2018 and much has changed. I"m living alone in the city I went to school in close to my parents now. No boyfriend or significant other in my life right now. I'm still on disability and unable to work and I still don't get as much crafting done as I want due to my health. I have a few crochet projects still in progress and one or two that need to be done. I've expanded my craft knowledge. I've made a few wreaths for myself and a few tulle skirts for little girls which I've been unsuccessful in selling. I'm also an independent representative for Stampin' Up since the beginning of the year and  you can visit my business site HERE. More good news is that I've been clear of cancer for 6 years now, thank the goddess for that.I'm back to blogging now though and will post something crafty within a week so come back and see what I come up with or leave me a comment telling me something you are interesting in seeing or learning.

Its almost 2013 and I haven't posted in a LONGGGGG time. SO.... Time for an update and overhaul of the site. New year, new changes, new me and lots to get done. I've moved out of my parents' house and into a camper with my boyfriend which means I no longer have the space for stampin' or scrapbooking, but I have still been crocheting. I haven't really written any new patterns though so I need to get back on that train. (yes thats a play on words for a shout out to my fav band!) I did create a pdf file of the pattern I wrote a long time ago for the Triple Layer Trivet and I'm going to figure out how to put it on here for download. Eventually.

Ongoing Craft Projects

My Giveaway is still going on so please be sure to check that out and get your entries in. I have several projects ongoing at the moment that I will be sharing with you over the next week. My spring wreathe, a faux gumball machine, and a birthday tin. I finished a few scrapbook pages a week or so ago that I want to show as well, and I got some pictures of the purple baby blanket with the baby it was created for to post also. She is adorable, and her name is Anna Claire.

My spring wreathe is not going as easy as I thought it would. The paint is peeling on the pots and I think its because I have put too many layers on trying to get the color I want, so I have to step back and start over a bit on this one. In the meantime I found another source of inspiration in the tutorial pictured here.

So this one was easy to do. Although I made a few changes on my version. The hardest part of this project is finding the right size pieces to fit together. Spray painting them is a little bit time consuming but other than that there is nothing left but glueing them together. Here is a picture of mine in progress.

I decorated mine a little differently as well as using an additional flower pot saucer under my glass bowl. Adding the saucer adds more stability and allows the use of a bigger fish bowl. Here is my finished gumball machine.

I used a paper ribbon on the bottom of mine and decoupaged striped butterflies all the way around it. I also found a metal tag in my collection of scrapbook supplies that I adhered to the front to simulate where the candy comes out at.

I don't like overloading you with pictures on one post, so I will post some more tomorrow. Hope this day has found you happy and in good health. Happy crafting and Lets get Hookin'.

Giveaway!

I didn't get anything done on my Spring Wreathe today what I had planned so pics of it in progress will have to be posted tomorrow, or Tuesday (I think I have a doctor's appt Monday). I haven't been very crafty at all today in fact, due to a general yuckiness feeling since last yesterday afternoon. Maybe if I sit and crochet a bit I will feel better (and warm up my hands).

So in that spirit I want to do a Giveaway starting at 12:00am midnight tonight and ending Friday at 12:00am midnight. There are multiple ways to enter as you will see on the widget below. The winner will receive one of the Crochet Purses, of my choosing, that I have in my collection. This is a design that I sell, and not a pattern that I intend to post (though I may write it up and sell it on revelry at some point).

If you have any questions please leave them in the comments below and I will answer them asap. Thank you for reading and stopping by my blog today. May your day be crafty and fruitful! Let's get Hookin'.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

More Inspiration

Hope this day finds you all happy and crafting! Thanks for coming by and reading my little craft blog. My name is Tina and I love to make anything crafty, and I find lots of inspiration! For the most part I like to crochet and papercraft but I find myself doing other things when the mood hits! Its always depends on the day. I hope I can inspire you here on my little blog and teach you a few crafty things along they way.

Been crafting on and off the last few days but I want to show you one thing that I'm working on right now. Its a scrapghan that I'm making just for me with a found pattern. I'm crocheting it with 2 strands of yarn throughout, one being always black, the other being the scrap color.

Here is my current inspiration. Its a spring wreathe that I found at a thrift store. I'm in process of painting the little pots and then I will be putting mine together. I will post a picture of when I'm done. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Been getting Crafty

Been in a very non specific craft mood these last few days those not really sales minded for my craft show coming up. Otherwise my craftiness hasn't really been in papercrafting or crocheting. I posted the Valentine's Day wreathe that I saw and liked, well here is my version that I made of it.

