Furniture Makeovers with Chalk Paint

 (Originally published March 17, 2018)  I’ve been busy chalk painting several pieces of furniture lately. My living room has been filled with drop cloths and the smell of paint! I thought I’d share some of what I’ve done.

The desk.  Not so pretty in its original state but nothing a little paint and new hardware couldn’t fix.  I’ve been noticing that brass is back, and I decided this desk was a good opportunity to try out this new/old trend. My dear friend Alice sells lovely replica hardware in her shop, and it made this desk look amazing! Check out her website.

I did love the old hardware that was on this desk, but it was broken and missing.  I could have ordered the same hardware through my friend, but I wanted instant gratification, plus I already had another look in mind.  Don’t worry, I salvaged what I could for a future project.

All in all, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.  Somebody else must have been pretty happy with it too, because I sold it the day after I put it in my shop!

 

Next up is the chest of drawers.

This piece I bought specifically for the hardware.  How cool are those pulls!

Of course, then I faced the dilemma of what color to paint to go with those pulls (because, yes, it needed painting!)  It just so happened I had this  gray/green in my paint stash, and it was perfect!  Check out how well it brings out those pulls, with just one coat.

Another piece that I am really happy with.

Last but not least, the dry sink.  This one I have had for a bit, and I liked it in it’s natural wood, but there was what appeared to be water staining on the side.   There was no damage to the structure of the piece, just the cosmetics of it.

Again, paint to the rescue!  For now, this piece has found a happy home in my house.  I had been wanting a piece to put beside my front door, and this one fits perfectly.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my latest furniture adventures.  Stay tuned for some more crochet patterns coming soon!

Cross Motif Bible Cover

 

I was racking my brain for fun new projects to crochet when I thought about a Bible cover.  I mean, we all love our hats and scarves and blankets, but how many do we really need?  And since Easter is just around the corner, what better time than now to dress up your Bible with a brand new cover?  A draped cross seems like the perfect motif.

I have provided a chart which is only the front part of the Bible cover since the rest is plain.  There are 25 stitches (in each row) in black that are not shown to the left of the graph. Don’t worry, it’s all written out down there.

Front of coverBack of cover.

 

https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/e373acde-12f5-4c2d-ab2f-15cd40252001

To print the graph, click on the icon at the bottom of the screen to hide the right hand column.  Then click the icon next to it to fit to full page.  Then use your computers print option to print.

Update:  I’m not sure if the above link will work.  If it doesn’t, try this one.

With the pattern as written, it is possible to customize it to fit a variety of Bibles.  However, my Bible is very thick with a 1 3/4″ spline.  If you need the piece to be a bit shorter across, eliminate some of the stitches (in black) from the left side of the pattern-this is the side of the piece not shown in the graph.  For example, you may need to eliminate 5 stitches.  This would make your count on Row 3, right handed version read as follows- Sc with black in first 8, switch to white, sc in next 4, switch to black, sc in last 28. Ch 1, turn.

You will need
Worsted weight yarn- black, approx. 3 oz. (this should be plenty), small amount of white, smaller amount of purple
J/6mm hook
Black felt
Needle and thread (or a sewing machine)

Stitches used
Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Single Crochet (sc)

 

