Mickey Shoes

I'm not a Disney freak. I swear. But I am surrounded by them and peer pressure is a real thing. Perusing Pinterest has got me planning a million different things to try. Here's one, my Disney shoes. Vintage Mickey and Minnie hand painted! Size 8 and I haven't worn them yet....but I can't hold out much longer...

Critter Scarf

Kids scarf made from old sweaters. It has a feathery tongue and the mouth is a puppet! Christmas presents this year!! More critters to come, and if you want one for Christmas, let me know which critter you want, these are only $7!! I have too many old sweaters lying around, they need to be used!

Halloween Crochet Hat

Yay Halloween! If you know me, you know I love it. And I love crocheting, especially now that someone's July birthday present is done. Long projects probably just aren't my style. They just take too....long. Then I get bored and they take longer. Then you get your present completely out of season 3 months late. Anyways, hats are faster. So here's my first Halloween hat! Don't you just love my model?? Can I use him for all seasons?

The Cake

Chocolate cherry vanilla, pretty tasty for a gussied up box cake. Looking good so far!
Here is the recipe for the second half of the cake, gfdf vanilla pound cake http://glutenfreeeasily.com/perfect-pound-cake/. 

So I guess I never posted this...sorry! Let me put some final pics in and be done with birthday posting!

Yummy Food

So many things going on in my kitchen! Today we rolled the chocolate peanut butter cake pops and I just pulled out the most amazing gluten/dairy/corn free peanut butter cake for the allergy friendly cake pops. This is delicious, so much better than my gfdf sugar cookies. They sort of taste like dinner.

Vintage Luau Tablewares

I'm having so much fun! In vintage luau fashion, here are some pics of the eating utensils. I did find some flower decked, non bright enough cups for the grown ups to sip out of. I made the kids out of smaller $ store cups and each has their own vintage Hawaiian picture. I think they are so cute, I found a great website that puts the pics on postcards and other stuff. Here's a plug since I feel a little guilty using all their awesome photos without actually buying their stuff: http://www.islandartcards.com/. I also printed some of the same images on stickers for the plates. The plates are recycled cardboard and stuff (probably made from corn, which is funny only if you're me) and therefore a little brown like cardboard. They already match great and make me feel all green and stuff, too.

My napkins were on clearance at Party City, straight out of the luau section, and the "silverware" is also green/corn/etc so it also has that natural feel. It was very time consuming to wrap it all up, but I love them! The basket is $ store, and the raffia, which has so far tied all my cards and all my silverware and isn't even half way gone, was also from the $ store. Talk about stretching  a buck! Makes me feel better about spending more on the recycled stuff. Why does green stuff cost more?? so annoying.

First Birthday Party

So here is the big reveal, the  baby's first birthday party theme. I love parties, expensive, every little detail counts kind of parties. I do try to be as thrifty as I can on all the details, and darn it, I feel like sharing how I did it all. So the big reveal......drum roll...... Vintage Luau. Oh ya. Like some old school Hawaiian surfing ladies and no bright colored flip flops and beach balls. Theres nothing wrong with it, just not for this party.
I'll start at the beginning with invitations. I found beautiful, fancy wedding invitations on clearance, 30 for $10. Not too shabby, and half the work is done already. I put back $15 worth of scrapbook paper and these are super fancy. Plus I can use the rsvp envelopes for thank you cards later. I used the rsvp cards to print my handsome baby's photo on. Check em out.
And I tied the card in raffia instead of the brown ribbon that came with the cards to add some beach flair, though didn't get a pic of it, sorry.

Crochet Lion

Another cute critter from Vanna White!

He looks a little Chinese, but adorable nonetheless.

Crochet Critter

Look at the cuteness!

I got this pattern from Vanna White. We go way back. I plan to have these dudes on sale at the Mad Science Fair where I will be a vendor along with my husband. He's selling bacon. Check him out at http://www.homesmoked.webs.com/. Mad Science with bounce houses, blood donations, etc. Lots of fun on March 31st. Contact me for more info! Want a cute giraffe? How about a lion? Love them!!! Hopefully I'll a get a slew done in time. $12!! What a deal. And until I'm done fundraising, a portion goes to LLS. So you can feel good about the cuteness.

