Quilt of Many Colors

I have a bit of a yarn problem. Every time I walk into a craft store, I buy yarn. Sometimes I need yarn for a project or special order, but a lot of times I don't need any yarn, I just like buying it. My stash is pretty substantial. I have every color, in multiple shades and textures. I don't need anymore yarn, but I can't seem to stop buying it.

So, obviously, one of my New Year's resolutions was to not buy any new yarn for a year, unless I needed something for a special order. In addition to not buying anymore yarn, I also challenged myself to use up some of my stash on as many projects as I could.

It's mid-May and I have only bought 3 or 4 skeins of yarn all year (this is huge for me). I needed this yarn to complete a baby blanket for our newest baby niece. I am so proud! When I feel a creative surge, I shop my stash instead. It feels good to save my cash and use up what I already own.

One of my favorite things I've ever made is this quilt of many colors. I started it back in February and worked on it a little every night. I ran out of yarn on a few rows and had to go searching through the girls' accessories to disassemble hats and baby sweaters to complete it. I really wanted to finish this quilt without purchasing any new yarn and except for buying new green, I did!

I love how it turned out. It's colorful, soft, and a great kid-sized blanket. You can check it out here.

Handmade

I make things. I can sew and crochet and through these hobbies, I make lots of things. When I'm invited to a baby shower, you can guarantee I will be giving handmade gifts.

I give a lot of baby blankets.

Hats.

Headbands.

Burp cloths.

And onesies. See? I make lots of things.

My new favorite baby shower gift is bibs. I make them with soft, thick fleece backing and funky prints.

I always feel a bit nervous when giving someone a handmade gift. Will they think it's too cheap or old-fashioned? Do they even like crocheted hats or appliqued onesies? Turns out, most people love one of a kind gifts.

We had a surprise baby shower for my sweet friend a few weeks ago and I went back and forth on purchasing a gift or making one. I ended up doing both, but the handmade gifts were definite favorites. That made me feel really happy.

I love making stuff, but I really love making stuff that people love. Consider buying a handmade gift for your next baby shower here.

Valentine's Day Hat

With Valentine's Day around the corner, I wanted to make a sweet hat for the girls. I came up with this little ditty:

Check out that pretty model! 

Just for you, I'm offering 25% off my Etsy shop with the code BLOGLOVE. Order your little Valentine something sweet!

Shameless Plug

I've been busy working on new styles of crocheted goodies for my Etsy shop and thought it would be nice to offer a little sale on the items already listed.

 

Any 2 hats for $25. You pick the colors, sizes, and styles. (And if you don't like the options listed in my shop, message me thru Etsy and we can work something out that suits you). This would be a great way to start your holiday shopping! Check out the sale here!

A Must Have This Christmas

Have you completed all of your holiday shopping? I am a few stocking stuffers away from being D.O.N.E. done. I have been crocheting and sewing the girls some gifts and my nimble little fingers are surprisingly still attached and fully functioning. And because of that, I am taking this opportunity to direct your attention to my humble little Etsy shop. I may have just what you're looking for for that special someone that has everything.

Like babies. Babies don't need gift cards or beard trimming kits or fancy perfume. What they do need is accessories. Like this hat!

And what about that man in your life who is struggling with facial hair. Maybe his employer won't let him grow any or maybe his beard is thin and patchy. I have the perfect solution! The bearded hat is what he needs to feel like a real man's man.

Let's not forget the kids. Do they really need another gaming device or toy? Probably not. They do however, need to keep their heads and ears warm. This pretty little number ought to do the trick.

There are plenty of options in my shop for everyone on your shopping list. Check me out! Oh and you should probably order by midnight on Friday if you want to receive anything by Christmas. These nimble little fingers are only capable of so much.

Etsy Sale

My little Etsy shop is having a sale. Enter SPRINGFORWARD upon checking out and receive 20% your entire order for a limited time. Happy shopping!

T-Minus 5 Days

With only 5 more days until Christmas, I am happy to say that I only have a few gifts left to purchase, wrap, and place under the tree before I am ready for Christmas 2010. I have been wrapping as I go so I don't find myself staying up late and overwhelmed on Christmas Eve. We had these gift tags made the first Christmas that we had our Kittyboy. I found them to use this year. Hello Dil-bil-skil-skil-skil. 

The best part? I have done all of my shopping like this.

Internet shopping may be the best invention since, well, the internet. It is necessary when you have a small child. Beatrice is happy to be hauled in and out of 2 stores. 3 tops. But once I start loading and unloading her in and out of her car seat several times in a row, she protests. Plus she really likes to touch everything at the stores. Most times while shopping, I look down at her in the stroller clutching 3 or 4 items that have been dragging the ground for quite some time. She and the store clerks alike get pretty upset when I have to put them back. So having the convenience to do all of my shopping on my couch while she snoozes has been wonderful. I highly recommend it. The last few things on my list will have to be actually shopped for, but I'm pretty proud that I have not had to get out once this Season to brave the crowds. And the wintry weather.

