Neat Nails #4

I did my nails this morning for Halloween! Hope you like!

First I painted my nails black and used this Matte top coat by Essie

It really gives your nails a cool matte finish!

Then I just made Polka Dots...

Go HERE for more on how to do Polka Dots.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Crochet Project - Chevron Clutch

I love how this clutch photographs! But to be honest it's so flimsy. I can't see really using it as a clutch. I could put crochet supplies in it on the go, I think it will make great use for that. I wanted to sell this in my shop but like I said it's a little flimsy and I haven't mastered the pattern yet. I wanted to share because I know how much people are lovin' these colors in a Chevron pattern.

 By Regina Riox for Crochet Today Magazine

You'll Need: 

1 Ball of color (A)

1 Ball of color (B)

Size I/9 crochet hook

A sheet of felt or fabric to line inside

Sewing needle and thread

Instructions:

Clutch:

Row 1 (right side) With A, ch 58, 2dc in 3rd ch from hook (skipped chs count as a dc) *dc in next 3 chs [dc3tog] twice; repeat from *across ending at **; 3 dc in last ch - 56dc

Row 2 Ch 3 (count as dc here and throughout), turn; 2 dc in first st * dc in next 3 sts, [dc3tog] twice, dc in next 3 sts** [3 dc in next st] twice; repeat from * across, ending last repeat at **; 3 dc in first skipped ch, chaning with B in last st. [Note: To change color at end of row: Work last stitch in old color to last yarn over, yarn over with new color and draw through all loops on hook to complete stitch. Drop old color, continue work with new color. You may fasten off the old color or carry it loosely up the side of the piece]

Row 3 With B, ch 3, turn; 2 dc in first st, *dc in next 3 sts [dc3tog] twice, dc in next 3 sts** ,[3 dc in next st] twice; repeat from * across ending last repeat at **, 3 dc in 3rd ch of begining ch-3.

Row 4 Repeat Row 3, changing to A in last st

Row 5 & 6 With A repeat Row 3 twice, changing to B in last st on the last row.

Row 7-26 Repeat Rows 3-6, 5 more times. Do not fasten off.

Row 27 With B, ch 1, turn; sc in first 2 sts, *hdc in next st, tr in next st, tr4tog, tr in next st, dc in next sr, hdc in next st**, sc in next 4 sts; repeat from * across, ending last repeat at **; sc in next st, sc in 3rd ch of beginning ch-3 ---44 sts. Fasten off.

Top Inside Edge Hold piece with foundation ch at top to work in chs of foundation ch. With right side facing, join B with sl st in ch at base of last 3 dc worked on Row 1, work beginning tr2tog, *tr in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next 4 chs, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch**. tr4tog; repeat from* across, ending last repeat at **;tr2tog ---45 sts, Do not fasten off.

Edging ch 1, [rotate piece,work 82 sc evenly spaced across long edge,rotate piece, work 44 sc evenly spaced across short edge] twice; join with sl st in first sc ---252 sc. Fasten off.

To Assemble lay felt on top of finished piece. Trim felt/fabric so it fits just inside. Sew on. Fold crochet piece into thirds and sew or crochet edges of clutch together.

Pattern for personal use only. Do not sell pattern. Pattern is owned by Crochet Today Magazine Design by Regina Rioux

Baking: Pretty Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Cake Mix Bars

You'll Need:

 

1 (18.25) package plain yellow cake mix

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2 eggs

1 (12 oz) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 Tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

When preparing to make this recipe DON"T FORGET a

can of sweetened condensed milk!

I almost did...!! I had to stop mid mixing and send my husband out to get some.

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Combine cake mix, melted butter, peanut butter, and eggs in a large bowl using a mixer or spoon. Press this into a 9X13 pan reserving 1 1/2 cup of the mixture to crumble on top.

3. In a small pot, melt chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and coconut.
4. Spread chocolate mixture over the mixture pressed in the pan and then crumble the 1 1/2 cups of reserved cake mixture on top evenly.
 

 

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars. 

 

They are so delicious. I suggest cutting them in small squares when serving. They are so rich, kind of a fudge texture. Very heavy! But so good! 

 

Enjoy!

Original Recipe by Greta White found HERE

Neat Nails #3

I'm in such a Fall mood this week. Made pumpkin cupcakes, finished my gold doily blanket, and the weather this week has actually been Fall-like! I love it! I felt like doing my nails Fall themed -- or should I say Halloween themed...

You've got to try these! They are the best! They last long and they are so easy to put on.

I can't wait to see if they make Christmas designs!

I also can't wait to show you the crochet clutch I've been working on. Hopefully I'll finish this weekend. Have a good weekend everyone!

Crochet Project - Doily Blanket

One of my crochet idols, Lisa Gutierrez, just released her pattern for her Doily Blankets last month and I had to buy the pattern. Normally I'm not one to buy patterns but this blanket is so pretty!

This was my first attempt at the blanket and I'm a tight crocheter. Next time I'm going to try a bigger hook to get a larger blanket. It's great as a little throw blanket for one, but I want to make it large enough for 2 so I could cuddle with my honey <3

If you're interested in the pattern click HERE. It's only $5 if you download the PDF version. Keep in mind you get a whole issue of a PDF magazine for $5! It includes the pattern to THIS blanket and other things!
I think it's a great deal!

Baking - Pretty Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

One of my favorite things about fall:

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes!



 You'll Need:

1 cup fresh pumpkin puree
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup water
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger



Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended.

