My Week on Instagram {2.21-2.28}

I haven't been working on projects that I feel warrant a blog post, or not yet at least.  I do post to Instagram quite often.  I've expressed how much I love this app many times.

First of all you can follow me here - http://instagram.com/daisiesforviolet

So, this week on my Instagram,

1. I'm working on a project for a swap at C.R.A.F.T.  My partner's style is completely different than mine.  It's been fun coming up with something make/assemble/send to her.  These are the colors I picked out to use on her project.

2. I picked up a hexagon punch last week just because I felt like I needed one.  There was no explanation, my life was suddenly incomplete until I could find a coupon and get one of these in my possession.  I tend to lean toward bold colors, so I was just trying to get a feel for some neutrals.

3. It's still epic winter time here in Chicago.  I couldn't find a matching set of flops in the house and Violet thought it was hilarious that my shoes didn't match so she went and found her flops that didn't match.  They lasted just long enough to take a pic.  I hope the colors somehow influence the weather....

4. I made her first mitten before it got sub zero the first time.  I love this yarn, it's Caron Super Soft, for small projects like this.

5.  I got this coat at a thrift store for $20.  That's too much for a coat at the thrift store.  BUT this collar is wonderful with my short hair.

6. Violet has SVT.  She has episodes of SVT I should say.  Her heart rate doubles for no discernible reason.  She had her first at nine days old, her second at 21 days.  Her third was last Tuesday night at 28 months old.  We are back on meds, unfortunately, We all thought she had grown out of it.  So we are disappointed but it's not life threatening.  So if she's going to have heart issues, honestly this one the one I would pick.  This picture is her at 2 am checking her heart rate.  She was at about 160, 90 is normal.  The stethoscope is her new favorite thing.

7, 9, and 10.  These are gifts for a friend's daughters.  More on this when I get my friend's gift done.  It's a SURPRISE!

8.  I don't get how this is comfortable.

11.  This is Grim. He's a jerky cat.  The internet loves him.

12.  Selfie.  This is my favorite app ever.  I got a Windows phone the phone before this one and I seriously considered taking it back cause they didn't have it on the market.  But, $35 restocking fee.  It's Vignette. Go get it now.

13.  Another thing that was a total compulsion for about 48 hours.  I actually blogged this one.  FREE PATTERN YAY!

14.  She loves to paint, draw and make things.  I had to go to target a few days ago because she wanted to use tools and I didn't trust her with the real screw driver.

15. This is a wrap I made for a friend of mine.  It's also Caron Simply Soft in a great creamy orange.  But you can't tell cause I used that same app, Vignette.  I love (that app) this wrap.

Wow, this really turns out to be a diary.

What are you making today?

Free Pattern: Peter Pan Collar

I've been working on moving this blog to a wordpress site. It's been relatively easy (my husband is a Software Engineer). The only thing I'm nervous about is the About me section and photo. I wanted to make a collar to wear in the photo. Somehow I think it might just exquisitely capture my essence.  

Har.

So here is how I made it.  

Traditional Peter Pan Collar

Size: Adult

Length: 19”

Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Materials

Caron Simply Soft Yarn.

(I used Blue Mint)

G/4.00mm Crochet Hook

Darting Needle to sew in ends

Knowledge needed

Chain (ch)

Half Double Crochet (hdc)

Single Crochet decrease (scdec)

Repeat (rep)

Chain 82 + 2 turning chain

Feel free to add increase the number of stitch, but make sure it stays an even number.

Row 1: HDC in each ch stitch across. (82 stitches)

Row 2: Ch2, complete an scdec in the first two hdc stitches, *hdc in the next two stitches, 2hdc in the next*. rep* to* until there are 2 stitches left.  Complete an scdec in the last 2 stitches.  (104 stitches)

Row 3: Ch2, complete an scdec in the first two hdc stitches, hdc in each stitch until there are 2 stitches left.  Complete an scdec in the last 2 stitches. (100 stitches)

Row 4: Ch2, complete an scdec in the first two hdc stitches, *hdc in the next five stitches, 2hdc in the next*. rep* to* until there are 2 stitches left.  (116 stitches)

Logic: A slight increasing rows will help to form a soft roundness to your collar and decreasing the ends will give a curve instead of a straight edge.  If you like the look of a pointed collar, instead of decreasing, hdc over those stitches instead.  

Please don't hesitate to comment below to let me know if you have any questions of need clarification! You can also comment if you like the pattern. ;)

Finishing

I didn't explain how to finish the collar cause there are a ton of different ways.  

Sew it directly onto the top or dress you are planning to wear it with.  I love this look, however, the red dress is on Betty cause It doesn't fit me.  :)

A pin.  This is a cross stitch pin I made for Violet's jacket.  It's a simple pin back and can be replaced and switched out very easily.

A bow.  Cause awwww.

Something else crocheted.  This little bow really does the trick, but you can always use a heart or a skull or whatever you can think of. 

Finally, a button.  :)

Stitching on Canvas: Be Excellent to Each Other

I've completed a couple and started a couple embroidery on canvas projects.  I really like to stitch on a store bought canvas.  They are always on sale, no matter the craft store you prefe,r and they are ready to hang.

I've seen a few of those "House Rules" hangings.  Lots of people have them.  I feel like they are too sentimental for us.  I call my husband jerkface and tell him I hate him.  He tells me to shut up pretty often.  This is our way to say I love you.  (It's ok, we still actually say "I love you")  People don't always get it.   That's ok.  It's our humor and we match.

So something sweet on the wall just wasn't going to work.

However, be excellent to each other.

It's the golden rule really.  We say mean-ish things to each other.  I'm sure it will be the same with the kids, assuming they will have our dark sense of humor and dorkiness.  If they don't then we won't.

I want to go to sleep knowing that I have shown the people I love that I love them.  That I've treated them the way that they deserve.

I also needed something to cover that hole in the wall.

~ANYWAYZ~

16x20 stretched canvas
DMC numbers 413 and 3801
I created a template in Photoshop, printed it, taped it to the canvas and poked holes with a stamping tool that looks like an ice pick.

It's one of the few things that I enjoyed all the way through and still like completed.  :)

365 Project updates

I've been working on a few different 365 projects.  I had never done one before so I guess I'm making up for lost time.

1. #Stitchaday

This is mainly on instagram and I blogged about it here.  As someone that deals with depresson I'm curious about the patterns of it.  January was a bit rough, but it's also winter in Chicago so really everyone is depressed right now.  :)

Every few days I add my progress on Instagram.  

Doing only one stitch doesn't bother me.  It's changing the floss color that bothers me.  :)

3. Mom's One Line a day.

This I have only missed once.  Before cross stitch there was crochet, before crochet, embroidery, before embroidery there was journaling.  It's very good for me. 

3. Cranes

I started the cranes as a way to bring a bit of luck and color into our home.  The legend says that the person that makes 1,000 cranes in one year is grated a wish by a crane.  I always wish on stars, eyelashes, (especially baby ones, I'm convinced those have extra special innocent wishing power) and 11:11.  I started on 1/18 and I need 3 a day.   I did 10 one night and the next day I won a giveaway on Instagram.  (Have I told you how much I love Instagram?)  That was proof enough for me. 

 In those days that you see a gray stitch above I likely didn't do any cranes.  As of today I have 29.  

4.  Wreck this journal.

I want to do exercises to be more creative.  That seems to always mean drawing.  I don't draw as much as I'd like to, I never took an art class in my life, although I do consider myself an artist.  Is that weird?  I'm intimidated by this project, which is why I got the book, but I can't just pick it up and do it.  :shrug:

Do you have any 365 projects or resolutions?

How are they going?