5 {DIY} Valentine's Day Inspirations

Nothing says "I < 3 You" like a handmade gift. Valentine's Day is days away, so here are five diy inspirations for last minute crafting.

52 Reasons Why I Love You via Little Grey Fox

Etched Valentine's Day Glass via Thistlewood Farm
 

Love Yarn Letters via My Sister's Suitcase 

Remember I Love You Hearts (guest blogged by I Go By Katie on Moorea Seal)

DIY Cross Stitch Heart Sweater via Uber Chic for Cheap

The best way to fight commercialism is to choose to celebrate Valentine's Day every day. You do not need a holiday to say "I love you."

Baby Booties

You may remember this mystery knitting project from several weeks ago. My friends Rachel and Ben just welcomed their first child, a son, into the world. Rachel and I became friends when I moved to Eaton Rapids, and I am very excited for her. I surprised her with a pair of knit baby booties.

Rachel has done volunteer work in the past, so I thought it appropriate to use a Bundles of Love pattern. I knit a pair for her son and another for the charity.

Pattern: Easy Knitted Booties via Bundles of Love
Yarn: Naturally Caron Spa
Needles: US Size 8
Changes: Crochet bind off rather than ribbed bind off. Crochet seams.

The yarn is an acrylic bamboo blend; it is light and silky. It is machine washable and dryable which makes it versatile and perfect for baby booties.

I knit the booties at the same time so that they would be the same size.

My bind off is usually tight, so I learned how to use the crochet bind off for this project. I love how it turned out!

I did not want to do seams, but my dpns are buried in my craft room. Instead of sewing the seams I used the crochet method. 

I recommend this pattern if you need to knit a quick gift. I knit the booties in an evening. The pattern has clear instructions and is easy to memorize. 

Congratulations to Rachel and Ben!

The Best Christmas Gift

If you cannot tell by my lack of in-depth posts, it has been a busy week. Matt and I have driven all over Mid-Michigan to finish our paperwork. The good news is that we are closing on our first house on Tuesday.

Next Tuesday!

We can move in as soon as the owner leaves.

Which means we are moving in a week before Christmas...on top of working our jobs.

It is worth it.

I feel blessed.

An Unexpected Gift

Sometimes gifts are given just when we need them. I have had a tough couple of days due to a work-induced panic attack. Yesterday a coworker whom I rarely work with surprised me with a gift: vintage knitting needles. 

When she handed me the plastic bag, I could tell there were quite a few inside. I love vintage craft supplies so I was pleased to find over thirty pairs of needles.

My coworker could have made money selling them, but instead she gave me them to me without asking for anything in return. 

Needless to say the gift was unexpected, and it helped me keep my mind off of my anxiety.