Happy May Day!

Happy May Day! I just enjoy May Day. Mostly because I get to surprise the people I love, with little gifts. For the last 11 years,  I've left my neighbors a little something sweet. Just to let them know, I'm thinking of them. And friends generally get some yummy baked goodies. My Goddaughters, well that get a little flowery treat.

But I also enjoy May Day, because it brings us further into the growing season. Generally speaking, the flowers have been blooming for weeks here. And the heat, well it's definitely on the rise. May just brings so many wonderful things with it. Especially, the end of the Spring Semester. :)

Oh, and I found this picture. I just adore these little flowers. I think in a color palette of 3 or 5 colors, this could make a fun summer throw. Where is this pattern from? Because honestly, I want to work on this during May! :)

Where Did Hoppy Chick Go?

I'm attempting to start my Easter craft projects. The little goodies, that I give to my Goddaughters. I knew immediately, what I wanted to make. For me, that's saying a lot. I usually spend, weeks trying to find the perfect project. But not this year.

You see, about 2 years ago, I found Hoppy Chick. The cutest little chick, that was dressed up for Easter. That year, I made 4 or 5. Gave them to a few kids in the hospital. And I figured, that I'd make a few more this year. Not just for my Goddaughters, but for the kids in the hospital. I love to make them things. It brings a little something special to their day. :)

Well, I went to search down the pattern. Since I had originally worked on Hoppy Chick, we moved hospitals. So I didn't find it, in my file at work. In fact, I still need to finish unpacking my boxes! :/ We've been here a few weeks, and those boxes...well I hate looking at them! Then I took to searching my jump drives. No luck! My laptop, well she burnt out, about 18 months ago.

That only left one option. The internet. There's not much that I know about this pattern. Other than, it's an amigurumi chick. Super cute! Extremely easy to make. At the time, it was a free pattern. And it's name is Hoppy Chick!

Ain't she a beauty? Now you can see why, I want to make it again. But I can't find the pattern. Somehow, I saved this picture on a jump drive. The pattern? I don't have a clue where I saved it to! I've searched everywhere! Every place I can think, on the internet. But I keep coming up empty handed.

Do you have any clue, where I can find Hoppy Chick? I'm willing to buy the pattern. Like I said, at the time, it was a free pattern. But with many designers these days, taking popular free patterns of theirs, and deleting the posts. To then sell the patterns...I understand! I just want the pattern. I have 5 little girls at the hospital, that are begging for their very own Hoppy Chick. And I can't let them down!

Bunny Fun!

Are you like me? You have a wreath for every holiday. An actual coat closet full, of "door accessories?" I can't lie. Wreaths are my weak point. If I see them on clearance, it's hard to walk away. And I'm always looking for new ideas.

I've tried almost everything that's out there! No lie! I guess, I doesn't hurt, that I have 5 doors, leading outside. It makes me feel, like I can continue to add to my collection. :)

So what do you get, when you have a wreath form, bunny ears, and a few white boas? Well, a bunny wreath! I found this picture, on Google. And it has me jumping of my seat, excited!!!

I've got a Hobby Lobby coupon in hand. And I can't wait, to make my own bunny wreath. I know. I already have 4 Easter wreaths. But this little guy, is just too cute, to pass up! What do you think?

A Story About a Sewing Machine

I got my first sewing machine, when I was in elementary school. I wanted to sew. But I'm positive, my Mom didn't want to teach her small child, how to sew on her expensive sewing machine. Instead, my parents bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. Nothing fancy, or special.

But I LOVED it! My sister also bought me a big sewing box, filled with tons of supplies! There was not a happier 7 year old, around. :) I'm almost positive, my parents bought the sewing machine at Wal-Mart. For less than $100. Crazy thing is, I never used it! I think, I tried sewing once. And didn't know what I was doing. Heck, I was 7 years old!

Well, we ended up taking my sewing machine, to my parents' cabin. We figured, on the weekends I'd learn how to sew. It didn't happen. But my Mom did sew on it. :) Jump ahead. I'm in my twenties. Living on my own. And I take my sewing machine, to my house. I start sewing, and I LOVED it!

For the next few years, I'm so inspired. Not just by "Blogland." But by my friends' kids. My Goddaughters. And stuff that I couldn't afford to buy. All was going great. Until, it wasn't anymore. My sewing machine, didn't want to work. I tried everything. I took it, to get worked on. Nothing!

After a few months, I just gave up. And I honestly didn't have any money, to spend on it. Or a new one. So when I had to sew, I'd go use my Goddaughter's sewing machine. Not convenient. But it was working. My parents surprised me, with a new sewing machine.

Again, it wasn't anything fancy. One of the Singer sewing machines that Target sells. That week, it was on sale for $70. How do I know? Because I went to the 5 local Target stores, looking for it. With no luck! And I happened to mention this, to my parents. On a Friday night. Before my birthday. Not expecting anything. Just annoyed that I couldn't find my sewing machine.

My parents happened to find one, in their city. The next morning. That was my birthday present. And I was over the moon! It was quite a bit different from my old machine. This one, was a front loading machine. My other, was a drop in bobbin. This machine, was also light weight. That was both good, and bad. But I've gotten to enjoy it.

Honestly, I've been saving my pennies. Hoping to buy a better sewing machine. It's not that I don't appreciate these sewing machines. Or that I don't love them. Because I LOVE them!But I've been sewing a lot more. And I want something more durable. Something that has a few more "bells and whistles."

That lead to me visiting JoAnn's. And I was dreaming of the day, when I could invest in a nice sewing machine. One that makes button holes. And has fun stitches. Something to grow, with my new sewing abilities. That's when I spotted this beauty!!!

