Goings On

Or maybe, too many sticks in the fire.

There's been a lot of handiwork going on around here.  Most of it involves fabric where last year, it was paint.

Can't wait to get some of this stuff finished so I can share!

Knitted Egg Cozies

 

Aren't they cute?  I found the pattern for them on Ravelry.  You can go directly to this free pattern by clicking here.

I'm planning to put a couple in Han and Zoe's Easter baskets, as well as my niece's and nephew's.  Since most of the kiddos are itty-bittys, I embroidered the eyes instead of using beads as instructed in the pattern.  

I know it's only a couple of days before Easter, but these are so fast to knit.  I'm talking minutes here!  

Happy Easter, everyone!!

Linked to:

Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 

Creative Things Thurs @ The Vintage Farmhouse  

Free for All Friday @ Sassy Sites 

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest 

Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous  

Weekend Wrap-up @ Tatertots & Jello 
Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane Boutique  

Nursery Stuff

First off, I'd like to give a big thanks to those of you who left comments on my last post. I replied directly to those I could, but some of you have your e-mail addresses blocked.

I've decided to let Han do the room the way she wants since it's HER room, and not mine. I got several suggestions of painting the dresser lime green, which is one of the colors in the bedding, and I think we'll be doing exactly that (with Han's approval, of course!)  * Since I started this post, we've considered purchasing new furniture for her room.  She's almost 13 and I think it's about time she has an actual bedroom set.  We're planning to finish the rest of our renovations before we make such a large purchase, so until then, she's just using the yellow dresser.


Now on to the meat of this post.  I showed a couple of nursery idea boards last month and I mentioned that I'd probably end up changing my mind. I know myself so well. I think it was that same week that I decided I'd like to do a gender-neutral nursery.


I was inspired by this nursery from Susan Weinroth. So bright and cheery!

One thing I have to consider when designing this room is the chair we'll be using in there.  It's the big red chair from my studio that so many of you loved.

Considering the red chair, I thought it might look nice to have white walls and then uses pops of color around the room.  Kind of this like nursery that I found on Pinterest.  The source from the pin was from the boo and the boy , and she credits Spearmint Baby.  I looked through the featured nurseries there, but I couldn't locate this one so I'm not sure where it originated.  It sure is peppy though!

Once I got the general scheme down, I started thinking about accessories.  I blogged a few weeks ago that I'd started knitting/making a mobile similar to this one.

blabla

So far, I've knitted the band and started on the birds, which are currently wingless, with a few still unstuffed. 

 bird pattern can be found here

Here's my dirty paint chip from the color we're using in Han's new room.  Her wall color is the last one, Sea Wave.  I was really hesitant about that color until Charles got it on the wall.  Now I love it!  I'd really like to use one of the other two colors for the nursery walls, instead of just having white walls.  The reason I thought that might work is because it'll be a great contrast against the white furniture we'll have in that room, but it'll still look great with the red chair.

valspar colors

I have so many ideas for this room that I have to be careful not to over-do it.  I want it to be cheerful, but simple.

Stay tuned for updates.  We should have this room cleaned out and ready to work on sometime in the next few weeks!

Linking to:
Think Pink Sundays @ Flamingo Toes

Two New Cowls

I'd never worn a cowl until this year and I have to say that I'm now a complete cowl convert.  Seriously.  No scarf tails to wrap round and round my neck, no scarf tails whipping around in the wind, no scarf tails getting caught in the car door, no sitting on scarf tails and almost choking myself.  Plus, these things are T-O-A-S-T-Y.  

Here are two new ones I've finished.  I'm loving how vibrant these are.  

Chunky Ribbed Cowl - A Knitting Pattern

If this post seems totally random, it is.  I got my hand popped over at Ravelry because I didn't submit my pattern correctly.  They want it listed as being published somewhere or uploaded as a PDF so here it is, published somewhere.  :-)

If you're a knitter who follows my blog, enjoy.  If you're not a knitter, you should be. 

Seriously, it's a great "craft" to pick up.  Sitting in front of the TV?  Knit!  Sitting in the car line at school?  Knit!  Sitting in the Dr. office?  Knit!  See an awesome hat you like in a boutique, but don't feel like spending THAT much moolah?  Knit!  

If you've got a Michaels or AC Moore near you, they offer classes.  Also, most yarn stores in your area will probably also offer classes.  Know someone who knits?  Get them to teach you the two basic stitches and then teach your self the rest.  That's what I did.  Seriously, once you learn this skill, you'll never regret it.

Anyway, here's the scoop on my Chunky Ribbed Cowl.

 at full height

PATTERN
Cast on 28 stitches and work in K2, P2 rib until yarn is almost gone, leaving enough of a tail to sew up the seam.
BO and sew seam.



That's it!

folded over

Hand Knit Cowl Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the hand knit cowl giveaway was No. 3, who is Chrissy from Chrissy in America.

She is one of my most faithful followers and I have to admit that I smiled a little when I saw who won.  :-)

She chose this cowl.

I'll be doing another knitting related giveaway here in the next couple of weeks so be on the look-out for that.

Hand Knit Cowl Giveaway - REPOST

Giveaway ends tomorrow!!  Click here to enter!

**************************************

I've been working my little fingers to the bone over here, trying to get some more winter accessories in the shop.  I'm loving all of these new items!  To celebrate, I'm doing another Follower Appreciation giveaway.

The winner of this giveaway can choose from any of the following cowl/neckwarmers.  Y'all know these things are H-O-T this season, right???  

Your prize will be custom knit so it will take me a few days to get it out to you, BUT this means you may choose another color than what I've got pictured here.

 chunky cowl in cranberry

 chunky cowl in chartreuse

 ribbed cowl in Nantucket blue

ribbed cowl in oatmeal

To enter:

Since this is a Follower Appreciation giveaway,  you must be a follower.  I had quite a few non-followers on the last giveaway and I had to delete their entries. :-(

• Leave a comment telling me that you're a follower and which cowl you'd like. 
• FB or Tweet about this giveaway for 2 extra entries.  Make sure you leave 2 separate comments telling me you did this.  
• Blog about this giveaway and receive 5 extra entries.  Make sure you leave 5 separate comments for this.

I'll draw the winner a week from today and announce it next Tuesday.

*  All of these cowls are for sale in my shop so if you wish to purchase one for a gift, you can do so by going here.


* Updated to add some outtakes from the photo shoot with Han.  

Hand Knit Cowl Giveaway!!!

I've been working my little fingers to the bone over here, trying to get some more winter accessories in the shop.  I'm loving all of these new items!  To celebrate, I'm doing another Follower Appreciation giveaway.

The winner of this giveaway can choose from any of the following cowl/neckwarmers.  Y'all know these things are H-O-T this season, right???  

Your prize will be custom knit so it will take me a few days to get it out to you, BUT this means you may choose another color than what I've got pictured here.

 chunky cowl in cranberry

 chunky cowl in chartreuse

 ribbed cowl in Nantucket blue

ribbed cowl in oatmeal

To enter:

Since this is a Follower Appreciation giveaway,  you must be a follower.  I had quite a few non-followers on the last giveaway and I had to delete their entries. :-(

• Leave a comment telling me that you're a follower and which cowl you'd like. 
• FB or Tweet about this giveaway for 2 extra entries.  Make sure you leave 2 separate comments telling me you did this.  
• Blog about this giveaway and receive 5 extra entries.  Make sure you leave 5 separate comments for this.

I'll draw the winner a week from today and announce it next Tuesday.

*  All of these cowls are for sale in my shop so if you wish to purchase one for a gift, you can do so by going here.


* Updated to add some outtakes from the photo shoot with Han.  

