Second Giveaway Win!

Hello everyone,

I could not believe my eyes that I was noticed I won another giveaway just right after the first one! One on Saturday and one on Sunday! How happy and lucky I was to win two giveaways at nearly the same time! I had never won any giveaway before and then I won two! Don't you see it strange? But it's amazing!

This necklace arrived at my doorstep in the midst of last week, from our very lovely lady Teresa and I was thrilled! Thank you Teresa for such a gorgeous giveaway, I love it! It's so beautiful!!

Visit her shop here to enjoy a lot of handmade jewelry items in all kinds of bead, you will be amazed, for sure!

Thank you again, Teresa!

♥ Take care, and hope everyone a happy day!
Lovestitch, x

First Giveaway Win!

I received this lovely giveaway from our very lovely friend Aurora Blythe in the midst of August but was too busy with my family troubles to post about it. This is the first time I won a giveaway and I'm really happy!

Opened the box I was amazed with this beautiful fuzzy case! I love it so! Thank you, Aurora! x

Oh it's a lovely case with so many lovely stuff inside! A sneak peek first:

See what I took out, aren't they wonderful?!! So many gorgeous things were packed for the giveaway that I was really lucky to be the winner!

I love them all! Thank you very much, Aurora!

♥ Wishing everyone a fabulous new week ahead!

Till next time,
LS,  xxxxxxxxxx

~ Thank You! ~

Hello Friends!

Thank you very much for your kind thoughts and treasured prayers on my father's illness and my family. They are such heartwarming words and mean a lot to me...

I'm sorry I have not been saying anything to you all, honestly it has been so hard for me to find time and spirit for blogging during the time... But I'm so happy as now my father is getting better and on the road of recovery. On behalf of my family, I would like to express my big THANK YOU to all of you, my very kind friends!

Thank you my dear sweet friend, Donna, for so much care and thoughtfulness, for always sharing and uplifting me in such a hard time, and, for the generosity in offering the wonderful quick post with such beautiful words... Thank you, my dear friend!

I'm very happy finally I can get back to blogging, to my little crafts corner, not much time though, but I can be back, that's great enough to me! Once again, thank you!!!

♥ Hope you all enjoy a wonderful week!

See you soon!
Lovestitch, xo

Quick Post from a Dear Friend

Dear Blog Friends,

It has been quite some time since our wonderful and dear friend, LOVESTITCH, has had time for blogging.

She is just fine, so I hope to relieve your mind of worry.  Her precious, loving father suffered a massive stroke in mid August, and a second one while in the hospital a few days later.  He has come home now and is progressing well, but still needs much care.

Please join me in praying and sending positive thoughts for her dear father for a complete healing, for her mother for strength, for our dear friend and her beau, as they work all day and care for her parents each night and weekends.

She is strong and loving, and will be back to her crocheting, knitting and sewing very soon.  I know she will delight us with her new projects soon!

Thank you all so very much!
May you all be blessed and loved,
Donna
(grandma4five)

Patterns: Crochet Flower Brooches

Hello everyone!

Thank you very much for making my day with all your sweet words on my flower brooches and my posts so far! That really meant a lot to me, I do appreciate!

I made these flowers using some patterns from Japanese books and they are all in chart form. I've just "translated" them into US term for your convenience (as I guess most of you may prefer written patterns, hoping I'm right!). So, here you go - please let me know if there's any mistake:

1. Cream daisy flower: 

(Make two alike in different colors)

Magic circle.
Round 1: 5 sc in the loop. Do not join.
Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around (10 sc)
Round 3: 1 sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch (15 sc in total)
Round 4: * Slip stitch to the next sc, ch 2, 4 dc in the next stitch, ch 2, slip stitch to the next stitch to complete the first low petal. Repeat from * for the remainder (5 petals in total).
Round 5: * Slip stitch to the 1st chain of the first ch-2, sc in the next chain, work 1 hdc in the first dc, 1 dc in the same stitch, dc increase in each of the next 2 stitches, 1 dc in the 4th dc, 1 hdc in the same stitch, sc in the next ch-2 space, sl st in to the previous sl st. Repeat from * for the remainder.
Round 6: * Sc in the next sl st, ch 2, 3 dc increase in the next 3 stitches, 1 dc in the next st, 1 hdc in the same stitch, 1 hdc in the next stitch, 1 dc in the same st, 3 dc increase in the next 3 stitches, ch 2, sc in the previous sl st. Repeat from * for total of 5 petals.
Cut the tail, fasten off and weave in ends.

