New Free Pattern for Lovely Little Letter

New free crochet pattern for Capital E

I have been thinking about which letters to make the free ones of my Lovely Little Letters. So far, I had made the Capital I free since it was simple and someone could get a good idea of the size of the letters by making it. I have finished up several more patterns recently and decided it was time to offer another pattern for free.

Suddenly, an idea occurred to me. This idea shows that I am the parent of young children. I had a children’s song pop into my head with the refrain, “E, I, e, i, O.” So, my plan is to offer these patterns for free. Right now I have the I and am now offering the E for free. Look for the e, i, and O coming soon.

The download for the Capital E can be found here:
download now

Other patterns can be found on my Crochet Patterns page.

Crafting Up A Storm and A New Spot To Find My Patterns

With letters as the decoration, of course

I have been a busy woman this month, with several letter pillows to create for customers as well as taking some time to start making some of my favorite Christmas paper crafts, as you see above. I am also currently crocheting a red letter Z, which I am very happy to do since it brings me closer to my goal of making all the letters of the alphabet.

I have also been busy getting Lovely Little Letter patterns ready for testing and sending them off to testers. I have been able to add three more letter patterns to my shops this week (K, v, D) and hope to add a lowercase m tomorrow.

One of my patterns available at YouCanMakeThis.com

Finally, I have spent the last month getting several of my crochet patterns ready for YouCanMakeThis.com, which has graciously accepted my patterns to sell on their site. I discovered YouCanMakeThis.com through a friend from church who sent me one of their newsletters. I registered and received my free patterns as well as signing up for their newsletters. Then I decided that I might try offering them my patterns. I am happy to say, after some work, they have started to offer some of my patterns on their site. You can find my patterns here.

Working on some labels

Label for a letter pillow

I am making labels for my letter pillows and have been experimenting with them this week. I went out and purchased Colorfast Sew-in Inkjet Fabric Sheets after reading about them on a few different blogs. I found mine at Joann’s but also discovered that ACMoore had them as well.

My first attempt was just black ink on the white tag and I just felt that really stuck out and was not pleased with it, so I decided to try to make the background of the tag a similar color to the pillow with white writing. I mostly like how they turned out, although seeing the tag so large in a photo makes me embarrassed of my sewing skills. Fortunately, in real life the tag is only about an inch by two inches, so my stitches are much less noticeable.

Working on Lovely Little Letter Patterns

I have been working hard on my Lovely Little Letter patterns lately. In the past several days I have been creating the patterns for a capital J, capital I, capital L, lowercase t, and lowercase o. Hopefully I will have the patterns available soon; I have a few great testers working on some patterns for me right now.

Most of these patterns are fairly simple to follow, but I want to have a tester make sure I did not put any incorrect numbers while typing them up.

For the letters like the lowercase o, I needed to take photos of each step to make sure that my pattern was very clear.

I added my capital I as a free download on Ravelry for those who want to try out a Lovely Little Letter without a commitment of money. Once you see the general idea and size, then you can check out more letters. If there is a letter I have not gotten to yet and you are interested in being a tester, please let me know.

Here is the download link for the capital I:
download now
Be sure to check out my pattern page to see which letter patterns and other patterns are available now.

Magnetic Bookmark or Row Marker Tutorial

Magnetic Bookmark or Row Marker

I had been wanting something other than post-it notes to help me keep track of my rows while crocheting and had recently purchased some cute bookmarks that inspired me to create something for my crocheting. I also just found a new contest from Cricut and TodaysMama that pushed me over the edge to make these bookmarks. I made these bookmarks using a Cricut, but if you don’t have one yourself, you can cut out cardstock and scrapbooking paper in similar dimensions. The Cricut just makes it easier and faster.

Supplies Needed:
Cardstock
Scrapbook paper
Adhesive (used both Tombo and all purpose craft glue)
Grosgrain ribbon (mine is 5/8 inch)
Self adhesive magnets

Instructions:

Pieces cut from George and Basic Shapes

1. Using George and Basic Shapes, cut two rctngle4 in shadow at four inches with cardstock.
2. Using George and Basic Shapes, cut four rctngle4 at four inches with scrapbook paper.

Outside of bookmark

3. With Tombo or other scrapbooking adhesive, attach two scrapbooking pieces to the cardstock.

Glueing ribbon

4. Flip over the cardstock and attach ribbon to cardstock with crafting glue as shown. I chose to use ribbon because I was afraid that often used bookmarks would eventually tear if the cardstock was simply folded over.

Inside of bookmark after attaching paper

5. Place Tombo or other scrapbooking adhesive on the back side of the scrapbooking paper and then attach as shown to the cardstock.

Attaching magnets

6. Peel paper from magnet backs and attach to the inside of the bookmarks. I cut the magnets myself from a sheet of adhesive magnet purchased at a local craft store. These magnets are not especially strong since they are not necessarily meant to be attracted to themselves, but work fine for bookmarks or row markers. I am searching for a source for a stronger magnet for future use.

Putting my row marker to use

7. Put your bookmark or row marker to use. I keep mine busy with my crochet patterns.

I have also made bookmarks with Doodlecharms’ cards and the tiles from Going Places. These were used as teacher gifts at the end of the school year. I placed the decorative paper behind the cutouts of the Doodlecharm cards and Going Places. These were solely to be used as bookmarks, not row markers, since they were not long enough to mark the rows well.

ASL sign for the post:To sign book, pretend your hands are a closed book and open them.

A Triple Discovery In Our Neighbor’s Yard

On Memorial Day my husband and kids decided to try to go fishing in Bull Run. Unfortunately the mosquitoes were biting like crazy and they did not have much luck with fish. On the way back to our yard they made a great discovery that made the trip worth it. It was raining quite a bit and something caught their eyes as they headed for our back gate. They discovered three fawns in the back of the neighbor’s yard. One of them probably flicked its ear to get a bug to fly away, or they may never have even seen the babies.

The girls came rushing into the house, extremely excited to share with me. I went out and got to have a great view of the three fawns doing just what their mommy taught them—-to stay very still and hide until their mom comes back. Later in the day we happened to catch site of them following mom deer off into the woods. If I had not seen them earlier in the day I probably would not have realized what I was seeing.

To sign deer, put your open hands on your head, with thumbs touching your head, like they are deer antlers. Check out lifeprint for a photo of the sign.
Be sure to click on the photos if you would like a little better look at the deer.

Designing a New Tawashi Crochet Pattern

preliminary sketch ideas

Since I have been learning to design my own patterns I have found that I work in a few different ways.  In the case of my tawashi, I have been mostly working with the same circular base and then making new designs that incorporate that as the beginning.  I do this because the circular part is the useful part of the design, the portion that will do the real work of the tawashi.  Then I do the add ons that make it look like a cute shape that turns into some type of animal or bug.

I realized I had a fish and a seastar, so I wanted to add one more sea creature before moving on to another theme.  This way I can have a set of three patterns available at some point.  In addition, my mother in law likes seahorses, so she would probably like a set of seahorses for her kitchen.  She might just hang them for decoration, but hopefully she will use them.  (Maybe I should make a special set for her that have a center circle big enough to use as a coaster….)

some bits and pieces of my chicken scratch

As I create my idea I sit with a notepad and pen next to me, stopping every few stitches to write down what I have done.  Of course, this also results in lots of scratching things out as I frog ideas that are just not working.  In addition, I have my own little shorthand that would make very little sense if I handed it off to someone else to try to make something.

Seehorse in progress

Once I make one of the item I generally make it a second time following my chicken scratch, making notes as I go.  Then, I type it all up, add some photos to make it  more clear and prettier and have it tested again.  Usually I test it at least one more time based upon the typed version and then ask someone else to test it for me.  Since my testers work for free (and a free pattern) it sometimes takes a while for my patterns to make it into my shop.  I am trying to figure out a way to keep track of several patterns being out with testers at once, but have not gotten that organized as of yet.

How To Lose a Customer (or why I won’t shop in Michaels ever again)

My mother in law and I seem to have poor luck with my birthday gifts.  Last year she got me an Ott Lite, but when I received it the bulb did not work.  Well, I solved that issue by ordering a new bulb and it works great.

This year was not so easy, though.  She was kind enough to get a Cricut Jukebox for me to use with my Cricut machine.  I pulled it out to use at a crafter’s morning at church and discovered it did not work correctly.  I ended up emailing the manufacturer and waiting to get the receipt from my mother in law in case I needed it.  Once I received the receipt I checked what it said on the back (it did not say anything that would keep me from exchanging it in the policies on the receipt) and went to Michaels to exchange it for one that worked.

At Michaels I was told I needed to wait for a manager.  He asked me what was wrong with it, which I thought was pointless since he was not going to fix it, but I told him anyway.  He then opened the box, rifled through the warranty book and told me that I would have to deal with the manufacturer.  I said, “So you are not going to deal with this?”  Then he started to tell me that he was not and had no control over warranties.  I said that I would then ask my mother in law not to purchase things from Michaels for me anymore.  He then said, in a rude tone of voice to his cashier, “Just do it then” and then mumbled something and walked away.  So, I go over to the cashier, who then tries to tell me she can only give me store credit.  I was not even asking for money back ever — only to exchange for one that worked.  I said that since no one was listening to me I would take it and leave.

