Simplified Origami Bags (Amy Butler Pattern)

I just got the book 'Style Stitches: 12 Easy Ways to 26 Wonderful Bags' by Amy Butler for Xmas.  I haven't sewn in a while, so I'm starting very easy- I started with the Origami Bags and I dumbed them down a bit (took out the gussets and tab on the side of the bag). Also, I don't have a ton of scrap fabric laying around so I only made them with one exterior fabric instead of two.  So far, I really like the book- very easy to follow the direction.

Purple and Pink Birthday Card

Crochet Something Pretty Pattern Flower Pillow

 Not sure where I am going to use it yet, but I just finished making one of two crochet pillows using the Something Pretty pattery I found on Ravelry.  I used a 12x16 inch pillow form for the inside and plain crochet squares for the back.  I attached the front and the back together with single crochet through both loops of the V.

Handmade Crystal Button Ring Given To Me By My Aunt

Green Birthday Card

Bisqued Wheel Thrown Clay Pots

I just finished my second session of pottery, and in the second to last class (last class to make stuff- last class is glazing) I finally started to be able to make stuff on the wheel by myself! I had tried a couple of other projects during the class, but I pretty much just concentrated on the wheel.  I am signed up again for the next session and am very excited- hopefully I dont forget how to do it from now until then.

Green Engobe Clay Coasters

I covered these coasters (which didn't come out perfectly round) with a green engobe (colored clay), scratched a design into it and then after they were bisqued, covered them with a clear glaze.

Crochet Mini Lobster Amigurumi

I just finished this cute little lobster.  I messed up the claws a bit when sewing them on, but oh well. 

I got the pattern from Karabouts.typepad.com.  The author of this blog makes amazing crochet dolls, check it out!

Clay Nesting Bowls Made From Molds

This is prior to either of the firings.

Second Thrown Piece Of Pottery

Solomons Knot/ Lovers Knot Blue Crochet Shrug

The pics of this shrug didn't come out great because I was taking them of myself with my iphone but you get the idea.  This was the first time I tried the Lovers Knot stitch and really liked it; it works up quickly.  The shrug ended up being much too large around the arms, so I sewed it up more than suggested.  The pattern for this shrug is located here on the second page of comments.

Beginner Crochet Two-Tone Cuff Bracelet

 Beginner Crochet Two-Tone Cuff Bracelet:
Yarn Used: Vannah's Glamour in Jewel and Platinum (leftover scraps of one skein)
Hook Used: Size 2 or C

**If you sell or post any items made from this pattern, please include a link back to my site.  (EX- "This item was made from a pattern on Stargazun Designs" ) Thanks!!**

• Using COLOR 1: Chain until the chain fits around your wrist (or the wrist of the person you're making the bracelet for) end to end. 
• Chain 9 more.  (The bracelet overlaps 8 chains, the first two count as the first half double crochet, the other chains make up the rest of the 8).
• Row 1: Using COLOR 1: Half Double Crochet (HDC) in 3rd chain from the hook and in all accross.
• Row 2: Using COLOR 1:  Ch 2 to start the row. Half Double Crochet (HDC) in all previous rows HDCs UNTIL you have the 8 last HDCs left.  Measure the diameter of the button you plan on using to the stitches you have to determine how many HDCs you'll have to skip and chain instead. (Ex: The diameter of the button I used was the same size as three stitches, so I HDC in the next three, chained three and skipped three HDCs from the previous row, then HDC in the last two HDCs from the previous row).
• Row 3: USING COLOR 2: Fasten off COLOR 1.  Attach COLOR 2 in last HDC from previous row.  HDC in each HDC from previous row, including HDC in the chain from the previous row the number of chains that were created. (Ex: The diameter of the button I used was the same size as three stitches, so I HDC three in the chain.)
• Row 4: Using COLOR 2: Half Double Crochet (HDC) in all accross. 
• Weave in ends.
• Attach the button:  I used clear quilting thread to sew the button on, but  any matching thread will do.

Glazed First Thrown Clay Pot

It's Amazing What Can Be Accomplished When People Think Outside Of The Box

Very cool...

Beginner Crochet 'Mesh' Cuff Bracelet Pattern

 Beginner Crochet 'Mesh' Cuff Bracelet:
Yarn Used: Vannah's Glamour in Jewel (leftover scraps of one skein)
Hook Used: Size 2 or C

**If you sell or post any items made from this pattern, please include a link back to my site.  (EX- "This item was made from a pattern on Stargazun Designs" ) Thanks!!**

