We're Changing Directions

 Maple Lawn Farm

The Farm House

Since our life has changed and we've moved to a farm. We've been BUSY cleaning it up. We've been working every day to get this place ready for bringing in some livestock next year. We're looking at having cows, pigs, chickens and turkey's. Right now we're doing a garden and have Apple's, raspberries and wild grapes that run wild around here. There are 4 raspberry patching several apple tree's across the property and the grapes are clinging to every available surface. We've already taken some down that were destroying the barn.

Let me introduce you to the family. We have 4 dogs, 2 are ours 2 are hubby's moms, we also have 2 cats. Woggie and Copper. 

This is Kalie and Krypto (Kalie (Husky/Sheppard)Age 11 on the left Krypto (Husky/Collie) Age 1 1/2  On the right)

Our Kids Nugget 3.5 and Gizmo 1.5 (no that's not their real names we're just going to use nicknames for them)

Our little family going for a walk

 So all that being said. We're changing directions a little bit. I'll still be crocheting, taking orders for custom/ready to ship items, we're just going to be adding on a whole lot of other stuff, like recipes, jams and jellys, baked goods, stuff that goes on around the farm and some new crafts!!! The baked goods, jams, jelly's, breads, will be available for purchase to our local fans too! As well as fresh fruits off the farm and next year the livestock! 

Make sure you check out the new tabs and the updates to the existing ones!

Pretty Little Hat Pattern

 Pretty Little Hat

 

I was busy working on a hat last night, and not until it was almost done did I realize that it was to big and I didn`t have the measurements to make sure it was spot on! So I decided to change it some. It was originally supposed to be the Teletubby Po, and it morphed into this cute yet simple hat.

NOTE: This pattern has not been tested. If there are any issues, or corrections, please contact me so I can fix it up! Thanks :)

So you will need :
Worsted weight yarn in whatever color you choose
A length of Ribbon to match, clash, accent your hat color choice. Make sure it`s long enough to go around the size of hat your making, with some extra to spare. You won`t want the ribbon tight!! For an adult hat I`d say about 27-28 inches should do.
A small amount of sport weight yarn in a matching, clashing, accenting color.
And of course sissors, needle, and a stitch marker.

I used Bernat Premium in Rich Red ,

Gauge: 2 inch= 5 hdc rows, 6 hdc sts,


Magic Loop, ch 2, 8 hdc in loop, pull tight , slst to join.

Rnd 1:  ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around.

 Place stitch marker to hold place of first st in each round.

Rnd 2: 1 hdc first st, 2 hdc in next st.

Rnd 3: 1 hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, Rnd 4-7 (NEWBORN): hdc in each st around.

Rnd 4: 1 hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, Rnd 5-8 (Baby 3-6 months) hdc in each st around

Rnd 5: 1 hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st, Rnd 6-10 (Baby 6-12 months) hdc in each st around

Rnd 6: 1 hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st, Rnd 7-12( Toddler) hdc in each st around

Rnd 7: 1 hdc in next 6 sts, 2 hdc in next st, Rnd 8-14 (Child) hdc in each st around

Rnd 8: 1 hdc in next 7 sts, 2 hdc in next st, Rnd 9-15 (Teen) hdc in each st around

Rnd 9: 1 hdc in next 8 sts, 2 hdc in next st. Rnd 10-17 (Adult) hdc in each st around.

Next Rnd For All Size Hats.

Slst in next st, ch 3 *dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st* Repeat * to* around. Slst in beg ch.

Next Rnd For All Size Hats. 

Ch 3,  hdc in each ds and ch 1 space. slst to beg ch. Cut yarn weave in ends. 

Thread your ribbon in and out of the spaces made by the dc, ch 1, in the second last round, all the way around the hat. Use thread and needle to stitch the ends of the ribbon together.  Use flower pattern to place over the spot where the ribbon is stitched together. 

I used this flower pattern to adorn the hat. Turned out nicely!  It should be a pin. But I didnt add the pin piece or the leaves. 

Enjoy!

 

Red Hearts NEW Anne Geddes Yarn

Red Heart Anne Geddes Yarn! 

I don`t know about you, but there`s not a lot of places around me to buy yarn. Within a 15 mintue drive all I have is Wal-Mart.I have to drive into the nearest large city to get a decent selection of yarn and even then I`m stuck with Micheals and yet again Wal-Mart. There are I believe 2 yarns stores in the city, but I`ve never had the chance to go in and look as 9 times out of 10 I have my 1 year old and 3 year old with me and they have an affection for yarn you don`t want to see. It usually ends up spider webbing my house! I really hope Wal-Mart will sell this new yarn! It looks amazing. Finally baby yarn that steps away from the pale pastels to some amazing bright colors.

You can check out the selection here.

