Creating Me

Simple Thoughts

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Anita

Sadly, sometimes we need to send sympathy cards to loved ones who have lost someone special. This card is for one of those times.

The flower stamp is an older stamp from Hero Arts. It’s discontinued, but this set from Penny Black is similar. The sentiment is part of a discontinued set from Stampin’ Up, but they have this great new set filled with wonderful greeting stamps. The embossing folder is the Quilt Top from Stampin’ Up. The Apron Lace border punch is from Fiskars – you can find it here or here. Here is a similar word label die set that would be great to have in your stash.

To make the card, ink the stamp with cranberry and green ink and stamp on white card stock. Trim and lightly sponge the edges with green ink. Punch the edge of a piece of green card stock with the border punch and attach the stamped image. Emboss a piece of cranberry card stock with the Quilt Top folder, tie with green ribbon, and attach to a white card. Attach flower image with foam tape. Stamp sentiment with green ink, punch with word label die, and attach to the card. This card can be used for any occasion by simply changing the sentiment.

A simple card sending heartfelt love when it is needed most.

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Crochet Patriotic Cuddle Buddy

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Anita

This is just the cutest little Cuddle Buddy! You can find the free pattern for this adorable Patriotic Popsicle Crochet Cuddle Buddy by Repeat Crafter Me here. She used the best color of blue to make it look just like a Bomb Pop popsicle! I didn’t have any of the light blue so I used navy instead – I think it still works great with the patriotic theme. 🙂

I used Red Heart Soft yarn in Really Red, White, and Navy with an H/5mm hook to crochet my Cuddle Buddy. You’ll also need a small amount of light brown for the legs and a small piece of black for the mouth. I found the 12mm safety eyes I used here at Amazon. And you’ll need fiber fill to stuff him.

He works up very quickly and makes the perfect gift for a little one with a Summer birthday!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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DIY Jewelry Organizer

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Anita

I have several long necklaces that always seem to get tangled together in my drawer. And I can never find the one I want without looking through all of them! I have been looking for just the right DIY piece to transform into an organizer to hang on my wall.

I found this piece at a local vintage store and although I didn’t like the color at all, I thought it would be perfect for what I needed. It measures 31 1/2-inches long by 4 1/2-inches wide. I think it may have been the front panel of a vanity or cabinet drawer at some point. The price tag listed it as a “project piece” and it was only $5 – I think it was meant for me. 😉

I painted the piece with Lace Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint. I had to paint 4 coats to get the coverage I wanted, making sure to let it dry between coats. Then I dry brushed it with leftover wall paint from my bedroom (Valspar Pewter) to soften the look and give it a more vintage-y (is that a word 😉 ) feel.

I found these great knobs at Amazon. They come in several colors and are a deal at only $12.99 for 12! They come in several different colors if turquoise is not for you. I love that they are flat on the bottom – I was hoping to be able to glue them onto the wood and these work great! I used clear E6000 glue (also available here on Amazon) to adhere my knobs evenly across the board.

And here it is!

It’s one of those projects that turned out exactly as I wanted! I just love it! Now I can find the necklace I want in seconds. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Decor, Organization, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Crochet Patriotic Star Garland

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Anita

Summer brings to mind hot weather, BBQs, and fireworks. It also makes me think of red, white, and blue as we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th in the USA. This cute Crochet Patriotic Star Garland is just the thing to celebrate all Summer long!

I used this pattern to make my stars. I had Red Heart Soft yarn in Really Red, White, and Navy leftover from crocheting this afghan which worked perfectly for my garland. I used an H/5mm hook.

I made a total of 10 stars – 4 red, 3 white, and 3 blue. You can make as many or as few as you need to get the length you want. To connect the stars, I chained 30 then slip stitched into the top of a star. Then I chained 20 before slip stitching into the next star. I continued until all my stars were connected and ended by chaining 30 after the last star. Then weave in the ends and that’s it.

This Crochet Patriotic Star Garland is great for your mantel, window, or any place you decide to hang it!

Don’t have time to crochet a garland? This Patriotic Garland I made last year can be put together in just minutes! The stars are available at Hobby Lobby again this year!

Happy Summer!

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Decor, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Life is Sweeter

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Anita

I love this cute stamp set from Unity Stamp Company! It’s called Life is Sweeter with Treats and you can find it here.

I stamped the frozen treats stamp with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers. Then I added just a little clear glitter glue to each popsicle. I punched out the image with a circle punch and layered it to a scalloped circle punched (or this die set is great!) from orange card stock.

I punched the edge of a strip of orange card stock with the Apron Lace Border punch by Fiskars that you can find here or here. I dry embossed a strip of white card stock and attached it to the punched orange piece. (This folder is discontinued from Stampin’ Up, but here is a similar one.)

I stamped the sentiment with orange ink on white card stock and trimmed it close.

To assemble the card, attach a piece of orange card stock to a white card. Layer a slightly smaller piece of green polka dot paper over the orange card stock. Attach the punched border piece to the card. Attach the stamped sentiment, tucking it slightly under the orange card stock. Attach the stamped frozen treats to the card with foam tape. To finish the card, add 3 tiny gems next to the sentiment.

Such a cute card for a Summer birthday, a thank you, or just thinking of you!

Have a sweet day,

Anita

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Crochet Summer Shawl

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Anita

Summer is hot in Alabama! But sometimes the air conditioning is turned up so high that you need a sweater or wrap around your shoulders.

I found the pattern for this pretty shawl here at Elk Studio Handcrafted Crochet Designs. I used Patons Silk Bamboo yarn in Ivory with an I/5.5mm hook to stitch up my shawl.

