Joy Sheet Music Christmas Tree Ornament

Some people do Christmas in July projects.  Well, here's my Christmas in August ornament.  Really I have just been busy and am behind on finishing some projects, so I am blogging about an ornament I made for my tree last Christmas.

This ornament was super easy to make, and it looked really cute on my tree.

Supplies:
--sheet music (I found Ode to Joy online for free)
--clear glass ornament ball (I got mine on sale at Hobby Lobby)
--acrylic paint and brush
--string/twine/ribbon
--scissors

Directions:
Step 1: Cut sheet music into long sheets that are narrow enough to fit into the ball.

Step 2: Curl the sheets some and then put them into the ball slowly so that they curve around.

Step 3: Paint "Joy" (or whatever you want it to say) on the ball.  Let the paint dry.

Step 4: Cut ribbon/twine/string in the size size you want for hanging the ornament on the tree.  Attach it to the ornament.

Monster Crochet Hook Case

Last week, I showed off my new crochet hooks with polymer clay hook grips.   Well, now that I had the new hooks, I needed a new crochet hook case.  (I had been toting around my hooks in a plastic Ziploc baggy, so it was time for something a little nicer.)

 Supplies:
--yarn for monster body
--yarn for eyes
--2 plastic safety eyes (optional)
--crochet hooks of a couple different sizes (I used F for the body and D for the horns and eyes)
--button

Directions:
Step 1:  I started out by using this monster pattern as the template.  The only parts I followed were the beginning telling the number to chain and how to know where to put the mouth.  (I think her hook case is really cute with the stripe running down it.)

Step 2: Crochet your foundation chain (about 22 SC), and go all the way around it.  Then, I went around it with a DC.  Increase base to make it as big as you want/need.

Step 3: SC rounds until crochet hooks fit inside and only the tips stick past.

Step 4: Create your mouth.  Figure out how big you want your mouth to be, and crochet that amount of SC.  (Ex:  If you want it 14 SC long, then make a 14 SC chain, then count 14 SC and attach at the new spot)  Continue SC rows until you have desired height (minus closing).

Step 5: Closing your monster head.  There are different ways to do it.
--The way I chose was to do decrease rounds until I reached 6SC total, and then close using a decrease stitch using first and fourth SC.
--Another way to close would be to just sew across the top or to reduce some and sew across the top.  The across the top sewing would be for a more boxy shaped head.

Step 6: Decorate your monster.  I added horns, arms, and eyes.
--To make eyes: Ch2; Rd 1= 4 SC in ch that is second from hook.  Increase until you have the width you want.  (I did 4, 8, 12) Then, 1 plain SC round to make eyes pop out.  For the eyes, I'm pretty sure I used the smaller D hook.  I added plastic safety eyes, but you could also do yarn, felt, etc.
--To make the horns, I used a smaller D hook.  I think I started with 4 SC, but I cannot remember.
--To make arms, I used the same size hook as the body (F), and did the following: Ch 2; Rd 1= 6 in ch that is second from hook; Rd 2= 2 SC, Sc (9); Rds 3-9= SC (9)

Step 7:  I added a button and yarn to close off my monster's mouth, so that my hooks wouldn't fall out easily.

Update: This post was featured on We Made That Linky #53.

Colorful Polymer Clay Crochet Hook Grips

A little over a week ago, I saw this blog post from Petals to Pecots about polymer clay hooks, and I had to make my own.  I had one crochet hook that had a grip at that time, and it was my favorite hook.  The grip made it more comfortable to hold, so I wanted more hooks with grips.   

So, I went to Wal-Mart and got a variety pack of Sculpey for about $9 and some cheap and colorful metal crochet hoops.  I already had some metal hooks, but I was afraid that I might melt them or have some other accident that would ruin them, so I bought more.  (Note: None of the hooks melted or even came close to it.)

