Category Archives: Crafting

Jan10

Day 7: Starting a New Blanket

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I have a big problem with wanting to do new projects all the time. I see something cool, and I want to start it immediately. As a general rule, if I am obsessing too much over a project, I go ahead and start it, even if I already have many things in progress, because starting the project takes the edge off of that obsession.

During the months leading up to Christmas, though, I really tried to limit new projects that were not going to be Christmas gifts. I already had so many things going, and I really did want to finish a lot of things for the holiday. My resolve was tested when I got the Best Gifts of 2012 bonus issue of Crochet Today on my Nook, though. There are many great patterns in that issue, but what really caught my eye was this Lancaster Quilt:

I love everything about it, even the colors, which is rare for me. I see a lot of patterns that I like, but my first thought is usually “Of course, I’ll use different colors.” This one, though, I love the colors, too. I wanted to start it immediately, but I knew I wanted that pattern for myself, and that it would be time-consuming, so I delayed. This week, I could delay no longer–I had to at least start the blanket.

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What do you think? Don’t be distracted by the beautiful blanket behind my square. My grandmother made it for me years ago, and it is one of my favorite things ever. Okay, go ahead and be distracted by it, I obviously am, ;) .

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I love it already. Of course, now that I have gotten through the first 14 rows, I am going to be making progress much more slowly, I am sure, especially since I have many other projects in the works still, but I am glad to have this going.

How many projects do you have going at once?

Jan6

Day 4: One blanket panel

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I am switching things up a bit, labeling my posts by days, because I think it sounds more impressive that way. Not now, obviously, while I am posting Day 4, but eventually I will have many things piled up, and I will feel accomplished, ;) .

I decided a while back to make a blanket in school colors to donate to the big auction that my daughter’s high school Parents’ Club has each year, along with two scarves–one spiral scarf and one more manly striped scarf. I made 2 of the 9 panels for the blanket right away, but then I had to go back to Christmas projects.  It is time to seriously speed things up on this project if I want to have it done on time, though. For me, breaking this sort of thing down a bit is much less overwhelming, so I made one more panel on Friday.

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Please ignore the messy desk in the background. And the beads on the other end of the table. This whole making things adventure is not all that great for the state of my house–more stuff plus less time to organize.

As you can tell, my daughter’s school loves Halloween. I am hoping they can market the blanket and scarves for football games, although it doesn’t get that cold here early in the year. When I went to watch my daughter cheer for the freshman team this year, the fans were mostly in shorts. Still, our school and the one in the next suburb over play a Turkey Day game every year, and it is generally cold then, so a blanket and scarves in school colors would probably come in handy.

Jan4

Making Things: A Few Thoughts so Far

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Today’s project is still in progress, and I suspect it won’t be done until late, so I am taking some time now to reflect on how the project thinking smileyis going in general. I know, it’s only day 4, but what is the point of havinga blog if I can’t use it for a little navel-gazing?

My biggest takeaway so far? I need to go upstairs to go to bed earlier each night. I am not saying I actually need to go to sleep earlier, although I do. I mean I need to stop thinking of going upstairs to get ready for bed as actually going to bed. I’ve been trying to write in my journal each evening, just a bit with some ideas and general thoughts, and it is hard to fit that in AND read for a bit AND brush my teeth and wash my face AND get enough sleep if I don’t head upstairs until 10:30 or 11:00 PM. That would be a fine time to go to sleep, but it is too early to start a before bed routine that takes an hour or more.

Also, if I thought I was obsessed with making things before (and I totally thought that), I was underestimating how obsessed I could get. Everything I look at now, I think about what I could make with it. Every piece of art or craft I see, I wonder if I could do the same, or use the same technique. I WANT TO DO ALL THE CRAFTS! ALL THE ARTS! It’s a little crazy. I thought making something every day would calm that urge. If anything, I worried it would *limit* my making; that I would make one thing and then move on to slothdom in front of the tv. Not so. I hope I keep up this level of momentum and inspiration.

