I Made it Myself--Final Week!

This is going to be the last week for I Made it Myself. Don't cry. I'm planning something even more awesome.

I'm going retro this week and showing something I made when I was first married. This was pre-knitting and I was all about crochet. This is a filet crochet table runner. I put it on top of the piano.

While I was cleaning the piano last week, I took the opportunity to take some pictures of this masterpiece without any stuff on it. I graphed out the pattern on my own using an alphabet from a book and the edging was from a book also.

I can't remember how long it took me to make. But, I was glad when it was finished. In that same time period I made my mom a wall hanging that says, "Families are Forever". She has that hanging up over an wide entryway in her home.

This is one of those things that I will keep forever. Do you have something you made that you will never throw out or give away?

If you have something to share for I Made it Myself this week, use the Mr. Linky below!

I Made it Myself--Final Week!

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I Made it Myself- Baby Sweater

I was digging around the archives and my flickr photos to see what I've made lately that I haven't featured yet on my blog. This was one project that got skipped by accident.

My friend, Brenda, sent me a huge box of yarn and other goodies from her craft room. Included were some skeins that she wanted me to make into a sweater for her (then unborn) baby. The pictures don't really show the true colors but it is lime green and navy. It is a great little cotton sweater.

She has since had her baby and he was a whopping 10 pounder. I hope his head fits through the hole. That is my downfall in sweater making and I may just have to stick to cardigans for babies from now on. I'll probably see her during the Christmas holidays so I may have to do a little sweater rescue at that time.

Do you have something to share this week for I Made it Myself? Do it here!

I Made it Myself- Baby Sweater

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I Made it Myself-- Christmas Cards

It is entirely possible that I blogged about these cards last Christmas. I may have even sent some out to you. Well, I have more!

I really love the look of this card. I put some crystal effects on the berries (I pretended this stamp was holly berries) to make them stand out a bit. You can see a little extra gloss in the pictures.

Real red and old olive is one of my favorite Christmas color combinations. I used white ink for the sentiment and white organza ribbon. I added a set of 12 of these cards to my shop.

I don't have too many "new" things to show lately. I've just been making a lot of the same for craft shows. Next week I should have something really fun...if I can get it finished by then!

Have something to share for I Made it Myself? Do it here!

I Made it Myself-- Christmas Cards

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I Made it Myself-- Crafty Conservative

Today for I Made it Myself, I'm talking about one of my favorite creations---my blog! Today is my 4 year blog anniversary so I thought we could take a walk down memory lane.

Here is my very first post. I lived in Indiana and gave my family aliases. I gave up the aliases a few years later.

Today's post will be number 1,377.

Last year on my blog anniversary I did a post with a bunch of links. Care to revisit?

In honor of this most special day, I'm having a contest. You have all day today to enter. The winner will get an assortment of some of my favorite items I've featured on I've Made it Myself.

There are two ways to enter:

1. Post your own creation for I Made It Myself this week.

2. Use the Mr. Linky to share your favorite Crafty Conservative post. Type your name and find the exact URL for the post you chose and copy and paste that in for the link. You can use the search bar at the top left of the blog to search just my blog for your favorite.

Don't forget to comment so I know where to find you if you win! I'll use the random number generator to select the winner tomorrow.

Here's to four more years...(and more!).

I Made it Myself-- Crafty Conservative

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I Made it Myself-- Monogrammed Notecards

I've been making quite a few of these monogrammed notecards lately. I really love the look of them and they are super quick and easy!

This notecard is a has a top fold and is 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 so it will fit in an invitation size envelope.


All products used were from Stampin' UP.

Stamp set: Lovely Letters
Ink: Classic Basic Black
Paper: So Saffron, Basic Black, and Whisper White
Designer Paper: Designer Series Paper in So Saffron (what I used is no longer available but this has a very similar pattern)
Accessories: Scallop punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, black grosgrain ribbon, Scallop edge punch

These smaller notecards measure 3 X 3 and fit in the mini square envelopes.

I used most of the same materials but omitted the ribbon and the scallop edge punch. I substituted Rose Red papers.

I really enjoy making these monogrammed cards for quick, yet personal, gifts. My only question...which would you prefer to receive--your first initial or your last?

Care to participate in I Made it Myself this week? Read through the FAQs and then add your post below!

I Made it Myself-- Monogrammed Notecards

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I Made it Myself-- Paris Magnet Gift Box

This week I had a goal of making some cute packaging for my Paris Map Marble Magnets. They have sold well on etsy but I wanted a clever way to show them at craft fairs and have them be "ready made" gifts for people doing their holiday shopping. This is what I came up with.

