American Flag Bookmark in Plastic Canvas- Mady By You Monday

Unfortunately, my elbow is really giving me problems still, so I haven’t been able to crochet the handles for my bag. Even typing and using the mouse right now is bothersome. Ugh! It’s so hard for me to not use it. I did manage to get a plastic canvas bookmark designed and made this weekend since that only required me holding the canvas with that hand. With warm weather and all the holidays coming up I am in a patriotic mood, so I came up with this bookmark:

I am absolutely loving this bookmark! It came out exactly how I had it in my mind. Don’t you love it when crafts go right? Hehehe. This bookmark is available in my Etsy shop here.

What did you make or do this weekend?  I would love to hear about it!

Red, White and Blue Floral Wreath- Finished Friday

I have two plastic canvas projects which just need edging complete and the striped shell bag most of the way finished but I needed a break from them. For months I’ve been having trouble with my elbow (I think I have golfer’s elbow) and sometime it bothers me. So it’s been a bit inflamed again even though not terribly sore (typing on my phone doesn’t help lol). As a result I haven’t crocheted as much this week. I thought in would have the bag done for sure to show you today!

Instead, I have a new floral yarn wreath. Since we have several patriotic holidays coming up soon, I thought this would be a great time to whip one up. These are always some of my favorite wreaths to make. Here it is!

I did just list this item in Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/stitchesoflight, so be sure to check it out, as well as my other Patriotic items!

Armed Forces Crochet Patterns- Thursday Round Up

Next Saturday, May 17, we celebrate Armed Forces Day. This is near and dear to my heart and I want to take some time to feature some lovely patterns to honor our military heros.

A little background on this holiday first. It was first celebrated on May 20, 1950. Previously, the military branches each had their own day of celebration. Armed Forces Day is celebrated the 3rd Saturday in May. It is the last day of Armed Forces Week, which begins the second Saturday in May. To read a bit more about this very special holiday, click here.

 

1. Armed Forces Day Jar Cozy– This is not only an adorable crochet pattern, but also includes a Potato Cheese Soup recipe (to make it like an MRE- Meal Ready to Eat) (FREE!)

2. Crochet Beanie– available in sizes from preemie to adult! (FREE!)

3. Military Afghan– lovely afghan supporting all branches (FREE! Free sign up required)

4. Toy Army Corps Net– perfect for those little boys in your life! (FREE!)

5. Boys Army Floppy Brimmed Hat– scroll to the bottom of the page in the very bottom window to find this cute pattern (FREE!)

6. Free Army Boonie Hat Pincushion Crochet Pattern – scroll to the bottom of the page in the very bottom window to find this pincushion pattern (FREE!)

 

I also wanted to list a few places where the community can give back to the military.

1. Military Families Ministry– Accepts knit or crochet prayer patches and prayer shawls

2. Scarves for Heroes– Collects handmade scarves to distribute

3. Soldiers’ Angels– crochet, knit, loomed blankets and scarves

4. Warmth for Warriors– knit and crochet hats

I hope to do some of these, and would love to have my fellow blog readers join me!  I know there are other organizations out there as well.  If you know of them, would you share them with me so I can add them to the list?

Crocheted Shell Striped Bag- Work in Progress Wednesday

I’ve been wanting to make some crocheted bags for a while now. There are so many fabulous bags out there, but I wanted to come up with some of my own. I just like knowing that it’s my creation from start to finish. So I finally envisioned this bag and began working on it Monday evening. I think I like it and the colors so far.

I plan to line it when I’m finished as well. If all turns out well and anyone in interested, I will try to write up the pattern as well.

The only thing I’m not happy with is that I see a seam where I join the rounds and begin the next round. How can I stop that?!

Stocking up on Bookmarks- Made By You Monday

Today I wanted to show you all the bookmarks I’ve completed since last week. I had a short break to work up the monogram coasters which I showed you last Friday, but over the weekend I came back to the bookmarks. Here they are:

I still have one more that I am working on (not pictured).  I will be adding to these gradually over the next few weeks with some different designs as well, but my crafting adhd is taking over, and I think my next projects will be a couple of wreaths and a crocheted and lined bag or two.  Did you complete any projects over the weekend?