Linking to:

Get Your Craft on @ Today's Creative Blog 
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts
Hookin' Up With HOH  
Giveaway Directory @ Someday Crafts
Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

New Pieces

Just popping in to share a couple more pieces that I've done and put in my Etsy shop.  I'm taking it easy this week with posting, linking up and stocking my shop because there's been so much I need to do around the house.  

I do have one neat bit to share about Etsy.  I was browsing for chunky scarves the other day because I was trying to figure out how much to charge for one that I'd just finished.  I clicked on a listing for one of those cool chunky cowls that are hot right now.  Right before I closed the page, I noticed that the seller lives in Greenville, SC, which is where I live.  I sent her a message and found out that she's really only a few minutes away from me and found out that aside from knitting, we have some other things in common too.  I've still got to reply back to her, but I think we might try to meet.  How cool is that?  Out of the thousands of listings, I just happened to click on one that belonged to someone in my area.

Anyway, here are a couple of the pieces that I've put in my shop during the last few weeks.  More to come since I've been trying to stock it for Christmas.

BEFORE:

AFTER several coats of buttery yellow paint, some distressing and antiquing glaze:

BEFORE:

AFTER a few coats of cream paint and some antiquing glaze.

If you're one to do recipe posts or if you're in need of new recipes, make sure to stop back by tomorrow for Foodie Friday.

Linking to:

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table and Dreaming 
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative 
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog 
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts

GIVEAWAY Winner!!

Thanks to everyone who entered the Follower Appreciation Winter Giveaway.

The winner of the hand-knit hat is Danielle from Life in the Patrick Household.

Here's the hat she chose.

 
If you missed this one, don't worry!  I'll be doing a few more of these from now until Christmas.  All will be for hand-knit items.  I've got a stash to bust and my family already has plenty hats and scarves.

Winter GIVEAWAY @ The Speckled Dog

Follower Appreciation Winter Giveaway!

Win a hand-knit hat from The Speckled Dog!

I know some parts of the country are already getting snow and to celebrate this and the fact that colder weather is just around the corner for the rest of us, I'm giving away one of the hats in my Etsy shop.  All you have to do is be a follower and leave a comment telling me which hat you'd like. 

Here's the link to my shop.  You can click over to the Hand Knits section to see the hats.

Hand-knits make a great gift for someone or for yourself.  Please note that I do take custom orders.  I can knit the hats already in the shop in any color you'd like or if you have a photo of a hat you like, you can convo me through etsy and I'll see if it's something I can do.  I can also knit armwarmers, legwarmers, cowls, scarves, socks, you name it.  If you have something in mind for someone special, send me a photo or a description of what you'd like and I can do it.


If you just want to win a hat, I can do that too.  :-)

GIVEAWAY ENDS Sunday night. I'll announce the winner on Monday!

Transformations

It's funny, the way things change on you.  

When I started this blog, I wanted it to be a homemaking blog.  I was going to write about cooking healthy, whole food meals.  I was going to write about green cleaning, DIY, sewing and knitting.  If you look at my earlier posts, they follow this format.  It didn't take long for me to catch the DIY, trash-to-treasure bug.  I loved looking through the link parties and seeing these awesome transformations that people were doing and I though, "Hey, I can do that!"  So I began going to thrift stores and raiding the housewares sections, finally able to look at things with a new outlook and see past the ugly to what something could become, and with that, my blog changed.  It became a blog about DIY, trash-to-treasure & crafting.  

The same thing happened with my Etsy shop.  I was going to sell knitted items, handmade jewelry and some vintage goodies that I'd picked up here and there.  It sure didn't take long to realize that those things weren't gonna budge.  I couldn't charge enough for the knitted items to really compensate myself.  Nobody wants to pay $26 for a hand-knit hat when they can go to Target and get a really cute one for $10.  Plus, $26 was ripping me off.  The yarn alone costs about a third of that, and my time is more valuable than $2 an hour (time spent knitting the hat).

