tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30809882402956586382024-03-15T19:09:58.888-06:00Creating LauraKnitting, crafting, and loving life.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.comBlogger282125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-25284083639908111182016-05-05T17:53:00.000-06:002016-05-05T17:53:50.918-06:00Pom Pom Project: Denver, ColoradoI live in Denver, Colorado, so I put a pom pom there. <br>
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At first glance, there's not much to this story, but there's actually more to it than meets the eye.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LyE26Gjx59ZZI2KtNe7KDnGpwwDIplKnNcN1RZWYGEofTIZBWHN0V6X9a2HCeJ-2NrDm1ohz0ok5ssZy7qplg8xuOXOLZvVIsiGBYsyUCGvpw2iZzId8T4c_REvWjqVKxdwlBdv4w7ti/s1600/pom-pom-project-denver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LyE26Gjx59ZZI2KtNe7KDnGpwwDIplKnNcN1RZWYGEofTIZBWHN0V6X9a2HCeJ-2NrDm1ohz0ok5ssZy7qplg8xuOXOLZvVIsiGBYsyUCGvpw2iZzId8T4c_REvWjqVKxdwlBdv4w7ti/s1600/pom-pom-project-denver.jpg"></a></div>
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This is an international pom pom. </div>
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I made it in France, then took it to Las Vegas with the intention of hanging it there, then ended up leaving it on a tree in Denver.</div>
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<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2016/05/pom-pom-project-denver-colorado.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-2904860877651046782016-02-12T22:08:00.001-07:002016-02-12T22:08:49.308-07:00Justin's Mini Herringbone Scarf<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two Christmases ago, I intended to give my fiancé the fanciest scarf I had ever made: Purl Soho's <a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/create/2012/03/16/lauras-loop-mens-mini-herringbone-scarf/" target="_blank">Men's Mini Herringbone Scarf</a> using Pro Lana Baby Alpaca Yarn in green, his favorite color. This was the first time I had tried the herringbone stitch, and it ended up being a little too fancy for the time I had allotted myself, and just like that, the Christmas present turned into a Valentine's Day present. </div>
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Now that Valentine's day is coming up again, I took a moment to photograph it, because it really is quite the scarf.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-MNHah_ZMAr8280cTCW6ilI9YzkRtlY-1p9rgRutAa_F9gBiMVlEqTnk5DW_7IjgwwZc-XyWENn29zDH4zpZ2OwrNJWcRDUALv0VasEShCV9Vr8yjbh3d8QBXaUKb6gQSdS038DXjkIT/s1600/Mens-herringbone-scarf-knitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-MNHah_ZMAr8280cTCW6ilI9YzkRtlY-1p9rgRutAa_F9gBiMVlEqTnk5DW_7IjgwwZc-XyWENn29zDH4zpZ2OwrNJWcRDUALv0VasEShCV9Vr8yjbh3d8QBXaUKb6gQSdS038DXjkIT/s1600/Mens-herringbone-scarf-knitting.jpg"></a></div>
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Herringbone stitch is the craziest thing. You're using larger needles than the yarn calls for, so it seems like the knitting should go quickly, but that isn't the case at all. Every stitch gets worked twice, and all the crisscrossing makes a shockingly tight, double-thick finished product that is as warm as it is beautiful.<br>
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It was totally worth the work.</div>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2016/02/justins-mini-herringbone-scarf.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-84011278347065786922015-06-30T17:33:00.000-06:002015-06-30T17:33:03.662-06:00Pom Pom Project: Oahu, Hawaii<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hooray for summertime and beaches and pom poms!</div>
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Our family went to Hawaii a few weeks ago and I couldn't help but leave a pom pom behind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYuguF08eMvF686HVUr0Y7dBLlTriGp98Cad3gUMD7iIqKAiMO5xjshkVRhnxQntxYhT2tAeRPzbvjCGWqaFo4imiu37t31ZcL5-I-VJ9T2WXb_Fwmi1Zs5Wy9FM8-gEFloIvn_zNXaTB/s1600/Duke-statue-yarn-bomb.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYuguF08eMvF686HVUr0Y7dBLlTriGp98Cad3gUMD7iIqKAiMO5xjshkVRhnxQntxYhT2tAeRPzbvjCGWqaFo4imiu37t31ZcL5-I-VJ9T2WXb_Fwmi1Zs5Wy9FM8-gEFloIvn_zNXaTB/s1600/Duke-statue-yarn-bomb.png"></a></div>
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Here it is pictured with the famous statue of Duke Kahanamoku at Waikiki Beach. (It's on the torch just behind the statue on the right. See it?) I thought it would be fun to hang the pom pom from one of Duke's fingers so he'd be holding it along with the leis that he's always holding, but as you can see based on the height of the stray toddler who's photobombing my picture, Duke's hands are <i>really</i> high and I couldn't reach them.</div>
