Blast from the past: Witchy Constellation Hat

Hello! I was looking for something in my blog archive recently when I realised I hadn't posted it here! Since I think it is time to have all my posts on my blog, I am bringing some of the posts I posted exclusively to other craft sites home ^___^ So, here's the first blast from the past: a constellation embroidered felt hat!

To make this, you will need a black felt hat, some silver metallic thread, a needle, and a pair of scissors. I also needed some black cotton thread because I thrifted my hat and some of the brim needed to be restitched. You could also look up a star map to choose your favourite constellations!

Thread your needle with one strand of metallic thread (there are usually six strands in one length of embroidery floss) and knot the end. Stitch stars by making a cross and then adding an additional diagonal line through the centre of the cross.
 

Use a large running stitch to connect stars to make a constellation and add some extra stars around the constellations to fill in any empty spaces.

Keep going until your hat is covered in stars! I also thrifted this cute little black dress with lace sleeves and thought that together (plus my moon phases necklace!) they make a cute witchy style outfit! 
 

- Lisa xx

Phases of the moon necklace

Hello! So, just recently, Cat from Cut Out + Keep asked me if I'd like to be one of their DIY Fashionistas and, after squealing a bit at the computer, I said yes! I decided to go for a casual witch inspired look and I embellished a thrifted felt hat to tie in with my outfit. You can see some dorky photos of me trying to be a model, plus an interview, *plus* the full tutorial on making the hat over on Cut Out + Keep. However, if you want to know more about the moon phases necklace that I also made for the shoot, then you've come to the right place! ^____^

This necklace is really easy to make, and surprisingly light; considering that it looks quite chunky! To make it, you will need black polymer clay, silver acrylic paint, a paintbrush, a thick needle, tiger tail (or other jewellery wire), a clasp, clear and white seed beads, and two jewellery crimps.

To start off, I conditioned the polymer clay until it was soft, and then rolled it into seven balls of the same size. I then gently squashed them to make thick circles and pushed the needle through them to make them into beads.

 

After I baked them, I used the silver paint to make each circle bead represent a moon phase. I did this freehand, but taping off the areas you wanted to keep black would probably work out neater.

 

I let the moon beads dry, and then threaded them onto tiger tail, about 48cm long. Then I added seed beads to each side of the moon beads, and finished it off by bending the tiger tail around each side of the clasp components and fastening with a crimp.

 

One of my favourite things about this necklace is how the seed beads look; the size, shape, and transparency of the beads varies I think the subtle variety gives it extra sparkle ^___^

 

 

I feel like if I was a real witch, I would charm the beads on this necklace to actually cycle through the moon phases but, alas, I am not. So this shall have to do! ^___^

I'm still working on my amigurumi, so I shall show you that next week. And, after that: roller derby crafts! Huzzah! We are offically halfway through this cycle now and I've got my fingers crossed that I might be ready for assessments in just six short weeks - eek! I'm sure crafting some pretty things will help me relax ~___^

 

- Lisa xx

Hoop exchange: Witchcraft and Catbug

Hello! This week Rebecca and I finished hoops for each other! Yay! ^___^

This is the hoop I made for Rebecca; the pattern is Witchcraft by Urban Threads. And, um, she does have limbs! They are a lot easier to see in real life! ^___^

I've long admired the works of Lucky Jackson, so, inspired by her, I embroidered the design onto calico, but then appliqued it (using Heat n' Bond) to a piece of patterned fabric.

 

Here are some of my favourite bits! The spider web is made from chain stitched DMC - I used a teeny tiny hook (I don't know the exact size, unfortunately!) and a single strand of embroidery thread. I didn't stitch the whole thing down, just where the strands intersect and also on the middle of the curved strands to make them, well, curved! ^___^ I like that it gives the piece a more 3D look, and also I learnt how hard it is to crochet that small! ^___^

Also, instead of stitching her choker, I used a short length of chain. I like the look it gives the hoop! ^___^

The kitty is actually probably my favourite of the whole thing. She's just so cute! ^___^ I made her face more detailed than the original pattern; I gave her a little mouth and some whiskers and I did the eyes a little differently ^___^

 I used metallic thread for the pins in the pincushion, as well as the witch's crochet hook. It's not the easiest thread to work with, but it does give a nice effect.

 

The original pattern has her knitting, but since I was crocheting the spiderweb, I thought a hook would be more appropriate. I also made her left-handed, because Bec is a leftie too! ^___^

Now, the hoop that Bec gave me!  

It's Catbug!! ^___^

 

Oh my gosh, isn't he ADORABLE? I absolutely love everything about this hoop, it's just perfect! ^___^

 

Look at those perfect stitches, and that cute little face! Eeek! I hope Bec likes her hoop as much as I like mine! ^___^

 

Here are the hoops together, for size comparison ^___^

 
And that's that! I've still got another hoop for Rebecca on the go, hopefully I'll finish it soon! It's basically all fill stitches so it's taking agesssss .... Good thing she's patient! ~___^

Are you making anything for anyone at the moment? I love giving crafty presents, do you? ^___^ 

- Lisa xx