10 St. Patrick's Day Garland

I love Crocheting Garlands. For St. Patrick's Day, I crocheted my Garland from a pattern I found on Crochet-Mania and modified it by Crocheting two Medium Shamrocks using two stands of yarn held together and crocheting the stems right on the Shamrock.

Materials:

• Size H Crochet Hook
• Size J Crochet Hook
• Worsted Weight Yarn in two Shades of Green

Instructions:

Small Shamrock:

1. Start with the small Crochet Hook and a Magic Ring or Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to 1st chain to form a loop.
2. * Chain 3. Make 3 Triple Crochet, Chain 3, slip stitch into Loop **.
3. Repeat from * to ** 2 more times to make 3 leaves.
4. For Stem; Chain 5, slip stitch in 2nd chain from hook and into next 3 chains. Slip stitch into center of ring. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Medium Shamrock:

1. With Larger Hook, Crochet Medium Shamrock using two strands of yarn (one of each color) held together.

Garland:

1. With large crochet hook and 2 strands of yarns held together, Chain 8. Slip stitch in first chain to make first hanging loop.
2. * Chain 12. Make a single crochet on top of the Middle Leaf of the Shamrock. Continue from * across to attach all the Shamrocks. For my Garland, I alternated between light and dark green with the two-tone Shamrocks in between.
3. For the second hanging loop; Chain 20. Slip stitch into the 8th chain.
4. Fasten Off. Weave in ends.

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

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10 Christmas Subway Canvas Art

I recently joined The Creative Exchange - Handmade Gift Swap; where a swap partner is assigned and
hand-made gifts are exchanged.

My swap partner is Brooke Arceneaux from Covered in Grace. Brooke and I exchanged our Blog and other Social Media information. To find what Brooke would like to receive, I visited her Pinterest boards.

I found my project's inspiration from Brooke's "Quotey Thingies" board. This board is filled with inspirational quotes and Subway Art. After browsing this board, I decided to create a Christmas Subway Art Canvas, to carry on the Christmas in July theme.

The Hosts are:
The Grant LifeCovered in Mod PodgeCovered in Grace

Materials:

• 12" x 12" canvas

• Acrylic Paint. I used Social Art Working in Burnt Umber; a specially formulated acrylic paint for Canvas Art, purchased at Joann's Fabrics
• 2 Foam Brushes
• Mod Podge
• 12" x 12" Scrapbook Paper
• Paper trimmers or scissors

Directions:

1. Paint the Canvas including the sides and all around the edges. Let dry 20-30 minutes.

2. Trim the scrapbook paper a bit smaller than the canvas; about 1/8" on all sides.
3. Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the back side of the scrapbook paper and onto the canvas.

4. Apply scrapbook paper to the canvas. Smooth any bubbles with the brush or a credit card.

5. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge over the top and edges of the canvas. Let it dry 5-10 minutes.
6. On a flat surface, place canvas facing down on a piece of wax paper and smooth any bubbles from the back side.

7. Wait at least 25 minutes to dry before displaying your masterpiece.

My canvas is ready for mailing. I thought I send Brooke a sheet of Stickers and 2 magnets she can personalized to her liking.

And here is my wrapped handmade gift. I can't wait to find out how Brooke liked her gift. I enjoyed participating in this Swap and looking forward to others in the future.

Merry Christmas in July!!!

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Today's Creative Blog

43 Washi-Tape Contest

I am super excited to participate in this Month's Pinspired and Rewired Blog Series contest. This month's Theme is my latest craft passion; Washi Tape.

For this contest, the project must be inspired by a Washi Tape project found in Pinterest. The Linky Party Contest will be held from May 18 -23.




The Hosts are:
Southern Lovely, Family Ever After, Ginger Snap Crafts, and The Gunny Sack.
My project inspiration came from a Washi Tape Tile Coaster project I pinned from DesignsDreamsJapan.com

Source: designdreamsjapan.com via Maria on Pinterest

I modified the project by creating sweet Cupcake and Ice Cream Cone images from Washi Tape which I applied to the center of each tile.
Let's begin.....

Materials:

1. 4 - 4" Square Ceramic Tiles; purchased at Home Depot for 16 cents each.
2. Washi Tape
3. Scrapbook Paper - Photo Burlap (design name).
   I was fortunate to find this paper at Michaels, which resembles an ice cream cone's texture.
4. Contact Paper
5. Tracing Paper
6. Mod Podge/Foam Brush
7. Single Hole Punch
8. Ribbon 2" Reach Punch by McGill, purchased at ACMoore.
9. Pair of Tweezers
10. Polyurethane - I used Minwax Clear Satin
11. Small Paint Brush
12. Self Stick Heavy Duty Felt Circles

13. Graphics. I found the Cupcake and Ice Cream Cone images online.

Instructions:

• Clean your tiles with bathroom cleaner to get rid of any dust. Let the tiles dry completely.
• Start adding your Washi Tape across the tiles.

• Trace your Graphics using the Tracing and Contact papers by creating layers. Lay the contact paper with backing facing up; add tracing paper and finally your graphics.
• Flip Contact paper over. Apply Washi-tape to cover your traced graphics. For the Cupcakes and Ice Cream Scoops I used Washi Tape. For the Cones, I used the Scrapbook paper since I did not have any brown Washi Tape.
• Cut your graphics around the traced lines. For the Cupcakes and Ice Cream Cones I cut each section individually separating the scoops from the cones; the frosting from the cupcakes.
• For the Cupcake Sprinkles and Ice Cream Toppings, I applied Washi Tape to a piece of Contact Paper and punched the pieces using the Single Hole and Ribbon Punches. To separate these small pieces from the contact paper, I used the tweezers.

