Refinishing Lawn Ornaments

On my last trip to the country I was upset to see my aunt's familiar lawn ornament had taken quite a beating over the past few years.  For as long as I can remember the happy little boy had stood guard a the corner of my aunt's house, right below the humming bird feeder.  When I asked my aunt she said the cement boy was passed down to her and had been in the family for around 100 years.  With his chipping paint and cracked cement he was beginning to show his age.  I decided it was my turn, like my aunts before me, to give our little boy a makeover.  I'm sure man of you have family heirlooms that need a little work, but the history they bring is well worth the effort.

I went the next day to Home Depot and bought my make over kit.  First things first I needed sand paper.  I was also going to need something to repair the deep cracks and missing pieces of cements.  Last but not least I was going to need paint and brushed to complete the refurbishing of our cement lawn ornament.  Once I got everything I needed I set to work.

I had chosen a fine grained sand paper to remove all of the paint chips fro years of layered repairs.  The paper could not be too course or it might remove some of the details of the statue.  After sanding away the chips I took the outdoor cork I had purchased at Home Depot and began to fill in the deep crack around his neck, as well as using it to resculpt the missing cement pieces.  It is important that the cork you use says it is paintable.  Once applied it will need a few hours to dry well before you can begin to paint over the cork.  While the finish will not be as perfect as actual cement it will diminish the look of wear and it is easy to use.

A few hours later I was ready to begin the repainting portion of the project.  I had purchased the Baer indoor-outdoor paint samples with paint and primer in one.  They were inexpensive, provided for great coverage, and left plenty of paint for future touch ups.  I started with the larger portions first and then returned with a smaller detailing brush to finish the fine lines and details.

A few hours of painting later and our little boy was ready to retake his rightful place on my aunt's country lawn.  I'm happy a little money and a little hard work has helped preserve this little guys for years to come.  Helping keep a family treasure alive is priceless :) 

Starry Night Blanket

A few weeks ago I wrote about my first country escape of the summer.  While I was there I was touched by the beauty of all the blue ripples created by the light of the moon and stars reflecting off the clouds.  It inspired a new baby blanket idea and on my most recent trip to the country last weekend I took advantage of the beautiful nights to start and complete my project.  We were lucky enough to have beautiful weather the entire weekend so sitting in my rocking chair on the porch until all hours of the morning crocheting this blanket was the perfect way to pass the evenings.

I had found a soft variegated blue yarn that captured all the hues of blue from the night of the picture (I apologize again since this picture does not do the sight justice).  Once I had the yarn the next thing I had to decide on was a stick.  I tried a few samples and found a shell stitch was best at mimicking the puffs of different blues.  As a finishing touch I added two bright white stars to highlight my favorite part of the country sky.

  Take a look at the blanket in my etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandcraftedHolidays

Prom (or Wedding) Accessories

Well as promised in Girls Day in the Garment District I wanted to share the accessories we made for my cousin Alexis' prom.  It was this past Friday and she looked stunning.  Now that she made her debut, I can publicly share what a little trim can do to accessorize an outfit.

When it comes to picking the right trim to make your accessories pop, it is important to bring a sample of the actual dress.  Many people forget this important step and end up unhappy with the trim they purchased. While you may think you know the color in your head, you might be surprised by how many options are just a slight shade off from your outfit.  Even a black dress may be hard to accessorize without a sample to match (yes even black has shades).

With that said, my Aunt Teresa (another incredibly crafty member of my family) asked us to find trim for Alexis' prom.  She was wearing a blue dress accented with feathers and sequins.  With our mission set and sample in hand we set out to find the perfect trim items to make a matching hair accessory.  The first thing we needed was to find matching feathers for the dress. It took a while but we eventually found the right color match. They came in a bundle attached at the end to a ribbon.  While lose feathers might have worked as well, they are much more difficult to work with.

Once we found the right feather match the next thing we needed was something sparkly to attach the feathers too.  The trim shop we were in had a large selection of rhinestone buttons, beads, ribbon, and pins.  Ultimately we decided a pin would be best since the feathers could easily be attached. The pin also made for an easier attachment of the finished accessory to her hair.  We looked at a number of pin options and decided a large open rhinestone pin would work best.

We delivered the trim to my cousin and Aunt when we saw them at the Autism Awareness Fundraiser.  With less than a week before Alexis' prom my Aunt Teresa set out to make the perfect hair piece.  The end result was simple yet stunning. Alexis wore her hair to the side and the hair clip was an attention grabbing accessory that looked like it was a perfect match for her dress.  The clip brought a small burst of color up by her face and added that little bit of glamour every girl wants to feel on their prom night.

Not only were the feathers a great addition to Alexis' hair, there were enough feathers left over for the florist to add them into Alexis' corsage.  One of the finishing touches of every girls prom look, this corsage was not only a lovely gesture from her boyfriend, but also a unique and notable accent to her dress.  While in the past a plain rose or carnation was customary for wrist corsages, it is becoming more common for these floral pieces to now be a matching accessory.  Glitter, spray paint/dye, rhinestones, and additions such as butterflies are now popular corsage accents.

Even without all of the glitter and glam my baby cousin would have looked beautiful but there is nothing like a great dress, and stunning matching accessories to make a girl feel like a princess for the night.  Take a look below at the complete look.

 

Reader Input

I am lucky enough to have a long weekend this week and I have decided after work to head back to my aunt's country home for the weekend.  As you read in my post A Weekend to Recharge, last time I was there I was inspired to start a new crochet project.  I found the perfect yarn for my idea and it is already packed and ready for the trip into the mountains.  I'm looking forward to relaxing for a few days.  Not to mention it will be nice to work on the crochet project in the place that inspired the idea.

Since I will most likely be disconnected from phones/internet I will not be posting for the next few days.  I have received the most interest so far regarding my "how to" and explanation blogs.  I figured we can still make this a productive blogging weekend.  Please leave a comment below with any questions, how to topics, or helpful tip areas you would like me to discuss in the future.  I will take these comments into consideration when choosing future blog posts.

How To: Yarn Pom Poms

When I was a kid I think every winter hat I owned was topped with a pom pom.  I stopped wearing them when it was no longer "cool" to have that adorable fuzzy ball on the top of your head.  Well wouldn't you know that pom poms are back in style and they are no longer just for children's accessories.    

While pom poms can be a fun addition to a crochet or knit project, they are also a great way to use scrap pieces of yarn. I wanted to try creating a pom pom but I wasn't sure which of the many "pom pom tools" to purchase.  There are many options out there and I didn't know what was best.  Most of my craft friends recommend  the Susan Bates Easy Wrap Pom Pom Maker.  While I had used a friend's kit and found it easy to make, I am always trying to find ways to save money.  Though these kits are not expensive, if I could make pom poms with what I already have at home then I could put that money to use for new yarn :)  

Again after much searching I came across a homemade method that would create the cute pom poms I desired without me having to dig into my pocket.  I came across this pattern from helloknitty.com.  The Pom Pom Pattern called for cutting cardboard into shapes that mimic the plastic tools found in most pom pom kits.  While I found this method to be easy enough, one of my craft challenged friends felt this was too many steps and a little too complicated for a beginner.  

I set out again to find an alternative to allow even the most inexperienced crafters to create the pom poms they desired.  I decided to play with some scraps and see if I could find an easier method.  After a few failed attempts I found another homemade, cost efficient way to craft a pom pom.  

All that is required is a piece of cardboard, yarn, and scissors.  Follow the directions below. 

1. Cut a piece of card board to approximately twice the width of the final pom pom size your want to create. (Tip: I try to recycle whatever I can, and I have found that the cardboard toilet paper rolls we usually throw out make great pom pom boards.)
2. Wrap the yarn (use scraps to make a multi color pom pom).  The more yarn you wind around the cardboard the fuller your pom pom will be.  
3. Once you have achieved the thickness you want, fold the cardboard and slide the cardboard out from inside the yarn loops.
4. Take a long piece of yarn and place it under the center of the bundle of yarn (If I plan to attach the pom pom to a hat etc, I will make this piece long enough for me to attach the pom pom).  
5. Tie the string around the center tight and knot it twice.
6. Use the scissor to cut the loops both above and below the tie you just created.
7. Fluff the pom pom to you liking and trim as necessary.

I hope this helps with creating your own handmade pom poms.  They make a great accessory to top off a hat.  I have also used them to create children's toys by adding eyes and making them little critters.  And for the animal lovers reading, I have yet to meet a cat who does not love to bounce on of these pom poms around the house.  

