Archive | 2014

Crafty’s Best Sale of 2014

(sponsored post- contains affiliate links )

If you’ve never taken a Crafty class you’re in for a treat.  What I love about these classes is that you can take them on your own time schedule.  There are also some free intro (mini-classes) you can watch to give you an idea of the quality of the instruction.  The classes are filmed so beautifully and the instructors are great.  I hope to be one soon.  (Fingers crossed)  They make a great gift for others as well as for yourself.

Get the gift you really want during Craftsy’s Best of 2014 Sale happening now through Christmas! Treat yourself while ALL our classes are $19.99 or less, so you can make your best projects in 2015. Shop now to stock up and save.

Once you enroll you’ll own your Craftsy classes forever, so you can watch them at your pace in the comfort of your home, anytime. Hurry, offer expires 12/25/14 at 11:59 PM MT.

Knitting and Crochet: Craftsy’s Best of 2014 Sale
Quilting, sewing and embroidery: Craftsy’s Best of 2014 Sale
Jewelry and paper crafts: Craftsy’s Best of 2014 Sale
Gardening and woodworking: Craftsy’s Best of 2014 Sale
Cake Decorating and cooking: Craftsy’s Best of 2014 Sale
Photography, painting and drawing: Craftsy’s Best of 2014 Sale
Craftsy’s Best of 2014 Course Sale – $19.99 or less!

 

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Crochet and knitting lovers Christmas ornaments

thumbnailyarnornamentball

 

Looking for a fun and easy Cnristmas ornament that is still appropriate for the yarn enthusiast?   This little ornament combines polymer clay and of course yarn.   You choose the colors you want for the yarn and the clay.  To make these fun ornaments you will need:

Styrofoam ball (your choice of size)

yarn scraps

Polymer Clay

Ribbon about 10 inches

Sewing pin with head on it

pencil (to poke hole thru styrofoam)

Hot glue gun

clay cutting tool or exacto knife
I like to shape the knitting needles or the crochet hook first.   Take about 1/4 of the package of polymer clay (most are already scored).  You will need to condition the clay before using.  This just entails softening the clay until it is soft and pliable.  I just knead the clay between my fingers.  If you have a pasta machine (Only used for clay,  DO NOT use with food and clay) you can run your clay thru the machine to soften it up.

1)  Roll into a long tube shape.   Measure against the styrofoam ball to make sure it is longer than the styrofoam.  Allow about an extra inch since the ball with be bigger after you wrap the yarn around it.

2)  If you are making the knitting needles, gently push down on one tip of the tube and continue rolling back and forth.  This will shape the needle tip.

3)  If you are making the crochet hook  row your long tube shape, also measure against the ball.   Now you will use your knife to cut to shape the crochet hook.  (See video tutorial for more details)

4)  Put your needles and hooks into an oven.  I use a disposable aluminum tray purchased at the dollar tree.  If you are using a cooking sheet from your kitchen be sure to line it with aluminum foil.  You do NOT want to cook your clay on the same surface you use for cooking food.    Follow the clay manufacturers instructions for baking.  I baked my items for 30-35 minutes at 260 degrees farenheit.

5)  Let needles and hook cool completely before handling.

While the needles and hooks are cooling I take a pencil and make the holes thru the styrofoam ball.  For the crochet hook you will only need one hole that goes all the way thru the ball.  For knitting needles you will need 2 holes that go all the way thru.  It’s very important that they do not intersect inside the ball or you won’t be able to push both needles thru.  Make sure one hole is slightly in front of the other.

Take your cooled crochet hook or needles and insert to your ball.   Now take your glue gun and dab a drop onto the ball to adhere the beginning of the yarn strand to the ball.  Wrap around the ball.  When you finish making sure to add another dab of glue to hold the end of the yarn strand.   Do the same with the knitting needles.    To hang ornaments cut a piece of ribbon about 10 inches long.  Tie the ends together and use a sewing pin with a head on it to attach it to the yarn ball.   Now it is ready for the tree.   Enjoy!

Are you more of a visual learner?   No problem,  be sure to watch the video tutorial.    Enjoy your ornaments.  Be sure to make some for your crochet and knitting friends.

To purchase supplies:   (containers affiliate links)

1)  Polymer clay

2)  Styrofoam balls:

3)  Yarn:

4)  Pins:

 

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Easy Crochet Elf Hat

This Easy Crochet Elf Hat is so fast and easy to make.    As promised I have included the ears.  Ears are optional but do give it that “elf” look.  This is just a fun hat and can be made in your favorite Christmas colors.

Crochet Elf Hat

Easy Crochet Elf Hat

This is sized for a women/older teenager.  To adjust for a child Check out these hook suggestions.   Everyone crochets differently.  I tend to crochet tightly especially after my hands are tired.

This sizing chart are just suggestions.  Try the hat on the recipient probably before making your last 3 rows of the green (after Round 19);  If it’s too tight just repeat one more row of increases.   I hope you enjoy this fun hat.  Remember, after this post free written patterns will be emailed every 2 weeks to members only.   If you want to receive my bi-weekly newsletter  (It will be short, I promise)  and free written patterns for any projects created that week (I will also start adding patterns for past videos) you need to sign up to become a member.  Sign-up is easy.  Just submit your email when you see the membership signup notice.   I need your email in order to send you the newsletter, patterns and other goodies.  Basic membership is free.

There are two options available with or without ears.   YouTube Video Tutorial  click  Here

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Welcome

I want to welcome all of you to my official website. Please bear with me as I work out all the kinks and learn how to do the “techy” stuff. Please be sure to become a member by adding your name and email. This will allow me to send you a bi-weekly newsletter filled with new ideas, project and to qualify for giveaways. If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger send me your info and a sample post to my email: yslopez1@gmail. Be sure to add the words “Guest blogger” in the subject. If you would like to have your shop added to our “Friends” list please send your info to the above email. Remember, that only members of this site will be added to our list.

Once again welcome to my new site. I will be working on this site to add all types of fun things.

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#Crochet Mermaid Tail photo prop

It seems that baby photo props are all the rage nowadays.  So many of you have asked for them, especially a Mermaid Tail.  So here is a link to my youtube video tutorials.  So sorry, still haven’t had time to write down the pattern.  With my mother sick it has taken up all of my time caring for her.  She is doing better but still  needs my attention.    Here is the link for the tutorial.  I hope you enjoy it.

Video 1 
Video 2 
Spanish Videos/  Español 
Video Uno 
Video Dos 

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