Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Pretty Spring Crochet Hat Pattern...in Russian - yeah - Let ME try that

I am an avid crochet person. I love it. I am self taught and I do it because it helps out my brain remember things(Read more about that HERE & HERE). I am so honored when someone comes to me and asks me to create something for them.

Just recently a dear lady of my church found out she is fighting stage 4 cancer and her daughter approached me via my facebook to make her Mom a few of these hats(only two pictured below). They are beautiful spring hats and crochet. I can do that. I'm very honored to make them.


 Sweet aren't they? Even greater is the pattern is free...so off I go to the site: HERE . It is in Russian. I don't speak Russian. DRAT! So have Goggle Translate it...yeah...that really didn't help much. But praise the Lord...the original designer used a bunch of photos to show each step to her creations. I did my calculations to make the hat bigger for an adult and began the hat adventure.



So my first attempt was a flop. It didn't cone to make a hat. It looked like a saucer. I totally frogged it. But I really want to encourage my friend in the battle she is fighting so I decided I'd try again. I found this English version at Trifles and Treasures that encouraged me more. And it was more of a blessing that it was again a free pattern. But as I got going with it...it didn't look the way I wanted. So, what do you do when you can't find a crochet pattern you like?  Yep, you write/make up your own.


Here is what I have so far. A few more rows on the brim and then I will start making some flowers to add to it. Should I write down my version of this beautiful spring time hat? Would you try to make it too?

♥Kelly

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Penny's Pumpkin Hat free crochet hat pattern

Did you know I crochet?

Spring '14 - showing off my new Gipson Wand's crochet hook
I LOVE my handmade, indie, wooden crochet hook made here locally in Kansas. I do not get to crochet as much as I'd like but I did write a hat pattern once: Penny's Pumpkin hat.


It is a free pattern in PDF file form in my Craftsy.com pattern shop: Kiser Krafts! I would love for you to download it and give the pattern a try! If you make one, feel free to share a photo of on any of my social medias!
 Happy Crocheting!


Kelly


Wednesday, August 20, 2014

B is for BEAR!

The alphabet...oh my...the alphabet. Twenty-six letters to form all communication. Little Miss is on the road of learning it and I am on the road of learning how to teach it. I have a new respect for teachers. I have always respected those in the profession, but now hold them in even higher respect. Teaching is not easy.

We have already worked with the letter A but I failed to take any photos while we practiced it. I, generally, fail at snagging photos while I am focused on my children. But 'B', I was more on top of things. But will admit, not a single one was edited for this post. First step for me was Googling pages for tracing the letter B. I found these two printables in the images that fit with what I wanted to teach. Little Miss did a great job completing them.
After we traced and wrote words on our dry ease board we headed into crafting. My daughter's favorite part of learning. I had no real plan or idea what we should make. The krafty part of my brain started spinning. I pulled out brown paper, pink paper, glue, safety scissors, google eyes, and a black small pom-pom. I thought about the parts of a bear and cut out crude shapes for those parts.

These really are only a fast attempt at crafting a bear. You can switch any of the colors to suit your own little crafter. Little Miss likes pink and brown. In the above picture, the parts are not glued down yet, I wanted to make sure I made them small enough to fit on the paper. I handed the glue stick over and watched the little creative mind work.
She was so happy to have the control of the glue and of the project. I did not tell her where the parts went, just what part of the bear they were.When she finished with the bear, she decided, "girly bear's have bows." I cut out a quick pink bow to make the girl bear complete.
The moment it was finished, we used "sticky tape" to hang it up on the wall by the dinner table. She loves to see it hung there and was so happy to show Daddy at dinner time.
It is not much, but it was enough for her. Please, feel free to use this idea when teaching the Letter B to a child. The BEAR craft, krafted me through a moment of life's kraziness.

Kelly

Saturday, June 14, 2014

A Gift that will last...