Mother's Day Celebration Part II

I had every intent of making it online yesterday to post, but I didn't, so I want to start by wishing all the moms reading a Happy Belated Mother's Day.  The unconditional love and support you provide truly makes the world a better place.

Mommy, Me and Stephanie

In keeping with the Mother's Day theme, I finally got the pictures from my sister so I can share Part II of our early Mother's Day celebration.  In Girls Day in the Garment District you got to read about the earlier part of the day.  After exploring some of our favorite shops we stopped for lunch and then began our walk over to one of ABC's studios (of course stopping in a few more stores along the way).  My mother is a fan of the show The Revolution so when the chance to see a taping came up, I jumped at it. 

A friend from High School was able to get us VIP tickets which added to the excitement.  It was the first time my sister or I had been to a TV show tapping and being "VIP" made it extra cool.  Once we were let inside we were met by an incredible staff.  We took an old fashioned freight elevator up to the studio floor and were lead to our front row seats.  When you watch a show on TV it is easy to forget all that goes into making each segment.  Aside from the massive amount of planning, writing etc, the actual tapping requires an amazing level of coordination and skill.  For those of you who have never seen a tapping, if you get the chance you should go.  It will give you a new appreciation for your favorite show.

The Revolution Set

We were able to be a part of the tapping of two different episode segments.  They have not aired yet, but keep your eyes open for my mom, sister and I on May 24th and June 12th.  I would have to say my favorite part of the day was seeing the hosts in person.  Not so much because I was star struck but because it reminds you they are regular people just like us... regular people who were able to see their dream come true.  All of the hosts made it a point to say hello to the audience and make us feel like we really were an important part of the show.

Tim Gunn

Since the episodes have not aired yet, I cant share details of the segments but I can tell you that we did receive a copy of a new book.  I have added it on to my "To-Read" List and I will post a review once I'm done.  And for those of you who treasure fashion design as your craft, here is a picture of Tim Gunn right after the tapping.  While I haven't ventured into fashion deign (beyond accessories) I do love to watch Project Runway.

Anyway, our Pre-Mother's Day celebration ended in true New York style, with a trip to Penn Station.  Since it was rush hour and we didn't want to have to squeeze into a packed subway car we decided instead to have a family dinner in Penn.  Over all we had a great day, especially my Mom, and that was the most important part.

   

Autism Awareness Fundraiser

Today is a very important day for my family; it is our annual Autism Awareness fundraiser.  This is a cause very close to my heart.  My Uncle Patrick, my father's brother, struggled most of his life with being different.  Growing up in a time before general awareness, he was classified as "retarded" and was treated as if he was somehow a lesser human being.  While so much of the world saw Uncle Pat this way, to his nieces and nephew he was fun, intelligent and loving.  It was not until his mid fifties, a year before his death, that a doctor looked beyond the "retarded" classification and realized Uncle Patrick was Autistic.

Uncle Pat and I- My Sr. Prom

Watching the way Uncle Pat was treated by outsiders hurt.  They were too caught up on the fact that he was different to see  how special he really was.  They didn't care to take notice of how he was always reading and probably knew more about World War II than anyone else I know.  They never noticed his appreciation for music, or understood his talent with numbers.  Uncle Pat could memorize war and weather statistics with a memory far superior to mine.  Our fondest memories were of Christmas time, Uncle Pat's favorite time of the year.  He was happiest when decorating, listening to Christmas music, watching Holiday movies (cartoons were his favorite) and counting how many homes had Christmas lights (a yearly statistic he could recite back to you from decade prior).  Uncle Pat truly was special and I wish more people would have left their prejudices behind and taken the time to see it.

Mikey after last yrs. walk

While spending time with Uncle Pat taught me a lot about living with an adult with Autism, our family would soon be faced with the challenges of an Autistic child.  My cousin Jennifer was the first in my mother's side of the family to get pregnant.  Everyone was thrilled when she gave birth to a handsome baby boy.  As Mikey grew it became clear that he showed signs of Autism.  My cousin and her husband immediately began to get Mikey the best treatment available.  It has not been an easy road, communication was especially difficult when he was younger, but he has come such a long way.  Every time I here about how great he is doing in school, or watch him with his little brother I appreciate how amazing he is.  It was watching the struggles of this amazing little boy that made us decide as a family to do more.

