Craft Projects from 2011

I started The Silly Pearl in February 2011 after a year of posting some of my craft tutorials on my personal blog. During this last week of the year, I wanted to reflect back on some of my favorite projects.

Valentine’s Day Lollipop Printables: I’m noticing from Pinterest repins and blog traffic that you guys are ALREADY doing Valentine’s Day project research so soon after Christmas (some of you on Christmas Day!)! Don’t you every stop? I know, me neither. So here’s what I made for my girls’ preschool classmates last year!

Spring Yarn Embroidery Hoop Wreath: My take of the ever so popular yarn wreath. I used a thrifted embroidery hoop instead of a store-bought wreath form. {This was also my most viewed post of the year.}

Refashioned T-shirts to Girls Dresses: My mom gave me a serger last Christmas. This was one of maybe 10 times I’ve used it. Sewing with knits is HARD! But this is a really good project for first-time serger-ers because so much work has already been done by reusing the t-shirt’s neckline and hem.

Make Hair Bobbles with Fabric-Decoupaged Beads: To go with their dresses, I made these hair bobbles for them based on my previous decoupaged bead necklace tutorial:

Reusable Clean/Dirty Bags: These were an invention based on necessity. I was tired of wondering if my girls’ utensils in my bottomless pit of a bag were clean or dirty. There were times when I was wrong. GROSS!

Pig Graphic: Using the same process as my Valentine’s Day printables (above), I created this pig graphic for my girls piggy-themed birthday party last April. Here they are as an applique on their birthday outfits. I also used them on their invites and décor, and I recently used them on our Christmas card return address labels.

Party Blower Birthday Wreath: The Pig Graphic also appeared here on their birthday wreath, made from party blowers that I made with scrapbook paper and straws. Click here to see more piggy birthday crafts.

Vintage Wooden Spool Cork Board: This is one of my all-time favorite projects! I still keep my eyes peeled for vintage spools and hope to have more projects to come. {This was my 2nd most viewed post of the year.}

We Love Dada Week: The girls and I gave Dada some handmade gifts last Father’s Day: some Modern Art, a nerdy t-shirt and bag, a picture frame accented with computer keys, and these BBQ hanging towels:

Wooden Bead Summer Wreath: I loved using jewelry-making techniques to create this wreath to welcome summertime.

Vintage-Inspired Shadowbox Necklace: And speaking of jewelry…Betty Draper + A Thrifted Ottoman + An Original-To-Our-Home Pendant Lamp = a new necklace for me.

Jook Recipe: I finally mastered my mom’s Jook (aka rice porridge or congee) this year!

Felt Tiaras: Easy embellished tiaras for my girls’ fairy and flower princess costumes.

Fabric Pinecones: Fabric cut into flower shapes and fabric stiffener stacked together to form pinecones, welcoming winter and holiday visitors.

Screen Printed Storage Ottoman: I got to try out several new things with this craft: reupholstering, screen printing and I finally got to make something to honor the lovely birch trees in our yard.

Easy Lined Drawstring Bag: I love that the easy casing for the drawstring also results in a nice contrasting trim up top.

My dear readers, thank you for a wonderful year! Looking forward to what 2012 brings!

PS…Have you made any crafts based on my tutorials? Let me know and I’ll be sure to feature you!

Linking: Southern Hospitality, Home Stories A to Z, Delightfully Noted, Tatertots and Jello, Someday Crafts, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Tip Junkie, The Gunny Sack, The Frugal Girls