Where has the time gone?

I knew I had been neglecting my business, but I didn't realize that it had been four months since I had posted anything.  I haven't been idle, I just haven't been online much as of late.  The holidays are always busy and my mother-in-law gave us a cruise for our anniversary.  Then after the holidays, I got sick and I am still not 100%.  I have left my Etsy shop shuttered since the second half of November.  I need to get busy, but I have been so exhausted between some personal family issues and being the mom taxi and not feeling well that I needed to take a break.

I have done some crocheting, but in the last week or two, I have even taken a break from that.  I have made too many scarves, tested out new stitches, made some boot socks, boot cuffs, fingerless gloves--I have made myself at least three matching sets (one even including a hat and I don't wear hats!) and several more random infinity scarves.  I had wanted to put some up on my Etsy shop, but probably by the time I get around to it, it will be spring and no one will need scarves!

In the fall, I took some family pictures for some friends and in the winter, some baby pictures for a friend of a friend.  I'll post some samples of my pictures and my crochet projects soon.

My mom was busy embroidering and sewing Christmas gifts for the kids, so I have lots of items to show off that she made for them.

Just checking in.  I'm still alive, just maybe not kicking...yet.

What Have I Been Up To?

My life pretty much imploded over the summer and hasn't gotten much better since.  I have still been working on my crocheting and with Halloween just this week, it's been my busy season.  I keep trying to work on infinity scarves, but I get busy and get sidetracked.

Here are a few of the orders and projects I have worked on lately:

Fire Baby Outfit!

I saw a set like this on Pinterest or Etsy somewhere and since I already had a pattern for the fire hat (from Micah Makes) and a boot pattern I thought I could modify, I decided I could probably figure out the diaper cover/suspenders.  I started this months ago.  My husband is a paramedic for Kansas City Fire Department and one of the firemen at his station had a three month old baby and said I could use her as a baby model.  So, I made the hat, one boot and got 2/3 of the diaper cover done.  Then life got a little crazy and I put them away and forgot where I put them.  I searched everywhere!  By the time I found them, I knew his baby was too big to fit into the outfit.  However, we've had another volunteer!  Another fireman has a baby due in a couple of months, so I may yet get my baby model!!!  For now, here are pictures of the set, which I will likely be making available on Etsy soon.

Projects for Con Mis Manos

We've had a lot of family emergencies recently, so I haven't been blogging much.  I had wanted to get involved in the June version of the Biannual Blogathon Bash, but this was one of those times that I needed to say no.  I have been trying to get a crochet club going at my church, but my church is small and we haven't had much participation, so I am trying to expand and ask people in the area to join us.  But, in the meanwhile, our church was taking a group to a mission to the deaf in Matamoros, Mexico called Con Mis Manos.  I'm just one person and they recently added a number of students, so there was no way I could make all the things that they needed: hats, Bible covers, and blankets.  But, I did manage to get a couple of pieces done.  Wednesday, the group left for Mexico, so we are praying they will be a blessing.  They loaded a trailer with supplies (the ladies group purchased a few sewing machines that they use to teach a skill, a lady had a Pampered Chef show where people could either purchase items for the mission or purchase items for themselves and the proceeds were going directly to Con Mis Manos, and various donations).  These are the hats I managed to finish and I was also able to finish my first blanket/afghan.  I'd never attempted one before, so this was new territory!

Eeyore-Inspired Baby Hat

On my Pinterest board, I get the most repins by far from a picture of a crocheted Eeyore hat.  I decided to try to make one of my own, no pattern.  Here's how it turned out.  If you are interested in purchasing one, I added it to my Etsy shop.

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 25...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "Y"

My obsession prior to crochet was nail polish because I loved the bright, vibrant colors and all the special bottles that were scented or glow in the dark or color change or crackle, etc.  Is it any wonder, then, that after I started crocheting that my obsession turned to yarn???

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 23...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "W"

I had been tossing around ideas for today's blog post, but today's events presented me with the perfect headline:  "Wanted: Experienced Hookers."

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 21...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "U"

When I was contemplating what to write for "U", what kept going through my head was the Minions singing, "...underwear...."  Yeah.  Couldn't figure out how to make a whole post about that.

I have so many unfinished projects sitting around.  This picture shows a few.  The pink and gray diaper cover/suspenders is supposed to be part of a fireman's baby outfit, complete with a helmet and boots.  I finished the helmet and one boot and now I can't find them anywhere!  The house has eaten them!  Where could they have gone?  I need to finish that one up because I had a fireman's baby model all set up and if I don't get it done soon, she will be too big!

