Chain Flower Pillow Tah Dah! and Flower Tutorial and Leaf Tutorial

Hi everyone!  I hope this post finds you all well and in good health and spirits.  I finished a little project the other day.  I am here to do a big reveal after putting my hooks down for several months.  I picked them back up about a week ago to finish this pillow that I actually started months ago.  Here it is, Tah Dah!  I hope you like it.  I like the splash of color that this adds to my world.   The background I started a few months back and just measured it (The pillow is 16 x 16 inches).  and did a stitch that I made on my last big pillow which was just a double and a single crochet alternating them.  Then on the next row where there was a double crochet I made a single crochet, and where there was a single crochet, going back and forth to give it texture.  You can see the details of the stitch here

Here is the back side of the pillow.  I just made a simple scallop and it buttons in the back for easy removal of the cover so it can be washed.  

And here is a close up of some of the flowers.  I used some beads that resemble big crystals to give it some bling.  The back side of the glass buttons are painted with a silver reflective surface.  The tops are cut like diamonds and it gives just the hint of bling bling..  I thought it would be a fun little touch.  

I thought I would take a few moments to show you how to make a chain flower that I used on my garden chain mum flower pillow.  I had several friends on Facebook asked for a pattern.  I thought I would put one up with some photos to show everyone how to make one.  Let's have a go at it shall we?

Chain 4 stitches and join to make a ring with a slip stitch

Chain one and then single crochet 6 stitches into the ring and then finish with a slip stitch in the beginning chain stitch.

The next row, chain one and  single crochet 2 stitches in the back look only in each one of the 6 single crochet stitches to form 12 stitches total.  Slip stitch to form a ring.

Repeat the last row by chain one, and 2 stitches in each single crochet stitch to form 24 stitches total.  Then, slip stitch again to form a ring. 

Chain 14 stitches

In the next stitch, slip stitch the end of the chain and then chain 14 again.  Repeat all the way around  for a total of 24 times. 

Slip stitch in the beginning chain (your first chain stitch).

Then chain ten stitches. 

Slip stitch on the next row down in the front loop only to secure the end.  This will form the first petal of the inner row.  Do this all the way around. 

(Note:  I did not finish this off as this was a demo flower and did not want to cut my yarn) but once you get all the way around, finish with a slip stitch in the first beginning 10 chain and then cut leaving a tail.  Pull this through the back and weave in your end and secure it on the back side. 

You may add a button to finish it off.  Viola!  You should now have a flower made. As the flower sits over time the petals start to curl up and look less loopy.    Now see wasn't that easy? 

How to make a leaf.  

Chain 10 and then single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook.  Then a half double crochet, then a double crochet, then a triple crochet, another triple crochet, and another triple crochet.  Then double crochet, and half double crochet, single crochet.  When you get to the last space with the single crochet, chain three and then work your way back in reverse.  When you get to the end, then tie off the two loose ends to secure the stitches.  Viola!  Now you have a leaf. 

I hope I made this easy for you to follow.  If you have any questions please feel free to ask me in the comments section so I can update this post or answer your questions there.  Happy crocheting everyone!

Till next time... xxxxxxxxx

Quick Tip: Recycling kitchen scraps.

I was in the kitchen making kimchi (I will post about that later) and remembered that if you save the heads off your green onions (or scallions if you will) and plant them they will grow new onion plants.  I did this once years ago with some scallions that were starting to go bad in the fridge and just planted them right in the ground, and they grew new ones.

After I finished cooking I took the scallions that I placed in some cold water so they don't dry out until they went into the garden.  Simply just make some simple rows and place one about every inch or two apart and then cover with soil.  Before long, if you keep them watered, they will grow new green onions.  It is a frugal way to extend those green onions that you purchase in the supermarket.  

You can also do this with carrot tops, potato peels and many other crops.  I save the seeds from many squash that I purchase and use those to grow new ones too.  Give it a try, you have nothing to lose and free crops of food to gain. 

I just thought I would share this quick tip with all of you out there in internet land.  

Spring is almost here! I am ready to garden

I am so ready for spring.  Every once in a while we get a teaser of the weather to come.  Living in the cold dark rainy NW region of the USA, gets to be enough about this time of year.  I am thankful we don't live with some of the extreme conditions that plague the rest of the states, where you take your life into your own hands sometimes.

It was sunny and I decided it would be a great idea to get out and mow the lawn for the first time this year as things were starting to get a bit shaggy.  Then I made some wonderful discoveries...

The rhubarb is trying it's hardest to make it's way out of the ground.  This means that we better hurry up and eat the rhubarb orange marmalade up that I made last spring, because it will not be long until I am working hard to use up our rhubarb crop again this year.

The daffodils are pushing their way up out of the ground on the side of the house.  This is surely a sign of spring.  I can't wait!

This is an artichoke plant.  It is already starting to grow big.  This means that late spring time, we will be eating lots of big fresh artichokes.  The artichokes you buy at the store are never as good.  When you pick one fresh and cook it within hours, the flavor hands down can't beat that freshness.

And finally.. A reminder that I need to hurry and get out there and pull the winter weeds.  This is hairy bittercress trying to take over my little winter beet patch.  I planted some heirloom beets last fall.  I need to get out there and make room for them to take off.  Now that it is warming up, the beets will begin to really grow and that means a fresh crop of beets right before planting season for all my summer veggie garden.  

This is a sure sign of spring!  It is so close, and I am so ready.  

On another note, I am almost out of yarn!  I have enough for probably one more blanket project if I am careful with the placement of colors.  I really want to use up all my blanket yarn, so I can start fresh, with fresh colors all of my choosing.  It is going to be fun picking them out.

Until next time, happy Wednesday!