I have momentarily traded in my hooks for paintbrushes.  

Recently, I joined a Circle Journal that will take place over the next 12 months.  Each person has their own journal with a chosen theme.  Every month on the 15th we send the journal we have to the next person.  Everyone does an entry and the journal makes a full circle. At the end of the 12 months we receive our original journals filled with creativity.

It just so happens that my first journal's theme was a "self portrait." Never really considering myself an artist, I decided to sign up for an art class (something I've wanted to do for such a long time.)  

And so my new obsession begins...

          © Tracey Aiena

© Tracey Aiena 

© Tracey Aiena

The Baby Bonnet Tutorial is now Live..... Hope you give this pattern a try

Simple project for your summer reading. Another TGS (tiny granny square) project, this time in the form of a bookmark. The simple cabbage rose can be added to a multitude of crafty mixed media projects. Cabbage rose tutorial here.

Crochet 5 TGS and Cabbage Rose

Sew 1 TGS to the back of your cabbage rose

Sew each TGS together in a straight line

Insert in favorite book

I'm utterly amazed at how easy this bonnet pattern was to design. I worked it up in about 2 hours last night.

I have a young subscriber on YouTube that requested  help with making some baby girl items (her mom is having a baby soon.)  The search ensued for an easy bonnet pattern.  Every time I found a pattern I liked, it was for those "knit pickers."  Why do they always get the delicate lacy patterns? This has always been a bee in my bonnet, simply because I'm not as confident with my knitting skillz. 

Well no more.... Tada.... here is a very lacy delicate bonnet for us hookin' girls.

Pattern © Tracey Leigh Aiena

BUY PATTERN @ MY ETSY SHOP NOW

These Tiny Granny Squares have endless uses.  Ideas and inspiration are swirling around in my head.  

I just got back from paradise aka Key West so I have "beach" on the brain. Therefore, my first TGS project is a beach-inspired hemp bracelet.  


You can find the TGS Tutorial on Youtube then c'mon back here for instructions on how to put your bracelet together.  Next, with margarita in hand, head out to the nearest beach-y location of your liking.

Take your finished TGS

 FREE TUTORIAL HERE

Sew them together at the center point only

Sew on toggle clasp of your choice

Don't forget to sew on the other side of the toggle

Tada!  Layer with your favorite bangles.

Hemp Bracelet © Tracey Aiena
for personal use only

So as promised here are a few snapshots of the projects I have begun.  Sock Pattern Here.  Granny Square Pattern Here (pattern for a scarf).  Tiny Granny Squares Tutorial Here.  Tutorials on these projects forthcoming.

socks in progress...

Granny Squares Became a Purse

 

Tiny Granny Squares waiting in the wings

I've been a little MIA... was out of town for the past 2 weeks.  As predicted, I didn't get to very many of the crochet projects I had planned.  I'll post pics soon of a few things that I at least started

Crocheting in tropical paradise with "Granny"

 

Granny Square Pattern © Lion Brand

Last minute trip planned to the Florida Keys... lots of projects planned for the drive down south.  I wonder what I will actually get to.  

A few projects... 

 

                        tiny granny squares ~ a version of this tote

granny square hobo

cabled socks