Cardboard Weaving Loom

Hello,

It's so simple.

Materials you'll need:
Cardboard
Ruler
Yarn
Tape
Plastic Knife
Scissors

If these instructions are a little hard to understand, you can find them on youtube by typing "cardboard weaving loom."

Get a piece of cardboard and a ruler. Lay the ruler horizontally around the top edge and mark it however you'd like. I marked mine for every cm. Make sure you do the exact same thing at the bottom. Once it's marked cut slits at the mark, then take your yarn and tape it to the back of the cardboard. After it's taped wrap the yarn through the top and bottom slits. Cut the yarn and tape the ending piece to the back of the cardboard. After that is done wrap yarn in a ball and cut it. Tape one side of the yarn onto a plastic knife and begin to weave.

Doily Rug-Unfinished

It's been a while since I've been on here but I'm back.
I've been working on projects and not completing them due to whatever reason.
One of the most recent projects was a crocheted doily rug that I wanted to make from a pattern called the Manilla Doily. I set the project aside because it was becoming way too expensive with the amount of yarn I had to keep running to the store and buy, and would've been too big for any room in my small apartment.

I was inspired to start on the project by exploring things that I could make. I already knew how to crochet, and had a desire to learn to make rugs, so I figured this would be a great way to create a rug with the knowledge I already had in the craft of crocheting. Little did I know that the rug would expand to be much bigger than what I'd imagined.

I got the pattern from following a tutorial on youtube. His instructions were very easy to follow and I loved that the instructions were visual. The video can be viewed here.
https://youtu.be/mPoqc6UYmPk

As soon as I saw it I thought *this would be perfect for a rug*...little did I know it would be way too big using the yarn I used, which was the Lion Brand Hometown USA Cincinnati Red yarn.

I had to use about 8 skeins and it still wasn't enough. So this was as much of the project that I could finish. Maybe one day I will revisit it, or atleast figure out how to finish it. We'll see. Oh, and I used a big crochet hook, actually the size that was recommended on the yarn, which was the N-13(9mm).

DIY Manicure with Nyx polish

Last night I decided that it was past time for me to polish my nails and toes.

I was a little disappointed at the color I chose. For one, it's summer. I'm naturally attracted to something bright during this time. As I started to apply the purple polish I noticed that it nearly matched my skin in tone and kind of drowned me out, so not wanting to start over I tried to think of something I could do to make the color pop, so I applied this gold glittery polish on top of the purple and it came out like this.

I took the picture outside in the sun because that's where the color really pops, but I'm still on the fence a bit on whether I like it or not.

The colors are:
NYX Between Mauve and Purple
NYX Roots

Completed Sewing Project: New Look 6102!

I'm starting to slowly notice that I just have a tendency to do my own thing when it comes to these patterns. What I liked most about this pattern was that it was only 4 pieces to cut out. I really could have only cut out 2 pieces, since I did my own binding and I didn't use the elastic in the shirt. I'm thinking maybe I should go back and use to elastic, since I like the look on the cover, but I don't know.

I did my own binding, using my Binding Technique(Posted on my blog) and I did my own thing with the hem. I did like a stay stitch at the bottom, 1/4th from the edge, and I folded it at the stitch and top-stitched around 1/4th from that. I used the same fabric(a knit) from my Maxi dress btw.

I like the look of the shirt, but I do wish I would have used a different fabric. Maybe something without the stretch, which I probably would have cut a bigger size. I'm also still debating putting the elastic in, but overall, I like the look!

Here it is. I promise to post better pics moving forward.

Knitted kid Scarf I Designed

Last Christmas I decided to make my 3yr old niece a scarf as a gift. Something she'd cherish and keep forever. Thing is, it was my first scarf and it had been a while since I knitted and completed anything. This project took weeks, but when I finally finished I was thrilled with the results.

Me, being my ambitious self, decided to make it extra special by collaborating with my sister and coming up with the design. I told her to pick a design from a knitting book that she liked and I would do the same. Now isn't this a bit much for a first project? lol

Anyway, I finally finished after a long time and the result was this beautiful scarf that my niece loved! In the near future I plan on maybe making a few more and selling them. To keep it special and unique to her I'll probably switch up the design.

Here are the books that I used to help me design the scarf. In the books there are instructions on how many to cast on to make a specific design and I combined 4 different designs for this scarf.

The Complete Guide To Needlework
The Complete Book of Knitting

(You Can Buy Both on the Amazon Link to the Right)

My Favorite Sewing Books

So far this has been a very interesting journey. I feel that I've come a long way since January, but of course I didn't get here alone. Blogs, and Youtube videos have been a major help, but most importantly, I've learned a lot of what I've come to know from sewing and knitting books. Some of my favorites are...

Singer Sewing Essentials
This is an older book that came with a collection of other Singer sewing books. What I love about this book, as well as the entire collection, is that the directions are very easy to follow and the illustrations are extremely helpful. I'm a very visual person, and this book provides what I need to in terms of being able to see how the steps are done. I also like thorough directions, which I try to give, because I believe each step is important and mistakes are made from a person not understanding and having to "fill in the blanks," Anyway, it's a very good and helpful book and it's definitely been a staple in this process of learning to sew.



Sew Step By Step
This was the first book I purchased when I decided to pursue this hobby. It's also a book with tons of illustrations and pretty thorough directions.  At the time, all the information seemed a bit overwhelming but as I continue on and sew more I find myself coming back to this book. This is actually the book where I learned the size to cut the bias strips from my last blog. I really like it as a beginners book, and another staple it is.



Coats and Clark Sewing Book
This is another old school book but I absolutely love it! The instructions are very easy to follow, and although the pics are in black and white, it doesn't stop this book from being completely awesome. I find myself reading this one a lot as well and this is hands down the best reference book you can have. Possibly all you need.







And these are the three that have helped me the most. Again, I just started sewing in January, and already I personally think I'm doing a pretty good job, but I give credit to these books. I feel that everyone should have at-least one of these as a staple and you can spread your wings because the fundamentals will be covered if you start with this.


On the link to the right you can click at the top on Sewmean and order any one of the books. I also have a few other favs, and a wish list of what I want to get into in the near future.

Sewing Project for the week: New Look 6102

browsed through the pattern section in Walmart and found this.

This will be my first New Look pattern. I usually shop the sales at Hobby Lobby, and the only sales they’ve had since I’ve been sewing are on Simplicity and McCall patterns. This pattern was like $2.97 or something, so it wasn’t bad and I liked the look of the shirt so I jumped on it. Actually, there were quite a few patterns I liked. This Walmart will be seeing me more often!

My plan is to make the shirt with the left-over pink knit material I have from the maxi dress. Hopefully, it’s enough material left. If not, I’ll just use to blue. I’m planning to start and finish it by Sunday, so I’ll post the pics of the shirt sometime this week. Wish me luck!!