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calendar: print and post for february

february

Welcome February! I'm really so very happy you're here! I love that you're a rather pink month, especially coming off of a blue gray January.

Last month was the first time that I've made a wallpaper for iPhones, and somehow I never put it on my own iPod Touch. Silly me. This time around, I put it on there a few days early, and I'm already enjoying its rosiness. (What can I say? Simple things make me happy!)

Download your own iPhone wallpaper or calendar desktop background for your computer, and join me in a very pink month!


Prefer the analog method? Download the printable version, and tack it up on your bulletin board!

dictionary of embroidery stitches

Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches

If you enjoyed the heart stitches that I shared yesterday, prepare yourself for some amazing embroidery goodness here today! Some of the most valuable embroidery information that I've learned over time has come from vintage sources. I love poring over old books showing stitches that people have been using for 100s of years, but I've never even seen before.

The other day while looking through a bag of old knitting needles that came from my grandma's house, I found a new old resource. It's a gem, and one that I'm happy to share with you. This doesn't need much explanation, so take a look!

Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches

I love that some of the stitches have notes or check marks, which I assume mean that the stitches had been learned. If you like these and want to see the entire collection of stitches, I've uploaded x-large full page photos to Flickr. See the entire set here.

Are there any of these stitches that you want to learn? I might be tempted to do a series with step by step photos...

stitching hearts

Heart Stitches

Recently I saw an adorable ombre counted cross-stitch piece, and thought it would be fun to make my own non-cross-stitch version. Each little heart that I've made is just two stitches, so it goes very quickly. Once I got started, I knew that this would be a lovely little project to share with you! It's such a fun way to spontaneously stitch!

Here's how the little hearts are made (It's a cross between a lazy daisy and the fly stitch!):

Heart Stitches

Come up from the back, then go back down about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch above where the thread came up. Don't pull it tight yet!

Heart Stitches

Bring the needle back up again just a bit higher and to the left of where the the first stitch went down through the fabric. Be sure to catch the loose loop of thread with your needle.

Heart Stitches

Pull the thread to the left, tightening the loop.

Heart Stitches

Go back down through the fabric, making a little stitch that will hold this half of the heart.

Heart Stitches

Repeat on the right side.

As you're working these, try to keep the twist of the floss the same throughout. They'll look much tidier that way, but even if some are untwisted, they'll still look sweet!

Heart Stitches

For my ombre, I chose five colors. I wasn't using any sort of pattern, but just stitched the hearts where I felt like they needed to be. Each heart came out just a bit different, giving the overall piece some character. (Speaking of hearts with character...I love this embroidery by Heidi Kenney!)

Heart Stitches
Heart Stitches
Heart Stitches
Heart Stitches

Happy Heart Stitching!

snapshot saturday

little messes

As I looked on this little mess, I had to take a photo to remember that my family very graciously puts up with my craftiness all over the house...

weekend links

Happy Friday, friends! I have some things for you to check out over the weekend! They are some favorites that I've found on my sponsors' blogs and shops, so get your Pinterest account ready because there's good things to be pinned!


Harmony makes mixed media pieces...of course I'm drawn to those that include embroidery like this one!



Sara made this lovely wreath going into the Christmas holiday season, but it's got me thinking of Valentines!


Anita has shared some scans from vintage magazines, and these are my favorites! (But there are lots more to see!)


Kelsey did what I've wanted to try, and that is melt crayons into art...now I really need to do this!


Melisa posted the best ever hanger diy! I love these so much!


Ren started a new series called "Things I...", and I really like the idea of this. I might need to write up one of those myself soon...


Liesi has been embroidering arrows lately, and I think she might get me as obsessed as she is!


Angie wrote about the importance of relaxing and taking time to just be. Yep. That's a reminder I need!


Annie shared this skeleton book report, and as a member of a homeschooling family, this idea excites me!


Sécia cooked up some bacon, eggs & toast...all in one! I love cute food, and this definitely qualifies!

(All images are from my sponsors' blogs and shops, and were used with their permission!)

little-house-inspired scarf wrap

Ma Ingalls

This isn't a fashion blog, and I can pretty safely say that it never will be. But I'd like to share a fashion post today with some explanation...

While watching the first season of Little House on the Prairie, I spotted Caroline Ingalls wearing a vest type of garment that I really, really liked. It was fairly simple, so I thought I might try and make one based purely on looking at hers. But before I even got to trying, I was disappointed by the fabric options I found for it. Sadness.

But then, on a walk through Forever 21, I spotted these scarves:

scarf
scarf
scarf

They are a wool blend, and were on clearance for about $9 each. My initial thought was to use them to make my vest, but while draping and figuring out how I would do this, I found a way to create a similar look without taking a single cut or stitch.

Scarf ShawlPetticoat

The scarf fits around my neck and shoulders in a shawl sort of way, and then I added a belt to hold it. Paired with a basic blouse, my denim skirt with petticoat poking out, and boots, and I've got a modern interpretation of something Ma Ingalls might have worn! I find it a little funny that I'm so drawn to her, but Caroline Ingalls was quite the woman, I do believe.

And so even though this is a craft blog, and not a fashion blog, I think that Caroline would have been pleased with this crafting a new look!

project: little-house-inspired bow

bow hair comb

I don't usually wear bows in my hair. In fact, I don't like to mess with my hair too much. But while watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie, I saw something that made me want to try a bow. Ma Ingalls goes to the theater with Pa, and her hair is all pulled up. Underneath the updo, she has a large-ish pink bow. It was perfection, and I had to create a version for myself!

To make it easy to craft and wear, my bow is made of wool felt, and I've attached it to a hair comb. Consider this a place to start, because I know that you could (and many already have) make this in lots of ways.

bow hair comb

To make your own pretty bow hair comb, you'll need:
Wool felt
Embroidery floss
A hair comb (the kind I'm using can be found with jewelry findings)

bow hair comb

Cut the wool felt into strips at the following approximate sizes (these can be adjusted to your liking, depending on how big you want your bow to be):

1.25 x 8 inches
1.25 x 5 inches (with angled or notched ends)
.75 x 2.5 inches

bow hair comb

Stitch the long strip into a loop as shown. For mine, I added some stitching along the sides of the smallest strip...it's just there to look pretty!

bow hair comb

Layer the three elements as shown: notched strip, loop, small stitched strip.

bow hair comb
bow hair comb

Wrap the stitched strip around the other two pieces, and pull it in to create little tucks in the bow. The two ends should overlap a bit in the back. Hold it tight, or pin it.

bow hair comb

Sew the small strip together in the back, catching some layers of the rest of the bow, if possible.

bow hair comb

Stitch the comb onto the back of the bow, wrapping it around the bar and through the teeth, then back through the felt.

bow hair comb

And here's how I wore mine:

bow hair comb
bow hair comb

I pulled my hair into a high bun, then slid the comb in right underneath it. Looking at the photos, it's a little more like Pebbles from the Flintstones, but I suppose if my hair was a bit lower it would be closer to Ma Ingalls! Still, it's one of my favorite hair accessories that I've ever made!

More colors may be required...

bow hair comb