Lace Basket

Crocheting a little basket is quite fun.

Especially when you are supposed to be doing something else :)

Still the orangy orangness of it makes me quite pleased, not to mention the little vintage yellow buttons.


It was quick and simple.

It is from my ever favorite book, Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts Lacy Crochet from Chronicle Books.

The only thing different I had to do was slightly starch it because it was all loose and somewhat pitifully floppy before.
Not any longer though :)

Hope your Monday was fantastic!
XOXO, Callie
the magical bean

Crochet Lace Necklace

Remember this book, Kazekobo's Crochet Lace? I did a post about it back in October 2009! It was actually finished right after that, but only just blocked/mildly starched it in June and then photographed today with my sister Kaitlyn of My Baloney as the model.

(Isn't she a beautiful freckley goddess?!)

It seems to have taken awhile (as you can see) to finally show you :)

But everything in its own time right?

This necklace makes me happy, the little flowers, and leaves so pretty! Although I did have some difficulties with understanding the chart at first but then finally figured it out after a bit.

I used this really pretty vintage button for the closure. It sparkles and shines like a little diamond. Usually I don't make things in white but I felt this necklace was the exception, since it was just too pretty to pass up.

I loved loved loved the finished object and the book, after I showed it who was boss and figured out the charts :)

hee hee

Things have been so busy here. I just started a new job yesterday, and before that had been going to a lot of interviews, and so on in the hopes of getting hired. It paid off and I am now employed!
woo hoo!

It is so hot and sweaty and murky here. Not to mention all the stinking mosquitoes :(...but I am enjoying the summer all the same and have still found time to do some writing, crocheting, sewing, reading, and knitting. I am really getting pumped up about the swap, so many great people have entered!!!

How are things in your part of the world?

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Crafty Goodness Swap! Click here to do so.

Crochet Hook Case

One of my favorite things I have ever crocheted is this case for my hooks. I made it sometime last year, and love how functional it is. It is from the book Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts!:Lacy Crochet, the one and same that I used to make my corsage out of.
I ended up improvising on the actual sewing of the case because I wanted mine to be sturdier. I luckily had just enough of this mushroom print for it!
The pattern actually had shorter ties with beads but I didn't have any beads that large, so viola tiny crochet balls on the end instead! :)
The best thing about this case is that I no longer have to run around looking for a hook when I need it or accidentally buy two of the same. It definitely helps me stay organized :)

The other day I realized that I hadn't shared almost any of my finished projects with you. I'm not sure how this happened but I am trying to rectify this! First ones up are crochet... I have much more to share!

Hope your Monday was fabulous!

XOXO, Callie the magical bean

P.S. I love this song!

Lacy Crochet Corsage

I made this lacy crochet pin about a year ago from the book Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts: Lacy Crochet! by Chronicle Books. It is one of my favorite things I have ever crocheted and I wear it all the time.

It is actually available as a free pattern from Craft Magazine. Click here for the link.
I first saw the book because of the free pattern and then bought it promptly after. There are so many great patterns from it and I have made about half them in fact :)


The pattern in the book was done in a tan and brown colors but I like it much better with brighter colors! Also the way I did it the leaves are hanging off more instead of tucked in but it just looked weird the way the book showed it compared to mine....

I have been painting all day and have some changes I have been planning on making to my etsy shop,more on that later, hopefully for the better. Can't wait to tell you more soon. Happy Sunday :)

Callie

Crochet Lace

Amazing...that is the one word to describe how I feel about this crochet lace japanese book I got while on the yarn crawl. I love every one of the patterns in it! The pictures are amazing and make all the lace go from granny to sophisticated.

The book was done by the very talented Yoko Hatta or Kazekobo, which I really admire for her stunning yet simple patterns. The diagrams seem to be easy to read and understand and I can't wait to pull out my crochet hook and begin! These are only some of the great patterns in the book.

The book's ISBN is ISBN4-529-04224-3.

I am so excited and I just can't hide it!