Freebie pattern for one day only!!

As part of our 15K Facebook Fan Celebration! Yesterday I asked you to vote on a freebie pattern for the day! The decision wasn't hard and won by a long shot! You all picked Shellby the Turtle Lovey! 

I love my turtles! Shellby is my turtle mascot that you see in my logo! He has a special place in my heart and my turtles are what really made my business flourish! Who would have thought a turtle cape pattern would be viral and become by far my best seller! It's still going strong after all this time!! 

Anywho! I know you're here for a the freebie but I wanted to also remind you that today is also the last day of our huge 75% off patterns sale! That means all patterns are 1.49 or less until midnight central time. 

You can get the coupon code for the 75% off sale  Raverly HERE.
(this isn't the freebie code-scroll down for that one!)

To access your free pattern you simply just need to click the link below. It will auto add the pattern to your cart and add the coupon code! 

This will only be free Wed Sept 17, 2014 11 Am - Thurs. Sept 18,  2014 11 AM (24 hrs)

After that it will be reg. $4.50

Click here For Free 
SHELLBY THE TURTLE LOVEY

Be sure to sign into Ravelry too so that you can save it in your library because if you don't sign in I can't verify your purchase if you ever lose the pattern. 

Thank you again for being a fan and celebrating with us! Oh and be sure to share blog link to this freebie so people don't miss out! 

Tiny-A-Long : Owl Ami

Meet my adorable Owl Ami! Isn't he cute!! I love him so much! 

Freshstitches is hosting a Tiny-a-long.  A crochet along where you are challenged to use yarn smaller than worsted weight and smaller hook to go with it.

I knew exactly what yarn I was going to use. I recently picked up Lion Brand BonBons because of the tiny skeins and the cute colors all in one tiny package! I had no plans for it so why not use tiny skeins for a tiny along. The yarn is a 2 weight and cotton. It's so soft and was really great to work with. 

I use a C hook 2.75 mm. I need to get a good hook. I just used a steel hook with a little slide on gripper to help me not hate that hook. I don't usually use hooks that small. I love my Tupil Emito hooks but I've heard marvelous things about the clover hooks so I think I'll pick one up next time I'm out yarn shopping. 

Since these are tiny skeins of yarn I had to get creative and plan out a colorful owl! I think he turned out great! So soft and huggable! 

The hardest part of the owl was getting those silly eyes in and fastened. After lots work I got it but,  then I remembered, (after I sewed everything down) that my friend from Niccup Crochet had already blogged tips for this. (remember this next time!!)

Attaching eyes through thick layers

He fits nicely in my hand and that is to help show you his size. I was going to measure him but my kids have claimed him and he's currently being loved....(and fought over.... I need to make another) 

I'm actually working up an even smaller one. I'm just adjusting the pattern instead of smaller hook! 

Its a halloween themed one and she is turning out spooky fun! I'll share when she's done of course! 

There is still time to join in the tiny-a-long. If you like this pattern it's one of Freshstiches best sellers and I'm sure you can see why! Check out Nelson The Owl Pattern. If you love Ami crochet than you will love her blog!! 

Spring Wreath Inspiration

It may still be winter but spring is in the air today! It was a gorgeous day in the 70s yesterday but today's high is in the low 80's. So I was ready to change out my winter wreath since we'll likely not get anymore traces of snow here in the the OKC Metro.

For my Spring Wreath I just wanted to keep it natural but keep the base reusable to change out for summer (although I'll probably just make a whole new one LOL) So all the pieces are just pinned in place. 

I started with a 12 inch styrofoam base and 1 Skein of Hobby Lobby's Cypress Haute Fur. 

I crocheted it double thick by just slip stitching around the entire foam with a N 10mm hook. I had just barely enough and if you want it really full I'd get 2 skeins. 

The rest of the details are free patterns I found online. 

The cute ami's my kids will love to have after the season to add to their ever growing stuffed animal collection! 

This Darling Bumble Bee free pattern can be found here.

Fuzzy Little Friends

This cute Ladybug is a free pattern from Lion Brand.com but you'll have to sign up first!

Amigurumi Ladybug 

This beautiful flower is by Stitch 11. 

