Crochet Lace Trim

Lately I've been doing a lot of crochet and needlework.  My daughter Amber had a beautiful wedding in October and I made all the Bridal Bouquets, and Wedding Favors.  The past year was a very busy, creative one.  However, today I decided to do something a little different.  I pulled out one of my favorite tank tops and added some handmade lace.  It took me roughly 45 minutes to complete.  I'm very happy with the results.  Now to go through the rest of my tanks and shop the clearance racks and tables at my neighborhood Target and get my crochet on.

I started out with a blanket stitch around the front portion of the neck edge.  Then I just used a simple single crochet over the blanket stitch, then back around with a chain 3 in every other single crochet. 

I love French Knots, so I had to add 3 little ones at the center of the neckline.  I just eyeballed the center, not being really concerned about the placement.

I think on the next tank top I up cycle, I'll add some crochet flowers.

{Love You}...Greeting Card

I've been making little crochet flowers and attaching them to my paper crafts.  Making these little cuties is one of my favorite things to do while I'm waiting to start my shift at work or just while watching TV.  Staying creative is very important to me, so I try to make it simple and easy.

I've added cute little brads to the centers of my little crochet flowers.

Denim Clutch With Crocheted Flowers

This is a little denim clutch that I finished today.  I attached several crocheted flowers in various sizes and colors to the front side of it.   At first I tried sewing the flowers on and then quickly decided that using fabric glue was so much easier.  The glue I used is amazing.  It dries fast and doesn't leave the flowers feeling stiff.  I can think of so many other projects to try this glue on.  Well, anyway, one of my girls is getting this little creation for Christmas.  I can't believe how close the Holidays are.  The outdoor Christmas Lights are already set and stocked on the sales floor of the store I work at.  We are selling solar powered string lights that would be awesome to keep up year round wrapped around potted tress and maybe even my outdoor furniture.  This year I'm buying a Rosemary bush.  They smell so good and they might even hold up in our Arizona weather.  I still hope to acquire a green thumb.  What is it they say...Practice makes Perfect? 

A tote bag for this coming Fall season

I made another tote bag from the fabric I purchased at Ikea. I really love this print. I think it will make a nice fall accessory. I made the straps from a length of black cotton webbing and attached a crocheted lace trim to the inside pocket. I think I'll make some more trim tonight while I'm watching a DVD. That's the awesome thing about crocheting, once you get the rhythm of it you can crochet while watching TV. I love that I've given myself the opportunity to be so crafty this year. What it all comes down to is intent. My intention was to be artsy crafty daily and for me that includes sewing, drawing, crocheting, photography, reading craft or art related materials, watching craft Podcasts, scrapbooking, anything that's creative. I'm having such a great year.

sweet birds tote bag extra little details

sweet birds tote bag

I finished another sewing project this evening. My daughter Sara wanted me to make her a tote bag out of the lovely fabric I purchased from Ikea. We both fell in love with the sweet little birds printed on the black background. This was a really easy bag to sew without a pattern. I added some crocheted flowers and a little side tab for a little extra detail. I think it came out really nice. I can't wait to start another bag.

creative happy day

Today was just about perfect. I spent the day just being creative. I started crocheting some little frilly flowers and lace trims to add to scrapbook pages. Can't wait to get started on some pages of pictures of my girls when they were little. Although, I have to scan them into my computer before I can scrapbook them...very time consuming and not much fun. I made some more ATCs using acrylic paper, tissue papers, rubber stamps, catalog clipping and decoupage. With the left over sheet of decoupage I made some INCHIES. And just for fun I took some pictures of my creative workspace. It's very cluttered so I have to tidy it up before I can start any projects. It's not a very large space, but I love it and it's mine. My cats love it too, they think it's place they can go exploring...I'm often shushing them off. I also did a little sketching in my inspiration journal - some handbags I'm thinking of sewing. All in all a very creative day. Oh, and I did 2 loads of laundry :D