I've done some thinking about what kind of content I want on my blog this year and I've come to the conclusion that I want to keep doing things that both challenge me and make me happy. Most of all they need to serve the needs of our whole family as I'm realizing more and more how precious my time with my kids is right now. Work/family balance is a whole blog post (or series) in itself but one thing I've always known is that valuing my creativity and making time for it has made me a better woman and mother. It's shaped the way we do life at our house and has provided for us financially and, even though there's usually a mess of fabric and paper on our dining room table, I'm so thankful for the place it has in my life.
With that I've decided to formally name what I'd probably be doing on my blog this year anyway just to make it official. I'm committing to 40 Projects Just For Fun. These will include easy projects that everyone and their mother has made but with my own spin, projects made out of necessity, things I've always wanted an excuse to make, and things I have been putting off for lack of time. I've already drawn up a list of my first seven and have hopes to add to it as I go along. I think it's going to be a fun way to challenge myself creatively as I go into my sixth year of blogging and also help flesh out a few more things to make our house unique to our family.
My first project was actually finished last week before I'd decided on a series. It's going under the category of things I needed but couldn't justify buying since I knew I could make it myself. It turned out better than I imagined and I only had to unravel the first half once. As you can see it's not exactly consistent in it's shape near the middle. We were driving home from OK to CO and listening to Peter and the Starcatchers and I think it must've been a tense part of the story because my stitches got shorter. In the end it actually folds quite nicely and keeps my neck warm without making me feel suffocated so I'm calling it a victory. I hadn't crocheted in awhile and it was the perfect mindless activity to partially fill a 10-hour car ride.
I'm not sure how many rows I stitched but I did go through 1.5 skeins of chunky yarn from Michael's. I used a 9mm hook and tried to loosely stitch through the whole thing to give it a bit more room to fold. I still don't know how to knit (that may change this year) and I've heard knit neckwear is kind of the best but I'm really happy with my $8 cowl.
So, there's my first of forty projects just for fun. This is going to be fun!
-Rachel
P.S. Those fantastic wood veneer sunglasses were co-designed with Beca and Doug from this fancy shop. For a very limited time you can snag a similar pair here.
Wow - the cowl is beautiful, the glasses are marvelous and YOU my dear are breathtaking. SO happy that you are back, and 6 years?! Congrats!
Love,
Stephanie May*
http://www.maydae.com
Posted by: Stephanie May* | 01/09/2013 at 11:53 PM
Lovely :) and a beautiful picture of you Rachel! Useful projects are the best ones for sure.
http://little-beast.blogspot.co.uk/
Posted by: abby | 01/10/2013 at 03:22 AM
40 just for fun projects sound awesome! I love the cowl. Now I just wish I knew how to make one myself! I'm looking forward to the rest of your projects!
Posted by: Fiona | 01/10/2013 at 03:38 AM
Ahhh I'm the opposite, I can knit but not crochet. This might have been the one that tipped it—off to buy some crochet supplies. Dang, this is super cute.
Posted by: Anna | 01/10/2013 at 06:46 AM
Love this and can't wait to see what you have coming up next! Your blog is the tops.
Posted by: margeaux | 01/10/2013 at 06:55 AM
Love the cowl! It sort of looks knit....did you crochet into the front/back/ or both loops of the stitch?
Posted by: Joanna | 01/10/2013 at 06:58 AM
Cute project! Your make up looks amazing in that second picture - such a beauty!
xx Ashleigh
www.ashflynn.blogspot.com
Posted by: Ashleigh | Love Stoned | 01/10/2013 at 07:39 AM
How exciting!! I can't wait to see what other projects you share! This cowl looks fantastic (I agree with the above, you do look so pretty in the second photo!)
This may inspire me to actually give crocheting a go!
xo
Posted by: Sarah | 01/10/2013 at 08:11 AM
I feel the same way about treasuring your family time. You blink and they are grown up but we have to keep being creative to keep our sanity and not lose our love for blogging. Good post.
Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
Posted by: Rachel | 01/10/2013 at 08:32 AM
Is chain stitch the same as slip stitch?
Posted by: anne | 01/10/2013 at 10:02 AM
This looks like a great project. I haven't crocheted for years, but I think this has just inspired me to start again! Jen x
Posted by: Jen | 01/10/2013 at 10:16 AM
That is such a great cowl! I haven't crochet since college, but this looks doable :) You're a gorgeous mama, and always inspiring me to think outside the box in decorating, crafting, and dressing. Here's to 60 more inspiring blogging years!
