One Pillow, Two Pillow and a set of Booties. Year of Projects Week 2

So as soon  I decide to buckle down on my list I find myself suddenly diverting  onto other things. I've been trying to organize my craft room, putting yarn up and putting yarn together with patterns for a while. And as I move one more box and I then realize I've got a nice selection of pillow forms just hanging around. SO instead of working on a project that needed to be completed I started another. In my defense it was quick and I've added a spot of color to my living room/office space and utilized a pillow form. And did I mention that I used two skeins of yarn that I had in hand? Win/Win/Win in my book!

Its a pattern from the crochet crowd, Crochet Textured Flower Pillow, Here's the pattern I didn't have a bulky yarn I liked so I went with two strands of Red Heart that I had on hand. And I'm really happy with how it turned out. I'll be making another one in a different color soon, well as soon as I find two skeins of a color I think will work in that area. The stash hunt is officially on !

Then as luck would have it I got a message from a person who follows my daughters Instagram and she asked about a pillow I had done for My daughter a year or so ago. We struck up a conversation and soon she was placing an order for an Acorn Pillow, yes you read that right, Acorn. So that was pillow two of the week and I can't say how much fun those large stuffies are. In case you wondered the one for my daughter was a beet! My daughter is vegan and she loved the small version so well I thought a big one would be fun and a conversation piece too. I actually ended up making a few beet pillows and a couple of other veggie pillows last year for a friend of hers that had a vegan store on the coast. You just never know where the world of yarn will take you!

Then it was on to a special order of Booties. Dad is a baseball fan and with a new baby on the way and hope for the season opener, Mom ordered these Chicago Cubs inspired booties, These are fun and easy, toe of my favorite things, and I get it add a check mark to the finish column even if it's not on the list!

I'm hoping to dive into my project bags this week and drag out my long suffering cardigan, I might have it finished by the time it gets cold. I'm really glad I bought so much yarn for it since i"m pretty sure they don't make it any more.

So having said that It's time to track my Cold Sheep/ Clean out the Disaster  Craft Room

Yarn

OUT 2550 yards (rounded) 

IN 0

Other Craft Supplies

1 Pillow Form

So that wraps up another week of Projects for me, Please be sure to check out all of the other blogs in the group and  remember it's always a good time to join. Check it out here.

Have a Wonderful Crafty Week!

Creating Sanctuary by Jessica Bloom

Available November 27th

Amazon  B&N   BAM  Kobo

Creating Sanctuary is a first a truly beautiful book but is it also a wonderful reference for many levels of gardeners
 If you are interested in learning about creating a sacred space or even just a tranquil space in your backyard, this book has wonderful ideas for that. If your interests lie in creating a kitchen garden or an apothecary garden this book is for you. The way it is laid out and the writing encourages you to take what information you need to create your own place in your own time, and allows you to have a space that works for you. It's not a cut and dry blueprint, everyone has their own needs and this speaks to that part of a person that needs healing.
Bloom encourages the reader to use all of their senses, not just sight or smell but also touch and hearing and to use those senses to bring times to your garden that a uplifting and comforting to all five senses. She points out that we should be aware of how colors or scents affect us, is it a positive thought, do certain plants evoke memories?  I know I will always associate some plants with my grandmother and I find that I add those to my garden every year, just to feel close to her.
Other parts of the book discuss what kind of garden you are trying to create, all garden can be beautiful but why not create an area with a deeper meaning., Such gardens could be for memorials, spaces for healing, energizing you mind or just relaxation, a space to escape from the stress of the everyday world.
If you decide to delve into the world of plants for apothecary purposes or even kitchen purposes, the author shows how to harvest, preserve and collect seeds for the next growing season. Then there are recipes for teas, tinctures, essentials oils and lotions.
Over all a garden means so many different things to different people, and this book is a wonderful resource for creating your own Sanctuary. Becoming more attuned to the natural elements around us will help us to leave the stresses of daily life behind and enjoy our time just a bit more.  It is not just for the advanced gardener since it has information how to have an intentional design in mind, what to plant and where to harvesting your seeds. Creating Sanctuary is a great resource that I plan on adding to my library.

Thanks to Timber Press and Net Galley for an Electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Zipping it up with Z

It's Monday again, the last day of April and this is my last installment of the A to Z Challenge for 2018! I'm so excited that I made it and that you have followed along! Today we're talking DIY Zipper Crafts to close out the month.

That's right zippers aren't just for jeans anymore. They make seriously cute jewelry! Broaches and Bracelets and pendants too! Check out these ideas and see what else you can think of to reuse those connectors for!

Let's start with something for the guys, or girls ties aren't just a man's domain anymore, thanks to the 80's I wore my fair share. This zipper Bow Tie tutorial breaks it all down step by step so you can create one of your own in just a zip!

Via Artz Creations-  Super simple- Super Cute and they come in a wide range of colors

Here's another Bow .. for your hair this time. 

Simona Tela added a few beads and created a work of art

These bracelets are totally wearable Art and can include all parts of  jeans and tees.

Downloadable Tutorial at Cloth Paper Scissors

How about a these flowers done by Pretty Little Somethings that could be added to a pin, hair piece or any other type of craft as an embelishment

Maya Road created these trees as well as a wreath more info is available on her blog

And since it is spring let's zip up the A to Z Challenge with this dragonfly tutorial that would be great to do as a craft with little ones

via Help me Rhonda

Well it's surely been fun on my side! I hope that everyone reading picked up at least one new idea about upcycling and that it keeps a couple of items from clogging up the dump! I've visited blogs and ready stories, learned about new places and ideas and generally had a great time! Be sure to check out the master list and the daily letter lists to find something new to you. You might just find your new favorite blogs, hopefully one of those could be mine. 

If you are new to my blog I normally talk about Crafting, Upcycling, Farm life and Books, you are more than welcome to stop by anytime. Thanks for visiting with me this month and have a Crafty Year!

Extra Vases and What to do with them

Vases, old, new, clear, colored, we all have a few hanging around. Mine are under my kitchen sink and laundry room sink and it's quite possible that there are a few in the barn. It's not that I have gotten so many flowers in my life time but but I've inherited some and some were left over from other projects and some have been filled with flowers. But what to do with them other than let them take up much needed space? I've done the research and I'm ready to share it with you, so pull them out and get ready to repurpose.

Most vases have a lot in common, they are glass and they are clear, they don't a have lot of personality going for them so they end up hidden away. One easy fix is to give them a little notoriety with some paint and some embellishments. Then you can group them and different sizes and styles work together because they have something in common, color!

I love everything about this idea from Vera Morae

Can you believe these were once just clear glass from the thrift store?

Madigan Made tells you exactly how she got this cobalt color 

Are your vases a little on the plain side? No worry you can add some interested with Twine.

  Teach Craft Love used A bit of twine and some hot glue for a interesting display 

Here's an interesting tutorial on decoupaging with Lace by Urban Comfort, that would be great for adding a bit of Shabby Chic to a plain vase

Not looking to add more items to your counter top, how about using those vases in your garden? 

Add a bowl and you've got instant whimsy for your garden. 

If these mushrooms aren't enough for you how about slipping a vase over those not so pretty solar lights to turn them real decor like they did at My Frugal Home. How pretty would this be at night?! And if you have different types or shapes all the better/

No matter what you do with them, there are lots of ideas out there that will fit your style and budget. I hope this helps to get those gears turning to help clear out some of that cabinet space that those old vases are taking up.

I can't believe we are in the home stretch of the A to Z Challenge and I'm going to finish this year. I hope you all have had as much fun as I have and if you've learned something along the way so much the better. W is for Windows and I've been collecting these ideas for a while, so be sure to come back tomorrow and see what all the fuss is about!

Upcycling Jars for J in the A to Z Challenge

As a Canner I use jars for everything, especially since I always have them hanging around. And I do like to store in glass instead of plastic so that's a bonus. But what do you do with all of those jars that aren't canning jars, put them in the recycling bin? Well that's one thing but how about prettying them up and using them all around the house.

It doesn't matter if  you have big jars or small jars, decorative jars or simple pickle jars there is an idea for it.  Scroll down to see how others are saving money and adding storage and interest to their spaces. And what's even better these don't generally need more than some basic tools, paint and  a glue gun.

 While a jar is a jar, and it's made for storing something not much you can do about that, the easiest change you can make is with the lids. Adding a knob, finial or even a little plastic animal can turn plain into chic.


 
Ideal Home                                                                                      Torie Jayne

A little paint can go a long way towards creating something new out of something old


Create Craft Love                           Attainable Sustainable


With a small amount of effort you can go all out and create something truly remarkable
How about Apothecary Jars, they can be very expensive but are the rage for all kinds of decor

Say Not Sweet Anne  used jars, bowls and candle sticks to get this great arrangement. I don;t know how many if these items I've seen at yard sales and auctions for very little money.

