Thrifting and mending

I don't know about you, but one of the things I love about thrifting is that I can find something I like (and it fits), and if it is ripped or broken I can mend it. It give me such joy to see something get a new use or life out of it just by sewing. Especially when I find a pair of pants that fit me, I can fix or mend it to get more use. 

For example, I found a pair of pants at the thrift store. The only issue I saw is that the ties in the front were frayed. I'll admit I didn't fix it for a couple of years, but today I finally took out a needle and thread and mended the two frays. Good thing I had some thread and a needle at work. It seems like I feel more creative thoughts when I am focusing on my daily office work. Anyways, I wanted to show the before and after to see the difference. 

I love mending so much. It reminds me of my mom and how she taught me how to sew and fix my clothes. I never thought it was something necessary because I didn't use it so much. But as a mom, I have been mending more things and it reminds me of my mom.

Another yearly post and some crafty changes

Eminem Hey GIFfrom Eminem GIFs

Welcome to another yearly post! There has been a lot of changes in my life. I am struggling to get time to do many things. But I am learning to enjoy the time that I do have in the meantime. 

I'm happy that I am still crocheting, and I have been making a few new things. I still update completed projects to my Ravelry, and I'm still collecting future projects.  

In other news, I recently closed my account with Etsy and have been selling on WhatNot for a year now. I enjoy the handmade community and I can choose when to do shows and sell what I want. I have also been streaming my shows to Youtube. I keep saying that I will start creating videos, but it has not happened yet (again, time). 

I have also starting learning about junk journaling and art journaling. I don't have many projects to show off yet, but I would like to write a little about any craft I am working on. I hope I can share some more ideas and projects in the coming weeks.

What are you Doing 2023 - May Challenge

 What Are You Doing? May 2023 Social Hop

Welcome to the What Are You Doing monthly social media hop! May is here, and there are so many exciting things to join in with crafting. I know of a few good crochet and make alongs. Now, it's your turn to share!

What are you working on? 

Got any current WIPs (works in progress)? How-to videos? Have any interesting adventures or places you have traveled with your family? You can share in whichever creative outlet you post on. This is a monthly social hop, so you can post as many times as you want for the month. 

• Share a link from your blog, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or other social media platforms. 
• Link to a post or page of your blog, not just the main website.
• All links will be shared on my Pinterest board. See what other bloggers have been posting!

Enter your link information below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

What have I been doing?

I am finishing up my sunflower granny square bag. I have been taking my time with putting it together. I usually take time to crochet in the evening after we put our son to bed. Once that bag is done, I will continue to make more flower granny squares. I plan on joining the year-long MAL (make-along) #moosflowerpowercal from Cr4ftym00 Sarah on Youtube. You can watch her video on the instructions to join in. 

Share your work and start a conversation in the comments below, and follow on Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok! 

Memories of one of my first crochet projects in 2012

I watched a Youtube podcast video from Wool Needles Hands, and one of the bags she listed reminded me of the first crochet items I used to make ALOT in my beginning journey of crochet. This post also connects with Earth Day coming up soon, as I was very interested in making things out of recycled items (I am still interested in this!).  

I found the Market Bag pattern on Ralvery in 2012 and it was one of my favorites. Also, this is how old the pattern is. I can't find a better photo from the website.

One of the lessons I learned when I began crochet was that Homespun yarn was very difficult to use! I should have tried a larger hook than the H hook they suggested. There was no Homespun yarn thick and quick back then either. If I thought to use 2 strands of homespun it might have been easier to work up. But I did complete a few bags and even sold them at markets.  

 

I also completed a large plarn version of the market bag. It was painful using a regular hook to make the stitches, but I completed it. I wish I took better photos of the finished product. I also don't remember what happened to the bag. I believe someone might have bought it.

 

 

I definitely want to try this pattern again, and maybe I will bring out my stashed plarn to complete a new bag. 

What was your first crochet, knit, or crafting project? 

