12 BERRY EASY Tips on how to store your Yarn STASH!

Lion Brand has 12 great tips on how to organize your yarn stash.  People always ask, "how do you store yarn?" and my answer often is 'well, how do they store it at the yarn shop?'  Also, logging all of your yarn with photos on Ravelry is very wise, but TIME CONSUMING!  :) 

Anyway, here are 12 Tips on how to organize your yarn stash! Complements of Lion Brand Yarn!



Easy Peasy Busy BEE! :)

I've been working on loads and loads of projects.  SO many that my housework has suffered (ALOT)
Oh well!  One thing I learned is that, housework will ALWAYS be there, but craft projects come and go, like two ships in the night... ;) OK YEAH YEAH!  Crafting has become a serious addiction!

Here are a few of the items that I worked on in the past few weeks!  I love them all!

This is Simplicity 2396 Sweet Pea Tote Bag

Sweet Pea Tote 

Lining and pocket

 This was Easy Peasy, however, it takes alot of patience to get all the prep work done.  

I want to make a white and blue floral one next!  Maybe with denim binding and straps!  :)

This bag was such a pleasure to make!  The crochet bag whipped up quickly!  

It's worked from the bottom to the top (in rounds).  

You can find the FREE crochet pattern here --->Norstrom Hobo Bag in Ravelry.

The handle was a Joann find for .97 cents!  It was on clearance! :)

I used Lion Brand Homespun in Tumbleweed!

My new Fall bag!

The liner and pocket.

This tote is really big!  LOL  It's good for a day at the beach or flea market!

The crochet pattern can be found here Simple Net Crochet Bag on Ravelry.

I used a fine burlap for the liner and added a three section pocket.

I have a few more items to post.  But will be later.  I'm going out!  BUH BYE!

Happy Sewing and Happy HOOKING

Easy Peasy Berry Squeezy

I WON!!! I Actually entered and won a giveaway!

OMGosh, so....I entered a Pellon products giveaway and I won.  REALLY!  I never win anything! 
I'm so very happy!  YAY!

Here is the announcement on Pellon August Winner!  LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Here are the products I won We Love it Wednesday Giveaway! YUM!  I wonder what color material I'll get!?
For a wide variety of FREE Pellon Sewing Project Ideas <---click there!

Now to think of what to make!  :)

Happy Sewing and Hooking!

EasyPeasyBerrySqueezy

ALLFREECROCHET.COM GIVEAWAYS

Whoah!  I just signed up for a couple of giveaways!  Wish me luck!

I love allfreecrochet(dot)com!  <---link to their website!

They have EVERYTHING crochet... from beginner's projects to experienced!

Here is a link to a few giveaways! All Free Crochet Giveaways

Check their Giveaways site often, they always give away fabulous crochet project items and books!

Current Reviews and Giveaways

8/1 Bernat Premium- 2 skeins blue

8/8 Crocodile Stitch Fashions

GOOD LUCK!

Happy Sewing and Happy Hooking!

EasyPeasyBerrySqueezy



Studious Teacher Pencil Scarf

After sewing a few things, I wanted to crochet something FUN!  Different, GEEKY?  maybe!  :)

It certainly was Easy Peasy!

I've been wanting to make a pencil scarf for a looooooong time.  

You know? A scarf made to look like a big pencil.. except, you wear it, outside... 

you get the picture?  NO?  well here it is...  :)

Studious Teacher Pencil Scarf

Studious Teacher Pencil Scarf

For this project I used a size H crochet hook.  I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Mustard (for the pencil part)  For the metal eraser holder thingy (giggle) I used Red Heart soft in gray heather, for the pink eraser I used ACMoore's no brand name, for the sharpened part I used Red Heart supersaver in Beige fleck and for the charcoal I used Simply Soft in black.   It wasn't too bad.  I didn't follow a pattern.  Maybe I'll make a whole box of colored pencils!!!  right?  yeah?  We'll see!  :)

Have a great Easy Peasy kind of day!  Happy Hooking! ;)

Berry Easy Crochet Hook Roll

How pretty is this!  I made this for a gift but will make one for myself.  This was quick (well not really)!  :)  I made it in an afternoon.  The only change I would make is to tie 2 sets of ribbon instead of one to close it nice and tight! I also measured the pockets at 3/4" apart and drew a straight line down with chalk, I then sewed over the line. Other than that... it was BERRY EASY!

I found the tutorial here; Crochet Hook Roll - Tutorial by Today We Made...