Right handed version:
With black, ch 46
R1) Sc in second chain from hook and each chain across. Ch 1, turn. (45 stitches)
R2) Sc in each stitch across. Ch 1, turn.
R3) Sc with black in first 8, switch to white, sc in next 4, switch to black, sc in last 33. Ch 1, turn.
R4) Sc with black in first 33, with white, sc in next 4, with black, sc in last 8. Ch 1, turn.
R5) Repeat row 3.
R6) Repeat row 4.
R7) Repeat row 3.
R8) Repeat row 4.
R9) Repeat row 3.
R10) Repeat row 4.
R11) Repeat row 3.
R12) Repeat row 4.
R13) Repeat row 3.
R14) Repeat row 4.
R15) Sc with black in first 1, with purple, sc in next st, with black, sc in next 6, with white, sc in next st, with purple, sc in next 2 stitches, with white, sc in next stitch, with black, sc in next 6 stitches, with purple, sc in next stitch, with black, sc in last 26 st, ch 1, turn.
R16) Sc with black in first 26, with purple in next 2, with black in next 5, with purple in next 4, with black in next 5, with purple in next 2, with black in last stitch. Ch 1, turn.
R17) Sc with black in first st, with purple in next 3, with black in next 3, with purple in next 6, with black in next 3, with purple in next 3, with black in last 26. Ch 1, turn.
R18) Sc with black in first 26 stitches, with white in next 5, with purple in next 8, with white in next 5, with black in last st, ch 1, turn.
R19) Sc with black in first st, with white in next 4, with purple in next 10, with white in next 4, with black in last 26, ch 1, turn.
R20) Sc with black in first 26 stitches, with white in next 3, with purple in next 3, with white in next 6, with purple in next 3, with white in next 3, with black in last st, ch 1, turn.
R21) Sc with black in first st, with white in next 2, with purple in next 3, with white in next 8, with purple in next 3, with white in next 2, with black in last 26, ch 1, turn.
R22) Repeat row 4.
R23) Repeat row 3.
R24) Repeat row 4.
R25) Repeat row 3.
R26) Repeat row 4.
R27) Repeat row 3.
R28) Repeat row 4.
R29) Repeat row 2.
R30) Repeat row 2.
Do not finish off, continue to border round.

Left handed version:
With black, ch 46
R1) Sc in second chain from hook and each chain across. Ch 1, turn. (45 stitches)
R2) Sc in each stitch across. Ch 1, turn.
R3) Sc with black in first 33, switch to white, sc in next 4, switch to black, sc in last 8. Ch 1, turn.
R4) Sc with black in first 8, with white, sc in next 4, with black, sc in last 33. Ch 1, turn.
R5) Repeat row 3.
R6) Repeat row 4.
R7) Repeat row 3.
R8) Repeat row 4.
R9) Repeat row 3.
R10) Repeat row 4.
R11) Repeat row 3.
R12) Repeat row 4.
R13) Repeat row 3.
R14) Repeat row 4.
R15) Sc with black in first 26, with purple, sc in next st, with black, sc in next 6, with white, sc in next st, with purple, sc in next 2 stitches, with white, sc in next stitch, with black, sc in next 6 stitches, with purple, sc in next stitch, with black, sc in last st, ch 1, turn.
R16) Sc in first stitch with black, with purple in next 2, with black in next 5, with purple in next 4, with black in next 5, with purple in next 2, with black in last 26. Ch 1, turn.
R17) Sc with black in first 26, with purple in next 3, with black in next 3, with purple in next 6, with black in next 3, with purple in next 3, with black in last stitch. Ch 1, turn.
R18) Sc with black in first stitch, with white in next 5, with purple in next 8, with white in next 5, with black in last 26, ch 1, turn.
R19) Sc with black in first 26, with white in next 4, with purple in next 10, with white in next 4, with black in last stitch, ch 1, turn.
R20) Sc with black in first stitch, with white in next 3, with purple in next 3, with white in next 6, with purple in next 3, with white in next 3, with black in last 26, ch 1, turn.
R21) Sc with black in first 26, with white in next 2, with purple in next 3, with white in next 8, with purple in next 3, with white in next 2, with black in last st, ch 1, turn.
R22) Repeat row 4.
R23) Repeat row 3.
R24) Repeat row 4.
R25) Repeat row 3.
R26) Repeat row 4.
R27) Repeat row 3.
R28) Repeat row 4.
R29) Repeat row 2.
R30) Repeat row 2.
Do not finish off, continue to border round.

Border Round
Ch 1, work sc evenly around entire piece, working 1 extra stitch at each corner.
Repeat rounds around until cover is the correct size. My Bible took two rounds.  Finish off.

