Love and Kindness

 

Knit A Heart

There are lots of free tutorials online demonstrating how to knit a heart.

I followed 'Nimble Needles' on YouTube. His video is easy to follow and he also provides a free printable pattern.

Knit to your hearts content! 

Mini Komebukuro Bags

I loved sewing these mini Komebukuro Bags! So easy using ten 5 inch Charm Pack Squares by Moda ('Basic Grey' & 'LaVie Boheme') for each bag plus fabric to sew the tabs and additional cording and beads for the ties.

Christine's Home Affairs (YT) has an easy to follow tutorial which includes how to make "Y" seams.

Especially liked sewing these because I didn't have to measure and cut my fabric. Just use the pre-cut 5 inch squares from any Charm Pack which are already color coordinated!

An earlier, larger and slightly different technique of Komebukuro bag that I made using kzstevens pattern (modern Japanese Rice Bag) I posted here

A Little Birdie Told Me

I embroidered this sweet little bird onto a piece of cotton canvas and stretched it over a mini 4 inch canvas frame.

I purchased the embroidery pattern from 'IvanaStudio' (Etsy) and used my Brother PE535 machine to embroider the design. If you're interested, I explained my embroidery process in a past post here.

Hand Knit Scarves

I went through a period when I did quite a lot of knitting...perhaps more unraveling than knitting 😉

Not being a very proficient knitter, I chose scarves which were simpler. My first project, (eons ago at thirteen) after mastering the knit and purl stitch was a 'basket-weave' scarf. It was red and verrrry loong! I hadn't yet learned how to 'bind off' so I just kept knitting! I got lucky, it was the 60's and long scarves were in! 

If you're curious and up for a bit of reading here's an interesting site about the history of hand knitting at The Met as well as a brief article that appeared in The Post. Or, if you don't know how and want to begin your knitting journey, check out Sheep and Stitch, full of tutorials, tips, patterns and inspiration!

Hand Knit Beanie

I don't knit that often and it's been a while since I pulled out my knitting needles. A friend's favorite color was orange, so I gave it a go!

I learned to knit when I was thirteen years old from my friend who was left-handed. I'm right-handed. From her instruction I became a left-handed knitter! Guess I'm a bit ambidextrous !

Just an FYI ... that's a Vintage Tailor's Pressing Ham that the beanie is propped up on 😉

Fabric & Paper Mâché Vessels/Pots

I handmade several little paper mâché pots/vessels. Two in the lower right hand corner I used handmade papers that had been digitally printed on from my discard pile, others I used fabric strips and Modge Podge as my glue.

Measure 3"- 4" in diameter and 2"- 4" in height. Handy little storage containers for a variety of items.

Many DIY's online, or you already know how because you happily created paper mâché items as a kid 😉