For the love of Coffee

I am by no means a coffee snob.  However, I do live with one, so I understand some people will not lower themselves to drink "that filthy instant stuff".  Me, I could care less.  As long as it is hot and strong enough (i.e. does sit in your cup looking like left over dishwater) I am happy enough to drink it.

When we go out I like to order a coffee.  I do not reel back in horror if my coffee is served to me in a cup and saucer, neither do I smile knowingly if it is served in a glass with a serviette draped around it for modesty.  My other half prefers what I call the "dolly 

cup", or as the coffee aficionados refer to as "demitasse".  

What makes me squeal out loud with delight is when the barista decorates the coffee with their glorious milk foam art!  I LOVE it!  

I know this takes quite a bit of skill and talent.  And it is for this reason I could not help but write a post about this delicious craft.

Here are a few examples I found online of some of the amazing art people create just with simple milk foam.  

I guess this is where it all really started.  Lovely images created on the flat surface.  But then people became more creative!

  



Who would not want to see a tiny kitty peering out of their coffee cup?  I know I would not mind!




       
And if not a kitty, then how about a paw print?

No matter what your preferred image, baristas these days can cater to everyone.  I just love the little bit of whimsy that a simple cup of coffee can make you smile.  So to all the creative (or should I say "Cute and Crafty") Baristas out there, thank you for your talents.  We coffee drinkers appreciate it.  

Happy crafting xo

Valentine's Day, 14th February

The most romantic day of the year is only just around the corner.  And many people feel the need to prove their undying love by spending a small fortune on store bought items.  

Here at Q10 Crafty we believe hand made items prove your love more than anything you can buy off the shelf!  

So, put your credit card back in your pocket, grab a cuppa and take some time to decide which project you will tackle to show your loved one how much they mean to you. 

My all time favourite, Twinkie Chan, has numerous projects just right for Valentine's Day. 

      

                   

          


If the above photos are making you feel like picking up your hook and yarn, then check out Twinkie's blog at http://blog.twinkiechan.com 

Otherwise, you can buy one of her delicious items already made by the gorgeous Twinkie herself, at her Etsy shop!   https://www.etsy.com/shop/twinkiechan

Heart shaped coasters are just in order when you enjoy a drink or two with your loved one.  Take a look at Atty's pattern.  Atty is another one of my favourite yarn artists.  Her website is filled with amazing patterns https://atty-s.blogspot.com.au/p/heart-coaster-pattern.html 

  

If yarn is just not your scene, how about an easy to do Fingerprint Tree?  The kids can get in on this one, and you can thank Andreja from Easy Peasy and Fun for this one.  

http://www.easypeasyandfun.com/valentines-day-heart-fingerprint-tree/

  

And finally the gorgeous Emily from My Frugal Musings has a great idea to decorate with pine cones!  To find how this one is made head over to ttp://frugalmusings.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/diy-valentines-day-wreath.html 

Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day.  I hope you find something in this post you can use to spread the love!  

Happy crafting xo

Crocheted Owl

Hope you all had a great Easter and got to spend time with friends and loved ones.

I know this is another owl post, but I found a gorgeous pattern by Laura right here on Blogger.  Here is a link to her original pattern.

amigurumi-owl-pattern

The reason I love this pattern is because I have a bag full of tapestry yarn so I am always on the look out for a pattern where I can utilise these little skeins. And this pattern is perfect. Most of the tapestry yarn skeins are between 11m to 13.5m in length. So this pattern is great to use up an entire skein for the body of the owl, and there are plenty of colours for me to choose from for the details (eyes, wings, beak).

I had a go at making my first owl exactly as Laura's pattern, but for some reason mine did not turn out anywhere near as awesome as Laura's.  So, I tweaked the pattern:

I deleted the eyelash detail, because mine just looked messy.  The eyes I made as follows:

Using white yarn crochet 3 chains. Then crochet 7 dc into 1st chain. And then slip stitch into top of 3rd chain to complete the circle.

Then using a strand of dark yarn I stitched across the centre of the eye.  I then attached the eyes to the body of the owl.  Using another colour I embroidered the beak between the eyes.

In Laura's pattern the wings are crocheted in a circular pattern.  I wanted triangular little wings.  So, I chained 4, SC into second chain, DC into next chain and TR into final chain.  Then I did one chain, turn and did SC into top of each stitch. I then attached a wing to either side of the body of the owl.

I deleted the fluffy ears.  Because again, I could not seem to get mine to look as neat and cute as Laura's.  Instead I pinched the ends of the ears and stitched them flat.  I know Laura's owls look very alert. In comparison mine look very sleepy.  Still, I'm happy with them.

If you make an owl using Laura's free pattern, please send her a huge thank you.  I would also love to see your creation, tweaked or original.

Happy crafting xo

Owls, owls and more owls!

I love owls.  Even though we live in the 'burbs, we are lucky enough to actually experience owls in our backyard.  Most of these are Tawny Frogmouth, but we have had a couple of spectactular looking barn owls as well.

