Easy Like Sunday Morning - One Hour Crocheted Necklace

HOW TO: Silky Soft Crochet Necklace

I love to crochet. I think it's way easier than knitting. Although I will say, I'm not a master at either, gaining just enough knowledge of both to do the basics, which I then use as additions to other projects. So, you see, I'm not a Sweater Knitter or anything that awesomely complex. I'm more a of a Scarf Knitter/Crocheter - row after simple row after simple row... I enjoy the less complicated, straight-forward act of knitting and crocheting, more as a practice of meditation and stress relief.



So, using the most basic skills necessary for crocheting, I created a necklace that took me about one hour (a little less 'cause I'm pretty fast at crocheting and sewing). Here's how...



One Hour Crocheted Necklace

Materials:
Super soft yarn
3.75 MM crochet needle
Scissors
Buttons
Large sewing needle (with a large eye)

Time:
1 hour or less

1. Chain stitch a single row, about 20 inches long (or however long you'd like your necklace). Make this number of stitches divisible by three (you'll see why at the end).

2. Begin chain stitching the second row, stitching only four stitches. This is going to be the little scallop on the necklace, so if you want them to be bigger, stitch a few more.

3. Count over three stitches on your first row and stitch the little loop into the third stitch. You made a little scalloped loop!






4. Stitch four more stitches, count three on the first row, stitch into the third one. Repeat until you reach the end of the necklace. Because you stitched your first row a number divisible by 3, you should reach the end with no excess stitches left over.

5. Tie off the ends. Now you should have a naked, scalloped necklace!

6. Next you're going to add the buttons. Thread your large-eyed needle with some of the yarn and sew on buttons wherever you would like embellishment. I love these beautiful abalone buttons!










7. It just so happens that I found this deep mauve-colored button in my button drawer that was a perfect match with the yarn and the perfect size to slip into the scallop loops. I secured this one to the end of the necklace. This button fits perfectly into the last scallop loop on the opposite end, serving as the necklace clasp.

You could use beads also, if you don't want to use buttons, anything you can secure to the necklace using needle and thread.

Enjoy!

Reclaimed Angora Neck Warmer

HOW TO: Reclaimed Angora Neck Warmer

The San Francisco Bay Area is unseasonably cold during the summer months - instead basking in warmth during the Spring and Fall seasons. So, because of the chilly weather of late, I thought about a project I did a while ago that I love, but have yet to share.

I bought the most beautiful Angora wool turtle neck sweater last year at the thrift store and wouldn't you know it, the very first time I washed it (before I wore it) I shrunk it!?! I was so upset, even though I had only spent $7.00 on it. I have never been able to afford real Angora before and this sweater was so nice, so I was heart broken. But I was determined to not let it be a total waste. I decided it was perfect for turning into a cozy neck warmer!

I've made a few of these in the past, but they've always been knitted and crocheted, and always gifts for friends and loved ones.






I figured since it was Angora wool and I had effectively "felted" the material by washing it, so it wasn't going to un-wind if I cut it. So, here goes....

Super Easy, Up-cycled Angora Neck Warmer

Materials:
-old turtleneck sweater made of wool, already shrunk or pre-shrunk
-scissors
-crochet needle
-yarn
-needle and thread
- buttons

Time: Depending on how quickly you crochet and sew, this can be an hour long project.

1. If you have an old, unwearable wool sweater and it's not yet shrunken, wash it in the hottest water setting possible on your washing machine. Make sure to utilize the energy and water you're using running a hot wash cycle by throwing in some other things that would BENEFIT from the hot wash - effectively killing two birds with one stone.

2. Once the sweater is dry, very carefully cut the neck off of the sweater, keeping as close to the seam as possible. Then, cut the turtle neck in half, top to bottom, creating the "seam" you'll use for the opening of the neck warmer.

3. Chain stitch your yarn, checking regularly to make sure it is the length of the entire border of the turtleneck. Be sure to chain stitch some extra length for your button loops.








