Free Crochet Patterns for Halloween Treat Bags

15 Wonderful free crochet patterns for your little ones trick-or-treat fun! Just follow the link and click the PDF file to get the free pattern. Enjoy! :)

http://purplekittyyarns.com/halloween/crochet-halloween-treat-bag-patterns

Floral Heart Motif In time for Valentines

Special Stitches
Beginning treble crochet cluster (beg tr cl): Ch 3, holding back last lp of each tr on hook, work 2 tr in same place as ch 3, yo, draw through all 3 lps on hook.

Treble crochet cluster (tr cl): Holding back last lp of each tr on hook, work 3 tr in place indicated, yo, draw through all 4 lps on hook.

Pattern Notes
Join with a slip stitch unless otherwise stated.

Motif
With pink, and crochet hook H, ch 5, join (see Pattern Notes) in beg ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 12 sc in ring, join in beg sc. (12 sc)

Rnd 2: Beg tr cl (see Special Stitches) in same sc as joining, [ch 3, tr cl (see Special Stitches) in next sc] 11 times, ch 3, join in top of beg tr cl, fasten off. (12 tr cl)

Rnd 3: Join white in any ch-3 sp, ch 1, (sc, ch 1, hdc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, tr, ch 1) in same sp, (dtr, ch 1) 4 times in next ch- 3 sp, (tr, ch 1) twice in next ch-3 sp, (dc, ch 1) twice in next ch-3 sp, (hdc, ch 1, dc, ch 1) in next ch-3 sp, (dc, ch 1, tr, ch 1) in next ch-3 sp, (tr, ch 1, dc, ch 1) in next ch-3 sp, (dc, ch 1, hdc, ch 1) in next ch-3 sp, (dc, ch 1) twice in next ch-3 sp, (tr, ch 1) twice in next ch-3 sp, (dtr, ch 1) 4 times in next ch-3 sp, (tr, ch 1, dc, ch 1, hdc, ch 1, sc, ch 1) in last ch-3 sp, join in beg sc.

Rnd 4: Sl st over next ch 1, hdc and ch 1, sc in each rem st and ch-1 sp to the ch-1 sp between the 2 tr at bottom point, work (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp at point, sc in each rem st and ch-1 sp, ending with sl st over last hdc, ch 1 and sc, join, fasten off.

Rnd 5: Join pink with a sc in the ch-1 sp between the beginning and ending scs of rnd 3 at top center of heart, ch 3, sc in sl st worked over the first hdc of rnd 3, [ch 3, sk next st, sc in next st] around, at bottom point working sc in the first dc, ch 3, sc in next dc, end with ch 3, join in beg sc, fasten off.


Find more at: http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/hearts.php

Snow and Crochet

Well, it started snowing last night, very arctic cold air and wind..not too much snow though. But, we might be headed for a Nor'easter Wednesday so more to come.

I am taking time to make a pair of new crochet slippers in Thyme green and they should be finished tonight!! I started with a pattern from the Red Heart Yarn but decided to make my own version in the toe area.

The look like duck bills right now, but they will look better real soon! 

Will be getting ready for Thanksgiving...have lots of baking and chopping to do! I love the holidays!

Victorian Dollhouse & Accessories

Here is the beautiful Victorian Dollhouse I am getting to fix up! I love projects like this and my daughter is so excited since she love miniatures.

Next, we found this lovely set of wicker miniature patio furniture that will go nicely with the house. 

Then, we hope to do one of the bedrooms like this....

I could go broke buying miniature items for dollhouses!! 

Bookshelf as Dollhouse

I found this awesome idea using a bookshelf as a dollhouse. I am working on one for my granddaughter, and I think she will love it. Have been putting little carpets down and making pictures for the walls of each room. What fun this has been. Can't wait to finish it an present it to her! Have a good day. :)

Free Vintage Cut-Out Dolls & Clothes

Hello everyone...just thought I'd share some vintage cutout dolls and clothing for your sweetie pies! My granddaughter loves to play with them. Enjoy! 