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I didn't leave the pom pom on that working torch for obvious reasons (fire hazard!) so I took the pom pom with me to a second location. </div>
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<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2015/06/pom-pom-project-oahu-hawaii.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-69531658492811393382015-05-01T06:19:00.000-06:002015-05-01T06:19:47.637-06:005 Awesome Warm Weather Knitting Patterns<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now that the weather has warmed up and I'm <i>finally</i> finishing my last cold weather knitting project (more on that in an upcoming post), I've been developing a lot of crushes on warm weather knitting patterns that I can't wait to buy and try. </div>
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Move aside chunky wool; I want to be elbow deep in cotton and linen and bamboo asap!</div>
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So here's a list of my top 5 picks so far.</div>
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1. <a href="http://www.woolandthegang.com/product/agyness-top-women/knit-your-own" target="_blank">Agyness Top</a> from Wool and the Gang.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhId9kmiZDgLe-TzU5BqyzlWbsifKaIszRbg7jtSB9M2Gd-O-2R8-0rymkXyGWtjyBurHlwraTfoUTayA5K6e5roaKG3FQe0n8AaKpjLFhbOlHVAInj8N6KqWVF1g60rCaZLg25loUueM51/s1600/Agyness-Top-by-Wool-and-the-Gang.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhId9kmiZDgLe-TzU5BqyzlWbsifKaIszRbg7jtSB9M2Gd-O-2R8-0rymkXyGWtjyBurHlwraTfoUTayA5K6e5roaKG3FQe0n8AaKpjLFhbOlHVAInj8N6KqWVF1g60rCaZLg25loUueM51/s1600/Agyness-Top-by-Wool-and-the-Gang.png"></a></div>
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Like most of Wool and the Gang's designs, this pattern comes in a knit kit along with their Shiny Happy Cotton yarn and optional needles. I would absolutely love to whip this up in their "coral crush" color and wear it over a bikini top at the beach this summer.<br>
</div><a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2015/05/5-awesome-warm-weather-knitting-patterns.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-30437619387974358932015-04-14T10:38:00.000-06:002015-04-14T10:38:35.485-06:00Pom Pom Project: Amiens, FranceI left a second pom pom in Amiens, France. <br>
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It's on a little bridge in the middle of a beautiful park with a canal and weeping willows and joggers everywhere. <br>
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This was the first town we visited after leaving Paris, and this park setting was especially peaceful after the hustle and bustle of the big city.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKtt4z4VpvDjKxT7gDqbr_5uBC7S4W2ux_7ZWNxf2B6px7uWGclZnjEQFN285RbFBUyqLFLEHfM9N2A73xc_JOPCQwrfCUUaDAe1_vgUwn2dOyOfBABMO_RtVQYqt-wQ1Q1kxnBIWrY8X/s1600/Pom-poms-around-the-world-France.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKtt4z4VpvDjKxT7gDqbr_5uBC7S4W2ux_7ZWNxf2B6px7uWGclZnjEQFN285RbFBUyqLFLEHfM9N2A73xc_JOPCQwrfCUUaDAe1_vgUwn2dOyOfBABMO_RtVQYqt-wQ1Q1kxnBIWrY8X/s1600/Pom-poms-around-the-world-France.png"></a></div>
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I made this pom pom out of cotton yarn, and while I think the sunshine-yellow color looks fabulous in nature, I learned that cotton yarn doesn't make the best pom poms. This one is definitely not as full and fluffy as the pom pom I made out of acrylic yarn in Paris.<br>
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I have a feeling I'll be forming strong pom pom yarn preferences as the pom pom project progresses...<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2015/04/pom-pom-project-amiens-france.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-5495849102511127412015-03-23T08:19:00.000-06:002015-03-23T08:19:12.005-06:00Pom Pom Project: Paris, FranceHello world. It's been a while.<div>
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Where have I been? Skating, traveling, knitting, reading, enjoying being engaged, and taking a breather from blogging. At first the blog-break was scary, then it was liberating, and then -- six months later -- I <i>finally </i>started to miss it.</div>
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So here I am, easing back in.</div>
