Cake Stand Tutorial

Happy Friday friends!  

Today I'd like to do a little tutorial on the cake stand that I made for my Birthday.  

This project is so easy, and you can say that you made it yourself!

I first did this project a couple years ago with my friend, so I can't take full credit for this brilliant idea!

What you will need to get is a plate and candle stick holder.

I got these from the thirft store... I did a little thrift shop shopping... 

what what what what? 

Savin' my money and I'm hella happy that's a bargain, bitch.

 

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS - THRIFT SHOP FEAT. WANZ

 I digress. 

You will also need some epoxy glue.  

I had originally used hot glue, but when I went to wash the stand, it fell apart in my hands.  

So, don't do that.  

My dad said he got the epoxy glue from the 99 cent store!

Make sure to mark out on the plate before applying the glue where you will want the candle stick to go.  Measure it for the middle or else it will be lopsided.  

Not that I learned that the hardway...good thing the hot glue didn't work. haha!

Put some glue on the candle stick 

Make sure its enough, 

but not too much so that it won't get all over the place when you push it down on the plate.

Put it on the mark you made. And wait for it to dry. 

Ta-da!  Cake stand!  

For the one pictured above, the plate was too top heavy.

  So, I added a plate to the bottom and it worked like a charm!  

I made two because they were so darn easy and pretty cheap!

Infinity Scarf Tutorial

I am so excited to do my very first tutorial post!  I made this scarf for Helene's giveaway last week, and I thought I would share the pattern with you guys!

I had initially started this scarf from a pattern that I had found, but as I was doing it, it wasn't turning out how I wanted.  So, I kind of just winged it and it turned out awesome!  So, for those crocheters out there check out this pattern!

The scarf is very long (about 45" long when connected.  So, if you don't connect it to make it an infinity scarf it would be 90" long) and wraps three times. It is about 5" wide.

Infinity Scarf Tutorial

You will need:
15.75 mm/ Q Hook
Super Bulky Yarn (I used Lion Brand Yarn, Hometown USA)
I know it's bad, but I don't gauge my stitches.  Sorry.
Tapestry needle to weave in tails.

CH 120
Sl St into first CH to connect
Make sure the piece isn't twisted before connecting

Round 1:
CH 1
SC into each stitch around
SL St into first st

Round 2:
CH 2
TR into each stitch around
Sl St into first st

Round 3:
CH 1
DC into each stitch around
SL St into first st

Round 4:
Repeat round 2

Round 5:
Repeat round 3

Round 6:
Repeat round 1

Don't forget to sew in the tails!

This is a super easy pattern and perfect for beginners.  If you try it let me know how it turns out!

Finally finished- Crocheted Blanket and Pattern

I know I have mentioned that I was working on crocheting a blanket before on this blog, but honestly I'm too lazy to look back at the posts to link them here.  Geez, I act like I do things all day.  Oh the joys of unemployment!  I'll have to share going to the temp agency story with you sometime!  That's a whole post in itself.

The good news is, is that I finally finished the blanket I was working on.  This is the first blanket I have ever crocheted, so I'm pretty proud of it.

This couch is big enough to seat 2 people.  When we first got it, I told my parents that I was going to gain 600 pounds because the couch would still be able to fit me!

Trying to take a photo of yourself is a lot harder than it looks!  Also, I'd like to say I'm sans make-up but in reality I didn't wash of yesterdays make-up so there's that.

I ended up making it a bit longer than the pattern had because I hate when blankets won't fit around my feet and up to my shoulders.  I also added the fringe on the ends.  Initially I was going to sew in the tails, but I ended up liking the fringe look so I added more danglies (thats the proper term lol) to make it look fuller and more even.

Want to make one for yourself?  Or even for someone for Christmas?  Check out the pattern here!

Things I'm loving these days

Here are a few things I have been obsessed with!

1.)  The Head and the Heart: "Down in the Valley"

I just love everything about this song- the piano, the violin, the voice, the melody. everything.  It puts me into a really great mood when I listen to it.

2.)  Hart of Dixie

Photo courtesy of google search

When this show first came out I was like, "Ugh, that looks so dumb.  There is no way I would ever watch that."  Well, season 1 was on Instant Netflix and I didn't have anything else to watch so I thought I would give it a go.  I really, really liked it!  I hate to admit it.  But, it is worth giving it a chance.

 3.)  The Lucky One 

I wouldn't call this the best movie I have ever seen in my life, but I did enjoy it.  I think that I am just in the mood for some super sappy love movies these days, and this one was perfect for it. Although, the whole time I kept thinking that she just looked a bit too old for him.  Am I the only one?

4.)  Boot Cuffs
I need a break from my afghan...I think I'm going to try this pattern this week!

5.) These cards really do sum up a lot.

 I really ought to tell you the story of how I met a guy named Alex burns on my road trip to Alaska ones of these days.

Things that make me happy.

I truly believe that the little everyday things are the things that keep you (ok, well me at least!) going.  Here are the things that are keeping me happy these days:

- I just made plans to go see my best friend (she left me for a teaching job up in San Jose, California).  Only 10-ish more days not that I'm counting or anything.

10 points awarded to me for posting a pic without make-up! haha!

 - The Avett Brothers (with pups and mustaches?  What more could you ask for!)

- Being healthy enough to exercise...now if only I could get the motivation to do it

 -staring at the word exercise for 10 minutes figuring out if I was spelling it right (I wasn't...I curse you red squiggle underline- but happy for helping me!)

- A newly learned crochet technique: pattern here (umm hi california?  I thought we had a deal...I crochet cute warm things and you cool down?  What happened to that...it was 90 degrees yesterday!)