Just use heavy card stock for the dolls and paper for the clothes.

Single Candle Mini Chandeliers

I love looking through Pinterest for new ideas! I found this the other day and had to make a few for my porch. They will work wonderfully for a summer night sit on the porch! You should try them too. :)

http://unusuallyunusualfarmchick.blogspot.com

Use Acrylic crystals and Apothecary looking jars and wire to create these to hang in the trees or on the porch. Can be used for holidays too with mini lights and ornaments!

St. Patrick's Day Gifts and Free Easter Tags

Here is a really nice idea for St. Patrick's Day...these would be sweet for the kids teachers.

found on pinterest

Also, here are some free Easter Tags for everyone.

Go Green-Make Paper Beads!

I found this cool article on making your own paper beads. What a neat concept, and it saves the Earth from more trash! Here are the instructions so you can do it too, along with some photos of finished beads...have fun.

How to Make a Basic Paper Bead

Supplies

Paper or Magazine Pages, wrapping paper works best!

Glue or Mod Podge

Paintbrush for glue

Scissors or paper cutter

Thin straws (don't use skewers of wood, they will stick to it!)

Shallow cardboard box, slightly wider than the longest straw.

Instructions:

Step 1: Make Your Drying Rack

Take your card board box & cut notches along both of the long sides. This is what you will be ‘hanging’ your sticks from so the beads can dry. (For kids beads, you can skip this step).

Step 2: Cut the Paper

Cut your papers into ½" – ¾" wide strips, about 6" in length at an angle. The paper cutter makes this much faster. (Wide at one end, narrow on the other) The longer you cut your strip, the thicker (bigger) the bead will be when finished.

If you want to get fancy with your beads, cut some paper into narrow strips & layer these strips, starting with the wide end, over the center of the bead you just rolled. Using a contrasting color will add extra color & interest to your bead. This layer will also add thickness, so keep it short (about 3"-4").

Step 3: Apply Glue

Kid Instructions:

On a big piece of scrap paper to protect your table, lay out a strip of paper and using your glue stick, run it down the whole strip. Start at the thick end and leave about an 1/2 inch, then glue away. Make sure your get enough glue on the pointy end.

Adult Instructions for smaller beads

Apply the glue to the back of the strip using a paintbrush. Spread the glue thinly on the wrong side of your paper.

Step 4: Roll the Beads

Using your stick or pencil,and starting with the wide end of your paper strip, roll the paper onto your stick, slowly & evenly making sure to smooth the paper as you roll & keep your edges even. If you are making the fat kids beads with a pencil, you can take the bead off your pencil and start on your next bead.

Step 5: Let Dry

If you are making the smaller beads with Mod Podge, let them dry on your drying rack (the notched card board box). During the drying process, be sure to gently loosen the beads every 2 or so hours or they’ll be difficult to remove from the stick ( They will stick, if not loosened). When the beads are dry, & still on the stick, you can coat them with a thin coat of clear fingernail polish or use the Mod Podge (mat finish for a dull look, gloss for a shiny look). Allow to dry, remove from the stick.

Done!

Your beads are now ready to use for stringing. Create necklaces, bracelets or use as embellishments for other crafts. You can string them on wire or jute, use as tassels on gift tags, collages & journals. 

Free Printable Tags

Printable Valentine Tickets

Valentine's Day is coming up fast and it's time to start working on those love cards or other projects you might have in mind. Here are some free printable Valentine's Day tickets to help get you started. Just print on thick white paper or card stock, cut out and use for you project!

shared from misscutiepie!

Crochet a Holiday Wreath Gift Topper

Hi everyone! Wow it has been very busy here getting ready for Christmas...I love this time of year. I thought I'd give you an easy Crochet Wreath project that is quick and nice to put on presents. Enjoy!