Today, I am going to be a touch mushy and real. I want to share about a gift I was given by my late Grandmama, one that is very dear to my heart.
She is the reason I know how to create, anything. She taught my Mom and my Mom taught me. But I was always heading to her "feet" to learn more. She was a sassy women who didn't put up with much guff. I miss her dearly. Before her death, among the days of me sitting at her feet learning sewing or joining her for afternoon coffee, she handed me a bin of "baby" supplies. I remember excepting the bin thinking, "What am I suppose to do with this?" I didn't speak that thought but a genuine "Thank you." She smiled and patted my hand, "I'm done making babies, it's your turn." Little did I know the treasure she handed me at the time. 
Shortly after her death, I dug into that bin, knowing the "baby" making was now my responsibility. In that bin she had all of her paper patterns for all of her doll creations. Grandmama was a very talented seamstress. She sewed slip covers for furniture, clothing, fashion re-makes, curtains, quilts, and every kind of doll you could imagine. From big and long to itty bitty. Her talents were limitless. And she supported her eight children by staying home and sewing.
The pattern above is her main doll pattern. The pieces are hand drawn and labeled in her own script. People do not know how to write anymore. Look at how beautiful the cursive writing is. Priceless. I, now, have the privilege to work with this pattern. I was not taught her doll making secrets, drat. She could have given me a few pointers at least. (hahaha ☺) But I am going to put forth my best effort to learn doll making. And do what I can to create lovable "babies".
Here is the second one I made from her pattern. I changed the way the doll was put together to make the pattern "my own". I can't cannot copy my Grandmama, I am not her, but I can continue to make the dolls she so loved to create.
This pattern was among the patterns and wasn't even cut out. But I cut it out and decided that this pattern would become one of my main dolls I hope to create.
Above is my second attempt, and I am very pleased with how she turned out. Little Miss is so excited for me to make one of her own. Which I will be doing. This pattern was enjoyable to make, I will be making more of this style. ☺
I miss Grandmama every day. But in that 'gift', within that bin, contains the connection I never realized I would need. I pull out the pattern lay it on fabric to pin and cut out pieces and I feel her beside me. I sit at my sewing machine to sew the 'baby' together to feel her watching over my shoulder. In today's world, we are so busy that we can miss out on the greatest gifts. They may be small or large. My greatest gift is the love of sewing that was instilled in me by my Mom and Grandmama and hand-drawn pattern pieces. What is your greatest gift that you have been given? Leave me a comment! I'd love to know! ☺

Kelly
p.s. The new Kiser Krafts Doll line will be added to kiserkrafts.storenvy.com soon! 


Thursday, February 20, 2014

Try it Thursday with Violet's Buds

I am so happy to have a guest this week teaching us how to make our very own hoop art!! I had the privilege of her teaching me in person!! It was so enjoyable to be able to keep a outfit of my sons in such a wonderful way! Welcome Melanie!



Thank you Kelly. It is hard to believe that next month my little baby will be four years old! I'm sure I'm not alone with wanting to keep baby clothes, especially the ones with sentimental value. Rather than leaving everything packed in a box, I wanted to do something special with some of her clothes and turn it into wall art for her room. The process is fairly easy, but the hardest part for me was actually cutting up the clothes!

"The Accident" design from Threadless
I selected one of my favorite onesies to turn into hoop art. I bought this design while I was pregnant so she could match her daddy. Here they are when she was around 1 years old in their coordinating shirts.
 

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Try It Thursday: Mini Journal

Hello everyone!! Today, I would like to share with you how to make your very own mini paper journal. I am in a Crafty Valentine's Day swap and decided to make something special and new for her. So, after some thinking, I designed this idea of a small crafty journal that could fit in her handbag for her to write down ideas when they happen during her day. ☺



Supplies Needed:

1 sheet of 12 x 12 Card-stock - any color (I chose Brown)
6 sheets of 12 x 12 coordinating Scrapbook paper (you could mix it up and not coordinate - free creativity)
scissors
ruler
paper cutter (if you have one or prefer to use one)
hot glue gun
decorative tape, ribbons, or other fun flare






First, you measure your card-stock and cut a rectangle 5in high by 7in long. Then you are going to cut out two strips 4 3/4 in high by 6 3/4 in long from each scrap book piece of paper. You should have 12 total to make you inside journal papers.


Now comes the folding of your pages. You are going to fold 6 papers with print outside and 6 with the print inside. Then you put the print inside into the print outside make individual books. If you have a bone folder you can crisp up your fold edges with it. You should end up with 6 individual 'books'.




Then you stack them up, even them up and head to your sewing machine. I was able to sew my 'books' together with my sewing machine. I hand turned my wheel and did one stitch at a time and used a brand new sharp machine sewing needle. It took a touch of time and patience. So go slow if you use your machine. You can also hand sew the books together with a book binding needle and embroidery thread.


Now you need to warm up your hot glue gun. And put a bead of hot glue along the inner edges of the 'book' pages and place the card-stock around the inner pages. Making your book.


Add your final touches to the front. I added a saying and a few layers of different scrapbook paper scraps. Then topped it off with a ribbon bow and animal sticker tape. I am pretty happy with how it came together! And am very excited to send off to my Valentine's Day Swap!! I know she will be able to put it to good use!!

I do hope you give this tutorial a try!! I'd love to hear how it went, just comment below!



Kelly





Thursday, January 30, 2014

Try it Thursday: Infinity Scarf/Cowl Tutorial by Meli's Yarnworks



It has been a bit since I had a 'Try it Thursday' but I saw this wonderful tutorial by my friend Melli, of Melli's YarnWorks. I asked her if she would like to be a guest on my blog to share her tutorial with all of you. And she was happy to. I am so honored to share my blog with a talented friend! Melli's blogs all yours!


Thank you so much Kelly! Okay, everyone for this tutorial you will need:
  • 
Largest round loom in the set (mine is a 41 peg round loom)
  • 
Loom Knitting Hook
Crochet Hook (I used a size J)

  • Yarn (you can double or single strand, any size yarn will work)

To do this tutorial you will need to know how to make the following stitches: E-wrap method, knit stitch, purl stitch, and how to bind off/single crochet off (all of these stitches have been linked to YouTube tutorial videos for your convenience).