March 2023 projects I have completed

I feel like this month is where I have renewed my passion for crochet. I am trying to keep myself interested by finding some crochet, knit or crafting podcasts and vlogs to watch/listen to while I am working. 

I also have in interest in keeping track of how much yarn I use. I never had the desire to weigh my projects and see how many grams of yarn gets used up. But I have been watching more knitting vlogs, and it interests me when they talk about how many grams of yarn is needed to complete their projects. I don't know why I never though about it. Since I have a desire to know what types of patterns can be made with 1 skein of yarn, keeping track of the amount of yarn I have left might be a good idea. 

Here are the projects that I have completed this month. 

First is this lovely Christmas Granny Square Stocking project from Maggie Weldon Best Free Crochet that I began in January. She also has a Green Granny Square Stocking, but I preferred the shape of the one I made. I tend not to attempt Christmas crochet projects because they usually get thrown in the to-do later or the complete-before-next-year pile. But I kept up with this one and completed it, and I also used scrap balls of metallic mixed yarns that I had saved in my stash.

The second project I completed is the Alpine Snowfall Cozy from Leesa's Knotty Corner. I have had this project in my library since January 2021. I had scrap ball of Premier Just Yarn in Persimmon, and I thought to give it a try. The stitches were intermediate and took much focus that I didn't realize I was already at the end of the pattern instructions. I want to make another cozy that is longer to cover my taller cup and maybe add handles. 

As you can see with the third project, I used the remaining amount of Persimmon yarn and made it two-toned with a tan yarn. This is the Simple Twisted Earwarmer from Yarn and Chai. I have made this project in the past but I don't have any previous pictures. 

I have noticed that if I use a skein of scrap yarn, my projects will be in the same colors. I also I lose interest in projects when I keep seeing the same yarn color. I will keep that in mind for next month to work with different color groups. 

What I'm working on...

I am working on the Sweet Summer Sunflower bag from Crochet 365 Knit Too. This is one of the larger projects that I am wanting to complete in April. I have already made the 13 flowers, but then I decided to see how many flowers I can make with the amount of scrap yarn I have in my project bag. We'll have to wait and see what else I will be making.

Let me know what you're working on!

What Are You Doing 2023 - April Challenge

 What Are You Doing? April 2023 Social Hop

Welcome to the What Are You Doing monthly social media hop! Spring is starting to bloom in Florida, which means sunny hot afternoons and allergy season for most. It already feel like summer. We hope that rainfall will come more this month.

Now, it's your turn to share!

What are you working on? 

Got any current WIPs (works in progress)? How-to videos? Have any interesting adventures or places you have traveled with your family? You can share in whichever creative outlet you post on. This is a monthly social hop, so you can post as many times as you want for the month. 

• Share a link from your blog, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or other social media platforms. 
• Link to a post or page of your blog, not just the main website.
• All links will be shared on my Pinterest board. See what other bloggers have been posting!

Enter your link information below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

What have I been doing?

I finished three projects in March. One project was a Christmas stocking from January, and all 3 were made with yarns I have from my stash. I am putting together a post of the projects I have completed and where you can find the pattern. Currently, I am still working on the flower granny square bag that I will also be talking about soon. I want to see how many flowers I can make with the yarn I am carrying in my project bag. I may have enough to make 2 finished bags. 

Share your work and start a conversation in the comments below, or follow on Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok! 

Finishing old projects and not buying yarn

I have been on the not-buying yarn trend since last year 2022, frankly because I do not have much time to shop in-person or online. I have stopped in a few craft shops in the past year to look at the yarns. I have always looked for discounted or clearance yarn to purchase. I can easily say that is easier for me to not purchase new yarn. The harder task is to figure out what to make with the amount of yarn I have. 

The easiest way I have kept track of my WIPS is to use Ravelry. I have it sorted to show the items that I have listed at my recent works in progress. Either these patterns have been in my want-to-make pile, my started-but not finished, or my idea projects. Adding a photo of the wips reminds me to keep working on the current things I have.

