Lion Crafts Tutorials, Patterns and Inspiration

Links to other blogs

2011-12-27T13:43:00.000-08:00

Here are the links to my other two blogs which are solely for their own 365 projects.

The Daily Sant photo can be found here. Santa 365

And for the daily photos click here. Daily Photo Theme

Separate sites

2011-12-21T00:25:00.001-08:00

Just a little update on my make something 365 project.

I'll be creating two new separate blogs for the Santa project and the photography project so that I will not be getting them all confused with each other.

It's mostly because the photography project will have loads of images on a single day and it can then get kinda messy as I might use similar images if the themes match.

I'm just going to keep the Star of David project in my original blog as it is a craft blog and already fine for that idea.

Check back later for the new web addresses that I'll post here.

Do Something Everyday

2011-12-15T14:59:00.000-08:00

I have decided that I would like to try to make or do something everyday for the next year.

It is an idea that has been around for quite a while and I thought I should give it a go as it can be a great way to help you learn how to organise your life as you need to organise this for a year. It will also get me posting each day which is a massive move for me as I don't usually post that much, but always want to and I may even have a few extras to post as well so keep an eye out each day.

There are so many different ideas though and it is so hard to choose as I want to do something a little different. I love the idea of the Stormtroopers365.com as it is just so funny and perfect for a quick photo on the go. I also love to craft so I would really like to make something everyday too. And then there is just trying to take as many photos in one day of one particular subject.

So I decided to do three different things a day.

I am going to choose a subject each day and try to get as many photos of that particular subject. This is a really good one as I can take loads of photos throughout the entire day and I don't have to make or set up anything for it.

Next I'm going to make a Star of David a day. I love the Star of David as I love the Jews and Israel so I wouldn't want to be making anything else.

Finally, I was wondering what on earth Santa does for the rest of the year, after he has delivered all the presents on Christmas Eve. Now since Santa likes his secrecy so that none of the big toy companies can steal his ideas, ;-D, I thought that I could imagine what he would do during the year, so I am going to explore this and take a photo of it each day.

Now because I am doing Santa after Christmas Eve I will start this project on Christmas Day and then the photo subject a day I will start on the 1st January and then I will start the Star of David a day on 8th February as this is the New Year for Trees which is celebrated is Israel on 15th day of Shevat and is called Tu B'Shevat so as this is the beginning of a year this will also be the beginning of a year of Star of Davids.

If you would like to find out more about doing a 365 Project there is a sight dedicated to it at www.makesomething365.com

New Job, New Shop

2011-09-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

I have a new shop on etsy.com and I have to admit I love it. My mum and my great uncle are contributing to it as well so I not only have crochet and craft items, but also knit items, jewellery, digital work and irish blackthorn walking sticks.

It is really good and it gets our items out into the public view.

I have to admit though I just started a new job a few months ago and keeping up with it all is kinda hard, but I have am on top of things at the moment.

You may previously remember me mentioning that I used to work for Creative Ideas, but I have since changed to office work and now am residing in a brilliant little ice cream shop closer to home. It's called Dolce & Gelato and the owner has a couple of other businesses as well. It's a great place and the girls and guy (better not forget Jack) or really friendly. I have only been working there for a couple of weeks, but already I feel like it's been a few years. There are still a few things I have to get my head around though as this is the first time I have worked in an office, but as I have done most of the work for my own life and also have studied ICT it I can quickly get the hang of it.

They also sell hot food and sandwiches to take away or sit in and there is a lovely courtyard out the back where you can sit under a large umbrella and have of little fun with friends and family.

I'll get an etsy mini on the side of the screen sometime soon so keep an eye out for that and then you can also have a look at the items I have for sale. In the meantime here is a link to my shop homepage.

http://www.graceycrafts.etsy.com

A Messianic Poem

2011-03-16T03:20:00.002-07:00

Whilst looking for a Star of David to wear for a necklace I was on an Israeli site and I saw a symbol which I had never seen before. It is called the messianic seal. Now I love the star of David and I am getting one of them as well as this seal, but the new symbol was even more symbolic of my faith.

It was a menorah and a fish and the bottom of the menorah and the tail of the fish intertwined to become the star of David. Well I just loved that because it shows that the heritage of a believer doesn't just start with Jesus life on earth but that Jesus was there in the beginning and through the time of Moses getting the Ten Commandments and the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Then unto King David which God ordained and then to Jesus death and triumphant resurrection over death. All the while showing that God was in control of everything.

On reflection of this I decided to write a poem about it. So here it is.

