Preorder Move Slow & Make Things, and enjoy a collection of thoughtful bonus content created just for you!

crafts

All Things Home

top ten posts of 2020

Well, hello there and Happy New Year!  Oh man, I just love the time between Christmas and New Year’s Day.  We did a lot of hanging out, playing games, watching movies, working on puzzles, and I had plenty of unhurried time to read some of my books, sketch and paint in the studio, and I even learned how to knit!  The boys are back in school today and it’s time for me to get back to work.  I did squeeze in a little planning this weekend, so I could be ready to hit the ground running.   Before we get into 2021 and exciting things to come, I’ll be sharing a few favorites and highlights from 2020 throughout the month of January.  Let’s kick that off with the top ten posts of 2020! These are the top ten posts of 2020 based on the number of views the posts received in

Read More
All Things Home

Hand-Painted Ceramic Christmas Ornaments

I know that I’m slipping this one in at the last minute, but I wanted to share one more Christmas craft!  You can scrape together the materials for this year or hunt and peck at some after Christmas sales for ribbon and unfinished ceramic ornaments to have some handmade gifts and decorations in the hopper for next year!  Here is a tutorial for hand-painted Christmas ornaments using Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint with acrylic and gouache accents… This hand-painted ceramic ornament tutorial was easier to show in a video as opposed to pictures and words alone, so here is a short video tutorial showing how I painted the first one… I actually filmed four of the ornaments that I painted, but my hands were out of the frame!  That’s happened to me a lot lately, so I really need to pay better attention to that. Anyway, here are the materials

Read More
All Things Home

Gift-Wrapping Ideas with Walmart

Disclosure: This gift-wrapping ideas post is sponsored by .  As always, all opinions expressed are honest and my own. As I shared a couple of weeks ago, I’m feeling extra crafty this year!  I know it’s because we’re home more than usual and creating things not only brings me joy, but it’s a great stress-reliever.  I put on some good Christmas music and I don’t worry about time or what’s happening in the world.  For an hour or two, I can just “be where my hands are” and focus on what I’m making. A few days ago, I decided to use some of that quiet, creative time to wrap some pretty packages for my family and I thought I should share those Christmas gift-wrapping ideas with you!  I ended up with some really cute packages and they were all pretty quick and easy. Before I started on this project, I

Read More
All Things Home

easy chunky crochet snowflake tutorial

I wanted to make crocheted snowflakes this year, but I knew I didn’t want to make little lacy, dainty ones.  I didn’t want to get into fine, tedious work with little hooks, but wanted something quick and simple to do while I was watching TV.  So, I worked on making a simple, chunky snowflake that would complement the chunky knit elements in my Christmas decor and would also make nice gifts, present toppers, and components for a garland, etc.  Here is the tutorial for the chunky crochet snowflake I ended up making! It is so sweet and only takes about 10-15 minutes to make each one.  You’ll get quicker as you learn the pattern, and this is a simple project that’s great for beginners. Before I share the tutorial and pattern, I wanted to share some yarn options.  My snowflake is chunky because of the yarn I used, but you

Read More
All Things Home

Holiday Crafts with Walmart

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by .  All words and opinions, as always, are honest and my own.  Let’s make some holiday crafts… I have always loved making things for the holidays…for gifts, for decorations, or just as something fun to do to fill a quiet afternoon indoors.  This holiday season, I find the pull to making things even greater.  I know there will be a lot of time at home as opposed to some of our usual seasonal outings, like visiting family, black Friday gift-shopping, and going to the movies.  Instead, we’ll be doing more puzzles, family games, movie nights, baking, and I’ll be doing a few more holiday crafts.  Since we will be spending the Thanksgiving break at home (as I’m sure many of you are as well), crafting is a great way to get off electronics, gather together, and make some good memories. To share a few

Read More
All Things Home

vintage/farmhouse-style glass cozy crochet tutorial

Years ago, I was shopping for inventory for the Lucketts Spring Market and found a ziplock bag containing some cream crochet work.  I wasn’t sure what they were initially, but I’ve learned how to hunt and peck to try to find things others might overlook.  I’m the one crawling into the depths of an antique booth, opening all of the cases and boxes and bags and looking at the bottom of piles!  When I pulled the pieces out, I knew immediately what they were.  Socks!  Not the kind you wear on your feet, but the kind you put on your glass. You see, I grew up using socks that my great-grandmother made.  We used them to identify our glasses and to prevent water rings on wood furniture.  I even still have a few of them in a ziplock bag in my butler’s pantry. But, I loved the style of these

Read More
All Things Home

Crochet Potholders Tutorial for Beginners

I have another crochet project for you this week crochet potholders for beginners! A couple of weeks ago, my mom requested that I figure out how to make a pair of potholders similar to the ones my great-grandmother made her over 50 years ago.  I didn’t even have to ask which potholders she was referring to.  I knew the pair well, as I witnessed them being used and used them myself my entire childhood.  Through every move, in every military housing kitchen, those potholders were a constant. These crochet potholders were thick, white, and made with tight stitches and a loop on one corner that was frayed from time and use. So, I went to my yarn stash to see if I had a cotton yarn that would be suitable for the project.  I selected the Cotton XXL by Yarn Bee.  I have worked with it enough to know it

Read More
All Things Home

How to Crochet a farmhouse dishcloth (for beginners)

Just so you don’t miss it, I’m giving away a set of three of these dishcloths towards the bottom of this (rather long) post!   Ever since I started showing my crocheted dishcloths, I’ve been asked by readers and followers if I could share a tutorial for how to make them.  Since I’m a beginner myself, I have been directing them to YouTube to find tutorials from people who have been doing this for a lot longer than I have!  But, I’ve learned over the years that blogging is about sharing my journey and what I’ve learned along the way.  And I’ve also learned that my audience wants to learn from me.  And I get that!  I like learning from people I know and trust.  Maybe I helped you make a slipcover for the first time or planted the seed that you could start a business.  So, why not teach

Read More

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

A book about creativity, intention, and making things with care. Sign up to receive updates, preorder details, and exclusive bonus content.

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From original paintings and art prints to Pup Club releases and curated goods, each piece is created or chosen to bring warmth, creativity, and character into your home.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

A handpicked collection of items styled and shared throughout posts, projects, and social feeds. Every product is thoughtfully chosen to reflect a timeless, collected aesthetic.

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest