I made this mid-month wreath inspired by the summer flowers in bloom.
I made these flowers last March when I was planning my Spring Wreath. I held on to them for later in the year to use on a wreath when the lilies are in bloom.
I hope everyone had a good week. We’ve got colds here at my home. I’d hoped we were over that for the year, but oh well…
Blackberry winter has arrived. The temps get down into the low 40’s. That’s not too awful, but we got spoiled real quick to sitting outside enjoying the 70’s and the 80’s tempperatures. It’s annoying that we need the heat on again.
My Basil isn’t doing well, most of it got bit back from the cold. I usually don’t have a problem during Blackberry with my porch garden. I guess where my basil was sitting there must’ve been an extra cold spot or something. Bummer dude!
The Baby Bunny living under our porch Something keeps chopping our Gerber Daisies to pieces. I’m going to surf around and see if I can find a deterrent. I don’t want to hurt whatever’s doing it, but I do want it to stop.
I started a new crochet blanket project with my shades of purple yarn. I didn’t get very far on it before I got sick. So, I’ve put it away until I’m well again.
And so it goes for me at the moment.
Time to go back to bed and wait for the cold to pass. 
For my Wreath of the Month for May, I decided not to do traditional flowers and fluff for this special month, I decided to give tribute to the creative side of Motherhood. Mom’s are the most creative people I know and I’m not talking just crafts either. As I’m the only Mom in this house, I chose some of my favorite stuff to put on my May wreath.
I sculpted the loom & loom hook and then made the little red toboggan on the loom (just to see if I could.)
My sister sort of stepped in the role of Mom after our Mother passed on. She’s spent alot of time and care on me and my family. She’s my Bff and responsible for introducing me to the addictive and enjoyable craft of looming.
I sculpted the crochet hook and it does work, but it’s close to an ‘I’ size, so I crocheted the little granny square with a metal size ‘G’ hook. The size ‘G’ hook was my Mom’s. I think of her every time I use it. I’m thankful she gifted me with the love of crochet.
click to read big size
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I made the cell phone with plastic canvas. I hope it looks like a bit of Excessive Crafting like I really made a plastic canvas case for a cell phone. lol
I made the texting with my image program. The text advice is something I’ve shared many times with my family. Crafting to calm down is a pleasant and enjoyable way to relax.
My Bff has on more than one occasion echoed these words back at me when I get stressed.
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I sculpted the spoon and fork in honor of all the meals and cooking that goes into raising a family. (and also for us old folks after the little birdies have left the nest.)
My embroidered red-work heart is for sewing. It makes me smile remembering all the buttons, costumes, clothes, toys and stuff that I’ve mended or made over the years. I’m so thankful that my Mom gifted me with the skill of sewing. She spent many an hour and many a day happily sewing away on apparel or quilts or toys. She was an amazing lady.
I think my mason jar ring worked out nicely for a frame for my embroidered heart.
I crocheted the 3 daisies awhile back, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to use them on. I needed another something for the wreath and happily they fit okay.
Plus my Mom never met a flower that she didn’t like and pretty much I’m the same way. Gardening is a wonderful gift she passed on to me too.
The wreath base is made of newspaper and covered in knitted yarn blocks made on a cardboard loom.
I’m sorry I’m running so late on posting this. I’ve had a bit of a goofy week and can’t seem to get organized.
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Here’s why I’m making a ‘Wreath of the Month’ for every month of 2014.
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Here’s the colors for my next project. Even though they may look more like blues in the photo, in real life they’re 3 shades of purple. I’m not going to say what I’m making or if I’m going to make more than one item because I haven’t totally decided yet. There might be a crochet hook involved and/or a knitting loom. The only thing I’ve decided for sure is that these are 3 of the colors of yarn I’m going to use. You’d be surprised how hard it was to find 3 shades of purple in one brand of yarn. I thought I was going to have to order the yarn online and get different brands of each color plus pay monster shipping fees to get some, but thankfully I found this brand with 3 shades at a Hobby Lobby store. ~happy dance~
I’ve never used ‘I Love This Yarn‘ brand before. It’s a soft acrylic yarn with a nice spring to it.
My Bff knows a lot about yarn and she suggested I make a swatch, and wash & dry it, to get a proper-sizing on the yarn.
That made sense to me, so that’s what I did.
I didn’t think to look on the yarn band for washing instructions until after I had washed and dried my swatch. Then my Bff reminded me of the manufacturers directions on the band when I sent her a photo of the after-wash. She said she usually gives the recipient of her creations a copy of the directions from the band. My Bff has the most awesome ideas.
I used a single crochet, double crochet and a crazy stitch to make my swatch. I figure these are 3 of the main stitches I’ll probably be using. I washed and dried it like it was a regular piece of clothing. I’m happy to report that the swatch washed up really well. Shrinkage was minimal and the yarn didn’t pill.
I splurged the other day and bought a couple of afghan crochet hooks. (I saw the hooks and my ECD kicked in. lol ) I’ve been wanting to try Tunisian crochet and it requires a long hook. I haven’t tried to use these yet. I’m busy with other things, but someday I’ll sit down and give them a try.
Here’s a link that might give an idea about the Tunisian technique.
Tunisian crochet on Pinterest
Have you ever used long crochet hooks?
Have you ever tried the Tunisian technique?
While blog surfing I came across a blog called ‘Sparkly Toad’. I was so happy to see that Julie has made a pattern for a solid granny square. I’ve always wanted one, but never found one.
I was so excited about it that I spent the afternoon working with the pattern. Julie did quite a good job on the pattern, but I had a hard time getting round 4 to work out. I didn’t have enough stitches in round 3 to accommodate the pattern and make the four corners. It’s possible it was just me not reading the pattern right. I do have that problem sometimes. It took awhile, but I worked out a bit of a different formula and was able to get round 4 to turn out right.
For the complete pattern please visit:
Super Solid Granny Square at Sparkly Toad
Julie contacted me and sure it enough I read it wrong. I don’t know what I was thinking.
I’m sorry Julie, for misreading your directions.
Thanks again for a great pattern.
Now, I’m off to make another one and see if I can follow your directions right this time.
🙂
edited out my changes
my 1st attempt
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edited in 4-17-2014:
Here’s my granny square I made by following Julie’s pattern the right way (hopefully). This would make an awesome warm blanket. I have plans to use this pattern in the future. It was an easy pattern to do once I got the hang of it.
Thanks so much for the super pattern Julie.🙂
Joys Of Creating 