Princess Leia - Crochet Beanie Mini Tutorial

Have you joined the Resistance? We are huge Star Wars fans and proud members of the Rebel Scum. When a dear friend asked if I could create a Princess Leia cap for her baby girl's photo shoot, I jumped at the chance. This crocheted hat is adorable, simple, and you can create it during a nap! Don't crochet? No problem, you could also adapt this to a pre-purchased knit or crocheted hat.

If you love to crochet, but need an easy beenie pattern, I found a fabulous one over at Left In Knots. There are multiple sizes, you could create matching Princess Leia caps for May the 4th!
I used a dark brown acrylic yarn, easy to wash and durable for little kids. I used Vanna's Choice in Chocolate.

Next you will cut 36 pieces of yarn measuring one yard. Pull out that yard stick and let the kiddos help. It doesn't have to be crazy accurate. Divide the stack in half - two sets of 18 pieces. Now with each set you will create a large braid - 3 groups of 6. Just a traditional braid - again, you could enlist you kiddos to help with this. It's a fabulous fine motor activity.

Then gently roll the braid into what kind of looks like a cinnamon roll. Using a yarn needle and another long piece of yarn, sew the bun layers together. Make it nice and tight, don't worry about the seams showing - it all blends in.

Place the beanie on and decide placement of the braid buns, but they are basically low to the cuff and centered. Sew them on and call it a day!

Wasn't that easy? Now you and your strong girls can join the Rebel Alliance or party hard on May the 4th Be With You! Have questions? Drop me an email or comment below.

Isn't my friend's baby the most adorable Princess Leia ever? You can easily adapt this into any size. I'm considering making myself one for snowboarding season!

Are you looking for more Star Wars fun? I have a fun baking blog over at Sweet Jenny Belle. I recently created a round up of all my galactic fun cookie and cupcake tutorials, recipes and ideas. Whether you are with the Rebel Alliance or have gone to the Dark Side, we always have cookies!

XO, 

Jenny

Hooked on Sewing - Halloween Coasters

I'm so excited to dive back into my "hooked on sewing" projects. The latest one I created is listed now in my Etsy shop. I have wanted to make my reversible coasters for awhile. The backs are crocheted rounds with hand appliqued fabric on top. Perfect coasters!

I love these coasters are soft..with two young kiddos I'm always trying to create beautiful items for the home that can not be easily broken or ruined.. Most of our ceramic coasters were damaged in the last four years..

These coasters won't scratch your table, won't break on tile, or hurt little one's teeth if they decide to trying chewing on them.. Not that my kids ever tried to chew a coaster before..

Lots of more Halloween goodies coming soon! Have you started making projects for the fall season yet?

Prepping for Quilt Market

Today I'm guest posting over at Quilting Gallery - one of my favorite quilting sites! I'm presenting how to create my business card pouches. I made these for a few special contacts at Quilt Market (and yes I'm counting the hours till I board the plane!)

Want to read more about my inspiration to go above and beyond with my cards? Check out my friend, Topsy Turvy's post on her AMAZING cake pop/business cards. Such a creative way to leave a lasting impression! 

Hope to see you at Quilt Market! May the shopping and dreaming begin..

Valentine Sweaters For The Girls

I have been wanting to make the girls special Valentine clothes. It dawned on me after I made my homework for Jenny Doh's class, that my little crochet heart applique would be adorable on a shirt! 

There are NO plain shirts at Target, my favorite place to shop with the girls. Not a single plain white, pink, or red shirt in sight.. I couldn't believe it. I ended up getting a matching set of dark pink cardigans. This is actually a better idea since we are still getting snow in Utah.

OK, are you ready to see how it's done? Here we go..

*This project involves basic machine sewing and crochet stitches*

What do you need?

*5" square of fabric (the heart applique)

*starch

* item of clothing to decorate

*pearl cotton, size 5, in coordinating color

*embroidery needle

*size 1 crochet needle (don't be afraid!)

*lightweight fusible stabilizer

*fusible fleece

This starch technique is not mine - I read about it on Piece N Quilt, an awesome site & tutorial worthy of your time. You basically want to oversaturate your fabric square with starch and lots of ironing. Hop on over to the site to get the full details. This will prevent your fabric from unraveling. Yes, you can use fusible webbing if you prefer, but I think this is just as effective and quicker.

After lots of starching & ironing, I freehand cut two hearts out (one for each of my girls).

Here are my two heart appliques. I was thrilled to find a scrap Valentine fabric with green hearts - green is Kiddo's all time favorite color!

Next I spray and pin basted the fabric heart on top of the cardigan.
Then cut a small piece of lightweight fusible stabilizer - large enough to cover the size of the applique, but not too much bigger. Place the adhesive side of the stabilizer to the backside of the cardigan, right behind where the applique is going. Iron, iron, iron..
Most likely whatever clothing item you are sewing the applique to, will be a stretchy material - this stabilizer will cut down the curse words you say while you sew.. Don't bypass this step, it is important..