One of the first things we realized was Autism Awareness hadn't come very far despite the large number of people affected.  The same confused, and at times nasty looks my Uncle received, were thrown at Mikey.  I think so much of this comes from a lack of understanding.  Looking for a way to spread awareness and understanding we came across the organization Autism Speaks.  This organization provides valuable information, services, and fundraising for the Autism cause.  My cousin Jessica organized our family and we participated in our first Autism Speaks Walk in Manhattan.  In order to raise money for Team Mikey, and the millions of people also affected by Autism, we also hosted a Team Mikey Fundraiser night.

This fun night out has become a tradition, and every year we host a night out with music, food, drinks and fun.  Tonight will be our third annual Team Mikey Fundraiser and it promises to be a great night filled with memories.  We have collected donations for months and there will be a wide assortment of raffle prizes.  For one of our raffle prizes this year we created a needlepoint patriotic place mat and napkin ring set.  We chose the patriotic theme because we felt it represented Mikey and his family.  His mother Jennifer was in the Army and his father Michael is still an active member of our military.  Even with all the personal struggles they face, as a family they continue to be devoted to America.  My mother, sister Stephanie, and I all worked on making this set extra special and filled with love.


With the Autism Speaks Walk in Manhattan only a few weeks away, on June 3rd, we still have a lot of money to raise to meet our team's goal.  Hopefully tonight will make our fundraising goal a reality.  I will post pictures soon of tonight's fundraiser.  In the mean time, you can follow my fundraising efforts, and our teams by clicking here.     

Decoding Yarn Labels

My first project was a scarf made from a spare skein of yarn lying around my house.  After I finally completed my first crochet item, I instantly wanted to begin a new project.  I walked to my local craft store and confidently walked to the yarn section.  What could be so difficult about picking out a new yarn for a scarf.  Well lets start with who knew there were so many options?  I mean I should have after years of watching my Nannie but seriously who knew?!?  All of the sudden my head was filled with questions... what yarn type, how thick, can I use the needles I have at home, what color/colors, how much would I need, and why does the "same" yarn look different skein to skein?  My simple desire to create a second scarf suddenly felt a little overwhelming.  I wished my Nannie was there to answer all of these questions.  I eventually figured it all out but I know of some new crafters who have been discouraged from creating the project they have in mind due to yarn confusion.  So here is a quick summary to help decode the world of yarn.

As for what type of yarn, looking at the fiber content will be extremely important for some projects, while not as important for others.  Some of the common fibers are wool, fleece, cotton, and synthetics.  

• Wool is a natural fiber made from a sheep's coat.  It is commonly used in knitting and can suit almost any project.
• Fleece comes from the coats of various animals.  Some types of fleece that may seem familiar are cashmere, mohair, and angora.  These fibers are less common, often more expensive, and are not usually used for everyday projects.
• Cotton is another natural option which comes from a plant. It is soft and gentle on skin but also incredibly durable.  I recently discovered 100% cotton yarn is a great housewares fiber for projects such as washcloths.  My vegan friends and customers are fond of this fiber.  
• Synthetics are probably the most common fiber you will find in your local craft store.  Nylon, polyester, and acrylic are often found in some combination.  The yarns can vary greatly in texture and look even when they are comprised of the same material.  These fibers are often your least expensive yarns and are great for everyday projects.  

You may also come across yarns created for a special look such as variegated yarn which is different shades of the same color within a skein or tweed yarn which has color specks of a different color scattered throughout. Novelty yarns are also growing in popularity and variation.  These yarns may include: faux fur, ribbon, alternating thickness, and chenille fibers.  These yarns may be more difficult to work with so they are not the best option for new crafters.

Once you find the fiber you wish to use for your project the next thing to look at is the weight of the yarn. This will help answer a number of questions.  You can find the below symbols on the yarn label to help guide you in your decisions.  Most patterns will specify which yarn works best.      

As you can see from the above chart, the the yarn weight will help you decide the thickness, the hook you should use, as well as an idea of how much you will need.   While this is a good guide it is important to remember these guideline are not absolute. The thickness will also be affected by the stitch you choose.  The hook size for a project may also be affected by how tight you complete your stitches.  In order to better determine the ideal hook for a project you should stitch with different hooks until you match the projects gauge.  