 At the same time, I had so much stuff that I'd thrifted, out in the garage, waiting for me to paint it.  There was also the question of where would I put it once I did paint it.  My house is already decorated and there is no room for new stuff.  At the same time, I needed projects to keep my blog going.  I needed that stuff.  Charles suggested I try to sell that stuff on Etsy.  I was hesitant at first, until I started poking around on Etsy and seeing that people WERE selling stuff just like that.  So a few weeks ago, I pulled some stuff out, painted it and listed it, and do you know what???  People started buying it!  I've made 10 sales in the past three weeks.  I feel that the closer it gets to Christmas, the more I'll sell.  By selling this stuff, I'm actually making the profit that I feel I deserve.  The items are inexpensive for me to buy, it doesn't take long at all for me to work on them and so I'm able to sell them for a cheaper price.  Both my customers and I win!

Since I'm here talking about changes and transformations I do actually have something to show you.  

The after:

The before:

Amazing what a little paint and glaze can do!


If anyone is interested, these are for sale in my shop. 




Linking to:
Look What I made @ Creations by Kara

Sugar & Spice @ seven-thirty-three
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts   
We Did It Weds @ Sew Much Ado
Cheap Thrills Thursday @ Black Kat Design  
Get Your Craft on Thurs @ Life as Lori 
Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Chic Cottage 
Under $100 Linky Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple
Hooking Up With HOH
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge 
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest 
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous 
Everything But the Kitchen Sink @ A Little Knick Knack 
Fab Friday @ Frugal & Fabulous Design   
Sat Soiree @ A Little Lovely 
Show and Tell Sat @ Be Different, Act Normal 
Sat Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors  
DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Showoff  
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple  
MMM Day @ C.R.A.F.T. 
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative  
You're So Very Creative @ Me Making Do 
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch  
Make it 4 Monday @ cottage instincts  
Craft-O-Maniac Monday 
Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff  
Trash to Treasure Tues @ Sassy Sites 
Power of Paint Party @ Domestically Speaking
Make it Yours Day @ My Backyard Eden
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple 

Stashbuster/Fiber Fall Wreath - Putting It All Together

Ok, time to put it all together.  If you're following along, you should already have your leaves and acorns finished.  If not, see parts 2 & 3 for instructions on those.

The other items you need are:

• a styrofoam wreath form
• straight pins
• yarn to wrap around the form
• hot glue gun

1 - To start, pin the tail of yarn to the wreath and start wrapping, passing the yarn ball through the center.  I like to stick a straight pin in every now and then to keep everything in place.  You'll cover the pin heads up when you do another pass of the yarn.  I did three passes of wrapping yarn.  On the first pass, I didn't worry too much about covering all of the styrofoam.

After you finish wrapping, cut the yarn and pin the tail to the wreath, making sure to tuck the tail and cover the pin head with some of the wrapped yarn.


2 - After arranging the leaves on the wreath, pin them into place.  I covered the pins from the first, second and third leaves with the next leaf.  For the last leaf, I pinned it from the back and hid the pin head under some of the embroidery thread used for the "veins".

3 - Use your glue gun to glue the acorns into place.



That's it!  I haven't really gotten a lot of feedback on the actual wreath (plenty on the acorns) so I don't know how much interest is out there.  I just thought it's be nice to have a tutorial because you never know.  Someone might stumble upon it in 5 years and really want to make one.  


I've got PLENTY of Halloween posts lined up so stop back by for some Halloweeny inspiration!




Linking to:
Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage 
Hookin' Up W/ HOH @ House of Hepworths 
Under $100 Link Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence 
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge 
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest  
Show Off Fall Festival @ The DIY showoff  
Saturday is Crafty Day @ along for the ride  
Link Round Up @ The Idea Room  

Let's Make Some Acorns, Y'all! - Felted Acorn Tutorial

Felted acorns have been showing up everywhere online recently.  People are even selling them on etsy!  I'm here to show you how to make your own.  I'm sure there are several ways to make them, but this is the way I did mine.  I did google the subject before I started and one thing that came up was a video.  I only watched a few seconds of it because the woman in the video was using a roving (a long and narrow bundle of fiber. It is usually used to spin woolen yarn) and I wanted to use yarn.  You can buy roving at most craft stores either in a natural color, that you would dye on your own, or pre-dyed.  Being able to buy roving at a craft store makes making the acorns that way, easier, but since I've never made acorns from roving or even felted a roving before, I don't know how much you're gonna get out of those little packs of roving.  To me, using yarn just made more sense, because I already have so much of it on hand.  I do have some natural roving, but I didn't want to deal with dyeing it.  I wanted to get right to the making of the acorns part.

