Large Crocheted Basket

I saw a photo on Pinterest of some big, chunky, crocheted baskets.  I have tons of yarn so I am always looking for containers to hold it.  I found the pattern at allaboutami.com.  I, loosely, followed it, using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Grey Marble.  It took six skeins, holding two strands throughout.  I used a size "N" crochet hook.

My basket is 13" high and 16" in diameter.  I might cover cardboard with felt and make an insert for the bottom and sides to make the basket really stable.

Basically, this is how I made it.

Holding two strands, I chained 5, then slip stitched in the first chain to make a circle.  Chain 2, then 7 hdc in the circle.  The entire bottom is worked in the round, so you never slip stitch to end and start a new row.

2nd round -  Work 2 hdc in each hdc around.

3rd round - *work 2 hdc in first hdc, 1 hdc in next hdc, repeat from * around.

4th round - *work 2 hdc in first hdc. 1hdc in next 2 hdc, repeat from * around.

Continue working in rounds, increasing one more hdc after the stitches with 2 hdc in one hdc.  I did this for eight rounds.

Next round, sc in each back loop of each stitch. This starts the sides of the basket.  From this point on, work one hdc in each hdc until you get the basket as tall as you want it.

To make the handles.

Count how many stitches you have around the top.  Subtract 20.  Divide this number in half and that's the amount of stitches you will have between handles.

For example.  I had 60 stitches around.  So I sc in 10 stitches, chained 10 stitches for the handle, skip 10 stitches, sc in next 20 stitches, chain 10 for other handle, skip 10 stitches, sc in last 10 stitches.

On the last round, sc in each sc, 12 sc over the chain handles.  At the end slip stitch in next ditch and fasten off.

I hope that you could make sense out of this.  Feel free to ask questions.

That's it for today.

Peace,

Cyndi

Tile Coasters

Tonight it's tile coasters.  This is all you need to make a pretty set of coasters:

4 inch ceramic tiles (they're about 13 cents a piece)

Decorative paper (I used scrapbook paper)

Mod Podge

Paintbrush or foam brush

Polycrylic (I used Minwax clear satin)

Felt circles or tiny rubber "feet"

Cut the paper into 3.75" squares.  Cover the tile with Mod Podge.  Center the paper on the tile.  I used an old credit card to smooth out the paper and make sure that it was completely adhered around the edges.  Brush a coat of Mod Podge over the paper.  It looks nice when you brush it in one direction so that you don't have crazy brush strokes visible.  When this layer dries, apply another layer of Mod Podge.  This time, brush it in the opposite direction.  You don't have to, but I think it looks better this way.  When this coat is entirely dry, brush on a coat of polycrylic, covering the sides of the tile also.  Lastly, attach some felt circles or rubber "feet" at each corner of the bottom of the tile.  That's it!

These make a really nice gift.  In fact, I gave my sister a set on Thanksgiving.  I going to put some up for sale in my etsy shop within the next day or so.

Peace,

Cyndi

More Crochet

I've been addicted to the crochet hook recently.  I'm into cowls and fingerless gloves.  They are quick so I don't lose interest and end up with only half of a project.  I actually have bags and bags of partially finished projects.

Here's some of the stuff I've finished in the past few days.

Fingerless gloves and cowl made with super soft wool and silk blend.

Fingerless gloves made with a wool/acrylic blend

This cowl was made with Loops and Threads yarn with tiny sequins throughout the yarn.

I can't remember which yarn I used for this one.  I think it's wool and silk too.  I used a size G hook for all of the pieces.

Tomorrow, I think I'm going to put down the hook and pick up my paint brush.  I have a cute, little, vintage writing desk that,desperately needs some chalk paint.

Peace,

Cyndi

The Power of Touch

                                                     Drawing by Cyndi Cesare

Some people take touch for granted.  It's so natural for them to reach out and touch someone's hand or hug someone.  I was not raised that way.  When I tell someone that I really don't have a single memory of my parents touching me when I was a child, I can see the disbelief or suspicion in their eyes.  My parents grew up with some really dysfunctional ideas.  They were never touched by their parents.  Maybe it's the area in which they were raised.  My mother says that it's generational, but I don't think that's it.  All of my friends had parents and grandparents, even older than mine, and I always saw hugging and other physical signs of love , support, and approval in their homes.  My parents were actually in their 20's in the sixties.  These were the days of peace, love, introspection, exploration, etc.

