Knitting Updates

I can't believe the time is passing so fast and already in August! Knitting still here so I wanted to share with you some of the little pieces I've been making in my spare time after my day-work and between some orders I've taken of knitting and crochet these past months.

First, is this summer-mesh sweater I created with a beautiful mesh stitch. I think it looks fabulous and chic to wear on and for any occasion. 

Some crocheted mittens were trendy here around spring-time. I think they are handy for any time during the cool days. Made them with some yarn leftovers 🙂.

Designed socks in wool that features intarsia technique in the round. This little project was fun and easy to make creating a nice combination of brown colors. Also, I took advantage of yarn-leftovers!

I was experimenting dyeing cotton and wool yarns with avocado pits, and I am fascinated with the resulted color. I already started making some chokers out of cotton.

Next, I am looking forward to work on my next requested knitting and crochet project which am happy and cannot wait for them to start.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know, I will more than happy to help, this does conclude this post of knitting updates. 🙂

DIY Pincushion

Make your own wristlet pincushion. This easy project takes just a few materials to make. It can be added to your gifts galore for the holidays or just to your sewing room! Today I am happy to tell you how to make it. Please follow the photos sequence...  

 

Materials:

-one 6" circle of felt fabric
-one 4.5" circle of felt
-one 7" strap of felt
-one 2.5" lid
-Thread
-Needle
-Scissors
-Hot glue
-Seven cotton balls
-5.5" length elastic
-Two velcro dots
-Sewing machine

Step 1:

With the needle threaded, stitch around edge of the 4.5" felt circle and gather it.

Step 2:

Place it on lid to cover it, and gather it firmly to its shape. Apply hot glue under gathering and lid to glue it. With the help of your fingers press edges around it.

Step 3:

Same thing with the 6" circle of felt, stitch around it to gather to center with cotton balls inserted. Pull thread and tie. Cut tail of thread. Now, there are two parts ready of pincushion to assemble.

Step 4:

With a sewing machine make a zigzag stitch on center length of strap attaching elastic leaving an inch space on tips without sewing. Add one velcro ON one strap tip, and the other one UNDER the other strap tip.

Step 5:

Apply hot glue on center of lid to attach strap, and apply hot glue in lid also to attach the cushion. Keep pressing pieces together for a bit until everything is glued.

Have fun with your pincushion and happy new year!

Blanca

Fave resources of interest

Hi, I just wanted to sum up my favorites for the rest of this year with some resources of interest that a fabulous quilter has shared with me. I found them my favorite thing to read these past months! This information has helped me to be inspired me yet more with the fact of use my spare time more productive and crafty. So, I think the below list of themes can help everyone else no doubt.

1) Why kids need hobbies

2) The benefits of having a hobby when you are in recovery

3) Find your passion: Making room for hobbies 

4) How to start your own urban garden 

5) 11 Healthy hobbies for seniors

6) Transform your craft: How to set up a hobby room in your home 

7) 10 Hobbies that can pay off

I hope you find sparkled ideas!

Happy reading and crafting, 

Blanca

Spring Faves

Hello! Here again to share my belated spring favorites.

Fave Craft⭐

Sewing pin cushions are very handy when being creative with fabrics. I made this one thinking on how I could have it all the time super close during a sewing project. Its perform is just awesome! When I have to pin fabrics on form-dress or join two pieces of fabric,  my wrist pin cushion simple does the work allowing me to reach pins right away😃. I love it! I am thinking on posting the DIY eventually for the creatives out there!

Fave Clothing Piece⭐

Some of my clothes are made by myself. I like to customize them with a simply sleek design, and with a perfect fit. I love to add a delicate feminine detail too, but this upon of what fiber I am working with. My fiber picks are cotton, linen, silk. This eyelet white cotton blouse has been one of my favorite pieces since April. It features bell sleeves and a relaxed fit, round ruffled neckline, and three quarter length sleeves. I made it from a thrift dress skirt.

Fave Local TV Show⭐

Just to let you know this is a local TV show on Fox 2 in St. Louis MO. Their goal is creating a mission to sew the good in the community.

The Thread is hosted by Tim Ezell and Virginia Kerr. It is a fun program to watch for their simultaneously interviewing real people and commenting. I personally enjoy watching it on Saturday from 8:30 am to 9:00 am. The message is amazing each time. To follow The Thread, check out their facebook page here or here

What's your favorite Saturday's early show?

Xoxo,

Blanca

Summer Top Pattern

Perhaps one of the best fibers to experience from spring to autumn in garments like this. I am talking about cotton! Yes, it drapes beautifully, and gives freshness and softness to the touch. Wearable over sleeveless dresses, blouses or just goes well by itself with skirts or pants. This pattern is really easy to follow. Constructed from top-down seamlessly, and ending it with a bit of lace for sleeves and bottom.

