Crochet Necklace Tutorial

Here's a simple pattern to make a necklace or just a decorative cord that can be used for other projects.

Ch 60, sl st in 2^nd ch from hook, sl st in next ch (first leaf made), 

*ch 11, sl st in 2^nd ch from hook, sl st in next ch (leaf made)* twice, 

*ch 13, sl st in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch (leaf made)* three times, 

*ch 15, sl st in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, sl st in next ch* four times, 

ch 20, sl st in 2^nd ch from hook, sl st in each ch to 1^st leaf, skip leaf, 

*sl st in next 5 ch, ch 5, sl st in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, sl st in next ch (leaf made), sl st in each ch to next leaf, skip leaf* three times, 

*sl st in next 5 ch, ch 4, sl st in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch (leaf made), sl st in each ch to next leaf, skip leaf* three times, 

*sl st in next 4 ch, ch 3, sl st in 2^nd ch from hook, sl st in next ch (leaf made), sl st in each ch to next leaf, skip leaf* three times,  sl st in each ch to end of ch. 

Fasten off. Tie the thread tails and secure with a bit of clear glue or clear nail polish. Once dry, trim off the threat tails. 

Make the second piece same way.  

Pass the ends through a big bead or two. Tie the other two ends into a knot. Use a bit of clear glue or clear nail polish to secure the end. 

I'm linking to all these parties:

Link Your Stuff @ Annamarie's Haakblog

Crafting Along @ Be a Crafter

Cooking and Crafting with J & J @ Julie's Lifestyle

Lavender Inspired Bookmark

Here is another bookmark that was inspired by the blooms in my yard!

I love lavender! I keep a small sachet filled with dry lavender in my socks drawer. 

I also use lavender oil for a body scrub that I make myself. I used to buy sea salt scrubs, but now I make them myself (at a much lower cost). I simply mix together fine grain sea salt and organic coconut oil (in about equal proportions), and ad a drop of lavender oil. 

But back to my bookmark. 

It's a simple pattern. I used size 1.25 mm crochet steel hook and a small amount of crochet cotton thread size ten. 

I now have a collection of five lace bookmarks in different spring colors. 

The pattern is available in my Etsy and Craftsy shops. 

My Special Day

Yesterday I celebrated my birthday! It was a memorable and happy day for me. Here are a few highlights from my special day.

For my birthday outfit I chose to wear this white lace crochet cardigan. My mom purchased it for me from a thrift store a couple of years ago. It was in perfect condition and only cost five dollars. 

  

I don't wear it often as it's one of the most dressy items in my closet, a special occasion kind of thing. But on my birthday, I paired it with jeans as I wanted my outfit to be special, yet comfortable and not too formal. 

My bright lime green shoes (which somehow look yellow in these photos) and a bag with the same lime green accents added a splash of spring color to my outfit. 

This year I decided to bake my own birthday cake. I noticed that lately the bakery cakes taste way too sweet for me, and I usually avoid sweet treats altogether. 

For my special day, I wanted a cake entirely to my liking. I cut the sugar in the original recipe in half. But I compensated for the sweet taste with lots of raspberries and blueberries. 

Everyone in my family liked the cake. Even my dad, who doesn't give out praise easily, complemented my baking. 

I snapped this photo with my phone, so it's not of a good quality. I forgot to take a better picture later one.

I received lots of warm wishes and wonderful presents on my special day. I got fresh cut flowers, potted tulips, which I'm going to replant in my garden, a gorgeous orchid (I hope I'll be able to take a good care of it), a lovely bonsai lemon cypress tree, which smells incredible, and a beautiful hand-crafted tissue box cover.  

My dear friend Valentina decoupaged it for me. Such a beautiful and delicate work. 

It had been a wonderful birthday! 

My family and friends made me feel truly special. 

Blue Nigella and a New Bookmark

After crocheting, my greatest hobby is gardening. I always get very excited whenever a new bloom comes out in my tiny garden. I also grow my own vegetables and herbs.

A few years ago, at a local park I collected seeds from the wild-growing Blue Nigella flowers. I scattered them in my front yard the following spring, and I got abundant blooms.

Here are a couple of pictures from that year. 

The next year, the flowers reseeded themselves, and again I had some beautiful blooms. 

I still get my Blue Nigella every spring, but they are not as abundant. I think I'll need to collect some seeds again. 

Or they can be purchased from Ebay: Blue and White Nigella Flower Seeds

I was inspired by my Blue Nigella to make a blue bookmark. It's similar to the other three bookmarks I've made this spring. Just a simple lace rectangle. 

The pattern is available in my Etsy and Craftsy shops. Thank you for your support. 

I'm linking to all these parties:

Link Your Stuff @ Annamarie's Haakblog

Craft Frenzy Friday @ Craft Dictator 
Crafting Along @ Be a Crafter
Home Sweet Home Friday @The Charm of Home,
Cooking and Crafting with J & J @ Julie's Lifestyle

Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House,

Clever Chicks Blog Hop at The Chicken Chick,

Penny Pinching Party @ The Thrifty Home,

Create It Thursday @ Lamberts Lately
Shabbilicious Friday Link Party @ Shabby Art Boutique 
Creative Corner Link Up Party @ Curly Crafty Mom
Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House
Share It One More Time @ One More Time Events 
Simple & Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme