make something days seventy-five&seventy-six

Crochet for days.

make something day sixty-nine

Today I made a bow out of a brown hemp cord. I was wondering what to put in on when Torrie suggested that I attach it to the hook I used. Now it's perfect!

make something day fifty-nine

Today I made: hearts.

I'll be sending them along with anything ordered from my shop until I run out. <3

& it's February 28th, two months down and ten more to go.

make something days fifty-five&fifty-six

Yesterday I made a brand new, coral colored bow and attached it to a pin that you can clip onto practically anything. Then today I made an aqua-blue one and put it on a key chain. I already went and clipped the keychain onto my scissors though that might not be very practical, but I guess bows are more cute than practical anyways. Remember how I said I wanted to put bows on everything? Well I did.

make something day fifty-four

Today I finished my mask from day fifty! I put a second layer of paper-mâché on and after that was completely dry, I brushed on a couple coats of white paint. Making the flower halo was the fun part, and it just took a bunch of fake flowers and some hot glue. It might still need a couple of finishing touches, and I think Brittany is going to be adding onto her alien mask as well. 

make something day fifty

Today I made: the base of my mask. My mom threw a two day paper mache workshop party, so being the first day I only got one layer done using old newspaper scraps. You can't really tell by the picture, but it is a face. I'll have my finished product done on Saturday.

make something day forty-six

Today I made: some bows for my boot cuffs. I didn't know what color to make them so first I asked my followers, and though most of them decided on using a different color I had to work with what I had available. I like the red one but I think the cream bows with red or grey in the middle will look the best.

make something day forty

Today my mom and I helped make valentines for the "glide foundation" which provides food and shelter to the homeless and hungry. I didn't pick the quotes, we just printed their cards, cut them out and decorated the hearts. I sewed the little heart outlines into a few of them with some of my extra yarn, it was pretty easy to do and ended up looking nice.

"I don't think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains."

-Anne Frank

how to crochet hearts

Crocheted hearts are easy to make, super quick and they're adorable.

They're a perfect project for beginning crocheters as well as masters of the art.

Once you get the hang of it each one takes approximately five minutes to make,

and you can use them to make jewelry, decorations or to teach your kids how to crochet.

Read more to find out how to make them with my simple pattern:

make something day thirty-seven

Today I made: Valentines <3 For each one I just used a little crocheted heart, attached some jewels and tied it to a candy bar. I hope everyone likes heart shaped reese's! In case you don't know how I put up a simple pattern for making crochet hearts right here, each one only takes five minutes and they're easy enough to teach your kids how to make so they can pass out something unique, heart-felt and handmade on Valentines day instead of plain old store bought cards. But they're not just for kids! I'm almost twenty years old and I still had tons of fun making these for my friends. 

For the bling just put a regular finding around the top of your heart and then attach some fun beads. I just pulled out some old jewelry and craft boxes and found some random pieces to attach.  I used a variety of beads and ribbons to show you that the possibilities are endless when making these. There's only one week left until Valentines day so if you're still looking for something to pass out, here's a project that's fun and easy, just get some candy, add your own personal flair and wrap 'em up. <3

how to crochet hearts

make something day twenty-nine

Today Charisma showed me how to make dragonfly bobby pins. Aren't they adorable?

recently

Some of my recent crochets. Made a bikini top for one of my customers, 

and with this ball of yarn I make a ton more! In my shop: www.etsy.com/listing/85007224

Finished this project from msed day 2. It's a crop top that I made for another lovely etsy seller. 

Craft trades are awesome. The recipient of this top makes some beautiful jewelry, 

check out her shop: www.bohobettyks.etsy.com

make something day eleven

Today a made: a set of nature inspired granny squares. I took this photo of some of my beautiful flowers a couple days ago, and I've actually never made a granny square before today so I figured I'd try it out. Now, I can fall back on making more of these "little flowers" and maybe by the end of the year I'll have enough to sew 'em up into a blanket, my own cozy garden. :)

make something day nine

Today I made: a crochet headband. Here's another cute crochet project that's easy to make and doesn't take very long. They're very useful too! This ones super warm and a must bring to the snow this winter. I used a fluffy roving wool yarn that's incredibly soft and comfortable, perfect for a headband. 

In other news, I spent the rest of my day crocheting and working on a new Valentines listing. I took yesterdays 'make something' project, which was a crocheted heart necklace, and made it this morning in two more lovey dovey colors, then I took a bunch of pictures and posted it in my shop. I'm hoping to provide some cute, affordable, handmade gifts for lovers to buy for their ladies because every girl deserves something special on Valentines day. Now, I'll probably spend my evening filling orders, drinking green tea and watching America's Funniest Home Videos.

