More Bassinet Purses

Again with the Christmas gifts...

These are two rainbow bassinet purses I made for Christmas gifts for my daughter's two little friends.  They absolutely loved them.

I used the FREE PATTERN from Daisy Designs.

The blanket I just made up as I went along.  It's 16 dc in length then I just did sc around the edges with 3sc in each of the side dc and 9sc in the corners.  It turned out cute.  At first I wasn't sure about the rainbow yarn (Calliope), but it grew on me:

These look more difficult than they are.  The pattern even includes a diagram which helps, especially if your a visual person like me.

Crochet Hook Used:
     Size G
Yarn Used:
     Red Heart Super Saver - Baby Pink
     Red Heart Super Saver - Pale Yellow
     Red Heart Super Saver - Calliope

Dolls are from Walmart - $1/ea.

**If you would like me to make any of my projects for you, please   Or you can contact me through my Etsy Shop.

Christmas Time!

Remember when you were a kid and Christmas was simply a blast.  You looked forward to it all year long.  You started singing Christmas songs right after Thanksgiving.  You got all sheepish when you met the big guy in the red suit (or cried because someone put you on some strange, hairy, old guy's lap).  You got all excited for every family party because that meant another present.  You loved all the chocolate, cookies, and other goodies that were so plentiful.  You prayed and prayed for a huge snowstorm to hit so you could have a white Christmas.  You woke up a 4am on Christmas morning because you were WAY too excited to sleep.

When exactly does that change?

I don't remember the exact moment it happened, but somewhere along the line things did change.  You now save up for it all year long.  You get annoyed when you hear Christmas songs on the radio or in stores before Thanksgiving because it stresses you out and you're sick of it being commercialized and mad you saw decorations up in October.  Crowds are horrible.  You dread pictures with Santa because that means you have to drag the kids to the mall and stand in a long line while trying to keep them from ruining Santa's set and/or getting whiny.  You get stressed about every family party because you have to figure out what gift your kids are giving to their cousins.  You hate that there is so much yummy junk food that is going straight to your hips (and waist, rear, neck, arms, etc.).  You hope it doesn't snow until Christmas day because you still have to drive to and from work.  You unplug alarm clocks, blackout windows, and anything else you can think of that will keep the kids in bed another hour on Christmas morning.

This is how I started feeling towards Christmas this year.  It made me sad, so I decided to focus on all of the fun things with it.  This was the first year we were able to get a picture of our kids with Santa.  We are lucky that our kids aren't in school yet, so we went when all the other kids were in school and had no line.  We took our kids on a wagon ride to see a light festival.  My daughter is learning to find joy in giving gifts.  The look on her face when she is given a gift could light up an entire room.  Santa is a great parenting tool. Christmas songs are fun to sing at the top of your lungs on the way to work at 6am.  Not to mention they are wonderful ways to embarrass your children.   Families get together.  Neighbors get together.  Friends get together.

There are many things to love about Christmas and it is important that we focus on them.  I hope you enjoy this time of year and make it about love, sharing, and family rather than about the perfect gifts.

Merry Christmas!

Need a White Elephant Gift?

I HAD to share this!!!  It's a Beard Beanie.  It would make a very awesome white elephant gift:

This first one is on Ralvelry by Jen Spears.  You can download the pattern HERE.

This is from Topsy Turvy.  Find the pattern HERE.

Product Review: Bamboo Handle Crochet Hooks

I recently purchased some new crochet hooks with bamboo handles.  This set ranges from 0.75mm-3.5mm, which are on the small side of crochet hooks, making them ideal size for using with crochet thread or with yarn when you need a smaller gauge.

My main concern with using the small hooks is the strain they put on your hands.  I was drawn to these because of the size and shape of their handles, which make you less prone to aches and pains associated with conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis.

After using this product on some projects, I've noticed some key points:

     1.  I am able to hold the hook with a much lighter grip due to:

                    larger size handle

                    lighter weight (less metal, and bamboo is lightweight)

                    ergonomic design

     2.  I feel less fatigue in my hand while working

     3.  I feel I have better control over the hook

     4.  Bamboo makes a very comfortable handle

Being able to have a lighter grip is very important in saving your hands.  I am also a practicing dental hygienist and this concept was drilled in our heads as being important if you don't want your career to end prematurely due to hand problems.  Dental instruments are very similar to a crochet hook in size and feel.  Rule of thumb: big and light handles are best.

I highly recommend this product and/or others similar to it.  It makes crocheting easier on me and more enjoyable.  I am confident it will for you too.  And, at $15.99 for 8 hooks, it's not a bad deal.

Got some feedback of your own?  Please feel free to leave a comment.  There are many crochet hooks out there and I would love to hear your opinion.

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Crochet Baby Cowboy Boots

I made these cowboy boots for part of a baby shower gift.  I found this FREE PATTERN.

They aren't too difficult and don't take very long to make...if you don't procrastinate before the shower like me!

Crochet Hook Used:
     Size F (3.75mm)
Yarn Used:
     Red Heart Super Saver - Black
     Red Heart Super Saver - Delft Blue

**If you would like me to make any of my projects for you, please   Or you can contact me through my Etsy Shop.

Lilac Baby Blanket

Here is a blanket I made for my oldest daughter when she was a baby.  I used a free Bernat pattern (free, but requires login).  The pattern was actually on the label of the yarn I bought.

I love the look and feel of this yarn, which is Bernat Softee Baby.  It is incredibly soft and almost has a shine to it.  It can be more difficult to work with because of the fine fibers, but the end result is beautiful.