 

To make the acorns with yarn, you will need:

• 100% wool yarn in various colors
• a tape measure
• liquid soap
• scissors
• glue gun or super glue
• acorn caps

I tried several different 100% yarns and I got the fastest and best results with Patons Classic Wool.  I buy mine at AC Moore.  I'm not sure what other craft stores carry it.  *** edited to add that Michaels carries this yarn too.


Run a sink full of hot water.

For a large acorn, cut 180 inches of yarn.  If you're making a small acorn, start with 60 inches.

Wad it up.

Wet it in hot water.  Wet woolen yarn is STINKY.

Begin to roll it between your palms. 

After about 30 or so seconds of rolling, it will look a little like this.

Add some soap.

Roll some more.

Pet your helper.

Your yarn mass should begin to look like this.  Keep rolling.  Alternate adding soap with rinsing in hot water.  Keep rolling and squishing.  You can shape your acorn while you're doing this.  It's kinda like rolling Silly Putty between your palms.

One last rinse in hot water.

There might be nubbins.

Cut 'em off, but don't throw them away.

You can do a little more of the felting to soften the cut edges.

Test your acorn body to make sure that it'll fit inside the acorn cap.  If it's too big, use a bigger cap, or cut away the excess.

Let the acorn body dry a bit.  I did this one while it was still damp and it's fine.

Apply glue inside the cap.

Squish the acron body in and hold it for about a minute (long enough for the glue to grip).

Voila!  Your acorn.  That little baby one... it was made from a nubbin. 

Whew!!  Wow, that's a lot of pictures!  I hope that this was clear enough for someone who isn't familiar with felting, to be able to make these.  If you've got any questions, just ask in comments.

Come back tomorrow for part three of the Fiber Fall Wreath Tutorial Series; felt leaves and putting it all together.


This post is Part 2 of 4 of my Fiber Fall Wreath Series.
See Part 1 here.

See Part 3 here.



Linking to:
Countdown to Fall Party @ Domestically Speaking
DIY Project parade @ The DIY Showoff
Anti-Procrastination Tuesday @ New Nostalgia
Anything Related at All thingz Related
Three or More Tuesday @ The Gypsy's Corner
Tutorial Tuesday @ Hope Studios 
Take a Look Tues@ Sugar Bee - Craft Edition  
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog 
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch 
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative 
Trendy Treehouse Creative Share
Fall Festival @ This Blessed Nest 
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts 
Make It Yours Day @ My Backyard Eden
Look What I Made Day @ Creations by Kara 
Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket Design 
We Did It Weds @ Sew Much Ado 
Get Your Craft on Thursday @ Life as Lori 
Strut Your Stuff Thurs @ Somewhat Simple  
Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage  
Hookin Up W/ HOH @ House of Hepworths  
Under $100 Link Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence  
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge 
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest 
Show Off Fall Festival @ The DIY showoff  
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous 
Get Your Halloween On @ Sawdust and Paper Scraps  
Remodelaholic's Anonymous @ Remodelaholic 
Saturday is Crafty Day @ along for the ride 
Check Me Out Sat @ Along for the Ride 
Sat Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors 
Link Round Up @ The Idea Room 
Style Feature Sat @ Perfectly Imperfect 
Making Monday Marvelous @ C.R.A.F.T.  
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch  
Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff  
Upcycled Awesome @ The T-Shirt Diaries