Monday, August 20, 2018

Simple summer crafting


This will be a post short on words but heavy on pictures -- and mostly scans, at that.  But I have managed some very simple crafting these past few weeks and wanted to share.

At top is my most recent Crocheted Scalloped Hot Mat.  The ombre is called Buttercream and I think it is so pretty.  The light blue edge is called Aquamarine.

Last month I shared pictures of the wrap skirts I made for my granddaughter Julia's American Girl dolls, using a pattern from You Can Make This.  Julia actually took photos of the dolls modeling the reversible skirt with the two different shirts, so I'm sharing those here.




I've also crocheted a couple of necklaces from this pattern:   Trellis Necklace Tutorial.  I hope to make at least one more.  They are so easy and quick to make, once you have cut the yarn to length.
Multicolored
Green-blue
You can read my post about the first ones I made here: Pretty Crocheted Necklaces.

And I've made quite a few mailing envelopes from calendar pages.  You can find a tutorial for those here: handmade bubble mailers.  The ones I have been making are not for fragile items, so I've been eliminating the bubble wrap from those.  Skipping the step of adding in the bubble wrap makes the process go much faster.  I am just showing a couple of the mailers I've made.

The calendar covers are sturdy enough to make mailers without reinforcement, but for the inside calendar pages I cover them with clear contact paper to make them stronger and more weather proof.

This is what mailer #1 looks like on the back.
 
And this is what mailer #2 looks like on the back.
 I've also started making some envelopes approximately 5x7 inches from the calendar page pieces left over from each mailer.  These Gooseberry Patch calendars are too pretty to throw any of the pages away!

And then this past weekend while on an overnight mini-vacation, I managed to complete an embroidered tea towel while relaxing on the shore of Otter Lake.

The design is a freebie from Bird Brain Designs.  So much fun!
The folded tea towel
I folded this one a bit differently to show the striped edge.  Isn't it pretty?  This was made from the dish toweling fabric that one cuts to the desired length and then hems.
There's my simple summer crafting in a nutshell.  Hope others have enjoyed this as much as I have!

14 comments:

  1. That hot mat is very pretty! I smile every time I see my mixer with my pretty yellow ones. I deckled some calendar pages today to use in my sister-in-law’s room, if she likes them. Like minds and all... I love the outfits for the American doll and I especially like the turned-in toe pose. 🙂

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved that turned-in toe pose also, Vee! So cute. I had bought the doll t-shirts several years ago on a clearance sale and have thought ever since of making skirts to go with them. The reversible pattern meant 2 skirts for each shirt! (I have since made 2 more skirts and did post pics, but Julia has not got around to taking photos of the dolls in those.)

      Calendar pages ... a wonderful resource for sure. In my quest to downsize and declutter I am repurposing as many as I can.

      I'm afraid making hot mats from this pattern is an addiction with me. They do make nice gifts, fortunately.

      Delete
  2. Mrs. T!! You have been busy!! Lovely creations all, and I do love the colors you chose for your hot mat!! Thanks for sharing your work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the encouragement, Terri! I love seeing how the various ombre colors of cotton yarn turn out in this pattern. As I mentioned to Vee above, crocheting these is addictive for me. I always have one going, mainly because I can make them without looking at the pattern.

      Delete
  3. Mrs T, Oh your handiwork is gorgeous! My granddaughter is only 2 but it won't be long before I'll need to start making doll clothes. Thank you for all the wonderful ideas and links. I'm your newest follower!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you, Gina! Hope you have fun with the links and ideas. You're right, if your granddaughter is 2 you will be thinking about dolls and doll clothes before you know it!

      Delete
  4. Love the doll clothes and the blueberry embroidery.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sandy! Both were super easy and the embroidery was so relaxing to do!

      Delete
  5. Love all your crafting projects, you have certainly been busy, My granddaughters loved the American dolls, and so do I, I also loved the movies.
    Have a blessed evening.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sue! My busyness in crafting took place over a period of weeks. No longer can I just sit and craft to my heart's content (not that I ever had time to do that much, but once in awhile on a big project I would do so). Maybe someday!

      Delete
  6. These are such fun projects. It's so hot here in Florida that I sew and craft more in the summer months. I love the crochet mat and the little wrap skirts for the doll! I should try to make some of those for my dolls! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, those wrap skirts are super easy! Gotta love a free pattern, too. I was so pleased with how they turned out, and how they looked with the shirts.

      Do you get the Pixie Faire/Liberty Jane emails? They offer a free pattern download every week, and also loads of free tutorials for doll accessories on the website.

      Delete
  7. Good evening, lovely lady! It's raining right now and I can't help but sing a happy tune. Oh, how we need the moisture.

    Your sweet creations are beautiful, my friend. I especially like your flower mat.

    Thank you for the delightful visit to my blog today. Hugs to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Stephanie! Those crocheted mats are so much fun to make!

      Hugs to you as well, sweet friend!

      Delete

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit my kitchen table! I love company here in my kitchen, so be sure to leave a comment so I'll know you've visited! I'll answer your questions and comments here on the blog unless you request otherwise.