Saturday, September 12, 2015

Heirloom Doily

A friend recently gave me these small motifs that her grandmother had made years ago asking for advise on how to turn them into a doily.  We laid them out different ways and she took pictures for reference.  She had never crocheted with thread before and she tried to join them together but she said she wasn't comfortable crocheting with thread and asked me if I would join them together for her.  So I laid them out and looked at them a while and asked her if she minded if I added a round to the one that was a bit smaller than the others and if I could make 3 more of the tiny ones to fill in at the corners.  She said she didn't care so I used Aunt Lydia's Antique White to do the crochet work since it matched up with the older motifs better.  I can't tell now which ones I added to and which ones are original!!  The color matched up so well!!  I
 
 
So I cheated a bit and tied the motifs together weaving in the ends to secure them tightly.  Then I took the red she had given me and went around the outside edge of them all joining them together.  The first border I tried had too many stitches in it to lay flat so that one got ripped out....then I came up with the shells and picots border which ended up tying them in nicely with the designs in the motifs. 


 
And here is the finished product!!  It is much prettier than the photo makes it look it's a little dull in this picture the lighting was bad but I think over all it turned out really nice.  Can't wait for her to see it in person!!  She loved the picture I sent her.  

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Maryland State Fair Results

 
Made the trip back to the state fair today to pick up my entries. Extremely happy with the results.....
 
 
Pillow....

 
Lighted Stacked Pumpkins...
 
 

 
Stocking....

 
Rug...

 
Wall Hanging....

 
Small Doily.....


 
Lampshade....

 
Large Doily.....

 
Purse....

 
Necklace.....

 
Table Runner.....


Scarf.....
 

 
Unattached Edging.....

 
Christmas Ornament......

 
Shawl....
 
 
Framed Motif.
Out of 18 entries 16 got prizes.  All of the entries were my own original designs, too.  Now on to Frederick..... :) 

Monday, August 31, 2015

Lighted Ornament Garland

 
Annie's Publishing recently put out their 2015 Christmas special issue of many types of crafts for the holidays. It's a nice issue with full size pattern pieces inside on pull out sheets.  It covers a variety of crafts for many skill levels. 
 
 
I was fortunate enough for them to include one of my designs. 

 
It is a lighted ornament garland.  The ornaments are worked in 2 halves with one half having a large enough opening to slip over a bulb on a Christmas light string.   The halves are stiffened and then glued together with fabric glue.  They can also be used individually as single ornaments with a decorative ribbon tied around the joining and tied together at the ends of the ribbon to hang.  They look beautiful hanging under the mantle as in this photo or laying on top of a pine garland.  You can get your copy of the issue at https://www.anniescatalog.com/detail.html?prod_id=125824&cat_id=25.  The book is available in print or download form.  There are many great ideas for the holidays!! 

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Friday, July 31, 2015

Bunny Love


 I had made the sitting down bunny and carrot a few months ago and was making another one for a gift when it hit me to make one standing up.

Two bunnies are better than one!!
 

 
Every bunny needs some bunny love :) 
 
 

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Country Gardens Pillow

 
The last few days the Knit and Crochet convention was held in San Diego, CA.  The last several years I have entered the design contest and this year I sent in 3 items.  I was very happy to say the least when I saw the winners list and my pillow got 1st place in the Home Décor category!!! It did very well at the Maryland State Fair last fall and also the Great Frederick Fair as well.
 
 
This is the front side.....

 
......and this is the back.
 
 
I found this photo of my pillow on the internet laying on a table at the show.  I can't seem to find it again I'm glad I saved it when I did!! Wow such beautiful designs!!!  Hoping some day one of the conventions is close enough to home to be able to attend. 
 
 
Thank you to the Crochet Guild of America and all the judges and sponsors.  It is greatly appreciated!!  

Monday, July 6, 2015

Lighted Christmas Tree Wall Hanging

It's  been very hot and humid lately so it makes one think of Christmas in July!!
 
 
Here's something to bring in a breath of cooler air.....
a Christmas tree wall hanging!! 

 
This design has battery operated light strings woven thru it. It is a filet crochet piece worked in Aunt Lydia's size 10 crochet cotton over a double crochet piece worked in Red Heart Super Saver. The one light string on a silver wire is woven thru the two pieces to hold them together and put the lights in the tree area.  The second one is teeny lights on a green cord and the little bulbs push thru the back.  The front is sewn to the backing with sewing thread and the green cord from the light string where the tiny bulbs are pushed thru the snowflake areas are sewn over with sewing thread to hold the lights in place to keep them from pushing back thru.  It hangs on a curtain rod with a crocheted hanger with tassels on the ends.  The battery packs are held in place in a pocket on the back of the piece.  If you are interested in this pattern it is available in my Etsy, Craftsy and Ravelry stores.  Check it out under the links above.  Keep cool!!