Crochet and Lace Goat Horn Flower

 I designed this flower to take cute pics of our goat but of course you may use your flower for any project.

 It can be used for headbands, barrettes, bouquets and to embellish anything that needs a bit of cuteness.

 This flower consists of 3 layers with each layer made individually and then sewn together. The small and medium layers are 6 petals and the large layer is 9 petals.

 What you need:

 #10 crochet thread

 2mm crochet hook

 Pretty button

 Lace

 Needle and thread

 Large eye needle

 Hot glue and gun

 Small piece of felt

 3 small feathers - for cruelty free feathers - Running Bug Farm

 Pearl strands

Abbreviations:

Ch = Chain

Sl st = Slip stitch

Sc = Single crochet

Dc = Double crochet

Trc = Treble crochet

Small Flower

Ch 2

Round 1 - 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in 1st sc to join. (6sc) Ch 1, turn.

Round 2 - 2 sc in ea sc around, sl st in 1st sc to join (12 sc) Ch1, turn.

Round 3 - Sc in 1st sc, *dc, ch1, dc in next sc, sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1st sc to join (12 dc, 6 ch 1 spaces, 6 sc) Ch 1, turn

Round 4 - Sc in 1st sc, hdc, dc, 3 trc, dc, hdc in the ch 1 space, *sc in the next sc, hdc,dc, 3 trc, dc, hdc in nect ch 1 space*. Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1st sc to join.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Medium Flower

Ch 2

Round 1 - 6 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st in 1st hdc to join (6 hdc). Ch 1, turn.

Round 2 - 2 hdc in ea hdc around (12 hdc). Ch 1, turn.

Round 3 - Sc in 1st hdc, *dc, ch 2, dc in next hdc, sc in next hdc*. Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1st sc to join (12 dc, 6 ch 2 spaces, 6 sc). Ch 1, turn.

Round 4 - Sc in 1st sc, hdc, dc, 4 trc, dc, hdc in ch 2 space, *sc in next sc, hdc, dc, 4 trc, dc, hdc in ch 2 space*. Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in sc to join. 

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Large Flower

Ch 2

Round 1 - 6 sc in the 2nd ch from hook, sl st to join in the 1st sc (6 sc). Ch 1, turn.

Round 2 - 2 sc in ea sc around. Join with sl st in 1st sc (12 sc). Ch 1, turn.

Round 3 - Sc in 1st sc, 2 sc in next sc, *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Repeat from * to * around, join with sl st in 1st sc (   sc). Ch 1, turn.

Round 4 - Sc in 1st sc, dc, ch 3, dc in next sc, *sc in next sc, dc, ch 3, dc in next sc*. Repeat from * to * around, join with a sl st to 1st sc (  dc,   sc,   ch 3 spaces). Ch 1, turn.

Round 5 - Sc in 1st sc, hdc, dc, 4 trc, dc, hdc in ch 3 space, *sc in next sc, hdc, dc, 4 trc, dc, hdc in next ch 3 space*. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st in 1st sc (   sc,   hdc,   trc) . Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Finishing 

Weave the long tail from the large flower into the center, place the medium layer on the large layer and the small layer on the medium layer. Use the tail to stitch the layers together.

Fold over the lace about a 1/4" and using needle and thread, stitch across the top of the lace, folding over the opposite end of lace a 1/4". Pull on the thread to gather lace into a circle and stitch it together.

Using hot glue, glue 3 feathers and 2 pearl strands to the bottom of the flower, glue the lace (over the feathers) to the bottom of the flower and glue a circle of felt to the bottom of the flower. Glue the button to the center top of the flower.

If you are using the flower for a goat horn, attach thread to the bottom right of the flower, ch 8 and sl st to the bottom left of the flower. This allows you to slip the flower onto the horn between the flower and the chains. You may need more than 8 chains if your goats horn is too thick for 8 chains.

You can stitch the flower onto a headband or barrette and then glue on the felt circle. You can also glue on a pin back or magnet. 

For the YouTube version - 

 

Free Bed Frame Crackle Makeover

We found this bed frame at the local landfill and decided to rescue it.

This particular frame must have been insanely popular at some point because I've seen a lot of them through the years.
In any case, I had a spare room that needed a bed and this one was complete with the headboard, footboard and 2 side rails.

Striving to keep this project free, I gathered supplies I already had and discovered I had everything I needed for a crackle finish.