It looks differing shades of red depending on your angle of view because of the way I just misted it with a few strokes of paint. If this inspired you to make one like this please post me a link to yours and I will pick my favorite to spotlight on my blog. This was a papercrafted wreathe though since it contains about 75 quilled roses.  They started as a pile, on my floor, of loosely twirled paper which became roses when I hot glued them into shape. They took form once I begin putting them into position on the frame. They started to take on a life as I added the paint and it all came together with the ribbon.

I had fun with this project and I will show tomorrow of another similar project I am working on! Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Awesome Tutorial

Here's a great Valentine's tutorial I found today. I will post pics of my version of it tomorrow! Hope you enjoy! (I can't take good pics of it this late at night on my front door!)

Bounce Back

So I've decided to have another stab @ this blogging now that I'm cancer free and done with chemo. Thought maybe I should make this another blog about dealing with chemo and lymphoma, but honestly, I live it and deal with it every day, and this blog is one of my escapes from it. I may mention my health from time to time but don't subscribe to me for cancer updates in the news and a general personal day to day view of my health.

Cancer has decided my life course for little over a year now, but I'm free now and ready to regain control. I had to put much on hold in my Rennie world that I hope to straighten out now, as well as get my crafting business back up going. I was unable to travel to Arizona this year for either work or play due to the timing of my last round of chemo. I will however, be at Georgia this year, either working or playing. I've scheduled a craft fair the first of April and I've got plans for some new products. So let's get Hooking!

So here you have a baby blanket that I finished recently for my daughter's best friend. I actually got it done on time too! I fell in love with the colors she choose and the design I made for her so much so that I am writing it up in a stroller blanket size to put on revelry. I'm also remaking it in this size as a sample of my custom work. It will be displayed at my craft fairs as a sample with a sign saying that I take custom orders. I have also been doing these adorable pocketbooks which are available custom as well.

Well that's it for covering my general bounce back. I talked of plans and some new things brewing here but there is still more in the works. I have already taken photos of several projects in progress to show you, as well as got many more inspirational ideas to talk about. Please comment in the section below about anything you've read, seen, or heard here that piques your interest! I'm open to new ideas as well. Thank you.

Cancer News

Which is not good, btw. I started a second round of chemo last week as I now have a lymph node with non- Hodgkins lymphoma. My case is a rare one to have switched cancers. Second round of chemo is going ok so far it's just that I have to be hospitalized during each treatment.

I have been working on a few crochet projects just not recently. I've been busy with the Ren Faire the last month and a half and I have one weekend of it left. Here is one dishcloth I completed using a pattern from Crochetville. I also worked on a scrapghan project but I don't have the picture on my phone. I need to make more cancer awareness ribbons as well in different colors as I've been slack on this.

I did finish up my outfit for the Ren Faire and through together some eclectic pieces from old costumes to match the other bodice I had bought and both turned out looking good. I like the thrown together one best. I will find find pics of both to post. I still have the dress to make for the green bodice and the steam punk costume to make as well so I need to get my butt to sewing. Faire is over after this coming weekend though. So those new outfits will be worn probably at Georgia next year.

I'm going to try and do a small crochet giveaway here soon as well as posting a new hand warmer pattern I came up with. Things have just been hectic with the Faire but they will slow back down with me being on chemo again. Hope everyone has a blessed day and thanks for reading.

Pictures

Here are the pictures of the baby blanket I recently finished. The center is a multicolored yarn double layered with a baby pink. Its a basic V-stitch. The first rows of the border are a baby yellow layered with the same baby pink and the last rows are 2 layers of the baby yellow as I ran out of the baby pink. I got the border out of a book that I have here at home. It is mostly shell stitches. Hope you enjoy!

Good News!

I got great news from my cancer doctor today. My Hodgkin's lymphoma is in remission and I am cancer free after 6 months of Chemotherapy.

I have been working on a crochet baby blanket for a friend of mine and I will post pics of it soon, as soon as I take some. I'm also working on a pair of hand warmers for me to wear to the Ren Faire this year as I'm working.

Other than those 2 things I haven't really been much too crafty lately or gone to any more craft shows, though I'm planning on trying my hand at a flea market in a weekend or two.

I did go on my annual vacation this past weekend. I go camping every 4th with my cousin and friends at a nearby lake and when I get them on the computer I will upload some pics I took there as we had a great time!

