Crochet Heart Magnets

 I have a quickie tutorial for ya'll today. These sweet little crochet heart magnets are easy and addictive! All you'll need is yarn, (I used Caron Simply Soft), magnets, and some type of glue. I got my supplies at Consumer Crafts.

First off, I want to say that you can find excellent crochet heart patterns at Skip to My Lou and Cornflower Blue Studio.  I wanted my heart to be a bit chubbier than those, so my pattern is a bit different,  but definitely play around and see what you like. I wrote out the pattern in longhand, but if you have any questions please email or leave a comment!

Chubby Crochet Heart Pattern

Start with a magic ring. Work the following stitches into the magic ring: Chain 3, triple crochet 3, double crochet 2, half double crochet 1, chain 1 and triple crochet 1. (1 half of heart formed.)

Now we will work the other side of the heart. Still working alll stitches in the magic ring: Chain 1, half double crochet 1, double crochet 2, triple crochet 3, chain 2 and join chain to magic ring with a slip stitch.

Pull the magic ring tight and watch your sweet little heart form!

You could stop there, but to make a bigger heart you'll need to do an additional round. To work the second round:
Chain 2, work 1 half double crochet and 2 triple crochets in the first triple crochet. Work 3 triple crochets in the next stitch. Work 4 double crochets in the next 4 stitches. You should be at the bottom of the heart.

In the point of the heart (should be a triple crochet from the first round) work the following stitches: 1 double crochet, chain 1, 1 triple crochet, chain 1, 1 double crochet.

To complete the heart: Work 4 double crochets in the next 4 stitches. Work 3 triple crochets in the next stitch. Work 2 triple crochets and 1 half double crochet in the next stitch. Chain 1 and slip stitch to join the chain to the heart.

Once you've finished making your heart, glue a magnet on the back. I used tacky glue, since I'm horrible with hot glue. I think hot glue would be more secure.

I didn't like having the magnet exposed, so I made a second heart and attached it to the back using a crochet slip stitch.

Now it's just a matter of sticking it on the fridge. This would be a great candy substitute for kids Valentines. I ended up running out of magnets before I ran out of hearts, so I'm going to have to figure out what do with the rest!

Consumer Crafts Back to Basics Sale

Ack! It feels strange to be posting on a Tuesday!

Lately I don't get to shop very much at all, since both my kiddos break into simultaneous tantrums when we pull into the parking lot of a craft store. So, I was super excited to get the opportunity to do a little shopping at Consumer Crafts Back to Basic's Sale!
 

I was surprised to see that they not only have craft supplies, but also supplies for needlework, knitting and crochet, baking and fine arts. I got a bunch of yarn, of course (yay for Caron Simply Soft!!!!).

 A few magnets...

Those I already have a plan for...

 And you know how I'm awful at paper crafts? I also picked up a few bottles of mod podge to try out. Anyone have any suggestions as to a good first project?

The best part about the online shopping was that everything was 15% off-- even off sale prices! It was so exciting to check out and see the prices magically go down. I definitely will shop with them again. With such a huge range of items to choose from (including jewelry and kid's toys) I could easily get to the free shipping limit.

The sale is on until next Monday, so I hope you get a chance to take advantage! I'll see you back here tomorrow with a tutorial using some of these consumer craft products!

I wrote this post as part of a campaign with Blueprint Social. The opinions in this post are my own.

My Best Friend!

 With Valentines Day coming up I thought it would be fun to post this letter to my serger I wrote as part of Sew Together's 'Best Sewing Friend' series. My very best sewing friend is my serger-- of course!

We've had our differences, and sometimes I neglect to let my serger know how appreciated it is. I'm so glad Maryanne and Caroline are giving me this opportunity to rectify that!

Dearest Serger,

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love you because you  make my work faster. I'm in awe of traditional construction and finishing techniques. But with two toddlers underfoot, sometimes it's sew fast or not at all. Thanks to you I can finish a project in the small bits of time when both kids are asleep!

I love you because you make my work neater. I'm not always good with details; but serging my makes my seam allowances look great!

I love you because you make my work last longer. When my unfinished seams are fraying in wash, the  serged pj's we made together are on their second kid.

Though we may bicker and agrue, know that you will always have a special place in my sewing room.... and in my heart.

 

Your Friend Always,

Palak

Hope you all have a good weekend!

Easy Serger Ribbon Tutorial

Finally-- a serger post! This is tutorial I did a few months ago for Sew Together's My Best Sewing Friend series.

Honestly, these little ribbons are so handy-- they can be used for hair bows, drawstring ties, dress straps, or even a quick hem facing, if you are in a pinch. If you make them out of scraps, they are much, much more cost effective than purchasing grosgrain or satin ribbon. For example, using serger ribbon instead of store bought would cut the cost of making a TOT bag in half. Bonus: The ribbon will coordinate with whatever you happen to be making!

Serger Ribbon

First, grab your scraps. I had a 2 inch wide strip of gingham and two strips of dotted fabric. 

I cut the pink dot strips to be roughly the same width. Since the serger will trim off the edges, this doesn't need to be exact.

I serged them together on the diagonal, and used my serger to finish the long edges of the ribbon. Play around with the settings on your serger until you get a stitch you like.  

I was suprised at how much ribbon I can get with just a few scraps that I might have thrown away.

