IceCream! (Pattern)

I think these pregnancy cravings are very largely the power of suggestion. I am not an ice cream fan under normal circumstances, but I have been making ice cream cone rattles for Saturday Market, and I have been craving ice cream like there is no tomorrow...

Here is the culprit!

Pattern is improvised, and very popular!

Edit: 3-21-12

So popular, in fact, that I have written up the pattern.

This piece is made in 2 parts which are then single crocheted together. It is created using amigurumi basics, and is crochet in a spiral, so don't connect your rows.

Any yarn will do, just use 1 hooks size down from recommended for a tight material that won't leak the stuffing.

Cone: (bottom up)
Row 1
Option 1: 6sc into magic loop (link goes to "crochet me" tutorial) (6)
Option 2: ch2, 6sc into 2nd chain from hook (you will need to sew this gap closed in the end.) (6)

Row 2: sc in each of the next 6 sc (note: place marker in last st of this row)(6)

Row 3: 2 sc in each sc to marker, move marker (12)

Row 4-5: sc in each stitch to marker, move marker (12)

Row 6: *2sc in next sc, 1 sc in next* to marker, move marker (18)

Row 7-8: Sc in each sc to marker, move marker (18)

Row 9: *2sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc* to marker, move marker (24)

Row 10-11: sc in each stitch to marker, move marker (24)

Repeat this process of increasing every 3rd row until you have 36 sc around, complete 2 more rounds of sc in every sc to marker, sl st in next, pull through, cut tail at approx. 3 inches.

Scoop:
Complete rows 1,3, 6, 9, etc until you reach 36 sc around. sc in each sc for 5-6 rounds (until it look the right size of scoop for you)

Note: if you want sprinkles or swirls, this is the time to do it.

Have stuffing and rattle insert (jingle bell) ready to go.

Finishing:
Insert hook through next stitch in scoop, AND through any stitch in cone, sc these together, repeat around, try to pick up and tuck in the strands from cone tail. when you are approx half way around, fill with stuffing and bell, then finish sc'ing around.

Embellish with scallops or picots to show dripping, or leave plain to look clean. tie off and weave in end.

Enjoy!

Less fattening than actual icecream!





 

Tophatter

Over the last few weeks, I have been exploring every possible avenue to make a little extra cash. I took the remainder of term off, and will be starting fresh in the spring (April 2) and decided to take this extended spring break and get my business moving a bit more product... Well, good on me. I have gotten several custom orders, which is fine, except that I can't make enough orders to keep up...

So to sell some of my other crafty skills, a couple of crafty friends suggested Tophatter, an auction site that is similar to etsy and ebay, but faster than both. The only major problem is that Tophatter is only about 3 months old, and is still having some issues. Such as there being too many sellers, not enough buyers, or most of the buyers being sellers of another product.

One would think that being a maker of crafty goods, one would understand the time that goes into the work, but many seem to think that if their craft is fast, all crafts are fast... not so much!

It is still a great little program. You go on as a seller, list an item, schedule it into a category, and you are given an auction date and time in which to go talk to your buyers. You build an avatar, and you bid, as if you were out in that cold world at a real auction house. The only issue with this piece of the puzzle, is I am not 100% sure everyone understands that it's a real auction, it kinda looks like a FB game.

Once the auction is over, you use paypal to receive payment (or send it) and to print shipping, package up the goods you sold, and send them on their way.

Tophatter Pros:
*Quick(er)
*"Face-to-face" chat with customers/artists
*Faster payment (usually)
*Newer artists
*More variety (sometimes)
*Easy to use (most of the time)

Tophatter Cons:
*Still a bit glitchy (because its new)
*A lot of bickering from sellers who think they know how to run it better than the staff (try their job for a day, you'd be a lot nicer)
*Some of the features are intermitantly available on most browsers, but not all (speak with staff only sometimes shows up with Google Chrome)
*A few people still think it's a game, and you never get paid
*Shipping costs are OUTRAGEOUS
*Many international customers (read: Canadian) are discouraged from buying because of shipping
*Products are often not well represented because sellers are not present for auction, so you can not ask ????'s

All in all, great site. Needs some improvements

Also, check out my seller page, I have a ton of stuff ready to put into auctions!

 

On Car Wrecks and Super Van!

Yesterday, I was in a car wreck. And for the 2nd time since I bought her, our 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager saved my life. While they were small, seemingly insignificant wrecks, if they had happened in my previous Buick Regal, Dodge Neon, Honda Accord or Ford Escort, the damage, and injuries would have been much worse!

She has gained several nick names, DeathStar being the first, because she is big, and grey, and you can see her coming. The newest names are SuperVan, and Battle Van!

When we got rear-ended, the damage to the other drivers 2005 Toyota Corola was MUCH worse. Her crumple zones did just what they were supposed to do, which is to crumple.....her grill was even with or close to her dash board. Interestingly enough, she said she had JUST paid off the car.

I think I'm about to retire our old girl, she has been good to us, but with baby on the way, we need something a bit newer, and with all the parts still intact.

 

Invasion!

Crochet monsters!

Crochet Aliens!

They're INVADING!

But at least they are cute!

 

Trying to get Organized!

I nearly missed a client meeting today. Between school, and prego brain, I have been forgetting everything! From homework, to which classes I have on those days! It's become unbearable, and it's starting to re-trigger my anxiety disorder...

