Crochet Grocery Bag Dispenser and Beer Cozy


The only thing better than knowing how to crochet is knowing how to crochet things that are actually useful! There are only so many scarves that one can make before thinking, "What can I make that I can use all year round?" Here are two projects that I finished a couple months ago that fulfill that need to be practical! First, here a grocery bag dispenser that I made on in one evening while watching TV. The pattern is available for free here from The Crochet Dude. He had the ingenious idea of using two ponytail holders: one for the ring at the top, and one at the bottom to pull the bags through. This worked very well. I did add more single crochet stitches around the top ring than he called for in the pattern, just so the ponytail holder wouldn't show through.

Here is a picture of the grocery bag dispenser (aka dog poop pick-up bags) in action! I used Lily Sugar and Cream cotton yarn, and for the beer cozy too.

Here is a picture of the beer cozy that I made, using variegated cotton yarn. I found the pattern at The Midnight Knitter's site here. This pattern worked up very quickly too.

By the way, that is my lovely husband in the background there, holding the beer can!

Happy crocheting!

Coziest Red Shawl...Finished in the Hottest Month of the Year!

I just finished this red shawl last week or so, and I am really happy with it! I used the pattern from Cool Crochet by Melissa Leapman (another crafty Melissa!). The pattern was very easy to use--I find her patterns to be well-written and easy to understand. And yes, I am modeling this shawl outside in Texas, and it was about 103 degrees (40 degrees C)! It has been 100 degrees (38 degrees C) or more every day this month except one! Wool yarn + oppressive heat = sweaty Melissa! Mike took these pictures pretty quickly!

Here is a close-up of the diamond pattern:

And here is a close-up of the edging:

Hope you like it!

Lovely Crochet Dolls from the Avocadolite Farm









I found these incredible cute crochet amigurumi dolls from the Avocadolite Farm recently. The owner of this site, Thalia, creates and sells a variety of these small dolls. But I have to say, these two Japanese girl dolls are my favorite!















Flower Dog Arrangements!!














I found these on Merwing's Blog--they are so cute! These would be a great gift someone's birthday in October (hint, hint, Mike!!). Browse Merwing's blog while you are there--she makes amazing stuffed animals and creates wonderful art!

Happy Birthday Monica!

My friend Monica is celebrating her birthday today! I made her this lovely sunglasses case that I think she will enjoy! I found a quick tutorial on the Craftster forums here . I hope she likes it! (I also hope she doesn't check my blog in the next hour before I give it to her!!) Best wishes to Monica for another wonderful year!

Little Pink Purse



Here is a little pink purse that I made last month. It is about 5.5" tall and about 8" wide. The outside fabric is a pink and brown tweed, and the inside is a pink denim. I also put a teeny-tiny pocket on the inside with the tweed fabric!


I took these great pictures of my little pink purse at the Product Photography Class at Make in Dallas
This class went over the basics of taking more professional-looking pictures of your products if you are selling them, as well as how to edit pictures using photo editing software. The class went over lighting techniques, and even showed me how to use features on my own digital camera! I finally found out what that button with the tulip icon is for! (It allows you to put your camera lens extremely close to your item and still focus.)

At this class, I also met a great DIY-er here is Dallas who makes beautiful jewelry. Check out her website!

Jack Sparrow Doll



I found this great amigurumi doll on the Craftster website here!
It was created by a gal named Amy, whose shop is here,
and whose blog is here.

The details on this doll are what make it amazing! She is so talented! I just ordered some patterns from Roxycraft to make an attempt at my first crocheted doll--we'll see how it goes.

By the way, Mike and I saw Pirates of the Carribean 2 a couple of weeks ago. I'm not a big movie-watcher, so it takes quite a bit to get me to the movie theater! We both enjoyed it, although not quite as much as the first one. The action and special effects definitely overshadowed the characters. Without giving anything away, I will say that when it ends, you know that there will be a third movie!

Scottie Dog

My first plushie! I got this pattern from Jenny at the Allsorts Blog (click here for the pattern and pictures of her scotties).















This is my first real attempt at a stuffed animal, and I am very happy with it. I used felt, two small red buttons, and red embroidery thread. The heart on the scotty bum was my own original creation. All of the sewing was done by hand! My technique could use a little improvement, but I think it's not bad for the first time. The pattern was very easy to use too. If you are interested, check out the Allsorts Blog--she has tons of cute crafts there.

Enjoy!

Greetings!

My name is Melissa, and this is my first attempt at a blog here in the internet universe. I have been perusing many crafty and artistic blogs for new ideas and tutorials, and thought to myself, "Hey, I should do that!" I then obsessed for a week or two about what to call this blog, since it needed to be something that encompassed my love for sewing, crochet, creativity, and craftiness. And here we are! I am hoping to use this blog as forum for posting my completed projects, sharing ideas, and passing along the great things that other crafty women are doing!

So, for my inaugural post, I would like to share with you some of my favorite websites!

Whip Up: handcraft in a hectic world

There are about 25 or so contributors to this great site that is updated pretty much every day. They post ideas about every craft imaginable, including sewing, jewelry, ceramics, crochet, knitting...the list continues. The site is a great resource for tutorials, as the contributors search them out on the web, and conveniently link them for you. As soon as I figure out all of the features on my blog, I will definitely be linking them!

Crochet Me Magazine

Founded by Kim Piper Werker, this is one of the best crochet sites I have found! The patterns are modern and funky, and are free! The online magazine is updated quarterly, and you can sign up for the free emails.

Savvy Seams

Savvy Seams has free sewing patterns, including bags, headbands, oven mitts and cozies. She also has a great assortment of links and resources.

Craftster

Craftster is one of the best and most well-known craft sites out there. Check out the forums for ideas, tutorials, and pictures of craftiness!

I will be posting lots of pictures soon! Hope you'll stop by again!