4. Use a large-eyed needle to sew the chain stitched yarn onto the entire outside border of the turtleneck, using the same yarn, which effectively "hides" these stitches. When you get to the front of the opening, where you'll eventually sew on buttons, sew loops into your border that will fit over your buttons.

5. Sew the buttons on to the opposite side of the opening that you stitched the loops on to. Make sure to line up the buttons to the loops so they are even when you are wearing your neck warmer.

6. You're done! Enjoy the coziness!



















You didn't think I was going to waste the rest of the sweater did you? ;) Stay tuned, I'm either going to create a trim for that and turn it into a sweater for one of my toothpick-thin friends (hee hee) or I'll make it into the softest pillow ever adorned with crewl work, which I've always wanted to learn how to do.

Home Made, Recycled-Content Cat Toy

HOW TO: Recycled-Content Cat Toy
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am OBSESSED with my cats. I love them. I am 33 and don't have children yet, so all of my motherly-instinctive love goes to my two furballs, Shea and Kalyana-mitta.

While I don't like to throw things away, I am a huge proponent of giving things to Goodwill that are no longer useful in my house - one person's trash is another person's treasure (as the old adage goes). BUT, before I give anything away, I always keep it a bit and ponder what might be done with it, what useful thing could I make it into.... not all of these endeavors to turn "trash into treasure" are successful, but this project takes the cake for longevity and enjoyment!

Here's directions for making a Home Made Catnip Toy for your pussy!

Materials:
-used plastic bags
-umbrella cover or an old sock (you know, that one missing a mate, stolen by that wily Laundry Monster we all run into on occassion)
-copious amounts of catnip
-needle and thread
Time: Depending on how quickly you sew, this could take you anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes.

1. Take that weird umbrella sleeve-thingy you get with a new umbrella that you never use (!), or an old sock. If you're using the sock, cut the sock just above the ankle (where it curves as it leads into the foot area of the sock), essentially cutting the sock in half. You'll be using the leg portion of the sock, not the foot.

2. Cut the used plastic bags in half. I used about two plastic bags for the toy I made using the umbrella sleeve. I used one used plastic bag for an old sock.

3. If using a sock, sew up one end of the sock with the needle and thread. This isn't a beauty contest, so just sew it so that it's a tight, straight stitch and the catnip can't wiggle its way out.


4. Pour some cat nip into the umbrella sleeve or sewn-up-sock.

5. Krinkle the plastic bag and stuff it into the umbrella sleeve or sewn-up-sock.

6. Add more catnip, then plastic bag, and so on, until the sleeve or sock is stuffed full of both.

7. Sew up the open end of the sleeve or sock and, viola, you've got yourself a recycled-content, home made cat nip toy!

8. Tease your cat with it and watch them work themselves into a cat nip coma!

Enjoy!*












*These will eventually become covered in drool and dirt (if they play with them on the floor), so they will need to eventually be thrown out and you'll need to make a new one. The black-with-multi-colored-circles toy pictured above is about 4 years old. The cats still love it and because of the material (umbrella sleeve) it's far outlasted the old socks. But the socks hold their own as well, lasting at least a year or more.

It's been a long time and I won't go on about that.... except to say that I have been working really hard for the past two years for a non-profit in all of my spare time, plus another job. I've been too busy to really blog about all of the work that I've done on my crafting. As well as getting married to my partner of 11 years (this year in August) last year. But now I'm feeling some real space to record and talk about the work that I'm doing of late.

I'm a typical Gemini in that I get bored pretty quickly with just one style of crafting, so I'm usually into multiple projects at one time, including aromatherapy and embroidery, or embroidery and knitting, or embroidery and cooking(!), embroidery and stitching, etc. And as I play with each form of creative expression, I continually seek to change it up, to keep it interesting. So, I'm back in the game and I'm going to be updating the blog more to share my passion as expressed through crafts.