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(With emphasis on the "easing.")</div>
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My fiancé and I are currently touring France with an ice show. We're traveling to two cities per week for nine straight weeks. It makes for a lot of different hotel rooms and more time on the bus than I'd care to calculate, but oh, the sights we get to see! Churches! Beaches! Adorable cafe after adorable cafe! And people really do walk down the street here wearing berets or carrying armfuls of baguettes. One time I saw someone doing both of those things at once and my heart exploded.</div>
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Anyway, while I'm taking away memories from all these places, I thought of a way to leave a little bit of myself behind as well. It's a pom pom project. </div>
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I'm going to leave a pom pom everywhere I go. And by everywhere, I mean most places, when I remember, and when it feels right. No pressure. Just for funsies.</div>
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The first place I left a pom pom was Paris.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qKTYJa7gzQnQuSXskmQ116YweFDDIk7onzGnBMLZPYwe0qlfyptxlrDa6A_1DmbES7563jlHmR-8189wLYteC4sq4ag4X_23xYT88QJjZKDjcLNKT35dI9NM92nobPC8bzii_Y96ewxO/s1600/Eiffel-tower-love-locks-Paris.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qKTYJa7gzQnQuSXskmQ116YweFDDIk7onzGnBMLZPYwe0qlfyptxlrDa6A_1DmbES7563jlHmR-8189wLYteC4sq4ag4X_23xYT88QJjZKDjcLNKT35dI9NM92nobPC8bzii_Y96ewxO/s1600/Eiffel-tower-love-locks-Paris.png"></a></div>
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I didn't leave it on that fence with the locks, or on the Eiffel Tower, but this is where the whole pom pom project really took shape in my mind. The idea that all those couples have written their names on locks and left them forever in the city of love is so whimsical and touching. </div>
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All those people had locks; I have pom poms.</div>
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</div><a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2015/03/pom-pom-project-paris-france.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-47477949402349927152014-09-13T18:59:00.001-06:002014-09-13T18:59:21.297-06:00Color Blocked Infinity ScarfI haven't been blogging a whole lot lately, but I've been knitting like crazy. <br>
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I just keep thinking of more and more knitted accessories I'd love to bring with me to Europe this winter. Normal things like hats and scarves, but also wintertime skating-related things like a million different legwarmers.<br>
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I've got one pair of legwarmers on my needles at the moment, as well as my Antrorse sweater for the Very Shannon Summer Sweater Knit Along, a headband for a birthday present, and I just bound off this color blocked infinity scarf yesterday. <br>
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I've never had so many knitting projects going all at once before, and I'll be the first to admit that it's getting out of hand. But I'm just so excited that fall is <i>finally</i> here!<br>
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This particular scarf was a really quick knit on giant needles with thick and cuddly yarn from my stash. I didn't use a pattern; I just made it up as I went along. <br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/09/color-blocked-infinity-scarf.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-36942338183366094362014-08-29T20:12:00.000-06:002014-08-29T20:12:36.913-06:00Antrorse sweater knitting update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M3fJoaC9iZYP97_VTWbyVfxR6qEu7Xsfvj0rRojgWDzOoW_aPNuRMJGXhpP3yesK6j4I2w9oeOvbAYfdGCXUybQdQh3Mcdwkm2GZf_OljxM_cYeypNnxdQRTDAIt-YK7lUa70Q4F3pRa/s1600/Antrorse-sweater-wip.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M3fJoaC9iZYP97_VTWbyVfxR6qEu7Xsfvj0rRojgWDzOoW_aPNuRMJGXhpP3yesK6j4I2w9oeOvbAYfdGCXUybQdQh3Mcdwkm2GZf_OljxM_cYeypNnxdQRTDAIt-YK7lUa70Q4F3pRa/s1600/Antrorse-sweater-wip.png"></a></div>
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My <a href="http://veryshannon.com/patterns/antrorse" target="_blank">Antrorse sweater</a> is suddenly a wearable garment! <i>And it fits</i>! I'm so, so, sooooo excited about it.<br>