These are great for folks like me who have small apartments or small crafting areas.  Once your roll this up, you tuck it away or store in your tote pocket and it's out of sight.  In this case, you might want to leave it out... It's so PRETTY!  :)

Here is my version!  Isn't it cute?  right? isn't it?  :)

Flutterby Crochet Hook Roll

Pocket for sissors, tape measure... etc.
The small pocket on the bottom right is for darning needles or sewing needles.

Rolled nice and tight.  Organization!  

Just for laughs! (HA HA) Here is the first one I made when I bought my sewing machine.

I made it out of an old placemat!  I couldn't wait to make something!  :)

LOL!  I won't give it up though!  I love it!  :)  

Happy Sewing!  and HAPPY HOOKING!  

Easy Peasy Crochet Hat & Scarf Set

EASY PEASY CROCHET HAT & SCARF SET

Homespun-Painted Desert Scarf

I decided to share this pattern with everyone as I thought the project turned out great.  You will need to know basics in crocheting, YOUTUBE has so many tutorials on how to begin, etc. 

Well, I'm no crochet pattern writer that's for sure, but here goes.  This is such an easy pattern to follow.  I'll try to be as clear as possible.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!  :)

For this project the following materials

1 skein Lion Brand Homespun in Painted Desert. 

Size M Susan Bates Crystalite Crochet Hook

The stitches used in this pattern are:

Slip Knot
Chain (ch)

Single Crochet (sc)

Double Crochet (dc)

Now, let's begin!  Remember to soften up your tension.  :)

start with a slip knot on your hook and chain 16.

Row 1:  two dc in second chain from hook (the first chain counts as the first stitch).  *skip next two chains and one sc, two dc in next chain (the three stiches are worked together in the same chain)* repeat from ** three more times.  skip next stitch and sc in last chain, ch two and turn.

Row 2:  two dc in first stitch (next to the dc), *skip next two stitches and work one sc and two dc in next sc stitch (from previous row)* repeat from ** three more times, single crochet in last stitch, chain two and turn.

Rows 3-whatever size you want (repeat row 2). once you are done finish it off with a slip knot.

You can add fringe, do a border all around the scarf of leave as is, it will not curl.  You can use this stitch for a blanket or even a hat as I did!  Just make sure your chain is divisible by three PLUS one.

For the hat, I used the same stitch pattern.  I made a chain divisible by three plus one. (everyone's head is different so you'll have to measure yours ;) )  I measured the chain around my head's circumference to get the desired fit.  I worked back and forth (as with the scarf), continuing to measue from my forehead to the top of my head.  I ended up with a little scarf (kind of).  Once i thought it would be big enough for my head, I finished it off with a slip knot,  I left a pretty long tail to then slip stitch it closed alog the edge.  For the top I closed it exactly like this ---> +.  I slip stitched one line at a time.  You will close it on the begining chain.

Easy Peasy Hat & Scarf

I hope this makes sense!  HA HA!  contact me with any questions!  <3  I'm open to adjusting the pattern!  :)
You can post this pattern on your blog, just link back to my blog!  Thanks!

Totes...Totes...EVERYWHERE..!

Ok!  So lately I've been on a sewing kick!  TOTES!  I've made so many!  

I made them all using unwanted, unloved, thrifted, sturdy material!  

Here are some photos!

        

                Bubblelicious Tote                     Groovy Teddy Tote              

 

      Vintage Tote                    Sunny Beach Tote

  

                                                   Mom's Tote

Upholstery Totes 

(I fussy cut the pocket on the tote on the left)

I gave the one on the right as a gift!

Everytime I find nice sturdy fabric, I'll make Totes.  

I'll build a stash and come the holidays,

guess who's getting a tote (or two)?  ;)

I'm going to use mine when I go grocery shopping of course!

The pattern and tutorial is from Crafty Gemini.  

Excellent for beginners!

It's reasonably priced at $3.00 for the pattern AND the video tutorial.

Must Have Tote Bag by Crafty Gemini

Have fun!  :)~

I'm going to go back to sewing... a tote or two maybe?  :)

How to Sew a Pleated Purse!

Well, a WHILE back I watched this video from The DIY Dish on YouTube.  

I loved this bag tutorial and wanted to make one so bad!

How to Make a Handbag-The DIY Dish

This tutorial ^^teaches you how to make evenly spaced pleats.  :)

SO I DID MAKE ONE!  I made one for my daughter.

I added one thick strap to the bag just before closing it up.  

I love it!  I will make one for myself!

