Encouragement Cards

I gave these easel cards to my sister-in-law. She loves to give cards to her friends and acquaintances so I gave her some unsigned cards of encouragement that she could sign and give away. I am due to make her another batch. She inspires me with her faith and care for others and I hope these inspire you.

I was originally inspired by Christina Griffiths and her cards with many layers and embellishments.


Enjoy!

Crochet Bead Bracelets can be made with a Bead Mix too!

The Crochet Bead Bracelets in earlier posts were all made with size 6/0 Czech glass seed beads but they can also be made with various sizes of mixed beads. They are really stunning and interesting, and they are made the same way with the same pattern.

I always make earrings to go with the bracelets. They are pretty free form and simple based on what beads I have left. I don't always have them handy to put in the picture though.

These bracelets are so fun to make because every time you make one it is a surprise when you are done!

The backs look like this. Remember that if you change the color of the embroidery thread you will get a different look. Have fun!

I love to make handmade items for special occasions!

I love to make handmade crocheted afghans for wedding gifts. I especially love to make afghans that reflect a particular interest of the couple getting married. This month I get to attend a wedding and the couple getting married are definite Denver Broncos fans. How much fun it has been to crochet an afghan for them in Denver Broncos colors. Especially when my favorite team, the Detroit Tigers, have the same colors. The afghan pattern is Rippling Ridges from Love of Crochet.

This is what handmade is all about!

Graphic 45 Artisan Style Cards

I love Graphic 45 papers. The art is wonderful. I often make cards with these papers and couldn't wait to receive the Artisan Style paper so I could make some cards. Unfortunately I have given these cards away so I cannot improve my pictures but I hope they will inspire you!

To find a local retailer or check out other projects using Graphic 45 papers go to http://www.g45papers.com/ .

Crochet Bead Bracelet Kits!

When I designed the bracelets I shared a few weeks ago, I also wrote the instructions and put together kits so anyone who knows how to crochet could make their own bracelets. The bracelets are an easy crochet project but you need to know how to crochet and how to see the stitches or you will be frustrated and unhappy. In future posts I will show you more bracelets so you can see how versatile this bracelet is. You can use almost any bead you want to, and it is fun to discover what will happen each time you make a new one!

The kits come in three different color ways: blue, purple, and clear; gold, red, and purple; white and gold. Instructions for sizing is included in the kit.

The kits are made with 6/0 Czech glass beads and DMC embroidery floss. The findings are silver tone and gold tone.

 Here are a couple of options for the earrings if you don't want to make the earrings as directed in the kit. You can use the supplies in the kit and do what you want with them.

I hope you have as much fun with these bracelets as I do. Once you have the instructions you can go crazy making them as I have. I will show you more bracelets I have made in future posts!

Girls' Rainbow Sweater

I have crocheted several baby items (blankets, hats, booties) for my friend Tracy to give to her nieces and nephews. She always says that I should sell my kid items they are really cute. So here is a girl's sweater that I did not give away. I hope you like it.

It is approximately girl's size 6 to 8. Because it is a pattern with a lot of room in it the size is not exact so I will give the measurements too. The length is 14 inches, the measurement all the way around at the bust is 18 inches, and the sleeve hole all the way around is 12 inches. It could even fit a girl's size 10 as long as she is not too tall.

The button is clear, and the yarn is Bernat Baby Coordinates. Machine wash Gentle Cool, machine dry on Low for five minutes then lay flat to finish drying.

I am looking for a yarn that will make a smaller size I will let you know when I find one.

Happy Spring!

Another Stampin' Up Card Set

I love that Stampin' Up has matching cardstock and stamp ink pads. I love coordinating my cards. My favorite Stampin' Up demonstrators are France Martin of www.frenchiestamps.com and Sam Donaldson of pootles.co.uk . They both do lots of three dimensional Stampin' Up papercraft items like gift boxes, gift bags, fun folds, pendants, etc. as well as cards. And they are both fun and quick on their YouTube demonstration videos, which I really appreciate.