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By "suddenly" I actually mean "painstakingly gradually" given that I've worked on this project every single day for a month. But that long stretch of time made it all the more shocking when I realized I had finally finished the body this afternoon.<br>
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Now that I've tried it on, I can't wait to get going on the sleeves because then it will actually be finished and ready to wear out in the world!<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/08/antrorse-sweater-knitting-update.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-65671616012327122552014-08-26T11:44:00.003-06:002014-08-26T11:44:38.069-06:00Tips for hosting a successful craft party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzJa8Q6xY6nzRz64OHhDEO_-EX4E_dWSTMv5VrNK8q4duc2-NweByyNQEEWQR-E3vEM4baB5KxFRlVDts7c2EqExSB5vf5kx2ODRTG7rDkc0IU7sQxSRPp8ytz2PDjSXNn8A32hA1LSRC/s1600/Craft-party-101.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzJa8Q6xY6nzRz64OHhDEO_-EX4E_dWSTMv5VrNK8q4duc2-NweByyNQEEWQR-E3vEM4baB5KxFRlVDts7c2EqExSB5vf5kx2ODRTG7rDkc0IU7sQxSRPp8ytz2PDjSXNn8A32hA1LSRC/s1600/Craft-party-101.png"></a></div>
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My friends and I have started doing monthly craft nights, and they're so much fun! We rotate who is hosting, and the host picks the craft project for the evening. Last week was my week to play host, and I thought I'd share with you guys what I've learned from it.<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/08/tips-for-hosting-successful-craft-party.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-81836768767638371022014-08-18T14:22:00.003-06:002015-01-28T16:04:16.838-07:00DIY Ombre Headband<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yIfsMiMJKl4VcRPEdSx3g68A208kZtURBAzuiZvnd3M5wokwUmtznykArNoh95M-lgmboTh1s9-aa4RYHn1mOBB00QrN_uvajbcqwrcxlNUJ7BAz32kop7s-Sa-O4z-vjYdK1qYizDQ_/s1600/DIY-ombre-tshirt-headband.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yIfsMiMJKl4VcRPEdSx3g68A208kZtURBAzuiZvnd3M5wokwUmtznykArNoh95M-lgmboTh1s9-aa4RYHn1mOBB00QrN_uvajbcqwrcxlNUJ7BAz32kop7s-Sa-O4z-vjYdK1qYizDQ_/s1600/DIY-ombre-tshirt-headband.png"></a></div>
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Welcome to the 3rd installment in the <b>One T-Shirt, Three DIYs</b> miniseries! <br>
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The first two projects in the miniseries were a <a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/06/diy-stamped-t-shirt-headband.html" target="_blank">hand-stamped headband</a> and a <a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/07/diy-crop-top.html" target="_blank">beach-ready crop top</a>, and all three of these projects can be made using a single old t-shirt.<br>
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Today's project is the quickest one in the series, with only a minute or two of hands-on crafting. (But it does involve a couple hours of hands-off drying time; so don't forget to factor that into your schedule.)<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/08/diy-ombre-headband.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-42389026906764051502014-08-11T23:32:00.000-06:002014-08-11T23:33:31.342-06:00Work in Progress: Antrorse SweaterIt's been a week or so since I started knitting an <a href="http://veryshannon.com/patterns/antrorse" target="_blank">Antrorse</a> sweater in conjunction with the <a href="http://veryshannon.com/sskal14" target="_blank">Very Shannon Summer Sweater Knit Along</a>, so I thought I'd give you guys an update on my progress.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRUY0NVZXrl81TOuKAtDwLZN1HhNaErXhSq6wEq8YBjp8bWNawLD8bM02-iHW6dozZUICrrULDIKAr9_XLP1Ec5abEMHGlZ1TlcMNW8s-bnLjhExVRXXKnLGE880LpCVRyY13eWD5ggrx/s1600/Antrorse-sweater-knitting-pattern.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRUY0NVZXrl81TOuKAtDwLZN1HhNaErXhSq6wEq8YBjp8bWNawLD8bM02-iHW6dozZUICrrULDIKAr9_XLP1Ec5abEMHGlZ1TlcMNW8s-bnLjhExVRXXKnLGE880LpCVRyY13eWD5ggrx/s1600/Antrorse-sweater-knitting-pattern.png"></a></div>
