Cute Long Scarf = Perfect Easy Winter Project

I never learned to crochet when I was growing up.  My Grandma Mae was a big knitter so I learned to knit instead.  Having recently taught myself to crochet a few simple stitches, I must say I’m hooked!   I finished this up watching American Idol with my 12 year old last week.  It’s warm and long and I love it!

Here’s what I did.

1. Start by chaining until you have the length you want.  My scarf is 80 inches long, without the fringe.  I used a size N crochet hook and some bulky yarn I’ve had lurking in my closet.
   
2. Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain until the end.
   
3. Chain 3 (counts as first double crochet), turn, work a double crochet in each stitch until the end.
   
4. Chain 1, turn, work a single crochet in each stitch until the end.
   
5. Repeat rows 3 and 4 until it’s the width you want.  My scarf is about 5 inches wide.
   
6. Add fringe to the ends if you like!
   It’s long enough to wrap around your neck a couple of times and still be long enough.

Lion Brand Yarn has a great crochet learning center with tutorials and videos that make it easy to learn to crochet. 

Do you knit or crochet?

I’ll be linking up with:

Monday:  Craftomaniac Monday at Craftomaniac Tuesday:  Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog Wednesday:  Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design Thursday:  Make it and Wear It at The Train to Crazy  Friday:  Air Your Laundry Friday at Freckled Laundry

Sunday Sweepstakes Linkup

A brand new week ahead!  Do you have a giveaway going on?  Please list it in one of the categories below.  Take some time to enter a few too!  I’ve got a $45 CSN Stores gift code giveaway going on this week.  Click on my sidebar to enter!

Friday Giveaway with CSN Stores

My friends at CSN stores have offered another great giveaway!  Who wouldn’t want a chance to win a $45 promotional code to use at any of their many stores?  

My 12 year old daughter is currently crazy for everything zebra.  I’d love to get her one of these modern rugs.

To win, just leave me a comment.  All I ask is that you be a follower of my blog. 

Sorry, this giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian readers only.  I’ll announce the winner next week.

Good luck!

Make it Yours Day {51}

There were over 200 amazing projects linked up last week!  I hope you had a chance to check some out.  Here are a few that jumped out at me from last week. 

I love everything about this Kitchen Spice Subway Art by Jill at Made it On Monday. 

This Trompe L'oeil Grandfather Clock by Lindy at Cottage Hill was just amazing. 

This Winter Wonderland cape by Jessica at Me Sew Crazy was so fun and cute.  It reminds me of the ponchos my Grandma used to knit me when I was a girl.  Loved them!

You really need to click over and take a look at the new kitchen island AJ from The “J” Family created from a dilapidated old dresser.   You won’t believe the transformation.

This is just SO pretty.  4 the Love of Wood created this beautiful creamy white secretary out of several different pieces.  It makes me want to sit right down and write a letter.

If you were featured, feel to grab a button from my sidebar.   Now on to the party!

<center><a href="http://www.mybackyardeden.com/"><img border="0" alt="Make it Yours @ My Backyard Eden" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/28jck5l.jpg" /></a></center>

Please Play By These Rules.

1. Link up something you’ve created, crafted, cooked, etc.
2. Link to your specific post, not the main page of your blog.
3. If you’re super-duper nice, you’ll put my button in your post.  Or, if you’re super nice, you’ll put a text link back to my blog in your post.  Or, if you’re simply nice, you’ll put my button somewhere on your blog.  Wouldn’t you like to be super-duper nice?   I truly appreciate you linking back here.
4. Visit the person who linked up before you.  Everyone loves comments, so please don’t just post and run.
5. Thanks for playing nice.  Now go have fun!

Purple Trail Winner

Congratulations to Cassie (seecassierun@xxx.com)!

You’re the winner of the $50 Purple Trail Gift Certificate.  Email me and I will get you hooked up with the nice folks from Purple Trail.

Did you enter this week’s giveaway?  You can win a set of  furniture painting eBooks from Altar’d!

