tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47579373949445141682024-03-14T02:52:53.678-07:00@Home Ninja by KeishaKeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-28871634168991011372018-12-17T11:19:00.002-08:002018-12-17T11:19:35.795-08:00A Crochet Hookers Special Hooks ... What's your favorite?I've done crochet now for nearly 10 years "full time" and as with any crocheter you will find that whatever type of projects you are on you will have one special size or hook that you will prefer more than others.<br />
<br />
For amigurumi I tend to prefer G Hooks (4.0 mm). Tighter stitches for smaller dolls or animals done in the round. G Hook is small but still rigid. Occasionally, I will use D or F sizes but generally it's G. B Hook if I'm doing Barefoot Sandals or N Hook for my Jellyfish.<br />
<br />
I have one favorite hook. One hook that beats all my others. <br />
My I/9 Hook (5.50 mm) by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Boye-6281-6-Piece-Aluminum-Crochet/dp/B00KKV3K3S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1545071688&sr=8-3&keywords=boye" target="_blank">Boye</a>. <br />
My I Hook is more special to me than the others not because of the size, color, rigidity, etc but because it was a gift from a friend.<br />
<br />
You see, I learned crochet when I was about 9 from my paternal grandmother. My mom and dad had been divorced for a few years and she lived in another county so we didn't get to see her often. She was in her late 80s and early 90s, so tiny (literally her shoe size was 5) and frail. If she ever knew how to drive it was long before I knew her. She had a one bedroom apartment with a bible or two within every few feet. Her daughter lived close by and would come over when she washed her super long hair and roll it all up into a bun with little waves on top. She would crochet or make gingham pillows with beads and fabric and sell those at local shops for extra cash that she insisted on giving to her grandchildren, even when we'd run back inside and leave it on her table for her. She had numerous children, grands, great grands and great-great grands when she passed at 99 years old. Literally, grands and greats numbered in the couple hundreds. She was our Mama King.<br />
<br />
Mama King was very religious. She only said one cuss word in the 18 years I knew her, she didn't watch anything that cursed or had anything hurtful or evil in it. She read her bible every day and prayed often all day long. The most common things she'd say when she heard someone being nasty or shocking was "They Law". <br />
<br />
I always wanted to learn to crochet from her but many of the times we could go stay the night it was a late Saturday evening, we'd play with cousins on the front lawn and then go to church Sunday with her. She didn't "work" on Sundays so for me to learn to crochet took many weekends of convincing. She was afraid the Lord didn't look favorably on those that worked Sundays and her craft was her work. One Sunday she taught me to chain. I never could pick up the rest of it and finally just gave up. <br />
<br />
Many moons later I was married with kids of my own. We had moved many states away from most all of my family, the kids were in school but still elementary, I was depressed and anxiety ridden. A friend suggested I learn crochet or knit. Several tens of youtube videos later and I was up and running. I made all sorts of things and gave them away or sold them. At that point I also started my Etsy shop. The woman in the apartment upstairs of us made me think a lot about my grandmother and my mom. She was a tiny woman, living on her own away from her kids but she would go get her hair done and set, dressed so nice and always looked just lovely. She had the biggest kindest heart too. She loved visiting with the kids and I. If we saw Miss Janet outside with groceries we'd run out and help her. Every Sunday we'd hear the sound of her heals clacking on the hardwood floor above us, ready to go to church. Even when we moved back to my home town we'd send her packages. Janet and I mailed letters like old pen pals. She moved to another apartment building and loved it there. <br />
<br />
One day I got a package from her with an old set of knitting needles and a single crochet hook. I've never tried knitting but my mother in law use to so I left those with her to try ( of course she can't see well so they're still in an envelope over at her house ) but I kept Miss Janet's crochet hook. A very old, well loved, I/9-5.50mm Boye hook.<br />
<br />
After a month had gone by I had not heard from Janet and began to worry. I called her line and no answer. I wrote and no reply. I checked her local news papers and found her obituary. I wrote a final letter to her son, who was easy enough to track down, and I told him how much she had meant to me and our little family, how thankful I was to have known her. He sent me a photo of her and thanked me for chatting with her. She really loved it. She'd gotten ill and just couldn't shake it. <br />
<br />
This I Hook is my favorite. It's my Janet. It is a symbol of my grandmother who had worked long and hard raising a family by any means necessary with love and faith, a symbol of my mother who left this world too early who raised us the same way and Janet who had raised hers and helped me be a better person while raising mine. I think of them often when I work. Every project I do I fill with love and positive energy, thanks to the love I have received and want to share.<br />
<br />
So this one is special. I'm not sure I still have anyone stop by this blog but do you have any special hooks or needles that are special to you? Any yarn from your family that you've made something special with? I'd love to hear about it!<br />
<br />
Blessed be!KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-91269918804638720192018-12-01T15:03:00.004-08:002019-02-03T06:24:42.278-08:00Giant Squooshy Jellyfish"This
Jellyfish is Giant. No, really. It's bell is very nearly a foot tall
and the Curly Q's make it nearly a full 3 feet in height! In
circumference it's roughly 47 inches! That's a whole lot of squooshy,
soft, snuggly goodness!"<br />
~sayeth I, in my shop's listing.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/649875708/giant-squooshy-jellyfish-giant-jellyfish" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7ShAvQSO4tZFhEBHmWm1Bq3SxXDOGLCSPTtdxg9FbvQ5Uicuh7SIzJX0My_fV0o5zslKFApb4WBVosQKFmhw_xdTsasU4opI7OyQGDcJxX-Wdndm4Y0E4AFQOldnSvYKsqIkjHRGRIQ/s320/Ninja.pdf.Jellyfish1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
This Jellyfish is a labor of love. Made with <a href="https://www.hobbylobby.com/Yarn-Needle-Art/Yarn/Baby-Bee-Adore-A-Ball-Super-Bulky-Yarn/p/AY87930" target="_blank">Baby Bee, Hobby Lobby</a>, Adore-A-Ball Super Bulky (6) yarn. Generally, this particular brand of yarn only has 5 solid colors, Aqua Marbled, Angel, Toy Elephant, Baby's Blue and Pink-a-Boo. It takes roughly 9 skeins, including the curly q's. I can get them done in a couple of days if I have no distractions but within a week. I'm currently selling for $60 plus tax with free shipping.<br />
<br />
If you're just looking for the pattern, you can find it in my shop : <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/649875708/giant-squooshy-jellyfish-giant-jellyfish" target="_blank">Giant Squooshy Jellyfish</a><br />
and also in my <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/giant-squooshy-jellyfish" target="_blank">Ravelry Shop</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/649875708/giant-squooshy-jellyfish-giant-jellyfish" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4c2WNfMNWTU6C67ybcCw6FPYYVIkdsK_ky44yi7s3X3LAZAp7aDyjWKSw8OujfnLVdTQlaJqBlpAXlirBU2PjHz9-jMep8edIY9t3JlZMCZfGS4dvOeGlZjHwCvM6b2tijMhmf9LyV4/s320/IMG_6854.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-52940602258720268532017-03-24T20:12:00.000-07:002017-03-24T20:12:49.261-07:00Huge Octopus Crochet: Crafting Trial and Errors<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPjnBo5THHLTo7vEAV87ii58hc7zpBy81sYHadlsUUXS_WIkAypb3e4uU8mLqQmHv9R3ILENk3fFsCJiyk_QYI23rd3mFnbQwYIy9h0YH1ClVjfHfOs30oub-X2IdBOb4WzBOmiwmWCU/s1600/0324171320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPjnBo5THHLTo7vEAV87ii58hc7zpBy81sYHadlsUUXS_WIkAypb3e4uU8mLqQmHv9R3ILENk3fFsCJiyk_QYI23rd3mFnbQwYIy9h0YH1ClVjfHfOs30oub-X2IdBOb4WzBOmiwmWCU/s320/0324171320.jpg" width="180" /></a>**Before I begin, All patterns for reference will be at the bottom of this post.**<br />
<br />
It is not rare for me to get a request through Facebook to crochet something for a friend. My actual @Home Ninja page on fb garners only a handful of folks looking but not buying. Mostly it points to here or Etsy. I've given some thought to putting everything on Ravelry because I just like the way they do their patterns in your library. Updates are awesome. However, most of what I have to sell is not patterns but completed items. Still mulling that one over.<br />
<br />
A couple of weeks ago, a friend sent me a private message asking if I could crochet a huge octopus. Sure I can, why not? I asked her if she really wanted it. "Are you serious? I'm happy to make it but you know it'll cost like $40-60 just in materials. Do you really want this?"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, I know that sounds like a real a-hole thing to say but seriously, I get message after message or tag after tag of people who want me to see a picture of some amazing crochet work that they wouldn't pay for and don't want. Sometimes it's knitting and not crochet. I think it's awesome that my friends see these things and think of me. I do. However, sometimes it's like danging a carrot in front of a starving horse or asking your Avon Rep if she can get you some Pampered Chef. I'm a crafter ya'll. I'm broke. I might spend $60 on yarn to make TONS of Messy Bun Hats (that didn't all sell) and only get paid for 1/2. The other half I either wasn't paid for or they sit here waiting for someone to love them. I spend two and sometimes three times what I bring in every year.<br />
<br />
I'm not complaining! I love doing what I do. I love tinkering with yarn and coming up with new things. I mean, I've done my fair share of freebies because once they are done (whether they can afford it or not) I love to see my friends be happy with something I've made for them. I love to crochet, it calms me when my anxiety is bonkers. I know some of my SAHM friends can't really afford to pay me for a hat for them, a hat for a kiddo, gloves for someone or a small toy. I'm perfectly okay with saying, "I've got this one. Love ya'll!"<br />
<br />
If I could have afforded the yarn to do it, I'd probably have said it for this one too. In fact, I still considered not charging her for it or only charging for supply reimbursement because 1)I love the crap out of her and 2)Sometimes it's the experience of getting to do an item that's new, different and fun that means more to me than the payment. (Thus why I'm a brokeass crochetionalist. Yep, just made that up.)<br />
<br />
Back to the point at hand!<br />
One HUGE OCTOPUS! <br />
The picture my friend sent was by Mama Moseley Creations. I went to her Facebook and to her Etsy shop and neither seemed to have a pattern for sale. (I checked it today and there's a pattern for sale now for only $3. If I'd have known that a couple of weeks ago ... ) So I did some other digging. I found "Octopus" on JoAnn.com. Yay me. Well, yes and no.<br />
<br />
Going back to Mama Moseley Creations I learned hers used an L hook (information I think she has since removed from her complete item and put into the pattern page) and ended up being 19" tall by 64" wide. She used Bernat Blanket Yarn. I'm familiar with it but have never used it. I found the cost online. I think mine did end up being a tad bit less expensive than what I found online. I wish she had the pattern then because I'd have scooped it up in a heartbeat. I greatly appreciate the free Jo-Ann pattern but as it turns out (after having read a blog post, again below, by Gleeful Things) that their pattern only had SIX legs, not eight. Gleeful Things told me how to fix that, so I did. <br />
<br />
I followed most of the Jo-Ann pattern to the letter, with the only exception being, as Gleeful Things suggested, starting with 8 sts instead of 7 and the legs. Oh the legs. For the most part it was dead on. There were some soulda-woulda-coulda's along the way but I think we all have that with any project.<br />
<br />
<b>For the Octopus:</b><br />
I crochet tightly most of the time so I knew I'd need a larger hook.
