Valentine's Day Accessories!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and it's not too late to craft something special for yourself or a loved one.  We have some sweet and heart-felt craft ideas at Craftown waiting for you!

Valentine Envelope Backpack

This whimsical envelope shaped backpack is sure to delight even your littlest valentine sweetheart.  And, it can easily be adapted to accent any holiday or outfit by changing up the color of yarn and/or accents.  I can easily picture this in a cheery yellow color with robin egg blue ribbons for Easter (*wink*).

Circle Head Band

The circle head band is another nifty hair accessory that becomes a delightful addition to any hair style.  Again, this piece can be made in so many color combinations, for small and larger heads too!  Unleash your creativity and make up several for your friends and family.

Adult Flip Flop Slippers

Last, but definitely not least, this pattern for adult flip flop slippers is simple, easy, fun & economical!  They make a great little slipper for treading across hard wood and tile floors.  And I think they would be fun to make for a shower gift or to add to a "mommy" survival kit to take to the hospital on that special day.

 Use your imagination and turn these fun patterns into beautiful homemade gifts and accessories.  Enjoy!  Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Vinyl Love!

I have a confession to make...I love vinyl.  It's shocking I know...well not really.  Vinyl has so many fun and practical uses so what's not to love?  Vinyl cut-outs may be purchased at your local craft store or you can cut your own vinyl letters, shapes, and favorite quotes if you own a die cut machine such as a Cricut, Sizzix, or QuicKutz.  (I usually purchase mine at a local hobby store right up the road.)

Vinyl Board

First, vinyl is whimsical, creative and fun!  Our designer used vinyl letters to spell out a thoughtful and sweet quote, just in time for Valentine's Day.  You can use this technique for any occasion, on just about any size board, in any color scheme.  That's how creative vinyl can be!

Vinyl Labels

Second, vinyl is practical, durable and fun!  Not to be outdone by mantle decor, the kitchen storage containers wanted a piece of the action.  Here, vinyl is used to label the dry ingredients containers and it does a lovely job of organizing and decorating all in one.

Vinyl Menu Board

And third, vinyl is inspiring, decorative and...fun!  Whimsical, practical and inspiring came together to create this Weekly Menu Display Board.  This is one of my favorite craft ideas because the final product is so functional and so pretty!  I can display it in my kitchen, on a shelf, or even on the wall, painting and embellishing it to accent my personal decor.  Then, I can write out my weekly menu plan with dry erase markers, and start all over next week.

Whatever your taste, I urge you to try a vinyl project soon!  You will love the flexibility vinyl gives you to create something wonderful for your home.

Enjoy!  Remember, we love feedback and photos!

No, It's Not Too Soon...

To think about Valentine's Day.  Before you know it, it will be here.  And you will be left wondering, "hey where did the last 45 days go since New Years?  It's true!  Get a jump start and make something special for your someone special.

Knitted Heart Washcloth

If you love to knit and crochet this craft is for you.  A combination of both techniques, this little washcloth makes up quickly and adds a little love to any kitchen.  While I do not suggest giving it to your wife for V-Day (or husband if he does dish duty), it will make a clever hand-made gift for a friend or family member.  

Crocheted Valentine Hearts

The great thing about these cute little hearts is they can be used in so many unique ways.  You could attach them to magnets for the refrigerator.  You could attach them to gift package as pretty accents.  You could add them to homemade cards to take your valentines to a whole new level!

Valentine Hand Warmers

Or maybe you need to give yourself a little something this Valentine's Day?  Too often we forget to tell ourselves loving or inspiring thoughts.  So, how about crocheting some fingerless gloves just for you to remind yourself how special you are?  Just a suggestion!

Enjoy!  Remember, we love feedback and photos!  

Inspiration Here & There

January is the perfect month to set new personal and family goals, establish or re-establish spiritual practices, and add inspirational messages around the home (be it ever so humble) to enjoy throughout the rest of the year.  Here are a few simple and inspiring message crafts:

Be Craft

One of our newest and currently featured crafts, the "Be" Craft is a lovely expression of important words to remember for peace and personal growth.  The bead board frame is a really nice way to finish off this project.

Joy in the Journey Block

This simple craft combination of wood, scrapbook paper and lettering is a wonderful way to display a heart-felt saying to hang in your home or give as a gift.  It can be adapted to feature many different messages or scripture verses.

Be True Craft

Be true to who you are word block craft is a popular craft.  Again, this craft can be adapted to feature many different color schemes, fonts, and accent pieces.  Get your imagination on and create a piece that blends with your home's decor.

Enjoy!  Remember, we love feedback and photos!

Angry Hats!

What's so great about an angry hat you ask?  Why it's the birds of course!  If you love Angry Birds as much as we do, you will dig our Angry Birds inspired crochet hat patterns.  They are super fun and easy to create.

Angry Birds Black Bird Hat

Okay, so maybe the Black Bird looks a little grumpy.  You would be too if someone stole your eggs.

Angry Birds Blue Bird Hat

The Blue Bird is probably my personal favorite (not just on the game but also the hat) mostly because of the pretty color combination it makes with the yellow when crocheted together.  A nice looking hat!

Angry Birds Red Hat

Yes, another grumpy bird...the Red Bird hat (blue is till my favorite) is incredibly cute on kid melons!  And again, it's a fairly easy pattern to crochet and follow, thanks to Esther over at Crafts by Starlight.

Angry Birds King Pig Hat

Who new pigs could be so cute doubling as a hat?  Or green?  Anyway, though the birds are the stars of the show over at Angry Birds the game, the pigs do a pretty good job of stealing the lime light as adorable hats for the adorable heads at your house.

Have fun creating one of our free patterns!  Remember, we love feedback and project photos!

It's 2012 and Afghan Time!

Happy 2012 Friends and Crafters!  Welcome to a wonderful new year of crafting.  In light of the winter season I chose some patterns to celebrate the chilly weather outside!

Brick Afghan

Afghans are fairly great crochet projects.  Consider the afghan.  Versatile.  Fun to make.  Fun to receive.  Comfortable and comforting.  Expressive.  Thoughtful.  Traditional.  Whimsical.  Heritage.  Progressive.

Checkered Afghan

Who knew afghans were so complex?  Well, I'm no expert and in all honesty have only created a few afghans in my day, but aren't afghans pretty cool?  Few other hand made, high quality gifts can be created while I sit and watch my favorite show with my hubby in the evening, or while watching my sons at Taekwondo.

Mexican Siesta Afghan

Can't you hear the afghan?  It says, "Yes, I am complex and beautiful."  (No, not all of my yarn based crafts talk to me.)  Seriously, creating an afghan, whether knit or crochet, is a fun, enjoyable experience that I would hate for you to miss out on!

Help raise afghan awareness!  And remember, we love feedback and photos!