SIZE

S/M

Shown in size S/M

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

chest 36”

Length 16” 

MATERIALS

Made in Knit Picks Comfy Sport Pima Cotton, 136 yards/ 50 grms, 5 hanks, #24429 Ivory or color of your choice.

Needles: Circular Needle 30” or longer, size 3 (3.25mm) for the main part, bottom and sleeve's bands, or needle needed to obtain gauge

Double point needles 4 or 5, size 3 (3.25 mm) or magic loop for sleeves.

Notions: Darning needle,Stitch Markers, waste yarn, and buttons of your choice.  The sweater shown use 5 buttons. You can add less buttons if desired.

GAUGE

12 sts and 16 rows to 2”

ABBREVIATIONS

St Stitch

CO Cast on

Pm place stitch marker

Sm Slip stitch marker

Rs Right Side

Ws Wrong side

K knit

P Purl

Rnd round (s)

Yo yarn over 

P2tog purl 2 stitches together

BO Bind off

Rm remove marker

Kfb knit front back into 1 stitch (increases into 2 sts)

DOWNLOAD PATTERN HERE
or HERE

 

Customized Pin It Hearts Buttons

Hi again. I have been wondering how I could create a beautiful sleek pin it button for my posted photos. After a long time searching finally I founded an article that game an idea to customize a pin it button by myself. Using my bit of knowledge of tech that I have learned along the way creating my sites, I've discovered how fun is to crate things in your own in the way you want they to look.

I designed the gold heart hover pin it button for my photos, as well a rose heart, and a silver one for others to choose too. I though why not to share these three cute hearts with those bloggers who love to add something different but stylish to your posted pics?

As you know when thinking about HTML sounds a bit intimidating. Do not worry in this case, I founded the steps on how to insert a custom button URL to the HTML of your blog in blogger @ Blog Sentral and really it is very helpful with their instructions on how to insert a custom or other pin of your choice so please visit it.

In line three as they say you need to replace with the direct link URL of the image. If you are interested check the links of button heart (shown below).

http://i68.tinypic.com/nal3a.png

http://i65.tinypic.com/wwgln9.png

http://i67.tinypic.com/war6s2.png

Copy the URL link of any desired heart you want, and reposition the button link in that line. The code from blog sentral is updated and work without problems.

I thank you for your time, and please let me know if you have any questions.

Blanca😃

Winter Faves

It has been a month already since winter was over! Time goes so fast! I have been busy with a couture project that is related to a linen pajamas for my husband as well with a knitting design project from an order I took of a local customer. In terms of things I enjoy the most, like a hand-made item, healthy or cool stuff I recently got for my personal use, I think is very nice to show you an updated of my favorites ones of that season, and may you can enjoy them too!

Fave Blush⭐

I like to consider natural healthier choices when come to beauty products. Now this Juice Beauty Blush is one of my lately favorites! I used to have a blush from Real Purity but I wanted to give a try to this one. Both have excellent perform and ingredients. I do not know but lately I do not put nothing on my face than blush, eye liner, eye shadow, and lip balms. This sounds like I am trying to be minimalist already :). So anyway, in terms of quality as well the natural ingredients are very important to me. The most benefits I get from this are the ingredients which are fruits extracts and minerals that are gentle and safe to the body. The Juice Beauty glowing cheek comes in a loose powder consistency. Also it gives a natural beautiful soft rosy look on the cheeks. For more details of it go to https://www.juicebeauty.com/makeup/shop-by-collection/makeup-classics/glowing-cheek-color

Fave Slippers⭐

I am in love with my up cycled slippers! I constructed them from a felted hat and felted socks I made long ago for my husband and me but accidentally  turned this way from washing them in the laundry machine, and we could not wear them any more, were too little. So I thought these two accessories can just be perfect for my winter babushkas. I sew them with wool yarn, and also the soles of a hairy sheepskin old jacket, and there you have them, 100% wool cozy slippers!

Fave Tea⭐

I felt some days on Jan with this viral symptoms that nothing but star anise tea helped me to get enough better. Each Autumn and winter season this herb has been helping me a lot, due to its natural benefits of vitamin C. The tea aroma is just delicious. Also I drink this tea along with a slice of licorice root which it gives a bit of sweet to it. Knowing the effect of this herb that protects and gives strong support for the immune system function, I make sure I keep it in my pantry. I felt in love with this tea all the winter long, and perhaps all year long from now on. I am also using the star anise tea as a tonic for my face! The freshness of it is just sensational and it has anti aging properties as well.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to drop me a line!

Have a wonderful week everyone.

Blanca☺♥