What inspires you?

Just like anyone other diy crafter, I can see a color or something with an odd texture and start to think "I know what I could do with that." But I'm inspired to make the things I do greatly by the things that I spend my time doing. Since I am mostly online, this means I'm reading blogs, websites, watching videos, and just doing general web surfing. Here's what inspires me most:

I'm inspired by magazines, shows, and other media that is aimed towards the 40's and Victorian times. I love the fabrics, the styles and how they manipulated their resources to make such amazing things. Sites such as the Victorian Trading Company inspire me greatly.

I'm also inspired a lot by the manga and anime I watch. Its been a huge part of who I am since I was little, but I didn't know what it actually was until I was in middle school. The amazingness of this media is why I created a anime/manga themed crafting blog.

I'm inspired greatly by other cultures, most of which being Asian cultures. I get a lot of broad ideas from the Japanese, a lot of ideas for how to fine tune it by the Koreans, and the glittery amazingly awesomeness actually comes from my love of India. India isn't unnecessarily an Asian culture, but it is a part of Asia. So Asia haters be hating, but its Asian, as far as placement. I know what I'm talking about cause I looked it up. Teehee.

Lastly, I get a lot of my inspiration from my family, specifically my mother. She's a diy decorator. She's amazing at what she does and awes everyone with her new ideas. She decorates a lot with ladies hats and purses. When I say hats and purses, I mean the fancy hats with netting and feathers that white and black women wore back in the day and the purses are hand beaded for the most part. They are all real works of art.

Now that you know a bit more about my craftiness, why don't you comment so that I can learn about yours?

De Colores!
Kay

What's on your hook this fine day?

It is a lovely day here. I'm sitting at school getting ready to go to my next class. But I'm very curious. What are you all making on this lovely day? Hooking or otherwise? And what's the weather like where you are? I'm making a simple purse. I'll post a picture a little later today if I have the time.

De Colores my lovelies!
Kay

CrazySocks Crochet drawing tonight!

CrazySocks crochet is doing a drawing tonight and is offering 11 patterns to the winner. All you need to do is give your name in a comment on her blog post that is detailing the event. Check it out here:

http://crazysockscrochet.blogspot.com/2011/09/ginormous-pattern-giveaway.html

Shoulder flap purse -free crochet pattern-

In the end, your bag will look somewhat like this one. This close example (which is knitted, not crocheted)  was found on Craftjuice.com

To start out with, know that my hook is a Boye I/9 5.5 mm and that when I make double crochet stitches, they turn out to be 1/2" in height.

Supplies:

5.5 mm crochet hook

1 skein red heart super saver yarn or other bulky yarn

scissors

button(s)

embroidery needle

embellishments (optional)

Instructions:

Ch 25. Turn and in second ch from the hook, start your first dc and dc in each stitch from there on.

Turn and ch 2 and dc in all 25 dc. Keep repeating until you have roughly 40 rows of double crochet. This piece should measure 20 inches. Fold the piece in half with the top 3 inches apart from the bottom. Sew together the bottom half and leave the three inch piece alone. The bottom half, once sewn together, should be about 8 1/2" long.

For the handles, make 3 separate pieces that are chained to desired length. I would say that 3 feet of chain stitches for the three separate pieces would be long enough for most. Take those three pieces and braid them together. Tie on both ends of the strap and tie to the top of the side seam. Sew on the button.

Enjoy your brand new shoulder bag. Any questions, just comment on the post.

De Colores all.

~Kay~