Rainbow Crochet Heart Garland and Carnival Cushion

It's now safe to share some of the things I've crocheted as presents recently, now that the relevant birthday and Christmas is past and the gifts have been safely delivered and unwrapped.

Oh Pinterest I do love you! You help me to find such lovely ideas and sometimes, just sometimes, I actually make some of the things I pin! (shocker I know!) 
I completely fell in love with this beautiful heart garland pattern I saw from Planet Penny. The pattern is free (there are links to donate to a UK charity Little Hearts Matter whom Penny designed the pattern to raise awareness for) and I found it really easy to follow. 

I didn't stray too far from the directions given by Penny and I LOVE the garland I was able to make.
I made 12 hearts in all, 2 of each colour (red, yellow, green, blue, pink and purple) and laid them out in a rainbowish order.
Then I got super technical and made sure each tassel was the colour of the next heart in the sequence. I added little plastic glass effect beads between each heart as I joined them with a few stitches, again the colour of the next heart.

To make the chain at each end to hang it up I threaded 6 beads (one of each colour) onto the yarn then crocheted a simple chain just incorporating a bead every 8 stitches then chaining a little more for luck. It finished up about 30cm (12") at each end.

 

 Look at it, it's just so pretty! 

I'm curious, would you call this a garland or bunting? I've called it both so I'm obviously not sure!

I actually splashed out and bought new yarn for the garland/bunting, I just didn't have enough of the bright colours I wanted to make it in my stash.
The good thing was I then had plenty of leftovers and was able to make this cushion too (or do you call it a pillow where you are?) 

Photo credit Carla Nyanyo
This is the beautiful Carnivale Cushion crochet pattern from over on My Poppet. Another free pattern with great step by step instructions and photos of every stage so you can't really go far wrong. It was originally done as a CAL so the tutorial is in stages which breaks it up nicely.

I made the cover first then measured it and made a very simple round cushion pad to size from an old sheet and some wadding. You join the 2 sides of the cover with single crochet and then make the pom poms, I did about 3/4 of the way round, stopped and made the cushion pad, stuffed it in then finished off joining the cover.

Photo credit Carla Nyanyo

The back of my cushion ended up a bit wavy so whether I made a mistake with the increasing or just my tension if not great I don't know, but once it was all padded out with the cushion pad it was fine. I had the same number of stitches for joining the back and front so I don't THINK I miscounted but maybe I miscounted on both!

Photo credit Carla Nyanyo
So in case you missed them further up the link for the heart garland pattern on Planet Penny is here and the carnival cushion on My Poppet is here.
If, like me, you just want to pin for another day then the pin links to the original posts are here: Heart garland Carnivale Cushion on my Crochet it Board

Happy crocheting!

You might also be interested in:

Diamond Stitch Crochet Baby Blanket

Earphone Wire Tidy

Clutch Bag from Old Knit

Basketweave Cowl

I'll be linking up to all these great link parties, why not go and have a look!

Crocheted Holly Garland

This might be a bit late to share for this year, but could be perfect for next year! A crocheted holly garland, my last Pinterest Challenge for 2015.

I fell over a free pattern to make holly leaves on pinterest a while ago. The link took me to an amazing blog that I'm pretty sure most crocheters already know (if you don't then you are in for a treat) Attic24. 

I found the written pattern a bit confusing to start with, but the super talented Lucy from Attic24 has provided brilliant clear step by step photos so with my ipad on my lap I was able to make a whole heap of holly leaves with some green yarn from my stash.

I used some green DK yarn and a 3mm hook, I think this could be a case of use what you have and it will probably be fine. Each leaf only takes about 15 minutes once you get the hang of them so you can afford to experiment.

Once I had 10 leaves I attached them to a chain. To do this I chained about 36 cm (14") then held 2 leaves at an angle to one another and slip stitched through both. I did 2 slip stitches as I found this helped to hold the leaves at an angle. Then I chained another 10cm (4") and repeated with another 2 leaves and so on. I finished off with another 36cm (14") chain. 

I blocked the garland, experts will be able to see I'm not especially good at blocking but in my defence this was a yarn which had been knitted up into a mistake before and frogged so it was a bit wavy! 

Basically to block you just wet the whole thing then pinned it out flat on a thick towel doubled up and leave it to dry.

I finished it off with a red button stitched on the join of each pair of leaves.

