#12: Getting crafty!

Over the past few months, I've actually started and finished a lot more craft projects than I have in a long while. I'm sure Shane wishes I used up the supplies filling the office closet rather than buying all new stuff, but I do what I can. Hey, I used a couple of stash buttons and a bit of embroidery thread!

Anyways, on to the projects!

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

This first project was for my great-nephew Bronson. His mom Heather was doing his room in all sock monkey stuff and wanted to have some newborn photos in a sock monkey outfit. I used a couple of different crochet patterns and looked at a bunch of different inspiration pictures to get it just right. I absolutely love how it turned out!

Adorable tiny hat!

Hat and diaper cover

Monkey tail :)

Blanket with hat for scale

Bronson is the first baby in the family (out of four so far) whose blanket was actually finished BEFORE he was born. 

You know I can't show you the sock monkey set without showing you the adorable baby it was made for! He's absolutely precious. I met him in person for the first time the other weekend and I can confirm he's just as cute, if not cuter, in person than in pictures.

So sweet! Baby Bronson

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

If you saw this post, then you've already seen Shane's gift to me for our fifth anniversary. Here's what I made for him! 

Inspiration photo

I had pinned this cute idea a long time ago on Pinterest, and when I realized that the traditional 5th anniversary gift was wood, I knew I had to make it this year. I pictured a cute little circle just like the inspiration photo. 

Turns out it's a bit harder to find actual wood slices online that are both realistically priced and the size you want. I thought I found exactly what I was looking for though on one Amazon listing when I saw that the slice measured 6" across. A little bigger than what I wanted, but I knew I could make it work. 

Not at all what I expected.

Sure, it was about 6" across, and nearly 17" long! Sometimes accidents turn out to be happy accidents though, because I think my version turned out just great. 

Sketching out my design and starting to drill.

I had to drill a LOT of holes for this. I am proud to say that during the whole process, Shane had no idea what I was making because he just so happened to have to go on a business trip and I had the house to myself for a couple of days to work. He might've gotten a bit suspicious when I called him and asked how to change the drill bit, but I think he was very surprised when he saw the gift. 

Finished project with our wedding year

 ********************

My sister graduated from Tennessee School of Beauty in February and I was at a loss for what to get her, until my mom mentioned she needed a tip jar. I volunteered myself for that and went to town with some rhinestones and silver paint. I wasn't exactly sure what direction I was going to take when I started, but I think it turned out pretty cute. I forgot to take a picture of it when it was done, but I assure you it reads "TIPS". This project took a lot of patience and a very steady hand, especially with the smaller stones. 

Tip jar for my sister

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

The last project on today's post was for my in-laws. They bought a new house a few weeks ago and we wanted to take them a housewarming gift when we went to help them move in. As it seems with most of my projects, I really wasn't sure how this would turn out or what direction it was going to go in.  I always seem to have a hard time when I try to paint because I don't have enough patience to use the really small brushes or let the paint dry between coats, so this was really hard for me. I'm also a perfectionist, so I tend to try to "fix" something that I think looks off only to make it way worse. I think I repainted the red part of the toadstool house at least ten times. Shane's parents loved it though, and that's all that matters. 

Housewarming sign for my in-laws.

#8: Living the PANELIFE

Shane and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary in December and he got me the most amazing gift...with a little help from our friends at PANELIFE, of course :) 

Shane's fraternity brother and our ex-roommate John loves woodworking, and his girlfriend Ashley is a wonderful graphic designer, so it's no surprise that their new business has taken off like crazy. They started off doing a craft show one weekend last fall and I think they've done a show just about every weekend since then! 

I had absolutely no idea what Shane had in mind for a gift. I figured it would be something wood, which is the traditional fifth anniversary gift, but had no idea it would be so cool and so us. In fact, this was a custom design. Shane gave Ashley some ideas and she knocked it out of the park. 

But that wasn't all. John and Ashley threw in a little surprise gift for us and I just love it...a custom leash holder for Charlie and Sheldon!!!

The little Maltese and Westie cutouts are too precious. Charlie and Sheldon have definitely caught on, when mom or dad walks over there, that means they get to go for a walk! We had been looking for a solution for their leashes but hadn't been able to find something fun enough to match our style. It's like John and Ashley read our minds.

Here you can see the owl panel and the leash holder happy in their new home. Sorry for the terrible lighting here, we're still working on adequately lighting our living room (no overhead lighting at all), but just trust me when I say they look so wonderful in person. 

I am so happy that John and Ashley's business has taken off so well and I look forward to seeing what designs they come up with next. I already want another one, or two, or ten...

So many cute designs and this is only the tip of the iceberg. And of course, everything is completely customizable and the designs can be made in a range of colors. I especially love the dog leash and tennis ball holders, which can be customized and the dog's name can be added. Too cute! 

