February Doodle

♡ Heart Doodle ♡

I've always liked water drop photos and water drop drawings, and when I came across this great Pin video of a heart doodle on Pinterest, I was inspired to pick up a pencil. This is the cute heart that I ended up with.

Water and glass drawings are just so peaceful to me, and Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration for drawing and doodling water drops and more.

This little doodle reminds me of a heart shaped water drop or a glass heart. Just so cool and soothing. And after all, tis' the season for Love! To see how to draw a heart like this, check out this great Pin VIDEO on Pinterest, uploaded by battery-plus.gr!

Thank you for stopping by.

Hope that you find joy and inspiration!

Best wishes and happy doodling!!

<3 

Neurographic Art

НейроГрафика ∾ Neurography

Neurography is an interesting drawing technique invented by Pavel Piskarev to help bring together science and art.  He came up with this idea around 2016, but it is new to me and couldn't have come at a better time on these long winter days.  

I am sure some of you are feeling the stress' of the past couple of years, and most of us could use a way to unwind. If you like to doodle, then maybe Neurographs could be a great outlet for you as well. 

The basic idea here is that you meditate and put pen to paper. In one motion you draw lines. When you are done, you go back and soften all the corners of these lines everywhere there is a sharp point. Once there are no sharp edges, you can fill it in with colors, using whatever color application you are comfortable with. A lot of people use watercolors. 

Of course, there is way more to this than I am explaining here, and if you would like to learn more, you can visit Neurographica.us website for articles on this inventive art technique.

I would also recommend Neurographic Art website, as another place to start and find out more. Go to Neurography Art on that site, to hear Pavel Piskarev himself (in Russian), speak of this interesting style of art and its benefits, (with a rough written translation).

Alison Hazel Art does a nice job explaining and demonstrating this neurograph art idea and the basics on Youtube.

On this page are my first 2 Neurographic drawings. I hear that this type of Neurographic drawings are great for children. It seems that a lot of art teachers are introducing this technique in the classroom. Being a big believer of the importance of art education for youth, I could see the benefits of this strange new art introduced at a young age and being a great outlet for children.

I used sharpie and oil pastels for both of mine, mostly because it was what I had on hand, but also I love the colors that the oil pastels produce.

You can also watch Art with Mrs Hibbs on Youtube about this neat idea, along with countless others sitting down and creating Neurographs.

Thank you for stopping by.

May you find joy and inspiration!

Best wishes and happy doodling!!

Crochet Dog Puppet Scarf

Scarf with adorable crochet puppy puppet mittens~ 

❅❄❆

Little boys can be difficult to crochet for, so when I came across this cute scarf, I quickly printed out the pattern to get started for my little guy. Although this was for my son, my daughter ended up modeling for me and wanted one for herself. 

If you notice the ears are different from the pattern, that is because I decided to go with long floppy ears for our dogs. Floppy just seemed cuter and more the kind of dog we would want to have.

This free pattern by Red Heart is available to download at Yarnspirations

What a fun way to keep your hands warm!

(Pictures by Cathleen/DoilyDesigns from 2013)

Thank you for stopping by.

May you find joy and inspiration!

Best wishes and happy crocheting!!

Easy Crochet Everyday Fingerless Gloves

Everyday Fingerless Gloves 

Crochet Pattern

With the cold weather upon us, I wanted to share my quick and easy, hand warmer crochet pattern. I like the comfort of these gloves and the versatility of the pattern.  Great for everyday wear. Please read through before you begin. You will want to make these hand warmers to fit you comfortably, and since everyone is shaped differently, this is a general guide. You will need to measure as you go.