Even with a fatter blanket yarn. I considered an M but settled on a P
Hook, which actually worked out very very close in measurement to what Mama Moseley Creations had. I used my I Hook here and there in place of a needle.<br />
<br />
Bernat Blanket Yarn (108 yards per skein/150 g, Super Bulky) in Dark Grey (00044) -- Main color<br />
Bernat Blanket Yarn (108 yards per skein/150 g, Super Bulky) in Light Teal (00734) -- Secondary color<br />
Bernat Blanket Yarn (108 yards per skein/150 g, Super Bulky) in Vintage White (00006) -- Outline color<br />
Bernat Blanket Yarn (108 yards per skein/150 g, Super Bulky) in Coal (00746) -- Iris color<br />
<br />
We found our colors at the local Walmart (hate shopping there for yarn but the next nearest place is 24 miles and I don't currently have a car) and they turned out to be $3.94 each (plus tax). I also needed almost 1 1/2 lb of fiber fill. I wasn't sure what I'd need so I got the 3.1 lb bag which was $8.97.<br />
What I needed was exactly 3 Dark Grey, 2 Light Teal, 1 Vintage White, 1 Coal and the fluff, so total came to $36.55 for all supplies. I kept time for everything I did and for me to finish it, it came to appx 22 hours to complete. For what I charged a friend, I made only a tad less than I spent and it did come to about $1.50 an hour. It was indeed rather low BUT did I mention she's awesome and I love her to bits? :)<br />
<br />
The project ended up taking me two weeks. Well, two weeks tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXdRWQhHE4jzmAszna9YyN1D_5p-ACzlq_e7hrwIyrkr7MzUGj6BgdeqWOO-HhuI2JQOxIs25MLSUhqhJk2KILf9Dk-9V9deHOJO5SobulzOwFTMEZHmTbs_Nmnib73wZ7iyR9Rh4xyw/s1600/IMG_6330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXdRWQhHE4jzmAszna9YyN1D_5p-ACzlq_e7hrwIyrkr7MzUGj6BgdeqWOO-HhuI2JQOxIs25MLSUhqhJk2KILf9Dk-9V9deHOJO5SobulzOwFTMEZHmTbs_Nmnib73wZ7iyR9Rh4xyw/s200/IMG_6330.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done before underside of legs complete.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>The Head:</b><br />
The head of the octopus was fairly easy. The first night I had the yarn I worked 4 solid hours and only needed 2 more hours to finish the head (one and a quarter skein grey). I did have to frog it when I was two hours in and had to redo it. I didn't make a note of what hair-brained thing I'd done but it was something that bugged me enough I pulled it all out and began again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7nTLNv54pROyE-To__ofImsuTFLPFcRHc5lM64TXpB-CnXIh13F2LCfUYYw8XDtFu8xIVZ0G900OJK2_qTS6NI500NEQp8ESl6BTBFf55oUaa_oxEM8aGlF37oSfM6fnGKPbaUKq4BE/s1600/IMG_6338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7nTLNv54pROyE-To__ofImsuTFLPFcRHc5lM64TXpB-CnXIh13F2LCfUYYw8XDtFu8xIVZ0G900OJK2_qTS6NI500NEQp8ESl6BTBFf55oUaa_oxEM8aGlF37oSfM6fnGKPbaUKq4BE/s320/IMG_6338.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I told the 11 year old I needed him to do this...for scale.<br />NO REGRETS!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>The Legs:</b><br />
It was roughly one hour per leg. A little less once I had not
distractions and got working on it. Don't forget though, you're doing
16 legs. Yeah 16. You do 8 grey and once that's complete you do the
underside (teal). I was about on the 3rd leg when I completed that
second skein and started the third. I had two balls of grey when I
finished the legs and used that for the eyelids. <br />
<br />
<b>The Eyes: </b><br />
The eyes were super simple. You start with black, work out and then work back in again. Before I did the last round, I turned the eye inside out, worked my yarn back up the back/inside to the iris and pulled the yarn through around the edges of the iris. I did not have a needle on me large enough to use with blanket yarn so I used my handy I Hook. I think now I should have done that a second time for smoother edges and less of a starburst effect. In the center photo, you see, the eye on the left is finished, the one on the right is before. Subtle, but noticeable difference.<br />
<br />
The eye lids are just doing the eyeball halfway in grey. With mine, however, once we stopped increasing and just went around for 3 rows I did two of those rows HDC instead of SC. The last row I did SC, as instructed. I like that it gave me more of a droopy eyelid. It cracks me up. I tinkered with where I wanted the eyelid to be, low or high on the eyeball. I wasn't going to stitch them on but they were snug and would have been constantly pulling back so I did stitch them to the eye. Stitch them in place when you are ready to do the belly/legs.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7PLliayr69kj9JrVqCS2U-CuzLgI68c2gegkvdrbbo_ppNzMg-6h-8mxK2cPxOKc-HuEufJw0EPS2O10lL14MvObTAibQfHgJBfkzezyX14NBk3L961bq0IUY9Cg9OlQ__GUdH9yrDk/s1600/0322171309.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7PLliayr69kj9JrVqCS2U-CuzLgI68c2gegkvdrbbo_ppNzMg-6h-8mxK2cPxOKc-HuEufJw0EPS2O10lL14MvObTAibQfHgJBfkzezyX14NBk3L961bq0IUY9Cg9OlQ__GUdH9yrDk/s200/0322171309.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjip3d5FxL95msbuGbr9s8ho8AN26GOdVujKuhxKvHBJqe6kEd434Z4IinNv8tPb0mxsbObBtQO-V0A92Ifw7pFegdKvdjwaIWiVoJbHIs6YJKVpDmDpzGr-oMi06JajqUaqLMd74mE32U/s1600/0322171257.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjip3d5FxL95msbuGbr9s8ho8AN26GOdVujKuhxKvHBJqe6kEd434Z4IinNv8tPb0mxsbObBtQO-V0A92Ifw7pFegdKvdjwaIWiVoJbHIs6YJKVpDmDpzGr-oMi06JajqUaqLMd74mE32U/s200/0322171257.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTbOpeGwXCZTvTqiQUekkc1Cm-qprJZVulfOmQx5blKAHJhnhyphenhyphen0CFZ02d5OrA6TA-dVCo7OVNlnsIo6OmHRcpUX771Uj_5mCDYad-sG5KPRsqPQvtbOOpjmXNkq43WOvE-Gre6kPW5Iw/s1600/0322171441.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTbOpeGwXCZTvTqiQUekkc1Cm-qprJZVulfOmQx5blKAHJhnhyphenhyphen0CFZ02d5OrA6TA-dVCo7OVNlnsIo6OmHRcpUX771Uj_5mCDYad-sG5KPRsqPQvtbOOpjmXNkq43WOvE-Gre6kPW5Iw/s200/0322171441.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>The Belly:</b><br />
I completed the belly in teal and only did 8 rounds instead of 9...worked perfectly. I didn't stitch it on until right before I did stitched the legs together/outlined them.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Legs becoming Tentacles:</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTIo39IgdQP1PNSLPP_q3x2KNi0Bc51MHgKv9ACGR2ZICUm2EJGaJoI_7w-Zsb0YVRIXgiD0LinoMZeRKc3GU05s0ZEtlcCqBfUL7pEHkcw9CSMchQsKvVSmsZq0HozXn8SgxwCE6UAc/s1600/0322171518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTIo39IgdQP1PNSLPP_q3x2KNi0Bc51MHgKv9ACGR2ZICUm2EJGaJoI_7w-Zsb0YVRIXgiD0LinoMZeRKc3GU05s0ZEtlcCqBfUL7pEHkcw9CSMchQsKvVSmsZq0HozXn8SgxwCE6UAc/s320/0322171518.jpg" width="180" /></a>I took one last picture before I began to stuff and stitch the legs. I put the eyes where I wanted them and took a picture. I could hardly stop laughing. They were like googly eyes rolling around. My only actual regret is that I should have done the outline stitching on the legs BEFORE I stuffed and put the belly on. I'll tell you why. When I did the legs, I did them so that some curled one direction while some curled the other way. It's all in which side you are facing when you add the legs, top up or bottom up. I didn't want them to all look identical. Next time I might make the edging grey instead of teal but I would have needed a 4th skein of yarn. As I said, I only had two small balls left before the eyelids and had a teeny bit left after. I went down the wide side of the tentacles with white, at the end doing two at the top and one more for a more spiral effect. I picked up the teal there, tied them in a knot, tucked it in and finished the inner/tighter part of the tentacle. Once back at the octopus body, however, I had no where to hide the ends I'd tied off other than to tuck them into the fiberfill with my trusty I Hook. I would do the belly the absolute last next time.<br />
<br />
<b>Final Thoughts:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>As I said, I would have waited to stitch the belly until after I did the outline of the tentacles. </li>
<li>I might have used the same top color, grey, around one side and just left the white. Or maybe a darker/lighter grey instead of teal. However, my friend requested one in the same colors Mama Moseley Creations had done hers in. </li>
<li>I wish I'd have known about her pattern before I started. I'd have paid the $3. Maybe the time had lapsed and it just wasn't back up or perhaps I'd lost my mind and not seen it there. I don't know. </li>
<li>I don't regret using a free pattern. JoAnn's pattern is excellent for what I paid for it (you know, nothing) and as I said, Gleeful Things stated there were not enough legs, do one more stitch in the beginning...quick fix.</li>
<li>I know how much it costs now, how long it takes and why Mama Moseley Creations (MMC) charges $150 for her complete items. It's hard work. It's a heavy project, literally. I was trying to do the legs and trying to reach for things on my desk. It was like I was pregnant again with 10 extra pounds in the front I was like the marshmallow man.</li>
<li>When getting closer to the inner V section of the legs I switched out to the I Hook to get in there more easily. I cut the yarn with enough length to finish off two SC and tie off at the body so I wouldn't have to wrestle the octopus and scissors.</li>
<li>The eyes I did have to go back and re tie down after I stitched them in place. They move a little bit no matter where you put them. Somehow I'm not surprised that even a yarn animal rolls it's eyes at me.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Final measurements!</b></div>
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I'll let you check out what the final measurements were for MMC on her page below. I don't remember and I've worked on this blog post since I started the octopus, adding over time. I completed it today, photographed it (poorly) and went back through fixing this post. I'm whooped. All measurements are appx because it's hard to get a slippery octopus to stay still on a leather couch. (When my uncle gave it to us he told us to keep it clean with leather wipes. Sometimes it's like a slip'n'slide on that thing.)</div>
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With legs stretched loosely, the Huge Octopus is 54" in length.</div>
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Width of the head is 13" with a height of 17". The circumference of the head being 37". </div>
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Around the eyeball it is 13 1/2" and the legs themselves are 26" long.</div>
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<b>Final Photos!!</b></div>
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The underside of the octopus. Yep the underbelly of the beast. And again, my beautiful boy. He tried to hold it on his head because it would be hilarious but instead only managed to hold it in front of his face because it kept falling off. Worth it. :D<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v1tGSX59sdUrrdhj1hf4VmpZD1rifaCYyWQBzDnC0Rpk02_8DW_oR41wXfTM41tylkxz9dyd9L0uli8gnpFqoPJw8davQn92WVxuA-8E8sVA6OK1WwJadqP4rL7aUf7CpnArmaFyA6w/s1600/0324171406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v1tGSX59sdUrrdhj1hf4VmpZD1rifaCYyWQBzDnC0Rpk02_8DW_oR41wXfTM41tylkxz9dyd9L0uli8gnpFqoPJw8davQn92WVxuA-8E8sVA6OK1WwJadqP4rL7aUf7CpnArmaFyA6w/s320/0324171406.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9oROFfeyy_2X2LWZck15i_vhvcTKM4Fba7EAFCsZ6_Z65wYOxwPzZbGX_pTFrLSIt3_veLiiQkWVPAivm8jrqHZs2JKY4LI2cYRqUrjTIPOknqklsRXw4zvTY5W3J0r_XzJZWQ7unNg/s1600/0324171321.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9oROFfeyy_2X2LWZck15i_vhvcTKM4Fba7EAFCsZ6_Z65wYOxwPzZbGX_pTFrLSIt3_veLiiQkWVPAivm8jrqHZs2JKY4LI2cYRqUrjTIPOknqklsRXw4zvTY5W3J0r_XzJZWQ7unNg/s320/0324171321.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.joann.com/octopus/0941931P56.html" target="_blank">Octopus - JoAnn.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.gleefulthings.com/blog/?p=5903" target="_blank">Giant Amigurumi Octopus</a> @ Gleeful Things <br />
The photo sent to me was labeled as done by and you can find her here. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/516852071/huge-crochet-octopus-pattern" target="_blank">Mama Moseley Creations</a><br />
<a href="http://www.yarnspirations.com/yarn/blanket-150g.html" target="_blank">Bernat Blanket Yarn</a> For colors and cost (even cheaper than I got locally but I didn't pay shipping on mine)<br />
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I think that's all! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to look me up. My FB links are on here, my email, comment below or send me a request in my Etsy store (also on the right).KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-69942902315940702662017-01-31T09:47:00.001-08:002017-01-31T09:47:56.291-08:00I Love You For Your Mind! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARDECRp5HUPvnCKx7wfUBiiDWuc-kBU6yx3aOjB6ngHnPqB-71_VGbqHHQ1qBvAw_C_aArHiuO7oLtViHIAnkKuVTBZC9401Wj4hwgiosmhsq5XWBA10JzOPQsWwDLUrZdoVPGp9j8m4/s1600/LoveYouMind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARDECRp5HUPvnCKx7wfUBiiDWuc-kBU6yx3aOjB6ngHnPqB-71_VGbqHHQ1qBvAw_C_aArHiuO7oLtViHIAnkKuVTBZC9401Wj4hwgiosmhsq5XWBA10JzOPQsWwDLUrZdoVPGp9j8m4/s320/LoveYouMind.jpg" width="320" /></a>Last night while messing around with yarn, again, I began thinking about fun things for Valentines Day. I've already got some Rose Rings but haven't received any feedback on those. I did go ahead and put them on Etsy but it's a flooded market right now so getting noticed isn't going to happen. So, what to do, what to do for Valentines Day?<br />
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I'VE GOT IT! BRAINS!<br />
I looked up a hilarious video by <a href="http://chaotic-desk.blogspot.com/2015/10/healthy-brain-zombie-brain.html" target="_blank">Chaotic Desk</a>. Went over to her page, grabbed my I Love This Yarn, Stonewash Coraline and got at it! The brain itself is only about 4 inches long, 2.5 inches wide and on the bottom is a small heart made from string and stitched on. They are gently stitched together so you don't lose your mind. :D<br />
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Really though, who wouldn't love brains for Valentine's Day? I mean, right? Okay, so it's not your every day gift but you can give it to a guy or a gal. School kids can give it to one another. Anyone in the Science or Medical field would like it. It's fun and super soft yarn! If you want a chance at one, message me or head over to <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/509028871/brains-i-love-your-mind-valentine?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">My Etsy Store</a>!<br />
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**All items on my Etsy Shop through the end of February are FREE SHIPPING and I'm donating the profits toward my son and his class. My son, 16, is in his high school's Advanced Choir and they are hoping to attend Festival Disney in April. They've done a lot of fundraising and none of the appx 30 children are paid off enough to go. Anything would be appreciated. :DKeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-17208732574502387272017-01-27T12:27:00.001-08:002017-01-31T09:06:18.890-08:00Crocheting some Valentine's Rose Rings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've decided to take a bit of a break from doing the Messy Bun Hats and concentrate on something I worked on a bit a couple of years ago. Rose rings!<br />
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I'm a big ole softie. It doesn't have to be a dozen roses or a box of chocolates but something from the heart or just something adorable. This is a bit of all that ... except the chocolate. Chocolate is always appreciated. Mmmm Chocolate. Wait. I'm getting off course here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EyJbkhS0csY0f6Au5RYC2uBtPu3LG9D5JPgFQ2XuW98dUIg6Ya7odFcJxdXRO21TqRxh_S-QYgqy7OBy4cIC3FJbKwTmAHi-krhUHFZUMdk5N-2XF4sxM_vlI5QkLJd47vsRIewNXX8/s1600/IMG_6261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EyJbkhS0csY0f6Au5RYC2uBtPu3LG9D5JPgFQ2XuW98dUIg6Ya7odFcJxdXRO21TqRxh_S-QYgqy7OBy4cIC3FJbKwTmAHi-krhUHFZUMdk5N-2XF4sxM_vlI5QkLJd47vsRIewNXX8/s200/IMG_6261.JPG" width="200" /></a>Here are just 4 of the rings I've finished. From left to right I have the small red rose, large white, small white and larger red. I say "larger" because it's not the biggest one but it's bigger than the other pictured. All but the red on the end have alternating rings. If there's a red flower, the band is white and if there's a white flower the ring is red. Only the one on the end has a yellow band, just to show another option.<br />