The Messianic Seal

I was learning about dear Israel,
And a seal which they had found,
Painted on a darkened wall,
In a cave beneath the ground.

It was written in a golden hue,
With three distinctive parts,
And as I continued reading I found,
It was something dear to my heart.

The top was a menorah,
An age old Hebrew sign,
And it symbolised the tabernacle,
During Moses' time.

The middle sign was intertwined,
Between the first and last,
Making the star of King David's shield,
From battles in the past.

The last bit was a little fish ,
And the best part, that I knew,
For it showed the love of God's Son,
Who died to save me and you.

And all these represented,
A lineage of belief,
In Jesus the Messiah who,
From your sin gives you relief.

New year, new start

2011-01-31T02:23:00.000-08:00

Ok so it's a new year and since I never did much on the blog last year it'll be a new start and I really want to put a lot more on the blog from now on.

To start with I wrote a poem and I want to share it with you all. It's about my faith.

I pledge allegiance to the Lord
The saviour enthroned on high
My rock, my shield, my guiding light
He is my battle cry.

He loves me like a newborn babe,
So helpless and so weak
And gives me strength to carry on,
Each day until we meet.

So I will follow Christ my Lord,
And worship Him on high
I'll tell about His wondrous love
And His mansion in the sky.

I'll tell of all the things He did
The miracles so grand,
And all the parables He told
Whilst in the promised land

I'll tell of everywhere He went,
So many years before
And think of how they've changed today
Along that distant shore.

I'll tell of how He died
At the hands of the unjust
And all this was for me
If only I should trust.

I'll tell of how He rose again
On that glorious third day
And how He conquered death for all
Who follow in His way

So I pledge allegiance to the Lord
And tell what He did for me
For I have been completely change
And from my sin set free.

I like writing poetry whenever it comes to mind so I'll be putting more online from now on.

New Pattern

2010-05-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hello people sorry it has been so long before I gave you another update to the blog, but I had a lot of stuff to do and it's been very busy for these past six months (wow SIX months). You will be happy to know that I will start to update this site more frequently even if it's just to say that I don't have anything for you at the mo. Anywho I am going to put up a really simple knitting pattern that I taught the kids at a good news club I help at. It was their last night and they have a party, so for the last four or five years at both Christmas and summer I had a craft table for them. The pattern was for the boys to knit for their dads as Father's Day was coming along in a couple of weeks so here it is.

Mobile Phone Pouch

Supplies

4mm Knitting Needles
Double Knit Yarn in any colour that you want.
Snap Fastener
Sewing Needle
Thread

The Pattern

Cast on 15 stitches
Knit every row until work measures 30cm
Cast off and sew in ends
Fold the cast off edge up to about 7 or 8 cm from the top and sew up the edges. The extra bit will work as a flap over the top of the pouch. ( You can make the flap shorter or longer depending on the size of the phone)
Finish by sewing a snap fastener under the flap and it's counterpart to the front of the turned up section.

And that's it. If you are having any trouble with the pattern or the instructions please let me know and I will try to help you as best I can.

This has been tested for a sony erricsson cybershot phone so it should work for most other models as well.

Please don't sell this pattern. You can sell any items you make but the pattern has been kindly given to you for free so don't spoil it for others.

Crochet Poppy - Free Pattern

2009-11-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

With Rememberance Sunday a week away and having to get a poppy very soon I thought that it would be nice to have one crocheted so you can use it the following years.

I do want to say that if you do this for Memorial Day please remeber that it is a charity and still needs donations so please put in whatever you would have if you had been buying one.

I have tested this pattern, but if there are any errors or questions please ask in the comments below or e-mail me at: gracey2887 [at] googlemail [dot] com
Please feel free to do what ever you want with the end product, even sell it if you wish, but please do not sell this pattern. You can print it out for personal use. Copyright 2009 Craftylion ©.

DIFFICULTY: Beginner

SIZE: About 2.5 inches diameter, but depends upon yarn and hook. The leaf adds about an inch.

GAUGE: Not important for this item

MATERIALS:

Red Double Knit Yarn
Green Double Knit Yarn
Black Button or Bead
3mm hook

ABBRVIATIONS:
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
htr = half treble crochet
r = row
rep = repeat
rnd = round
slst = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
tr = treble crochet

British terminology used

NOTE: Join rnds with a slst unless otherwise stated

DIRECTIONS

Poppy Head

Rnd 1: With 3mm hook and yarn, ch2. Make 10dc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with a slst in 1st dc. (10sts)
Rnd 2: *ch1 dc ch1 2tr in next st, 3tr in next st, 2tr ch1 dc in next st, slst in next 2sts. rep from * once again.
Rnd 3: *ch1 3dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next 5sts, 3dc in next 2 sts,slst in next 2sts. rep from * once again. Fasten off.

