Free pattern!

Hello everyone, I am glad you could stop by today. I have been working on a few free patterns for all of you who are so kind to follow my blog. As you may know on my list of to do things this year is to create new patterns. Here are my first ones. Hope you enjoy!
I had a friend invite me to a baby shower she was giving for a friend of ours and she mentioned she didn't know what she all needed for the party. I gave her a few tips and then offered to make her some "distintivos" which are little appliques you give to each guest as they arrive. This is what I came up with.

Here is what you will need:
Crochet hook - E
WW yarn- any color
Safety pins
Scissors
Darning needle


Dress:
Chain 19
Round 1 - Slip stitch into the beginning chain to form a circle. Chain 3
1 Double crochet into each of the next 4 stitches, 4 double crochet in the next stitch, 1 double crochet in each of the next eighth stitches, 4 double crochet into the next stitch. 1 double crochet into each if the next four stitches. Slip stitch into 3Rd stitch of beginning chain 3. (24 stitches total)
Round 2 - Chain 3, 1 double crochet into the next 4 stitches. Skip the next 4 stitches and 1 double crochet into each of the next 8 stitches, skip the next 4 stitches and make 1 double crochet into each of the next 4 stitches.
Slip stitch into the third chain of the beginning chain three.(16 stitches total)
Round 3 - chain 3, 2 double crochet into each stitch around. (32 stitches total)
Round 4 - chain 3, 1 double crochet into the next stitch,

I have one one more pattern of a baby rattle to post but at the moment can not find my notes. Please subscribe so that you be notified when I update this post. Thank you and Happy Crocheting.

Summer Crochet Inspiration

So today I was scrolling through Facebook and someone asked what would be some good items to crochet for summer. Well that started me thinking and I started surfing on the web to find some pics for her and decided to make a blog post about it since I know that she is not the only one needing some inspiration.
The other reason for this blog is to link the pictures to the actual pattern site.  Here is what I found -

#1 Two Tone Shrug 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/two-tone-shrug

#2 Gladiator Sandals 

http://crochetdreamz.blogspot.com/2012/04/gladiator-sandals-crochet-pattern-for.html#.UxgGMPnxqNk

#3Blue Filet Netting House Shoes 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blue-filet-netting-home-shoes

#4Summer hat 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spring-is-here-crocheted-hat

#5Tshirt yarn necklace - video showing how to do the finger knitting/weave 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REaX0oYEIGo

#6Floppy Sun Hat 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/floppy-sun-hat-2

#7Tank Top Set - could not find pattern I will try to write out the pattern.

#8Flower Lariat - something similar but can be adapted 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/curly-bone-branches-an-asymmetrical-branched-lariat-scarf-worked-in-two-halves

I will try to post more by this weekend. Stay tuned, and have fun crocheting!

Here is the second part as promised and this is only scratching the surface. Hope you guys enjoy making these wonderful items because there are some beauts in here. Good Luck and Happy Crocheting!

#10 - Lace Summer Shorts - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-beach-shorts

http://www.etsy.com/listing/156266718/crochet-pattern-white-beach-shorts-and

#11 - Baby Summer Dress

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swing-dress-or-top-pdf12-054

#12 - Granny Bunting Garland

 http://carinascraftblog.wardi.dk/2010/07/tutorial-crochet-granny-triangle.html

http://carinascraftblog.wardi.dk/2010/08/crochet-bunting-tutorial.html

http://crochethealingandraymond.wordpress.com/2010/10/09/bunting-time/

#13 - Summer Cotton Crocheted Bracelet

http://windrosefiberstudio.blogspot.com/2011/04/summer-cotton-crocheted-bracelet-free.html

#14 - Crochet Beaded Bracelet

http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2007/7/crochet-beaded-bracelet_30.aspx

#15 - Crochet Lace Circular Vest - No pattern found

#16 - Links and Loops Shrug 

http://blog.knitting-warehouse.com/2012/05/free-crochet-pattern-links-and-loops.html

#17 - Little Girls Purse

http://zoomyummy.com/little-girls-purse/

#18 - Summer Shrug

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shoulder-shrug---bamboo

Project Tags, Need Them, Create Them, Use Them!

