More Wood Crafts and Some Other Randomness

Hey all, apparently I am in painting mode lately.  First up, remember that little wood shelf I painted the other day?  There was a part that the hubby removed from it that I thought could be turned into a cute little key shelf.

That, plus some white paint, plus some little white hooks, throw in a little sanding on the corners, and I ended up with this.

I think it turned out kinda cute.  On a side note, you know how the projects that should be super simple end up being the most complicated.  The hubby volunteered to put the hooks on for me.  I'm glad I took him up on that because it turned out to be a not so simple thing to do.  Oh, well.

Next up is my first attempt at chalk painting, furniture painting, and antiquing.  All in all, I guess it didn't turn out too bad.  (Sorry, I was too lazy to go get my camera and take a before picture.)

Next we have some assorted odds and ends.

Really love this little caddy thing.

The little caddy thing, all painted new and pretty.

 Really love how this turned out.

Wouldn't this be great on your desk to hold your pens, paper, rulers, etc?

The little shelf.

The little wood box.

 It had holes on the sides where I guess it originally had some handles.  I was going to make some rope handles but then I decided that these pip berries would make cute little handles.

I packed the tree away in the Christmas stuff box before I remembered to take a picture of it.  Maybe ya'll will get to see that later on.
These bowls I had painted earlier.  But I'll still show you a picture of them.

And here is a couple of little things that I fixed up.  The little candle holder was white a la rusty before.  The little scoop I just tied a little rag bow to and the cute little jar I filled with some mini spools of thread.

And while we are at it, a couple of pics of stuff I picked up while out at the thrift stores the other day.  (In addition to the wood pieces that I painted up there. ^)

 That great big K I have sanded down and repainted black.  It had glue or something all over it.

 Love these little pumpkins!  Got them decorated up with some pip berries and packed away for now.

All these cookie cutters in a bag for 75 cents!  Can you believe that bargain?  Usually I have a really tough time finding stuff in the thrift stores in my area so this was pretty exciting.
And that is it for tonight kids!  Goodnight, everybody.

More Crafty Stuff

Hey everybody, I have decided to try expanding what I post on this blog.  The hubby and I started a new antique business together a while back-in fact, it is on the teetery tottery edge of being one year old!- and I decided it would be fun to share some of the more crafty projects that end up there along with the other stuff I do.  I've also started a brand new blog here to feature some of the unique and interesting antique pieces we find.  It's still a very new blog but hopefully it will soon be filled with all kinds of interesting stuff.  And, last but not least, the name of our business is, what else, but Haven Cottage Antiques which is located in The Factory Antique Mall in Verona, VA, booth AP2.

And now, for some of the craftier stuff I've been working on lately.

 We both loved this biscuit box but the label was literally peeling off as we bought it.  So I did something that is usually a complete no-no for old boxes like this.  I decoupaged the label back on to save as much of it as possible.  It was either that or have a box with NO label on it.  I'm really happy with how good it looks considering the condition of it before I started working on it.

This little shelf was just a run of the mill, boring wood shelf I found and decided to paint.  It originally had a piece going across the back of the top with a heart cut out in it.  Not really all that bad except that whoever put it in there had cut it a little too short and it just didn't fit.  So, the husband pulled it out and I have plans for another project with that piece.  I spray painted, sanded the edges, added a hanging bracket to the back, and now I love it!

Oh hey, and don't forget your fruits!  Again, spray painted, sanded down the edges, tied a bit of fabric around for decoration, and now they are ready to hold someones somethings.

This was basically my first attempt at stenciling so I am pretty happy with how it turned out.  I did two of these, the other had a round base (see last picture down there).  Everybody is doing stars on their primitive stuff, which is fine, but I didn't have a star stencil, and I did have a rooster and hen stencil, and I thought it would be fun for a different look.  I'm surprised at how much I really like the way these turned out!