The polymer clay was pretty easy to use, and I love the way these hook grips turned out.  :)

(See below for directions)

Supplies:
--polymer clay in a variety of colors
--metal crochet hooks
--rolling pin or other rolling tool
--razor blade or very sharp knife
--baking pan
--aluminum foil

Directions:
Step 1: Pick your clay colors and roll design.  I tried to match colors with the hooks as best as I could.

Step 2: Knead your clay to make it pliable.

Step 3: Make rolls.  I found some easy roll ideas and tips online, such as at the Sculpey website.  I made very simple rolls for this project, but more complicated rolls would look great too.

Step 4: Cut the roll into slices and place the slices around the hook.  Keep putting slices around the hook until you have the size and shape of your grip that you want.  For the really skinny hook, I actually put a thin base layer around the hook, and then placed the roll slices on top of it.

Step 5: Bake your crochet hook. Follow the baking directions that came with your clay.

Tips & Resources:
--It's best to finish with one color and clean your hands before touching the next color.  I found that the clay would stick to my hands and change the color of the next piece of clay if I didn't first wash my hands and use a paper towel.


--I found that I needed a really sharp cutting instrument like a razor blade to cut the rolls slices.  Otherwise, they kept mushing together and blurring the pattern

--For my work surface, I used a baking sheet and covered it in aluminum foil, so it doubled as a work space and my baking tray.

--Google images of polymer clay rolls, so that you can get ideas for rolls

--Sculpey's How To on Simple Canes

--There are also lots of videos on YouTube and examples on Pinterest



Update:  This post was featured at Sugar Bee Crafts.

Amigurumi Fish Plush

My littlest nephew is all about fish right now, so I decided to make a fish plush for him.  I searched all over the web for a free fish pattern that I liked, but I couldn't find one.  During my search, I kept happening upon a cute and easy looking fish pattern by Stacey Trock.  I finally broke down and purchased her Willy the Fish pattern.  As always, her pattern was an easy one to follow.  (Note:  I'm not currently getting any payment for my viewpoint about her patterns, but I sure wouldn't mind it if she decided to let me have 1 or 2 free patterns for it. )

I made a green and blue fish with a yellow mouth for my nephew.   In this picture, you can see the various parts that comprise the fish.  Each shape was fairly simple to make.

This fish has baby safe eyes because my nephew is under 3 years old.  Instead of a SC magic ring for the eyes, I used black yarn and sewed it through several times in the location where the plastic eye would have been.

My nephew seemed to like his new fish plush.  He smiled and hugged him, which totally made my day.




While I was at it, I went ahead and made another fish.  The second fish features a multicolored body, dark blue fins, and a green mouth.  I used plastic safety eyes for this one.


Here are its parts:

and here are some pics of the finished product:

I really like how my fish plushies turned out. This project was fairly quick and pretty easy, and the finished result was so cute.

Update:  This project was featured on Stitch by Stitch: Anything Goes Quilt 'n Sew #31.

Adventure Time Perler Bead Coasters

What time is it?  It's Adventure Time!!!  Do you like a human named Finn and a dog named Jake?  Me too.   (If you are not yet acquainted with the awesomeness that is Adventure Time, then you should check it out.)

If you have read my previous posts, then you've probably already noticed that I like to play with perler beads sometimes.  Well, the mood hit me again, and I wanted to make something new, so I decided to make AT characters.  I decided to make coasters this time because I have more than enough magnets now.

I found several examples of perler AT coasters on Etsy, but most of them used larger squares, so I had to do some significant modifications to fit my peg boards. 

Feel free to copy my patterns.  You should be able to click on the pics and zoom in to them. (Command + on a Mac)

Supplies:
--perler beads in colors matching desired characters
--peg boards
--wax paper
--iron and ironing board

Directions:
Step 1:  Pick a pattern.

Step 2: Copy the pattern (or modify one) and place each bead on the correct spot of your peg board until you have completed your desired pattern.

Step 3: Turn on your iron to low or medium low.  Let iron heat up.  Place wax paper over beads.  Iron the beads.  (It's best to hold the iron on the beads without moving it for about 30-60 sec, or until the beads are sufficiently melted that they don't separate and fall off of your peg board.)  Melt beads until they are well stuck together.