Now it's ready for wrapping gifts, making straps on dresses, drawstring for bags or even making these cute Instant Gratification Belts  from Sew Together!

I'm so glad I decided to repost this-- maybe I'll attack my scrap box this weekend! It would be so nice to have a bunch of ribbon already made up and ready to use.
Linking Up To:

When Good Projects Go Bad

This is a story of a good project gone terribly wrong. It all started one Saturday morning.... 

I was invited to a handmade ornament swap last month for our modern quilt guild. What could be cuter than a tiny quilt block ornament?

I decided to make a Cathedral window mini block. I've always admired hand sewn cathedral window blocks--and this was a good way to try it out without committing to a whole quilt.

 I used the faux cathedral block tutorial from Quilt Bug, and hand sewed the white edges. I highly recommend the tutorial- I had perfect quarter inch seam allowances using her method! It was great! Until...

I fudged the binding, and while I was ripping it out, I cut a hole in the corner of the block. I won't lie-- there were a few tears.

 I ended up turning it in to a circle, and it worked out ok, but it did make me think.

I spent an entire Saturday afternoon on this little project, and was still not happy about the result. I sometimes think that I push forward when I should have just started over with something different. I've noticed this trend with quite a few projects of mine lately. 

When I'm in the middle of working on something keep going thinking I don't want to waste the work I've already done (in this case it was the hand stitching on the block that kept me from moving on), but I end up with things that don't get used because I just don't like them. Any advice?  How do you decide when to call it quits vs when to keep going?  

Kite Flying

Even though we weren't able to go kite flying this week, I thought I'd share a few pictures from a few months ago.

 Both kids are becoming experts at flying...

 But they are still working at taking turns. Here's what my son looks like when my daughter has the line.

 I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Construction Paper Kites

We weren't able to celebrate Uttarayan by going out and flying kites this year, but we did make a few 'kites' at home with the kids. This was a great post-nap craft to do with the kids, especially since we are indoors so much due to weather.

These kites don't actually fly, but they did brighten up our living room! I hung the kites while the kids were asleep; and they were so proud to see their artwork displayed in the morning. Click through for the tute!

Guest Post At What's Ur Home Story!

One of my goals for  2013 is to update my home decor. By update, I mean create-- between home repairs and 2 kiddos, I never really decorated in the first place.  Right now I'm just collecting ideas, which is how I fell in love with Vidya's blog, What's Ur Home Story. Her blog is not only fresh and modern-- but it has a lot of heart. 

I was so excited when Vidya asked me to guest post! I'm going to show you the easiest way to make pillow cases-- with no serging required. 

Click on over for the pillowcase tutorial at WUHS! I'll be back here on Wednesday with an Uttarayan (Kite Flying) craft.

Go Fly A Kite!

I know that many of you have taken down holiday decorations and are turning an eye towards Valentines day. We aren't there just yet-- we have one more January holiday left! Monday is one of my husband's absolutely favorite Gujarati (Indian) holidays; Uttarayan. Uttarayan is a kite flying holiday that takes place on the 14th of January each year in some Indian states.

photo by Meena Kadri

I never really understood what a kite flying holiday was until I was in India once during the festival. For weeks prior shops sell brightly colored kites and kids practice kite fighting. Literally everyone (whole communities and neighborhoods) go out on their rooftops to fly kites.

photo by Meena Kadri

Last year we decided to celebrate with the kids each year. (You can see more of last year's Uttarayan here) We had so much fun that day! Now we keep a kite in our van all the time; just in case the wind is just right!

I had big plans of making our own kites with the kids this year; but unfortunately, it looks like the weather won't be cooperating. We've been having a lot of this:

We were able to do an indoor craft, which I'll share with you all next week. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

The Sunset Scarf-- With Free Pattern!

This is a tiny scarf I knit up over thanksgiving break last year, and never got around to posting about-- although you might recognize some of the photos. It's a simple knit, but I've included a pattern at the bottom of the post just in case. If you like simple kid knits check out my other knitting patterns!

The scarf is from yarn I hand dyed a few (um, more like 10) years ago that I found in my box of knitting things. It's mostly oranges and pinks, but is has some flecks of blue-green in it as well-- and it reminded me of our prairie sunsets.

I'm Back!

It feels great to be posting again. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed sharing what I've been working on with you all. I missed you guys!

I have to admit... what I've been working on is a whole lot of knitting, and not much sewing. Over the holidays, it's just so much more tempting to cuddle on the couch with my knitting needles and a toddler (or two!) than it is to spend time at the sewing machine. I'm trying to figure out a schedule so I can post about knitting while not boring you all non knitters to death. But just be warned that you might see quite a bit of knitting here in the next few weeks. And hats. Lots of hats.

Most of those were knit up during the holiday break-- the rest were unfinished casualties of the Knitting Cessation of '09.  I'm so glad they are finished and being used!

Since the holidays are over, my free time is dwindling, and I'm itching to get back to my back log of sewing projects. How were your holidays? Are you ready to jump back into more projects, or are you ready for a break?

Happy New Year!!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful New Year's Day!

I've decided to extend my little break, but I'll be back next Monday with new posts, tutorials, and whole lot of knitting.

We wish you and your family a happy, healthy (and handmade?) 2013.