My frogged or hibernating wips are located at the bottom of my list. Most of the projects that are frogged are there because I didn't want to waste the yarn. Maybe I will take a look at some of my old finished projects and remake them.

One of the reasons why I enjoy looking back at my past projects is to see what I have learned over the years and see if I can make a better version of my first attempt. I also I have some ideas on improving or updating an older piece of clothing and modifying it to be a more enjoyable piece to wear. 

I have even purchased a Happy Planner to see if I can document the recent projects I will be working on, and I will see if that is a more fulfilling way to keep track. 

How about you? What are you using to keep track of your projects?

What Are You Doing 2023 - March Challenge

 What Are You Doing? March 2023 Social Hop

Welcome to the new(ish) What Are You Doing monthly social media hop! We're starting this new and a week early! It has been more than a year since I stopped posting. I miss blogging and seeing new crafty posts, so it's time to start again. But first, it's your turn to share!

What are you working on? 

Got any current WIPs (works in progress)? How-to videos? Have any interesting adventures or places you have traveled with your family? You can share in whichever creative outlet you post on. This is a monthly social hop, so you can post as many times as you want for the month. 

• Share a link from your blog, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or other social media platforms. 
• Link to a post or page of your blog, not just the main website.
• All links will be shared on my Pinterest board. See what other bloggers have been posting!

Enter your link information below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

What have I been doing?

Along with work and taking care of a 1 year old, I starting looking at my old WIPs to see if I can continue working on them. I love keeping track of my crochet projects on Ravelry and attempting the yearly projects challenge. I also reopened my Etsy shop after 1 year, but I am only selling finished crochet projects. 

What have you been working on? Share your work and start a conversation in the comments below, or follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok! 

What Are You Doing? October 2021 Social Hop

 What Are You Doing? October 2021 Social Hop

It's week 2 of October! The time for fall crafts, spooky handmade things and pumpkins! I haven't even completed one pumpkin this year, but I hope to by the end of the month. What have you been making this year?

What are you working on? 

Got any current WIPs (works in progress)? How-to videos? Have any interesting adventures or things you tried with your family? You can share in whatever creative outlet your interest is in. 

• Share a link from your blog, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or other social media platforms. 
• Link to a post or page of your blog, not just the main site.
• Limit four links per person, please!
• All links will be shared on my Pinterest board. See what other bloggers have been posting!

Enter your link information below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

What have I been doing?

I am almost done with a couple of custom orders that I wanted to finish for this month, and I'm working on my first pumpkin. Speaking of pumpkin, this is month 8th of my pregnancy and my pumpkin is already 4 lbs. 

What have you been working on? Share your work and start a conversation in the comments below, or follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok! 

What Are You Doing? September 2021 Social Hop

 What Are You Doing? September 2021 Social Hop

It's almost the end of September! The year is flying by now. At this point I am 7 months pregnant, and the end of the year will feel like a blur! I will also be celebrating my birthday this weekend. 

We're trying to take every day one day at a time as we prepare our home for our first child. I can't wait to see and share all the end of the year projects!

What are you working on? 

Got any current WIPs (works in progress)? How-to videos? Have any interesting adventures or things you tried with your family? You can share in whatever creative outlet your interest is in. 

• Share a link from your blog, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or other social media platforms. 
• Link to a post or page of your blog, not just the main site.
• Limit four links per person, please!
• All links will be shared on my Pinterest board. See what other bloggers have been posting!

Enter your link information below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

What have I been doing?

I finished the baby blanket and a couple of premie hats for High Risk Hope. I have been working on a couple of custom orders this month. I will get a photo up when I feel I am closer to the end of this project! I am also saving so many patterns for this season that I want to work on!

What have you been working on? Share your work and start a conversation in the comments below, or follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok! 

What Are You Doing? August 2021 Social Hop

 What Are You Doing? August 2021 Social Hop

August is here and the expectation for the holidays are coming. School will be back in session in the next coming weeks. I hope everyone has been safe and well. What have you been up to this month, or even this year? I have alot to update in the span of the next few months until our baby is born. I hope I can make an update here soon!

