Crocheting is so relaxing for me, even when I (often) don't know what I'm doing and have to pull out lots of stitches. My Grandma - who taught me how to sew - taught me the basics of crochet when I was in middle school, but it's been years since I've done much of it and I needed a refresher. Enter YouTube! With the combination of some pregnancy insomnia + intense nesting over the past few weeks, I pulled out a bag of yarn I already had and whipped up a few little hats and bows for our winter baby who's on her way. In case you're interested in making some similar hats or even learning to crochet, I hope these links are helpful. The photos are mine, but the links underneath take you to the tutorials I used to make them.

Shell Stitch Baby Hat Tutorial: Size 0-3 months (5 mm crochet hook) + Tiny Crochet Bow added on (5 mm crochet hook)

(Same) Shell Stitch Baby Hat Tutorial: Size 0-3 months (5 mm crochet hook) + Felt Bow Pattern, printed at 80% (I changed the bottom part of the bow slightly and don't have a pattern for the change, but hopefully you can see how I cut it a little differently?). I had some crochet mess-ups on this one, hence the bow placed in a strategic spot. 

 20 Minute Baby Hat (Size 3-6 months: 7 mm crochet hook) + Baby Bear Ears (starts around 7:30 in the video)

The baby bows in the top photo came from this Tiny Crochet Bow tutorial and I plan to attach them to headbands or hats in the future. They take well under 10 minutes each, even for a beginner!

Are you brand new to crochet? I found tons more crochet tutorials for basically every stitch, in case you're not able to find someone who knows how to crochet who can show you the basics.

DIY Scallop bunting + New products in the shop

When I woke up this morning, I saw "16 weeks of pregnancy to go!" blinking on my phone and it hit me. This baby is coming fast. When I picked up Liam out of his crib a few minutes later, I teared up, because 16 weeks left with just him doesn't feel like enough. (Hello, hormones.) And then I got to work making Baby Girl something sweet for her room, because I've done nothing of the sort and because it makes me feel a little more prepared for her. More connected.

My first mini-project for her is this easy, double-sided scallop bunting. I've always loved the semi-vintage look of these, but have been intimidated by how much precise circle-cutting is involved, which would seem to take lots of time. With the right tools, though, you can easily make this in under an hour.

Supplies:
Scrap quilting fabric
1 package extra-wide (1/2") bias tape

Tools:
Sewing machine
Sewing pins
Scissors
Iron and ironing board
Quilting circle cutter*
Rotary cutter, ruler, and self-healing mat*

*These are optional tools, but make the process much quicker.

1. If you're looking to purchase a rotary circle cutter, I use and recommend this one: OLFA Rotary Circle Cutter.
2. Use the circle cutter to cut 5" circles. I cut 3 circles out of 4 different fabrics for a total of 12 circles. If you don't have access to a circle cutter, you can easily trace the bottom of a can or jar and cut along your traced lines.
3. Cut each circle in half, using a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler.
4. Placing right sides together, sew around the curved edges of each half-circle using a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving the top open.

5. Turn pennants right side out, pressing well with a hot iron. Also, use iron to press the bias tape so there are no creases where it's been folded in the package. (Leave the bias tape fold creased... do not press open.)
6. Open the bias tape and place the straight edge of each of the pennants inside the fold, then close and pin. I chose to leave a finger-space between each pennant. Also, make sure you leave a small tail (8" to 12") on either side so that you have some extra bias tape to use for hanging. Begin sewing at the beginning of the bias tape, sewing close to the open edge, sew for 8" to 12", then sew each pennant inside the folds. After you're finished sewing, trim the excess bias tape and you're done! My final bunting measures approximately 7 feet, which includes 10" of bias tape on each end for hanging.

Last but not least, some new products in the Brighter Day shop! I had a few of my favorite calligraphy prints turned into canvases so they're ready to hang right on the wall. I love how they turned out. They're excellent quality and come with hanging hardware already attached. Only a few are available, so visit the shop to see them all. They're all ready to ship and would make the sweetest gifts!

DIY: Repurposed Earrings for Mother's Day

Looking for a quick DIY project for Mother's Day? I may share a couple more before Mother's Day rolls around, but this project couldn't be simpler, especially if you already have a few jewelry making supplies. And if you have a broken beaded necklace lying in the back of a drawer somewhere, this is the perfect way to repurpose it and give it a lovely new life.

Supplies for earrings: 

Optional supply: extra headpins. 

1. Find which beads you'd like to use and, using your jewelry pliers, open the loops surrounding them to release them from the rest of the necklace.
2. These are the beads I chose, but I didn't want it to end with a loop at the bottom.
3. Using the headpins I had, I put one through the bottom bead and cut it (using the jewelry pliers) to then form a loop. (Forming a loop takes practice. If you know someone who makes jewelry, have them show you the best technique.)
4. Attach the newly made loop onto the other beads and close the loop tightly with your pliers.

