I will probably say this in few different posts at the beginning of this year, but don't mind me repeating myself… This year, I decided to take a step back and instead of maybe doing what's popular and all, I'm going somewhat back to the roots of this blog with my content. With the same time trying to keep the ideas fresh enough for it to not look like it was just dragged from 2012 or so. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I don't think that would be exciting for the most  people.

So, the roots. If you've ever wondered the long name of the blog and why I've been stuck with it instead of just having my name there or something cool and short, here's why. To me, Handmade Dreams of Mine is a bit layered thing. On one hand (pun totally intented) it means "life is what you make of it", and that the dreams you have are yours to realize, and no one else's. But on the other hand, if refers to my nature of loving to do things myself, whether it's painting, drawing, knitting, sewing, baking or whatever. And both sides are something I've let go too much in the past couple of years.

Meaning that this year, we're doing more DIYs and such, and also trying to make some dreams come true. But being realistic, let's start with the DIYs.

The first project I wanted to share with you is this Elize Ryd hoodie I made. The reference pic is by Am.Creations, who has taken many amazing photos of Elize. I've even bought her prints through RedBubble, because I enjoy the vibes her pictures have. You can check out the photo I had as a reference here (click!). I did mine using textile markers, which definitely aren't my favorite medium to work with. But nevertheless, I think I did an okay job bringing this image to my hoodie.

I haven't rocked this one anywhere yet, since I only ironed the print today. But, I'm sure this be something I wear quite a bit after this, since it has quite a cool print, if I dare to say so myself.

Socks and mittens have always been something I enjoy knitting, so adding the multicolored aspect to it would give a tiny challenge for me. Which it did, and now I feel I'd be ready for even more challenging patterns. One of which I have already decided on. The thing about the socks and all is though, that I really can't keep them myself (I already have too many!) so I've yet to figure out if I will gift these to friends or even donate them to charity. I just enjoy creating things with yarn so, so much!

This top was my biggest challenge in a while, DIY-wise. I haven't been knitting a lot in a while, but after making the two pairs of socks above, I felt ready for the challenge of making a shirt. I haven't ever been amazing at it, quite contrary, my shirts have been lopsided or otherwise a bit far from the pictures. But I thought that there's no time like the present to go and try to knit a new top and hope that I nail it. I found this lovely baby pink, fluffy yarn, and a simple pattern designed with the yarn (mad respect to people who create patterns, I couldn't do that!), and just started going. I figured that the fluffiness of the yarn would cover all the possible mistakes, and therefore this would end up wearable. And soft, which is even more important.

Have you been doing any DIYs lately? let me know in the comments!