Like  newborn babies,crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.  1Peter 2:2

If we only say we like crochet, but don't try to make something,  we will miss out on the awesome things we can create.  If we say, "I believe in Jesus," but don't follow it up with persuing a relationship with him, we will be missing out on what He has planned for us.  How do we pursue a relationship with Jesus? We have to turn away from our sins & repent.  Pray & accept Him into our hearts.  Study the Bible & find out what it means to live for Him.  Attend church & Bible studies. When I was a child, I was taught to love Jesus.  While that was wonderful, I discovered it just wasn't enough. I was missing something.  It was only when I made a complete dedication to the Lord, that I could have a personal relationship with Him, and experience all He has to offer. Have a great week, friends! 

April showers bring May flowers~check out my new flower baskets posted this week.

BAG

/HOW I DID IT-

6.5 hook, 1/2 DBL CROC., 2 colors of yarn (thin) plus slimline cord ,or hemp cord all tied together.   You can switch colors during the process, if you want a multi-colord bag. Optional: pom poms to sew on back.

Crochet a large rectangle or square shape.  When you think it's long enough to hold what you want (ex. notebooks, pens, ruler, laundry, etc,..) Fold it in half.  Take your yarn needle & sew up the side.  Dbl. tacking at top. If you want to leave a space at the top for a fold over flap, then don't sew all the way up.   You can mak a "knob" out of yarn stitched together, to push through a spot on the bag to close it.  Sew up bottom of bag with yarn needle. The handle is a couple rows of crochet, dbl. tacked inside the  bag, one at the right corner & one at the left corner.   I used bright colors, which makes a nicer bag for the children or teenagers.  Sew pom poms on the back in a row.

SPRINGTIME BASKET WITH PONY BEADS (Hanging)#2  type

Half DBL Crochet, 6.5 hook to start,  & switch later to 4 hook, 2 balls of yarn tied together, pony beads. Use 2 chenille stems(pipe cleaners), foam sticky back bugs/butterflies, & several  floral straws(cut to fit) these were bought @ Dollar Tree Store. 
Foundation row (6 in. long)Chain 2 & turn work around(do this on all rows)
Crochet another row(same).  Cut off yarn from balls, leaving a very long piece to add pony beads
row 3- Crochet 1, add pony bead, Croc. 1, add pony bead, & so on...
row 4- repeat above.

at this point basket measures 10 in. x 2 1/4 in. long.
Switch to 4 hook (G-6) Measure over to 7in. to the right side of basket. Do a loose single crochet of earthy green yarn to 2in. from left side of basket.  If you want it thicker, do a few more rows.

Basket Handle-2 chenille stems twisted together.  Bend them to form a squared off shape.  Turn basket over and push end of stem through  several loops of yarn on one side, and then the other.

Flowers- Use Floral straws.  Cut to different sizes & slide into loops of yarn on back of basket.

Foam critters stick to flowers or basket.  Twist chenille handle around a nail (at center point)to hang!

Stems & Floral straws From D.Tree store

How many different variations of this, can you come up with?

View 1

View 2

HANGING FLOWER BASKET #1 and it is

10in x 10 in. finished size
6.5 hook, 2 balls of yarn(1-multi-colored & 1-yellow) thin,applique flower petals or silk flowers, twist ties(I keep from bread, garbage bags,etc,.)foam (sticky on back) bugs, butterflies, spanish moss.
Crochet "foundation row"(6 in. long) half dbl. crochet
1 additinal row (6 in. long or 20 crochet stitches)
2 rows 7 in. long, 2 rows 8 in. long, 1 row 9, 1 row 9 1/2, 1 row 10 in. long. Continue crocheting a row at the end of one side t the other side of basket .  The flowers are appliques I picked up in a craft section.  You take a "twist tie" & attach petal to it.  Push "twist Tie" through several stitches on back of basket.  The moss stuck  pretty well, but to hold better, attach sticky tape & moss onto it.  Attach some foam critters on basket.  You can hang using 2 nails one on top & one in middle of basket to let handle "as is."(flat) I took my handle & tied it in a knot behind the flowers to hang on one nail & give the effect of a round basket.  Experiment!
Mother's Day gift idea!

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX REMINDER:  Please put all soap in ziploc baggies.  All candy & lollipops must be double bagged, unless it is "individual wrapped "pieces, then 1 baggie is fine.  No chocolate candy or any with vitamins inside are allowed! No other "food" is allowed.  Please read labels.  This protects all other items in the shoebox.  Many places the boxes are shipped will be extreme temp.'s.Please no "war" related items, breakables, or "used" items.

Beanie Hat-Q Hook and Thick yarn
I used half dbl. crochet
Foundation row (12 in.-16in.long)
crochet 9 rows, half dbl. crochet
on row 10, skip to every 3rd loop to crochet
row 11 skip to every 4th loop to crochet doing this all around the entire piece, repeat on row 12-this will gather together to fit over your head.  I have a small head, so you can add more rows of crochet, & definately make it 16 in. long. foundation row.

Optional: tie a bow on the back or the side of hat. Mine is on the back. Operation Christmas Child Shoebox gift idea!

(Operation Christmas Child shoebox idea)

SOAP HOLDER/WASHCLOTH, ages 2-4

FRONT                          Crochet 6 rows half dbl. croc. plain green.  Crochet 6 rows multi-color

BACK                                            yarn. Fold almost in half & sew up the sides using yarn needle.  Dbl. tack to hold. Fold flap down & attach piece of yarn on each side to close.  When he/she takes the soap out, the child puts their hand into the pouch, & uses it as a washcloth!  TIP: Place soap in ziploc baggie before putting in holder.  O.C.C. requires soap to be in a ziploc baggie to protect other items in the shoebox, when it gets shipped.



Toy ball on a string

Hacky sack balls

Yarn needle shown here.

Crochet a sm. rectangle for hacky sack/larger one for ball on a string toy

Sew around rectangle with a yarn needle, skipping to the 3rd loop and then the 4th loop.  It will gather together & curl up into a ball shape.  Stuff with fiberfill and continue sewing it closed.  Let a piece of yarn attached and tie into a "loop" at the end.

CHILDREN ARE A GIFT FROM THE LORD; THEY ARE A REWARD FROM HIM.  Psalm 127:3
How about making some for your Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes?!

Thanks for helping me reach 310 views, as of today! 

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE #2 CRAFTS

Optional: put a flag sticker in center of pin.

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE, PINS AND HAIR CLIPS~

FINISHED PROJECT HANGING UNDER THE FRONT PORCH AWNING

RED,WHITE, and Blue! (use a thin, soft yarn-cotton may be best)






SECOND VIEW OF FINISHED PROJECT

Step 1Foundation row(5 in. & up!) & one additional row(i do half or Dbl. half crochet)

Twist with fingers!

Step 3-Make all sizes plain and twisted  rows of crochet.  Tie together at top ,& hang from hook in dry area outside.  Now watch the wind blow them around.  Optional:  attach "bells" to the ends.

         Hooks & curved needles~Check out these pretty hooks I found at AC Moore!

I have been wanting this curved yarn needle.  It really comes in handy!

HOOKS AND NEEDLES

Bible Verse this week: You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13

Thanks to all of you for visiting my blog!

I wish everyone a happy and "blessed" Easter weekend!

Discouraged or afraid? Sometimes I feel discouraged, if I try to do something with good intentions, and it doesn't work out right!  I feel afraid of what the future may hold! But, the Bible has a verse for us. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Just like anyone else, I have to read these words once and awhile to remind myself of this.