What I've Made Lately

After a very long hiatus from New Millie, I happy to say that I am back, and now a mother of TWO! My son, Luke Hudson was born on May 18th and after a few month of settling in with two kids under two, I feel like I have "enough" under control to start creating again!

My little Luke at two days old.
My sweet son at 13 weeks...so handsome!

New Items On Etsy...The Crocheting Comeback!

I put some new items on etsy.com last night (NewMillie.etsy.com). The first is my Puffy, Slouchy Beret and the second is the Cable Crochet Brimmed Hat. I love them both, but I will have to say that the brimmed hat is my fav! 

In an effort to find/make/create stylish crochet patterns (I'm so tired of finding 1 cool crochet pattern for every 47 knit patterns) I am going to start compiling some of my favorite patterns as well as posting my own! The Crochet Comeback is in full effect!

If You Made A Request...

All requested items were sent today! 

A Quick Shout Out

I just wanted to say thank you to Jelly B. Green for the beautiful necklace and to Leslie of Squasht for the headband! I hope you both enjoy your beret and bow headband. Everyone should check these two ladies out on the links listed above or on Etsy.com, just like so many people I met this past weekend, they are so talented!

Coming Soon On Etsy

Well my Etsy shop should be up by the end of the night (fingers crossed). These are a few of the items that will be for sale. The bow headband was a bigger hit than I expected! I think I gave myself carpal tunnel crocheting these little guys! Thanks to everyone who bought or requested one!

The Bobble Clutch. It's 100% cotton and lined with a repurposed bed sheet.

The Big Bag. Measuring 17 1/2 inches wide, by 12 1/2 inches high, this sucker is LARGE! It is also made with 100% cotton (which I must say is super soft) and is lined with a repurposed table cloth. The straps are crocheted fabric strips.

So go on over to Etsy and look for NewMillie. 

Green With Indie Craft Show

It's been awhile since I posted, but only because I have been working, working, working! But it all paid off this weekend at the Green With Indie craft show. I had a wonderful time, and met some great people! I was truly taken back by the amazing creativity of all the venders! I will post pictures soon, and elaborate on my first experience at a craft show, but for now: thanks to everyone who bought something, had kind things to say about my items, visited this site, and hung out all weekend! Remember: look for me on etsy.com very soon! And if you put in a request, don't worry, after a short night off, I will get started with your items on Monday!

Hats in March?

It does seem silly to make wool hats in March, but they are just so fun! I used two balls of mutli-colored wool yarn and was able to make three hats. I have spent years making up my own patterns, but using someone else's does really help you learn...try this one.

Fun Projects

So like many that craft, I love Craftstylish.com. I get so many great ideas from them, including this one; taking a simple fleece blanket and crocheting around the edge, you can find the tutorial here.
I am really having fun looking for ways to reuse and restyle items. I would have never thought to do this before, but it took a very plain blanket and gave it a new feel...or an old feel, doesn't it look like something your Grandma would have had? Love it!

Bags, Bags and more Bags

So in preparing for the craft show in March I have been crocheting and sewing like a mad woman. I do have other projects finished, I just haven't taken any photos yet. But here is the first of many bags I am making (all different) for the show. It has been really fun making up patterns and just letting things come together as I go. This bag I was calling the "Mama Bag" because it is pretty big. It is crocheted with 100% cotton cream yarn. It is lined in some of the fabric I bought at goodwill and the strap is crocheted fabric strips (in the lining fabric). I think it's pretty fun.
The lining with two pockets.
The crocheted fabric strap. I tied the ends in a bow and then sewed it closed.
My attempt at a handmade label. I stitched "New Millie" on felt and then sewed it in.
I have more bags to come...to be continued.

Loving This Yarn!

I bought this yarn for a scarflet I was making as a gift for the sister of a girl in our community group at church (did anyone follow that?) I went to the store planning on getting something neutral, but fell in love with this Homespun yarn! It comes in all different colors and I am planning on making something with all of them. The scarflet is done and sitting on our kitchen table and every time I walk past it I can't help but say (out loud) "I love this yarn!" (Hey give me a break, the only person I have to talk to for most of the day is a 15 month old!) 

Just in Case You Were Wondering...

Just in case you were wondering where I will be on March 21-22! I will be one of the vendors at the Green With Indie craft show, which I am super excited about. The premise of the show is "green crafting," so I am planning to use only natural materials (organic cotton, wool) and then repurposing a lot of items (I already bought a very cool table cloth and bed sheet from Goodwill!) I have also been looking at everything in my house as a potential craft material...the creative juices are flowing! 

Snow Day Projects With No Snow!

The snow has almost melted so I figured it was time to get my butt in gear and finish my "Snow Day Projects." I spent most of last evening sewing in my lining; I have the needle pricked fingers to prove it!
View of the inside.
Snap closure. When working into late hours of the night, be sure to double check your work before you do anything you will have to rip out. The first time I sewed in the snap I sewed the back side up. Needless to say, it had to be redone.