Use a contrast colored thread to sew 2 layers together with petals are alternate to each other. Sew the center as it looks like in the picture.

Crochet a tiny flower to sew it in the center (magic circle, * ch 5, sl st into the loop. Repeat 4 times from * to finish) or just simply sew a button in center to complete the pistil.

2. Other daisy flower in Orange: 

Magic circle, 
Round 1: Ch 3 (count as the first dc), 15 dc in the loop, join with sl st to the first ch 3. (16 dc)
Round 2: Work in back loop only: 2 dc in each dc around (32 dc)
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in the same stitch, ch 5, sc in the next stitch, *sc in the next stitch, ch 5, sc in the next stitch (16 ch-5 spaces in total).
Round 4: * Slip st to the ch-5 loop, ch 2, work 9 dc in the ch-5 loop, ch 2, sl st into the loop. Repeat from * for the remaining loops. (16 petals in total)
Cut the yarn and fasten off.
Round 5: Join new thread to the front loop created at round 2, repeat the instruction for round 3.
Round 6: repeat round 4.
Fasten off.

Make a tiny flower (magic circle, * ch 9, sl st into the loop. Repeat 9 times from * to finish) to sew in center. Add button in center to make the pistil look a bit different.

3. Colorful flower with many layers of petal:

Magic circle,

Round 1: Ch 1, 16 sc in the loop. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc.
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in the same stitch, ch 3, skip one sc, * sc in the next stitch, ch 3, skip 1 sc.
Repeat from * for the remainder. Join with a sl st to the first sc (8 ch-3 loops in total).
Round 3: ch 1, * 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc into the loop. Repeat 7 times total from * (8 petals total)
Round 4: ch 1, * front post single crochet around the first sc in round 2, ch 4. Repeat 7 times total from *. Join with sl st to the first FPSC (8 ch-4 loops in total)
Round 5: ch 1, * 1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc into the loop. Repeat 7 times total from *.
Round 6: ch 1, * front post single crochet around the previous FPSC in round 4, ch 5. Repeat 7 times total from *. Join with sl st to the first FPSC (8 ch-5 loops in total)
Round 7: ch 1, * 1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc into the loop. Repeat 7 times total from *.
Round 8: ch 1, * front post single crochet around the previous FPSC in round 6, ch 6. Repeat 7 times total from *. Join with sl st to the first FPSC (8 ch-6 loops in total)
Round 9: ch 1, * 1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 tr, ch 2, 1 tr, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc into the loop. Repeat 7 times total from *.
Round 10: ch 1, * front post single crochet around the previous FPSC in round 6, ch 6. Repeat 7 times total from *. Join with sl st to the first FPSC (8 ch-6 loops in total)
Round 11: ch 1, * 1 sc, 1 hdc, 4 dc, 1 tr, ch 2, 1 tr, 4 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc into the loop. Repeat 7 times total from *.

Complete this pattern you will have 5 layers of petal, change color for each if desired.

*** To turn them into a brooch or a hair scunchi:
Cut a circle of felt fabric or crochet a circle with sc for 7 rounds and sew in place in the back of the flower.
Here is a pattern for a circle just in case:

Magic circle,
Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc in the loop. Do not join.
Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (16 sc). Mark the first sc with a contrasting color maker.
Round 3: 1 sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch (24 sc)
Round 4: sc increase in every 3 stitches (30 sc)
Round 5: sc increase in every 4 stitches (36 sc)
Round 6: sc increase in every 5 stitches (42 sc)
Round 7: sc increase in every 6 stitches (48 sc)
Round 8: sc increase in every 7 stitches (54 sc)
Skip 1 stitch, slip stitch to the next stitch to join.
 
