Hoops and Floss...

I went shopping yesterday and got a few things.

Three wooden hoops for some gift projects...

And some pretty new floss. The colors here are 224, 315, 815, 350, 351, 352, 353

These lovely browns are 167, 433, 434, 435, 436, 738

And the greens are 830, 832, 3011, 3012

{hugs}
Laura

Prom, and a Scarf...

Well, this last week and a half has been very busy. My son went to prom, which was really a lot to get ready for - even for a boy. I can't imagine what it will be like when my daughter goes for the first time. But it was fun, picking out the right tux for him, flowers for his date... And, I was able to take pictures for him and his friends. We went downtown and got some great shots. I posted a couple more pictures on my photography blog that you can look at.

While waiting for the party bus to take them to the prom, the ice cream man showed up...

And now for the scarf. I actually finished this about month ago but never got around to blogging it. You might remember my sneak peak of it here. I love this pattern from Aesthetic Nest . I have made two other scarfs besides this one, both of them gifts for friends. I used Caron's Simply Soft in gray which makes it a little thicker and warmer. I was actually hoping that I would get some pictures of me wearing it to show you, but it never worked out.

Well, I hope your weekend is relaxing and fun.

{hugs}

Laura

Embroidery Robot Pattern...

For Christmas two years ago, I embroidered pillowcases for my niece's and nephew. For my nephews pillowcase I designed three different robots. I did a lot of research to get the perfect look for each of them and really love they way they turned out. After a request, I have decided to post the pattern for you here on my blog. Please let me know if you embroider one or all of them onto something - I would love to see your work.

{hugs}
Laura

Daisy Green Magazine...

Daisy Green Magazine is an online magazine over in the UK and they asked to post about my crocheted owl pattern. You can check it out here.

{hugs}
Laura

My Tea Cups...

I do love my hutch cabinet in the dinning room and all of the little goodies I have inside of it.

Many of the things I have had for a long time, all of them with sentimental value. Tea cups that belonged to my Nana, Grandma or Great Grandmas, tea pots given to me by my mom, a few things that were wedding gifts. The red and white tea cup is my favorite. The design is called Strawberry Fair and was made in England between 1959 and 1973. I have almost a complete set with tea cups, saucers, cream and sugar set, dessert plates, dinner plates, bowls and one serving bowl. I believe they belonged to my Nana, but there is a slight possibility they might have been her mom's, my Great Grandma T's.

They are so pretty to look at. One of my treasures...

{hugs}
Laura

Published - I've Been Published...

I have been so excited about this for almost a month. - it's been very hard to keep it in until now...

The editors at Mollie Makes magazine came across my blog here and loved my mason jar cover, contacted me and asked to publish it in their magazine. Well, if you remember, I first learned about the magazine after watching this video and totally fell in love with it.

Mollie Makes is a fabulous UK crafting magazine with beautiful pages to inspire any crafter. The magazine can be purchased in craft stores - I've seen it in my local Joann's - or ordered online here. You can even download it for your iPad here. You can also see their blog and sign-up for the newsletter here.

In the magazines own words:

‘Mollie Makes is published thirteen times a year. We curate the best craft from around the world into a tactile, collectable and totally irresistible magazine.

We love to make – handmade is more than just a hobby for us, it’s in everything we do. 

We can’t resist hunting down treasures in thrift stores, then customising, re-covering and embellishing our finds with our endless stash of ribbons, buttons, fabrics and felt.

We’re forever on the lookout for new inspiration. Whatever we do, we’re living and loving handmade.’ 

♡ Making ♡ Thrifting ♡ Collecting ♡ Crafting

http://www.molliemakes.com
http://www.facebook.com/MollieMakes
http://twitter.com/MollieMakes
http://www.youtube.com/user/MollieMakes

If you get a chance, you have to get a copy. You will love it! It is the ultimate "eye candy" for the craft lover and maker.

{hugs}
Laura

Ravelry...

With the help of a new friend, I am now posting my patterns on Ravlery.

You can see my Crochet Owl here and my Spring Bunny here.

I am so excited...

{hugs}
Laura

Spring Bunny Tutorial...

I have been playing around with the idea of creating a bunny pattern for a few weeks. I plan on creating bunny garland with this pattern. I probably should have started this when I originally thought of it since Easter is tomorrow, but...

Well, better late than never I guess.

Happy Easter everyone

{hugs}

Laura

I use cotton yarn with a crochet hook size specified for the yarn. 

I also crochet very tightly. 

Start with a magic ring 

and hook 6 single crochet into it. 

Then, pull it tight and slip stitch into the first single crochet to join.

Second Round - Chain one and then hook 2 single crochets in each stitch. Slip stitch into the chain one to join. 

Third Round - Chain one. Hook a single crochet in the first stitch and two single crochets in the second. Repeat (1 sc, 2 sc, 1sc, 2 sc) until you get to the end of the round and slip stitch into the first single crochet.  

Fourth Round - Chain one. Hook one single crochet into each of the first two stitches and then two single crochets into the next. Repeat (1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc) until you get to the end and the slip stitch into the first single crochet.

Now you will make the head of the bunny. 

Chain one and then hook a half double crochet and a 

treble crochet into the next stitch. 

In the next two stitches, hook two treble crochets in each stitch. 

Then, in the next stitch, hook one treble crochet and one half double crochet. 

(1 hdc + 1 tc, 2 tc, 2 tc, 1 tc + 1 hdc) 

Now, chain one and then slip stitch around the body of the bunny until you get to the first treble crochet (your last slip stitch will be in the first treble crochet). 

Now, you will chain 5. 

In the second stitch from your hook, create a half double crochet. Then hook one double crochet in each of the next three stitches.

Slip stitch into the top of the third treble crochet and chain 5

then, half double crochet in the second stitch from the hook and three double crochets in the next three stitches. Slip stitch into the top of the sixth treble crochet and slip stitch into the next two stitches. Leaving a long tail, cut 

your yarn and tie off. 

Now you need to slip stitch the ears to the head by going through the double crochet of the ear and into the top of the treble crochet of the head.   

Do this twice for each ear and then weave in your yarn and cut. 

 For the tail you will be creating a bobble stitch. First you will chain two. 

In the first chain you will hook the first half of four double crochets. This will leave 5 loops on your hook. 

Now, yarn over and pull through all five loops 

and then yarn over again and pull through to finish, cutting your yarn leaving a tail and then pulling tight.  

Pull the yarn tails of the tail in a spot just above and below the center point of the body 

and tie together tightly, weaving in the ends. 

A pretty spring bunny... 

Craft Books...

I always see crafting books that I would love to have, but I can never seem to bring myself to buy any of them. I guess it's just the difference between a want vs. a need. I want to have them but don't really need them.

{hugs}
Laura

Cute & Easy Crochet

I have wanted this book for a long time. So many cute things inside.

Crochet Motifs

I have her Crochet Boarders book. 

Twinkie Chan's Crochet Goodies

I saw this book at Joann's a few months ago. It has some really cute scarf patterns in it... 

Mend It Better

I just saw this one today on the Sublime Stitching facebook page. My new want...