October 2013 | Vintage, Paint and more...

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Crochet Blanket Edging




I have been cleaning out my closet over the last couple of weeks.
Yep, it took me that long to dig through
everything that was in there
and
"declutter" it...
 And, boy did I find a lot of forgotten "stuff".
One of the things I found was this little blanket.

I had bought this to put in Miss A's room when I redid it.
I had wanted to crochet an edge around it
to dress it up a bit.
But, it was summer and for some reason I just hate to
crochet in the summer.
That is a craft I do only when the temps are cool -
fall and winter...
So, it got put back and totally forgotten.
When I found it I  decided no better time than now to finish it.

I added this sweet little scallop edging to it
and
I think it really dresses it up.
(And so does this cute little purple dude.)


It's a very simple edging that I like to add to these plain fleece blankets
to dress them up a bit.
I have done this to several we have here.
This edging is quite simple
because
I use the already existing blanket stitch around the edge
of it for my base.


You can see it better here -
I have just crocheted each stitch in the stitches of the blankets edge.

The pattern is as follows:
( Now I hope this makes sense as I do not write crochet patterns.)
Also this is a pattern I made up in my head.

I start by attaching the yarn in a stitch anywhere except a corner.
I then single crochet in each stitch all the way around the blanket.
At each corner I increased as needed to keep the piece lying flat-
with no puckers.
I do this by making two single crochets in about every third or fourth stitch.
This will be different for each  blanket.
Join the first row with a slip stitch in the first single crochet,
chain one and single crochet in same stitch.
Skip the next single crochet then do 5 double crochets in the next single crochet,
skip the next single crochet,
do a single crochet in the next single crochet.
Then repeat this pattern all the way around.
(* skip 1 sc, 5 dc in next sc, skip next sc, sc in next sc*) repeat
all the way around the blanket
slip stitch in beginning stitch and tie off leaving a short tail
to weave in.
A very simple and easy crochet pattern that makes such a difference
on one of these plain fleece blankets.


I love doing these. 
The blankets are quite inexpensive and the pattern is simple.
It took me all of two hours to do this whole blanket.
And.
what a cute gift this would make for someone
for Christmas.

What do you think?
Think you might want to make a couple of these for Christmas gifts?
You can also just buy the fleece in a 1 1/2 yard or 2 yard lengths,
then punch your own holes.
Then do a blanket stitch around it and proceed with the edging
pattern after that.
I have made several this way also.
I just use a plain old paper punch.
(Your hand will get tired)
But, when I want a certain look or pattern I have done this.
It still is quite simple and can be finished in an evening.


So, get yourself a cute little blanket and crochet a cute little edge
on it to keep you warm this winter.
And maybe this sweet little purple dude will come visit you...

Have a wonderful week
and
make something you love....

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.
Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there....































Saturday, October 26, 2013

Happy Birthday, Sissy.....

 
 
 
 
 
 
Today is another special day at our house...
Today we wish our
sweet Sissy
HAPPY BIRTHDAY....
 
Sissy turns 17 today
and
finally ended the month long time
of sharing the same age as Mimi...
 
Mimi and Sissy  are sisters
and
are alike in some ways
but,
so much different in others.
 
 
Sissy is very quiet and introspective
with
 a very serious attitude toward life.
She pretty much knows what her goals are
and
what is going to take to achieve them.
But, as most young ladies her age
is
questioning some of her goals...
 
 
She enjoys playfulness just as much as seriousness.
 
 
Loves horseback riding
 
 
The beach
and
plays basketball and volleyball...
 
 
 
Very diligent in her studies
and
has been earning college credits
even though she is a high school junior....
 
 
Our sweet little Sissy
has
grown into
 
 
a beautiful and wonderful young lady....
 
 
We love you Sissy...
Happy Birthday....
 
 
 
Grandma Cathy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Fall Paper Crafting


Today I want to show you a few of my gall paper crafts.
I love working with paper.
Any kind of paper from
book pages to the elaborate scrapbook papers
just speak to me.
And, I absolutely am in love with words on any
form of medium.
I think there is nothing that can take it's place.
So, I would, of course, have to have paper crafting
included
in my Fall decor.

This little vignette is full of paper crafting.
It starts with a stack of books - no covers.
And on top is a dollar store pumpkin that I decoupaged with
book pages.
Then inked it to make it look rustic.
Then I glued some faux flowers and leaves on top.
The pumpkin on the left is a book page pumpkin made from
an old paper back book that I added a stick stem
and a piece of burlap to.
The subway art is a piece of plywood
I painted with black chalkboard paint
and
then applied a rub on sticker to that I had from years ago.
All three of these items I made last year.
The owl came from Michael's this year
and I love it sitting here looking so cute.

scrapbook paper wreath

This wreath I made several years ago.
The flowers are all cut with the Cricut from scrapbook papers.
The centers of the flowers
are large brads, buttons, ribbons, whatever I had on hand.
Faux leaves were added to the cardboard base
before the flowers were glued on.
This is a very simple project
and I love the bright colors in it.
paper vignette on top of bookcase

This simple paper vignette sits on top of our bookcase.
How appropriate book page crafts
above books -
quite thought provoking don't you think....


What is your favorite go to medium for crafting with?
Do you use old paper books in any way?

Until next time
have fun creating something you love...



Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.
Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there.... 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Haunted Halloween Village

Vintage, Paint and more... a Halloween Village made from dollar store Christmas village pieces and painted with black chalkboard paint and glitter


I love those cute little Halloween villages that are seen in the stores. But, they can get rather expensive and I don't like spending a lot on Halloween décor.  I wanted to do an easy craft for Halloween with Miss A. She loves crafting and helping Grandma make things. She also loves painting and glitter. So I went to Dollar Tree and purchased five of their little Christmas village houses and a package of bottle brush trees.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Easy Halloween Candy Jars

Good afternoon everyone.
I'm going to share a really quick and easy project today.
Halloween Candy Jars.
candy jar icon
I am on a kick of gluing candlesticks to everything that
stands still long enough for me to do it.
I love the fact that the candlesticks can turn an ordinary
object into something so cute and different.
candy jars

These are oh so simple to make.
All you need is:
An empty jar
A miniature wooden candle cup
(found in the wood section of crafts stores)
A candle stick from Dollar Tree
(or wherever)
Black spray paint
Glass bond or glass glue

jar parts

The jars I used are empty mayonnaise jars.
I spray painted the candlesticks, jar lids and
candle cups with the black spray paint.
When they were dry
I glued the candlesticks to the bottom of the jars
and the
candle cups (turned upside down)  to the tops of the lids.

Jar lids

Let the glue dry.
This only took a couple of hours and
I had a set of candy jars.

candy jars with spider web

We filled these with some candy corn,
gummy body parts,
and
eyeball bubble gum
for a little get together we had for
Miss A's friends on Sunday.
They were a quite the hit.
( I think the candy more than the jars).
Very simple to make and can be used for all sorts of things.
I am thinking if you used different colors of paint for different holidays
you could have custom made candy jars year round
Or, they could hold marshmallows and DIY hot chocolate mix
for the winter.
There are all sorts of uses I can think of.

So, that was definitely a quick and easy project
you can do in just a couple of hours.

Have a great day
and
create something you love....


Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.
Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there.... 

Sunday, October 13, 2013

French Sewing Box

  


Vintage, Paint and more... thrifted vintage sewing box given an updated look

I was really excited about this project when I first started it but, it proved to be one of the most frustrating ones I've done in a long time.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Drop Cloth Pumpkins



Good morning friends...
This morning I am going to show you my drop cloth pumpkins I made.  I have seen so many kind of pumpkins, made out of so many types of mediums this fall and I am in love with all of them.  Especially the cloth ones- sweaters, velvet, old shirts, burlap, vintage handkerchiefs.... so, I decided to go to my favorite fabric and make drop cloth pumpkins.

Vintage, Paint and more.. pumpkins made from drop cloth

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Textures of Fall




Good morning friends.
How is your morning going?
We're having an absolutely awesome fall day
here at the beach.
It's 73, sunshiny, breezy
and
beautiful.
A perfect day to go for a walk
or
work on one of those many projects I have on hand.



I thought I would show you a couple of my
fall vignettes today.
I like to use lots of texture in my vignettes.
This one has many a varied texture in place -
the dried hydrangeas, basket, ceramic bird, metallic painted pumpkins,
beaded pumpkins, mod podge paper pumpkins
and
some potpourri.

 I left the hydrangeas on the bushes to dry most of the way.
To do that you basically just leave them on until they are turning brown
and
almost crunchy to the touch.
I then brought them in and placed them in the ironstone pitcher
with the stems covered about 2 inches with water.
I let the water evaporate over time
and
this dried the hydrangeas beautifully.
Now, mine are blue and brown
but,
that is exactly what I wanted as our décor is basically
neutrals with blues and browns.
They fit in beautifully
and
I love them this way....


The basket is filled with pumpkins, pumpkins and some
more pumpkins
and then a little potpourri with mini pumpkins.
The large pumpkin is a dollar tree pumpkin that is
mod podged with paper pages and then faux flowers and leaves
glued to the top.
You can read more about that here.
There are two small pumpkins that I painted with metallic paints
and
a beaded pumpkin that I have had for years.
The blue bird is one of my favorite things
and
shows up all over the house
but,
mostly in places where I can see her all day.
She just simply brings a smile  when I look at her.


This is another little vignette that is full of texture.
The flowers are faux with weeds/grasses and leaves.
I simply wrapped some burlap around the vase and tied it with twine.
Then I just stuck a little leaf in under the twine.


The pumpkin here is made from a paper back book.
These are simple to make.
I made this one last year - they are quite simple to do.
I did not write the directions on how to do this but,
if you want them just let me know and I can write up a quick
tutorial on them.
I glued a stick in the center as a stem
and
tied a bit of burlap around it.
Isn't that owl the cutest thing ever....
I got him at Michael's last week.
 He is made of all kinds of twigs, twine and naturals.
Just couldn't pass this cute little guy up
and
he really adds to this little vignette.


To me, fall is all about texture  -
and color.
It is the most vibrant season we have
and
mixing the cozy snugly textures with all the naturals
that can be found
is always a winner in my book.

Do you use lots of texture and mix up the colors of fall
with your normal décor.
Or do you use more neutral colors and less texture?
Either is right...
there are no rules....
It's simply what speaks to you and what you love....

Until next time have a great day
and
go out there and create something you love....





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Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.
Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there....