Pompom Hat

I got a request from my godson to make a striped red/black/white hat with a pompom on top and on the side braids.


It took me about a week to complete because of this

I really don't change colors so often because of the weaving that has to be done afterward.  I even decided on a double crochet instead of a single crochet so it would be about 1/2 the rows to switch.  But the outcome was worth it (even though I was injured--ha ha ha).

My mannequin also got a "head" and some hair--ha ha ha.

First Christmas Card of the Season

Supply List: 

Kraft Paper-The Paper Company 25 pack

Cream/Green paper-Making Memories Mistletoe sprial journaling book

Chipboard tree & star-Fancy Pants Designs Happy Holidays Printed Chipboard Shapes

White Pen-Gelly Roll

Background Blue/snowflakes-Love Elsie Noel recipe book

All these products have been sitting in my stash for a while, so they are hard to find online--I had to substitude the kraft paper brand.

Now I have to figure out if I am going to try to sell it or send it to someone.

Happy Birthday to my BESTIES!!

It took me years to find, but I am very lucky to have found the best friends a girl could have.  They accept my dorkiness--ha ha ha.  I find it kinda cool that they even share the same birthday.

Happy Birthday Liz and Meredith!!! 

Liz & I at a Wedding.

Meredith & I at a SuperBowl Party.

Here Liz & I are at the Renegade Fair this past summer having fun!



Here Meredith & I are with our Husbands on our First Date :D

Getting Cozy with Coffee

I know I have mentioned it before, but I am going to say it again.  Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn is my favorite!!

My latest creation is this Coffee Cup Cozy.

It looks a little big on this "Tall" cup, but I know I usually have a "Grande" or "Venti". 

Unfortunately, it kinda clashes with the Red Holiday cups.

I have had a few attempts at crocheting a coffee cozy for sometime.  Here is a failed attempt

Not only was the flower way too big but the sleeve was too big as well. 

mmmm.....Starbucks "season" :D

My Favorite Hat Pattern

I usually go through phases where I have a favorite pattern which I will make over and over. 

Currently, it is this Blossom Cap pattern created by Brittany Jackson.  I was searching through the Ravelry website (a username & password are required but are free), when I came across her amazing pattern.

Since I have read concerns about using other people's patterns for items to sale, I contacted her through Facebook...gotta love the internet.  She graciously allowed me to use her pattern as long as I give her credit.

Here are my creations (so far!)

All the hats use my favorite yarn by Lion Brand Yarn in Wool-Ease Thick & Quick.

This is the first hat I completed in Linen

As you can tell from the top picture, it is pretty small.  I am hoping it will actually fit a baby--hahaha.  I have to measure it still before I place it for sale.

My second try was for an adult in Fisherman (off-white)

super cozy for cold winters (I might actually keep this one for myself--shhh!).

Then I got inspiration to make one for Halloween. 

I was totally going to make it look like a pumpkin and place leaves on the top, but after looking on Etsy, I notice a huge supply of pumpkin hats for infants.  Instead, I placed a green flower on the side.  That way, it is more of a fall hat than just a halloween hat for a small child.  The flower can also be removed, if need be.

I love crocheting :D

Renegade Craft Fair-San Francisco 2010

On Saturday, I spent an exciting day with my scrapbooking bestie Liz at the Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco !

The doors opened at 11, but because we were so excited and because I have never driven through SF, we left her house at 8:45—I was a bit early! We got to Fort Mason at 10 am and found parking in a jiffy—when we left (at 3:30!) there wasn’t any parking to be found. Luckily, I had parked near the exit and parked so I didn’t have to back out—yay!

There wasn’t much to eat at Fort Mason, so we settled for a latte (sans Vanilla—boo!) and a mocha from a very pleasant lady who was thrilled that we both paid with twenty dollar bills—um, it is the morning lady—we hadn’t gotten a chance to spend any money yet. The coffee was bitter just like the barista—ha ha ha! (The coffees weren’t even picture worthy)

We sat facing the bay waiting patiently for the doors to open and chatted about this and that. It was nice and relaxing even for an early Saturday morning.

A couple of minutes before 11am, we headed on over to the Festival Pavilion. Some of the booths were still setting up while we did our first go round—there were no purchase made the first time around.

After we seen all the goodies, we went upstairs to the Etsy Make-n-Take area where they had a REAL DJ…the kind that played Records!! You know those big black vinyl things? No cd player…no iTunes off a computer! YAY…the best part was the awesome 80’s music that came out of the turntables!