Things That Happen While Babysitting

Last week, while Harper and Lucie (the little girl I babysit) were napping (Thank you Jesus that they were both down at the same time!) I decided I needed a new cell phone case; Harper had dropped mine while we were taking a walk in the park and by the time I realized it, I was watching a woman waiting for the bus picking it up and putting it her purse (she must have needed it, right?). Anyway, this led me to this little case. It was super easy, here's the patterns:Materials:

6 mm crochet hook

Medium weight acrylic blend yarn (really anything will work)

sewing needle

button

fabric and sewing materials for lining (optional)

Chain your desired length, I have a LG Voyager from Verizon and I chained 18

row 1: sc in second chain from hook. Continue to sc in the rest of the chain, do not turn. Sc on the other side of the chain all the way down, do not join round.

Row 2+: Continue with this pattern (sc on both sides) until desired depth is obtained. (Once again, for my phone I sc 12 rounds).

Button hook: On your last round SC until middle of second side, chain 9 or so (depends on thickness of phone) skip one SC and join chain to next SC, continue to SC to finish round.

Button: Choose any type of button and sew to opposite side of button hook.

I decided to line mine, which I think is cute, but the cover would work great without the lining also.

1. To line simply measure the width of your case and then add 1 inch. (This will give you a 1/2 inch seam on each side.

2. Measure the depth of your case from the bottom of the inside to the row that you want to attach the lining to (I chose the second stitch from the top). Multiple your depth by two and then add 1 inch (For example, if your depth is 5 then it will equal: 5 x 2=10+1=11 inches).

3. Measure your fabric and cut.

4. Fold fabric in half (pattern side in) length (depth) wise. Iron. Measure a 1/2 inch seam at the top of each side. Iron fabric out.

5. Pin along sides of folded fabric and sew a 1/2 inch seam on each side. Iron side seams out.

6. Sew the top 1/2 inch seam.

7. Fit lining into case and hand sew in. Be sure to sew only on the inside stitch so it doesn't show through on the outside of the case.

If you haven't sewn before these instructions are going to be very confusing! If you need pictures go to Futuregirl and check out her tutorials on "How to sew a lining" and how to "Sew a lining into a crocheted bag." Don't you wish I would have told you this before?

GOOD LUCK!

Leftovers

What to do with the leftovers? If you crochet or knit then you know that eventually you will be left with a little bit of a lot of different yarn. Well I figured out something to do to not waste all those little bits; I took all my leftovers and cut them in various lengths an then tied them all together in a random order.The result was this scarf/cowl. I know it's not everyones' taste, but I'm kind of into it!

It's also a super easy pattern!

I used a 10mm hook and leftover yarn, but obviously you could use any yarn you like.

Chain 120 (or to your desired length)

Row 1: Treble stitch in 4th chain from hook and in the rest of the chain.

Row 2: chain 3, turn, Treble stitch in back stitch only all the way down the row

Row 3: chain 3, turn, Treble in front stitch only down the row

Row 4+: Continue with pattern (Back stitch, front stitch) until desired width is obtained.

Finishing: When rows are completed, single stitch around border, tie off and weave in ends...or not, who cares it's a leftover scarf! I also stitched the two ends together, and then twisted it up and around my neck.

Holy Cowl!

So maybe it's the weather, but I have been in this scarf/cowl mood lately. This multicolored one was once what I called the "Ugly Scarf." I was about to rip it all apart when Jeff told me to stop being ridiculous and do something with it; so I added the buttons and "ta-dah" it's an "Ugly Cowl."

I really wanted to make a cowl with a chunky yarn, but I didn't have enough of this brown yarn. However, I remembered a beanie I had made Jeff when we first started dating. He never it wore it, so I took it apart and made the cowl (sorry Jeff). I used a cream in the same weight to join it together. I think it turned out pretty good. I think I'll wear it tomorrow!

Little Bits

Fall flower purse.
Flower Headband. I love these! They are very cute and super easy. For great patterns, including this one visit Creativeyarn.
Simple beaded necklace.
Beaded bracelet (still a work in progress). I changed it a bit, but you can find a similar pattern on Future Girl.

Here are the FEW things I have made lately for a boutique that is opening in the middle of February. I need, oh about 20 more items!! Have you tried to crochet and sew with a 14 month old? Impossible!

Snow day projects

Today was a wonderful day for crafting due to the fact that it was 16 degrees and snowy! I had some lingering projects to work on, like my Heart Purse, which I had crocheted but I hadn't completed the liner, (which is still not finished, but in progress.) Next comes the arduous task of hand sewing the lining into the purse. (For a great tutorial on sewing lining into a crocheted bag check out the Future Girl link.)

Avoiding the lining I turned to crocheting a new bag. I found a great pattern on Marlo's Crochet Corner (which was maybe meant to be since Marlo is my middle name!) I liked how the bag turned out, and I already had some great fabric for the liner!

The beginning of Millie

So this is the beginning of New Millie; an outlet for creativity. A place to pass on inspiration and ideas and share all the neat bits I have learned from others.  The original Millie is my grandmother, Mildred Lois Hewett; she is crafty. From the time I can remember she crocheted, sewed, and painted; she was industrious when her family needed her to be and she was creative because she could be. I hope to follow in her footsteps.