What are you working on? 

Got any current WIPs (works in progress)? How-to videos? Have any interesting adventures or things you tried with your family? You can share in whatever creative outlet your interest is in. 

• Share a link from your blog, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or other social media platforms. 
• Link to a post or page of your blog, not just the main site.
• Limit four links per person, please!
• All links will be shared on my Pinterest board. See what other bloggers have been posting!

Enter your link information below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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A post shared by Hand Craft Love (@hand_craft_love)

I've been slowly working on a couple of things. A baby blanket for High Risk Hope is what I worked on in July and what I am completing this weekend. I also added a photo of the Confetti Baby Beanie from High Desert Yarn that  I made and forgot to post about from May.

What have you been working on? Share your work and start a conversation in the comments below, or follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok! 

What Are You Doing? July 2021 Social Hop

 What Are You Doing? July 2021 Social Hop

Another month has flown by, and every day seems so long. We're getting through the summer season, and I can't wait for what Fall and Winter will be bringing. We are anticipating all the new things to come. I got some of my crochet mojo back, which means I began a few more projects. 

What are you working on? 

Got any current WIPs (works in progress)? How-to videos? Have any interesting adventures or things you tried with your family? You can share in whatever creative outlet your interest is in. 

• Share a link from your blog, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or other social media platforms. 
• Link to a post or page of your blog, not just the main site.
• Limit four links per person, please!
• All links will be shared on my Pinterest board. See what other bloggers have been posting!

Enter your link information below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

What have I been doing?

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A post shared by Hand Craft Love (@hand_craft_love)

What have you been working on? Share your work and start a conversation in the comments below, or follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok! 

What Are You Doing? June 2021 Social Hop

What Are You Doing? June 2021 Social Hop

June is finally here, the 6th month of the year. We're halfway through the new year. What a long month of May! May was on the warmer side in Florida with very little rain in our area. We did get some rain last evening though, so I hope that is good news to come. This is also the time for the end of the school year and graduations. Are you planning some fun things with your family in the next few months?

What are you working on? 

Got any current WIPs (works in progress)? How-to videos? Have any interesting adventures or things you tried with your family? You can share in whatever creative outlet your interest is in. 

• Share a link from your blog, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or other social media platforms. 
• Link to a post or page of your blog, not just the main site.
• Limit four links per person, please!
• All links will be shared on my Pinterest board. See what other bloggers have been posting!

Enter your link information below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

What have I been doing?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hand Craft Love (@hand_craft_love)

I didn't feel too motivated to make things in April or May, because it was when we found out we have a baby on the way! I am still not feeling great or creative, but I am working on a granny square bag this month.  

What have you been working on? Share your work and start a conversation in the comments below, or follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok! 

What Are You Doing? May 2021 Social Hop

What Are You Doing? May 2021 Social Hop

Happy May already! Apparently, I left the April hop on drafts and didn't publish it.  It's getting close to Summer weather in Florida. We didn't get too many April showers. How is the weather in your area?

What are you working on? 

Got any current WIPs (works in progress)? How-to videos? Have any interesting adventures or things you tried with your family? You can share in whatever creative outlet your interest is in. 

• Share a link from your blog, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or other social media platforms. 
• Link to a post or page of your blog, not just the main site.
• Limit four links per person, please!
• All links will be shared on my Pinterest board. See what other bloggers have been posting!

Enter your link information below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

What have I been doing?

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A post shared by Hand Craft Love (@hand_craft_love)

I don't feel like I have created anything new in April. It felt like such a long month. It began with receiving a yarn order I purchased online. I also completed a few things. I finished an amigurumi chick and made a couple of things with scrap yarn. I am attempting to use up the yarn I have, which is always a struggle when new colors and textures. 

What have you been working on? Share your work and start a conversation in the comments below, or follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok!