More Slippers and an Owl Purse

Today is post #99! Tomorrow is the big day. Don't forget to enter my 100 posts giveaway! You have until tomorrow afternoon since most of my posts are written in the evening. Good luck!

Nothing too exciting going on around here. I finished my dad's slippers.

The colors are Carrot and Black.
I made two pairs of slippers for friends for Christmas.

These are Claret and Orchid.

These are Black and Pretty 'N Pink.
All of them were made with Red Heart Super Saver yarn. The pattern can be found here.
I also made an owl purse for my neighbor's 4-year-old daughter.

I used scrap yarn so I'm not sure what colors and brands are in there. It was pretty simple to make, but I was surprised at how small it came out. That's a size K hook next to it. I'd like to make one for my niece who's 10, but I think I'll make it with a bigger hook. The pattern can be found here.

Today's Inspiration

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Blessings :-)

The Monkeys are Finally Done!

This is post number 98! Don't forget to enter my 100 posts giveaway!

They're finally done! Those monkey cozies took a lot longer to assemble than we thought they would.
First, we had to sew on the eyes.

We had to stitch the mouths and nostrils on the muzzles, then stuff the muzzles and sew them to the bodies.

Finally, we had to sew on the ears.
And, ta da!

All 25 monkey cozies were delivered to the church group. They loved them! Now, please don't mention the words "sock monkey" to me for a long time!

Today's Inspiration

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Blessings :-)

Senseless Tragedy

We remember and pray for the residents of Newtown, Connecticut. What a senseless tragedy.

Trading Crochet for Cookies

This is post number 96! Don't forget to enter my 100 posts giveaway!

I put the crochet hook down for this afternoon to make some cookies. We were having a cookie exchange at our ladies night.

I made Red Velvet Cookies with cream cheese icing.

There are lots of good recipes online for these, but I use the one from Joanne Fluke's murder mystery, Red Velvet Cupcake Mystery. 

Because of the icing, I didn't want to put them in sandwich bags to hand out. Then I remembered the containers I bought on clearance after Christmas at Walmart.

These were the smaller of three containers I got for $1.50. They each held 6 cookies perfectly.

But they looked a little drab. So I added a bow.

Better, but still not good enough. So I quickly crocheted six little snowflakes

and attached one to each container.

Perfect! It's not often I get that detailed on the packaging. The little craft gremlin grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go!

We had a great party at ladies night; we had the cookie exchange, exchanged gifts, and then started working on sock monkey cozies. We got the eyes, mouths, and nostrils done before I left. They were going to stuff the muzzles and sew them on and sew on the ears. Then they'll be done! I'll post a picture as soon as I get it.

It's almost 2 in the morning where I am. I'm going to bed. Good night!
Thanks for reading!
Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

WIP Wednesday

Today is post number 95! Don't forget to enter my 100 posts giveaway!

I've made some progress this week.

I finished the slippers for my friends' kids. These are made with Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Buff and Camouflage.

I started my dad's slippers. Same yarn in Carrot and Black.
I finished the potholders but forgot to take a picture before I wrapped them.

I finished the monkey ears. We still have 6 "bodies" to make before we can assemble them tomorrow and Friday.
Just keep crocheting, just keep crocheting... (If you haven't seen Finding Nemo, that doesn't make sense.)

Today's Inspiration

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Blessings :-)

Two Tuesday

Two Things I'm Grateful For

1. Time alone. I love homeschooling, but that means I'm with my daughter, Hope, almost all the time. She started babysitting the little neighbor girl a couple of weeks agos for a couple of hours a day.  Those two hours are my quiet me time. I play on the computer, watch TV, crochet, whatever I want, as long as it's not housework. It's peaceful and quiet :-)

2. Free crochet patterns. I have no problem buying patterns and respect those who have them for sale. Everyone has to make a living. But I especially love finding free patterns on the web. A big thank you to all those pattern designers out there who share their creations with the rest of us. 

Two Patterns I Think are Neat

I'm an owl fanatic, so in case there are any more out there, here are a couple of cute owls you could whip up in time for Christmas.

This adorable purse pattern can be found on Mama G's Big Crafty Blog.

The pattern for these cute little guys can be found on Hopscotch Lane.

Speaking of giving credit where credit is due, I forgot to post the links to the patterns for all the items I've been making and posting pictures of.

Slipper sock pattern can be found here.

Pot holder pattern can be found here.

Monkey cozy pattern can be found here.

Yo Yo blanket pattern can be found here.

Good luck to everyone who's entered my giveaway so far! If you haven't had a chance, you still have a few days to become a follower of my blog (if you're not already) and leave a comment on this post.

Today's Inspiration

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Blessings :-)

100 Posts Giveaway

I can't believe I have almost 100 posts! To celebrate this occasion (which should happen early to mid-next week) I'm having a giveaway.

You'll have your choice of prize:

Prize #1

Two washcloths made with Sugar N Cream cotton yarn in Melonberry.

Prize #2

Ladies slipper socks (fits sizes 5-10) made with Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Candy Print and Amethyst.

Prize #3

Baby booties (should* fit sizes 9-12 months) made with Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Pink Camo.

*I say "should" because I'm going by the pattern only; I don't have any babies to test them on.

The giveaway is open from now until the day I make my 100th post. I'll do a random drawing on that day and you'll have one week to claim your prize.

Here's how to enter:

1. Be a follower of my blog.

2. Let me know which prize you like.

That's it! As a bonus, if you mention my giveaway on your blog and leave me the link, you'll get an extra entry in the drawing box!

Good luck to everyone!

Today's Inspiration

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Blessings :-)

Crocheting Fiend

I've been up to my ears in crochet projects the last week and haven't lifted my head from the hook long enough to even glance at the computer.

It started innocently enough: I wanted to make presents for a few friends. Nothing big, just little things. You saw the scarves. All I needed to make was a pair of slippers and a couple of pot holders.

Simple enough. But then I started adding names to the list. Not too many; just 5 more. To make it simple, they're all getting slippers. I have the yarn all ready.

So, one potholder to finish by Thursday (our ladies' night) and 5 pairs of slippers by Christmas. All my blanket projects are on the back burner until after Christmas. The only one I'd like to finish by Christmas is the yo yo.

I still have a ways to go, so this may be a late Christmas gift. 

So, I was a little busy but not too bad. Then my friend asked if I would make slippers for her kids for Christmas if she bought the yarn. She's a good friend and I've watched her kids grow up, so I said yes.

Two pairs for the girls.

And yarn ready for the two pairs for the boys. 

Then another friend decided she wanted to make sock monkey cozies for her church group. All 26 of them. She's a beginning crocheter so another friend and I offered to help. I was going to make the ears, one was going to make the muzzles, and one was going to make the bodies. 

We made 9 last week. My friend made 8 this weekend. I made these 4 and added the pink to the fifth one today. I have four more to make by Wednesday (just the dark brown parts). Then we have to sew on all the little parts to, hopefully, be done by Saturday.

Tim says I need to learn how to say no, but how can I when they're my friends? I love making all these projects, but when you throw in teaching school, Christmas shopping, and work, I'm a little overwhelmed. 

But it will all get done in time. I'm confident :-)

Today's Inspiration

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Blessings :-)

Another Scarf and More Christmas Cards

I made another Seashells Scarf, the last one I need to make for Christmas.

At first, I didn't like the Plum Pudding, but the colors looked a lot richer when I added the white border.

I also finished the last of my Christmas cards today. I had missed one of the classes but was able to make it up tonight.

Both are very simple designs, but with the 3D elements, they're very nice. Now that I have all 60 done, it's time to mail them.

Today's Inspiration

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Blessings :-)

WIP Wednesday

Here's my crochet progress over the last week:

I'm plugging along with the granny stripe afghan. I try to add two rows a day. It's not a gift for anyone right now, so it's low priority.

I'm almost done with the Drop in the Pond lapghan. This one is really fun; I highly recommend it.
I haven't made any discernible difference in the 2nd yo yo blanket or the polka dot afghan so I don't have any pictures of those.

I did make another scarf, though. This is the Cascade scarf. It's very pretty and I like how it turned out.

Today's Inspiration

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Blessings :-)

Two Tuesday

Two things I'm grateful for:

1. Goodies in the mail. I ordered some Melonberry and Sunshine Print yarn from Red Heart (two colors I can't find in any store), and they arrived yesterday. The fun part now is figuring out what to make with them.

2. Simple projects that can be made in a couple of hours. I love making afghans, but the monotony can wear on the nerves. I took a break from big projects last night and made this scarf in about 3 hours. The pattern can be found here. Unlike the pattern, I used regular weight yarn and a G hook.

Two patterns I think are neat:

1. Tis the Season Throw from the Red Heart website.

2. Cascade Scarf from the blog A Little Slice of Life.

Today's Inspiration

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Blessings :-)