Posts tagged handmade
Trying Out Macrame
Trying Out Macrame

When it comes to learning a new skill of any kind, I like to “Tim Gunn” the experience and Make It Work. Seriously, even if I am making a pizza or something and it isn’t working out, I tell myself to make it work, to make the best of it and figure it out. I feel that mindset often comes into my art work because there are of course messes that I constantly make. I really try not to let them upset me or let them discourage me from engaging in a process that could end up being super fun and awesome!

Read More
Mindfulness, DIYCarissa Melillomacrame, fiber art, fiber arts, fiber, handmade
Quick and Easy Crochet Hat
Quick and Easy Crochet Hat

ne of the first things I learned to crochet was a hat because it was super simple! Over the years I have looked at different patterns, both knitting and crocheting and found out what pattern works best for me. That's because I wrote it! I like using yarns that change colors as you go which is why I have chosen a Caron Tea Cake because the yarn is different throughout! Lastly, I love having a rib on my hat so we are going to be working towards making a hat with a rib on it, and it is much easier than you think!

Read More
DIYCarissa Melillocrochet, crocheting, crochet hat, hat, handmade, homemade
DIY Friendship Bracelets
DIY Friendship Bracelets

Making friendship bracelets is one of my secret guilty pleasures and one of my favorite things to do. Honestly, if someone gives me the chance or the excuse to make a friendship bracelet, I am running to do it. I remember when I was in grade school I used to spend so much time taking them that when I got in trouble I would “punished” from using the string (LOL). I know that most people know how to make friendship bracelets, but let's just say this is the refresher course!

Read More
DIYCarissa Melillofriendship, friendshipbracelets, bracelets, friendship bracelets, string, handmade, homemade
Cardboard Pom Pom Makers
Cardboard Pom Pom Makers

Everyone knows that I am also the pom pom queen. Pom poms are super important to me, to be honest. I love how aesthetically pleasing it is to get a perfectly round orb shaped pom pom and the enjoyment of creating something so cute out of just wrapping yarn. I have A DIY on her for making pom poms using Clover Pom Pom Makers. I figured with people being home and stores being closed that people may not have pom pom makers. What people probably do have is cardboard, because everyone is online shopping.

Read More
DIYCarissa Melillopom, pom poms, poms, handmade, cardboard
Basic Crochet Stitches
Basic Crochet Stitches

The most response that I have gotten about what DIYs people wanted for this time off was crocheting. Most people who know me, know that I am either constantly crocheting or constantly with a crochet hook. I taught myself to crochet when I was about 13. My mom was and still is an amazing crocheter and I always would watch her hands make these amazing and super large blankets for most of my life. I learned by watching my moms hands move through the process.

Read More
DIYCarissa Melillocrochet, crocheting, fiber, fiber art, fiber arts, handmade
DIY Felt Rainbow Plush
DIY Felt Rainbow Plush

Today is the most fun holiday because it is completely full of my favorite thing, RAINBOWS! I feel like I have been preparing for my whole life leading up to this, (have I mentioned my rainbow necklaces on here yet? It is an obsession to say the least). Anyway, a few years back I sewed my first felt rainbow ornament for my Christmas tree and it was so very fun! I enjoied layering the colors atop one another and also learning a new sewing stitch to sew it like a stuffed animal. I figured with everyone staying home this week, this could be the perfect sewing craft and you can also make a kid version one where instead of sewing you just use some glue! Let’s get it started!

Read More
DIY, HolidaysCarissa Melillosewing, sew, handsewn, handmade, rainbow
DIY MINI RAINBOW PIÑATA
DIY MINI RAINBOW PIÑATA

I love piñata’s a lot. I have wanted to make one for quite some time. Every year for my birthday I always try to get one just because they look so fun! A few years back I remember I was in Michael’s and in the seasonal section there was a kit to make your own piñata. I loved this idea but for some reason, I did not buy it and when I went back to get it it was gone! I have been thinking about it since that day, which was like 2 years ago so I finally decided to make it and I am so glad I did!

Read More
DIYCarissa Melillopinata, candy, handmade, homemade, homegrown, party, decor, party decor
DIY Punch Needle
DIY Punch Needle

I have totally fallen in love with punch needle and making these cute rug like structures. I feel that they are very simple, fun and move a bit quicker than embroidery, but still takes enough time to be mindful and engage in a project. I am not proficient by any means but I love anything with an immediate gratification experience! I am totally self taught here though thanks to a few amazing Instagram-ers and a lot of improvising. I hope that my free flowing and experience with punch needle will inspire you to try this DIY and make something fun and colorful!

Read More
DIYCarissa Melillohandmade, homemade, punchneedle, punch needle, fiber art, fiber, fiber arts, home decor
DIY Weaving
DIY Weaving

big part of who I am as an artist, is a weaver. I have been weaving since I was in college and truly loved it. The repetitive quality of going over and under was so medative to me. It quickly became my meditative practice and I was weaving all the time. When I was in graduate school, studying Art Therapy I decided to write my thesis on the therapeutic properties of weaving.

Read More
DIYCarissa Melilloweaving, handmade, homemade, home decor
DIY Cosmic Brownies
DIY Cosmic Brownies

Who doesn’t love a good Little Debbie treat?? Well, KC really loves cosmic brownies. When we first started dating I used to get them for him every time I saw them. To be honest I still do that, but they are hard to find in our area! Normally for Valentine’s Day I get him a new backpack and fill it with boxes of cosmic brownies. Today is February 23 2020 and for the past 7 years we have celebrated every 23 in the year. For this month I wanted to make my own cosmic brownies to celebrate! Follow along if you want to make your own as well.

Read More
DIY, HolidaysCarissa Melillobaking, cosmic brownies, handmade, homemade, baker
DIY Graphic Tee Pouch
DIY Graphic Tee Pouch

When I was younger I was obsessed with making my own tee shirts. I originally went to art school to study graphic design so I could open up a tee shirt business! I quickly learned that that was not for me and I switched my major to painting. That being said I still love making tee shirts and using iron on letters to make funny sayings! I recently just went through my closet and found a lot of tee shirts that mean a lot to me but I will never wear again. I am planning to make a quilt out of the logos on them, but I still have a lot of fabric left

Read More
DIYCarissa Melillohandmade, handsewn, Pouch, Zippouch, pouches, graphictee, teeshirt
DIY Felt Valentines-  Conversation Heart Pins 
DIY Felt Valentines-  Conversation Heart Pins 

Each year, I often sew up a few hearts and put them in all of KCs gifts each year (we now have a collection) or I have a bunch of paper hearts that I slip into his bag as he leaves. I also really like to make valentines for my friends and co workers each year,  so I thought what a fun idea to make valentine’s that emulated these candies but were also pins!

Read More
DIYCarissa Melillovalentines, valentinesday, handmade, homemade, gifts
DIY Loom Knit Pom Pom Hat
DIY Loom Knit Pom Pom Hat

Recently at work we had a client who was obsessed with loom knitting hats. She was making them super fast and they looked like hats you would buy from the store. Quickly we all became very interested in making these hats. We all bought looms and were discussing yarns daily. Soon our office basically became a factor for hat making. Now that is is getting quite cold out I felt it necessary to make a DIY on how to make one of these hats! 

Read More
DIYCarissa Melilloknit, hat, handmade, homemade, homegrown
DIY Make You Own Grapefruit Soap
DIY Make You Own Grapefruit Soap

I recognized that the process was going to be hard for me to complete in a studio apartment. I was worried that the experience would be dangerous, to say the least I was very intimidated. That is until I was walking down the isles of Michael’s Craft Store and saw melt- and- pour soap bases. I read the label and say that you can literally heat this up in the microwave (or on the stove top). Once it is heated you can then add whatever ingredients you want and customize your soap bars to be the most like you! Making soap this way, is totally something I can get on board with. 

Read More
DIYCarissa MelilloDIy, Soapmaking, Soap, meltandpour, handmade, homemade, gifts Comment