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I started with 6 skeins of <a href="https://blueskyalpacas.com/yarns/worsted-cotton/" target="_blank">Blue Sky Alpacas worsted cotton yarn</a> and a lot of anxiety. If I'm honest, I know that I do better with small, quick knits, and I wasn't sure how I'd do with such a big project. (And I'm actually still wondering...)<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/08/work-in-progress-antrorse-sweater.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-74250495433846839652014-08-04T21:32:00.001-06:002014-08-04T21:38:46.895-06:00Speed knitting, sidebar tweaking, and Instagram hashtaggingThis weekend I went to the Denver County Fair and participated in my first-ever knitting contest: speed knitting!<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApEz89iY4Y6IexuhO2ksxU7eSSZWl5uJhPOjP_I2FDXMirkUlqP9dDBN3t71PyDEdumsO5uOqaK4Y-gmmRm87-fZusiVuM4kXpGAirwjWybPttL-0S5IEBG3u-57G9PSZL-w8BFutahSG/s1600/Speed-knitting-circle.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApEz89iY4Y6IexuhO2ksxU7eSSZWl5uJhPOjP_I2FDXMirkUlqP9dDBN3t71PyDEdumsO5uOqaK4Y-gmmRm87-fZusiVuM4kXpGAirwjWybPttL-0S5IEBG3u-57G9PSZL-w8BFutahSG/s1600/Speed-knitting-circle.png"></a></div>
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I did not win.<br>
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But I fit in! I've never attempted to knit as fast as I possibly can before, so I honestly didn't know how I would do.<br>
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I ended up knitting 1 row less than the winner, who was knitting continental-syle, by the way. Perhaps that's the way to go if a person wanted to become a speed knitting champion?<br>
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It was really fun to participate and to push myself out of my comfort zone, but I'm also happy to go back to knitting at my normal pace. I don't really see myself getting into "training" for this the way I do with skating. You never know, though, I may change my tune when next year's fair begins to loom on the horizon.<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/08/speed-knitting-sidebar-tweaking-and.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-16958553389462928202014-07-29T19:50:00.000-06:002014-07-29T19:51:31.805-06:00A knitting list<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcW6_ZeOGQdNEmvKGCoyLCzZQ_Rb71J2bzl042e70QtoMRHq8lqqN2rEnzT9ICmfutrrz35hSWrBSBYVbyQW322W0eZmuMvURxuEwLhfjBswXsOm_EUEJ5qlmFuOkoSJ9d4Ua-o-TRrVoD/s1600/Legwarmer-knitting-wip.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcW6_ZeOGQdNEmvKGCoyLCzZQ_Rb71J2bzl042e70QtoMRHq8lqqN2rEnzT9ICmfutrrz35hSWrBSBYVbyQW322W0eZmuMvURxuEwLhfjBswXsOm_EUEJ5qlmFuOkoSJ9d4Ua-o-TRrVoD/s1600/Legwarmer-knitting-wip.png"></a></div>
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While I had a rough go of it with my last sewing project, my current knitting projects are coming along swimmingly. <br>
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<b>Here's a list of knitting-related things that are making me happy right now:</b><br>
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1. My skating partner and I just found out we'll be doing an 8 month tour in Europe starting in October. Upon hearing the news, I immediately started daydreaming about all the fun things I could knit for the cold weather over there! I'm starting with a pair of legwarmers for rehearsals in Holland, which is what I'm holding in the picture above. I'm not using a pattern; I'm just making them up as I go along and I'm loving what's coming off my needles so far.<br>
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<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/07/a-knitting-list.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-91381592399006703552014-07-25T18:41:00.001-06:002014-07-25T18:41:31.087-06:00Why it's (sometimes) ok to quitIf I commit to something, I do my best to see it through to the bitter end. Seriously. One time I pair skated 3 shows a day for an entire summer with broken ribs. I just like to finish what I start, and I don't think that's an uncommon trait.<br>
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The thing is, though, I have a reason to skate through injuries. It's my job. But not everything in life is so serious.<br>
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Sewing is definitely on my not-so-serious list, and today a difficult sewing project taught me a valuable lesson: <b>it's ok to quit a sewing project when it stops being fun</b>.<br>
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So here's a picture of the completed sewing project that sparked all this pontificating. My mouth is smiling but my eyes are screaming <i>this is embarrassing -- I'm not proud of this top!</i><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiv-DoTdc_i1mLusSmOWK9M7q2M7oUlC0ES9Lq7t1gX4V6aRrZYTIS0qudGw-owDq6BQQniqw2aHe20wckwX21D1k7ai_yxMI6nnNS_lj62l-IgXmVSggo45m74bXXA4j_gU7NSe89ynu/s1600/New-look-S0547-sewing-pattern-review.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiv-DoTdc_i1mLusSmOWK9M7q2M7oUlC0ES9Lq7t1gX4V6aRrZYTIS0qudGw-owDq6BQQniqw2aHe20wckwX21D1k7ai_yxMI6nnNS_lj62l-IgXmVSggo45m74bXXA4j_gU7NSe89ynu/s1600/New-look-S0547-sewing-pattern-review.png"></a></div>