It is a 3 X 3 pizza style box. I put some vintage looking postcard paper (layered on black) on the top and wrapped the top with some black ribbon. I cut out a tag using the postcard paper and added the sentiment, "To You From Me" on the same paper as the box (Sahara Sand).

The back of the tag is lined with red so you can write a little personal note on it. The tag is tied to the black ribbon using some linen thread.


I really love how they turned out and I can't wait to see how they do at the open house I'm participating in this weekend. I'll be listing the leftovers in my shop next week.

Wouldn't these be a great gift idea for your favorite world traveling friend or how about your child's French teacher? I need to find an awesome map of Mexico so I can make some for me. I will always be Senora Nelson.

I'm also working on making some state related magnets. I have the supplies---I just haven't started them yet. I'm wondering if those might be better as custom orders? Like, magnets from all the cities you've lived, places you want to visit, where you were born, etc...? I still need to figure out how I'm going to work that out in my head.

At any rate...I loved making these little gift boxes. I wonder what I'll make next week?

Do you have something to share today for I Made it Myself? Post your own creations here!

I Made it Myself-- Paris Magnet Gift Box

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I Made it Myself-- Robin Hood Sweater

This week I finished up the Robin Hood Sweater from Zoe Mellor's Adorable Knits for Tots. I haven't sent it to the recipient (Zachary) yet and his dad (Eric) reads this blog. Sorry for the sneak peek but it is the most awesome thing I've made this week and I must share it.

I started this sweater on a whim. I knew I wanted to make something substantial, like a coat, for the New England winters but I didn't have any particular pattern in mind. One day, I decided that instead of buying a new pattern or book, I'd look through the books I already own. Novel concept, I know. I really liked the look of this one and I had the perfect yarn for it (wool ease---natural, yet machine washable). I thought it wouldn't take me very long because it was chunky yarn. I always underestimate cabling and seaming. This took me a month to the day including about a week where I stalled waiting for a sale on buttons.


I don't have a baby anymore so this was the best I could do for a model. Anita, Eva's cabbage patch doll, liked it enough.

Do you have something to share this week? Read through the FAQs and then share your post here!

I Made it Myself-- Robin Hood Sweater

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I Made it Myself-- Altered Notebook

Just over a week ago, I attended the Stampin' UP regional convention. One of the presenters showed a journal she had made using circle punches as a mosaic. I loved the look of it and had a vision in my head of how I might make my own version.

This is what I came up with.

This started out as a relatively plain journal with a white/green/brown cover with a flower on it. I covered the front and back panels with Stampin' Up's Banbury paper. The inside covers have chocolate chip cardstock. I used my 1 1/4" circle punch and cut out a bunch of circles in various paper patterns. After some trial and error, I decided on this layout. I accented the punched paper with some scallops punched in chocolate chip, some chipboard (a "c" and a flower shape), and a button. I used mod podge to cover the notebook and make it more durable.

You also can't have a notebook without a matching pen! These are the easiest things to make. All you need are the pens that have that open space inside to place some paper. I cut a strip to fit, rolled it up, stuck it inside, and closed the pen.

Here is my back page. You can also peek inside to see the flowers on the pages. I got this journal at Hobby Lobby (40% off coupon from $1.99) and most of them had some sort of patterned pages inside. This one seemed like the easiest one to match with the paper I had in mind.

I'm going to use this notebook to organize my etsy and craft fair ideas. I always get card or other product ideas and I always think that I'll remember them. Here's a shocker. I don't. Hopefully, I'll remember to write them down!

Did you make something this week you'd like to share? Take a quick peek at the guidelines and then post away! I've been feeling a little lonely these past couple of weeks with just one or two other people sharing their handmade goodies. I KNOW you guys are making stuff! Food? Kids? Handspun wool you knit into a sweater? I'd love to see it!

I Made it Myself-- Altered Notebook

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I Made it Myself-- Scallop Card Folder

I spent all day Saturday at a Stampin' Up regional convention and we made six different projects. This one was my favorite. It is called the Without You Gift Card Folder. Really it is a card folder for three scallop notes cards.


One of my favorite parts of the project is using designer series paper to line the inside of the gift card envelopes. You just cut your paper to slide a little bit into the envelope, lick the seal, adhere it to the back of the paper, then trim it up even with the envelope. It is such a simple thing to do but makes the set seem extra special!

The cards are stamped using the Best Wishes & More set which all participants got to take home. We used a 1 3/4" circle punch and added one of the cute felt flowers w/ a brad.