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I plan on doing these in other colors. I have an Orchid purple, Teal green, Mint green, Yellow, and Somewhere I have the variegated threads you see at Walmart and craft stores. So if there's a color you want, I'll be able to make it. You can have your choice of matching band or the standard white/black/red.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-NUXMhwIGFdzOE8q7gLMz6CsaU6Uf-y78Vaenb0cpD97u_C4OzQHRrUu7DjqUEEwmWdMj3iQx_waaTDt0-H4LKNp1YZNjuwABCl78doCPbPeXrJdZbXMyeEQ72iK15Act61YbMsrqTE/s1600/IMG_6266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-NUXMhwIGFdzOE8q7gLMz6CsaU6Uf-y78Vaenb0cpD97u_C4OzQHRrUu7DjqUEEwmWdMj3iQx_waaTDt0-H4LKNp1YZNjuwABCl78doCPbPeXrJdZbXMyeEQ72iK15Act61YbMsrqTE/s200/IMG_6266.JPG" width="200" /></a>I'm also looking into doing other flowers like daisies or orchid type flowers. I can also add a button or bead in the center. I'll be doing some photos of those later in this weekend/week if we ever get proper lighting. All these photos were taken yesterday when we almost had sunshine. Almost.<br />
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This is the small white flower with white band and the larger red with yellow band on my hand.<br />
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As with the Messy Bun Hats, I'm selling these and donating the profits toward my son and his class. I'm not sure if I posted about it here but my son, 16, is in his high school's Advanced Choir and they are hoping to attend Festival Disney in April. They've done a lot of fundraising and none of the appx 30 children are paid off enough to go. It's almost February so we're making our last push before it's time to start selling furniture. LOL<br />
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SO, if anyone wants these I'll be putting them up on my Etsy page, today I hope, and they will be $6 each. I'm paying shipping out of pocket and 100% of the sale goes to help Advanced Choir students make the trip. (This does not include the state tax which I make Etsy add.) I'd love to see your comments or requests so hop on down there and add some. :D<br />
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OHHH! I also have a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HomeNinjaByKeisha/" target="_blank">new facebook link for the shop</a>! So come Like it! :DKeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-54501425128105592272017-01-05T16:29:00.001-08:002017-01-13T16:54:00.129-08:00Boo-Ya 2017!I know I'm about five days late but I'm still super excited for 2017.<br />
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Christmas 2016 brought with it a Messy Bun Hat invasion. I've tried my hand at it as well.<br />
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A friend wanted one similar to one she saw in a photo. The original poster had no idea where it was from so I did a little digging. The hat I saw originated from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/staceys-bun-hat" target="_blank">Stacey Thorngren</a>. Stacey has never written a pattern before but the hat got such a following that she made one, posted it and was charging $5 for the pattern. I generally will NOT purchase a $5 pattern for anything. I made an exception for my friend. Though it seemed simple enough to re-create, I wanted to use the original from the original creator.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNiM6kiGNdij0gzeqyMnohVatNS5AkyGrXtr8kv5klOxeP4-A5TwG5RR0biJCF9QDEeWIcZcAUAP-2gM2WPhI5_-Jrceyggly0hchG6H60WRNXfdq66ySgYRoIWMWtI0u0khllEoJYsw/s1600/BeFunky+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNiM6kiGNdij0gzeqyMnohVatNS5AkyGrXtr8kv5klOxeP4-A5TwG5RR0biJCF9QDEeWIcZcAUAP-2gM2WPhI5_-Jrceyggly0hchG6H60WRNXfdq66ySgYRoIWMWtI0u0khllEoJYsw/s320/BeFunky+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a>Stacey uses a different yarn than I have but I found the colors from the Red Heart <a href="http://www.joann.com/red-heart-boutique-unforgettable-yarn/11835121.html" target="_blank">Unforgettable series</a> are gorgeous and work very well so I used that. I made four hats from this yarn before I realized that 1) It's really a thin yarn to make a warm hat from 2) I live in a small town so the only place to get yarn locally is Walmart. Within a visit or two they were out of the color I use and didn't expect more in for a while. I had a couple of orders come in after that so I switched to <a href="http://www.joann.com/lion-brand-landscapes-yarn/zprd_13587019a.html" target="_blank">Lion Brand Landscapes</a>. By far, the most popular colors so far are Desert Sunrise and Mountain Spring.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I (badly) blotted out my bright green hair tie. </td></tr>
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After purchasing the original pattern, I noticed many others for free. I got a pattern specifically for Unforgettable yarn, which was pretty too and now is gone in the infinite internet... IE, I can't find it anywhere. Now I use a combination of both patterns. I attempted to clean up the pattern for the originator and messaged her a copy of the one I'd done for her to help her out. She has, a month later, still not responded but has updated about 6 times and to be honest... it's still not worth $5 for the pattern. Sorry Stacey. I liked how the free pattern gave me a better way to judge the length of the band before I work upward but I like the overall idea of how Stacey made the hat look. Again, this is why I use a combination. Also, still being honest, she's got a small head like I do so her idea of how to do the messy bun hat is only really for people with the noggin of a teenage girl ... about 19-20" circ.<br />
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I've seen some of the chunky versions of the hat go for as much as $40 on Etsy but I'm not that kind of gal. I like to make my items accessible to everyone and keep it low enough in cost that folks come back. I sell mine for $15 each. I currently have two in the Desert Sunrise/Mountain Spring combo and one that is a solid teal-like color called Peacock by I Love This Yarn brand. I'm working on another. I really liked the Metropolis (black/grey) colors but they're all so pretty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1sALyHM-oZZqGEYofMrUj1m_3fwOpHstOIzJzuwTe_DzasPmt8ISkUvmgf81_piWYzosqPkZK1i2nQUmLhRIF963D3Iw_gZnVu5IYbf_a_X2QV1nYfk7_WngrbYUFIsP9CO4J25dwNc/s1600/BeFunky+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1sALyHM-oZZqGEYofMrUj1m_3fwOpHstOIzJzuwTe_DzasPmt8ISkUvmgf81_piWYzosqPkZK1i2nQUmLhRIF963D3Iw_gZnVu5IYbf_a_X2QV1nYfk7_WngrbYUFIsP9CO4J25dwNc/s320/BeFunky+Collage.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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I'm hoping that 2017 will be bigger and better! For the summer time, I'll be doing loads more barefoot sandals. Those were fun. :D<br />
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If you have ideas for things I should try, let me know in the comments.<br />
I hope your 2017 is truly blessed!KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-36553887191406948642016-12-01T18:21:00.001-08:002016-12-01T18:21:48.516-08:00How about a little Pinkie Pie?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJD09roa5fQTS0DSRqictLXhrvRcjZf_G1qIRd1cBc31wi7L2FuIrOmdDwFHYhwxOHRyiGWAupneHEgGQ-ND2D58FTLlxuI1fQpukS-7VWvaiUsTBrZ6y6q9_s07WVduTBlLM7N9tZpQ/s1600/IMG_20161201_143721692_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJD09roa5fQTS0DSRqictLXhrvRcjZf_G1qIRd1cBc31wi7L2FuIrOmdDwFHYhwxOHRyiGWAupneHEgGQ-ND2D58FTLlxuI1fQpukS-7VWvaiUsTBrZ6y6q9_s07WVduTBlLM7N9tZpQ/s320/IMG_20161201_143721692_HDR.jpg" width="179" /></a>A couple dear friends of ours has a one year old daughter. Well, she'll be one on the 10th. She's adorable and so far she only really likes My Little Pony. With her birthday approaching and my pockets being filled only with lint, I decided to make the lil doll a Pinkie Pie hat! I love Pinkie. I love her energy and positive messages.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnsb-1WWUPQktgOmimCUTsyzWmdqSVgQUyOjXFIZLWOLsfq1l-zuWvrm7AEtmN2vf0DPkyPD8oJrSDOXGFDG0x6c-zBXtjFR44fN48R6DA4pPDYyGzPUYlIdrDPLGU1AQ1yMPuvPOJyU/s1600/IMG_20161201_143708927_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnsb-1WWUPQktgOmimCUTsyzWmdqSVgQUyOjXFIZLWOLsfq1l-zuWvrm7AEtmN2vf0DPkyPD8oJrSDOXGFDG0x6c-zBXtjFR44fN48R6DA4pPDYyGzPUYlIdrDPLGU1AQ1yMPuvPOJyU/s320/IMG_20161201_143708927_HDR.jpg" width="179" /></a><br />
I searched high and low until I found a pattern I liked. Generally, I do not purchase patterns that don't allow me to sell things I make. I just don't. Or, if by chance, I do like one and want to buy it, I'll not pay more than a couple of dollars. I made an exception this time. Things I will say before I post the link, however... The pattern is $4.25 USD. You can not sell anything you make from this pattern. Bummer.<br />
<br />
It is completely adorable. I had absolutely no difficulty in reading or doing any of the pattern/stitches. The only thing I wish she had added was the placement of the eyes, curls, etc. I did this hat, again, for a one year old so I should have used a smaller hook than an E for the balloons, perhaps even stitched them on. Otherwise, there was the perfect amount of curls and adorability. ;)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pinkie-pie-hat-from-my-little-pony" target="_blank">Pinkie Pie Crochet Hat Pattern Here</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVYsRZ_T-mONrLQnbCetAAEiNe7OHU6NYF18-IX9MkSrmAnhT5RT3L1CU9rzWvI_3vp4qEKxqSC0iIZJtMMCiuDAD7DmJbUqy__shNmG7y8lbdyvYqBNCv_ekQumkWTniIhvmgApQdOg/s1600/IMG_20161201_143815995_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVYsRZ_T-mONrLQnbCetAAEiNe7OHU6NYF18-IX9MkSrmAnhT5RT3L1CU9rzWvI_3vp4qEKxqSC0iIZJtMMCiuDAD7DmJbUqy__shNmG7y8lbdyvYqBNCv_ekQumkWTniIhvmgApQdOg/s320/IMG_20161201_143815995_HDR.jpg" width="179" /></a>See, adorable! <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl-sn-vMQ2QcOBMsUPb6WTmQ5_ve3lZFWItftR50l0i9PPtSAS7ItQkOXO84Gkzna1yXiW0KHYBCESkUiu12QHEJjfMpa6FxJ-t-biuyB6BFZRv6OrzsEZ3gF94mBUx7_e-6KyaSQWZ0/s320/IMG_20161201_143744711_HDR.jpg" width="179" /><br />
<br />
<br />KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-22769435100603008262016-09-02T10:19:00.000-07:002016-09-02T10:20:37.023-07:00ooo de-la-liBoy o boy have I been busy!<br />
<br />
The last thing I posted was the barefoot sandals. Those have kept me busy! I've had orders for women and babies. I did a white set of those below and I have an order for 6 more in Earth tones but those aren't due to go out for another year. I did 3 sets of sandals for a newborn and two new hats, an owl and a fox.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/athomeninja" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh4uDNGiQlu2ckFXYc3ZT7CUymwOc8ggBKovmSkE3amxngi-3Lg7_qXMp7AEoDmFX3B593f8IXaV7_qJNjy8F-RhVM_WY2Md3afWwwr_JG17mKNVfDg6RXNMTTpNwofu1GQMUi_MISY0/s320/IMG_6004.JPG" width="320" /></a>Then the big one. As you can see from my new banner, I also worked on a custom ordered Puu and Koenma from Yu Yu Hakusho. These little cuties are at DragonCon in Atlanta this week! They took a considerable amount of time. Puu was easy peasie as I just redid the pattern for him but Koenma was a tough little cookie. I chose to find a pattern for dolls similar. Eventually I decided on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pocoyo-amigurumi-2" target="_blank">Pocoyo Pattern by Upa! Mi Gurrumin</a>, a paid pattern. The final product measured about a foot tall! The hat I made wider and though it appears shorter, it's not. I folded it up and went that way with it to match Koenma. Arms and legs were loosely tied on and through to the other side so they can be somewhat movable and sit on a shoulder. I used black crochet thread for the lines, ears and red Caron Simply Soft for the sash. Though I wish I had a little darker yarn for his flesh color, I think I really like the dark purple and lighter pink. The hands and feet were adorable! <br />
<br />
When everything was ready to be tied off I just fed the yarn down under the skirt and tied it off there to hide the seams! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVF-XQpr0RAcmytnOkhQ6Mq4CPsNAmLJ_DTYQWmDM7kej3hopRQpDZcw0zy94_tmHZvgNcCdD31yVDnrjZYrQz590iRzExXGbJ2cqoLPx3Pvorp4lfjfH2AU_fLFZxvV-p8ak-ALoIAs/s1600/br64lkm1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVF-XQpr0RAcmytnOkhQ6Mq4CPsNAmLJ_DTYQWmDM7kej3hopRQpDZcw0zy94_tmHZvgNcCdD31yVDnrjZYrQz590iRzExXGbJ2cqoLPx3Pvorp4lfjfH2AU_fLFZxvV-p8ak-ALoIAs/s400/br64lkm1.bmp" /></a>The only things I would have done differently:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>It never said the face was done in the round and not ended, began again. I do wish I'd have known that.</li>
<li>I wish I'd had more time to do his eyes rather than just stitching simple lines.</li>
<li>mayyyyybe I'd have made the hat bigger as well</li>
</ul>
<div>
All in all I was really proud of how it turned out.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now I'm working on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/stacie71" target="_blank">Shark Booties</a>, also a paid pattern. I'm not happy. My hands are killing me from the tiny stitching. The "mark" and "mark" there are confusing. When you put it all together it doesn't connect exactly right and there are not enough images to show you how to do the heel. The toe on mine doesn't go down and around like theirs does. However, all that being said, it will still turn out to be a super cute set of booties. If I don't get mad at them and throw them and their hook. :p </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/476272357/doctor-who-tardis-necklace-v1-fan-art" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHZ6pfcyscrLPgoR05116Tyf0gWQpG2nJtc1o6Z4OoRtjjM-IBMe6JvKt0PB7dPsIwlliAoSlxGirsixHaQ1FdtRdfqUHI3f0LmAAeTeonEUbaIp6RnjRBbwIQH62uC4UI0q_nB35ly4/s200/fun4qez5.bmp" width="200" /></a>My wonderful sister decided to send me vast amounts of Sashay yarn many moons ago so I'm trying to think up new ways to use them. Perhaps in a bracelet?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/193004896/doctor-who-tardis-necklace-v2-fan-art" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7nkA6uZpA75v9QE9kUStmWelqPblSqSwSdnbc_h4cb1p13u6V4azp41dTyXKwYFOXt_gdHI24Jb6p7n-z7XmZNOFEWLCsMzTpsGpuhHsCBwstJF7oiQ3rKf6bmK0Z7DqgX-RDLfkfx4/s200/g616vgg1.bmp" width="150" /></a>Also I've updated <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/athomeninja" target="_blank">My Shop </a>to sell 2 more Dr Who Necklaces and one KeyRing. Get them while they're hot. ;)</div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/193005422/doctor-who-tardis-keyring-fan-art" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRc5II0Y3IqHiRw1D7BkdHTHEA7s9JRep9gjAPQjC6cLOQ8zL3AhrtSv3wEup-u4rbNHyCKl92aidTBrNq7A2XDoovNXCbLmsZ7h7jFjssBie9yAJm6FAgJKLqNAy_Wa7OiXL9dqSS84/s200/yis1nf76.bmp" width="200" /></a></div>
KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-74330790847564491652016-07-27T06:38:00.000-07:002016-07-27T06:38:25.647-07:00Barefoot Sandals...Free PatternI was looking for some simple barefoot sandals for a friend. It seems like an easy task. <a href="http://www.mooglyblog.com/" target="_blank">Moogly</a>, who I ADORE, has tons of free patterns but none were really what I was looking for. I don't have a lot of experience with barefoot sandals. The one experience I've had was horrifying but I can't let that distract me from them. They're beautiful and they sell. And I like money. :p<br />
<br />
