Felting Flowers part 2

The flowers turned out pretty good! All it took was to sew the stems to the base and the base to the spathe (the flower of the calla lily) and the spathe to the spadix.

After sewing flora wire into the stem I realized that it would be good to sew it in before washing it. The fabric shrunk some and required some squeezing to get the stem to look good. I also decided the best way to sew the stem together was just more yarn. It was easier to handle and made it look ten times better than just ordinary thread.

I made a little one for my antique cat on my mantle and a larger one just to display. I think it looks pretty. They would be good gifts for people who like flowers.

The pin turned out well too. I look forward to giving it to the person I made it for. The buttons were easily purchased at Wal-Mart and made the pin look smart. I could see it on a black winter coat or a purple one.

I purchased pin backs at Michael's and sewed them on with thread. I sewed the buttons on with thread as well. I used the picture in the book for reference for the button placement.

I still have quite a bit of yarn and  might make a few more. Just to have as gifts as the need arises.

I think felting is a worthy practice and a look forward to more in the future!

Felting Flowers Part 1

I took the plunge and crocheted flowers to felt. I have never felted anything before in my life, but have been very fascinated since I started crocheting again.

I  found these flowers in Nicky Epstein's Crocheted Flowers book. The pictures in her book are spectacular. I immediately fell in love with the book when I first ran across it in the book store.

The patterns in the book are written in the common word form. But there are diagrams to follow as well.

The patterns themselves were easy to follow but it has taken three good washings for the flowers to be felted to my preference. According to Epstein, that is the way to go.

Also according to Epstein, the yarn needs to be at least 50% wool to be feltable. That did not seem to be correct in the instance of one of the yarns I used called Amazing from Lion Brand. The 53% wool was not enough to beat the acrylic that was in it as well.

The other brand of yarn I used was Cascade 220. It was 100% wool and worked great for felting.

When felting anything, I have read, that it is important for the wool to be very agitated in the washing machine. I put some jeans in for more friction (thus adding more agitation).  I put my washing machine on Hot and turned it to Heavy Duty. Then I let it go for a normal cycle (wash, rinse and spin).

The results were good. They continued getting better with each cycle. After you are done felting your project you must allow it to air dry.

I look forward to putting these flowers together. One will be a pin and the other two will be display flowers.

Wait for my next post, so you can see how they turned out!

Beautiful Crochet

Recently I have been working on some crocheted flowers from Crocheted Flowers by Nicky Epstein.

So far making the flowers has been pretty easy, but I am still in the middle of perfecting the felt.

 There are so many desirable flowers to make in the book that I can't wait to try them all! Unfortunately I haven't covered as many flowers as I would like to before I give a review. But so far so good.

Epstein also has been featured Vogue Knitting: Crochet 2012 issue where she has displayed more fabulous projects that I would love to do. Including a awesome throw that I would love to try.

Mostly I am excited about the magazine itself. I have seen Vogue Knitting since I started crocheting again, every time I saw it I wondered if there was a crochet version. 

One day I was in the neighborhood Barnes and Noble in the magazine section and I found the crochet version!

It has been a delight to look through. My aunt, who helped me learn to crochet, was just as impressed when she was at my house not to long ago. I mean there are so many fantastic yarn options and yarn patterns! I am amazed every time I look at it.

So, I would suggest, if you are looking for some inspiration to get your hooks out, look through Vogue Knitting: Crohect issue out now. You will be surprised and delighted at what you can find to crochet!

June Projects

It has been a busy hooking week. Busy finishing projects and adding new and unexpected ones.

I recently have finished a little lamb I'm giving to my sister-in-law Toni for her newest baby coming in September. He turned out cute for coming from an "old" amigurumi pattern.

 The next project was a spur of the moment project that my husband asked me to do for his co-worker. It's just another sweet dog from Ami Ami Dogs book I reviewed. My husband said, and it is true that he is the smallest dog ever produced from that book. But he still thought it was super cute. I hope the future mother and father will like it too!

I also finished those pillows that have needed for our basement living space. Once I sat down to finish them it was a quick stitch. It also has been quick stitching around them to get them around the pillow forms.

The pattern was called "Unholy Granny Square" that I found on Raverly. Very easy to follow and it produced great pillows! I highly recommend it, if you are looking for a quick pillow to crochet.

I made these dishcloths just to pass some time. But there are several birthdays this month so I'm not too worried about giving them away. They turned out pretty good, even though they came off the Sugar n' Cream label.

I do not recommend going off the label all the time. I've had lots of bad luck with label crochet patterns. This label pattern happened to turn out just great.

If you are looking for patterns I suggest you find a good pattern book. If you don't like buying a whole bunch of books I recommend you sign up for Raverly which is fun to look at their patterns and find suggestions for other good patterns out there.

Writing Room

My writing room is on its way!!! It's walls are covered in my chosen paint colors and it's ready to be carpeted.

I knew that post would encourage me. The power of writing! I probably should quickly touch up a few places, otherwise I'm afraid it will never happen.

But I should be off to the carpet store here in the next week or so. Choosing carpet and getting them to lay it. It's exciting!

The Simple Things

I have no idea why, but making simple meals and desserts have not been my forte. I have wanted and usually make something less simple, calling for those 'hard to find' ingredients.

So I'll make the farro salad (having know idea what farro looks like) instead of either purchasing a salad or mixing up a simple one, like tossed salad (carrots, lettuce, cheese and croutons?).

OK bad example, because I frequently purchase salads ready to be mixed. How about this....I'll use a Rachael Ray recipe (which usually has those hard to find ingredients) instead of that simple family recipe.

I think its the thrill of a challenge. That's why I'll use a different recipe never used before instead of going with the 'popular' over used recipe.

I didn't go that way this time. We are headed to my in-laws for the 4th. My mother-in-law just wanted cookies or bars. I already had in mind to make a tart that I had never made before. Then I thought Scotcharoos sounded good. It's a simple recipe. And its a bar. It is a BIG favorite, at least in my family.

So tart out...even though I'm planning on making it. For this Friday, pending it goes as planned.

All in all I hope my Scotcharoos turned out alright because I've never made them before. Hopefully simple thing wins...and I won't have regretted not making that tart for the 4th.