Attach a brooch pin if you want to have a brooch, or a pony tail if you  want to have a hair brunchi.

 

 ♥ Enjoy, and Happy hooking!!!

 Thank you for stopping by, hope you all a very Happy Weekend!!! ♥

Crochet Flower Brooches

How is everyone doing? I cannot believe it's been the beginning of August already! It feels like just yesterday July was starting. Time sure does fly by! I do hope you got many things done in the last month, as I didn't! My to-do list in July is still in progress, and August has come! How about you?

I made these flower brooches a few days back and would love to share you right here. I found it was such a fun when playing with cotton!

A colorful flower with many layers of petal...

take a closely look...

A rose in blossom...

A daisy with two layers of petal...

And this lovely one I don't know what to call, maybe another kind of daisy... :)

All of them were attached a brooch pin, to become these flower brooches...

Didn't they turn out lovely? I love them all, especially the creamy one with an orange button center, my favorite colors as well...

I've still not worn any of them, but my clothes are ready to go with these 'new friends'! 

Well, enough for my brooches, I would come to see what you've been up to, but I know they must be awesome, whatever you do!

Best wishes to you all, hope your days are always gorgeous! 

♥ Thank you for stopping by! See you later!!!

Pattern: Puffy Cell Phone Cozy

Hi everyone!

I made this cell phone cozy for a friend awhile back and was asked for the pattern. OK, I can't let you wait any longer so am glad to share you here:

PATTERN

Yarn: cotton or any yarn.

Hook: any size to match your yarn. I used 3.5mm hook and cotton yarn for mine to fit a cell phone with 4.5" H x 2.31" W x 0.37" D.

This pattern has a multiple of 2, so you can easily adjust the bottom narrower or wider in an even number of stitches.

Puff stitch: Please refer this site for the method of finishing a puff stitch - using method A for this pattern.

Bottom: 

Make 14 foundation single crochet (or chain 14 if you prefer to use a chain instead).

Ch 1, sc in the same stitch, sc in each of the next 12 sts, 4 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 12 sts, 3 sc in the last stitch, join with sl st to the first ch. (32 sc in total)

Body:  

• Round 1: ch 2, *make a puff stitch in the same st, dc in the next stitch. Repeat from * for the remaining stitches, slip stitch to the first puff stitch to join. (16 combos of puff stitch and dc in total).
• Round 2: ch 1, sc in the same st, sc in the next st, *front post sc around the next puff stitch, sc in the next dc. Repeat from * to the last st. Sl st to the first sc to join.

Repeat round 1 and 2 until you get the desired length of your cell phone.
Make one or two rounds of sc on top, attach a button if you like and your cozy is ready!

Here is the new one I made with this pattern, isn't it lovely? :)

Enjoy! Lovely day to you all! ♥

Happy Returns and Sunshine Award!

Hello, hello everyone!

I've got back after a short vacation, so now I'm so happy to be here and say Hello again! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! For me, I know I had! ;)

I would like to express my THANK YOU for all your kind words on my last post. They really touched my heart. My dear friend Donna told me your comments warmed her heart so much. How precious bloggy friendship is! I'm sure she would not mind when I reprint this from her message to me: "And the comments left on your blog warmed my heart so much! They were so kind in their comments about our friendship and about my FRIEND album, so very, very nice!". So, we thank you!

When I returned, I received many lovely things which made me so happy! My Mom prepared food for me to enjoy together, my dear friend's message arrived to welcome me back! I also received this Sunshine Award from lovely Aisyah at My Tinker Space, thank you Aisyah!

Well, to follow the rule I have to tell something about myself:

• I love sunshine! :)
• I love coffee and... dogs! :)
• I learned to swim last year and now I forget how to swim!
• My childhood memories are always in my mind...
• My hair is dark brown naturally and I don't want to dye it any color.