The gauge is how many stitches and rows per a set inch, or square.  Above is a sample of a gauge square on a yarn label.  The hook size in the middle is a good start but once again you final choice will be based on your own personal stitching.  Yarn weight is also very important when you want to create a project with multiple yarns.  While you don't have to use the same yarn type, or even brand it is important that the weighs are the same.  If they are different there will be noticeable differences in thickness, and maintaining the gauge will not be possible. 

As for how much yarn you should purchase this is often the hardest part to determine.  Many patterns make a recommendation for how much to purchase. If you are using a different yarn than the recommended skein then it might be a good idea to use a yarn calculator to ensure you have enough.  When it comes to crochet or knit projects more is almost always better.  This is especially true for yarns that have dye lots, are limited editions, or are being discontinued.  Not all yarns have a dye lot, but be sure to read the label carefully to ensure if there is a lot that you purchase enough skeins from the same lot to complete the entire project.  While it might only be a slight difference, when you begin to work the second dye lot into a project, there will be a notable difference.

I hope this helped decode the yarn label mystery.  Don't be afraid to try new yarns, just make sure you take the time to ensure you have the right yarn and tools for the project you have in mind.  I know I haven't posted part II of our early Mother's Day outing but I am hoping to get the pictures from my sister's camera soon.  

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Girls Day in the Garment District

Yesterday my sister and I planned a day in the city with my Mom as an early Mother's Day gift.  A high school friend was amazing enough to get us afternoon tickets for a tapping of the ABC show The Revolution.  Since we didn't have to be there until the afternoon we thought a morning in one of our favorite Manhattan neighborhoods would be a great start to our girls day.  

As I explained in my post Picking Up the Pieces my Nannie was seamstress.  It is only natural that the Garment District feels like home for my family.  While we have made many trips just for the fun of creating new projects, we had a mission (or two) yesterday that made our morning in the Garment District even more fun.  Two of my family members have there prom within the next few weeks and there is nothing we love more than unique accessories (Nannie spoiled us).  We arrived in the city early and began our plan of attack to accomplish our mission.  We needed to find trim materials to make a custom headband as well as trim for a custom shawl/pocketbook.   

It just occurred to me that some of you may not know about the Garment District (it is a must for crafters and fashionistas alike).  The Garment District, which is sometimes referred to as the Fashion District, is a concentration of material and trim stores paired with fashion show rooms.  Located between 5th and 9th Avenue from 34th to 42nd Street, this is the place to go to find the tools to create anything fashion related.  For generations this little slice of Manhattan has been a fashion epi-center.  I love walking into these stores and finding myself shopping along side of big time designers.  If you have never been, it is a must see on your next trip to New York City.  Visit the NYC website for some more information by clicking here. 

  

We focused our attention on trim shops and began the search for the perfect finishing touches. There are so many shops, each with their own specialties. Two of my favorites that never let me down are Hai's Trimming Inc. (website offers limited selection of items for those of you too far away to visit) and B & Q Trimming. These shops seems to have the largest selection for the most reasonable price when it comes to trims and appliques.

After a little bit of searching we found the perfect pieces to create the custom hair piece, as well as a beautiful trim for the shawl and pocketbook... Mission accomplished!!! I don't want to ruin either of the girl's big Prom night reveal so you will have to wait until after their special days to see the finished products.  

Happy with our Prom accent finds (as well as a few items here and there for our own personal craft fun) we continued our Pre-Mother's Day Girls Day.  I have to run but keep an eye out for a post about the rest of our fun day in the city (The Revolution tapping etc), as well as pictures of the outcomes from our Garment District excursion.

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A weekend to recharge

Most of last week I had one of the worst head colds of my life.  I woke up Friday feeling a world better and decided it was a sign I should do something with my weekend.  As soon as I got out of work I hit the road and headed for my aunt's country getaway.  I had been resting all week, but I needed a different kind of rest.  Don't get me wrong, I love modern technology but there is something so alluring about disconnecting for a few days every now and again.  It takes a little getting use to but having no cell service isn't always a bad thing.  Not to mention the wide open space is a nice reprieve from my family's small NYC (yard lacking) apartment.  I try to get to the country as much as possible and spring with all the flowers and baby animals is a great time to visit.

The ride up was great and I even got to see a few little critters by the road.  I am a huge animal lover so even a little rabbit hopping along puts a huge smile on my face.  After the long drive I finally arrived and  every second in the car well worth it.  I am always amazed by how many stars twinkle in the country sky.  In New York City with all the lights we are lucky to see a handful on a clear night.  What a difference a few hours up north can make.      

