Thank You

I just want to say thank you to everyone who follows this blog. It has been a blessing to see you all use my patterns and ideas. I have not posted on this blog in about a year, and unfortunately, do not plan to post anymore. I simply do not have the time to keep up with a blog of this nature. This community has been fantastic, however, at answering each others questions and encouraging one another. I have not always been able to answer certain questions, and a lot of times comments do not even get approved, because they pile up so much that I cannot get through them all. I will leave the site up for a while longer, because I know that many are still using it. From now on, however, I will simply approve comments, and hope that another follower can answer your questions.

If you would like to stay in touch, (especially those of you who commented on my “Beliefs” page), or keep up with what I’m doing, please follow my new blog: A Gentle and Quiet Spirit. http://www.gentleandquietsite.wordpress.com

I have always loved to journal and write, and I did not want to leave the blogging world all together. I feel that this will be more fulfilling for me personally, and something that I can just keep up with easier.

Thank you again for all of your support!

-Alicia

DIY: Handmade Love Notes

You will need:

1. paper
2. stick glue
3. Washi tape or stickers
4. scissors

I like to use double sided paper, like the picture below, or origami paper. The origami paper is easier to fold, but usually only has a pattern on one side. The paper pictured below is a little more sturdy, and you get to see pretty patterns on both sides. These usually already come in a square shape, but if you have paper that isn’t square, just cut where necessary to make it the same length on all 4 sides.

First, choose the side of the paper that you want to be the outside of the envelope, and lay it face down. The “inside” of the envelope will be face up. Follow the folding pattern below.

Once you reach step 7, mash the creases down really good so that you have some deep lines, and then unfold it as shown in step 8. Place some stick glue where the arrows are pointing, and fold it back together.

Now you will most likely need to cut your own paper for the note that is going inside the envelope. Just trace along the bottom of the envelope leaving a little space on either side. Next, trace up to the top crease of the envelope, once again leaving a little space. After cutting out your note, you may need to trim it a little to make it fit just right. Another option is to use whatever paper you’d like, and just fold it up to fit inside.

Now write something sweet, stick it inside, and seal it with some cute Washi tape!

These one-of-a-kind notes are great for thank you notes, Valentine’s, love notes, gift tags, etc…the possibilities are endless. The handmade envelope and custom sized paper really makes a big difference in making someone feel special. A gift is always better when it is obvious that the giver put in some extra effort and extra love! Enjoy ❤

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Pattern: Twisted Turban

So, I know that most of the time when I post a knitting pattern, it is usually very simple and for beginners. Last winter, I posted one for a knitted turban style headband, where you kind of “faked” a cable knit. It turned out really well, and I still use the pattern today. However, I do want to show you an easy way you can still get that lovely twist in your work, without literally twisting it like in my last pattern. At first glance, it looks complicated for a beginner. But I PROMISE you that it isn’t. It does take concentration and patience, but the end result is totally worth it.

Before I go any further, this is a pattern for straight needles. I wouldn’t have a clue how to do this on circular needles 🙂 But, feel free to use double pointed needles, because this would actually be a great pattern for that!

Pattern:
(Chunky weight yarn and size US 13 needles)

• Cast on 14 stitches
• Knit every row until your work measures about 6.5 inches.

 The “Twist”

• Knit the first 6 stitches, and place them on a holder
• With 8 stitches left on your needle, cast off 2 stitches, then knit the last 6 stitches.
• Keep knitting the last 6 stitches until they measure about 4 inches.
• Now, break your yarn, leaving about a 6 inch tail, and place these stitches on a holder.
  (You will later use this tail to secure your twist)
  
• Next, you will pick up your first 6 stitches, and knit until you reach 4 inches, the same length as the last 6 stitches.
• Now for the twist, take the last 6 stitches and diagonally bring them up in front of the first 6 stitches. Just cross them right over.
  
• Your stitches have now switched places. The last 6 stitches will now become the first stitches that you will knit again, and the first 6 stitches will become the last stitches you will knit.
• Slide your needle through all 12 stitches

  Finish It

• With all 12 stitches on your needle, knit the first 5 stitches.
• When you get to the 6th stitch, increase 1 knit wise.
• Do the same thing on the following stitch.
  (So, increase 1 each on stitches 6 and 7)
  
• Now you should have increase by 2 stitches, which brings you back to a total of 14.
• Knit for about 6.5 inches, just like the first half, and cast off.
  
• Take your yarn tail that you have from breaking the yarn earlier, and gently sew that twist together in the middle. Be cautious of how you place your yarn, or it could potentially be noticeable in the front. Weave in the ends.
• Turn your work inside out, sew the ends together to create a seam.
• Turn right side out, and you’re done!

Free Pattern: Knitted Boot Cuffs//Revised Version

Last winter, I posted a pattern for knitted boot cuffs. While it is still a good pattern, I have decided to post a different way to do them. I think I like this pattern better, because it is easier to get the sizing right, and also allows for more stretch, which means that it can go a little bigger or smaller depending on who is wearing them.

Pattern:
(Chunky weight yarn and US 13 needles)

• Cast on 15 stitches
• Row 1: Knit across
• Row 2: K3, P9, K3
• Alternate Row 1 and Row 2 until you reach desired length. Mine measured about 13 inches long,
  and I was able to fit it around mid-calf all the way up to mid-thigh
• Cast off, turn inside out, and sew ends together to create a seam.
• Turn right side out to wear

It’s as easy as that! A great stash buster + stocking stuffer, and super quick and easy to knit up. Enjoy!

 

 

DIY: Gold Dipped Kitchen Canisters

Earlier this week, I purchased these old kitchen canisters at a local consignment store. They were selling the entire set for $1.00, so I couldn’t pass them up! There are 3 tall ones and one shorter one, which I thought was kind of unique. They are just acrylic, air tight containers, with a rather ugly pattern on them. But of course, I saw them as much more than that. Luckily, they were in great condition, especially on the inside where it really counts.

So the first thing I did was clean them up really good, inside and out. Once they were dry, I gave them a couple coats of antique white spray paint. The metal latches were a little difficult to cover completely, but I actually really like the way it looks with some of the metal coming through. It gives it a nice vintage, industrial feel almost. So, I decided not to go all out on the latches, and just leave them a little patchy with the paint.

Once they finished drying, I free handed the “labels” on them myself with a black paint marker. Most of the time you see labels on the front of these, but I decided to do something different and put them on the top. Plus, the hardware is kind of big which didn’t leave much room to put them on the front anyway. If you don’t feel comfortable free handing them, there are tons of tutorials and printables out there on Pinterest for kitchen canister labels!

Lastly, (this is the fun part), I wrapped some painters tape around them, and spray painted the bottom with metallic gold paint. I had literally been DYING to use this paint for something, and this just seemed like the perfect project to do so.

I really love how this project turned out. The gold on the bottom of my canisters matches perfectly with the copper hanging basket in my kitchen. The finish on them ended up being a little textured in some spots, but that is mostly because my spray painting skills need some work! But, it doesn’t bother me. I think it actually adds even more character, which is always a plus in my book. So, the moral of the story is that when you see something useful in a thrift store or a consignment shop, don’t pass it up just because it’s ugly and outdated–especially if they are selling it at a great price. There is usually always a way to make it into something beautiful that you will enjoy for years to come.