My first guest post ever !!!!!!

Yes, it's true!!!!!

Tanya, the sweet hostess of LITTLE THINGS BLOGGED, asked me to prepare a little crochet photo tutorial for her readers and from today you'll find it HERE!!!!!!!

Have a look and let me know if you like it!!!!

Thank you Tanya for your kindness (and work!!!! ;oD) and for giving me this great opportunity !!!!
Love,

xxxx Alessandra

You can find my revelry notes HERE !!!

The second pot holder !!!

…. This morning (both boys back to school!!!!!! YUPPIE!!!!), I started to crochet the rectangle pot holder for the heart….

…as you can see in the above picture, my cat was laying next to me…. just two hairs from her fluffy fur….

little by little the crocheting went on….

…. and the rectangle of single crochets was done, even the loop to hang the pot holder somewhere in the kitchen…

After some "sewing", the second pot holder was finished…

So, I'm half way to complete my set of pot holders…

I'm really pleased how both turned out !!! At least, half pleased for sure : we'll see when the set will be all finished!!!! ;oD

xxxx Alessandra

My first pot holder !!!!

While keeping company to my boys at the hospital, I had with me a little purse with inside just one ball of cotton, a hook, a pair of scissors and a yarn needle!

It was enough to start few motifs (taken from a japanese book!) …….

…..yes, they are the 4 suits of a deck of cards : hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs!!!!
Honestly the clubs are still missing a couple of pieces……..!!!!!

Yesterday afternoon, I decided to collect some neutral colours to crochet a pot holder for the diamond…

I was in doubt if to add a border all around, but I decided to keep it simple even because the sides came out straight and neat….. unbelievable!!!! ;oD

I took some pins to fix the right position for the diamond….

….. and then with a 3,5 mm hook and a thin variegated cotton I sewed it on, using a simple slip stitch chain….

My first pot holder crocheted by me !!!!!! I'm quite happy with it, so in the next days I'll crochet the remanent ones!!!! A simple craft, so rewarding and so useful!!!!! ;oD

xxxx Alessandra

Today link party : Link your Stuff! See you there, too!!!

Some good news from 2013 !!!!

Before the end of 2013, I received this delightful email (!!!!!) :

Hi there, Alessandra!

Congratulations! Your project, the Tiny Yarn Butterflies, made it onto our list of 2013's Top 100 Kids' Crafts! To thank you for working with us, we created and attached a special button you can use on your site, if you so choose, so that all your site visitors will know you're in this year's Top 100 roundup. :)

Thank you again for your contribution to AllFreeKidsCrafts! We look forward to working with you in the future!
P.S.: If you want to view the full list of 2013's top projects or share it on your site, you can find it here: http://www.allfreekidscrafts.com/Miscellaneous-Crafts-for-Kids/Top-Craft-Ideas-for-Kids-of-2013

All the best,
Emily


Emily Timmons is the Editor of AllFreeKidsCrafts, so imagine how I felt when reading this email!!!
I have even a button to show off !!!! (top right !)

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Martine (also known an miss bee Appletree !) made a  link to my post Block stitch afghan : the way I do it !!!! …. and she was so kind to add sweet words to my crochet works, too !!!! ;oD

Thank you Martine !!!!!

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Another  christmas tree decoration was made ( and found !!!) :

More photos here !!!!
Mandarien have nice words even for my blog !!!! Thank you!!!!! xxxxx
If you say "hello" to her, you'll discover she is hosting a nice GIVEAWAY right now!!!!!

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This is a entry of the new year, but I loved the idea to put it together with all the other good stuff :

This granny square was made by mums minions !!!! I love it and I'm so happy that my tutorial worked for a crochet beginner !!!!! So so proud !!!!
She has followed this pattern !!!! Thank you for letting me know and for showing me this little beauty !!!

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…..by the way, new projects are on the way !!!!!!!

xxxxx Alessandra

Now she is a doll !!!

I little bit more than one year ago, I started to knit a little doll….
I don't know how many of you could remember her, so, please, check HERE and HERE, just to recall her making history….!!!!

