Spring is here!!!!!!!

     Hello everyone!!!!!  I hope everyone is doing well and this year has brought you many, many wonderful gifts.  I cannot complain.  Except for the cold (which is to be expected in the winter, in Chicago) this year has been treating me very well. I have been keeping myself very busy crocheting away.  I love, love, love my crochet. 

Let me start by updating my grandma status. :D 

New News!!!!

     Come this May we will again become grandma and grandpa for the fourth time.  So exciting.  My youngest son Sean got engaged and he and his beautiful fiancee are expecting a baby girl, Aela Jolie.

Here are Sean and Samantha.  New parents to be.

...and this is my precious baby girl Aela Jolie.  Grandma and grandpa can't wait to meet her. 

Luna News!!!!

Luna has some great news as well.  Come July she will become a big sister!!!!  And we will again become grandparents for the fifth time. Aaahhhh!!!!  To much!!!!!  I know.  I hope my heart can handle ALL this love. <3 <3  

Here's my princess being very excited and having a lot of fun. 

Here are Mommy and Daddy excited about their news.  As you can see, Valky (my big black grand-doggie) is also very excited!!! 

...and here I am as excited as a grandma could possibly be because my Beautiful Moon came to visit me from Tennessee.

Kacey News!!!!

Kacey has had a wonderful year as well.  She moved to a great home with a wonderful yard where she and her brother and sissy can have tons and tons of fun growing and stretching.  Thank you Daddy and Mommy. :D

 And also Kacey turned two years old!!!!!

See how excited she is?!!  I know.  She is adorable. 

Just look at this beauty.  Such a gorgeous face.  And sooooo much love to share.  

Elias News!!!!!

Elias is growing into such a handsome big boy.  He is my juicy fruit, chunky monkey.  Sounds like a new brand of Ben and Jerry's doesn't it.  (Hey, Ben or Jerry, you can reach me here.)  ;) 

My baby boy is getting so big and....... those curls though!!!! Yes they are heart melting. 

Look at that face!!!! Words just can't even begin to describe.....!!!!! <3 <3 <3 

His first true snow day!!  He loved it even though he couldn't really move. :D 

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OK, now let me tell you all the stuff I have been working on.  I tell you what, that Pinterest is a very dangerous site.  I just can't stop pinning and overwhelming myself with things to do. Click on the link and check out my Pinterest page. Warning...... it can be hazardous to your wallet if you are a crafter. 

OK, so my new obsession are Dream Catchers.  I have made two so far, but this is only the beginning. 

Black and White Bohemian style Dreamcatcher.

I purchased a pattern online from Erin Black's Designs for the basic center, but you can easily make one with any crochet doily, one you make or one you purchase.  I have to tell you though it is soooo much fun looking for stuff to decorate them with. It's almost endless and addicting. 

This is the first one I made.  It was purchased by my niece.  Thank you Ali!!!! Made in Chicago and put up for display in New York.  Woooohoooo. :P

And then of course, since I was in the dream catcher mode, I found a pattern for a dream catcher granny square.  Found that here. 

I made it in three colors and decorated it with pretty flowers and added a nice little button.  If you are interested in one just let me know. :D 

It came out really pretty.  I used Caron Simply Soft.  It washes very nicely and dries to be really soft and cozy.  I think it's perfect for a chilly summer evening or as a nice bed top cover. But, that's just me.

My other new obsession are these awesome ponchos that I discovered on Bo-M. I totally fell in love with them and had to make one.  I couldn't find a pattern anywhere, so I made it myself by looking at the picture.  Pretty good, Huh?

One of the first ponchos that I made was this colorful one.  I found it in a magazine, I purchased it for $.99 and that was the start of my poncho obsession. :P 

So this is the first one I made from the Bo-M ones. 

I sold it on Etsy pretty quickly.  They were pretty popular.  I had a request for a black one. 

Here it is. 

Than I decided to make a blue one.

This is how far I've gotten on the ponchos, but I will make more. That is a definite. :D 

Another crochet project that I am very proud of is .........

  TADAAAAA!!!!!!

My Bella Ballerina. 

 I know she doesn't have traditional ballerina hair, but I couldn't resist those curls.  I think she is sooo pretty.

 

She has a removable tutu. EeeeEEEEee!!! Cuteness. 

I love her. <3 <3 

I also made these awesome little hats for photo props.  

OOooo....the one other thing I am excited about........ yes I know I get excited over everything. Hey, it's the little things in life you know. ;) 

Well, I got a stamp with my shop name on it. I got it here.  Feeling a little professional I think. Like I said before, It's the little things in life. Teeeeheeee. 

