Craft Diva

Birthday Wishes with Flowers

2010-08-25T11:40:00.000-04:00

What better way to wish someone a very Happy Birthday,then with Bunch of beautiful flowers?The following card is one of my favorite ones.As you can see ,the technique used is sewing on card.

I used two different colored card stocks.The Base color is a darker shade of pink,and the foreground color of white.For embroidery on the white card stock ,i used a shade of red and pink colored threads.Remember,instead of forming knots in threads behind the white card stock,make the threads stay in place using a transparent tape.
Once the embroidery is finished attach the white cardstock on the Pink cardstock and cut in appropriate shape.

Rainbow Headband for a Beautiful Girl

2010-08-23T13:19:00.001-04:00

"Little girls dance their way into your heart, whirling on the tips of angel wings, scattering gold dust & kisses in our paths."
The above quote is so apt....you cannot elaborate more on it.In the last few years I have come in contact with so many beautiful little babies and although I am not partial against boys(I am a mom of one),girls hold a special little place in everyone's hearts.

Coming to the Headband.....,this is a headband I made for a beautiful little,smart girl "Mimi".She holds a very beautiful place in our heart.This headband was a small gift for her birthday.It's a simple crochet headband using cotton yarn specifically for crochet.The thread in itself is very beautiful...it contain's so many colors,when I saw it ,it felt right to be used for accessories for many outfits.

The pattern is as follows:-

1.Row 1-Make a row of 31 chains.(if you want to make a wider or narrower headband,increase or decrease the number of chains.)

2.Row 2- Double crochet(DC) in second chain from hook ,leave 1 chain,then another DC in the next chain and so on.That means DC in alternate chains of the first row.

3.Row 3-90-Continue making DC as explained in Row 2.If you notice,I am saying row 3-90,You can increase or decrease the number of rows depending on the circumference of head.

4.To finish-Join the two ends of the headband using slip stich(SC) or threading a yarn needle and passing it through corresponding ends of the headband.

To learn more about Chain ,joining the two ends of the Headband,Single Crochet,Double Crochet click on the links.

Rose Bouquet

2010-08-12T11:47:00.000-04:00

I love stitched cards.They are so unique and one design can be varied in so many ways.Change the color of the thread or the background and you are with another totally different card.
This is a card I made for our very dear friends...they were moving from Charlotte(ohhh I still miss them not being here and it's been 6 months).So as you may have guessed ...it was a farewell card.The Base of the card was a red card stock.The flowers were embroidered in red and leaves in grenn on a white card stock.The cute little butterflies you see were made using a punch.
Voila you have a beautiful card.Give it for valentine's Day,birthday,Anniversary,or just because you want to make someone's day.

Yet Another Card-Happy Anniversary

2010-07-01T12:28:00.001-04:00

By now you all may have an inkling for my interests in Greeting Cards.Since childhood I loved greeting Cards,be it any occasion.I remember very well,my papa giving me greeting card on my birthday every single year.I think they are still somewhere in my stuff( as far as I remember) at my mom's.For some they may be a piece of paper,yet for someone else they convey a lot of happiness.
Well,coming to this particular greeting card....I had the design and the raw materials in hand for a long time but procrastination and circumstances pushed me to make this card at the last minute(as always!!!!).I made this card for my husband on our anniversary.

For this I used 3 Different colored Card stocks.The first layer is Dark blue colored card stock,the second one being Pink and the final one which formed the card was the Light blue card stock.I saw this picture of 2 birds,in newspaper for a valentine's day advertisement and thought,hmmm this I can use for something.(I am keeping loads of this type of cuttings,thinking I will use them for something ,somewhere.)Coming back to the card.....I glued Pink card stock on the light blue card stock folded in half.Then glued the dark blue card stock on the pink one and then the cute birdie picture.The final touch was the pink hearts and flower stickers on the diagonally opposite corners.Voila.
Happy Anniversary Dear Hubby!!!!

Congratulations Card

2010-06-25T12:48:00.001-04:00

The picture does not do justice to this card.What can I say.....I was in hurry.I had to mail it as soon as it was ready.This is a Congratulations card I made for my brother-in-law on his engagement.A simple card made in hurry......ha ha ha.

For this I used black cardstock,and a Zari lace.I had this lace on a top I had years back.The lace survived,the top did not.Well,it was put to good use.I decided to use this lace for this particular occassion as it had a Indian wedding scene embroidered on it.The card stock served as a base for the card.I glued the lace on the cardstock using Fabric glue.Once the lace adhered to the cardstock,I glued a contrasting color paper inside the card and wrote the message.One thing to keep in mind,since the lace is fabric based the corners may start fraying .To avoid it apply clear nail paint on the corners.Hope you all like it as much as I loved making it.

