New project ideas

I know Christmas is now over but I think these projects will be good to start soon for 2014 Christmas.

Snowflake Garland

Materials:
*size 10 crochet thread
*size 7 steel crochet hook

For instructions of this pattern go to: http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/WR1691.pdf 

1.  Make your first snowflake.

2.  Make your second snowflake, but stop when you have one chain loop left on your last round.  Make your first sc, chain three, sc, and make two of the five chain stitches that come next.

3.  Insert your crochet hook down through the chain 5 loop of the previous snowflake.  Hook the thread and make your next chain (the third of five) through the loop.  Make your last two chains.

4.  Now continue on finishing up the snowflake just as you did your first one - except now you have another snowflake attached.

5.  Continue making snowflakes and attaching them until your garland reaches the desired length.

Multicolor Miniature Christmas Stocking Ornaments

It is very easy you’ll see but I hope that I’ll find a way to explain it to you by using simple words…

For these I used Nako Vizon a 100% acrylic yarn with a 4.5mm crochet hook…You can crochet with the yarn that you want but careful to pick up the right size crochet hook

The socks are made using a single stitch (apart the beginning chain stitch and it is: d.c (U.K terms) or s.c (U.S terms)

I’m gonna make with you step by step this one: Don’t worry it is very easy So? Are you ready? Did you prepare some yarn and a crochet hook? Let’s maaaaaake it ! yahooooooooo!

I suggest that you make a sock with a single color to try out the pattern first and then you can make your own multi colorful one

For this one I used 6 different colors …

PART1:

Let’s begin with Part1 in the graphic pic (purple and yellow)

First (with the purple color) you begin with a circle of 4ch chain

R1: 10 dc (or sc) in the circle

R2: You crochet 2 dc in every dc of the previous round that make a total of 20 dc

R3 to R11: 20 dc  (R1 to R6: in purple R7 to R11: in yellow)

That make a total of 10 rounds of 20 dc. (purple and yellow colors part)

END OF PART 1

So? Is that ok for you so far? You just did the Part 1 bravo!

Let’s continue… shall we?

PART2:

R12: 10 dc (With the dark blue color you crochet on half of the stitches of R11, that makes a total of 10 dc)

and you continue making rows of 10 dc until R17…

So R12 to R17: 10 dc

You just did PART2!

Crocheting R17 you have to close and sew the right part of your sock 

END OF PART2

PART3:

With the turquoise color: R18: 22 d.c

For R18 you have to join together the dark blue part and the yellow part with a round of 22 dc (22m.s) as shown on this picture: (6 dc on the dark blue part + 10 dc on the yellow part + 6 dc on the dark blue part = 22 d.c ) You continue from R18 to R 33: 22 d.c

R18 to R22: 22 dc with the turquoise color

R23 to R27: 22 d.c with the red color

and finally R28 to R33: 22 d.c with the pink color

You close your little sock by making a chain of 17 ch so you can hang it 

You did it ! Your little sock is ready You can embellish it by adding some buttons, ribbons or beads…

If you are really lost with these instructions, go to for further details:  

http://www.lemondedesucrette.com/2011/11/16/little-christmas-socks-the-pattern/

Christmas decoration idea

Crochet Snowflakes Coasters

 

Difficulty Level: Entry level with some crochet and assembly experiences
Finished size: approx. 4″ (D)
Make: 6 coasters

Materials & Tools:
1. DMC Pearl Cotton Ball size 8, 2, White, double strand
2. Crochet Hook, 1.75mm
3. Synthetic Felt, 2mm thickness, Red, 12″ x 8″
4. 4″ Hexagon template, to draw your own template with the variable of R=2″, or, you can use 4″ circles as an alternative
5. Quick dry all purpose adhesive (clear color), 6. Scissors
7. Spray bottle or fabric stiffener

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
slst = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
tog = together
prev = previous
fo = fasten off

Snowflakes Pattern (in American terms)
Use double strand of DMC Pearl Cotton, size 8, in white. Make a Slip Knot to begin.
Rnd 1:
ch 2 (this first ch is considered as base ring of the snowflakes, the second ch is the beginning st of rnd 1), *12 sc in the first ch, slst to the ch stitch at the beginning of the round.
Rnd 2:
ch3, dc in next stitch, ch5, *skip 1 st, 2dc on next st, ch5, repeat *5 times. slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the rnd.
Rnd 3:
ch 1, *ch9, sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 2 sts, sc next 2 sts tog, ch6  slst in 4th ch from hook, ch7 slst in the prev slst st, ch3 slst in the prev slst st, slst in next 2 sts, ch5, sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, skip 1 ch sts and 1 dc st of prev rnd, sc in next dc sts,, 3 sc in the 5-ch space of prev rnd, ch3 slst to the loop of last sc, ch7 slst in the prev slst st, ch3 slst in the prev slst st, 3 sc in the 5-ch space of prev rnd, sc in dc st of prev rnd, repeat * 6 times, slst to the first ch at the beginning of the rnd. fo, hide thread ends

Dampen the crochet snowflakes by spraying some water on it or brushing a thin layer of fabric stiffener, adjust the shape and pin it down to an ironing board, leave it dry to block the shape.
Note: Use Martha Stewart Water Resistant Fabric Stiffener if you wish to seal the white snowflakes to protect it from getting stained.

Assembly
Cut hexagon felt, glue the crochet snowflakes on it by using clear quick dry all purpose adhesive. Press them with heavy books for at least 10 minutes

For further information go to http://www.craftpassion.com/2013/11/crochet-snowflakes-coasters.html/2. It will give you the step by step instructions on how to complete this project too. Enjoy!

Paper use ideas

5 Exciting Ways To Give Your Scrapbook Paper A NEW Look!

One of  the fun things about scrapbooking is the freedom to try new ideas and discovering techniques that add special appeal to your scrapbook layouts.
One of the latest scrapbook trends is to create a bit of dimension to the paper used for a layout.
Here are five ways to bring the paper on your layout to life.  Ready to have some fun?

1.  Create pockets and shutters.

If you’re designing a scrapbook layout that won’t be kept in plastic, or a mini scrapbook, then the use of pockets and shutters are a clever way to bring your layout to life.  A pocket can be made out of cardstock and used to hold a photo, a journal note, or perhaps a special token from a trip.
Build the pocket into the design of your layout, rather than just filling up an empty space.  For instance, if you’re doing a Halloween layout, the pocket could look as though it’s a trick-or-treat bag.  For a Christmas layout, design your pockets to look like Christmas packages.
Shutters are a cute way to add an element of surprise to your layout.  Just like shutters on a window can open and close, create shutters to be used with a couple of your photos.  Viewers will have fun peaking in to see the photos.

2.  Add fun with pinwheels.

Adding paper pinwheels to your layout will give a playful feel to the overall look.  Pinwheels are constructed from  curled paper with a tack through the center.  They should be made from scrapbook paper that will complement the colors in the layout.  For a flatter appearance, use two colors of paper and make a quilted pinwheel.
Instead of pinwheels, experiment with other shapes, such as stars, fish, flowers, or even squares.  Adhere the shapes to your layout with foam tape for added dimension  Use some of your shapes to overlap the mat of a photo or journal block.  This will help the shapes to pop out, while drawing attention to the photo or journaling.

3.  Be creative with weaving.

Weaving can add a special effect to your layout and can be done in a variety of ways.  When weaving is done effectively, it enhances the look of a layout without drawing all of the attention onto the weaving.  Here are a few examples:

• Weave paper to create a border to be used at the top and bottom of the page.  Incorporate the colors that you’re using for the photo mats.
• Use different shades of blue and a wavy cut to create ripples in water.
• Weave a background.  Use two 12″ sheets of scrapbook paper.  Cut one sheet into 1 cm. strips and weave the strips into the other sheet.  Add a paper border to the top and bottom to cover up any unevenness.
• Make corner mounts for a layout with a zigzag border.
• Use weaving as the bottom layer for displaying a photo.
• Weave flower petals.  After weaving two sheets of paper.  Use a petal template and trace petals onto the weaving.  Use your sewing machine and sew a border just inside of the tracing.  This will help the petals to keep their shape once you cut the petals out.

4.  Use crinkle paper.

If you’re press for time, or simply want to have a “crinkle” appearance to your paper, you can purchase small rolls of adhesive crinkle paper.  Each roll has a crinkle look to it which adds a fun dimension to a layout.  You can also purchase matching twine, cord and paper tape.
Whether you use the paper as a full background, or for a portion of your layout, it’s easy to adhere and will look great.
Another quick idea is to use wallpaper.  Do you have leftover wallpaper from a project?  Does your local wallpaper store give out free samples?  Most wallpaper has texture which when used in a scrapbook layout, will bring life to your photos and journaling.

5.  Add a torn look.

Instead of using a background that fills the entire page, choose two different backgrounds.
For example, if you’re doing a layout of a day at the beach, use a sandy looking background for part of the page and a water pattern background for the other portion.  Cut and adhere your sandy background first.  Then rip the blue paper to give the effect that the water is washing up onto the sand.
The torn look is also a fun way to add borders to a layout or as the writing section of journal blocks.
These five ideas are just a small sample of the many techniques that can be used to bring the paper on your layout to life.  The important thing to remember is just to have fun and try different ideas.  Before you know it, your layouts will be spectacular works of art!

Matting photos

5 New Ways To Matte A Photo On Your Scrapbook Pages

Want to take your scrapbook layouts to a whole new level?  Just by adding some special attention to your photo mats, you can add an inspiring element to your layouts.

1.  Dimensional matting.

Quite often we make photo mats out of cardstock and call it good enough.  However, by adding just one or two embellishments, you can create exquisite photo mats.  For example:

• Layer mats.  When you look at a framed photo, often the photo is matted with a neutral border and then the frame is in a dark color.  Use the same concept for your scrapbook photos.  Use a light color cardstock to mat a photo and then a darker color of cardstock to create an outside border.
• Twine or thin ribbon.  Once you mat a photo with cardstock, add a borer to the inside and outside edge of the cardstock with twine or ribbon.  This adds a fun touch to your photos.
• Embellishments.  Add decorative tacks to the corners of your mats, overlap part of a mat with a silk flower, randomly glue sequins or buttons onto a mat…when it comes to embellishing your photo mats, the sky’s the limit!
• Photo corners.  Often photo corners are used in place of a mat.  However, you can mat a photo and then place two photo corners inside two diagonal corners of the mat.  This will add depth to your photo.

2.  Stitching matting.

Incorporating stitching in scrapbooking layouts is very trendy!  Whether you stitch by hand or machine, create a fun stitch on strips of cardstock to create beautiful photo mats.
If stitching by hand, create a design on the strips, such as flowers, polka dots or a person’s name.

3.  Travel themed matting.

One of the most popular scrapbooking themes is vacation.  To add a special touch to your traveling photos, make photo mats that have a travel theme.
Here are some ideas:

• Map.  Use an actual map to create a border for your photos.  Make a quarter inch or half inch mat for each photo out of the map.  If you have a souvenir type map, cut out flaps for two or three photos of places on the map that you visited.  Adhere photos to the background and then adhere the map onto the page.  As you open each flap, it will reveal a photo.
• Postage stamps.  Whether you use foreign stamps from an overseas trip or a variety of regular stamps, glue stamps onto a cardstock mat.  Overlap stamps to fill the entire space and cover with Mod Podge if you desire.
• Post cards.  Because post cards are already made out of heavy paper, they make excellent mats.  Carefully cut out a portion of the postcard and tape your photo underneath.  You don’t necessarily have to use the center of the postcard.  For example, if the left side of the postcard contains the name of a village that you visited, then use the right side to frame your photo.
• Envelopes.  Many pre-stamped envelopes come with a striped trim.  The United States has white envelopes with a red, white and blue trim.  Use the trims of the envelopes to create photo mats.

4.  Textured matting.

Look around your home for materials that have an interesting feel to them and use them for photo mats.
For example:

• Fabric.  Use up your fabric scraps by turning them into photo mats.  For added fun, use a pattern fabric for the top and bottom of a mat, and a solid fabric for the left and right side of the mat.
• Cork.  Cork is lightweight and provides fun texture to a scrapbook layout.  Use decorative tacks to give the appearance of tacking the photo onto the mat.
• Foil.  Love the look of metallic?  Foil is a great way to draw attention to your photos.  Wrap the foil around a cardstock mat.
• Embossed paper.  Whether it’s paper found in one of the scrapbooking supply aisles, or a wallpaper sample, embossed paper will add elegance to your photos.  Use a quarter or half inch thickness.

5.  Misc. theme matting.

As you get ready to mat a photo, study it and decide if there’s a theme that you can pull from the photo.  Use that theme to create a photo mat.
Here are some examples:

• Music.  Have a photo of your son playing the trumpet?  Make a photo mat out of old sheet music or scrapbook paper that has musical notes.
• Halloween.  Save those candy bar wrappers!  Make a hodge podge photo mat from different candy wrappers.
• Baby shower.  Recycle the gift wrapping paper.  Make photo mats out of plain cardstock.  Cover the mats with wrapping paper.

Let your photo mats make a statement!  The next time you’re working on a scrapbook, incorporate these five ideas.  People will be “ouuuing” and “ahhhing” over your photos.  Also, keep in mind that these ideas work great for handmade greeting cards.

A Christmas Star

Who is into crocheting?  Do you need any new Christmas ideas?  Here is one pattern to try out.  I know how to do the common granny square so it should be easy for me to try, when I get the chance to. I came across this idea when someone else shared the instructions on the group page. 

Here’s what you need:

• worsted weight yarn (from your Kraut jar!)
• H hook
• tapestry needle

Click here to reference the Crochet Abbreviations Chart.

With first color, make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), work 2 dc in ring, ch 1, *3 dc, ch 1, rep from * 4 more times, join and fasten off — 18 sts.

Round 2:  Join next color in any ch-1 sp, ch 3, work [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in same sp, ch 1, *[3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, rep from * 4 more times, join and fasten off — 36 sts.

Round 3: Join next color in any ch-1 sp, ch 1, work 1 sc in same sp, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-2 sp, * 1 sc in next ch-1 sp, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-2 sp, rep from * 4 more times, join and fasten off — 42 sts.

Ana from Lana & Hilos has created a helpful stitch diagram for this Granny Star. Click here to open the diagram.

 

http://www.petalstopicots.com/2012/12/granny-star-pattern/

Family Scrapbook Layout Ideas

5 Inspiring Ideas To Help You Create

Beautiful Family Scrapbook Layouts To Cherish Forever!

Looking for some unique family scrapbook layouts and ideas ?  Check these out!  Gather your photos and your scrapbooking supplies and get ready to create an album that will be treasured by your family for several generations.

Create a page or spread for each parent

When designing your album, include a family scrapbook layout of your siblings and parents, along with your spouse’s siblings and parents.  A lot of times when you start a family of your own, some family members will have passed away without your kids having the opportunity to know them.  These layouts will be a great way to let your kids know about Grandpa John or Aunt Liz

For a special layout, use a 5×7 photo of you in the middle of the page.  It can be a picture of you as a child, a teen, or adult.

Mat the photo in a neutral color.  Along the right side write your full name and on the left side the age you were in the photo.  Use smaller photos of your siblings and parents, mat in a similar style and write the names and ages.  Include stickers that say “brother”, “sister”, “mom”, “dad”, etc.
If you were an only child, you might want to include your grandparents. Embellish the page with a quote about families.

Purposely pose for photos 

While visiting some friends recently, I was inspired by three framed photos nicely arranged on their dining room wall.  In the first photo, the three siblings were under the age of 10.  They were sitting on the front porch steps in a cute pose.  In the next photo, they were all teens, and they used the same pose.  In the last photo they were young adults and once again used the same pose.  It was charming!
If you have little children you can do the same thing.  You don’t have to let years go by in between photos.  You could even take four seasonal photos in one year, change the decorations, but have the kids keep the same pose.  You could use this technique to make several special family scrapbook layouts!  Just add a catchy title and make cute frames.

Make a family collage

For each family member, create a page that is all about that person.  Include two to four photos showing one of the many roles that the person has—athlete, scout, singer, sister, son, comedian, etc.  Using different color fonts, type all the various roles the person has and randomly add them to the page.  If your kids are old enough, ask them to help identify the roles that they have. Then you could create an entire album of these family scrapbook layouts!
Embellish each page with stickers, confetti and other items that reflect that person.  Somewhere on the page include the person’s name with die-cut letters.  When you’re through these layouts will add a very special tough to your album!

Design monthly pages
A fresh idea for a family album is to create an album that focuses on one month at a time.
For the first page of each month use a 9 or 12 block grid.  Spell the abbreviation of the month diagonally (one letter per block).  Fill in the other blocks with family photos from activities that took place that month.  Leave one block open for journaling.  You can add additional pages and design them how you choose.

Create fun holiday family scrapbook layouts

Growing up, most of our family Christmas photos were taken in front of the fireplace.  Although we get amused at looking at the hair styles and clothing, the pictures were rather boring.  When you put together your holiday family layout, think about using individual photos rather than a group photo.  Here is a Xmas idea:

Christmas ornaments.  Using a round template, crop a photo of each family member.  If possible, use photos that provide a close-up of the head and shoulders.  Use red Christmas scrapbook paper as the background of the page.  On the left side of the page glue half of a green Christmas tree (branches should face the middle of the page).  Adhere your photos to the tree.  Add a border to each photo with thin red cord.  Add a little loop at the top.  Now your photos look like ornaments!  Add cute white buttons to the tree as an added accent.  On the top right corner of the page add two diagonal ribbons to the page.  Add your title to the lower right side.