Saturday morning I slept in, woke up to a great breakfast and then moved to my favorite spot, the porch.  I love sitting there drinking my coffee watching the birds, rabbits, fox, chipmunks, and even the occasional deer grazing on the lawn; all against the backdrop of the mountains.  This trip brought another beautiful surprise.  We have a new little visitor, Rush (as I named him) the hummingbird.  I have never seen one in person and to watch how these tiny little birds seemingly float, and then zip away is incredible.  He just kept buzzing past us all day long running for a quick snack before rushing off again.  If it wasn't for the buzz he made I wouldn't have known he was there half the time.

We ran into "town" to get a few things later in the day.  I discovered a few new antique stores that were already closed, but they are a must for my next trip up.  While I love the small organized commercial antique stores, there is something about the random "antique barn" you come across in the small country towns.  I love exploring the rooms upon rooms of random, unorganized, seemingly forgotten stuff.  When you find something you want, its like you personally discovered a treasure waiting to be taken home and brought back to life.

When we pulled up back at the house it had gotten much colder.  A group of clouds had rolled in and with the help of a beautiful big full moon they created ripples in different shades of blue across the sky. The picture does not do it justice but I thought I'd give you a glimpse.  The way the blues blended together inspired a new blanket idea.  I have a bunch of projects lined up but I'll let you know when the project is complete.  As for the rest of my trip, since Sunday meant a return to the city I tried my hardest to soak in enough country to hold me over until my next trip. I spent the rest of the night rocking on the porch wrapped in a blanket, enjoying some quality time with some people I love, and admiring the simple joys in life we so often are too busy to notice.   

  

Book Review- "A Life in Stitches: Knitting My Way Through Love, Loss, and Laughter"

A Life in Stitches: Knitting My Way Through Love, Loss, and Laughter by Rachael Herron 

A friend of mine from work text me to let me know she had come across a book she thought I'd be interested in. I am an avid crafter and a few years back a began my own small craft business. I often find myself crocheting through life's many obstacles and I found this book to capture that feeling. The author describes her passion for knitting as a security blanket, a type of safe zone, and I think this is a feeling many crochet/knitters are familiar with.  In my first post I explained my fascination with how a string can become something great; you will find this is also a sentiment shared by Rachael.

Rachel takes her readers through some of the best and worst times in her life.  She does a great job of putting a comical twist on bad situations and reminds her reader that hard times are just lessons learned to carry with you to the better times.   By the end of this work you will feel like you know Rachel and her family. Reading her book helped convince me that there were others who treasured family and crafts as much as I do.  It is part of the reason I am writing this very blog.  You will laugh and cry, and if you are anything like me, be inspired to create.  This is a great quick read that I hope to pass it on to a friend as my friend was so kind to recommend it to me. 

Picking up the pieces

I am often asked how I began to crochet?  I'll admit it is not the typical young New York woman's hobby.  I had been fascinated with crochet since I was young.  My Nannie was a seamstress and she also enjoyed crochet.  When I was little I would love to listen to her tell stories of when she was young while watching her create beautiful handmade items.  My favorite was watching her create delicate detailed embellishment designs with the fine thread.

Despite my fascination, I had never asked Nannie to teach me.  The magic she created with her hands felt like a  skill I could never accomplish.  As I got older Nannie spent less and less time with her needles and thread, and even less time crocheting.  She was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease and was slowly losing parts of herself.  Her crafting was just one of the many pieces slipping away.  As Nannie's disease progressed it was hard for the whole family.  The farther away from us she drifted into her mind the more I wished I could find a way, any way, to keep her close.  Sure we had incredible memories of late night talks, watching musicals and times filled with the joy of her singing and dancing, but it wasn't enough.  I needed something that I could do to make me feel close to her something that I could take with me forever.

After years of struggling, the doctors told us Nannie was at her last days.  Spring had just begun and it seemed wrong that a time of new beginnings would have to be a time of goodbyes for us.  It was during those last few months that I decided I felt closest to Nannie in crafts.  It was while she worked with her hands that her mind was free and she shared the most.  I went home one night after the nursing home and picked up one of her crochet hooks she had left at our house.  I found a skein of yarn intended for one of our projects and began the quest to crochet.  I had watched Nannie's hands in awe for years and now I was determined to make my hands look like hers.  It was by no means an easy task.  I pulled apart that first scarf time and again and no matter what I did I could not get my stitches even.  I just kept trying and trying and as the days went on and Nannie came closer to the end I came closer to picking up the pieces.

