Bella Dia

Modern Crochet "Doily"

I really don't know what to call this and though "doily" probably
comes the closest to what it is I really don't like to call it that,
"modern doily" sounds better. Anyway, it's something to go on
the table under a vase or plate or just to look pretty. I made up
the design as I went along. The trick to doing a circular design
is that you always have to be aware of the increase so it will
continue to lay flat. I did a few spike stitches which are always
fun, and finished with several rounds of single crochet
because I love the texture it creates. 


I like how the turquoise rows together look like an arrow pointing
to the center. It reminds me a bit of an Aztec sun motif. 

Egg Carton Wreath Inspiration & Tutorial

I made this egg carton wreath for a tutorial on The Crafty Crow
but thought I would share a link here too. It's one of those crafts
that adults can enjoy just as much as kids and maybe even a
little bit more. The egg cartons take some time to cut up so I do
that on a separate occasion - like while watching The Walking Dead -
and then the rest of the project goes a lot faster. I took my  
inspiration from this vintage plate that I love. I only have this one
piece but I always hope to find more on one of my thrift shop visits. 

Round Crocheted Placemats

I recently organized my yarn stash and in an effort to use
some of it up, I started crocheting these round placemats.
There's no rhyme or reason to my color choices, I'm just
choosing colors that I like together. I want to have a whole
stack so everyone can pick their favorite. The yarns are all
acrylic so they'll be easy to throw in the wash and I also
won't freak if food gets on them. I think they look pretty
on my newly painted table also. The double crochet ones 
work up pretty fast but the single crochet seems to take 
forever and are harder to keep flat the further out you get. 
I was also thinking that a whole blanket of large, squared 
off circles would look pretty cool too. Check out what I've
been pinning to my crochet Pinterest boards if you
want to see what is inspiring me lately.