Monogram Coasters in Plastic Canvas- Finished Friday

A few weeks ago I came up with the idea to stitch some monogram coasters. The last 2 nights I finally for around to designing them and stitching. Actually it ended up being design as I stitch lol. So here is what I came up with.

I am making custom sets available in my etsy shop- custom colors and letters of course. I plan to include a box too.

What have you made this week?

Planter Cozy Roundup- Thursday Roundup

Wow! Do you live in an area that has been hit by all the rain over the last few days? We had a lot yesterday, but I know many areas had it much worse. I am optimistic that all those April Showers will bring the May Flowers! To ring in May, today’s roundup features planter cozies. I’m sure they would make a lovely Mother’s Day gift idea too!

1. Flower Pot Cozy from Moogly: This has a beautiful tutorial with it, and will fit a standard small flower pot. A great way to pretty up those cheap flower pots!(FREE!)

2. Simple Crochet Flower Pot from Hopscotch Lane:  I love the little shell border at the top!  Another super simple pattern. (FREE!)

3. Flower Pot Cozy by Pierrot (Gosyo Co., Ltd) : Charted pattern, free through Ravelry (FREE!)

4. Hanging Pot Hanger by Crochet 4 You: A perfect pattern for those who have hanging planters. (FREE!)

5. Dig-It Flower Pot Cover from Crochet! Magazine: Adorable granny square cozy!  Brighten it up with some fabulous spring colors! (FREE!)

6. Ring around the Rosy Cozy  by Crochet Today: I love the colors in this cozy!  This is a pattern available for purchase in digital format.

7.  Crochet Plant Pot Cozy: Fits a pot that is 10 cm on the bottom and 14 cm on the top. (FREE!)

8. Flower Pot Cover by Val’s Crafty Creations: Adorable pattern with a cute bow (FREE!)

9. Colorful Crochet Pot Covers by Mon Makes Things: Crocheted pattern with cord for a splash of color (FREE!)

 

Bookmarks- Work in Progress Wednesday

A few weeks ago, I participated in a craft fair. This was the 3rd one I’ve done and so far, they really haven’t gone too well. It’s so discouraging! The couple items I did sell however, were my bookmarks. In fact I all but sold out of them, all by one person! (I only had about 5, so it really wasn’t that major). I hadn’t got around to making any more yet, so I decided to take a break from the Japanese Flower Coasters I’ve been working on and make some more bookmarks.
Here are 2 of them in progress:

One has a small cross on and the other will say “Jesus”. They work up fairly quickly, so these are now completed, however I want to make several of each in different colors, so it is still a work in progress. I also need to make some more that say “Hope” and “Peace”.

What are you working on this week? Is it new, or are you replacing something that’s sold?

Quick Yarn Flower Hair Clips

If you haven’t noticed yet, I love yarn! Most of my crafting involves the use of yarn. When I started loom knitting back in the fall, I went on a purchasing spree and bought several different types of looms. I have different sizes of round and long looms. I also have a few other ones, such as a spool loom and a flower loom. Which brings me to my Made By You Monday project. Flower hair clips! I absolutely love how quickly they work up and how simple they are. Here are a few different sets I’ve completed:

 

Aren’t they cute?! And I love the possibilities with color combinations or trying different types of yarn (which I haven’t done yet).

Here is the loom that I used to make them:

I can’t remember the brand or exactly where I got it, but believe it was with Michaels or JoAnn’s.

These flowers are great for more than just hair clips. If you think you’ve seen them before on my blog, you’re right! I also love using them on my wreaths! Here are just a few:

   

Have you ever made these flower before?  What is your favorite use for them?

PS.. If you see an item you love, they are all available in my Etsy shop

Please visit my link party page to find out where I am linked up to!

 

Jesus Checkbook Cover in Plastic Canvas- finished Friday

Monday I showed you all the finished pink Hope checkbook cover. Well, here is the finished Jesus checkbook cover! I love the colors- so springy! I am definitely in a springy mood lately 🙂

     

This checkbook cover, along with several others are available in my Etsy shop. If you would be interested in a custom order, please, contact me (stitchesoflight@gmail.com, or through Etsy).

Please visit my link party page to find out where I am linked up to!