TOUCHDOWN!!!!!

Orders have been booming. Thanks again to all my devoted customers new and old! Here are the most recent sports teams out of the trunk:

Chicago Bears (my personal favorite!)

.... and the Dallas Cowboys (eh, they're alright... though I must admit the hat is super cute!)

Don't forget to check out my Facebook page for special discounts/offers/giveaways not always listed on my blog. We are working on getting to 100 FB fans for our next giveaway!

Green and Gold

 I have to preface this post by saying I AM A BEARS FAN.... However, I am also a business woman, and since lately Wisconsin sports have been paying my bills, I don't mind modeling the items! I had a family of women that wanted matching caps, so here's what is fresh out of the trunk.....

Want to sport your favorite teams colors?! I love custom orders, send me a message and I'll be happy to oblige.... or check out what's already listed at my shop to see if I have what you're looking for!

Brew Crew

I finally had a break in custom orders and was able to work on one of my own projects! I had envisioned this hat for some time for my little guy..... despite the fact that I am a Cubs fan, my husband is a Brewers fan (and I admit that I enjoy going to Brewers games too!). I am thrilled with how it turned out..... retro logo and  all! Now I know that it's my daughter who is modeling the hat, but my 2 year old son no longer holds still for more than 30 seconds so getting a good picture is nearly impossible..... but aside from the fact he isn't pictured wearing his new hat... he LOVED it!

I have also figured out how to make a Chicago Cubs Hat, Chicago Bears Hat, and Green Bay Packers Hat.... I'm pretty sure I could figure out some other teams too! 

Interested in ordering one?

0-12 mos: $15

Children: $17

Adults: $20

The pattern for the baseball cap (not the brewers logo design) was purchased from Etsy Shop Easy Creations.

Furry Giftset

A couple months back I made a pair of furry boots for a new customer who is expecting a baby girl in July! She loved them so much that her mom ordered a matching sweater and hat to go with as a shower gift.... Unlike the boots pictured above, this customer selected blingy/sparkley buttons to accessories her boots hence all the bling on the sweater and hat! LOVE how the items turned out.... and hoping the customer does too.

LEARN TO CROCHET.....

Are you new to crocheting or have never crocheted at all? 

Live in the Elgin, IL area? Like sipping wine, working with your hands, and making new friends?!

This post is for YOU!!!!!

Please Join us for:

CROCHET AND CABERNET

This beginners oriented lesson will be a three part session in hat making. You will be instructed on making a hat for an infant through adult. These sessions will instruct you how to crochet a basic hat, and will also instruct in accessorizing/personalizing the hat (adding flowers, or baseball stitching, buttons, etc.). 

I am hosting this out of my home, so the environment will be comfortable and intimate. However, space is limited so register now!

Once payment is received, I will send you a follow-up email with a list of supplies you will be needing as well as address information. Looking forward to seeing you there!!!!!

Hockey Giftset

I recently completed a custom order from a previous co-worker. I really just "pretend" to crochet since sewing is my passion, but since there is very limited craft items for hockey, (what's up with that?) I had to get creative! I mean seriously, no buttons, no fabric, no nhl licensed anything..... SO, this is what I came up with; The family she is gifting the items to are HUGE Nashville Predators fans, hence the colors. The baby is supposed to be born in March, so I made them to be a 6-12 month size so that he could enjoy them for next hockey season.

Free Patterns

Click on the pictures below to see the details on these fun patterns!

Favorite "How To" Links

Here is a listing of some of my favorite "how to" links. Click on the picture and have fun crafting!

Matching Cuteness!

Just finished these dresses and hairbows for two little cuties, who happen to by my nieces! That's right folks, it's January 9th and I have finally finished my Christmas presents. (don't judge.... I didn't exactly procrastinate, I was just saving the best presents for last!)

My little lady modeled the older sister's version.... and though I admit I tried the younger sister's dress on my little man to make sure I had the sizing right, I think my husband would have had more than a few words with me if I took pictures of him modeling it! 

Of course, every dress needs accessories.... The crochet caps can accompany the dresses for the cooler months, and the hair bows/barrettes for the warmer ones! I used pinwheels on the dress (since they wash well and won't unravel), but I found this awesome free "how to" for making the fabric flower barrettes... check it out!

