Monday Memo - Sales, RTS and Pattern of the Week!

Good Monday Morning! My morning started bright and early at around 4:00 am. I'm going to have a long week adjusting to hubby's early work schedule. I'm a night owl! Had a super busy week with VBS at my Church last week and the next two weeks the kids have some summer fun swimming lessons in the mornings. So I haven't had a chance to work on my new pattern ideas as much as I'd like.

 I am working on a fun Build your own ("secret") pattern :) - I think you'll enjoy it very much! I have a few other things I need to finish too like the dragon/dino pattern and I know many of you want the beagle alternate pattern I just have to catch up on orders first.

This week's Pattern of the week concludes my June theme of "On the Farm" with the 

Lil Grey Mouse pattern 

You can get it in my instant download shop on Ravlery for only $2.99 

(discount will automatically be applied at check out! )

Any guesses to next months theme for pattern of the week? 

 Since its going to be another hot summer I though we'd cool off with a winter theme of

 Christmas in July! 

I have to apologize if you've been trying to get bundle deals in Ravlery and couldn't get it to work! 

I had it set to only the cape patterns but I hadn't added the new ones to the list so it's wasn't working right. To make it easier there are no restriction on what patterns in my shop you can get. It can be any at any pattern at any price.  If a pattern is $4.50 instead of $5.95 then you will get the bundle for even less.  Let's just call it a special gift from me for buying through Ravelry! 

So go ahead an splurge on some patterns instantly downloaded to your email! Just enter the appropriate code at checkout and make sure you have the right amount of patterns :) 

Click here for my Ravelry shop ! 

Don't crochet!?! I've got a whole album of some lovely one of a kind hats for Nb photography! 

These are a great deal and include free shipping. You can check out the album on Facebook .

Here are a few of my favorites That are ready to ship! 

Have a great week!!! 

Free Pattern - Fear The Beard!

Beard Beanies has been quiet popular for a while now. Living her in OKC with the Thunder basketball in the finals you might have seen or heard the term Fear the Beard! This is in reference to one of our great Thunder players James Harden! His signature look is a mohawk with a long beard! There are beards popping up on buildings and I've even seen a few crochet beards yarn bombed around town! It's so fun. As a huge basketball fan and OKC Thunder fan I had to write out a quick simple pattern so you can show your support too!

This is only in one size right now because I'm super busy. If I find time during the finals I'll try to write up other sizes but I'll try to leave a few tips to help those who want to make other sizes too!

"Fear the Beard!"
Add This to your Ravelry Favorites!! 

Materials : 

J- Hook - Worsted Weight Black yarn 

*Note- you'll be working with two strands at the same time. 

*Substitutions Bulky #5 or even use one strand fun fur and one strand worsted for a fuzzy beard look!

* Turning chain doesn't count as a st in the st count at end of rows(#)

Sized for Toddler - Child 

9 inches from ear to ear , 4 inches long

Row 1 - ch 28, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and each ch across, ch 1, turn (27) 

Row 2 - sc in 1st 10 sts, ch 7, sk next 7 sts, sc in last 10 sts, ch 1, turn (20 sts, 1 ch 7 space)

Row 3 - sc in 1st 10 sts, 7 sc in ch 7 space, sc in last 10 sts, ch 2, turn (27) 

Row 4 - dc dec over the 1st 2 sts, dc in next 11 sts, dc dec over the next 2 sts, dc in next 10 sts, dc dec over the last two sts, ch 2, turn (24)

Row 5 - 2 dc dec over the next 4 sts, dc in next 16 sts, 2 dc dec over the next 4 sts, ch 2, turn (20)

Row 6 - dc dec over the 1st 2 sts, dc in next 7 sts, dc dec over the next 2 sts, dc in next 7 sts, dc dec over the last 2 sts, ch 2, turn (17) 

Row 7 - dc dec over the 1st 2 sts, dc in next 4 sts, dc dec over the next 2 sts, dc in next st, dc dec over the next 2 sts, dc in next 4 sts, dc dec in over the last 2 sts, ch 1, DO NOT TURN (13)

Edging:  sc up the side of the bear to about row 5, ch 8, join to edge of row 1, sl st across the top of row 1 to opposite corner, ch 8, sl st to row 5 (make sure it's even with opposite side), continue to sc around the rest of the side and bottom of the beard, sl st to join to 1st sc, fasten off and weave in ends. 

