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I have been crocheting a lot to pass some of the day away.  We aren't yet doing school work (didn't want to start just to stop again when baby got here), so outside play has been BIG here!  While the kids are enjoying the cooler temps and the sunshine I have been finishing up some custom orders before I closed my Etsy shop for maternity leave and also threw in a couple of things for the baby!  Here is a little peek as to what I have been up to!

Ezra's blankie with finished trim....

which matches his momma-made Moses basket bedding perfectly!

Ezra's going home hat.....

......which matches his going home outfit!

And a bunch of custom orders....

a Hello Kitty mitten/hat set

little loafers

a monkey hat

reindeer hat

and a couple of pumpkin hats (one for my Little E!) ....and, no, that isn't him!  That is my little Georgia less than two years ago....man how time flies!!!

While I have never used a Moses basket, I thought it would be a nice addition to our home this year.  Being able to move the basket around to different parts of the house will allow me to be close to Ezra while he sleeps.  I can move it into the dining room during school, the living room during reading time, the kitchen during mealtime and he will have a place to sleep all the while.  I looked at quite a few and it seemed the big difference was the quality of the bedding.  I decided I was willing to save some money and just purchase one for the basket and make a new set of bedding to fit my taste.

As I said before I am mildly obsessed with the chevron fabrics so I ordered a little bit to make some shoes and some bedding.  Hopefully the fabric won't make him dizzy! LOL!

Here is the basket in the processes of making the bedding.  It is a "Badger Basket" and as I assumed it arrived with SUPER CHEAP, low quality bedding....but hey, it was less than $40! Using the original bedding and the basket itself to make the pattern I figured out a plan of attack.  I used fleece and the chevron fabric for the sides, ribbon for the ties, flannel for the fitted sheet and orange double fold bias tape for the trim. 

It turned out relatively good for not having an "actual" pattern.  And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the modern fabric and colors. The crocheted blanket will have a burnt orange trim to match the basket when I am finished with it.

And don't forget the awesome matching shoes!

All of this will be perfect and match his going home outfit too! I bought this onsie as a half-joke for my husband the day I found out we were (SURPRISE) expecting! I think I am going to sew up some quick and easy jersey pants to go with it (if I have time!) in Blue or Orange. 

I have been meaning to purchase a business card holder for months now…okay more like years now, but I am SO PICKY!  I wanted something that would be “crafty and artsy”, ‘cause you know… I have a craft business!? Well, I decided the other day (after once again I was asked for a card and had to sheepishly admit I didn’t have any on me!...EKKKK!) I would make one.  What better than a crocheted one?  Since, of course, most of my handmade items are of the crochet variety.  

Lately I am a little obsessed with the chevron pattern and thought that on a small scale the crochet pattern above looked a little “chevronish”.  So this is what I have come up with:

TADA!!! I love it!  I added a little flower embellishment (used in place of a button) and a binder clip so that I could attach it to the outside of my purse and it was complete! 

What a great and crafty way to display and carry my business cards (or you could use them for mommy-cards, calling cards, credit cards, lipsticks or anything else!  If you crochet, these are pretty easy!  If not, I can whip one up for you for about $8. Check my etsy shop for them!

I am so excited to share an original FREE (Yeah, FREE!!) pattern with all of you!  Make them, use them, give them away, sell them – do whatever you want with it…..it’s my gift to you! The only thing I ask that you do NOT do is to sell the pattern or redistribute it as your own!

“Chevron-sh” Business Card Holder Pattern:

Skill Level : Beginner/Intermediate

Skills Needed:

•    Crocheting in the round

•    Slip stitch, chain, single crochet, double crochet

Material Needed:

•    Small amount of worsted weight yarn

•    Size G hook

•    Button (I used 1-3/8 diameter one found at walmart) or other closure/applique

•    Binder clip if you would like to attach it to something (like a keychain/purse)

Round 1: Ch 20, sc in second ch from hook and next 17, 3 sc in last ch, turn and work the backside of ch, sc in next 17, 2 sc in last ch, slst to join. (remember to NEVER count the sl st as a stitch at the end of the rounds!),  40 st

Round 2: ch 1, sc in same st as joining,  ch 1, *skip next sc, sc in next, ch1* 19 times, slst to first sc, (20 sc/ch1 groups)

Round 3: skipping joining sc and using next color slst in first ch-1 sp (insert hook into ch-1sp yo with new color, pull through loop on hook), leave previous color at back of work to pick up later. Ch1, *sc into ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc* 20 times, slst to first sc of round.