Love the idea but want a little less Bling- Check out A Diamond in the Stuff version

Candle Sticks, Mason Jars and a Finial- Add a little paint and glue and a bit of nature for inspiration

And last but not least if you are really handy or want a bigger project, try your hand a lighting

You can start with Candles, Luminaries are a great idea, fill the bottom of the jar with your decor of choice, sand, pebbles, stones or marbles, then add your candle. they can be hung, placed on shelves or just set along a path.

Rae posted this tutorial over on A Southern Fairy Tale

Then you can work up to LED or solar lights also as luminaries or as outdoor lighting

Fairy Twinkle Lights? Lightn' Bugs? I'll take them!

Thanks to All Things Heart to Home for this idea

Are you feeling you want a bit more? Here are two ideas for Chandeliers, one is on the simpler side and the other will require a bit of electrical know how.

Here Comes the Sun took an existing light and just added jars. Love the new colored jars Ball is coming out with, look for these blue, green and even purple jars.

IkeaHackers took some everyday items and made some eye catching lighting for the kitchen!

This one used premade light cords but there is a bit of electrical work in tying it all together.

No matter your level of craftiness, there is a jar project just waiting for you! Have you upcycled some jars, used them for storage or just for display? Le me know how it went!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out all of the other bloggers who are doing the A to Z Challenge this April!

Tomorrow my K got started in the Kitchen but it can't be contained! I'll see you tomorrow for more ideas...

B is for Buttons in the A to Z Challenge

Buttons, yep you see them every day and may have lost one or two in your life. Did you Mom or Grandmother have a jar or another type of container filled with buttons laying around? My Grandmother did, she often recycled shirts and dresses into quilts and of course she cut off the buttons and reused them also.

This is just one of the jars of buttons that came from my grandmothers house. There are all kinds of ideas for reusing buttons even for display purposes.

If you don't have a jar or 7, of your own buttons, be sure to check out goodwill, yard sales and other people's homes, you might be surprised at what you find. Or you can always head over to your local fabric store or craft store, buttons are an "in" craft right now. They have various packages in different sizes and color combinations.  

Ok,  you've got your hands on some buttons now what should you do with them? 

Here's a couple of ideas for you!

They are a great project helper for kids, use them collages or as accents to drawings,

What a great interest piece from  With all my Art and Soul

Have some fancy vintage buttons- Turn them into pins and jewelry

Check out these simple DIY instructions

I've seen buttons like these come in by the jar full in auctions and go for a couple of dollars, I'll be jumping on it next time!

I'm seriously in love with this idea from Robin at Happy at Home

Jewelry not your thing? How about other uses in the home or office..

Buttons as Magnets for your Fridge! From Lundagard

Give your Cork Board some Interest with information from An Oregon Cottage

Or add them to paperclips and use them as Books Marks- Check out I heart naptime for this idea

Buttons are part of our daily life and often are under valued, until you need one and don't have one. So don't throw out those buttons, there are so much you can do with them,wall  art,  kids crafts, handcrafted cards, add character to drawer pulls or even make a button bouquet ..

How awesome is this? Wedding season is fast approaching, check out Button Floozie for this idea. The original store has gone out of business but there are tons of ideas to be found on Pintrest!

Thanks for stopping by for day 2 of the A to Z Challenge. We're blogging the Alphabet. Want to know more Click Here for a full list of bloggers participating. There has to be something for everyone!!

Stop by tomorrow and I'll be using something from the Kitchen for my garden!

Year of Projects Week 38 Year 7

I've managed four finishes this week,three smalls and one larger, two of them are crochet, one sewing one sewing related.

The first was a pin cushion that once was part of an arrangement from when I was born. My mom is cleaning out some cabinets and thought I might like to have it. I thought I would make it into something useful, it's now a great addition to my sewing table.

This is my second,larger finish I might have been up past midnight getting it done but it was ready for my daughter's birthday!

I've done a bit more digging and I have uncovered the cardigan that I started a couple of years ago, so along with all of the other projects I'm working on I'm going to add that back to the rounds.

Finished a couple of more squares and a hexi's , I might start joining a few this week. 

Another thing I dug up was a set of Play Veggies, I had made a few items and I always meant to go back and add a couple of more but it was put in a box and forgotten. I found it and I've managed to whip up a broccoli and a mushroom, I'm contemplating an apple, radish or tomato and maybe some grapes? But once it's done it will be added to my Etsy along with it's super cute market bag. 

