Knitted Wedding Beaded Clutch Purse

I have been working on this clutch beaded bag for  several months now: ) I love the sparkle of beads, I can see a bride carrying this shiny beaded clutch purse with her on her special day. I have other ideas for my next clutch.

The inside is double lined with a silky clear patterned material over a solid white.

Here is some more of the other styles of beaded purses.

Diy Children's Dresser Redo

This is the latest project that has been keeping me busy. My granddaughters had this dresser, which needed  a serious make over before we could place it in their bedroom, the paint was peeling, with pot marks, the drawers had to be re-glued, and aligned.
Since the girls love pink, and purple, we went with a dessert theme drawing. It has cupcakes, a slice of cake, and  sugar cookies. See some of my other diy projects,baby chair , coffee table, wall painting.

The stripes were added to ground the drawing, I disguised the unevenness of the wood with friendly poky dots in the purples, and pinks.  The cookies have little candy sprinkles on them.

I wished the before pictures would have turned out, so you could see the difference.

Decorative Wall Paintings

My grandchildren love to paint, and they love it when grandma paints on their walls. This year I was busy painting Rapunzel for Aly's room.

 The finished product just in time for Christmas : )

Max and Ruby for Bianca's and Marisa's room.

Doll House DIY

This is the year my granddaughters are old enough to have real doll house furniture, and miniatures to play with. I have kept this furniture in good condition over the years in hopes of passing it on to my granddaughters.
Checking on the prices of doll houses, I thought making one would be more cost effective. I scoured around seeing what shelving I already had which would make a good doll house. This doll house can be kept on the side of the wall not taking up too much room, since the shelf is sturdy.

My daughter-in-law had this beat up child's chipboard dresser set.

I talked my husband into helping me, by cutting the top part of the dresser off the rest of the drawers.He also added , 3/4 inch ply wood boards for the different floors levels, also putting divides vertically to make the walls. Repainted the cupboard in the lightest pink hue. 
  I decided to paint the floors, in faux stones. Using a piece of sponge cut into small squares. Dipping it into  paint, then outlining the sides with shading.

Instead of painting walls I purchased stock card paper in different designs, and used it as wall paper. Using rubber cement to glue down to the floors, and walls, this way it would not bubble the paper. It also allows for readjusting the paper if necessary.

The windows were not cut out of the sides since our wood working tools were limited, I painted on the out side faux windows, and on the inside I put curtains up on the wall. The ceilings are equipped with the portable battery operated stick em lights, to give enough light to play.

They are enjoying their new doll house, and furnishings.

Children Christmas Crafts Child"s Apron

My granddaughters love to cook, especially baking, as soon as they see the flour, and sugar coming out of the pantry, they run to put their miniature aprons on. My granddaughter enjoyed helping to paint her apron. look at her face, as she models it, that tells the whole story.

Materials:
Wooden gingerbread cut out to trace
Textile medium Americana
Denim apron  half yard denim materiel
Americana paints- honey brown, white, opaque red, black, hot pink, burnt sienna
Size 6 angle brush, liner brush
Water bucket for rinsing brushes
Paper towels.
White charcoal pencil
Pallet  ( I use a white square ceramic glazed tile, a plate will work just as good)

I made this simple denim child's apron, by turning down the raw edges. Making tie backs from remaining material pieces, and attaching a neck band.


Use the wooden cut out to trace the gingerbread on to apron. Use white charcoal pencil.

 The white charcoal pencil will make it easier to see.

Dip your paint brush into the textile medium, then into the honey brown paint. Paint using your angle brush, along the line of the pattern.

While paint is still wet side load burnt sienna, on top of the honey brown, while it's still wet. It will blend easier.

Cheeks are done with hot pink.
 Eyes are black (use the back of the paint brush dipped into paint from pallet.
White is thinned out with water until it's as thin as cream. Load your liner brush to paint the icing lines. Hold the brush straight up, move your whole arm in a sweeping motion. Pushing down makes thicker lines, lifting up on the brush makes thinner lines.