If you need a smaller or larger beard measure from top of ear under the nose to opposite ear. That is how wide it will need to be, make the ch space large enough for your mouth. Adjust length as needed and keep decreasing on the ends of the rows!. Be sure to check the length of chains to go around the ears too!  It will come out great I promise!!   

I did make one for me and hubby before this pattern and it measures 11 across by 6 long - Using a K hook, but that was free hand so this pattern may not come out that way but you're welcome to try and let me know :) 

Don't crochet and want to print one up for fun! Here is a link to our local news station's free printable! 

Click Here for a Beard Like Harden!

If you have any questions or find an error in the pattern please feel free to leave a comment below or use the contact tab to email me direct! Enjoy!

Copyright ©2012 Calleigh’s Clips & Crochet Creations All rights reserved. These instructions may not be photocopied or reproduced in any manner. They may not be sold. I have made every effort to ensure that these instructions are accurate and complete. I cannot, however, be responsible for human error, or variations in individual work.

Actual finished product may be sold. My Etsy shop name ID and URL web page address must be mentioned in listing or wherever item is displayed: Calleigh’s Clips & Crochet Creations by Elisabeth Spivey http://www.calleighsclips.com 

Emma June Photography

     One of the hardest things for me is finding fabulous photographers. I've been blessed to work with many over the past year. I can't tell you how many emails a day I get of photographers asking to work with me. It's a little overwhelming! While I do work with photographers at random I like to have a few I can always go to!

      I've recently had the opportunity to get to know Dawn of Emma June Photography! We had a commonality because she used to live in Oklahoma City and she crochets her own props for her photography. She's tested many patterns for me and is great at finding small details I tend to miss! 

     She's graciously going through some of my older patterns and helping me get images for ones that I never had a chance to get done on a little baby for various reasons. (Will just call those learning experiences and lost in process props that I've not got around to making again.)

     She's already sent me some great photos to use (you can see those scattered through out this post!) I'm getting very excited to see more images of her fabulous work!  She really is a great newborn photographer! I hope to meet her if she ever comes back to OKC!  You can see more of her work on Facebook! Go give her page some love and let her know Calleigh's Clips sent ya! 

Now I know your going to ask!

How do you choose your photographers and how can I be a crochet pattern tester? 

1. I like to work with a few photographers exclusively. I always go to them 1st. If they can't do it I'll offer it up to another. 

2. I'm very picky! I don't just work with anyone. Props aren't free upfront for new photographers. I require a test process. 

     a. You must pay full price for one item

     b. Photograph it properly in use with in a few weeks of arrival.

     c. Send me 3-4 images of it in use at different angles and using proper lighting so you can see the     

         true colors of the prop. Think more product shoot than baby on a few shots

     d. If I love what you've done. I'll offer a refund of half the cost.

    e. After that if I do continue to work with you we'll work out a deal. 

The best advise I can give anyone when it comes to finding the right photographer

1. Find someone local. Do a little networking. 

2. Build a relationship with them. Keep a good line of communication. 

3. Be their go to prop person and give them extras :)

4. Their work is just as important as yours and that editing process is a lot of work too! 

5. Don't settle! If you don't care for a style of a photographer don't work with them. Love them or leave them! You need to find what works for you! 

Now back to pattern testers- How to do you choose?  

     I do have a few behind the scenes pattern testers, same as my photographers I go to them 1st. The others are chosen at random. I post on my Facebook wall and open it up to a few people. I try to choose different people every time. If you do a really good job then I just might contact you again. The problem I find is most people don't find the small stuff, punctuations, grammar, typos, spacing and more! I need those suggestions and corrections. After I've read the pattern for like the millionth time it starts to all look the same. That's why I like to put other eyes on it! So you just have to be in the right place at the right time. 

If you have more questions.  You're always welcome to ask ;)