Scrappy Owl Fundraiser

So I joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. They teach me how to run a marathon and I raise money to help cure cancer. Win-win! I'm trying to put to use my crafty enough skills to help raise money. These adorable owls are all made from scraps of fabric I have lying around. And believe me, I have enough fabric lying around to make one for everyone I've ever met. They are custom made to whatever color palate you want and I just love how each one turns out different and with they're own tiny personality. Available for only a $5 donation on my fundraising website http://pages.teamintraining.org/ncfl/cmc12/kaitlynpatterson, everyone can have their very own Scrappy! I love him. Keep posted for updates as there are at least 2 more Scrappy's  in process. And just in case someone doesn't like owls (crazy!), I've also started a scrap flower for the same $5 donation. I only have the one done now, but plan to have a few more on hand for my big vendor opportunity in late March! So excited. These projects are super fun to make.

Crochet Headband

I had a tiny bit of sparkly yarn left over and thought I'd give an earwarmer headband a try. My sister in law had a beautiful one she got somewhere and I thought, "hey, I could make that!" It turned out quite different but it was easy and I thought pretty darn nice if you happen to have chilly ears. I made it to fit my head to give to my SIL, but my niece walked in and seemed to enjoy it. She was much cuter in it anyways.  My SIL did end up wearing it to work and people loved it. I was so excited that a few even asked for one. We came up with $8 for the price of it, so if you want one, I can "hook" you up! Get it? Hook? Like crochet hook? I am so funny.

Here's what it looks like on your head:

And buttoned up (the button goes in the back)...

And layed out...



Christmas Hat and Scarf Set



Sorry I'm so late with posting Christmas presents! But I am quite proud of the amount of work I actually finished for present time this year. I know people had their doubts, but the 10 million hour car ride to Texas greatly helped in completing things. This set is for my other niece. The scarf is knitted with size 87 needles. Seriously, they're like tree trunks, cuz knitting tends to hurt my knuckles with any smaller size needle. However, I think my large needle size sort of screwed up what the pattern was supposed to look like. It really is supposed to have random holes and what not, but the pattern picture (completed in needles much smaller) looked quite different than my finished project. Oh well, I still liked it enough and my knuckles were saved. The yarn is awesome and has sequins. I technically bought it for me but that was silly considering what time of year it was.

The hat is crocheted. It looks pretty much like the picture and I even altered it a tiny bit to be a tiny bit smaller. I am super proud. This hat also has a ribbed bottom like the red one I did for my sister, and it is hilarious how different it turned out. I was actually able to see my stitches and count them and follow the pattern! I swear everything I learned was from doing that red hat. My dear sister actually sent me a picture of herself wearing it!! I love you!! Despite all the technical errors she is (at least pretending) enjoying it.  Anyways, I like this hat, maybe someday I'll go back and buy more of this yarn and make one for myself.  Maybe.

Minnie Mouse Hat

A Christmas present for my niece, she loves Minnie. I'm so excited about this, it makes me feel so professional! The bow is even attached with a hair clip so she can wear it separately if she so desires. And get this, the ruffle at the bottom wasn't in the pattern, it's my own idea AND design. I am a professional!

Crocheted Hat

Merry Christmas, little sister! I finished my first long-term crochet project. I must admit I never thought it would turn into a hat as I was going along. I am definitely proud of it, and the finished project resembles the finished pattern, however, my stitches don't resemble the pattern stitches, like, at all. Thank you, Vickie Howell, for the pattern, however, if she saw my interpretation she may not want her props :)
One Christmas present done, too many to count left!

Baby Outfit

I made the dress and headband, recognize my newly crocheted flower accent? The outfit is completed with orange tights, too cute! Actually, completed would be with shoes... whatever happened to my baby shoe endeavor?

Christmas Crafting Begins

Here's my sister's gift, can't post it all cuz she can't see it! I'm planning on crocheting gifts this year.

Learning to Crochet

   This is the 7th or 8th flower attempt. I enjoy crocheting but not sure if it enjoys me yet. This is the final attempt for this project. New baby girl no-name will not mind it, I'm sure. Welcome to the family, little one! I'll post the entire gift when it's finished.

Knitting? Been there done that

I'm not the best or most talented knitter, I'll leave that title to my dear friend,Lacey, who made the most incredible, beautiful knitted quilt for my new baby. But I did manage to knit a washcloth (whoopee, right?) and a square elephant, which I was hoping to adorn with a tutu. Not happening this baby around, maybe next time.

Sadness

My sewing machine broke :( Until I get it repaired it looks like I'll be taking up knitting. Off to the craft store...

The Next Project Begins

Can you tell what the next project is going to be? A chubby belly bathing suit top! I was hoping to buy a white one to use with other bottoms I have, but alas, there are none in existence. So I shall make one! Or attempt to! Here is the next produce bag I finished, I am much more pleased with my leaf patterns this time around, but my photo is so lacking and sideways, what happened?