Lebenslustiger.com - DIY

Leather Wrap Bracelet Tutorial

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:20:00 +0000

Hi there!

I wanted to come up with a new leather wrap tutorial for a while now and I am really happy to pronounce I finally did

If you like to see my other bracelet tutorials please click here.

It took me a while to wrap my mind around the "How To" because i wanted to create a braided full leather version as an alternative to the tedious and time consuming version of weaving beads in and out with bead cord between and around two leather strings.

Once you get the hang of the braiding rhythm you will see how quickly these bracelets are done and how beautifully they will turn out!

For one bracelet you will need:

- about 2 meter leather cord size 2mm depending on how many times you want to wrap the bracelet around your wrist (2meter length will wrap around 4x - you could do a shorter or longer version by taking less or more length)

- 1.5 meter leather cord size 1mm

- 6 meter leather cord size 1mm

- about 140 little beads with a large enough hole to thread onto your shorter 1mm leather cord piece.

- optional a little jewelry button or something similar from the bead shop

Of course you are free to choose different sizes of leather cord than I did but make sure there is a thinner and a thicker cord and you are able to thread your beads onto the thinner one.

O.K. - here we go! The right one is the version with no button. This bracelet will just close with a loop on one end and a knot on the other end.

Take your 2 meter long piece and fold it into half.

Take your 1.5 meter long piece and knot it around your loop as shown in picture 1.

Now fold the short end towards the middle and wrap your long end tight around all leather pieces to create a nice beginning.

ALWAYS pull gently!!! 1 mm leather cord is delicate and you do not want to tear it. Please try on an extra piece how much you can pull before it breaks so you get a feeling on how much strength you can use while pulling.

By the way - once these leather bracelets are done there is no danger of tearing anymore. The more you wear them the prettier and softer they will become.

Place a knot as shown in picture 2. Thread all beads onto your thin cord and secure with a knot at the end to make sure they don't slip off while you are working.

You could now cut the short end or - if your bead holes are big enough - you can hide the end by threading it also into your first bead.

So - Please pull up your first bead.

Now take your 6 meter piece cord and organize it into two equally long pieces. Don't cut it!

You could roll it into little balls for the beginning to make handling easier. Please take a look back to picture 3. You can see my two organized balls of leather. Mine were much longer than 3 meter each because at this point I had no idea of how much length I would need for a bracelet that long...

Place a knot right under your first bead.

Now start following closely and very slowly pictures 4 to 14. It is very important to carefully follow each single step.

In the beginning it's very likely that you get confused with over and under. No problem if that happens. Just carefully pull it apart and start over with the second bead.

You always alternate braiding over and then at the next bead under the thin middle cord. It is very important to keep this alternating rhythm to secure the beads nicely in between the two thicker leather strings.

Can you see the always alternating moves?

You will quickly get the hang of it - I promise - it looks much more complicated than it really is!

Make sure you wrap the bracelet around your wrist from time to time to see how much more length you need.

For the ending fold one of your thin braiding ends to the middle and wrap the other one around all cords. Make the same knot you did in the beginning shown on picture 4.

Now take all endings and place a big overhand knot. Pull tight! Depending on the fit you could leave a little room and then do another knot and even another one as I did on the last picture.

If you use a button piece on the other end then this little room between the knots will be the place where to pull your button thru.

Have fun with it - and please ask if there is anything unclear - I am happy to help!

Happy Day,

Anette

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From The Heart...

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Sun, 12 May 2013 22:06:00 +0000

... a little lilac blossom wreath.

Blessings to all mothers,

Happy Day,

Anette

Make Your Own Removable Fabric Wall Sticker

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:59:00 +0000

I had so much fun with this project - it's so easy and rewarding and it got me all excited for many more future wall decorations.

Imagine - you could do a whole landscape with this or a cute scenery with houses, flowers, animals...or letters, words or a quote!

All in your favorite fabric colors and patterns.

AND it is removable! - so it's perfect when you are renting.

I could even carefully peel it off my german "Raufasertapete" - this totaly outdated rough wallpaper Germans like to put on their walls.

So - here is what I did:

First I prepared the all-natural glue because it has to cool down a bit before you can cover your fabric piece with it.

I used this recipe BUT (in case you klick over there) I DID NOT follow up the instructions on how to treat your fabric with it.

