Blog Archives

Canvas Valentines

2/11/2014

Valentine's Day Then...and Now

I remember when my husband and I shared our first Valentine's Day together as a dating couple. I went ALL OUT (for a 23 year old waitress/student). Weeks beforehand, I hand made construction paper heart garland, cut out hearts and wrote love quotes on them, built a Build-a-Bear, aptly named Hannigan (after the place where we met), and purchased a few pricey gifts in hopes of showing him exactly how much I loved him. After he left for work that morning, Valentine's Day 2007, I went into his apartment and decorated his room with the garland, cut out hearts, balloons, and gifts. I still remember his face when he walked through the door -- priceless.

And now seven years later, I still think of ways to surprise him. Although I'm left with less time and energy after the daily grind (Livia, cleaning teeth, maintaining the house, crocheting, etc), I still try to think of inventive ways to show my love exactly how much I love him.

And this year is no different.

Walking around the local craft store with Livia inspired my 2014 Valentine's Day project -- Canvas Valentines.

What You'll Need:
Canvas Board (I purchased the burlap colored kind)
Paint
Paint brush
Glitter
Felt Stickies
Glue Gun & Glue

Have Fun!

...and Happy Valentine's Day!

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Funky Lattice Scarf Free Crochet Pattern

2/5/2014

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In celebration of my first "made-to-order" item, I am giving you the scarf pattern that I created for free!

It all started when....

I decided to make my mother-in-law a funky scarf for Christmas. After looking at many, many free scarf patterns, nothing was quite funky enough. So, I decided to create my own! Utilizing a lattice pattern that I have crocheted with before, I ornamented the design, and voila, created the Funky Lattice Scarf.

From what I hear, she wears it a lot. So much so that a teacher who works at her grandson's (my nephew's) school asked for one herself!

Here is the pattern. Hope you like it, too!

Funky Scarf Crochet Pattern

What You'll Need:

1 skein LionBrand Homespun Yarn in Edwardian, "A"
1 skeins LionBrand Homespun Yarn in Wisteria, "B"
2 skeins Red Heart Stellar in Quark, "C"
Scissors and Needle to weave in Ends
Hook Size I

Abbreviations Used:

Ch = chain
Tr = treble crochet
Sk = skip
St = stitch

With "A": First Ruffle

Ch180

Rnd 1: Ch4, tr in same stitch as ch4, tr in each st until the last stitch, 2tr in last stitch, ch4, turn

Rnd2: Tr in same stitch as ch4, tr in each st until the last stitch, 2tr in last stitch, turn

Change to "B": Begin Lattice

Rnd3-8: Ch7, sk 3 st, tr in next st, *Ch4, sk 3 st, tr in next st* repeat ** to end stitch, Ch7, turn

Change to "A": End Ruffle

Rnd 9: Ch4, tr in same stitch as ch4, tr in each st until the last stitch, 2tr in last stitch, ch4, turn

Rnd10: Tr in same stitch as ch4, tr in each st until the last stitch, 2tr in last stitch

Fasten Off and Weave in Ends

Change to "C"

Join "C" to beginning stitch of Rnd 4 (second lattice made)

Rnd11: Ch4, tr in same stitch as ch4, *4tr in next lattice "space" (formed by previous sk stitches), ch2*, repeat until last stitch, tr in last stitch, fasten off and weave in ends

Join "C" to beginning stitch of Rnd 6 (fourth lattice made)

Rnd12: Ch4, tr in same stitch as ch4, *4tr in next lattice "space" (formed by previous sk stitches), ch2*, repeat until last stitch, tr in last stitch, fasten off and weave in ends

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I'm On Etsy!

2/2/2014

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Although Livia, hubby, cleaning teeth, counting cycle days and praying for baby #2 does take up quite a bit (99%) of my time, I find myself using every in-between second to crochet.

It has always been a dream of mine to own my own business -- no matter how big or small. Livialovia is a realization of a dream 30 years in the making.

And now I can proudly say that I'm on Etsy!

Browse often and purchase willingly!

Here's a sneak peak:

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Just A Glimpse

A glimpse into my personal DIY trials and errors, mommyhood, and my worldview.

The Creator

Hi! My name is Nicole, and I'm a full-time wife and mother, and a part-time dental hygienist and crafter. Creativity runs in my blood, and after 30 (plus) years, I am finally devoting the time to realize my own artistic talent (and having so much fun in the process!). Want to know more? Click here!