SaturdayStitches: Time to bust out the knitting needles

Today's chilly, wet weather left me with no other choice than to bust out my knitting needles. It's the perfect half-conscious activity for a day of movie watching. I'm working on yet another scarf, but this year, I'm ready to branch out. Feel free to share some projects you're working on.

Crocheted bunting:

Source: duitang.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Knitted tea cozy:

Source: jimmybeanswool.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Shifting sands crochet stitch:

Source: ravelry.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Knitted mug cozy:

Source: zszywka.pl via Heidi on Pinterest

Chunky infinity scarf:

Source: knitandbake.com via Heidi on Pinterest

FiveThingsFriday: Chalkboard paint

Here are five clever uses for chalkboard paint:

Chalkboard paint head board:

Source: goo.gl via Celinda on Pinterest

Chalkboard paint wall calendar:

Source: mistergandmecrafts.blogspot.com via Tanya on Pinterest

Chalkboard paint Jack-o-lantern:

Source: mytrendytykes.com via Linda on Pinterest

Chalkboard paint platter:

Source: witandwhistle.com via Kelli on Pinterest

Chalkboard paint fridge:

Source: thefancy.com via Courtney on Pinterest

TuesdayTutorial: Felt projects

Felt is one of my favorite materials to use. It's forgiving and cute, and fairly inexpensive. And after all, good design is not only seen, it's felt. Oh gosh. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Felt garland:

Source: prettylittlethings.typepad.com via Paola on Pinterest

Mod felt coasters:

Source: etsy.com via Caasandra on Pinterest

Felt knitting needle holder:

Source: aestheticoutburst.blogspot.com via Susan on Pinterest

Felt breakfast foods:

Source: thejealouscurator.com via Maggie on Pinterest

Felt camera ornament:

Source: bugsandfishes.blogspot.com via Yu on Pinterest

Felt kitty gadget cover:

Source: weheartit.com via Anastasiya on Pinterest

Felt embroidery:

Source: stumblesandstitches.blogspot.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Felt party invite:

Source: ohhellofriendblog.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Felt campfire toy:

Source: market.poppytalkhandmade.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Felt iPad cover:

Source: molliemakes.themakingspot.com via Heidi on Pinterest

MondayMust: DIY headbands

My hair is at that awkward, between-cuts stage and I need some serious help. Headbands sound like a nice solution.

Source: presserfoot.blogspot.com via Angela on Pinterest

Source: twitchvintage.blogspot.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Source: blog.ecoetsy.com via Kelli on Pinterest

Source: mycakies.blogspot.com via Stashia on Pinterest

Source: rufflesandstuff.com via Cori on Pinterest

FiveThingsFriday: Valentines

Remember grade school Valentine's Day parties. We decorated elaborate boxes to collect our cards and trinkets in, and the idea of what to make was something I probably spent a good portion of the winter on. It was almost as important as choosing a Halloween costume. Did anyone else do this or was it just a #NorthDakotaThing?

We'd all line up with our store-bought or hand-made cards and candy and drop them in each box. I often chose to make mine because I've always been a crafter at heart (even if my projects never, EVER turn out the way I want them to still today).



I wish there was still a need for an off-the-hook Valentine box and some handmade cards. My best pal Cristen and I made these a few years back, and we might just have to hold another Valentine crafternoon this weekend.

Here are five ideas for your Friday:

Source: bhg.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Source: thewonderforest.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Carolyn on Pinterest

Source: twigandthistle.com via Advaita on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Emily on Pinterest

ThursdaySwap: Interest in a crafternoon

After talking with some new and old friends tonight, I'm determined to resurrect Sunday Crafternoons. We will have a "live" crafternoon one Sunday a month in Fargo-Moorhead. For those of you in bloggerville, I will be posting the supplies and instructions for whatever we're making that week. On the Monday following the event, I'll post a Linky hook-up where we can all share how our projects turned out.

Who's interested in Fargo-Moorhead?

Who's interested online?