I only used as little of the starch-glue on the back side of the fabric as possible and it was totally fine. I also DID NOT put the glue on the front side of the fabric.

Here is the recipe:

Stir 1/4 cup corn starch into 1/2 cup cold water.
Then pour in 4 cups of boiling water and mix it up.
I let it gently boil for another 20 seconds and then let it cool down. Pour in a jar for storage.

These amounts make a lot of glue! You could make half of the recipe depending on the size of your project.

Since mother's day is around the corner, I printed out some heart shaped templates and transferred the outline with a pencil onto a piece of cream-white linen.

I cut it out and then went gently all around the edges with my thumb and index finger nails pressing together while moving around to fray the outer edges.

Then I drew a few simple letters onto the fabric and used some thread to follow my lines.

My two wonderful children make me really proud to be their mom.

Meanwhile the starch-glue had cooled down and I used a medium size brush to cover the back side of my design.

As I stated above, I used only as much glue as i needed to cover the shape and it worked absolutely fine. In my opinion there is no need to use the glue generously or to apply a top coat.

Press the piece down firmly onto your wall, smoothing out any bubbles or air pockets.

You can easily peel it off the wall once it is dry, but I still recommend to first try it out with a little piece of fabric in a hidden spot on your wall.

That's it.

I can't wait to do another design...

Happy Mother's Day,

Anette

DIY-time is also me-time and is collected @Nic's today.

8 Fabric Yarn DIY'S

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Yesterday I have been invited to share my view on yarn on the lovely blog "About crochet"

Well - if you have been reading along a bit here on lebenslustiger.com or have seen some of my DIY's, chances are, that you have noticed quite some yarn projects I made of recycled cotton yarn.

I discovered it last year when a friend of mine brought over a sample.

I was imediately hooked - though I love wool very much too - but this fabric yarn was so... different.

It is thick and chunky yet often a bit stretchy and elastic depending on the fabric material mix. This thickness allows to crochet or knit sturdy projects like baskets, rugs or shapes like a heart, but I made bracelets and necklaces 1 and 2 from this material as well. I also braided a seat cushion and made pompoms and garlands with this yarn and it worked very well.

Fabric yarn fascinates me because I feel there is a lot of creative potential in it and this is very inspiring to me.

It comes in georgous colors - plus I like the idea of using a recycled material.

I placed a large order of beautiful soft tones last year and are still more than happy to work with the material and colors developing new projects and ideas.

I really enjoyed making these little wall-hangings for Andrée's exposition because her idea was to focus mainly on the material and I wanted to create something which would truly show the beauty and esthetic of this yarn.

I took a beach wood stick and just knotted strands of yarn around it in different lengths and added a few pretty beads - that's it.

For the other wall-hanging I knitted a simple harlequin pattern. But I am using it horizontal now and casted on additional stitches into the side and threaded another stick thru the stitches. Then I took again some strands and beads and knotted them on the opposite side.

Happy Day,

Anette

What To Do With Fabric Yarn

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:40:00 +0000

I have been invited to share my view on yarn on the lovely blog "About crochet".

Thanks so much for having me over.

Please visit About crochet to see what I came up with.

You will also find lots of About crochet's wonderful creative and excellent crochet projects and tutorials.

Happy Day,

Anette

Mailart With Copper Letters

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:51:00 +0000

Another fun idea from Tabea and Müllerin Art: Die Frühlingspost!

After December's wonderful Adventspost it was now time to get creative with spring poetry:

"Frühling läßt sein blaues Band

Wieder flattern durch die Lüfte

Süße, wohlbekannte Düfte

Streifen ahnungsvoll das Land

Veilchen träumen schon,

Wollen balde kommen

Horch, von fern ein leiser Harfenton!

Frühling, ja Du bist's!

Dich hab ich vernommen!"

Divided into 9 lines means there will be 9 weeks of Spring in the mail

My 9 partners are:

Blickgewinkelt, Schreibtischwelten, Östlich der Sonne und westlich vom Mond, gabsARTig, Steffi's Papierzauber, GRISCHArte and Frollein Enerim.

Once all cards have arrived it will be summer (I love that thought!!!) and I will show you all cards i have received.

My line was: Streifen ahnungsvoll das Land...