Major Craft Fail

Did you ever have a project that made you want to hang up your creative hat and hide under the covers?  It all started with this large, heavy weight tray I found at a thrift store.  It was exactly perfect to place on the ottoman in my living room.  While I liked sort of liked the kitschy design, I thought I’d spruce it up a bit using some paint and my new Silhouette machine. Isn’t this design gorgeous?  It would look just perfect painted in black on my freshly painted tray.    I thought it would be simple to cut it in vinyl and use it to stencil the design on my tray.  WRONG!  That machine was so darn frustrating.  While I followed the settings that came with the vinyl, the machine kept pulling off little pieces of the cut vinyl and getting all stuck up.   Three tries later, I finally had my vinyl stencil cut.   But only after having to pick the tiny adhesive backed pieces out of the inside of the machine.    Grrrr….I wonder if it’s too late to get my money back? Happy to have the cutting part out of the way, I painted the edges of the tray and the stenciled area with black gloss enamel paint.    I chose to ignore the fact that this paint was made for wood, glass and glazed ceramics.   Why wouldn’t it work on a painted metal tray? 

The moral of the story:  Follow the directions! 

The paint is totally peeling off.  I’m not sure that the whole thing can be salvaged now.  I’m going to have to scrape or sand all of the paint off since I know that it’s just a matter of time before the black paint on the edges starts coming off in big sheets. 

That kitschy Asian design is looking pretty good to me right about now.

Anyone want to share a craft fail?   Misery loves company you know.

Sunday Sweepstakes Linkup

Have a giveaway going on that you’d like to publicize?  Link it up here.   Be sure to enter my giveaway to win two Altar’d Furniture eBooks.   See the button to the right at the top of my sidebar?

Have a great week!

Friday Giveaway with Altar’d

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been disappointed with ebooks in the past.  A lot of promises, but not much content.  I’m glad to say that today’s giveaway definitely does not fall into that category!

Mandie Morris, the owner of Altar’d,  makes unique, custom refinished furniture.   She also teaches workshops on how to do it yourself.   Since not all of us live near her in Texas, Mandie has written two eb00ks sharing her secrets.

Mandie has generously offered to give away two sets of Altar'd Furniture

 Refinishing Guide &

Decorative Finishes Guide!

If you’ve ever wanted to refinish a piece of furniture but didn’t know where to start, you need these guides.  Her first ebook takes you step by step through the entire process:  what products to use, how to use them and even her favorite paint colors.

Her second ebook takes it to the next level with amazing decorative finishes, like silver leaf, decoupage, and metallic finishes.

I love this soft metallic finish.  It would be perfect for my ugly nightstands.

I think this decoupaged love letters dresser is just amazing.

Want to win a set of both Altar’d ebooks?

Here’s how to enter:

1. Leave me a comment telling me why you need  a set of Mandie’s Altar’d Furniture ebooks.
   Sample comment: “I would love know how to paint my old ugly nightstands !”

2. Become a follower of Mandie's Blog, look around, come back here and leave me a comment.
   Sample comment: “I follow Altar’d.

3. Become a public follower of My Backyard Eden.
   Sample comment: “I follow My Backyard Eden.”
   

4. Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway and come back and comment with the link.
   Sample comment: “ I tweeted about this giveaway.  Here’s the link…..”

Please leave a separate comment for each thing you do!

Winner will be announced next Friday!  Good luck!

Make it Yours Day {50}

Last week’s Make it Yours Day was chock a block with crafty goodness.  Here are just a few projects that caught my eye. Adorable nursery artwork from Amanda at The Ivy Cottage.

This whimsical alphabet wall from Michell at Girl in Air.

These sweet specimen hearts by Crafty Girls Workshop look like butterflies just waiting to fly off the page. 

I fell in love with this dog bed made from a bulb box by Marvelously Messy.   My dog Rosie is so big I’d have to use a watermelon crate, and it wouldn’t be nearly as cute as this one!

If you were featured, feel to grab a button from my sidebar.   Now on to the party!

<center><a href="http://www.mybackyardeden.com/"><img border="0" alt="Make it Yours @ My Backyard Eden" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/28jck5l.jpg" /></a></center>

Please Play By These Rules.