Isn't it PURTY!!!!

Alrighty then.  This is all I am going to write for today.  I have to get back to my crochet.  Talk to you soon.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about what I sell or what I make.  Thanks for stopping by and...

.....may your yarn ball never run out. ;) 

Toooodles!!!!!

keep

  

always in your life

&

   in your heart.

Long Time No Blog!!!

Hello everyone.  

My apologies.  It's been waaaaaay too long since I last blogged.  I have been very busy with my crochet and quite lazy at blogging.  I know, excuses, excuses.  You are correct.  But, looking on the bright side, I will have plenty to write about.  

Stay tuned.........

Finally It's Getting Warmer Out!!

Hello everyone!!!

I hope you guys are ALL well.  I've been busy crocheting and trying to keep up my little Etsy shop.  It's been great,  I LOVE IT!!!  I have so many great people that have checked it out and said many, many nice things.  I really, truly appreciate all the positive vibes everyone.  Muuahhh!!   Hugs and kisses for ALL of you. <3 <3  

Before I get started on anything, I want to wish my Handsome, Adorable, Absolutely Scrumptious Grandson, Elias Nathaniel Dante, a very Happy 1st Birthday!!!!!!  Grandma LOVES you!!!!!

Elias has brought us so much love.  There is never a moment that goes by that you don't smile with this boy.  He is a very happy healthy baby and he spreads that joy wherever he goes.  He's like a ray of sunshine warming your soul. <3 <3   

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I also want to wish my AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL grand-daughter LUNA BELLA WALKER, a very happy 2nd birthday.  I have no pictures yet, since she is so far from me.  I will try to get some pictures soon.  I love her so much and miss her like you wouldn't believe. I will see her soon though. 

I LOVE YOU LUNA!!!!  

Happy Birthday Baby Girl. <3 <3 

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Well I can't wait to share with you some of the new things I have been working on.  I'm very excited and have been very inspired. 

Ok.... here I go.

First let me share this AMAZING new trick for making your very own personalized cloth labels AT HOME!!!!!

Here's what you'll need.  You may have it at home already.

2 Tb. -  Alum (Grocery store spice aisle)

2 1/2 Tsp. -  Washing Soda (Laundry detergent aisle)

1/2 Tsp.  -  Liquid Fabric Softener

First mix 2 tablespoons of Alum, 2 1/2 teaspoons of Washing Soda (not baking soda) and 1/2 teaspoon of fabric softener.  Then add one cup of HOT water.  Make sure that the bowl you use isn't too small because it will foam up a bit.  Stir it all together. 

After a few minutes, the foam will disappear.  Now you are ready to soak your 100% cotton fabric in the mixture.  I used  muslin for mine. (I had already cut my muslin sheets into paper size 

8 1/2 X 11.)  

Soak it for about 15 minutes.

After the 15 minutes, you need to squeeze out the liquid right back in the bowl, because you are going to want to save this mixture for later use. Do not rinse out the fabric. Believe me, you will do it again.  It was so much fun to do. :D I put mine into a little red pepper jar that I had, and stored it in my cabinet. 

Now you can either hang it up to dry or if you're are impatient like I am, put it in the dryer. Remember not to rinse it out.  Leave the mixture liquid on it. That's the magic stuff!!!  

(They sell this magic stuff at the stores.  You may have heard of it. Bubble Jet Set. Too expensive!!)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bubble-Jet-Set-2000-Fabric-Printing-Solution-32-oz/17337937

OK, now here is what I did with that muslin after it was all prepped up.  

I purchased at the Piggly Wiggly, some freezer paper.  It was pretty cheap too.  My favorite price, CHEAP... :D  I just happened to be in the Zion area at my favorite get away; Illinois State Beach. 

 

Cut the paper to regular paper size, or whatever size your printer takes.  I did mine 8 1/2 X 11. 

The freezer paper has a shiny side...

 
and a dull matte side.

Iron the shiny side down on the wrong side of the fabric, if your fabric happens to have a wrong side.  My fabric was the same on both side, so it didn't matter what side I ironed the fabric on, but you may have a printed fabric. Don't touch the iron to the shiny side of the paper because it will stick. 

So now you have a sheet that is fabric on one side and paper on the other. 

Use your computer word program or some program to create the label that you want. Small and simple, I think is the best.  It can be in color if you desire. 

