The Week of Toys

Hi everyone! How is your Monday going? Ours, is a little on the shaky side. Our car is down. It happened on the way home from church yesterday. Luckily, we weren't at the Market yesterday. That could have been a disaster!

Anyhow, we had a week, heavy in toys! Because we were seriously low!!! I can't believe how quickly sales go, when it comes to our little toys. It makes me excited. And a bit nervous. All at the same time. Because sometimes we just can't keep up. But here are the items we were able to make this week. :)

I 100% concentrated on these sweet girls! We had so many, just a couple of weeks ago. And I was down to just one, on Sunday. So I spent my week, making all the little parts. And putting them together. I just LOVE me a cradle purse!

To be honest, I also have a bag large Ziplock bag, full of more parts! Enough for another 5. I just need to make the main body. The white part. But I'm trying to stay ahead of the game. Which can be difficult, at the height of the Season.

My Mom also focused on toys this week. She just LOVES to make these little pigs. And they are pretty popular as well. The littles are always calling them Peppa and George.

She also managed another two. We sell them individually. But I'm thinking of buying a couple of Peppa the Pig books. And adding in a Peppa and George. To sell together.

My Mom also made another duck. She made quite a few last week. And had one more, to put together. I just need to put a ribbon on it.

Again, I need to put a ribbon on this gal. My Mom made another giraffe. These toys, have to be one of our best sellers. And we can't keep up with them. I've been trying to help my Mom. She lays the patterns. I cut them out. And then she sews them.

These little guys...well I didn't know how to take the pictures. I have had SO MANY requests for these guys. They're car cup coasters. So they go inside of your drink holders, in your car. The circle fits right inside.

From what I have been told, it helps to keep your car drink holders clean. Like if you have a spill, then you just take these little coasters out. And wash them. Instead of having a HUGE mess!

So I sat down a few weeks ago. And made a bunch of them. I think there are 26 sets. And then I threw them in a basket. And forgot about them. I literally, just needed to hide the ends. So I sat down on Friday...and did just that. Here I have the warm colors.

And the cool colors. I think these are my fav! And I've been considering, making some for our own vehicle.

And here, I have some neutral ones. I ALWAYS save my scraps, from other projects. And a project like this, is perfect to use those scraps up! 

People don't believe me, when I tell them...we rarely have any yarn that doesn't get used up. We save our scraps and use them for amigurumi, projects like this, or little adornments for hats and scarves. 

I have some other projects that I've been working on. I just haven't finished them up. I have stacks of objects to put together. Literally, I just need to spend one entire day, sewing projects together. Maybe next week! 💕

Inspired By the Love of Friends

My friends and family inspire me. Craft wise, they're always sending me pictures, dreaming up ideas, and tagging me on social media. I LOVE it!!! Some times, I get overwhelmed. Like when I had 800 tags for that heart blanket on Facebook. Ya, I don't have time to make all those...

But honestly, some of our best selling products...come from our loved ones. They'll see something, need something, or dream something up. Once I've made it...I fall in love. And so many people want those items!!!

I also run new items by our loved ones. Make something for a birthday present. Try out a new idea. Have the littles play with some toys. That kind of thing. I'm telling you, try it! Especially if you don't have littles of your own. :)

In the last few weeks, I've gotten many pictures. Some I have saved on Facebook. Because quite a few of us belong to a "Secret Group." And the settings don't allow you to save the pictures...or even share them on your page. I still haven't figured out how to save them. But I know they are there. And I use them for inspiration.

Here are a few of my favorite pics, that I've gotten via text. They're all Valentine's Day related. Many have to do with the littles. Because most of my friends have littles...as in younger than 10.

I almost died when I saw this! One of my really good friends, just had her baby girl. She has 2 little guys. And was so excited, when she found out she was having a girl. Since the Fall, I've been making so many things for her. She's ordered a ton of things from us! And in the 5 days prior to baby girl coming...I might have stayed up all night working on orders. Baby props and such.

But this is just adorable!!! And looks so simple to make. My friend asked if I could make one. By Valentine's Day...baby girl will only be 2 1/2 weeks old! I already made a pink heart blanket for her. As in, shaped in a heart.

So I think this will be adorable to add! I need to get working. So I can send it off this week. It might take an hour or so. But I think this is something I should add to the regular. :)

My same girlfriend, sent me this picture. At Christmas time. I had recently whipped up a similar Christmas set. With a matching diaper cover. And she asked me to make this. In pinks. With a cute diaper cover. I have it started. But I HATE having to change the colors at every single row. But I'll have it done!

Another one of my girlfriends, knows how to crochet. I taught her about 10 years ago. Before she had kids. She now has 2 girls and a boy. She will tell you, that she is still at a beginner level. No, she is past beginner. In fact, she and I have hosted a number of CALs together. :)

But she is a lot slower than me. Hello! 3 kids will do that! She sent me this picture, asking me to make these for her kids. I'm almost positive that this is an Etsy pattern. I just haven't had the time to look. But I will...

Another friend of mine, has all girls. And asked if I could make each one...a box of chocolates. Different colors though. What a cute idea! I sorta hope, I can find a pattern. I know I can wing it. But a pattern will help make these cuties...a heck of a lot quicker!

This little game, was something I was sent by other friend. Who has 6 little ones...and two on the way. She was wanting a couple off these, for when they go out. Like to dinner and such.

She's looking at this game, as something to keep them entertained. And something that's not too loud. She said it doesn't matter the color. Because my friend wants her kids to use this for a while.

I know there has to be a pattern somewhere. But I think it's simple enough to wing. 2 small squares...in single crochet. A little stitching. And some hearts. Easy enough!

That same girlfriend is expecting twins. As in, any day now! They were a total surprise. Her and her hubby were done having babes. She had her tubes tied and all! Then she got pregnant. With twin girls!!!

Needless to say, she had given away, most of their baby stuff. And now, is in need. But she ordered these hats. For her sweet baby loves. I like how the hearts become sorta like little ears.

I'm also thinking up some sort of diaper cover. I have a few days. But I can't wait to see the babes in these. I think they will be so cute!!!

Another friend, sent me this picture. He's a fire fighter. Has 3 little girls. And now, has the sweetest little boy. That was born, last Spring. I had already made his girls, some cute Valentine's Day hats. 

But he was looking for something, for his little guy. We agreed on this hat. I want to try and crochet the heart. I saw something a while back, that was a heart with cross bones behind it. Like a "biker" kind of embellishment. So I'm going to try that.

Because Love Day, isn't just for girls. Boys should have fun too! It's just a little difficult for me to find inspiration for the boys. How about you?

My little Goddaughter, loves her some Holiday Garlands. I blame myself. I am always making her one, and sending it to her. She is always into celebrating the holidays, decorating, and putting up some garlands.

She asked me to make her one of these. No problem. Who doesn't love a good pom pom? I just don't like making them. Maybe I can make the balls. And have my Momma fluff them. She makes the prettiest pom poms!

And I might have to make one for me. I told you, it's my fault she likes garlands. They are my weakness. And I just think it would be a fun decoration!

Funny thing about these coasters...I've had them on my list...for like 5 years. I came across this picture and kept wanting to make them. Never getting to them. But now, a friend has requested 7 sets. For the ladies in her life. 7 different colors. 

I have a long list of things to get through. So many orders! So little time. But I am so inspired by all these pictures. And so grateful, that these ladies turn to me. I can create amazing things for them. And their families. And of course, it helps my Momma and I!

What inspired you as a crafter? Your little ones? Family, friends, crochet groups? How about patterns and books? I'd love to see your inspiration too! 💕

Cute Crochet Reads

I wanted to talk about crochet books and magazines today. I'm constantly searching at Joann's, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Wal-Mart, and Barnes and Noble. I also spend a lot of time searching Amazon, Etsy, and eBay for fun books.

It should be known, that I LOVE to make toys. It's my favorite thing to make. And I'm always looking for new patterns. And new designers. If you have a favorite, please leave it in the comments. :)

With that being said, I like to try new things. New designers. New patterns. New toys. Here are a few of the books, I've recently had my eye on...

Everything about this book, says fun!  I want to make every project in this book. I haven't seen it in person. Only on Barnes and Noble. I wouldn't mind getting this book now, and making ahead for next Holiday Season.

These Zoomigurumi books are my favorite! There are a ton of them! I've managed to pick up a few, at Joann's. Using a coupon...you can get them for almost nothing. Like a third of the price. I'm not lying. I think we have 2 or 3 in the series. All the toys are just too cute to make. I just wish my local stores carried more of them.

These Care Bears are too fun too! I remember this book, from years ago. I was in college. And would "visit" it at least once a week. Hobby Lobby was about 2 minutes from my home. But I never seemed to have extra money at the time.

By the time I could afford it, and the Winnie the Pooh book, they no longer sold them. And it made me so sad. I still think about these books. And search for them. Whenever I'm online. I am yet, to come across them...for less than $30 a piece!!!

Ana Paula Rimoli has been my favorite pattern writer. For years and years! I made my first Etsy purchase...at her shop. I don't think she sells patterns any longer. All of her patterns are in books now. And I have the first three.

I can still remember finding her shop. And wanting every single pattern that she offered. I bought 3. And she gave me 2. The first time I got a large paycheck...and extra spending money...I bought all her patterns. I emailed her beforehand. And she gave me an incredible deal! I might have also been gifted a book or two. ;)

This book looks like so much fun! With bigger projects. Something that I'd now make, for family and friends. Oh how fun! I need to go look for this book!

Ana's other new book...seems to have a lot of her OG patterns. I have most of these as files. But would 100% buy this book. To have everything in one place. Easy to access when needed. 

Can you see why I LOVE Ana's patterns? They are so cute! With her patterns, I went from making crochet blankets...to the fun stuff. Her patterns are so easy to read. The projects are completely adorable! Her patterns...changed my life!

I'm 100% a magazine reader. In fact, when my friends asked me what I wanted for Christmas a couple of years ago...I asked for magazine subscriptions. I'm so lucky, that they gift me, my favs for my birthday or Christmas.

But since Red Heart discontinued their magazine a few years ago...I haven't subbed to any Craft Magazines. But this one...is calling my name! Where do I find it? Because Joann's only has cute knit amigurumi magazines.

This is another cute magazine. That I wouldn't mind being subscribed to. I saw a couple of covers, during my search. All the patterns look too cute! I think these 2 magazines are probably from the UK. But I'd still like to receive them.

I would love to hear what you've got your eye on. Or what your favorite magazine, book, or leaflet is. I like to try a little of everything. Hope I've inspired you a bit. 💕