Elephant Crochet Afghan

 
This adorable elephant afghan just shipped out to our newest family member a few days ago.  This was my first time making this style blanket and not sure I'd do it again.  It was a lot like counted cross-stitch trying to keep track of all the stitches in each row.  The pattern I used was from www.patternworld.co.uk, Three Elephants.  As you can see, I did some color changes to match our little guys room which they were doing in elephants.  It's an easy pattern to follow.  Just be sure to print it out and mark your rows completed when done as it made it easier to keep track of where I was.

I used a G hook with Drops Muskat 100% cotton DK yarn from Wool Warehouse for the body.  Even going down to a G hook size for the border, I still got a little bit of buckling.

Here are the amounts of yarn I used.

1 - 50 gr. - black -17
1 - 50 gr - vanilla ice - 30
2 - 100 gr. - ice blue - 60
3 - 150 gr. - sky blue - 76
11 - 550 gr. - lt grey - 19

 

Beki's Afghan

After making my first Around the Bases Afghan, my daughter, Beki, messages..."Make me one."  Well, I always take note when someone says they want me to make something.  So I decided for her wedding I'd put together a really special version of this afghan.  It started with the popular Sophie's Garden square in the center and then Around the Bases was worked to the end.  Click on the links to go to the free patterns.  It took me almost six months to complete and then had to sit as a surprise until May as their wedding gift.

Her and her new husband love the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, so I was trying to work the theme into it by using red and white.  Of course, I had to add additional colors to make it prettier.  Needless to say, it was a "homerun."  They loved it. 

My yarn choice was Drops Muskat which comes in 50 gram skeins and cost about $1.86 each.  Below are the amounts I used.

9 -- Red #12 
7 -- Bordeaux #41
6 -- Black #17
9 -- White #18
6 -- Light Grey #19
7 -- Medium Grey #24

G hook for most stitches
H hook for chain and single crochet rounds

I did not get a final measurement before flying it across The Pond to Missouri, but you can see here how big it got.  Here I was working on the final borders.

Crochet Pillow Top

Started this little idea back in October, but with so much going on, I hadn't had time to get back to it to finish.  So, when a friend of mine wanted to get together, we decided on a trip to the fabric store where I picked out the backing for the crocheted pillow top.  It's finally coming together!

I started with a block pattern I found on Pinterest.  Pattern available at Mango Tree Crochet.  I found this lovely cotton yarn while visiting York, England, in a cute little shop along The Shambles.  I used a G hook.  My finished square turned out 17 inches.

I added 2 rows of my own to make the pattern into a square.  You can follow the directions below.

sc -- single crochet
hdc --half double crochet
dc -- double crochet

Row 1:  Start with a standing sc in the middle stitch of the chain. dc in the next 3 stitches.  hdc in the next 3 stitches. (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in the corner.  [hdc in the next 3, dc in the next 3, sc in the top of the chain, dc in the next 3, hdc in the next 3, (2 dc, ch3, 2 dc) in the corner,] repeat from [] 3 times.  hdc in next 3, dc in next 3. Slip stitch to the starting sc.

Row 2:  ch 3. dc in each stitch around with (2 dc, ch3, 2 dc) in each corner. Slip stitch to starting ch and tie off.

Squares are stitched together with sc.

After blocking the crocheted square, I measured out the backing fabric and made a slip cover style pillow case.  Mine has a snap closure in the back so the filler insert can be removed.  I then hand-stitched the crocheted block to the pillow case.

  

Temperature Blanket

Last year this time, I decided to start a crocheted Temperature Blanket running January to December 2016.  Afraid that it was going to turn out huge, I tried a variety of stitches to see what would work best.  The Linen Stitch or also know as the Moss Stitch was the best fit for what I needed.  I used Stylecraft Special DK yarn with a G hook.  I kept a rolling list of each days high temperature and crossed off each day as I finished it.

My temperature chart consisted of 12 sections in 5 degree Fahrenheit increments.  I used at least 2 skeins of each color.  Unfortunately, I didn't keep very good track over the year as to how many I went back to buy. Show above on a queen size bed

0-35     Grey
36-40   Clematis
41-45   Wisteria
46-50   Aster
51-55   Sherbet
56-60   Dark Green (Not sure which shade)
61-65   Meadow
66-70   Lemon
71-75   Apricot
76-80   Shrimp
81-85   Pomegranate
86-up   Claret

Here in the UK, we had very few Dark Red days and only one Grey.

Wanting to keep the border fairly simple, I used the interlocking border stitch found here.  My finished size ended up about 50 x 80 inches.

Table Facelift

 

I remember the year I bought this pretty little table.  My Aunt Sharon was visiting and we went shopping at an antique mall in Nebraska.  So, yeah, it's been around for awhile.  Haven't lived in Nebraska since 2002.  Here are a couple before pictures.  You can see there was some damage to the finish on the top, but it's a sturdy little table.

 

 

 

I loved the carved rose and the frilly handle on this table, but I always wanted to do something different with the finish...repaint, restain.  Anyways, I finally decided to paint it.  I had some left over Sherwin Williams To Go paint in the perfect color. 

After a light sanding, I applied two coats of paint. 
 

 

For the highlights, I added a whitewash in white chalk paint to the grooves and the carved flower.  After a good drying time, I applied a wax and buffed.  Using a glossy white spray paint, I applied several coats of paint on the handle.  I've been debating on whether to apply a polycrylic topcoat.  It has turned out way better than my expectations!

 

 

 

 

DIY-Painted Glass Jars

 

I found a use for those cute little Frappuccino bottles.  I've been craving these drinks all summer! 

 

 

 

This is so easy and you have quick little accent pieces in no time.  I applied two coats of chalk paint and sanded lightly with a sanding sponge.  And, of course, some pretty embellishments....

WaaLaa!

 Waiting on a lavender chalk paint to come in to finish the third bottle.

 

My room is slowly coming together.  I've been working on a make-over for my daughter's old bedroom.  It's going to stay a bedroom, but be a combo room for me to enjoy as well.  The room is going to be light and bright...a perfect area to work on drawings or my blog!  :o) I still need to paint the walls, which I plan to make a really soft off-white with hint of lavender.  When I eventually get it together, I'll post pics.  Can't wait!

 

 

DIY-Painted Frame

I picked up this cheapy frame from a local thrift store.  It caught my eye because of the texture.  I was finally able to get some Vintage Market & Design chalk paint that I’ve been dying to try from a local shop.. I used the off-white to paint the frame, sanded very gently to remove a little of the paint and applied two coats of clear wax.

 

It turned out really pretty and I have the perfect photo to use!