Mother's Day Card with Crochet Applique

Didn't we celebrate Christmas yesterday? hahahahaha. I cannot believe Mother's Day is just around the corner. Is it me or time is REALLY flying by? Wow! Anyway, here is an idea of a card for your Mom or someone you know who is a mom. What makes this card different is the crochet applique.

Supplies used
Paper: Cream, light green, brown and bright pink cardstock, roses scrapbook paper (The Paper Studios)
Tools: label punch, computer and printer
Embellishments: Crochet basket (find both the pattern and the applique here) , paper roses, aqua green ribbon and bow, brown self-stick pearls
This card can be made for several other occasions too, like birthday, Easter, spring, get well... the possibilities are almost endless. So, go ahead, make somebody's day by giving them something especially handmade by you. 

Thank you for stopping by, and may the grace of God reach your heart today.

Vanías Reed    

Gift Bag + Free Crochet Ornament Pattern

Wow! I haven't posted anything for a while. I'm sorry. My family and I just moved, and it's amazing how the whole process takes a long time. You pack, you find things that you didn't even remember you had, you move, you unpack, and you find more things you didn't even remember you had. LOL. Anyway, now we are in our new home, and I love it. Now I'm inspired again, and just in time for Christmas. So here this is my first post for our countdown with a free crochet pattern just for you.

Supplies needed
Paper: paper bag
Embellishments: border sticker, crochet snowflake, snowman button

Pattern for the Snowflake

Abbreviations

ch = chain

ch-3 sp = chain-3 space, the space formed when you worked 3 chain stitches in the previous round                                          

dc = double crochet

sc = single crochet  

beg = beginning

Make a magic ring

sl st = slip stitch

Round 1: Work 12 sc sts in ring. Join the work to the beg of the round with a sl st.
Round 2: Work 2 sc into each sc all the way around. You'll end up with a total of 24 sc sts. Sl st to join the work to the 1st sc worked in the round.
Round 3: [sl st in next sc, 1 sc in ea of next 2 sc, sl st in next sc] Work sequence in brackets 5 more times. You'll end up with a total of 12 sc sts in the round. Join with a sl st to first st in the round.
Round 4: [sl st in next sl st, sl st in next sc, ch 3, 2 dc in next sc, ch 3, sl st in next sl st.] Work sequence in brackets 5 more times for a total of 6.
Round 5: [skip all sl sts. Work 3 sc sts into the space formed underneath of the ch-3 in the previous round. ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, dc in next dc, ch 3, 3 sc in next ch-3 sp.] Repeat sequence in brackets 5 more times, for a total of 6 times. At end of round, sl st to join the work to the 1st sc st worked at the beg of the round.

The snowflake can be used as an ornament. Just ch 8, sl st both beg and end of ch to the back of the snowflake.

This Christmas make something different to embellish your gift bags. 
Thank you for stopping by, and let's countdown to Christmas together.

Vanias Reed

A CHRISTmas Preview - Free Crochet Pattern

It's Christmas in July! Even though it is hot and humid here, I'm starting to get ready for Christmas. It is never too early, is it? So here is a small preview of the things on which I have been working. It is a card with a cute crochet peppermint ornament. Enjoy!

Supplements used
Paper: Red and glitter white cardstock, candy cane scrapbook paper.
Tools: Crochet hook, precision scissors, computer and printer, white and red yarn, foam mounting, red and white twine, glitter glue
Embellishments: Letters and crochet peppermint. 
Find the pattern for the crochet peppermint here. 

Don't use permanent glue to attach the ornament to the card, so the person to whom you are giving the card will be able to hang the ornament on their tree.

Thank you for stopping by. Merry Christmas in July!

Vanias Reed    

 

Baby Card with Crochet 2

It seems that my first baby shower card with a crochet carriage has been a big hit. So today I'm posting a second card with a crochet embellishment. You also get a free pattern and a bonus idea. Here it is.

Supplies needed for the card
Paper: White card stock, black with polka dots scrapbook paper
Tools: Embossing machine, 'Celebrate' embossing folder
Embellishments: white lace with pearls, crochet bib, baby sticker, piece of white crochet cotton thread, white bow, and self adhesive pearls.

