Making A Crochet Dress

A good friend gifted me a wonderful book called The Concise Crochet Book by Paul Hamlyn ; that belonged to her mother. And with the book a bag full of yarn; I was so happy. She said that her mother was cleaning her closet and when she saw the yarn and some unfinished projects she though about me, and said: I know a person that would use this. The crochet dress is worked from the waist upward and the waist downward, therefore the length can be easily adjusted. I made the Sleeveless Dress. This dress is simple but divine. I made some alterations. I decided to add elbow length sleeves, make it longer, and more close to the neck. 

Working the front bodice.

The back bodice. (I, however, decided to switch the front with the back because I wanted the buttons in the back.)

Here's the finished project. The skirt is worked in rounds from edge of bodice. But I didn't finish here; I decided to add roses on the skirt edge, and close the bodice with the same rose pattern that I used on the skirt edge.

Making crochet buttons using beads. I found that regular buttons hold better.

Work 3 chain, ss into 1st ch to form a ring.

work 12 single crochet into ring, join with ss.

work single crochet into each sc. until forming a bowl. Place the button, or bead in the center and decrease to close button.

Button made, fasten off. Leave a long piece of thread to sew with tapestry needle.

Adding roses to the skirt edge.

Shells on sleeve edges.

Made a pair of cuffs to wear with my dress.

I really love it. It gives a romantic touch to the outfit.

I am really happy with the result. 

This is a preview of my next project that I am working on now. I'm exited!

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~Have a wonderful day full of beautiful things.~

Shabby Chic Style Kitchen

Seven years ago when we bought this house, my mind was full of ideas on how I was going to decorate and paint our tittle house. I painted murals on ceilings, the walls and the kitchen cabinets, replaced windows, etc.Everything turned out just like I wanted. My sense of style changed a little; now I really like white decor. All my furniture said paint me! When I painted my kitchen cabinets the first time, I wanted to match my dining table--a dark mahogany color. I found a technique on how to paint faux mahogany. It took me a long time to paint those cabinets, specially painting the grain of the wood. When I finished, the kitchen appeared  smaller and dark, but I was satisfied with the look.  I want to share with you how I decorated my kitchen cabinets this year. I love the beautiful Louis XVI furniture; the carved details, and the garland appliques is what inspired me. My kitchen looks more like a collage style, but the beauty of the furniture applique brings an elegant chic style to my home.

I used All-Purpose Joint Compound to make the appliques using a cake decorator kit. After the compound floral motifs are dry, primed and painted they will look just like those commercial furniture appliques. If you don't feel comfortable using a cake decorator, I am sure a good friend can help you. I encourage you to not be afraid to try new things, practice on a piece of wood.

 The kitchen cabinets before.

My house was built in 1948. The kitchen cabinets are old, but I love them; it's amazing how with the magic of paint you can transform an ugly duckling into a swan. The faux mahogany turned out beautiful, but its time to paint the cabinets again and brighten up my kitchen; this color is too dark for me.

 Making furniture appliques--rose motifs. 

 Drying the floral appliques.

 My kitchen after

 I really love my kitchen; the carved details all along the door panels, the swags and floral wreath.

 We bought a chandelier; I didn't like the ceiling fan that I had before. The chandelier had a gold finish, but I painted it white, and wrapped it with pearls and beads.

I applied swags and floral wreath on my dishwasher. First I primed the dishwasher door panel with a primer for metal, then I decorated it with the floral motifs. After the appliques had dried completely, I primed and painted the surface. Now the dishwasher matched the rest of the cabinets. I really love how everything turned out.

Furniture appliques on my kitchen island.

 The appliques bring a cottage chic elegant style to my kitchen. I didn't want to make it look faded because I wanted it to happen with time.

My next project will be focused on the counter top of the kitchen; I don't like it.

 Pearl and beads chandelier.

  

 I used 4 m m pearls and gray beads for this project, and pearl buttons.

I just wrapped the beads around the chandelier; using fishing string. 

~Have a wonderful day full of beautiful things~