5. You should now have a headpin at the bottom and a loop at the top of the beads you've chosen.
6. Using the pliers, gently open the loop on the earring wire, attach the beads, and close it tightly.

That's it! New earrings from an old necklace in less than 5 minutes.

Now for the packaging, here's what you need:

1. Using a calligraphy pen and ink (or a Sharpie, if you'd like), write a message on the kraft paper.
2. Let it dry completely, then use the paper punch to create the earring card. Use the tiny hole punch to add two holes to place the earrings in, and that's it! Hang the earrings from the card, put them in a kraft box, and you've got a perfect little present.

PS - Mom, this isn't actually your gift. I'm not great at surprises, but I'm not quite this obvious. :)

DIY: Toddler entertainment.

18 months old is a challenging age, at least for us. It's also a charming age, as Liam has begun giving voluntary kisses, stretching his vocabulary, and is just overflowing with life. Keeping him entertained, though - without letting him tear our house to pieces - has been more difficult than ever. So here are just a couple ideas that have worked to keep Liam busy for more than 3 minutes.

First, these prints from Printstagram. I had them made for his 1st birthday photo wall but didn't realize they'd be such a treat even 6 months later. He loves to flip through them and name all the members of his family - especially Keebler the dog. The cards are sturdy enough to (mostly) withstand toddler hands. And we keep them in a pretty dish in our living room so he has access to them, but they're also easy to pick up and put away.

The second little DIY is a set of colorful bean bags to help him learn his colors. Currently, everything is "yeh-woh," so I figured having a set of bean bags that we could play and learn with might be helpful. I found some scrap fabric in my stash, cut 6" x 6" squares (solid colors on one side and prints on the other), sewed them right sides together (leaving a couple inches open to turn the bag and fill with beans), then turned the bag. I then filled the bags 1/2 to 3/4 full of dried cannellini beans, then stitched it closed with a 1/8" seam allowance all the way around. The whole project took me less than an hour - which is a stipulation for any DIY project I allow myself these days. And Liam loves them! He mostly loves putting them on his head and tossing them around, but I love that they're somewhat educational, too.

I often feel that when I post happy, smiling photos, I need to balance them with a disclaimer that, "No, life doesn't always look like this." I don't know anyone whose life does. It's just that the more trying moments a) require me to be elbow-deep in managing Liam, whether it be in discipline or cleaning up messes, and b) aren't really moments I want to savor or to share with the world. So lest you be tempted to think, "She makes her own toys!" and elevate me to have-it-all-together mom status, please please don't. These little bitty projects just fit into my love for creative toys and our nonexistent toy budget. Cheap, creative, and actually kind of cute? Sign me up.

DIY Idea: Dress Up Fox.

This is one of those ideas that I happened to find on Pinterest, and I couldn't rest until I'd made one myself. It's true. I'm compulsive when it comes to crafting. This felt dress up fox is originally from Sierra's beautiful blog, and I think it might be one of the most darling ideas I've ever seen.

If you're like me, you have about a hundred special little girls in your life who would adore this. The younger ones might not appreciate it quite yet, but I have a feeling it would be a treasured piece that they could grow into. I mean... I like it so much I'm tempted to make one for Liam. (Shawn says no.)

Looking at Sierra's original photos, I freehanded the fox, cut it out of felt, sewed the tiny eyes and nose with needle and thread, and then sewed the entire thing onto a linen-like fabric with my sewing machine. The top left image is of Miss Fox in her underwear... that's how she starts out each time. The clothes can all be mixed and matched, then stored in the pocket underneath her. I cut the clothes out of fabric scraps I already had, and I sewed them onto felt backing. That way, when they're placed on the fox - even if she's upright - they stay on. I also made one headband, and if I'd had more time, I could've made shoes, hats, and bags to carry. I'd also love to make a bear, a deer, and maybe even a girl. The possibilities! The entire thing is wrapped and glued to a 10" x 20" canvas. Next time I'd be sure to create one in a more standard size, probably 11" x 14" so that I could fit it into a standard frame.

And with that, I feel like I've spoiled my future birthday and Christmas gifts for lots of little girls in my life. I plan on making several more. Too adorable (and fun) not to!

DIY Faux Metal Pendants

While we had family in town (including my 5 girl cousins), we thought it would be the perfect time to have a crafting session together. We spent one rainy afternoon working on several projects with clay - including these clay rose earrings. We also made these faux silver metal pendants that have so much potential - you could make necklaces, bracelets, even key chains out of these. They look amazingly real (you wouldn't know they aren't metal until you touch them) and were so easy to make.

