Sewing and Crafts

My Summer Granny Squares are finally finished just in time for fall. 

 That's okay, we can curl up under it on cool evenings on the front porch or in the morning waiting for the school bus.  
I love how it matches my porch swing!

 These colors where fun to work with and I like the white in between the blocks.

 

Do you want to make one too?

I made 63 - 7"  Granny Squares.  
My blanket is 7 squares across by 9 squares down.  
This is a good lap size blanket.

Instructions for basic 7" Granny Square

Size H crochet hook and worsted weight yarn. 
 I used red heart yarn in blue, light blue, pink, red, yellow, and white

Chain 5 and join with slip stitch to form ring.

Round 1: Chain 3 (Counts as first double crochet), 2 double crochet in ring, chain 3, *3 double crochet in ring, chain 3: repeat from * 2 more times. Join with slip stitch in third chain of chain-3. Break off.

Round 2:  Change color of yarn. Slip stitch to chain-3 corner space, chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in same space,  * chain 1, work 3 double crochet, chain 3, 3 double crochet in next space; repeat from * 2 more times, chain 1. Join and break off.

Round 3: Change color of yarn.  Slip stitch into chain-3 space, chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in the same space, * chain 1, 3 double crochet in the next chain-1 space; 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in next corner; repeat from* around the square ending with chain1. Join and break off.

Round 4:  Change yarn. Slip stitch to chain-3 corner space, chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in the same space, *(Chain 1, 3 double crochet in next chain 1 space)twice: chain 1 3 double crochet chain 3 and 3 double crochet in next corner; repeat from * around the square ending with chain-1. Join and break off.

Round 5: With white yarn.  Starting in any corner attach, chain 2, 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in same space, *(chain 1, 3 double crochet in next chain 1 space) 3 times, chain 1; 3 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in next corner; repeat from * around ending with chain 1. Join and break off.

Stitch your squares into rows of 7 then stitch the rows together.  I crocheted my rows together using a single crochet.  I like the ridge it created it reminds me of the granny square blanket my Granny made for my sister.  I also like the added texture and it was fast!  I have seen lots of instructions if you prefer the flat look. 

For my border:  I single crocheted all the way around the blanket. Then chained 3 and 4 double crochet in the same space.* Skip 2 single crochet, skip 2, 5 double crochet in the same space. Repeat from * around the blanket end in a slip stitch and break off.   

Have fun making lots of bright little Granny Squares!

 Cherilyn

Link Parties:
 http://www.sew-much-ado.com/
 http://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/09/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-18/
 http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Modern Quilting Bee

I have joined a Quilting Bee on Flickr!!! 

I am so excited about it!  

Have you heard about online Quilting Bee's?  

   I decided to start out simple and joined a block exchange. 

The group I'm in is called Bee Simple.  There are 12 members of the group from all over the World!  Each quilter in the group chooses a month and what colors they would like for their quilt.  Then we make 2 blocks in their color choices from our stash or local quilt shop.  Then we send them out.  On my month I will get 11 blocks from the group!  (I love Happy Mail!)

 Here are March's Blocks. 

   

I don't normally work in these colors, but I love them.  

I can't wait to see the finished quilts! 

It has been exciting to try new color combinations and a great excuse to build my stash!

Would you like to join a Bee?  

Click Here.  

Go to the end of the list for current Bees you can join.  

I would love to here about your experiences with Quilting Bee's.

Cherilyn

Link Parties:
http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/

http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/2012/02/made-with-love-link-up_26.html

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Card Exchange

Have you ever participated in a card exchange? My Sister hosted one last week.  Everyone in the group  designed a card then brought everything to make 24 cards.  She had 8 people participating in the exchange so everyone assembled 3 of each card.  They said it was a fun afternoon full of laughter and treats.  When the party is over each person had a bunch of super cute cards and lots of fun memories.

Although I live far away they included me in the exchange.  (I love my Sisters!) Because I was mailing my cards I needed to assemble them all too.  I started out with some elaborate ideas but then realized it would take me forever to put 24 cards together.  So I simplified things a bit. I saw a super cute card on Pinterest with buttons and  printable stems.  

I went here to check out this amazing blog How About Orange  and print the stems.  

 I didn't have enough buttons for all the cards so I punched out flowers instead. 

 Here are all 24 cards! 

 Whew! 

All done! 

Now to get them in the mail!

 

A few days ago these cuties arrived!

They are all so unique and fit the personalities of the card makers!  

I could tell which sister designed each card. 

I am excited to use these cute cards, but I think I will save one of each just for me!

Happy Card Making!

Cherilyn

Link Parties:

http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/sys-blog-link-party-with-chalkboard-paint-crafts/
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/
http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/2012/02/making-it-with-allie.html
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/02/27/made-by-you-monday-89/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+skiptomyloublog+%28Skip+To+My+Lou%29

Posted by Cherilyn at 6:31 AM 2 comments

December was a busy month for us on the farm. We decided to make homemade gifts for our family. We love re-purposing and salvaging things to use on our property and in our home.

My creative and resourceful Farmer made Rubber Band Riffles for 3 nephews. He used salvaged boards and spray painted them bright colors. They looked great!! (This is a picture of the guns he made for our little Farmer Boys. They have seen a lot of use!)

Rubber Band Riffles

While my Farmer was working in the barn on Christmas. I was digging through scraps to make my niece a little rag doll. I took some inspiration from the Toy Ads. I found a plastic doll made to look like a rag doll.  Why not make a soft cuddly doll instead? I had so much fun sitting at the kitchen table sewing this little Dollie.

Scrappy Rag Doll

Every Rag Doll needs a quilt. So I went back to my scraps and found a few bright fabrics and little bit of ric rac. Here is the little scrappy stacked coin quilt I came up with.

Scrappy Doll Quilt

We found a huge box to fit all of our Farm made gifts and sent them off to family.

My Farmer and I were so excited to hear that they loved our little gifts.

Linky Parties:
http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/
 http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/
 http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/01/one-year-blogaversary-and-new-linky.html