Lovable Links

Hi everyone!  As most of you know I LOVE to read blogs.  I subscribe to blogs about stamping, crafting, sewing, crochet, home improvements, decorating and fashion.   I could go on and on, but I will spare you the long list.  Anyway, sometimes I want to share the little goodies I find, and I thought what better way than a weekly blog post of my favorites.  Thus, "Lovable Links".

I found this sweet little fairy project at Embellishing Life .

My boys are kind of big for this one, but i really love it!  Dogs maybe?  Hmmmmm.

Next I have a quick idea that I know will come in handy at our house.  I don't know about you, but I break that clean refrigerator door design rule, my refrigerator is covered with cards and photos from family and friends.   So I am always on the look out for cute magnets to use.  This post at The Cottage Market shows you how to make button magnets.

Do you have any favorite spring idea link?  I would love to post them here!

Have a great day!

jamie

It is always black and white with me....

Well, maybe some brown too. I just love using black and white color pallets with card projects. This little photo is a clipping from an ad in a stamping magazine that was begging to be cut out and used on a card.

 

I'm not sure the look on the dog's face says thanks, but I couldn't resist making a thank you card out of this.  After all, look at how carefully his master is brushing. 

In other news I am hoping that a recent birthday gift improves the quality of the photos on the Bee blog.  This little baby came in the mail on Friday! 

 

Thanks Bodine!  Yes I know the color is kind of boring, but I am trying to keep my "focus" on learning to take better photos.  Are you trying to learn anything new?  I would love to hear about it!

Enjoy the weekend!

jamie

Crochet bracelet pattern

Hey everyone!  I had so many lovely comments on the card and bracelet set.  Thank you all so much.  I also had several requests for the pattern, It is super basic so give it try. (That means you "N")

Flower Bracelet



Supplies I used:
Crochet hook 2.25
Egyptian cotton crochet thread
Tapestry needle
Button

Stitches I used:
Ch - Chain
Slip Stich
Sc - single crochet
dbl - double crochet


Individual flower (make 4):
Chain 6 and  slip stitch to the 1st chain.

Round 1: *Chain 2, then 2 dbl inside the ring, chain 3and slip stitch inside the ring* repeat from * to * 5 times.  You will have six petals.

Round 2: Slip stitch on each of the first three stitches of the first petal. (this will move your thread to the top of the first petal)  Now do 1 sc in the next stitch.  Chain 5.  *Do 1 sc in the top stitch of the next petal and chain 5*  repeat from the * to*  all the way around the flower and slip stitch to the first sc.

Round 3:  *Crochet 6 single crochet on the chain line.  Slip stitch on the top of the petal.*  Repeat from * to * until the end and then slip stitch to the beginning.  Tie off  leaving a long trail of thread to sew the flowers together.

Fourth Flower Only - Round 4: Slip stitch on each stitch until you reach a valley between the two of the scallops.  Chain as many as you need to accommodate the size of the button you have chosen for your bracelet.  Join with a slip stitch.  I secured a few stitches on each side to the scallop using a tapestry needle and trail of thread left at the end,  just to make it more sturdy.

Completing the project: Using the tapestry needle and trail ends of thread, sew the flowers together. You can do it any way you like. I chose to connect the flowers at the top of two scallops.

It looks like the original is fastened a little different.  You can see a photo of it here.
After the flowers are all together add you button and enjoy!

Let me know if you have any questions.  I am soooo not a professional at pattern writing. If you make this, please send me a photo.  I would love to see it and post it here.

Looking for more crochet patterns?  I love the patterns at Attic 24.  Her happy flower is definately on my to do list.

Hope the rest of your week is wonderful!

Jamie

Back to Blogging!

Thanks to a sweet friend and fellow artist's support and encouragement,  I have decided to come back to my blog.  I have missed  sharing ideas, projects and stories with you all.  I am thrilled to get going again.  So without any further delay, here is the first project of 2012!  

I thought the perfect way to get back into the swing of things would be to make something for the friend that is responsible for my return.  I decide to use two of my favorite art forms - crochet and cards.

  

This sweet little flower bracelet was inspired by a pattern by Lia Govers,  Free Flower Bracelet Pattern, I made the following modifications to make it the size I wanted.

* I used six chain stitches to form the initial round (instead of 8) and for round one I used a double crochet to form the petals (instead of a triple crochet).  If you are interested in the exact pattern I used you can email me and I will send it to you. 

My friend is crazy about buttons, so I found a great Tim Holtz button to use for the clasp.

It is always important to me that a gift be presented in a special way.  So I made a card in a size that would accommodate the bracelet nicely.

I just cannot get enough of this dress form die, from Sizzix and Tim Holtz.  It is so much fun.

Inside I tied a simple bow to hold the bracelet in place.

I don't want to ruin the surprise, but I do hope she is reading this...Thanks E!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Jamie