Toddler Cotton Beanie

I crocheted this flower cap out of cotton yarn for the summer. I love the bright colors! It is created to fit a little girl that is 1-2 years old. Without the flower this makes a really nice beanie for a baby boy. 

J Hook and Lily Sugar 'N Cream Yarn

17" Around and 7" deep

Hat:

Row 1: 8 HDC in a magic Circle (8)

Row 2: 2HDC in each stitch around (16)

Row 3: HDC around, increasing in Every other stitch (24)

Row 4: HDC Around, increasing in every 3rd stitch (32)

Row 5: HDC Around, increasing in every 4th stithc(40)

Row 6: HDC around, increasing in every 5th stitch (48)

Row 7-14: HDC around (48), fasten off

Change color, attach near where you just fastened off. chain 1, REVERSE SC around(48), slip stitch and fasten off.

For the flowers I use a magic circle and work allllll of the flower petals into the magic circle and then cinch it closed. 

Large back flower, use K Hook

In magic circle, *ch 2, dc, tc, dc, c3, ss into the magic circle* repeat * to * 4 times to form 5 petals. ch 1, cinch magic circle tight (it won't close and that is ok...the gap will be covered up and actually makes the sewing a bit easier), fasten off. 

Smaller flower, use J Hook and repeat the instructions for the large flower. 

Center of the flower, in magic circle, HDC 8 times, cinch closed tightly. Fasten off, leave a long tail and use that to sew the flower on to the hat with a yarn needle.

Fourth of July Newborn Beanie

Good morning!

I dug out my basket of cotton yarn and played yesterday. I had a really good time thinking of what colors to use and what patterns to make.

Cotton Sun Hat for NB-3 months 13" wide and 5.5" deep

K hook, Lily Sugar and Cream Yarn, Slipstitch, Chain 2 at the end of each row.

Row 1: 10DC in a magic circle(10)

Row two: *4 DC in same stitch as chain. skip two stitches*. Repeat * to * 4 more times. (20) 

Row 3: DC around increasing every over stitch (30)

Row 4: DC around increasing every 3rd stitch (40)

Row 5-8: DC around (40), 

Change to J Hook, Slip stitch, ch 1

Row 9. SC around (40) fasten off

I cut out a star from some blue felt and hand sewed it on the hat using crossstitch thread and a metal embroidery needle. I used to glue felt on my hats, but the corners raised up. Now I sew everything on. 

Pickles

We adopted a dog two weeks ago at the local shelter here in Riverside, California. I had taken my husband and the boys several times and we just could not find the right fit for us. We wanted a large dog, but needed someone mellow. I was really leaning toward a girl and older. We just went through the puppy period with our Cheweenie, Hunter, and I did not want to start over from scratch.

We visited the shelter three weekends ago and didn't find our fit. But, something made me drag the boys back the very next day. That is when I saw her. My Pickles.

She is just a doll! Mellow, sweet, snuggly...60lbs of black lab love with a fluffy coat and big brown eyes. They said she was about three years old (a vet visit the next day confirmed her closer to five or six years old, fine by us!). They said she was brought in by someone that claimed her to have just walked up to their door. Maybe. But, she does not have the spirit of a dog that would run away.

The vet said it does not look like she had ever been walked. She was 10lbs overweight and had no wear on her hips at all. She is great on a leash, though! We were given the go ahead to walk (and some antibiotics for kennel cough - poor baby!). In an effort to take the weight off I have been monitoring how much she eats. We divided her portions up into two meals a day so that she can eat with our skinny, Hunter. And the goal is two good walks a day. She loves it...and adores a car ride. Sometimes we can't get her out of the car. It is the only disobedience that we have seen in her so far. She is getting better now that she realizes she will be getting a lot of car rides around here.

This evening we took a little walk in a nearby neighborhood. I snapped some pics! Everyone says she is looking a million times better, healthier, stronger and thinner around the middle ;).

We set out down the block...

Pickles wore her leopard and blue bow this evening. 

 It is so awesome that these are popping up around the city!

Moon popped out while we were walking.

 Mama Duck had a big family this year. 

 More walking. 

 Kissy Break

 Finally the shade! This made Pickles very happy. 