I messed up the first row a bit, but it was only the 2nd thing I ever crocheted and the first pattern I ever followed.  So, we'll give me a break.  Note to self: when it says dc in the ring, it really is just in the ring space, not in the individual chain stitches.  Way to make it more difficult and less attractive Heather!  :)

Crochet Hook Used:
     Size G (4.25mm) - pattern recommends Size H
Yarn Used:
     Bernat Softee Baby - Soft Lilac

**If you would like me to make any of my projects for you, please   Or you can contact me through my Etsy Shop.

Playdough

I recently made some playdough for my daughter.  She's been playing with some at her grandparents' house and absolutely loves it.  I had never made it before, so I decided to try it.

When I was a kid, my best friend's mom would make us playdough.  I remembered it being warm when she was done, so it must have been the kind that requires cooking.  Through my online searches, the cooked kind is better.  It has more elasticity and a better texture.  This is the one I tried:

     Flour - 2 cups
     Warm Water - 2 cups
     Salt - 1 cup
     Vegetable Oil - 2 Tablespoons
     Cream of Tartar - 1 Tablespoon (this is optional but is supposed to improve elasticity)
     Food Coloring
     Scented Oils (also optional, but you can give it some fragrance)

Directions:

• Mix flour, warm water, salt, vegetable oil, and cream of tartar in a large sauce pan over low heat.

Tip: I stirred it very frequently, it will start to develop clumps as it gets close to being done.

• When the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan, and is no longer sticky (feels like playdough), turn dough out on a clean counter.  Divide for coloring.

Tip: If it feels sticky, cook a little longer.  I put my divided dough on tinfoil to color so I wouldn't stain my table.  The coloring stays in the dough once it's mixed.

• Make a divot in the center and add food coloring (I used 6-8 drops).  Fold dough over and knead until color is evenly spread.  You can also add fragrance.

Tip: If dough starts to dry out, get your hand slightly damp and knead.  It will fix it.  However, if it gets too dry, you'll just have to make more.

I got out my cookie cutters and let my daughter go nuts.  It was fun.  It didn't make much of a mess, either.  I think the homemade kind is better than the store bought.  It's softer and doesn't seem to make as much mess.  That and it's cheap and easy!

I stored mine in plastic bags, but plastic containers would probably be best.  Storing in the fridge can help prolong its life.  Again, it's easy and cheap, so if it does dry out...just make more.

The dough shown was colored with McCormick's Neon food coloring.  The recipe was taken from Instructables.com, although I simplified the instructions.  They do have step-by-step pictures if you want them.

Have your own recipe?  Post it in a comment below!  I'd love to hear it.

Bassinet Purse & Doll

This bassinet purse is a Christmas gift I made for a cute little 2 year old girl.  They work great for doctor/dental appointments, church, or anywhere else where your child has to wait. They are small and easy to carry.  It's basically a drawstring bag that, when turned inside-out, becomes a bassinet for a small doll.

This doll is $1 at Wal-mart.  You could also use the 5-inch Berenguer doll.  You can make little outfits for them and they're cuter!  They seem to end up being about $8-9 with shipping if you buy them individually.  You can get them for around $5 if you buy in bulk.  I'm still looking.

I didn't use a pattern for this one.  I have one of these for my daughter and I used that to make my own.  It turned out well, but I didn't write the pattern down (oops).  I did, however, find a similar  FREE PATTERN on Daisy Designs.  She also has pictures of 3 different doll choices, including the two I've mentioned.

Crochet Hook Used:
     Size G (4.25mm)
Yarn Used:
     Red Heart Super Saver - Plum Pudding
     Red Heart Super Saver - Dk Orchid

**If you would like me to make any of my projects for you, please   Or you can contact me through my Etsy Shop.

Pirate Doll Outfit - for 5" Berenguer doll

This has got to be the cutest little crochet outfit I've seen.  I absolutely love it.

It is $6.00 on Etsy by Char Patterns.  Anyone looking for ideas for a Christmas gift for me?  (Hint hint)

Pink Double-Strand Headband with Grey Flower

Here is another Christmas gift for a young girl.  This headband is easy.  The flower is pretty easy too.  I made this in under an hour.

You can find the FREE PATTERN for this headband and flower at CreativeMe.

Crochet Hooks Used:
     Headband: Size I (5.50mm)
     Flower: Size G (4.25mm)

Yarn Used:
     Red Heart Super Saver - Shocking Pink
     Red Heart Super Saver - Grey Heather

**If you would like me to make any of my projects for you, please   Or you can contact me through my Etsy Shop.

Purple Flower Headband

Going along with the theme of handmade Christmas gifts, here is a headband I made for a 10-year-old.  It has interchangeable flowers that slide over the buttons.

The headband was made using a chain-less foundation technique.  It is about 19" but stretches to about 22".

The flowers were made using a simple  free flower pattern from The Homemade Dress.

The button is a spare shirt or pant button I had on hand.

Crochet Hooks Used:
     Headband: Size G (4.25mm)
     Flowers: Size D (3.25mm)

Yarn Used:
     Red Heart Super Saver - Dk Orchid
     Red Heart Super Saver - Plum Pudding
     Bernat Baby Sport - Light Lilac

**If you would like me to make any of my projects for you, please   Or you can contact me through my Etsy Shop.

Helmet Pig!

For Christmas I decided to make some of the characters from Angry Birds for my daughter.  I saw some pictures of crochet versions and had to try them.  This is my first attempt.  I made him using a pattern created by Rabbiz.

Crochet Hooks Used:

     Entire Project - Size G (4.25mm)

Yarn Used:

     Red Heart Super Saver Yarn - White

     Red Heart Super Saver Yarn - Black

     Red Heart Super Saver Yarn - Spring Green

     Red Heart Super Saver Yarn - Grey Heather

**If you would like me to make any of my projects for you, please   Or you can contact me through my Etsy Shop.