On a related note, this could get very expensive if I am not careful. I want to save some money for a cool road trip with my kids this summer, so I have to be careful. I am thinking that I need to focus more on reclaimed materials. Here are some ideas I have for that:

  • Make some t-shirt yarn with the pile of outgrown t-shirts in the basement from my children
  • Visit Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore for cool materials–I am particularly keen on doing something with old paned windows, but I also want to look at furniture and cabinets
  • Yard sales and estate sales in the spring are probably a good place to find all kinds of craft supplies
  • Do something with all the wine bottles and jars I have been saving from my own use–probably several somethings
  • Good will is another good place to look for materials

Where do you get cheap art and craft supplies?

Jan3

Making Things: Christmas Decorations

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Warning: this is not my most successful project ever. I like it, but there are issues.

First, why I am making Christmas decorations in January: I was too busy in the last few months of the year making gifts to make any decorations. I am trying to do some quick and easy decorating projects now, because I can put decorations away until next December, but I can’t bring myself to store the perfect gift for someone for months on end. If you look at my post from yesterday, you’ll note I made a Christmas gift for my friend Andrea in August and promptly gave it to her. Yesterday, I finished my gift for my friend Billie and today I drove over to her house to give it to her, even though I will see her tomorrow at the office (I worked from home today). Look at how pretty it is:

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Now that I have demonstrated that I can do a successful project, it is time to move on to today’s project.

Despite my lack of time to actually make any decorations, I had all sorts of projects I wanted to do. I even started one in December, based on this pin. I painted a canvas green and picked out papers, snowflake stickers and ribbon. Today I assembled the project, and it sort of worked, but I had issues with the glue. I am not sure if the problem is the green canvas or the homemade Mod Podge, but as you can see, the glue residue is visible around the trees:

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I am not an experienced user of Mod Podge, so can anyone help me here? Should I have left the canvas white? It seemed like too much white. My homemade Mod Podge is just thinned down glue, is that the problem? Is there a better recipe, or should I just pay the money for the real stuff?

I do like the look of the canvas. I may hang it despite the glue residue. Or I may try to get the glue off some other way (a pencil eraser didn’t work). I want to make at least one more to give to my aunt for Christmas, I think, but I want it to look better before I do that.

Any suggestions?

Jan2

Making Things: Christmas Crochet Projects

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I can’t share what I am working on today because it is a late Christmas present, and the recipient may be reading here. Instead, I am going to share some of the projects that I did complete.

One of the first things I made as a Christmas present was this scarf for my friend Andrea, who is modeling it beautifully:

I made it early, in August, and it was so perfect for her, so much the essence of Andrea as it were, I gave it to her as soon as I finished it. After that, though, I got better about setting my projects aside to wait for the holiday.

I made this Lacy V-Stitch Blanket for my cousin Dawn in September:

I followed this pattern, changing the colors and size to suit Dawn perfectly. She loved it!

I made this poinsettia pin for my grandmother, because she loves poinsettias:

I made two of these hats, one for my son in red, grey and black, and this one for his friend:

I made a few other things, too, but these are the pictures I could find fairly easily. I also have several late projects to finish still. I am feeling pretty good about my handmade Christmas presents this year, though. I did make most of the presents I gave, although I ended up buying several things as well. My goal for 2013 will be only to give things that I have made for the recipient. My brother and my dad–who got restaurant gift cards this year–will be the biggest challenge here, but if I start now, I am sure I can find something they will like.

Do you make Christmas or other presents?

May23

Summer Goals

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Today is the first day of summer vacation for my children. I still have to work, of course, but they have lots of free time on the horizon. Today I left them asleep while I headed off to work, and I didn’t give them any directions for the day. It is the first day of their vacation, they should decompress, relax and enjoy it. Especially since things will be changing soon.

Last summer, my kids spent so much time watching television, I had to prompt them to reply to anything I said.
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“I am really here in the room, not on TV entertaining you! Answer me! Have a conversation.” This year, I have vowed that things will be different. The TV will not be the primary form of passing the time. They will use their brains and their bodies for more than holding the couch down and watching other people far away do interesting things.