Now off to choose fabric!  <3

Embroidery Hoop Pocket Craft

OK.. so... This morning (while sewing of course) I found myself looking for my cutting utensils.  I had one over by the fabric, I had my rotary cutter by the mat, I had my small sissors near the yarn and my stork scissors next to my sewing machine!  gad draddet!  So I decided to search a little (on Google) of course and ran into this cute tutorial.  Although the tutorial I followed didn't involve sewing, I sewed mine with pockets and added rickrack to hide the thread lines.  All of the materials are recycled!  :)  I found the hoop at my local thrift shop, I cleaned them out of hoops figuring that one day I'd "need" them.  I'm glad I purchased them!  :)

I can't wait to hang this up in my sewing corner.  

Here is the new sew tutorial link --->No-Sew Embroidery Hoop Wall Pocket by Blessings Overflowing

The pattern is "sew" easy to follow!

My advice?  leave plenty of fabric room to in the hoop.

Sew Happy!

Free Bag Patterns

Oh my!  Bags, Bags and more bags!
PDF Patterns.
Free Bag Patterns

Instead of my chores, this is what I did today! :)

I decided to upcycle a t-shirt that I got from work.  The fits nice and loose but the neck, ugh, it choked me to death! (not really, but it's uncomfortable)  SOOOO, while looking for things to repin on Pinterest, I found the tutorial I was looking for!  (Pinterest is laggy right now :(, as soon as it's back up I will post the link to the tutorial.

Here is how the shirt turned out (I forgot to take a before picture, but it was a regular t-shirt with a ribbed (uncomfortable) neckline.  For the (new) neckline, I cut off the sleeve cuffs, and cut them in half then attached the 2 pieces together to make one long loop.  The screen print is way up there, but there was nothing I could do about that as it was all the way up by the neckline!  Not bad for a first upcycle though.  I wonder if my husband will miss some of his t-shirts!  HMMMMM!  LOL :D

I made a matching purse with this ARMY fabric I got at my local thrift shop for 50 cents!

The pocket in the front is a remnant from one of the sleeves from the shirt above!

I just went with it and this is what I came up with.  

The straps are extra long so that I can use it accross body. 

I also sewed french seams so that it holds up.

Next time I will make the straps thicker. I like it!  :D 

Now that I have some "new" beach wear....

let me go clean out my husband's closet!  ;)~

Sew Sew Sew your boat.... :)

So, today I did some gardening, pulled out weeds, trimmed some rose bushes (ouch) etc...

It was SOOO HOT out!  I found myself inside... having a nice cold drink of water when suddenly, I made my way to my---> Sewing ROOM!  :)  My coworker gave me an old ass bed sheet of hers to upcycle into pillow covers for HER!  :)  So I did, I made her three!  (that was AFTER I made a little Japanese Knot bag).  I think it's so cute!  I have to practice my top stitching, otherwise, it's a keeper!  :)

Here is my little Japanese knot bag.  It's reversible!  :)

Here is where I downloaded the pattern and instructions.

The instructions are a bit wonky (maybe because I'm a beginner)

I will put it together differently next time.

Martha Stewart Reversible Bag (that's what she called it) ;)

Here is one of the French seam pillowcases I made.  Looks vintage to me!

I followed this tutorial which was so very easy!!!!  

How to make a pillow case by Robin

Well, I'm going to have another drink of water and check on my husband!  I think he's done with the gardening.  OOPS!  he he he

Cabernet Sauvignon and STUFF...

Cabernet Sauvignon! ( ka-behr-NAY soh-vihn-YOHN)

I LOVE CABERNET!! OH MY! 

Barefoot Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

^^ is my favorite brand of Cabernet for under $10.00 ^^

Not only is this wine good for DRINKING, but it's fabulous for cooking!

I love gazpacho soup in the summer, I always add a cup of red wine to a whole pot of soup!

I use Ina Garten's Recipe!  It's the best I've tried so far! 

Instead of the hot-house cucumber, I used ONE jalapeno pepper (seeded). 

Add the seeds for more heat!

(wash your hands after handling hot peppers and do NOT touch your eyes or face)

I used V-8 Juice instead of tomato juice.  You can use the spicy V-8 instead of the jalapeno pepper.

Since I used red wine in this recipe, I added the vinegar at the end to taste.

I used RED WINE vinegar! :)

(Here is my gazpacho served with swiss and mustard grilled panini.)

I also serve this with chunks of parmesian cheese and warm crusty bread. 

Don't forget the wine!

Did I mention that I LOVE Cabernet Sauvignon?