Baby hats

Made these just for fun a few weeks ago. The top one is a crocheted newborn hat; yarn was doubled for a bulky effect. It is double crocheted using only the back loop to get the edging.

The 2nd hat is knitted in the round; my first knitted hat! It is for size 3-6 months...not truly sure...being true to my nature I made it up as I went along. It may fit; it may not. Guessing is half the fun!

Beards!

What kid doesn't look adorable in a beard!? Making this for a friend so her son can wear it and not have his cheeks cold on the playground. The cutie-pie modeling it is all mine though:-)

Shell stitch crochet hat

My daughter asked me for a new hat a few weeks ago. Ask and you shall receive! Found a cute pattern and worked it up quickly. Made the flower up as I went along and added a button for extra appeal.

She was delighted.

The pattern came from this site. It is by FAR, my most favorte little girl hat pattern. It is so easy to make and the hats are just adorable!

http://thedaintydaisyblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/shell-stitch-beanie.html

Reversible apron

I have had the fabric to make this apron for awhile now. I had even found a super cute online pattern. But when I went to make this a few weeks ago, I couldn't find the pattern, and I learned my sewing machine was broken.

I borrowed a friend's machine and yesterday quickly capitalized on my crew playing nicely and decided to get to work. So I decided to make it up as I went along. The apron body was made tracing a simple apron I already had, 2 pieces of fabric with right sides facing. I cut the fabric in 2 pieces and then flipped the top half over. Sewed the bottom 2 pieces together leaving a small opening at the top do it could be turned right side out. Repeated for the top half. Then ironed and pressed.

Christmas gifts complete!

No new pictures lately because I've been busy making Christmas gifts for my mom and mother-in-law. They are finally complete and I'm so excited to share my made-with-love gifts for my family this year. But --- pics will not be posted until after the Holidays so secrets aren't revealed :)

I've also made a couple of newborn hats for some new little girl babies some new friends have had recently. So cute! And so quick to make. Pics will follow soon.

T-shirt scarf!

Did you know there are a bazillion ways to re-use t-shirts!? I'm loving all the ideas I've been finding online of new things to do with old t-shirts.

My favorite is the t-shirt or Infinity scarf. So cute! I had a favorite royal blue maxi dress when I was pregnant with my 4th child. It was SO lightweight and comfortable. After I had my baby, I had my mom turn a few of my old maternity dresses into lightweight summer skirts. Now that summer is over and these dresses/skirts have gotten more than their fair share of wear out of them; it was time to say goodbye to them. But then I found this website:

http://madethislovethis.com/made/tshirtscarf/

And I had to try it out. The directions are so simple, and since there is no sewing necessary, it takes less than 5 minutes!

After I cut the skirt, I folded it up towards the seam to make it easier to cut a straight lone.


Unfold to skirt, gather it with one hand holding the weaned edge, and the other hand unwrapping the cut pieces, it will be in a circle shape.

Then pull hard to stretch and the strips will become like little tubes.


Put it on, wrap it around, and enjoy! I know I will!

Ooohhh! Back to School Printables...

I know it's well past school starting, but I love these pages!

Have I mentioned that I love FREE printables? I found these printables this summer and saved them for when school started this year. And I want to make sure I remember to do this for next year...and the next...and the next. I "plan" on saving the signs and then at the end of the year creating a scrapbook of what they brought home during year and using this as the cover page. At least that's my plan. We'll see if it actually gets done...ha!

And because my older boys love Star Wars. These are wicked cool. Print 'em out, and tape them anywhere. I included our phone number on the tag that went inside their back packs.

Up-cycling old t-shirts

Found a great tutorial on Pinterest the other day and decided to try it out on one of my old, stained dresses. http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/06/repurposing-tshirts-into-5-strand-braided-headbands.html

Which reminds me, I really need an apron...I am one messy cook.

Decorating for fall!

It has turned suddenly chilly up north. The leaves are bright reds and yellows, the air is crisp, and we're digging out our long sleeves and football jerseys! Which means today it was time to decorate for fall. Except I hate decorating for seasons. And I never do it (except for some things at Christmas), but I was inspired this morning when I found the following printable found here: http://thepinkinkdoodle.blogspot.com/2011/09/fallautumn-printable.html


So I printed this baby out, framed it, threw a 7 year old candle on the counter that I found that's barely ever been lit. I don't like lighting candles. I'm always too worried 8 curious little hands will knock it over...or eat it....or drink it...or something because that's just how they roll over here. But it does smell yummy. And it's pumpkin. So it's fall-ish enough for me.

And that's it. That's about as "decorated" for fall as we get over here. But I must admit, that one corner of my kitchen counter does look pretty cute.

Princess Crown

One of my first original creations. She was thrilled to have a princess crown.

And nope, I don't remember the pattern. I didn't write it down; just guessed as I went along. Someday I may go digging through the buckets in her room to find this in the dress up clothes and see if it can be re-created (and possibly improved).

LINKS

Since I haven't beeen able to copy the links to the page and the exact work below, here are the links.

Bakerella Red Velvet Cake. Seriously - I was told it was amazingly delicious. And I guarantee it had nothing to do with my baking skillz; but is purely due to Bakerella's talents.

http://www.bakerella.com/red-velvet-cake/


The pattern for the owl hat was made "loosely" from this awesome pattern here. Except I suck at following patterns perfectly (which is probably why hers looks way better)..and remember, folks, I'm new at this!

http://daisycottagedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/07/free-owl-hat-crochet-pattern.html

And the fingerless gloves posted below:
http://craftsbysinjah.blogspot.com/2011/02/v-stitch-fingerless-gloves-free-pattern.html

I just made the first few rows longer because I prefer longer gloves. And I'm sure I made a few other "mistakes" along the way :-)

New loves

Super cozy and soft fingerless gloves. Will post link to Ravelry creator/pattern soon.

Princess cake

My cute and precious firecracker turned 3 this week. It was a princess extravaganza in our house. Complete with a pretty pink castle cake.

Another cake

Busy week in our house...all my husband wanted was a homemade Red Velvet Cake for his birthday. After conjuring up my inner Bakerella (and searching her webpage for a recipe), everyone was happy with another cake. Except me, I don't care for cake much, or cream cheese frosting. But apparently my husband's birthday is not about me. ;-)

Project baby hat

I have a very old and sweet friend who is having her first little girl this fall. So I whipped this up for her. My first time attaching flowers to a hat.

Made with Red Heart 100% Super Soft grey yarn. Doubled for a bulkier effect and hot pink Lion Brand 100% cotton yarn.




(btw - all projects have been made using free patterns found online. I will posts the link soon!)

Project Owl

I dove into the world of animal hats a few weeks ago and decided to make an owl hat for my little guy. Wish I would have used some different colors, and made it slightly larger, but it looked pretty cute when done.

But then I decided the eyes were too far apart and it wasn't the best so I tried to change it...



And it's still not as good or as cute as I wanted it, but lucky for me (and HIM!) that I have more yarn to make a better one soon. very soon.

The beginning of the madness...

I began crocheting several months ago when I was bored after the kids were put to bed and my husband and I were living apart due to a new job. I had to have something to keep me busy so I began crocheting. Soon my my mind was exploding with all sorts of great ideas as I dove into the Internet world of "free crochet patterns!" Who knew such a fabulous place existed!?

Soon I will begin posting pics of patterns I've finished (with the links to the original patterns I used to give the original artist credit); as well as hopefully soon(!) my own new creations.

Stay tuned....soon. :-)