announcing the very serious crafts podcast

Folks, I started a crafting podcast. A Very Serious Crafts podcast, to be specific.

This wasn't really in my plan for this year, or even anytime really. But it happened, and here's how:

About six weeks ago, Haley from Red-Handled Scissors tweeted about her desire for a crafting podcast that was more conversational and not interview-focused. She said she wasn't really up for making said podcast though. I chimed in that her idea was actually something I could see myself doing (especially since my brother has been trying to get me to do a podcast for a while now).

The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. And although Haley said she didn't want to start something like this, I kept talking with her about it. She said she would consider participating, and before long, we decided that this was officially going to be a thing...with the two of us working together.

But we also knew that it would be helpful and more fun to have another voice in the mix. Independently, we each thought of Heidi from Hands Occupied. And when we asked if she'd be interested, she said yes!

And thus, the Very Serious Crafts Podcast was born.

Haley, Heidi, and I are all very serious about crafting because it's our hobby. It's our work. It's pretty much our life (you know, with family, pets, and a few other things thrown in!).



You can tell how serious this podcast is because I wear pink cat ear headphones when we record. It's very serious. But while we're serious about crafting and podcasting, we're also a little sarcastic and we like to laugh.

In each episode, we talk about what we're currently making or some of our favorite crafting stories and obsessions. We hope that when people listen, it feels a little like joining your friends for a crafting session at the local coffee shop.

The first episode is available now, and new episodes will drop every other Monday.

We hope you'll give it a listen and consider subscribing (we're on iTunes, Google Play, PodBean, SoundCloud, Spreaker, and Stitcher (if only because it has a crafty name!)

I really didn't see this podcast coming, but I can say with full confidence that I'm seriously excited about where this adventure is heading!

pattern // a diamond birthstone for april

Every month so far this year, I've planned on sharing the birthstone embroidery pattern earlier in the month. And then it takes me longer to stitch and post it. This time it's so bad that I didn't even stitch it yet.

But I did choose the fabrics I'm going to use for my EPP! And I picked out the color I'm planning to use to stitch my diamond! Rather than make you wait any longer, I'm just going to make you imagine how it looks stitched, and then hopefully I'll catch up for next month.

DOWNLOAD THE DIAMOND BIRTHSTONE PATTERN

I'm stitching mine in DMC 955. It has the minty color I chose to represent the diamond (because I didn't want to go with gray or try to use white on a white background). And a little color is nice. But if you're stitching on a darker color (which, ironically, I am!), you could go with white floss. Or even DMC E5200, which is their metallic white.

Now, let's see how many of you stitch this up before I do!

NOTE: This is part of the free Birthstone Wild Olive Stitching Club. Find the previous posts and patterns here. With this club, you can embroider the 12 birthstones and combine them with English paper piecing to make a birthday placemat!

We'd love to see your stitching progress along the way. Share on Instagram and tag your photos #wildolivestitchingclub

calendar // a sweet diamond for april

Welcome to April! A month that is apparently so special that it gets a diamond for its birthstone, and a sweet smiling one if you're shopping for Wild Olive diamonds!

Since it was released in November, I've been obsessed with the Animal Crossing Pocket Camp app. It harkens back to the days when I would stay up until the wee hours playing Animal Crossing on Game Cube. What does that have to do with this month's birthstone calendars?

Well, sometimes the characters in the game look at the ocean and say something like "It looks like a sea of diamonds! Wouldn't it be wonderful to dive in? No, you're right...that does sound painful." Or they'll say that "seashells are like nature's diamonds! Wait, I guess diamonds are nature's diamonds!"

Anyway, I can't help but think of these silly quotes now when a diamond is mentioned! Download your own calendar wallpaper with one of nature's diamonds below. Save what you need to your devices and set them as your background wallpapers or lock screens.

Download the Desktop Wallpaper

Download the iPhone Wallpaper

Download the iPad Wallpaper

At the start of each month, I also like to do a little recap of a few things that happened in the previous month. Things that may have been shared elsewhere, but not here.



For starters, April 1 was the end of my World Vision Care Kits project, and although shop sales didn't quite meet my goal, it was close and I have a plan to fill in the gap and finish the project. In fact, supplies are ordered and a wonderful group of girls will be helping me assemble them next week! More info on that coming soon.



These kawaii fast food printable packages are a freebie at Handmade Charlotte, and they're fun for play or to wrap small gifts!




I sewed this ribbon tag blanket and a catnip-filled mouse for The Spruce. I also drafted a pattern for sewing a sun hat, which I think I need to write an entire post about. Because it was the first wearable with a shaped pattern that I've ever made on my own. It was a learning experience, and I'm really happy with the results!



Leading into Easter, I made these printable accessories to create a wacky, wobbling bunny balloon. And you know what? It doesn't have to only be an Easter Bunny! Grab the printable at Hello Bee.

That's a just a smattering of things. There was also work behind the scenes on things that will come along in the next couple weeks, the next couple months, and even further down the road. They say that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but I'd say that craft supplies and new projects might just be this girl's best friends!

PS: Right now it feels more like chilly February where I live, but I'm going to trust that April weather will come soon. So for all ou April birthdays, happy birthday and I hope you're experiencing happy weather!