Chris9ty Crafts

Cedar Point VIF

2011-04-28T16:28:00.001-07:00

Our family needs your help!
Click here to view our video: http://youtu.be/Arax5t2qd-w

Please help us become Cedar Point's Very Important Family for 2011 by viewing our video entry on YouTube and 'Liking' it. Pass it along to your family and friends- every 'like' helps us out- make your vote count by Sunday at Midnight. We have an opportunity to cut the ribbon at Cedar Point for the Opening Ceremony and be the first to ride our favorite roller coaster- the Maverick! There are only 4 video entries so we have a good chance of winning- Check out how cute Andrew is using his sign language to say Please! He's tired of just riding in the laundry basket around the house and is ready for some Cedar Point rides.

For over 25 years, it has been a Schulte Family Tradition to go to Cedar Point every summer. We cherish the memories we made as a family- from kiddieland rides to the first time on Millenium Force. Our newest generation is begging to ride and carry on the tradition!

Crocheted Baby Blanket

2010-03-03T14:46:00.000-08:00

I wanted my first child to have a blanket I crocheted after making some for Project Linus and for family/friends. I used Lion Brand's Pound of Love in yellow and white and the pattern on the skeins. It is a small blanket, but made with love.

Baby Announcement Card

2010-03-03T14:37:00.000-08:00

I designed a baby announcement for the birth of our first child. I used Stampin' up cardstock, ink and stamps. The duck came from the baby set, and the Made with Love from the Art by Design- using the Stampin Up! copyright. I used Saffron yellow and Celery green. The white on the duck is glittering white paper. I stamped the duck in Chocolate Chip and then colored in with Saffron and Orange markers. I used my Cuttlebug embosser in Spots to emboss the background. I love using my cutter to make the wavy edge on the white paper. Guess where the yellow ribbon came from? Leftovers from our wedding table decorations (I thought it was fitting to use something from the wedding) The Welcome Baby is stamping in White Craft ink. I used my shape cutters to mat and mount with foam tape the duck (yes, he is peeking thru the hole. so he is taped to the white inside of the card) On the inside I printed and added a pic with my slot punch to save time.
I was so excited to design and make these- I finished them at Christmas time- four months before our son arrived!

Baby Prayer

2010-03-03T14:30:00.001-08:00

I've enjoyed making Baby Prayers for family and friends' new babies.

I took the words from a prayer card, and change them to have the baby's name and boy or girl (or I do a yellow and green one before they are born)

Then this can be framed and hung in the babies room as a daily reminder to pray for them as they grow. I took the extra generic one I made for my baby and put it in his scrapbook as an opening.

I use the Baby stamps from Stampin' Up! and I had a cross that I stamp off two times and then use as a light backdrop.

Prayer for Baby’s Future
Lord, bless this little baby
with all the love
that heaven can release.
Send angels down
to protect and surround
This little baby with peace.
When danger draws near
be always there
to lift the fear away.
Lord, give this baby
the strength and grace
To do Your Will each day.
Amen

--Stephanie Wilcox-Hughes

Baptism Memory Frame

2010-03-03T14:07:00.000-08:00

I found an idea at the Hallmark store to create a Memory frame for my son's Baptism.

I used white craft ink (Stampin' Up!) to print his hands and feet (this ink is like paint)

and then printed out the words "Lord, teach these little hands to pray" "Lord, guide these little feet in your way." I keep it hanging in his room as a reminder of how small he was on his special day.

I made similar frames for his godmother and godfather only including his footprints and picture (the hands are hard to print nicely at such a young age)

First Birthday Train

2010-03-03T13:56:00.001-08:00

I bought the Choo Choo Train set last year when my son was born in planning on using it for his birthday announcements. We are having a Winnie the Pooh party, but I couldn't wait to use the stamps, so I'll use them to send out his First Birthday pictures.
The background is light blue, and the trim of the train is Night of Navy.
The track is a small wheel in black ink.
The engine is black like most steam engines, and the caboose is maroon to look like a Pennsylvania Railroad car. I used my Fiskars shape cutter to make the 1's and layered them with foam tape. There are four smoke puffs because his birth month is April (the fourth month)
I'll take an updated pic for the engineer when the time gets closer.
They are cute and I can't wait to send them out!

Christmas Cards

2010-03-03T13:49:00.000-08:00

Here is the Christmas card I made for 2009.

It was created to be very simple, yet elegant, since I didn't have much time this year!