This is not the first time I have tried to get them to watch less tv. I work at home two days per week, but I am in the office the other three, and in the past, this has translated to at least three days per week of almost constant TV watching. To counteract that to some extent, I have decided that this year there will be goals in 4 areas:

  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Physical fitness
  • Science

The girl also needs to start thinking about a service project. She is entering high school in the fall, and she needs to start thinking about building her record for college applications. Plus, we need to do something to show her that the fact that I don’t buy her everything she wants as soon as she wants it does not mean she is disadvantaged, ;) .

I broke the news to the kids over brunch this past Sunday. They were not impressed. They became a little more enthusiastic when I said that they could choose their own goals (although I have to approve–they must be an actual stretch). So far, the girl has decided to learn to play golf with my dad, and the boy has decided to finish a story about dragons who live in the sewer system he is writing with his best friend. They are still thinking about the remaining goals.

For the science goal, I have decided we will do one science experiment per week as a family, so they don’t need to come up with a separate goal for that. They can find something they would like to do, or I can come up with one, but ev

eryone has to participate. Also, to make this whole thing slightly more fun for them and less heartless, I bought the family pool passes. If they are at the pool, they are doing at least some moving around, and they won’t be watching TV.

As for me, I am making a few goals as well.

  • Writing: Establish a daily writing habit. I need to post more regularly here and at Gaming Angels. I am also working with a friend to start a crocheting blog for her new business. And I keep saying I write fiction, or at least I want to write fiction, but not doing any writing. It is time to change that. Oh, and here of course.
  • Physical fitness: Since I got the FitBit, I definitely exercise more. I take more steps, and I am less sedentary. I could do better, though. For the past 30 days, my average number of steps is 5,612–not terrible, but I can definitely improve. I want to be consistently at 7,500 per day by the end of the summer. I know 10,000 is the usual goal, but I want to try to get there a bit more gradually; once I have mastered 7,500 consistently, I will raise the goal again. I also want to make sure my total active time for each day (lightly active, fairly active, very active) totals at least 4 hours every day, with at least 1 ½ hours in fairly or very active.
  • Crafting: I am substituting this for science, since that is covered in the family goal, and I have a ton of crafting projects I want to do. For now, I will be relatively modest in my goals: 5 crochet projects and 5 non-crochet projectscompleted before school starts for the kids on 8/14. 

You may have noticed I didn’t put a reading goal in there; I am not sure what to do. I already read a lot, and I don’t have a lot of spare time to devote to reading more. All those goals up there will take a lot of my time spent not working, eating or sleeping! I am still thinking about this one. I haven’t made the kids finalize their goals yet, after all, why should I be done with mine?

Do you do summer goals? Or is it all loose and easy at your house?

May9

Crochet progress

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Awhile back, I talked about my past struggles with crocheting, how I would try to jump in too quickly and get frustrated and quit. This time, I was determined, I would be kinder to myself, take things more slowly, and work my way up to the hard stuff.

I am happy to report that this is working! I have actually made things that are not embarrassing to claim! I have completed three hats, and while the last hat is definitely the best looking one, the first two are not bad, if I do say so myself. I used this pattern, which is all single crochet stitches, and it did wonders for my confidence and getting into a good rhythm of stitching. I have also finished two scarves, because they are quick and easy.

I can’t find a picture of my hats, but I do have pictures of the scarves. Both were made up patterns, just getting used to working with a slightly larger project and trying out yarns or threads I liked.

First, a jewel-toned scarf. I love variegated yarns, and I love jewel tones! This picture makes it look more blue and less purple than it looks in real life; I used my iPhone camera at work, so not the best lighting.


Next, I bought a bunch of cool multi-colored thread from a local yarn shop, and I wasn’t sure what to do with it. This is a scarf I made using it on the same hook with the purple yarn I used for the main part of the scarf. I love how it turned out, and my daughter, who was the recipient of this scarf, loved it, too.

I also made a quick necklace with the thread, but it wasn’t terribly sturdy. I need to practice more on this idea.

Beyond that, I have started many projects. I have even gotten pretty far on some of them. However, I haven’t really finished much. I have high hopes that I will have many finished projects soon, though. I have a few that are pretty close to being done, and I am trying to finish at least one thing before I start a new project. So far I haven’t had a lot of luck with that–I have 5 projects I am working on right now–but I am bound to finish something sometime, right?