Also upstairs was the “bar” which had some wine and beer. We held off because we didn’t want to chop off our fingers while doing our make-n-takes. The host wore a cute apron…So Manly! We never were able to secretly take a picture of him from the front, but it was really ruffle-ly.

Before our second go round, we stopped at the Magnolia Photo Booth which was “free” (with a donation jar). It was fun with all the props they had! So something I could never do with my family—ha ha ha.

Then came our purchases…I loved so many of the things, but I only left with these:

1. is a note pad that says "To Do*", then the bottom says "*or not to do, that is the question".  Old Tom Foolery was quite the place was cute cards I would never be brave enough to send out.  One of my favorites was "You tied the Knot*...*the knot to the noose that just killed your social life.  way to go party poopers"

2. wood print NY version was actually a gift from Liz for driving.  She got the SF one...so cute from Petit Collage.

3. can't really see it in this picture but it was a bag full of cute postage-like stamps from The Tinted Mint.

4. hand dyed yarn (I ♥ yarn) from bricolag(e)able.

5. the cutest envelop from The Postage Service.  It had vintage stamps and the best part was the postage was usable--although I would hate to use it and then not have it anymore.  I left with the California theme.

6. a business card holder from Beyond Wonderland (to put my etsy shop cards when I finally open shop)I also left with a ton of business cards.

7. and my "big" purchase...a cute cell phone holder from The Pouch Place by alliebeans.

Here are a few links to check out:

Misha Ashton Photograph (she is awesome)

Twinkie Chan

Red Velvet Art

Spincycle Yarns (love the mascot)

Seibei (love the "I am fat...Let's Party" shirt)

Bunny Butt Apothecary (crazy name)

Mis Nopales Art (awesome)

Zooni (I wish I knew some little kids to buy these for)

There were so many other vendors...I can't name them all, but you can check out the list on the Renegade site.

One of our “goals” was to meet Elsie Flannigan. We even brought our copies of 52 Scrapbooking Challenges and Love, Elsie Recipe Idea Box to be signed, but when we were at her booth, we were both to shy to ask if she would sign them. We didn’t even get a picture with her. Liz did take a photo of Elsie holding a picture her daughter had drawn and gave Elsie the picture. Maybe we will run into her at another fair someday.

We also took a picture as the Renegade Mascot Owl



and lots of pictures of the “props” throughout the venue. I didn’t want to take pictures of the items—didn’t want people to think I was stealing ideas!

(from the Postage Service)


(from bricolag(e)able)


(from Twinkie Chan)

(this was my favorite prop...I thought they were selling these faux cupcakes.  When I picked it up, I was like these look so real...Liz had to point it out to me that they were real--ha ha ha--they were selling the bird candle holders)

This guy was AMAZING...

P.Nosa...he embroidered these amazing art works on the sewing machine freehandedly.

After we were finished wandering the fair, we went outside and took a few photos of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz .

Have I ever mentioned that I love old buildings?

I don’t think I have ever driven around that area of San Francisco —I totally fell in Love with all the architecture—someday I want to go back and just wander the streets and take some photos.

We—I mean I only got lost 4 times—ha ha ha. Once, we missed the turn going into the city, but thanks to my handy dandy (annoying at times) navigation, we still made it to Fort Mason in plenty of time. Then on the way out, I was in the wrong lane and I had to turn, but it was only a slight detour that we still were able to enjoy the lovely buildings around us. The final 2 missed exits were actually in the part of California that I know!!! First I forgot to get on a freeway—I was just driving myself home—ha ha ha…then when we finally got onto that freeway, I was in the wrong lane (again) and had to take another detour! By that time, it was a joke how long it took us to get home!

I had an awesome fun time with Liz. I was able to take my time and be my dorky self :)

Future BagLady

ok, you heard it here first, I think I am going to become a baglady--ha ha ha.

If you know me, you know I am not fashionable.  I am plain and cheap (mostly cheap though--ha ha ha).  But lately, I have been drooling over purses/handbags...whichever you prefer.

Back in March, I posted about some awesome camera bags that look like purses.  Since, I have entered a couple of contests to try and win one with no luck.  The last contest, I even asked my mom, my aunt, and my husband to enter to win it for me too, but none of us won :( 

So today, I get home and what is waiting for me?  A box...a Box labeled Ginger from Epiphanie Bags!!!!  I love it!  I can look fashionable and carry my cameras and then some in this bag!

