Knitted "Snowball" Garland {Project 3}

Knitted "Snowball" Garland {Project 3}

I don't know what it is about yarn and knitting projects that always evokes a cozy, warm feeling in me. That must be why I do most of my knitting when it is chilly out! This final project requires some basic knitting skills and just a few moments during some chilly evenings to whip up as many of these little knitted balls (or "snowballs") as you desire. This knitted garland will add a layer of warmth to your home or can be used in many other ways too such as trimming a gift, or giving as a gift!

{gather}

~yarn (any colors of your choosing)

~knitting needles (I used size 8)

~tapestry needle

~scissors

{make}

(Refer to photos above for each step below.)

1. How to knit a ball: Row 1 - Cast on 3 stitches. Row 2 - Knit into front and back of the first 2 stitches, knit 1. Row 3 - Purl 5. Row 4 - Knit 3 stitches, knit into front & back of last 2 stitches. Row 5 - Purl 7. Row 6 - Knit 2 together, knit 3, knit 2 together. Row 7 - Purl 5. Row 8 - Knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 together. Row 9 - Slip 1 stitch purl-wise, purl 2 together, pass slipped stitch over. Cut yarn (leave approx. 6" tail) and slip tail through last stitch to secure.

2. This is what your knitting piece will look like at this point.

3. Thread the tail onto the tapestry needle and with the wrong side facing you, weave the yarn in and out around the outer edges of the circle until you end up back where you started.

4. Stuff the center of the circle with some scrap yarn to make the ball more full and as you hold it in place, pull on the tail to form the ball.

5. Tie both tails together in a knot to secure the ball.

6. Thread each tail onto the tapestry needle and pull back through the ball and snip off remaining ends to hide.

7. This is what your finished knitted ball will look like.

8. Repeat above steps to create as many "snowballs" as desired for your garland. Then, thread a tapestry needle with yarn and pull through the center of each ball to create the garland, spreading them apart as much as you prefer. Obviously this project can be tailored to whatever color yarns you prefer or string, twine, ribbon to make the garland.

Thanks for joining along in my 2010 series of Christmas projects!

More soon!

~L

Pretty Paper Mache Ornaments {Project 2}

Pretty Paper Mache Ornaments {Project 2}

Adorn your tree, house, wreath, or gifts with a few of these whimsical paper mache ornaments. They're so pretty and a great way to use up some of your favorite craft papers, pieces of ribbon, and even a dash of glitter for just a bit of sparkle.

{gather}

~paper mache/cardboard ornaments

(I've found these ornaments available the past few years in my local craft stores.)

~decorative, patterned craft paper

(thin paper works best, rather than the cardstock weight kind)

~decoupage glue

~old paintbrush

~scissors

~velvet ribbon

~glitter

{make}
1. Trace around one side of the ornament on scratch paper to create a template to follow.

2. Trace around template on the craft paper allowing for a bit of overlap so that no part of the ornament underneath will show and cut out each piece.

3. Using decoupage glue and an old paint brush, cover the ornament with the paper sections. Cover the top of the paper with the decoupage glue as well to create a nice finish.

4. Dust with a bit of glitter now, if desired...or allow to dry and use a glitter glue (such as "Stickles" brand) and spread on very thinly for a subtle sparkle.

5. Let dry and top off with a pretty ribbon!

Hope to see you back here again soon for Project 3!

Merry Berry Topiary {Project 1}

Merry Berry Topiary {Project 1}

This sweet, festive topiary is quite easy to make and will brighten up your table top, mantle, shelf, etc. It can be made to suit in various color combinations and is a good project to do with a group as it doesn't require much thinking, allowing more time for chatting and just relaxing as you simply push each "berry" into the topiary form.

{gather}

~topiary form

~terra cotta pot

~floral moss

~hot glue gun or wire picks (to secure moss)

~paint (we used spray paint)

~floral (berry) picks

~scissors (that you don't care about too much!)

{make}

1. Start by painting the pot your desired color and allow to dry. (Note: I did this project for one of my craft parties so I spray-painted all of the pots in advance in a few different colors. Then my guests were able to select what color pot they wanted and they were totally dry and ready to go.) 2. Put the topiary form in your pot...it may fit snugly so no need to secure, but add some glue if necessary. 3. Cover the topiary ball lightly with moss, using hot glue to secure. 4. Cover the base of the topiary with moss as well, using either hot glue or wire picks to secure. 5. Snip off the "berries" from the stems. Be sure to leave about 1/4" to 1/2" of the stem on the berry. 6. Have fun decorating your topiary by poking the berries into the form to completely cover it. 7. Enjoy!

