Creating Me

Crochet Cluster V-Stitch Baby Blanket

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

This Crochet Cluster V-Stitch Baby Blanket is a simple one row repeat, but it has amazing texture! I created this pattern for a special little one.💛

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I stitched up my blanket using I Love This Yarn in Buttercup and White using an I/5.5mm crochet hook. The pattern is below along with a link to a free PDF if you’d like to easily print it.

Crochet Cluster V-Stitch Baby Blanket

Worsted weight yarn (size 4) – 2 colors. Approximately 15 ounces main color and 3 ounces border color

I used I Love This Yarn in Buttercup and White

I/5.5mm crochet hook

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Double Crochet – dc

Cluster V-stitch

Double Crochet 2 together – dc2tog

Slip Stitch – ss

How to make Cluster V-stitch: dc2tog, ch, dc2tog in the same stitch

How to dc2tog: yarn over, insert hook in stitch. Yarn over pull up loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook in same stitch. Yarn over and pull up loop (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through last 3 loops.

Chain 92 with Buttercup.

Row 1: working in back bump of ch, dc in 4th ch from hook. (3 skipped ch count as a dc). *Skip 2 ch. (dc2tog, ch, dc2tog) in next ch (cluster v-stitch made).* Repeat from * to* across until last 4 ch. Skip 2 ch. dc in final 2 ch. Turn. (28 Cluster V-stitches and 2 double crochet at each end)

Row 2: ch 3 (counts as dc). Skip first dc. dc in next dc. *work cluster v-stitch in ch space of cluster v-stitch of previous row* Repeat from *to* across to last 2 dc. dc in last 2 dc. Turn. (28 Cluster V-stitches and 2 double crochet at each end)

Rows 3 – 54: Repeat Row 2

Do Not Turn at the end of row 54.

Begin working in Rounds.

Continue with Buttercup

Round 1: ch 1. sc crochet evenly around, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with ss to first sc.

Change to White.

Round 2: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss, ch 1. *skip 2 stitches, 5 dc in next stitch. ch 1, skip 2 stitches, sc in next stitch, ch 1* Repeat from * to * around. Join with ss to first sc.

Round 3: ch 1. sc in first sc, ch 1. *work 5 dc in center dc of shell, ch 1. sc in next sc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with ss to first sc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finished blanket measures approximately 30 by 35 inches.

Here’s the link to the free PDF…

Crochet Cluster V-Stitch Baby Blanket

This blanket would be so pretty in any color combo – or even in one solid color including the border. What color will you make yours?

Anita

Posted in Baby, Crochet, Gifts | Tagged Baby, Crochet, Gifts | 4 Comments

Give Thanks – Handmade Card

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

I love the colors of Fall and this November Girl stamp from Unity Stamp Company is so fun to color! 🍁🍂🍁

I stamped her with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored her with the Copic markers in the photo below. Using the Deckle & Stitches Die set, I die cut around the image and attached it to an orange card with foam tape.

I stamped the sentiment from the Pilgrim Gnomies set with black ink on orange card stock, punched around it with a 1.5 inch circle punch, and attached it to the card with foam tape.

I added 3 light blue Dew Drops to finish the card.

It’s a simple card, but with a great reminder to be thankful for the little things! 🍁🍂🍁

Anita

Posted in Cards, Fall, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Fall, Stamping | 2 Comments

Little Wood Gift Tags

Posted on November 5, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

I found these cute little unfinished wood tags at Hobby Lobby. I love the 3 wood beads they have and they measure 1.25 inches wide by 1.75 inches tall. There are 12 in a package and all the Christmas items are 50% off! They are the perfect size to use for all your Christmas gift giving.🎄🎁

I also picked up some red shimmer permanent vinyl to use with my Cricut machine to cut initials to put on my tags.

Using Cricut Design Space, I chose a chunkier font (I can’t remember the name🤷‍♀️) and sized the letters to be about 1 inch wide by 1.25 inches tall. I used my weeding tool on the letters and then used transfer tape with my scraper to attach the letters to the tags.

They needed a little something more, so I tied a bow using green satin ribbon at the bottom of the 3 beads.

Don’t have a Cricut machine? I think you could also use alphabet stickers on the tags. You could even paint the letters onto the tags.

These Little Wood Gift Tags are super cute and easy to make. And they can be used as ornaments once the gifts are opened. 🎄

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Cricut, Gifts | Tagged Christmas, Cricut, Gifts | 5 Comments

Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

Posted on November 1, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Want some yummy comfort food for dinner that’s easy to make? You need to try this Cheesy Baked Spaghetti! 😋

You can find the recipe here at Passionate Penny Pincher. I made the Cheesy Baked Spaghetti in a 9×13 inch baking dish even though the recipe calls for a 10×6 inch baking dish and it turned out great!

The cheesy goodness comes from cream cheese and Parmesan cheese. My husband called it “crack spaghetti” because he went back for a big second helping! 😂

This can also be put together – except for the French’s fried onions – wrapped up tightly and put in the freezer for later. Simply thaw it in the fridge and bake according to the recipe, adding the fried onions during the last 5 minutes of baking.

Add a green salad and some garlic bread and you’ll have a tasty weeknight dinner! 😋

Anita

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Hey There Pumpkin!

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Hey There Pumpkin! 🎃 Just popping in to wish you a Happy Halloween! 🎃

This was a fun card to create! The image and sentiment are from the Hey There Pumpkin stamp set from Unity Stamp Company.

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers. I used my Misti stamping tool and stamped the image a couple of times to make sure the kitty was nice and dark. 🐈‍⬛

Using these Scallops & Squares Nesting Dies, I die cut around the image and layered it to purple card stock die cut with the same set. The sentiment is stamped with black ink on orange card stock and die cut using these Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies.

