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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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January 21, 2020 No Comments
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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January 21, 2020 221 Comments
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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January 8, 2020 48 Comments
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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December 18, 2019 54 Comments
a slice of life

kittens & crochet

Based on the title of this post, I’m officially turning into my great grandmother.  I don’t mind that too much, though, because she was a pretty awesome lady. Anyway, if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you know we adopted a couple of kittens last Saturday.  It was something we’ve been thinking about for a few months and decided this would be a good time, since Jeff and the boys would be home from school and work for Thanksgiving break and we’d all be able to bond with them and help them adjust. We went to the cat adoption day planning on looking and perhaps picking out a pair of kittens if we found the right ones.  We knew we wanted siblings and older kittens – about 4-6 months old.  We were also hoping for cats that had been around dogs before, so they wouldn’t completely freak out about

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December 2, 2019 83 Comments
All Things Home

cross-stitch patterns | B & I

Before I get to the cross-stitch patterns, I wanted to share that I actually scheduled some milk paint workshops at the studio!  I get asked about it a lot, so I finally pinned myself down and put some on the calendar. Friday, July 15, 2016, is a Milk Paint 101 Workshop from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm.  In the past, my 101 workshops have been learning to use the products on sample boards, but I’ve mixed it up, so we’ll work on three small projects for you to take and use in your home or give as gifts.  Slots are available to purchase HERE. Saturday, July 16, 2016, is a BYOF (bring your own furniture) Workshop from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm.  These are so much fun, because you can bring a piece to paint and we’ll work on it together.  You learn while you finish a piece.  You can purchase a

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June 26, 2016 28 Comments
All Things Home

cross-stitching on linen

I have fallen in love with an old-school craft…cross-stitching. I know it has a reputation for being dated, but that has a lot more to do with the patterns and the cross-stitch kits available than it does the craft itself. So, this renewed interest in needlework came about when I noticed that my favorite antique textiles were those that were monogrammed.  And then I noticed that most of those monograms were simple cross-stitching, using the natural “grid” pattern in linen to make the X’s. And then I had the thought that I usually have before tackling a DIY project… “I can do that!” So, I did… …and the results looked so authentic that it had me giddy with excitement to stitch some more. I have been looking around at various cross-stitch letters online to find the style that will look original on antique linen.  I found a “P” that I liked and

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June 17, 2016 70 Comments

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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