 Happy enough to stop and smell some flowers. 

Time to go home. <3 My baby girl. 

The One Day Toddler Room Makeover

I have procrastinated for a year. I have wanted to paint a mural on Izzys wall and even penciled it out months and months ago. I bought the paint shortly after that and it has sat in my craftroom every since. But, yesterday at naptime I just went for it...

Before:

*hangs head* Aweful, I know. But, in my defense he doesn't sleep in here and rarely plays in here. Its more of an extension of my craft shop and a place we hold Izzys clothes.

One naptime + 10 painty fingers later (heheh weekly nail?):

After naptime:

Then he went to bed for the night and I painted his furniture to match: 

I painted his entertainment center, his bed and the shelves on the wall to the far left. I am really happy with how it turned out. Not bad for one day! Now I get to go choose some fabric for his bedding and curtains. 

Swap Package

I love to crochet...but I can only crochet so many things for my boys. So, swaps are amazing. You get a partner and send yarn related and handmade gifts all through the year. I received a beautiful package just the other day! I am so in love. The bag! the lavender! It could not be better suited to me!

Its the worst picture ever taken of the best stuff!!! Love the colors. The bag is purple, fushia and teal green. The little baggies are filled with lavender from a nearby farm. She sent simply soft and cotton yarn. There are two packs of quilting cottong...adorable prints :) A lovely lavender (Its my favorite) candle. She also sent the cutest little bottles of red and purple buttons and a lovely card. I could not be more pleased!

I made this purple rhinestone adorned bow holder for my dog (who gets to be the daughter I never had). She looks so pretty in the bows and flowers I am making her! 

I used the typical unfinished door hanger that you can find in any craftstore. I painted it a special mix of purple and white acrylic patin. I used rhinestone letter stickers I had from making my "Crunk Cup" last year. Then I decorated it with glitter glue and more rhinestone stickers. For the hanging ribbons I took account that I will not be hanging anything too heavy and took advantage of that to save time. I used chiffon sheer 3/4" ribbon, cut two 2 foot lengths and just glued it on the back of the holder with plain craft glue. If it needed to be stronger I would have hot glue'd it. :)

Still have some bows in the making...I need to attach the alligator clips that I just bought. 

I got the idea for the fabric flower in a book that I won online! I was so excited and will be reviewing it very soon once I complete a few more projects. It is called "Mend It Better"

Personalized Wool Soakers

Last nights project was a quick and simple one. I did not use a pattern and really hopes it fits nicely (I'll update)...but its a little wool soaker for baby Archer. He is due to arrive on or before 3 weeks from now!!! 

Here is a brief rundown on how I made it. Please let me know if any of it any of it seems botched. :) I am always open to suggestions, too. I did not cloth diaper my boys so I am not very familiar with this. More than anything its for adorable pictures. I hope she gets some use out of it, too. But, I just cannot wait to see it on him.


F Hook
Sensations Wool Yarn (thinnish, has the feel of sport weight yarn...any thicker and I cant do the lettering)
ch 75,
1-27) sc in each stitch for 27 rows (letters were done in rows 13-17) (working in the round) (75)
28) sc in next 16 stitches, turn (16)
29) decrease1, sc 12, decrease1 turn (14)
30-42) sc across (14) turn
43) Increase1, sc 12, increase1 (16)

Sew or slip stitch row 43 to the center of the opposite side of row 27 to form what looks like a soaker. fasten off.
SC around the waistband and legs to finish.
With same or complimenting color ch 75, fasten off. 5

Weekly Nail

Turquoise with random buttery yellow polka dots. I used a toothpick.

I am loving it! Had a little chip on my index finger at the waterpark after hours and of lazing in the "Lazy River" at Soak City with a toddler on my tummy. But, it is a quick fix. There is something very magical about Wet N Wilds "I Need a Refresh-Mint". Just looking at it makes me extremely happy!

Make My Own Laundry Detergent

I love to keep busy and when I found out that I was stuck at home because I sent all of the cards off to work with my husband this morning I felt a little stuck. My to-do list was centered outside of the home. But, it turned into a really nice homebody kind of day!

I made detergent...