Cut 1 piece of black felt 1/4″ – 1/2″  bigger than your Bible’s cover.  Measure from front edge all the way around to back edge for the width of your piece.
Cut 2 pieces of black felt that measure the length of your Bible’s cover (plus 1/4″ – 1/2″)  and about 1/2 to 2/3 the width of your Bible.

Place the crocheted cover right side down, the large felt rectangle on top, and the two small rectangles on top of that at each end. Stitch around the outside edge completely.  You could hand sew but I used a small zigzag stitch on my sewing machine.

You may not reproduce or copy my pattern or images in any way. You may link to my pattern from another site. You may sell items made from my pattern as long as you give me credit.

Bunny Pillow

 

Today I’ve got a cute little bunny pillow to share with you.  How cute is this for your spring decor, or maybe in a nursery or child’s room.  I found variations of a graph for this bunny floating around on pinterest.  I decided to tweak it into a pillow and do a written pattern version.  I have provided directions for both right and left handed crocheters.

Approximately 4 oz. blue worsted weight yarn (I used Red Heart Light Blue)
Approximately 2 oz. white or pastel multi worsted weight yarn (I used a vintage yarn brand called Kolor Match in Baby Rainbow Print)
J/6mm hook
14″ x 10″ pillow form (instructions to make your own are included at the bottom)

Stitches used
Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Single Crochet (sc)

When working the color changes, I just carried my yarn along the back of my work since this will be hidden inside of the pillow.

Right handed version:
With blue, ch 47
R1) Sc in second chain from hook and each stitch across. (46 stitches) Ch 1, turn.
R2) Sc in each stitch across, ch 1, turn.
R3-4) Repeat row 2.
R5) Sc in first 16 stitches with blue. Sc in next 4 with white. Sc in next 5 with blue. Sc in next 5 with white. Sc in last 16 with blue. Ch 1, turn.
R6) Sc 14 with blue, 6 white, 1 blue, 3 white, 1 blue, 4 white, 1 blue, 4 white, 12 blue. Ch 1, turn.
R7) Sc 12 blue, 11 white, 1 blue, 8 white, 1 blue, 3 white, 10 blue, ch 1, turn.
R8) Sc 9 blue, 3 white, 1 blue, 10 white, 1 blue, 6 white, 1 blue, 2 white, 13 blue, ch 1, turn.
R9) Sc 14 blue, 3 white, 1 blue, 3 white, 1 blue, 12 white, 1 blue, 2 white, 9 blue, ch 1, turn.
R10) Sc 9 blue, 2 white, 1 blue, 12 white, 1 blue, 4 white, 1 blue, 2 white, 14 blue, ch 1, turn.
R11) Sc 13 blue, 9 white, 1 blue, 10 white, 1 blue, 2 white, 10 blue, ch 1, turn.
R12) Sc 12 blue, 11 white, 1 blue, 10 white, 12 blue, ch 1, turn.
R13) Sc 12 blue, 11 white, 2 blue, 9 white, 12 blue, ch 1, turn.
R14) Sc 13 blue, 21 white, 12 blue, ch 1, turn.
R15) Sc 12 blue, 20 white, 14 blue, ch 1, turn.
R16) Sc 14 blue, 14 white, 3 blue, 3 white, 12 blue, ch 1, turn.
R17) Sc 13 blue, 6 white, 1 blue, 11 white, 15 blue, ch 1, turn.
R18) Sc 17 blue, 8 white, 1 blue, 8 white, 12 blue, ch 1, turn.
R19) Sc 11 blue, 16 white, 19 blue, ch 1, turn.
R20) Sc 24 blue, 12 white, 10 blue, ch 1, turn.
R21) Sc 9 blue, 14 white, 23 blue, ch 1, turn.
R22) Sc 18 blue, 5 white, 1 blue, 13 white, 9 blue, ch 1, turn.
R23) Sc 9 blue, 5 white, 2 blue, 14 white, 16 blue, ch 1, turn.
R24) Sc 15 blue, 10 white, 1 blue, 4 white, 2 blue, 4 white, 10 blue, ch 1, turn.
R25) Sc 10 blue, 11 white, 7 blue, 3 white, 15 blue, ch 1, turn.
R26) Sc 14 blue, 3 white, 7 blue, 11 white, 11 blue, ch 1, turn.
R27) Sc 12 blue, 8 white, 1 blue, 3 white, 5 blue, 3 white, 14 blue, ch 1, turn.
R28) Sc 15 blue, 9 white, 1 blue, 7 white, 14 blue, ch 1, turn.
R29) Sc 18 blue, 4 white, 1 blue, 7 white, 16 blue, ch 1, turn.
R30) Sc 16 blue, 2 white, 5 blue, 4 white, 19 blue, ch 1, turn.
R31) Sc 20 blue, 10 white, 16 blue, ch 1, turn.
R32) Sc 16 blue, 9 white, 21 blue, ch 1, turn.
R33) Sc 22 blue, 7 white, 17 blue, ch 1, turn.
R34-37) With blue, repeat row 2.
Finish off.