The supplies I used:

Sandpaper
Gray spray paint
White latex paint
White glue
Paint brush
Fancy brush cleaner ( recycled milk jug filled with water )

I also had a project supervisor. If you don't have a cornish cross hen, any breed of chicken will work fine. Do not substitute with a duck, they're too impatient and bossy.  

I lightly sanded the bed frame just to scuff up the shiny finish. 

I sprayed the front of the headboard and footboard with gray spray paint. I did not spray the back or the side boards because I didn't have enough paint. I wanted this project to be cost free so buying paint wasn't an option.

Once the paint was dry, I coated it with white glue. I applied the glue in small sections and immediately painted the white latex on the glue. This was necessary because the glue was drying too quick.

We have crackle!

I just repeated the glue and paint process until the front of the headboard and footboard were completely covered.

I painted the back of the headboard and footboard with the white latex paint.  I also painted the outside of the side boards with the white paint, leaving the inside untouched.

Yay! We now have a free updated bed frame that looks very shabby cottage chic!

Of course the rest of the bed wasn't free. I purchased a 6" mattress (bed in a box) from Walmart for $89.00. While at Walmart I also purchased a mattress eggcrate topper for $14.00 and 2 pillows for $5.00 each. I already had sheets, blankets and pillow cases.

I measured the inside of the bed frame and went to Lowes for plywood. I selected the plywood and had them cut it to my measurement. The cut was free and the plywood was $14.00.
I don't know what the bed frame originally had under the mattress. Perhaps it was slats or maybe just a box spring.

I placed the plywood in the frame, resting it on the ledge that ran down both side boards. I put the mattress on the plywood and the egg crate was large enough to place it on the mattress doubled over.

I was really pleased with this project. The pictures don't convey how very sweet this bed looks. But...what good are looks if a bed isn't comfy? My sister, who suffers from severe back problems, was my first guest. The bed felt great to me but I only tried it out for a few seconds so how would it feel to someone with back pain after an entire night? When I asked my sister in the morning she said it was very comfortable!

DIY Valentine's Wire Heart Earrings Tutorial

These sweet little earrings are perfect for Valentine's Day but the classic shape is also perfect for anytime.

You can easily customize these earrings by adding beads or crystals, make them larger or smaller, change the wire color or make the swirled side more or less swirly.

In case you want to make your earrings exactly like mine, I am including all the measurements.

Tools and Materials:

22g Silver wire - I used Parawire
Step bail making pliers - You can also use round nose pliers
Nylon jaw pliers
Wire cutters
Flat nose pliers
File or emery board
2 stud earring backs

The earrings measure 5/8" wide x 5/8" long.

Cut 2 - 4" pieces of wire.
Measure 1" from the end of your wires and place them on the 4th step of the bail making pliers at that 1" mark. Wrap the wires around the pliers creating a U shape.

Place the flat nose pliers 1/4" down from the top of the curve and bend the short wire straight back, this is the ear post. Make sure you bend the wire back on the opposite side of the second earring.

Working on the long wire now, measure 5/8" down from the top of the heart and make a sharp bend using flat nose pliers. Measure 1 1/2" from the bend and cut the excess wire. File the end of the wire removing the sharp bits. Repeat on the opposite side of the second earring.

Using the smallest step of the bail making pliers, curl the long wire inwards to meet the first top of the heart. Repeat for the second earring.

Cut the ear posts at 1/2" and file.

Place the earring backs on the posts.

And...you're done!

Final thoughts - You will notice my earrings aren't exactly the same and I'm okay with that. However, if you are a perfectionist or are making these earrings to sell, the earrings can be held together through the entire process. This will accomplish an exact mirror opposite.

Diy Arrowhead Necklace

Late in his life, my dad would walk around his entire 105 acre farm every day. He said he needed the exercise since he was semi retired. I believe he began his walking ritual when he was 85 or so and kept it up until he passed away at the age of 90.
While on his daily ramble, my dad would sometimes find an arrowhead and eventually accumulated quite an arrowhead collection. A few months before he passed away, he gave me his arrowhead collection and said "maybe you can make something with these".
That was over 3 years ago.

I am finally ready to make something with one of my dad's arrowheads. I'm making a necklace for my son, it's his birthday tomorrow and I can't think of a more meaningful gift.