Here's what you need (all purchased at Joann's):


As pictured: oven bake clay, acrylic varnish gloss, silver liquid leaf, a paint brush that you don't mind tossing at the end, an old baking sheet, a hole punch (this one is made to punch thin sheets of metal), jump rings and necklace making supplies, jewelry pliers, and ring bases (totally optional).

The basic steps:
1. Roll a small piece of clay into a ball, then press it down into a flattened circle. You can leave it this way, or trim the edges with a paring knife to make a rectangle shape.
2. Using small letter stamps, stamp out your words into the clay.
3. Bake your clay at 230°F for 30 minutes, or according to package instructions.
4. Once the hardened clay cools, use the hole punch to punch a hole where you'll hang your pendant. You don't want to get too close to the edge and risk breaking off part of your clay in the process.
5. Next, paint both sides using silver liquid leaf. Note: I tried using silver metallic paint first, and it did not cover at all. The liquid leaf was amazing, but does not come off of surfaces once it's applied, so be so careful as you're applying it. It took quite a bit of scrubbing with Murphy's Oil Soap to get it off my fingers! If you're doing this project with a group, I'd suggest designating one steady handed person for this job.
6. Let it dry completely, then add a final coat of acrylic varnish to keep the liquid leaf from peeling off.
7. Add your jump ring, put it on a necklace or bracelet, and you're done!

**Optional: I didn't photograph this step, but some of us chose to paint the inside of the letters with black acrylic paint, then wipe it off quickly with a damp paper towel. It makes the letters stand out a bit, and is a fun option.

The best part? Doing it together. Love you, family!

My favorite thing that I've (recently) made.

One of my favorite things I've recently made (not counting Liam, of course) is this wallet.

I sewed it using the Oliver + S Have It All Wallet Sewing Pattern and I can't say enough about how perfect this design is. It's plenty big to hold all the cards, coins, and receipts I gather during errands, but not too bulky. The exterior fabric is a black papyrus slub linen from Joann's. The interior fabric is Anna Maria Horner's Coordinates in Saffron. I had both fabrics in my stash, left over from other projects.

It's one of the few things I've sewn for myself that I actually use every day. I'm sure you understand, but I'm always a little critical of my own work - so it's hard to carry something that I made when I see some tiny little flaw. But for this, I made a cup of tea, took my time, chose fabrics I love, and have gotten so much use out of it already.

I'd say the pattern is good for a confident beginner or intermediate seamstress who will take the time to read it through. I wouldn't recommend it for someone who is just able to thread a machine and sew a straight line. It requires putting a zipper in, but is very detailed and well explained. Also, in making a fabric wallet, I would definitely suggest a darker color on the outside as it's bound to gather dirt over time. You could also Scotchgard it, but I think a darker color is a better option.

Ok, your turn! I'd love to see something you've made that you use and love. This is the first time I've used a link up widget, so bear with me. If you'll link up to a specific blog post that you've written to show something you've made, I'd love to see! And it definitely doesn't have to be sewing-related.

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PS - I so wish I could make these for my shop, but alas, the Oliver + S license agreements make it pretty expensive to sell any items made from their patterns. I hope to have wallets in the shop someday!

Gotta start somewhere.

As an Etsy shop owner, I go through lots of ups and downs. There are seasons of so many sales I can barely handle the orders rolling in. And then there are slumps. I try to use the down time (if there is such a thing with a 3 month old in the house!) to create new products or to improve the ones I already have. But I can always use encouragement along the way. So I start at the very beginning. A very good place to start. :)

Want to see how I started?

Take a look at my very first sale:

It was one of the first pairs of earrings I'd ever made, and I was feeling inspired. I was living in Chicago at the time, working as a nanny for the summer, and I needed a creative outlet. As soon as I listed the earrings and my shop was officially open for business, I called my best friend Jessica and she bought them. My first sale! I was over the moon. After that, I made scrabble pendants for a while...

 then more jewelry...

 then some paintings...

 then some hand carved stamps...

a few camera strap slip covers...

a wreath... 

\

and then finally, my first bag.

Needless to say, it took a while to find what stuck - and what I didn't lose interest in making. And in looking back, I'm encouraged - because when I see how much I've learned and grown and changed with the times, it's a good feeling! I hope you're encouraged, too. I can assure you - shops with lots of sales didn't just pop up overnight.

Just for fun, I love to look at some of my favorite shops and see where they started out, too. For the majority of them, I find poorly lit photographs of items that look nothing like what they're selling now. It's a journey. And it's beautiful to see.

Speaking of Etsy shops, do you have favorites to share? I always love new finds! Let me know in the comments!