Merry Christmas from all of us to you and yours. May you have a wonderful Christmas and feel wrapped in love and joy.
Happy Holidays!
L xx
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Friday, 25 December 2015
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas from all of us to you and yours. May you have a wonderful Christmas and feel wrapped in love and joy.
Happy Holidays!
L xx
Friday, 27 November 2015
*Freebie* Christmas Gift Box Decoration Tutorial
For the last 3 or 4 years I have enjoyed making Christmas decorations to give to various friends and family. There have been baubles, mushrooms and Christmas trees... and this year... little gift boxes!
I so enjoy the process of trial and error, refinement and ultimately... Success! It's (almost!) Christmas so I thought I'd share my pattern with you here... now you can make your own wee mountain of gifts : )
Gift Box Decoration Tutorial
You will need:
3.75mm crochet hook (or similar size)
Yarn (I just used what was around... mostly 8 ply)
Contrasting or Glitter/Metallic Yarn
Cardboard
Large Wool Needle
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Cellotape
You are basically creating 6 continuous box faces, of a similar size, that should meet and join together nicely. To start, chain 6.
Starting in the second chain from the hook, single crochet (sc) 5 to the end. Chain 1 and turn.
Complete 5 more rows (5sc across each).
In the next row, only sc into the back v's of the previous row. This will create a line, like the edge of a box!
Continue working 5 more normal sc rows.
Then, again, work another row into the back v's only.
Continue working 5 more normal sc rows thereafter.
Tie off your work.
Your first piece should look similar to this. One continuous piece that has three sections marked by the wee lines (they can be a bit hard to spot).
If you want, you can create another piece exactly like this one and simply join the two by hand.
Alternatively...
Leaving a long tail, attach and start working a row of sc into the side of the middle section of your first piece. (I've tried to indicate what I mean with the 5 pins in the picture above.)
Start with the right/lined side facing away from you. This will ensure all the lines created will be on the same side of the work. (The star on the picture below indicates where to start the attachment.)
After the initial row, continue to work 5 more normal sc rows.
Then, again, work another row into the back v's only.
Continue working 5 more normal sc rows thereafter.
Then, again, work another row into the back v's only.
Continue working 5 more normal sc rows thereafter.
Tie off your work. It would be prudent to leave another longish tail.
This picture shows you where all your lines should show and the star indicates where the joining starts.
Grab your large wool needle and, using the long "corner" tail you left, start joining the sides together. Line up the edge of the short side with the first line of the long side to guide the positioning.
Continue working around the sides to create the box shape. Before you sew up the last face, you will need to pop a wee box inside to help it keep shape.
To make the box: Draw a shape (as shown below) on a piece of card. The sides of each face measures 2cm.
Cut your shape out and stick the sides together to form a box with cellotape.
Once you've popped your little box inside the cover, continue stitching up the edges to join all sides.
Now, if you like, you can just tie some string around it, decorate, add a loop for hanging... whatever takes your fancy.
Or alternatively...
Measure out some contrasting/metallic yarn. For this stitch I "measured" a piece by wrapping it around the box three or four times and left a long long tail. See the picture below.
Then proceed to make a chain stitch all the way around, then cross and go all the way the other way around. I know, I have a way with words but... basically we are simulating ribbon around the four sides ;p
When you get back to the beginning, tie it off but leave the long tail and create a loop for hanging. Make sure to fasten off and "hide" your ends when you are done.
Hopefully that mostly made sense. If something isn't clear or you get stuck - please just sing out and I will try my best to help!
I so enjoy the process of trial and error, refinement and ultimately... Success! It's (almost!) Christmas so I thought I'd share my pattern with you here... now you can make your own wee mountain of gifts : )
Gift Box Decoration Tutorial
You will need:
3.75mm crochet hook (or similar size)
Yarn (I just used what was around... mostly 8 ply)
Contrasting or Glitter/Metallic Yarn
Cardboard
Large Wool Needle
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Cellotape
You are basically creating 6 continuous box faces, of a similar size, that should meet and join together nicely. To start, chain 6.
Starting in the second chain from the hook, single crochet (sc) 5 to the end. Chain 1 and turn.
Complete 5 more rows (5sc across each).
In the next row, only sc into the back v's of the previous row. This will create a line, like the edge of a box!
Continue working 5 more normal sc rows.
Then, again, work another row into the back v's only.
Continue working 5 more normal sc rows thereafter.
Tie off your work.
Your first piece should look similar to this. One continuous piece that has three sections marked by the wee lines (they can be a bit hard to spot).
If you want, you can create another piece exactly like this one and simply join the two by hand.
Alternatively...
Leaving a long tail, attach and start working a row of sc into the side of the middle section of your first piece. (I've tried to indicate what I mean with the 5 pins in the picture above.)
Start with the right/lined side facing away from you. This will ensure all the lines created will be on the same side of the work. (The star on the picture below indicates where to start the attachment.)
After the initial row, continue to work 5 more normal sc rows.
Then, again, work another row into the back v's only.
Continue working 5 more normal sc rows thereafter.