I'm done! In turn I have to pass this award on to other blogs, oh I'm so scared of this part! All your blogs are awesome, and all deserve the award, but I have to pick some friends so I would like to pass it on to:

1. My dear friend, Donna, who is very special to me and is a part of my life...
2. Josie, who always makes me happy with her words of encouragements...
3. Susie, lovely lady who is always with me from the beginning of my blogging...
4. Tammy, she seems never misses any post of mine to leave her kind words on!
5. Penelope, a nice friend who gives me so many inspirations...
6. Annemiek, talented lady who loves dogs as much as I do...
7. DaPerfectMix, lovely friends who is also with me from the beginning...
8. Carol, a kind lady who always spreads her love to everyone...
9. Sonia, who leaves her sweet comments of motivation on my crafting work so far... 
10. Caz, "never knew" how her nice words meant...

I would be happy if you feel free to take this award and pass it on to other blogging friends, but please don't mind if you don't want to!

Great day to you all!

Take care and till next time! x

Wonderful Gift from a Special Friend

My dearest friend Donna (visit her blog here) told me she was making something for me, something small but special! How I thank God for the amazing friendship we have, she is very special to me, always caring and so thoughtful! She always cares about me and my family, my work, my love, my life, my hobbies, ... and we share everything together! She always brings joy to my life with a sweet friendship and thoughtfulness. We have so many things in common, same hobbies, same month of birthday, and our sweethearts are both great! :)

One day she notified me "something special" was on the way, so excited! We waited and prayed, again and again, for our "Dove" arriving safely and soundly, over the mountains and the Pacific Ocean! We were very excited, really excited while waiting! When my Mom called at Monday noon to tell our "Dove" had just arrived my home, oh God, my heart jumped up and down, I wrote her right away to tell the "hot news", and she was also so excited as much as I was!!!

I came home from work and rushed into my room. I guessed something would be in the box before, but when I opened it, I just cried...! There was so many beautiful stuff she made especially for me, I took every item out with tears in my eyes, I could feel the LOVE she put in each of them, I was really really touched...

The FRIEND album she sent me is her first Word album, but it came out fabulous! I love it ever so much, and obviously, I was special!

I cried again when I opened each page...

The "R", with a beautiful crochet butterfly, everything little in it carried a Love message from her heart to mine...

The "I", with many beautiful ideas and creations in, only came from LOVE...

The "E", oh how I love these pretty flowers, with some lovely tags included for me to fill in with anything I would like...

The "N", so vintage, so beautiful and I believe the folded round in green paper at the center with a pretty flower on is an "O" from the word "lOve"...

And the "D", look like you are opening the doors when you take the button and open it out. It's the room filled with LOVE, just open it to feel overwhelmed! But I will not worry if it's closed, as her love is all around here!

She asked me to be honest with her first word album, oh which word I can say better than WONDERFUL! "Yes, Donna, only a very talented woman can make such a wonderful album like this herself! And you made it with love, so it's much more amazing! Believe me!"

She also made me feel I'm special with this: "The crochet heart is from mine to yours! Just give it a couple of squishes and the aroma of Lavender will fill the room!". Soooo sweet!!!

 

"And I'm going to try to squeeze in some yarn for you to play with!"...

Such a beautiful yarn, so soft and lovely! The other yarn below is very beautiful, she was so careful to press it in a plastic bag with a Food Saver machine, so it can fit the box easier!

I kept my patience not to cut it out until I can take a picture, and oh my, look these beautiful yarn when I took it out of the bag! How I just love love love them!!!

And here are two jars of jam she made, one Strawberry and one Mango. I and my family have just enjoyed it and must say it's so yummy! We all love it! The most delicious jam I've ever tried!

Many beautiful flower seeds for my Mom...

And a very lovely card with her hand-writing letters on... Each word in it touched my heart, so much...

I love all of them, each of them, it meant a lot to me. I told her, it's not only a gift, it's a GREAT gift from a heart to a heart! What I could expect more?!!

