Monday, January 25, 2016

Fun Little Projects from 2015

I'm still trying to get back to blogging regularly.  I've been dealing with some difficult challenges lately with my ill and aging parents that have caused me to push blogging to the side again but I realize that taking time to create posts and the wonderful interaction I have with those of you who stop by and comment can be very refreshing and help me through these tough times.  So, here goes another post...

Since I didn't blog for  most 2015, I want to try to catch up on some of the things that happened last year.  Here are some more yarny projects I did...

I made some pretty pillowcases for my daughter.  It was a fun project and the total cost of it was less than $5.  I got a pair of king size pillow cases at Ross for about $5.  I simply cut them down to standard size and stitched them up.  I crocheted trim with white crochet thread that I had in my stash.  After crocheting two strips to size, I pinned them into place, and sewed them on with my sewing machine.  I like how they turned.  The project was so fun and rewarding that I've bought more pillow case sets and plan to make more.


I crocheted this cute little owl as part of a gift for my daughter for Easter.  It was a quick project that used bits of cotton yarn leftovers from my stash.  Yay!  I'm always happy to make something from supplies I have.  I've been in a major de-stashing phase this past year and every little bit makes me happy.  I did need to buy buttons for this project though as I didn't have any white ones in the right size.  Amazing since I have a pretty big stash of buttons!  My daughter loved the little owl.


I knitted up a towel using the "Basket Rib Hand Towel" pattern that I found on Ravelry.  I used "Pink Camo" Sugar 'n Cream yarn as my daughter loves pink and camo.  She found a great use for the towel.  She places it under her dish drainer that doesn't have a tray.  It works great!  It catches the water but dries quickly because of all the texture in the towel.  I had originally made one for me to use for drying hand washed dishes.  I used one 95 yard ball of yarn for this one.


I loved how my daughter was using her towel and my dish drainer was so old and not in the best shape.  So, I bought myself a nice one at Ikea that doesn't have a tray and made a towel for mine.  I love it!  I made this one a bit bigger to fit my large dish drainer.  I used almost three full skeins of Hobby Lobby Crafter's Secret Cotton...about 350 yards or so.  I love the colors in this yarn!


The towel must be fun to make because I soon found myself making another one!


Of course, there were a few wash/dish cloths made along the way.  I love making and using these.  And, they're a great excuse to use Sugar 'n Cream in it's many pretty colors!


One of my knit friends loves purple and I have some pretty, light purple, cotton, carpet warp in my stash.  So, I made her a tiny little bunting for her birthday...


 

 And, when she had our stitch group over for a lovely waffle breakfast, I made her a little hostess gift with the same yarn...a lacy candle holder.  I got inspiration on Ravelry and Pinterest, found an empty jar, and crocheted a little cover.  I put a little tea candle inside.


When I posted the light purple candle holder on my Instagram, another friend saw it and fell in love.  So, I made a white one for her for Christmas.  And, yup...more de-stashing!  Yay!  And, I love how it turned out!  She did too.


My camera stopped working well over a year ago and I ended up taking just about all of my pictures this past year with my cell phone.  That's one of the reasons I stopped blogging too.  The quality just isn't that great in comparison and the only way I've found to upload and save and use them is troublesome.  I've been searching through the mess of camera photos, trying to find things I'd like to blog about and catch up on, grouping them, and creating posts.  Luckily and very happily, hubby bought me a new, fancy, dancy camera for my birthday about a week ago.  So, better quality pictures will soon be on the blog.  In the meantime, thanks for putting up with these not-so-clear photos.

Have magnificent Monday everyone!  Thanks for stopping by!  :-D

12 comments:

Sara said...

I really love those crocheted jar covers you did. I have been meaning to do a project like that some time soon (and have been storing used jars under my sink specifically for it!)

mamasmercantile said...

You have certainly been busy, I love the pillowcases, a real delight. I too look after my parents, which isn't always easy but find crafting and blogging a real support. Take care.

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

What a wonderful crafty post :) I love it all! I reeeeeally want to knit tea towels RIGHT NOW!j
Jillxi

Laurie said...

Wow! Your knitting is amazing!

Cindie said...

Love everything you've done. Those pillow cases are sweet and are making me think of doing something like that for gifts.

Delighted Hands said...

Blogging and being in touch is more important than perfect pics, really! I love the towels and the little owl! Very cute. My Gram made everyone in our family, all 27 of us, pillowcases with lace like this...she must have crocheted miles and miles in her life time!

Eugenia Maru http://lulurulitos.blogspot.com said...

Muy lindo todo. Uno de mis grandes sueños es aprender a tejer a crochet. Espero cumplirlo este año.
Mis mejores deseos para sus enfermitos. Cariños desde Chile,
Maru

Susan said...

I love that pink camo! One of my favorite things is to knit up dish cloths and towels between bigger projects. It's so satisfying when they are done. You are so talented - those tiny buntings and that OWL! OMG!

Amy at love made my home said...

Lovely to hear from you and to see what you have been up to - which all looks fabulous! Sorry to hear that you are having stress with your parents, it is no fun is it. I sympathise and hope that the situation might get easier, but that it will be as good as it can be if not. xx

Mereknits said...

Dealing with aging parents is so j=hard. My Mom passed away a year and a half ago, my Dad just this past October. It was hard dealing with their illnesses and harder dealing with their death.
Love all you made,
Meredith

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

You made so many beautiful things. I love them all! I don't see anything wrong with your pictures. I use my phone exclusively and everyone keeps asking what camera I use because they think my photos are of good quality. Go figure! :) Blogging really is a wonderful thing. Even though I love IG, I definitely couldn't give up the friendships I've made here. Have a good rest of the week. Tammy

judy said...

I love seeing your projects! The purple bunting and candle holder are my favorites! ;-) Keep on blogging!