I love Stampin'Up!'s Night of Navy cardstock and ink and since I'm very monochromatic I stuck with those colors and the silver accent paper as the strip I cut (from Ben Franklin's)

The background was made with my Cuttlebug embosser with the snowflakes.

The Merry Christmas Dear Friends was cut with the curly box shape cutter. (both from Stampin' Up!)

I'm thinking about sticking with this simple design for next year only in red and gold....think anyone will remember? LOL

Christmas in July!

2008-07-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

It's not snowing yet, it's been 90 degrees and sunny out lately. But I got a head start on my Christmas cards. Here is the picture of them. I used my Stampin' Up Stamps to complete them and paper I had on hand. More details to follow.

Homemade Tags for Dad

2008-07-23T15:13:00.000-07:00

I took out my Tag Punches and Art by Design stamp set to make homemade tags for my Dad's wood turning projects. I used the "Created By:" on the front and the backs have either "limited edition", "Homemade" or "Made with Love" I figured he can sign, date and tie them on his projects. I made about 30- all the olive green textured paper I had, so that should last for awhile.

Loomed Pinwheel Baby Blanket- Finally Finished

2008-07-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

I’ve always thought Denise Layman's Pinwheel blanket was a neat pattern but it looked difficult. I decided to try it out, I have the motivation to finish this summer for a church fundraiser. This pattern is easy to loom and remember the pattern. It went quick to get to the completed circle. Now I am trying to do the trimming border in single crochet and a 5 double-crochet shell stitch for the final border, instead of the loomed border. I am using Lion Brand's Pound of Love yarn in white and yellow.

Pink Ribbon Scarf

2008-06-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

My friend's mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and I wanted to do something to show my support, so I found Denise Layman's Ribbon scarf

I had a dark pink of Patons Classic wool on hand and a Fun Fur type of yarn in matching pink. It came out nice and fluffy (and I had to use the Fun Fur every other row to make it last the whole scarf) Loom knitting is like saying a whole lot of prayers for someone while creating a loving gift for them.

Another Baby Blanket Finished!

2008-04-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

I finally completed my blue baby blanket on the Long Blue Knifty Knitter Loom for my friend's baby. It came out well- so soft and I know it will be loved! For the Final measurements is is 24 (wide from the loom) x 25 (long- can be adjusted as long as you loom it) inches loomed, and with the crochet border it is 29 (wide) x 30 (length) inches. a nice baby size.

To try to take out the 'crease' in the middle from using the long looms I single crocheted 7 rounds (using two strands of Lion Brand's Pound of Love yarn) for the border, and then I washed it in Tide Free and rinsed twice (for the baby) and dried it. (all according to the directions on the yarn) It is still visible, but I think the recipient won't notice, since they won't know exactly what caused it. Here is the final picture:

I forgot to single crochet three times in each corner on this blanket, so the corners are rounded instead of square. I'm still working on my crocheting skills!

Here is a close-up picture of the stitches so you can see the texture and the difference in the crease. It isn't so noticeable on the garter stitch portion, so I guess that is always an option if you don't like the crease- do the whole blanket in garter stitch (purl one row, knit one row (or ewrap)

Happy Looming! Chris9ty :)

Creasing in Baby Blankets on Long Blue Loom

2008-04-06T15:31:00.000-07:00

I've created a couple baby blankets for my friend's showers recently, and have noticed that when I take them off the loom they show the turning pegs with a crease in the center of the blanket- these stitches seem looser and wider then the others. I know a few people have asked how what to do about it, so here's my solution:

The crease seemed to disappear before the shower, by stretching it out- by pulling along side the crease- so the yarn is pulled toward the other stitches. I also single crochet around the edge several times so the handling of the blanket also seems to flatten it out more.

I just finished one (as you can see in the picture) and plan to wash it (according to the Lion's Brand Pound of Love yarn directions) and rinse it twice for the babies. I'll see if that helps too.

Good Luck and Happy Looming! :)

Christy :)

Blue Long Loom Baby Blanket Finished!

2008-02-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

This was my first project on my Long Blue Knifty Knitter Loom. I’ve always wanted to make a blanket sized for a baby and this loom was perfect for that! The Lion Brand Pound of Love Yarn is so soft. I used two strands of pastel blue to do the main part of the with a border of garter stitch (8 rows on the bottom and top and knit one row, purl one row), and purling 4 stitches on each side of the blanket every other row. The rest is the ewrap stitch. After I cast off, I single crocheted a border around the whole thing in blue for 3 rounds, white for 3 rounds, and then blue for the final three. I finished just in time for a friend of the family’s baby shower. She loved it and I know it will be well-loved.

