More Of A Personal Update...

Well, blogging has been suffering as my plate continues to overflow! I apologize! My full time job has blown up to include much traveling and long hours spent at the office and on the computer at home. I love what I do, but boy does it take a toll on my crochet time! I have been doing what I can to spend some good time with the babies. Here are some recent highlights.

Jacob is developing a personality of his own. He is super funny and silly. Most kids like to play but Jacob is going to be a class clown for sure. He will do anything to make you laugh and he loves just dancing and singing and being carefree. He has decided that he doesn't like to eat lately unless it is mac n cheese or in the form of a nugget. He loves to play with anything Nathan is touching. He also loves to be doing whatever Nathan is doing.

Nathan is the best big brother I've ever met. Honestly, I've never seen a kid be so patient and kind to a younger sibling. It is rare that I hear Nathan telling Jacob no or asking him to leave him alone. Nathan is an expert at helping mom and honestly she couldn't do it without him some days! Nathan is about to finish the 1st grade. While he had a rough beginning he is doing very well now and his teacher is impressed with his improvement. Nathan loves reading and constantly comes up with smart questions to ask and tell us about all the things he learns. He is also getting super tall. He will be towering over me in just a few years.

Mike and I continue to be very busy with our careers. Both of us are experiencing some huge growth and responsibilities and in order to take care of our family there is a lot of give and take. I'm blessed to have a partner in life to work together through the busy life we have. We manage to take time for ourselves but for the most part we just enjoy being home with the kids and playing around.

With that...it's time to say goodbye with hopes that updates with be less infrequent! Hope you enjoyed the update.

Comment on this blog post and you could win a free beanie!!!

That's right. I have PLENTY of awesome new stuff going into my shop all the time and in order to generate some blog readers and facebook followers I'm giving away a FREE beanie to ONE person who comments on this blog page. Just leave a message with your email and which of the new items below you wish to own. :)Better yet, have someone tell me you refered them to this giveaway and get DOUBLE the entries!

I love this hat. Better yet, I love how it looks on everyone! The lovely model in this picture is my adorable husband. This beanie is made with a woven pattern and can be made in any color (shown in Fresh Green). It is very warm and perfect for hitting the slopes or shoveling in the yard.

I'm dubbing this beanie the SUPER slouch! It is also very warm dispite the large holes. This is because the yarn used is super chunky. Made with Lion Brand Homespun USA yarn this is available in a variety of colors but not all. Please contact the seller if you wish to see a different color than shown. So far I've made them in Plum, Pink, and coming soon to my Etsy store in White.

Here is another beanie that I can make in a variety of other colors other than this listing. While it is happy and bright in pink and white I can make it in nearly anything! Made with acrylic yarn so it is never scratchy,but like wool, keeps shape and is easily cared for. I love this pattern and it is also available in a child size.

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? Start commenting on your favorite style listed above, leave your email, and for goodness sakes tell your friends so you can get DOUBLE entries!!!

Entries need to be submitted by Friday 2/18 at 5pm. Winner will be announced 2/19.

Happy Giveaway!

Breast Cancer Awareness Ear Warmer

Can't see yourself wearing a boobie beanie as in my previous post? Well, maybe one of these earwarmers are more your style?

Don't forget to donate here! My friend Heidi is looking to raise $2500 dollars before her 3 Day walk. All donations over $100 get a free boobie beanie or earwarmer for FREE. Can't donate $100? Donate what you CAN and get free shipping off any item in my store located here. I'm even willing to do it on a custom order.

Thanks in advance for making a difference in someone's life!

When Is a Crochet Hat Worth $100?

A friend of mine is doing the 3 Day Walk for the Susan G. Komen foundation. Her page can be found here and I believe that you'll be touched by her personal story and determination.

I thought about how I would love to help and then it hit me. POW! I could make beanies and when someone donated $100 or more they would get a FREE beanie! Now it isn't just any beanie. It's a special beanie that would get the person wearing it noticed. Something that would attract attention and get people asking questions. Perhaps even interested in making a donation (no matter how small) themselves. This is why with great pride I introduce you to the BOOBIE BEANIE.

You can purchase this listing here.

I'm also giving FREE SHIPPING to anyone who donates any amount of money. I can also make another beanie or head warmer for those who don't fancy wearing a boobie beanie on their head.

Thank you to everyone who reads this and takes a moment to check out the listing. It is important to remember that someone out there needs our help, no matter how small. While I can't give $100 myself I hope that I can help encourage someone who can.

Happy New Years Everyone!

Wow, again it has been some time since I last posted. Hard to keep up with the bloggin when so much is going on. I have been on vacation the last 11 days and today was the final day down. Going to miss being home but it will be nice to get back on schedule. I have worked on a variety of projects and got my hookin on many times during the last two weeks.

Recently I purchased a few patterns from PlayinHookyDesigns She has an amazing variety and if you crochet I highly recommend going over to her store and picking up a few patterns. This hat is made with one of her patterns and I was able to do it in a variety of ways. This one is in purple and yellow (Vikings or Lakers colors) and can be done in any team colors to show your spirit! Or use your favorite colors. Can be done in two or three different colors for best effect. Selling in my Etsy store for $20 each right now.

I made this one for my husband who is a huge fan of the Lions. It is done in blue, white, and grey. Picture doesn't really do it justice but it is super warm and easy to care for.

Another one of her awesome patterns is a houndstooth headband. Here are a few pictures of the headbands I made using this pattern. Each is super warm and lots of fun. You are sure to stand out in a crowed wearing one of these. Can be made in two colors of your choice. Again, a great way to show your team spirit! They're also REVERSABLE! Selling in my store for $15.

I got a few giftcards to my favorite yarn store here in town and I treated myself to some pricey Noro wool and silk yarn. BEAUTIFUL. Here is what I made for MYSELF! That's right. I finally made myself something during my vacation. I LOVE it. If I were to sell this one in my store (due to the high price of the yarn) I'd sell it for close to $45.

Much more to come shortly, I seem to be on a roll. It has been a great Holiday season and we're all hoping for a very happy new year!

May your 2012 be blessed!

Hot Off The Hook: Bright Green Slouch Beanie

I just completed this slouchy beanie for a friend of mine. All she specified is that she wanted something in bright green. I happened to have had some yarn in just that color! Here's what I came up with and I'm really hoping she likes it.

Here I am trying the beanie on for size

Side profile. This beanie has a cherry wood button that was handmade in Michigan from fallen branches. Eco-friendly :)

In this picture you can see the back slouch a little more. If she doesn't like it, I might just keep it. LOVE THIS! If she does like it then I have one more to make for a friend and then I'll be making one for me :)

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I got a lot done on my projects and I'm hoping to reopen my Etsy store shortly!!

Hot Off The Hook: TEDDY BEARS

I have been working on a special project.

ISN'T HE ADORABLE??? I love him. He's going to a good home where a little girl was just born. She can grow up with him! Isn't that sweet? Soft wool make up his outer layer. It is felted for extra softness and duribility. He is filled with polyester surpreme fiberfill.

Teddy is made with safety eyes and nose so it is less likely that they will fall off and be a hazard for baby to choke on. This ribbon is not attached and recommended to take off prior to giving it too baby. In this case it matches the ribbon on the blanket that I'm also giving to the new little muffin. He is a smaller bear measuring 8.5 inches tall but little kiddos need a teddy they can really grip without tripping over themselves.

Because they are handmade with love and quality materials I'm going to have them in my store for $40 each. I should have the first one listed in a few days. They'll be made to order so you can expect a 2-3 week lead time after purchase.

The End!