A few things on my list this year: this, this, and especially this. I really don't need anything. When we cleaned out my closet last month to get our place on the market, I counted 27 pairs of jeans, 30 dresses, 15 sweaters, and over 100 tops. That doesn't include t-shirts, sweatshirts, or long-sleeved tees. I have enough stuff.

My favorite gifts so far are the ones that I have crocheted for my family. I cannot wait to post them later in the week. It is some of the dumbest/awesome-est stuff I've ever made. I know awesome-est isn't a word, but I like the way it sounds so I'm using it. You can make up words when you have a blog. 


T-minus 5 days until the big day, folks. I think today is the last day to get guaranteed shipping by Christmas Eve on your internet shopping so get on it. Amazon.com is your friend.

A Thankful Giveaway

Every now and then, I crochet some things for craft fairs. I make a bazillion hats and hope that they all sell, otherwise I have a bazillion hats lying around. There was a fair this past weekend and I sold several, however got stuck with some Christmas pom hats. I just proofread this as "Christmas PORN hats." I guarantee you I have never made Christmas porn anything. Especially not hats. These:

Since it is Thanksgiving week and I'm feeling generous, I am giving away one of these festive POM hats to a random commenter. If you want to enter twice, like me on Facebook (look at the top right of the sidebar) and leave a comment telling me that you did. Although probably not as fun as porn hats (whatever those are), these Christmas hats will look awfully cute on a little (or big) head this holiday. I will draw a winner via random.org on Thanksgiving Day.

Sparkly

Every now and then, I catch the crafty fever and cannot crochet/make stuff enough. That is what happened to me this week. I have been working on new patterns and fulfilling new orders. It is so fun, but I have neglected some things, the blog included. I am going to make a tab up there under the header to display the things I have made and things that are for sale in my Etsy shop.

Here are a few of my latest creations.

Diaper cover:

Bomber hat:

Newsboy cap:

There are several other winter hat designs and an afghan for Beatrice's birthday that I am working on too. Needless to say, there is a lot of yarn around here. I've decided with Christmas around the corner, (3 months from tomorrow) I am gearing up to mass produce my little hats and things to make some extra cash. And the first thing I'm gonna buy are these. To match Beatrice's first pair of shoes bought this week.

Happy Friday!

I'm a Winner

This is a transcript of a phone conversation I had yesterday with a friend:

Jamie: I am such a nerd. I have been staying up late reading a new book. All I want to do these days is read.
Me: I have been staying up late crocheting under a blanket with the cat on my lap.
Jamie: You win.


Sigh. I have been crocheting a lot this week. My Etsy shop has received many new orders so I have been busy filling them. This is what I wanted when I opened my shop: orders. But now I am so nervous about making items for strangers. I keep checking and double checking my work to make sure there aren't any mistakes.

I have sold beanies before but always to Facebook friends or family members. Somehow selling things to people I know is not as intimidating as selling to a stranger.

I've been working on some new patterns too.

This is my rugby striped beanie with floppy flower.

Check out my shop for new designs, coming soon!

I Like To Make Things

Beatrice has a tiny head. Like, a 10th percentile head. Being born in the winter required head coverage. This posed several problems for a tiny-headed baby. All of the store-bought hats and bonnets were way too big for her little noggin. So I scoured the mecca of handmade goods for a custom fit: Etsy! I found so many beautiful crocheted hats and beanies that could be custom made to fit my baby's wee little dome. 
Photo by Sara Rose Photography






















I ordered one and it fit her tiny head perfectly and was super cute. The more I studied it, the more I decided that I could make a crocheted hat too. My grandmother taught me how to crochet a few years back so I figured it would be like riding a bike. All I needed was a little practice and it would all come back to me......


I bought a book and some yarn and attempted my first baby beanie. I proudly told EVERYONE that I would be making handmade hats in hopes that the orders would come flowing in. I just knew that I would be successful at it. I was a little rusty in my technique, but I had all the confidence in the world. 


My first hat was completed at my mom's house. I announced to my family to come check out the big reveal.....
 

If you haven't figured it out, it wasn't supposed to look like that. It was so tiny and skewed, I was totally embarrassed. And a little defeated. Poor Beatrice looked like a cone head in that stupid hat. I was so confident that I could make a hat. One that actually resembled a hat. I was determined. 

I began watching Youtube videos and tried some new patterns and lo and behold, I kind of got a knack for crocheting. I can make all sorts of hats, booties, blankies, and headbands (after many mess ups).It helps to have a little model available at all times. 

I finally mastered the flower beanie. I am now working on learning new stitches and working on my own patterns. I opened an Etsy shop. It's fun. I've come a long way.