Emerald Cuff

Here is a cuff bracelet I created from a picture I saw in a beading magazine. There was no pattern for the bracelet so I just winged it and hoped for the best. The body of the bracelet was actually quite easy, just a 2 drop peyote stitch (using size 11 delica beads) but the little clasps used to hold on the large crystal were a little harder to figure out. After several attempts, I ended up decreasing the width of the bracelet to 8 beads (4 stitches in the 2 drop peyote stitch) and then used a brick stitch to create a square opening just a little larger than my flower buttons (see close up picture of clasp for details). The buttons are just little copper coloured flowers with pearl beads in the centre topped with a size 11 delica bead (same as used in the body of the bracelet). I am really happy with how the bracelet turned out and it is the perfect colour for with my fall wardrobe. I think I will get a lot of wear out of it. If you want to make a similar bracelet and need a few more details about what I did feel free to ask any questions you may have and I will do my best to answer them. Happy beading!

January Cowl

As promised, here is my first posted project, the January Cowl (even though it is only August). It is a super easy, free! knit scarf pattern I found on knittingpatterncentral.com by a Canadian designer named Annie. Here is a direct link to Annie's blog and the pattern jumpercablesknitting.com/2010/12/13/january-cowl/.
At first by looking at the picture of the finished scarf, I thought it was going to be really difficult to make, but it is really very simple and the result is fabulous! I encourage you to give this pattern a try, even if you are a beginner knitter, it is really worth it. You will end up with a lovely, unique winter accessory that others are sure to admire! Thanks Annie for the wonderful pattern and thanks Peter (my lovely husband) for taking the stellar photos of my finished scarf.

My finished January Cowl :

First Official Post!

Welcome! My friend Gill (gillymakes.blogspot.ca) convinced me that I should start a blog about my crafty adventures so here I am. I hope to have some pictures of my current project up very soon for you to see. It a very cool scarf made with a free pattern I found on crochet pattern central. In the meantime feel free to check out all the cool sites listed under my favorite sites and of course my Etsy store, offthehookdesigns.etsy.com (shameless plug, I know). See you all soon!