My Daisy

I've really enjoyed making wreaths and I plan to make more each season! Do you like wreaths? Will you be making one for spring? 

Favecrafts Blog hop

I entered this in the favecrafts blog hop! Please come vote for my spring craft!! I'm #56!! 

Spring Bunny CAL - Week 4

Bunnies !!! Made by me and the yellow one by my mom! 

 Sorry for the delayed post of the CAL this week. I'm visiting my mom in lovely Colorado. We are enjoying lots of snow and family time! 

This week is just adding the finishing embellishments. Making your bunny one of kind and giving it some personality! 

My son picked out this lovely Green Shade. I finished it up and asked him "what else does your bunny need?" He said, " a Red Bow Tie mom"  - Isn't it cute!! I would have never added a bright red bow tie but I think the colors are fun and bold together! Now maybe he just needs a top hat and a magic wand. 

My daughter simply just wanted a flower added. 

The kids love their bunnies! 

The bunnies are getting lots of hugs and squishy time! 

This was such a fun project and I'm so glad you joined me in this CAL! I learned some new crochet technics and hopefully you did too! 

Facebook is being weird and the group event seems to have disappeared from the group. So hopefully it will come back! Please post your pictures in the group so we can enjoy seeing you cute bunnies! 

If you need the free pattern or more info of the CAL here are some links!
Spring Bunny CAL
Spring Bunny CAL - Week 1
Spring Bunny CAL- Week 2
Spring Bunny CAL- Week 3

Spring Bunny CAL = Week 3

WEEK 3 - Arms, Legs and Tail

I have a super busy week so I'm going to keep this one short and share some pictures! 

If you notice my purple bunny arms are longer. I guess I missed a few rows on the green bunny arm. Oops!  I noticed when I was working the 2nd one last night. 

If your behind that's okay! If you're just joining in that's okay too! 

If you have an hour you can get this weeks step done. Lots of little pieces but they work up fast. Next week is just accent optional pieces to make it that special one of a kind bunny! So join in the fun and show me the bunnies!! 

Here are my bunnies! They are worked differently! I made my green one with a D hook. I made the Purple one with a F hook and did "only in the Back stitches" method. The purple is bigger and squishier! I love them both and their unique personalities! Just need their finished accents. Saving that for next week! 

Feb 3 - 10: Head & Ears

Feb 11 - 17: Body

Feb 18- 24: Arms Legs & Tail

Feb 25 - 28: Accents- (Flower, Carrot, fabric and/or Felt)

If you need the pattern or more info here are some links!
Spring Bunny CAL
Spring Bunny CAL - Week 1
Spring Bunny CAL- Week 2

Don't forget to share your pics in the group as we go. I can't wait to see your progress and all your creative ideas! If you have questions post in the group and we'll all help! Have fun!! 

Spring Bunny CAL - Week 2

WEEK 2 -Body

I've been so excited to see such wonderful participation in the CAL! Some have completed their adorable bunnies and they are all so cute! This week is just the body! So if your behind or getting a late start this is a good week to catch up. Below is a picture of one of my bunnies in a cute pistachio green. I think I put his eyes to low but we'll see once I get the piece sewn together. I have another one done in purple too! My kids are already excited to get them. They would be happy with just a "bunny ball" Since that's all I have done! Who is your ami for? 

Feb 3 - 10: Head & Ears

Feb 11 - 17: Body

Feb 18- 24: Arms Legs & Tail

Feb 25 - 28: Accents- (Flower, Carrot, fabric and/or Felt)

I'm trying to find helpful hints as we go and I've mentioned FreshStitches has amazing tips! 
I thought I'd focus on tips for attaching pieces
1. How to fix an incorrectly attached part 
2. How to attach felt to your ami
3. Tips for attaching pieces
4. Tips for attaching limbs

There are a tons more great links on her website but I thought these would help in our project! Do you have any tips to share- Feel free to post links in the comments.

If you need the pattern or more info here are some links!
Spring Bunny CAL
Spring Bunny CAL - Week 1

Don't forget to share your pics in the group as we go. I can't wait to see your progress and all your creative ideas! If you have questions post in the group and we'll all help! Have fun!! 