Easy Crochet Everyday Fingerless Gloves

Pattern by Doily Designs Cathleen Wake Gorbatenko ©2021

Written in US crochet terms (Downloadable pattern free on Google Docs)

Skill: Intermediate (experienced beginner, easy crochet)

Size: G (7-4.5mm) hook

Yarn: one skein, size 4, worsted weight yarn (I used; Caron Simply Soft and other soft size 4 worsted weight yarn)

Stitch key

Ch: Chain

Sl st: Slip stitch

Sc: Single crochet

Hdc: Half Double Crochet

Note that Ch 2 at end of rows counts as Hdc

Helpful notes: (Pattern follows below)

*  Instructions are for Medium women's size gloves. To make smaller or larger gloves,

   add or subtract multiples of 2 to your chain, 

*  Measuring the chain against your hand as you go. 

*  Do not stretch the chain when measuring.

*  You will make a rectangle until you have reached your desired size, measure the

   rectangle, long ways around your hand, continue until it feels comfortable, but not

   loose.

*  Once you reach the desired fit, you will join the rectangle with a seam using a Sl st,

   leaving a hole for the thumb.

*  Wrist cuff is then crocheted around the bottom, continuing to desired length of  

   cuff. (I find the short cuff works best for this glove.)

*  You will finish with optional scalloped edge, Sc, or you can leave it as is.

Note: Each chain at end of row, counts as 1st st in next row. Make sure to do this chain loosely, this will help get the hook in the Ch sp, as needed, see below; Hdc into 2nd turning Ch.

~Easy Everyday Fingerless Glove Pattern~

Pattern written for Medium gloves. Add or subtract, multiples of 2 for larger or smaller gloves, measuring as you go.

Fnd:  Ch 18, turn. (16 + 2) 

Row 1:  Hdc in 4th Ch from the hook, Hdc in each Ch across, Ch 2, turn.  (16 Hdc)

Row 2:  Hdc in each Hdc across, Ch 2, turn.  (16 Hdc)

Repeat Row 2 until rectangle fits snuggly around hand. 

I do 20 rows for size Medium (pictured). 

Keep in mind that you do not want it to be loose, and that it will stretch a tiny bit. It is better to take a row out and make it a little more snug than to leave a row if it is loose, unless you like a loose fit.

Join sides together at upper edge with a Sl st, and Sl st to thumb hole, for medium this is 6 sts to thumb hole from the top of the glove.  Join new strand with Sl st on other side of thumb hole, 3 sts for medium, I start this join in the 3rd st from the bottom edge of the glove, join with Sl St in 3 sts and Sl st in 3 sp to the edge of the glove, then continue around the bottom edge. Note that you could fasten off and join at each new point if you would prefer.

Turn  right side out, with seam on the inside, and try on. If satisfied, continue around bottom to start on wrist cuff, working with right side out.

Wrist: Continuing around edge from the side join, (or join with sl st where seam joins at the bottom of the glove), Ch 1, Sc around every Hdc, so here I will do 20 Sc around the bottom of the glove since I did 20 Hdc, joining in 1st sc, without turning, Ch 2, Hdc in each Sc around. Join in 2nd st of turning Ch, equalling 20 Hdc. Repeat until desired length of wrist band is reached. Pictured are 8 rnds. You can do more or less rounds for desired length.  Continue with the wrist cuff until you reach the length you want, try on the glove, when satisfied, fasten off, or continue with edging.

For the edge, you could do a Sc around each outer edge, try the small scallop edge below, or do your own thing.

Optional Scallop Edge on Top:  Join at seam on top edge of the glove, Ch 1, *Skip 1 st, 3 Sc in next st*, repeat * to * around, join in 1st st. Fasten off. Weave ends.

Have fun with them!

I like the comfort of these gloves and the versatility of the pattern.  Great for everyday wear.

Please email with questions or comments.

Thank you for stopping by.

Hope that you find joy & inspiration!

Best wishes and happy crocheting!!

Crochet Spa Sets

Crochet Spa Set

Everyone can use a little pampering now and then.

Sometimes when you want to crochet, you may not have a lot of time to dedicate to a large project, or maybe you need a quick gift, or just want to try a new stitch. It is at times like that, I find these small Spa Sets to be just the thing to suit all of these needs.  Whether for a gift, or to pamper yourself, whatever your reason, Crochet Spa Sets are a perfect small project!

