Photo Frame Revamp: Home Decoration Made Cheaper

This Thursday, I had a rather harrowing experience that resulted in me having to go to the emergency clinic. The day prior, I had noticed that I was feeling very ill at work -- dizziness, nausea, trouble breathing, and most scarily... intermittent warmth in my left calf. After doing some research, I discovered that these could be symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis. Since I have been on birth control since the age of thirteen or so for my polycystic ovarian syndrome, a DVT is something I've always been taught to keep an eye out for. When I felt these symptoms for two days (and with some heartfelt insistence from my dearest mum), I decided to go to hospital and get it checked out.
We stayed in the room for while watching television, before the attending came to examine me. Thankfully, he determined that I didn't exhibit any of the most telling signs of DVT, like redness and tenderness. He also determined my symptoms were not from an infection. Instead, I was diagnosed with intense muscle strain, and gave me a prescription for 800mg ibuprofen three times per day. He also ordered me to stay off my leg as much as possible for 48 hours. I cheated, because I had to work yesterday, but today, I've tried to rest as much as possible. To keep from going insane, I've been crafting.

Without further ado, let me tell you about what I've done.
Richard and I have been meaning to decorate our home with some photographs of us, to make it more... well.. home-y. Having had one printed when we went to Ohio's Kings Island, I thought it was a good opportunity to set it into a frame.
I hate buying frames. They're expensive, finicky, and they don't always fit the decor of the house, or the mood of the photo.
Some might say that, at my age, you would want more elegant frames for your photos, to convey a sense of maturity. I say they're not having enough fun!
So, without further ado...

Materials:
1 blank wooden frame from Michael's wooden crafts section
1 page cardstock paper (I have a pack of 180 sheets from Recollections)
X-acto knife
Tacky glue
Decorations
1 photo of size

Really, one of these little guys will do.  It's just a dollar at Michael's!

Directions:
Using the frame as a template, cut cardstock paper with the X-acto knife.
Cover the frame in cardstock paper using tacky glue, laying it as flat as possible.
Decorate with stickers, ribbons, buttons, or other notions.

And that's it! From drabby, boring wood, to fun, beautiful, and full of personality.

With these methods, you could reduce the number of photo frames you buy significantly. This is also a great craft for children -- they can make their memories just as fun as the events themselves with this fun craft! Just be sure to give them a helping hand with the cutting part.

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.

Be An Angel Day; Crochet Bracelet

I haven't posted anything for quite a while here. I've been working on this afghan (which is taking me forever and ever), and I tried hard not to start any other projects before it was done. Well, now I'm taking a break from the blanket and doing some smaller projects to gear up for autumn and winter, so I'll likely post more often.
Recently, my department had a surprise baby shower for one of my very expecting co-worker. I spent six hours (staying up until 3 am) to make her baby a hat. Gosh, am I a slow crocheter. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo before I wrapped it up. Just imagine a baby hat. In yellow. There; you've got it.
Additionally, my place of employment celebrated Be An Angel Day, which was yesterday, August 22. Those who wanted to participate were given five dollars and could choose to spend it (or more or less money) on a gift, or not spend it and give something else. I wanted to make something for my recipient that would be interesting, cute, and useful (I will leave this person anonymous, because she doesn't know I'm her angel!)
I decided on this thick crocheted bracelet, since it followed with the style I'd seen her exhibit, and was neutral enough to go with a lot of things in any wardrobe. It was also a quick work, so I didn't have to stay up late this time!
Want to make a similar bracelet for someone you want to give a gift to? Here's how I made mine:

Materials:
Sensations Truly Superfine wool blend yarn in Truly Charcoal Grey
Caron CuddleSoft in White
Size G/6 -- 4.25mm crochet hook
Yarn needle

Directions:
Chain 34 using mc.
Row 1: HDC in 3rd chain from hook, HDC across, chain 1, turn work.
Row 2: HDC across, chain 1, turn.
Row 3: SC across, chain 2, turn.
Row 4: HDC across, chain 2, turn.
Row 5: HDC across, switch to cc, chain 1, turn.
Row 6: SC across, switch to mc, chain 1, turn.
Row 7: SC across, chain 2 (counts as first DC in edging row), turn.
Edging: DC in first stitch, slip stitch in next stitch, *2 DC in next stitch, slip stitch in next stitch*, repeat ** until end.
Tie off with 6 inch long tail. Using yarn needle, sew ends together.
Weave in any loose ends.

Notes:
I love this cute little bracelet. The use of HDC stitches give it a wonderful lacey quality (although the photo doesn't show it much.
A pattern like this has lots of potential; you could make it slightly longer, make it twice, and then you have wrist warmers. Make it even longer and you can make fingerless gloves.
Add details to your bracelet that make it visually appealing to the person you're making it for. Asymmetric patterns are really popular right now -- add a set of contrasting buttons of uneven sizes, add more stripes or colours.
As an awesome note, I found out later that my recipient really liked her gift! Yay!

Thanks for reading. If you have any questions or comments about this pattern, feel free to leave them below. Don't forget to subscribe to this blog for more inspiration and fun crafts!