Anyway, a couple of days ago, just after publishing this christmassy tutorial, the french knitting tool I was using to make the doll hair met my hands again and….well, I have a new doll now!!!!

She needed some blocking before the official photos….

pic taken by night….sigh...

….. even this one…..sorry !!!

…. and now she is ready for the public ….. !!!!! …..

She has very big eyes ….

…. and very gingery hair ….

Margot loves her….

… me, too…

…. but what about you ????? ;oD

xxxx Alessandra and have a lovely weekend !!!!

Today link : Creative Friday, Pin it Thursday and Link your Stuff !!!

The Crafty Christmas Tutorial Link-Up

In this post you'll find the complete list of bloggers who participated at this glorious and colourful Crafty Christmas Link-Up !!!

Just click on the links and you'll be sent to the selected tutorial!!!! Have fun !!!!

(Links for mosaic A)

Felt House Gift Tag Holder – I ManuFatti

http://imanufatti.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/crafty-christmas-tutorial-link-up.html

Christmas Trinket Hoop Mobile – Carina’s Craft Blog

http://carinascraftblog.wardi.dk/2013/11/tutorial-christmas-trinket-hoop-mobile.html

Felt Polar Bear Ornament – La Creature and You

http://lacreatureandyou.com/2013/11/18/polar-bear-ornament-diy-tutorial/#more-2659

Christmas Hoop – Claire Payne

http://clairesblog.paynedesign.co.uk/2013/11/18/tutorial-hoopy-christmas-to-you/

Embroidered Christmas Mug Rug – Button Button

http://button-button.co.uk/retro-mug-rug-tutorial/

Polymer Clay Star Ornaments - Saraccino

http://saraccino.blogspot.com/2013/11/catch-star-crafty-christmas-tutorial.html

Knitted Christmas Stockings Garland – Knit Me a Cake

http://www.knitmeacake.com/2013/11/18/a-knitted-christmas-stockings-garland/

DIY Christmas Ribbon – Adventures & Tea Parties

http://adventuresandteaparties.blogspot.com/2013/11/diy-christmas-gift-wrap-ribbon.html

Embroidered Mistletoe Ornament – Bugs and Fishes

http://bugsandfishes.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-to-embroidered-mistletoe-ornament.html

Scented Salt Dough Ornaments – Retro Delicious

http://www.retrodelicious.co.uk/2013/11/scented-salt-dough-reindeer.html

Crochet Christmas Tree Decorations – Homemade@MyPlace

http://homemadeatmyplace.blogspot.com/2013/11/make-it-christmas-tree-decoration.html

Christmas Cross Stitch Raccoon Ornament – Hugs are Fun

http://hugsarefun.com/free-christmas-cross-stitch-pattern/

Polymer Clay Christmas Tree – Little Creatures

http://thelittlecreatures.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/christmas-tree-tutorial-tutorial-de-arvore-de-natal/

Christmas Wish-List Felt Envelope - Jumbleberries

http://jumbleberries.blogspot.com/2013/11/christmas-wish-list-felt-envelope.html

Felt Christmas Tree Toy – Pinwheels and Stories

http://pinwheelsandstories.com/2013/11/18/christmas-felt-christmas-tree-toy/

(Links for mosaic B)

Let it Snow Embroidery Pattern – A Little Happy Place

http://alittlehappyplace.blogspot.com/2013/11/its-crafty-christmas-blog-link-up.html

Festive Wanderers Embroidery Pattern – Unexpected Kitty

http://unexpectedkitty.blogspot.com/2013/11/first-ever-unexpected-kitty-embroidery.html

Festive Felt and Fabric Coasters – Betz White

http://blog.betzwhite.com/2013/11/felt-and-fabric-coaster-tutorial.html

Holiday Ribbon Pillow – Mrs. Saint Nick

http://mrssaintnick.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/a-riot-of-ribbon/

Felt Gingerbread Man Gift Tag – Grace’s Favours

http://gracesfavours.blogspot.com/2013/11/diy-tutorial-how-to-make-christmas-felt.html