Pour into cupcake liners and bake for 21-23 mins.

They are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Let cool completely before frosting.

Original Recipe By roane

For Cream Cheese Frosting you'll need:

1 package of cream cheese
1/2 a stick of butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar

Cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar.

Then EAT!

I made this batch for my co-worker Charlotte. Happy Birthday Charlotte!

Crochet Project - Bow Scarf

Bows are big this Fall. I wish it would get colder here in California because I want to wear this cute bow scarf I made. You can make one too, or buy one from my shop.

You'll Need:

1.Yarn

2. H crochet hook

The Pattern:

Row 1: Chain (ch) 18

Row 2: In second ch from hook double crochet (DC) to end (16 DC)

Row 3: Turn, ch 2, DC to end of row (16 DC)

Row 4-145(or how ever long you'd like)

It sounds like a lot of rows, but it goes fast.

Tie it into a bow:

I used this video to tie this bow.

Or you can use it like a regular scarf:

Etsy Shop Open!

So I finally did it! I opened an Etsy Online Store. There's not much up but I can customize any of the items listed for you. Check it out and please share with others. Here's some of the items listed so far...

http://www.etsy.com/people/ButtonHookNeedham

I hope you like something enough to buy it! Have a good weekend!

Raffle- The Shine Project

 Happy Friday everyone! Please, please, please when you have a few minutes today please check this out...

Ashley @ the Shine Project is doing some amazing things! Please visit her blog and participate in her raffle...

  instructions:

Each entry is $1. You can purchase as many entries as you would like. To purchase your tickets, click on the donate button on the left side of my blog. You do NOT need PayPal in order to complete your donation. After you buy your tickets, you will leave a comment  saying how many entries you bought. For example, if you donate $10, you get 1o entries. So you'd comment: Your email address- 10
**For every 10 you purchase, you get 2 free! So add those in when you leave a comment as well!My goal is to raise at least $2,000 from this raffle.PLEASE help spread the word!RAFFLE GOES FOR ONE WEEK!And if you live in AZ, we hope to see you at the SHINE event next Thursday!Click HERE to participate!"

Here's what I donated to the raffle...

So if you want to win these, and whole bunch of really cute handmade stuff, and support a really good cause at the same time buy lots of tickets!

Have a great weekend!

Crochet Project - Easy Cowl

Fall is here! Meaning I have like 10 different crochet projects going and I love it! 

Here's an EASY pattern for a convertible cowl [use as a scarf or both a scarf and hoodie!]. Sooo Comfy!

You'll need:

-2 to 3 skeins of bulky yarn (I used and love my new favorite yarn Michael's brand Loops and Threads: Cozy Wool)

-N hook

Instructions

Ch 55 and join with a sl st into back of chain, being careful not to twist your chain. (I Ch 65, do what ever it takes to fit very loosely around your neck)

Row 1: Ch 1, Sc in same Ch as joining. Mark stitch. Sc in each chain around and join to marked stitch.

Row 2: Ch 2, (counts as first Dc), skip st and Dc in each Sc around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 2. (55 Dc)

Row 3: Ch 1, (counts as first Hdc), skip st and Hdc in each around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 1. (55 Hdc)

Row 4: Ch 2, (counts as first Dc), skip st and Dc in each Hdc around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 2. (55 Dc)

Rows 5-6: Repeat Row 4
Row 7: Repeat Row 3
Row 8: Repeat Row 4

Row 9: Ch 1, Sc in each Dc around. Join with sl st to Ch 1.
Rows 10-17 Repeat Rows 2-9
Rows 18-23 Repeats Rows 2-7


Fasten off.

Original Pattern by Stephanie @ http://thecrimsonowl.blogspot.com/

Here's a sneak peak on a blanket I'm working on. I'm in love with it and it's not even done!

Thrifty 2 - Second Hand Crochet Books

This weekend while shopping for yarn I found a used book store. Well, not really found. I had seen it before. It's next to a fabric shop on Main St. in Ventura, CA. I've been to this fabric shop many times to look for special yarns that Michael's doesn't carry. Every time I go to the fabric store I think about going into the used book shop but for some reason I never do, or they are closed. Well Saturday morning I went in! Look what I found!!!!!

1. The book with the striped Afghan is called Crochet. Technicques & Projects  By the editors of Sunnset, 1975

2. McCall's Crochet Treasury By The McCall Patten Co. 1968

Look at some of the pictures in this book! So classic. Kinda funny too.

I'm making one of these watermelon or strawberry bags soon! I must!

3. Quick 'N Easy Crocheting Golden Publishing 1980's? This book is a mini 2 ring binder with lots, and lots of patterns! Looks like it may have been a display of some kind in a craft store maybe. Here's a picture from it:

Ahhh. Heaven. I guess I should give credit to the store! The people there are very nice.I have to say they made my weekend fun and busy.

Abednego Book Shoppe 
2682 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 643-9350 () ‎

DIY Gift Wrap

Uh Oh! Have to wrap a gift and no gift wrap? Well hopefully you have this problem on a Sunday and saved the Sunday comics...

You'll Need:

News Paper (I like the Comic Section)

Scissors 

Tape

Yarn

1. Wrap your gift with the news paper.

2. Make a Pom-Pom

3.Use yarn like normal gift wrap ribbon

4. Glue/Tape Pom-Pom to the package

That's it! People usually find the Comic gift wrap interesting. I hope you did too!