Creating Me

Just Because – Handmade Card

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

I have a super quick and easy card to share with you today. There’s no coloring at all on this card so it comes together quickly and the background paper adds a pop of color. 🙂

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.

The flower vase image is from the Simply Blessed stamp set from Unity Stamp Company. The sentiment is from the Let Your Wishes Fly stamp set also from Unity. That particular set is discontinued, use your favorite sentiment or none at all. 🙂

I stamped the image with Memento Rich Cocoa ink on white card stock. Using the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Die Set from Unity, I die cut around the image. The top and edges of the image are cut off – I just made sure that the die was lined up so the image was cut just below the bottom of the vase.

I used my Misti stamping tool to line up the sentiment at an angle on the stamped piece. I stamped it using the same Memento Rich Cocoa ink several times to get it dark enough. The stamped piece is then layered to brown card stock die cut from the same die set.

I added patterned paper to white card stock. The paper is from the Simply Blessed Paper Pack also from Unity. The stamped piece is attached to the card with foam tape. To finish it off, I added 3 dots of Nuvo Vintage Drops in the color Peppermint Candy.

I love when a simple card turns out so pretty! 🥰

Anita

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Butterfinger Cake

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

We were invited to a potluck recently and I signed up to bring a dessert but wasn’t sure what I was going to make. I had heard that this Butterfinger Cake recipe from Passionate Penny Pincher was really good so I decided to try it.

The cake is made using only 5 ingredients (plus what you need to bake the cake) and it’s super easy to make. You can find the full recipe here.

Here’s what the cake looks like as you are assembling it. Oh my goodness! So much yumminess! Just a little tip for chopping up the Butterfingers – I put them in a large ziptop bag and used my meat tenderizer mallet to break them into pieces.

This is the cake ready to eat! Just store it in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.

Since I took the cake to our potluck, I wasn’t able to get a picture of a piece cut from it. But it seemed to be a hit. 😊

I think this cake would be amazing with chopped Snickers bars in place of the Butterfingers, too! 😋

Anita

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Crochet Pineapple Scrubby

Posted on August 9, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Look how cute these Crochet Pineapple Scrubbies are! 🍍🍍 The pattern is from Okie Girl Bling ‘n’ Things and you can find it here on her website.

The pineapple scrubbies are stitched up using Yarn Bee Scrub-Ology Scrub It yarn from Hobby Lobby in Lemon and Green with a J/6mm crochet hook. They are stitched using the Thermal Crochet Stitch. Kylee from Okie Girl Bling ‘n’ Things has a great video tutorial on crocheting this stitch if you need it.

These scrubbies work up really quickly and will look so cute in your kitchen! They make fun gifts, too. 🙂 🍍🍍

Anita

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You Make Life Sweeter – Birthday Card

Posted on August 7, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

This You Make Life Sweeter Birthday Card just makes me happy! 🙂 The colors are so bright and fun and I love the sentiment.

The stamp set is called Life is Sweeter with Treats from Unity Stamp Company. Sadly, this set is retired. ☹️ If you don’t have this set in your collection, I hope the layout on this card will inspire you to create a fun birthday card with your favorite birthday stamps.

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with the Copic markers in the photo below. I punched around the image with a 2-inch circle punch and layered it to a 2.5-inch scalloped circle punched from orange card stock.

To make the card, I added a piece of patterned paper to a white card. Using the Scallops & Banners Nesting Dies from Unity Stamp Company, I die cut a banner from turquoise card stock and green patterned paper. I layered them together and attached them to the card using foam tape. Then I attached the stamped image over the banner using foam tape.

The sentiment is stamped with orange ink on white card stock. I die cut around it using the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies from Unity and attached it to the banner using foam tape on the side that attaches directly to the card.

Celebrating the people we love makes our lives so much sweeter!

Anita

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Crochet Secrets Book from The Knotty Boss

Posted on August 6, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

Have you seen this new book Crochet Secrets from The Knotty Boss by Anna Leyzina? It is filled with over 100 crochet tips and tricks. It is a great reference for beginners and seasoned crocheters alike. 🙂

Anna has tips to help you from the beginning of your crochet project to finishing it off. There are ways to keep your rows even and help when crocheting in the round. She has tips for changing colors and making amigurumi – and so much more! The book is written using US crochet terms but she’s also included a chart to convert to UK terms.