I`m really looking forward to getting my hands on the Bluejay, Jam and Ladybug!

Blujay

Jam

Lady Bug

      The weight I think would work well for the warmer weather that should be on it`s way! The Red Hearts website said it would be available early February, but it`s only a few days from March and it`s not out yet. Soon I hope!                                                                                                                    

 I`ve already got the cutest dress in mind for when I get my hands on them! I even entered a contest  from All Free Crochet, to get my hands on some!  They are giving away skiens of Grass, Taffy, Robin, and Jam. Ohhh La La! You have until March 13th to enter.

You can go HERE to enter the contest! You can enter, then get multiply entries by posting the contest to facebook, twitter, google+ and pinterest.  I`m sure your all familiar with All Free Crochet, they have hundreds of free crochet patterns just screaming to be made! I get their patterns sent right to my email. Very convenient!


If you`ve had a chance to try this yarn, let me know what you think!

NEW PATTERN 

The Smurfy's are finally complete! 

In this pattern you will find all the directions to complete a whole village of Smurfy's Smurfette, Vanity, Poppa, Gutsy, Brainy, Painter, even just a normal smurf!
We're even having a contest over on our Facebook page to win a copy for you and a friend. If your not a crocheter, you can enter anyway for a chance at a $10 Gift Certificate to my shop!

I originally did this pattern in sc, because it gave a nice tight look. But after speaking with one of my testers, it came apparent that and hdc version had to be done too. So if you win, or want to purchase the pattern you can choose weither you'd like the sc, or the hdc version!

You can head on over to my Ravelry Store and purchase the pattern for $6.99!

New Pattern

Coming Soon! 

A New Pattern! It's with the testers now! But I couldn't wait to show you the picture I took of the finished product! They are so darn cute. This pattern stemmed from a contest I had just after Christmas asking for ideas for a new project. Well the winner was a great lady named Karen, who I've done some custom work for. You can check out the contest page for all the details on the contest. We will be having another one once the pattern is ready, so make sure you check back there to see if you can snag a copy of the pattern, or a hat of your choice made from the pattern! 

La la la la la Sing a happy song! LA la la la la la smurf it all day long! 

This pattern be an E-book and will include the instructions to make Poppa, Smurfette, Brainy, Painter, Gutsy, Vanity and just a plain smurf!

So without further a-do, here they are!   

 

One Very Big Bird Hat

It's Finally Ready!

 I really didn't realize the amount of frustration that can come with a pattern that just doesn't want to come out right. This one sure gave me it's fair share of headaches. Here's to hoping the next pattern I'm working on isn't out to get me. :) 
 After quite a few tests, and some wonderful testers, The One Very Big Bird Hat is finally finished and ready for you to hook! The pattern is available on Ravelry!

Pam tested the patter as well. They all turned out so CUTE!

 The inspiration I'm sure is pretty evident. But after watching cartoons and such for several hours with a sick little boy curled up with me, I knew I just had to make this hat. I looked around for a pattern I could buy or a free one, but I wanted something a little different. He needed texture,I really wanted this hat to have a feather like look, and I think the Crocodile Stitch was perfect for the effect I was looking for. So  the One Very Big Bird Hat was born.




I want to thank Hope over at Awe Stitch for all the great help with this pattern! Make sure you check her out! An amazing and talented lady! Click on her logo to visit her!

Why I Don't Crochet When I'm Sick

As some of you may know the flu and cold are running rammpet. I keep hearing how the local health unit is over run with people coming in with the flu and how important it is to receive a flu shot. Well I can tell you, my family didn't have a prayer when it came to the flu this year. We didn't have the chance to get the flu shot before we were struck with it.After a very LONG week and a half we finally started feeling better, only to get the cold that is also running around with the flu like a pair of sugar crazed kiddies.

So, As to why I don't crochet when I'm sick, well I have two reasons, 1 being keeping whoever gets the project I'm working healthy without passing off my germs to them. But also because if I'm sick there's a very good chance that both my boys are sick as well. And if you have kids, you know when there sick they want to curl up with Mommy. I don't know about your kids, but mine HATE to blow their noses, or have them wiped, so when they come running to me, they are this big snot covered child. And guess where that ends up if Mommy's crocheting... you guessed it all over my yarn. So it's just safer all around if I keep it out of sight while we're fighting off the cold. That way no one ends up sick or with any Extras on their item.

My other reason, is I don't actually get anything done. When there sickness in the house I'm up and down running after kids and wrestling them to the ground to blow their noses, and by the time I get back to my project, I've lost my place or I keep going not knowing that I've messed up. By the time I'm feeling better, I have to pull the whole thing apart because it's all wrong.

Instead of crocheting, I'll be working on the shop on Facebook, and doing some pinning on Pinterest! Stay tuned. I'll be sharing some pins with you!