Posted by: ruthie | 01/10/2013 at 10:49 AM
This is awesome! If only I knew how to make my own :(
Posted by: LARY@ Inspiration Nook | 01/10/2013 at 10:54 AM
Your so cute! Crocheting a cowl is on my to do list :-)
Posted by: Jess Judkins | 01/10/2013 at 11:51 AM
Your cowl is beautiful, Rachel. I asked my mum to knit me one for Christmas (though I call it a snood) and it too is beautiful, but much too baggy and she keeps calling it a snook! I've corrected her on the latter but can't bear to inform her of the former. I'm wearing it anyway, it's such a beautiful greyish sky blue and so soft.
Your 40 Fun Projects seems such a good idea. I can't wait to read more. Thank you for inspiring as always.
Posted by: a touch of domesticity | 01/10/2013 at 12:11 PM
This is a super idea!
I've been reading your blog since before Ruby was on the scene, and I really appreciate the energy and honesty you invest in this space. I'm a mother to two little boys and I love making stuff, so I'll be eagerly following this series :-)
Posted by: Josephine | 01/10/2013 at 12:33 PM
Hi!!
Just found you today because a friend said this post reminded her of me! I think it is refreshing to hear another moms thoughts on the balance of serving the needs of our families and just how much they truly, actually do need us.
Your comment about "making time for it has made me a better woman and mother" really struck a cord for me.
I am a follower now and am looking forward to hearing about your creative ideas and thoughts!
all the best,
aubrey
Posted by: aubrey | 01/10/2013 at 03:43 PM
Yay! I love projects and have a lot of the same types on my list for this year. Best wishes with your goals!
Posted by: Elizabeth | 01/10/2013 at 05:47 PM
Love it! And you are beautiful- love these pics! I agree about family. I feel so often that I manage my babies- I play some, but not with all my mind and heart.. I'm making it my new years goal to play with each of them for at least a short while everyday with all my mind on them and the activity. Congrats on starting your 6th year...ivebeen reading with along most of that time.
Posted by: AngelaS | 01/10/2013 at 08:15 PM
Hi Rachel
I feel the same way about crafting and cooking. Because I do it as a job, developing new recipes for the show, or magazines, and craft for the blog. I keep forgetting, hey these were my hobbies. I think I will defiantly be joining you in creating for fun this year.
Glad to have you back.
Nicolette xo
Posted by: Nicolette Lafonseca | 01/11/2013 at 01:42 AM
I love the "just for fun" idea, and that cowl looks really cozy. I'm sort of obsessed with chunky winter knits at the moment.
Posted by: Laura | 01/11/2013 at 09:49 AM
Thanks for the inspiration. You look so beautiful in your cowl, and I, too, have a long car drive this week, so I ran right out today and bought some chunky yarn. AND I bought enough for 2, because every year around the middle of December, I swear to myself that next year, I'm going to start making presents in January! This time I might actually do it! Can't wait to see your other projects.
Posted by: lise | 01/11/2013 at 10:43 AM
Great project! The cowl is a beautiful color! and...Where, oh where are your sunglasses from? They're absolutely darling :)
Posted by: marissa | 01/11/2013 at 11:02 AM
Great photo of you and pretty cowl!
Posted by: ana | 01/11/2013 at 11:13 AM
I just wanted to tell you that a read your tips for home photography on A Beautiful Mess a while ago, and I finally got the confidence to do a home tour for my blog (a little over a year after moving into my current apartment). Thanks so much for your tips and for writing such an encouraging post!
If interested, here's a peek at my bedroom: http://fashionisevolution.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-home-tour-bedroom.html
Posted by: Célèste of Fashion is Evolution | 01/11/2013 at 11:41 AM
I love this idea - can't wait to see what unfolds over the next year!
Posted by: Megan @ Boomtown Sisters | 01/11/2013 at 02:09 PM
I Love your pics, I think you look gorgeous, but I don't get, how did you do the scarf?
How did you get from the simple chain stich to a whole scarf? Is there maybe Dome simple stich I don't know over here in austria??
Posted by: Veronika | 01/11/2013 at 03:06 PM
Love it! I always wanted to learn to knit!
Sar
www.etsy.com/shop/owleyevintage
Posted by: sarah | 01/11/2013 at 09:01 PM
Good for you on allowing yourself to do "just because" projects. I love when you can throw caution to the wind and see what happens. I think a person can grow a lot by taking that approach. So many people need a purpose and to plan everything out. It's good to see someone doing things a little different and not feeling guilty about it.
Love your blog and can't wait to see the 40 projects!
Trisha
Posted by: Trisha | 01/12/2013 at 07:44 PM
I love that you made these projects a goal! I should do that because I always say I'm going to and I never do!
xoxo
Posted by: Erin | 01/14/2013 at 01:53 PM