Crochet Christmas Star Jar Covers – Dinki Dots

http://dinkidots.blogspot.com/2013/11/free-tutorial-christmas-star-jar-covers.html

Edible Christmas Ornaments – Hydrangea Girl

http://www.hydrangeagirl.com/2013/11/diy-edible-ornaments.html

Cross Stitch Christmas Trees – Made by Mrs M

http://www.kate-7ws.blogspot.com/2013/11/christmas-cross-stitch-tutorial.html

Secret Love Letter Christmas Gift Tag – Crafts of Texture

http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/2013/11/free-tutorial-secret-love-letter.html

Applique Love Christmas Card – Halcyon Threads

http://halcyonthreads.blogspot.com/2013/11/tutorial-applique-love-christmas-card.html

Christmas Mini Mitts – The Crimson Rabbit

http://www.thecrimsonrabbit.co.uk/2013/11/18/christmas-mini-mitts-tutorial/

Felt Reindeer Ornament – Pickle-Lily

http://lifewithpickle-lily.blogspot.com/2013/11/easy-peasy-reindeer.html

Christmas Carousel – Aura Verde Crafts

http://auraverdecrafts.blogspot.com/2013/11/christmas-carousel.html

Embroidered Christmas Stocking Ornament - Cocojude

http://cocojude.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/embroidered-christmas-stocking/

Stencilled Christmas Embroidery Hoop - Angharad

http://angharadhandmade.blogspot.com/2013/11/christmas-tutorial-festive-embroidery.html

Thank you Laura for hosting this beautiful event!!!!

xxxx Alessandra

TA-DAH : the BIG TREE !!!!

In this post I've shown you a couple of trees and I've told you that soon I could have revealed you what idea I had for the big tree….

Today is the day!!!!!!

In the meantime, I've bought a canvas (60x90cm) on which I laid some pieces of crochet, like ….

….. clouds, raindrops, grass and some old felt friends (look here!)…..

I was playing with them for a while, just to find the right composition…

…..and I didn't forget these little guys, the right ones to complete this woodland scene….

….but I didn't want to leave the canvas in white, so I decided to use some ochre (it's what I had in my cupboard! I'm not really enthusiast about yellows, but, at the end, this was not a bad choice! Phew!) for the background…

….then….I just wanted to cry!!!! Honestly : do you imagine what does it mean to sew all this stuff on a canvas????? Note that the back wooden frame is quite annoying in projects like this one, because it force you to use a part of the canvas (when you have to use a needle!)….

So, after a couple of days, I decided to collect all my patience and some colourful threads…sigh….

….when I was in my half way in sewing the raindrops, I thought that maybe they could be better to be sewn in the centre rather than along the border….

…..but you know what ? You can learn only from mistakes !!!! Next time (?????) I'll going to sew the drops differently : today they are right fine in this way!!!! ;oD

This was the back of my canvas after all the sewing….!!!!!…..

I had to use the glue for the grass, because it lays along the border…..

….and for the creatures of the woods….DONE !!!!!

As you can see above, the border of the canvas has been glued with B&W gingham ribbon!

Now, this little "masterpiece" is hanging on one of the walls at the entrance of our home ….

….I just wanted to celebrate this event taking a picture of me (thank you Paolo!) with my canvas…

….. so you can smile with me!!!!!!! ;oD

If you are interested in some of the motifs used for this "piece of art" , well these are the patterns I have followed :

• diamond (yes, they are NOT squares!) grannies : from the book by Heather Lodinsky "150 Knit & Crochet Motifs anything-but-Square Shapes for Garments, Accessories, Afghans, and Throws"
• clouds : I have added some scallops at the base, but the pattern is this one !!!!
• raindrops : here !!!
• grass : just follow the pattern for a simple star !!!

Everything is said, so…..

xxxxx Alessandra

Today link parties : Link your Stuff! , Craft Schooling Sunday, Pin It Thursday and hookin hump day #58 link party fiber arts !!!! Join me and have fun!!! Thank you!!!!