I did purchase the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/barefoot-sandals-seahorse" target="_blank">Seahorse Barefoot Sandal Pattern</a> and complete them. The stitches were hard and I chose to use a sparkly thread which was a disaster as it kept bunching up and twisting or the shiny part would break. I pulled apart and redid it a dozen times and it took me weeks, not hours. I can not be defeated by some damned seahorses.<br />
<br />
In my search for a pattern I found <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/101610236/ivory-roses-handmade-beautiful-barefoot" target="_blank">DachuksB beautiful Ivory Sandals</a>. Actually, I found them on AliExpress. If you've not heard of them, they steal your photos from your Etsy shop, they tell people the pattern belongs to them and they sell it and make the money. In this case, Dace is from Latvia and the AliExpress says they're made and sold by someone in China. Even if they do sell only what they make from the pattern they purchased, they still stole photos from the original owner. As a general rule, just don't buy from AliExpress. I messaged Dace and let her know and turns out most of her work is on their site. :(<br />
<br />
Anyway, her Ivory Sandals gave me an idea for a pair of sandals. Dual small flowers with a larger flower in the back. I got to work and after a couple of days came up with this. You are welcome to sell whatever you make from this. I'd love for you to point folks back here but it's not necessary. I don't have to worry about anyone stealing the image, it sucks. I took it in my bathroom where there was poor lighting but this was the pair I made for my friend. I hope the pattern makes sense. If you have problems, comment and I'll get ya fixed up. :)<br />
<br />
Color 1 was a white crochet thread<br />
Color 2 was a teal crochet thread<br />
Color 3 was a light minty green crochet thread<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZ5QXlc-bsmmkQS63syDyXGD76tb77HgriED_RIWKO1mLA4HDowR3vWGNUe6l1l7n4f-AG3dEBkJJUTVngX3G1R4ud28zpx7fwB7QpzX1_3Y1jJwi59ZoI9gB0UumvmTi7YTw2y1S1Lg/s1600/64km1xsu.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZ5QXlc-bsmmkQS63syDyXGD76tb77HgriED_RIWKO1mLA4HDowR3vWGNUe6l1l7n4f-AG3dEBkJJUTVngX3G1R4ud28zpx7fwB7QpzX1_3Y1jJwi59ZoI9gB0UumvmTi7YTw2y1S1Lg/s320/64km1xsu.bmp" width="221" /></a><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
D hook</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
THINGS TO KNOW:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
on each flower and the beginning toe
loop be sure you leave a long tail to tie together/weave in at the
end</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
picot - chain 3, slip stitch to first
chain</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Small Flower (color1)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
--ch3, loop</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
--chain 3, sc (5x)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
--sl st in 3 ch loop, chain 2, dc, tr,
ch1, tr, dc, ch2, sl st in same st
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
do one for each 3 ch loop.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(two for each foot for a total of <u>4
small flowers</u>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
sl st and tie off leaving a tail to
attach to other flower and chain.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Large Flower (color2)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
--chain 3, ml</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
--chain 1, 10 sc in ring</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
--ch1, in first st (sc, ch5, sc, ch1),
skip next stitch and repeat () 5x</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
--ch 1, in first st (sc, hdc, 2dc, 2tr,
Picot, 2tr, 2dc, hdc, sc), sl st in the next st and repeat () in the
next ch 5 spaces</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
sl st and tie off leaving a tail to
attach to other flower and chain.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(you'll need<u> two large flowers</u>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Using long string of the small flower
and your needle, pull the small and large flowers together and either
stitch a couple of times to tighten or pull string through and tie
flowers together. Put aside.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Toe Loop (color3)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chain 26, sl st into a ring</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chain 2, sl st on the reverse side of
the flower (anywhere around the center will do, one on the top and
bottom of the circle, just to secure it to the chain)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chain 14, as with the small flower, sl
st onto the bottom of the flower combo (do this between two petals so
that the top of the flower will be a point of on petal)...stitch from
bottom to top of the flower with sl st or cut a long tail and stitch
toward the top</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tie off, leave a long string.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Again starting with a long tail on one
of the two top side petals, sl st and then 2sc in 2nd or 3rd stitcch from the end Picot and chain
136 (the long tail you can weave back to the center for tying off
with the others and weaving/trimming)
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do the same on the other side</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With the sides done you can knot them
and leave them alone or you can pull the last loop out, wrap string
around your finger and last loop 3+ times then sc around for a fancy ring similar to those on Dace's link above. Leave a tail long enough to weave all the way around the ring and trim off. Wrap once
around the ankle and tie in the back like a shoelace.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1Hr ½ or so to make the pair</div>
KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-8162027687007171212016-03-29T07:19:00.001-07:002016-04-07T00:32:18.608-07:00Newborn Wolf Hat PatternI promised this ages ago and only have a small amount of time to get it online so, here goes.<br />
<br />
I found a photo online of wolf/fox hats that I really liked. I wanted just a wolf pattern for boys and wasn't finding anything that was "perfect". So I decided to pick from here and there and make it what I wanted. :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fox-beanie-2" target="_blank">Unravel Me</a> has a beautiful Fox hat pattern for $4.99 on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>. It's gorgeous but I didn't care for the ears. (Also I'm cheap and $5 for a pattern...well, not for me. She uses wool and G hook on hers and I prefer not to use either so it just wasn't for me.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/09/crochet-owl-hat-pattern-in-newborn.html" target="_blank">RepeatCrafterMe</a> has an owl hat pattern for free that I've used for years but I also tweak it a bit too.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wouldyoulikeyarnwiththat.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-ultimate-triangle-garland-free.html?m=1" target="_blank">Would You Like Yarn With That</a> had the perfect triangle I had envisioned for the ears!<br />
<br />
I've tested the pattern and it works for me but if you have a problem with it I can help you. :) I only posted the photos I've taken on the hats I finished myself, not those I've seen online. I appreciate all the work these other crafters have put into their work. I am not attempting to steal or make money off of the pattern. I am not using the images from another person. Crochet is no different than any other art form. If you see something beautiful and would like to make that yourself you learn about it and try to create something just as beautiful but in your own way. I'm linking back to all the amazing crafters that I found inspiration from. Again, this is not their pattern exactly but slightly modified to what I envisioned for this hat.<br />
<br />
For this project you will need an H Hook for the hat and F Hook for the ears. And of course, yarn. Please read over the pattern before you begin. You will need to know DC, HDC and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQmO74im2N0" target="_blank">Picot Stitch</a>. I have included a video tutorial on how to do the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQmO74im2N0" target="_blank">Picot Stitch</a> done by Moogly, Tamara Kelly. If you've not visited the <a href="http://www.mooglyblog.com/" target="_blank">Moogly Blog</a>, DO IT, she's genius. This project can be done by anyone, even beginners, if you're just willing to give it a try. Stitching the nose with sl st on the top may be tricky but if you can't get it just chain the number of sl st and work it from there, then stitch it on. :)<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Crochet
Wolf Pattern</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><i>(Begin
with Crochet Owl Pattern by<a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/09/crochet-owl-hat-pattern-in-newborn.html">
RepeatCrafterMe)</a></i></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzk2xfyvuPD-Sn_pWhETXLTR2ytLluxPebvI7CB4ZHp6OCpIUPj5iXigaEHaO6hgXwvX_5SGSic9jbq0Uep8r7a0ONJUFIOlug4OU3G-6jwtyr3GshoJb0gik3zkWJ6h_-jShxmhdP2k/s1600/IMG_5759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzk2xfyvuPD-Sn_pWhETXLTR2ytLluxPebvI7CB4ZHp6OCpIUPj5iXigaEHaO6hgXwvX_5SGSic9jbq0Uep8r7a0ONJUFIOlug4OU3G-6jwtyr3GshoJb0gik3zkWJ6h_-jShxmhdP2k/s320/IMG_5759.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></span></div>
<ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<li><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">H
Hook (5.0 mm)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Caron Simply Soft in Heather Grey (color 1)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Caron Simply Soft in White (color 2)</span></span></li>
</div>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">(Depending on how tightly you crochet, to get the right newborn size you may need an I Hook for larger stitches because simply soft is such a thin yarn. On the lighter wolf I used I Love This Yarn Greymist and White from Hobby Lobby. Those are much thicker yarns but still very soft.)<br /><br /><br />
--Newborn – 3 Months--<br />
Start with <b><span style="color: #666666;">Color 1 </span></b>
<br />
<b>Round
1</b> : Magic Ring, Chain 2, DC 12 inside ring, join to 1 st
DC, chain 2
<br />
<b>Round
2</b> : 2 DC in same stitch and in each around, join, chain 2 (24)
<br />
<b>Round
3</b> : DC in the same stitch as Chain 2, DC, DC, 2 DC in next, *DC
in next 3, 2 DC in next, repeat from * around, join to 1<sup>st</sup>
DC, chain 2 (30)
<br />
<b>Round
4</b> : DC in the same stitch as Chain 2, DC, 2 DC in next * DC in
next 2, 2 DC in next stitch, repeat from * around, join to 1<sup>st</sup>
DC, chain 2 (40)
<br />
<b>Round
5-7</b> : Beginning in same stitch as Chain 2, DC around, join to 1<sup>st</sup>
DC, chain 2 (40)
<br />
Change
to Color 2
<br />
<b>Round
8-9</b> : In new color, DC around, join to 1<sup>st</sup> DC, Chain 2
(40)
<br />
<b>Round
10 </b>: SC around, snip
and finish</span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">
Turn to the front, work 8 SL across the top of the last<span style="color: #666666;"><b> Color 1</b></span> Row (Row
7)<br />
DC 8, ch 1, turn
<br />HDC
Dec, HDC 4, HDC Dec, Ch 1, turn<br />
HDC
Dec, HDC 2, HDC Dec, Ch 1, turn<br />
HDC
Dec 2x</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br />
Finish
and leave a long tail to stitch button on for the nose and both eyes
(alternately you can use whatever color you use for the button)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><b>Triangle
Ears</b><br />
<a href="http://wouldyoulikeyarnwiththat.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-ultimate-triangle-garland-free.html?m=1">WouldYouLikeYarnWithThat</a></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">F Hook (3.75 mm)</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHAPqX9eoVAR6BPrcVnaUXX-E9qLLAoNBc1Qyhv4yP-kcVkVHxJH71iIsC_9CgvL32HUeQUGtdlexkm6YlDcBwnhATVsDN-gv18maIF5TmD7H_1z1iTZ3947-bcjaommMjNsw43lhgN0/s1600/IMG_5761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHAPqX9eoVAR6BPrcVnaUXX-E9qLLAoNBc1Qyhv4yP-kcVkVHxJH71iIsC_9CgvL32HUeQUGtdlexkm6YlDcBwnhATVsDN-gv18maIF5TmD7H_1z1iTZ3947-bcjaommMjNsw43lhgN0/s320/IMG_5761.JPG" width="320" /></a>
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Color
2 Yarn</span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Ch
3, join w/ a sl st to form a ring.<br />
<b>Round 1</b>:
Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch) do 15 dc in ring. Join w/ sl st to
first dc.<br />
<b>Round 2</b>: Ch 3 (Beginning chain counts as stitch here and for the rest of the
pattern), do 1dc in same stitch, ch 1, do 2 dc in same stitch, do 1dc
in each of the next 4 sts, *</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="color: #2323dc;"><i>2dc,
ch1, 2dc</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">in next
stitch, do 1dc in each of the next 4 sts.* Repeat from *to* until you
reach the initial ch3. Join with a sl st. Finish.<br />
<b><span style="color: #666666;">Color
1</span></b> Yarn
start
at one corner
<br />
8
SC around, SL in ch 1, Chain 3, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQmO74im2N0" target="_blank">Picot</a>, 9 SC
<br />
(leave
the bottom open and leave a long tail to stitch to hat)
<br /><br />Join
ears on the side from the bottom of Row 3 to the top of Row 6 ,
curving a bit if necessary</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Well, that's it! I hope you enjoy it and make tons! </span></span></div>
KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-72072021674923498002016-01-26T08:05:00.002-08:002016-03-29T08:21:48.673-07:00WIP (Work In Progress)Having crocheted for a while there are a few things I don't usually say or ...well, who what they're talking about. WIP is one I don't usually use. (Although, I did think some of the images with yarn and needles/hooks that say Watch me WIP Watch Me Nae Nae are hilarious.) I've been quite busy since the first of the year. I did a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/urban-jungle-crocheted-slouchy-beanie" target="_blank">Crochet Slouchy Beanie by Vickie Howell</a>, a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pusheen-the-cat-2" target="_blank">Pusheen Cat</a> for my niece, 4 <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/165276983/triforce-mitts-crochet-pattern-6-sizes" target="_blank">sets of gloves</a> for my two boys and two of their friends, an owl hat and a wolf hat that is similar to the one <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fox-beanie-2" target="_blank">Unravel Me</a> does for the fox.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/a%20href=" http:="" imageanchor="1" library="" patterns="" pusheen-the-cat-2="" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" www.ravelry.com=""><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyUQxqz0pkZK5BKd8frkdGFXjBUc-ahznv65FhB8W37LQ06B57Ot52Hvji4p6e7bgN3BfE-nXlOJhRzg20A_ZRuXgjm0zlCGbLU7p5N508b3p2zST3j3t4omDZjF4WaOnAFLPgEHPn6c/s320/IMG_20160113_150458496.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/urban-jungle-crocheted-slouchy-beanie" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoWDg9_WIUGlmFKpihWryEtJYYp1quATDoEAmAFJtKt39QnLa4G_EKKMxHH5m4ODTAqHUbwWg_NXWFHq7UwVKVudF1jRVaBbz0z9liVcRl3ilg7Uur-wu9duVXg9dDuhfM3j-gmkmdzI/s320/IMG_20160107_102725761.jpg" width="179" /></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_BkizyMQTzCwQb4ma6-bN7dluq4CkSvGOpKdY5qYjjbuQuezrBJ2e-R7L1j5TXJXKd3GgVfeqcw8pD2pmRnxJxyrBvLgQEgtklfYSvMlzpaNxoWAWulWGq-KsAB1eB7glI-6Xeo0mmo/s1600/IMG_20160124_091247164_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_BkizyMQTzCwQb4ma6-bN7dluq4CkSvGOpKdY5qYjjbuQuezrBJ2e-R7L1j5TXJXKd3GgVfeqcw8pD2pmRnxJxyrBvLgQEgtklfYSvMlzpaNxoWAWulWGq-KsAB1eB7glI-6Xeo0mmo/s320/IMG_20160124_091247164_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The links above go directly to the places to get patterns for the things I've created. I do occasionally make my own patterns but not that often. I see something and I either find their pattern or wing it. I really stink at writing things down which makes it terribly hard when someone else wants one. I already have a tried and true pattern for hats similar to the fox/wolf hat so I used mine with the idea of nose and eye button placement from Unravel Me. I figured out the nose itself and a good triangle for the ears. Because I put so much into it, however, I will likely be putting this up as a pattern at some point. I especially love how the ears turned out. I'll need to play with my hook size as it did come out a bit small for a newborn, I think, so it's still a WIP.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvvxzK5x34lyl4SrsEhBBKlcWKWUOgODFjvTcB0MYn-PS84CRcQGAdTIzIGW2NC9XbHIOeQfZjkfdTHL-B53cQ8hL6UHBC32jYWgffXUYOL6IQA4i4MOARazfqcyPZ1HK7mLVhNSp36o/s1600/IMG_20160113_150550472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvvxzK5x34lyl4SrsEhBBKlcWKWUOgODFjvTcB0MYn-PS84CRcQGAdTIzIGW2NC9XbHIOeQfZjkfdTHL-B53cQ8hL6UHBC32jYWgffXUYOL6IQA4i4MOARazfqcyPZ1HK7mLVhNSp36o/s320/IMG_20160113_150550472.jpg" width="320" /></a>I have several more things on my plate coming up. I want to make many more of these wolf and owl hats, perhaps even some fox, to take to my local maturity shop. I do love being able to sell things locally. I will probably make another 4-6 total of those and I have 4 of the doily cardigan sweaters I have to start. I think I've got enough yarn now to get those started. I'm using <a href="http://www.knitting-warehouse.com/327484.html?cmp=googleproducts&kw=327484&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed%2Bwizards&utm_campaign=327484&gclid=Cj0KEQiAz5y1BRDZ4Z_K_eGa84cBEiQAtQkeaB3fLB7aKE6bSz9qF-zqg4Fps0GLympSMD9_NNVQ9iYaAoTD8P8HAQ#.VqeWHURR2kI" target="_blank">Caron Simply Soft Ombre Grape Purple</a> and <a href="http://www.knitting-warehouse.com/327465.html?cmp=googleproducts&kw=327465&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed%2Bwizards&utm_campaign=327465&gclid=Cj0KEQiAz5y1BRDZ4Z_K_eGa84cBEiQAtQkeaLj_aQuWhVTQVDZjscB3Zq6zng0lbfMVgRtbxggTwPUaAlfo8P8HAQ#.VqeWGkRR2kI" target="_blank">Coffee Latte Brown</a>, as was the colors requested. (Why is it so hard to find good pics of yarn??) I also received permission from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LevelUpNerdApparel" target="_blank">LevelUp Nerd Apparel</a> to make and sell some of the Legend of Zelda inspired gloves. I have been asked only to allow her to set the price. It's her pattern, her rules guys. However, because the gloves go up the arm several inches I do offer a shorter version of the same design for those looking for that. This is only one of the color sets I've done. I've done Sage green with yellow triforce, deep purple with yellow, black with deep purple triforce, same red with blue triforce and a spring green with yellow (a la John Deere...which is odd but that's what kiddo wanted to gift his friend...matches favorite shirt or something).<br />
<br />
SO busy days ahead and I know I've said it a multitude of times but maybe I'll finally get on here more often to update. :DKeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-27021963054762006962015-09-13T06:26:00.001-07:002015-09-13T06:33:06.955-07:00Flashback-5 YearsAtHomeNinja is FIVE YEARS OLD!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2FHFlwegUFHRwM7CPfKZbbu0XC0IV5IVmlnr8Y3XSaWMYBMxYvOxekLJzgoGqa1SSJmmuwhi9OSXhMc-FrKgKq9hRTngqmghreKgpIdbhi5r7r8RwfKJJpaorIkel9ghBonFWPe9R4FF/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2FHFlwegUFHRwM7CPfKZbbu0XC0IV5IVmlnr8Y3XSaWMYBMxYvOxekLJzgoGqa1SSJmmuwhi9OSXhMc-FrKgKq9hRTngqmghreKgpIdbhi5r7r8RwfKJJpaorIkel9ghBonFWPe9R4FF/s320/IMG_2073.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original 2010 pic, Puu</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Can you believe that? I can't. :p Five years ago we were living in Pennsylvania where I created my first Pokemon hat and then Puu. Two of them actually but I'll get to that in a minute. In 5 years we've had 5 addresses. Now we have our Forever Home and I'm still so happy.<br />
<br />
I love to crochet. It's saved my nerves and gotten on them but I've created hundreds of things that bring enjoyment to people and though I've never made even a penny on this site, it's been worth the blogging. :)<br />
<br />
Anyway, I received an email out of the blue the other day asking about my Yu Yu Hakusho inspired <a href="http://athomeninja.blogspot.com/2010/09/puu-from-yu-yu-hakusho.html" target="_blank">Puu</a>! He was my second article on this blog. Wow, that was way back in the way back. I wasn't even sure I still had the pattern. I thought I'd seen it in my files but it's a text document and parts are missing because...well I was winging it. Five years ago I wasn't exactly sure how to read patterns much less to write one. I found the pattern and got to work. There's still a bunch to do and I'm fixing him here and there where I was clearly a noob in the craft department. The first one was a disaster. He was too big. The stitches were too large and holey and stuffing was awful. I don't think I ever took a picture of him but the kids still pull it out from under a bed every so often ... to play with the dog. No not really but I feel that way when I see it. They still adore it though.<br />
<br />
Being that this is my 5 year project, when I have completed the pattern I am going to post it here for ... FREE. Yep. Free. I've never posted a free pattern. I think it's wonderful for those that post all of their stuff for free. For me it seems they must make good money at what they do or have a good stream of people clicking ads. I do not and it's why I stuck with selling on Etsy. I live in a small town where there are no yarn shops, no shops to sell my hats or projects in and no good way for me to start up a shop myself and have revenue. Back in the day Etsy was a wonderful way for crafters to sell their hand worked items. Now it's a flooded market. Five years ago I had seen knitted Princess Leia hats but they didn't look the way I saw them in my mind so I created new ones in crochet. I probably made $200 that Halloween. Since then there are tons of them on Etsy and to be seen you have to refresh your items daily to catch even one person's eye. Costing you and not always making a sale. IF someone happens upon your shop they favorite your things and never return to purchase. It's just the way it goes. Ravelry is better for the hand worked craft community, crochet, knit, etc but they don't have the easy layout of Etsy or Craftsy. Then there's Craftsy that tries to get you to purchase their tutorials all the time. It's not easy making handmade crafts.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here's a reminder pic of Puu the Spirit Beast from Yu Yu Hakusho. :) He'll be out sometime this week so hang in there and enjoy some of my other posts while you're hanging about. :DKeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-8871607547591409372015-08-04T19:22:00.003-07:002016-04-13T17:56:20.171-07:00Helpful, Handy Crochet Hints and Tips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://freecrochetpatterns3808.blogspot.nl/2014/02/helpful-charts-for-crocheting.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/58/fa/87/58fa870bf347a382874952ceebbf5f31.jpg" height="277" width="320" /></a></div>
This morning <a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/" target="_blank">Repeat Crafter Me</a> (of which I'm a huge fan) posted this picture and a link to her facebook page from <a href="http://freecrochetpatterns3808.blogspot.nl/2014/02/helpful-charts-for-crocheting.html" target="_blank">Free Crochet Patterns</a> showing the different sizes of blankets. I was so excited by the link that I saved all those images and some that I've collected on the internet and put them all into this one PDF. I have already printed out the three pages to keep with my printed patterns. I hope you find them helpful and useful!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.alongwell.com/images/blogmoms/HelpfulCrochet.pdf" target="_blank">PDF of Helpful Crochet</a>KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-17790020670046224372015-05-10T07:57:00.000-07:002015-05-10T16:23:20.186-07:00Happy Mother's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoJ9XnHX-6SyyEhlUhtsijVwkwdo9jQZFVGEpObDGtA_4-kKnVG7rfzuFX2qDWDBb0RgEIHpL4H4Lo2MydeWJkJLsnRV7oVkSiK5P4rJBeMfFDtcyOPlz0ytdoyIACbwAmyc3g8TrnrM/s1600/WandaKeishaMar1977a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoJ9XnHX-6SyyEhlUhtsijVwkwdo9jQZFVGEpObDGtA_4-kKnVG7rfzuFX2qDWDBb0RgEIHpL4H4Lo2MydeWJkJLsnRV7oVkSiK5P4rJBeMfFDtcyOPlz0ytdoyIACbwAmyc3g8TrnrM/s200/WandaKeishaMar1977a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
And so it began, in 1976 a beautiful, young, 28 year old woman, Wanda, gave birth to a little girl. Wanda loved that little girl with all of her heart and that baby girl loved her.<br />
<br />
After much cooing and soiling of diapers the baby girl noticed a teeny change in mommy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sQiVG5h7c4TewWjz8ubkUOHiaDZC3AzarvspKzLPG9hyk9dLKytLP8GwPJtwU6dXbsT7wkX6gFNpHrXDiHm3hRKVOzjy49Y9OgdgpY_Yb3lpcdgH_BSynyaLh2yHBr6_0zCPzb5P4Gc/s1600/l_8e6ee5af50234f103fcb1d0ffaedcf21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sQiVG5h7c4TewWjz8ubkUOHiaDZC3AzarvspKzLPG9hyk9dLKytLP8GwPJtwU6dXbsT7wkX6gFNpHrXDiHm3hRKVOzjy49Y9OgdgpY_Yb3lpcdgH_BSynyaLh2yHBr6_0zCPzb5P4Gc/s200/l_8e6ee5af50234f103fcb1d0ffaedcf21.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
Another baby was born just shy of two years later.<br />
<br />
Wanda loved both of her girls. She wouldn't let anything or anyone come between the three of them. Those who tried regretted it dearly. She taught these girls love, compassion, strength through adversity and equality. They learned how hard things could be but that with love and family you could make it through even the darkest of times.<br />
<br />
Those girls grew big and sassy but through it all they loved their mother.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ds1eAw1SrkcEbDN0zen_mEdcElizhvpHVXIM1It8R5FJnfkxG1YkDisJAssoDE6U8LgBeMW2DmkzqfIBGZlOyEUqqeGomaDSkV8AZdIpXsaWS1ecgyo4ycel-mIkQ9PgUkev9olPGrg/s1600/momtifkeisha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ds1eAw1SrkcEbDN0zen_mEdcElizhvpHVXIM1It8R5FJnfkxG1YkDisJAssoDE6U8LgBeMW2DmkzqfIBGZlOyEUqqeGomaDSkV8AZdIpXsaWS1ecgyo4ycel-mIkQ9PgUkev9olPGrg/s200/momtifkeisha.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
Wanda put everything aside to make sure her girls were cared for. She put her happiness on hold so her kids would have a roof over their heads and food in their bellies.<br />
<br />
Wanda was beautiful, inside and out. She had a wicked sense of humor. She loved a bowl of ice cream and sitting down to watch Golden Girls with her mom, who she lived with and cared for. She worked at the Help Center on Saturdays and would donate money so that she could get a bag of clothes to give to folks who needed them but couldn't get up there to get things themselves. She cared for her mother who was her very best friend and she raised two, sometimes ornery, daughters who adored her.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeEQf6A1UW7zVnsutyKzdSrZwHJ4Clui7PDRdm8r8ecISnJe7g5OgQ7im3HdRKFlsAwUtkxXNGAuoXEf2OvvAl-iVCOM7TRWP9s9vkJqsKr5ehoHZT50GLmEArQL6JVT_DgUpugGkdlE/s1600/momsgrave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeEQf6A1UW7zVnsutyKzdSrZwHJ4Clui7PDRdm8r8ecISnJe7g5OgQ7im3HdRKFlsAwUtkxXNGAuoXEf2OvvAl-iVCOM7TRWP9s9vkJqsKr5ehoHZT50GLmEArQL6JVT_DgUpugGkdlE/s200/momsgrave.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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In May 1999 she became ill and no one knew why. After 8 days in the hospital, the machines fell silent. Wanda's struggles were over, her pains were gone. She left behind few bills, lots of material items, many many friends, family who adored her, people she'd touched with her kindness and two daughters who were lost in a sea of questions, sadness and loneliness with a deep dark hole where once had been her light in a long tunnel.<br />
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When my grandfather, mom's dad, had died mom told us "There are things in this world you won't understand. Things that hurt and questions that won't be answered. Papa is gone but part of him will always be with us. He's always nearby and he's gone to build a home for our family in heaven so that we will all be together with him someday. If heaven seems to far, think of it as Arizona. It's a long way away but one day you'll get to go and we'll all be together where the streets are as gold and love abounds."<br />
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I don't remember any Mother's Days I shared with mom. I remember cards and gifts but I don't remember what they were or her reactions. A year after we lost mom we had her first grandchild, a boy. Then sis had one a few years later, I had another one and then sis had another one. Four grandsons staggered in age. She'd be so proud of her daughters, their husbands and her grandbabies. I know she's with us always and though Arizona is far away I know one day we'll all be together in the home she's helping build and adding rooms to for all of us.<br />
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Today is Mother's Day.<br />
I miss mom to the depths of my being but I know that I have a wonderful sister, two fantastic half sisters and another half sister I have yet to reach out to (we've only just learned about her) that are all mother's celebrating this day. Not just because we have awesome moms but because we ARE awesome moms.<br />
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I am fortunate, on this Mother's Day because I have a freaking fabulous husband who loves the hell out of me. Even when I'm bonkers, he loves me. I have two loonytoon children who are healthy, happy and love me completely (even when they are aholes). I have a beautiful home and sunshine on my shoulder. No matter what is thrown my way, I have abundant love in my life. That was brought to me by a little lady named Wanda, est. 1948, born in me 1976, Tif 1978, Legs 2000, Seth 2003, Lil Bit 2005 and Sid 2007.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CHgEEUYgZIQ7UUFp7Cg_Jha1fudZluWg9S2uuGhM-E0cgVZzLDdvBhkOyDO9cnVHrguVtdEIlPx2ulj3Cg93Jxkldye5Tfn3wXvlat94PfRXL0zu8SSGcO7WpwQTW1T6A7BTkBLO7ss/s1600/053711002703_G.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5sZGUqc74ptNRfjCDEtAkOLd8zH1_JiEeaqRJQr4fKoj6cCuqcS1ETIFmy9PdyljlYKbhdLDJfpfY6E3quvaD_KtssPHCwY5t_qkCqA4sg5Do0Q9JcJiv8bLE3U5SG81XomslPoW7gw/s1600/ThorNoah6.2012sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5sZGUqc74ptNRfjCDEtAkOLd8zH1_JiEeaqRJQr4fKoj6cCuqcS1ETIFmy9PdyljlYKbhdLDJfpfY6E3quvaD_KtssPHCwY5t_qkCqA4sg5Do0Q9JcJiv8bLE3U5SG81XomslPoW7gw/s320/ThorNoah6.2012sm.jpg" width="231" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CHgEEUYgZIQ7UUFp7Cg_Jha1fudZluWg9S2uuGhM-E0cgVZzLDdvBhkOyDO9cnVHrguVtdEIlPx2ulj3Cg93Jxkldye5Tfn3wXvlat94PfRXL0zu8SSGcO7WpwQTW1T6A7BTkBLO7ss/s320/053711002703_G.jpg" width="256" /></div>
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Legs and Lil Bit 2005, 2012 and 2014. KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-57419927385376870312015-05-06T07:25:00.002-07:002015-05-06T08:04:22.872-07:00DIY Craftyness with plastic bottles!I thought I'd make this a DIY Wednesday!<br />