Little Quarterback....

Found this pattern for a CUTE football hat..... AND had a new little football fan to gift it to (I love when I have an excuse to craft... not that I ever need one)! I thought the hat and shoes made a PERFECT set.

Giftsets

I apologize that my posting has been scarce... the Christmas season kept me busy crafting! My husband's family had a "creative" Christmas, meaning we each drew names and had to create that person a handmade item using no more than $15 in raw materials. I must say it was a fun and personal way to gift this Christmas! Here are our creations:

I made a kitchen giftset for my sister-in-law. It's not a great picture, BUT the set included 2 potholders, 3 coordinating towels, a ruffled/embroidered apron, and a fabric flower pin. (Her name is Naomi, but my kids have always called her Aunt Naomi-o)

 My husband made a calendar holder/organizer wall hanging for his sister. He loves woodworking, and I was amazed at how great it turned out!

For all of my nieces I made crochet flower hats with matching pillowcase dresses. They turned out really cute..... now I need to get working on one for my little lady since she was a bit disappointed that she didn't get one!

Homemade Christmas Hats

This year my husbands family is doing a "homemade Christmas".... basically we have to make a present for whomever's name we drew. There is a $15 max on material cost, which to me is a very reasonable out of pocket cost for a gift.

I SO appreciate this idea for several reasons: 1. I love any reason to craft.... 2. As a person trying to make an income selling home made items, I fully support the uniqueness and creativity that a home made gift offers..... and 3. It's so personal.... home made items require a little more thought and time than something you pick up at a store.... and 4. There are some freaking awesome (oh yes, I just said freaking awesome) ideas on pinterest!

Inspired by my friend Alana's amazing creations, I made some of my own. Here's a sneak peek at what I am making for my nieces (don't worry... they are far too little to use the computer on their own, so I'm not spoiling the surprise!)

 The flowers were really fun to make, check out the "how to" here! The Hat pattern is below:

I prefer to use Vanna's Choice Yarn. For a gauge: I used a "H" hook for an infant cap and a "K" hook for an adult cap, but I tent to have a tighter stitch!

Chain 5, join with a slip stitch to form ring
Round 1: Work 10 sc in ring, join with a slip stitch to first sc
Round 2: Chain 4. *1 dc in next sc, ch1 (repeat from * join with slip stitch to 3rd chain of chain 4)
Round 3: Chain 3. 1 dc in first ch1 space, *2dc in chain 1 space (repeat from * join to chain 3 with a slip stitch)
Round 4: Chain 3. 1 dc in space after chain 3 of round 3, *chain 1, 2 dc in next space, ch1 2 dc in next ch1 space of last round, ch 1, skip 1 dc from last round, 2 dc, repeat from * 3 more times. ch 1, 2 dc in next space, ch1, 2 dc in last space, ch1, slip stitch to top of chain 3.
Round 5: Chain 3. *2 dc in next chain 1 space, ch1 (repeat from * join to chain 3 with a slip stitch)
Round 6: Chain 3. 2 dc in next chain 1 space. [ch1, 2 dc in next ch1 space] twice, ch1, skip1dc, 2dc, ch1, 2 dc in next ch1 space (repeat from * 3 more times). [ch1, 2dc in next ch1 space] three times, ch1, join with slip stitch to top of chain 3.
Round 7: Chain 3, 2 dc in chain one space. *Ch1, 2 dc in next ch1 space (repeat from * around) join with slip stitch to top of chain 3.
Round 8: Chain 3, skip first 2 dc group, *2 dc in next ch1 space, ch1 (repeat from * around) join with slip stitch to top of chain 3.
Rounds 9-13: Repeat Round 8
Round 14: Chain 1, *sc in each of the next 2 dc, 2 sc in next ch1 space (repeat from *around) join with a slip stitch to first sc.
Round 15: Chain 2, 1 hdc in back string only of each sc around hat. Join and fasten off.

Make sure to weave your ends into the hat. (optional) Add flower by hand sewing on! Enjoy.