Finally, I have some eye candy for you! Remember when I said I was "dying" to craft recently? Well, a week or so ago, I was able to steal away some time to work on a project that I've been wanting to do for a while.. ever since I bought this book, Warm Fuzzies by Betz White. I just *had* to make one of those cupcake pincushions. I scored some candy colored wool sweaters at Goodwill months and months ago. This project was SO MUCH FUN. And it was a FAST project, which I love. Beginning to end, maybe a few hours? You could probably do it faster if you weren't a perfectionist like me. (insert rolling eyes emoticon) I want to make more of these for gifts!
And I've been working on this project for a week or so now.. about 3/4 done. I'll show more when I'm finished! It was the project I asked for crochet help on! I'm SOOO enjoying crocheting. I *finally* feel like I'm in my groove with it. I can for the most part pick up any pattern and feel confident with what I'm doing. That is a long time coming, let me tell you. (although i'm sure a pattern will come along that will totally kick my butt.. but i feel like i'm armed now. ;-)
A random photo of some vintage spools I found recently.. I wound the thread around them myself.
And lastly, I got to work on a project last night that's been germinating in my brain for a couple weeks. It ended up totally different than what I envisioned... but better. I worked on it last night after the boys went to bed... the first attempt at my "prototype" was ghastly. Ask Ethan. (:::::eek::::::) I knew I wanted to incorporate crochet in this some how, and in the end, crochet is what saved this necklace.
I had already made the strawberries. (I really adore them to be honest. I'm so happy with how they turned out. I can say that, right? lol!) Then I had strung them along with some other beads, etc.. and it was just wrong. So I yanked them off the wire, found this vintage crochet edging pattern online and got busy crocheting. This was at like 11pm last night. Then I added the berries and buttons and beads. Got to bed at 2am. (UGH.) But I'm so thrilled with how it turned out!
I'm going to take you up some suggestions that have come my way over the past many, many months to consider opening an Etsy shop, and this necklace is definitely something I'd like to have in my shop (along with many, many other things!) I have so many ideas flowing. I feel so inspired. And HAPPY to be creating again.
(P.S. Thank-you for all of the redhead stories, the sweet compliments on my boys!, and thank you Amy J. for your suggestions on desaturating the color on those tea towels! that is a brilliant idea! :-)
oh good gravy. l o v e the necklace!!! can't wait for the etsy store!
Posted by: lisa | June 26, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Oh, we must be two birds of a feather! The calico strawberries, the cupcake pincushions, crochet...some of my very favorite things! Can't wait for you to join "club etsy". (Ha ha!)
Posted by: amanda bel | June 26, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I love it all! I've been meaning to make a cupcake pincushion, thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Dayna | June 26, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Oh, Danielle, you're welcome. I swear you're style inspires me so much sometimes it makes me laugh when I'm out shopping, lol. We'd be very dangerous as shopping buds!
And THANK GOODNESS for an etsy shop! Um, like I said, we'll be very dangerous as shopping buddies. Can I just go ahead and give you my paypal account and cart blanche! ;).
And, btw, you truly do inspire me with teaching yourself this stuff. My goal for TWO years is to learn to sew and crochet. I have yet. I'm always gardening or cleaning or organizing or being mom or running errands and then collapsing in bed. I have a whole room devoted to creating/crafting which is full to the brim with great stuff, that I never use! UGH. Maybe soon.
Posted by: amy j. | June 26, 2008 at 11:10 AM
What a gorgeous necklace!
Your photos are beautiful!
Posted by: Mirre | June 26, 2008 at 12:09 PM
So pretty! And definitely eyecandy! Your necklace inspires me. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Kristena | June 26, 2008 at 01:07 PM
cute projects! I have been eyeing that warm fuzzies book and those cupcakes for forever...now I just need to find some wool sweaters to use.
Can't wait to see what your crochet project is! : )
Posted by: Rebekah | June 26, 2008 at 01:13 PM
i would absolutely buy anything you sell on etsy....
the pincushion is fab :-)
Posted by: KnitXcorE | June 26, 2008 at 04:28 PM
oh! i love the crochet necklace. you have done very well.
Posted by: Lu | June 26, 2008 at 05:04 PM
yummy . . . that's the only compliment that comes to my mind right now! love everything!
Posted by: Emily | June 26, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Your blog is crazy fun. Makes me feel like I have on rose colored glasses.
Thank you,
Tracey
Posted by: Paper Dolls for Boys | June 27, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Wow, Danielle. LOVE this necklace. So cute and original:) Cannot wait for your etsy shop. YAY!!!!!!!!!!
Kari
Posted by: ArtsyMama | June 27, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Wow. Gorgeous projects and photographs. I like how the girl above said it makes her feel like she has on rose colored glasses.
Posted by: April | June 27, 2008 at 05:02 PM
WOWEE! That necklace is GORGEOUS!!! Those strawberries just make me smile...so happy! And the pink crochet is perfect with them. :)
Your cupcake is so cute too. Betz White did make & takes at CHA last winter...these fluffy little felt flowers. I was so in love with mine but passed it on to a friend that I knew would love it even more (it was her fave color). Ever since, I've been meaning to make more. Thanks for the reminder. :)
Posted by: Staci | June 27, 2008 at 07:04 PM
just plain awesome. You just have to be an ETSY woman!
Lea
xo
Posted by: Lea Harper | June 28, 2008 at 05:07 PM
I can't wait for you to put that beautiful necklace on etsy! Sign me up for, um... like a half dozen!
Posted by: Liss | June 29, 2008 at 06:19 PM
oh my god. I need that necklace in my life in like 10 colors. please. make. more.
Posted by: Lorrie | June 30, 2008 at 10:25 AM
I loooooove the necklace! I'd totally be your first Etsy buyer.
Posted by: Jessica | June 30, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Tag... you're it... because you're one of my favorite blogs. pass on the love and check out my blog :)
Posted by: Heidi Sonboul | June 30, 2008 at 11:34 PM
you are so darn talented! i LOVE this necklace! make me one! How much!?!? I'm dead serious!
Posted by: Euphoria | July 01, 2008 at 09:19 AM
the strawberries are just lovely. I especially like the patterned one!
Posted by: meg | July 01, 2008 at 04:10 PM
oh that cupcake is to die for!! you should make some and sell them on etsy! i'd totally buy one!
Posted by: ashleyd | July 03, 2008 at 01:27 PM
oh-my-GOD! Girl, you're beyond talented. I adore that necklace... and everything else. Gosh! you amaze me!
Posted by: Sasha Farina | July 04, 2008 at 06:22 AM
you are so good, danielle!
these creations are amazing!
i'm so excited you are opening a shop...that is awesome!
i hope all is well!
Posted by: melissa deakin | July 04, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that necklace and those little felted items! They are super cute!
If you open an Etsy store, which you totally should, I would be on your waiting list for that necklace!
We beg you danielle, OPEN AN ETSY STORE! :)
Stacey..
Posted by: Staceydotdot | July 04, 2008 at 12:52 PM