The NorthWesternBelle

I hinted last week in the Cotton Hemp post that I'd also found some other awesome crafting supplies at Tuesday Morning while I was on vacation earlier this month. Hope you haven't been holding your breath or anything for the reveal! I was finally able to do something about this great find over the weekend, so without further ado here it is: The Tuesday Morning where I usually shop hasn't had pre-cut fleece pieces in stock at all since I started scouring its crafting shelves. I've been able to pick up flannel in 1.5 yd pieces (which are amazing and will be turned into a quilt eventually), but it took leaving the state to find these two pieces of heaven. Of course I couldn't resist them. Y'all may not be aware of my skull obsession, but the struggle is real. Also, Halloween is my absolute favorite (Christmas what? Pshaw). Since there were two pieces in stock at the time, I bought them both with the intention of making a tie blanket, because what else is ther...

Until August 31, 2014 you can get 15% off any of the several crocodile bags currently available from TheNorthWesternBelle on Etsy using Coupon Code CROCODILE at checkout. Various colors, sizes and fibers available! Small, Turquoise & Brown Super Soft Acrylic Small, Turquoise & Brown w/Rose Super Soft Acrylic Medium, Passion Fruit Peruvian Wool Large, Red Yellow & Black Acrylic Pink, Green & Eggshell Soft Acrylic Shoulder Bag in Pink, Green & Eggshell Soft Acrylic You can also use the code to get 15% of a custom-made Crocodile Bag! Custom orders are generally processed within seven business days, depending on the availability of your desired colors and fiber. Thanks for looking, Loves! Always Yours, The NWB

While I was on vacation recently, the hubby and I were able to ditch the young one for a while courtesy of Grandma's Babysitting Service. First order of business was a new cell phone for him, a process that didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. The cell phone store happened to share a parking lot with one of my most favorite retail establishments: Tuesday Morning. And it's like they knew I was coming! Their yarn was right up front....unlike the one nearest me that puts it in the back.  Naturally, I wasn't able to resist this Martha Stewart Cotton Hemp in Coral. Though, in my defense, I DIDN'T buy the entire lot of them. I limited myself to four balls at $2.50 a piece. I have crocheted in straight hemp twine; it's not my favorite. Cotton , on the other hand, is pretty much my favorite . This stuff is 65/35 cotton to hemp, so it's softer than pure hemp but sturdier & less stretchy than straight cotton. It's perfect for making bag...

The biggest, in fact! When I showed the latest crocodile handbag to a purse expert (a friend from work; she knows her stuff!), she suggested that I take the design to the next level with a shoulder bag. Not one to turn down good advice, I did as I was told. This is the result: Pretty awesome, eh? I'm seriously tempted to keep it! Here's the back: As with all my bags, the scales were constructed separately from the bag and attached to the one-piece bag. This one is seriously hefty: it measures 14.5 inches at the base, and the main compartment is a full 12 inches tall. The strap's inner perimeter measures 26 inches from one end to the other, and it's finished with a reverse single crochet that adds strength & wearability.  The flower appliques were the finishing touch.  Being that it's so tall, I felt the bag doesn't really need any type of closure. I figure it's going to hold your tablet, phone, wallet, notebook, pens, sk...

So, you may recall that I made Crocodile Stitch Bag last week, intending to sell it, but it ended up being a gift to the BFF (she fell in love immediately...how was I going to tell her no?). I'm in love this this pattern and the color combination, though, so it's probably not surprising that I've produced another one. It's for sale now on Etsy ! Went with a single strap on this one, and the rose button closure pictured below. The bag is made separately from the scales, so it's fully enclosed and won't leak! This particular one measures approximately 8 inches across at the base and 6.5 inches tall. Perfectly sized for holding the essentials! I figure these bags are great for every day use, but would be totally appropriate for a special occasion of any sort! I can just see this pink & green one being the talk of the town after the Homecoming dance. More are on the way, including a new variation on the design: messenger style shoulder bag. ...

Okay, so this kid and his parents are totally awesome! But the news report makes me pretty peeved; the bearded hat he's wearing is CROCHET, not KNIT, and yes there is a difference! Since they obviously don't get it, I will explain it: This is a crochet hook. See how it has a hook? Yeah, you use it to build fabric out of yarn by pulling loops through loops. It is used with one hand, and one can make all sorts of different stitches with it by wrapping yarn around its shaft multiple times. For the most part, you work on one stitch at time when crocheting. The most common crochet stitch, double crochet (dc), results in fabric that looks like this: Crochet is ridiculously versatile, and you can literally crochet ANY shape and texture you want with just one hook. The texture & shape in that bearded beanie probably took the hooker that made it about an hour, depending on their skill level. From what I understand, knitting that kind of texture would take infinity. So...