Hope everyone has a great weekend and thanks for reading!

Last Weekends Craft Fair

I didn't lose as much money of this one day event this past weekend, and I sold slightly less being only one day instead of two. All in all though I had more people buying of those who actually stopped and browsed my wares. I was also in a bad location at this festival as I was at the end hidden behind a BBQ trunk. I don't have any plans as of now to attend any in June but there is one I want to go to in July. If you know of any craft shows in the Pee Dee region of SC that I may be missing out on please comment or send me an email and let me know about them. Here are a few pictures of my setup this past weekend and I even get a pic of my helper though she was excited about it at all.

Thanks for reading and have a blessed day!

Sunflower Dishcloth Crochet pattern

Happy Mothers Day Everyone! Hope you have a wonderful day!

This is my rendition of Champygirl's Bountiful Petals dishcloth pattern as listed on Crochetville. The original pattern (the first 2 colors) is reprinted with her permission.

Materials:

Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn in 3 different colors
(center color, petal color, leaf color)
Size G hook (4.25)
Yarn needle (to weave in ends)
Finish Size: Almost 8”inches round picots and all.

Different Stitches:

Front Post Double Crochet Decrease (FPDCDEC)-[Yarn over, insert hook from front to back around post of next st and then to the front going thru other side of st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull thru 2 loops] Do this 2 times, yarn over and pull thru all 3 loops on hook.

Picot- Ch2, sc in 2nd chain from hook.

Front Post Treble Crochet (FPTC)-Yarn over twice, insert hook from front to back around post of specified st and then to the front going thru other side of st, yarn over, pull up a loop, [yarn over, pull thru 2 loops] Do this 3 times.

Directions:

Rnd 1: With center color, ch5, join with sl st to first chain to form ring, ch2, 12 dc in ring, join with sl st to front loop of first dc.
(12dc) (ch2 does not count as dc)

Rnd 2: [Ch3, sl st in front loop only of next st] repeat 11 times, ch3, join with sl st to joining sc of Rnd 1.
(12 sl sts, 12-ch3 loops)

Note: On Rnd 3 your working into the back loops left free from working Rnd 2 in front loops only. Do not work into any of the sc sts and ch3 loops from Rnd 2.

Rnd 3: Ch1, sl st in first free back loop, ch2, 1 dc in same back loop, 2 dc in each of the next 11 back loops, join with sl st to front loop of first dc.
(24dc)

Rnd 4: [ch2, sc in front loop only of next st] repeat 23 times, ch2, join with sl st to joining sc of Rnd 3.
(24 sc, 24-ch2 loops)

Finish off center color.

Note: On Rnd 5 your working into the back loops left free from working Rnd 4 in front loops only. Do not work into any of the sc sts and ch3 loops from Rnd 4.

Rnd 5: Join petal color with sl st to first free back loop, ch4, 1 dc in same back loop, 1 dc in next back loop, [(1 dc, ch2, 1 dc) all in next back loop, 1 dc in next back loop] Do this 11 times, join with sl st to 3rd chain of beginning ch4.
(36dc, 12-ch2 spaces) (Beginning ch4 counts as dc and a chain space)

Rnd 6: Sl st in next chain space, ch3, (1 dc, ch2, 2 dc) all in same chain space, [skip next 3 dc, (2 dc, ch2, 2 dc) all in next ch2 space] Do this 11 times, skip next 3 dc, join with sl st to top of beginning ch3,
(48dc, 12-ch2 spaces) (Beginning ch3 counts as dc)

Note: On Rnd 7 when working a FPTC you’re working into the dc on Rnd 5. On Rnd 5 there’s 12 groups of 3 dc separated by ch2 spaces. When working a FPTC you’re working into the middle dc of each group of 3 dc.


Rnd 7: Ch2, FPDCDEC first 2 sts together, (2 dc, Picot, 2 dc) all in next ch2 space, FPDCDEC next 2 sts together, FPTC in middle dc on Rnd 5, [FPDCDEC next 2 sts together, (2 dc, Picot, 2 dc) all in next ch2 space, FPDCDEC next 2 sts together, 1 FPTC in middle dc on Rnd 5] Do this 11 times, join with sl st to first FPDCDEC.
(48dc, 24 FPDCDEC, 12 FPTC, 12 Picots) (Beginning ch2 does not count as a st)

Finish off petal color.

