Making Hot Pads To Go With My Chickens

Or they could be table mats, place mats, pot holders, dish cloths…

The chickens can stand alone but I thought they would look nicer sitting on top of something. So, I created these mats. They are double-sided, nice and thick. I played around with the design, had a few flops, but finally got it to match up with the design in my head.

The hot pad is my own design but if anyone wants to try it, let me know. (Chicken potholder pattern is in Gooseberry Patch, Fun-to-Crochet Gifts book.)

I am calling them, Granny Hexie Hot Pads/Table Mats. I used Patons Classic Wool. Ecru and Rich Red.

Crochet Hat: Just Finished A Special Order

Have been working on this hat for several days. On and off.

It is a combination of a skull cap and a shell headband from the book 1-2-3 Crochet. Then I put my own special touches to it by adding a contrasting strip above the brim and a coordinated flower.

As you can see, the hat can be worn several ways. And the flower is detachable.

I made this for a friend’s daughter. Hope they both like it!!

Bit By The Designing Bug

I have chickens on the brain!!

I successfully enlarged the chicken potholder but now have gone off in a completely different direction.

What do you think?

I am thinking cute red and white checkered dishcloths sticking out of both sides. Or Easter grass and eggs surrounding him.

I have sooo many ideas for chickens. I filled 3 pages in my Idea Journal I keep handy.

Can you guess what this is going to be?

She Picked Jewelry Set 2!!

Monday, March 22

Yippee!! Just heard from Thais, the winner of the jewelry set.

She picked the jasper necklace and earrings.

BBL. Off to get them ready for mailing….

Winner of Jewelry Set is….

Thais – Comment #12

On March 19, 2010 at 9:47 am Thais Said:
Hi, I would choose a fish. I really would enjoy having an aquarium.

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Thais, check your e-mail. You have 48 hours to contact me and let me know which jewelry set you would like. Starting now……

Thanks, everyone, for participating in my giveaway contest and supporting my blog.

Don’t forget to check back often OR just sign up to receive my blog via e-mail. Since I am making the giveaways a regular feature, you never know when I might run one.

Free Macrame Pattern: Square Deal

While browsing on-line looking at macrame cord at Kings Kountry, one of my macrame suppliers, imagine my surprise to see this.

A free pattern for Square Deal.

http://www.kingskountry.com/free-pattern-square-deal.html

Boy, did it bring back fond memories. Memories of me making these tissue box holders 24 by 7. Non-stop. I bet I made and sold over 100 of them back in the middle 80′s. I kept two for myself. A rust one and a white one. Both still being used today.

Here are a few photos of some of the square holders I made. (The pictures were polaroids and didn’t scan very well.)

As you can see, Square Deal isn’t just for tissues. Can be used to hold or store just about anything. From plants, to candy, to gifts.

I designed this Baby Shower gift box. Sold them in yellow, pink and blue with a cute ceramic bear in the front.

No limits on what you can make with these square macrame rings. Follow the pattern. Change it up. Let your imagination be your guide.

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Kings Kountry has also started something which I find intriguing. A book buyback. You submit a list of macrame books you are willing to part with. And if a book on your list is what they need, they will give you a store credit.

http://www.kingskountry.com/book-buyback.html

I have looked through my books. I have a few duplicates I could offer but the rest… no way, no how. I frequently look through them and say things like. “I remember you. I made you in blue and green.” Even after all these years, I still have MANY macrame items on my To Do List. So… will I offer my books? Probably not. However, if you have macrame books collecting dust and cobwebs, you should look into this.

While you are there, check out their other free patterns. I saw a cute Easter basket and a pretty plant hanger. And a folding lawn chair. You may remember when these were extremely popular. Let’s bring them back!!

http://www.kingskountry.com/

Giveaway #4: Jewelry Sets, Take Your Pick

(CONTEST HAS CLOSED)

This is the last giveaway celebrating my blog’s two year anniversary.

The WINNER gets to pick ONE of the following jewelry sets. All handcrafted by me.

Set 1 – Heart Necklace/Earrings

Necklace made with chain links as a base. Red plastic hearts and silver hearts in various shapes and sizes attached with jump rings. Closure is a lobster claw. Silver-plated metal used throughout. Measures 20″.

Earrings: Red plastic and red metal hearts. Sterling silver ear wires. Silver-plated jump rings. Measures 1″ drop from earwire.

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Set 2 – Jasper Necklace/Earrings

Necklace made with jasper gemstones. Stones have tones of beige, grey, gold, rust and black. Mother-of-pearl beads add to the beauty. 14k gold round and rondelles used as spacers. Clasp is a gold-plated toggle. Measures 18 1/2″.