I attached a piece of patterned paper to a white card. The pumpkin piece is attached to the card using foam tape and the sentiment is attached to the corner. I finished the card by adding a few purple sequins.

I hope you get to enjoy a few of your favorite Halloween treats today! 🎃

Anita

Posted in Cards, Fall, Halloween, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Fall, Halloween, Stamping | Leave a comment

90th Birthday Card

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

We recently celebrated my Mom’s 90th birthday!! We surprised her with a celebration with family and friends and she had a wonderful day! 🥳

She’s front and center in the pic above. Doesn’t she look great? (That’s me in the blue sweater behind her in case you were wondering. 😉)

Of course such a milestone called for a special handmade card. 🥳

I used the Birthday Balloons Die Set from Spellbinders to die cut “90” and the balloon strings. I stamped the gift image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers. I punched around it with a circle punch and layered it to a blue card stock circle die cut using these Scallops & Circles Nesting Dies. This gift stamp isn’t available anymore, but any fun birthday image you have will work great in this layout.

To make the card, I embossed a piece of white card stock with a birthday embossing folder (this is similar), layered it to blue card stock, and attached it to a white card. The balloons and gift image are attached to the card using foam tape.

Mom loves the color blue so I thought this was a great way to wish her a very Happy 90! 🥳 Love you, Mom! 💙

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Stamping | 1 Comment

Healthy Breakfast Brownies

Posted on October 29, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

We like to eat breakfast bars in the morning, but I’ve been trying to find some healthier options than the prepackaged ones.

I found this Healthy Breakfast Brownies recipe on Pinterest and thought I’d give it a try.

There is only 1/4 cup brown sugar in the recipe and the only other added sugar is in the chocolate chips. You could substitute sugar free chocolate chips to cut back on the added sugar even more. I also used almond milk in place of regular dairy milk. That’s just a preference on my part.

It’s a super easy recipe to make and tastes like baked chocolate oatmeal. The bars have a chewy texture and I really liked them! I stored the pan covered in the fridge, cut off a square, and popped it in the microwave for about 30 seconds before eating. I think they would freeze well, too.

The brownies are firm enough to pick up and eat, are not too sweet, and are much healthier than a processed, packaged breakfast bar.

Again, you can find the full recipe here at Living In A Happy Place. Give them a try – you might like them! 😋

Anita

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Colors of Fall Crochet Thermal Stitch Coasters

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

I had some cotton yarn left over from other projects and thought how pretty would a set of these coasters be in Fall colors? 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

A couple of months ago I made these Crochet Thermal Stitch Coasters in Royal Blue. You can find the pattern below or scroll down for a link to the free PDF. They are a super quick make! 🧶

I stitched up my coasters using I Love This Cotton yarn with an H/5mm crochet hook in the colors Glowing, Brown, Sage, Curry, Burnt Sienna, and Antique Gold. If you need a tutorial on how to work up the thermal stitch, Okie Girl Bling ‘n’ Things has a great video tutorial here.

Crochet Thermal Stitch Coasters

Cotton Yarn (size 4) – I used I Love This Cotton Yarn in Glowing, Brown, Sage, Curry, Burnt Sienna, and Antique Gold

H/5mm crochet hook

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Single Crochet – sc

Thermal Single Crochet – thsc

Back Loop Only – blo

Chain 17.

Row 1: sc in back bump of 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. ch 1, turn. (16 stitches)

Row 2: sc in blo of each stitch across. ch 1, turn. (16 stitches)

Rows 3: thsc across. ch 1, turn. (16 stitches)

Repeat Row 3 until piece measures about 4 inches.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Here’s a free PDF if you’d like to easily print the pattern…

Crochet Thermal Stitch Coasters

I love the rich colors of Fall! These will be so pretty on your Thanksgiving table. A set of coasters tied up with a pretty ribbon would also make a great hostess gift!🎁🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Fall, Gifts | Tagged Crochet, Fall, Gifts | Leave a comment

Too Cute to be Scary – Handmade Card

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

There’s still time to create a cute Halloween card! 🎃👻 Use my card below for inspiration even if you don’t have the same stamps, just use your favorites from your collection.

This stamp set is called Happy Owl’oween from Unity Stamp Company. I stamped the cute little owl ghost with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored him with Copic markers. I die cut around the image with these Scallops & Squares Nesting Dies and layered it to orange card stock die cut with the same set.

I stamped the sentiment with black ink on white card stock, die cut around it with the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies, and layered it to purple card stock die cut with the same set.

To make the card, I layered patterned paper to purple card stock and attached it to a white card. The little owl ghost and the sentiment are attached to the card with foam tape.

Super cute and super quick to make – just in time to send out some fun Halloween greetings! 👻🎃

Anita

Posted in Cards, Fall, Halloween, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Fall, Halloween, Stamping | Leave a comment

Merry Christmas – October 2024 Christmas Card

Posted on October 22, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

This month’s Christmas card is so quick and easy to make! I followed the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 50 and created this clean and simple card in just minutes. 🎄

You can find my other monthly Christmas card creations in these posts…January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, and September.

I stamped the Pop Dots Background from Unity Stamp Company on white card stock with red ink. I used my Misti stamping tool and stamped the image twice to get a good impression.

I die cut the image using these Scallops & Rectangles Nesting Dies and layered it to green card stock die cut with the same set. Then I attached the piece to a white card.

I stamped the sentiment (this is a similar stamp) with red ink on a strip of white card stock and layered it to green card stock. The strip is attached to the card using foam tape. I finished the card by randomly glueing on a few green sequins.

Such an easy card to make! I think it would be so pretty in blue and white or silver, too. 🎄

Anita