I have no doubt there are many ways to turn an arrowhead into a pendant. There are a variety of ways using the wire method alone. You can start with this simple X and make another X alongside the first one to create a fancier double X. You can wrap wire around the top of the arrowhead. You can add wire spirals and loops. You can add crystals and beads.

I have made my wire work as simple and unimportant as possible. My goal was to showcase the arrowhead.

Tools and Materials:

1. Arrowhead
2. Wire - I used 18g bare copper
3. Cord - I used black suede lace
4. 2 Cord ends - I used fold overs
5. 2 Jump rings
6. Clasp - I used a copper lobster claw
7. Glue - I used a 2 part epoxy because I ran out of E6000
8. Wire cutters
9. Round nose pliers
10. Chain nose pliers
11. Nylon jaw pliers if you need to straighten the wire


Cut a piece of wire. The length will depend on how elaborate you plan to wrap your arrowhead. Make sure you add about 2" extra for the bale. I cut my wire approx. 12" for the simple X pattern but ended up only using about 8".
Decide which side of your arrowhead will be the front and lay the center of your wire along the back of the arrowhead. Place it a bit below the middle.

Wrap the right wire to the front of the arrowhead and cross it over to the top left of the arrowhead. Repeat with the left wire, crossing to the top right of the arrowhead.

Wrap both wires to the back of the arrowhead, crossing one over the other.

Twist the 2 wires together 2 or 3 times.

Cut one of the wires off as close to the twisted wires as possible. Tuck the cut end in using chain nose pliers.
Wrap the remaining wire around the round nose pliers, holding the pliers close to the twisted wires, creating a loop for the bale. The loop can be round, oval, teardrop or any shape you want, just make sure it's large enough to accommodate the cord. Now wrap the excess wire around the wire under the loop. Wrap the wire around 3 or 4 times then cut off the excess wire. Tuck in the cut end.

Necklace:

Thread the cord through the bale.
Put a small amount of glue in one of the cord ends and place one end of the cord on top of the glue. Use the chain nose pliers to squeeze the cord end closed. Repeat for the other cord end.

Open a jump ring, place it through the hole on one of the cord ends and close the jump ring. Repeat for the other cord end but place the lobster claw clasp on the jump ring before closing it.

All done :)

As always, thank you for visiting!

Diy Beach Swimsuit Cover - Potato Heart Stamp

This old stamping technique is as enjoyable today as it was when I was a child.
It brings back memories of a simpler time, a time when children played hopscotch, jumped rope and talked to each other using their tin cans and string phones.

I really like the imperfections and almost rustic results from using this technique.


Materials:

*T-shirt - I used an XL
*Fabric paint - I used neon pink because that's what I already had
*Sponge brush
*Potato
*Knife
*Paper
*Pen
*Scissors



Using scissors, cut the sleeves of the t-shirt to the desired length. I cut approx. 3" off the sleeves.
Cut the neck and the bottom of the t-shirt at the seams. Gently stretch the sleeves, neck and bottom of the shirt, creating a nice roll at the raw edges.

Draw a heart on a sheet of paper and cut it out.

Cut the potato in half, lay the heart on the center of the potato and trace around it.

Using a knife, CAREFULLY cut around your heart outline and remove the excess potato.

Apply a small amount of fabric paint to the potato heart and use the foam brush to distribute the paint.

Now, just stamp your shirt, reloading the potato with paint after every stamping.

You can neatly space your hearts or create a design. I just stamped free form, changing direction slightly and let the hearts fall where they may. I stamped the top section of the shirt and stamped one single heart on the right sleeve, left bottom and the back of the neck.

And...your done!
Please read the directions on your fabric paint to find out how long the paint needs to dry before you wear or wash your new beach cover-up.

Once I completed this project, I was concerned about wasting the fabric I cut off the sleeves. I didn't want to throw it away nor did I want to store it. But...what could I make with it?
Hmm...why not make a tie that can also be used as a headband?

I cut a strip approx. 2 1/2" wide from both sleeve remains. I placed one of the strips around my head, tied it in a knot and cut off the excess.

I tied a knot at one end of the other strip, twisted the fabric and hot glued it around the knot forming a cute rosette.

I stitched the rosette to the first strip at the knotted section.

And...done!

Here it is as a headband:

And a close up of it being used as a tie on the beach cover:

I wish you a happy, fun filled summer and as always, thank you so much for visiting!