You can make a garland as long as you like with this pattern, the leaves could be different shades of green to use up your yarn stash, you could make little red pom poms to use instead of buttons, or circles of felt.
I also think just one leaf with a plain card gift tag would be SO sweet on a present (I might do that next year, this year I've made these paper napkin poinsettias for gift wrapping) 

Don't forget to check out the other Pinterest inspired projects from these other amazing blogs, just follow the links below.

Peppermint Snowflakes || The Robin's Nest Designs

Woodland Animals Wood Slice Ornaments || Sisters, What!

Framed Doily

Framing a pretty doily is a simple and inexpensive way to make art for your wall.

A treasure I unearthed when we moved house was a handmade lace doily. I inherited it from my Mum. I'm sure I remember her telling me she had bought it in Belgium or it might have been Holland. What I can remember is that she had visited a place where ladies were making the lace using traditional cushions, pins and bobbins and bought it directly from them. 

The doily had been used as a tray cloth and has a couple of tea stains. I gave it a gentle wash but the stains are old and seem fixed, I don't want to try anything harsh on the delicate lace. I've decided that the stains give it character and history!
Today I'm joining this month's Pinterest challenge, where a group of bloggers share something they've made, inspired by Pinterest.

I've pinned a few ideas for art made from doilies. 
This from Shey B where a doily has been used as a stencil:

and this from Allison Kreft where rub on transfers have been layered up on a canvas:

Two lovely ideas, but I wanted to display my doily without damaging it at all.

I took an old wooden picture frame, removed the back and the glass, then gave it a couple of coats of gold spray paint (this is going in our cream, white and gold bedroom, the other projects for this room are here, here and here) 
I laid the doily on a towel and very gently pressed it with a warm iron, just to smooth and even it out. I'm hoping that is not a terrible thing to do - it seems fine and I was very gentle.
Next I took a piece of acid free drawing paper and cut it to the size of the picture frame back.

I cut a piece of thick card to the same size.
I layered up the picture frame back, the card, the acid free paper then laid the doily out on the paper centrally. Finally I popped the clean glass on the top then put the doily sandwich back into the frame. 
The extra layer of thick card helped to push the doily tight up against the glass so it doesn't move even though it's not secured in any way.

The frame was one that everything just slides into so I taped up the open top edge. I don't want dust getting in and onto the doily.

And that's it! It's up in the wall, another piece of art for our bedroom, along with the Geometric DIY art and the butterfly specimen picture.
I'm not sure these photos do it justice, even though it's pressed flat up to the glass, the texture of the lace really shows. 

For more Pinterest inspired projects don't forget to visit the other participants in this month's challenge.

The Robin's Nest Designs - How to Make a Deco Mesh Pumpkin

Sum of Their Stories - Framed Doily

Tastefully Frugal - Crock Pot Baked Apples

Sisters, What! - Painted Color Block Letter Magnets

Scrapbusting Fabric Twine Bracelet

For the Pinterest Challenge this month I've made a bracelet from fabric scraps.

Some of the products I used to make this bracelet were provided by Pandahall.

Quite some time ago I pinned this idea to make twine by twisting fabric scraps from My Poppet Makes.

Cintia from My Poppet Makes also has some fun ideas of what to do with your twine once you've made it, she's made a mat for the floor but also suggests wrapping presents, making coasters, tablemats and more.
I made a bag full - just because - and then put it to one side, moved house and forgot all about it (like you do...) Then a few weeks ago when I made this ribbon and bead bracelet ...

... using ribbon end jewellery findings, I thought of my bag of fabric scrap twine and dug it out.

So if you would like to have a go at making your own fabric twine bracelet you will need:

• scraps of fabric - longish strips are best
• a Selection of Jewellery Finding:
• 2 Ribbon Ends (mine are these silver colour 6mm ones from Pandahall)
• 2 small round jump rings (mine are these 4mm from Pandahall)
• 1 larger jump ring (mine is a 7mm oval, from my stash)
• 1 lobster clasp (mine is this one from Pandahall)
• strong glue (I used Superglue)
• jewellery making or small pliers

and

• to go to My Poppet to find out how to make your twine

Once you have a length of twine, make the bracelet in exactly the same way as the Ribbon and Bead bracelet - the tutorial is here. I used 2 strands of my twine but you could include more if your twine comes out thinner or if your ribbon ends are bigger. You just don't need to add any beads, and I found I didn't need to use the tape to hold everything together either.

I find bracelets very hard to photograph, here is an awkward selfie just so you can see how it looks on (I took loads of these and this is the best - not my greatest photographic achievement!)

When I wear this bracelet I've found I like it best if I twist it before doing up the fastening, the two strands slightly twist together naturally and it lies nice and flat on my wrist. 

My favourite thing about this project is how each and every bracelet made this way will be unique, it all depends of the combination fabric used.
I also love that it uses up scraps, so good for those last precious fragments of a favourite print AND if it gets a bit grubby you can just gently handwash it and it will be good as new.
It would be lovely to make a bracelet to match a dress, skirt or shorts that you've made with the little leftover fabric scraps.

Here are the other great Pinterest Inspired projects in this month's Pinterest Challenge.

Scrapbusting Fabric Twine Bracelets || Sum of Their Stories 

DIY Strawberry Planter ||Refresh Living

DIY No Sew Faux Roman Shades || Dwelling in Happiness 

Wood Pineapple Bowl Revived || Sisters, What!

Mike Wazowski Pinata || Tastefully Frugal

You might also be interested in:

3 Pink Bracelets

Earrings organised Update

Old bracelet to new statement necklace

Crocheted Owl Brooch

I'll be linking up at these great link parties,

Divide and Conquer Drawers

When it comes to organising your drawers it seems divide and conquer is the way to go.

It's time for another pinterest challenge, where a bunch of creative bloggers all share something they've made that was inspired by a pin or two.

This month I chose one of the most pinned pins I've ever seen. SO many times I spotted this on someone organising ideas board. I think it's pinned so much as it is just a really good idea.
Simple, cheap drawer organisation - fab!

So let's get started! The pin that inspired me is here and the tutorial over at IHeart Organising is here.
This is not my first attempt at this idea. I'd done it at our old house where we had a large shallow top drawer to a built in wardrobe/dressing table. I brought the boxes with us and put them in one of the small but deep top drawers of our lovely new Ikea Hemnes chest of drawers, the one with the fancy new glass knobs.

As you can see, it didn't really work. The new drawer is twice the depth and everything just got piled up, I was finding it quite hard to find anything in this mess!
I didn't deviate from the tutorial at IHeart Organizing very much except for a few tweaks.

• I used wallpaper samples to cover my boxes
• I cut some of the boxes to fit my drawer in a way that I found to be dead easy.

First collect a load of boxes, cereal packets are ideal - you've already bought them full of cereal so no additional purchasing is necessary. 
Arrange them in your drawer, it's much easier if you take the drawer out if possible. Then using a pencil, draw along the sides at top of the drawer height.
I found it easier to flatten the box and cut straight across with scissors as I don't have a box cutter.

Remake the box and tape up the base.
I was able to get two dividers from each cereal box, one each end.
To make smaller boxes I just chopped the flattened box in half, slid one half into the other as necessary then taped it all up.

Once you are happy with your box arrangement you could just stop there. Perfectly serviceable, nothing wrong with that and at the end of the day how often to people go poking about in your drawers?

If you want your drawers to make you happy each time you open them though, then carry on and make them pretty.

Cover the boxes with paper following the easy to follow instructions on IHeart Organizing. That original tutorial used scrapbook paper - you could do that, there are load of beautiful papers about and anyone who does a lot of crafts might have some lying around.
I used wall paper samples that I had left over from another project. (all part of my "changing what we have to make it go nicely in the new house" plan) 
Some wallpapers are not easy to stick with tape but good enough for this purpose and they were free which is even better!

Once I was done I filled up my drawer dividers as neatly as I could. Much better!

Apart from a couple of old receipts that I threw away everything that was in there before went back in and there is a load of space at the back - amazing eh! 
Easy to replace if they get damaged at all and the whole process took me about 2 hours start to finish. I took it all downstairs and did this whilst I watched tv.

Here are the other great pinspired projects for this month. 

$5 DIY Concrete Planter Stand || Dwelling In Happiness

DIY Animal Place card Holders || Lily Allsorts

How to Make Fabric Rosettes || Burlap and Babies

Wine Glass Succulents || Tastefully Frugal 

Divide and Conquer Drawers || Sum of their Stories

Plywood World Map Art || Sisters, What