Hubby did the little ABC block.  It was originally a music box of some sort, but was no longer functioning in that capacity.  He did a little remodeling, and now it is a cute piece to hang out on your shelf and collect dust. :) The black bowls I also spray painted and sanded.  I think they are my favorite!  The bird house we get no credit for except for cleaning it up a bit.  (Can you keep a secret?  There is actually a bird nest in there from days gone by.  Love that!)
And there you have it, the whole kit and kaboodle of crafty wood stuff.  It's all packed up and ready to go be placed in the booth tomorrow.

My Granny Square Purse

 Do you remember those granny squares I was making a while back?  My ultimate goal was to make a granny square purse.  Mission accomplished.
The view from one side.

 The view from the other side.

The inside.

The inside, but even closer.

Construction of this purse was pretty simple.  I sewed the granny squares together in a pattern of
R1) 3 across
R2) 3 across
R3) 7 across
R4) 3 across
R5) 3 across
Then the extra two on row 3 on each side were sewed to the ends of the other 3 across rows to create a bag.
This sounds so complicated.  It's really not.
Next I sewed a lining to the measurements of the sewn together squares, adding some pockets to the lining.  All pretty basic purse construction, nothing fancy.
I used an old belt for the handle.  I just cut it in half to create two handles.  Just make sure the belt you choose is long enough for that.
And that is pretty much it.  So how about just a couple of more pictures.

A Seven Shirt Quilt

I have been in love with this idea since I stumbled across it on pinterest and have been meaning to make it forever.

I'm obsessed with any idea where I can cut up old clothes and make something new and that is exactly what this quilt is!  It's made from seven shirts.

 Even the back is made from the shirts!

 I love how it turned out and can't wait to make another one.

I decided to tie mine to finish it.  For all the instructions on what to do, go here.  Seriously, go.

Sparkly Green Scarf

I buy a lot of my yarn from thrift stores, sale bins, etc, and somehow I've managed to acquire quite the stock pile of mismatched random skeins of yarn that just aren't quite big enough for a lot of the patterns that I like.  So, I decided to mess around with some different stitches and come up with some scarves that used small single skeins.  And this is what happened.

Materials:  (1) 4 oz. skein worsted weight yarn.  Mine was a vintage skein of green labeled Sparkle-Glow...and not a lot more was printed on the label.

Hook:  H/8 5.00mm

Chain 30.

R1.  Dc in 5'th ch from hook and in next ch.  *Ch 4, skip 2 ch and sc in next ch.  Ch 4, skip 2 ch and dc in next 3 ch.*  Repeat between *'s to end of row.  Ch 3 and turn.

R2.  Skip 1'st dc and dc in next 2 dc.  *Ch 2 and dc in ch 4 (from previous row), skip sc and dc in next ch 4.  Ch 2, then dc in next 3 dc.*  Repeat between *'s to end of row.  Ch 3 and turn.

R3.  Skip 1'st dc and dc in next 2 dc.  *Ch 4, skip ch 2 (from previous row), sc between the 2 dc (from previous row).  Ch 4, then dc in next 3 dc.*  Repeat between *'s to end of row.  Ch 3 and turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until scarf measures 60" long (or you run out of yarn), ending with row 2.

I did not plan on adding the fringe until I was close to the end of my skein and found one of those annoying knot places where the factory joined the yarn.  I didn't really want to do a join that close to the end of the scarf so I decided to quit crocheting and add the fringe instead.  For instructions on how to do the fringe go to pretty pink flowers scarf.

Barbie's Simple Crochet Sweater

I have searched all over the web and while I have found some really great crochet patterns for Barbie, I haven't been able to find a basic sweater like the image that was in my head.  So I set out to see if I could create a pattern.  And lo and behold, I could!  And it only took me one day to do it!  As you can see from the picture below, this pattern will fit both styles of Barbie.                                                     

Even better, this pattern is actually pretty simple and quick to work up.

Here's what you will need to make one.
Yarn-No 1 fine yarn (sock yarn, baby yarn, etc.)
Hook-steel #1(2.75 mm)
1 small snap
Sewing needle and thread.


Body of sweater-the bottom band
Ch 6
R1. Sc in back loop of second chain and every chain across. Ch 1 and turn.
R2. Sc in back loop of every stitch across.  Ch 1 and turn.
Repeat row 2 for a total of 34 rows.  Ch 1 and turn.
Join to first row by working a sc in back loop of last row and remaining loop of beginning ch row.

Body of sweater-working up
R1.  Next, ch 1 and sc in end of each row around.  (35 sc)  Sl st to beginning sc.  Ch 1.
R2 & 3.  Sc in each stitch around, sl st to beginning sc.  Ch 1.
R 4.  Sc in each st around, adding one extra sc in last st.  Sl st to beginning sc, ch 1. 36 sc.
R 5.  Sc in each stitch around, sl st to beginning sc.  Ch 1.
R6.  Sc in each stitch around, adding one extra sc in beginning st and one extra sc in ending st for a total of 38 st.  Join with sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.
R7 & 8 & 9.  Sc in each stitch around.  Join with sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.
R10.  Repeat R 6. 40 stitches.
R11.  Sc in each stitch around, ch 1, turn.
R12.  Repeat R 6 except skip joining with sl st.  Ch 1, turn. 42 stitches.
R13 & 14.  Sc in each stitch around, ch 1, turn.
R15.   Sc in first 8 stitches, ch 12, skip next 5 stitches, sc in next 16 stitches, ch 12, skip next 5 stitches, sc in last 8 stitches, ch 1, turn
R16.  Sc in first 7 stitches, skip next st, 12 sc in ch 12, skip next st, sc in next 14 stitches, skip next st, sc 12 in ch 12,  skip next stitch, sc in last 7 stitches, ch 1, turn (52)
R17.  Sc in first 6 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 12 stitches, skip next stitch, sc in next 12 stitches, skip next stitch, sc in next 12 stitches, skip next stitch, sc in last 6 stitches.  Ch 1, turn (48)
R18.  Sc in first 6 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 10 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 12 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 10 stitches, skip next st, sc in last 6 stitches. ch 1, turn.  (44)
R19.  Sc in first 6 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 8 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 12 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 8 stitches, skip next st, sc in last 6 stitches, ch 1, turn. (40)
R20.  Sc in first 6 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 6 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 12 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 6 stitches, skip next st, sc in last 6 stitches, ch 1, turn. (36)
R21.  Sc in first 5 st, skip next st, sc in next 6 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 10 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 6 stitches, skip next st, sc in next 5 stitches.

Body of sweater-back opening
Ch 1, then sc down one side of back opening 11 stitches, sl st in bottom joining st, sc 11 up other side of back opening, finish off.
Turn right side out.

Sleeve (make 2)
Bottom band
ch 4
R1.  Sc in back loop of second chain, and next 2 stitches.  Ch 1 and turn
R2.  Sc in back loop of all 3 stitches, ch 1 and turn.
Repeat for a total of 10 rows.
Join to first row by working sc in back loop of stitch and remaining loop of beginning ch in all 3 stitches.

 
 Sleeve-working up
R1.  Ch 1, work 1 sc in end of each row around (11 sc). Join with sl st to beginning sc.  Ch 1.
R2 & 3.  Sc in each stitch around, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.
R4.  Work 1 extra sc in first st, sc in each st around, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1. 12 st.
R5.  Sc in each stitch around, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.
R6.  Sc in each st around, working 1 extra sc in last st, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1. 13 st.
R7.  Sc in each stitch around, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.
R8.  Work 1 extra sc in first st, sc in each st around, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.  14 st.
R9.  Sc in each st around, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.
R10.  Sc in each st around, working 1 extra sc in last st, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.  15 st.
R11.  Sc in each st around, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.
R12.  Work 1 extra sc in first st, sc in each st around, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.  16 st.
R13 & 14.  Sc in each st around, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.
R15.  Sc in each st around, working 1 extra sc in last st, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.  17 st.
R16-22.  Sc in each st around, sl st to beginning sc, ch 1.
R23.  Sc in each st around, sl st to beginning sc.  Finish off. Turn inside out.

Stitch sleeves to body of sweater, right sides together.  Attach snap at back opening.

Fancy Granny Scarf

I found this lovely scarf and decided I wanted to try and make my own.  And this is what I came up with.

 A little different but still (in my opinion, lol) very pretty.

The Squares.
The first step was to find a pattern for a granny square that I liked.  The original pattern was for a blanket but I am using it for my scarf. 
 I used hook H/8-5mm and some Red Heart Super Soft yarn.  (I'm guessing I used about 7 oz.  I don't know the exact amount since I was working with a skein that I had already used yarn out of.  I also definitely recommend using a soft yarn for this project.)  The pattern for the square said that it would make a 7"x7" square but mine ended up being only 6"x6".  Since I was going for a scarf that measured at least 60" that meant I needed 10 squares.  If your squares are bigger you can adjust how many you will need.
You can find the square pattern here- Get pattern here.

Joining the Squares.
Once you have your squares made you will need to join them.  I joined mine by putting 2 squares wrong sides together and inserting hook front to back through inside loop of top square and back to front through inside loop of bottom square.  Yarn over and draw through all three loops on hook. At the corners I worked one joining stitch in each chain 3.  If this makes no sense feel free to use whatever joining method you prefer.

The Border.
For round one work 1 sc in every stitch.  At each join work 1 sc in chain 3 space, 1 sc in join stitch, and 1 sc in chain 3 space.  At every corner work 2 sc, chain 1, 2 sc in each chain 3 corner.  Join with slip stitch to beginning sc stitch.
Round 2- slip stitch in next 2 stitches, chain 4, 1 dc in same stitch, chain 1, * (1 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc) in fourth stitch, ch 1* around, working (1 dc, chain 3, 1 dc) at each corner.  (It may be necessary to "fudge" the pattern a little to get the corners to work out properly.)  Slip stitch in chain 3 of beginning chain 4.  Fasten off.  Weave in ends.  Wear.

Oh So Warm Crocheted Blanket

Sometimes necessity truly is the mother of invention.  And such was the case with this blanket.  I had enough of the green yarn to make it a fairly decent size but considering the thickness of this blanket I wanted it to be a bit larger than what I had the yarn for.  And so I experimented with adding a border in a totally different weight of yarn and....it worked!  As a side note I don't recommend trying this one until winter-boy did I get hot with all that blanket in my lap while I worked on it!
In other news this is my first crocheted blanket ever.  Yay me, lol.

The yarn I used was (8) 6 oz./170g skeins of super bulky Red Heart Grande in dk thyme and approx. 5 oz. of  Caron One Pound in lace.

Hook used was N/9.00mm.

Part One:  the 45" by 52" piece in green
chain 133.
Work the pattern found at this link-  v/shell stitch afghan
Repeat rows until piece measures 45".  Finish off.

Part Two: the border in cream
Continue working with the N/9.00mm hook.
R1:  Slip stitch to corner of blanket.  Working down the side of the blanket (end of the rows), chain 3 for beginning dc, work 2 dc in end of each stitch.  Chain 2 at corner and working down beginning chain row of blanket, dc 1 in each single stitch place and dc 2 in each chain space.  Here is a picture to help explain what I mean.

(You will have an alternating repeat of 1 dc, then 2 dc.)  Chain 2 at corner and work 2 dc in each end of stitch down side of blanket.  Chain 2 at corner and work 1 dc in first stitch, skip next st, then *2 dc in center of shell, 1 dc in next stitch, skip one stitch and work 2 dc in center of v, 1 dc in next stitch, skip one stitch, repeat from * until end of row.  2 dc in center of last shell stitch, then ch 2 at corner and slip stitch to beginning chain 3.

R2:  Chain 3, dc in each dc, working (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in each corner.  Slip stitch to beginning ch 3.

R3:  Beginning with a skip stitch, 1 sc, work a pattern of skip one stitch, 1 sc, skip one, 5 dc in next stitch around, making sure to work a 5 dc in ch 1 corners from previous row.  You may have to adjust the skip stitch and 1 sc close to the corners to make the corners work out properly.  Slip stitch to join scallop row and finish off.

Weave in all your ends and you are done!  Finished measurements are 49" by 55"
Here is a nice shot with a photo-bombing dog.

And some more pictures just because I can.

 Picture of the border.

 Up close of the texture.

My Basic Granny Square

The other day I wanted to make some basic granny squares.  I had an idea of what I wanted to do but wasn't completely sure.  I went searching online and to my surprise, had a hard time coming up with some decent instructions.  So I threw a few ideas I did find into a bag, added what I thought I  wanted to do, shook it all up, and this is what came out.

 I used some worsted weight wool yarn and an I/5.5 mm hook which gave me a 4 inch square.  Different fibers, weights of yarn and hook size will, of course, affect the size of your finished square.

Ch 4, join w/sl st to first ch.

 R1.  Ch 3, 2 dc into ch 4 ring, ch 1. * 3 dc into ring, ch 1*  Repeat between * 2 more times.  Join w/sl st to top of beginning ch 3.  Fasten off.

R2.  Join w/sl st to a ch 1 space from previous row.  Ch 3, 2 dc in same space.  *Ch1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in same space. *  Repeat between * 2 more times.  Ch 1, 3 dc in same ch 1 space as beginning ch3.  Ch 1, join w/sl st to top of beginning ch 3.  Fasten off.

R3.  Join w/sl st to a ch 1 space from previous row.  Ch 3, 2 dc in same space.  *Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 space, ch1, 3 dc in same space.*   Repeat between * 2 more times.  Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 space.  Ch 1, 3 dc in same ch 1 space as beginning ch 3.  Ch 1, join w/sl st to top of beginning ch 3.  Fasten off.

R4.  Join w/sl st to a ch 1 space from previous row.  Ch 3. * Dc in next 3 dc, dc in ch 1 space, dc in next 3 dc, dc in ch 1 space, dc in next 3 dc, 3 dc in ch 1 space.*  Repeat between * two more times.  Dc in next 3 dc, dc in ch 1 space, 3 dc in next 3 dc, dc in ch 1 space, dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in same ch 1 space as beginning ch3.  Join w/sl st to top of beginning ch 3.  Fasten off.

To finish, weave in ends and trim.

A whole bunch of pretty grannies waiting to be trimmed and used.

*Update:  Go here to see what I did with all these squares.

Coming up Roses Pillow

 I found this lovely doily at a flea market and couldn't resist.  Especially since it only set me back a dollar.  When I picked it up it said, "I want to be a pillow."  I said "okay."  (In other news I also got that adorable chair at an auction for a dollar.  Can't wait until I have time to refinish it.  Future post maybe?)

 I wanted to contrast it onto a more rugged fabric and luckily enough I had this burlap style fabric in my stash.  I lined it with a matching solid fabric so the stuffing wouldn't escape.  Burlap is kinda holey.   Then I just hand sewed the doily on wherever I felt like it needed to be stitched down.  I think I may have gone a little overboard but better safe than sorry.  I went around all the leaves and flowers, the very center, and a few laps around the middle.  I also changed my thread to match what I was sewing down to help hide my stitching.

 Construction was pretty basic.  Sewed the two sides right side together, leaving an opening to turn.  Trimmed corners, turned right side out, stuffed, and then to close opening plus add a finish detail I just top stitched all around the outside.