Vintage Skirt to Apron Refashion

I've kind of been on a runaway train with ze crafting lately. Part of it is the holidays and part of it is the impending arrival of bambino three. I think my subconscious is attempted to counterbalance all those months I'll be spending doing "nothing". And by nothing I mean keeping my children alive. Which is actually kind of important, if you think about it ...

I bought this cute handmade vintage skirt at a thrift store a year and a half ago (I know. It's tragic). I knew I wanted to turn it into an apron, but I didn't have the slightest idea how I was going to do it.

I really like aprons, partially because I'm super clumsy and tend to spill things all over myself (which is kind of a big deal when you only have two pairs of pants that fit) and partially because when I put one on, it makes me feel all ... housewife-y. It's kind of like dress-up for grown ups.


To start, I cut the skirt in half. (BTW, there was no way I was EVER going to fit into this as a skirt; vintage clothes are SO tiny.)

Crochet Christmas Tree {POTM}

Okay, okay. One last decoration before I really am done. For real.

Really.

Sometimes I am surprised at my own ridiculousness.

It's pretty freakin' cute, though ...

It's easy, too! You work in the round (no joining and chaining action up in here!) so you get one seamless piece. I used a G hook and Red Heart Super Saver yarn.

Crochet Infinity Scarf {POTM}

Halloooo, peeps!

It's that time again. The weather is getting colder, the snowflakes are falling, hot cocoa sounds delicious (but when does it not?) and I am constantly reminded that I am TERRIBLE at fire starting.

Luckily we can just crochet a scarf to keep us warm, right?

RIGHT!

If you are also a terrible lord of the flame, this pattern is for you ... or you could just like scarves. That's okay, too.

Scalloped Slippers {POTM}

Hello, hello!

I can't seem to stop making slippers, peeps! I made these and these and then I made ...

... these!

Crazy Easy Kid Slippers {POTM}

So I made myself these Lizzie Slippers ...

And immediately following a certain two year old yells, "Make me some swippers too, Mom!"

How could I resist? Problem is, I've always been a little intimidated by the idea of slippers. I have no idea why. It's irrational.

Some people would say my fear of spiders is irrational, too ... to which I say NOPEY nope nope.

I faced my fear (of slippers, not creepy crawlies) and came up with this super basic pattern. Seriously, it's so easy a caveman could do it, which is a BIG plus when a two-year-old is asking you every five minutes if they're done ...

These are a toddler size 7. You can easily make them bigger with the addition of a few rows (or smaller by taking some out!).

Lizzie Slippers

I found this adorable slipper pattern HERE and whipped up two pairs in almost no time. Because, you know, that's about all the time I can spare these days (hence the void of almost-nothingness ... sorry. I figured you'd rather read nothing than disorganized and decidedly uninspired drivel.)

Sooo ... here's a picture instead.

Please ignore the incredible whiteness of my feet. I really do go outside ...

... at least once a month :-)

Belt it, Baby! {POTM}

I know, I know. It's another baby pattern. I apologize sincerely for having baby on the brain, but it's kind of hard not to at the moment ...

If you don't have/don't know any little ones or think children should simply not exist (which means, of course, you should have never been born, either, buddy), skip this, but please continue to love me. I want you, I need you, oh baby, oh baby.

Aaaand we're back to munchkins. You see my problem?

Anyhoo, my children are string beans. They take after their dad. Consequently, they often look like they are attempting to join a gang. They've got super-cute polka dot diapers, so it doesn't bother me all that much. Since, G started walking, however, her too-long pants have been tripping her up. I figured I should remedy the problem.

Not with rubber bands like we did with T, either.

Look at me go.

Behold, a de-gansterify your baby device!

Dainty Flower Bookmarks {Crochet Pattern}

Hullo peeps,

Since I missed June's POTM, here's your "bonus" crochet pattern for July.

Itty Bitty Baby Sandals {POTM}

***UPDATE 4/12/2015 - I've added pictures of the process. Hopefully this helps any confused crocheters out there. :)***

This is the project that never ends, it just goes on and on again ...

Remember Lamb Chop? I have only a vague recollection of the actual show. I do, however, distinctly remember being tormented by the idea of that song going on and on and on and on and on ...