Jan20

Pinterest Inspiration

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Have I mentioned how awesome Pinterest is? I love it for ideas, but hate for sucking time away from my day. Overall, though, I find it actually does inspire me to do more. After a lot of time looking at awesome ideas and exploring fascinating blogs I find by clicking through to any one particular idea, I throw my hands up in the air and exclaim, “Gah! Must Do Something!”

I have a bad habit of dreaming big and not being able to actually choose a project to complete. I keep thinking there is another project out there that I would rather be doing, if only I knew about it, or remembered it. I become convinced that I have seen the most awesome project in the world recently, and I am just forgetting about it momentarily. This makes it hard to settle on a project. I know, it’s silly, but that’s the way I think. Having a virtual pin board to keep track of projects that I want to do is very helpful to me. I can look over all the projects and choose based on supplies I have available, or what I really want to do at any given time. Then, because I know I will still be able to see all the ideas when I choose my next project, I can stop thinking about them and focus on the project I have chosen.

So, I made a board called Crafts I Want to Do and started pinning like crazy. Then I actually started making a few things. I made a hat, and I have since made two more, increasing my crocheting confidence. Now I am making an afghan, which I have wanted to do ever since I was a little girl watching my grandmother make beautiful afghans for everyone in the family. I am only using one color and two types of stitches, but I am still very excited about it!

I have also found that I get a lot more done when I have a few quick projects to add in to the mix. It is easier to keep working at a big afghan when I take a break and make a few complete projects that take a lot less time. The past few months I have made magnets, Christmas ornaments and some cool bathroom tile coasters. Of course, I shouldn’t have left the coasters outside on a windy day to dry after putting on the sealant, but that’s ok, because they were quick. It’s a learning experience, right?

Lately I have started eyeing more and more complicated projects. There are complicated afghans and pillows to make, canvases to paint, and furniture to refinish. I have actually become somewhat fixated on this last item–I want to repaint some furniture, but I am nervous. I have been thinking I should scrounge up some furniture elsewhere before I attack my own furniture. What if I mess it up? I had a thought though–I can start with the old dresser in my son’s room. My mom bought it for me at a garage sale when I was young, and it has definitely seen better days. It needs a bit of repair to make the drawers slide better, then it is ready for a makeover. My son is on board with the idea, and he even wants to help, AND has color suggestions! He thinks we should paint it orange, than then paint on “lines and dots” in red, black and blue. What a creative guy! Plus, this dresser really can’t get much worse, so it is relatively low risk.

I want to do more ambitious carpentry, too. I would love to put a board and batten treatment on the bottom of the walls in my dining room, but I am nervous about installing it on the plaster walls. I would also like to do some built-in shelving and storage space in my family room to add “Office” and “Craft Room” to the official uses of the room (along with “Wii Space” and “For the Love of God, Will You Kids Please Go in the Other Room So the Grownups Can Talk Space”). These tasks are way beyond my current skill level, but it is so inspiring to see other people doing them!

In the meantime, if my efforts with my son’s dresser work out, we can paint the shelving units I currently have in the family room. I got them at an estate sale, and they look outdated, but a nice paint job would do wonders. I am envisioning apple green and lavender, but I don’t know that will go well in my yellow and cranberry family room. Hmm, more painting may be in order. See what I mean about ambitious?

How do you settle on a project when there are so many choices demanding your attention?

Dec27

Some Recent Craftiness

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I have mentioned before that I am a bit obsessed with making things. I have had this kind of craft aspiration before, but this time the urges are actually translating into real stuff that I have made! Oddly, this is not making my urges go away–every time I make something, the compulsion to make more things increases. For now, all of my friends and family are thrilled, but we will see how long it takes for them to turn me away like a gardener during zucchini season.