My, maternal, grandparents were very, physically, cold.  They loved us, but they never said it and they certainly never touched us.  To them, every form of touch was wrong and might have something sexual behind it.  I know my, maternal, great-grandfather was the same.  I'm not sure about my mom's grandmother.  I think she might have been a little more loving if she had been able.

My mom's mother died too early.  My grandfather was in his 60's, so he remarried.  His new wife was a short, little, red-haired, lady that hugged everyone.  When I was in my early 20's, she used to hold my hand in the mall.  Surprisingly, my grandfather jumped on the hugging bandwagon right away, as did we all.  We probably looked pretty funny for the first year or two.  We were definitely some uncomfortable huggers.  But, before we knew it, we were hugging hello, hugging goodby, hugging congratulations, you name it - we were finally normal.

My sister had two children and we actually touched them.  We kissed them, threw them up in the air, swung them around, we we're becoming pros.  Then I married an Italian and his family "forgettabouddit" they would hug at the drop of a hat.

Touch is so important.  When someone reaches out and touches you, it can make you feel special, loved, safe, stronger, healed.  Babies stop crying when you pick them up.  Dogs are happy if you just put one hand on their head.  

What made me think about touching today was a phone call from my mother.  My grandfather is 95 and in a long-term care facility.  She said that he hugged her today for a very long time - like he might never see her again.  I think that, in his current situation, there are so few things that really bring pleasure.  He eats lots of cookies because the sugary taste is so pleasurable to him.  I think the feel of his daughter was so good, because he no longer has the worries, inhibitions, or archaic ideas of his past.  He just knows what feels good and what doesn't.  And, what could be better than your only child sitting next to you and knowing that you are stilled loved.

So, reach out and touch someone today.

Peace,

Cyndi

Drawing Strings

Like I always say, "If it's tedious and requires a black pen, I'm in".  What could be more tedious than drawing a tangle of strings? Well, lots of things, actually.

The strings were such a good time, I'm sure that I'll be doing more soon.

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I also crocheted a couple hats last night.

I just wish that it would get cold enough to wear one.  Today it was 83 degrees.

Peace,

Cyndi

Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition Finale Doodling

Tonight was the season finale for Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition.  I can't stand Abby, but I love watching those girls dance.

Of course, I had to have a black pen in hand while watching.  Here's this evening's reality TV doodle.  I finished up the pink while watching Shahs of Sunset.

Tomorrow, I'll show you the finished bookcase that I've been painting for my sister.  I have to put the dark wax on it, then it will be complete.

Peace,

Cyndi

Love that Paris Grey

I was busy today with Annie Sloan's chalk paint again.  Since the only color that I have right now is Paris Gray, I've have a lot of grey sitting in my art room right now.  I just placed an order for some Louis Blue, Old White, and Versailles from Robyn Storey Designs.  I hope that I get it tomorrow.

Here are a couple of my projects.

I started out with an old wooden jewelry box.  I did some taping to protect the felt and mirror.

Then, I put two coats of chalk paint on the exterior and as much of the interior that I could reach.

Using a sanding block, I sanded all of the edges, corners, and drawer pulls.  I used the wax brush to apply Annie Sloan Clear Wax over the entire piece, then wiped it off with a clean, soft cloth.

I'm pleased with the way it turned out.  I just listed it in my Etsy shop..

Next piece -

This shelf with paper towel holder was originally pink (actually, it was probably stained wood, then some other crafter painted it pink), then I added a couple coats of Paris Grey chalk paint.

I printed out this typography from The Graphics Fairy.  I put a piece of transfer paper under it and traced the letters onto the wood.  Using tiny brushes and black,acrylic paint, I filled in the letters.

I found these chickens on The Graphics Fairy site too.  I printed them, using my inkjet printer, cut them out with a razor knife, then glued them to the shelf with mat medium.  

I distressed the edges with sandpaper.   I still need to add a layer of clear wax.

Let's see, what else did I do today?

I've had a little train case for quite a while.  I painted it with chalk paint a couple months ago, bit wasn't quite sur what to do with it.  Since I was busy printing things from The Graphics Fairy, I found some other cute graphics, so I did a little decorating.

Obviously, I have a ways to with this little case.

I also painted a basket.  I plan to stencil a number on the top.

That about does it for today.  If I get my Annie Sloan paint in the mail tomorrow, I'll start some of the furniture pieces that I got last week.  I can't wait!

Peace,

Cyndi