The options don't stop at one panel either. They have some really neat multi-panel pieces. I love the color combinations on this one from their Facebook page. You know, we do have a big blank space over our bed, maybe I should talk Shane into letting me commission a big piece to hang there ;) 

If you're looking for a fun and unique gift for an upcoming occasion, definitely check out their Facebook and Etsy pages. And if you're ever in the Baltimore area, be sure to stop by and say hello at the craft fair, or make a trip to Annapolis to see their display at Twisted Sisters! 

www.facebook.com/panelife

www.etsy.com/shop/panelife

Hey look! I finished a project!

So as you may recall from this post, I don't have the best track record with starting projects and actually finishing them. In fact, most projects are probably 99.9% done, but just need that one last thread clipped or button sewn on to be "complete."

But check this out! A little while ago, Shane's sister Shannon told us that our nephew Lucky had his first loose tooth, and asked could I make a tooth fairy pillow. Well of course I said yes!

 Take 1:

After about an hour at Joann's browsing fabric, another hour browsing the internet looking for cute tooth fairy pillow ideas, and lots of procrastination, I had it. I came up with the cutest idea ever. I came home and sketched out my idea and said "this will be perfect." Then after a week or so of procrastination I finally started on it. Let's just say that some ideas are better in theory than in practice, and there may be a half-finished plush lime green tooth sitting on the sewing table.

Take 2:

Sometimes it takes a bad idea to come up with a great one. I need to remember that sometimes simple is better, and looks cuter!

 I had all this denim fabric laying around, so this was a good chance for me to use up a little bit of it. And I just love the way the tooth's little smile turned out! Adorable.

 

And of course I had to add his name in the back, in his favorite color. 

Showing off his mad money-holding skills...

Short attention + craft supplies...wait what was I talking about?

To say that I have a short attention span is an exaggeration. I don't know what my problem is, but nothing can hold my attention for long...unless it is something that really really interests me.

This can be a problem when you have a whole room sort of dedicated to crafting/hobbies. I have so many supplies, yet rarely get anything finished. I can actually get past the tough part, of a project, it's the little "finishing touches" that escape me...dooming a project to sit around unfinished forever.

Take for example, this purse I was making...

...still a pile of fabric. Although, to me, cutting out the pieces is the hardest part! I absolutely hate pinning the fabric to the pattern and trying to cut it out just right. 

Stuffed turtle (eventually)

I really just have to put all the pieces together and sew on some eyes and this little guy will be good to go! My sister has a stuffed rabbit at home that I made her, and that poor little rabbit is in about the same condition.

And I'm sure you remember my get rich (in a decently short period of time) scheme?

Sitting in a basket waiting to be photographed and listed on Etsy. 

I would say I finish about 1 of every 10 craft projects that I start. This time, it was a cross stitch. I don't know why or where the idea came from, it just got stuck in my head and I knew I just had to finish it. 

...

...

...(warning: potentially offensive language)...

...

...

...

...

...

No I don't know why I had the urge to make this either. I have stared at this for so long, I can't decide if I think it's awesomesauce or total garbage. And yes, I know the top row looks off-center. I swear that it's not (doesn't mean it doesn't bother me though lol).

You would think this total lack of focus for crafting would bother me. But you know what? I don't really mind. Sure, Shane might hate little bits of yarn and pieces of fabric all over the house, but I always remind myself, "it could be worse!" 

I could be making a dress that looks like this: 

Or snowglobes using god-knows-what!

Disclaimer: I realize that different types of people like different types of clothing. While I find that dress completely hideous, someone else obviously thinks it's gorgeous (or they wouldn't have made it!). Other things, like urine snowglobes, are completely unacceptable. And offering instructions to the masses to make said snowglobes, well that's strike 2.

My newest venture

Since I moved to Baltimore, I have only made three things: a bracelet that took 2 minutes to make, a bag that I used once, and I knit a hat that is too big for my head. Actually, I take that back. I have made three and a half things, because I have all the pieces cut out for a purse, but never sewed them together. And if you know me, you will know that this is actually a pretty high rate of return for me. This is probably more things completed in two months than I did all last year. Considering that I have a whole dining room full of craft supplies, I decided it was time that I use them for good (potentially make money) and not evil (multiply without abandon until I drown in balls of yarn and spools of thread).

So onto my original purpose for this post, here is my newest crafty endeavor. Cute, custom picture frames. I started with the sorority frames (because I know how hard it is to find cute sorority gifts on the cheap!), and have come up with a bunch of other ideas already.

 This one I love, it's for a friend's one year old, who is having a Minnie Mouse themed birthday party this weekend.

So what do you think? I am thinking of making a bunch of these and listing them on Etsy. What would you like to see on a frame? And how much would you pay for something like this? All input is appreciated :)

And while I'm still thinking about that hat...

Hmm, reminds me of something...

 Oh yeah. That's it.

Oh well, at least mine matches my jacket.