New coral reef fabrics in my Etsy Shop!!!

First quilt design for "Quilts of Valor"

With help from Ryan, who drew me a sketch for the "Quilts of Valor", I was able to translate his sketch into a quilt design as you can see in the photo below.
Let me know if you like/love this design for the donation quilt as it's our first YAY!!! 

 Fabric donations are HIGHLY appreciated and if you like to donate money pls use this link: www.gofundme.com/quiltsofvalor

 Thank you!!!

Update on the custom ordered quilts and new designs

This week I have been playing around with new quilt designs and I tested out a star pattern:

 Worked for a little bit to put borders on the vintage flower quilt top which was ordered by one of my customers as a gift for a family member:

Still have to miter the borders, iron and find a backing fabric for this adorable quilt :)

I love the pretty fabrics used in this throw size quilt.

Ask me questions about knitting/crochet/felting/dyeing fibers etc, I will answer them for FREE!!!

I have been asked many many times to share my knowledge about knitting/crochet/felting/dyeing fibers etc.

So here is my question to you:

Let me know what you like me to explain/clarify/simplify related to the above mentioned arts and crafts, by either sending me an email at info@beautifulyeah.com or leaving a comment below.

 

There are no secrets for me to hide. I will explain it to you or refer u to other online content or whatever it might take.

Even if you have a question about a project you are working on, send me the pattern/pics etc and I'm pretty sure I can help you out from here :)

I will work through all your questions one blog post at a time, promise!

So go ahead and ask!!! I'm waiting....

Pimp up my picture frames

The picture frames I found yesterday are in need of a makeover to fit my beach interior decorations :)

So this is how i found them before I tackled the 6 picture frames:

(The 6th one is larger so you will see it in the next pictures)

I want them look weathered with some color coming through, you will see what I mean...

I used Gesso (white) since I have a big bottle of it, to set kind of a base to cover the brown of the wood.

(Instead of gesso you can use any acrylic paint in whatever color you fancy of course)

One coat done:

No I have to let it dry and apply a second coat of gesso.

Here is my setup on the dining room table:

This second coat needs to really dry so we all have to wait...:)

I will show you the next stages as I get there of course!

New Infinity Shawl/Scarf/Cowl in my Etsy Shop

I had to finish sewing some custom orders and when that was all done today, I made a new Infinity Scarf for my Etsy Shop :)

Hope you like it and I may have to make 1 more in this color combo...

 

 

No it's time for coffee first!

New in my Etsy Shop...

Hand dyed Merino/Silk Fingering weight yarn :D

Only ONE available...click on picture for more info!

Deal of the DAY!!!

TODAY ONLY:

FOR SALE:

1 skein of Hand Dyed Sock yarn "Summer Bliss"

70% Merino Wool 30% Silk

440 yards / 100 grams

7-8 st = 1" on US1-3 needles

Handwash cold
Price: $22 free shipping USA

 

CLICK HERE TO BUY!!!

 

ONLY 1 LEFT!!!

 

Pattern for CAL January is up on Ravelry and Craftsy!!!

The patterns I write are mainly to cover the cost of my blogs/time/materials/coffee and I really enjoy receiving your feedback.

I am always here to help if something is unclear because I am still human and I do make mistakes :) Here it is my new pattern!!!

You can find it on Ravelry or Craftsy:

Source: Pimped up Mason Jars / containers and fl via beautifulyeah on Craftsy

FB group for Crochet/Knit and Sew Alongs

Someone whispered in my ear that it takes a lot of work out of my hands if I just set up a FB group for my Crochet/Knit and Sew Alongs, so they can post/interact with others. 

 

Everyone can share their creations from our monthly CAL/KAL/SAL's!!!

 

Make sure you add yourself to my FB group, just click on the link below!!!

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/546644012015571/

Crochet Alongs / CAL's for January and February 2013

Here are the Crochet Along projects for the next 2 months.

 

January 2013:

"Pimped up storage Jars"

 

Pattern will be up by the end of the week...sorry I got a little behind :)

 

February 2013:

"Spring Petals Scarf"

 

This is the original picture that goes with the pattern:

And here I made the scarf in about 3 hours of 3 balls of yarn (Red Heart Boutique Midnight & Treasure - Whisper & Spectrum), Medium weight (4) worsted weight yarn on a hook size: US F -3.75mm.
Really easy fun free pattern to remember (just one line).
I went for texture in this scarf. If I wanted more stitch definition I would have probably used a bigger size hook and a solid color (see green scarf).
Yes, one side of the scarf will be straight and the other side will be scalloped...it doesn't bother me but it might to some of you.