Leaf

r 1: ch10, dc in 2nd ch from hook, htr in next st, tr in next 2 sts, dtr in next st, dtr 2tr in next st, htr in next st, dc in next st, 3dc in next st. Do not turn work but instead go along the other side of the foundation row using the free loops.
r 2: 2dc in same st as last 3dc of row 1, dc in next st, htr in next st, 2tr dtr in next st, dtr in next st, tr in next 2sts, htr in next st, dc in next st, end with slst and fasten off invisibly.

FINISHING

That's you done, well almost ;-) all you need to do is Block it with a light steam iron to flatten it and then sew the poppy head on in front of the leaf and also add the black button to the centre.

Crochet Snowflake - Free Pattern

2009-10-09T10:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my first free crochet pattern.

A Snowflake is simple but I have only learnt to crochet in the past couple of months and you have to start somewhere so hopefully from here I will stay simple for a while but then begin on more difficult things.

I have tested this pattern, but if there are any errors or questions please ask in the comments below or e-mail me at: gracey2887 [at] googlemail [dot] com

Please feel free to do what ever you want with the end product, even sell it if you wish, but please do not sell this pattern. You can print it out for personal use. Copyright 2009 Craftylion ©.

DIFFICULTY: Beginner

SIZE: About 2.5 inches diameter, but depends upon yarn and hook

GAUGE: Not important for this item

MATERIALS:

Twilley's Goldfingering
3mm hook

ABBRVIATIONS:
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
rep = repeat
rnd = round
slst = slip stitch
sts = stitches
tr = treble crochet

British terminology used

NOTE: Join rnds with a slst unless otherwise stated

DIRECTIONS
Rnd 1: With 3mm hook and yarn, ch2. Make 6dc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with a slst in 1st dc.
Rnd 2: Ch1, 2dc in each dc around. Join with slst in 1st dc. (12sts)
Rnd 3: Ch1 [dc, ch3 in next dc, dc in next dc] rep around. Join with slst in 1st dc. (6 sets of ch3 loops).

You can Fasten off there for a small snowflake or contiue to the final round for a larger one.

Rnd 4: Ch1 *[dc, ch3, dc, ch2, tr, ch2, dc, ch3, dc in ch3 loop] ch1 rep from * 5 more times. Slst in 1st dc.

Fasten off.

FINISHING
That's it finished, but you can pull gently on the points if they don't look pointy enough.
If you are using a thicker yarn you might want to stiffen the snowflake with spray starch.
A light stem iron helps to block it to make sure it will remain flat.

Copyright 2009 Crafty Lion ©

Abbriviations for Crochet

2009-10-06T16:04:00.000-07:00

Ok now for the crochet abbriviations.

If there are any errors please let me know in the comments Thanks.

There will be a stitch guide coming soon and will incorporate directions and photographs of each stitch.

Again they are in alphabetical order so it's easier for you to find them.

A
alt = alternate or every other
approx = approximately

B
beg = begin or beginning
BL or bl = back loop, i.e., the loop of the stitch which is further away from you
BP or bp = back post, i.e., crochet from the back and around the post or stem of the stitch on the row below which you are working
BPdc or bpdc = back post double crochet
BPsc or bpsc = back post single crochet (american terminology)
BPtc or bptc = back post treble crochet

C
ch(s) = chain(s)
ch sp = chain Space, i.e., work into the space left by the chain stitches
cl = cluster
cm = centimeters
cont = continue

D
dc = double crochet
dc2tog = double crochet 2 together
dec = decrease
dtr = double treble crochet

E
ext = extended

F
FL = front loop
foll = follow/following
FP = front post
FPdc = front post double crochet
FPsc = front post single crochet (american terminology)
FPtr = front post treble crochet

G
g = grams

H
htr = half treble crochet (british terminology)
hdc = half double crochet (american terminology)

I
inc = increase

L
lp(s) = loops

M
mm = millimeters

O
oz = ounces

P
pc = popcorn stitch
prev = previous/previously

R
rem = remaining
rep = repeat
rev lp = reverse loop
rnd = rounds
rs = right side

S
sc = single crochet (american terminology)
sk = skip
slst = slip stitch
sp = spaces
ss = slip stitch
st = stitches

T
tch = turning chain
tog = together
tr = treble crochet
trtr = triple treble crochet (british terminology)
tr2tog = treble crochet 2 together

W
ws = wrong side

Y
yd = yards
yrh = yarn round hook
yo = yarn over

Abbriviations for Knitting

2009-10-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

Wow! Over a month since I last posted. Well I did warn you ;-)

I am still in the middle of making all my stuff for the craft fair so I haven't been able to write down any of my creations, but I did decide to spend a bit of time here and give you a heads up of what will be coming soon.

