Darth Vader filet crochet doily

I recently (this past year or so) became familiar with filet crochet. I wanted to learn more about it, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it is done with the same basic crochet stitches that I already know! I went about teaching myself how to make a doily.

My first project was a flag, made with a free pattern that I found online. Once I had the basics down, I just had to make something that was all my own. My husband is a huge Star Wars fanatic, and I wanted to make something for him. I have already made him the PixelHobby stormtrooper, so I decided on Darth Vader this time. Besides, who would be the least likely person in Star Wars to find crocheted into a doily? That's right, Darth Vader!

Here is the finished product:

I love how it turned out! My husband wants us to frame it so we can put it on the wall.
I had so much fun making this one, that I decided to fix up the pattern into a professional format, and I have added it to my Etsy store if anyone is wanting a copy. I hope everyone has as much fun making this one as I did!

Embellished flower pocket folders in plastic canvas

Here is the second set of pocket folders that  I have set out to make. I have again made two, one with white plastic canvas, the other with black. I just love how these turn out.
They just look amazing!

Stay tuned! 2 more sets yet to come...eventually.
I have been working on other projects recently. I finished one (which I will post later, as it's a gift for someone and I don't want to spoil the surprise), and I'm almost done with another. I've had to even put those aside temporarily to work on a couple commission pieces (not that I mind, as they bring in money to buy more supplies). I'll post pictures of everything if I can remember to!

Girl Scout logo in Plastic Canvas

While looking through some beaded craft designs online, I found a beaded barrette of the girl scout logo that made me smile. I was a girl scout when I was young, and seeing the  logo brought back some of the memories.
I immediately came up with my own pattern of the logo, and decided to do something with it. I quickly stitched up a couple items using plastic canvas. I had also been wanting to experiment with backing materials for plastic canvas, so this was the perfect opportunity!
On the back of one, I stitched felt to the back of it, just pushing my needle through it when doing the edging. On the back of the other one, I did the same, only using foam. They look OK, but me being the perfectionist that I am, I wasn't thrilled with them.
I didn't know what to do with either of them, but a friend of mine that I work with is active with the girl scouts with her daughter, so I gave them both to her as coasters.

I kept thinking of something else I might be able to do with this logo, and it hit me. I can use it to make a pocket folder like the flower ones that I had made! I got to work right away, and even personalized it (even though the pink yarn I used to personalize it doesn't look quite right).

I am very pleased with the way the folder came out. I think in the future, though, I will use a different color for the name.

Commissioned iphone case

I was recently contacted by someone who was interested in a custom designed iphone case. She let me know what she was interested in, and I quickly came up with something.
We went back and forth on the design for a few days until we were able to get exactly what she wanted.
I have never worked with metallic thread before, this was my first experience with it. It was a major pain! I must admit, though, that the end product looks great. The letter in the middle and the purple lines are metallic thread.

She got it in the mail several days ago and she loved it! It always makes me happy when others love what I have made, especially on commission work.

Double flower pocket folder

I really don't like having to buy patterns to make things. I have been known to download torrents for free patterns, our even make something using a picture as a reference.
When I saw the pictures for plastic canvas whimsical pocket folders, I knew I just had to make them. I couldn't get a picture good enough to use, and I couldn't find a free download for it (yes, I am ashamed to say that I did try). I ended up buying the patterns because I love them so much.
When I began, I couldn't decide whether or not to make a set of black or white folders, so I chose to make both! Here are the results of the first folder. The other 3 are yet to come!