Tuesday, February 7, 2012

2012...the year of destashing!!!

Really, who knew that destash was even a word?  Well, with that being said, it is a big word at my house this year.  After cleaning and reorganizing I was left with the overwhelming conclusion that I have way too much crafting supplies.  It didn't help that my husband agreed saying, "How can one person have so much stuff?"  Yeah, I know, right?  Well, I am the queen of leapfrog crafting.  Every time I see a new idea I have to try it, even if that means buying all the supplies to do it.  Then after I've accomplished the craft, away the supplies go, into the crazy mess of totes, drawers and bins that are taking over my house! 

I know that I am not the only one with this obsession for everything crafty, you are out there too, my sisters in crime.  So, this year is the year of destashing!  Yes, that means getting rid of all those things you have so lovingly kept over all these years.  Do you really need all that stuff anyway?  Besides, doesn't that just mean you will have more room for new stashable items?  No!  The point is to get rid of it, not make room for more!  What were you thinking? 

So, here is my destash idea for today.  Crochet!  I have crocheted forever.  It seems that way anyway.  My grandmother taught me when I was young, making covered wire hangers with a simple single crochet stitch.  I picked it up again when I was pregnant with my second child, now 17 years old.  So, when I recently opened my Etsy shop, did I have crocheted items?  Of course not!  Why?  Well, who knows what goes through my mind sometimes...if anything.

Now, when I talk about crochet and stashes, you must realize that I have the mother of all yarn stashes.  And with the loss of my granny, I inherited the grandmother of all yarn stashes!  Everything from chunky yarn, thin doily type yarn, soft baby yarn, and even sock yarn.  This stash fills 4 large totes plus whatever extra yarn is hidden in a basket here and a drawer there.  Easily over 100 gallons of yarn.  I could probably crochet a cozy for my house if I wanted to, which would be an idea to cut down on heating costs.  Well, I really don't have that much free time so I thought I would stick with something smaller and make sleeves for coffee cups.

I saw a few really cute patterns for sleeves, and I thought how cute...and easy!  So today is the day.  DESTASH!!!  You can do it too!


Monday, February 6, 2012

Welcome to my Blog

Valentine's Day is only 1 week away!  I thought I would use my mad craft skills to make this heart shaped decoration just for the occasion!

I used a 12 inch 3-wire wreath frame as a base for this heart.  I then cut strips, and strips...and more strips out of a very large piece of vintage pink material.  After I had all the strips cut, I tied, and tied...and tied the strips to the frame.  Wow, you would be surprised how many strips it takes.  Next time I will count the strips!  I tied a length of sheer ribbon to the frame and viola!!!