From the category archives:

Crafting Around

Getting Crafty

by Megan on January 4, 2012

For a while now, I’ve been a wannabe crafter. I always find tutorials online, but I sell myself short thinking that I can’t do it. I’ve been pinning a lot lately, and I have a board dedicated to DIY tutorials. Since I’ve been out of school for the past few weeks, my evenings have been pretty low-key, and I’ve had plenty of time to try a couple of the tutorials.

I mentioned a while back that I made a yarn wreath (though I still haven’t added flowers to it), so I had some extra yarn leftover. I found a tutorial for finger-knitting, and I thought it looked easy enough. I have tried knitting before but gave up after I wasn’t perfect on the first try–I do that often–so I thought this finger-knitting technique looked much easier. Well, I tried it, and I actually made a scarf! I really like the technique, and it creates a skinny, rope-like scarf that can be wrapped around. I actually made mine into a loop/infinity scarf. I just made a small one this time, but I’m making one for my sister (in lime green!), and I plan on making it bigger so that it can wrap around more. (I also bought some bulkier yarn to try to make a thicker scarf. I have several ideas up my sleeve!) I considered selling a few in the future, but I want to practice the technique a bit more.

Another craft I have found to be fun (and fairly easy!) are felt flower headbands. I made one a couple weeks ago for practice, and I gave it to my sister. (She wears it often and she has already asked for more in other colors.)

My sister wearing my first felt flower headband.

I posted pictures of on facebook, and I had a couple requests from friends wanting to buy them. I’m actually selling a few to a friend (for her daughter); I finished them up the other day, and I think they turned out great.

Right now, I’m selling them for $6 each (or three for $15, which is a “special” I’m doing until Friday). I’m hoping to use any of the extra money to buy more supplies so I can build up enough stock to open an Etsy shop–possibly by Spring Break, which is the middle of March.

It’s really rewarding when you see a finished project, especially for someone like me who usually gives up at the first “bump in the road.” I’m not sure how much time I’ll have to craft once school starts up again (next week), but I do know that one of my goals this year is to make more time for crafting.

What are you making more time for this year?

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My Week In Instagram Photos

by Megan on December 21, 2011

I’ve been watching the clock a lot this week. I’m looking forward to the long weekend of spending time with family for the Christmas holiday.

Remember when I posted about some DIY projects I found on pinterest? Well, I decided to attempt a yarn wreath, and after a trip to JoAnn’s, I had the supplies I needed. I spent the majority of Monday evening wrapping up my wreath. I think it turned out nicely, though it’s not perfect.

I also received my first box from Citrus Lane. Technically, it’s for my sister and nephew. It’s sort of like Birchbox, but for parents. They sent a cute hat for Hayden, a full bottle of lotion, a gingerbread cookie cutter, and a beautiful bracelet for my sister. (If you’d like to join, you can use my invite link, and use CITRUSHALF at checkout to get half off your first box!)

Tuesday evening, I decided to try crafting a flower for my yarn wreath. (I used this tutorial for my flower.)

I decided not to use that style of flower on my wreath. (Well, I want to try other styles before deciding.) I ended up making a headband instead, and I gave it to my sister.

I’ve been tired this week, but the evening crafts have helped center me. I’ve also been reading my Bible (for educational as well as personal reasons). I’m reading it in chronological order, and right now, I’m on Job (just a few days in), and there have been some great reminders. It’s keeping me humble.

Even though the cold weather hasn’t hit us yet, I’m truly looking forward to Christmas this weekend. It doesn’t feel like it’s so close, but I think an evening drive to look at Christmas lights might help with that.

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Oh, How Pinteresting!: The DIY Edition

by Megan on December 14, 2011

I mentioned that I was getting to know my sewing machine a little better last weekend. I really don’t have a ton of fabric to play around with right now, so I’ve been browsing pinterest all week for fun, DIY projects–and not just those that require a sewing machine!

Flannel Infinity Scarf

Felted Wool Wrist Warmers

Felt Flower Headbands

10-minute Fabric Headband

Christmas Yarn Wreath

Are you on Pinterest? If not, I’ll gladly send you an invitation. If so, what are some of your favorite DIYs?

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Caffeine Induced Craftiness

by Megan on December 12, 2011

My parents bought me a Keurig for my birthday, so I’ve been drinking a large amount of coffee. (Okay, just one cup a day, but for me, that is a large amount.) When I drink caffeine, I tend to get this big-haired ideas and I start making Big Plans. Usually, they fall through when the caffeine wears off. However, I think they’re starting to stick around a bit lately–possibly due to the extra caffeine coursing through my veins.

Last year, I bought a new Singer sewing machine. I took it out of the box, taught myself how to thread the bobbin and thread the needle … and haven’t touched it since. Well, lately I’ve come to the realization that I just have too much stuff, and I sort of gave myself an ultimatum: learn how to sew or sell the machine. The weekend rolled around, and I cleaned up my sewing area, hooked up my sewing machine, re-taught myself how to thread the needle, and practiced sewing lines on some fabric I bought many moons ago.

Obviously, not an expert yet.

After practicing lines, I started cutting some fabric. I had watched a few video tutorials and I wanted to try my own little project. Since I don’t yet own a self-healing mat or rotary cutters, I free-handed cutting the fabric using a pair of scissors. Basically, the fabric wasn’t perfectly matched up, but since this was a practice run, I didn’t really mind.

After pinning the fabric together, I started sewing. (I should mention that I didn’t iron the fabric because I actually don’t even own an iron. Shocker, I know!) I’d be lying if I said I got it right the first time. The biggest lesson I learned is to be patient. I was trying to sew too fast, and once I slowed things down a bit, I actually did much better. So, I sewed the fabric together and turned it right-side out, and I was shocked to see that it actually turned out OK, although the lines weren’t perfect. I was almost giddy with excitement that I had actually sewn something together.

Another important factor I learned: the seam ripper is my best friend right now. You can sort of see one of my outside stitches in the top of the picture above. Ugly and definitely not straight. I ripped that seam out, and in the process of sewing up the outside, I ripped the seam out three or four times so I could start over. Once I reminded myself to be patient, I ended up with what looked like a decent finished product–for my first try at least!

See? I obviously didn't iron the fabric.

Right now, I’m calling it a potholder, though it doesn’t have batting on the inside. I’m thinking of framing my first “project” so that I can see how far I’ve come someday. (Yes, I plan on continuing in this venture.) I do have a few projects I’m hoping to try in the near future (when I can buy more supplies): infinity scarf, fabric coasters, potholders, headbands, and napkins.

Over the course of the weekend, I did learn a few things:

  1. The basics of sewing really aren’t that difficult, as long as you’re patient. Patience really is key throughout the entire process.
  2. You will have to re-thread your needle several times, probably. You might become an expert at this task.
  3. Pins might fall on the floor and be lost in the carpet. You may step on them.
  4. You will come dangerously close to sewing the needle through your thumb. Be cautious when near the needle.
  5. Like I said, seam ripper = best friend. You will mess up. Mess-ups can usually be fixed. Just be patient.
  6. Sewing can be really addicting. Like, really. I’m daydreaming about it all day now.

Overall, it has been a great experience so far. I’m looking forward to more practice, and I’m hoping to have at least one perfected project complete by the time I go back to school on January 9th. If you have any suggestions, feel free to send them my way!

[all images taken using my iPhone and the instagram app]

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