So to start us off... here's some mixed media projects I've completed recently. In particular, I was fascinated with the idea of embroidering on canvas, but realized the potential problems with that process, so I came up with an idea of embroidering on fabric, glue it to canvas and then disguising it somehow. The results....




This was a gift for friends for their wedding. It is a hand-drawn pattern embroidered on fabric, stretched canvas, oil paint, dried flowers and a deconstructed-wicker wreath.







This is my gift to my amazing mother. Again, a hand-drawn pattern embroidered on fabric, stretched canvas, acrylic paint, dried lavender and violets. I love my mom!

Kalyana has the secret to life...

I'm not even gonna go there on how long it's been since I blogged last. I did that in my last post and sadly, it's the same situation this time. I have been so busy I can't even believe it. And it's not even the good kind of busy, my friend. It's the kind where life is going by way too fast. It's the kind of busy where I'm trying to open new doors and simultaneously close old ones. It's the kind of busy where I'm so excited about the things that are surely in store for me, but still deeply entrenched in the things I currently have committed to- waiting anxiously for them to end.



I really wish I had Kalyana-mitta's attitude; if I did, life might seem a bit more do-able right now. (Could she be any cuter!?!?!?!)



All the while, I'm trying to remain centered and focused on the things that are meaningful to me. Unfortunately two of my favorite things have had to take a back seat to this mania I find myself mired in- crafting (gasp! I know!!??!!) and working out. Although, somehow I have managed to make a few things, yet all of my bigger projects have been put on hold (Sarah-bug and Jay, I haven't forgotten about your presents, I swear!). Recently, I got to thank the universe that two people humped years ago and, voila! Louisa was brought into the world and eventually into my life! I love her so much and happily made her a couple of things for her birthday - a shirt I found in a garage sale that I added a beautiful melon-colored lavender-esque flower to and a bookmark of 'shrooms. I like both things and think they turned out perfectly for one of my very best friends. Happy birthday, Weezie, I couldn't do this thing called life without you in it, sister!












I think this blogging thing is also going to remain one of the unfortunate victims of the pace of my life for the next couple of months, but I'm gonna try to minimize the trauma as much as I can. I really do enjoy this blog and the fact that it lets me share the things I love to do. I'll be sure to post regular updates on the closing doors and newly opened ones as they happen...

OMG, it's been so long since I've blogged!!! I can't believe how time flies and how much I'm doing right now - or at least attempting to do! :) It's been crazy! I started a two week long paid vacation in mid-August and in the middle of that, Chris and I left for 'Burque for a week long visit with friends and family. Ever since we got back, life's been flying by! A little too fast if you ask me.

But I have lots to share today! Check it out, a little photo montage of the past couple weeks:



The big beautiful Nuevo Mexico sky! I love it! This shot is of the mesa on the drive up to Durango from 'Burque, where we went to visit Chris' parents.




We spent the evening after dinner sitting outside on Chris' parents property enjoying the gorgeous Durango sunset. Later, the stars came out and it was amazingly beautiful. I don't think I've seen the Milky Way so clearly, it was breathtaking.



The whole time we were back in 'Burque, we spent every single minute with our friends, sipping cocktails on patios, catching up, meeting new babies, visiting with growing children and planning for the future. It was so perfect! (This is me & one of my loves, Drew!)


Chris' dad finally gave us a treasure I've been waiting for for so long - pictures of the family. This one is one of my favorites. It's Chris' paternal grandmother, when they lived in Cyprus (where Chris' dad was born). I think it's lovely. I wish I could have met her.




Then my mom came to visit! She spoiled me rotten! :) It was so nice to see her and hang out. This shot is from the day we climbed the Filbert steps to see the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower. The climb is steep but so beautiful, and if you are ever in SF, it's so worth the effort!

Shortly after I got home, I got a great box full of presents from India and Thailand from one of my bff's, Sarah-bug! She recently returned to the States after being abroad for two years, teaching English in Hiroshima, Japan and traveling around India and Thailand's beaches. These are the cute little wooden sandals she got me. I strung them with pretty black ribbon and now they are hanging on my wall. I love them!