• Begin attaching your graphics in sections. The cones were applied using Mod Podge. The Ice Cream Scoops, Cupcakes and Frosting were simply taped to the tiles.
• Apply the Sprinkles and Toppings randomly over the Scoops and Frostings.
• For extra durability, apply 2-3 coats of Polyurethane all over the tiles. Let dry between coats.
• To protect your furniture from the tile's harsh bottom, I applied a felt circle to all four corners.

And here they are...

I now have a cute set of Tile Coasters, perfect for those Summer dinner gatherings. I hope you give this tutorial a try.

Happy Pinning!!!

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10 The Social Knitwork Scarf

Happy Spring to all you!!!! I am extremely excited to participate in the Conceptual Knitting Series, #2,
"The Social Knitwork Scarf", hosted by Leafcutter Designs. The Social Knitwork Scarf is a fun way to bring together my Love for Knitting and my Social Networks. The fun begins when my Friends, Family and Acquaintances help me design a Scarf which will be knitted in stripes of four colors; designated to the most popular social media: Facebook; Twitter; Pinterest/Gmail and Blogger. The Colors they will be choosing from are: Cherry, Silver Blue, Pumpkin and Colonial Blue.
I will knit rows as the comments arrive with the colors they have chosen, until the Scarf reaches the length I desired.

Materials:

• Worsted Weight Yarn in four colors
• Knitting Needles - Size 8

Instructions:

1. Cast on 32 stitches in the color each person chose and knit every row in Garter Stitch.
2. Continue knitting rows in Garter Stitch in the color choices as they arrive for desired length.

Please pick a color and tell me why?? Leave me a comment with your color choice. Thank you for participating in this Fun Social Network project.

My Social KnitWork Scarf will in some way be part of all of you and I will cherish it forever. Happy Easter!!!

15 Pinspired Rewired Wreath Challenge

I recently joined the new Blog Series;  Pinspired Rewired Pinterest Challenge.

The Hosts of this awesome challenge are:

Southern Lovely,

Family Ever After

Ginger Snap Crafts

The Gunny Sack

This month's Theme is Wreaths. My inspiration came from a Wreath I Pinned from the wonderful Tutorial of Debbie Does Creations and modified it by adding more Tulle Colors and Wrapping the Wreath Form. For the embellishments, I Decoupage Polyfoam Eggs with Mod Podge, Tissue Paper and Glitter, along with a Glittered Butterfly Wood Shape.

Supplies:

• 12" Wreath Form
• Tulle - 4 or 5 colors
• Decorative Scarfing Ribbon, I used 4.5" - to wrapp Wreath Form
• Polyfoam Eggs
• Wood Shapes
• Mod Podge
• Foam Brush
• Small Headpins
• Wooden Skewers
• Tissue Paper in solid and print colors of your choice
• Fine Glitter
• Hot Glue Gun

Instructions:
Wreath:

1. Cut Tulle into 12" strips. I choose six Tulle colors and cut 11 strips of each.
2. Wrap Wreath form with Decorative Scarfing Ribbon, secure with small headpins.
   
   
3. Tie Tulle strips around Wreath form.
Decoupage Eggs:
4. Cut or tear small pieces of Tissue Paper. I made my Decoupage eggs using solid colors and cutting motifs from the print tissue paper. I found the Easter print paper at Walmart.
5. Insert a Skewer inside the egg. The Skewer will form a handle to hold the egg while you add the Mod Podge and Tissue Paper.
6. Using the Foam Brush, apply Mod Podge around the egg. Add pieces of Tissue Paper overlapping each piece. Add more Mod Podge and smooth wrinkles. Keep adding tissue pieces to get the color intensity you desire.
7. Give the entire egg another coat of Mod Podge.

8. Sprinkle Glitter all over the eggs and place inside a jar to dry overnight.

9. If using Wood Shapes; apply Mod Podge and Sprinkle Glitter; let dry.
Finishing:
10. Add Decoupage Eggs and any other Embellishments to Wreath using Hot Glue.

Your Wreath is Finished and ready to enjoy.

Happy Easter!!!


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4 Valentine's Day Pinterest Challenge

Ohhh Pinterest!!!! What an addictive site. Pinterest is a great source for Ideas and Inspiration. On January 9th, 2012, the EtsyMom team posted the Valentine's Day DIY Pinterest Challenge. Each participant needed to search and pick a DIY Valentine's Day project in Pinterest, make it and write a blog post. The project would be uploaded to the EtsyMom Pinterest Board, from which people would vote on the project they like best. The project with the most "likes" wins.... I started my search for the special Valentine's Pin and decided on this great Project, "Crayon Heart Valentines" from Whipperberry.com This project was fun to make and it brought me back to my childhood and the fun I had coloring with Crayons. I gathered the following supplies and I was on my way to start my project.

Supplies:

Crayons - purchased at a Dollar Store. I used approximately 150.

Silicon Heart Shape Mold - purchased at Walmart

Ready made Heart Shape stock cards - purchased at Michaels

Glitter

Varigated Crochet Thread

Hot Glue Gun and glue sticks

Valentine's Day themed stamps, purchased at Michaels

After an hour and half of removing the Crayons wrappers and breaking them in small pieces, I came up with these color combinations.

Now it was time to bake the Crayons!!!! The Hearts baked to a perfect shape!!!!

To decorate the Hearts, I used Red Ink and stamped the Cards with two different stamp designs. For the final touch, I used Varigated Crochet Thread. I wrapped the Hearts in an asymmetrical fashion and hot glued the back to the Card Stock.

And here they are, the finished Valentine's Cards....

I found these cute Miniature Heart clothes pins at Michaels, which were perfect to Hang my Cards in Twine and showcase them as a Garland.

I hope you love my Valentine's Day cards. Come on over to vote for your favorite project.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!