Mod Podged Trivets

Simple glue, fabric or napkins & a 4" x 4" porcelain tile, some sealant and you can have some of the cutest places to set a hot pot on.

Mod podge is such a simple crafting tool and can be so incredibly forgiving when you craft with it.

Please see my coaster tutorial for directions here: mod podge coasters tutorial

Shamrock for St Paddy's day

 

I made this with the overwhelming amount of craft supplies I bought last summer when I accidentally bought WAY more than expected when I said, "Sure, I'll take the whole lot". Boy, oh boy... was that a mistake. Thankfully, I've been able to start selling some of the craft supplies I won't make. I easily had enough ribbons and supplies to make 20 Easter wreaths. 20. I'll probably make two, and will share when i get them done.

My original plan with this one was to use hot glue and throw a few plastic gold coins on, maybe a green & white ribbon. But I'm seriously considering leaving it as understated as it is.

Link to my post about how I made this and if someone could consider this type of wreath making for earning extra money.

Simple quilted placemats - sewing project

I definitely have a lot of learning to do still for sewing. But this was only my second attempt at making placemats using a cute pattern I purchased on Etsy. 

"Take Four" - I don't know why I thought this was a good way to learn to sew. Mostly it was about the fact that I wanted to try to make something small for the house, something that I could change out over the seasons - and somehow, I thought this pattern was just about right for me. It's a bit harder than I expected, but they turn out super cute. And it's a fat quarter friendly pattern - which means you can buy a set of fat quarters in coordinated fabric and go to town. 

Just don't look too close to my seams. They aren't as straight as I'd like.

Mod podged coasters

I have been making these every couple of months with all different styles. There is no end to the creativity. For gifts I've made used licensed fabric for star wars, deadpool, etc. Those are ok to use for gifts, but not for sale.

They turn out adorable and so, so VERY easy. 

Check out my tutorial and information on HomeMadeHappiness

Sewing project - travel case

 

Probably my fifth sewing project in my life... and it turned out pretty good. Not perfect, but I've only been sewing a few things in the last couple of months. 

I've got a second blog started for use with a future-not-quite-ready for the big time website where I will be reviewing projects/patterns/etc and discussing if there's any potential for turning the projects into something profitable (or not).

Let me know what you think: HomeMadeHappiness

2024, new life to my knitting

 My wrist pain has made it altogether impossible to enjoy knitting. And I've tried it all. NSAIDs (ibuprofen and two forms of topicals), wrist splints, etc. 

It's been two years since I've been able to knit. And it's been HARD. I've explored a lot of alternative crafts over the past few years. And while that's been fun and I've enjoyed them. It is not the same. I don't get the same dopamine rush, I don't get the same meditative, soothing, relaxing sensation.

But I found something, and it's even under $10!!!

I found a pair of fingerless gloves that have heating elements on the palms and back of the hands that is heated by a simple USB port. 

Affiliate link - USB Heated Gloves.

I've been wearing them while working (office work, so I'm on a keyboard all day), and in the evening. They've helped the pain ten-fold better than everything else I've tried.

Now, admittedly, I've been nervous about whether they'll work for my knitting or not. So far, I've spent about twenty minutes last weekend and twenty minutes yesterday - keeping my knitting time to a minimum intentionally. But my wrists don't hurt afterwards. I'm not sure if I'll ever knit as much as I used to... easily four to five hours every evening and most of my weekends. But I am definitely feeling more at ease with knitting again. 

I can't vouch for how long they'll last. I've worn mine non-stop since Christmas. For $10, I wouldn't be too terribly upset if I had to replace them occasionally.

I also bought a pair for my son who struggles with Raynauds. He's thrilled as well. He's even bought a separate battery pack for them so he can wear them away from the laptop. 

While the heating pads can be removed for washing, there's a velcro strip to hold them back in place that could be a little stronger; but the light velcro strip is reducing bulk so you don't really notice that while wearing the gloves. I just wouldn't take them out and replace them multiple times unless you really needed to. 

NOTE: No one has paid me to support these, though the link above is an affiliate one, so if you use the link and buy the gloves, I will get a small commission. 

Nothing, if not unpredictable

  Another wide gap between posts.

I really, really enjoyed the spur of creativity creating innovative baby hats.

I really, really enjoyed working on some charity blanket projects, which were really big and seemed to never end.

But, now my health has prevented me from knitting more than an hour or two a week. 

Still have the urge to create. Not a lot of talent, but I'm exploring other crafts.

Easter Wreath - made with mesh, pipe cleaners (or I should say chenille stems, as they are called now) a few odds and ends from the craft shop and an inexpensive, stuffed bunny.

Used a video tutorial from Dave's wreaths - #daveswreathsandthings #daveswreaths #howtomakeawreath