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I made it using the New Look S0547 pattern and some super soft and stretchy knit fabric (which the pattern called for). I picked out this particular pattern because it looked pretty easy, and since my sewing skill set is pretty slim, I liked the idea of being able to follow a pattern to a T without having to think too much about it.<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/07/why-its-sometimes-ok-to-quit.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-59747585683351177552014-07-21T19:34:00.001-06:002014-07-21T19:34:40.018-06:00Sinkmates Pattern Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5JHlNWYuISahOKpwSQM5mylJ9Pp4vQ2pXC_QZT3UxQpmavJIqy7Mcp4L6l_PxvIc_LjL9amo1AHYsaJJA1rTqVB7IFRI6bg0TccSi1XMLn-84GwoYeuEtv_gmxUckKiI5rV5IMfLSBEU/s1600/Sinkmates-dishcloth-knitting-pattern.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5JHlNWYuISahOKpwSQM5mylJ9Pp4vQ2pXC_QZT3UxQpmavJIqy7Mcp4L6l_PxvIc_LjL9amo1AHYsaJJA1rTqVB7IFRI6bg0TccSi1XMLn-84GwoYeuEtv_gmxUckKiI5rV5IMfLSBEU/s1600/Sinkmates-dishcloth-knitting-pattern.png"></a></div>
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If you only buy one dishcloth knitting pattern in your lifetime, make it <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sinkmates" target="_blank">Sinkmates</a> by Lorilee Beltman.<br>
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The pattern is well written and easy to follow. Plus the finished dishcloths are as cute as they are useful.<br>
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The best part, though, is that Lorilee is using this pattern to raise money for charity. She's donating all of the money that she makes from this pattern to the <a href="http://www.specialolympics.org/" target="_blank">Special Olympics</a>. <br>
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As of July 18th, Lorilee had already managed to raise $2,800!<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/07/sinkmates-pattern-review.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-50147453478188680012014-07-18T12:26:00.000-06:002014-07-18T12:28:07.903-06:00Handmade Vacation WardrobeI get a huge kick out of wearing things I've made myself, don't you?<br>
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With that in mind, here are some pictures of my handmade items in action on our Hawaiian vacation.<br>
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<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/07/handmade-vacation-wardrobe.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-48806014876861244802014-07-16T12:14:00.001-06:002014-07-16T12:15:26.067-06:00DIY Crop Top<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pV8GOr_n3u2nvJMu_YDZIKjHBKjfwwIa31NjdRa8yMZZ3tya-dBl3WfsibZB5D8fermfwochG3wsi25Nubk_7TwgOOPUD3GWxYlrNW-Mb1z0S7cbGpy2qXc5aD-eGOOyx6Py5GHrWyDG/s1600/Summer-t-shirt-refashion.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pV8GOr_n3u2nvJMu_YDZIKjHBKjfwwIa31NjdRa8yMZZ3tya-dBl3WfsibZB5D8fermfwochG3wsi25Nubk_7TwgOOPUD3GWxYlrNW-Mb1z0S7cbGpy2qXc5aD-eGOOyx6Py5GHrWyDG/s1600/Summer-t-shirt-refashion.png"></a></div>
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It's time for the 2nd installment in the <b>One T-shirt, Three DIYs</b> miniseries! </div>
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In case you missed it, the first project in the series was a <a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/06/diy-stamped-t-shirt-headband.html" target="_blank">hand stamped t-shirt headband</a> that I've been wearing pretty much all the time since I made it.</div>
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This second project is a crop top tank top that's perfect for wearing at the beach when you start to get a little crispy and want to cover up your shoulders. I wore it when I went stand up paddle boarding (my new favorite activity!) in California last week.</div>
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And guess what! It took less than 5 minutes to make.<br>
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</div><a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/07/diy-crop-top.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-42203796967152379732014-07-14T15:51:00.002-06:002014-07-14T15:51:58.449-06:004 Small ThingsThanks for sticking by me while I took a bit of time away from the blog. Words have been evading me for the past week or so.<div>