(Organizedmom.net)

I am hoping that by starting my week with a plan, and starting my month with a shadow of a plan, will help me stay on top of my responsibilities.

 

Hat Designs

Two trends I am seeing blow up ALL OVER the internet and local markets are Twin Set hats, and Hats that make your child's head look like something else. Such as Pumpkin hats, or Owl hats, or Flower blossom hats, or even sports related hats, like soccer balls, basket balls, foot balls, and baseballs. I am starting to work on a few designs for this trend, posting on my Etsy store, and on my Facebook, and planning on carrying them at our local Saturday Market.

What are you opinions on hats that make your child look like something else? Cool, or Cruel?


 

Creative Friday

I have started several new goals... one of which is regular weekly posts, even if it's just a picture or two. On Fridays, I have no class, so I figured it'd be a good day to post about crafty things to do. This week, I made a stuffed turtle...

Squeeze!

Crocheted, embroidered eyes and smile

No pattern, just improvisation.

A while ago, I also made these:

This is Poke!

And this is Gayle, I have also made a zebra, but forgot to take a picture before I gifted him.
   

Humpday Smiles - Couples Sleeping

(Funniest Pictures Ever - Facebook)

 

Healthy Start - Navy Bean soup

One of the biggest things I see with my friends with new or growing families, is that they tend to eat a little less healthy then they should because it just isn't convenient to drop everything and cook a full dinner. So, McDonalds Happy Meals become the easy alternative between newborn check-ups and their toddlers swim lessons.

I have decided to start preparing early, as in, I have been preparing easy store, freezer food meals for several years now, and my drive to continue throughout my pregnancy and parenthood has only increased. I don't have kids yet, but enough of my friends have little ones that I've helped out with, that I understand things a little more intimately about sleep deprivation than most non-parents. Most days in the first couple months you don't get enough sleep to remember to brush your own hair, let alone time to cook, or clean.

When I was growing up, my dad would put together meals in the morning, then halfway through his day, he'd come home, put them all in a pan with lots of water, and simmer them. When he came home from work about 2 hours later, he'd toss bread in the oven, and in 15-20 minutes, dinner was ready. One of my FAVORITE recipes was his Navy Bean and Bacon soup! Over the years, I've tweaked the recipe a little, and because I wasn't feeling up to it, hubby made this last night without much direction.

This soup can be eaten straight from the crock pot, or stored in shallow freezer and microwave safe containers and frozen. This is a great meal option to send with your SO to work during the week that isn't the cheap cafe down the road.

Time:
     Prep: 10-15 minutes (soaking beans the night before prep)
     Cook: Overnight
Ingredients:
16 oz dry navy beans
1 can corn (not drained)
2 cans chicken broth
1-1.5 lbs bacon (cooked, broken up)
1 can of water
2-3 cloves garlic (peeled smashed)
       Note: if you do not have fresh garlic, a 1/2 tsp of garlic powder will work

Directions:
You will need a crock pot or slow cooker with high and medium or low heat.

Soak your beans in water the night before you plan to prep this, I tossed them in a bowl on Friday before I went to bed, and we made the soup Saturday afternoon.

Add drained beans, 2 cans chicken broth (you could substitute veggie broth), 1 can undrained corn, and 1 can of water to the stock pot, turn on high heat. While this is heating up, peel and smash the garlic with a broad blade knife, add these to your soup. Cook your bacon to a point where you can crumble it a bit, add this to the crock pot. simmer on high for about 2 hours, turn to low while you go to bed, or work, or wherever you need to go (about 8 hours). Keep covered.

In the morning, package for freezer or work enjoyment. Refrigerate the work or school portions immediately in shallow containers. When you serve this, it can be on it's own, or it is fantastic with french bread or garlic bread. I myself and thinking about a serving with a few cressant rolls. YUM!
 

Warm Sentiments - Baby Blankets

The baby blanket, the warmth and security, almost every baby or child has their favorite. I'm almost 23 and I have a favorite blanket...

About two years ago, my mom dug out one of my baby blankets and gave it to me. I slept with it every night, and often during the day, my husband thought it was odd, and a little adorable. I can live with that. Unfortunately, about 3 months after I brought it home, one of my dogs chewed through one layer of it, so it has a 3 inch hole in one side. I am looking for a cute patch to put over it, I am thinking I might take a scrap from my own baby's blankie (once I decide on what I am making) and use that to cover it.

About a year ago, my mother-in-law gave me a box of things. One of the items in the box was a cot blanket that my husbands grandma gave him. It's plush, and silky, and has a vaguely Asian feel to it, it is comfy, and gorgeous. I need to sew op a few seams, and clean it again (our black dog decided it was part of her space on the bed...)

Both of these blankets will be passed down to our baby in the late summer.

I have also made our little one a couple crocheted blankets, I am working on a granny square one now in some very pretty green tones, I discovered that they would also make a nice turtle stuffy, so I will be making that as well.

The picture doesn't quite do these colors justice. It was taken with my cell phone, inside my car, when it was pouring rain. The solid color is an almost Easter-y mint green, and the multi is just a tad darker than the pic. I will be posting a tutorial on the blanket, and possibly the turtle, and matching hat. (next week sometime)

Do you still have your favorite childhood blanket? Whether you use it or it's packed away for safe keeping? Does your child have a security blanket?