CarmenBee

Phototastic Cube Wall

2011-09-02T15:02:00.001-07:00

From frumpy to fabulous, give your cube walls some life.

Any Size Bolero!

2011-06-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

New Any Size Bolero pattern available on Etsy!

Dress Upcycle

2011-01-07T14:12:00.000-08:00

This beautiful dress was created with a too big ill fitting skirt, and a cute, but too short out of style tank top. My sister helped me with her serger, and we created a cute party dress!!

Skirt before.

Tube top before.

Dress after!

Scoodie Pattern

2010-12-17T21:36:00.000-08:00

New Scoodie pattern up on etsy!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/39198311/scoodie-easy-crochet-pattern

Zipper Pouches!!

2010-10-13T09:29:00.000-07:00

I'm loving these pouches, and can't stop making them!
Thanks to these two awesome tutorials and blogs, I've been able to follow, or combine both to make some really cute pouches.
Twelve 22 and Sew-Fantastic

Here's the latest:
I found these awesome 70's shorts for 30 cents at a garage sale, and rescued them. :)

New Mily Cowl

2010-10-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

My newest pattern is up at etsy and available for purchase. It's a very easy beginner pattern and can be adapted if you choose a different yarn than the pattern calls for.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/57991262/mily-cowl-easy-crochet-pattern

Harry Potter House Scarves

2010-08-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

Ask the sorting hat what house you're in...

Slytherin
A-Green
B-Gray

Ravenclaw
A-Blue
B-Silver/Gold
(depending on if you’re following the book or movie)

Hufflepuff
A- Yellow
B- Black

Gryffindor
A-Red
B-Yellow

I am not an expert on tunisian crochet, so here are some excellent resources for the tunisian knit stitch.
http://www.nexstitch.com/v_tks.html (also shows basic return row)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Au16WDHVE
http://www.ehow.com/how_4773982_crochet-tunisian-knit-stitch.html

L Hook

Solid Section:
With A, Ch 14. Working in the tunisian crochet knit stitch (tks), insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, and complete the forward row. Complete a basic return row.
Continue in this pattern with A until section measures 6.5 inches long finishing with a forward row.

Color Changing Section:
Pick up B and complete return row.
Row 1 Forward: Pull up stitches to the left.
Row 1 Return: Yarn over to the right.
Row 2 Forward: Pull up stitches to the left.
Row 2 Return: Yarn over to the right.
Row 3 Forward: Pull up stitches to the left.
Row 3 Return: Drop B and pick up A

Repeat Color changing section with A and then again with B

Change to A and repeat solid section (measures 6.5 inches)

Repeat color changing section again.

Continue in this pattern until you have the desired scarf length of your choice!

New Crafts

2010-08-12T05:50:00.001-07:00

I'm trying my hand at pacifier holders. I know there are a few tutorials out there, anyone have a good one? I couldn't get past the concept that I HAD to use a snap setter. A good old fashion hammer worked just fine for me. What do you recommend for the clothing clasp part?
If you're interested in a tutorial, let me know and I'll try to whip this one up.

House Scarves?

2010-08-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

I am ready to get my Gryffindor on at the Deathly Hallows in November. I figure I better start now!
At work we sorted ourselves into houses, and my coworker already has his Slytherin scarf.
It took me a while to figure out how I would create my house scarf, and I finally decided on tunisian crochet.

Has anyone else made one? How did you do yours?Any suggestions?

Baby Cocoon Tutorial

2010-07-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

www.junifoto.com

Lately, I have been benefiting from many fabulous crafty tutorials. I figured I'd give back and share my crochet baby cocoon tutorial. These cocoons/pea pods, whatever you call it are very popular photography props for new born photographers, and a great shower gift for funky moms who want a unique photo of their newborn. My talented friend Kristen captured this photo of her baby Junah in one of my cocoons.

Materials:
K Hook
Homespun - Earth

The cocoon is worked in one long oval, starting with a chain. The rounds are worked continuously, without joining. You increase (3dc in one st) one at each end as you work around the piece. You increase in the middle increase dc stitch of the previous row. You can mark the middle stitch or just look for it when you get to that point. You can also just do the increase at any point on the end. Homespun is very forgiving :)

Ch 24 (Just over 10 inches)
Dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each chain to end.
Dc 3 additional dc in the last chain. (you may want to mark the middle stitch, this is where you will increase again)
Continue down the other side of the chain, and dc in the opposite side of the chain in each stitch.
When you reach the end, 3 dc in the space of the turning chain, (if you choose, mark this st) and continue down the opposite side again, dc in each dc.
When you reach the 3 dc increase, 3 dc increase in the middle stitch of previous row, and continue to dc down the side.
Continue in this pattern until you have about three rows of increases, or until the piece measures almost 14 inches long. (without pulling) Now, continue to dc around, not increasing at the ends. Continue to dc around, for approximately 6 more rows or until piece measures 6.5 inches high.
With a little tighter tension, sc one row around the top. Sc decrease 2 together, two times in this row. Make the decreases one on each side equally spaced from the ends. Join with sl st in top of sc. Knot to fasten off and weave in ends.

This photo shows how to fold your work and measure the height:

For you visual learners, here's a graph, with the increases indicated in red:

Here's more info for the dimensions of the cocoon:
Following this size, it fit an average size newborn. You want the baby to be kinda tucked up inside and it's cute when little toes or fingers poke through. I'd be happy to answer any questions :)

*Note: This item is meant only for a photography prop, babies are not meant to be left unattended in cocoon, nor is it to be used for any other purpose.

This pattern is intended for your personal use. This is my personal pattern, permission is not given to sell the pattern, or the items you make. Please credit my blog in re-posting this pattern. Thank you and enjoy!

Bridesmaid Bags

2010-07-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

I just have to share with the blogging world an awesome gift my very talented sister made for our cousin's wedding. She designed and created these bags herself. She embroidered each girl's name and "position" on their own bag. She also created a bride bag with "Mrs."as well as "Mother of the Bride" and "Mother of the Groom." The mom's were thrilled to receive a bag, and the bridesmaids were so excited. It was such an awesome gift. The bride handed them out at the rehearsal dinner, with other gifts inside them. They were so amazing, I already told her to get started on them for my wedding! :)

The bags all lined up.

Maid of Honor Bag

She even attached a small cell phone pocket

Front pocket

She does not have a shop set up yet, but is taking custom orders. :) Let me know if you're interested!

Le Creuset Giveaway

2010-06-30T07:06:00.000-07:00

I've been following a lot of blog giveaways lately, and hopefully this will be my first win! Le Creuset is fabulous!

High-Waisted Everywhere skirt

2010-06-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

You see this skirt everywhere from Target to Lord and Taylor. I've seen them for $50+ and they are so simple. I bought the elastic and jersey in NYC in the Garment District. The materials combined were probably less than $8. With help from two fabulous tutorials (Ruffles and Stuff and Creative Urges) I combined their techniques to make my new skirt.

Reversible Bag. Finally.

2010-05-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

After a frustrating evening, and a weekend at the shore, I gave the reversible bag one more try.
It turned out fabulous, and much thanks for the tutorial!

The reversible side, which I added a pocket to since I'll mostly keep it on the inside.

Baby Hoodie Vest

2010-05-05T07:06:00.001-07:00

My newest design is now available!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46248872/baby-hoodie-vest-crochet-pattern
Thank you to all the pattern testers and to Kristen and Jill for their awesome photos.

2010-05-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

My sewing machine has been here for about two weeks. I was way too ambitious for my very first project and attempted a dress. It came out ok, but there was lots of ripping and sewing (repeat). I still need to make some corrections.
This weekend I made some more rice heating/cooling pads and this awesome little guy.

My first zipper bag pouch zipper thingy to put all my small things in. :)
A big thank you to this blog for such awesome step by step instructions.

Baby Hoodie

2010-04-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

If anyone is interested in testing this pattern, please let me know.

It would have be done pretty quick, and needs 2 skeins of Baby's First.

9 to 5 Shrug Pattern

2010-04-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your interest in my 9 to 5 shrug!

My pattern will be published in Crochet World magazine!

Thanks.

Please post your finished pictures in ravelry. I love to see everyone's designs =)

Craft Craze

2010-04-04T15:41:00.000-07:00

Getting back into crafty blogging. Some photos of my sister's awesome creations. She created the bag out of an old leather coat that almost made the donation bag. The dress she made on her own, with no pattern.

Convertible Cowl

2010-01-05T11:11:00.000-08:00

My new cowl pattern is now available! =)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37907101

Recent Creations

2009-09-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

Just a few things I've been working on. A baby hat and a painting I had in my head for quite some time. I wanted it to be two pieces that looked like one so I could space them however far apart I liked.

Head

2009-08-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

I recently bought a styrofoam head so I could more acurately take photos of my hats I crochet.
And I was getting a little sick of being the model.
Here's some ones I shot this morning.

Pasta and Purses

2009-07-31T14:19:00.001-07:00

I've been working on this bag forever. Not really working on it rather it was working on collecting dust. I bought the handles yesterday and it's done! This yarn has been a yarn that I hate, but have a ton of. Now it's all used up! Almost. Any suggestions for a closure and lining??

Eric's famous pasta and peas.

Tomatoes

2009-07-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

Some tomaotes from our yard.
Before...

And after!

They were delicious.

10 Things Crocheters Would Like to Say to the Rest of the World, but Most Times Are Far Too Polite to”

2009-07-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

Mary Beth Temple at Lion Brand Studio