I followed the pattern with just a little change at the end. I decided not to add the scalloped edging to the shawl for 2 reasons. The first reason was because I really liked the way it looked without it. The second reason was because I ran out of yarn (I used 6 skeins) – so it’s a good thing I liked it the way it was! 🙂

Once you work the first 9 rows of the pattern, the shawl continues by repeating rows 4 through 9 until you get the length you want. After the initial 9 rows, I worked 6 repeats of the pattern and then fastened off.

Patons Silk Bamboo yarn is incredibly soft and drapes beautifully! This stone color would also make a wonderful neutral color shawl. The pattern works up quickly – so you’ll have it all Summer to ward off that air conditioning chill!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Take Ten Summer 2018 Issue Available June 1st

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Anita

The new Take Ten Summer 2018 issue will be available June 1st! I’m so excited to have 3 cards published in this issue!! 😊

Somehow I forgot to take pictures of these cards before I mailed them in. 😕 So I apologize for the quality of the pics, I just snapped pictures from the magazine – but you can order your very own copy of Take Ten Summer 2018 here.

This adorable hippo is from the Happy Hippos stamp set by MFT Stamps. They also have a Happy Hippos die set to go with the stamps!

The stamps I used on the 2 cards below (except the “thinking of you”) are from the Hello Birdie stamp set by Unity Stamp Company. The “thinking of you” stamp is an older stamp from Savvy Stamps.

I used this Dots Embossing Folder for the orange strip of card stock on the card above. The other 3 folders are from Stampin’ Up – the Quilt one is available here, but the other 2 are discontinued – just use your favorites to create your own background.

It’s so fun to have my cards published in my favorite magazine! If you’re looking for a magazine with tons of inspiration, check out Take Ten Magazine. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Crochet Mini Flip Flop Key Chain

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Anita

Oh my goodness! These Crochet Mini Flip Flop Key Chains are just the cutest things! They are super easy to make and are so fun for the Summer.☀️

You can find the free pattern here at Maki Crochet Patterns. She also includes a video which I highly recommend watching, especially the part about joining the soles together. It’s a little trickier than a simple single crochet, but her video shows exactly how to do it.

I used Artiste #8 Crochet Cotton in turquoise and pink to crochet my flip flops. The pattern calls for a thinner weight cotton thread and to use 2 strands. Since this cotton thread is thicker (#8) I just used one strand with a 3mm hook.

You’ll also need 1 to 1 1/4-inch split key rings. Like the ones you can find here.

Aren’t they just the cutest little flip flops? 🙂

There are so many different color combinations you can make these in – you’re only limited by the colors of crochet cotton thread you can find! They would be adorable attached to your beach bag, purse, or back pack. They would also make fun favors for a Summer birthday party…☀️

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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For You – Happy Birthday

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Anita

I just love the way this card turned out! The coral and green colors go so well together and the lace adds just a hint of vintage.

The “for you” stamp is an older stamp from Stampin’ Up. This is a cute flower set from My Favorite Things that would work great! You could stamp “for you’ in the center of the flower or leave it blank. The Dots embossing folder is from Sizzix and you can find it here. My “happy birthday” stamp is from Stampendous and I’ve had it forever! Here’s a similar one that I really like.

To make the card, lightly sponge the edges of a white card with green ink. Stamp the for you (or flower) with coral ink and punch with a scalloped circle punch. Layer to a larger scalloped circle punched from green card stock. Stamp happy birthday with green ink on white card stock. Trim into a banner shape and sponge the edges with green ink. Trim a piece of white card stock into a cone shape. Emboss with the dots folder and sponge with green ink, especially on the raised areas.

Attach the embossed cone shape to coral colored patterned paper. Tie a piece of ecru lace around the panel and attach the panel to the card. Attach the flower and banner to the card with foam tape.

With a simple flower and changing the sentiment to “thinking of you” this would make a great everyday card, too!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

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Farmhouse Inspired Crochet Cotton Coasters

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Anita

Do you need some new coasters to freshen up your table? I love these sweet little coasters I created. They have a fun farmhouse look and are sort of a cross between a flower and a doily.

I stitched them up using I Love This Cotton yarn in white with an H/5mm hook. They work up super fast so you can make several in an evening while you’re watching your favorite show on Netflix. 🙂 You can find the pattern below…

Farmhouse Inspired Crochet Cotton Coasters

I Love This Cotton yarn in white

Size H/5mm hook

Coaster measures about 4-1/4 inches in diameter

Stitches used (US terms)

Chain – ch

Slip stitch – ss

Single crochet – sc

Half double crochet – hdc

Double crochet – dc

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2. 12 hdc in ring. Join with ss to 1st hdc. Pull magic ring closed. (12 stitches)

Round 2: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to 1st sc. (24 stitches)

Round 3: Ch 2. Work 2 hdc in same stitch as ss. Hdc in next 2 stitches. *2 hdc in next stitch, 1 hdc in next 2 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join with ss to 1st hdc. (32 stitches)

Round 4: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in same stitch as ss and each stitch around. Join with ss to 1st hdc. (32 stitches)

Round 5: Ch 3. Work 4 dc in same stitch as ss. Skip 1 stitch, ss in next stitch. *Skip 1 stitch, 5 dc in next st. Skip 1 stitch, ss in next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. Skip last stitch. Join with ss to top of beginning ch 3.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

(Please link back to my pattern if you make any of these cute coasters. I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t copy or rewrite my pattern onto another page. Thank you!)

Click the link below if you’d like to print out a free PDF of the pattern.

Farmhouse Inspired Crochet Cotton Coasters Download

These coasters are so fun and easy to make – and I Love This Cotton yarn comes in so many different colors if you don’t want to make them in white. Tie a pretty ribbon around a set of these for a great hostess gift!

Thanks for stopping by,

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Decor, Gifts | 4 Comments