The Knotty Boss also has an Etsy site filled with printable tags, labels, inserts, and templates that you can purchase to make your finished makes look even more professional. I have personally purchased a few of them and they are great! All you have to do is print them onto card stock, cut them out, and add them to your finished crochet project.

The book is well written and filled with beautiful photos to help you get everything just right. This would be a great book to add to your library – I’m sure I will be referencing Crochet Secrets from The Knotty Boss over and over again. 🙂

This book would make a great Christmas gift for all your crocheting friends. 🎄

Anita

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Crochet Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket

Posted on August 2, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

I’m sure I’ve said this before, but baby blankets are one of my favorite things to crochet! They make snuggling up with those sweet little ones even better. 😊

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.

The Crochet Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket has the best texture! And the simple border just sets it off. The pattern uses simple stitches and is great for beginners and seasoned crocheters alike.

I used I Love This Yarn in White and Pink with an I/5.5mm crochet hook to stitch up my blanket. You can find the pattern below along with a link to a free PDF if you’d like to easily print it.

Crochet Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket

Worsted Weight (4) yarn – 14 ounces White and 2-3 ounces Pink

I used I Love This Yarn in White and Pink

I/5.5mm crochet hook

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Single Crochet – sc

Half Double Crochet – hdc

Double Crochet – dc

Slip Stitch – ss

Note: ch 1 at the end of the row does not count as a stitch.

Chain 91 with White.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each stitch across. ch 1 and turn. (90 stitches) (Right Side)

Row 2: hdc in the first stitch, *skip next stitch, sc and dc in the next stitch*. Repeat from * to * across to last stitch. hdc in the last stitch. Ch 1, turn. (90 stitches) (Wrong Side)

Row 3: hdc in the first stitch, *skip next stitch, sc and dc in next stitch*. Repeat from * to * across to last stitch. hdc in the last stitch. Ch 1, turn. (90 stitches)

Repeat Row 3 until blanket measures approximately 27 inches, ending with a Wrong Side row.

Last row will be a right side row. The sc stitches will face the same way as Row 1.

Last Row: sc in each stitch across. (90 stitches)

Begin working in rounds.

Continue with White.

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

Change to Pink.

Rounds 2-4: ch 1. sc in each stitch around, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with ss to 1st sc.

Round 5: ch 4 (counts as 1st dc and ch 1). dc in same stitch as ss. *Skip next 2 stitches, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next stitch.* Repeat from *to* around. Join with ss to 3rd ch of beginning ch.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Blanket measures approximately 30 by 30 inches.

Here’s the link to the free PDF…

Crochet Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket

The Crochet Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket can be stitched up in any combination of colors or even in one solid color. What color will you make yours?

Happy Crocheting!

Anita

Posted in Baby, Crochet, Gifts | Tagged Baby, Crochet, Gifts | 3 Comments

Christmas Thanks – Handmade Card

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

To finish out Christmas in July, I have a cute Christmas Thanks card to share with you. 🎄 Make a few of these now and you’ll be all set to send out your thanks for those Christmas gifts. 🎁

I love how clean and simple this card is! The moose, whose name is Charles 🙂 , is so sweet and it almost looks like he’s sending a big hug. The stamp set is called {Moose}ing You – Charles and it’s from Unity Stamp Company. 🫎

I stamped the moose image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on white card stock and colored him with Copic markers. The colors I used are in the picture below.

Using the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Die Set from Unity Stamp Company, I die cut around the stamped image and layered it to red card stock die cut with the same set. The piece is attached to a white card.

I stamped “thanks” with red ink on white card stock and die cut around it using the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies from Unity. This particular stamp is one I’ve had in my collection forever and is no longer available. Use your favorite thank you stamp – or if you are looking to add a new one to your collection, I really like this one. I attached the piece to the card at an angle using foam tape.