At the moment owls seem to be quite popular from a decorating point of view as well.  Everything from carvings and sculptures to fabrics and paintings.

This gorgeous owl in flight has been carved from timber 
(Aaron Booker) 

Metal rods have been used to design this outdoor piece
(Victoria Westaway)

Painted owl multi coloured with gorgeous detail
 (JP's Custom Art)

Ceramic character
(image found on Pinterest)

Adorable fabric owl
(Guide Central)

I love this fabric
(on sale on eBay)

Even tattoos!
(image found on Pinterest)

Doing a quick search online you can find so many ways to add a bit of "owl" to your home and life.  

I have included a link for a few free crochet patterns.  This round up of patterns is brought together by the gorgeous Tamara Kelly from Moogly!  

http://www.mooglyblog.com/crochet-owl-patterns-free/

I love the Moogly blog (found here http://www.mooglyblog.com/about-moogly/  )

If you want any inspiration at all, please look at Tamara's blog and say "hi".  She is so generous with her knowledge and information.  She is one of my inspirations for my own blog.  

If you do make any owls from any of the patterns, or you have your own, please send me a pic of your work.  I would love to feature you on my "projects" page.  

Happy crafting xo

*Please note, the above photographs are not my creations.  I love the amount of detail that goes into each of these and I acknowledge the individual creators of each piece. 

Colouring Books for Adults

At the moment you can't walk into a grocery store, newsagents, or service station without seeing racks and racks of colouring books aimed at adults.  My take on this is that these books are aimed at the "artistically challenged", the person who would love to be an artist, if only they had the talent.

So, I guess at least "adult colouring books" gives the budding artist in you the chance to feel you have created some form of masterpiece.  But even this I doubt would make me an artist.  I don't think my colour choices would be visually appealing.

I do however, see the enjoyment and possibly a sense of accomplishment for completing a difficult piece.  If you are able to wrestle the crayons and coloured pencils from your kids, and can find a quiet spot to concentrate, I guess it could be a form of stress relief, and relaxation.

As yet, I have not given into the temptation of buying a colouring book for myself.  I do, however enjoy the intricate patterns and lines of many of the images that I find in these books.  If you too are toying with the idea of trying this latest craze, I have included a couple of links* you might like to check out.

*Please note, the links below are not my own creation nor are they my websites. I would like to acknowledge Lena, from What Mommy Does; Thaneeya of Art is Fun; and the team at Free Large Images for providing these fun images.

Happy crafting xo


 http://www.whatmommydoes.com/free-printable-adult-coloring-pages/




http://www.art-is-fun.com/free-adult-coloring-pages/

http://www.freelargeimages.com/coloring-pages-for-adults-142/

Crochet your own hair accessories

I am sure many of you enjoy putting a little bit of "bling" in your hair, either with decorative hair pins, colourful combs or handy headbands.

Here are a couple of my favourite patterns I have found over the last couple of years.  So even if you feel you don't think you could wear anything in your hair, I am sure you have nieces, sisters, daughters or granddaughters that would absolutely cherish your hand made gift.

So sit back, have your hook and yarn handy and get ready to whip up some amazing accessories!

Below are links to posts of artists kind enough to share their patterns with us online.

craftinessisnotoptional.com

My favourite, and easiest way to add a bit of colour to your hairdo is with a simple crocheted bow.  This pattern "easy crochet bows" by Craftiness is not Optional is my all time fave!  I have made so many of these in so many colours.  I love them.

 http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-genius-headbandy  

This super easy headband is by the extremely talented Elizabeth Alan.  Check out her free pattern in her Ravelry account.  She has so many incredible patterns, you won't be able to decide which one to start with!

http://chucksforchancho.com/2014/03/09/spring-crochet-heart-hair-clips/

And finally these loveable heart hair clips for either yourself or your favourite little Miss.  These heart clips can be found at Chucks for Chancho, but the pattern was based off another one of my fave crocheting bloggers, "Skip To My Lou".  So, as you can see, fellow bloggers continue to inspire us all!

If you do make any items from these patterns, please drop the author a line to let them know how much you love their work.  You can find their contact details in the links provided.  I know as a blogger so much work goes into writing.  And the amount of work that goes into writing patterns is exhausting.  So I am always amazed by the number of generous people who are willing to share their hard work for free.  The only reward these people want is acknowledgement of their work.

Hope you find something here you like.  Drop me a line or send me a photo of anything you have made.  I would love to feature your hand crafted pieces in another post.

Happy crafting xo

Easter is fast approaching... so get your hook and yarn ready!

The gorgeous blog, Repeat Crafter Me, by the equally gorgeous, Sarah, is one of my inspirations for starting my own blog! I am soooo excited to share with you her adorable little crochet baby chick.

Truly people, if you want real inspiration, you have got to check out repeatcrafterme.com for all the gorgeous patterns and generous information she shares with us all.

http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2016/02/crochet-baby-chick.html

Happy crafting xo