- Instant Netflix

- Waking up without an alarm clock

- The fact that it is November...No Shave November to be exact.  I love a beard on a man.

- Putting back the dress you know you shouldn't buy
small financial victory!

"The art of happiness lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things"

-Henry Ward Beecher

What everyday things are making you happy?

*Don't forget to vote today!  I don't care who you vote for...just make an informed decision and make your vote count!

Friday Finds 11/02/12

Want

Wind some yarn!

I could make this

Maybe?  One day! 

My desire in life at the moment.

I need to get to Kohl's!

Gimme that sparkly dress!  New Year's outfit, perhaps?  I think yes!

Fall Weather juju

I think that my crocheting spree which I would rather call Fall weather crochet juju is working...if I do say so myself.  It has cooled down quite a bit, and it looks like it is going to be in the 70's this week!  So, with that in mind and also hoping that this delightful weather will stay for awhile- so maybe I should rename it to Fall weather please continue crochet juju I made a cable knit headband.

If you are into crocheting at all, you can find the pattern here.  She describes the skill level as intermediate, and I would say that's true- but definitely an easy intermediate.  If you have trouble figuring out the stitches try youtubing it...that has been the most help in my crochet endeavors.

I also added a small border around the front and back mostly because I haven't quite gotten the hang of even ends and also partly because I wanted a bit more depth to it.

Sorry for the weird lighting in these photos and that they were taken in my bathroom lol But it was the best lighting option I had.  The yarn is Red Heart brand in Dark Sage.  I think next time I will try to do it with a softer yarn.  I have some baby yarn so I think I might give that one a go.

I tried this pattern to give myself a break from this one.  I am just having the hardest time figuring out what I am doing wrong since it isn't turning out right.  I thought it was the cable stitch that I was doing wrong which I suppose could still be the reason, but this headband turned out well..so now I am in the frustrated stage of not being able to figure out how to get this blanket done! 

Friday Finds 10/19/12

Growing Up Advice...Holllaaaaa!

I hope you are in need of a good laugh! 

The most accurate picture of the debate

Another crochet project to add to my list

Gets me every time.

There's a storm a-brewin'

...or at least I wish there was.  Hey, California!  What's the deal with the 90F weather?  Maybe all this crocheting that I have been doing is a way to bring good Fall juju.  I made this blue scarf one for my friends' birthday (sure her birthday way last week, but I won't remind her if you won't!  Belated birthdays are my favorite anyways because it makes them last longer!). 

This scarf was so stinkin' easy to make that I made another one (a tiny bit shorter than the blue one).  I'm thinking of doing some sort of giveway for this white scarf (you can even tell your friends that you made it! haha!)...maybe once I hit 10 followers! 

I pulled my hair a bit to the side so you could see both sets of buttons on it.  I think I might move them around...it looks too symmetrical to me (and I hate symmetry!)

Here is a close up shot (yarn and buttons from the ever classy Wal-Mart), and you can find the pattern here (it's perfect for beginning crocheters!). 

Also, have you heard of Ravelry?  It's a fantastic site filled with patterns for crocheters and knitters!  You can even input the yarn that you have on hand, and the site will find patterns that can use it...pretty genius if you ask me.  Actually, I'm, wondering why I hadn't thought of this idea!

I'll keep you posted about the giveaway...if I ever make it to 10 followers!

Watermelon Salad- An intriguing party starter...and some super simple DIY

I joined an alumni chapter of my sorority about a year ago, and each month we have a different event. This month's event was a Pinterest Party.  The idea was to make a recipe from Pinterest that you wanted to try and bring it to the party where we would be doing Pinterest crafts.  Naturally, I was all over this idea because I pin tons of recipes and NEVER do them.

I got an idea from when I was at a friend's house and she had made a Watermelon Salad that was so intriguing and yet so delicious.  I didn't ask her for the recipe, although I should have...but I found one on Pinterest that looked like it could be a match.  I thought I was doubling the recipe, but I don't think I doubled the watermelon.  It turned out a bit soupy as a result of my yolo attitude (actually this is more of my yolo attitude) of concocting this recipe.  I also added avocado because, I mean, who doesn't like avocado (and my friend had added avocado to hers), and also I put cilantro into the salad instead of mint and dill because that's what my friend did (I think?), and I didn't really read that part of the recipe...I kind of just assumed it was cilantro!

Watermelon, onion, avocado, feta, and cilantro?  Who would have thought this would have been so delightfully delicious?  It was quite a hit at the party, several girls asked me for the recipe.  I wish I had taken a picture of it before it was devoured.  I thought it was going to be a disaster because it looked a bit gross after I added the feta cheese...but it was oh so good!  Perfect for these hot days and a great conversation starter!

We made some simple crafts from Pinterest.  I don't have the links since the crafts were supplied for us.  But the coffee mug is from the 99 Cent Store with permanent marker design (I went for a Pride and Prejudice quote- even though I think Mr. Darcy is a jerk.) and you just pop it into the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and voila!  The ink becomes permanent! I have yet to put my mug in the oven so who knows if the voila part I added is indeed that simple!
We then made coasters.  Also super simple.  Get some tiles (I think the girl said she only bought them for 16 cents a piece?  What a steal!), cut a decorative napkin to size, add a thin layer of mod podge to the tile, put the napkin on the tile, add another layer of mod podge on top of the napkin, let dry, spray with acrylic spray, and glue cork to the bottom.  Voila!  Coasters! I actually did complete this one- it really is as simple as voila!

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