Isn't this a pretty sewing machine? Well, I picked up the brochure. And showed it to my Mom the other day. She LOVED it too! I'd love to buy this for myself. The 50th Anniversary Singer Sewing Machine! It's nice to dream about. A little bit of history.

But I'm very happy with my sewing machine. And the fact that there is history behind it. My own history. My own story in the sewing world. And I'm really grateful, that my Mom shared this love of hers, with me!

Garden Pals

There's something about March 1st. Every year, when it rolls around, I get so excited! It means there are so many fun things ahead. I'd like to call March, "Birthday Month." :) Not only is my birthday in March. But literally, for about 2 weeks straight, I know someone who is having a birthday. It's pretty crazy!

With March, also comes Spring. My favorite season of the year! I think about gardening, BBQing after work, sundresses, open windows, and little animals. It's just a magical time of year! Not to mention, Easter is usually just around the corner. :)

Today, I found a new pattern. I guess it was in this month's Crochet Today magazine. But I haven't been able to find it anywhere! But just look at these sweet Garden Pals.

This is a free pattern! Yes, you read that right. And I've decided, it's the "little surprise," that I'm making for all the kiddos this year. I might have to figure out a way, to make at least 2 boy bunnies. But it shouldn't be hard. You should give this pattern a try. I know I'm going to! Times 100!!!

Finally!

Months and months ago, I was browsing Bernat's website. And I really fell in love with this sweater, that was on the front page. I still remember it. It was lavender. And adorable! So I contacted Bernat, to ask them, what pattern book it was from. Very quickly, and super nice, a rep told me it was the "It's a Girl" pattern book. I wrote it down, and started my hunt.

I live in a "smallish" town. I looked everywhere! Both Wal-Marts, Hobby Lobby, and JoAnn's. Nothing! So I started hunting in the nearby city, where I work. Nothing. And there are so many more stores there! I searched in my hometown. NOTHING! I looked everywhere. And finally, after months, I ordered my book online. And I got it today! :)

Along with "It's a Boy!" I LOVE both of these books. And they are definitely worth, the $5 price tag. There are such cute sweaters in each book. And lots of projects, that I want to make. These books may have been difficult to find, but I'm glad that I finally got them. :) The only sad part is, that my cousin's baby shower is tomorrow. Maybe, I might manage one quick project. Maybe!

Cute Idea

I came across, another cute idea, for Valentine's Day. And this one, seems so incredibly easy! You just need a little paint, some wooden hearts, and some ribbon. Just look how cute!

I'm a big fan, of crafts made to look like "Conversation Hearts." But I don't actually like the candy. I know, I'm weird. But this craft project, I'm in LOVE with it! And since I'm single, with no kiddos, I'm going to stick to the funny sayings, on the hearts. Now I just need to get painting. :)

I Just Might Have

Tomorrow, we're going to be selling at our church's Valentine's Day Craft Fair. Life has been really busy around here. You know, school, work, baby showers, birthday parties, and just life. That means, crafting has been a little slow around these parts. You know what I mean? Life has just taken over.

This is not good for a variety of reasons. I'm sure you can guess why. One, we're behind, way behind, on gifts! Way behind! My cousin's baby shower is about 2 weeks away, and I might have 1/2 of her gift finished. Half! My Mom is a little behind too. Oh, and then, our "stock" is down. From the craft fair in December. And Christmas time.

But with life being so busy, there's not much I can do. I managed to make a few hats, some amis, and a baby blanket. This week! It's been crazy! I've literally been crocheting between classes, on my way to work, and through meals. But it's getting done. :) So I feel like I need to make up in other places. Like baking. So I went a googling, and I came across these beauties!

Whoopie pies. Not just any whoopie pie. But chocolate cherry whoopies! I couldn't pass them up. And along with my usual cupcakes, candy, and other treats...I baked up a batch of these goodies! Yum! I can't wait to see people's reactions. I know in the south, these are big. Real big! My friends love them. But around my hometown, I honestly hadn't heard of them.

The craft fair is in a few short hours, and honestly I feel so behind! I'm going to try and stay up a few more hours. You know, to make a few more things. Perhaps some headbands, hair clips, or maybe finish this sweater that I'm working on.

Let's Wear Red!

Today is the first Friday in February. And I encourage everyone to wear red today! It's a simple way to show your support. For all the women in your life. And I also encourage you to visit this website. Take a look at the different signs and symptoms. Consider your own health. You just never know, when this information, can be lifesaving! Let's wear red all month long!

Valentine's Day Headbands

Do you ever see something, and say to yourself, "I have to make that!" I do this all the time. Usually, it's while I'm looking at some overpriced headband in Claire's. Or a simple piece of jewelry at Charming Charlies. I'm just being honest here. But most of the time, I snap a picture and head to the craft store.

For me, part of it is the price. I'm a college student. That really doesn't have much money, to spend on anything, besides my tuition and books. Then there is that thing. You know, the making of something. It always feels so good to see something, that you've made. And I like that. So I took some inspiration, from this picture.

I was all smiles! Looks like felt, buttons, and an elastic headband. Simple. And inexpensive. I'm thinking, I could glue the pieces together. Maybe sew them. But wouldn't this be way too cute, for Valentine's Day?

How about a smaller one? For a baby. I think these are great projects. Fast projects. Super fast! And I'm thinking, I can make a couple of these. For our upcoming Craft Fair. OK, maybe more like a bunch of these. We really need to start stocking our "stash" again.  Because seriously, we are running low on crafts!

Maybe I can even make some for gifts. My cousin's upcoming baby shower. Maybe as Valentine's Day gifts. Or just as a cute birthday gift...for a little girl. Heck, I want one for myself!