 Bib Pattern

Material

Crochet cotton white tread #3

Hook: 1.40mm

Abbreviations

Ch = chain

SK = skip

SC = single crochet

DC = double crochet

TR = treble crochet

SL ST = slip st

TOG = 

Ch 17

Row 1: sk 1ch, sc2, dc 2, dc 2tog in each of the next 8 ch (16), dc2, sc 2, ch1 and turn

Row 2: sc 2, dc 2, tr 2tog in each of the next 16 st, dc 2, sc 2, ch 3, and turn

Row 3: sk 1st, sl st ch, ch 3, sk 1st, sl st ch, ch 3, sk 1st, sl st ch - repeat pattern through the row. Sl st, fasten off. Leave a "tail" to sew to the beginning of bib forming the inside part. Glue or sew small bow. 

Bonus Idea

I used green yearn for this one, so I skipped the second row.

For the 3rd row I did:

In same stitch and using a different color 

DC 2, ch 2, sl st in first ch, DC 1. Repeat throughout this row, and end the same way shown in the pattern for the white bib.

Glue a piece of magnet tape in the back of the miniature bib for a refrigerator magnet.

You can also glue a small tag with the name of the baby and the date he/she was born before you glue the bow, and give these bibs as party favors at a baby shower.

Thank you for stopping by. May God bless you abundantly.

Vanias Reed    

Masculine Birthday Card with Crochet - Free Pattern

My husband's birthday is in the winter and he likes college football, so I decided to make him a card with a winter theme and his team motif. In order to do that I used some crochet on the card. Here it is.

Supplies used
Paper: Gold, blue and white cardstock, pastel stripes paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, small snowflake punch, square punch (for banner borders), snowflake embossing folder, computer, printer, gold gel pen, crochet hook size G, blue and gold yarn, tapestry needle, spray adhesive (to glue the sweater to the card)
Embellishments: gold snowflakes, blue ribbon, mini crochet sweater (Pattern Below), small banner with sentiment phrase.

Sweater Pattern

Abbreviations:
Ch = chain
SC = single crochet
Sk = skip
Sl st = slip stitch
Inc = increase
Dec = decrease

Ch 3
Working only in back loops
Row 1 - Sk first ch, sc in next two ch. Ch 1, turn
Repeat for next 7 rows (8 tiny rows total)

Working on the side of base you just created
Row 1 - Inc 1, SC 8, ch1, turn
Row 2 - Inc 1, SC 9, ch1, turn
Row 3 - SC 10, ch 1, turn
Row 4 - Dec 1, SC in next 6 stitches, dec 1, ch 1, turn
Row  5 - Dec 1, SC in next 5 stitches, dec 1, ch 1, turn
Row 6 - Dec 1, SC in next 3, ch, turn (working the V collar - right side)
Row 7 - Dec 1, SC in next 2, sl st. Fasten off, weave in end
Repeat rows 6 and seven on left side

Sleeves
Working on the decreases, do the following on both sides
Sl st to create a loop, SC 4, ch 1, turn
Row 2 - Dec 1, SC 3, ch1, turn
Row 3-Row 5 SC 3, ch1, turn  
Fasten off, weave in end.

I used a tapestry needle to "embroider" the block M on the sweater because my husband is a UM fan. But you can leave the sweater without anything on it, or embroider some other motif. 

Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a very blessed day.

Vanias Reed

 

Crochet Snowman Card

Today I'm posting the second card from the 'Snowman Series'. This one has a cute little crochet snowman that can be used as a refrigerator magnet, a pin or an applique. The pattern is my gift to you. Enjoy.

Supplies used
Paper: Light blue and white cardstock
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine (Sizzix), snowflakes embossing folder (The Paper Studio), snowflakes border punch (Martha Stuart), Circle punches, Winter Wonderland glitter glue (Stickles), red, white, orange and white yarn, crochet hook size G, tapestry needle.
Embellishment: Crochet snowman and yarn sentiment phrase 'Merry'.

Snowman Pattern
Abbreviations:
MR = Magic Ring
Ch = Chain
Sl st = Slip Stich
SC = Single Crochet
DC = Double Crochet
HDC = Half Double Crochet

Snowman Body
Round 1: MR, 11DC in ring, sl st, ch2
Round 2: 2 SC in each st around, sl st, fasten off and weave in ends.