Made with 100% ww cotton. Spa Sets can include wash clothes, hand towel, soap saver and face scrubbies. Mix and match and make your favorites!

2014

Spa set pictured above in variegated sage, made using free, Red Heart Spa Necessities Set, pattern.

2018

When giving as a gift, I like to include at least one wash cloth, sometimes two, a soap holder and round face scrubbies. They are quick and easy, always useful, as well as fun!

2014

Thank you for stopping by.

May you find inspiration and joy.

Happy crocheting!

Santa Hat Jar Cozy

Santa hat mason jar cozy, full of Santa 'KISSES', for a quick crochet Christmas gift. 

Assorted colors with holly berry embellishments. 

They work great as doll hats! Check out my Stumpkin, sporting her new accessories.

Gift with jar full of candy.

Thank you for stopping by.

Hope that you find joy & inspiration.

Happy Holidays & happy crocheting!

Red Santa

 My favorite Mr & Mrs Claus! 💖🎄🎅🤶🎄💖

"Red Santa has spectacular photo events and fund raising events for your organization." 

Santa has already got his list together for 2021, so start early to get Mr & Mrs Claus at your special events in 2022, to capture memories that last a lifetime.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Visit Red Santa.org to have Santa visit your special event!

Red Santa is also Silver Santa.org, a non profit senior citizen program providing care packages and a day of joy during the holiday season to low-income senior citizens, veterans, and persons with disabilities living in assisted living and nursing home communities or home-bound.

Visit Doily Designs post for more on Silver Santa, and ideas on crochet donations. Visit Silver Santa.org to see how you can help seniors in need.

Thank you!

Thank you for stopping by.

Happy Holidays!

Crochet Christmas Blankets

🎄🤶

Mrs Claus' Crochet Christmas Lap Blankets

Thank you for stopping by.

Merry Christmas & Happy Crocheting!

Christmas Stockings & Tree Skirt

Crochet Christmas Stockings & matching tree skirt ~

Custom Christmas Stockings, with a Large Peppermint Swizzle Pineapple Christmas Tree Skirt order. Colors requested were grey heather and aubergine. 

 

Below is a nice Christmas stocking pattern. If you don't already have your own favorite stocking pattern, Red Heart has shared their Quick and Easy Stocking by Red Heart Team, or find it on Ravelry and share your project.

                               

You can find the Large Cranberry Tree Skirt pattern on Etsy.

Thank you for stopping by.

Hope that you find joy & inspiration!

Happy Holidays & Happy crocheting!!

You can read more about the Large Peppermint Swizzle Pineapple Christmas Tree Skirt at the 'Story Behind the Flavors'.

Crochet Christmas Tree Skirt

Woodland Crochet Christmas Tree Skirt

Crochet pattern for this beautiful Woodland Tree Skirt can be found free on Ravelry.

This crochet Christmas tree skirt was a big inspiration for me in creating the Cranberry Pineapple Christmas Tree Skirt.

Tree skirt with no embroidery. Completed in 2015.

Thank you for stopping by.

Happy Holidays & Happy Crocheting!

Thanksgiving Snacks

🍂🍁 Happy Thanksgiving!🍁🍂

Easy fruit turkeys for a cute and tasty Thanksgiving holiday snack.

Kids will like gobbling up this colorful fruit turkey. Created with just a few ingredients. 

To make you will need; apples of varying colors cut in slices for the 'feathers', a pear for the 'body', black olive eyes, carrots shaped into 'beak and claws', and apple peal shaped for the 'wattle'.

We like these so much, we make them almost every year!

To see more cute turkey ideas, as well as other holiday food ideas, check out and follow my Pinterest board Christmas Food and my Holiday board for more Thanksgiving food and crochet ideas.

A turkey on the go with his friend :)

Thank you for stopping by.

🍂🍁🦃 Happy Holidays! 🦃🍁🍂