My lovely new addition to my craft room

My sewing machine sadly bit the dust a few months ago, but happily, I found a replacement machine via Craigslist.

<— See my lovely new inspiration!

So, of course I’m super inspired to begin creating new sewing projects and have discovered an incredible new book to fuel ideas:

Stay tuned, as I will certainly share the inspiration and results of the projects.

What’s your craft inspiration this year?

Scarves with repeating stitch patterns make great portable projects -- this pattern is available at Craftsy.com

Superbowl Sunday is tomorrow! Some people only celebrate when their team is in the running, but we celebrate every year no matter who’s playing. For years we’ve had an annual tradition where we go to our friends’ house for dinner and the game. It’s something I always look forward to.

My annual tradition is to bring a knit or crochet project with me. I like sports okay, but I’m not fanatical about it. I enjoy Superbowl parties for the social aspect mostly, since with busy work schedules it’s not always easy to get together with friends now we have school-age children. So Superbowl Sunday is a perfect time to not only catch up with my friends, but also with my knit or crochet projects, which might also have taken a back seat recently to more pressing matters of bills and groceries and after school activities.

I find it relaxing to sit in front of the game with a knit or crochet project on my lap, and my friend loves to watch me work. A non-crafter, she’s intrigued at what I can turn a little ball of yarn into. The best projects for Superbowl Sunday are those that don’t require you to keep looking at directions or counting stitches. That way you can still enjoy the party, have some conversations (and keep track of the score if you wish) all while you’re crafting away.

I find an afghan or rug works well for a Superbowl Sunday project, but sometimes can be bulky to travel with, depending on where you are in the design. So I usually travel with a baby blanket project, or a scarf in progress, or even a purse/bag pattern that doesn’t require too much shaping. I like a pattern that’s easy to memorize, so all I need to do is take out my yarn, my hook (or needles) and get to work.

So, if you’re the crafty type and planning to watch the game at home or at a friend’s, this might be the perfect opportunity to squeeze in a little crafting time as well.  Best of all, you may inspire others to join you!

Happy crafting! (oh, and Go Pats!)

Katelyn

Crochet Scarf pattern available at Craftsy.com

Because “creative minds and hands” implies so much more than just crafts, we’ve decided to open up this little space of ours to all things creative. Some of us write, some of us are creative cooking mavens, organization queens, and some of us are learning ways to make hearth and home more inviting, more comfortable.

We’ll be sharing our skills, and perhaps our attempts at learning a new skill, over the next few months. We try to keep it organized so you don’t have to wade through our rantings about a topic that doesn’t interest you. And we’ll alert you to new topics as we add them so you can learn right along with us.

We hope you like our new direction.

~ Marie

-Bead and Wire Ornaments-

In search of a quick wire ornament for the holidays? Have a wire jig handy? Then give this simple design a try.

It’s a wire and bead tree-shaped ornament in two styles: loops on the inside or loops on the outside. Hang beads on the loops for instant mini decorations.

The wire is basic 18 gauge craft wire found in most craft supply stores, and it comes in a rainbow of colors. The color used here is magenta. Other tools you need are round nose pliers, wire cutters and headpins for adding the beads.

See this article I wrote at eHow.com for detailed directions.

Happy Holidays!

Wire wrapped on a jig.

Supply list:
• serrated tracing wheel
• gel pen, markers, pens
• soft surface (mouse pad, etc)

Step 1: Create Holes Using tracing wheel, create your holes where you want your stitching to be. Suggestion: trace around the border of your paper.

A clear 6 inch ruler works well as a guide. Be sure to press hard enough to create the holes. This is why a cutting matt will not work, you need a softer surface to create the holes.

Step 2: Faux Stitch Using gel pen or marker of your choice, “connect the dots”. Keep the ruler in place and simply draw a line.

Close up of “stitches”

Viola! Super simple, yet effective!

A little of yourself goes into every handmade gift.

But I’m also thinking about those in less fortunate circumstances who could also use some holiday cheer. To me, nothing says you care like a handmade gift. That’s why during this season, and periodically through the year as well, I love to knit and crochet items for charity. Not only is it a nice thing to do for your heart, and your soul, but it’s also a practical way to use up some of that yarn that’s been accumulating in your stash over the year.

I just plain like to knit and crochet, but not everyone in my circle of friends can use all the items I make. I like knowing my handcrafted can go to someone who can use them, even if we’ve never met. Many charities recognize the special feeling a handmade item brings and look to knitters and crocheters for help. They need baby items, hats, scarves, blankets and other everyday items that will make another person’s life a little easier.