The cards turned out beautifully and the card folder is really cute.

Supplies for this are available for purchase online at my personal Stampin' Up website. There is also a stamp sale going on right now until tomorrow. Several stamp sets are discounted 20% so check it out! Online ordering is available.

Stamps: Best Wishes & More

Paper: baja breeze, very vanilla, pink pirouette textured card stock, baja breeze patterns designer series paper, scallop notes assortment II with envelopes

Ink: chocolate chip

Ribbon: chocolate chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

Accessories: flower fusion too accents & elements, silver brads, white circle aluminum metal edge tag

Tools: SNAIL adhesive, mini glue dots, Stampin' dimensionals, sticky strip, scissors, 1 3/4" circle punch, 3/16" corner rounder punch



If you have something you'd like to share this week for I Made it Myself, take a quick peek here and then post away!

I Made it Myself-- Scallop Card Folder

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I Made it Myself-- Pumpkin Hat

This week I made some pumpkin hats. You already got a preview in my Project 365 post. But, I don't have any other completed projects to show today other than this one so it is a little bit of a repeat.

This hat is made with Vanna's Choice acrylic yarn. I used the rust colorway for the pumpkin and I don't have the name of the green right off hand. Frankly, it doesn't really matter. If you make one for yourself, find the colors you like the best. This yarn is really soft and totally baby friendly (machine washable and dryable). It was my first time using it and I really liked it. It isn't quite as soft as Caron Simply Soft but it doesn't split as badly and isn't as droopy. I think it has now become my favorite 100% acrylic. Thanks, Vanna!

I did a simple stockinette cap. For the baby size I cast on 64 stitches (size 7 or 8 needles--I can't remember) and knit in the round. When it is time to decrease (when the length is enough that it would reach from the ears to the top of the side of your head), I knit 6, k2tog, k6, k2tog (all the way around). Then I knit a row. The next row I knit 5, k2tog, k5, k2tog, etc... I stop knitting a row in between decrease rows once I finish the knit 3, k2tog row. I added the green for the stem at the knit 1, k2tog row and continue with that until I have 4 stitches left. Then I work an i-cord for an inch or so and then pull the yarn through those stitches. Weave in all your ends and then you've got one handsome pumpkin hat.

I don't know if I'll be posting a hat like this on my etsy shop. With time and materials I would need to charge at least $18 plus shipping. Plus, the window of wearability is pretty slim. We'll see. I have been known to change my mind over time (minutes/seconds/etc...).

I'd love to have you participate this week in I Made it Myself. Add your post below.

I Made it Myself-- Pumpkin Hat

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I Made it Myself-- Dandelion Bag

This week I've been trying to build up some inventory for some upcoming craft fairs. Unfortunately, this didn't really happen. I just thought about building up some inventory for craft fairs. I did manage to sew three little drawstring tote bags earlier last week. One is going into my etsy shop, one got sent to a friend, and the other is being held for the craft fairs.

I used this really cute dandelion fabric and lined it in a light blue. I don't know if you could consider this an original pattern because I took a bag that I love and tried to copy it as best as I could. The drawstring runs through a channel and comes out through buttonholes. These bags are just the right size for a small knitting project (SOCKS!) or a purse when you don't want to carry around a big one. It measures approx. 8 3/4" wide by 9 1/4" tall.


The handles are about 5 inches long. It is 100% cotton fabric in shades of blue.

I bought some more fabric last week that will make it into these bags. I got two coordinating fabrics--one with hoot owls and the other with stripes. That will be so much fun to sew!

What did you make this week?

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I Made it Myself-- Dandelion Bag

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I Made it Myself-- Unwrapped Top

This week I finished up something just for me. My Unwrapped top. I started this project on May 20th, finished knitting it on Sept. 6th, and blocked it yesterday.

I used Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK wool (coral) on size 5 needles. This was yarn I purchased for 40% off (still not quite budget friendly!) when Personal Threads was clearing out all their discontinued Jaeger. That's why I got this color---it was all they had enough of. The color really is nice, I was just hoping for a blue or red or green (of course!).

(please excuse my self-timer pics)

The pattern was really fun. There was always something to look forward to. The yoke is different than any other I've knit but the fit is really great. Once I slogged through all of those yoke stitches, the knitting went really quickly.

I love the linen stitch detailing on the bottom, neck, and sleeves. This top is supposed to have a tie but I don't know yet if I'm going to knit it. Now that I'm looking at the pics, I think it needs it. Maybe I'll crank that out today sometime.

