Sewing Clips and shopping bag

Awhile back I got a couple of reusable shopping bags from JoAnn's fabric store.. I love the size, definitely sturdy.

 I've used it to store fabric or yarn, when I'm not taking it with me. 

I noticed the bottom corner was coming undone after unloading one of my current projects and supplies .. 

 without much thought I grabbed some of my sewing clips to hold in place while I hand sew it.. 

as I was doing this the thought crossed my mind how much harder this would have been "pre-clip" days .. did't want to add more holes then necessary with pins.. 

and how many times recently I have grabbed them in projects in upcoming posts..

      

 after applying glue and placing the backing on bead embroidery and applique work

 

holding a crochet seam closed for sizing 

 

I was on the fence with them.. at craft stores they can really add up cost wise.. wasn't sure if the ones on Amazon would be worth it quality wise...

 I decided to go with Amazon this time.. have been very happy with them and highly recommend them. 

As for the bag,  the material holding the seams on the bottom, looks like it will give out before the rest of the bag.. at that point I plan on replacing  with another material

have been more than happy with this purchase as well, that they are repairable ... after constant use for more than a year...  is a definite plus in my book 

 also highly recommend   

Beads and sequins

I have several Raven images I want to do in beads, sequins, fabric and thread.. much larger than this one, 

this guy is my trial piece.. playing with the sequins placement..

 I went with single cup sequins along the chest switching to double cup sequins, smaller one inside the larger, with a much tighter, staggered layout.. find the wing with bugle beads highlighted it with strung rhinestones in black, plus a row of black bicone crystals..

Added a row of hematite beads for the shoulder, used size 11 seed beads to fill in the rest, placed randomly, fairly thick for texture..

the beak is thick embroidery floss the kind used for friendship bracelets, in satin stitch.. 

I stitched it on fairly thick black felt.. 

Will be adding a layer between the backing as I used a trimmed safety eye. I wasn't 100% thrilled with the feet but for a first attempt it will do. He's going to end up as applique more than likely on a tarot bag.. 

Got some bullion wire, I really like the detail that is possible with it.. never having used it before I started with just adding a border around the doggie.. 

Used uneven seed beads in sizes 11 and 6 added a few different sizes of acrylic pearls for highlights

The gnome is done in size 8 and 11 seed beads very thick for the beard double layered in many places.. will add a border around him I'm thinking of trying sequins

I like using up as much space as I can on the embroidery hoop so I added a crescent moon on the side along with a fun mushroom, I did a little bit more detail work with the bullion wire on the mushroom starting to get the hang of it will definitely be adding it to future projects

Easy scarf?

 

Awhile back I was gifted a couple skeins of Lion Brand Homespun Tartan stripe

 one skein was untouched the other had a couple of yards rewrapped around the outside of it...

I have always liked the soft, thick, richly colored yarn, was definitely happy to have more

I had used it many times before. while knitting 

I now see why so many crocheters grow frustrated ..

after trying to make what should have been a super simple scarf.. 

I wanted a scarf with nice a drape, a bit thicker than knit 

I like the look and feel of half double crochet ( American terms ) scarfs . plus the mindlessness of making them is a nice stress reliever.. 

I knew a larger hook was called for as a larger needle works up so much easier . didn't think I would end up with P 11.50mm though lol

Started with a K hook, after awhile gave up, too hard to see the stitches.. they just blended in to the point I couldn't easily tell if I was going through the top loops or not having to feel out every stitch.. not exactly mindless work ..

tried L next easier to see the stitches.. but after a bit it was clear the drape wasn't what I wanted.. frogged again.. 

I considered going with a different yarn but the colors are perfect .. the shot of the skeins is without any natural light.. the other two were taken in full sunlight.. either way beautiful 

Finally I ended up going with the P hook.. I own one but have never actually made a project with it before.. 

I love the end result the drape is relaxed not too thick but will be cozy warm and I finally got my easy scarf, and it worked up faster than expected.. sweet 

255 yards of bulky ( 6 ) yarn

Hook size P 11.50mm

Gage isn't essential to this project however five stitches equals 3.5" by four rows equals 3"

My finished scarf is 8 inches wide and 82 inches long

Written in American terms

Ch= chain

Hdc= half double crochet 

1) Ch 16, hdc into second ch from hook, hdc 14, ch 1 turn

2) Hdc 15, ch 1 turn 

Repeat row 2 until desired length is reached, fasten off, weave in ends 

Super easy .. when you get the hook size right lol 

Uneven beads

 

I like using different types of beads for different looks.. uneven beads can add so much interest and texture..  especially when mixed with uniform beads and findings

I had some stretchy bracelets i had ordered online, I used to give to kids when they came up to our table.. only had a few left so I put them aside thinking some day I would use the in another project.. they definitely fit into the uneven category

 

 

 decided to throw some beads that were gifted to me with a bunch of crafting supplies.. as they too fit into the uneven category

Asked son to draw me something similar to some of the craft doggies I had been seeing on Pinterest.. all done in the same style shape but different crafting techniques.. no clue who came up with it first.. this was his take on it..

 He's so cute, but way bigger than I was looking for.. had to scan the image, because he used off white paper I had to clean the image up then resize it.. I didn't want it to be too much like the others out there so my take is a bit different from even the drawing 

I drew a cookie cutter style moose.. also inspired somewhat by online pins, to work on the hoop along side of it.. Pinterest is seriously an endless supply of inspiration and learning. 

also added a funky star to use up more of the empty space .. wanted one that was not even.. more rustic .. a fun piece .. with my drawing skills this was definitely possible lol 

I added some strung rhinestones as well as acrylic sew on rhinestones and a few other odds and ends.. 

Still need to add backing of some sort.. haven't decided on or not they're going to be brooches or applique work yet.. 

with the moose and star I used the uneven beads in groups of three, in random placement couching to pull them into nooks and cranny's along the way.. leaving some a bit raised up for more texture.. I used markers to add color to the pellon giving the clearer beads more depth..

With the doggie I ended up just using the uneven beads as the outline and nose