I'm hooked...

A little over a month ago I strong armed my mother into teaching me how to crochet.  I had some basics down thanks to the awesome people who take the time to make YouTube videos...but I needed that hands on experience and wanted a real live person to pester with questions while I was figuring it all out.  After a week of straight crocheting, I think I have it down enough to share some of the things I've made.

I'm absolutely crazy over crocheted scarves and cowls...so that's pretty much what I've been making.  And I'm only keeping one of these for myself, the others will be Christmas gifts. 

Speaking of Christmas, I decided last month to try and MAKE many of the Christmas gifts for friends and family this year.  Armed with inspiration from Pinterest, I'm nearly complete!  Handmade gifts are truly the best gifts and when you're currently living on one income it becomes a necessity.  But more on that later!

Here is the first cowl I crocheted.  I adapted a few patterns I found on Pinterest.  I used Bernat Softee Chunky Ombre Yarn in Shadow.  The balls were small so I needed 3.

The original pattern did not have any holes...I added some for interest!  And this isn't the greatest pic.  It's hard to photograph yourself in the bathroom mirror.  How those chicks on Facebook do it, I'll never know.

 So, after finishing this baby up I was basically running back to the craft store for more chunky yarn and a bigger hook.  I really wanted a HUGE cowl.  One that could be a hood, kinda like the one the Crimson Owl came up with.


The result is a massive cowl that is heavy but boy is it WARM!  It's going to be hard for me to give this one up.  I used Lion Brand Hometown USA Yarn in Aspen Tweed and a size P hook.  It took about 4 skeins but worked up quickly.  I'm a now a chunky yarn fan!



As a cowl.  I added an expansion row about 2/3 of the way down so one end would be larger to cover more of the chest.

Pull it up over your head and you have a super warm hood!

Now onto scarves.  I found a really pretty and feminine Potato Chip scarf pattern on the Lion Brand website.  You have to become a member to access to their patterns (many are free), but that just takes a second and then you are ready to start.  This was super easy and super quick to make.

I used Lion Brand's Amazing Yarn in Constellation for this scarf.  The yarn is pretty amazing, I love how the color changes in a subtle way.  It says size 4 on the ball but this yarn is pretty delicate and light weight.

I also had to add a little lace edging to give it more interest.  I found inspiration for the edge here.

Crocheting is something I really enjoy and after a long day of entertaining a pre-toddler, I kick back and unwind by working up a few rows.  If I can crochet, anyone can!  You just have to practice, find good patterns, and pester your Mother!!

Thanks Ma!

Faux Tin Bookcases

Close up of the finished "tin"!

Hello all, so this is my first official blog post - so excited!!  I thought I would start off by sharing a project I just recently completed.  When I started this project I was still kicking around the idea of starting my own blog so I didn't get pics of the before and during - but I have some of the after.  Honestly, there is probably a tutorial floating around Pinterest but I came up with this on my own after seeing a picture of a lovely bookcase with a tin back.  So cute and so expensive (the tin, that is.  This project cost me less than $100 for 2 bookcases)!

I have this formal living room area in the house we are renting and I had no clue what to do with it until I saw that bookcase.  So I visited Walmart.com, purchased some cheap bookcases (like
$35 cheap with free shipping 'cause that's how I roll) and assembled them leaving the cheap backing off.  Then I went to Lowe's, purchased some really thin board (I can't remember what it's called but it was about $8 per sheet and I bought 2) and some paintable wallpaper that looks like tin.

Lay your cheap backing on top of the thin board backing and trace around.  Now it's time for power tools - cut out your new back!

I primed my boards so the wallpaper would stick better.  Once the primer is cured, follow the instructions on your wallpaper for application and let it dry 24 hours.

Now that the wallpaper is dry and trimmed to fit on the board, now you have to start your faux finish.  This is where I wish I had pictures!  I knew I wanted a silver tin look.  So I mixed up some white latex paint with a little black craft paint to get a nice soft gray.  I rolled that over the wallpaper, making sure to get all the nooks.  I let this dry completely, at least 12 hours.

Now, put down a floor covering because the next part gets messy.  Pull back out your black craft paint, a cup or bowl filled with about a 1/2-1 cup of water.  Pour in a generous amount of paint (yes, into the water and mix it up - you want a soupy mix).  I used a big kinda rigid mop brush and scrubbed the watery black paint all over the wallpaper.  Work in sections because you want to apply and then gently wipe it off with an old towel or something.  The goal is to get the black paint in the nooks and wipe away just enough so the soft gray comes through on the raised parts of the wallpaper.  Less is more with this approach...if it's not dark enough, add more and wipe away with less pressure.

When you are satisfied with the look - let it dry completly.  It should resemble old tin!  Pretty cool, huh?  I had some light silver craft paint so I used a dry brush technique and applied a little bit  over the backs so they would have a subtle shimmer.



My "styled" shelves.  I'm glad I am finally able to pull my blue bottles out of storage and display them here.  They were  a gift from my MIL.

 You could do this with bronze and copper colors too.  I actually think any color would look good with this wallpaper - just remember to start with the lighter color as you base and then come back to antique with your darker (watered down) color.  Maybe I'll try again on a shelf I have planned for my daughter's room?  Hmmm...

Now go make yourself a margarita for a job well done and thanks for checking out the first DIY post!



Couch is from the hubster's old "man cave" but still good and pretty comfy.  I have to hang up my HUGE map of Baltimore harbor.  But I think the bookcases frame everything nicely.  I'm thinking about adding some crown molding too!