cherishables: March 2012

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Free Shipping - Only 3 Days Left!!

Only a few days left to get free domestic shipping when you order any item from my Etsy shop! Enter coupon code NEWLOOK2012 at checkout.

Lots of great stuff available including: daffodil corsages, flower pins, apple cozies, daffodil pins, purses and even a felted crown (Princess Pup not included -- trust me, you don't want her. LOL)

Pins and cozies make great Easter Basket fillers. Daffodil corsages are presented in a cellophane bag for giving. Be sure to look for the 5/$20 flower pin listing. It's like getting one free!

Thanks for looking & Happy Spring!!

Cherish

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Daffodil Corsages - Just in Time for Easter

After making a handful of daffodil pins, I decided I wanted to try to make an actual corsage. Something more like the flowers we would buy our Mom and Grandmothers for Easter and Mother's Day.

To do so, the stem would need to be longer and I would need a bow. Luckily, my Mom taught me how to tie a florist bow ages ago. A little floral wire and...ta da!

Pattern by Melbangel.

I made a bunch of these. A whole crop!

And they'll be packaged like this:

Just like it came from a florist.

As is typical for me, no two are exactly alike.

Can you spot the tri-colored daffodil? Out of all the dozens of daffodils, it's the only one with 3 colors.

I've started listing these in my Etsy shop. More will be added every day this week. There's still plenty of time to get the flower before Easter.

Be sure to add the code NEWLOOK2012 for free domestic shipping. (International shoppers, contact me for a shipping discount!) The offer expires this week, so don't forget!!

Happy crafting!

Cherish

Monday, March 26, 2012

The Most Cheerful Purse in the World

Lately, I've been obsessed with granny _____ (fill in the blank.) First it was granny squares and then granny stripes. I think it's the bright colors and the fact that I've finally embraced Sheep(ish) yarn, which comes in marvelous colors. Everywhere I look granny this & that in pretty, bright colors.

I've been contemplating a granny stripe bag when I came across a tutorial for a granny stripe afghan at Attic24, I knew it was time. Out came the Sheep(ish) yarn and here is the final result.

I just love it! All that color! I just need to line it & it's complete.

Since this is a purse, and the tutorial is for an afghan, I did a few things a bit differently. First of all, I started with a foundation single crochet stitch (fsc.) This stitch allowed me to be able to immediately judge how large the purse would be. I made this first row twice as big as I wanted the purse. This way I could fold it over and have one seam. If you don't know how to do the fsc stitch, there is a fab tutorial on futuregirl. There are also good videos on YouTube. For this first row, make sure you count out the stitches and that the number is divisible by 3. This purse is 102 stitches across.

After I finished making all the rows, there are 25 rows total (2 of each color) I folded the bag in half and used the tails from each set of rows to stitch up the seam. This allowed me to match the color and weave in the ends. It's a pain weaving all those in, but it didn't take too long.

This gave me a really pretty & colorful tube. My purse needed a bottom. Having no idea what to do here, I just started double crocheting around the bottom. I thought that might give me enough room to sew the row together & form a bottom. Not quite. It needed two more rows. For each subsequent row, I decreased on the both sides (where the bag naturally folds) so that the bottom didn't bow out. Once I had 3 rows, they almost touched. When I finished off the last row I left a long yarn tail & used it to sew the bottom together. I will hand sew in a piece of plastic canvas on the bottom, so I wasn't too worried about durability. The plastic canvas and the lining will hold everything in.

Now that I had a tube with a bottom, I decided the top needed a little flair, so I did a little scallop at the top.

Next come the handles. I thought about using a set of purchased handles. But I wanted something a little more...lively. I rejected crocheting tube-like handles for lack of a place to attach them. Then I remembered the really pretty handles from the Hex Tote Tutorial on futuregirl. They are perfect for this tote.

