chimesblog

I recently discovered a new adorable thing to do with all those scraps of yarn that I have from making various knit projects: Crochet bows.

[photo credit Happy Together]

Check out this tutorial from Happy Together to make your own. Even if you’ve never crocheted before, these are pretty dang easy to make. It’s pretty much two little blocks strategically glued together.

You can glue these to a pin or a hair clip. How cute! Easy peasy last-minute Christmas gifts.

Speaking of crafting, you should check out my giveaway for giveaway day if you’ve not entered yet. I will pick a winner on Friday, so hurrry up and enter!

Share on Facebook

This week’s Humpday Blog Love goes to Domestica, a lovely shop in Des Moines that holds such fabulous art, design and accessories.

Domestica is always on the cutting edge of fun and funky handmade items.  They carry June Craft, from Cedar Rapids, who just a bit ago was unknown, but has exploded all over the internet with their  goods — such as the long dog (below).

After a recent visit to Domestica, I’ve become smitten with Felix and Jayne.  Their pieces are so unique and fit my style perfectly. I’m in love.

So if you have a hankering for good taste, go check out Domestica and tell them that chimes sent you.

Share on Facebook

I’m super excited about this, but it’s probably pretty boring to most of you.

So I finally decided to decorate my apartment, you know, after I’ve lived here for a year-and-a-half and right before I move out in May.  I guess better late than never.

I rearranged my bedroom last weekend (finally) at the suggestion of my friend Shelly several months back.  I ordered a few cute accessories from UrbanOutfitters.  I don’t have any before pictures, but here are some after pictures. 

Bedroom — with my Amy Butler sampler quilt courtesy of my friend Adria hanging on the wall and with my new chandelier light hanging above — which, by the way, I totally installed all by myself thanks to the HerTools(tm) set I received for Christmas from my mom *cough cough* I mean, Santa. No mechanical engineering expertise from Mr. Awesome needed. (I feel so empowered! I can use a screwdriver!)

Closeup of the chandelier.

My dresser with jewelry and some cute fabric swatches on the wall

a more “artsy” shot …

I hung all my scarves and hats up on my shelves with hooks … and I realized that I had a piece from my friend Kim that she’d painted for my friend Flip’s band, The Half Hearts, for their first album After the Flood.  I dunno if this goes to Flip or not, but for now, I’m going to keep it since apparently he hasn’t missed it …

And my living room with my daybed and the new tapestry hanging behind it.  I’ve had the same daybed since 8th grade along with the ugly floral sham, but it works well with the pieces I’ve made and acquired over the years. The white and purple quilt is from my great grandma, and I love how it matches everything so perfectly. I keep designing around it even though it’s almost completely fallen apart.

Share on Facebook

Everything is fair game this month.

Both my stores, chimes design and toDIYfor, are having a 20% off special this month.  To participate, convo me on etsy with the item you’d like to apply the sale to and I’ll adjust the price and reserve it for you.

An extra 5% off if you blog or tweet about my sale and include the link to your blog post/tweet in your convo.

Easy peasy.

As per usual, I’m offering free shipping to Des Moines and Ames as long as we can arrange a drop off/pick up.

Share on Facebook

I reserved this afternoon for some crafting. I had a few mugs to make and I had a couple ideas for some bags.

Here’s the first thing I came up with. I totally forgot the closure, but I’ll figure that out later. I will be making 3 more of these. I’ve got 2 done and will be making 2 more of these! I figured out the closure on the 2nd one. Just need to find the perfect button!

I had some fabric scraps given to me from Adria that were leftover from her Park Slope quilt. She’s just so generous, but after quilting, you get sick of looking at the fabrics.  She’d given me 4 of the blocks from that quilt.

And away we goooooo!!!

I’m kind of in love with these fabrics now … I might have to keep one of these to myself AND buy the quilt Adria has for sale!

2nd Clutch:

Here’s an idea I had for closure on this… need to find some cute buttons though.

Share on Facebook