I appreciate this more than I can say. Thank you my dear friend for making me such a wonderful and unique gift! A huge hug and thank you both - Donna and Don - for your love and thoughtfulness to a friend from so far away...

Thank you everyone for your visit and taking the time to read my post today. I would love to share you all my feeling and my happiness that the friendship has been bringing to me. Thank you for your lovely comments of encouragement so far...

Best wishes to everyone and enjoy your gorgeous new week ahead! Enjoy the friendship you have and Happy Blogging!!!

Until next time, x

Lovely Cell Phone Cozies

Hello friends!

How are you doing? I hope you all had a great weekend. Thanks you very much for your nice words on my last posts also. It's a while I haven't been here and I miss blogging so!  That's great to have something to blog again! :)

A friend of mine told me she loved a cozy for her new cell phone, so I made these small stuff to surprise her on her birthday. I took these pictures a week ago but so busy to post.

 

I made this one using star stitch pattern from Teresa (video tutorial here). I love the stitch and the pattern so much, I used to make one when I had just learned to crochet, by following instructions from her, it turned out not too bad, hehe! But I can feel the difference with this one!

And this one is my own pattern, with a combination between puff stitch and double crochet, the next round were front post single crochet and repeated, it came out ever so lovely!

Both of them were given to my friend as a birthday gift, she texted me "I love them so much did you know!", I was happy too!

They covered and fitted the cell phone perfectly!

and lovely!

I will make some more for myself and friends, cozies are always really fun to make!

Thank you for stopping by, I wish your new week is wonderful and cheerful!!!

Until next time! x

Another Ridge Hat With Brim

Happy Sunday everyone!

I finished this hat last week but was so busy to take photos and post, well, how time flies, it's weekend again and I'm happy to have something to share with you all!

 

It was made with the same pattern as the one I made before for my Mom (pattern can be found here). I wanted to try it with another type of yarn and hook size, so I used Lion Brand Cotton Ease, Seaspray color and size G-6 4.25mm, bigger than the one I used in my original pattern. I adjusted stitches and shells a bit as I used a larger hook: 6 rounds for top and 8 shells for hat body. The brim was done exactly what the pattern says. It turned out as lovely as I expected!

Such a nice idea to make a sun hat for this summer, I love this hat, the color is so lovely! It also has a softy touch and so comfy to wear under the sun!

Have a happy Sunday everyone, I wish your summer is gorgeous and enjoyable!

~ Thank you for stopping by and see you soon ! ♥

Knitting WIP - My Stripped Scarf Is Done!

Hello! Hello Friends,

Thank you very much for all your comments in my last post, that's so SWEET and means a lot to me! I would love to THANK YOU, thank you for the amazing bloggy friendship!

Remember my first knitting project WIP in the beginning of this year? Oh I can't believe it's over six months! The scarf WIP has been in my closet for months then! Finally I managed myself to get it done (phewww!!!), and here is how it turned out:

I knitted in the rounds with 5.0mm circular needles, worsted weight yarn, 60 inch long (not including the fringes).

I love the softy touch and the warm feeling as it was knitted in rounds. Take a closely look when it's folded:

This scarf will be a handmade gift for my honey's sister in July, she is living in a very cold place. I love it, so warm and happy to wear, hope it will make her warm too!

Sorry for uploading so many photos for one scarf, I'm so exciting and just love to enjoy pretty pictures of my knitting achievement here! Oh I have to say knitting is really another inspiration to me! :)

That's all for this post, wish you all a gorgeous new week ahead!!!

See you later! ♥

Hat of the Month!

Hi everyone!

Just popping by to say Hello, hope you all had a great weekend!

I received a notice yesterday from the Hat of the Month group on Ravelry and I would love to share you all here: My Ridge Hat with Brim pattern has been voted for The Hat of the Month for a crochet-along for June! Such an earburning news to me!

I would like to express my big thanks to all of you who have brought me all the motivation and encouragement so far! This is my first attempt on designing a pattern and like a magic, it's over my expectation! I'm so thrilled!!!

Thank you! Wish you all a wonderful week ahead!

Lovestitch, xo