Left handed version:
With blue, ch 47
R1) Sc in second chain from hook and each stitch across. (46 stitches) Ch 1, turn.
R2) Sc in each stitch across, ch 1, turn.
R3-4) Repeat row 2.
R5) Sc in first 16 stitches with blue. Sc in next 5 with white. Sc in next 5 with blue. Sc in next 4 with white. Sc in last 16 with blue. Ch 1, turn.
R6) Sc 12 with blue, 4 white, 1 blue, 4 white, 1 blue, 3 white, 1 blue, 6 white, 14 blue. Ch 1, turn.
R7) Sc 10 blue, 3 white, 1 blue, 8 white, 1 blue, 11 white, 12 blue, ch 1, turn.
R8) Sc 13 blue, 2 white, 1 blue, 6 white, 1 blue, 10 white, 1 blue, 3 white, 9 blue, ch 1, turn.
R9) Sc 9 blue, 2 white, 1 blue, 12 white, 1 blue, 3 white, 1 blue, 3 white, 14 blue, ch 1, turn.
R10) Sc 14 blue, 2 white, 1 blue, 4 white, 1 blue, 12 white, 1 blue, 2 white, 9 blue, ch 1, turn.
R11) Sc 10 blue, 2 white, 1 blue, 10 white, 1 blue, 9 white, 13 blue, ch 1, turn.
R12) Sc 12 blue, 10 white, 1 blue, 11 white, 12 blue, ch 1, turn.
R13) Sc 12 blue, 9 white, 2 blue, 11 white, 12 blue, ch 1, turn.
R14) Sc 12 blue, 21 white, 13 blue, ch 1, turn.
R15) Sc 14 blue, 20 white, 12 blue, ch 1, turn.
R16) Sc 12 blue, 3 white, 3 blue, 14 white, 14 blue, ch 1, turn.
R17) Sc 15 blue, 11 white, 1 blue, 6 white, 13 blue, ch 1, turn.
R18) Sc 12 blue, 8 white, 1 blue, 8 white, 17 blue, ch 1, turn.
R19) Sc 19 blue, 16 white, 11 blue, ch 1, turn.
R20) Sc 10 blue, 12 white, 24 blue, ch 1, turn.
R21) Sc 23 blue, 14 white, 9 blue, ch 1, turn.
R22) Sc 10 blue, 13 white, 1 blue, 5 white, 18 blue, ch 1, turn.
R23) Sc 16 blue, 14 white, 2 blue, 5 white, 9 blue, ch 1, turn.
R24) Sc 10 blue, 4 white, 2 blue, 4 white, 1 blue, 10 white, 15 blue, ch 1, turn.
R25) Sc 15 blue, 3 white, 7 blue, 11 white, 10 blue, ch 1, turn.
R26) Sc 11 blue, 11 white, 7 blue, 3 white, 14 blue, ch 1, turn.
R27) Sc 14 blue, 3 white, 5 blue, 3 white, 1 blue, 8 white, 12 blue, ch 1, turn.
R28) Sc 14 blue, 7 white, 1 blue, 9 white, 15 blue, ch 1, turn.
R29) Sc 16 blue, 7 white, 1 blue, 4 white, 18 blue, ch 1, turn.
R30) Sc 19 blue, 4 white, 5 blue, 2 white, 16 blue, ch 1, turn.
R31) Sc 16 blue, 10 white, 20 blue, ch 1, turn.
R32) Sc 21 blue, 9 white, 16 blue, ch 1, turn.
R33) Sc 17 blue, 7 white, 22 blue, ch 1, turn.
R34-37) With blue, repeat row 2.
Finish off.

