Crocheted Cord Jewelry

When I first began crocheting, I just made a few beginner projects with yarn. Then, I saw some ideas for crocheting pendants with cording, and decided to try it out.  I loved it!
 Since then, I have made a lot of necklaces and even a pair of earrings.
 These pendants are really fun (and easy!) to create.

To begin with, I bought a crocheting book that had lots of step-by-step 'medallion' patterns that were pretty easy. By the time I had tried a few, I started creating my own. Most of them began the same way and got more intricate as went, but even just the beginning could make a great pendant, like the one below.

To make the designs I used these very small, thin crochet hooks, usually in sizes B or D...

and either hemp cording, or cotton braiding cord. 

Hemp cording is rougher and thinner. Braiding cord is thicker and smother. 

There are many other kind of cording available that also work well, but it does have to be pretty thin.

Hemp Cord

Cotton Braiding Cord

The only problem with hemp cord is that it sometimes will not say flat when it's crocheted. This can easily be fixed by gently ironing the crocheted piece and then spraying it with hairspray so that it becomes stiffer. You might want to do this with the braiding cord, too.

When I'm ready to put the finished pendant on to a necklace, I put one of these 'jump rings' through part of the cording at the top. (They're easy to get at most craft stores.)You will probably need a small pair of pliers to open and close them.

A chain would work to hang one of these on, but I prefer dark-colored braiding cord. After cutting it the right length, I knt the ends around a clasp and ring to close it.

Now it's finished!

Often, I like to add a small charm beside the pendant for interest.

I tried making this charm with very thin ribbon. It had some fun texture!

These are the earrings I made. Since no crocheted designs are exactly alike, it was difficult to make them even similarly shaped! I got a pack of ear wires and attached them on with the jump rings.

Because there are so many books and tutorials available, you can find lots of easy medallion designs to crochet, even if you've never tried crocheting before. Hopefully you can try to make a pendant, too!

Enjoy creating!

the hope maiden

"Hoop" Earring Organizer

  I just got my ears pierced, and to store my earrings I came up with this cute idea! 

 It only takes 5 minutes, and the supplies are easy to get. 

You will need a piece of burlap... 

and a small wooden craft hoop, which are sold at most craft stores for embroidery.

Place the hoop inside wood circle under the burlap at the edge, place the top larger circle over it on top of the fabric, and tighten the top screw.

With some scissors, cut around the edge as close as possible to the wooden rim.

It will look like this.

                                  Take a short piece of thin ribbon, cord or string and tie a knot to make a loop

 Thread it through the top screw and through itself, then pull tight.
This way you can hang your organizer anywhere.
 Now your project is finished!

 You can put your earrings through the fabric, and place the backings on the earrings at the other side.

They are displayed beautifully at the front!

I decided to put my organizer on my jewelry hanger.

I hope you enjoyed this project.

Have a blessed day! 

the hope maiden

Puppy Pillowcase

For my brother Gideon's birthday, I made him this little pillowcase. 

He really loves our dog or any dog he sees.

I cut an old pillow insert in half to use inside to make it small enough for him. 

I already had this cute dog fabric he liked... so I didn't need to go to the store for anything.

I cut it the right size to fit the insert I had made.  

 I ironed a hem (like the one I made for the "Fairy Dreams" pillow) and sewed it..

 And then folded the fabric in half (right sides together) and sewed together the side and bottom seams.

 I ironed and turned the pillow, and put the insert inside. Now this fun pillow is done!

I used almost the exact same method I used the create the "Fairy Dreams" pillow, except it was half the size.

 Here it is in his bed...

 And I know he really liked it 'cause this is how I found him during his nap the day after his birthday!

I hope you enjoyed this.

Blessings, ellie hope

My Friend's Blog and Cheesecake

Hello! I made some yummy cheesecake awhile ago, and here is a picture of it:

I was inspired by my friend Morgan's recipe from her blog I'm His Beautiful Work ! I just love her blog and I know you would, too!

This is Morgan!

                       This is Morgan's cheesecake.  Her recipe is here.                                

Hope you enjoy Morgan's blog. 

Blessings, 

the hope maiden

Fairy Dreams Pillow

Take a peek and find out how and why I made this cute pillow.

 I really love flowers and fairies, so when I found out about Cicely Mary Barker's lovely "Flower Fairies" I couldn't get enough of them! They are beautiful fairy drawings designed after flowers with a whimsical acurateness about them. The best part is they each have their own special poem.

 I now have postcards, a poem book, a tin, and other items with Cicely's fairys on them.

            When I found this 'Flower Fairy' fabric at 'fabric.com' I ordered it right away.

 "The Tulip Fairy" by Cicely Mary Barker, on my fabric (above) and in her painting (below).

                                                           

 This is one of my favorites, "The Almond Blossom Fairy" (on fabric and as a painting).

My fairy fabric stayed in my closet for a while, because I didn't know exactly what to with it, 

               but soon I had a great idea: I would make it into a pillowcase!

I cut my fabric the right size, and ironed and pinned a wide side hem.

After sewing it securely along the edge, I added some pretty ribbon for contrast. 

This is what my project now looks like...

            Next, I turned the right sides together and pinned the sides and ends to prepare for sewing.

                       I sewed around the end and side, and then zig-zaged the raw edges to reduce fraying and strengthen the seams. 

I turned the pillow so the seams were inside, and ironed the wrinkles out.

                          Here is the finished pillow, with a pillow insert inside. 

It was easy to make (only taking at most a two hours to make), and would be a great present 

for anyone. Any patterned cotton fabric could be used to personalize it.

                                This is a beautiful poem written by Cicely Mary Barker to go along with her lovely "The Rose Fairy" painting:

                                                   

      The Song of The Rose Fairy

Best and dearest flower that grows,

Perfect both to see and smell;

Words can never, never tell

Half the beauty of a Rose-

Buds that open to disclose

Fold on fold of purest white,

Lovely pink, or red that glows

Deep, sweet-scented. What delight

To be Fairy of the Rose! 

I hope you enjoyed this post... 

Have a wonderful day, and please comment below if you're able!

the hope maiden