Impromptu Date Night

The in-laws were in town for T's birthday so we took advantage and headed out into the night... we didn't know where we wanted to go... just OUT.  My aunt suggested on Facebook that we go out to a nice restaurant and get a nice glass of wine and toast to being great parents-- so we did.  :)

We went to Stanford Grill and the wine was just what we needed after a stressful couple of weeks.  Cheers to us and our 3 year old.

Read More

Count Your Blessings... Wednesday

Today I am grateful for:

-- time.  It's so precious.  I wish I had more but I'm grateful for what I have.
-- friends.  They keep me sane... sometimes.
-- unexpected messages from long lost relatives.  It's nice to be remembered.
-- a happy and healthy almost three year old.  I'm really struggling with the idea of having a 3 year old.
--  C.  I can never thank him enough for all that he does.  When people ask me how it is I do all that I do.. it's because he takes some stuff off my plate!
-- caring coworkers.  I know I can count on a few over here to help me out when I'm down and out.

Read More

Baby Puff Stitch Crochet Hat

Written by Teresa Richardson

Video Tutorial: Baby Puff Stitch Crochet Hat

Video Tutorial:  Left Hand Baby Puff Stitch Crochet Hat

Video Tutorial: Reverse Single Crochet

Skill Level - Easy

Abbreviations
DC - Double Crochet
HDC - Half Double Crochet
CH - Chain
SL ST - Slip Stitch
PS - Puff Stitch

Materials
Size G/4.25 mm crochet hook
4 ply yarn
Tapestry Needle

Size - 14 inches/36 centimeters

Stitch Instructions and Definitions

Puff Stitch 7 Loops :

1. Wrap the yarn over the hook, insert the hook below the chain. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw through. There will be 3 loops on the hook.
2. Wrap the yarn over the hook, insert the hook below the chain. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw through. There will be 5 loops on the hook.
3. Wrap the yarn over the hook, insert the hook below the chain. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw through. There will be 7 loops on the hook.
4. Wrap the yarn over the hook, pull the yarn through all 7 loops.
5. Wrap the yarn over the hook, pull through(chain) to secure puff stitches at the top.

Chain 4, join with the beginning chain.


Round 1: Chain, pull up, *work 8 puff stitch around, join with the beginning puff stitch. Slip stitch in to the space between the puff stitch. 


Round 2: Chain, pull up, *  Work 2 puff stitch in each space around, join with the beginning puff stitch. Slip stitch in to the space between the puff stitch.(16 puff stitch total)


Round 3: Chain, pull up,   Work 1 PS in the space, *Work 2 puff stitch in the next space, work 1 PS in the next space. Continue around from * join with the beginning puff stitch. Slip stitch in to the space between the puff stitch. (24 puff stitch total)

Round 4-11:  Chain, pull up, *1 PS in each space around, join with the beginning puff stitch. (24 puff stitch total)


Round 12: Work 1 SC in the PS, 1 SC in the space, continue around and join with the beginning stitch.  You can continue with additional rounds of single crochet. 


Reverse Single Crochet:  Once the rounds of single crochet are finished, I work a round of the reverse single crochet. 

Read More

Count Your Blessings Tuesday

Today I am grateful for:

• patience.  I've been needing a lot of it as of late both at home and at work.
• my scheduled facial on Thursday.  MUCH needed!
• no grad class on Wednesday!!
• Glee time with C.  I rarely ever watch TV so at the suggestion of a friend, C and I downloaded the first season of Glee and we've been watching two episodes a night.  LOOOOOOOOOOOVE it!
• C going along with my crazy creative/organizational endeavors.  I know it's not easy living with me... especially when I start color coding things.
• yummy dinners at home made by yours truly!  (chili and garlic rubbed tilapia with mashed potatoes, apple crisp dessert, blackened shrimp alfredo with whole wheat pasta and chicken/veggie stir fry to name a few)
• fall leaves... SO pretty!

Read More

What do you Love Most? - Crochet Giveaway - Drawing on November 1st

The giveaway is being done on YouTube.  To participate, you will answer the question on YouTube. 

Read More

Oh so crafty!

For T's birthday I'm running a bunch of activities for the kids at daycare.  I've taken on a few projects to save money ;)   Check out the bean bag game I whipped up in two days.  Day one I sewed 10 pumpkin bean bags with ribbon stems and day two I took a box that way laying around the house, some old tissue paper and wrapping paper and made a bat box!  (all my original design/vision).  Check it out!  (BTW, the bean bag is sitting on the left and it's orange... the lights make it look like an apple!)

I used tissue paper, glue and wrapping paper because I couldn't find my colored paints.  I also had to use blackboard paint because it was the only thing I had on hand.  Gotta improvise, I guess!

Oh and as I wrote this, C went and saw the bat, thought it looked awesome and threw the beanbag at it-- the white paint wasn't dry.  FML.

