Craft Blog|all things crafty & creative

The summer is winding down and the days are getting shorter. Soon the weather will begin to change, as well. Now would be a great time to begin a new hobby. In fact, cooler weather is the perfect time to try your hand at crocheting, knitting, or sewing. Not only will you be able to create a useful item, you may also keep yourself warmer during the colder temperatures.

Learning to crochet isn’t difficult. Crocheting is so easy; in fact, it only requires a crochet hook and yarn to begin. You can find online tutorials for a beginner, most of them free. You can also find a vast collection of free patterns on the Internet – ranging from easy to complex. If you don’t have Internet access, crocheting books are available at most craft stores or at the public library.

Once you are comfortable with crocheting, you will likely want to purchase a number of different sized hooks. You will also need to purchase the yarn for the pattern you attempt. To help you stay warmer, you might consider creating an afghan. There are a number of patterns, but you don’t have to attempt something difficult. Afghans can be created using just one or two crochet stitches.

If you’re more adventurous, perhaps you would like to give knitting a try. Knitting has been the technique used throughout history to create wearable objects – sweaters, hats, gloves, and scarves are all made by knitting. To learn to knit, you will learn the two basic stitches – knit and purl – which can be used to create a multitude of different stitches each giving a different appearance.

While crocheting only requires one hook, you need two needles to knit. In fact, some knitting can be done on circular knitting needles. These needles make it possible to create an object without a seam and make knitting easier by cutting out the need to turn your project at the end of a row.

What if you aren’t really interested in using needles or hooks and yarn to create your warm-up project? There’s always quilting, which has been a relaxing hobby for years. One of the benefits of quilting is the increased freedom you have versus other similar crafts. Creativity and time are what you need to make a quilt you can be proud of.

As with crocheting and knitting, you can find patterns and instructions for quilting on the Internet. The biggest expense, if you choose to quilt in this manner, is a sewing machine. You can quilt entirely by hand, however, if you would like to quilt in a traditional way, you will need a machine.

Crocheting, knitting, and quilting don’t have to be expensive; you really can create many wearable pieces with each type of craft. And, if you need to stay a little bit warmer this fall or winter, starting a new hobby such as these might be just the thing to try this autumn.

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Birthday party invitations are often expensive when you buy them in the store. Making your own invitations can save you money, but that’s not the only reason to do it yourself. Creating original invitations is a fun project for you and your child, and it makes the party guests feel extra special.

Balloon Invitations

A fun and easy way to make great invitations is to put them into balloons. You’ll need to use regular paper instead of card stock to avoid potentially putting a hole in the balloon. Simply write a note with the party details on it, roll it up, and insert it into a balloon. If you can fill them with helium that’s great, but it’s not necessary.

Balloon invitations will have to be hand delivered. Calling ahead to make sure the recipient will be home is a good idea. When you give them the balloons, be sure to tell them to pop them - they may not realize that there is something inside!

Puzzle Invitations

Kids love puzzles. So puzzle invitations are sure to be a hit. There are a few different ways you can make them.

A simple way is to write your message and the details of the party on card stock and decorate with stamps or stickers. Then just cut it up into pieces. The pieces should be large enough not to get lost in the shuffle, but small enough to provide a challenge. Then just put the pieces in an envelope and mail or deliver the puzzles.

You can also make a puzzle with craft sticks. Lay enough of them side by side to write your party details on, and paint them with spray paint or craft paint. Let the background color dry, then decorate by painting on designs or using rubber stamps. Then paint the party details on, or write them with a permanent marker. Once everything is nice and dry, mix the sticks up and tie them together with ribbon.

Making Invitations with Your Computer

It’s easy to make great invitations with your computer. There are lots of software programs available that have premade card designs that you can customize to your liking. Most programs also have clipart and fancy fonts that you can use to design a card that is totally unique.

You can add to the personalization of the invitations you make on the computer with some craft supplies. Scrapbooking scissors with fancy designs, punch outs, and stickers can all add character to your cards. If you’re feeling especially creative, you could forgo the computer and use card stock and craft supplies to make the invitations completely from scratch.

Homemade invitations can be as creative as you have the time and imagination to make them. They also provide an opportunity for you and your child or children to collaborate to make something wonderfully original. For less than you would pay for store-bought cards, you could make awesome invitations that are the talk of the town.

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I’ve had baby on the brain a lot lately. Many of my online friends are pregnant, have had babies recently, and Alice is actually having her baby today! Hubby and I have had the adding to our family discussion more than once recently and it has all sorts of ideas brewing in our household. Don’t get too excited, pregnant is the last thing you’ll see me as any time soon. I don’t think I could go through that part ever again. If we add to our family we would be adopting.

Anyhow … this cute little baby quilt caught my eye as something I’d like to stitch up for a baby gift. My nephew’s girlfriend is pregnant and I’m sure they’ll be needing all sorts of things for the baby. It’s been awhile since I got to play with anything Winnie the Pooh, my boys outgrew Pooh what feels like forever ago. You can get free shipping on this
Janlynn Eeyore & Butterflies Baby Quilt Stamped Cross Stitch Kit by entering promotion code APRFSA625 Of course, I should probably finish up some of these baby bib kits that I have sitting under my desk. I bought a bunch to stitch as gifts and haven’t finished them all yet.

Technorati Tags: Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh, cross stitch, stamped cross stitch, baby quilt

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