I consider myself a crafty person. I like to do crafts. I also like to look at and admire them. Lately, it feels like I have been watching a lot of crafts being done (by my daughter), which is great, BUT I really would like to get back into doing them myself too. 
Here are some of the craft projects I am eyeing up this year:
- Embroidery – I bought a book a few years ago that had some patterns for really cute embroidery pieces. I already know how to do the basic chain stitch and have done it before on things like infant onesies, maps (just wait…post coming!), and bibs. Embroidering is really relaxing and a nice thing to just sit and do. And the end result always looks so beautiful.
I bought this vintage hoop today and I think that I will start with embroidering something for our bedroom…maybe a picture of three children, 2 boys, 1 girl…
- Knitting – One of my true passions. Talk about relaxing…knitting is relaxing at its finest. I LOVE the feeling of different yarns and experiencing how they knit-up first hand. Of course, my project list is long for knitting, so these are just a few of my favorites:
There is this rainbow hat that I have been working on for C since the beginning of autumn. It requires a fair isle technique and is looking beautiful…now let’s see if I can finish it before winter is over! :-/
I went for a run the other day with a friend and she had on this awesome headband. It looked like this Whitney Headband. I am thinking about tweaking this version a bit and making it geared toward running (maybe with a different type of yarn and making it decrease in width a bit in the back). It was absolutely ADORABLE on her and now I have to have one!
I saw this pattern in the new Knit Pick’s catalog and fell in love. Although sometimes it is hard to determine if I fell in love with it, or fell in love with it on the model… The Wrought Iron Shawl. The Andes del Campo yarn looks like it would be AWESOME to knit with. I love a good heavyweight yarn:)
I would love to get back into knitting gifts for babies and friends (going along with my whole New Year’s resolution idea). There is just something I love about hand-knitted items!
- Hand Stamped Jewelry – Weird, I know…well, at least for me because I am not a jewelry maker at all. Not in the slightest. A few years back, I picked up an alphabet set to hand-stamp my own jewelry. I bought some of the tags and brought the supplies along with a hammer up to our girls’ weekend at a Lancaster B & B. Needless to say, I never got to work on it AND, I left the hammer (our only hammer) at the B&B. FAIL! I would like to try it sometime this year. Maybe a cute saying on a key chain or necklace.
- Sewing – I LOVE to sew. It may be a trait that I picked up from my mom (sewer extraordinaire). She is a phenomenal quilter…phenomenal. Sometime I will have to showcase her quilts. Anyway, I loved sewing outfits, dresses, neck ties, anything for the kids. I even made two quilts for them. Mrs. Claus made C a beautiful pink sunflower dress one year for Christmas and now C has been begging me to make her another dress. This year I would love to do it. She glanced at the computer the other day when I had Groopdealz on the screen and saw a chevron skirt (which is now “one of her favorite patterns”). She has put in her official request and I would love to fulfill it!
So, this may seem like a lot, but if you know me at all, you know that this list is just the start and there are really 800 other crafts that I have every expectation of finishing this year. Gotta get started somewhere!
What craft or DIY project do you plan on starting in this new year?
Oh my that shawl is gorgeous. I eventually want to get back to my jewelry making. So many things to do and so little time. I eventually also want to get into knitting. I can’t wait!
Noelle (@singerinkitchen) recently posted…Vegan Cranberry Orange Cornbread
I totally hear you on the so little time part! I wish there were just a few more hours in the day:)
Hi Laura, these projects all look awesome. I wish I loved to sew! I have aspirations of making one of those memories quilts with things from Dante’s clothes but I don’t have the skills/patience to go with it. I will do it though! It just might not looks so hot. LOL. I am more of a dabbler when it comes to crafts, trying things once or twice. On my list include decorating and baking a ceramic plate, working on a scrap book of my grandmother in her younger days, and finishing up the Christmas ball wreath I was working on - year I know - it’s almost Valentine’s Day! LOL. Let’s make a pact that we’ll both get these things done so we can enjoy them. Thanks for the inspiration.
I love that idea of a scrapbook! I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
I have a very long list of UFO (un finished objects) I have Christmas stocking I just found and quilts. Sweaters .. yea that I lost the patterns for. Lately I have been make American girl clothes out of the scraps for my daughter .. she loves them and they are quick. I love to knit but nothing hard .. i like mindless knitting (felted bags, leg warmers) I consider knitting like yoga (zen moment). For me sewing is a way of life (because that is how I support my family — so it is so not relaxing, it is just a thing I do ) But knitting I could never make a living off of it.. so I consider it fun. I am babbling and sorry to hijack your post but you make me want to have fun with crafts again and finish those UFOs. Thanks for the inspiration.
sherry recently posted…I Need a little Sunshine #WordlessWednesday
Ooh, my daughter just got into American Girl Dolls. That is a great idea to use the scraps to make their clothes! And, I totally agree that knitting is a zen moment. Good luck on those UFO’s!
I was thinking about trying hand stamped jewelry too! Also, I bought the fabric to make my first ever quilt for a friend’s baby, so I think I need to actually do it! My mom is a sewer and quilter and was excited when I decided to do the project. Now for the follow-through!
Xandra recently posted…Slow Down Before Your Body Slows You Down
Sometimes that is the hard part! It will be such a loved baby gift though, so totally worth it!
Exploring my UFOs is on my list to conquer for next week’s hobby resolutions linky. I look forward to seeing your progress on these!
Becky recently posted…Green Resolutions Giveaway: Runner’s Discovery Journal
Thanks Becky! I look forward to seeing my progress on them too! LOL