Piano Cocoon

This week I was sent a challenge...it was to make a piano themed baby cocoon. Here is my best attempt! It is super soft, double crochets, mostly with scalloped edges.

 

I used a rosey-pink yarn from "I Love This Yarn"

White and Black are both Vanna

 

I hook

 

The Cocoon is 15" Long, and 20" wide. I like them lose because you can always cinch it in the back with some ribbon for pictures. Getting a baby in a tight cocoon is like trying to put on jeans right after a shower. Inconventient.

 

The hat is my newborn size 12" wide x 5" deep.

 

Its pretty basic, but the pattern is coming. :)

 

Oh! and a quick shot of the back.

 

My Big Daisy - Crochet Pattern

Good morning!

I sense a great day in the making. I am surrounded by yarn, the school year is going smoothly, the baby grows more fun and independent every day...

I love an embellishment! What better than a great big daisy. This crochets up fast.

Yarn I Used:
 Red Heart for the White
I Love This Yarn (I do!) for the Yellow
Vanna for the Green
Oh! and a touch of Red Simply Soft for the ladybug in the center.

I Hook
Finished Size: 5" across.

Stitches used...lots of chains (ch), slip stitch (ss), single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc)

The Flower Center (Yellow): 12 dc in a magic circle. Slip stitch into the first dc and cinch the magic circle closed. Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing it onto the flower later.

The Petals (White):
-7 sc in a magic circle, ss into the first sc and cinch the magic circle closed.
-Ch 1 and two sc in each stitch (14), ss into first sc of the row.
-*ch 12 and then ss into next 2 chains of the circle*, repeat *-* 6 times.
-*dc 15 times in the next set of chains, ss into next ss after that set of chains* repeat *-* for the next 6 chain loops.
-Fasten off.

Leaves (Green):
chain 15, sc in second chain from hook, sc in next stitch, hdc 1 time into next 3 chains, dc into next 8 chains, dc 5 times into the next chain. This will work you around to the other side. dc into the next 8 chains (opposite side of the other 8 dc), hdc into the next 3 chains, sc into the next 2 chains, ss into the last chain and fasten off. work in tails.

Sew the leaves onto the petals with white yarn. Then sew the center onto the petals with yellow yarn. Then a quick sew of red on the yellow center for a ladybug...just for fun!

It would look cute on a hat, on the corner of a baby blanket, pin it to your shirt, Sew it on the side of a tote bag...I like to put crocheted flowers on Pickles leash when we go for walks. Have fun with it. :)

I am still new to pattern writing. As always, if you see anything odd or confusing, please let me know. :)

Homemade Bubblewands ...with beads!

Today I was outside with the boys while they were running around. I got up, grabbed some materials and made a beaded bubblewand!

 

 

 

 

What I'm Up To...

Happy End of the Summer!

I am in yarn heaven! So happy to be past the super hot part of the summer and I have been yarn shopping. Lots of projects on the hook this week.

I am working on a hat that sold on my Etsy page:

And a hot pink personalized baby blanket for a little girl due in November...I am putting together a fun hot pink package of fun baby stuff. I hoped to make it like my Ava blanket...but her name is alot longer so I may end up cross stitching the babys' name on after I crochet the blanket. I wont know for sure until I get to that point in the blanket. Here is a shot of my Ava blanket.

I am working on some moogle gloves for me.

2 Basic Mens Scarves

Izzy would like to be a dog for Halloween...so I will make him a puppy hat. 

I am working on some Thanksgiving dishcloths

I also have about 3 hat patterns on the way that I am very excited to share!

Its a busy week, here. :)

I did receive some pictures of my Hungry Caterpillar cocoon set in action! 

Could they be ANY cuter?? <3 ahhhh!

Do you have any projects underway? 

Fall Handmade Love Blog Hop!

I am taking part in an amazing blog hop for handmade sellers. I love handmade items. They are so personal and the idea of contributing directly to a person (as opposed to a corporation) is really charming to me. When you buy handmade it feels like you are forming a friendship. There are many reasons why people buy handmade. What are yours?

This is a contest. If you win the grand prize you will receive everything listed below (worth over $300)! Good luck :)

• AI2 Cloth diaper from Green Grizls
• Boogie Bear Creations Nighttime Cloth Diaper
• Lil Montner Mama Cloth Set
• AI2 Cloth diaper from 4oh5 Fluff
• Organic Bonnet from Bonnet Friend
• Set of Cloth Wipes & Detergent from Tender Bottoms
• Natural Deodorant from Live Beautifully
• Hybrid Fitted Cloth diaper from Silly Bear Handmade 
• Bar of Soap from Bmbyx
• Original Artwork from NJoyArt
• GPS Bracelet from Motherhood Journey
• Fabric Lowercase ABC's from The Crunchy Farm Baby Shop
• Evil Eye Baby Bell Necklace from SariBlue
• $30 Credit to Babycake Boutique
• Hello Kitty Drawstring Bag from Hoppy Mama's Creation
• $25 GC to Vagabond Studio Etsy

You can gain extra entries by going to the other participating blogs and entering today! Have fun!!!

The fine print:

Facebook is in no way affiliated with this contest. Please note that Going Green with the Grizls, The Vagabond Studio, Eight Days a Weeks and all other bloggers participating in the Fall in Love with Handmade Giveaway Hop are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. We will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 4-6 weeks for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you.

Review: Perfect Food Raw Drink Mix

Today I was at Sprouts and found a chocolate flavored greens drink mix...Raw even! Had to try it. I like chocolate a little bit. :)

It is Garden of Life brand Perfect Food Raw Oraganic Green Superfood in Chocolate!

I was really excited that I didn't have to buy an entire canister just to test it. I just bought one packet. 

 I mixed it with a cup of water and lots of ice. The taste was not so bad. The smell bugged me. But a straw took care of that. I do not think I would add this to my morning smoothie. But, it is MUCH preferable over my plain flavored greens drink.

And pretty, too! LOL

I would like to note that when I drink a green superfood shake in the afternoon I do not crave my 3 o'clock coffee. It gets me through my evening rush beautifully without the urge to snack while I am making dinner. Which makes the ugliest muck look beautiful to me! 

Take care,
Mel 

Crocheted Trim on My Dishtowels

Today I saw a project that I just HAD to undertake. Pretty mercerized cotton trim on dishtowels. I went with plain white towels and a rich blue cotton yarn. I am really pleased with how they turned out!

I got the pattern from this months issue of Crochet Today (Sept/Oct 2012).

Did anyone else get this magazine? I will be doing several of the projects inside.

Melody