Then, again, work another row into the back v's only.
Continue working 5 more normal sc rows thereafter.
Tie off your work. It would be prudent to leave another longish tail.
This picture shows you where all your lines should show and the star indicates where the joining starts.
Grab your large wool needle and, using the long "corner" tail you left, start joining the sides together. Line up the edge of the short side with the first line of the long side to guide the positioning.
Continue working around the sides to create the box shape. Before you sew up the last face, you will need to pop a wee box inside to help it keep shape.
To make the box: Draw a shape (as shown below) on a piece of card. The sides of each face measures 2cm.
Cut your shape out and stick the sides together to form a box with cellotape.
Once you've popped your little box inside the cover, continue stitching up the edges to join all sides.
Now, if you like, you can just tie some string around it, decorate, add a loop for hanging... whatever takes your fancy.
Or alternatively...
Measure out some contrasting/metallic yarn. For this stitch I "measured" a piece by wrapping it around the box three or four times and left a long long tail. See the picture below.
Then proceed to make a chain stitch all the way around, then cross and go all the way the other way around. I know, I have a way with words but... basically we are simulating ribbon around the four sides ;p
When you get back to the beginning, tie it off but leave the long tail and create a loop for hanging. Make sure to fasten off and "hide" your ends when you are done.
Hopefully that mostly made sense. If something isn't clear or you get stuck - please just sing out and I will try my best to help!
Wednesday, 10 December 2014
Show & Tell: Elfen Antics
14 Sleeps till Santa...
We're slowly getting there - one way or another! How are your Christmas preparations shaping up?
For the last few years we've had Albert Elf come to stay at ours. The first two years were great fun but this year the plans that I had have gotten a bit waylaid... Still, the girls love coming out in the mornings and seeing what he's been up to (I'm just happy I'm remembering even if it means jumping out of bed to quickly think up something simple!)
Last year Albert had great fun making house... and this year he is loving the comforts of his special space every now and again.
Some of the highlights:
An empty box was transformed over the course of 23 days...
...into a fully functional house - complete with carpet, wallpaper, furniture, decorations, working lights and a pet!
Some of my favourite parts to make were his chair and tree...
and the tiled roof...
It really was great fun for us all. And in addition to that were the antics... making my sewing machine go and creating his own flying fox to name a couple! If you're looking for ideas there are lots over here :)
Do you do anything Adventish? Would love to hear!
And of course would love to see what you've been working on too :)
Have a great Thursday!
L xx
We're slowly getting there - one way or another! How are your Christmas preparations shaping up?
For the last few years we've had Albert Elf come to stay at ours. The first two years were great fun but this year the plans that I had have gotten a bit waylaid... Still, the girls love coming out in the mornings and seeing what he's been up to (I'm just happy I'm remembering even if it means jumping out of bed to quickly think up something simple!)
Last year Albert had great fun making house... and this year he is loving the comforts of his special space every now and again.
Some of the highlights:
An empty box was transformed over the course of 23 days...
...into a fully functional house - complete with carpet, wallpaper, furniture, decorations, working lights and a pet!
Some of my favourite parts to make were his chair and tree...
and the tiled roof...
It really was great fun for us all. And in addition to that were the antics... making my sewing machine go and creating his own flying fox to name a couple! If you're looking for ideas there are lots over here :)
Do you do anything Adventish? Would love to hear!
And of course would love to see what you've been working on too :)
Have a great Thursday!
L xx
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
Show & Tell: Ghosts of Christmasses Past
Hi again,
Ok so I don't have anything new to show...shock horror! Doesn't mean I haven't been making stuff! Though to be fair there's not an awful lot of making going on... I am quite sure that my days are going down a black hole of forgotten nothingness... or I'm loosing my mind... anyhoos... When I presented my wee conundrum to a friend she gave me a great suggestion - let's do a Ghosts of Christmasses Past post!
So gather round, gather round and please share some of your cracker Christmas makes from previous years (or this year!). Gifts, decorations, foodie items... let's pool our resources!
Some of my favourite goodies made were just from last year - baubles for Africa, mushrooms and teeny socks... but i think the apples took the cake.
Not sure why but they just made my day - making them and packaging up with a KitKat as teacher's gifts gave me a kick. I'll take them where I can ;)
So share your clever creations with us please? Link up new makes, old makes, Christmas makes, non-Christmas makes... Go on - sharing is caring!
Have a splendid day
L xx
Pattern for the mushrooms here, and patterns for the baubles and apples here.
Ok so I don't have anything new to show...shock horror! Doesn't mean I haven't been making stuff! Though to be fair there's not an awful lot of making going on... I am quite sure that my days are going down a black hole of forgotten nothingness... or I'm loosing my mind... anyhoos... When I presented my wee conundrum to a friend she gave me a great suggestion - let's do a Ghosts of Christmasses Past post!
So gather round, gather round and please share some of your cracker Christmas makes from previous years (or this year!). Gifts, decorations, foodie items... let's pool our resources!
Some of my favourite goodies made were just from last year - baubles for Africa, mushrooms and teeny socks... but i think the apples took the cake.