This little guy would also make a very cute Christmas card. Just change the sentiment to your favorite Christmas greeting.🎄

Anita

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Faux Jadeite Ornaments

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

These Faux Jadeite Ornaments almost look like the real thing! They are so simple to make and will look so pretty on your tree. 🎄

You’ll need some clear plastic ball ornaments. Mine measure 2.25 inches in diameter. I used textured ones (I found them at Hobby Lobby last Christmas season) but I think the plain ornaments would be just as pretty. You’ll also need acrylic paint in a color that mimics jadeite. I used DecoArt Americana acrylic paint in Sage Mint.

First pop off the silver top of the ornament. Then squeeze some paint into the ornament. Swirl the paint around until the entire inside of the ornament is covered, adding more paint as needed. I found that covering the top of the ornament with my finger and shaking it a bit helped to get the paint into all the crevices.

Pour any excess paint back into the bottle and invert the ornament onto a small paper cup to drain any paint that is left. Let dry for several hours.

Pop the top of the ornament back on and add a pretty ribbon for a hanger.

I think these would look lovely in a pretty bowl as part of a Christmas centerpiece. They would also be great package tie-ons.

If the jadeite color isn’t for you, these ornaments would be beautiful in any color to go with your Christmas decor. 🎄

Anita

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Crochet Wristlet Keychain

Posted on July 26, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

I have a fun stocking stuffer idea for you as Christmas in July continues. 🎄

Crochet Wristlet Keychains work up in just a few minutes! They make great stocking stuffers or a little something extra to add to gifts. You can make them in any color and are a great way to use up some of those yarn scraps. 😊

I used I Love This Cotton yarn and a G/mm crochet hook to stitch up my wristlets. The lobster clasp keychains I used can be found here.

The super easy pattern can be found below. I’ve also included a free PDF if you’d like to easily print it. If you need help finding the back bump of your beginning chains, this is a great video to explain it. 🙂

Crochet Wristlet Keychain

Worsted weight (4) yarn – I used I Love This Cotton yarn

G/4mm crochet hook

1 inch lobster clasp key ring

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Single Crochet – sc

Half Double Crochet – hdc

Double Crochet – dc

Slip Stitch – ss

Chain 43.

Row 1: sc in the back bump of the 2nd ch from hook and in each stitch across. ch 1, turn. (42 stitches)

Row 2: hdc in the first stitch, *skip next stitch, sc and dc in the next stitch*. Repeat from * to * across to last stitch. hdc in the last stitch. Ch 1, turn. (42 stitches)

Row 3: sc in each stitch across. (42 stitches)

Slip key ring onto strap and ss ends together.

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Pull strap tight to key ring and stitch across, close to the key ring, 2-3 times to secure.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

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

Crochet Wristlet Keychain

I used cotton yarn because I think it will hold up well, but any 4 weight yarn would probably work, too. Make a few Crochet Wristlet Keychains now to be ready for Christmas. 🎄 Or pin this post to your crochet Pinterest board to save for later.

Anita

Posted in Crochet, Gifts | Tagged Crochet, Gifts | 1 Comment

Quick and Easy Christmas Gift Tags

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Anita

Hi friends,

What would Christmas in July be without Christmas gift tags? 🎁 These tags are quick and easy to make – and not only will they be great to have on hand for your own gift giving, you can also gift a batch of these to friends or family before the holidays so they will be ready, too! 🎄

I used the Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle STAX Die-namics from MFT Stamps to die cut red and green card stock. I trimmed white card stock to fit inside, embossed it with a snowflake embossing folder, and attached it to the tag. This embossing folder is no longer available – use your favorite folder or this is a nice option. Patterned paper is another option or you can just leave the card stock as is. 🙂

I punched snowflakes (this is a similar punch) from red or green card stock and attached them to the tags. Then I added a red sequin or a gold sequin to the center of the snowflakes. Using my Crop-A-Dile, I punched a small hole in the top of the tags and tied on red/white or green/white bakers twine. On the back of the tags, I stamped “To” and “From” (this is a similar set) with black ink.

Making your own gift tags adds just little something extra to your gift giving. You can make them any shape or color. You can use any shape punch like a star or Christmas tree. There are so many options! I would love to see your creations! ❄️⭐️🎄

Anita