Summer Wreath

I realized yesterday that now that all the holidays are passed, I need an anytime wreath. Seeking inspiration, I stumbled across a really cute idea for a crochet braided wreath by Gayle at planetmfiles.com . Out of a desire to simplify an already simple pattern, rather than crochet tubes, I crocheted 3 flat strips and braided them together. Although I really liked her bow, I had this beautiful mum flower from another project I've been working on (more details on that later!). Since the wreath is for summer, I found it to be more fitting. That brings me to this point:

I really like it, though it's a bit small, only about 8 inches across. So, somewhere in my crazy head, I remembered a picture frame that I had saved from becoming trash years ago. I picked out a pretty blue color to paint the frame and now, I have a highly unusual summer wreath that I love!

Flower Jewelry

The star jewelry I made for the 4th of July went over so well, I decided to do something for everyday wear. This bracelet and ring turned out very pretty and recieved many compliments.

Pretty Pillowghan

Whenever my husband and I are in the car together, it is inevitable that one of us is uncomfortable. Either he's too hot because I keep turning the ac down, or I'm too cold because he's hot. I figure that since it's easier for me to bundle up and get warm than for him to stay cool, I need a blanket to keep in the car. Not just any blanket, of course. I need a Pillowghan, something that can be wrapped up nice and neat and look pretty when I'm not using it. This project took me weeks to complete, but I had so much fun working with the variety of pretty patterns.

The front of the pillowghan cover is done in pretty ruffles based on a pattern called Leafy Greens (hard to see here, but so pretty and soft!!)
The back duplicates one of the square patterns from the blanket. The pattern is called Winter Rose Sampler Sqaure. If you look at the top, you can just see the homemade buttons I made to match by crocheting over plastic canvas.


And of course, the afghan portion of the pillowghan. It isn't very large because I plan to use it in the car. I didn't want something that was going to drag on the floor and get dirty or anything. The second afghan square I used is called Flower and Trebles. This girl is a genius. I love her patterns, they are so creative and pretty! Honestly, there are so many gorgeous patterns out there!

4th of July Crochet Jewelry Set

Monday morning I decided that I needed something patriotic to wear for the 4th of July. Having just made tons of stars for my wreath and garland, I decided to continue the pattern. I started with a star bracelet and continued with a ring and a barrette for my niece to wear in her hair.

I sewed a piece of elastic to the inside of the bracelet so that I can just slip it on. This is so much easier than the button or clasp approach, and the elastic is "invisible", hidden underneath two stars.

They were a huge hit! Everyone loved them. I have so many directions I want to take this. Now to find the time!!

Birthday cards

Do you ever have those months that are just full to the brim with Birthdays? I used to think May was our month (two birthdays every single week all month). July isn't quite as full, but somehow, it filled in as well and I quickly discovered I needed 7 birthday cards over the next few weeks. When this happens, I tend to make in bulk, repeating the same pattern multiple times. I feel guilty doing this, but sometimes it's the only way!

When I started these cards, I had a basic pattern in mind, then just kind of did it as it came. It wasn't until I had put the finishing touch on these cards, the finishing touch being these paper flowers, that I realized that the flowers actually mimic the flowers on the patterned paper!! Sheer dumb luck, I tell you. It really brought it all together, I think.
Notice anything interesting about this card? The swirl pattern of the stamp almost exactly mimics the swirl pattern of the paper. Again, sheer dumb luck. I didn't even notice until after I stamped. I love it when that happens.

Star Garland

For the 4th of July, I wanted to do a star garland, patterned after the butterfly and flower garland I did at Easter. However, I decided to join the stars together as I crocheted them to save the time it took to individually tie each butterfly and flower together.

I found these pretty red, white and blue mardi gras style necklaces at Dollar Tree, six to a package. My original plan was to use them on my wreath, but I like this so much better. As with my wreath, I came up with my own star pattern. This one is a bit different, done flower style. The holes turned out to be perfect for weaving the necklace through. The pattern has not been tested by anyone other than myself.

Star Garland

special stitch: picot- ch 2, slst into first ch.

Star motif one:

1. ch 3, 9 hdc in first ch from hook, slst to beg ch 3 to join- 10 hdc

2. *(ch 4, sk next hdc, slst in next hdc)** repeat from * to ** 4 more times- 5 ch 4 lps.

3. *In ch 4 lp, work the following: (sc, hdc, dc, trc, picot, trc, dc, hdc, sc)**. Repeat from * to** 4 more times. slst to beg sc, finish off. Weave in ends.

Star motif two:

1. ch 3, 9 hdc in first ch from hook, slst to beg ch 3 to join- 10 hdc

2. *(ch 4, sk next hdc, slst in next hdc)** repeat from * 4 more times- 5 ch 4 lps.

3. *In ch 4 lp, work the following (sc, hdc, dc, trc, picot, trc, dc, hdc, sc)**. Repeat from * to ** 3 more times. In last ch 4 lp, work as follows (sc, hdc, dc, trc, ch 1, sl hook into tip of previous star, yo and pull lp through, slst into ch 1 of current star, trc, dc, hdc, sc). Slst to beg sc, finish off. Weave in ends.

Repeat motif's to desired length.

Once I strung the beads through the stars, it was pretty heavy. I took Christmas tree ornament hooks, bent them to fit over the top of my door, and hooked every few stars to support the weight and try to prevent the stars from drooping too much.