Simple Sunday 3: Pom Pom Heart Necklace

It's just shy of a month, until Valentine's Day. It's cold outside. I can't find these guys on TV. There are no races to watch. My team is out for the season. And I dearly miss watching these guys. There's not even a good movie on this channel! What's a girl to do on a Sunday like this?

Did I mention Valentine's Day? Not my favorite day of the year. But one that is fun to celebrate with the itty bitties in my life. And being back home, has made it really fun. You know to celebrate holidays. My Little Cousin J, makes my day! She gets so excited over the little things. So does my Little Buddy J.

So I've been looking for something fun to make them. A little bit of fun, a dash of silliness, and tons of love! Guess what I found? Every little lady's dream...pom poms, hearts, and a necklace!

Isn't this so cute? I thought so. Jess has so many GREAT ideas! I've been following her blog for years. Probably from the beginning of her blogging days. And her ideas never get old. This little necklace is just the right amount of fun, sass, and Valentine's Day! I'm not sure how I missed it 2 years ago...when Jess posted it. But I'm definitely making some, for the cuties in my life. I might even sneak in a few for an upcoming Craft Fair. ❤

Crochet Inspiration 2: Snowflake Ornament...Turned Into A Snowflake Garland

I was looking for something fun to crochet. Something to add to my Dad's hospital room. You know, these rooms are a little boring and bland. And since it looks like it will be a few weeks until we get home, I need to add a little something-something to this place.

I was thinking of a garland. But Valentine's Day decorations are just a little too much right now. I'm thinking something for winter. A little bit of fun and whimsy. Then I thought about this little snowflake...

 

So I'm thinking, these little snowflakes, made into a garland. With a few wintery blue colors. 7 white, 6 little blue, and 6 medium blue...connected with white. I think it would make for a fun garland. You know, with all this weird winter weather that we are having. I think we need some snowflakes. Real snowflakes. Not the pretend things, that are all over the weather maps...and never make it to the sky.

 

Recently, I was telling a friend of mine, that patterns are just a little "roadmap" for you. It's there. It gives you an idea, or a direction. But it's not the "end all." You can change that pattern around. You can add to it. You can use a pattern like this, to add an applique to a hat, scarf, or even a blanket. Lots of times, I find a cute appliques, to make different garlands.

 

So the next time you see a cute applique, ornament, or other little trinket...think of all the things you can make with that pattern. This pattern, I've added to a scarf and hat recently. And it really came out nice. My little cousin likes that she has a "Frozen" hat and scarf. Funny how she made that connection. But it's a nice little treat. ❤

Crochet Inspiration 27: Baby Panda

Is anyone else still trying to get their Christmas presents bought? How about finished up...you know, if you are a crafter. Well, I am. Mostly because life has been crazy around here. And since we are going to be in the hospital for the next week or so, my gifts this year are going to be homemade.

Most are done. But then, I had a ton of orders to fill. And Christmas came fast. So yes, I sold a few of the gifts I had made my family. I have a few left to remake. Mostly hats. Some toys. And a scarf. But I thought, we needed something fun in the hospital. In pops...a baby panda!

Isn't this panda outfit cute? Well, I thought so. I'm going to make the hat for my little cousin. She just turned 7 months old. I'm thinking of adding a little pink bow, to the right ear area. And then, I just might make one for an upcoming Craft Fair. :)

And just for a second, can we talk about this awesome blog? All About Ami. I literally stumbled on it. Because I was looking for a baby panda hat. And I was a little tired of all the character hats, that I've made this holiday season. I just wanted something adorable. But All About Ami...definitely one of my new favorite blogs! ❤

Crochet Inspiration 26: Snowmen for Two Little Men

We're just 2 days away from Christmas! And I found out just a few days ago, that my cousin is coming from Virginia. And her brother is also coming to town. He lives a few hours away. Both with their new spouses. And baby boys. One of the boys is 2 months old. The other is 7 months old. You know, totally adorable.

 

But that means, I need some quick gifts. And because my 2 cousins are very competitive, I decided I needed to make the same thing for both baby boys. You know, we've got to be 100% fair. And I wanted it to be something homemade. But it needs to be simple. Something that can be worked up in 2 days. Then I remembered these 2 little snowmen...

 

We all know about Sarah's cute snowman. And I think he will be just perfect. Minus the little flower. You know...it could be a choking hazard.

And I thought a snowman hat would be perfect. It doesn't get really cold here, but Virginia gets it's fair share of snow. And winter. So why not? I'm thinking one can be red, the other blue. Add in some grey for fun. And a few cute buttons. Just a little modifications. Well, I better grab my hook and yarn...and get busy! Merry Christmas Eve Eve!!! ❤ 

Crochet Inspiration 25: Out & About

At the beginning of the month, My Mom and I sold at our church's Christmas Craft Fair. We did so good. And sold a ton of stuff! I mean a ton! Many items that we'd had for a while. But we kept a little list of the top sellers. You know, we only have about 6 weeks to stock up. You know, before our next sale. :)

Well, I was trying to stock up on some of these items. One being a certain scarf. The real story being, my sister wanted a dark purple scarf that we had. She put it down, to look at a few other things. In case you don't know, my sister works on TV shows and movies. So she works long, crazy hours. And hadn't had time to go shopping. I think she did a good 50% of her shopping in one afternoon. Our fellow crafters, were very happy!