Rnd 8: Working in back loops only, join leaf color with sl st to dc sp between 4 dc on Rnd 6. Ch 2, dc in next st. [Ch 3, sk next st, dc in next dc, dc in space between next 2 dc, dc in next st.] Repeat [] around. Ch 3, sk next st, dc in next dc, sl st to beginning ch 2.

Rnd 9: sl st in next st, ch 2, dc in same st, [hdc, sc in next sp, fptc, hdc, in same sp, 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc, picot in next st, 2 dc in last dc] rep [] around, stopping at picot and sl st to beginning ch 2.

Finish off and weave in ends.

Enjoy!

If you find any mistakes in this pattern please send me an email at ariiaana@gmail.com or comment here and I will correct the pattern! Thanks for reading and have a blessed day!

Crochet, Crochet, Crochet

I want to offer more crocheted items at my next craft fair next weekend so I have been busy crocheting different items to display and sell. 2 potholders, a headband, and I finished up the second thread potholder for my friend Spyglass. I also have a set of 3 sunflower potholders to make for one of my chemo nurses for her wedding present which is memorial day weekend. My afghan has been put on a temp hold till I get all this done. I don't have any pictures to post today, but I hope to have a tutorial up this weekend for one of my new dishcloths or potholders ( I'm still writing the pattern ). I even have to make a baby blanket in June for a friend of mine who is due the first week of July, and I've only ever made one baby blanket that took me 3 years to finish, so I"m going to have to set my mind to this one to get it done in time. Anyway I must get back to work now, so thanks for reading and have a blessed day!

Craft Fair Pictures

Here are the pictures of my table set-up at the craft fair this past weekend. Even though I only sold about 5 small items, I have sent in an application to do another craft fair next weekend. I should have took a picture of my helper as she was awesome and I couldn't have done it without her.

You can barely see my banner hanging over head in this picture. I later moved it to the table as people were hitting their heads on it. You can see here that this is what I used the suitcase for although after I got it up there I didn't like the look of it so I didn't use it on Saturday. But don't worry I will find another use for the suitcase or a way to incorporate it in my display. Here are a few close ups.

If anyone has any suggestions on something I should do different with my display to increase my sales please don't hesitate to contact me or leave a comment below. Thanks for reading and have a blessed day!

Craft festival

Had a great time at the festival although I didnt even sell enough to cover my booth fee. I met some wonderful people. Made it home earlier today to find my Internet is down and won't be fixed until Tuesday. Thanks for reading my little update and have a great day!

Suitcase Pictures

Here is the suitcase I picked up the other day!

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!

Tatertots and Jello: Giveaway Monday -- Epic Six Letterpress System {$169 value}!!

Tatertots and Jello: Giveaway Monday -- Epic Six Letterpress System {$169 value}!!

Been Busy Crafting

I've been super busy this week preparing for my craft show next weekend so I'm sorry I haven't posted any since Monday. I'm glad so many have enjoyed my Skinny Notepad tutorial. After the craft fair I will post more tutorials and patterns, trying for at least one a week.

I found a beautiful (to me) 1920 black wood and iron suitcase to dress up my craft table with next weekend, I just need to sand some of the rust off of the iron but I'm going to leave the black scuffed as it is. The wood inside is in great shape to be as old as it is, I will ass pictures of it later on when I can.

I also saw a cute corner shelf at another thrift store that I'm going back to get Monday, but it will have to be repainted. As well as a wire mesh basket that matches two of the ones i already have to display my items in. I love shopping thrift stores, I rarely have money to spend in them, but it is amazing what you can find there.

Thanks for reading and have a blessed day!

Skinny Notepad Tutorial

Here is the finished project we will be making today.

First you cut your main color cardstock to 5 3/4 x 8 1/8 inches.

Then you score it at 2 3/4 inches in from each long side.

To decorate the front cut a piece of coordinating cardstock 2 1/2 x 7 3/4 inches.

Finish decorating the front as desired. The yellow strip is this picture is 2 1/2 x 3/4 inches. I used a circle punch for the notes which was printed off from my computer. Cut a tab of cardstock 2 1/2 x 2 to cover the top of the notepad. wrap it around the top of the notepad and glue down.

Glue the notepad to the inside of the cardstock.

Viola you are done! The notepads I use are from the Dollar Tree and then taken to Office Depot and cut lengthwise down the middle. They are 3 for a $1 and cost $2 to cut 2 packs generally. If you have any questions about this tutorial please leave your question in a comment below. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day.