How-To Tuesday: Ladder Yarn Necklaces

A few months ago, I taught myself how to make ladder yarn necklaces, which have gotten pretty popular on the craft show circuit! In case you aren't familiar, they look like this:

All it is is just yarn, crocheted into a chain, tied together and adjustable via a bead in the back. While I was thinking of ideas for a HTT post, I thought this would be the perfect thing.

So, what you need is:

• ball of ladder yarn (also called trellis yarn)
• ruler or yardstick
• scissors
• crochet hooks (large and small)
• beads with a hole large enough to fit yarn's ends

Once you get all of that together, we can get started:

Cut five 2 1/2 yard pieces of yarn. I like to roll them up into themselves as I go, so I can keep track of how many I have. Also, since I make more than one at a time, it keeps me organized.

Measure 9 inches from one end, and tie a slip knot. 

Use a crochet hook and the chain stitch (I found this YouTube link to help), chain until you reach 9 inches from the other side, and knot.

Repeat four more times, until all four strands are completed.

Hold all five strands in one hand, pull knots until they are even, knot together. Repeat on other side.

                                     

Use small crochet hook to pull ends of yarn through the bead. Knot after you reach the bead, cut strands evenly.

                       

There you have it! Let me know if you try it out in the comments!

How-To Tuesday: Instagram Photo Display

Why hello there! Fancy meeting you here! I have been getting back into the craft season, and haven't had any time to dream up new How Tos, but I thought a simple one featuring something I did in my own home would be great as well. And the best part? It's pretty cheap, and easy, too!

All you need are:

• Printed Instagram photos
• Nails
• Yarn
• Miniature clothespins

Prior to a few months ago, you had to use online services to print your Instagram photos. Now, you can upload and edit photos on your phone using a couple of options: the Walgreens app (which I couldn't get to work myself), or the Printicular app. After trying to use the Walgreens app over and over, I used the Printicular app and in one shot, had my photos uploaded and ready to pick up in an hour. And they aren't super expensive, either, at about $0.39 per print. And they look great!

The rest of the supplies you should just have around the house (besides the clothespins, which I picked up at Jo-Anns for relatively cheap). Now, for the steps!

1. Decide where you want to place your photos, and pound your first nail in the wall. Use a level to place the second as far away as you want it, but don't pound it in all the way.
2. Tie a knot in your yarn around the first nail, and extend it to the other nail and knot the other end, as well. 
3. Pound in your nails the rest of the way.
4. With your photos and your clothespins, pin as many of your photos on the yarn as you want.
5. Repeat if you want to do a second side!

See, I told you it was easy! Let me know if you try it out and what happens - I would love to see!

How-To Tuesday: Tie Dyed Baking

If you know anything about me, I like to live a colorful life. That extends to all facets of my life, especially my baking! Anything that comes out of my kitchen is bright and colorful, even if I get some interesting looks and comments when my baking gets to work. For an example, some photos of past baking projects:

That's the outside of most things I make, but inside they're bright and colorful (like in the first photo). I am going to use an assortment of photos from past cupcakes and cakes in order to illustrate how to do it yourself! 

Depending on what you want to make (a cake or cupcakes), you will need the appropriate pan and supplies, and a box of white cake mix. 

1. Mix the cake as usual and separate batter into different bowls, depending on how many colors you want to use. So, if you want to make a two color cake, two bowls - four colors, four bowls, etc. Use either gel or regular food color and color the batter to your liking.

2. Once you have your batter colored, make sure you have a spoon for each color. If making cupcakes, spoon each different color into each to your liking, and if making a cake, spoon or dump batter into a bullseye in the center of the pan.

For cupcakes, drag a knife through each liner when you're done to marble the different colors. 

3. Bake and frost as usual!

How To Tuesday: Fabric Canvas Wall Art!

Since things have been changing rapidly around my house these days, I decided that the previously undecorated bedroom needed a little something (especially since it's just mine). I wanted something simple that wasn't too time consuming, and that anyone could do! I think I found a great solution (at least for one of the walls in the room).

You will need:

• 1 yard of fabric
• canvas (mine was 22x28, but you can use any size)
• glue (I used E-6000, but you could use hot glue)

Now that your supplies are collected, let's get started!

1. Take your fabric and put it over the canvas (or canvases) you plan to use. This will help to get the design straight so that it looks the way you want it to. Also, if you feel like it, iron the fabric first. 
2. Starting on the top side, glue down your fabric. First, glue down the top and the bottom, then move onto the sides. 
3. When gluing the sides, be sure to pull the fabric taut so you don't wind up with ripples and lines (especially when you haven't ironed your fabric).
4. Cut off excess fabric from sides if necessary. 
5. Fold over corners so you have a nice, finished look. 
6. Hang and enjoy!

This is an incredibly simple, cheap project. If you need to spice up a room in your home, I would definitely suggest trying this out. Canvases are always on sale at local craft shops, and a yard of fabric (especially with a coupon) is super cheap! I personally would have used hot glue for this if doing it again, but I've never used E-6000, so wanted to give it a try.

Post your opinions in the comments - and if you try it, I'd love to see a photo!