My husband totally surprised me with an early (2 month's early) birthday present!!!  Yay!

But not only that, this was my second surprise of early presents this past few days.  In May, I seen a cute bag that my aunt had and told my mom how much I loved it.  She told me the brand and said she found it on eBay...of course I am not into brand names, but I had to search for it.  I had no luck.  Then on Sunday, I went to visit with my mom and they had found a similar bag (just a different pattern) and she told me that if I wanted it, it could be my birthday present!  The thing is huge inside!!!

I have already taken it to the beach (you can see the sand inside--ha ha ha).

A pretty picture of them both:

But I really think this love for these bags has struck one of my obsessive collection strings.  The other day, we were at TJ Maxx and I seen this cute purse

Totally not me, but it is cute.  I read the price tag...$19.99.  I was like I would never use it, so I wouldn't pay 20 bucks for it.  Then I looked again and the tag said $119.99--I totally didn't see that first 1--oh my goodness, um, no.  But it was totally cute :D 

"Now that's a Hook"

If Crocodile Dundee crocheted, he would totally use an S-hook.  That thing is huge!  I didn't even know I needed a hook that big!  I received an email for a Double-Take Helmet free pattern from Leisure Arts. (you have to sign up to see the pattern), but here is a picture from the website

It is cute except it fits like a helmet (think Little House on the Praire bonnet) and not a beanie, so I improvised and I finally made a slouchy beret!!

I am so happy...I have tried a few times to make a slouchy beret, but it just doesn't turn out right.  Here is another failure--before I found my S-hook!

(it totally looks like a toilet seat cover--you know from the old school days when that was cool to have--ha ha ha)

Greetings...

I took a break from crocheting and had every intention to make Mother's Day cards, but instead, I made these:

This is a small 3 x 3 card (no envelop).  Nothing fancy at all, but still cute.  There is some ink on the raised dots, but it was a very light color that you can't even see it.

Supplies:  Paper~Kraft Cardstock (The Paper Company) and Brown (Bazzil Basics), Ribbon~Hemp Cording, Embossing~Swiss Dots used with Sizzix Big Kick Machine, Ink~Caramel Paper Stain (All My Memories-Ranger), Other (heart)~ George & Basic Shapes cartridge (Cricut)

I also made this 4.5 x 6.5 card for any occasion from some old Rusty Pickle paper that I have had for a while.

Supplies: Paper~ Pirate Princess Alvilda & Grace O'Malley (Rusty Pickle) and miscellaneous white cardstock, Embossing~Swiss Dots used with Sizzix Big Kick Machine, Ink~Baby Pink (Close to My Heart), Other~PreScored Card

This 6.5 x 4.5 Thank You card is my favorite of the bunch.  I am totally digging the Kraft Paper.

Paper~Kraft Cardstock (The Paper Company) and Miscellaneous Yellow/Orange Cardstock, Embossing~D'vine Swirl used with Sizzix Big Kick Machine, Stamp~(Thank you) Friendship Blessings (Close to My Heart), Ink~Caramel & Chocolate Paper Stain (All My Memories-Ranger), Other~ Rebecca Sowers tag

Ok, I have been trying really hard not to buy anything scrapbook/card making related including any new yummy papers.  So I got all this stuff from my stash and as I am trying to add all the links to the stuff, I realize most of the stuff I used is really really old.  Rusty Pickle is no longer in business :(  I don't think All My Memories makes ink anymore (unless I am not remember the correct ink off the top of my head :p) (ok, I doubled checked the ink was All My Memories through Ranger Industries--so I am thinking since they are putting out Tim Holtz Distressed Inks, they no longer sell "paper stain")...and this tag...

I have no idea how long I have had it, but I know it has been years and years and years...maybe since I first started in 2003!  I had to "borrow" this picture from someone on eBay selling this one (shhh!).  I was lucky to even find it since I forgot to take a picture before I altered the tag.  As you can tell, I took the flower off, then inked the tag to make it stand out a bit more and to be able to stand the tag vertical (see the lettering?  It made me want to use it horizontally instead).

Maybe there is some hope and I will someday use all my supplies--ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.  Ok, maybe not.

**how do Jennifer McGuire and all the "celebrities" get so great pictures of their cards!  I tried fixing my white balance (although I am using my P&S which still sucks!)...I wish they were truer colors.