Today I want to talk about project tags. What are Project Tags? They are something like a card you can holepunch and attach to your UFOs (unfinished objects) so you can remember all there is to know about that particular project. 

So in a previous post I mentioned that I had started a blanket but could not remember what stitch or hook I was using before I put it down. In this post I will talk about what I did to take care of this problem.

I made some Project Tags! Here is a picture of what they looked like:

So if you like these her is what you need to create your own. You need some paper, printer, and a program to print out your layout. I just used what I had on hand and I had quite a few choices. I had perforated business cards that I got from a garage sale. I had plain white card stock pad and scrap booking paper pad from Walmart. I also had a few sheets of Avery perforated business cards that are the ones pictured above.

Next I decided that I would use the Avery.com template & software.

If you want to use 8 x 10 or 8 x 11 scrap booking paper or card stock you can but just keep in mind that you will have to cut them out by hand or with a paper trimmer.

Here you can type in your Avery template number and you will be taken to the template generator so that you can start your card.

This was the Avery product I had on hand 8373. I knew the number because each sheet of cards has the number printed on them. Here you select if you want to print double sided or one sided as well as tall or wide. If you don't have an Avery product on hand and just want to print them out on regular card stock, scrap booking paper, or typing paper you can. If you do use a Non-Avery paper then you are also free to choose a different size tag. As you can tell by the product list on the left, you have a lot of choices.

Next you will be taken to the next step in the process. Here you can select your design. You are free to start from scratch or if you want a quick way out then choose one of pre-designed forms. The choice is up to you. If you don't want to spend to much time creating them I suggest using a pre-made design. Don't worry they are not all boring like the ones you see here. There are some cute ones as well you just have to scroll down further to see them. 

The last and most important step is to customize your design. If you look at the left column you will see you have options to add text, images, shapes, QR and Barcodes, and even Sequential Numbers just in case you want to prioritize your UFO.

I do have to mention that on my tags I did leave off a few important things. I will need to add a line for deadline. This will come in handy if I have an order or if I joined a group and they have given me a deadline.

I will also have to add another line for Notes and another for website. 

I know that there are a number of other ways to make your own tags including the template maker on windows. I encourage you to take a look and see what you can create. I will also will try to upload a video doing this step by step so that you are able to follow along. If you create you own tag, leave me a link to your picture so that I can admire your handy work. 

Register through email, blogloving, or add me to your google+ or visit my facebook to get notified of when I post. Next topic will be on how to create your own graphic so that you can use it on your business cards, project tags, or any other place you need a graphic.

Lost in my WIP!

In a previous post I mentioned that we were expecting a baby. So today I would like to show you my current project for my baby. 

This is by no means a bragging post but a post about how much I need to be more organized and a call to action to myself. I'll show you a pick here:

So this is my baby blanket that I am working on. Now, the only problem is I can't remember what pattern I chose or what hook I was using.  Now my blanket is "doing the wave" as I continue to work on it. I do know that I got really tired of cutting off and having my tails all hanging around waiting for me to finally get them tucked in. You can't tell in these pictures but I attempted to carry my yarn to the next row but was not very successful!

So what is all my crying about? Well it's really about a post from winkieflash @ creative being.com and what she uses to keep her projects in working order. She created a tag that you can tie to your project that includes a project name, yarn being used, hook size, who the project is for, and room for notes like date you started the project. If you would like to look at her tags click on her name above and you can even print out a copy of her tags with her own design.

I will be giving this a serious try in the next few days and will even have a tutorial on how to make your own. This is one of my Crochet New Years Resolutions for 2014. So if you are interested in learning subscribe to my blog to receive a notifications of when I write this post. 

Until next time,  Happy Crocheting!

My mood blanket(s) 2014

So one of my things to do on my Bucket List this year is to get into making Blankets/Lapghans/Afghans. So when I came across this post  I was really excited and found it fairly manageable. You can also join the facebook fan page and post your pics. There are over 2200 members as of the last count.

