Archive | June, 2017

Crochet Gladiator Style Flip Flops

Crochet Gladiator Style Flips flops to turn your plain flip flops into fun sandals.   Who says flip flops have to be plain or boring?  Using some basic crochet stitches and a few new techniques (they’re easy) you can go from plain flip flops to personalized flip flops.  Summertime is here and that means warmer weather.  Ok, I admit that I live in Chula Vista, California (Suburb of San Diego) and our “Hot” weather isn’t exactly what others might consider hot.  Hey, living here we get used to a milder climate but even we get our occasional heat wave.

To beat the heat many of us turn wearing sandals and other warm weather accessories.  I admit that I look forward to being able to wear sandals.  However, I am not a fan of plain flip flops.  I like to customize them a little and jazz them up a bit.  In today’s blog post I will share how I turned my plain flip flops into crochet gladiator style flip flops.   You can customize by using your own colors, make them all one solid color or combine colors.  You can even add beads or a small fringe along the top edge.   As always I have provided a free YouTube video tutorial for visual learners.  The links appear at the end of the post.  I used cotton yarn Peaches & Creme from Yarnspirations.  They have a great selection of solid colors and some varigated choices.

If you would like to purchase an Ad Free PDF pattern please click here:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gladiator-style-flip-flops

 

Flip flops

Crochet Flip flops

crochet gladiator style flip flops

crochet flip flop

crochet gladiator style flip flops

(side view)

 

 

 

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Learn To Quilt by Using Templates

Learn to Quilt

Have you been wanting to learn to quilt but were a little intimidated?  Using templates makes your Learn to Quilt adventure so much easier.  Today thanks to my friends at Nancy’s Notions  I will be sharing a tutorial for using their Dresden Template.  This kit comes with the Dresden template, seam alignment template, and a colorful and information Instruction Booklet.  There are 15 variations that can be made using this template and the booklet gives you full instructions.   Remember, quilt tops aren’t the only uses for these designs.  I chose to make a decorative pillow and also created a small Dresden Plate in order to embellish a small canvas bag I purchased at my local Joann Craft and Fabric Store.

I think the hardest part was choosing my fabric.  Going to the fabric store has been an activity I really enjoy.  I could get lost there for hours.  Walking down the aisles and see all those bolts of fabrics can be mesmerizing.  So many fabrics and so little time.  First, I used my Dresden template to make a pillow top.  I can bring this pillow out to decorate during the holidays.  Place on my front porch chair or take along for a picnic or parade for comfort.  I had previously purchased a small canvas bag from Joann’s when they were on sale.  I decided to make a small Dresden plate using the templates to embellish my plain tote bag.  Now the tote is so much more colorful and will make a perfect gift for carrying crochet or knitting supplies.  I can already see my colorful yarn balls and crochet hooks and knitting needles inside my little canvas tote bag.  It would make a great gift.

Learn to Quilt - Using templates

Dresden Plate quilting design used on a pillow and a canvas tote bad

You can purchase the Dresden Template kit and other supplies here:    Nancy’s Notions  Grab it now while it’s on sale for only $9.99 until July 31, 2017.  That’s a great bargain.

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