1. Link up something you’ve created, crafted, cooked, etc.
2. Link to your specific post, not the main page of your blog.
3. If you’re super-duper nice, you’ll put my button in your post.  Or, if you’re super nice, you’ll put a text link back to my blog in your post.  Or, if you’re simply nice, you’ll put my button somewhere on your blog.  Wouldn’t you like to be super-duper nice?   I truly appreciate you linking back here.
4. Visit the person who linked up before you.  Everyone loves comments, so please don’t just post and run.
5. Thanks for playing nice.  Now go have fun!

Cutest Messenger Bag Ever

I just made the cutest messenger bag ever.  One of my goals this year is to take more time to sew for myself.  This super cute bag really fits the bill.   I purchased  the June Bag pattern from Fourteen May. 

The bag only takes four fat quarters of fabric, some fusible fleece and interfacing. 

The bag has a handy deep pocket on the back.

Take a look at this fully lined goodness.

I dug around in my Grandma’s button box for this beauty.  It’s hard to see, but it has a tiny mirror inside.

I love the finished product.  I highly recommend the pattern.  It was easy to follow, full of great photos and instructions.    Go check out Fourteen May for more great patterns!

What have you made for yourself lately?

I’ll be sharing this post at The Creative Itch, The Train to Crazy, and Sew Much Ado.

Sunday Sweepstakes Linkup

Another Sunday.  I can’t believe it’s already the middle of  January!  Have a giveaway going on that you’d like to publicize?  Link it up here.   Be sure to enter my $50 Purple Trail giveaway.   See the button to the right at the top of my sidebar?

Have a great week!

tempHTML

Tootsie Wootsie Winner

The winner of the $25 Tootsie Wootsie Gift Certificate is

Alisa Marie!

Alisa, please contact me.  I couldn’t find your email address in your profile. 

Have a great weekend everybody!

Friday Giveaway with Purple Trail!

Last November I was lucky enough to win a  gift certificate from Purple Trail. I entered over at Today's Creative Blog and was surprised, but super excited that I was the winner. Thanks for hosting the giveaway Kim!

Thank goodness I won just in time to make my Christmas cards!

I had such a great experience with Purple Trail.  Their website is super easy to use.   I quickly uploaded a cute photo of my kids, added a personalized message, and even added some special touches from their large library of design elements.    When my package arrived only three days later, I was extremely pleased with the color and quality of the cards.   I can’t tell you how many compliments I received this year on them.

Now, Purple Trail has been kind enough to offer my readers a chance to win a
$50 gift card! 

If you’re the winner,  maybe you’d pick these cool personalized magnets.  Isn’t this such a cute idea for a birth announcement?  

Or maybe you have a big event coming up that would be perfect for these Tri Fold Cards.  These graduation announcements are so much more personal than the ones I had for my graduation. 

Want to win a $50 gift card?

Here’s how you can win!

1. Head over to Purple Trail, check out their products, come back here and leave me a comment telling me which design is your favorite.
   Sample comment: “I totally love the  tri-fold birth announcements!”

2. Like Purple Trail on Facebook, and then leave me a comment.
   Sample comment: “I liked  Purple Trail on Facebook.”

3. Become a public follower of My Backyard Eden.
   Sample comment: “I follow My Backyard Eden.”
   

4. Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway and come back and comment with the link.
   Sample comment: “ I tweeted about this giveaway.  Here’s the link…..”

Please leave a separate comment for each thing you do!

Winner will be announced next Friday!  Good luck!

Make it Yours Day {49}

Here are just a few projects that inspired me from last week’s Make it Yours Day.

A beautiful Red Poppies Quilt by Q at JAQS Studio. 

This Slubby Ruffle Tank from Jill at Made it on Monday was just too cute.

I love this Stenciled Desk Makeover from Christina’s Adventures.  So pretty!

And finally,  Amy at Good Day shared this sweet rosebud version of a book page wreath. 

If you were featured, feel free to grab a featured button from my sidebar!  Now on to the party!