Spring Bunny CAL - Week 1

I'm so excited about how many of you have said you will be doing the crochet along!! So far we have 50+ people going to join it! The more the merrier! For more info on the CAL visit the 1st blog post from this weekend Spring Bunny CAL.

Week 1 - If you haven't already you need to gather your supplies. We are going to start with the head which is the biggest part so if you can get that done the rest will be a breeze! Here is the schedule to help move you along but you don't have to stick to it. If your like me I have this OCD about finishing one project at a time. I'm going to try to spread it out, but I'm also working on making two. One for each of my children. 

Feb 3 - 10: Head & Ears

Feb 11 - 17: Body

Feb 18- 24: Arms Legs & Tail

Feb 25 - 28: Accents- (Flower, Carrot, fabric and/or Felt)

My first advise for ami is on the decrease stitches. I learned a fabulous technic and I love it for ami!! 

Planet June is a fabulous resource for Ami! She has some adorable designs and great videos.  I've emailed with her a few times and she is so nice and helpful! I learned this technic for an invisible decrease. Once you learn it you will never go back! So check it out!! 

2nd. Label your pieces and keep them in a bag together. If you're like me with kids and dogs. Things have a way of disappearing especially small pieces. So I keep my projects in zip lock baggies. If you label your pieces you won't be confused weather it's a arm, leg or tail. If you attach them as we go you'll be fine but it wait to attach all the pieces at once labeling might help. 

You can label them by letter, number or stitch marker, whatever works for you! 

If you want more great tips I have to suggest Freshstitches blog! She has a great Beginners guide to Ami- It's a free download and if you've never done ami you should read through it. You can find it here . 

Don't forget to share your pics in the group as we go. I can't wait to see your progress and all your creative ideas! If you have questions post in the group and we'll all help! Have fun!! 

Pink-a-Boo Pink Puppy

Meet Pink-a Boo The Amigurumi Crochet Puppy. This was my 2nd attempt at amigurumi which basically just means stuffed toy. My first attempt was a poodle several months back but I didn't realize how big it was when I started it and I got bored with it. After finishing this project I still don't like amigurumi crochet. Your probably thinking- "So if  I don't like it why did I do it?"

My inspiration for this puppy came from several ideas. I'm part of the Create Crochet Etsy Team and the monthly project challenge is Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month. I wanted to try something different &  I came across this adorable puppy pattern by Emily Premise-Conclusion on Ravelry and it was free. 

She has other cute amigurumi patterns in Ravelry for purchase that you might like to check out.

I needed pink so I went with hot pink and added a cute little black bow. I named her pink-a-boo puppy because my little Calleigh was playing peek-a-boo with the puppies big ears. It was pretty cute!

Pink-a-boo is for sale in my Etsy shop if your interested just click here!

On a different note as you may know my Grandmother is currently fighting Breast Cancer. She had her last Chemo treatment last week and we were so excited for all the progress she made. Things were looking up. Well at her last check up they found two more masses of cancer so we're back at square one. She's going to have surgery again and start the chemo over. Please keep her and the family in your prayers! She's in good spirits but it's a set back and that's just not fun. 

Pomp Poodle Crochet Along

I've never done a crochet along and I've always wanted to. I've also never done amigurumi. If you don't know amigurumi is a crochet or knit stuffed doll or toy. You can find the the pattern and schedule here at the  Fave Crafts Crochet Along. 

This project is for a Pomp Poodle featuring Red hearts new Pomp-a-doodle yarn. I'm not usually fond of Red heart yarn the the Pomp a doodle is soft and will be fun to use. If I like using it I might apply it to some fall or winter hats. 

It will be a six week project but week one was just gathering supplies. I still need to get the pomp-a-doodle which I can only find at Michaels which I don't frequent as often as Hobby Lobby! 

I'm not using the exact yarn it calls for but only because I was involved in a garage sale and came across 3 tubs full of yarn that I got for free and I want to use it for my personal projects and test patterns. I also got free crochet and knitting needles, tons of thread, buttons and more! I can't wait to go through it all! Can't beat free! That is a crafters dream!

Week 2 - The Head

Week 3- The body