I found lots of lovely ideas on <a href="http://diyallthings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">DIY All Things</a> on Facebook this morning (link to their blog) and it got me looking all around for more fun ideas!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDZaHN8TT0AtEbcMnGfrjtA1cK8-_qHGceuhtgZgQNBgmHxOs_se1Sh0EgcbQ1QImBG3FNofx1pQ7wSY_1Ahjw0Zr4Pt-Ig4pQw6v3_d6W23QxJshvuhoMqZYyG1xM_pwEe_SEX24KDg/s1600/diy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" center="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDZaHN8TT0AtEbcMnGfrjtA1cK8-_qHGceuhtgZgQNBgmHxOs_se1Sh0EgcbQ1QImBG3FNofx1pQ7wSY_1Ahjw0Zr4Pt-Ig4pQw6v3_d6W23QxJshvuhoMqZYyG1xM_pwEe_SEX24KDg/s1600/diy3.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyv3-nn3rCEVwLdwc-lLviochCS-cictxoaogjX63Q_mdADdBvRB1rqAbzBA42k_V_DjVhDyx7CAofNZfPaRyeykvmW9W0N_RHJz3mOBnUkrgfZpVpRUsoHMJhnhGrAgE0Wd-mN-Sa48/s1600/diy1.jpg" height="320" left="" width="240" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBoWEhR0QyzgvoAuieLCz22npJnVwf8YRqGfm9xgyK0P6RhG8L1xNVPhPi-r_wpLbjL14BsdHzg29DhYdk-vk7ZcXhBdtv8ZnQdlKvgc0VSKmnhMzxFx_C2fSzrgQw8vJWviP7HCyob0/s1600/diy6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBoWEhR0QyzgvoAuieLCz22npJnVwf8YRqGfm9xgyK0P6RhG8L1xNVPhPi-r_wpLbjL14BsdHzg29DhYdk-vk7ZcXhBdtv8ZnQdlKvgc0VSKmnhMzxFx_C2fSzrgQw8vJWviP7HCyob0/s1600/diy6.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFSTud5wTyNnaCEjUUyNm44nyiHjTMWyQmF_kuMtTUuEhABG4d1Iv2jTuqoaqRGaozUsyrEaXSLavBJMyFJ-usXOMTTCSBpVZVtHNl2I82x8iDpmhXOwHXNXg23nhY0vW1KaQKfZ8Udo/s1600/diy2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC_n1s-7a2Hf_wOR7G_650HTlYk4wr-_rw__i8mSiJftRsLiCgYmijCNWuc8f_Yx2Rv5X_d4Rmv1VRtF09Mzy-YdYsSCsn_A9rh2qKAcU9mJx1IzEpEcY5u3xz94gmLC3mt2dCJ6SEQM/s1600/PlasticBottle_PoolFloat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC_n1s-7a2Hf_wOR7G_650HTlYk4wr-_rw__i8mSiJftRsLiCgYmijCNWuc8f_Yx2Rv5X_d4Rmv1VRtF09Mzy-YdYsSCsn_A9rh2qKAcU9mJx1IzEpEcY5u3xz94gmLC3mt2dCJ6SEQM/s1600/PlasticBottle_PoolFloat.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WlInDYwh1LSykKrHm-EKm4-dDm2wvEapIscHrapbuakn9eXyYhX5sGWkwhyIY9UTBDiE9q_B8b_ATSa1I3cw0aErrCHtO79V6e4TeTf4fOEUyPmKbZ9K0QF0bLHSi6LkdPdThZdy5no/s1600/Plastic-Bottle-screens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WlInDYwh1LSykKrHm-EKm4-dDm2wvEapIscHrapbuakn9eXyYhX5sGWkwhyIY9UTBDiE9q_B8b_ATSa1I3cw0aErrCHtO79V6e4TeTf4fOEUyPmKbZ9K0QF0bLHSi6LkdPdThZdy5no/s1600/Plastic-Bottle-screens.jpg" height="200" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="200" /></a>I also found two wonderful ideas on DIYnCrafts blog. I think if you use just small child water bottles (empty of course) with glow sticks you could float them in the pool or bathtub! The other is a Privacy Curtain made from the bottoms of 2 liter or 20oz bottles. They could be painted different colors as well.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUHmE5NvyCCVq-VZXZ6Ar3_1UBYEfCsmW52ws2hnDxOpy4_bgruiOz5RrY5cuo3oYIGwl0JJxlzXYBzCclluVIkiLXGvlIFliXo73DpfJe5MeQhnaJzXSqWxl5zFGsXqyue40aWDZ_2w/s1600/83bba70d64823b5c1a415fe6532fdb18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUHmE5NvyCCVq-VZXZ6Ar3_1UBYEfCsmW52ws2hnDxOpy4_bgruiOz5RrY5cuo3oYIGwl0JJxlzXYBzCclluVIkiLXGvlIFliXo73DpfJe5MeQhnaJzXSqWxl5zFGsXqyue40aWDZ_2w/s1600/83bba70d64823b5c1a415fe6532fdb18.jpg" height="308" width="320" /></a><br />
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And the last one I found on pinterest. I just searched for <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=plastic%20bottle%20crafts" target="_blank">Plastic Bottle Crafts</a> and these came up. This one is just for plastic bottle bird houses or feeding stations. You could fill them with seeds and place a little landing out side the front for them. :)<br />
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I think that's about it for now. If you have other ideas, comment them!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rqril_FYXsLuB9iNc_QPervtmj_ZyUDVqRj0sHXx-TsjKavwNzycA9hdnz7VPc01xZXd7u7M-eMnvR15pQRat1pcbV21J0-fGdGIjf1xDajWjhWknSMJzh2UsHu_3hRsaGtTKJwQnWU/s1600/DSC03679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rqril_FYXsLuB9iNc_QPervtmj_ZyUDVqRj0sHXx-TsjKavwNzycA9hdnz7VPc01xZXd7u7M-eMnvR15pQRat1pcbV21J0-fGdGIjf1xDajWjhWknSMJzh2UsHu_3hRsaGtTKJwQnWU/s1600/DSC03679.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not newborns but one of my favs</td></tr>
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I have a friend who is just a few weeks out from having her first baby. For those of us who have been there, done that I thought maybe we could throw some memories and helpful advice from labor/delivery/first days toward the new mom and dad to maybe help them ease into it.
I'll get us started, since, you know, it's my blog.<br />
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<b>Labor/Deliver </b>:<br />
I went in to my first one thinking "<i>Oh my, I simply must stick to my birthing plan and have no drugs unless absolutely medically necessary"</i> And that worked out smashingly until I'd been in labor for 12 solid hours. Long story short, trial and error... epidural. I'm a huge fan. Yes, they do have to put it in the spine. Yes you have to stay completely still (with the help of your hubs because you can't just stay still in contractions). Totally worth it. Do a leave in. They set it up just like a PICC line in your arm but if the labor drags on you do NOT want to have to try to stay still for a second epi. It didn't make me crazy, it let me focus on pushing but without the intense pains. I could still feel pressure and enjoy (if you want to call it that) the birthing process. It doesn't make you weak that you take pain meds. It does not make you a bad person that you can't hack it. We have those medications there for a reason. You have a headache, you take tylenol. You have a baby, you epidural. If you can go natural, all for it. If you can't, don't sweat it. I hated myself for ages because "Native women use to squat by trees and push out their babies...I can do this" No, no they didn't. <br />
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Dad...know this. <br />
1) It's gross in there. I kid you not. See the baby's head or whatever but know that afterbirth is like a whole other child. My hubs wishes he'd never even seen that part. LOL Poor thing. Freaked him out.<br />
2) Your wife may say and do things in there that she would not ordinarily do. Pretend it never happened. There is enormous pressure down and ... well ... poop. There may or may not be poop. The room will be 80+ degrees for when baby is born and it will be hot, and smelly. <br />
3) If you do video and pictures, do a during labor and "aw they're cleaning the baby" but she will want to look beautiful for first pics. Mine are scary.<br />
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Mom...you may poop. Don't be embarrassed, you just push. Doc, nurses, there is NOTHING they have not seen. I promise you. If you need oxygen, ask for it. If something feels wrong, tell them. If you have questions, ask them. It's their job. OH but if they ask you if you mind nursing students coming in or shift change nurses...just say no. It's your vagina, not a side show. You think "<i>it'll help some nursing student</i>" maybe, but before you know it you have 15 people in there ooing and awing your vajay and you don't want to look back on that and say ugh. <br />
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Whether you are for or against vaccinations, let them do the K Vitamin and all of that. SO many parents are against vaccinating these days and that's fine for you but there are thousands of babies who die because their parents choose not to do the initial stuff. Do you feel bad when baby gets a little stick? Absolutely, but tears that dry vs. losing the lil thing or blindness/death from infections it couldn't fight is much worse. <br />
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<b>What do you really need at the hospital</b>?<br />
Honestly, not as much as you think. One change of clothes for you. Yes, you'll still need all your maternity stuff after the baby's born. I know you think "<i>oh thank God, I can put on regular clothes again</i>", think again. You'll need to wear them a while longer. But not long. You'll still be swollen so stretchy pants are best. Keep using lotion. Bring something to sleep in, you'll want out of the gown pretty quick. Music, of course. Camera for tons of pics. Extra batteries. Tablet, laptop or something for when baby is sleeping and one or two outfits for baby. Have your baby bag ready. Always have 10 or so diapers in there, more wipes than you think you'd ever need (the first week's poos are sticky), baby lotion and burp cloths. I took way too much for the first one. Remember, your husband can go get more if you need it.<br />
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<b>At Home:</b><br />
Sleep when baby sleeps. I can't stress this enough. The first week will be a blur. If dad or grandma can keep the baby while you sneak in a few z's here and there, do it. I felt so guilty with my first because I wanted to be there for every moment. Don't. You know who is there with you every two hours when baby wants boobie? Dad. And news flash but baby don't want those boobs. You won't have enough milk to use the pump the first week so you may have to supplement with formula.<b> </b>It's not bad parenting. You can use breast milk with formula if you need to. The important thing is that baby eats, sleeps and poops. You've got this.<br />
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Breast pain sucks. <a href="http://www.lllusa.org/" target="_blank">LaLeche</a> has tons of tips and they say "During the first two to four days after birth, the mother's nipples may feel tender". Tender isn't the word I'd have used for mine. I cried and muffled yelps. I didn't want to try creams and wanted to be a big girl. Lanolin based creams are a blessing. I used <a href="https://www.lansinoh.com/products/hpa-lanolin" target="_blank">Lansinoh</a> but there are lots of new things. Once they learn latching on it won't hurt. When you want them to unlatch and switch boobs they will either have fallen asleep and come off anyway or you'll need to put your finger in there to loosen suction.<br />
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Double breast pumps will help the milk drop. If you use single the other boob may start leaking. <br />
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Buy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?node=16225011" target="_blank">breast pads</a>. I used Lansinoh again but if you choose fabric, keep lots on hand to change out of. RELAX. Take deep breaths, envision the milk flowing if that helps. It did for me. <br />
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Nursing bra's are amazing. You'll want at least 2 if not 3. Milk goes everywhere and the last thing you want is to feel gross, uncomfortable or to smell like old breast milk. I nursed each child for 1 full year. My kids were huge and were so ready to get off of there. So they will get their uses and it's not a waste of money, I promise. <br />
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Swelling. Oh the engorgement. I sure don't miss that. Cabbage leaves. Keep a head of cabbage in the fridge and slap a leaf of that in your bra cups. Sounds bonkers. It really helps. <br />
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<b>Things I couldn't live without:</b><br />
Carseat/stroller combo. My aunt bought our first and it was like the Cadillac of strollers. So for the 2nd kid I had to have one. I walked around malls and let him sleep while I tightened up the mommy weight and had a nice cold drink and "outside" time. (It was July in Savannah, GA so a hot day in the park wasn't happening.) <br />
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Infantino convertible carriers are amazing. You can't take a stroller everywhere. You say "well between me and the hubby or family, someone will have the baby". Yes but family reunions, etc there won't be a good spot for mom and baby to go when baby wants a nap. You may not have a playpen or bassinet yet. Your arms will get tired for a while. Your family takes the baby to "show uncle Leo" and you're spinning your wheels asking everyone "have you seen the baby?" And believe it or not, it makes breastfeeding in public easier too. You go to the shops, stop to feed, just toss a light blanket over your shoulder and bam, privacy. <br />
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We didn't buy a crib for the second baby. Nope. Sure didn't. We didn't have room anywhere and we traveled a lot so we got something like this... <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Playard-Cuddle-Rocking-Winslet/dp/B005UV0USQ" target="_blank">Graco Pack'n Play</a> was amazing. Had it's own bassinet and baby was too small to get out. On that one the swing is amazing and you'll want one anyway.<br />
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I think they each had one toy they cared about. The others were just in the way. Mine loved to squish those <a href="http://www.puffmonkey.com/Snow-Foam-Micro-Beads-Pillow-Petz-Cow-Large_p_82.html" target="_blank">micro bead toys</a> during nap times. Gotta be there with them though or they'll have it over their face.<br />
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That's all I can think of for now. If I can think of anything else I'll add it to the comments and you should too! It's been almost 10 years since I've had a baby in the house so things have changed but one thing stays the same, it's the most wonderful experience anyone can have. You are truly blessed. Times will be hard but you're not the only parents to experience them and we're here to listen and offer help. :)KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-36086826485052290852015-04-27T06:54:00.001-07:002015-04-27T06:55:44.294-07:00There it lies...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Monday. The last Monday of April. Monday. Start of 3-5 days of chocolate and coffee consumption beyond reasonable amounts. Monday on the week of TCAPs. Where is my motivation? Friday. My motivation will arrive on Friday. Probably on the wings of angels or something magnificent. Creativity? Hm. Not had that in a few weeks. Handsome Hubby's the one that's been rocking out these benches, I'm just helping move wood, paint wood and wash brushes. I can't think of a thing that would be great to crochet and when I do it, nothing moves. sigh.<br />
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I've considered taking on a full time job. That's right, outside of the home. However, this summer I'll be keeping my two nephews one if not two full days each week. Handsome Hubs works from home doing not one but THREE full time jobs and keeping LilBit happy and quiet is hard enough (Legs is a teenager, he'll be on the computer or cell phone all day) but add two nephews in there and it's near impossible to get anything else done. Plus we've doubled the size of our garden, have about 12 blueberry bushes that output all summer, strawberry plants already blooming, blackberry bushes that the nephews help me pick and clear off and possibly 2-5 young ladies (daughters of my friend Leila) that may come visit so their mom can find a moment of sanity. I'm not sure where to squeeze in full time employment. lol<br />
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Okay, procrastination. I've got to get a shower dude. Get behind me Satan, I've got a Monday to tackle!!<br />
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The good news? Only 3 more Mondays left in the school year! Wait. Is that good news?KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-29649343216367092612015-04-24T04:43:00.002-07:002015-04-24T07:28:49.625-07:00So much for the last day of FrostThe final frost date of the year was about a week and a half ago. That's almost never the case but it's like Daylight Savings Time, it's a made up la-la-land kind of thing that's just to make some old fart in DC happy and feel like he's accomplished something. Yep, Frost Warning for last night/this morning. So last night after a dinner of Walmart frozen Chinese food (yeah I said it but I make that stuff gooood), Handsome Hubby and I waddled out to the strawberry garden to pull a tarp and piece of plastic over our strawberries. At the moment they are the only things in the ground (from last year) and we don't want to lose those little guys.<br />
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That means this morning, 6am freakin Casio sounding alarm clock strikes. Pft, it's Friday and the kids don't care, dog barking, yup, 10 more minutes. He can wait. Abuse? Nope he's a year old, that's bladder control buddy. So 6:10 I drag out of bed, throw on a bra (ugh) and jeans and stumble to the kids rooms. LilBit, already up watching videos. "The dog's been barking for 10 minutes. Are you even dressed?" LilBit: "Nah." He continues to blah blah and I walk out.<br />
