Turtleheart Crafts!

I can’t help it. House Mouse stamps are utterly too cute. So I recently made these cards:

Okay, I think I’ve gotten it out of my system. At least for a little while.

Yesterday I did some housecleaning and along with that, I put out some of my fall decorations as well.

Last year, I really got into the seasonal decorating and even created a couple of silk floral arrangements for the living room. Thought I’d share pictures of them, even though they’re from a year ago:

Woo-hoo! Guess what arrived in the mail today!?! A Sunset book from 1975, called “Crochet: Techniques & Projects.” I got it from Amazon for less than a dollar (plus shipping).

What is so great about this book? It has a pattern to make THIS:

A crocheted cloak! What could be more appropriate for me? Now, if I can just complete all my Yule gift projects first, I’ll get right on it.

This is an item I made as a Yule gift for my Tribemate; my first beaded crochet project. A small vial of lavender oil fit perfectly in the little bag.

The pattern is from the book “Crocheted Beaded Bags” by Margaret Snouffer. I found that the way this book was organized and written was a bit confusing, but once I figured out what I was supposed to do, it was actually very easy to bead crochet. I played with the beading pattern a bit to make it more interesting, instead of just working solid rows of beads for the majority of the pattern and ending with a fancy border, as the book instructed.

The most difficult part was finding the right sized beads for the right weight of thread. For this project, the thread size is Omega brand size 10 (cotton), and I believe the beads were also a size 10, in red lustre.

Another difficulty I encountered was that I could not find a beading needle that had an eye big enough that I could fit the thread though it and then still fit that eye through the beads. So, it took me at least an hour and a half to string enough beads for the bag without using a needle, just scooping up 2-3 beads at a time on the thread after twisting the end tightly. I have since learned a trick to try next time: stiffen the thread with a thin coat of wax to help poke it through the beads without using a needle. Definately will be trying that trick next time.

… doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy crafting! Here are some crochet projects I’ve completed over the summer:

Lacy Crochet dishcloth in Sugar ‘n Cream cotton. Pattern from Dishcloth Boutique.

Lattice Stitch dishcloth from Dishcloth Boutique and matching scrubbie by Suzetta.

Next up, a baby blanket for Warm the World.

This pattern is Beth’s Little Star Afghan; a very easy pattern that worked up quite fast. I think it turned out just adorable. I may add little tassels on each of the star points. I like it so much, I’m thinking of doing another one in yellows and purples.

And don’t think I’ve been neglecting my thread projects, either. Here’s a project I’m still working on:

These flower motifs are for the border of a placemat I’m making for a tea tray. I still have a few more motifs to make before I join them all together and fill in the middle of the placemat. I had to put this project aside for a while, my mind was beginning to boggle from all the varigated threads!

And there’s more to come, but for now I’m done posting. Check back soon.