Ideas For Family Scrapbook Layouts Are Endless! 

The key is to have fun with your layouts and choose photos that reflect your family’s personality and highlights the special moments you enjoy together.  As you take photos, look for photo opportunities that will make for fun and memorable family scrapbook layouts!

Taking Better Photos

When putting together a scrapbook layout, the quality of your photos will have a huge impact on the overall feel of the layout. 

There’s nothing worse than enjoying a special event , such as a trip to the zoo or attending your niece’s wedding, only to later discover that your photos are too blurry or too dark.

Thankfully with digital cameras, you can check your photos right away and might be able to snap a few new ones if you’re not happy with the photos you just took.

To ensure that your photos have a chance of turning out well, here are ten secrets to taking better photos.

1. Choose your focal point.

As you take photos, think about what you really want to emphasize.  Many times we think we need to take a full body shot of someone and we miss out on opportunities for some really interesting photos.

For example, let’s say your child is taking her first steps.  Sure you want a photo or two of someone holding out their hands to help keep the child stable, but you might also consider taking a close up of your child’s feet.  Does she walk with her toes curled?  Does he turn his feet out?  These will be fun photos to include in your layout.

A focal point doesn’t always have to mean keeping a person as the center of a photo.  If the photo background contains a neat stone wall, an interesting tree or a waterfall, then make those your focal points and have the person off to the side.

2.  Pay attention to the sun.

Too many photos turn out disappointing if the person is squinting from the sunlight.  When possible, you want good lighting behind the person.  You need to be careful though that you don’t cause shadows if you’re standing with the light behind you.

Depending on the type of mood you want to create, experiment taking photos that will cast a shadow or filter light on your subject.

3.  Change your camera angle.

Naturally, we tend to take photos at eye level.  Yet for a different effect, try taking some photos by angling the camera down towards someone or upwards toward your subject.  This idea works well if you want a photo of your sleeping baby or your son sitting in the apple tree reading a book.  The more you practice with different angles, the more you’ll discover unique photo possibilities.

4.   Capture the emotion.

We already know that a picture can speak a thousand words.  Depending on what type of emotion you want to capture, you might ask the person to look directly into the camera or to ignore the camera.

Let’s say your son just popped the question to his girlfriend.  This would be a good “into the camera” shot.  You’ll be able to capture his joy, anxiety and relief all in one shot.  If your toddler is having a bad day and the ice cream from his ice cream cone falls to the ground, sneak a photo of his quivering lip or sadness.  By not asking him to look directly into the camera, his disappointment will come across as real and raw.

5.  Use continuous shooting.

When photographing a person or animal who tends to move around a lot, continuous shooting can be a lot of fun.  You take a series of shots and afterwards choose four to six of those shots and use them in a layout in “filmstrip” style.  Place the shots side-by-side and it will give your layout an animation feel.

6.  Incorporate reflections.

Some of the most interesting photos include reflections, whether it be a person’s face reflected in a mirror, a lonely puppy reflected in a window, or the hands of a newly engaged couple reflected in a stream of water.  Look for opportunities to capture reflections.

7.  Photograph natural moments.

There are going to be times when you’ll want staged photos where everyone is nicely grouped together and smiling.  However, taking photos of natural moments can be very powerful.

Imagine a photo of a little boy giggling as his puppy licks his hand, or a child beaming when her kite stays in the sky for more than just a few seconds.  By taking photos of real life happenings, you’ll be able to get some great shots that are filled with all sorts of emotions.

8.  Opt for black and white photos.

Black and white photos are timeless.  As you think back on some of your favorite family photos, chances are some of your favorites are black and white ones.  These photos remove the distraction of color and texture and lets you focus on what is actually happening in the photo.

9.  Crop your photos.

By using a digital camera, you can always crop a photo later on.  If you’re taking a photo of your daughter doing a cartwheel in the front lawn, but discover that a person is just beginning to walk into the picture, you can easily crop that person out.  Depending on the quality of a photo, you can crop to get a close-up of just the subject’s hands, face, etc.

10.  Practice, practice, practice.

Lastly, one of the super nice things about digital cameras is that you can see results instantly and you’re not paying for wasted photos.  You can delete the pictures that didn’t turn out well and hold onto the ones that you might want to use later for your scrapbook layouts.  Practice taking different angle shots, using props and capturing everyday moments.  Get in the habit of taking your camera with you and just have fun taking a variety of photos.