• Chain until the chain fits around your wrist (or the wrist of the person you're making the bracelet for) end to end. 
• Chain 9 more.  (The bracelet overlaps 8 chains, the first two count as the first half double crochet, the other chains make up the rest of the 8).
• Row 1: Half Double Crochet (HDC) in 3th chain from the hook and in the next 6.
•  *Chain 1, skip one chain from previous row, HDC in next.  Repeate until there are 8 HDCs from the previous row left, then HDC in each of the previous HDCs. This makes the last 8 on each end solid while the center is 'mesh'.*
• Row 2: Chain 2 to start the next row, HDC in 2nd HDC from the previous row and next 6.  Finish the row same as last row (from * to *).
• Row 3: Same as row 2 EXCEPT stop when you have the 8 last HDCs left.  Measure the diameter of the button you plan on using to the stitches you have to determine how many HDCs you'll have to skip and chain instead. (Ex: The diameter of the button I used was the same size as three stitches, so I HDC in the next three, chained three and skipped three HDCs from the previous row, then HDC in the last two HDCs from the previous row).
• Row 4: Chain 2 to start the next row, HDC in the next 7.  HDC in chain for the number of chains you made.  (Ex: For my bracelet I chained two for the first HDC, HDC in the next, HDC three in the chain then HDC three.) Finish the row as the previous rows (from * to *).
• Row 5: Chain 2 to start the next row, HDC in 2nd HDC from the previous row and next 6.  Finish the row as the previous rows (from * to *).
• Weave in ends.
• Attach the button:  I used clear quilting thread to sew the button on, but  any matching thread will do.

Purple Large Crochet Adult Mary Janes

I made these ones for my sister

Beach at the Jersey Shore

One of the beaches on Long Beach Island.

Dragonfly on my foot

Well my nail polish looks horrible but still thought it was pretty cool!!

Beginner Mesh Throw Blanket Pattern

Beginner 'Mesh' Throw Blanket:
Yarn Used: Vannah's Choice Acrylic in Purple Print (4 large skeins - 6oz each)
Hook Used: Size J10/6.00mm

**If you sell or post any items made from this pattern, please include a link back to my site.  (EX- "This item was made from a pattern on Stargazun Designs" ) Thanks!!**

• Chain until the chain is the lenth of the desired width of the blanket. Keep track of how many you chain- this needs to be an even number.  
• Chain 4 more (for first DC and first space). 
• DC in 6th chain from the hook.
• * Chain 1, skip one chain from previous row, DC in next.  Repeate until row is complete (make sure you DC into the third chain of the chain 4 of the previous row).
• Chain 4 to start the next row, DC in 2nd DC from the previous row. *

Continue to repeate the last two bullets until the blanket has reached its desired length.


For mine, I made the blanket to be throw sized- something I'd use on the couch while watching tv.  For the foundation chain, I chained 116 + 4 (for the DC on the end of the row and the first space).  This made the blanket 32 inches wide.  I used a little under 4 skeins of the yarn, which made the blanket 70 inches long.  Below is the blanket (folded so the width of the blanket is the longer side you see) on a full size bed. 

Wedding Shower Card

Doodle of a Girl- First Attempt Using My New Bamboo Craft

I just got a new Bamboo Craft pen & touch pad, and this is my first time doodling with it.  Its fun! Its like a super-sized mouse touch pad that comes with a 'pen', so it enables you to draw like you were drawing with pen and paper.  I used Illustrator to draw this.

Finally Glazed The Rest Of My Pottery Pieces....

I missed the last class of the pottery class I took in the spring, so I made up the class tonight.  We glazed all of the pieces that we hadn't glazed yet in this class.  One of the item I made was a box with a  lid, and since the teacher fires both pieces together (the top on top of the box), I would have only been able to glaze a part of it (so they don't stick together), so I decided to leave that one natural and only do a clear glaze in the inside.  For the other pieces that I did glaze- I feel like I need a lot more practice.  I have a tendency to get way too much glaze on the pieces which makes it hard to pick up to put a second glaze on, because I end up wiping off some of the glaze.   I also have a tendency to pick up the piece by the glazed side instead of the unglazed side.  I think I tend to do that when the glaze is lighter than the clay.  One piece in particular that I grabbed while still wet has 'touch up' glaze on it, and I'm wondering if it will look even when it comes out of the kiln. 

Can't wait to see how they all came out!

First Attempt At Broomstick Lace Crochet

I was going to make a scarf, but it ended up coming out way too thick so I pulled it all out. I really like the look of the broomstick lace stitch, and its nice and quick. Below is the YouTube video made by naztazia.com I used to learn how to do the stitch.

 

Crochet Flower Hotpad

I love this pattern!   Its a very cute flower trivet/hotpad pattern thats quick to finish. The trivet looks great from both the front and the back.  Here's the link to the pattern.

Johnny Jump-Ups From My Yard

Pink, Orange and Yellow Crochet Hexagon Shaped Dish Cloth

Pink, Orange and Yellow Crochet Round Flower Dishcloth

Cute Bathroom Signs At The Beach In Portugal

Beach In The Algarves In Portugal

Baby Shower Card

Saw This On A Shirt

I dont think I'd wear the shirt- but really liked the painting/drawing. 

First (Successful) Thrown Bowl

Today was our first day on the wheel. On my first attempt I managed to have the clay fly off the wheel, then the pot it was uneven because I kept moving my hands too quickly and at the end when we were cutting excess off the side, I choped the whole thing in half.

My second attempt came out better - obviously with the teachers assistance. 

Smoothed Out Vase Built Out Of Coils

As I was building this (row by row) I really didn't have an idea in mind of what I wanted to make.  At the end, the top was a bit floppy, so I ended up pulling some of it in.  Out of all of the techniquies we practiced in the class, I think coil building was my least favorite.  I didn't like the unevenness of building with coils (we made them all by hand) and the coils are a pain to smooth out!