird is one of my favorite things

and

shows up all over the house

but,

mostly in places where I can see her all day.

She just simply brings a smile  when I look at her.

This is another little vignette that is full of texture.

The flowers are faux with weeds/grasses and leaves.

I simply wrapped some burlap around the vase and tied it with twine.

Then I just stuck a little leaf in under the twine.

The pumpkin here is made from a paper back book.

These are simple to make.

I made this one last year - they are quite simple to do.

I did not write the directions on how to do this but,

if you want them just let me know and I can write up a quick

tutorial on them.

I glued a stick in the center as a stem

and

tied a bit of burlap around it.

Isn't that owl the cutest thing ever....

I got him at Michael's last week.

 He is made of all kinds of twigs, twine and naturals.

Just couldn't pass this cute little guy up

and

he really adds to this little vignette.

To me, fall is all about texture  -

and color.

It is the most vibrant season we have

and

mixing the cozy snugly textures with all the naturals

that can be found

is always a winner in my book.

Do you use lots of texture and mix up the colors of fall

with your normal décor.

Or do you use more neutral colors and less texture?

Either is right...

there are no rules....

It's simply what speaks to you and what you love....

Until next time have a great day

and

go out there and create something you love....

I love comments, it simply makes my day when

I hear from you.

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Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there....