Cute Crocheted Hat

A crocheted hat!

This festive lil'number took about two hours to complete, after approximately two hours of trial and error. Using these two sites

http://www.patonsyarns.com/pattern.php?PID=4102

and

http://www.ehow.com/how_4853958_crochet-hat-beginners.html

I began to figure it out. Two hard parts to accomplish: 1. remembering the lingo 2. getting the base size right.

But once that was mastered it went relatively fast, and I was able to incorporate at least three different crochet styles into the hat: a single, a half-double, and a double. PLUs this teaches you how to effectively use the "slip stitch"- a technique I had quite forgotten about.

The end product was then embellished with a two layer flower made from scraps of material. The flower is stitched directly to the hat with red thread. The two pearls are buttons from a craft box (Word to the wise: always keep buttons about; there are so many ways to use a button). The leaf-like pattern was done by threading green yarn in-and-out

Hand made skull gift tags! What better way to personalize a gift than with these spook-tackular gift tags for the holidays?

Approximately 2"x2" these skulls were hand drawn and inked, and then colored in Corel Paint Shop.

Available in packs of eight, assorted or single design for $5 national (USA) and $7 for international (includes shipping and handling). With or without strings upon request. Payment via Paypal. Contact Heather Reavis at HRPhotography101@yahoo.com for ordering info. All orders must be received by November 30th, 2009 to shipped in time for this year's holiday season. Not responsible for postal mishaps.

Scarves- the easy personal gift!

What could possibly be better than a quick gift, made in a day, that can be personalized, and easily made for around $6? Anything to make the holidays a little bit easier. Consider a crochetted scarf.

Crochetting, compared to knitting, is in my opinion the easier of the two. Counting isn't as necessary and once you master the standard stitch you can go forth and learn to make just about anything. I learned when I was ten years old to make blankets (this coming from the girl who could barely sew straight), and some ten plus years later have picked up my thread and hook again to make scarves.

To begin, first pick out your favorite color of yarn. There are so many choices and varying degrees of softness. You can spend a couple of bucks on standard yarn or spend near ten for the softer stuff. It all depends on what you want. For a scarf I recommend something inbetween; a yarn that won't feel too scratchy wrapped around the neck. Head to your local craft store and start touching and feeling the yarn!

Second you will need to select the right crochet hook or needle. This is easy to do. On the pannel of every spool of yarn the manufacturer will let you know what size to use to best accomadate the thickness of your yarn

The top example is from a Red Heart brand of yarn suggesting a 5.5 mm hook for crochet. While the one below is a Patons brand recommending a 5mm hook.

The basic chain stitch and getting started:

1. Make a loop, then hook another loop through it.

2. Tighten gently and slide knot up to the hook (like you're making a noose around your hook).

3.Yarn over and draw the yarn through to form a new loop without tightening the previous one (this is perhaps the hardest part to master- not over tightening. An over tightened loop will make your chain too tight and a too tight chain (like too tight pants) can cause frustrating bending and curving that may result in wonkiness in the final product. Take your time, relax your hands).

4.Repeat to form as chains as required. Do not count the slip knot as a stitch.

This site http://www.patonsyarns.com/learntocrochet.php will help you out tremendously.

Take your time and have fun. The finished product

will be a most welcome gift for the winter months!

Skulls for Christmas

Who doesn't like a little morbidity (hhhmmm, I may have to copyright that word) in their holiday season? I sure do! Skulls belong in just about every holiday I can think of, especially Christmas time. (Thank you Tim Burton!)

I look for and to anything for inspiration. Currently I've been enjoying some recent fabulous tissue boxes curtesy of my local supermarket

That little skull on the left side spoke to me earlier this year and I knew he was going to be good for something. With the merry holiday deason upon us I had a vision of skulls with holly sprig.

Tah-dah!

The drawing was done free hand with a mechanical pencil and then inked with a pen. I perfer an extra fine rolling ball pen to ink with; detailing is easier and I can retrace the lines at my leisure.

The finished product is above in three very appropriate colors and available for ordering here

http://www.zazzle.com/christmas_skull_card-137413888258964757?rf=238839867177959396

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense."

Welcome to the blog Curiouser and Curiouser, promoter of oddities and pecularities in the form of fun art.

My name is Heather. Through this blog I plan on sharing with you what (hopefully) will be amusing arts and crafts that I have been indulging in as of late. Everything from greeting cards, to sewing projects, to even some "how-to/do-it-yourself" ideas.

Some pieces will be for sale, others just for your consideration; regardless everything posted (unless otherwise stated) is copyrighted Heather Reavis, Heather Reavis Art, and TalentedChild Art.