Fun with Vinyl - Anniversary Art

A few months back I cashed in my Discover Cashback Bonus to buy myself a Silhouette Cameo digital cutting machine.  I have been dying to get one since my addiction to Pinterest!  It's pretty similar to the Cricut machine but after doing some research I decided this was the way to go for me.  I like that you can hook it up to your computer and use the included software to produce your own images, etc.  There is also an extensive online store with many vector graphics for just $.99 and they give you $10 or $25 credit (I got both - ha!) when you buy the machine.

So I commenced to stick vinyl on almost anything I could get my hands on!  It's pretty fun - I love manipulating images and then cutting them out.  Hard to do over nap time so it takes me a few days.

My latest completed project is just in time for my anniversary to my awesome hubster!  Hard to believe it's been 8 years.  And what do you get for your special sweetheart on your 8 year anniversary?   An upright freezer, of course!  Last year I got some rockin' diamond earrings so this year it needed to be a more practical gift.

On to the awesomeness that is my anniversary art.  I found some inspiration on, where else, Pinterest but wanted to do something a little different.  They had some 12x12" frames on sale at Michael's for $8 so I picked one up.  I have tons of scrapbook paper (because some day I really will create beautiful scrapbooks) so I figured I could use the paper for a nice background instead of just seeing the wall like the others on Pinterest.

I wanted a huge ampersand, our names and the date of our wedded bliss.  In fabulous Las Vegas baby!  Seriously, Vegas is the way to go.  Trust me, I was in two weddings this summer...Vegas all the way!

Awww!  There's just something about a man in uniform!

All in all, I'm really happy with the way it turned out.  I cut the ampersand out using a mirror image mode and stuck that on the back of the glass.  Our names and wedding date were applied the front.  It gives some dimension.  The paper in the background is an ocean theme; I could switch out the paper to go with anything really.

 

 

If you like to make stuff, craft, etc then I highly recommend a digital cutting machine.  It cuts paper too!  So maybe I need to get crankin' on that scrapbook!  ::sigh::

I'm hooked...

A little over a month ago I strong armed my mother into teaching me how to crochet.  I had some basics down thanks to the awesome people who take the time to make YouTube videos...but I needed that hands on experience and wanted a real live person to pester with questions while I was figuring it all out.  After a week of straight crocheting, I think I have it down enough to share some of the things I've made.

I'm absolutely crazy over crocheted scarves and cowls...so that's pretty much what I've been making.  And I'm only keeping one of these for myself, the others will be Christmas gifts. 

Speaking of Christmas, I decided last month to try and MAKE many of the Christmas gifts for friends and family this year.  Armed with inspiration from Pinterest, I'm nearly complete!  Handmade gifts are truly the best gifts and when you're currently living on one income it becomes a necessity.  But more on that later!

Here is the first cowl I crocheted.  I adapted a few patterns I found on Pinterest.  I used Bernat Softee Chunky Ombre Yarn in Shadow.  The balls were small so I needed 3.

The original pattern did not have any holes...I added some for interest!  And this isn't the greatest pic.  It's hard to photograph yourself in the bathroom mirror.  How those chicks on Facebook do it, I'll never know.

 So, after finishing this baby up I was basically running back to the craft store for more chunky yarn and a bigger hook.  I really wanted a HUGE cowl.  One that could be a hood, kinda like the one the Crimson Owl came up with.


The result is a massive cowl that is heavy but boy is it WARM!  It's going to be hard for me to give this one up.  I used Lion Brand Hometown USA Yarn in Aspen Tweed and a size P hook.  It took about 4 skeins but worked up quickly.  I'm a now a chunky yarn fan!



As a cowl.  I added an expansion row about 2/3 of the way down so one end would be larger to cover more of the chest.

Pull it up over your head and you have a super warm hood!

Now onto scarves.  I found a really pretty and feminine Potato Chip scarf pattern on the Lion Brand website.  You have to become a member to access to their patterns (many are free), but that just takes a second and then you are ready to start.  This was super easy and super quick to make.

I used Lion Brand's Amazing Yarn in Constellation for this scarf.  The yarn is pretty amazing, I love how the color changes in a subtle way.  It says size 4 on the ball but this yarn is pretty delicate and light weight.

I also had to add a little lace edging to give it more interest.  I found inspiration for the edge here.

Crocheting is something I really enjoy and after a long day of entertaining a pre-toddler, I kick back and unwind by working up a few rows.  If I can crochet, anyone can!  You just have to practice, find good patterns, and pester your Mother!!

Thanks Ma!