Monday, November 28, 2011

Chunky Scarf



I am loving this one. And it is for me! I picked up this yarn a couple of weeks ago with the intent on making myself a scarf. I love the thickness and the color. And I love actually getting to wear some of my stuff as it gets colder.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Check another one off my list

Remember this cowl?


Well, I made one for myself.



There was definitely a little frustration with this one, but after I pulled out a few rows, I got back on track and it turned out lovely. It is so soft and warm. I just wish it was cold enough in South Carolina to actually wear this.

If anyone wants one, just shoot me an email:
homemadesaturdays.shop@gmail.com

Friday, November 25, 2011

Pattern making

I found this hat pattern on Pinterest awhile back and wanted to  see if I could recreate it for Nora.



Here's my version:

It was fairly simple and I really liked how it turned out. The picture isn't great because I had poor lighting and it washed out the dark brown, but the colors are almost exactly like the ones in the above picture. I wanted to get a picture of Nora wearing this, but as she is battling a month long ear infection and the weather has been far from cold enough to wear a hat, she has refused several times to cooperate as a model. When I do get the chance, I will take a better picture, hopefully with an agreeable model. 

Edit: My model finally complied!



Would anyone be interested if I wrote out the pattern?

A few new things.

I've been working on several new things the past few weeks. 



I just can't get enough of that mustard yellow color. Seriously. It is awesome.

I am taking custom orders for Christmas still. So let me know if you want anything! 

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe

Roasted Apples and Sweet Potatoes with Honey Glaze



If you are still trying to get your menu together last minute, here's a great dish that not only looks good, but is very tasty.

5 large sweet potatoes
3 apples
1/4 cup lemon juice
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
6T. butter
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. ginger
1/2 t. salt
2/3 cup pecans

Directions:

Wash and bake potatoes at 400 degrees for 1 hour.
Slice apples and toss with lemon juice.
Peel potatoes, slice, and arrange in baking dish (9x13) with apples. Combine sugar and next 5 ingredients in pan, bring to boil until thickened (about 2 min.). Pour glace over potatoes and apples. Bake, uncovered at 400 degrees for 30 min. Remove, baste with glaze, and sprinkle nuts on top. Bake 15 more minutes.

Note: The original recipe calls for 1/4 cup bourbon to add to the glaze. I originally made this without and loved it so much that I have never added the bourbon to it.





Monday, November 21, 2011

Tutorial: Fabric Covered Button Rings


 Okay, so this is super simple, and probably already being done, but I haven't seen a tutorial out there for this, so I'm just passing along my newfound fun with fabric buttons.

Supplies:
button making kit
adjustable ring
fabric you love
E-6000 glue (you can find this in craft section at Wal-mart)
or glue gun

If you have never made fabric covered buttons, it is very simple. I recommend going to Wal-mart and buying a button kit there. It should have everything you need. I have bought some at Hobby Lobby too, but I find the ones at Wal-mart to actually be better. However, I have yet only been able to find adjustable rings at Hobby Lobby. They are fairly inexpensive and often marked down 50%.

Here's how to do this project in 3 very simple steps:

 Cut a circle out of your fabric

 Follow button cover directions on package to make your button

 Use your glue of choice and attach the adjustable ring

Wear that ring!

This would make a very simple handmade gift for a friend, sister, coworker, etc... 

Friday, November 18, 2011

Unexpected Silence

Well, while finishing up on some very fun projects and trying to get ready to share some neat tutorials, I have found myself stepping back and focusing my attention on my family. They need me right now. My little girl is sick and has been so for about 3 weeks. We are doing some aggressive treatment for her ongoing ear infections and will be meeting with an ENT on Monday.

That being said, I hope to be able to start sharing some really neat crafty stuff on a regular basis soon. My hubby is going to be off work for the next 9 days so that should help me get back to business. So, don't give up on me yet. :)

I will be sharing some new items with you soon that will be going up for sale in my shop. I'll also have some free crochet patterns that I worked up last week!

Thanks!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Pinterest Thursday: Advent Calendars

I would love to make an advent calendar this year! Luckily, there are many neat ideas on Pinterest to get my creative juices flowing.

I like the simplicity of this one and it looks easy enough to DIY.

This one is a little more classy, but I love the tree shape and little pockets.

Love the clothespins on this one!

I really like the placement of this one in the window.

This one is made out of old tp rolls...what a great idea!

And if you need a little help with what to do for each day,
there are plenty of great ideas HERE.

So, now i just need to start saving my tp rolls!

Side Note: I'd love to hear any feedback from those who read this blog! If you like what I am doing let me know, if you don't like what I am doing also let me know. I want to know what YOU are interested in and want to see more of on this blog.



Wednesday, November 9, 2011

DIY t-shirt flowers



This was a little Pinterest inspired project that I completed a few weeks ago. Super easy, and the results were great too.

The full tutorial can be found HERE. Basically, you cut out a 5 petal flower about 9 times, fold, hot glue, and fluff. :) Seriously. And you don't even have to be good at cutting either because I stink at it and my flowers weren't even all the same size.

I used an old stained t-shirt for this one so it was a very cheap project. You can put whatever you want on the back...a pin, an alligator clip, or both.

I have just clipped this in my hair for a little something extra or clipped it on a headband for my little one.


Okay, seriously...my kids are both sick, miserable, and desiring my constant attention. I am also up to my elbows in yarn trying to finish several projects I hope to share soon! Wish I had more time to share what I've been working on!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Thankful Tree





I got this idea from a few different blogs. I basically grabbed some branches from the back yard. Stuck them in a mason jar with some little rocks to anchor them, cut out some leaves from construction paper, tied little loops of yarn on them, and hung them up. It was a quick project and pretty cute. My little guy has been enjoying coming up with thankful things every day. We take a leaf down, I write the date and we write what we are thankful for. On thanksgiving we'll read each one. I hope to keep them so that we can see how they differ next year.

Anyway, super quick project, but meaningful and fun to do with little ones!

More to come this week. Sorry for so much silence on the blog. Between being a mom, cleaning up a house, having 2 sick kids, writing on my family blog, crocheting custom orders, and other events, I have been pretty tied up. Custom orders are finished for now and I am working on some fun Christmas projects which I hope to start sharing soon!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Tutorial: Crocheted Ear Warmer




 Flower Ear Warmer with Button Closure


Things you will need:
Measuring tape (optional for measuring your head)
G hook
1 skein of Sugar N' Cream yarn.
One button: 1" diameter
Optional: extra yarn for the flowers and size E hook

Difficulty:
Beginner

Terminology:
ch (chain)
sl st (slip stitch)
dc (double crochet)
sc (single crochet)
dc2together (double crochet 2 together)

*Notes: This ear warmer was created specifically for my head circumference. You may need to adjust by adding or taking away rows to fit your head. This pattern is for a 21" head.

Ear Warmer:

Ch 6, turn.
DC in ch 4 space and next 3 chains (4 dc).
Ch 2, turn, dc in 4 dcs (4 dc).
Ch 2, turn, 1 dc in first stitch, 2 dcs in next st, 2 dcs in next st, and 1 dc in last stitch (6 dc).
Ch 2, turn, dc in every st (6 dc).
Ch 2, turn, dc in every st (6 dc).
Ch 2, turn, dc in first st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in last st (8 dc).
Ch 2, turn, dc in every st (8 dc).
Ch 2, turn, dc in every st (8 dc).
Ch 2, turn, dc in first 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts (10 dc).
Ch 2, turn, dc in every st. Repeat for next 17 rows (*add additonal rows if needed).
Ch 2, turn, dc2together, dc in next 6 sts, dc2together (8 dc).

Ch 2, turn, dc in every st (8 dc).
Ch 2, turn, dc in every st (8 dc).
Ch 2, turn dc2together, dc in next 4 sts, dc2together (6 dc).

Ch 2, turn, dc in every st (6 dc).
Ch 2, turn, dc in every st (6 dc).
Ch 2, turn, dc in first st, ch 2, dc in last st (this is the row where you create your button hole).
Ch 2, dc in every st (4 dc).
Sc around evenly.
Finish off. Weave in ends.
Sew button on beginning side.

Flowers: (with E hook)

Ch2.
Rnd 1: 5 sc in first ch, sl st in front loop only of first sc to join.
Rnd 2: Work (sc, ch 1) in front loop only of same st, *(sl st, sc, sl st) in flor of next sc; rep from *around, sl st in remaining back loop only of first sc from rnd 1.
Rnd 3: *Ch 2, sl st in back loop only of next sc; rep from * around ending with a sl st in first ch 2 space.
Rnd4: Work 4 hdc in same ch 2 space, *(sl st, 4 hdc) in next ch 2 space, rep from *around and join.
Fasten off. Leave long strand for weaving and sewing onto ear warmer.

Thanks!

I hope that this makes sense. Let me know if there are any questions...and I would love to know if anyone out there tries out the pattern.