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Legs fell asleep on the couch at 6:30-7pm last night but found his room in the night sometime. He's awake but not up. Down the stairs. Let the dog out and tell him he needs to be quiet. He's learning the art of SHH. Then it's over to the coffee, down the stairs to find something sports team related because it's Sports Team dress up day at school. They're doing this to get money for Relay for Life this year but instead of an actual Relay they're having them dress up on Fridays and bring a dollar for 2 months. Can't see the error in that. sigh.<br />
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Nothing in the basement. Nothing on the first floor. Panting, I go let the dog in. It's 37 degrees afterall. I take him up to LilBit's room and deposit him there so I can go outside. The sun is very nearly up and I've got to uncover the strawberries. Uncover those and leave that crap in the yard. Whatever, it's not strawberries. Come in, go release the dog and find a Steelers jacket for LilBit. Throw clothes on both kids bed, unspeaking, and walk out. I'll see those little boogers in 15 minutes. Oh Lord 15 minutes? It's only 6:30?? sigh. It's going to be a long day. But at least we'll have strawberries this summer. I don't have strawberry pics so instead you get the onions planted last spring bloomed this spring with bumblebees and our indoor tomato plants...Lego For Scale :p<br />
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How has your gardening fared?KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-76488879982806320882015-04-23T06:59:00.001-07:002015-04-23T06:59:57.615-07:00Not a dog groomer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a lot of things around here, wife, mom, 80s music in-van lounge singer, bad dancer, sometimes cook and cleaner, crafter, off my rocker, but dog groomer I am not. I don't keep up with grooming like I should. Our Miniature Schnauzer, Moose, dislikes it and just wants to lie down and shake lightly instead of being groomed standing. It takes me longer than I'd like because I wait too long to do it. The first "after winter" grooming I did (because he should have longer hair for warmth and let's face it, they're cute when they're all curly) I wished I'd had sheep sheers. Seriously, I said that. Hubby was against it but we watched it on Dr Pol so it has to be legal.<br />
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Last night I finished the groom job and while Moose is hardly ever stationary, it's a beautiful day out and he's walking a path past my already unruly Apple Mint plants. Those, by the way, are for sale. The dog is not. Most days. He is pretty cute though. :)<br />
<br />KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-27201593190821076842015-04-21T06:00:00.001-07:002015-04-21T18:18:55.306-07:00A Day in the Life...Just so I can look back at this after my nervous breakdown and say "oh yeah, THAT'S why", I've decided that today is the day I'm going to blog my whole day's events. If you don't have coffee, grab some.<br />
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I only have a moment now so I'll post the time, what's gone on and edit later when I have more moments. *<i>HA This will be a poor decision*Shhhhhh, who asked you</i>* :p<br />
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<u><b>6am </b></u>-- Alarm goes off. I'm not entirely sure wth that noise is but I don't like it. As I roll over I think "that shouldn't be going off, it's Sunday". To my dismay I realized it was Tuesday. I have a full day of stuff going on so I lovingly rubbed hubby's chest to make him roll over and hit snooze. :)<br />
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<u><b>6:10 - 7am</b></u> -- This thing again. It hates me. Hubby mumbles "I'm sorry" and hits snooze. I'm certain he was still dreaming. I, however, mumble incoherently...yeah, even to me, and get up. I don't even bother to hit the bathroom yet because that will wake the dog in the bathroom below and he'll yelp and bark until someone lets him outside. The bathroom is his "room" for the nights. It's dark, the kids don't bother him and it's his comfort zone. His bar-less crate, if you will.<br />
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So I stumble into LilBit's room. This is always a crapshoot. Some mornings he's up and watching a video on his computer, or by some miracle from above he's downstairs and has already let the dog out. This morning he's sleeping hard. At least his glasses are off. sigh. Kiss his forehead "Baby, it's 6:10, you wanted to get up early so you have game time before school. Don't forget that I won't be coming back up here until time for the bus, so get up. I have to go wake your brother for a shower." LilBit : "whhuuut?" I repeat what I said and start out of the room. LilBit : "wait, what? wait. Can you make me something to eat?" I return and say "Of course, but I <i>have</i> to wake your brother, get the dog out and get some coffee. I promise to feed you but you have to be up for that. Cmon baby." and off I go to the other kid's room.<br />
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This goes more quickly. "Legs, time to get up. You've got to get your shower, okay?" nods. "Okay, cmon baby I'll start the shower." I start the shower, finally get to pee and as I'm leaving the room Legs is ready to go in. I go back to his room, grab socks and undies and slip them through the crack in the door of the bathroom. LilBit is up and shirt on. He's mumbling something or other about a game dream he had and I hand him pants. Let the dog out. He wants to jump and love but I'm totally not awake or caffeinated enough for that. On the lead, he goes out. LilBit wants cereal (don't judge) so he grabs the milk and spoon, I grab two coffee cups (Hubs will be up eventually) and a bowl. Cereal poured, sugars placed in cups, my coffee poured, creamered and milk in the cereal. BOOM! I'm on a roll now!<br />
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LilBit is watching Garfield on Neflix and eating, Legs is still in the shower and I'm reading local news and hitting up Facebook. Sue me. 6:45am comes around and it's time to crack the whip. Go upstairs to make sure Legs is out and he is. He's dressed but he's under the covers, towel on his wet hair and tissue sticking out of his nose. "No way kid. You were out yesterday with sinus problems and headaches, you've got to go today. You'll only be there til 1:30 and I have to get you to the dentist." He hands me the tissue. "LAWD NO. I'll bring you the trash can, I'm not touching your snot-rag." At least he laughed but got up and finished his readiness. I head off to grab a shirt that I've <i>not</i> slept all night in and wake Hubs. His boss will probably call early this morning (he works from home for a company in Virginia) so I want him lucid-ish. Kissy kissy, I hit his snooze again and go downstairs. LilBit's ready, Legs is ready, dog...well I can't put him out he'll bark for ever and not only wake Hubs in a bad mood but Mom-In-Law in her little house next door so um, I turn on the lights in the basement and in he goes. I whisper "shhh" and let him know I'll be right back. He's usually VERY good and is only in there 10 minutes or so.<br />
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TV off, Kids ready, Coffee slurped, grab keys and head out the door. It's 45 degrees, br. At least the sun is shining. Van's cold, wet, back wiper doesn't work, side windows soaked but wiper works. Drive to the end of our long driveway *<i>yup, lazy. We walk when we have time but didn't this morning*</i> This is where I give the usually lectures and go over the day's plan.<br />
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Me : "I'll pick you guys up somewhere around 1:30. LilBit, I've already emailed both your teachers, they should have your progress report ready for you, if not, we'll get it tomorrow so no big deal. Be aware that you'll be in trouble because your online grade shows 34 in Science." <br />
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LilBit : "Why would I be in trouble?" An eyebrow raises and head tilts "Dooood." sigh.<br />
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I look in the back, "Legs, I've emailed...everyone. Your homeroom teacher knows you'll be leaving and will try to get your so Advanced Choir before you check out. If you have time, go get it. If not, tomorrow." nods.<br />
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LilBit : "Why would I be in trouble?"<br />
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Me : "For freaking... seriously...34? Really??"<br />
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School bus rolls up, out they go with much "love you, love you, love you" and "Have a wonderful day and I'll see you soon!" I start to back up and LilBit is standing on the far side of the bus, still waving at me. Awwwww :D That's mommy's baby. :) I'm not mad, however I do want to slap my damn head. sigh. <br />
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It's only 7am people. 7AM. I back down the driveway with my door open because I'm in a van that's got some weird Titanic drenched windows going on. WTH is that? Something dead? Yep, something dead in the yard by the woods. May be a rabbit. Wasn't there yesterday. No face. Interesting. Not enough coffee for this, keep it in reverse, let dog out of the basement and outside so he can be sure his boys are really gone. Hubs gets up at 7:15, I'm already pouring and stirring his coffee. His feet hit the first floor and his cell phone rings. Work has begun. Me? Staring at an unfinished project I'm sewing and blogging this till nearly 8. sigh. Gotta go get that dead thing and pitch it over the fence. ew.<br />
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**LilBit's grade is low because they are on a 9 Week schedule here. This is the middle of that 9 weeks. They only have 4 grades for Science because they missed about a full week in snow days when 2 ice storms hit. He has 3 daily grades and one test grade. The test was actually a worksheet he had a week to turn in but lost it and made a 0. No make up. *smh* 100 on one daily that was actually Science related. The other two grades are for the TN TCAP stuff. He's having to be graded on the review sheets for the Standardized Tests they'll take next week sometime. He made a 64 and 38 so now his overall grade is 34 for this semester. I've emailed and emailed the teacher and she's not responded. sigh. It's been a long year.**<br />
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Breaktime. I'll edit and put the time edited, all day so feel free to check back. Bring coffee.<br />
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<b>*EDIT 10am*</b> <br />
Handsome hubby, MIL and I took a check to the bank for deposit, went to Ace Hardware for poly and/or stain for a new bench/table project that handsome hubby's doing (got a beautiful redish stain for next time and decided on our own poly) and went to the store so MIL could get cigarettes and hubs pumped my gas and cleaned my windows. :D Now back home but can't do poly because our stain is still damp. Handsome decided to go till the garden some and I think I'll shave the dog. He's a mini schnauzer, it's how they roll.<br />
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<b>*EDIT 8pm* </b><br />
I started shaving the dog and after about half an hour I decided to take a break, let him go out, I got some ice water for my hubby and grabbed the shovel and claw to dig out weeds around the strawberries. That lasted me until 12:15. I had to come in, clean up, shave the dog a tad more, get showered and be out the door by 1:10 to go to the HS, pick up Legs (who still did not turn in his dr note or bring in his progress report and didn't get out of there until almost 1:30), go get LilBit (1:40) and drive <strike>rapidly</strike> safely to the dental appointment where we arrived exactly on time. Filled out paperwork crazy fast and went back with LilBit for his cleaning so I could ask questions. LilBit has 3 cavities but they are tiny. He does have a baby tooth stuck they'll have to pull. We have an appointment set for all that in May. Legs was next and asked that I go with him. They pulled the 1/2 of a baby tooth that never came out but did crack, he has 2 even smaller cavities and I have his appointment set in May also. 2 doctors notes, 2 referrals (LilBit in case he needs to be knocked out for his cavities ... crazy right... and Legs for a free consultation with another doc to see about braces and payment plans), plus 2 appointment cards for May and October cleaning.<br />
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I had to stop at Dollar General on the way home to grab some 7up. I tried to buy some Pepsi in bottles for MIL, it's her fave, and they said they couldn't sell them to me. They were new to the store, were not in the computer and were out of date anyway. Homeward bound. Got home around 3:40. Hubby The Magnificent was already working on a wonderful dinner. He'd run out to the store and purchased some stuff to grill, made macaroni salad, got mushrooms and onions to grill and zucchini to fry. And rolls. It was a fabulous feast. I helped where I could but felt kinda useless overall. I did dishes and fried the zuke. :p After we were so full we were sick I took the dog in to shave a bit more. He's very nearly done and I usually get it all done at once in a couple of hours but neither of us are into all that this time. I'll finish him tomorrow. My exhausted hubby has crashed an hour and a half early. The kids are somehow wired up and can't go to bed this early. The dog is just dog tired so I'm gonna put him out and hit the sack. If he wakes me before 6am there will be dog for lunch. *BWA HA HA HA*KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-61266698593029817492015-04-19T19:21:00.002-07:002015-04-19T19:21:14.805-07:00TortChore ChartTorture. I torture my children. Yep, I admit it. Every day, 7 days a week. With Chores. I absolutely do have a list of chores and the kids are required to do them. I'm so horrible.<br />
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Years ago I wanted to get my boys into doing chores simply to help me out because they were in elementary/middle school and their dad was away for work. I started a chore chart. That never took off. So I came up with cutting out the chores and putting the papers in a container so they could shake it and choose one to do. It wasn't long before they were tired of that. It came down to: *pulls paper* Nope. *puts paper in*...*pulls paper* Nope. *puts paper in*...*pulls paper*THIS AGAIN?!?<br />
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We tried lists off an on but nothing would stick. A few months ago I offered an allowance (something I never do) for services rendered, as it were. 4th grader gets $5 per week if he completes his. 9th grader gets his cell phone paid for each month, $50 through straighttalk. No worky, no pay, no phone. We started again with 3 choices off of the list per week and they had 3 daily things that had to be done, make the bed, pick up laundry in their room and keep the floor clean. After a month that went down the toilet. They started being "forgetting" to do chores until Saturday and still expected pay. sigh. They were worn out and aggravated because they waited a week and had to do it all at once. <br />
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I told these lovely children, whom I torture, that they could try something fun and just do one a day. One chore a day and that would just take so much stress off. They fell for it. Suckers. It was another two months before they realized they were doing 7 chores a week. Of course once the bomb dropped they refused to do anything. LilBit though had amassed a pretty good deal of money. Legs gets his phone...or he doesn't. Either way, I win. It's a little bit of aggravation when I have to chase them across the house listing the blue million things I run circles around them with chore-wise but they eventually get stuff done.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHqJxnDDiro9zHlc5zdP78eUbtnOFeMsBeOPdVT6kNZk4yikhFu2X_XNFool4IkpQ4EP2DcQk3d4moFBRVkaFKzvdRuSmNCt-BbpzHYl3uvFZdO-1HKSv8kHkg6lHLXemVkrgvmAyorM/s1600/1TortChoreList.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHqJxnDDiro9zHlc5zdP78eUbtnOFeMsBeOPdVT6kNZk4yikhFu2X_XNFool4IkpQ4EP2DcQk3d4moFBRVkaFKzvdRuSmNCt-BbpzHYl3uvFZdO-1HKSv8kHkg6lHLXemVkrgvmAyorM/s1600/1TortChoreList.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the one I did for the kids.</td></tr>
