The Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy Powley’s Crafty Weblog

May 22, 2011
by Tammy
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Weekend Craft Links

Herbie and the gang are all just chilling this weekend and watching me craft.

About Family Crafts
If you are looking for a great family activity, learn how to make garden stepping stones together.

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen was back in the kitchen again baking up Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes! Stop by and snag her free printable recipe card!

Carmi’s Art/Life World
Trying to keep Provence in her life, Carmi makes up a new vision board.

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside there are fun tutorials on how to make a spinning beach ball invitation greeting card, a gold leaf crackle finish on polymer clay and measuring tape and button bracelets, 6 Steampunk guns, and some “hand crafting”.

Eileen – The Artful Crafter
See how Eileen used a 3D Valentine’s Day card template to make a 3D card suitable for many special occasions.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi starts a series of experiments with soy silk roving.

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
See how to make a two headed girl in a cage photo op.

May 21, 2011
by Tammy
2 Comments

Knitting Progress, Yes!

The first time I tried to learn how to knit, my mom was attempting to teach me. I kept ending up knitting a triangular shaped piece rather than a square. Years later, I found a fancy yarn shop in the county south of where I live, and as it happens, I was working in the area so went over during my lunch hour for free knitting lessons. I bought some expensive knitting needles at the shop, and the woman showed me how to use Continental  style since I told her that I knew how to crochet. That did help some, but then she had me attempt to switch back and forth between knit stitch and purl stitch, and I was again frustrated. Why she just didn’t try to teach me one stitch at a time, I’m not really clear on, but eventually, I didn’t return and gave it up again.

So this is try number #3, and thanks to a free ebook I downloaded from Knitfreedom.com, I am seeing some real progress. Pictured is just the beginning of my scarf, which is now much longer. Granted, there are some noticeable boo-boos, but I’m learning the stitch and starting to feel more comfortable, even though the needles and yarn are huge! She has you use size 13 needles and thick and quick yarn, so I kind of feel like Wilma Flinstone.

I am so happy to finally feel like I’m getting this knitting thing, though it still seems so much more complicated then crochet. There has to be 20 different ways just to attach the yarn to the needle to begin with that it kind of reminds me of math. In math class, they teach you one way to do something, and then once you start to understand that way, they insist that you learn a totally different way to do the same thing. I only need one way to do one thing, not 10 ways to do 1 thing.

I really can’t say enough about the ebook. She has a number of other free videos as well as some you pay for, and I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to buy these from her. Hopefully, I will make enough progress that I can actually get to that point eventually.

May 19, 2011
by Tammy
2 Comments

New to Knitting

In my lifetime, I have attempted to learn how to knit about two times, without success. For the past two or so years, I’ve really concentrated on crochet with the idea that at some point, once I get a little better at crochet, I might try knitting again. Well, now is that time.

Often when I read about people learning to knit it is because they like the patterns available to knitters versus crocheters, but I can’t really say that is the case with me. I can find plenty of things to crochet. My reasons are because (1) my left hand is really being a problem lately due to arthritis, and I’m hoping I can maybe learn enough knitting basics that I can still yarn craft but ease up on the use of my left hand a little, especially if I learn the English versus continental method, I can switch back and forth between the two and give it a break and (2) I just want to learn how to do it, darn it. I don’t need to become a master at it; I just want to be able to make a few items like scarves, hats, and dish clothes. I never imagine myself attempting something like a sweater!

Locally, there really isn’t much in the way of help for learning how to knit. I called JoAnn’s, which is in the county south of me, and the two people I spoke to couldn’t tell me anything. In fact, I had to tell them the class schedule that I had pulled off the Internet. That didn’t give me a lot of confidence in spending $35 for a class there.

Luckily, I have the Internet, and I have found a few really good resources. One, of course, is Ravelry.com, in particular the group called “I Wish I Could Knit.” The moderator there is wonderful, and everyone is really nice.

