Another Crochet Pumpkin Project.

Try this pumpkin garland!  

I need to try this happy little pumpkin garland!  Happy Fall.  North, TX is suppose to get a cold front the end of this week.  I can't wait. 
Happy week. 
A

Published on Totally Tutorials

Hello Dears,

I've been published again. Thanks to Totally Tutorials for sharing my project! 

Hope you have a blessed day!
A

Fall Crocheted Pumpkins Galore

Hello Dears,

I am lamenting that my summer vacation is over, and I will be going back to work. As a result, I decided to visit my parents one more time over the weekend before my actual return to work.  My parents sure know how to make me feel much better, and I really appreciate them.  We even got a soaking rain in Oklahoma.  Wow the rain sure was cold and quite refreshing.   

In other good news, I am hoping to finish up my course work at SMU, and I am super excited to get it going again.  I love my SMU teachers!  

Also, I decided I really wanted to make these crocheted pumpkins. I'm trying to get those last minute craft projects completed before my return to work. Here is a picture of my lovely pumpkin. I love this pattern! So easy to follow and put together for excellent results. Thanks for the lovely pattern. I will certainly be making more of these.  If you too want to make this super, easy pattern click here  to find out more information.  

Pattern author: Vicki Ramsey.
Located in: Stitch Craft Create Halloween Issue 2012.  
Lionbrand Yarn: Hometown USA, Oklahoma City Green for the stem. Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, Pumpkin for the body.  
Hook size:  P.

Then I just located another pattern from Totally Tutorials making a crocheted pumpkin, and I hope to try this one out too.  I love this blog.  

Lastly, I just wanted to wish everybody a great new school year!  Why not make these pumpkins on the run?  I hope my friends can handle all of my pumpkin making because I have a new obsession.  Hugs. 

Love, 
A

I've Been Crafting

Hello Dears,

I wanted to share my new Carpet bag and yummy scarf.  I won't be able to wear the scarf yet, but I am at least prepared for the breezy cold winters in North Texas.  I am trying to cram as much crafting fun in as I possibly can before I return to school.  I went shopping last weekend and purchased new yarn and fabric from JoAnn's.  It was teacher appreciation weekend, and I wanted to say thanks JoAnn's.  The discount I used was much appreciated!  The yarn I used for this scarf is from Red Heart, With Love and the color is Fruit Punch.  To me this new color screams Fall, FALL.  By the way check out the crispy grass, I sure was disappointed we missed out on the rain last night.  Anyway just a reminder to pray for parents, students, administration, and teachers for a successful school year. Lastly, pray I get sleep the night before the first day of instruction.  I'm always so excited, yet anxious.  Thanks again for the support.

Hugs,
A

Vintage Crocheted Picture Tutorial

Hello Dears,

Only one more week until I return back to work.  Eek!  Yeah.  Where does the time go?  I've been helping others organize their craft rooms, moving a friend to a new town, painting rooms, cleaning, driving a LONG U-haul, organizing my friends' spaces, attempting to be creative for myself, and rest.

By the way, I started this project over a year ago.  I was given vintage crochet bits from a family friend.  My friend's ancestors crocheted all the bits, and we both agreed they were too precious to toss out.  If you fall into the category of being creative, then you know your friends will think of you and send lovely things your way.   Especially when, there is too much of a sentimental family attachment to these items and your friends don't know what to do with all this beautiful work.  The trash can is JUST not a place for such items.  My project has evolved from pasting these bits onto a canvas to an even better option. I wasn't pleased with this option, so these bits sat on this canvas for a year.

 

I tossed out the canvas and removed the bits. 

Ingredients needed to make this project:

1.  large quilting embroidery hoop (this was my friend's mother's vintage quilting hoop)
2.  vintage reproduction fabric charm squares to cover the hoop (I used thirty charms).
3.  thread
4.  sewing machine
5.  vintage crochet bits (Cut and remove from pillowcases that are discolored or worn.  Some of the pieces I received were already removed from the pillowcases, so I decided to remove the rest of the pieces because of deterioration.)
6. fabri-tac glue

Let's do this!

Step One:

Stitch a grouping of charm squares together.

Step Two:

Grab your vintage bits.

Step Three: 
Place the quilting hoop on your charm squares and decide what fabrics will be displayed.

Step Four:

Grab the bits of vintage crochet and figure out your lay out.