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This weekend I focused on a few small things that make me smile. This is what they were:</div>
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1. (Another) new knitting project. There will be a full post about it soon.</div>
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</div><a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/07/4-small-things.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-31804060949308930892014-07-01T18:32:00.001-06:002015-01-28T16:08:57.600-07:00DIY No-Sew Hand-Stamped 4th of July Tank Top<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi6pwJcrvVaxmCUOIj5MY59EWSagCQHocwXI5loC4EzRzeiAy118HBk5SQfKb3wl20CLLii_sfLJpWPTFVxeJLLOnfZ2vBhGcGCyFwpQBC-AAP8wJu-Wp9ry22pPqvUvwtf4Mu5EjwcDX/s1600/DIY-4th-of-July-tank-top.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi6pwJcrvVaxmCUOIj5MY59EWSagCQHocwXI5loC4EzRzeiAy118HBk5SQfKb3wl20CLLii_sfLJpWPTFVxeJLLOnfZ2vBhGcGCyFwpQBC-AAP8wJu-Wp9ry22pPqvUvwtf4Mu5EjwcDX/s1600/DIY-4th-of-July-tank-top.png"></a></div>
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Can you believe that July's finally here? It's full-on summer now and it's fabulous.<br>
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I'm having a great time on my Hawaiian vacation, and I decided to whip up a quick tank top to wear for the festivities here on the 4th of July. It's a fun, easy project that takes about a half hour.<br>
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Read on for directions!<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/07/diy-no-sew-hand-stamped-4th-of-july.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-23550712713723402282014-06-26T16:15:00.001-06:002014-06-26T16:19:18.815-06:00Knitting WIP: Saco Stripes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm going on vacation tomorrow! In Hawaii! Yay!<br>
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Rather than doing laundry and packing, I went to <a href="http://fancytiger.com/craftindex.html" target="_blank">Fancy Tiger Crafts</a> and picked out some shockingly soft bamboo yarn and a cute tank top pattern to knit on the airplane. The pattern is the <a href="http://quinceandco.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=42_43&products_id=396" target="_blank">Saco Stripes tank top by Pam Allen</a>. Doesn't it look fabulous?<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/saco-stripes" target="_blank">Pam Allen on Ravelry</a></td></tr>
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This project will be a collection of firsts for me. It'll be the first time I've worked with bamboo yarn, the first time I've used a Pam Allen pattern (even though I've been eyeing <a href="http://quinceandco.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=42_43" target="_blank">her collection</a> for ages), and the first time I've knitted a tank top.<br>
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It's a little bit scary any time that many firsts get together. <br>
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My biggest concern is the sizing. I'm a really small person. Like <i>really</i> small. It's great for pair skating, but not so great for fitting into women's sizes (as opposed to kids sizes, which fit great). Keeping that in mind, my plan is to begin knitting the smallest size the pattern offers, try it on, then rip it out and adjust it accordingly. Maybe it'll fit fine and I won't have to do that, but I'm not getting my hopes up just yet.<br>
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I love how soft my yarn is, though, and the pattern doesn't look overly complicated, so I'm thinking it'll all turn out beautifully in the end.<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/06/knitting-wip-saco-stripes.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-71278260772147220432014-06-24T22:40:00.002-06:002015-01-28T16:10:33.607-07:00DIY Stamped T-Shirt Headband<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty excited about my latest craft project, and this headband is only one third of it! <br>
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Instead of using one t-shirt to make one DIY project, I realized that I could use one t-shirt to make <i>three</i> DIY projects. So this is the first installment in the <b>One T-Shirt, Three DIYs</b> miniseries. Let's do this!<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/06/diy-stamped-t-shirt-headband.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-45282309578424049212014-06-22T16:44:00.001-06:002014-06-22T16:45:40.913-06:004 ThingsI'm having a great weekend, how about you? <br>