In all, I'm really pleased with how the purse came out. It was really fun to make and went so quickly. In fact, I've already started on a 2nd purse, but this time I did the math (hurt my brain!) and figured out how big the base should be so I can granny stripe in the round. If it works (so far, so good) I'll blog about it and maybe post a tutorial if anyone is interested. It should be finished in a few days.

So, what about you? Do you like the return of the granny? Stripes not squares? Squares, not stripes? Only in certain colors? Share you thoughts in the comments.

Happy crafting!
Cherish

Friday, March 23, 2012

LB Yarn on Sale and Free Shipping Code!

In case you didn't know, Joann's is having a web exclusive sale -- 25% off all Lion Brand yarn. Combine this with the free shipping offer (must spend $25) and that's an incredible deal! Find the shipping code on the main web page. It's right smack in the middle of the home page.

While you're there, don't forget to print off the coupons for 25% all in-store purchases. That includes sale items. My favorite coupon!!! :-)

Happy crafting!
Cherish

Monday, March 19, 2012

Spring Pom Pom Centerpiece

I saw a fun pom pom centerpiece on Pinterest and just knew I would have to try. These are not the pom poms of your childhood -- all wild haired, crazy looking. Quite the opposite. I'm talking neat, clipped and very modern pom poms.

My sister says they look like Truffula Trees. That makes me love them even more.

You can find the tutorial for this project at Dill Pickle Design. Basically, it's a very closely cropped pom pom. No fancy pom pom maker needed. Just your fingers, yarn, scissors and patience.

Here's a close-up. See how closely cropped these are? I love it!

My tip is to clip these over a bowl or into your actual trash can. You're going to get yarn & lint everywhere. Don't make the mistake I did and think you can do this while sitting in your lounge chair watching TV. Actually you can, if you don't mind getting very fine lint all over your sweater. (Which is what happened when I made the green ones <ahem>)

Also, one other thing I did differently was to use fallen branches as the stems. I didn't have any floral wire around, so I looked around for something else to use. I really liked using the branches b/c they look pretty in glass vase and, in a couple of cases, I was able to glue multiple pom poms on to a single branch. Love that look!

Here is the arrangement in it's final home, on my coffee table.

Complete with sleeping kitty on the couch.

I made the pom poms in a few different sizes...up to four fingers!

Here's the version I made for St. Patrick's Day.

This project is a great way to use up your yarn stash and an inexpensive way to decorate. I hope you'll give it a try. Send me a pic if you do so I can post it.

Happy crafting!

Cherish

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

New Look = Free Shipping!

Have you heard about our new look? ;-)

Housekeeping chores are done. Everything has been re-branded with the new logo. New pictures have been taken and uploaded to Etsy. It's time to celebrate!

The best way to celebrate? A sale! Through the end of March, enter the code "NEWLOOK2012" (without the quotes) at checkout to get free shipping within the US. I'm not forgetting the rest of the world! If you're located outside the US, email me and I'll arrange a discount for you as well.

This offer is good for all items -- including the already reduced headbands.

Lots of fun items in stock -- spring purses, apple jackets, daffodil and spring flower pins. Lots of great Easter basket items and Mother's Day gifts. More daffodil pins coming soon!

Hope you'll stop by and take advantage of the offer and I hope you enjoy the new logo!

-Cherish

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Cherishables Spring Sale

Spring is in the air! I'm making room in my Etsy shop for Spring & Summer goodies, so all headbands have been reduced to $10. Combine with other items, like Daffodil Pins, to save on shipping.

Gray Bobble headband (top) not available.

They make great gifts. Stock up for Christmas or buy one for yourself.

Thanks for all your support!
Cherish

New look!

Cherishables has a new look!

Everything has been re-branded -- my Facebook page, my Etsy store, and this blog. Hope you like it! Feel free to leave your feedback in the comments or email me.

Thanks!
Cherish

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Spring is in the air!

The daffodil pins are done & are now available in my Etsy shop!

Each of the pins pictured here is ready to ship. More are coming -- including a white & pink combo.

Let's revive the Easter & Mother's Day tradition of giving a corsage with one that will last forever!