Step Five:
Glue all of the vintage pretties onto the charm squares with Fabri-tac.

Step Six:  

Figure out how you want to finish off this project.  I am stopping the directions for this tutorial because an embroidery hoop project is nothing new, but I will include the link for finishing off your project from the purlbee.

Step Seven: 
Enjoy! 

Lastly my project is not currently complete because I am waiting on picture of the ladies who actually crocheted and tatted these bits and inspired me to make this project.  Notice there is an empty space in the middle of the crocheted bits?  I am planning on printing their picture on linen.  Then I will place their picture right in the center of the embroidery hoop.  As a result, I have created one awesome family memento and reunited the ladies with their vintage pretties even after they have moved on. Lastly I will give this project back to my friend, so she may continue to enjoy her family's heritage.  Stay tuned for the final project. I would like to thank the Purlbee for their continued inspiration.  Without the Purlbee, I would not have thought to incorporate these vintage finds.

By the way check out Nancy's blog here.  I couldn't have made this project, if she hadn't passed on her vintage goodies my way.  I love you, Nancy.

Love, 
A

PS.  Enjoy summer!  Now it's time for me to think about my Fall crafting projects and crafting my future students. 

Summer Vacation is Almost Over

Hello Dears,

Hard to believe I will be going back to work in less than a few weeks.  Experiences happen that make me think I am ready to go back to school.  I found a new classroom sign which will be placed in my classroom.

Reason 1:

Reason 2:

My mom and I headed to Clinton, OK for a rodeo. Marcos wants to be a bull rider. I use to teach both young men in Phoenix when they were in the seventh and eighth grades. Thanks to technology for bringing us back together (hard to imagine them living in Oklahoma). This little experience was the little spark to make me think I am ready for a new school year. About this time of year, I start looking for reasons why I should continue teaching. Erne on my left and Marcos on my right! They are both welders in the oilfield, and I am so proud of them. Erne is a cancer survivor and my superman.

 Reason 3:

Some how my parents know how to take care of me and make me feel important. Thanks mom and dad! 

Reason 4:

Take a moment to peek at the scene and dream. I've got dreams. 

Reason 5:

Taylor Mali on "What Teachers Make"

Back to work writing lesson plans and getting organized.

Love,
A

Clothespin Wreath

Hello Dears,

Just to catch you up on things I have been working on my friend's houses by packing, redecorating, and packing, redecorating some more.  Also, I have been diligently working on my Crafty Sewing room attempting to get it organized before I return back to work.  Also my family came for a visit, and daddy helped me hang shelves around three sides of the upper perimeter of my room.  I can't wait to show off the finished organization.   

In other news, I asked a friend to help me with some things I am working on.  As form of payment, she requested I craft her a wreath.  Her great grans are living in a nursing home, and she explained to me that other people passing by her parent's door pick at the wreath she purchased and placed outside.  As a result, I got my crafty juices flowing.  While on my trip to KS, I read over some magazines my mom brought along for us to read.  Here is the link and this is my version!

My wreath is different because my mother-in-law always gives me these little motivational sayings, so I decided to incorporate both ideas into an even better idea. I started thinking about how the folks and other guests were pulling things off the wreath. Why not make their day in the process and give them a bit of motivational scripture and a touch of sunshine in their lives?   Anyway, I am super excited to get this to her!  

Notes about changes in the directions I followed:

1. Depending on the hot gluing method and technique you use, I only used 50 clothespins.  The directions called for 72 pins. 
2. I used some bias tape and stitched ribbon right down the middle for added support and fluff.
3. I used a zig-zag stitch on the machine for a design element of interest, texture and ease of sewing.  
4. The bow directions called for 24 inches of ribbons, and this made a stingy bow.  As a result, I changed up the amount of ribbon used.  Instead, I used 48 inches of ribbon.  The first 24 inches I stitched it together at the topped, and I slipped it down to the front because I wanted the seam for added bow fluff.  Then I used the other 24 inches and tied the bow like a shoelace bow right at the seam! 
5. For added protection from pickers, I hot glued the bow in place so it won't move around as quickly.
6. I hot glued the bow to the wreath.  Refer back to statement number five.  
7. I pinked the edges, so the bow tails will not fray.    

Anyway, I have enjoyed sharing my process with you.  Also, this wreath cost next to nothing to make!  Enjoy what little bit of summer that remains.  
Hugs, 
A