Now with a fairly small zigzag, sew the heart down. You don't want it so small that it doesn't catch the fabric well, but you don't want it too large either. I used a size 3 on my machine and that was pretty close to perfect. I did use white thread, but monofilament is my favorite...

Take a length of the pearl cotton thread and thread it on the embroidery needle. Then complete a backstitch outline of the heart. You want the stitch length to be about 1/4" long. If you make the stitches too much smaller, you will fight with your crochet needle later. You also don't want to make the stitches too much larger or it will be loose on the fabric. It's not imperative that they are absolutely the same size, just as close to 1/4" as possible.

 Here it is all stitched up.. Now time for the fun!

 Using the same pearl cotton thread, at the bottom of the heart begin crocheting single stitches through the 1/4" backstitch. For some of my stitches I was actually able to fit two single stitches in. This part doesn't matter.. The important part is to single crochet all around the perimeter, using the backstitches as a base.

Here it is all done. I think it looks pretty adorable just like that! But I continued on to make it a bit more ruffly..If you want to stop there, just sew in your tails and iron a small piece of fusible fleece on the back of the cardigan, covering your stabilizer and stitches.

If you want to continue..

Slip stitch into your first single stitch; you will be creating a picot edge.

In every single stitch, you will: 

slip stitch, double crochet, slip stitch.. all the way around. 

It gives it a little bumpy ruffle.

Once you reach the last stitch, slip stitch into the first and sew in your tails.

Iron on a small piece of fusible fleece and you're done!

I hope you love it! It's a fun technique that you could use a lot of different ways. Wouldn't this be fun on a set of tea towels or pillow case?

If you make some, please let me know! I would love to see it..
And if you need clarification on any steps, just let me know..

Learning From Jenny

A few weeks ago, I saw Jenny Doh post about her publishing class. I told myself I couldn't afford another class that month. Then I reminded myself that I've had one book deal fall through  and had yet to finalize the two that are under review.. I wondered if there was something that I was missing.

There was..

I remember when I first presented my super secret book idea to the first publisher. I was excited, I had a book outline, I had project instructions.. I didn't have completed samples, I didn't have evidence of it on my blog. It was a secret! I couldn't share it online. What if someone saw it and ran with the idea before I could? What if someone could get it published before I could? What if the publisher thought there would be no reason to create a book of projects that I had already shown the world? What if, what if, what if?? And so I didn't share on my blog. And so I didn't  show evidence of an art that I'm passionate about. And so the book deal was dropped. Maybe the publisher was concerned that I didn't have enough experience. How could they know if I didn't give them reason to believe?

I accept that my worse fears may still come true, but I also believe that unless I take that chance, my art is without purpose. I truly want to inspire others and help break ground on a new genre of mixed media. I hope you will take that journey with me.

So what is at the heart of this secret. my super cool book idea? Well I've become passionate about mixing the art of crochet with quilting and sewing projects. I have researched and developed methods of incorporating the two art forms. Below is a picture of my homework assignment from the fabulous Jenny. It is a quilt square with an appliqued heart and crocheted trim. The crochet is done actually on the quilt square! 

Do you like it? Do you want to learn more? I sure hope so.. This week I'll show to create this project as an adorable Valentine shirt! I hope my tutorial will be something you want to make. I hope you DO make it and show me.. I hope I can get you excited about this...

Whew.. see that wasn't so hard. It's amazing to me that I thought I had truly learned the lesson to create with my hand open. To share, share, share.. And last night I realized my fingers were still slightly clenched.. Thank you Jenny Doh for helping me relax and enjoy this crazy journey..

The Dainty Snowflake

I know it's been eerily quiet on here. I've been working..nonstop..but I can't share most of it. Doesn't that drive you nuts when you go to a blog and they ramble on about all the great things that are coming,buuut you have to wait. Yeah, I know. I'm sorry.

I will however give you a peek into my Christmas line for the Etsy store. My little Etsy store has been sadly neglected these past months as well. Again..my apologies. I do have some great little gifts in mind that I hope you will love. Dream of mohair dainty snowflakes, soft velvet, and some amazing linen. Yummmm..

Hope you had a fabulous weekend full of creative endeavors..

Blankets!

I am doing a ton fun guest posts this week and will be have tutorials for both Moda & AccuQuilt. In the meantime, I wanted to share with you some of my latest items on Etsy. My little store has been neglected with all the amazing new events in my life. I'll be adding more Halloween goodness later this week. In the meantime, check out these fun blankets!

Halloween Rag Quilt - Skull Candy

A Hooked On Sewing Original!

This is hands down my favorite blanket ever.

Babies will love the eye candy on the cotton fabric

and fun caressing the chunky crochet of the yarn on the back!

Are you a good witch or a bad witch?

Here is Lil' Witchy.