But when my sister put that purple scarf down, and a friend of ours...well she bought it. So I thought, I could make my sister the whole set for Christmas. Something that matched. In her favorite color. So she doesn't freeze on set, at 3AM.

Then I hit a snag. I couldn't find the pattern. Anywhere! And my sister is headed to Croatia. For 2 months! And I got a call. From a lady at church. Wanting to order 5 sets! What to do???

Fast forward almost 10 days, and I still couldn't find the pattern. I searched our containers of patterns. I searched online. And then I started asking friends. I kept coming up empty handed.

Finally I realized, when Coats & Clark merged their free patterns with Red Heart, not everything made the move. This pattern happened to be one of those...

So as any other crafter would do, I kept on searching. Then I remembered the pattern is called "Out & About." A few Google searches later...I found Purple Kitty Yarns. And the pattern! Don't you just LOVE it?!?!?! Now I better get to crocheting. ❤

Crochet Inspiration 24: Snowman Purse

'Tis the season. You know...candy canes, Christmas trees, and Santa. Did I mention that I haven't decorated. At all! This is not me. I usually have the entire house, outside and in, decorated. Like every surface is covered in something glittery, shiny, or twinkly.

But this year, I just haven't been into it. In 10 days, we are having our company Christmas party. I got to get moving on this stuff. I haven't even done 10% of my Christmas shopping. I know. I know people. 16 days until Christmas...

So I've been looking for some crafting inspiration. Especially, for the little ones. My Little Cousin J has LOVED everything "Snowman" since I can remember. Frosty is her guy. She will watch Frosty the Snowman...at least 100 times. That's between Thanksgiving and Christmas. After Christmas, they hide the movie from her!

She'll be 5 next month. And is now in Pre-K. So I've been hunting down a little something special for her. I wanted a little bag of some sort. Something she could carry with her. She likes to have little bags to stash her ice cream money, lipgloss, and special little toys. I did a quick search on Etsy, and look what I found...

A snowman purse! I about died. The cuteness alone, just got me. And honestly, this close to Christmas...with chemo and everything else we have going on...I should just buy it. But my Little Cousin J, she just adores when I make her stuff. :)

I think I can have this little gem, made in about a day. I'm thinking a purple "hat" with pink cheeks. Her two favorite colors. And maybe, if I have time, making a pink one for my pal Little J. I think these are so much fun! Better than the stockings, that I was going to write their names on. Bonus...I already have tons of treats to fill them with! Happy Tuesday! ❤

Crochet Inspiration 20: Olaf

Are you getting ready for Christmas? I decided, for a bunch of reasons, to make it a "Homemade Christmas" this year. Which I think my family, and friends, both enjoy. They get some "one of a kind" gifts. I get something to do, while my Dad is at chemo. And well, I just enjoy it so!

I'm sure, the little girls in my family, are no different than the ones in your family. Totally in love with everything Frozen! To be honest, I haven't even watch the movie. Does anyone want to lend it to me? No, for real. Just for a couple of hours. My 4 year old cousin, is refusing! I MUST go to her house to watch it. It's one of her most prized possessions. :)

Well, I've been doing some digging around. I've managed to crochet a few amigurumi sets of Elsa and Anna. But I've been looking for something a little more fun. And well, One Dog Woof, totally came through for me. Just this week, ChiWei posted this FREE pattern!

Isn't Olaf too cute?!?!?! I adore him! Like I said, I haven't seen the movie. All my knowledge of Frozen comes from the itty bitties in my life. :) But this little guy...I might be crocheting a dozen or so of these. For gifts. Maybe a few for our upcoming Craft Fair. I might even get one made for myself. We ONLY have 44 more days until Christmas!!! ❤

Crochet Inspiration 6: Alligator Pencil Case

It's the first week of August. Which means, school is just around the corner. And quite honestly, I'm not ready for that. And I don't even go to school anymore! I'm just dealing with my Dad's business. But we shall see what the new school year will bring us.

On the other hand, I know a group of kiddos, that is just dying for school to start! Especially, a sweet five year old. That is ready for kindergarten. And all the yellow school supplies you can find! ;)

Let's not forget, all things algenator (or in our words...alligator.) So this week's inspiration, is coming straight from little Miss M and her favorite animal...

 

A certain little Miss M, definitely deserves a new alligator pencil case. You know, just in time for the 1st day of Kindergarten. Which means, this Tia better get moving. Besides slow poke me, we have the USPS to deal with. And well, we surely can't be late! ❤