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 17...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "Q"

Wow, I have really been slacking!!!  I apologize if you have come over from the A to Z blog challenge looking for my "Q" and "R" posts.  Between Easter, a 3-day family weekend, and a suspended child, I have been so tired by the end of the day, I haven't really cared what was on my to-do list, which never gets any shorter.

So, without further ado, my "Q" blog post is a compilation of a quick reference for beginners who are learning to crochet.  Bookmark this post and refer to it whenever you need to.  First is a list of common crochet abbreviations to help you read patterns.  Following that is a list of links to some tutorial videos I made and posted on YouTube (more to follow).

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 12...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "L"

I changed my mind at the last minute and decided for my "L" post, I'd have some fun and post some limericks (some old, some new) that I've written.  L is also for "laugh" so have a good one!

There once was a man from Nantucket
Who carried corncobs in a bucket
They laughed him to scorn
For he didn't like corn
But he sure did like to shuck it!

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 8...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "H"

By far, the most common object that I crochet is hats.  It's not the only thing that I crochet.  I have made scarves, mittens, diaper covers, headbands, goggles, pincushions, fingerless gloves, bags, costumes, booties, decor, and even a baby top.  But, I would guess that 75% or more of my projects are hats or include hats.  I have some sets that include leg warmers or diaper covers or booties.  One set has a Santa hat and a stocking that you can photograph a newborn in.  Another set has a turtle shell drape--another photo prop.  The one I am working on now has a pink fireman's helmet, a diaper cover with suspenders and cute fireman boots.  I have a gracious model when they are complete--the baby of a firefighter my husband works with.  Some hats I have for sale on my Etsy shop and some I haven't yet decided to post in my shop yet, though they can be found on my website.  Mostly I make them for my kids or for photo props or as gifts.  They do make adorable props!  And soon, I will be partnering with the ladies from my church to make hats for the homeless, the childrens' homes, and cancer patients.  I am very excited about this.  I have wanted to make items for charity for some time.  But, I am only one person and one hat at a time can only make so much difference.  But, a whole group of ladies can make a bigger difference!

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 3...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "C"

Today's blog will be about CROCHETING.

Okay, yeah, I know that is pretty generic considering that 25% of my blog (well, possibly more) is about crochet.  I had PLANNED on using today's blog to post two instructional videos: "crocheting basics"--one covering chaining and the other covering a single crochet stitch.  However, it's been one of those days.  No, one of those weeks.  Heck, when did it start???

Easter Newborn Hats and Diaper Cover (Bunny and Lamb)

Fun at the Glamberjack Party!

Shelly, a fellow crafter, awesome party planner/thrower, and friend from back in middle school and high school invited me to her birthday/crafting party.  Her original party date was snowed out, so it was rescheduled to yesterday.  It was an amazing party!

Crocheted Beards and Mustaches!

I started making beards a couple of months ago, determined to make some Duck Dynasty "costumes".  I succeeded in making a "Jase" hat and beard and a "Willie" beard (it just needs an American flag bandana).  I was planning on making some "Si" and "Phil" ones, but before I finished up the final touches on the first two, a friend of mine asked me if I could make a couple of beards for her for an upcoming craft/birthday party.  Her theme is "Glamberjack"--lumberjacks with GLAM!

We're Going International!

You heard it here first!  This week, I received an order on Etsy for three of my Minion hat and goggle combos to go all the way to Normandie, France!

What do Crocheting and Scripting Have in Common?

It's official!  I just got the call today that our ministry proposals were accepted by the church leadership, so I will be starting a crochet class/club and my husband and I will begin building a drama ministry at church.

Valentine's Day Crocheted Hat

I made hats for each of my children for Valentine's Day, but I decided to do one for myself.  I had seen a picture of a cute hat that I wanted to recreate, so I have spent the past couple of weeks off and on, working on making up a pattern for it.  I finally got it done and made a scarf to go with it.  I think if I do it again, I might take out a row or two on the slouchy part.  My oldest daughter originally said that it looked like a Strawberry Shortcake hat.  Hmmmm....  not what I was going for.  My other daughter said she would probably like it in black with maybe a blue band.  The original picture I saw was grayish khaki with a black band.  I may try this again in black, test the pattern again before I put this in my Etsy shop or make the pattern available.  What do you think about it?  (I talked my daughter into modeling it for me.)

Thing One and Thing Two hats

My latest project, an order for twin infant girls, is complete!

Diaper Cover and Booties

A friend from church messaged me the other day after seeing the new website and asked if I had anything on-hand she could take to a baby shower.  We chatted back and forth and she decided that in addition to getting a gift certificate for photography, she wanted me to make a pink diaper cover and booties.  The catch was that I had about 24 hours in which to complete this order.  No problem!  (Not always the case, but being snowbound with the kids and I could whip those up pretty fast.)