I again used copper tape (like I did for the Advent mail art) and tried to engrave the letters from the back side. It didn't always work perfectly but I think it is readably. Some Masking tape and a little spring bracelet and off to the post office to bring joy!

Happy Day,

Anette

6 Colorful Easter DIYs

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:13:15 +0000

Since it's unfortunately still wintery where I live, I thought I round up 6 of my Spring/Easter DIY's in case you have to/want to stay inside quite a bit - like we will probably do most of the holiday time - and use your "Happy Busy Handwork Hands"

And for all my RSS readers: the links are aligned with the project pictures - so this one is best to read on the web.

Dip into Easter

It sure looks like I really do have a thing for neon, don't I? :)

Happy Easter,

Anette

Square Bunny Knit Pattern 2

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 07:15:00 +0000

Is it possible to knit an even more simple Bunny than the one that hopped thru my blog last week?

Yes, it is!

Just knit a square in Garter stitch - any size you like.

I used grey mohair and doubled the thread.

(I am so lucky: always having helping paws at my side...)

Mark a triangle in one half of your square and with a middle size running stitch stitch along this shape.

Make sure to leave extra thread at the beginning and end of the running stitch because you will pull those endings.

Before you pull tight, fill the little bunny head with some wool or other stuffing.

Then secure with some knots.

See - it already looks cute...

Now stitch down the back. Fill the body with some more wool and close the seam all the way.

Then i did another running stitch up the back and pulled gently to form the body. Make a couple stitches at the neck to secure.

Shape those fluffy ears a bit to your liking and also secure with a few stitches.

And now for the tail: I had planned a glitter-bobble but little grey bunny refused to hop along with that idea...

Oh well - It is fine with me.

See - already found something more appealing.

Off you go...sweet little fellow!

Happy Day,

Anette

Today is Creadienstag and Bunny is also hopping over to visit Natasha in Oz and Petals to Picots!YAY!

Square Bunny Knit Tutorial

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 06:50:00 +0000

Oh hello there sweet bunny!

Where are you going?

Please stay to play...

I got introduced to this pattern back when my children were young and attending a Waldorfschool preschool program in California.

Do you remember Bunny's friends the lambs? They love to play together...

I looked the pattern up and found one at Heart String Fiber Arts

If you like to play too, then start by knitting a square in stockinette stitch.

Mine was about 26cmx26cm.

Mark all the measurements with some pins.

With some thread sew with long stitches in a semicircle from A to A' as shown above.

Gather this seam and tie ends in a square knot.

I used some wool to stuff the head but you could use any filling from the craft store.

Now sew the chin closed.

Next starting from point B sew the edges together until points A and C meet to form a front leg.

Same with the other front leg.

Then starting from point E sew the edges together until points F and D meet.

Same on the other side.

Fill the body with wool - not too much - not too little...knead your new little friend into a nice shape.

Sew tummy seam closed

Do you feel and see how it comes to life?

Bend Bunny's hind legs forward and sew them to it's tummy with just a few stitches.

Hello!

Can't hear you yet...

Cast on about 5 stitches and knit a few rows in stockinette again (it automatically forms a beautiful curved line).

I did about 6 rows and then started to decrease 1 in every row until I had only 2 stitches left and a nice tip.

Pin and then sew the ears to the head.

I used a little fur ball I had ordered for my crochet beanies as a tail but a little bobble or some soft roving would be cute too.

Have fun together and hop along to easter...

Today is Creadienstag and also Upcycling - Dienstag

Happy Creative Day,

Anette

Happy Friday

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:21:47 +0000

Just wanted to let you know that I posted the tutorial for the little crochet bunny.

You can find it now in yesterdays post.

More easter-bunny DIY's are on the way...

Happy Spring,

Anette

P.S. If you like - here is my new Tumblr...

I Heart Valentine Crochet

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:19:00 +0000

I collected lots of crochet hearts over at my "Happy Busy Hands" Pinterest board and got really inspired to make a simple one myself.

They are so fun to make and also make great little gifts or a nice decoration - not only for Valentine's day...

I used recycled cotton yarn because it's a bit heavier and stiff so that the heart keeps up its shape nicely.

Here is how you start:

Row 1:

Chain 3 plus 1 more chain for turning. You ALWAYS end your row with one turning chain.

Row 2:

One increase in the first single crochet, then one single crochet and another increase in the last single crochet. One turning chain.