Print onto the fabric that you created.  Check how to load your paper on the printer.  My printer prints sheet facing down, so my fabric was on the bottom and the paper was facing up.  I printed out one sheet at a time. Peel off the freezer paper. Lastly, just iron the printed sheet to set the color, and Presto!!!! Homemade personalized label or tag for my little creations. 

So much fun and so exciting!!

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Go on over to my Etsy Shop and check out a few things I made.

Click on the picture and it will take you right to the page. Thanks again for looking. 

Preciate it much!!!!


New at my shop:  a very sweet and delicate flower and pearl anklet.  Perfect for this summer to show off those great legs. ;)



Trying to get with the style, I made this adorable adjustable sparkly bow ring.

...and here is it's matching necklace.



I also made these cute cowboy/girl hats for photo props or just fun.

Pretty in pink. <3 

<3 <3 

Thank for e-visiting with me today.  I LOVE your e-company. 

Keep

always in your life,

AND

in your heart.

Where is Spring???

So, where is Spring again???

Yes, here we are again, but I regret to say that I am very disappointed with the start of this Spring.  It has been freeeeeezing. Brrrrr.   Even the poor trees don't want to bloom.  But, I have not wasted any time and have kept myself busy getting my Etsy shop going.  I have added a few more items that I have been working on.  Mostly, I have made some new camera lens pals.  They are really fun to make and every time I make one, another idea pops into my head.  :) So, yes, new ones are on their way.  It's a work in progress.  I have made a few and decided I didn't really like how they turned out so....FROOGGG IT!!!!

I also made a really simple, yet awesome light box.  It was very easy to make and very inexpensive, but, it works great.  It makes such a BIG difference in the quality of the pictures.  I would recommend everyone interested to check out the link and try it out.  

Here is what you'll need:

• Nice sturdy box (free)
• Tissue paper (craft store or Target)
• Tape
• Poster Board (Target)
• Two or three light sources (I got mine at the second hand store CHEAP!!)

Here is the YouTube video I used to make mine.  Simple!!!

http://youtu.be/--wO67tpj8I

Here it is!!!  I did not use fancy light bulbs.  You can do that for better lighting as well.  As you can see I only have one light source in the picture.  You can put a light source on each side and/or one above.  I just used the top light and it works pretty nicely.  

(Before the light box)

(After the light box)

Give it a go and let me know how it works out.  I'd love to see how yours turns out.  :)

I think I shared the page that I got the camera lens buddy tutorial from before, but here it is again.

http://4hankins.blogspot.com/2012_10_01_archive.html

Thank you,  Kristin Hankins.

  I do mine a bit different.  I use double yarn for a sturdier outcome so the number of stitches is less.  I hope to be able to write out my pattern soon.  

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Here are my latest items.

Crochet monkey

Crochet mousey

Crochet Minion

Crochet Kitty

Crochet Alien

If interested in purchasing any, please visit my shop, or mail me directly. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyDoneCrochet

I appreciate all the visits.  Please feel free to leave me a message.  I love to make new friends.  I hope I have helped inspire new ideas as I have been inspired.  

Keep

always in your heart. 

And as always...

May your yarn ball NEVER run out.

OUT!!!

It almost SPRING!!!!

I am so excited because Spring is almost here! 

Spring is truly my favorite season.  I absolutely love that it is the beginning of new life. I can't wait to see the trees budding and the flowers blooming and the sun warming everything up.  

Here is a quote that I really like.

“It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want—oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” 
― Mark Twain

If anyone loves to welcome in the season with some great activities, here is a nice link to Pinterest. I'm going to try to do some of these with the grands. ;)

http://www.pinterest.com/housemamastacey/ostara-spring-equinox-activities/

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Well, I have made a few more things for some friends and have added them to my Etsy page for anyone that would like to check it out.  Please share it with friends and family. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyDoneCrochet

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I made this adorably cute little crown for may friend from work.  She just had a beautiful little baby girl.  I will hopefully be able to post pictures of her soon.  Congratulations to Dalilah and her beautiful family. 

This colorful party hat was also made for a friend from work.  Her little niece is having a first birthday and she asked if I could make her this cute topper.    I can't wait to see pictures. <3

The candy buddies are going to be used as center pieces and gifts for the guests.  I think these guys are so cute.  I also think they need party hats too. :D

Well, this is all I have for now.  Hope to be adding more soon.  Stay tuned. But mostly thanks for stopping by. Much appreciated. 

Toodle LOOOO for now.  

+

And as always...

May your yarn ball NEVER run out.