She is perfect to make into a pincushion, sachet,

or to place on your Halloween mantle.

She is easy crochet with a wee bit of hand sewing if you choose.

She can be made in about an hour with scrap yarn.

She can be good..

or bad..

Her pattern is for sale here....

I will be adding more patterns & items for sale on the blog now.

I don't know why it never occurred to me before that I do that...

Granny Baby Blanket

I am soo loving this baby blanket! I will be doing a class on this at Kamille's later this fall. I think it will be so wonderful for the little fall baby in your life. It is made with a superwash merino wool - it is soft, yummy, and washable!

The class will be perfect for the crochet beginner to the advanced. There are only a couple stitches you will use - after this blanket you will have the double crochet (dc) stitch down to an art!

Hope to see you there!

Gifts of love

I know, I know..it's still quiet here.. Sorry! There is soo much going on behind the scenes and all the while I'm training like crazy for my first triathlon at the end of August. Someone in my Facebook fitness group posted this picture, I love it!

In the meantime, I've been working on handmade gifts for my mom. Gifts for her to touch to remember that she is so very loved and has a huge cheering squad. Can't wait for her surgery to be over and for her to back on her feet. I miss my partner in crime.

Here is her prayer shawl. It was much heavier than I anticipated, but those hospitals can be so cold sometimes.

And a close up of the prayer cloth - free motion and crochet..

So Much News..

I apologize for the lapse, I was blessed with non stop activity.

Had a fabulous time in Park City for Sundance

and then we were off to Disneyland.

Right before I left for Disneyland, I found out that I made

it on the Design Team for A Charming Place.

I'm so excited!

I have a bunch of ideas on how to incorporate these

super fun charms into my products on Etsy.

And lastly I didn't do even close to 1/4 of the projects for Etsy

that I wanted to for Valentine's Day.

I guess it's time to start on St. Patty's Day.

Everyone loves an Irish girl..

But I am happy to announce that there are a few new listings.

Check out these super posh furry cocoons!

Cupid's Kiss

Faux Fur trimmed Oatmeal

And.. here's a deal

$50 on any stork pouch!

Just mention "Cupid" and I'll refund the money via Paypal.

Garnet Garnet and a tad more Garnet

Later this week I will be adding to the store a new and wholly creative line.

I will be featuring framed mini art quilt & fabric pieces.

The series will include the monthly birthstones, Zodiac signs, quotations,

and many other tidbits that interest me.

If you have a request, just drop me a line.

Also included in my January garnet series,

is this ready 2 ship "Garnet Lotus Cuff"

at only $15.00 it is shipped completely gift wrapped.

I crocheted it with a merino wool/acrylic blend fiber

and added black glass beads for the Lotus centers.

** Design is courtesy of creativeyarn

Monthly Birthstone Projects

This year I'm planning on creating items each month in my Etsy shop

that are focused on the zodiac sign & birthstone for the current month.

I have a number of garnet & Capricorn items in the works,

that will hopefully be all listed by the end of next week.

My first item up is a ready-2-ship

G a r n e t & S m o k e

Kitty Cap

$38 and ready to ship

Meooowwww!

New Item - Perfect Stocking Stuffer

I love those rare days when I create a new item for the store.

Just in time for the holidays, I'm offering these awesome expandable mug cozies. They are a perfect stocking stuffer or small gift for that special someone on your list.

I love custom orders and can do just about any color you can imagine.

Don't drink coffee? How about hot cocoa, hot cider, tea, or a bunch of other yummy warm drinks!

These are under $10 and free international shipping! Happy Holidays!

Learning a New Trick

A couple months ago at my LYS (local yarn shop),

I was coveting this gorgeous green afghan.

It wasn't quite crochet and it wasn't knit, but it was 100% yummy!

Turns out it is Tunisian Crochet!

And there is a fabulous book to learn it written by Sharon Silverman.

Granted I know both how to knit & crochet, but I have to tell you

that I picked this technique up in about the 10 minutes it took my hubby to get ready for bed.

I bet you will pick it up quickly too!

Go try it!!

Go ahead, I'll wait for you..

I decided to use some of my birthday money to

buy a full Tunisian crochet hook set at Stitch Diva .

But there are quite a few learning projects you can do try on just your regular hooks.

This is so much fun, and I just love learning new skills!

WIP for Isa

What is a WIP for a Hooker?

Got your attention there didn't I?

Well I'm a crocheter and we work with hooks.. So, just slap the label Hooker on me.

It's okay, I'm comfortable with my title.

And WIPS..

Works In Progress

<---- this is where I am at in making

this------>

for my cutie pie Isabelle!

It is from "Easy to Crochet. Cute Clothes for Kids" by Sue Whitling

It is such a fun shell stitch. Unfortunately when I work crochet from other people's patterns, I tend to do it very tight and tiny..

As skinny as my little girl is, this maybe one tight sweater..