Yeah. I need therapy. I know.

Luckily for us, this particular project is FINALLY finished. T got sick, then the first prototype was all wrong, then I started over, finished a pair, and lost them, then all of us got sick AGAIN, and then I was just kind of scared the universe didn't want this to happen. But finally, FINALLY, I finished a new pair last night. I think all the kinks are worked out. Maybe.

See? Love me some baby toes.

Crochet Camera Strap Cover {POTM}

Hayyyyy!

It's finally (FINALLY) finished!

I apologize for the, ahem, 11 day lateness of this post. I made one, hated it, and had to start over. Then the kidlets got sick and my life turned into a haze of recliner naps and medicine and snotty noses.

Everyone's back to their happy (albeit "NOT SLEEPY, MOM") selves now and life is returning to its normal chaotic pace.

Sooooo, without further ado, here ya go!

I used a G hook. If you tend to crochet tighter or looser you can use a different size hook as needed.

Darling Daffodils Crochet Pattern {POTM}

Hullo peeps,

Mother Nature bequeathed 18 inches of snow upon us Monday and Tuesday, which put a damper on anything spring-ish. These happy little flowers will have to tide me over until all this white powder disappears ...

Not THAT kind of white powder ... or that kind, either.

Behold, daffodils!

And here, my friends, is the pattern:

Easy Crochet Drawstring Bag {POTM}

Hullo fellow hookers!

March's free crochet pattern of the month is this versatile drawstring bag. You can make this as big or as small as you like, make it in multiple colors, use different ribbons, add appliques, et cetera. You can stuff it with candy (EASTER!), toys, treats, craft stuff, live reptiles ...

When I say versatile, I mean it!

Cute, no?

I used a G hook, Red Heart Super Saver yarn in what I believe is Light Blue, and approximately 2.5 feet of  ribbon.

Crazy Brain

Hi peeps,

I made over some built-in bookcases a few days ago (I'll share pictures later) and really, really, REALLY wanted to put a brain in a jar on it. Not a real brain, mind you. That would be gross ... and may require me to murder and dissect someone.

Too messy.

Instead, I crocheted one.









I'm not sure why exactly I wanted a tiny brain in a jar (Grover would probably say one of my other multiple personalities told me I needed it), but something did.

Striped Leg Warmers {FREE Crochet Pattern of the Month}

Hello, hello!

It's a wee bit late (I'm trying to post these around the fifteenth ... ), but it's here - February's FREE Crochet Pattern of the Month, AKA POTM ... is that a weird acronym? I'm just really tired of typing, "Crochet Pattern of the Month".

So I have acronym-ed. So it shall be.

Pom Pom Mobile

Looky, peeps!

It's another baby mobile!

Sock Monkey Hat & Leggings {14 Days of Fluffy Stuff}

Hi peeps,

The blizzard of fluffiness continues!

Mixed Media Crochet Cloud Mobile {14 Days of Fluffy Stuff}

Hullo my peoples,

How goes it? I made this mixed media mobile/hanging art thingy over the weekend:

Crochet Kissy Lips {14 Days of Fluffy Stuff}

Hi peeps!

Here's a fun idea for Valentine's day!

Ruffled Bookmarks {14 Days of Fluffy Stuff}

Hullo!

Last summer I went on a pregnancy-fueled sewing blitz. I made play pen sheets, a Boppy pillow cover, burp rags, gobs of pillows and a ton of other things. All this sewing led to a lot of scraps, so I whipped these ruffled bookmarks up with a very, very small fraction of the leftovers. I had every intention of blogging about them, but then I had a baby and ... stuff.

I found the pictures when I was switching files to my new computer and realized they are FLUFFY!!! Hooray!

Here's how to create a cute (fluffy!) ruffled bookmark:

Materials:

- two fabric scraps for the base (cut to seven by two and a half inches)
- one fabric scrap for the ruffle (cut to one and a half by ten inches)
- embellishments of your choice (I used eyelet trim for the green gingham one and lace and buttons for the blue gingham one)
- sewing notions

That's it!

After gathering my materials and cutting my fabric scraps down to size, I frayed the edges of my base fabric for a semi-shabby chic look. This is totally optional; just be aware it might happen anyway depending on the type of fabric you use.

They see me frayin' ...

Next, I made my ruffle. If you've never made a ruffle before, all you do is sew a seam with nice big stitches and then pull on one of the threads (preferably the bobbin thread, which is the black one in the picture) to gather your fabric.

Beware, it's addictive.

Then I sewed on my layers (again with a straight seam; nothing fancy!).

They see me sewin' ...
Okay, that's getting old.

For the blue gingham bookmark, I added a row of hand-sewn buttons.

Buttons!

Finally, I sewed the second base piece to the top piece. This hides the seams you made while sewing on the ruffles and will keep your bookmark from fraying away into nothingness.

Keep that fray at bay!

Voila!

Now you just need a good book to put it in! :-)

Please share a picture if you make one of these! I'd love to see the different fabric and embellishment combinations you use!

Fairy Princess Crown {14 Days of Fluffy Stuff}

Hi peeps!

I made a little crown awhile back and was all set to share the pattern for 14DOFS. I sat down to write the post this morning and realized I forgot to write down the pattern. Womp womp.

round 1

I used that little lapse in brain function to spend today (well, 45ish minutes of today) making a new one. This time I wrote down the pattern so I could share it with you!

Monster Pillow {14 Days of Fluffy Stuff}

Hullo!

Glad to see you! Today's fluffy thing is a monster pillow I made for T.

Crochet Keys Pattern

Hi peeps,

Here's the crochet pattern I promised you!

They are crocheted keys! You could use them for appliques, dress-up props, Christmas ornaments (for those who think wayyy ahead!), in scrapbooks, on cards, or hang them on the wall a la YHL.

They are not, however, useful when your child locks himself in the bathroom.

Yeah, I should probably go attend to that ...

I used regular old Red Heart Super Saver yarn and a G hook.

Abbreviations are as follows:

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
dc = double crochet

Here are the patterns!

Left key:


Ch 5; join.
Ch 1, sc 7 times in ring, join.
Ch 1, sl st in next sc, ch 4, sl st in next sc. Sl st in next 2 sc, picot (ch 2, sl st in first ch), sl st in next 2 sc, ch 4, sl st in next 2 sc.

Ch 11. Dc in 4th ch from hook. Dc in next ch.
Finish off; weave in ends.



Middle key:

Ch 5; join.
Ch 1, sc 7 times in ring, join.
Ch 1, sl st in next 4 sc, ch 4, sl st in same sc, sl st in next sc, ch 4, sl st in same sc. Sl st in last 4 sc.
Ch 11. Dc in 4th ch from hook. Dc in next ch.
Finish off; weave in ends.

Right key:


Ch 5; join.
Ch 1, sc 7 times in ring, join.
Ch 1, sl st in next sc, ch 6, skip 1 sc, sl st in next sc. Ch 3, sl st in next sc. Ch 6, skip 1 sc, sl st in next 2 sc.

Ch 11. Dc in 4th ch from hook. Dc in next ch.
Finish off; weave in ends.

I starched mine with a 50/50 mix of white glue and water.

Please let me know if you find any mistakes or have any questions!

keys on keys!

Hope you likey! : )

More {crochet} stuff here.

Linking up at:
Petals to Picots
Dragonfly Designs

This item is yours for the taking the {walker whimsy} Etsy shop! Clicky, clicky!

Embellished Photo Frames

Hi peeps,

My sweet SIL had a baby shower Saturday. Unfortunately I was unable to attend, but I did send along some goodies. One of the things I made were these embellished photo frames. When baby girl arrives in a month or two, SIL can swap the inserts for baby photos and give the nursery a little bling bling!

If you want to make these, all you need to do is get a few plastic photo frames (I got mine at Walmart; they are very inexpensive), insert the scrapbook paper or fabric of your choice and then get jiggy with the hot glue gun! I used pearls, crystals, ribbon, feathers, rhinestones and a key charm I had from a previous project.

For the obsessive-compulsive among us, I swear to you the pinks match (almost exactly) in real life. They didn't come across correctly in the photos, BUT THEY DO. I promise.

Can't wait to meet you, sweet little one!

Glue guns FTW!