I have just taught myself to crochet and I am loving it, but I think I'll start with the knitting since I know it better at the mo.

I'll get conversion charts up soon so to begin here are the abbriviations that can crop up in knitting patterns.

They are all done in alphabetical order as I like things to be neat and tidy and easy to find. (Unlike my room ;-) )

A
alt = alternative or every other
approx = approximately

B
beg = begin/beginning
bet = between
BO = bind off (american terminolgy)

C
cc = contrast colour
circ = circular neddles
cm = centimeters
cn = cable needle
CO = cast on
cont = continue
C4B = cable 4 back
C4F = cable 4 front

D
dec = decrease
DP/dpn = double pointed needles

F
F = front
foll = follow/following

G
g = grams

I
in/ins = inches
inc = increase

K
K/k = knit
kfb = knit front and back
k1b = knit 1 below
k2tog = knit 2 together

L
lp = loop

M
m = meters
mm = millimeters
m1 = make 1 stitch

N
ndl = needle

O
oz = ounces

P
P/p = purl
patt = pattern
pfb = purl front and back
pm = place marker
prev = previous
psso = pass slipped stitch over
p2tog = purl 2 together

R
rem = remaining
rep = repeat
rs = right side
rev st st = reverse stocking/stockinette stitch

S
sk = skip
skp = slip 1 knit 1 pass slipped stitch over
sk2p = slip 1 knit 2 pass slipped stitch over
s2kp = slip 2 knit 1 pass slipped stitches over
sl = slip
sp = single point needles
ssk = slip slip knit
st(s) = stitches
st st = stocking/stockinette stitch

T
tbl = through back loop
tog = together
T4B = twist 4 back
T4F = twist 4 front
T2L = twist 2 left
T2R = twist 2 right

W
ws = wrong side
wyib = with yarn in back
wyif = with yarn in front

Y
yb = yarn back
yd = yards
yf = yarn at front
yfwd = yarn forward
yo = yarn over needle
yrn = yarn around needle
ytb = yarn in back
ytf = yarn in front

Amazing Bible Fact 1

2009-08-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

Here is an amazing Bible fact and it has a perfect outcome.

The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117.
The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119.
The centre chapter of the Bible is Psalm 118. (With me so far?)
On either side of the centre chapter there are 594 chapters and if you add the two sides together you get 594 + 594 = 1188.
(Now for the final bit)

The centre verse of the Bible is Psalm 118v8 (look familiar?)

Wanna know what this verse says?

Psalm 118v8
"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."

You see PERFECT

Moira Maps

2009-08-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

So instead of one map I have three for you.

The first is a general view of where Moira is in Northern Ireland.

The second is a closer view.

The third is as exact as possible for me to show you with a few other helpful landmarks included.

They're not great so I will try and get better ones for you or make these in a better quality.

Sorry about the pixelation.

Craft Fair

2009-08-18T03:42:00.000-07:00

For anyone that lives in Northern Ireland or can make it over there will be a Christmas Craft Fair at

Creative Ideas, 38 Main Street, Moira, County Down, BT67 0LQ.

It will be all local crafts and if you're interested in selling some there are still tables available. To book one please contact Judy or Geraldine on 028 92619172.

I will try and put a map up soon so you know where to go.

See you there:-)

And so it begins

2009-08-17T05:50:00.000-07:00

So my first blog starts now and I have to let you know here and now that I may not keep this updated that regularly. You know how it is working mostly full time then walking the dog and finally everything else that can get in the way, it just bogs you down and you forget about little things like the Internet, (I'm not a total Internet maniac like some people who are never off sites like bebo or facebook, no offense), I'm doing this craft blog because I work in a craft shop and if I'm looking for inspiration on how to use techniques sometimes there aren't many sites that offer what you want, especially when you want to make you're own hair fascinators or tiaras. The tutorials you find for them a very basic.

This stated I am going to try and create a library of tutorials, patterns and ideas for all kinds of crafting areas and hopefully answer as many questions about them as I can. I also want you to know that I am not a complete expert at this either so I may not be able to answer all those queries but I will do my best.

Happy Reading! :-)