To begin, cast on and e-wrap your first row. E-wrap your second row and start your project just like you would a hat.

Continue e-wrapping and creating rows until your project reaches between 14 and 18 inches in length. The length is up to you, the cowl will just be shorter the less rows you make.


To finish your piece, simply take your crochet hook, and crochet off your project. Because it is a cowl, you do not want to completely shut off the other end. Be sure to make your stitches as loose as possible! This end will be a bit tighter than your beginning opening, but the looser your stitches, the more it will remedy this problem.



Make sure to tie off both ends. The two ends will have a rolled brim to them. If you do not want this to happen, you can do four rows of knit 2 pegs purl 2 pegs at the beginning of the piece and at the end. This will reduce that curling/rolled brim effect. I have done it both ways, and honestly prefer to the rolled brims on both sides!


And there you have it, and easy cowl/infinity scarf made on your round looms! If you want to make a children’s size you can always go down round loom sizes.
If you have any questions feel free to ask! You can find me FACEBOOK | SHOP BLOG

Wow! This looks amazingly fun to make!! I think I will give it a Try today!! thank you again Melli!! Happy Thursday!!

Kelly

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Try it Thursday: a hat and a scarf

Hi! Today I want to share not a DIY but a few other blogs ideas that I really want to try myself. If you try them please share a photo and give credit to it's original source.


I love this swirl child's hat by My hobby is crochet. It is a beautiful hat and I think in pinks would be darling!

She has it as a free pattern but please make sure to give credit to it's original source if you make it.

And I love this pattern by Moogly. It is a lacy chevron scarf that is elegant and breezy.


It is a beautiful and easy to follow free pattern. And please remember, if you do make it to credit it's original source.

So give a new pattern a try. Happy Thursday!!


Kelly

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Try it Thursday: Violet's Buds style

Hi! I am so excited to share with you an EPIC tutorial!! My friend Melanie, from Violet's Buds, makes the prettiest fabric flowers. Her shop, Violet's Buds, carries amazing hair accessories that are all one of a kind and handmade. I am so STOKED she agreed to share her tutorial with us. So now I hand my blog over to her. Welcome Melanie of Violet's Buds.


September is National Sewing month, and in honor of it I have put together an easy tutorial on how to handsew a posey flower. These flowers can be used as hair accessories, lapel pins, to adorn bags, or make a bunch for a never-wilting flower arrangement!
Start out with enough fabric to cut out 6 circles of equal size. I used 3" circles, but any size would work.
Start by folding your first circle in half, as shown below.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Try it Thursday




Oh what is in a tote?? Totes are practical for so many things. Lu & Ed is my tote inspiration! The Monster Totes are completely EPIC! (If you need something for trick or treating, you need one of her totes!) So, I decided to make my own reversible tote to carry my craft supplies. And here is how I did it. 

Supplies:
·         Half yard of two different fabrics – may need less (I rather over estimate then under)
·         Sewing machine
·         Coordinating thread
·         Iron
·         Ruler and/or rectangle template ( I used part of a cereal box)

First you are going to cut out your rectangles. You need four total. I have two of my solid and two of my print. You also need to cut out four strips for your handles, again, two from each fabric. My handles are 3inches wide and 22inches long. Now the cool part of this tote is it is customizable to your likes. If you like longer handles add a few inches to the handle and if you prefer a larger tote adjust your rectangle. It is completely up to you! 


You are going to sew three sides of your rectangle on both your solid and print. Make sure you place them ‘right sides together’. Which means – print against print. Making sure to leave a small opening for turning later. Iron all seams flat. 

    
Then you pair up your stripes for the handles. Again right sides, together sew a long tube, leaving an end open for turning. Once turned and ironed flat, sew the open end closed. And sew ¼ seam around the all four edges to keep it strong and flat. 


  
Lay your handles on one of your sewn rectangles wear you want them and pin them. Remember, right sides together. The photo show my print side up because I matched my solid to my solid for ‘right sides together’.


Now you put the rectangle with the pinned handles inside the other rectangle and pin the upper edges. Pinning the handles between the two different fabrics.  Make sure to pin you side seams together so the sew flat and pin all the way around the top to keep your edges level. Sew around the top edge. 

 
Remember, I told you to leave a small opening for turning – now is the time to use that opening.


Pull your tote through the small opening you left in one of your rectangles. And iron the tote flat.
  
To help stablize your tote and handle do a ¼ stitch around the top edge. And sew closed your small opening from your turning. Iron the tote one final time and there you have it! Your very own Reversible Tote you made yourself!
     
And there you have it!! I do hope you enjoy making your own tote!! If you do, please, send me a picture at kiserkrafts@yahoo.com!! I'd love to see them!!
~Kelly~