Back of pillow.
With blue, ch 47
R1) Sc in second ch and each ch across. (46 stitches) Ch 1, turn.
R2) Sc in each stitch across, ch 1, turn.
R3-37) Repeat row 2. Do not finish off.

Weave in any ends necessary, then place front and back right sides together and sc around 3 sides, stitching through both layers. Insert pillow form and sc fourth side closed. Sl st to beginning sc, finish off. Weave in end.

Making a Custom Pillow Form

You will need;
fabric
poly stuffing

Cut 2 rectangles from your fabric that measure one inch longer and one inch wider than you want your finished size to be. In this case, the pillow is 14″ x 10″, so you will cut your fabric to 15″ x 11″.

I chose blue for my fabric since my pillow cover is blue but you can use white or whatever you choose.
Place pieces right side together, and mark where you want to leave an opening (for stuffing) with two pins.

Sew the pieces together with 1/2″ seams, back stitching at the opening.
Trim all 4 corners.

Turn right side out, and stuff to desired fullness.
Hand sew the opening closed. I just used a whip stitch since this will be hidden under the pillow cover.

And that is it! You now have a custom made pillow form!

You may not reproduce or copy my pattern or images in any way. You may link to my pattern from another site. You may sell items made from my pattern as long as you give me credit.

Just Hatched C2C Baby Blanket

 

How absolutely cute is this for a newborn?  While this blanket does have a “spring chicken” or Easter vibe to it I think it would be fun for anytime of the year.  Make it along with my Bunny Pillow for a baby animals theme in a nursery.

I found the basis for this graph while I was looking around on pinterest.  I think it was being used as a cross stitch pattern but had originated as a perler bead pattern.  I thought with a few adjustments it would be adorable as a baby blanket.

If anyone is interested in written directions along with the graph please let me know in the comments. Otherwise it may or may not happen.  My blanket measures approximately 36″ square.

I was using up some partial skeins when I made this blanket so the yarn amounts given are estimates but they should be ample for making this blanket. I used mostly Red Heart brand yarn.  I used soft yellow for the flower centers.  You could also use the same bright yellow as the chick and it would work fine.

Supplies
Worsted weight yarn:
1 oz. each of black, orange, lavender, aqua, pink, and soft yellow
5 oz. each of green, white, and bright yellow
16 oz. of blue
J/6mm hook
The graph  (To print the graph, click on the icon at the bottom of the screen to hide the right hand column.  Then click the icon next to it to fit to full page.  Then use your computers print option to print.)

If the above link doesn’t work, try this one.

To work a c2c graph, print it out and then use a ruler to draw a diagonal line across each row as you work it.  I also found it helpful to write in the numbers in each square when there were color changes.

For the border I worked one round of sc, working 3 sc into the edge of each square and an extra sc at each corner. I then worked a round of dc, working an extra dc at each corner, and then finished with a round of sc, again with an extra sc at each corner.

You may not reproduce or copy my pattern or images in any way. You may link to my pattern from another site. You may sell items made from my pattern as long as you give me credit.