Throw rug and granny square pillow (crochet)

Good evening!! I am back from a somewhat-partial break after the holidays.  Here we are over 2 weeks into the new year already, so I figured I better make myself present! :)

 How did everyone's holiday go?  I am back into the full swing of things around here and currently working on a nifty blanket which I hope to share soon.  For now, though, I can start sharing things that were made as Christmas gifts that I couldn't share before in case anyone peeked here and saw! :D


This awesome rug started off as 16 (yes SIXTEEN!!) skeins of yarn in very, very random colors.  If you look closely you can see there are 2 different striping patterns...one with 8 colors and the other also with 8 colors.  Individually the yarns were actually rather ugly and none of them matched or coordinated.  But when you put them all together, they turned into this fabulous thing and were a great way to use up a lot of out-dated yarns! (I inherited a bunch from my grandmother and this throw rug thus became a sentimental gift for my mom!)  P.S. I used a "Q" hook and just did an oval, working extra stitches (all in SC) where needed to round out the ends and such, but there are plenty of patterns and books available, too, if you wanted to use them.

 Next up is one of my newest favorite things to work on (granny squares!).  This was also a gift for my mom, although this time I picked the colors on purpose to match ;)  No pattern was used, just bought a 14x14" pillow form (around $6 at Walmart) and started working a basic granny square (I believe with an "H" hook) until it measured big enough to fit across one side of the pillow.  Then I made an identical second one, held the two together and worked a SC border through both thicknesses on 3 sides (working in extra stitches around the corner to keep it flat and nice), stuffed the pillow into it, and finished up the 4th/final side.  Weaved in ends and voila!  :D 

Up close view of granny square pillow :)








Alrighty, I've got to get more photos downloaded to share for next time, but I hope everyone is having a wonderful start off to the new year!! :)

Hippos, Aliens and Nails!

Hello! I hope everybody is having a fabulous weekend! This is always the busiest one for us around here because this is crunch-time to get goodies in the mail before Christmas.  I'm fairly positive we're not the only ones in this boat!! :D  Just remember...relax and breathe every once in a while in there! :)

This cute little hippo is a toy I just finished this morning and he is newly listed in my Etsy shop if anyone is interested! I can also make him in other colors as a custom order...but beware it would be after the holidays when things are back to normal around here. :)  Feel free to send an email for info!

I love this thing.  The pattern is from a new book I bought from Amazon called "Crocheted Softies".  I did modify just the slightest bit to suit my needs, but not enough to say it's my pattern or anything...still very much the author's.  And he already has an established home (currently under the tree, but I'm sure he'll be in a pile in someone's bedroom soon after the holidays). 


When I get extra time, I would really love to branch off of the basic idea on him and make more aliens all different looks!

And some Christmas nail art I did for a friend.  All of the nails are painted with a base clear coat, then with a white polish.  Alternating nails have a red/green glitter coating and the others have very simple snowman faces dotted on (you can use a toothpick!).

Very simple and great for this week!




I will have much more to share once the holidays are over...right now it's hard not to, but I don't want to spoil any surprises for anyone who might peek here!! :D  Have a great weekend, all!

New Etsy Listings

Good evening to all!!  Just dropping in a quick note to say that I've listed several new items to my Etsy shop at www.maebellecreations.etsy.com over the last few days.  Trying to get a selection up in time for holiday gift buying, so if you're looking for shopping ideas- head on over there and take a peek!  No two things are exactly the same and you are bound to find something that any age range can enjoy.  :)  Also, always feel free to send me an email if you'd like to discuss a custom order or idea!  

Have a great rest of the weekend!! :)

Candy Cane Nails and Amigurumi Squid!

Hiiiiiii!! I keep trying to be more diligent about adding posts to my blog but I swear this time of year is always the biggest challenge.  Lots of things on the ol' to-do list!


Here's an easy holiday nail art design that almost anyone could do.  Peppermint candy cane!  Simply apply a base coat to protect your nails, then paint the entire nail white.  Allow that to dry a couple minutes, then add red stripes in varying thicknesses either using a striping polish, or a thin paint brush from the craft store!  Finish with a clear top coat and you're all set!

I'm sure everyone knows being close to the holidays, it gets harder to share things on here since a lot of what I make are for gifts and I wouldn't want to spoil any surprises!! But that doesn't mean I haven't made anything outside of that... :)

This little crocheted guy (squid) was a special request as a Christmas gift for someone through Etsy.  I will be shipping him off tomorrow morning to his new home.  

I have also been adding new items to my Etsy shop for those looking for any holiday gift ideas... everything is unique and there's a lot of variety!! Check it out :)

www.maebellecreations.etsy.com      Also feel free to contact me about custom orders!

"Chinese Acrobat" hat (crochet)

This crocheted hat is called a "Chinese Acrobat" hat in one of Leisure Art's latest pattern books all about hats called 'Heady Affairs'.  There are 7 hat patterns altogether and they all seem to be on the above-beginner level side.  Several of them feature cable patterns or other complex designs rather than just your plain ol' beanie cap.  

It took me a couple of days to complete this one and it was made for someone specific for Christmas.. so hopefully he doesn't see this any time soon! haha :D  

I do recommend the book if you want some different styles of crocheted hats and are ready to take the next step up from beginner patterns. :)


On a separate note, I will be adding several jar necklaces with mico-mini polymer clay gnomes, candies and snowmen to my Etsy shop this afternoon.  If you are on the hunt for holiday gifts, head on over and check it out!  www.maebellecreations.etsy.com

Pink Cable Hat and Purple Neck Warmer (crochet)

Happy Veteran's Day to everyone!! And a special big Thank You to all veterans out there :) 

Today's post (just had to have one on 11/11/11) I have a couple of new crocheted items that I've done over the last week or so.  Above is a pastel pink hat done in a cable stitch.  It's the first time I've tried making a hat using that stitch pattern...and considering that, I think it turned out great! :D  Adult size (or teen) and thick, so very warm.  I will be listing it on Etsy in the near future...if you're interested before I get it listed, drop me a line. :)

And second, a beautiful neck warmer in a fluffy, soft purple yarn with bright purple buttons to close it. This pattern design came from one of my more recent Crochet World magazines and was relatively quick to make.  I love that it has a popcorn stitch in it for some variety on the look and also to make it a bit thicker and so, warmer.   I will also get this listed on Etsy soon and as above, drop me an email if you're interested in purchasing it before I have a chance to list it.  

I did also make another of these in the exact same style/yarn but with a mint-green color. :) 

www.maebellecreations.etsy.com                maebellecreations@hotmail.com

Penguin, Cupcakes, Santa Hat, Cape, Drawings...phew!

For starters....chocolate cupcakes just to make everyone hungry with a sweet tooth like me right now! :)

I thought this was adorable and share-worthy...The other night, the Mr sat down and did some doodling with the kids and this was what he and one of them came up with.  His drawing on the left, and theirs on the right...tried to do the same he was doing.  Very nice!

This little hooded cape is the same as the most recent two I posted (multi-variegated and red), only smaller yet.  I took a little longer to complete this one (about 5 days or so at random sittings) and am glad it's done!  It's another gift going out for Christmas this year, so I've been trying to tackle these "bigger" projects early on to make sure I have enough time. :)

It even has little ducky buttons :)

 These last two pics are a couple items that are going in my Etsy shop just as soon as I am done posting this.  A santa hat (left) and baby penguin (below).  There will be more photos there of them! :)


For gift ideas and goodies:
www.maebellecreations.etsy.com    

 

Oh yes..the nail polish is OPI's "warm & fozzie" from their new Muppets collection :) For anyone who wondered!  Love that color!