Boho Gypsy Style Purse

Right now I'm working on a granny square boho purse. The granny square I chose has a tutorial here: http://edascrochetroom.wordpress.com/2011/04/http://edascrochetroom.wordpress.com/2011/04/. So I made six of these (three for the front and three for the back of the purse in autumn colors. From here on out I have to figure out how to attach all the pieces and fill in the background. No one seems to call them purses anymore. Everyone else calls them handbags around here. I'm looking forward to making the fringe but that's a long ways off.

Center of granny square.

I need six of these for the handbag.

Beads and Sequins on an Eight Gored Skirt

I've been absolutely obsessed with a sequined 8 gored skirt I am making. It started out with sequins, then I couldn't resist adding beads. Beads might make it too heavy. And I wanted the bling of sequins. I decided to bead each panel and then sew them all together. That way the project is very portable. So I have to be careful not to sew any beads in the seam allowances.

I learned from the first panel that it's better to start in the center and work out.

Each panel will have 2 beaded flowers.

The background is a mottled navy blue, more like the last photo.

Ohh shiny!

The starting point. My needle wouldn't go through the beads so I had to tack the sequins down.

At first I didn't have a beading needle. So I dug one up and things got a lot easier. I only had enough fabric for four blue panels. If I get through those four panels of this insane project, I'll get more fabric for the other four panels, either in navy blue or black.

Lace Curtains and Cookbooks

Today we went to a rummage sale and I found a whole box full of white lace curtains. I was even happier when without any haggling she dropped the price from $5 to $4. My boyfriend stocked up on .25 cookbooks.  I also bought a bag of buttons in shades of blue for a quarter. I go through a lot of buttons because they go with a lot of craft projects.

Anyway I've been looking for lace for some Magnolia Pearl inspired summer tops. I'm not sure I want white though. I'll probably dye it some other color. When I dug though the curtains at home, at the very bottom was a cute little battery operated alarm clock with glowing hands and numbers. Love! That was a total surprise.

Two friends found us a washing machine, so now sewing is going to be a lot easier. I won't waste half a day each week dealing with the laundromat.

If anyone is in Lucerne Valley, CA tomorrow the Senior Center's sale is still going on. Outdoors on the patio are all the yard sale items. Indoors where it is cool has booths set up with ceramics, stained glass supplies, some Roy Roger memorabilia, and other goodies. They can really use the money so drop by if you can and pick up a few things.

Free Head Wrap Pattern for beginners

Today I am knitting a head wrap out of Homespun that is 2x2 ribbing and 14 stitches wide. You can make one too.


Supplies:
Pair of knitting needles in a size you are comfortable with
Yarn that feels soft against your face
Yarn or tapestry needle.

Stitches you need to know: Knit and Purl
You must also know how to cast on and cast off.

Cast on 14 stitches.
Knit 2, Purl 2 until you reach the end of the first row.
Turn
Purl 2, Knit 2 until you reach the end of the 2nd row.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the piece is long enough to form a tube around your head.
Cast off.
Use yarn needle to sew narrow edges to each other using an overcast stitch or your favorite joining stitch.

Optional: Sew on an artificial flower or decoration.

Put head wrap on, take photo, and send me your picture and I'll add it to my blog.

Pattern copyright 2008 by Fayme Harper
For non-commercial use only.

Need help learning to knit? My favorite site is http://www.knittinghelp.com.


Update: http://craftaday.blogspot.com/2008/11/vintage-book-and-knitted-headband.html