Another resource I learned about after yapping about this on Facebook is Knitfreedom.com. I downloaded the free ebook from there, and I’m super impressed. It has embedded video, and she goes from the very beginning, even telling you how to pull the yarn from the skein, and teaches you to knit as you make a scarf.  I plan on making a trip this week to Michael’s and pick up the yarn and needles she suggest to use for the project. Knock on wood, they have them.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress. So far, I’ve been playing around with the one pair of needles that I have and various types of yarn, and while I’m not completely discouraged, I can tell this is going to be an up-hill battle!

May 16, 2011
by Tammy
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Summer Time Day Trip

My first week off from school ended with a day trip to visit family and do an itty bit of shopping. It is hard to squeeze in visiting everyone, a meal, and some extra activities when I’m only there for the afternoon, but somehow we managed it this time. The only bummer were the lovebugs that were splattered all over my car! Literally there were clouds of them all the way there. My dad was such a sweetheart and hosed down the car for me. If I had to drive another mile, I would have had to stop and wash my windshield it was so bad!

Rather than eating out, my mom picked up some food from Publix, so it was easy for everyone just to eat whenever, and she, my sister, and I popped out for about 45 minutes to make a super quick shopping trip to an accessories store they had both told me about. As someone who makes accessories, of course, I tend to be an accessories junkie!

The place we visited is a chain-style store called Charming Charlie. It has a little bit of clothing, mainly tops and little dresses, but the focus is on all kinds of accessories: purses, scarves (like the two I bought pictured above), belts, jewelry, shoes, watches, wallets, hats, and hair ornaments. I’m sure if I had more time, I would have bought a few more things. Of course, one drawback was that I’m sure it is all imported. Plus, even with that, some items, like the purses, I thought were overpriced. However, generally, I thought it was a great shop and I’m bummed that there aren’t any around where I live. Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a similar shop but all of the items would be made in America?

So I’m looking ahead to another week off. I’m planning on doing some writing work, but I may take some time to get some sun and read as well. My fingers really need a crafting break, so I’m thinking of taking a day or two to sit outside, sweat, and read on my Kindle.

May 15, 2011
by Tammy
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Craft Links for the Week

My first week of summer vacation was nice. I probably could have gotten more accomplished, but it has at least been relaxing. In fact, I have even been doing a little cooking, which is something I rarely do. I don’t usually enjoy it that much, but I just made a few simple things like this banana bread a la Bisquick of course.  Here are my weekly installment of craft links. It looks like everyone is keeping busy.

About Family Crafts
If you or someone you know is graduating this year, check out these fun graduation related projects.

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen is excited to announce her article & how-to that just came out in Amy Power’s INSPIRED IDEAS: The Happy Birthday Issue.

Carmi’s Art/Life World
Some days you just want to draw dolls. Carmi has a new book!

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside there are a couple of recycled rhinestone buckle necklaces, a pattern for knitting penguin sweaters, vintage style anchor and star embroidery patterns, and some fun pictures from Unique LA Spring 2011.

Eileen – The Artful Crafter
Who doesn’t recycle cards and gift bags these days? This was a real simple recycling project. Look at the card Jackie gave Eileen for her birthday and then how Jackie received it back on hers!

Mixed Media Artist
Do you have spare t-shirts hanging around that need a new purpose?

May 14, 2011
by Tammy
3 Comments

Scallop Stitch Baby Afghan Completed!

Yeah, it is done, and I love how it turned out. The finished sized is 35 inches wide by 42 inches long. I ended up using 2 skeins of Bernat Baby Softee in Baby Denim Marl and 3 in Pale Blue, though I had plenty of left over yarn in both colors. I used an I size crochet hook, and alternated 5 stripes, starting and ending with the Pale Blue yarn. Each striped section is made up of 19 rows of scallop stitch. The entire afghan is made using this stitch except for the straight sides of the blanket, which I finished off using Pale Blue yarn and just a simple single crochet down each side.