Round 4: Slst into first ch-1sp, ch 1, sc into same ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc, *sc into next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc* 19 times. Slst to first sc,

Rounds 5-10 repeat rounds 3 and 4 alternating colors every 2 rounds.

Round 11: Ch 1 with next color, sc in same as joining, dc in ch-1 sp, *sc in next sc, dc in next ch-1 sp* 19 times

Slst into first sc with next color and each dc and sc all the way around, ch  16 and slst in first slst of round to join, tie off and weave in ends.

Finishing: attach large button, broach, crocheted appliqué or other item to act as a closure to front center (NOTE: IF YOUR BUTTON OR APPLIQUE IS BIGGER THAN STATED BUTTON (1-3/8') YOU WILL NEED MORE CHAIN STITCHES IN THE END OF ROUND 11 TO ACCOMMODATE IT.

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Linked to: Soulemama.com

With all the crocheting projects I have been completing lately I have accumulated quite a stash of small yarn balls of various colors.  Perfect for very small things or……SCRAP blankets.  Scrap blankets are such a great way to utilize leftover yarn that may be from a different dye lot or in such a small quanity it wouldn't be usable otherwise.  I stumbled across the “African Flower” crochet pattern and was smitten.  I found a few of the patterns and after making them decided to make a few adjustments the traditional pattern (because I just can’t leave well enough alone, Ahem!).

Isn’t it BEAUTIFUL??  Perfect for my baby girl, Faith.  Maybe it can be a Easter present and if I am slow to finish possibly a birthday present.  Because, you know, everyone needs a blanket at the end of July! LOL!

Without further ado, here is the adjusted pattern:

Round 1:

 Ch 6, ss into first ch to form a ring. Ch 3, 1 dc inside the ring, ch 1, *2 dc, ch 1, * repeat until you have six spaces and six 2 dc.  Ss into the top chain of the 3-ch group at the beginning of the round. Finish off.

Round 2:

Round 2: Change color to petal color: Starting in a 1-ch space, ch 5, 2 dc in same space, ch1, *2dc, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 1 in next space* repeat 5 times, 1 dc and ss into the top chain of the 3-ch group at the beginning of the round.

Round 4:

Ss into 2-ch space, ch 3, dc 6 in same 2-ch space, ch 1, * skip ch-1 space, dc 7 in next 2-ch, ch 1 * repeat 5 times.  Ss into the top chain of the 3-ch group at the beginning of the round.

Round 4:

 Change color: tie on to one of the dc from previous round and ch1, sc in same stitch as joining and until you get to the 1-ch space.  When you get to the space, sc down to the 2nd row 1-ch space (see photo below).  Continue around with a sc in each dc and a long reaching sc in between the petals.

Round 5:

Change to universal color (color that all blocks will have around them): join in the middle of the 7-dc group from last row (see photo below)

Ch 4, hdc in same stitch as joining, *dc in next 3, ch 1, skip the long reaching sc from previous round, dc in next 3 sc, hdc, ch 2, hdc into next (should be middle sc of the petal),* continue this pattern around until end.  Join with ss to the second chain of the 4-ch group at the beginning.  

For joining: with wrong sides facing, ss together along the hexagonal edges.  This creates a raised look around the blocks.  If you would like it flat you can whip stitch them together.  

Yep, still here......and still crocheting.  I have been finishing up my crocheted Christmas presents so I have been a little MIA on the blog lately.  I promise to return.  Until then, here is a sneak peek of my middle daughter's Christmas present.....

Jessie from Toy Story!  I sort of designed her as I went along.  I may (one of these days....) write the pattern out for those interested.  I still have yet to write out my Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast doll patterns...ahem.

How are your Christmas crafts coming along?

I have been crocheting quite a bit lately and I have been bad about photographing anything.  I have happened to grab a few quick photos of a couple of the items I have completed.  Some are customer orders, others are Christmas gifts.  I used my super low quality camera phone (blackberries have a HORRIBLE camera - iphone here I come - more on that in another post) on a couple of the photos, so bear with me!   Here are a couple of photos on what I have been working:

 

Owl hat in fawn, hot pink and robin's egg (on my adorable THREE year old niece! Happy Birthday, A!)

 

Snowflake set for a client in cherry and vanilla

 

Ribbed bottom hat in chocolate and fawn for a client

Georgia's winter hat in hot pink and white

 

Textured earflap in lilac with accents of sweet corn

 

 

Amethyst textured newsgirl with sweet corn and terracotta accent. 

I have also been crocheting TONS and TONS of pascal's (between Halloween and Christmas orders) and I am still planning on a getting a few more things finished up before Christmas:

• A gnome
• A Buzzlight year (we will see about this one - not sure I am up for that!)
• Jessie from Toy Story
• A ribbed bottom hat for my oldest to match the coat we purchased for him for Christmas
• A headband or two for friends
• and I am sure I will come up with a thing or two more - I have been wanting to knit a sweater for the baby - maybe I will start on that after the first of the year....
  
  
  

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.

This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an ...excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Oh.... Yes there is! It is time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

• Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
• Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
• Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
• Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese-made flat-screen TV? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
• There are a gazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.
• Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
• How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
• Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
• My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
• OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
• Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip.
• And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community.

If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US (We the People), encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we could not imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition!!  Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups  -- throw up a post on Craig's List in the Rants and Raves section in your city. -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about? (Actually it's' really about Jesus' birthday.) 

P.S. if you are looking for some handmade crochet items, I know just the girl!

Okay, I apologize.  It is the "busy season" around here!  The garden is starting to fall apart because of all the heat and the lack of care (lack of care because I DON'T weed in 100 degree heat!), I have been canning beans when I get a chance, we had a 6 hr. ER trip (everything is FINE, praise God!), the kids are in VBS every night this week and I have been busy planning school for this year!  SOOOOO...needless to say, my spare time is limited and when that is the case, every ounce of it goes to the most important people: the hubs and kiddos!  As for a quick run down on things that have been happening around here (that I may or may not end up finding time to blog about in more depth!)

• The new chickens are laying. 
  
• School planning is ALMOST done and I am feeling REALLY good about that.  What a relief it will be to have it ready to go for me!
• I have been going back and forth (and back and forth again!) about doing school in the "learning room" or in the kitchen/living area of our home.  Pros and cons to both - just need to pin it down so I am not humming and hawing over this in the middle of school!
• I have written another crochet pattern I am selling.  It is for the Rapunzel doll.  I am so excited to be pattern designing again!  I have so many patterns that I pull out of my head and I am FINALLY writting some of them down.  If  you are interested it is $8.50 and available on my etsy shop: http:///www.etsy.com/shop/niccilynnhandmades

• Georgia is SO close to walking.  Where did my baby go?  Really, I just had her...didn't I? 
  
• I have been in a funk of some sort with all the hot weather - I feel cabin fever setting in...and it is SUMMER!  That shouldn't happen.  With the 100+ heat index days, it is just too hot and humid to do much outdoors until evening. 
  
• We had an ER trip for Georgia - she was spitting up what looked like old blood (brown).  They couldn't find anything the matter and I chalked it up to she scratched her mouth/nose with her fingernails (she has RAZORS on those fingers I tell you!) and swallowed a little bit of blood.  But they did a tummy Xray and checked everything out, ran a blood panel and everything looked just perfect.  It hasn't happened again so that is good.  Praryers wouldn't hurt though, so if you could, send some up for us. 
  
• Our garden is going....going...going.  I had every intention on keeping up with it this year, but, alas, more important things are consuming my energy right now (my growing-everytime-I-blink kids, that is!) and I am fine with that.  They are my first charge and my God given gift - the garden is what I put on myself to do. It comes down to prioritizing what is most important and what is most important are those 5 amazingly good looking, sweet, cherub like munchkins that want to go swimming or ride their bikes or read or play a game or snuggle (ohhhh.....the snuggles...mmmmm)

Hope everyone out in "blog-land" is doing well and enjoying your summer!

I came up with this little diddy for my soon-to-be-SIX (ahhh)-year-old who just so happens to ADORE the movie "Tangled".  It is a look alike Pascal and I am working on a Rapunzel doll as well.  I hope to be able to get a pattern written up for the doll and I also have a few freebie patterns I would love to share with you.  Keep an eye out for them in the upcoming weeks. 

If you are interested in "The Friendly Chameleon" pattern it is $4.50 and it is in PDF format.  Email me if you would like to purchase.  NicciLynnHandmades(at)gmail(dot)com.