My only complaint with this knit is that the faux-wrap stitches hit the diagonal too quickly and chop through my bosom. I'm sure this is not the fault of the pattern, just the fault of my overactive genes. I wasn't smart enough to figure out (at least this time through) how to make it travel at a slower rate.

I didn't have to adjust the pattern at all to get the right length and/or proportions. Even with the faux-wrap, this is the best fitting knit I've ever made for myself. Kudos to me! ;)

If you'd like to participate in I Made it Myself this week, take a moment to read through the FAQs and then share your post with us!

I Made it Myself-- Unwrapped Top

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I Made it Myself-- Ponytail Holders

This week for I Made it Myself, I've got some ponytail holders to show.

I'm gearing up for the fall/winter craft shows so I'm getting a little bit of an inventory together. I made these this week. The hardest part is telling Eva that these aren't for her.

She loves wearing hers and we always get comments on them. I think part of it is because Eva is so darn cute...not just because of my amazing handiwork.

Kayli was the one that inspired me to make these. I took her idea (I think she told me she got it from someone else, too) and made some to fit my needs.

I have these ponytail holders listed at my Etsy shop. They would look great on your kids and would make great gifts for all those fun birthday parties they get invited to.

If you would like to participate in I Made it Myself, take a quick read-through of the guidelines and add your post below! We had a sharp drop-off on participation these past few weeks and I hope it is because people have been too busy to craft (HOW CAN THAT BE????). I'm sure the holiday today won't help but I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what people have made!

I Made it Myself-- Ponytail Holders

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I Made it Myself-- Knitted Babe

Another week, some more handmade goodness. This week I put the finishing touches on a Knitted Babe. I bought this book during the big sale interweave press had for the damaged and overstocked books. It was kind of an impulse but I'm so glad I got it. My kids have never been so excited about a knitting book before. Eva asks me to "read" the book to her almost every day. They spend time telling me which dolls they want. The only bad thing is that they expect me to be able to make them instantly.

This is the third doll I've completed. The first two were made with "junk" yarn. It wasn't very soft and I wanted to try out the pattern first before I made them with some of my nicer stash. Here is the picture of the kids with my prototype dolls. I used a DK weight yarn for the new version. The pattern calls for fingering weight but I wanted my doll to be a little bigger. This yarn is just some baby yarn I got on sale at Hobby Lobby. It is really soft, though. The book is full of patterns for clothes for the dolls. I used some leftover sock yarn to make the dress. Since my doll was bigger, I had to adjust the pattern slightly to make it fit but this wouldn't happen if you use the same size yarn for everything.

This doll needed some bloomers so I made some of those as well. She's stylish and modest.
I struggle the most with the hair and face. There are templates for cutting out the features with felt but I have a problem every time. This face didn't turn out too horrible. I wanted her hair to be curly so I knit up a swatch of black acrylic with really tight needles. I let it sit for a few days and then ripped it out for the curls. I kind of like the crazy look of it.

As soon as this doll was completed, I put her away so the kids wouldn't get a hold of her. You see, she is now safe and sound (I hope) at the State Fair. We'll see if she merits a ribbon! I better start working on another one because each kid is going to want her.

I haven't decided if I'm going to make some to have available at craft fairs or in my shop. They are kind of labor intensive so I don't know if anyone would be willing to pay boutique prices for one of these. I certainly don't need to decide today.

Did you make something yourself lately? If you'd like to participate in I Made it Myself this week, take a moment to look at the guidelines and then post away! I can't wait to see what people have made this week!

I Made it Myself-- Knitted Babe

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I Made it Myself

I didn't plan ahead before I left for my vacation so I blazed through the knitting on this little baby dress.
I was going to make one with a flower on the front but I didn't bring the third color of yarn. So, I made do and used a heart. I started this on Monday on the drive down to Oklahoma and I finished up the attached i-cord this morning.

I didn't use a pattern, per se. I had a pattern I got for $.83 on clearance at Hobby Lobby. It called for DK weight yarn but I really wanted to use up some of my worsted weight cotton fleece. I just used the schematic and fudged the shaping.

This is supposed to fit a six month old but I didn't make the head hole big enough. Guess it is destined to be a baby dress. Live and learn. The next one I make will have buttons on the straps. I can't take credit for that idea. That was my genius sister, Lisa.

If you'd like to participate in "I Made it Myself" this week, take a moment to read through the guidelines.

STARTING Aug 11th---I Made it Myself moves to Mondays.

What did you make this week?

I Made it Myself

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-made-it-myself.html