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Today I decided to redo the chore list. Since they think it's torture anyway I decided to name it their Tort-chore List. I've made a pdf so all of you delightful parents can join me in torturing your children. Cmon, it's good for them. :D *insert devious laughter*<br />
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I used some minecraft images found all over the known world and left things blank for you to add your own <strike>tortures</strike> chores.<br />
<a href="http://www.alongwell.com/images/bloggy/TortChoreBlank.pdf" target="_blank">Click here for your PDF download</a><br />
<br />KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-43319123684491380372015-03-25T17:10:00.003-07:002015-03-25T17:10:34.353-07:00Bunny Slippers for Easter*Or just because you love bunnies*<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/227616067/bunny-booties-6-9mo-4-5-toddler?ref=shop_home_active_1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHU5VazGjM2LbO27SNiHOMzbSNar844dnah1BGTdCUtDBtjY2c5x93bSLPGeB4QzGD4aPDN34-jEu726WjeKJ92lwaPAYjgvDx4L_44fXOYtl-K0t6QZ8F3CsNFBnsrx7wqhpLuyKUB4/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I found an adorable pattern for baby bunny booties because a friend was having a granddaughter born around Easter. I made my own for the smaller booties but purchased a pattern for toddler sizes. I currently have a pair for a 6-9 month old ready, size 4-5 with blue and pink bows. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/227616067/bunny-booties-6-9mo-4-5-toddler?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">All three are $20 each on my Etsy shop with only $2.80 shipping</a>.KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-46805727038584234622015-02-08T10:21:00.002-08:002015-02-08T10:26:49.828-08:00Where did two months go??Okay, yes, I did some major blog slacking for...twoish months. Yep. No denial here. Things got kinda crazy. We had family come in over Thanksgiving, then a rush to get things done in December before the kids were out for vacation, Christmas came and went with friends coming in from all over to visit, January flew by with the return of school, snow days, crochet work, building a new table and choir concerts. This month we've had a birthday party and hopefully more crochet to go out the door!<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/athomeninja" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.alongwell.com/images/2015/BunnySlippers1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
SO... Today I bring to you *drum roll please* Bunny Slippers!<br />
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Yeppers, little newborn bunny slippers. I've seen these totally adorable pair online (Etsy and Ravelry) that are just gorgeous. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/78328110/crochet-patterns-classic-year-round" target="_blank">Two Girls Patterns has some of the most adorable pairs of all</a>! Sadly, things being slow and it being right after Xmas I don't have a lot of cash in the ole pocketbook so I decided to come up with my own pattern.<br />
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I did not steal their pattern or their photos. I'm not the first nor the last to have the idea of baby booties, I just preferred their design to others and I give them mad props for their adorable booties. I also fully intend to purchase the ones they have for toddlers, as I don't have any in my stock pile for that size. If you type crochet baby bunny slippers into Etsy you get roughly 192 returns so there are plenty to choose from out there.<br />
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I have done numerous things over the past month and a half to put in my shop and this was the most recent. It all started last week *insert dream sequence transfer to the past* ... I was on facebook, as I often am, for inspiration and suggestions. Once again I got the "ohhh you should try flip flips!" from one of the many people who think they are cute but 1) don't have girls 2) don't buy from me 3) want them in adult sizes which would be suicide in yarn flipflops. So I found a pattern I liked and gave it another try. I've done them before and was not satisfied with the result. These were adorable so I put pics on FB first before I put them on Etsy. I prefer to give friends and family first dibs. How I roll 1-0-1. The woman who use to drive the bus my kids were on just loved them. She's always been just wonderful to my boys and now to my nephew. Her nephew is also one of my son's very best friends. We'll call her Mrs. N.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/athomeninja" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/050/0/6042442/il_570xN.718425066_n0v9.jpg" width="320" /></a>Mrs. N. purchased the flip flops and wants them in pink and white. Her granddaughter is due end of March. So I think, why just do flip flops? Certainly they won't want them on her to come home, March is still cool here in TN so I thought about making her some little sneaker booties I've worked on. Nope. My skeleton fingers just can't make them small enough for a newborn. Okay so what else? Easter is around her due date so why not bunnies?! Found the image on pinterest, went to Etsy, decided I could do that and had at it. :D I surprised her with them on Friday along with her flip flops. I refused to take any money for the second pair because, well they're a gift. It's the least I can do because she doesn't just drive a bus, she LOVES "her kids" and always worked with me when the boys had issues. So, for good measure (and now that I've already told you all about the flippy floppies anyway) here are the 3-6 month flip flops I made for her too.<br />
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If you would like some like this, message me (email on the side there), comment or head over to my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/athomeninja" target="_blank">@Home Ninja by Keisha</a> page and order or Convo me :) Favorite if you want to follow my goings-on.KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-712897082507146142014-11-22T09:11:00.001-08:002014-11-22T09:11:16.272-08:00Now for something completely differentYou know how you read about people who make money with surveys and stuff? You think, "Whatever. That doesn't happen." Well it does. Now I'm not saying you can make a living at it but I have a few places where I do stuffs and rack up points so I'm gonna share it with you guys. <br />
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Before you sign up for these things, keep in mind that they will be emailing you. A lot. The best thing you can do is go to yahoo or gmail and create a new email account JUST FOR THIS. Name it SurveyJane@mail . yahoo . com or whatever. Something you'll remember and check. Read about them before clicking the links though and feel free to google info about them. I'm not paid to post this so I have no reason to make any of it up. This is just my experience with a few. I have never given any of them a phone number and have never been harassed. Just so you know.<br />
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<a href="http://mindfieldonline.com/referral/1291249" target="_blank">MindField Online Internet Panel</a> is a place that actually pays out cash for their surveys. No, I've not gotten a pay out on this one and I'll tell you why. 1) I've been with them since 2006. I don't take a lot of surveys. I just deleted them from my email because I signed up but didn't have time for it because Lil Bit was a year old. Don't take them, don't get paid. 2) Sometimes I get between one and 4 emails a day from MindField. So I don't always click them or only click one. <br />
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Pros : You can make money if you take the surveys. Some of them vary from $0.50 -$5.00 surveys. The emails are clear and easy to follow. They send you a Study link, you click it and begin the survey. They also tell you how long the survey should take, how close you are to your pay out and they offer you more surveys at the end or if you don't qualify. By clicking the MindField link above and signing up, I think I get a $1 for referral. Each email has an Respondent ID and that should be you. By using the link above and putting your ID in place of mine, you should be able to get $1 for everyone you refer that signs up.<br />
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Cons : Some of them are lengthy. They say 15-20 minutes but that's if you have time to stick with it. If you are in and out because your kid thinks you need to run up the stairs to watch a 15 minute video of a minecraft parody then it takes a lot longer, you lose interest and just close the window (ie another reason I'm not paid yet). These surveys fill up quick. Sometimes within an hour their quota is met and you don't even get to take the survey. They don't offer you a $0.25 cent compensation for clicking the link or attempting the survey like some others do. The longer the survey, the more chance there is that you will time out or just get bored and close it.<br />
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e-Rewards is one you can't really join but if you get an email asking if you'd like to join them, take it. I think mine came from adding Alaska Airlines to my affiliate program list. I get occasional emails from them offering me between $2 and $6.50 per survey. I get a quarter for filling out profile information and doing smaller surveys. I have yet to be in one that I have had a problem with or timed out of. I don't get them as frequently but they are worth it. They tell you how much money you have made with them and you can cash it out with their high end partners. Magazines, hotels, airlines and my favorite Gamestop's Power Up rewards program. I finally earned the equivalent of $50 on their program and cashed out to Gamestop. That gives you 12,500 points in Power Up to spend as you like. I can think of no cons. They send the info directly to power up and your points are added.<br />
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<a href="https://www.gamestop.com/PowerUpRewards/" target="_blank">Gamestop Power Up Rewards</a> - Not a survey place. It's Gamestop. If you have not signed up for this yet, you should. ( <a href="https://login.gamestop.com/Home/FAQ" target="_blank">Faq's</a> ) It's free. They track what you buy in the store and online and give you points for them. If you get in on a special event or use certain coupons they offer (and tell you about) then you get more points. I strongly suggest going PRO as well. It's $15 a YEAR. You get deeper discounts when you buy things and more points. The points add up. In the two years I've had Pro I have gotten 4 shirts and a pack of wii remote locking wrist bands. I don't even pay shipping. So you get games cheaper than you ordinarily would, earn points and get free things. Win Win.<br />
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MyPoints.com is one I've been with probably since 2002 or so. I used a lot of points just donating to the Red Cross for a few years. They email you. A LOT. Especially, around Christmas. <br />
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Pros : Some of the emails offer you 5 points just for clicking the email and letting a page load. That's it. You can go to their site and do surveys for points. You can let them mail you things for more points. Some of the emails you sign up to their ad sites and receive 100+ points. Each email will show you an ad, example :Allstate Insurance, Respond to this offer and receive 100 pts. Scroll to the bottom of the ad. Always. It says Get Your Points! Then it tells you what you get. If you click you might get 5 pts. Some do not give you any for click-thru. This one says "Once you get to Allstate Auto Insurance, request a quote and Receive 100 Points" For Walmart ads you get 8 points per $1 you spend on their site after clicking the link. You can also do that with other sites via the My Points Website. They have THOUSANDS of online retailers that give you points so check them before you buy anything online for more points. You can cash them out for fuel cards, restaurant cards, amazon and TONS more. You can sign up for free, of course, but if you message or email me I can refer you. Another Pro for MyPoints is that if I refer you, I get 25 points. If you refer someone not only do you get 25 points but you and I both get a bonus of extra points every time THEY click emails or when THEY buy from the MyPoints emails or lists. Yep it's kinda pyramid but there's no scheme to it because it's something you're already using for points to get rewards anyway. I can tell you now I've never bought from MyPoints. I have only clicked emails and I've cashed out a lifetime amount of nearly 15,000 points. :) I don't even try. If I did I'd have loads of freebies. Did I mention you can also play games and things on GSN for points and use groupon and such for more? Yeah, awesome right!<br />
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Cons : Can't think of any. No, really. Aside from the massive amount of emails, no cons. That's why you create a new email account for all these.<br />
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Okay, I think that's about all I have for now but if you have questions or want in on one of the referrals (please) <a href="mailto:spammom@alongwell.com" target="_blank">email me</a> and I'll getcha rockin! <br />
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OH and my Thankful For for the entire week I guess (because I'm a slacka) is that through e-Rewards/Gamestop I'll be able to get both my boys a little something extra for xmas and also from MyPoints/Walmart I got a $50 online gift card too...which is why I shared this post with you. :) I'm pretty darned thankful :DKeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757937394944514168.post-6152769748250165892014-11-08T19:48:00.001-08:002014-11-08T19:51:56.075-08:00Only thankfuls todayThat's right, no crafts, just blessings.<br />
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Nov 7 : Yesterday was awesome. For yesterday I have to say I am thankful for the hospital. The hospital visit the oldest kiddo had in February, that was paid mostly out of our pockets because insurance lost the kids in the system, finally said "oh yeah we will bill the insurance and give you a refund on what you paid in." That enabled us to buy groceries DURING mortgage week (which doesn't happen. ever.) and it also allowed us to repay 1/2 of a debt. I'm thankful my uncle was able to help us and we could send him 1/2 back. I'm also thankful that on Nov 7 some 22 years ago my niece was born and yesterday another niece was born. John's sis Kate had her second child, a girl. Both are healthy and happy.<br />
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Nov 8 : Today's blessing is friends. John and I don't have people over really. We had my sis and fam over a few times to eat dinner and chat and once we had a couple of friends but they've never come back. Today we had company! John worked on potato salad, cucumber salad and cookies today to prepare for our friends arrival. Leila and Earnie got here just before dark and the oldest two kiddos chilled in the living room with Legs while Lil Bit had the other three young ladies. They ran and played for nearly 5 hours! Then the youngest three went to the basement and played various guitars and ukeleles as the grown up daddies played guitar and bass. Leila sang beautifully. I just sat back making videos and taking the occasional picture. I am thankful we were able to have them over and could afford to feed them too. It was an awesome night. I hope we get to do that again soon.KeishaMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00121910708616090149noreply@blogger.com0