Not sure why but they just made my day - making them and packaging up with a KitKat as teacher's gifts gave me a kick. I'll take them where I can ;)
So share your clever creations with us please? Link up new makes, old makes, Christmas makes, non-Christmas makes... Go on - sharing is caring!
Have a splendid day
L xx
Pattern for the mushrooms here, and patterns for the baubles and apples here.
Wednesday, 12 November 2014
Show & Tell: Tis the Season
Only 6 more weeks...
It's coming! And you all know it!
I'd been tinkering with a pattern for Crochet Christmas trees for a little while. I wanted them to be simple to construct but with lots of options to embellish. After a couple of attempts these were the end result.
In my spare time (hahahaha) I am making lots and lots and lots of these ;)
I really enjoy the process of working out a pattern. Thinking and trying different ways of construction. Counting, recounting, more counting. Trying and trying again. And always learning through each attempt or "wrong" turn.
How about you? Will you re-invent the wheel if you cant find the right one?
Looking forward to hearing from you lovelies and seeing what you've been up to.
L xx
The pattern for these little trees is available in my Etsy shop.
It's coming! And you all know it!
I'd been tinkering with a pattern for Crochet Christmas trees for a little while. I wanted them to be simple to construct but with lots of options to embellish. After a couple of attempts these were the end result.
In my spare time (hahahaha) I am making lots and lots and lots of these ;)
I really enjoy the process of working out a pattern. Thinking and trying different ways of construction. Counting, recounting, more counting. Trying and trying again. And always learning through each attempt or "wrong" turn.
How about you? Will you re-invent the wheel if you cant find the right one?
Looking forward to hearing from you lovelies and seeing what you've been up to.
L xx
The pattern for these little trees is available in my Etsy shop.
Friday, 27 December 2013
So long, farewell, Elf-wiedersien Albert
And so the time came for Albert to depart... here are his last couple of days:
Day 22: We woke up to find him in the midst of making reindeer food.
After a delicate balancing act of adding a swing to his residence...
Day 23: On his last day he thought he would treat us all to some pancakes... needless to say it didn't go quite the way he'd hoped...
At least the final touch to his home, a lovely potted plant, looked a lot better than the kitchen bench.
On Christmas morning Albert was gone and the girls found a wee gift and note from him... he'd hitched his house to Santa's sleigh and departed in the middle of the night.
So for the next 11 months our Elf can have a bit of a rest and time to come up with some plans for next year : )
Hope you've all had a great Christmas!
L xx
Day 22: We woke up to find him in the midst of making reindeer food.
After a delicate balancing act of adding a swing to his residence...
Day 23: On his last day he thought he would treat us all to some pancakes... needless to say it didn't go quite the way he'd hoped...
At least the final touch to his home, a lovely potted plant, looked a lot better than the kitchen bench.
On Christmas morning Albert was gone and the girls found a wee gift and note from him... he'd hitched his house to Santa's sleigh and departed in the middle of the night.
So for the next 11 months our Elf can have a bit of a rest and time to come up with some plans for next year : )
Hope you've all had a great Christmas!
L xx
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
Merry Christmas
Wishing you and yours a most Blessed and Wonderful Christmas!
With love from me and mine
L xx
L xx
Monday, 23 December 2013
Home & Albert
Albert is currently preparing to depart to the North Pole tonight... the last few days have seen him grow a bit more weary from his labours, but only a little bit : )
Day 19: He arrived that morning scoffing down a breakfast treat that he'd procured for the girls... Such a treat they had no idea what it was!
Whilst out he also nabbed himself some new reading material. Bambi immediately immersed herself into the world of Rudolph.
Somewhere along the line he lost his bearings though and did a crash dive into a pom-pom jar...
Day 20: We woke up to find he had created his very own flying fox...
Here he is in action:
And he also added some festive outdoor lights to his house. Isn't it pretty and bright?
Day 21: Ooooohhhh, some pressies under his tree.
And he just had to do this oldie but a goodie... this year he magiced the milk blue :)
The last installment will be a bit later on this week.
Hope you're all happy and blessed and looking forward to tomorrow.
L xx
Previous posts: Days 1-7, Days 8-10, Days 11-14, Days 15-18
Day 19: He arrived that morning scoffing down a breakfast treat that he'd procured for the girls... Such a treat they had no idea what it was!
Whilst out he also nabbed himself some new reading material. Bambi immediately immersed herself into the world of Rudolph.
Somewhere along the line he lost his bearings though and did a crash dive into a pom-pom jar...
Day 20: We woke up to find he had created his very own flying fox...
Here he is in action:
And he also added some festive outdoor lights to his house. Isn't it pretty and bright?
Day 21: Ooooohhhh, some pressies under his tree.
And he just had to do this oldie but a goodie... this year he magiced the milk blue :)
The last installment will be a bit later on this week.
Hope you're all happy and blessed and looking forward to tomorrow.
L xx
Previous posts: Days 1-7, Days 8-10, Days 11-14, Days 15-18
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