What You Need

100% mercerized cotton -- white thread: 400 yds. (366m); colored thread: 350 yds. (320m); bedspread weight

Size 2 (2.5mm) steel crochet hook OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE

Mini pony beads (for tree and wreath)

Blunt-end yarn needle

How to Make It

With C, ch 24; join with sl st to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 42 sc in ring; join with sl st to first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, (sc in 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around -- 49 sts; join.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, (sc in 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around -- 56 sts; join.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, (sc in 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around -- 73 sts; join

Rnd 5: Ch 2, (sc in 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around -- 70 sts; join.

Rnd 6: Ch 2, (sc in 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around -- 77 sts; join; fasten off.

Bow Strip

With B, ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across; ch 1, turn.

Next row: Sc in 5 sc across; ch 1, turn. Rep last row until piece measures 9 inches long.

Edging

Sc evenly around all edges, working 3 sc in each corner; join to first sc; fasten off.

Knot Strip

With B, ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across -- 3 sc; ch 1, turn. Work even in sc until piece measures 1 1/2 inches; work edging around piece same as for Bow Strip.

Finishing

Fold Bow Strip to form 2 sides for bow and tails. Wrap Knot Strip round bow loops and sew tog at back of bow. Sew pony beads at intervals around Wreath ring. Use piece to cut a shape from felt. Glue felt to back. Tack package ties, a hanging loop, or a pin back to the back, or adhere a magnet button.

Cute Christmas Ornaments

It is time to get ready for the Christmas Season and I found this crochet craft by Linda Permann at http://www.craftstylish.com and want to give them a try.

Use up your scraps making these sweet little Christmas ornaments. They work up really quickly (and easily), and then you can embellish them to your heart's desire. 

Crocheted Christmas Ornament

Yarn/Hook: I used worsted-weight yarn (Cascade 220) and a size F (3.75 mm) hook. You can use any yarn weight and the corresponding hook size—gauge is not all that important for this pattern. The finished ornament measures 3 inches long.

Make a magic ring. (See this tutorial if you've never made one, or just work into the slip knot).

Round 1: Chain 3, 11 double crochet into ring, join with a slip stitch in top of beginning chain—12 double crochet.

Round 2: Chain 3, double crochet in first double crochet, 2 double crochet in each of next 5 stitches, (2 treble crochet, picot) in next stitch, 2 treble crochet in following stitch, 2 double crochet in each of remaining stitches. Join with a slip stitch in top of beginning chain—20 double crochet, 4 treble crochet.

Round 3: Slip stitch into the next stitch, chain 2, and half double crochet into the same stitch, 2 half double crochet in the next stitch, fasten off—4 half double crochet.

Weave in the ends.

Here are the tricky crochet parts—and trust me, they're not even tricky. These all happen in round 2.

To make a treble crochet, yarn over twice and insert your hook in the stitch. Draw up a

loop, (yarn over, draw loop through first 2 loops on hook) three times.

To make a picot, chain 3, then slip stitch in the 3rd chain from your hook.

When you're done making your ornaments, have fun with embellishing.

Try sewing on sequins, buttons, and beads—or use a contrasting color of yarn to do a little embroidery.

Insert wire hangers and your ornaments are ready to hang.

Sewing for Fun

Well, I have decided to make myself a lovely plaid skirt. I have enough fabric to make a matching beret too. I love to wear black tights in the winter and the skirt will go great with them since the fabric is black, red, and white. A sweet white blouse and black cardigan and I am ready to go!

Making Tassels for Accessorizing

Tassels are a wonderful accessory in almost any room, they can be formal or informal, simple or ornate. And they can cost a fortune! Here is an easy way to make them at home. Add detail to your rooms for the price of a skein of yarn!

These are directions for a simple tassel and ideas for how to use them in your room. Tassels can be adorned with more detail with beads or gems.

You will need a skein of yarn or embroidery floss. I really like the textured yarns because they give a real interesting look to your finished tassel. Embroidery floss will give a more formal, smoother look, and a smaller tassel.

You will need an object to use as a template. Something thin and sturdy, like a book, or a video tape, depending on the size of tassel you are making.

Starting at the bottom of the template, start wrapping around your object from 12-20 times, depending on the thickness you desire for your tassel, and the material you are using. When you have reached your desired thickness, gently pull the wrap off of the template, holding the loop in your hand. Now continue wrapping horizontally around the loop itself 1-3 inches down from the top. This will create the head of the tassel. When it has a nice “neck” cut the yarn leaving a long tail, and tuck the tail under the neck.

Now cut the loop apart at the bottom to create the skirt, trim the ends straight across for a neat look. Slip another length of yarn through the head loop., tie once, and now you can use your tassel anywhere in the home!

Great ideas for tassel details…

Curtain tie backs

Tied to drawer pulls or cabinet knobs

Used on the pull chain for ceiling fans

Tied to the switch on table lamps

Looped around a decorative shelf item

Hung from the back of doorknobs…

The list is endless.

One skein of yarn will make many tassels, and you can enhance them if you wish by stringing bead to the ends of the tassel, and tying, or string them throughout the whole tassel while wrapping.

For The Bath

ASPEN DREAMS BATH SALT

This scent is very woody, and is suited for soothing your muscles and relaxing in the tub. It is very masculine in scent, but women love it too. Try this after a long day at work, it makes you feel comfortable and content.

The ingredients are:

2 cups of Epsom salts (or a mixture epsom/sea)

2 tablespoons of baking soda

essential oils:

5 drops of rosewood

2 drops cedar wood

2 drops Chamomile

a nice jar with a tight fitting lid

To make the salts:

Mix the salts and baking soda in a bowl very well.

Mix oils in a small cup. Take them and pour them evenly over the salt.

Mix the two very well.

Let sit for over an hour before placing in a jar and sealing.

If you are going to color these use yellow and red to make a light brown.

BASIC BUBBLE BATH

Ingredients:

5 drops fragrant oil or essential oil (your

choice)

1 quart water

1 bar castille soap (grated or flaked)

1 1/2 ounces glycerin

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together. Store in a container. Pour in running water.

BATH COOKIES

2 cups finely ground sea salt

1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 cup cornstarch

2 tbs. light oil

1 tsp. vitamin E oil

2 eggs

5-6 drops essential oil(your choice)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix together all the ingredients. Take a teaspoon of the dough and roll it gently into a ball about 1" in diameter. Continue doing this with all the dough and place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet. (You can decorate the cookies with clove buds, anise seeds, or dried citrus peel if you wish.) Bake the cookies for 10 minutes, until they are lightly browned. Do not over bake. Allow the cookies to cool completely. To use, drop 1 or 2 cookies into a warm bath and allow to dissolve. Do not eat! Yield: 24 cookies, enough for 12+ baths.

Making a Fairy House

Fairy Houses should look so natural they are almost hidden.

Find a quiet place away from roads or busy pathways. The base

of a tree or the side of a rock could be just right.

Close to the ground is usually best. Sometimes you may find a special

place in low branches of a tree or bush.

A triangle or teepee shape makes it easier to construct a

fairy house for first-time builders.

Use only natural materials to build a Fairy House: dry

grasses, leaves, sticks, bark, pebbles, pine cones, branches,

stones, acorns, feathers, seaweed, nuts. Acorn caps and small

shells make nice fairy dishes. Dried milkweed pods with fluffy

seeds make lovely soft fairy beds. A large shell filled with water

can become a fairy bathtub.

Use the materials you find in the space where you want to

build. A Fairy House at the beach will look different than the

one built in the backyard.

Make a path leading to the front door – to guide the fairies

into the house.

Be careful not to use or disturb any of nature’s materials that

are still living, especially flowers, ferns, mosses and lichen.

When done, ask the children to say a few words about their

creations. They can also write about their fairy house or draw

a picture about it.

Invite the children to visit their fairy Houses dressed as

fairies, butterflies or dragonflies.

Don’t forget the camera because there will be many

precious pictures to capture!