Tag Archives | learn to craft

Easy to make Paper Roses. Beautiful and Inexpensive Gifts

Paper Rose pen

Paper Roses

Paper Roses are fun and easy to make.

When we were kids we would make crepe PaperRoses.  They make fun and inexpensive gifts for Mother’s Day,  Teacher Gifts or Secretary’s Day.  You can make them as stand along roses or place them on the top of a pen for a fun and pretty alternative to a plain pen.   You can make several rose pens (in different colors) and place in a small cup that is then placed on top of a desk.  These are perfect as inexpensive gifts.  With so many teachers and other people to give gifts to sometimes staying within our household budgets can be a challenge.  These are pretty  and inexpensive gifts.

Make them in white instead of red for a fun sign in pen for showers, weddings, etc.   I purchased all supplies except the green crepe paper (couldn’t find any) and pens from my local Dollar Tree.   I also used a low temp glue gun (and glue sticks) that I had previously purchased at my local Michael’s store.

 

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Learn to Knook – First 2 Lessons

Learn to Knook Kit

Knook Kit from Leisure Arts

Learn to Knook.  

Do you want to learn to knook but thought it was too hard.  It’s easier than you think and it creates beautiful “knit” look items.  I have seen the knook kits around and several people have commented they wanted to learn how to use them.  Since I knit I didn’t find much need for learning.  However, after receiving so many requests for tutorials I decided to try it out.  My friends at  LeisureArts.com were kind enough to send me several sets to try out.   I have played around with them a while back but then life got busy and I didn’t have time to really try them out.

This week I uploaded 2 new videos on learning to knook.   They are short videos that hopefully explain how this little hook creates the same stitches as traditional knitting.   The first video will teach you how to create the “knit” stitch.   Click below to watch it.

Purchase your own Knook here:   Knook Kit  (Affiliate Link)

If you prefer to watch a video tutorial the link is on the next page.

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Great News! The Odds ARE stacked in your favor!

Choosing Yarns from my yarn shelves

Yarn Storage

I have some Great News for you.  The Odds are stacked in your favor!

I wanted to share something little different with you today.  This is a post from an old blog I used to have a few years ago.  With all the pressure of being liked and with social media our self-esteeem and self love can really take a toll.  Being able to judge yourself fairly is oftentimes difficult.  We seem to be our own worse critics.  What others might see as minor flaws when we see ourselves we are much more critical with ourselves than we are with others.  The good news is that the odds are stacked in your favor.  I don’t usually share personal thoughts but I hope you enjoy it.    I originally shared this back in 2011.

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Crochet Along with the fabulous Kristin Omdahl

Stitches West

Kristin Omdahl and Yolanda Soto-Lopez

Announcing a CAL Crochet Along Project with the Fabulous Kristin Omdahl

I finally got to meet Kristin Omdahl last year when I attended the Stitches West show in Santa Clara, Ca.  We were introduced thru our mutual friend Zee Pacheco.  I loved her instantly.  Her sense of humor, wit, authenticity and warmth really drew me to her as a friend.  We became quick friends.  Although we live on separate coasts of the USA.  I’m in California and she is in Florida.  Thru the use of technology we were able to grow our friendship.  We have been able to chat thru Facebook and thru Skype (video).  Isn’t Skype great?  It allows you to stay in contact with people while actually seeing them.

We thought it would be fun to work together on a project.  We decided to design an afghan together.  Each of us will be making 3 squares.  Every week we will take turns sharing our square on our YouTube channels and blogs.  Not only will you be able to see the video tutorial for each square but you will then be able to go to our blogs to download the written instructions for each square.

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Crochet Ripple Granny Stitch, Fast & Easy

Crochet Ripple Granny Stitch

Today I will share the Crochet Ripple Granny Stitch.  Learning new stitches is always fun.  It’s great to be able to have different designs you can use to create your crochet items.  The granny ripple is an old classic that is ideal for creating blankets, scarfs, afghans, etc.  I have even seen this design used for skirts and ponchos.  I would put the skill level for this pattern at a beginner.  If you can chain and double crochet you should be able to crochet it.  You will just have to remember that there are stitches that will be skipped, meaning you will not work any stitches in those stitches.  (Yes, chains count as stitches in these designs).

 

Photo of Crochet granny ripple Stitch

Crochet Granny Ripple

The pattern just repeats for as wide and tall as you need.   It can be made in a solid color but I tend to think using at least 2 colors is best although I would recommend at least 2 rows of the same color.  After your two rows you can change colors.   Choose colors you like as well as the type / weight of yarn you prefer.  This pattern makes a really pretty baby blanket with or without a border.   For this sample I used a light blue and pink and worked two repeats.

 

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