Craft Projects: Map Wall Art and Fabric Flower Necklace

So I'm a new member on Pinterest, a very addicting site where people collect and show interesting things they've found on the Internet.  I'm mostly looking at craft ideas and recipes, and there's a lot of cool ideas out there!

The problem with Pinterest is that I've amassed a bunch of creative ideas for projects, but it's so hard to pull away from the computer and actually ACCOMPLISH any of them!  Two weeks ago, though, I was able to finish two Pinterest projects in one day.  Here they are:

Just Around the House

Just want to share a few things that are going on around here.  First of all, look at the new spools of yarn I bought for $3 each at an antique fair!

The blue cotton is already being worked into a knitted scarf for me!
Also note the beautiful antique embroidered tablecloth that my mom gave me as a wedding shower present.

Another project that I've been meaning to blog about (but probably won't do a full post on now that it's so late in the season) is the garden we've kept with my parents.  It's been a joy to see such a full garden grow from just tiny seeds.  The squash has really taken over this year!  We've learned a lot from doing a garden, and have had fun using the produce.  Tomorrow I'll be making pesto with my mom, and Wednesday I'll be learning to can tomatoes and salsa with my grandma.  Anyway, here's a couple photos of the small harvest we took home with us after a weekend at my parents'.

Acorn squash, watermelon, spaghetti squash, crookneck squash, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, and carrots!

Look at these crazy colored carrots!

Sewing Projects: Fall Table Runner

Back at long last!  Sorry for my absence - I've been off discovering the world!  Well really, my husband and I were gone for six weeks in South Korea, teaching English.  Considering that time, when I was creating lesson plans (and some beautiful photos which I'll share soon!) instead of craft projects, I did not have much time or things to blog.

Now we're back in Michigan and excited for the fall season, which in the blink of an eye has already arrived!  To welcome the season, I tried out a new technique - reverse applique - to make a table runner/placemat for our coffee table.  Here's the how-to!

Crochet Projects: French Press Cozy

This was a quick project which I gave to my dad as a Father's Day present.  When a friend found an extra large Bodum french press in perfect condition at a garage sale, my husband had the great idea of giving it to my dad.  However, it was missing the wrap which keeps the coffee hot.  My dad has always been impressed with my crochet projects, but I have never made him anything. A crocheted french press cozy was the perfect homemade touch to the gift!

Crochet Projects: Jean Rug

 This started as another home decor project which just happened to include crocheting.  We've been wanting a rug for the back door, to catch all the dirt on our feet from going in and out, usually to sit and drink coffee outside or water our plants.  With several worn out pairs of jeans on hand, I searched for a rug pattern and found this tutorial.  A few days later, and my husband and I have a new rug.  My husband has named it "Jean Valjean", pronounced without the French accent of course, as he finished reading Les Miserables at the same time I finished the rug.  Here's my own version of a tutorial on how to make this rug:

Crochet Projects: Baby Sweater and Shoes

Since a close friend and neighbor has recently had a baby, I've really enjoyed making cute baby stuff for her!  Baby things are super fast to make, and they use relatively little supplies.  I had some left over yarn from my niece's baby blanket, so I put it to good use as a sweater and Mary Jane style shoes for our neighbor.

Photography: Spring in Holland (MI)

I just want to share with you a few of the photos I've taken since the world came back to life after winter.  It's so refreshing to watch spring unfold in Holland, where daffodils and (of course) tulips and flowering trees abound!

Click below for more photos, and enjoy!

Crochet Projects: Mother's Day Totes

In the last year, my appreciation for homemade gifts (both given and received) has increased very much.  As a girl, I was always encouraged to make things to give to my mom and dad, particularly on Mother's and Father's days.  Without any income (besides an allowance which our parents gave us anyway), time to spend personalizing a card was all me and my sister had to give.

So for Mother's Day this year, I was really excited about another opportunity to make a homemade gift.  Both my mom and my mother-in-law really liked the Starling Handbag I made during the winter.  Why not make a springy-er version for each of them?

Sewing Projects: Infinity Scarf

It's been a few weeks!  I've been so busy making things that I haven't had any time to post about them.  I guess that's a good thing, although crafting under a time constraint is a little less than relaxing sometimes.  Anyway, before the busyness of Mother's Day craft projects set in, I had time to make this infinity scarf.  What's the bonus about this project, besides having a new wardrobe addition?  It cost me nothing to make!  Here's how:

New Blog Design

Hey friends,
Thanks for the recent support and encouragement about this blog.  Although I started this as an unpublicized way of organizing my craft projects, it does mean a lot to have others appreciating what I've made and finding their own inspiration from it!  Crafting has always been a hobby of mine, but it is something that I've been careful whom I talk to about it.  I've been afraid that most peers would think I was a nerd for enjoying "old lady" things like sewing and crocheting.  So thank you for being the ones who haven't judged!  I am so blessed by the opportunity to be creative, and I hope you are too!

For those of you who normally read these posts through a feed subscription, come check out the actual blog!  I've just made my own header, and I'm kind of excited about it :-).

Thanks again,
Caitlin

Card-making: Wedding Invitation

As wedding season approaches, I'm beginning to reflect back on my own wedding almost a year and a half ago.  A friend recently asked how I designed our invitations, and I was both flattered and more than happy to share with her how I made them.  Now I'm sharing the idea here for anyone who is interested.  Be warned, these are not the simplest invitations to make, but hopefully my instructions and templates will give you a few ideas to get started.

Crochet Projects: Baby Elephants

Perhaps my favorite project yet! I stumbled on this pattern from Lion Brand's website a few months ago. Knowing that a close friend is expecting a baby at the end of April, and also that she is planning a jungle-themed nursery, I knew this precious little elephant would be a perfect shower gift!