I know I have met a lot of new Loomers online who want to make baby blankets. (They are great gifts for newborns and quick to make) Here is a breakdown of the basic baby blanket pattern:

This is knitted as a flat panel.

I used rubberbands (hair ties) to mark the last four pegs on each end of the loom. And I added a different marker to the last peg on the purl row- so I would remember to always Knit the last stitch to create a nice edge (selvedge)

Crochet Cast-on

*Knit one row, Purl next row (the entire row except the last stitch K) *repeat 3 more times.

**Then Knit entire row

Next Purl first 4 stitches, Knit to the last 4 (I ewrap) and Purl next 3 stitches, K last stitch ** repeat until desired length is reached.

Then- *Knit one row, Purl next row (the entire row except the last stitch K) *repeat 3 more times.

Cast Off in a Flat panel method (I crochet a stitch between each stitch)

Then single crochet a border around the blanket in each ladder or stitch on the edge- repeat as many times as desired.

Happy Looming! :)

Soft Loomed Baby Blankets

2008-01-23T20:03:00.001-08:00

Over the years I have enjoyed making baby blankets for family and friends. I have even donated a few to Project Linus and my church parish fair.

I have made tied blankets using fleece, and crocheted a blanket. Now I am looming them!

My favorite yarn to use on my Knifty Knitters is Red Heart Baby Clouds. It is bulky and soft! (but difficult to crochet more than the single crochet with it)

Here are a few of the pictures of the ones made on the green round KK loom and yellow round KK loom. I consider them small baby or preemie size, but also great as car seat and bouncer covers. When the little girls grow up they will have a blankie for their babydolls.

In a flat panel, I garter stitch the first 6-8 rounds (purl one row, knit one row), then every other row begins and ends with purl three. Every other row and the center stitches are knit (e-wrap). The last 6-8 rows are garter stitch. This prevents curling and leaves a nice border.

Happy Looming! :)

My Reversible Towel Topper Pattern

2008-01-13T18:56:00.000-08:00

Wow, a few supplies and some determination and I created my own pattern. Yeah! My pattern is a LoomClass this week in the YahooGroup! So far 81 people have signed up to take the class. Here is a copy of the pattern below. I have this in a PDF format with pictures and text details, email me and I can send it to you, until I figure out how to post PDF files on here...

“Reversible Kitchen Towel Topper”
My grandma has always used crocheting to attach our kitchen towels to a drawer. I decided to find a way to make these on the loom and keep it so you could use both sides of the towel. I hope you enjoy making towels toppers for yourself and as gifts to dress up the kitchen.

Materials
Knitting Loom: Any Knifty Knitter Round Loom (depends on the width of the kitchen towel) or a KK Long Loom could also be used, but will result in a tighter gauge. Red KK round loom was used in the sample.

Yarn: small amount (about 25 yards) of medium worsted weight. Or you may use two strands as one throughout pattern for a thicker towel topper. Red Heart Hunter Green and Burgundy were used in samples.

Notions: Kitchen Towel (100% cotton) (washed and dried), Metal Tapestry Needle, Knitting tool, Crochet Hook (to bind off), One Large button (at least one inch wide), thread (or yarn to attach button)

Gauge: gauge is not important in this project

Level: Beginner to Intermediate- Knowledge of Purl stitch and decreasing is helpful, blanket stitch (as in sewing), e-wrap, crochet bind-off also used

Pattern Notes: Blanket Stitch is used to create a top to the towel and a place to cast it on directly to the loom. Garter stitch is used in a flat panel so the towel looks the same on the front and back and so the fold-over handle matches in stitch. Knit refers to e-wrapping the row and knitting off.

Instructions
Prepare the towel:
Fold towel in half. Mark off ¾” marks along the fold. This is the distance from center of peg to center of peg. So it may vary if you use a different size of a loom.

Thread metal tapestry needle with about 30” of one strand of yarn. Using the Blanket stitch, stitch through each mark on the fold of the top- carefully go through the top of the towel, and only 1/4” from the fold (may be longer if you want to see your stitches on the finished product). Tie a knot in the end of the blanket stitch close to the towel.

Cast-on:
With the towel on the inside of the loom, place each long top stitch on the loom.

Using one strand of yarn, make a slip-knot and place it on the first peg, and then e-wrap each peg that has an attached blanket stitch. Knit off.

Topper:

First row: SS 1st peg, Purl all but the last peg, last peg Knit (this will create a neat selvedge edge)

Second row: SlipStitch (SS) 1st peg, Knit to the end of the row.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 at least three times- ending on a Purl row.

