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Artistic Endeavors

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

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Art

#indexcardartproject take two

Since regaining the use of my right arm,  I have been working on getting back into oil painting.  It’s been a challenge to try to fit it into my schedule.  It’s not just busyness with work, but with family, church, and personal goals (meal prep, exercise, language-learning).  When I’m trying to fit it all into a day, something has to give and that something is usually time at the easel, mostly because I know I’ll get lost in it.  I completely lose track of time when I’m painting, drawing, or creating, so I get stuck in the mindset that I need a large, uninterrupted chunk of time…which rarely comes. So, I decided to do another “index card art project” to get myself going again.  I did one last year and it was such a great challenge to get me painting consistently and to help me paint more relaxed.  You can

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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

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a slice of life

My Europe Sketchbook

Just an FYI to those who might be thinking about Mustard Seed Mentoring, but you’re on the fence.  We close our doors tonight (Thursday) at midnight, but before we do, we’re offering the opportunity to have a full membership for ONE WEEK for $1.00!  You can snoop around, join us for a live session and see if this group is right for you and your business. You can get more details about Mustard Seed Mentoring HERE. When my mom and I traveled to Europe a couple of years ago, I brought all sorts of art supplies and sketchbooks and ended up doing two sketches at the airport.  (Insert eye-roll at self.)   I did keep a journal, but I was so disappointed that I let the fear of not living up to my own expectations get in the way of a dream-come-true experience.  See how that worked?  I was scared of

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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

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Artistic Endeavors

How to Crochet a farmhouse dishcloth for absolute beginners…

Just so you don’t miss it, I had to crochet this farmhouse dishcloth three times for the tutorial, so I am giving away a set of three of them 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 on 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

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Artistic Endeavors

crocheted mittens & dishcloths

Over the Christmas break, I did a lot of intentional sitting around.  While I’m not typically a sitter-arounder, but was much needed and I embraced the slower pace.  I didn’t want to be entirely idle, though, so when we weren’t playing a game or doing something together as a family, I pulled out my yarn and bag of hooks and crocheted. I made a pretty pair of wool mittens since the first pair I made was out of the wrong kind of yarn and ended up being so large that they slid off my hands when I attempted to wear them.  They were good practice, though, so these could turn out better. I followed this video tutorial… …and I’m very pleased with how they turned out.  I’ve worn them a few times and they are warm and comfy (well, when it’s not too cold or windy here in MN.  For

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Artistic Endeavors

so, you want to learn to crochet?

Since I started crocheting, many readers and followers have asked me to share how I’m learning and the books and patterns I’m using, so this post is the answer to those requests!  Now, keep in mind that I have just been crocheting for a few weeks, so take all of this with a grain of salt.  If you’re an experienced crocheter and have some tips, resources, or patterns to share, please do so!  This is just what I’ve discovered so far… I have learned through a mix of books and videos.  I have tended to use videos when it comes to specific projects, like hats or mittens, and books to learn specific stitches.  I looked at a few different stitch books and my favorite one is the Crochet Stitch Dictionary. (You can get this book used from $2.99 on Amazon).  It has a wide variety of stitches and it feels

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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.

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