{Side note: I really wanted to photograph my topiary in the brilliant white, fresh snow...just for fun! Sooo, did I pick the snowiest, blustery day possible to do this? Yep. And did my neighbors think I was a little crazy tromping about my yard in the snowstorm carrying a bright red topiary? Perhaps. And did the mailman just happen to come by at that exact time too? Of course!!!}

Join me again soon for Project 2! See you then!

Christmas Projects 2010 {notions of sweet things}

It's the last day of November but truthfully, my mind has been on the upcoming Christmas season for quite some time now. I love all the crafty, homespun projects that abound and only ever wish I just had more time to do more! Every year I always vow to get a head start on Christmas and all the things I'd like to accomplish, yet each year it rushes upon me just as quickly as the year before.

Two years ago, I did a little series of Christmas-y/Wintry projects here on the blog every day for a week and it was so fun to do! So I thought I'd start that up again this year but with a little more time in between each post, saving me a bit of holiday sanity. As I mentioned back then, I used to host a little Christmas craft party in years past and I would always try to come up with a new project for us to work on. I'll be featuring a couple of those past, sweet and simple projects that I think are still pretty fun along with a new one or two! We'll see how it goes! I hope you'll join along in the crafty fun!

silver blooms

That first little gold paper flower I made awhile back for a wedding cake topper was the inspiration for making more in various colors. Each flower is cut by hand and finished with cherry red vintage stamen centers. These pretty luxe silver blooms are now available in the shop, a jarful of posies!

good things about winter

Enjoying the beauty of the first big snow of the season... The snow began Saturday morning and was so sticky that it clung to the tree limbs and even the tree trunks, the branches sagging under the heavy weight of white. Normally these thickly coated limbs wouldn't stay this way for long, the snow eventually sliding off and giving way. But even today everything is still cloaked in white. And it is so pretty to look at. Another good thing, feeding the sweet little Chickadees by hand... It's always a bit magical when the first one comes to perch upon my hand, feeling almost weightless...this tiny connection to nature.

Some are hesitant, flitting nearby, while others are bold and happily sit upon my hand.

And the last good thing...more time to stay snug inside, knitting!

Just in time before the snow fell, I finished these cozy gray fingerless gloves.

.....

Update: Per request, here is the link to the pattern I used for these fingerless gloves. I loosely followed this pattern and made them a bit longer so they'd go up my arm further. It's a pretty quick and simple pattern to follow! :)

tree trimmings and things

Oh yes indeed! It's that time!

Starting to put a few ornaments and other glittery things on the shop shelves...

More soon!
~L

mum's apple pie

Mum came up for a little visit late last week and we hung out and did fun girl things while Hub was away on a business trip. We ate Swedish pancakes at a little cafe, did a bit of antiquing, looked through magazines, and did some crafting too of course. Mum also brought up some pretty red Haralson apples that she had just received from a friend's orchard.

So we (or mostly she) made an apple pie. I've never made a pie. Ever. I make quiche all the time...so I'm pretty good at making my own pie crusts. But I've never filled one with fruit, even though I've always wanted to! So mum eagerly offered to teach me how to make her apple pie. I took a few notes and tried to keep up with her and the things she needed for the recipe as she is quite a skilled, speedy lady in the kitchen!

It really would have taken me about an hour to peel these apples by hand, not to mention slicing them all up too. But before I could even finish cleaning up the counter from the pie crust-making, I turned around and she had deftly peeled and sliced all 5 apples for the pie in just minutes!

We mixed the sliced apples with sugar, flour, and cinnamon and poured them into the waiting pie crust. I made a streusel topping (my own adaptation...mum usually puts a second crust over the top) using melted butter, flour, sugar, and cinnamon.

And about 40 minutes later, voila! My kitchen smelled heavenly and the pie was pure bliss! Is it wrong to have pie for dinner and breakfast the following morning? I think not!
.....
mum's apple pie

pie crust
1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour
2 Tbsp milk
1/4 tsp salt
Mix together with pastry blender and roll out flat, using extra flour to keep from sticking. Place in pie dish.

apple filling
about 6 cups apple slices
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Mix apples with sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a big bowl. Pour into pie dish.

streusel
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
3 Tbsp melted butter
Mix dry ingredients together, pour butter over, and toss with fork until large chunks form. Cover apples with streusel.

Bake at 425 degrees for about 40-45 minutes. Enjoy!