The scallop stitch is great because you end up with a really nice texture and no holes like you get if you do granny square or V-stitch. Hopefully, the baby who receives this will get years of use from it.

May 11, 2011
by Tammy
2 Comments

3/4 of the Way on the Baby Afghan

I see the end in site for this baby afghan I’ve been crocheting. I’m on the last section of the darker blue yarn. At this point in the photo, I had just a few rows done, but last night I made more progress, and I’ve got about 9 more rows to go! But, who is counting, right?

Once I get this last section done, I need to figure out the trim. At the very least, I plan to do single crochet down the two sides that are not scalloped, but I may do something around the entire blanket. I’m, obviously, undecided at this point.

While this baby afghan has taken a little longer than some of I have made in the past, I’m really happy with how it is turning out. It’s very soft and squishy. Shell stitch is so awesome for that. Fingers crossed, I get this done within the next few days or at least by the end of the week.

May 9, 2011
by Tammy
5 Comments

Super Saver Yarn Has Its Place

Since I live in the south and most of what I make needs to be washable, I use a lot of acrylic and a little cotton yarn as well. Wool is totally out. I’ve done some work with bamboo, which I liked of course, but still acrylic tends to be my main source of yarn use.

Like most people, I started with Red Heart Super Saver. It’s inexpensive and pretty easy to find. As I became more proficient at crochet, however, I expanded into other brands like Vanna’s Choice and Bernat. And, yes, as most yarn crafters will tell you they are much softer than Super Saver. In fact, many knitters and crocheters have real issues with Super Saver. It’s got a reputation as cheap and scratchy. I won’t say this isn’t true. Even Red Heart has an acrylic called Soft Touch, so the company obviously offers an acrylic yarn that is soft and nothing like its Super Saver brand.

I’m writing all this, however, to say that Super Saver yarn does have a place in the yarn crafting world. First of all, it is a great yarn for those new to crochet or knitting. For less than $5, you can buy a hunk of yarn and even a hook or knitting needles and you are ready to start. That hunk of yarn can really go a long way too for a beginner who might want to start with small and easy projects like hats or fingerless gloves. How many crafts can you say that about?

It is also good for some charity projects such as making afghans or hats for adults. I used some turquoise and brown Super Saver yarn to make some hats for the homeless and even had enough left over to make a cover for an ottoman. The colors are great, and hey, I stick my feet on this thing, so it needs to handle some wear and tear.

And, then, don’t forget about our beloved pets. I have odds and ends of blankets and squares I’ve made up over the years that make for lots of cuddly spots for my furry friends. Here is Chanel enjoying an old afghan that I rolled up into a tube shape for her. This afghan is from back in my early days of crochet when I think I attempted to make a baby blanket from variegated Super Saver, but by the time I was done, the child was in college!

I would guess this afghan is at least 15 years old, and yet, it’s in great shape. So while I can’t claim Super Saver is my first choice of yarns to work with, I think too many yarn snobs out there dismiss it too quickly.

May 8, 2011
by Tammy
0 comments

Crafty Link Time

About Family Crafts
Watch these videos and learn how easy it is to decoupage!

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen offers you a slide show demonstrating how to create your own vibrant deli paper backgrounds.

Beading Arts
Don’t miss our next giveaway package from the fabulous Cherry Tree Beads!

Carmi’s Art/Life World
Carmi shows off three years of hand cut silhouettes!

Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a cool tutorial on how to melt foam into a cute doll basket, 10 great “shoe” themed greeting card ideas and a great list of self-portrait ideas from the new book Unfurling by Misty Mawn.

Eileen – The Artful Crafter
Who doesn’t recycle cards and gift bags these days? This was a real simple recycling project. Look at the card Jackie gave Eileen for her birthday; and then how Jackie received it back on hers!

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Stef shows how to make a sock gift card.

The Crochet Dude™
Drew announces tour dates for his Summer Boot Camp Series!