<center><a href="http://www.mybackyardeden.com/"><img border="0" alt="Make it Yours @ My Backyard Eden" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/28jck5l.jpg" /></a></center>

Please Play By These Rules.

1. Link up something you’ve created, crafted, cooked, etc.
2. Link to your specific post, not the main page of your blog.
3. If you’re super-duper nice, you’ll put my button in your post.  Or, if you’re super nice, you’ll put a text link back to my blog in your post.  Or, if you’re simply nice, you’ll put my button somewhere on your blog.  Wouldn’t you like to be super-duper nice?   I truly appreciate you linking back here.
4. Visit the person who linked up before you.  Everyone loves comments, so please don’t just post and run.
5. Thanks for playing nice.  Now go have fun!

Stenciled Sugar Bowl

It’s been very cold and very wet here in Northern California.  Lately, we’ve had an invasion of sorts.Ants. Everywhere.  I don’t think they much like the weather so they’re looking for a warm place to stay. This sugar bowl is one of my favorite items in my kitchen.  My husband and I bought it in Siena on a trip to Italy ten years ago.   Unfortunately, the ants like it too. 

I needed a temporary ant-proof sugar bowl until we can get these little buggers under control.

I found this inexpensive air-tight and ant-tight storage container at Wal-Mart.   It’s a Flip-Tite container from Better Homes and Gardens. Using my newly acquired Silhouette Cutting Tool, I stenciled on a simple design.
In a nod to my Italian sugar bowl, I also stenciled the Italian word for sugar. I couldn’t forget Spanish and French as well. But the best part is the air-tight, ant-tight lid! 

Have you had any uninvited invaders this winter?

I’ll be sharing this post at Between Naps on the Porch, The Shabby Nest, and Tatertots and Jello.

Sunday Sweepstakes Linkup

Hope you’re having a great weekend!

Hosting a giveaway?  Go ahead and link it up here.  Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a $25 Gift Certificate to The Wootsie Tootsie.  See the photo on upper right?    Good luck!

tempHTML

Krylon Giveaway Winner!

The winner the six-pack of products from Krylon is  June@ I Will Craft.  Congrats and happy painting!

Please email me at grdngrrl@gmail.com and I’ll get you hooked up with the nice folks from Krylon. 

Have a great weekend!

Friday Giveaway with The Tootsie Wootsie

Happy first Friday of the New Year!

I’m excited to present another awesome giveaway for you today.

Today’s giveaway is from Mariel, also known as The Tootsie Wootsie.  Mariel is the crafty mom of one little dude, with one on the way.

Meet Mariel, The Tootsie Wootsie.

Mariel has a sweet blog called, The Tootsie Wootsie, full of awesome tutorials.

Like this Ruffled Neck Scarf.

Or this vintage style rosette headband.

Mariel is super excited, because she has just opened a new Etsy shop, also called The Tootsie Wootsie, full of beautiful handmade items. 

I love this Plum Rosette Bib Necklace.

This sweet Yellow Rosette Headband would be so cute on my daughter.

How cute are these Sparkly Clothespins?

Guess what?

Mariel is giving one lucky reader a $25 gift certificate to use in her Etsy shop. 

Here’s how you can win!

1. Head over to The Tootsie Wootsie Etsy Shop, check out her unique items, come back here and leave me a comment telling me your favorite.
   Sample comment: “I love the Blue Rosette Necklace !”

2. Become a Follower of Mariel's Blog, and then leave me a comment.
   Sample comment: “I follow The Tootsie Wootsie.”

3. Go back to Mariel's Blog, leave her a comment telling her you stopped by from My Backyard Eden along with your favorite item from her Etsy Shop, and then leave me a comment.
   Sample comment: “I just left a comment on her blog.”
   

4. Become a public follower of My Backyard Eden.
   Sample comment: “I follow My Backyard Eden.”

5. Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway and come back and comment with the link.
   Sample comment: “ I tweeted about this giveaway.  Here’s the link…..”

Please leave a separate comment for each thing you do!

Winner will be announced next Friday!  Good luck!