Cupcake Birthday Card

2010-06-17T10:42:00.000-04:00

This is a birthday card I made for my friend's daughter for her second Birthday.She is sweet as a cupcake and I wanted to let her know.It was such a simple card to make it came out beautifully.
For this card I used a Green Cardstock as base.A yellow polka dot cardstock as the second layer.For the final layer I printed an image which had different layers of cupcake.Just enlarged the image and cut different layers on different colored papers.Finally using craft glue I attached the cupcake image on the yellow Polka dot cardstock.I am proud of the way the card turned up.
Happy Birthday again sweetie pie.

Rakhi Card

2010-03-16T21:22:00.000-04:00

Rakhi: The Thread of Love
The chaste bond of love between a brother and a sister is one of the deepest and noblest of human emotions. 'Raksha Bandhan' or 'Rakhi' is a special occasion to celebrate this emotional bonding by tying a holy thread around the wrist.

I made the above card to wish my dear brother on Rakhi.I used the following design.

Materials Used:-
Orange Cardstock -2 squares
Red Embroidery Thread
Green Embroidery Thread
Golden Embroidery Thread
Gel Pen for wording out your thoughts.
Crafting mat or some cushion padding for pricking the design on the cardstock
Embroidery Needle

Method:-
1.Download and print the design.
2.Superimpose the design on one square of orange cardstock and put a crafting mat or a foam padding underneath the cardstock.
3.Using Embroidery Needle Prick the design(the 4 corners with flowers) on the cardstock.
4.Finally follow the directions and do the embroidery on the cardstock.
(A tip -While doing embroidery on paper,instead of making a knot on the wrong side of cardstock,stick the thread using a clear tape)
5.Once you are done with embroidery ,Glue the second square of orange cardstock behind the embroidered cardstock.
6.Pen down your thoughts on the center of the card.
7.You can personalize the card the way you want...use any colorstock...contrast it with embroidery thread.

THANK YOU CARD

2010-03-16T20:08:00.000-04:00

A very simple card for a very special Friend,to appreciate whatever she had done for us as a Family and especially for Tanvir.For this Card I used 3 different coloured cardstock.

Materials Used:-

Lilac Colored Cardstock

Purple Colored Cardstock

White Colored Cardstock

Printer or Calligraphy nibs for the "Thank You" inscription.

Art knife or smallest size sharp scissors

Description:-

1.I printed the following pattern on the white cardstock.

2.Using Art knife with a very sharp blade,I worked around the printed design,removing the dark areas of the above pattern.If you don't have an Art knife ,you can use a very sharp smallest size scissors or any other blade.

3.Once the design has been created,paste the white Cardstock on purple Cardstock.

4.Fold the lilac cardstock in half and then paste the purple cardstock(with the white design) on the lilac cardstock.

5.For the "Thank You" inscription print it in a font and size of your liking ,or show your calligraphy skills.

Pretty Pink Scarf

2010-01-25T19:29:00.000-05:00

When I opened this blog today to start writing this post.....It wanted me to identify myself.I was gone so long,even my favorite space on the web forgot me. Anyways I thought what better way to start writing in my craft blog then by sharing my new Project.It is a crochet scarf I made recently.

I learned crochet way way back..in 8th grade in craft class held in school.Learned crochet stitches (few of them) on wool and then started experimenting on my mom's delicate Tatting threads.Ohhh they were so colorful and even now I remember my mom was so proud of seeing my crochet work ,which looks very delicate if you try the smallest crochet needle and colorful tatting threads.If you want to know about tatting please follow this link.(I am yet to learn that art,using which my mom made so many delicate laces for my dresses.)
After such a long time I tried my hands at crochet and just wanted to brush up on the stiches and how to read patterns etc,for that reason I followed the following website.Its a wealth of knowledge on crochet .It teaches you about hook sizes,crochet stiches and so many patterns for every possible thing you can make.

For the above project I bought a 7 oz Red Heart's Yarn in Baby Pink color.The hook size I used for this project was 8 mm(also known as number 11 or L hook) .You will also need a yarn needle(or a needle with a big eye) to take care of the yarn which is left at the starting and end of project. The pattern I developed on my own.I used single stictch(sc) and half double crochet(hdc) and chain(ch).The Pattern is as follows.

This pattern is written in US American English crochet pattern terms.

Starting Chain: Leaving a strand to weave in later, chain 40.
Row 1: Hdc in 2nd chain from hook and each chain across,turn-39 hdc.
Row 2:Ch 1,Hdc in each Hdc across,turn.
Row 3:Ch 1,Hdc in each Hdc across,turn.
This will be known as 1 Hdc block.Therefore 3 rows of Half Double crochet on top of each other is 1 Hdc block.
Row 4:Ch 1,Sc in each Hdc across,turn.
Row 5:Ch 1,Sc in each sc across,turn.
Row 6:Ch 1,Sc in each sc across,turn.
Row 7:Ch 1,Sc in each sc across,turn.
Row 8:Ch 1,Sc in each sc across,turn.
Row 9:Ch 1,Sc in each sc across,turn.
Row 10:Ch 1,Sc in each sc across,turn.
Row 11:Ch 1,Sc in each sc across,turn.
Row 12:Ch 1,Sc in each sc across,turn.
Row 13:Ch 1,Sc in each sc across,turn.
This will be known as 1 sc block.Therefore 10 rows of Single crochet on top of each other is 1 sc block.

Continue althernating between Hdc block and sc blocks,till you get the scarf of desired length.
Once you get the scarf of desired length,using a yarn needle you can incorporate the extra yarn left on both sides of the scarf withinh the scarf.Finally attach the tassels on both end of the scarf to have the finished look.
Gift this pretty pink scarf to a loved one to keep them warm.

Christmas Cards

2009-03-24T11:07:00.008-04:00

As I have already said in my last post,I love the art of stitched cards.....can't get enough of it and the best part about it is ,this technique is very quick.I made the following cards for my son's teachers using the same technique,stitching on cards.

In the following posts I will surely show the step by step technique for making these types of cards.Will also like to experiment with the color contrasts.Color of Card stock in contrast with the color of threads used can change the look of card dramatically.

This card is made using a Orange Card stock as base and black card stock and foreground.Then made the stitching pattern using Golden thread.

Christmas Bauble

The next Card is a basic Christmas Tree Shape .Again used all the festive colors for embroidery.

The last one is my favourite .Its a snowflake.Base Color I used is white and the foreground colour is Blue.Used sequins and pearls for the 6 points of the star shape.Very Simple yet elegant.

Stitching Card

2009-03-04T21:40:00.003-05:00

A long long.....long time back,when I was in School (I know that sounds like I am too old,but somedays when I remember my school days ,it feels like a completely different era.) our Art Teacher wanted us to try our hands on stiching on cards.At that time the only pattern we could try was cris cros stiches on a round shape (like a ball).

It was only last year I came across some sites where there were beautiful patterns of stiched cards and decided to try my hand on one.One card turned to two,three and so on.In this blog you will see many examples of this art.

The following card is the first one I made.It was for my friends Birthday.

Its really simple to make this card.Take the print of the designs and prick the pattern on the cardstock using the smallest size needle.Before making the pin pattern on the card stock do remember to put some padding below the card stock...I use a foam sheet.

Once you have the picked design using complimentary colour threads work on the design.Finally the stiched design cardstock can be glued over another complimentary colour cardstock and voila your card is ready.

Pucca Mirror Embroidery Wall Hanging

2009-02-20T21:15:00.013-05:00

This is a Wall Hanging I made long long back.My original reason for making this wall hanging was I wanted to gift it to my mother on my Parent's anniversary but somehow in the events of life...

it stayed with me even after marriage.

I used a sturdy Black cotton cloth and made the design myself.The embroidery was

very simple using chain stich,herringbone stich and Mirror work.For embroidery I used embroidery wool.Now,I am thinking of making a similar one...let's see how and when it

turns up.

Below is the closeup to the embroidery.

Farewell card

2009-02-19T10:43:00.014-05:00

This is a card I made for a Friend's Farewell.Loved working on it as it was the first time I was experimenting with a handmade stencil.For the Card I cut the Card shape using a template.For the stencil I took the printout of the design on a paper and copied the design on the transparent sheets which you can find in craft stores for making stencil.Using xacto knife I carved the stencil

After that I attched the stencil on the cardstock using a transparent tape and painted using poster paints inside the stencil.Similarly for the Envelope of the card.

This is the Envelope to the card.

2009-02-19T10:04:00.005-05:00

"For me, the best work is passionate, fresh, well designed and well executed - the perfect balance of art and craft." Judy Villett

My love for arts and crafts was conceived at a very young age.

My mom has been a true inspiration in all my creative endeavors. Since childhood I have been watching her making pretty and detailed embroidery, hard to see with a naked eye. Even with so many responsibilities at that time she somehow managed to motivate me to learn and explore my talents in arts and crafts.

Unlike most of us, I started out with needle crafts. I was so inspired by my mom’s creations that I wanted to make the same things. Later on, I experimented with fabric painting, crochet etc but my first love was needle craft and it still is.After Coming to US,I started experimenting with paper crafts and recycled crafts and I love experimenting with different techniques.Stamping,stenciling,quilling.

Using this blog I would like to give exposure to my creative interests. I love hearing your thoughts and ideas, so please don't hesitate to comment. I read each one and appreciate them so much! I'm happy if you'd like to link to any of my projects, but please don't use my images or content without contacting me at deeptisidana@gmail.com