3 Hey There Little Foxy

Isn't he cute! I've been rediscovering my cross stitch abilities. I used cross stitch when I was in elementary school. I don't think I finished a single cross stitch I started, so this is a proud moment. I finished my first cross stitch! I am loving cross stitch right now. I have found a bunch of examples/patterns on pinterest that I want to create. It's a very inexpensive hobby that could keep you busy for hours, which is exactly what I'm looking for. 

I've also been nagging my husband to design me some new ideas. I'm thinking we need a family picture in cross stitch form. 

0 Cupcake Beanie Tutorial

A month ago I was a creative guest on U-Create! Here is the tutorial I posted.

Cupcake Beanie Tutorial

 

Size: 12 months

 

Skill Level: Easy

 

Materials Needed:

H hook (5.00 mm)

one skein of medium worsted yarn in brown (I used Lion Brand Yarn)

one skein of medium worsted yarn in pink (I used Lion Brand Yarn)

stitch marker

scissors

yarn needle

 

Abbreviations:

ch: chain

sc: single crochet

dc: double crochet

st: stitch

sc2tog: single crochet 2 together

Frosting

 

Note: You will be working in a round on the beanie, so do not turn your work or join rounds.

 

Row 1: magic ring 4. (4) (This link explains how to do a magic ring.)

Row 2: sc 2 st in each sc around. (8)

Row 3: *2 sc in first st, sc in next st* repeat around. (12)

Row 4: *2 sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts* repeat around. (16)

Row 5: *2 sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts* repeat around. (20)

Row 6: *2 sc in first st, sc in next 4 sts* repeat around. (24)

Row 7: *2 sc in first st, sc in next 5 sts* repeat around. (28)

Row 8: *2 sc in first st, sc in next 6 sts* repeat around. (32)

Row 9: *2 sc in first st, sc in next 7 sts* repeat around. (36)

Row 10: *2 sc in first st, sc in next 8 sts* repeat around. (40)

Row 11: *2 sc in first st, sc in next 9 sts* repeat around. (44)

Row 12: *2 sc in first st, sc in next 10 sts* repeat around. (48)

Row13: *2 sc in first st, sc in next 11 sts* repeat around. (52)

Row 14: *2 sc in first st, sc in next 12 sts* repeat around. (56)

Row 15: *2 sc in first st, sc in next 13 sts* repeat around. (60)

Row 16-18: sc in every stitch around.

Row 19(edging): working in the outside loop only, skip 2 sts, 5 dc in st, skip 2 sts, sc, skip 2 sts, 5 dc in st, repeat around and slip stitch to beginning stitch. Fasten off and leave long tail for sewing to bottom part.

Note: you can make the frosting part smaller or bigger by taking out the last couple of rows, or make it bigger by adding rows at the end and following in the same pattern (sc in first 14, 2 sc in next st, etc).

 

Note: You will be turning your work and then sewing together at the end.

Bottom of Cupcake Hat  

Row 1: Ch. 60.

Row 2: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each st across.

Row 3: ch 3, *dc in front post, dc in back post* repeat until end of row. Ch 3, turn work. (This explains how to crochet front and back posts.)

Rows 4-6: repeat row 3. Fasten off and leave long tail for sewing sides together.

 

Note: To make this hat smaller or bigger, simply chain less or more at the beginning and follow the rest of the pattern.

Sewing Together

Once you have both top and bottom finished sew the bottom piece to the frosting top. Sew around evenly through the bottom inside loop of the frosting part to the top of the bottom of the cupcake hat.

 

Note: You can add sprinkles by sewing different colors into the top part of the beanie, or add a cherry on top.

 

 

Cherry

Row 1: magic ring 4.

Row 2: 2 single crochet in each one around. (8)

Row 3: 2 single crochet in 1st st, single crochet in next, repeat around. (12)

Row 4-6: sc in each st around.

Row 7: sc2tog, sc in next repeat around (8)

Row 8: sc2tog, sc in next, repeat around (4)

Fasten off and leave long tail to sew closed and chain 5 for a stem.

2 We Love our Snacks

Since being pregnant we eat a lot of snacks. Here are some of our favorites.

Chips & Salsa

Barbecue chips & Cottage Cheese

Cheese & Crackers

Veggies & Ranch

Apples & Peanut Butter

Popcorn

What are some of your favorite snacks?

16 Big Announcement!

I'm pregnant! We're expecting our second little one August 31, 2012. I'm 12 weeks and feeling awesome, unlike the last time around. We're so excited. And I especially can't wait to be 9 months pregnant in the dead of summer!

I've been craving all things sour—Sour Patch Kids, lemons, Skittles, grapefruit, etc.—as well as hot dogs (eww, I know), chips and salsa, fruit roll-ups, and tangerine Altoids (which they don't make anymore!). Please tell me someone has a stash hidden from middle school that they will give to me. 

Kenzie gives my belly lots of kisses and is so excited to be a big sister. She and the baby will be 2 years and 4 months apart. We all think I'm having a boy because I haven't been sick at all and I've been craving sour things, but who knows? We find out in a month or so. 

2 Happy Valentine's Day!

4 3 Crochet Scarves

I finished my three scarves for the Special Olympics Scarf Project and mailed them off today. The first scarf was made using my last-minute scarf pattern, the third one I used the crochet rib stitch, and I made a new pattern for the middle chevron scarf. 

Crochet Chevron Scarf Pattern:

Yarn: Red Heart Super Soft

Hook: J

Row 1: chain 29

Row 2: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, skip 1 st, sc in next 2 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, skip 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, skip 2, sc in next 3 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, skip 1 st, sc in next.  ch 1 and turn.

Repeat row 2 until your scarf is the desired length. 

I love all the patterns I used, but the chevron and the rib stitch are probably my favorite. I loved using two colors with the rib stitch pattern because it makes your scarf red on one side and blue on the other. I'm so excited for those kids to get my scarves. This was such a fun and rewarding project. 

2 Sunshine Vacation

We had a blast with my family in Arizona and Mexico. It was 60 degrees and gorgeous. It was hard coming back to the snow. My family spoiled Kenzie and she was attached to my sisters Kayla and Amanda instantly. Our favorite was her yelling, "Layla!" (Kayla) all day long. The day we got in we went to the Phoenix Zoo. It's my favorite zoo.

Flamingos are the weirdest and otters are the cutest!

I have pictures of me when I was little playing on this elephant. 

Over the weekend we went to our condo in Rocky Point, Mexico. We swam everyday, saw dolphins, and played games. I even crocheted a little.

She's a little model. I couldn't get enough of her in her swimsuits. Can't wait for summer. 

Touching the ocean for the first time. Later that day she practically took a running leap into it.

We spent the last couple of days playing with my cousin and her cute kids.

They loved pudding paint. And by the end of the day they were bouncing off the walls.

We also went to Organ Stop Pizza, which is the coolest pizza place. If you're ever in Arizona you must go. It's like Disneyland. And a trip to Arizona would not be complete without a Bahama Bucks. The best shaved ice you'll ever taste. We sure do miss my family, but we are so happy to be home.