Table Runner

These are the valances hanging in my breakfast nook. 

Crocheted Dishcloths

Over the weekend I whipped up a couple of dishcloths.  I also have a knitted dishcloth pattern (I don't knit much, but dishcloths and some basic things I can knit.)  All three shown above are different patterns, but there is one pattern that I like the best.  That is the one I posted below.

Easy Homemade Lollipops

Easy homemade lollipops

Before my daughter was born (she is 27 years old) my grandmother gave all her daughters and granddaughters a wooden lollipop tree.  Unfortunately, mine is packed away with our holiday items and my husband did not have time to find the box it was buried in for this blog post.  I remember my grandmother was always cooking, baking, quilting, crocheting--generally doing "crafty" things.  She was always busy with some activity and enjoyed seeing her grandchildren stay active also.  I was still living at home, when she gave me my lollipop tree.  My mom went out and bought the round lollipop mold and supplies and we went to work on our first batch of lollipops.  It was so much fun, I made lollipops and decorated my tree for every holiday.  I seldom decorate it anymore, but occasionally I still make homemade lollipops.  They are very easy and fun.

Kilim Throw

While my husband was out of town last week, I visited the craft store trying to find myself a new project to keep busy.  The throw on the front of this book of afghans, Vanna's Choice--Color it Beautiful Afghans, caught my eye, so of course I had to make it.  It uses a lot of yarn, however, I didn't use as much yarn as the pattern called for, but I didn't follow the pattern in the book.  It's very thick and heavy and will make a nice cover during the colder months.  Each row is two colors of yarn, giving it a variegated look.  I made the afghan in a basic ripple.  The pattern I used is below.

Decorative Tile Art Project

For Christmas last year, my daughter-in-law, Amber, gave me a tile with a phrase in vinyl letters place on it.  Very cute!  When my daughter bought her new home, Amber went to work on one for her (shown above).  I asked her to take pictures and write up the instructions as she went.  This is what she said:

The good thing about this project for me at least, is having a connection in the tile business. It's fun to choose the tile you'll be working with. I usually try to match it to colors already being used in the decor of the recipient. My FAVORITE part is choosing the saying that will go on the tile.  A good web site for a variety of expressions: Vinyl Letter Decor Then you choose the vinyl. There are so many colors. When I picked up the chocolate vinyl I also saw hot pink, blue, yellow, white and black.

I used my Cricut machine to cut the vinyl with the George font and Basic shapes cartridge. I measure the tile and divide it up using tape as a guide so I can get the lettering as straight as possible.  After measuring the tile, then I cut the letters.  You can place the lettering anyway you please.

After they are placed to your liking you press down on the vinyl making it stick to the tile. This is a really simple and cute project! So fun and makes great gifts.

Supplies used:

Cricut machine 










George font and basic shapes cartridge

Cricut brand vinyl

Tile

Crocheted Finger Puppets

A very good friend of mine, Danna Smith, is a children's book author.  Her latest book Two at the Zoo is a cute counting book and one that I love to read to my almost two year old granddaughter.  Grandpa and grandson count their way through the zoo finding one bear on up to ten warthogs.  Her books are always entertaining and this one is no exception.  Her dazzling rhymed text, along with the great colored illustrations make her books great gifts for all the small children in your life.