I’m trying to focus on the doing instead of the getting done these days. Yes, my list is long and wow, it is not long until christmas, but if I actually do what I am doing instead of thinking about the next thing, then the tasks suddenly become enjoyable. And oddly I find I have more time. Time to sit in the comfy chair and crochet a little pink hat, for a little cold head that needs it.
After much thought (and after getting your permission!) I will be accepting sponsors starting January 2011. A new and improved elsie marley blog will launch at that time too! I’m very excited about the new design (made by my super talented husband). It is still clean and simple, but there will be some new features and it will be easier to navigate.
So if you would like to become a sponsor and get a peek of the new blog, please email me for more information: elsiemarleyblog@gmail.com
This ottoman is obviously in rough shape. It used to be sort of wabi sabi, beat-up chic, but sometime ago it crossed a line and now it’s just plain beat up. I’ve been meaning to recover it properly, but as I have no idea how to do that it’s been shoved in the back of my closet. After seeing this crochet covered ottoman (ravelry link) I pulled it out from it’s hiding spot and made a cover. That is obviously the before shot…
and here is the after. Not bad for no planning–just some yarn from my stash and a free pattern off ravelry. I wanted the cover to be all puff stitches, but I only had super bulky yarn and the puffs were getting too out of control puffy. I used a hat pattern–a really ugly hat pattern–and made it fit. So really I made a hat for my ottoman. Ha! Here is the project page on ravelry if you want the specs.
After I made it, I saw this ottoman and now I want to find some crazy super chunky yarn (or maybe even roving?) and make another cover. The making never ends.
I’m going to be honest with you: I waited until the last minute to make this ornament and write the tutorial. Well, it seems the last idea I had was not so hot. Things can look so fantastic in your head and then you go to make them and turns out it’s actally crap. I don’t want to give you a crappy present, so I thought I’d just fess up instead. I had a good run for a while there. I hope you liked the week (-1) of tutorials. I really loved making them.
If you are jonesing to make another christmas ornament there are a few hiden away in my archives that you might like: The one on the left is my tutorial for a half eaten gingerbread man ornament. And the one on the right are tutorials for some woodland ornaments I did for Sew Mama Sew’s Handmade Holidays a few years back. The pinecone is still one of my favorites.
This week was so busy I forgot to remind you about the advent calendar coloring pages I did last year. I posted one everyday of advent for you guys to download. I also put the whole coloring book in PDF form back up on etsy in case you’d like to make some coloring books for gifts (St. Nicholas day is this weekend).
I love you guys and I hope you can forgive me for re-gifting. We all have crappy ideas now and then, right? I know I’ve had my fair share.
This is a traditional eastern european ornament and garland. The shape is simple, but a little tricky the first time you make it. After you get the hang of it many three dimensional geometric shapes are possible. I think it makes for a nice modern, but still natural christmas ornament. Like the other tutorial I used straw for, this one can of course can be made with plastic or paper straws, but if you would like to use natural straws, I found mine the at the imagination childhood online shop.
First you need to soak the straws and cut them into 2inch pieces. I explained this in detail in my tutorial for a straw and pompom garland.
1.Take a piece of thread about twice the length of your arm and thread the yarn needle–no need to knot it. String four straw pieces almost to the end of your thread. Pull the threads until the straws meet, but don’t pull too hard or you will split the straws. Then tie a square knot (that’s the plain old kind). You can trim the end, but don’t cut the working thread.
2. Now pull the thread through two straw pieces and
3. secure them at the opposite end.
4. Thread two more pieces and tie at the top (the opposite end you just strung them from)
5. Take your needle back through one of the straws, so it comes out in the middle.
6. String one straw at a time securing it where the next straws meet. Do this four times and tie a knot.
Trim all your threads and decide which way you would like it to hang. Loop your thread at the top point and tie it together. Now hang up that nice looking ornament you just made.
You can keep going and make a double ornament, or keep going and going and make a whole garland! If you do, I would suggest making them one at a time and then tying them all together. Making these with a long piece of thread doesn’t really work: it gets tangled and it’s bothersome.
a christmas present for my lovely readers: a week of handmade ornament tutorials!