I adapted a simple recipe after making Mama Duggars recipe a few times. By adapted I mean that I have pushed the bill making it lazier and lazier each time. I am just waiting for this recipe to fail somehow because of my laziness. But no...as laidback as I have gotten about it the stuff just keeps impressing me with its cleaning abilities and fresh scent. I use the same amount of it as I would any other detergent. I fill it to the line on the cap.

Stock Pot
6 c water
1/4 of a bar of Fels Naptha grated as small as your grater will grate.  (Walmart)
1/2 c of borax (Walmart)
1/2 c Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (I have seen it at some Walmarts...but I have to go to Ace Hardware for mine locally. Fortunately that box has lasted for over a year of making this recipe)
About 3 large empty detergent bottles
Warm Tap Water to fill up the bottles after you have added your detergent concentrate.

Put the water in the pot, turn on the heat medium/high. Add the grated soap. Stir until the soap is dissolved. Let it come almost to a boil. Turn off the heat. Add the borax and the washing soda to the pot and stir until it is mixed.

I then add it to my bottles using a glass measuring cup.

Top off the bottles with warm water straight from the tap. Replace the cap and give it a little shake to mix. Ready to use!

Some tips I have learned along the way...

1) I keep my bar of Fels Naptha out of the bag and package...the more dried out the get the easier it is to grate.

2) Saving money is great...but we use this because it is the best detergent I have found on my husbands CRAZY dirty work clothes. It doesn't get them back to perfect, but its the best they have come out.

3) I don't let it cure. And my detergent can be lumpy. But, the lumps have never given me an issue. But, *whines* the curing took over a day.

4) Give the detergent a little shake before you add it to your washer.

5) Some people use a bucket. I found it messy and the ladel kept slipping to the bottom of the bucket. Lots of dripping. I really love having my old detergent bottles to refill with this recipe. It makes ALOT.

6) We have the largest washer and at full capacity I still just use a cap full like I would regular detergent. Works fine.

7) We love the smell of this stuff! Without anything added. Felz Naptha is very pleasant and clean smelling. Not flowery, manly, musky, springy...just nice and clean.

8) If you are looking for a laundry booster for tougher than average load...just adding some Borax is a GREAT idea.

Ninja Kitty approves of the detergent 100%. She has been asleep on this sheet in the breeze of the window all afternoon.


Then I painted! I am loving reteaching my hands how to paint! I like to find word art I love on Pinterest and copying it. Its a great way to retrain and resteady my hand! Naptime Fun!

The Crocheted Hobo Bag!

I love this pattern. I have made four of them and the people who you give them to always love them! I always tweak the pattern in one way or another. This time I made it slightly thinner than it was called for. This one was royal blue (I used I Love This Yarn...it takes about 3/4 of a skein). I lined it with a soft white muslin to show off the crochet stitches and help it to maintain its shape. I wanted a pop of color so I used a limey-green ribbon. But the ribbon is interchangeable.

Here it is!

And here is a link to the lovely person that shared the pattern with the world!

Nail Guides

I used nail guides for the first time today...I had to have them after reading about them on The Dainty Squid whose blog and style I love...did I mention she is adorable!? But she mentioned nail guides. They look like this...

Thank you Born Pretty! :)

For those of us that do not like to have to choose just one nailpolish color for the week and refuse to be forced to these are a dream come true. Freehand works, but this is alot cleaner looking. The Dainty Squid is a pro with them. This was my first time and I know that next time I will be looking top notch, too. Because I figured out a few things that will help me!

Next time I use Nail Guides I will...

1) Have a pair of tweezers with me to remove the stickers from my nails so that I do not ruin the tips trying to take the stickers off. 

2. Have an orangewood stick with me to press down the corners of the nail guides into the crevices on the edges of my fingernails. 

Aside from not having these items I was golden. But the edges of my nails are not as defined as I would like and the tips are a little gloppy because I used my fingertips to remove the stickers before the edges were dry. I know better than to wait for the polish to dry before removing the stickers and then applying topcoat.

Next time I will be ready!!!

The Colors:

Wet 'N Wild "Through the Grapevine"

Essence Colour & Go "Walk on Air"

Sally Hansen Insta Dri