I created this set several years ago with a Toile Stampin' Up stamp from 2002, which is so classic. It was very simple with the Stampin' Up products. I hope you are inspired to try something this simple, it is a great gift.

Set of 4 Toile Greeting Cards

Set of 4 Toile Greeting Cards

Mellow Moss Thank You Card

Mellow Moss Thank You Card

Apricot Appeal Think of  You Card

Apricot Appeal Think of  You Card

Bashful Blue Happy Birthday Card

Bashful Blue Happy Birthday Card

Lavender Lace Best Wishes Card

Lavender Lace Best Wishes Card

My Favorite Crochet Bead Bracelet

Hello,
I am excited to share with you my own design, a Crocheted Bead Bracelet.

Meander Canyon Crafts Crocheted Bead Bracelets

I designed it several years ago and have made many different sizes and colors over the years.

It can be made in any size, small is 7 inches long, medium is 8 inches long, large is 9 inches long, and extra large is 10 inches long. I can also do special sizes. 

The thread is DMC floss and the beads are Czech Glass. The toggle choices are gold tone, silver tone, and copper tone. So that makes it easy to order the exact colors and size easy!

Medium size and extra large size.
The medium is made with light thread
and the extra large with dark thread,
which gives the beads a different tone

These toggles are textured,
I also have toggles with a smooth finish

Close up of  bracelet backs

This is the back of the bracelets,
as you can see the thread is different colors.

They sell for $25 including shipping. You can go to my Etsy shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/MeanderCanyonCrafts) to purchase. Also check out what's available on the Already Inspired Jewelry tab. Special orders are welcome.

Crochet Afghans

Crochet is my meditation and relaxation. I have been doing it since my Mom taught me when I was a teenager. I have included a couple of my recent work here for this weeks post. The first one is a Ripple afghan for a baby boy. It measures 31 1/2 inches wide by 44 inches long. The yarn is Redheart SuperSaver so it is easy care.

Baby Boy Afghan

Baby Boy Afghan Close up

The next one is made from a kit I purchased from Lion Brand Yarn for my niece. It measures 48 1/2 inches wide by 60 inches long and is made with Vanna's Choice acrylic yarn. I love that yarn, it is wonderful to work with and is machine wash and dry. I will definitely use this yarn again. The afghan is worked in Tunisian Crochet, which is a fun pattern to work. I really like this kit and afghan.

Lion Brand Tunisian Crochet Afghan 

Lion Brand Tunisian Crochet Afghan

If you have any questions just email me at meandercanyon@gmail.com.

Thanks!

Card Sets make great gifts!

This set of cards was inspired by my favorite Stampin' Up demonstrator, France Martin (www.frenchiestamps.com). This is the link to her video about Triple Time Stamping from July of 2012 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWm0fXidxng). 

For this card set I was inspired by the seasons and my collection of Stampin' Up stamps. I will list the supplies at the end.

Summer Happy Birthday

Autumn Thank You

Winter Wishes

Spring Thinking of You

There are two sets and they each have a box to coordinate:

The Summer Card is stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock with the Medallion Background Stamp and colored with Close to Cocoa and Barely Banana using sponges. The layers are mounted on Close to Cocoa Cardstock.

The Autumn Card is stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock  in Really Rust and Sahara Sand with the Lovely as a Tree stamp set. The layers are mounted on Really Rust cardstock.

The Winter Card is stamped on White cardstock in Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue, and Sahara Sand using the Snowflakes stamp set. The layers are mounted on Brocade Blue cardstock.

The Spring Card is also stamped on White cardstock in Lavender Lace, Mellow Moss, and Really Rust using the Baroque Motifs stamp set. The layers are mounted on Lavender Lace cardstock.

The boxes are made using the We Are Memory Keepers Envelope punch board and K & Co. Susan Winget Specialty Paper and an Organza ribbon.

If you need more specific instructions email me, these are for inspiration.

Thanks! Jacey