Head
Round 1: MR, 8HDC in ring, sl st, ch1
Round 2: 2 SC in each st around, sl st, fasten off, leave a long tail to sew the head to the body

Earmuffs:
Rd 1: MR, 6 SC in ring, DO NOT fasten off
Sl st along the top of the snowman head until you reach the place on the other side of the head parallel to the first muff. Repeat Rd 1. Sew earmuffs to the head, fasten off , and weave in ends.

Nose:
Using a tapestry needle and orange yarn, weave the yarn into a carrot shape. 

Eyes, smile and buttons:
Knots made with black yarn

Scarf:
Ch 20 (More or less for longer or shorter scarf)
SC 20, fasten off and weave in ends. Sew scarf around snowman's neck.

For a magnet, punch two circles out of white cardstock and glue them to the back of the snowman before you glue the magnetic strip. That way it will be firmer.

 
Thank you for stopping by. Blessings unto you.

Vanias Reed        

Napkin Holder

Thanksgiving is such a beautiful holiday. Most people start focusing more on family and friends during that season. So, in order to avoid the "huffs and puffs" of Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I like to start preparations and gift shopping as early as possible, and in order to help you to do the same I started posting ideas for the holidays. My last post was about name cards and name card holders. Today, as I promised, I'm posting the napkin holders. Now remember that my posts are suggestions. It's always best if you create your own style. The more personal, the better. 
Here are my ideas.

You can use just plain napkin holders like these

Or even curtain rings like this ( white ones will do great too).

You can add a ribbon and a fall decoration to the plain napkin holders like shown below. I like this idea because I can reuse the same napin holders for different occasions.

To decorate the napkin holder, I  just passed a ribbon through the holder, tied a bow and added a resin fall leaf using a 3D adhesive dot.

For the curtain ring I crocheted a fall leaf to go with the name card holder. That has to be glued to the ring to stay in place. 

You can make the leaves in different colors to be more festive.

Make the card name and napkin holders for a gift. I'm sure you'll make someone very happy.

Here is the crochet fall leaves pattern

Magic circle

Round 1: Ch 1, 6sc in magic circle, sl st to join, ch1 and turn

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around (a total of 12 sc), ch1 and turn

Round 3: 3 tc, ch2,st st in the top of 3rd tc, 2 tc, ch1, st st in next sc. Repeat this 2 more times. 1sc in next st, *2hdc in next st. 

Stem

* On top of second hdc
ch 5, turn, 1sl st in each ch, 1 hdc in next st, 1sc in last st. sl st to join. Fasten off and weave ends.

If you want to crochet the napkin ring, then leave a long tail at the end of leaf to sew it to the ring.

Thank you for stopping by. Blessings unto you and yours.

Vanias Reed    

Name Place Cards + Crochet

Can you believe we are only a month from beginning of the autumn? Before we know it Thanksgiving will be here, and I want to be ready. So today I started to work on a few things like place cards, place cards holders and napkin rings - which I will post later. Here are the place cards and one place card holder.

Place card 1

For this place card I used a 3x5 in index card. Cut it in half and pasted the halves together with lines facing each other. Then I added a ribbon and a sticker. This card can also be used to describe the dishes and/ or desserts you will have on Thanksgiving Day.

Place card 2 and holder

Card supplies:
Paper: Maroon and white cardstock 
Stamps: Clear 'happy' (studio g), Thanksgiving (Stampabilities)
Ink: Cherry and Brown stamp markers (Recollections)
Tools: Metallic green and orange gel pens.

Card holder supplies and pattern below.

Place card 3

Card supplies
Paper: Brown and white cardstock
Stamp: 'Thanksgiving'  from Happy Thanksgiving (Stampabilities)
Ink: Brown stamp marker (Recollections)
Tools: Metallic green, orange and brown gel pens

Pumpkin Name Card Holder Pattern

Rust and Patty green yarn (Red Heart Super Saver)
Hook size F 
Tapestry needle
Cotton balls

Chain 11
Work in back loops only
Row 1: SC in second ch from hook, SC in next, HDC in next 6, SC in last two, ch 1 and turn
Row2: SC across
Row 3- 17: Repeat row 2
Fasten off, leave a long piece of yarn.
Using a tapestry needle, sew the short sides together, go with yarn through one of the openings, and pull together in a circle. 
Fasten off and weave ends.
Use the opposite hole to stuff your pumpkin with cotton balls. Using the tapestry needle, go through the stitches in this hole, pull together, fasten off and weave ends. 