 

 

 

Hope you join with these Crochet Alongs and send me pictures/ or

post your pictures in my Ravelry Group.

 

Start of the Poppies Wall hanging!!!

Finally, I got some important things that needed to be done squared away today and I still had some hours left in the day to work on my Poppies Wall hanging :)

 

But first I need to tell you that this chalk tool is AMAZING!!! See it has a little wheel on which the chalk falls out to draw a line. 

I still had it in my sewing box and I refilled it with chalk.

So easy and I don't remember the brand so I took two close up pics for you, in case you want to look for it.

 

 

 

 

I couldn't find my rotary cutter nor could I find my quilting ruler so I had to cut all the pieces needed for my wall hanger with scissors and measure with my yard stick.

 It took a little longer but it works.

 

Remember this is the wall hanger I am making.

 

I set up my ironing board after I finished cutting since I will be needing it while assembling the wall hanging.

Love my iron too, only $30 and it has a safety automatic turn off after 30 seconds!!

I rarely fill my water reservoir in my iron cos I use a spray bottle. It keeps my iron from getting calcium build up everywhere.

 

 

 

Can you see the gold sparkle fabric I found dirt cheap ($2/yd), love it!!

 

2 hours later the front frame part is assembled :)

 

 

It's looking good!!!

Hopefully tomorrow I will have some time again to work on it!

 

January 2013 - Crochet Along (CAL)

I need to "pimp up" my work/design space and of course I want it to look cute but functional too so here is the Crochet Along for January 2013.

You can join in or just watch as I will periodically post some of my creations.

 

Let me know if you want me to write up a crochet pattern.

 

I used mason jars, the ones with the bigger opening at the top so I can store my hooks in there or my knitting needles.

Cute gifts too or you can use them to save up your coins or...

 

 

 

Some left over cotton yarns and a took my box with ribbons out.

 

And here are the results:

 

with a ribbon and flower

 

 

 

And one with just a variegated yarn and ribbon.

 

I will be making some more that I will be posting here.

So grab your hooks and start spicing up your jars :)

Love to see pictures and feel free to ask questions!!!

 

 

Design Tutorial: Color (wheel)

Let's continue on explaining a little bit about "color"

 

This is what I use for designing: the color wheel.

I know some of you will say: "how do I use this color wheel?"

It's not that hard so let's start with basics by showing your the color wheel:

 

Here is an explanation of the color wheel I got from this website:

 

The COLOR WHEEL has 12 segments that consist of primary, secondary and tertiary hues, or colors.

The three PRIMARY colors are RED, YELLOW, and BLUE. They form a triangle on the wheel. These colors cannot be mixed by combining any other colors. They are indicated on the color wheel with a P.

The three SECONDARY colors of ORANGE, VIOLET, and GREEN (marked on the chart by an S) are created by mixing equal parts of the primary colors they fall in between; ie, VIOLET is the secondary color produced by mixing equal parts of RED and BLUE.

The TERIARY colors are the colors that result from mixing the primary and secondary colors on either side of them: ie, mixing the secondary color ORANGE with the primary color RED results in red-orange. These colors are marked on the color wheel with a T.

Using the color wheel you can determine color schemes fpr balance and harmony in your artwork, webpages, desktop publishing designs or home decorating.

Hue: Hue refers to the color...red, blue, etc.

The primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, or hues, are these colors at their full saturation or brightness; that is, there, there is no white, gray, or black added.

Value: the lightness or darkness of a color, or the relative amount (percentage) of white or black in a hue.

Luminosity, or Lightness: A measure of the amount of light reflected from a hue. Those hues with a high content of white have a higher luminance, or value.

Tints: white when added in increments to any color results in a lighter value of that color, called a tint. Blue and white make light blue, which is a tint of Blue.

Shades: black or gray when added in increments to any color results in a darker value of that color, called a shade. Blue and Black make dark blue, a shade of blue.

Saturation: The degree of purity of a hue.

Intensity: The brightness or dullness of a hue. Iintensity maybe lowered by adding white or black.

 

* * * * * * * *

 

 

 

Colors opposite of each other on the color wheel are COMPLEMENTARY colors, this means they work very well together (complement each other/balance).

Like red and green, blue and orange etc...

 

 

This is just a brief explanation about color and we can incooperate this into our "designs".