New in my shop:
heart necklaces // valentine scarves // bow hair clip

make something day seven

Today I made: the third scarf in this set. The other two were already completed but my plan was to make a bunch of them for my shop so I decided to crank out another one. I intended to tie dye them in solid colors once I had a good amount of these done but I'm not sure how popular they'll be so maybe I'll just start with a few and see how it works out?

In other news, today I started out with a troubled mind and bad thoughts but these days all I have to do is think positively if I want to change my mood. Though sometimes it's difficult to be happy or even content, I just need to count my blessings and realize that the bad thoughts are just a waste of the time that I could be using to make improvements on my life. Also, I promise to get my camera back out soon but for now I'm just using these instagram pics so I can make my posts quickly and get one in every day to keep updated on my msed365 project. 

make something day four

Today I made: a couple new bracelets using the pieces from a necklace that broke. I don't wear jewelry that often but I really loved this necklace, so of course it had to break. I let the pieces sit around for so long with intentions to remake the necklace and finally I did something with it! If anything, this daily project has given me the motivation to do things that I normally would have just put off. And these bracelets are super cute!

#MSED 365

(Make Something Every Day)

using the hashtag #msed365 on

tumblr // instagram

make something day two

Today I made: The first half a new top. I'm working on a trade that I made with another Etsy shop owner, but I'm super late on it and I already received her part of the deal weeks ago. So, I figured I'd put this project to good use and make her top while I have the time. Like I said, I'm only halfway done, but I'll have most of it done by the end of the night. It's no simple crochet piece so it will probably take more than just one day to complete but I still made something, and it was something that needed to be done!  For her I'm making this top but in the lovely red wine color above. I'll have more pictures once it's completed but for now this is all I got. 

In other news, when I went to the post office to ship off some orders today I was hit with the smell of burnt P.O. boxes. Looks like someone had their fun this weekend and thought that the post office would enjoy some fireworks. I'm not sure what exactly was put into the drop box that caused the fire but I'm sure there's some video evidence of what happened. Thought that was interesting, what would cause someone to blow up a post office? Anyways, time for me to get back to my yarn and crochet hook. 

#MSED 365

(Make Something Every Day)

make something every day

 

Happy New Year! It is my goal for 2013 to Make Something Every Day. To be creative and make art a part of my daily life. I vow also to get out and smell the flowers every day, enjoy the fresh air and keep my mind at ease. I can't guarantee that all of my creations will be blog worthy but I will try my best to document each days new idea. 

Today I made: A couple new things for the shop. Already this is helping with business! After uploading a handful of new items to my shop, I got out my red yarn and made a red version of this bow and a cranberry red version of this scarf. No pictures yet but I'll have these colors added to my shop before the week is over. In other news, the rain has been treating my garden well and the flowers are blooming beautifully. <3 

So, the challenge has started,

and day one has been completed.

#MSED 365

(Make Something Every Day)

handmade holidays - tree trimming

My first post for this year in Handmade Holidays! I may have started my holiday gift-making a little late, but it's not over yet! I want to show you guys all of the crafty, christmas-y things that I'm able to come with. I'll be expanding my inventory with 'ready to ship' items for quick, holiday delivery and I'll also be sharing the gifts that I put together for my loved ones.

I'm not cheap and I love to spend my money on stuff for my friends and family but this year I'm trying to put a little more meaning behind my gifts while supporting small businesses and the art of crafts. Sorry Wal-Mart, but mom doesn't need a cheap pair of pj's this year. And I'm not saying that store bought gifts mean nothing, it's all about finding that special something for those special someones whether it's cheap, expensive, handmade or edible.

I simply intend to spark some creativity and spread some holiday cheer. Handmade Holidays is for those of you who love to craft and may be in need of some last minute gift ideas, and for those of you who are supporting us independent artisans this season by buying handmade gifts. So, for starters, I have some brand new Christmas tree ornaments up on Etsy:

Set of Five Bow Ornaments

Made with a wool / mohair blend

Pre-made and Ready to Ship!

now that the rain has dried

Diaries of an amateur shop owner.. All I seem to know how to make now is scarves. Not to say that that's a bad thing necessarily, at least I'll have a good variety. However, I feel like making the same thing over and over is limiting my creativity though each one is made differently. After I make it through this holiday season I'll be able to come back next year with some new, creative holiday and winter ideas for my shop. As for this season, I feel like I started my preparations a little late to successfully promote myself as a "one stop holiday shop." Christmas is right around the corner and I still have so many presents to make on top of coming up with new winter listings, but I'm more excited than worried.

I think today I'll paint for a while. Get my hands dirty and test out my abilities.