The first thing I have to show was a pretty easy project: tied fleece blankets. I made one with colorful peace signs and a purple back for my daughter:

For my son, I chose planets and constellations with a blue back:

For my children’s little brother from their dad’s second marriage, I made a blanket with frogs and a blue back again:

It took me a while to start these blankets, because I couldn’t find a ruler. I was sure I needed a ruler to get the corners cut out and all the fringe the same length. I finally realized the exact size didn’t matter, just (mostly) consistent cuts, so I made a template square from a sheet of paper and used it as a guide. That really did the trick. I just spread out the fleece on my bed, turned on NPR and did a lot of cutting and tying. I think they turned out very cute, and my kids really liked theirs (little brother will get his next weekend).

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My family mostly does presents for the kids only, but lately our celebrations have gotten smaller–everyone seems to be busy and geographically dispersed, not to mention all the other extended family obligations. Consequently, there aren’t as many children or adults, so we do sometimes exchange small presents among the aunts and cousins (the ones who still come around are women, mostly, that’s just how it worked out; my brother gets left out, but I don’t think he cares). Come to think of it, though, people have always brought the occasional crafty gift. It isn’t expected, but sometimes people just make something and distribute. My aunt makes earrings, but only when she finds beads that inspire her, for instance. This year, I made magnets.

None of these are actually glowing; I need a new camera, but you get the idea. These were easy and fun to do, and my aunts and cousin loved them. I got the idea from my friend Hilary at the crafting party a few weeks ago–this is why I think getting together to craft with friends is so awesome. I also made a few with regular round buttons for another cousin, but I didn’t get a picture of those.

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I went out yesterday and bought a bunch of new craft supplies, including glass plates and spray paint to make my own custom plates. When I got home, though, it was raining outside, and I didn’t get any lace to make a pattern on the back of the plate, so I was bummed out. Then I remembered one of the things I wanted to do was to spray some of the plates with water and then silver paint, let that dry and back it with another color. I don’t have an empty spray bottle handy for the water, so a light rain was actually perfect for my purposes. I ran outside and sprayed my first plate, and now I am waiting for good weather to finish with another color.

I haven’t decided yet whether to back this one with Rich Plum or Jade, but if it turns out as awesome as I think it is going to be, it doesn’t really matter, since I will make many more!

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A couple of cute stories about crafts and my kids:

I always get something arty for my son, because he loves to draw and do crafty things. This year, I got him a drawing desk with a projector and light box. When he opened it, he said, “I was wondering when I would get a crafty present! Finally!” I am so glad he likes doing art!

Later that morning, I was looking through my new craft book, and talking about gifts I could make to give out next year for Christmas. I learned this year that giving nice handmade Christmas gifts requires planning ahead, and it is fresh in my mind now, so I was going through all the things I could make, thinking about getting things done early. My daughter looked at my like I am crazy and said, “Mom, it is still *this* Christmas *today*! You have the longest possibly time to worry about this still! Why are you thinking about making next year’s presents already?” She is 14, though, so I am used to her thinking I am crazy, :) .

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What are you making?

Dec25

My Favorite Christmas Present

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Most awesome present ever!

I totally cheated on this one, and picked it out myself, had the store wrap it, and told the kids they bought me a present when I got home.* How could a book called The Big-Ass Book of Crafts go wrong? Ok, the kids were a bit appalled that they bought me a book with a bad word in the title, but they got over it, since they didn’t actually have to lay out any cash, ;) .

I want to make approximately 20 crafts in this book RIGHT NOW, but since I will have to gather supplies first, I have to content myself with making a list of the crafts I want to do as soon as possible.

Lace Glass Plates
Drag Art
3-D Blossom Box
Art Switch Plates
Fabric-Covered Salt and Pepper Shakers
Kid Art Napkins
Bathroom Tile Coasters
Seashell Encrusted Bookends
Kitchen Art Tray
Bubble Stationary
Tin Can Luminaries
Rolled Magazine Bowl and Basket

I could go on, but this is probably enough to keep me busy for a while. Also, I couldn’t help but notice that there is a second book in the series, and a home decor book by the same author, so the crafts will never end! Hooray!

Pictures to come, no doubt until everyone is sick of them.

* What, did you think I was going to say something about my kids’ love or something sentimental like that? No, not when there are crafts to talk about!