For example:

http://www.iceyarns.com/scarf-yarns-ballerina-red-multicolor-green

 

Red and green

 

I am trying to show you that this is just a tool to help you in designing...

 

You can also decide to use the rainbow colors, like my blog header of my own hand dyed yarns:

 

Or like I used the "rasta" colors in my design below:

 

There are so many ways that I won't be able to cover them all but know that working with the color wheel rules you design will look "balanced" and is "easy" on the eyes...

Be free, it's art so let those creative juices flow...

Have fun and feel free to ask questions!

 

 

NEW SEW ALONG and update on Christmas lights CAL

I have been contacted to hold a sew along here on my blog.

And since I have been looking around to start sewing again without starting on a whole big quilt...

I just want a small project but easy and useful I came up with this.

 

The idea is to do a sew along with MUG RUGS.

What is a mug rug?

As it says, it's a "rug" for your mug...like a blown-up coaster.

You can do all kinds of things with sewing/quilting techniques to your mug rug to fancy it up!

 

Well, it requires probably me writing a tutorial soon to show you how easy it is. Yes, pictures included but I have to go dig up my fabrics and see if I have to go "shop" to be able to make some.

 

I don't wanna get in trouble with ownership of certain pictures so you Google "mug rug"

or just click here for examples.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

Next thing on my list:

 

the daylight pic of the Christmas lights CAL

I think it looks great!!! :)

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * *

 

I had so much spinning around in my head to share but I am probably too tired cos I can't think of it now... :)

Well if I do I will write another post again soon, sorry

 

But do let me know if you want me to post about the mug rug tutorial!!!

 

 

I finished the CAL for the Christmas Lights and much more...

Okay, here we go....

 

TAATAAAAAA...I finished our CAL today and it's hanging from my covered front porch/entrance.

Simple, easy and fast crochet project to whip up in a few days. Don't forget it is PERFECT to use up those small amounts of yarn that we all have laying around somewhere...

FREE Pattern by Jean Herman

 

 

My friend Tina finished hers too and send me a picture to share. Thank you Tina for sharing!!!

I love hers too, such a rewarding instant Christmas feeling these lights...

 

 

We picked up our first white (flocked?) Christmas tree ever and we love it!!!

BEFORE:

 

 AFTER:

 

 

 

Now I am in the "Christmas" mood :)

 

 

And like I asked in my previous blog post that I was looking for ideas for my windows for you all? Well I got what I wanted...so many responses and emails with pattern (links).

Finally I decided to make the ones pictured below for the kitchen windows.

Pattern is free from Bernat

I will start them soon and I will keep you updated!

 

LOL

 

 

 

I need your help/ideas for my windows…

Here is my question:

I don't wanna look at my neighbors walls/windows but I want to be able to look outside (not people looking in my house) and don't lose the light coming in, in my kitchen and bathroom windows.

And I don't want it too look like "grandma's" kitchen...you know what I mean something modern, airy in white or color...HELP!!!

 

So I am looking for crochet ideas/patterns to make that happen...

 

btw my kitchen is all white with butcher block counter tops.

 

let me know what your ideas are (please link patterns too).

 

Thank you!!!

Kitchen windows

Bathroom window:

Almost done with my Christmas Lights CAL...

Today I have planned, in between errands and wife duties (laundry, cleaning etc), to make the "cable" for the Holiday Lights from Jean Herman's free pattern that you can find on Ravelry and hang them by the entrance of our front door under the covered porch :)

 

It's so great to see that a lot of you joined this CAL and I am looking forward seeing more pictures showing up in our Ravelry group.

 

And we have to start looking into our next January 2012 CAL/KAL.

 

Before I forgot someone asked me if I would consider doing a SAL (Sew Along) too...

I think that's a great idea so some of you can take a little break in between our CAL/KAL/SAL.

 

I made an adjustment to the pattern by crocheting the connectors on the lights instead of making them seperately and sewing them on later. I just dislike hand sewing...LOL

 

12 lights with connectors:

 

 

 

 

Yesterday I met my knitting/crochet group at Starbucks for our weekly get-together to have this time a secret Santa game. And yes, they stole my presents twice but I got to steal back and ended up with a little Christmas sock (see pic below).

Below is a picture of all the Christmas ornaments that were made for the Secret Santa game: 

 

 

 My Secret Santa Christmas Sock ornament:

 

So this was it for today...I will be diving into finding new patterns for our projects so we can start voting :)

Still I hope I am not boring you all with my blog...