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Yesterday was ridiculously busy and fun (according to my fitbit, I took 17,671 steps!), and today is turning out to be a super-relaxing day of crafts. It's the perfect balance.<br>
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<b>4 things that are making me happy this weekend:</b><br>
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1. This flower crown that I bought at the <a href="http://coloradorenaissance.com/" target="_blank">Renaissance Festival</a> yesterday. And the insanely adorable memory of my 2 1/2 year old niece wearing hers too.<br>
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<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/06/4-things.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-45275782809957606232014-06-18T22:02:00.000-06:002014-06-18T22:03:17.159-06:00DIY Foam Stamps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I made an itty bitty heart stamp today, and I liked it so much that I made a triangle stamp to go along with it.<br>
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It all started when I was browsing the stamp aisle at the craft store today (which is a totally normal activity for a Wednesday morning, right?) and I thought to myself: <i>it's way too easy to spend way too much money in this aisle</i>. So I forced myself to walk away.<br>
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But then I started thinking about how simple it would be to make my own stamps, so I picked up a big sheet of foam for $2 and decided to do it myself. Here's how I did it...<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/06/diy-foam-stamps.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-12207499221619564362014-06-15T19:20:00.000-06:002014-06-15T19:20:55.648-06:00Father's Day Bow Tie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEp3wGWQRF9nSRoxtiQ-y3H3wERftN04ola7PVB1by2pNUrbRU2qxdQELtUE5icKEWghJP-XjOWWiHBzJxfCbWmbLty6dW2itksU5GAinGHjCa8EesD_9i2oHJoDKiYYo6olkB5eIxbE7M/s1600/Fathers-day-bow-tie.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEp3wGWQRF9nSRoxtiQ-y3H3wERftN04ola7PVB1by2pNUrbRU2qxdQELtUE5icKEWghJP-XjOWWiHBzJxfCbWmbLty6dW2itksU5GAinGHjCa8EesD_9i2oHJoDKiYYo6olkB5eIxbE7M/s1600/Fathers-day-bow-tie.png"></a></div>
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Happy Father's Day!<br>
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I decided to sew my dad a bow tie this year, and I'm super excited that I actually succeeded! (If you've been following the blog for a while, you know perfectly well that I'm still a beginner sewist.)<br>
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To make the bow tie, I used a <a href="http://sewlikemymom.com/mens-bow-tie-tutorial/" target="_blank">free bow tie sewing pattern</a> from Sew Like My Mom, a quarter of chevron print cotton fabric from <a href="http://www.joann.com/" target="_blank">Joann Fabrics</a>, some iron-on interfacing, and my sewing machine.<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/06/fathers-day-bow-tie.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3080988240295658638.post-89548536974912676902014-06-11T18:00:00.000-06:002014-06-11T18:00:26.367-06:00Jersey Knitting BrainstormIn my head, I had a grand plan to knit a cute summer tank top out of the <a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/06/diy-jersey-yarn.html" target="_blank">jersey yarn</a> I made last week. I did a little swatching today, though, and I realized that this yarn wasn't made for tank top knitting. <br>
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I tested out my yarn in stockinette stitch on US size 9 needles, and the resulting swatch was thick and sturdy, not light and breezy like a tank top should be. <br>
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At first I was slightly bummed out because I had been looking forward to making that tank top, but then I realized that this yarn is presenting me with the opportunity to make a completely different kind of knitting project than I normally make. I can use this yarn to make something that's durable and washable and ready to be used thoroughly rather than delicately (like most of my other knits). And now I'm excited about it again!<br>
<a href="http://www.creatinglaura.com/2014/06/jersey-knitting-brainstorm.html#more">Read more »</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044460593683990092noreply@blogger.com13