Ideas From Friends

I don't know if I've ever told you this, but I'm in a band. Actually, 3. But right now, I'm traveling with just one of the bands. We're on the road for almost 2 weeks. And it's perfectly fine with me! Because I get to spend so much time, with some of my best friends.

On top of that, some of their wives came too! That means, a few of my Goddaughters get to travel with us. And you know what, life is just better with little ones! It just is. :) Between our work, we got lots of time, to just sit, talk, and catch up. For me, this is so welcomed! Because most of the time, I'm just on the go.

While talking yesterday, one of my friends mentioned this idea. She found it online, but didn't save the source. So if you know where it's from, please leave me a comment. :) Anyway, she saved the picture. On her phone. Then she e-mailed it to me. Isn't this adorable???

I think idea is so fun! I don't eat lots of Altoids. To be honest, I have a tin of the minis. And I've had it since before Christmas. But you know that band that I mentioned? Well, it's filled with tons of cowboys! Who enjoy munching on tons of Altoids. The original ones. Some whispering happened. And before I knew it, some of the most precious little girls, were begging their daddys to hurry up and finish their mints!

Genius I tell you! Well, when we get back, can you tell what I'll be working on? Heck, we have Monday and Tuesday off. For the most part. I just might, try and make a run, to pick up some supplies. I'm sure, these are super easy, and quick to whip up!

I just love that my friends come to me, with fun ideas like this! Do you have friends that do that? Or do you have any other fun ideas for me? I'd love to hear from you!

A Little Inspiration

I have a confession to make. Money is really tight around here. For me anyway. Mostly because, it's the end of my Spring semester at school. And I need to be making some rather large payments. It's unfortunate I tell you! Being that my Mom's birthday was Saturday. And Mother's Day was yesterday. But what can you do?

I got real creative. And I wish I had taken pictures to show you. But my Mom enjoys certain things. Like gardening. So I went to the Dollar Store, bought a few fun baskets. And loaded them up, on fun garden things. Including a ton of seeds!!! My Mom has been planting a garden, for a few years now. I also bought some gardening tools, and decorations. Oh an of course, flowers! My Mom LOVES flowers!

I also made her a fun basket, full of snacks. My Mom likes to snack. :) So I thought about lots of yummy things. But like I said, she had 2 special days. And I wanted to make her a little something for her kitchen. Being that she's in the middle of changing the decor.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine, and I were looking at one of those catalogues you get in the mail. And we saw these colorful wooden utensils. So fun! But they were a bit expensive. $50 for 5 utensils. What? That's what I thought! 2 days later, Jelly e-mailed me this picture. And it all hit me!

Jelly and I got to painting. We painted up 2 sets. A very colorful one for her. And a more "manly" set for our friend, Mems. He cooks for all of us, twice a week. We just thought he'd enjoy this.

Then I decided, I'd make my Mom a set. For her, I used yellow and green. She's going to be decorating her kitchen in John Deere tractors! How fun. :)

So there you go. My Mom really enjoyed her set of kitchen goodies. Not only did I do a little painting, but I managed to make some potholders. And add some fun decorations, to some plain kitchen towels.

Now, I think I'll start making some more of these sets. For the Christmas Craft Fair. I might even make some aprons. These should be fun!

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. :)

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!

Lost Patterns...

My little cousin is expecting her first baby, in about 6 weeks. Her baby shower is just weeks away. And I'm barely starting her gifts! :( My schedule has been so bad! I've wanted to sit and start some stuff, but school, work, and the holidays kind of got in the way.

Not to mention, all the babies that were born, between August and November! So I'm ridiculously behind on projects. Oh, and the fact that the hospital where I work, is moving to a new building...is not helping. My office is in shambles! Half of my stuff, is in my old office...the other half is in my new office.

I tried to get started on my projects. Yesterday. I bought all the yarn I needed. And then I hit a wall. I couldn't find the patterns that I needed. Or more like, that patterns that I wanted to use...

Like this book. Coats and Clark, "Soft and Sweet for Baby." That blue sweater with the hat, "Fairytale Set," is my favorite to make! There's also a cute Christening Set. And a Mother's Shawl in this book.

This book of booties, is also a favorite! I like to make those white booties, with the blue ribbon, to match the set above. Or I make the Mary Janes, to go with another hat, that I make.

And this book, well, has 2 sets that I like! A LOT!!! I like to make the flowery set, in pink. It's so cute! And that green hat at the top, it's a butterfly set. I really like making the hat and booties. :)

Two of my favorite blankets to make, are in this book. Along with those cute animals! Because the crib bedding that my cousin bought, would go perfectly with those animals!

This is the only book that I don't own. I've never even seen it in person! And there is a gorgeous sweater, that I want to make! No luck. At all! I just can't find this pattern book.

So I've looked all through my house. And in my office...my old office. With no luck. I don't know what I'm going to do. Most of these are older books. And I can't find any of them in the craft stores, around here. If you happen to know, where I can find these books, PLEASE let me know! As soon as you can. Because I only have one blanket made...and I totally winged it! Looking at another blanket, that I had made...using that pattern. Oh, I'm having some issues...

Cute Pillow!

I recently came across this picture. I'm telling you, I'm needing some serious motivation. To craft. To decorate. To do anything, other than work and school. It's so sad! I've been so consumed with boring things. Things that matter, but don't really add lots of "Happiness" back into my life. But this pillow...it screams HAPPINESS to me!

I'm thinking of making a couple. But instead of pink, going with red. That way I can use them for other holidays. Not just Valentine's Day. I would definitely pull these out for the 4th of July and Christmas. What a fun project! Now, I just need to figure out, how to make them...

Valentine's Day Gift...For a Baby Girl

Last year, I was searching for the perfect gift. For my Goddaughter. Who at the time, had been in the hospital, for nearly 4 months! So I searched, and searched. That's when I came across the Flying Hearts Mobile. And I was instantly in LOVE!

I actually made mine, a little bigger. With 5 different colors. Something fun. For this precious little girl. And until this past November, when she got to go home, this hung in her hospital room! Now it hangs in her playroom. And she still LOVES it!

So as I was planning out projects for this Valentine's Day. When this came straight to my mind. Many of my friends, have recently become parents. To little girls. And I think this will make an adorable gift. It's super fun, easy, and interesting to make. Doesn't cost much. And is incredibly fast to make. What do you think? Would you make one?

Cowl

If you're anything like me, you like a good scarf. Something pretty. Something that's easy to throw on. But warm! That adds a little to your outfit. You know the type. Well, I have a nice stash of scarves. My favorites are the $5 ones from Wal-Mart. I can't lie! But in the last year, I've really started to love cowls. Like this one!

The funny thing is, I've made plenty of these. For gifts. To sell. But never, have I made myself one. Well, right after Christmas, I'm going to make one. I'm thinking in a dark plum color. Wouldn't that be so pretty? I'm already excited about my plans! Honestly, I can't wait to wear a cowl, just like this one!

New Snowflakes

For the last few years, my Mom has been crocheting Christmas ornaments. We've combined them with store bought ornaments, and it's made for a pretty Christmas tree. Lots of delicate crochet snowflakes. Made with thread. Mixed in with other white and sparkly ornaments. I even beaded some little ones for her.

I've always wanted to make some of my own. For my Christmas tree. But I don't really enjoy crocheting with thread. The thin thread that my Mom uses. And my Christmas tree is nothing like her more "dressy" Christmas tree. My Christmas tree is much more "traditional." In the sense, that it's a mix of many different types of ornaments. Collected over the years. With vintage lights. That kind of tree. So when I came across this picture, I was thrilled!

It's a little close to Christmas, for me to start this new project. But I had never thought of using twine. Or making snowflakes in another color, than white. And you know what, I really like this idea. This might be a good project to work on, all year. You know, make a few every month. This might just work out! And I could also make a few, to add to special presents next year. :)

Roly-Poly Characters

These have to be the cutest Christmas characters ever! There's a Santa, a snowman, and an angel. And guess what? They're free today! Just head over to Free Crochet. :) I really want to make a few for Christmas presents.

Jolly Rickrack Snowpeople

These little snowpeople have to be the cutest ever! This is the free pattern from Free Patterns today. It's a sewing pattern. I'd LOVE to have a Christmas tree filled with these little guys and gals. Oh, they just make me happy looking at them.

Gingerbread Doll

This is the free crochet pattern today, from Free Crochet. I think it's just adorable! I want to try and make a few. I think they'd make good Christmas presents for my neighbors. With a basket of baked goods. I'm so excited for Christmas to get here!

When I Was Little

When I was little, I had a 3 or 4 foot Christmas tree. It was mine. And I'd set it up in my bedroom every year. I'd decorate it. From top to bottom. I really loved that tree.

Well, when I moved out on my own, it was one of the things I took with me. My little Christmas tree. It never seemed so small in my bedroom. But in my house, it looked tiny! I didn't care. That first year, I set it up on one of my coffee tables.

Unfortunately, that was the last year I had my darling little tree. The next year, I found it broken. I guess it was to be expected. I'd had the tree for over 19 years! But I still had the ornaments. My Mom had made them all for me. Including the garland. She had crocheted me a bunch of ornaments for my 1st Christmas. Well, since then, I've had small Christmas trees. I've never ventured out and bought a normal sized tree.

But I've always dreamt of having a large Christmas tree in my living room. Filled with crochet ornaments. You know, to add to all the special ones that my Mom made me 27 years ago! I'm not sure if this is the year or not, but I've started to make some more ornaments. And a snowflake garland. I can't wait until I get that special Christmas tree. :)

Santa and Mrs. Santa

I found this pattern today. It's the free pattern, from Free Crochet today. And this set of Santa and Mrs. Santa reminds me of these decorations I had as a kid.

My Santas were about 3 feet tall. And you'd plug them in. They'd move back and forth, and had candles that would light up. So cute! Now they are at my parents' house somewhere. I wish I had them here. At my house. But I think I might make this pair. I just need to find the actual dolls.

New Year's Shawl

I found this pattern at Lion Brand. I happen to be one of those women that really enjoys scarves, cowls, and shawls. I'd really like to make this for myself. And I think if I use "I Love This Yarn" it would be super soft. Perfect for the cool nights that are not far away.

Beautiful Wreath

I was doing a Google search for a Christmas wreath, and I found this beautiful wreath! I think I could make one. Or something that is inspired by this wreath. You see, I really enjoy hanging wreaths on my front door. All year long! And purple is my favorite color. Now I just need some time to make it.

Guess What This Means

A bunch of knee high socks. With cute patterns. What do you think I'm going to make? If you guessed Baby Legs, you're right! I can't wait to get started. Now I just need to figure out what's wrong with my sewing machine.