In order to help get back into building this blog, I decided to do the blogging from A to Z Challenge in April. You pick a pick a topic and post every day in April except for Sundays, using the letter of the day. I'm going with upcycling products in new and fun ways. The main website has a list that can be sorted by categories and themes, so you can find what you're interested in without having to go through a ton of blogs, as of now there are 351 blogs participating. 

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out what all of the other Yoppers are up to this week too!

Year of Projects Post Year 7 Week 36

Just a quick update on the current blanket, an Easter Project and a small Birthday surprise.

I've completed the flower portion of my current Work in Progress. 30 flowers down now it's time to square them up.

Lot's of ends left to weave in but I thought it would be easier to do as I complete the squares. Winter decided it wasn't quite done with us already. The temperature has dropped and it seems more like blanket weather again. 

Easter is right around the corner and I have a couple of crafts in the works, one is bunnies! They are all cut out and ready to be stitched up. I'll be finishing them off with a pom pom tail. Colored tails for the white and white tails for the colored. 

Since I had the pom pom maker out for tails, and someone has a birthday coming up quickly I whipped out a couple of "Soot Sprites" from the Spirited Away movie  for the Kiddo. Just a couple of oversized eyes and a bit of clear thread and these guys will make a great addition to any corner..lol

I've got another project on tap for her and a couple of weeks to get it completed.  She's been eyeing those faux fur blankets and I found a great DIY post on putting one together.  Hopefully that will be a finish for next week.

Check out what the other Yoppers are up to this week!

It's been a baby project week

Having just finished up or almost finished a couple of projects, I need something new to work on for a bit, Not that I don't have a few works in progress awaiting my attention, but it was time for something small and easy.
 So I started a diamond baby blanket in a soft lilac that I found in my stash, that checked off two boxes, simple and stash busting. Got about 8 rows in and then a got a couple of orders back to back.

One of course needs to be done in a week, and the other has a couple of weeks till it needs to be ready to deliver.

Thankfully the emergency is for baby sandals, I had done a pair a couple of years ago for the new aunt as a shower gift and she was in need of another pair for another new baby in the same family.
Those are fairly fun so I thought I would do a few more since the season is right for sandals and add them to a local store and some for my Etsy shop.

I still had the skein from before where I did the soles but she needed a different color for the tops. So drove into the stash and came up with a couple of colors, I love this coral and I think it's the one we're going with, but the purple and mint are great too. But more of the mint in just a bit. So I'm on to find the perfect itty bitty button for these now..

The second order is for a first baby, and they wanted something a bit frilly. We decided on the Fluffy Meringue blanket, in mint. It took a a bit to get it started but it's  moving along well.

All in all the week started out slow but quickly picked up speed. The cold sheep is going well nothing coming in and I'll have a bit going out soon. Not sure about any totals right now but I'm hoping to have a very positive decline in the stash by year end.  I need to make room for my wheel and sewing machine and fabric and other items, with Crafts, it's never ending. I was under the misconception that if I had a craft room it be organized and inspiring, and it has come a long way but it's not quite there yet..

If you also have an overflowing craftroom and queue and you're looking for some inspiration come check out the Year of Project group on Ravelry!

Owl update and Year of Projects Week 4

So the owl was delivered today!! Super excited on my part and crying on the mom's part..lol. She loved it and I'm glad she's glad and then I'm also glad because I can move on to a new project.

Thankfully it came out better than my picture taking abilities! 

I'm in for a quick project for my next start and I have to work on a few that I've got in progress. 

Couple of more baby projects in the works, a black cat hat for friends of our daughter who are expecting  boy and are HUGE Carolina Panther fans. Dad has a running bet/fear that the baby will be born on the first home game of the season..lol. So I thought a cat hat in panther colors would go over great as well as be a bit of fun. Mom is 26 and due in September, really active still, in fact she ran a 5k a week ago, while I'm lucky to get the yard mowed and trimmed in one weekend. I'm afraid my age is showing! It's strange to think these kids that bickered on the swings and made mud pies will be swinging with their own babies soon,,,time certainly flies.

In that black hole that is pintrest I found this super cute square that I'll have to work into the next baby blanket.

I think I'd use it like my pink and green squares in progress. I haven't made much progress on those but I'm working on granny stitches around the connected center squares and then once it reaches a certain size I'll add another round of squares and then a boarder. Kinda like a simple Wendy blanket. Which of course is on my wish list!

As far as what's taking up all of my time this week it's still figs, this weekend was Fig Strawberry and Fig Marmalade.

 I need to start some plants for the fall garden but it's way too hot to start anything outside, so I'm digging into the stash for the next project!

Have a great week and check out more ideas and updates here, or join us on our Year of Projects journey.