I then called the Cricut phone number.  They pleasantly explained to me how to reset my machine.  I tried that and then called them back.  They took my information and are sending out a new Jukebox, without even asking about my receipt or asking me to send the broken one first.  They will send the postage label to return the broken one with the new one, but said not to worry about it if someone forgets to put in the label.

This is not my first poor experience with Michaels.  I generally only shop there when I cannot find what I need somewhere else due to multiple problems getting assistance and problems with trying to get items that never seemed to get restocked.  Now they have added tons of dollar store type items and keep dropping the amount of real crafting supplies, I just don’t see a need to ever go there again.  Especially after being treated so poorly today.

How could the manager have made this situation better?  If he did not want to deal with the “hassle” of returning the broken machine through his store, he could have offered to let me call Cricut right there to see what they would say.  Probably I would have just gone home to do it, but if he had made that offer instead of being irritated with me and acting put out that I wanted to exchange something that did not work, I may not have been happy but I would have considered shopping there again.  If he had even tried to explain in a nice tone that he cannot take returns of this item because of its electronic nature, the company, Michaels policy, whatever, I may have believed him. It also would have helped if the manager and the cashier had listened to me since I told both of them that I just wanted to exchange the item for one that worked, not get money back for it or a store credit.

I know enough about how stores work to know that they have their own policies that cover returns that are not dictated by the manufacturer.  Perhaps their agreements with the manufacturers allow for the store to return items to the manufacturer and perhaps they do not; this, however, is a separate issue from dealing with the customer.  Places that make returns easy when things do not work are places that I will return to forever because there is nothing more frustrating than having a birthday gift that does not work.

Choosing to not help me costs way more than the amount of that Jukebox.  After all, I am a customer who owns a Cricut machine, which means I will continue to need supplies for it, such as mats, cutting blades, and paper.  I may also buy cartridges for it.  This is what the manager should have realized.  In addition, what he did not know is that I also tend to purchase yarn, stamping supplies, cross stitch supplies, and kids crafting supplies.  None of those will be purchased at Michaels.

Stash Busting Work in Progress for my Four Year Old

Afghan in progress for four year old

I finished an afghan for my seven year old around Christmas time that will fit her twin bed, so the four year old is on the list for one next.  She has not outgrown all of her “baby” afghans, but it would be nice for her to have a twin sized afghan that will last.

When looking through afghan patterns and stitch patterns with my four year old she ended up picking a pattern that is the same as the afghan that is on our rocking chair.  I assume she chose this pattern because she associates it with the comfort she receives from rocking with Mommy.  The pattern is called “Fourth of July Fanfare”  in Leisure Arts Afghans for All Seasons.  In the pattern book it is done in three colors (red, white, and blue); however, Marian picked out a deep purple and a rosy pink from some yarn I picked up on clearance a while back.  The yarn is called Red Heart Value Textured Yarn and I cannot find anything about it on Coats web site, but I found it at ACMoore.  It is worsted weight, comes in 10 ounce skeins, and is 80% acrylic and 20% nylon.

This project should help me use up several skeins in my stash and help me remain on my yarn diet, which is now up to three months and counting.

More Cute Tawashi Scrubbies (and their patterns) On The Way

Since adding a poll about what patterns crocheters are searching for when they arrive at my blog, I found that many people are interested in more tawashi scrubbie patterns. On my blog I already have the flower tawashi. I currently have two other tawashi patterns available to purchase on Artfire, Ravelry, and Etsy. I hope to get one more listed this week.

The fish tawashi were inspired by my husband, who suggested something larger than the flowers since he would like larger ones to use in the bath with the girls. The ones pictured were inspired by a Dr. Seuss book.

The turtle tawashi were partly inspired by some cotton yarn I had picked up and then set aside without a plan. It is sometimes hard to figure out the best way to work with yarn that changes color, but I like the turtle shell having the mottled, natural look. I also like that the loop for hanging is also the turtle’s tail.

I am in the home stretch of getting the pattern for the ladybug ready. This one is a little different in that I think that you would probably just use the nylon side for washing. The cotton side might be a bit bumpy with the spots. I have not tested one in the kitchen or bath yet to see.

Just a note, if you want to use these for your kitchen, you might consider acrylic yarn. I thought I should always use cotton, but then someone suggested acrylic and I found that the acrylic dries faster and sometimes does a better job scrubbing. So, right now I have three acrylic and nylon flower scrubbies for my kitchen and use the cotton and nylon for baths.