Sarah-bug also made sure I felt like an Indian princess by outfitting me with an arm full of beautiful bracelets! I love the tinkling sound they make! Although, in all honesty, I don't really wear them all at the same time, it's too intense!


I love scarves, they are one of my very favorite accessories. So I was delighted to find a beautiful red scarf in Sarah-bug's treasures, along with the coolest gift of all - a bindi kit. The little metal things are stamps, you dip them in vaseline and then in whatever color powder and stamp them on your forehead. I love rocking bindis and so to have a traditional kit is freakin' awesome! Plus the colors are great!





Then, Bug got me this cute beaded belt!





Lastly, I found that bug had gifted me with the cutest little lunch set I've ever seen! It's an Asian tupperware set, so it's super styley and it even comes with an adorable set of chop sticks. The bag's inside is lined with insulation so your food either stays cold or warm. Cute!

Despite all of my craziness the past couple of weeks, I have actually done some crafting (although definitely not as much as I would have liked!). I know you've seen this Kurt Halsey embroidery on a jacket I've done before, but I saw this shirt in my closet and knew it needed a little something to jazz it up. Since it's so filmy and soft, I couldn't imagine anything else on it but Kurt's adorable angel and bird. I love it and have worn the shirt more now than ever before!














I've also got some birthday presents in the works (Seriously, I feel like I'm destined to be forever working on birthday gifts!?!?), but obviously I can't show those for the time being. They'll make their debut soon! Keep checking back!

Last thing for today, I hope that everyone is enjoying the weather changes that the fall brings. And I hope your summers were relaxing and refreshed your energy for the coming fall and winter months ahead. I know I'm looking forward to them! :)

Sindee mania!!!!!

It was my sister's birthday on July 23rd, and yet again, I am late sending out her birthday presents. For me this year, it's been a real test of endurance to get presents out on time. I guess it's a worthwhile problem to have - (too!?!) many people I love enough to make something special for. This year I went all out for my sister though, making four things I thought she could use and would love.

A dish towel proclaiming the goodness of veggies, because she has started cooking more frequently in the last year or so.


A make up bag out of cool oil cloth I found a while back (and knew one day would have a great project to use it). The picture it's sitting next to is one that she painted a couple of years ago for me for the holidays.



A felt bookmark, because she is one of my favorite sweetie chickens and also loves to read. I love it and want to make myself one now! (The book underneath the bookmark is Zadie Smith's On Beauty; I especially love her book, White Teeth. Hands down, one of the funniest books I've ever read!)




And finally, I made another felt mascot. But a cutesy little squirrel or some other benign little animal wouldn't do for my sister. So I thought a skunk would be more fitting. And I love her! She's so cute, and yet could unleash a stink on you you wouldn't soon forget! :) I love it and I really hope my sister loves her too!




My sister and I have a pretty unique relationship. We are actually cousins. My aunt adopted me when I was really young and so my cousin and I grew up together as sisters. We are pretty much the same age, only one month separates our birthdays. So yeah, pretty much twins. Mom even dressed us like twins often. Growing up with a sibling the same age was a blessing and a challenge. It was great to have someone to navigate puberty and the trials of figuring out who you are with, but it could also be a great challenge to figure all that out with someone else right next to you also fighting to figure all that stuff out with. But we are at a stage that I really love now, we are close and love one another more than each could ever explain. I know she is there for me no matter what. And as we move through life, I know that we will always have one another and that makes me feel incredibly secure, loved and truly blessed. She is one of my best friends in the whole world and I cherish every memory of our childhood and look forward to the milestones we will cross together! (Love you, seestar!)

Before I go - today is my 9 year anniversary!!!! I am thrilled! I've been telling everyone today, I'm shameless, I know! We spent all day together, nothing out of the ordinary, but it was bliss. I am more in love today that I have ever been. I am so blessed to have Chris in my life and hope our next 9 years are as exciting, loving and full of joy as the past 9 have been. I love you, Chris!