The Caron Notebook

Sometimes thinking about how to create handmade items and incorporate them into the home can be a bit overwhelming. After all, not everyone has time to knit cotton rugs for all of the bathrooms, or crochet an afghan to drape over the couch. Still though, DIY decor items bring a personalized warmth to any dwelling. So what’s a busy stitcher to do? My advice: think small. Small project, that is.

Simple accessories that take less than a weekend to make are the perfect components for the home, no matter what your style. Coordinating throw pillows, crochet-embellished bowls, and wash cloths are all great examples of small touches of stitched style. If you want to pack a little more punch with your projects though, I suggest choosing a pop color and creating a small piece for an unexpected place. To show you what I mean, I thought I’d share a picture of my own kitchen (see above.)

On the table is a plain, vase from Ikea that I created a chevron-patterned vase sleeve for out of Sheep(ish) colors: Yellow(ish), Chartreuse(ish) and Coral(ish). The sleeve comes off so I can still wash the glass, or switch it out for another sleeve in different colors should I want to.

Hanging above the table is a plain ol’, white drum lamp that I be-cozied using the same coral color from the vase. To do this, I just knit a long, garter stitch piece on oversized needles. Then, I stretched the piece around the lamp — hot gluing along the outer edges as I went — and seamed up the back. It was so easy, and really broke up the over-whelming amount of white in that room. Oh, and for you sew-ers out there, the valances are made by cutting rectangles of fabric, hemming the edges, and creating a rod pocket at the top. Easy peasy!

I’d love to know what items you’re making for your own home. Share ‘em here, if you please!

Have a creative weekend!

xx,

Vickie