Row 3, 4, 5, 6

One increase in the first single crochet, then single crochet in the middle stitches and another increase in the last single crochet. One turning chain.

Row 7:

Just single crochet - no increases - one turning chain

Row 8,9:

One increase in the first single crochet, then single crochet in the middle stitches and another increase in the last single crochet. One turning chain.

Row 10:

Just single crochet - no increases - one turning chain

Row 11:

One increase in the first single crochet, then single crochet in the middle stitches and another increase in the last single crochet. One turning chain.

Row 12, 13, 14:

Just single crochet - no increases - Total stitches at this point are 19. One turning chain.

Row 15:

Starting the right lobe:

Single crochet 9 stitches and one turning chain.

Row 16:

Start the row with one decrease - meaning you "skip" one - single crochet the rest, total stitches in this row: 8. One turning chain.

Row 17:

Decrease with first two stitches of the row, single crochet in the middle stitches and decrease with the last two stitches of the row.

Total 6. One turning chain.

Row 18:

As row 17. Total 4

Row 19:

Two decreases. Cut the yarn and finish.

Left lobe:

Single crochet into the 9th stitch from the left side.

There will be one unused single crochet left in the middle of the row.

Complete row. Total of 9 stitches. Make one turning chain.

Row 16 left lobe:

Single crochet 7 then one decrease with the last two stitches. Total 8. One turning chain.

Row 17:

Decrease with first two stitches of the row, single crochet in the middle stitches and decrease with the last two stitches of the row.

Total 6. One turning chain.

Row 18:

As row 17. Total 4

Row 19:

Two decreases.

Don't cut the yarn - instead go all around the outer edge of your heart with single crochet.

Make three stitches in one on the tip of the heart to create a nice tip. You can also go twice in one stitch somewhere around the lobe to make a nice shape.

Sometimes it gets a little tricky finding the right place for your stitch but it will be all fine in the end :)

It could even be extra fine with adding a little sparkle design to your heart...

Just use plenty of glitter medium and plenty of glitter!

I really like the isosceles cross symbol right now - it stands for stability and protection in celtic tradition.

Happy Valentine's day,

Anette

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Mini-DIY Wall Vases

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:47:23 +0000

2 little emty jars like from capers - a bit of wool or yarn - metal-tape or washi-tape - and...

SPRING FLOWERS :)

Happy Day - the sun is out today over here!!!

Anette

Glitter Umbrellas

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:49:00 +0000

There is no need for step by step instructions for this little mini DIY, right?

Paper umbrellas - medium - paint brush and G L I T T E R

And the cute Petit-Four is from my local patisserie.

It tastes as heavenly divine as it looks...hmmm

Enjoy lives sweet sides!

Anette

P.S. today is Creadienstag!

Leather Bracelet DIY...AGAIN

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 21:27:00 +0000

Here we go - this is the tutorial for this leather bracelet kit.

Or for your own materials, of course

The pictures show a bracelet made of silver leather cord - I did not even know that golden and silver leather cord is available...

I like the silver leather but the golden one is a little too yellow for my taste.

For the SILVER bracelet on the above picture you will need:

- two pieces round leather cord in two different sizes. For example 1mm and 1,5mm. Each about 60 cm long.

- another piece of the thinner (1mm) round leather cord about 2m long.

- 30+ beads with a large enough hole to thread onto the thinner leather

- a large hole bead (optional)

Take the two 60cm pieces, bend them in half and place a knot with a little loop.

Try to have the thinner cord pieces in the middle of the thicker ones. All four will be your "carry"cords.

Thread all your beads on ONE of the thin carry cords. Secure with a knot.

Now take your 2m piece and secure it around the "carry"cords with a knot.These will be your "working"cords.

Pull the first bead up on top and make a Makramee Square knot with your working cords.

Pull up the next bead and secure with the same kind of square knot (decide on left facing or right facing and stick to it).

Make sure to pull each knot gently but tight.

Keep going until desired length is reached. Then take ALL ends and place a big knot.

Thats it!

Optional thread the large hole bead and secure with another knot.

In both cases clip all endings and have fun with your new bracelet

Happy day,

Anette

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Leather Bracelet DIY-Kit

nospam@example.com (Lebenslustiger) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 06:41:00 +0000

Now available here

Happy day,

Anette