Lips and, buttons are drawn in black.
Hearts are done in red.

Hear are some other designs...Christmas Stars,Gingerbread Garland,Toy Soldiers.

Toddlers Raglan Sweater 24 months

This is my first try at making a raglan sweater. It is worked from the top, to the bottom, what I like about this sweater is that the sleeves are knitted into the main, body there aren't any bulky seams at the sleeve area. The edging is knitted at the same time also, so there is no attaching the ribbing and removing the ribbing until you get it right.

I tried putting metal snap buttons which I didn't care for. I wound up sewing small gray buttons, The guarder stitch was large enough , to allow the buttons to slip through with out having to knit button holes.

Here's my first try at making a sweater 4 years ago. This sweater was knit in sections, then pieced together. It just doesn't have the smooth look of a store bought sweater.

Supplies
4 double knitting weight yarn (150 yards)
2  circular knitting needles size 4   24 inch
4 small button
Large blunt eye needle
4 plastic ring stitch markers
2 Rubber stoppers

Gauge 5 stitches per inch

Cast 71 stitches on circular needles.

Start working the ribbing  p2, k2 for first 5 rows this will become the neck.

Row 6  k17 place marker, k8, place marker,  k21, place marker, k8 place marker, k17

Row 7  k5, purl to last 5 remaining stitches, k5

Row8  k up to one stitch before marker, yo, k1, marker, k1, yo, knit to end of row

Row9  k5 purl to last 5 stitches k5

Every even row will be knitted the increases will be done at the markers before and after the markers. Every odd row will be k5 purl to the end, k5

Knit until it measures 5 3/4 inches long from top to bottom. 226 stitches on needles. Knit up to the marker, place the next 48 stitches on a separate scrap yarn, knit up to 3rd marker, place next 48 stitches on scrap yarn. This separates sleeves from body of sweater. Continue working in stockinette stitch,  remembering to  knit first 5, and last 5 stitches. The last 10 rows are worked in garter stitch which is knit right side, and wrong side of sweater.

Sleeves: Transfer the sleeve stitches from scrap yarn onto both sets of circular needles.  Working both sleeves at the same time, I like to do it this way because it makes for more even looking sleeves.

Place a rubber knob at the end of the set of needles your not using. This will help you keep up with the correct needle.

 Decrease 1 stitch at row 13, 18,21,25,28,35,36,37,38,39,40
Work ribbing, p2,k2 for next 15 rows, bind off.

Here's the same pattern with designs, knitted right into the pattern.

Flowers were designed on this sweater.

Children Christmas Crafts Toy Soldier Ornaments

This is a great project for little hands to help with, plus they are so proud of the results. Toy soldier Christmas tree ornaments! The adults need to help with the cutting, and sanding of the cloths pins. Have fun with this family project.

Materials
Old fashioned cloths pins these are sold at Jo Ann's, and Micheal's
Hand saw
Paints dark blue, red, white, black, skin tone, pink acrylic Walmart carries a variety of Folk-Art paints
Paint brushes
Closed eye hooks
Jewelry glue
String or thin ribbon to hang ornaments

The flat cloths pin on the left be comes the body, the one on the right becomes the head, and hat.

Cut this cloths pin 1 1/4 like shown in picture.

Cut this one from the bottom 1 1/4 at the bottom.

This the toy soldier ready for painting.

The head is painted in flesh color, the hat in dark blue, the body top is done in red, the pants in dark blue, the hands are painted in white.

To paint the brim I use a black permanent marker, it makes a neater brim.

The cheeks are done in a blush pink color, a white dot in the opposite corners of the cheeks, a tassel  in drawn with the marker in the middle of the hat. Dots for eyes. Screw metal eye screw on top of the hat to attached string through.

Glue head to body, and arms to the side. Add finishing touches like buttons, sash, and boots. Insert ribbon,or string through the eye hook. Enjoy making these toy soldier ornaments.