Nannie's smile- one of the many trips to the park with her grandchildren.

Nannie eventually was taken away from her suffering and our family all found their ways to deal with the loss and to begin healing.  I found peace in working toward making my hands like Nannie's, the things she had made with her two hands had wrapped us all in love.  Whether it was her blankets that kept us warm, the details she added to our communion dresses, or the Halloween costumes that made us feel like we really were Glenda from the Wizard of Oz, Scarlet O'Hara from Gone with the Wind, or Raggedy Ann...we spend our lives wrapped in Nannie's love.

Though it would take me months after I had started, I eventually learned to regulate my stitch tension, how to make the ends even, and finally how to finish a crochet product I started.  When I finished my scarf  and wrapped it around my neck I felt as if I was receiving a hug from Nannie.  There really is something special about an item made by hand.  And so began my love of crochet and I cant help but to smile every time I think about how something I made carries on a piece of Nannie and wraps someone in love.  

My double dilemma

Until recently the majority of my attention was directed toward creating baby sets, scarfs, and holiday items.  The problem with that is I was limiting how often I was creating.  I find myself in a craft store at least once a week and I cant help but be drawn to certain materials.  Most people buy yarn in order to complete a project they have in mind.  I on the other hand often see a yarn that calls to me and I buy it knowing eventually a worthy project will pop into my head.  There is just so much potential in a skein of yarn.  This unavoidable crafting addiction has lead me to quite a beautiful collection of yarn (which might not be a problem if I lived in a beautiful country home with craft room included, but my family's small New York apartment does put some constraints on my crafting).

So I found myself in a double dilemma, I wanted to expand the type of craft projects I was working on to something that can keep me busy year round and I needed to find the right project for some of my treasured yarn collection.  After some web surfing and thinking I decided I finally had the perfect use for my beautiful bright 100% cotton yarn.  It is so soft and springy and all the flowers springing up inspired me.  I began my first set of crochet 100% cotton washcloths.  My best friend thought I was nuts, "Who needs crochet washcloths?!?"

After one use I was convinced everyone needs a set of these in their life.  Sure there are 100% cotton machine made washcloths but these are so much better. I love that with every wash they get softer and softer, kind of like your favorite old t-shift!  Not only did I use them for my personal "spa" exfoliating and cleansing needs, they are great for clean ups around the house.  I love to do my polishing and dusting with these because they don't scratch the surfaces and they are so absorbent. 

Yes I was sold that these were a great year round project that anyone could find uses for, plus they could be made to match any decor.  I set right away to make a few sets and put them up for sale.  So far the response has been great, so to answer my friend's question, no I am not nuts (well at least not for this reason) and plenty of people have found a need for these in their lives.

I get so excited to see them added to baby and bridal shower gifts.  Some of my customers have ordered sets to bring to dinner parties instead of the traditional desserts or wine.  They have been a Mother's Day gift hit.  Even some of my male customers have raved about their usefulness for car washing and detailing (I'm pretty sure they indulge in so spa time too, car maintenance just sounds more masculine)... And my favorite of all is when someone tells me they are buying a set to treat themselves!  I love hearing the personal stories of each item I personally create :)  

If you are interested in spoiling yourself with a set of these washcloths you can visit my online shop by clicking here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandcraftedHolidays

From a simple string

I am blessed to have come from a family of inspired, creative individuals.  I am the oldest of five children and have a very large extended family.  They have taught me that there is something special about the sharing of handmade creations.  For generations we have passed down the skills and traditions of working with your hands to make unique creations.  The time we spend together creating has left me with many treasured memories.

While people often think a girl in her mid-twenties should not be as excited about crafts as I am, it truely is a part of who I am.  Time and again I find myself fascinated with how something small can become something magnificent... From a simple string of yarn comes a baby's first blanket, a scarf to keep you warm on winter adventures, or a washcloth used to care for your home.. perhaps most amazing is how a string of words can become a story.  Handcrafting is my family's story and each piece I make becomes apart of that.  I can only hope that the items I make and the stories I share can become something special for you and your family.

I am new to blogging so please bare with me as I learn and I will do my best to share stories, insights, and ideas with you.