TuesdayTutorial: DIY chevron mugs

By now, you probably are aware of my excessive obsession with chevron. This weekend, it led to me drawing on dishes with permanent marker.

Here's what you need (so simple):
Permanent markers
A coffee mug

This design washes off when you scrub the mug with dish soap, so you don't have to make a permanent commitment. If you love it and don't want it to go away, just buy some of those dandy ceramic paint markets from your craft store.

The rest is self explanatory.







I am kind of tempted to do a new set of colors and designs every time I wash these guys. Wouldn't it be fun for a theme party to doodle on the edges of bowls and wine glasses, too?

MondayMust: Link love

It's Monday again. I'm actually one of those people who loves Mondays. It's a fresh start. Today, I'm so tired though. One thing after another kept me awake last night. But my cure will be a good workout after work.

Here's some links to get you through your Monday:

I started following Can You Stay for Dinner a few months ago, but this recent post really resonated with me and my weight-loss struggles. I also can't wait to make these muffins.

I'm so loving J.Crew's latest collections:

Source: jcrew.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Source: jcrew.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Source: jcrew.com via Heidi on Pinterest

I was recently reminded of these fun Valentines my best pal Cristen and I made a couple of years ago. We are in the process of setting up a crafternoon to create some 2012 editions.



I'm so in love with these Midwest-theme Tees by Raygun:

Source: raygunsite.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Source: raygunsite.com via Heidi on Pinterest

FiveThingsFriday: DIYs with a map

I love maps, and the thought of using them in a little project here and there around the house is so fun. Here are a few non-travel-related uses for your maps.

Map magnets:

Source: lehiwrights.blogspot.com via Heidi on Pinterest

map garland:

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Heidi on Pinterest

map chair:

Source: salvagelove.net via Heidi on Pinterest

map lamp shade:

Source: notonthehighstreet.com via Heidi on Pinterest

map embroidery:

Source: marthastewart.com via Heidi on Pinterest

WhichOneWednesday: One-day sewing project

I determined to get my sewing machine out on Saturday and whip up a quick project. I haven't used it since I spent way too long several weeks making my owl Halloween costume this fall.

So here are the two projects I'm deciding between.

This vintage smock.



Or this tote bag.
I'm kind of a newbie to following patterns and sewing in general, so which do you think would be easier? And which do you think is cuter?

TopTenTuesday: My ten most-popular blog posts

We're already more than a week into the new year, but heck, I like reflecting. There are a number of new blog followers here at OliveObserver, so a big shout out and welcome to them.




I really love statistics. I don't know why, but part of the fun of blogging for me has been to watch which posts are popular and try to figure out how random people are landing on my little ol' blog. It's fun and fascinating.

So without further hesitation, here are the top 10 viewed posts of 2011:

10. MondayMust: My must-visit daily blog reads
Dec. 19, 2011

9. StoryTimeSaturday: Bean Boozled
Dec. 31, 2011

8. WardrobeWednesday: DIY shoe projects
Nov. 30, 2011

7. StoryTimeSaturday: Wedding invites and crosswords
Nov. 19, 2011

6. TopTenTuesday: Best books I've read in 2011
Dec. 6, 2011

5. FridayConfession: Not ready for Christmas
Dec. 16, 2011

4. Hand-made owl costume
Oct. 31, 2011

3. FiveThingsFriday: Toilet paper roll
Dec. 2, 2011

2. New hairs
Dec. 8, 2011

1. StoryTimeSaturday: Wedding cake and decor
Dec. 3, 2011

I also did a couple of guest posts on other blogs, if you want to check them out:


50 Days of DIY on the Paper Mama: Christmas tree skirt

TeenyTutorial: DIY cake plate over at Pamplemousse1983

TuesdayTutorial over at Pamplemousse

Go check out my cake plate tutorial over on Maryam's blog, Pamplemousse 1983.

TuesdayTutorial: Easy Christmas tags

This is less a tutorial and more of a gift tag inspiration.



What you need:

• cardstock
• glue stick
• pen
• string

I made these Christmas tags one snowy afternoon last year, and they were so super easy and fun to create.