Fabric First, Project Later

A few months ago I saw my local fabric store, West Seattle Fabric Company, had gotten a new collection of fabric from Moda:  Glamping.  It was unbelievably cute, and I knew I had to have some of it.  What would I do with it?  I had no idea.  But that wasn't going to stop me.  (Side note--that's how I have come to collect an entire drawer of fat quarters that I haven't yet used.)

I mean, look at it:

 

 

I loved the cute tents and trailers, and figured that I'd find something to do with them later.  

 

 

Well, it's later, and I did, in fact, find something to use that fabric for:

 

 

 

A glamping kitchen set! I embellished three towels and made two potholders and an oven mitt.  I am so happy with how they came out:

The potholders are double sided.  Glamping fabrics on one side:

 

And ginghams on the other. 



 

 

I used Insul-bright to insulate the oven mitts and potholders, which means they are not only pretty, but they won't burn your hands when you use them--very functional!  (BTW: If you're interested, I found the pattern for the oven mitt at Skip to My Lou.  I didn't use a pattern for the potholders.  I figured I could handle the square without needing instructions.)

 

I'm sending this entire set off to the Newman Memorial Foundation as a donation to their annual Fishing Derby's silent auction.  Hopefully someone will love them as much as I do!

 

I'm also sending along these fun little key fobs that they can use for prizes. They are really easy and quick to make, so I figured--why not?

 

 

 

 

I love crafting for a good cause!

 



30 Before 30: Crochet a Scarf

I've used my convalescence of the past week or so to check another item off the 30 Before 30 list.  You all remember that I changed my goal of crocheting a blanket to a scarf.  Well, goal accomplished!

I have been saving this super cute mustard yellow yarn for a rainy day (let's be honest--I pretty much save all my yarn for a rainy day), and finally found a project worthy of it.  I put my new crochet skills to good use and made this braided scarf/cowl:

 

 

I spotted this on Pinterest, and instantly knew that I had to try the scarf.  It turned out so well, and was a super-easy project, especially for a beginner like me.  The suggested "pattern" for it didn't seem like it would really work for what I was trying to accomplish, so I changed it up a bit.  I cast on 120 stitches and did 5 rows of double crochet,  times three strands (size H hook).  Braid them up, seam them off and voila! Scarf.

I can't wait to wear it!

Check another item off the list!