Original pic from IG mummy_stacey

In this year-round challenge you get to choose if you want to make a block/square per day to end up with 365 blocks, or if you want to make one block per week to end up with 52 blocks. I thought "hey I can do that". I started to maybe make a blanket for the living room, then I changed my mind and thought I should make one for my daughter, then I remembered that I had twin girls. I decided to make two blankets at a time. 

So this is week two and this is my progress on these blankets. I went with the traditional granny square because I came across some photos on the web and they looked amazing. I started out by crocheting 3 rows and boy were they fast. Then I started thinking about a post I read were someone suggested making the squares bigger so that you end up with a bigger blanket. So I did. I crocheted two more rows to the squares I had already done but was amazed at how huge they were. I then went ahead and took a measurement. The bigger squares now measured 8". 

I still have to add a boarder to all the squares and join them,  but I'm still debating whether to do it in Beige, Off White, or  White. I also had to choose in what way I could join them. I have not decided yet.

I would like to know what you think would be the best way to join these lovely? Leave your comment below and let me know which technique you prefer to use for joining and what color I should use. Until next time!

My crochet new years resolutions.

So today is the end of the first week of the new year and I have yet to post anywhere My crochet new years resolutions. So I thought that here on my blog would be a great place to start. The following is my list of crochet resolutions.
1. - Blog at least twice a month
2. - Keep journal of Blog topics
3. - Keep posting Cast Off Crew Videos once a week
4. - Come up with at least 6 new patterns.
5. - Finish doing the 27 stitch tutorial videos series.
6. - Stay current on Linky Blogs.
7. - Promote my business through Facebook and other social media.
8. - Revamp Website.
9. - Keep a journal of projects you want to work on with picture and yarn ideas
10. - Start my Etsy shop
11. - Do more Craft Fairs
12. - Organize pics of crochet items 13. - Start/join a crochet group near you.
14. - Make project tags for new projects that you start.
15. - Organize yarn
16. - Organize crochet and knitting tools
17. - Come up with new earring tutorials
18. - Start a free crochet class at the local library!
19. - Organize ravelry page and use more consistently.
Some of them I feel are a little overwhelming but I feel energized by the thought of actually trying to focus on my passion. So my question to you is: Did you write down your Crochet Resolutions for this year? If you have I encourage you to share your list by commenting down below. If you have not, why not start now. Even if you don't have a full list, pick 3 or 4 (or more) things that you would like to accomplish this year and share them with me!

Color My Way

For most of you who are surfing the web you probably already know about Pinterest. You enjoy seeing crocheted creations that have lots of color, but do you ever wonder how they come about deciding what colors to choose. I  do! This is one of my biggest stumbling blocks. I love color but when it come to deciding what color combos will look good together I go blank. So I started looking up color combos. I found this site were they have color combo cards made out. Here is a link to www.colorcombo.com here you can sign up for a free account, click on a particular color and have many choices of color combo cards to choose from, and even search their color combo library. They also have an option to download a pdf of all the color cards in your particular choice. Here is a pic of their webpage.

This is not the only options here are a couple more:

 Adobe Kuler,  Color Scheme Designer

With adobekuler.com you have the option to really customize your color choice to match any swatch. You also have the option to choose if you want to see it in Analogous, monochromatic, triad, complementary, compound, and shades. You can really have fun and experiment with color here.

Colorschemedesigner.com is another site to play with color and color combinations. This site is somewhat a little more technical than others, but still pretty fun.

Two of my overall favorites are designseeds.com and letschipit.com. Designseeds.com. is not only beautiful but inspirational and I could be there all day pining away all the color combos I find. On this site you can easily pin any color combo that you come across to your pinterest board. Here is a pic.

Another similar site to designseeds is letschipit.com. Here you also have chip boards but the beauty of it all is that you can pick from any image on the web, your computer, or picture you may have on hand. All you have to do is scan in the picture and upload it. It is awesome to create this chip boards. Go on take a look and create some. Here are some of my chipboards I have created.

Well I will stop for now and let you get started on creating color combos. Good Luck!