Tree bark needlefelting tutorial 2

Hello! I am finally able to get back to blogging and begin podcasting!!!! I plan to post new videos here to my blog when I do podcasts, vlogs, and tutorials.

 Amber aka the Yarn Hoarder has started a dishcloth along on instagram. It can be crocheted, knit, woven, whichever fiber art you choose. She is making one a week for the year so that she will have many to give at Christmas.

I love this idea and I would like to join in. But I also think I will do my own dishcloth along if you would like to join. Every other week I am going to make a dishcloth from a different crochet stitch, think of it as stretching your crochet muscles! Anyone can join in and do as little or as many as you would like. The Instagram hashtag will be #dishclothsamplerCAL  I plan to have prizes throughout the year for the dishcloth along and you can double dip into mine and Amber's! Double the prizes!!! I will post the video and written instructions below for the first dishcloth!



 Starting chain does not count as first stitch

Ch. 35

Row 1- Turn, work 1 sc in second chain from hook, work 1 sc in each ch across. (34 stitches)

Row 2-Turn, ch1, work 1 sc in each stitch across.

Row 3- Ch 1 work 1 sc in first 2 sc, * 1dc/rf around next 2 sc posts 2 rows below, 1 sc in next 2 sc: repeat from * to end, turn

Row 4- Ch 1, work 1 sc in each stitch across, turn

Row 5- Ch1, work 1 sc in next 2 sc, *1 dc/rf around stem of next dc/rf 2 rows below, 1sc in next 2 sc: repeat from * to end, turn.

Repeat rows 4-5 until desired length. Enjoy!

Painting Haul

 I have really been enjoying painting. I placed an order for more supplies from Jerry's Artarama and my order arrived. I was thrilled! I was excited about my paint and brushes but on top of that they gave me three samples of Soho professional acrylic paints and a voucher for $100 off (with a $160 purchase) in wine from a web site that debuts small winerys! I couldn't believe it!

 I really like Jerry's. I was able to get canvases in bulk. I also ordered System 3 paints by Daler & Rowney. They are student grade but with much higher pigment than most student grade. I did a quick painting the other day to try it out and they work very well along with coming in a HUGE tube! I love my samples of Soho as well. It is so buttery. I think I will order more of it. Something I noticed that is nice about Soho is that all of the paint is priced the same. It's is professional grade and affordable.

  I have been using the Simply Simmons brushes like Cinnamon Cooney recommends and I love them. They really do hold their spring and keep a sharp edge. So, I would also recommend them! I will post a few pictures below of some goodies from my order!

Painting Too!

I have always loved painting and I have done a few pieces over the years but this is something I want to get more serious about learning. It is so relaxing like crocheting and knitting. Realizing that it is a learned skill just like fiber arts hit home with me and has given me the courage to just start REALLY doing this.

I plan to do 4-5 paintings a week. So I will be posting those along with my fiber arts on here. I am thrilled with the way today's painting turned out! If you are interested I followed this tutorial. The one thing I am sure of..... I need to get an angle brush!

Video Tutorial for Crochet Heart

Here is my first video! I am still learning how to manage my crocheting while looking at it through the camera ;) I hope you enjoy!

Valentine's Tree!

  I love decorating for holidays. Christmas is my favorite. I love the warmth of a glowing tree. I decided to keep that around this year.

  Just after Christmas JoAnn Fabric and Crafts was having a sale on all of their Christmas stock. I couldn't believe it when I found a 2 foot white tree! I had this idea before and always thought that white would be nice for a year round because it would show the happy colors of Valentine's Day, Easter, spring and summer flowers so well. I grabbed my little tree (which cost next to nothing on this sale) and happily brought it home and set it in out living room.

  With Valentine's Day coming I wanted to make little hearts to place all over my tree. I used the tutorial Chic and Cheap provided on You Tube. I grabbed a few yarns from my stash and began making them.I used worsted weight in red, white and pink. Then for a touch of fun I used a variegated sock yarn in blues, oranges and yellows. I should add that this is not a hands off tree. So, little ones play with and rearrange the hearts.

 I then made a garland using Tuff Puff in the conch colorway from Knit Picks. I made this by simply chaining a long chain fitting it for my tree. The yarn was so thick, being super bulky weight, that I didn't need to do anything else.

  Last, I made a nice, big, fluffy pom pom for the tree topper. I took my white and pink yarn and wrapped it around a children's book (it was right beside me) until I had the thickness I desired. Then, I carefully slid it off of the book and tied the center with a strand of yarn. It was then time to cut, cut and cut the ball until it looked even and full. I tied it to the top of the tree and voila! A Valentine's Day tree! Yes, there will be goodies around this tree Valentine's morning. I will post more about those later.

  I am going to try making a video of how I made my pink hearts. They are bigger and shaped a little differently than the others. I think I will try this tomorrow. We will see how it goes! I hope smoothly as I plan to start a crochet/knit podcast shortly and I am leaning towards a video podcast. Happy crocheting!

  Updating this to let you know that the video is now up on the blog here!

Crochet Airplane

 I loved this pattern the moment I saw it. It was perfect. You see, I just got a chance to do something that has been on my heart for a long time.

  First, let me say that I am not looking for a pat on the back. I am writing this to encourage other fiber artists. I want to encourage you to use your talent to help others. I know many, many other artists already do this. This was my first chance and it was a blessing to me!

  A friend from my crochet group posted about a little boy in her family that is fighting cancer. She wanted to put together a package for him so, she asked ladies in our group, if we were able, to make something for the package.

  I have always felt that the Lord gives us talents and we should use them to help and bless others. I always had good intentions of reaching out somehow with crochet, but I never did.

  I new I needed to do this. It may seem like it's just a little toy plane but the joy he will feel when he gets his special package from all of these dear ladies will be healing for him. (Proverbs 17:22~ A merry heart does good like medicine...) I felt so much joy as I made this, it really was a blessing to me too. I also got a chance to pray for him and his family as I made this. I would like to ask others who read this to pray for him as well.

  There are many organizations that fiber artists can donate to. I would encourage you to look them up in your area and donate if you are able. This is something I plan to do as well.

  And as for the adorable pattern, it is called Crochet Airplane. This plane is just too cute. I love how bright and colorful it is! I was so inspired, I ran straight to my stash and found different worsted weight yarns that looked great for a little fella's plane and away I went. The writer did a wonderful job with this pattern. It is easy to follow and I made it in a day. My own little guy saw this and loved it, so I am making him one too! I figured that was also a good sign that the other little boy will like it as well. It is a perfect size for little hands and there is just something endearing about a chubby little plane I think!