Decreasing Rows:

Next row (8th) : Move the stitch on the second peg to the inside (two loops on the third peg) Then move the 1st stitch (peg 1) to the empty peg (peg 2). SS 1st stitch, knit to the end of the row (2 over 1 on the second stitch).

Next row (9th): Move the stitch on the second peg to the inside (two loops on the third peg) Then move the 1st stitch (peg1) to the empty peg (peg 2). SS 1st stitch, Purl all but the last peg (2 under 1 on the second stitch), last peg K

Repeat 8th-9th rows until you have 6 stitches remaining on the loom.

Handle:
Continue garter stitch (as above in the topper) until handle reaches at least 5 inches in length- ending on a purl row.

Button Hole:

Next row: move loop on peg 4 to peg 5 (in the middle of the 6 pegs) two loops will be on peg 5. SS 1st, K peg 2 and 3, place a e-wrap on peg 4, K 2 over 1 on peg 5, K peg 6.

Rounded Flap:
Continue garter stitch on the six pegs beginning with purl stitch for 2 more rows.

Next row: Move second stitch from the 1st peg to the inside (two loops on third peg) then move 1st stitch to empty peg. Then on opposite side move the second to last stitch to the inside (two loops on one peg) then move the last stitch to the empty peg. SS 1st peg, Purl all but the last peg, Last peg K. (4 stitches remain).

Next row: Move stitch on peg one to the inside (two loops on one peg). Then on opposite side move the last stitch to the inside (two loops on one peg) (2 stitches remain- 2 loops on each peg)

Finishing:
BO using crochet method- single crochet between the pegs. Cut off yarn and pull end through final loop. Weave in any loose ends.

Add button to topper in center to allow for hanging on a kitchen drawer, stove, etc. This may be moved to the other side in case of stains, tears, etc, making the towel reversible since the same stitch is on each side of the towel.

This pattern is for your personal use.
© Copyright Christine Clauto, November 2007

UPDATED 1/16/08

Santa Hats for the New Babies

2008-01-11T14:27:00.000-08:00

For Christmas this year, I decided to make Santa hats for the newest members of our family and friends. I used one strand of Yarn Bee Airy White (Hobby Lobby) and one strand of red Red Heart yarn and the basic hat pattern. It's not pointy like a 'real' Santa hat, but it's cute!

Garter Stitch Hat Scarf and Fingerless Mitts Set Homespun Yarn

2008-01-02T11:15:00.000-08:00

Here is the set I made for my brother's girlfriend. It is very soft and warm, made from using 2 strands of Lion Brand Homespun Yarn in Colonial Blue (I think...). I used Isela Phelps pattern from her book Loom Knitting Primer. I made the garter stitch hat, scarf and fingerless mitts.

Great for snowy days!

Reversible Kitchen Towel Topper

2008-01-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

My grandma has always used crocheting to attach our kitchen towels to a drawer. I decided to find a way to make these on the loom and keep it so you could use both sides of the towel. So for Christmas gifts I was determined to develop a pattern that attached the kitchen towel to the loom and was a reversible when finished - so if it flopped around it and the top flap was always the front or if it gets stained the button could be moved to the other side. So many trials and a variety of towels later (not to mention the band aids for when I poked myself with the awl trying to make holes in the towel...) I created a new pattern. Special thanks to Isela Phelps book "Loom Knitting Primer" and it wealth of information for stiches and techniques.

I will post the pattern at a later date, I am finishing the details of it now and taking pictures of the process.

Snowman Jars Pic

2008-01-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my Snowmen on my Knifty Knitter Looms so I could give them away as Christmas gifts. They were fun to create and used a combination of my crafting abilities. I had my husband spray paint a frost on the canning jars (yard sale find!) and then used some leftover black and orange paint for the smiling faces. I used my spool loom to make the scarf and added a pompom to the top of the mason jar covers on the pattern I found on this blog- http://bricoreandfamily.blogspot.com/2007_09_19_archive.html Everyone loved them! Then I made butterscotch, cinnamon and wintergreen hard candy to put inside the jars. Yum!

Handmade by Me!

2008-01-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

My first Blog! Yeah! I've been using my Knifty Knitter looms for a year now and always enjoyed looking at everyone's blog. So I've been trying to take pics of everything I've made (before it is given away as a present, or to charity) as I've only made a few things just for myself. So here's a my first post- and a pic of the tag I stamp and attach to my gifts- Handmade by Christy :)