Stem
Magic ring
SC 3 in magic ring. 1ch, turn
2 sc in first stitch, sc in the next st, repeat around
Continue to sc around until stem is to the desired length

Pumpkin Coil
Ch 8 and sc 2 in second ch from hook and all the way across. Fasten off, leave a long tail to sew it with stem on pumpkin. It is the coil that holds the card in place.
I hope you have fun getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. I know I have lots to be thankful for, including you. Thanks for stopping by. 

Vanias Reed    

Crochet Christmas tree and three ways to use it.

I love Christmas. The fact that God's Son came to this world as a little baby, and had to depend on His creation (Mary) to be fed, bathed, changed... really blows my mind. He humbled Himself to that point and didn't stop there, He went all the way to the cross. The wooden cross. That horrible thing cut out of a tree. Trees symbolize life, yet that one was used for death. But neither the cross nor the tomb held Jesus. He defeated death, and He is ALIVE and ready to forgive us for choosing to do the wrong things that put Him on that cross. What an AMAZING LOVE!!!! So thinking about all that, I thought of the Christmas tree. We use one every year because it reminds us of the life Christ brought to us through 3 things: His birth, His death and His resurrection. No wonder Jesus, as a baby, got 3 precious gifts. Here is a crochet Christmas tree that can be used in 3 different ways.

1. It can be used as a refrigerator magnet during the Christmas season. Just glue a magnet on the back like shown below.

 2. It can be used to decorate a gift wrapping, and still be a magnet. Just pin it to the bow.

   3. It can also be used on a card

Supplies used for the tree
Paddy Green and Wood Brown yarn (Red Heart Super Saver)
Plated beads (sewed to the tree)
Adhesive star (you can use a fabric one, if you prefer)
2 1/4 in piece of magnet from roll
Spray adhesive
Hook  size F - 3.75mm

 Tree Pattern

Begin with the green yarn

Row 1: ch 13, ch one to go up and sc in each st. ch 1 and turn

Row2: sc in the next 12 st, leave the last sc undone, ch 1 and turn

Row 3: sc in 11 st, leave the last sc undone, ch 1 and turn (repeat the process through the next 9 rows. Fasten off and weave the end.

Trunk

Count the st at the bottom of the tree. Use the 4 st in the middle.

Join the brown yarn in the beginning of the 4st with 2ch

Row 1: sc in 4 st (the smaller side of the brown yarn should be held behind the st, so the 4 sc will hide it), ch 1 and turn

Row 2: sc in 4st. fasten off and weave end in. 

Supplies used for the card
Paper: Dark red and white (the Paper Studios)


Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine (Sizzix), Ornament frame embossing folder (Darice), green metallic gel pen.
Stamp: Merry Christmas (Stampabillities)
Ink: Grass green marker (Recollections)

I want to make several of these little trees as refrigerator magnets, put them in a tulle bag and add a handmade tag that tells about what the tree represents. How about you? How are you going to use your crochet tree? 

Thank you for checking out my blog. May the love of God bring joy and peace to your heart.

Vanias Reed     

Baby Shower Card with Crochet

I realized that I enjoy crochet as much as I enjoy making cards. To be able to create a new stitch or to see the smile on somebody's face when they get a cute baby set for their infants is priceless. So here is another card on which I used a crochet embellishment. Enjoy.

 Supplies Used
Paper: Dark brown, light green (the Paper Studios), light beige with polka dots, stripped (Recollections)
Tools: Spray adhesive
Embellishments: Sweet Baby sticker, white ribbon, light green gemstones and crochet baby carriage. 

Baby Carriage

Carriage

Large circle made in 3 rows.

Wheels

2 small circles made in 2 rows, plus one row in white color

Sew a little white ribbon in the middle of carriage.

You can find the complete pattern to buy here

I really hope you enjoy crocheting and making cards as much as I do, so you can use one to embellish the other.

Thank you for stopping by. God bless you.

Vanías Reed   

Get Well Card with crochet

Today I wasn't feeling so well and had to rest. But my brain doesn't want to rest, so I made two cards and a couple of other crochet items.  I'm posting one of the cards which is another card with a crochet embellishment.