Step 4: Let the beads cool a little bit.  Remove the design from the board.  Continue to let design cool.  You may want to place something that is somewhat heavy on your design while it is cooling (after it is removed from the peg board), so that is will not curl.

Step 5: (Optional) Iron the other side for additional strength. 

These unfinished patterns should be pretty easy for you to duplicate.

BMO

Peppermint Butler

Finn

Jake

 Lumpy Space Princess (aka LSP)

LSP is the only coaster I made that is a direct copy.  Click here for that Etsy store and the seller's other AT character coasters.


These coasters were super fun and easy to make.  Here are some more pics of the finished coasters:

For more Perler bead fun, check out my other posts:
--8-bit Mario Magnets
--8-bit Wario Magnet
--Angry Bird Magnets

Crochet Sushi Magnets

I have been wanting to make crochet sushi for quite some time, but I couldn't think of a good purpose for it.  A sushi plush could make a cute pillow as seen here and here, but those projects would take a long time.  Finally, inspiration hit, and I decided on making sushi magnets.

I got a free basic pattern from Vach, but I modified it for my needs.  I would like to make other types of sushi at some point; however, I wanted to stick with the basics for my first sushi crochet project.

I changed colors and counts to make the types of sushi I wanted.  Some pieces are smaller and max out at 18 SC, while the bigger pieces max at 24 SC.  Another modification from the free design was to reduce the number of rows.  The larger number might make more sense for a piece of sushi that is play food, but not for something sticking off of a refrigerator. My larger pieces have 1 more row than the smaller pieces, so that they are balanced in size and shape.

After crocheting my sushi pieces, I stuffed and sewed them together.  Finally, I added a magnet to the bottom of each piece.

Here are some of the magnets displayed on the front of my refrigerator:

I had fun making these magnets, and I made several sets of them.  So many in fact that I gave some away and bundled some of them up

and added them to my brand new Etsy shop SpareTimeYarn.  I didn't really know how to price them, so if you are interested, the prices are as set OBO.


If you are a fan of homemade magnets, then you should check out some of my other posts on magnet making:

• 8-Bit Mario Magnets
• 8-Bit Wario Magnet
• Angry Birds Magnets  

Update: this post was featured on Navy Wifey Peters' Submarine Sunday #43 

Update: this post was featured on OhMy! Creative's Whimsy Wednesday roundup! 14 Colorful DIY  Craft Trends

Space Themed Party

We don't have any kids yet, and my husband didn't really have big birthday parties as a kid, so I have been throwing him a birthday party for the past couple of years.  It's fun coming up with the theme and components for the party, and it's a chance to see family and friends.


Last year, I threw a gnome themed surprise party for my husband.  Here are a few pics:

My husband loves astronomy, so this year the theme was space.  It was pretty easy, and we kept the price down by serving hot dogs and hamburgers.  I bought a constellation pack, painted the planets, and strung them like a garland.  The crochet decorations were projects that I had previously done and can be seen in other posts.  Most of the serving dishes came from the dollar store.

I took some pics of the party food and decorations, but I'm not exactly a great photographer, so some are a little bit blurry.

We had star crunches, asteroids (cheese balls), and star burst candies for snacks.  The snacks table was decorated with the constellation garland.

There was a filling station where party guests could make their drinks.  We had sodas, teas, water, etc.

I didn't take a picture of the space discs and satellites (hamburgers and hotdogs), but here is a pic of the condiments and buns section.

For sides, we had flora & dip, Jerry space taters (Jerry potatoes, aka super cheesy yummy potatoes), and crunchy space taters.  I used a rocket ship amigurumi as a decoration for this section.

Finally, we had a dessert table.  I made cupcakes, and my sister-in-law made her pumpkin roll (which is really good).  I embellished this table with a planet and space monsters.

This party was a lot of fun.  We had a great time spending time with our family.