So how do you find these charities? You may find some spotlighted in knit or crochet pattern magazines, but Bernat Yarns has an online database of charitable organizations called Bernat Cares where you can search by type of item you would like to donate or search by location to find a charity near you.

Here are a few organizations I’ve donated to in the past and plan to do so again:

• Handmade Especially For You (http://www.handmadeespecially.org/home.html)
  This organization distributes handmade scarves to family crisis centers and shelters for abused women. I received a personalized “thank you” note from the program director that really touched my heart.

• Red Scarf Project (http://orphan.org/what-we-do/programs/red-scarf-project/)
  Sponsored by the Orphan Foundation of America, this program distributes red scarves as part of a Valentine’s Day package to OFA students enrolled in college and trade schools. Due to the timing of the care packages, they only accept scarves between Sept 1 and Dec 15. Free patterns are available for inspiration.

• Special Olympics Scarf Project (http://www.scarvesforspecialolympics.org/)
  This program collects knit and crochet scarves made with the official dual blue colors of the Special Olympics games, and distributes them to participants and their supporters as a symbol of “unity, support, compassion and empowerment.” The official colors are available in Red Heart Supersaver skeins, which you can find in most craft and yarn shops, or purchase online. The 2011 website for this program allows you to choose which state you would like to donate to and includes all the detail about the donation process, including the specific yarn color numbers and free patterns.

And here are a few cute ideas that I’ve tried over the years. We still hang “Mr. Bones” on the banister every year. He’s lasted about 10 years now!

Crochet Skeleton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de_XwXS2oJ0

Silver Thread Crochet Hoop Earrings

One of my favorite things to crochet is jewelry. Combining beads with crochet or just forming crochet stitches into necklaces, bracelets or earrings really allows your creativity to soar.

You don’t need to know any fancy stitches or techniques to try this. The basic crochet stitches like chain, slip stitch, and single crochet can get you a long way.

This article I wrote for eHow.com a few months ago shows how to create Crochet Hoop Earrings. The first design features a loop formed from crochet stitches. The second project shows you how to take an existing earring wire hoop and add crochet to it. I think the silver design is my favorite and perfect for a holiday party.

LINK: http://www.ehow.com/how_4854243_crochet-hoop-earrings.html

Bead crochet necklaces or bracelets don’t need to be difficult either. Try stringing a bunch of large seed beads on size 10, 20 or 30 crochet thread, then simply pull up a bead each time you make a chain stitch. One strand alone makes a simple piece of jewelry or you could combine several strands into one necklace or bracelet for a different look.

The pictures below are examples of what you can do by simply stringing beads on thread and using the chain stitch. Give it a try and see what you can create! If you feel more comfortable following a visual guide with project ideas, try Bead Crochet Basics by Mary Libby Neiman or Bead Crochet (Easy-Does-It) by the Bead & Buttons Editors.

Simple Crochet Bead Chain Necklace with Charms

Simple Bead Chain Crochet with Square Glass Beads

Two Strands, Crochet Necklace Using Stone "Chip" Beads

Multi-Strand Bead Crochet Necklace with Glass Beads, Uses Only the Chain Stitch

Bead Crochet Bracelet, Chain Stitch with Seed Beads, Bugle Beads and Lamé Thread

The key to interesting crochet jewelry isn’t always the stitches. You can create unique jewelry by simply varying the combinations of beads and thread. Experiment with different colors, sizes and textures of beads and don’t be afraid to try different types of fiber for the crochet stitches. The examples show above all use this wonderful shimmery thread called Lion Brand Lamé. It gives the piece just a hint of sparkle to complement the beads. You can also try novelty yarn such a eyelash or ribbon to create different textures in your jewelry.

It is also possible to crochet with wire, but that’s a topic for another day (which I will write about, I promise!).

Happy crocheting!!!!

Cathy

Look what I found! Cruising around looking for something new in embroidery, I stumbled upon this site announcing a new magazine coming in Fall 2010. According to their website they will have nationally know writers and designers, but are also looking for new designers.

“Any use of needle(s) and fiber with either an updated traditional look or an edgy twist is of interest.“

The magazine is in tabloid format, newspaper style sized at 11″ x 17″ and will be mailed quarterly. I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes. We can always use a new, slightly edgier publication in the needlework and crafts world.

So click on the Spool Quarterly logo and take a look. Subscription information is available and orders are being taken on the site.

What are your favorite crafting magazines?