Earrings: Jasper gemstones with gold-plated ear wires, jump rings and chain links. (You can remove chain links, if desired.) Measures 1 1/2″ drop from earwire.

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Set 3 – Gemstones, Pearls & Wood Necklace/Earrings

Necklace has gemstones (banded Agate), Swarovski pearls, glass, wood/simulated wood beads. Other items used: gold-plated spacer beads & lobster claw clasp. Colors are dark brown, tan, beige and peach. Measures 21″.

Earrings: Swarovski pearls, gemstones (banded Agate), glass beads. Gold-plated findings. Measures 1 1/2″ drop from earwire.

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Set 4 – Seedbead & Crystal Bracelet/Earrings

Bracelet made with Toho 11/0 seedbeads in rose matte and rose silver lined. 20 strands, ended with silver-plated spacer beads and Swarovski crystal beads. Clasp is a sterling silver star toggle. Measures 8″.

Earrings: Rose silver lined seedbeads, Swarovski crystal stars. Silver-plated findings. Measures 2″ drop from earwire.

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What do you have to do to win, you ask? Just answer these questions….

If you could select any pet in the entire world, other than a dog or cat, what would you pick? And why?

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GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES

• One entry per person.
• Entry must be received by Sunday, March 21, by midnight EST.
• Winner will be announced here on Monday, March 22.
• Winner will be notified by e-mail. Winner has 48 hours after contest ends to contact me. Otherwise, a new winner will be selected.
• Jewelry set will be mailed via USPS First Class.

Post your response here on THIS POST ON MY BLOG. Winner will be randomly selected. Only posts to my blog will count, not e-mail.

Good Luck!! Thank you for participating.

Lined Up Like Chickens

Oh. They ARE chickens!! Just don’t tell KFC.

I made more chicken potholders. One is a special order. Just don’t know yet which one that is.

I really like how the wine one came out with the red tail. 

Here’s the gray one. I changed up on this one. Did 4 dc’s instead of 3 all around. It tightened up the “holes.”

I am making more. In brown, tan, black. And I am designing a larger version. Don’t know how it will turn out. Will show you when finished.

All were made with Patons Classic Wool. Pattern can be found in Gooseberry Patch’s Fun-To-Crochet-Gifts book.

Winners of Crochet Book & Squares

Congratulations to Sandy, Lakshmi and Arleen.

Comments were selected in this order using random.org.

1. #8
2. #2
3. #13

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Sandy (comment #8) wins the book, 101 Crochet Squares, by Jean Leinhauser. Plus she wins Square 3. Hope you make all 101 squares as I did.

On March 9, 2010 at 11:45 pm sandy Said:
I like number 3. I would try and make more for a blanket or throw.

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Lakshmi (comment #2) wins one crochet square.

On March 9, 2010 at 11:22 am Lakshmi Sadala Said:
Hi Donna, my favourite is no9..my favourite colours..
if I win this square probably use in one of my embroidery projects..

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Arleen (comment #13) wins one crochet square.

On March 14, 2010 at 7:09 pm Arleen Said:
I like #16. I would like to make an afghan of squares for my sister. She enjoys my crochet projects.

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Have fun creating something pretty with your squares. I hope you will come back and post a picture here for us all to see.

Thank you everyone for posting a comment. I enjoyed reading each one and visualizing what you planned to make.

Sandy, Lakshmi, Arleen… go check your e-mail. Have fun!!

Peyote Cuff Bracelet Winners are….

Connie, BJ and Eagleseer. Congratulations!!

They are the WINNERS of Giveaway #3 and each will receive one of the Peyote Cuff Bracelets as shown in the picture below.

Connie – Comment 10

On March 13, 2010 at 7:27 am Connie Villas Said:
I love the jewelry–when I see what you have created, it inspires me–I especially love your sense of color and style. How you jazzed up a simple peyote band with buttons is just too cool!

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BJ – Comment 14

On March 13, 2010 at 10:23 am BJ Said:
MACRAME!!! there are way to few macrame sites and your tutorials are so helpful.

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Eagleseer (Teresa) – Comment 23

On March 14, 2010 at 10:37 pm Eagleseer Said:
Your jewelry/beading is what I love the most. I’ve done sewing, crochet, knitting (I know you’ve not gotten there yet) and I’ve tried macrame. But to me your beading is most inspiring.

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Connie, BJ and Teresa. Go check your e-mail.

Thanks to everyone who submitted a comment!!