Cleansed

Okay, that title could mean anything and given the title to this blog, one might assume I am speaking of being cleansed from sin and born again.  Well, that is very important to me, but the Bible speaks of washing in other ways as well and also of being good stewards of what we have.

That being said, and having just secured a job after a LONG TIME  of looking, He has been teaching me all sorts of approaches to making what I have last and so on.  I just found a recipe for a non-food item and so for those of you who watch my Recipe page on this blog, I added a category for “other” recipes related to green living, budget stretching and more.  The first two (related) entries are links to a recommended type of home-made liquid laundry soap and since one of the ingredients is washing soda, revealed as hard to find in some geographic areas, I also included a simple way to make your own washing soda.

If you have recipes either for simpler living or food, just put a link to your own in the comment section of my RECIPE page here and I’ll add it to the appropriate category on the page so folks can easily find it.

Another look at my nine patch variation on Danish Heart Baskets with cost and options for fibers . . .

Quilting, FiberArt & Painting

Here’s a new view of the Danish Heart Baskets I shared (with a link to instructions) in my last post.  These were made from craft felt.  Assuming you pay 50 cents for the two contrasting sheets of felt, this means you can make 4 of these cute baskets for one dollar (less if you hit a great price on the craft felt.

These can also be made from different sized rectangles of the felt, but I’m also thinking this would be fun to make from all sorts of fibers . . . I’m thinking palm branches, for one . . . In this photo you can see 3 of the 4 I made from  2 sheets of felt.  My adaptation of the pattern resulted in a “nine patch” look to the baskets.  I did this adapted technique without noticing initially, but being a quilter, it appealed to me so this…

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How To Make a New Crocheted or Knitted Hat in Minutes!

I had a knit hat that I was tired of.  It was still as fresh looking as the day it was originally made but I never chose to wear it.  I took just a tiny bit of yarn and a couple of minutes and quickly added a touch of style ot the hat and felt like I had a brand new one.  This technique can work well for new knitters or crocheters, and also can be used to update and personalize a store bought knit hat. 

I picked up a smal skein of fancy sparkly “fur” yarn – the smallest skein they sold was more than enough.  Using a small crochet hook – size F worked for me, I simply added a single row of single crochet stitches around the edge of the hat.  That’s all.  Now the hat has a subtle yet fresh touch of style to it that made an old hat “new” to me. 

Another suggestion?  Search your pin collection.  You may just find, as I did, a costume jewelry piece that when attached to the hat will give it a fun new look! 

Try it!

 

 

 

Quilting and Fiber Art

Dear Readers!  I have just started a second blog here on WordPress which will feature photographs of my visual art, and in particular my quilting and fiber art.  To check it out go to:  http://inlovewiththelord2.wordpress.com/

How To Crochet A Fancy Scarf – It’s Simple!

Do you like the fancy furry scarves and not the price tag?  You can make one in either knitting or crochet very simply and using only the most basic stitches!  It’s all about the yarn!

 

 

 

The scarf shown in the photo was made in simple double crochet and worked up very quickly!  Literally, pop in your favorite movie on DVD and your scarf will be done before the credits roll at the end of the movie!

You will need one skein of the fancy fur yarn.  Many manufacturers make these and they come in small skeins or balls.  One will make the scarf shown which measures approx 4 inches by approx 48 inches.

You will also need one skein of worsted weight yarn.  A 3.5 or 4 ounce skein will be more than enough.  You will also need a large crochet hook – I used a size Q.

I like the scarf narrow and long as I can then wear it inside or out and can wrap it several times around my neck for warmth under a jacket, or drape it simply when inside as a fashion statement. 

Simply take a strand of each yarn and crochet a short chain just slightly longer than your desired width.  Doing double crochet, begin in the fourth chain from hook, and complete your row, chain 3, turn, and repeat until your scarf is the desired length.  One skein of the fake fur yarn will make a scarf the size I did in the photo.  If you wish a very long scarf, simply buy two skeins of the fancy fur yarn. 

In the example, I used black worsted weight yarn and a strand of purple fancy fur yarn and achieved the end result shown.  don’t be afraid to use a different “base color” which is your worsted weight yarn along with your primary color, the fancy fake fur yarn. 

You will love the result.  The large hook will make it soft light while still allowing it to be cozy and warm.  You’ll want to make some for every outfit!  Don’t be surprised if all your freinds want them! 

ARE YOU A KNITTER?  Simple use the same technique of one strand of each.  Use your choice of simple stitch and extra large needles for soft loose stitches. 

For added length, buying three skeins of the fake fur yarn will yield two scarves.  I bought a 6 ounce skein of worsted weight yarn and three skeins of the fake fur and had some leftover when I did these “extra long.” 

It really is that easy.  You can’t go wrong!  Try it!