Supplies Used
Paper: Light blue, black and white cardstock (The Paper Studios)
Tools: Computer and printer, cutting/embossing machine (Sizzix) and embossing folder (Clouds by Darice)
Embellishments: crochet cloud, blue and clear gemstones

Crochet Cloud Pattern

Ch 7 and sc from 6th ch to the end

sc 5 in the same stich

1 sc in each st until reaching the 6h ch

sc 4 in the same st

Dc up to the first of the 5 last sc

dc 2 in each of the 5 st

dc until reaching the 4 sc in the same st

dc 2 in each of the 4 st

sl st 2

dc 4 in the same st

sk one st

dc 4 in the same st

sk one st

sc 4 in the same st

sc 3 in the next st

sl st on the whole piece

Tie the end and weave yarn.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderfully blessed week.

Vanias Reed    

Wedding Card With Crochet

Recently I made some bridal invitations, and they inspired me to create a 'bridal' card. I like to crochet so I decided to put the two together. Here is the result.

Card 'Recipe'
Paper: light green (Paper Studio), pink (Recollections)
Stamp: Wedding series - Roses corner and roses bouquet
Ink: Ebony (Recollections)
Tools: Crochet needles 3.25mm (D), pliers, pink and green coloring pencils, spray adhesive.
Everything else: paper clip (hanger), green ribbon (to cover hanger), white lace (veil), white Red Heart Fashion Crochet Thread, Size 3, adhesive faux pearls (tiny and small) and pearly beads, white paper rose with leaves, Winter Wonderland glitter (Martha Stwart).
 
Dress directions
Abbreviations:
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
sc - single crochet
sl st - slip stitch
sk - skip

Skirt

Ch 7 then ch 2 to go up. 
Row 1: 6 sc , remember that last 2 ch count as 1sc
Row 2: ch 3, remember this is your first dc, 1 dc in every sc
Row 3: ch 3 (your 1st dc), 1dc  ch 2  2dc in the same base st, 1 dc 1 row below in the next st, 2dc ch2 2dc in the next st; 1dc 1 row below in the next st; 2dc ch2 2dc in the same st
Row 4: sl st until you reach the ch in the middle of dc from previous row
ch3 (your 1st dc) 1dc ch2 2dc in the ch; sk next 2dc; 1dc 1 row below; sk next 2dc; 2dc ch2 2dc in the ch; sk next 2dc; 1dc row below; sk 2dc; 2dc ch2 2dc in the ch
Row 5: sl st until you reach the ch; ch3 (your 1st dc) 2dc ch 2 3 dc in the ch; sk 2dc; 1 dc 1 row below in the next st; sk 2dc: 3dc ch2 3 dc in the ch; 1dc 1 row bellow; sk 2 dc; 3 dc ch2 3dc in the ch.
Row 6: Repeat row 5 - except that you will  sk 3dc this time
Row 7: sl st to ch; ch3 3dc ch2 4dc in the ch; sk 3dc; 1 dc 1 row below in the next st; sk 3dc;  4dc ch2 4dc in the ch; sk 3dc; 1 dc 1 row below; sk 3 dc: 4 dc ch2 4 dc in the ch
Row 8:  sl st to ch; ch3 9dc in the ch; sk 4dc; 1 dc 1 row below; sk 4dc; 10dc in the chain; sk 4dc; 1 dc 1 row below; sk 4 dc; 10dc in the chain; sl st to join
Sl st going up the skirt 

Spray the skirt with adhesive and sprinkle glitter on it before gluing the dress to the card.

Top

When you get back to the first row of the skirt, (that will be the waist)
Row 1: ch 2, sc in every precious sc (they will be up side down) 
Row 2: ch3 (your 1st dc) 1 dc in each sc
Row 3: ch 3 1dc 1 row below; 1 dc; 1dc 1 row below; 1dc; 1dc 1 row below; 1dc
Row 4: Repeat row 3
Row 5: ch 3 2dc in the next 3 dc; sl st; 2 dc in the next 4 st; sl st.
Sl st all the way to the bottom of skirt
Tie off and weave in ends.

Add a few pearls to the bouquet.

Detail inside the card

Thank you for stopping by. Blessings unto you.

Vanias Reed