Read More

Count Your Blessings Tuesday

Today I am grateful for:

• talks with my sister T.  She always knows how to put things in perspective for me :)
• long evening walks with the family.  We'll see how long we keep this up!
• my MIL.  She's so thoughtful, giving and selfless.  It's easy to see where C gets it from!
• seeing how T has become such an individual.  He is his own little person and I'm in love with the person he is becoming.
• somehow being able to "do it all."  I'm always asked how I have time to do all the things I do and I have NO idea... maybe it's because I go to bed at midnight.  Oh and I think C has a lot to do with that too!
• my home.  I love that I come home from work and all is right with the world.  
• babies I can steal for a moment since I don't have a baby anymore!  

Read More

Count Your Blessings... Wednesday Edition

Today I am grateful for:

• a sweet little boy who is growing way too fast
• a husband that encourages me to follow my dreams and makes sacrifices so that I can do so.  Thanks for being there for T when I have to do photo stuff, hun!
• FALL!  I'm loving everything that deals with fall but wish that the weather got the memo.
• the overwhelming response I've gotten from the last photo shoot post.  I'm still in disbelief that I have so many shoots in November!  I can't wait!
• creativity!  Although sometimes I get frustrated that there aren't enough hours in the day to do all the things I enjoy doing.  
• having put the effort into the new class... I think I'm going to enjoy it!

Read More

Amigurumi Crochet LadyBug Princess

Crochet LadyBug Princess

Written by Teresa Richardson

Video Tutorial:  Crochet Amigurumi LadyBug Princess

Video Tutorial:  Left Hand Amigurumi Crochet LadyBug Princess

Skill Level - Intermediate

Abbreviations
HDC - Half Double Crochet
CH - Chain
SL ST - Slip Stitch
EA - Each
ST - Stitch

Materials
Size H/5 mm crochet hook
4 ply yarn - 2 Main Colors
Tapestry Needle
Yarn Marker - A piece of scrap yarn will work to mark rounds

You can use different size crochet hooks and yarn with this project.  If the hook/yarn is smaller, it will make a smaller finished piece. If the hook/yarn is larger, it will make a larger finished piece.

The chain can be replaced with the magic circle, if you familiar with the technique.


LadyBug Shell Top
Attach a slip knot to the crochet hook. Chain 3, join
Round 1: Work 12 SC through the center of the chain. Do not join. The rest of this section will be worked with the continual round. Attach a yarn marker to mark the first stitch.
Round 2: Work 2 SC in each stitch around.  (24 single crochet total)
Round 3-4: 1 SC in each stitch around. (24 single crochet total)
Round 5: *1 SC in each of the next 2 stitches, 2 SC in the next ST. Continue around from * 8 times total. (32 single crochet total)
Round 6: 1 SC in EA ST around.  (32 single crochet total)
Round 7: *1 SC in EA of the next 7 ST. 2 SC in the next ST. Continue around from * 4 times total.   (36 single crochet total)
Round 8-10: 1 SC in EA stitch around.  (36 single crochet total)

LadyBug Bottom
Attach a slip knot to the crochet hook. Chain 3, Join.
Round 1: Work 12 SC through the chain.  Do not join. The rest of this section will be worked with the continual round. Attach a yarn marker to mark the first stitch.
Round 2: Work 2 SC in each stitch around.  (24 single crochet total)
Round 3: Work 1 SC in each stitch around.  (24 single crochet total)
Round 4: *1 SC in ea of the next 3 stitches, 2 SC in the next, continue around from *. (30 single crochet total)
Round 5:  *1 SC in ea of the next 4 stitches, 2 SC in the next, continue around from *. (36 single crochet total)
Round 6: 1 SC in each stitch around, skip 1 stitch, slip stitch in the next to even off the round.  (36 single crochet total)

Legs
Chain 6, work 1 SC in each of the next 2 chains. Work 3 HDC in each of the next 3 chains. SL ST at the base of the HDC. Cut a long length of yarn, pull the tail through to secure.  This yarn will be used to attach the legs to the shell.


Head
CH 5.
Round 1: 1 SC in each of the 4 chains, 2 SC in the same chain, 1 SC in each of the next 2, 2 SC in the same chain as the first SC. Do not join and work in a continual round. (10 Stitches total)
Round 2:  2 SC in the same stitch, 1 SC in ea of the next 2,  2 SC in ea of the next 3 stitches, 1 SC in ea of the next 2, 2 SC in ea of the next 2 stitches. (16 stitches total)
Round 3: 1 SC in ea of next 6 stitches, 2 SC in ea of next 2 stitches, 1 SC in ea of next 6, 2 SC in ea of next 2. (20 stitches total)
Round 4-6: 1 SC in each stitch around.  (20 stitches total)

Eyes - Chain 3, join. With a contrasting color, work a French Knot in the center of the eye.  Sew a knot to secure on the inside of the head.  


Dots - Chain 3, join. Cut an extra long length of yarn. Pull both tails to the inside.  Knot the two tails. Take the long tail and secure the dot. Work some French Knots for different size dots.


Mouth and Shell Line:  Work an embroidery chain.  I found that pulling 4 ply yarn apart and using 2 strands made a thinner line.  Knot the tails on the inside of the head.

Read More

Holy Crap

I just had three people book photo shoots in November.  All in ONE day.  I've never felt so accomplished.

Read More

How to make the Puff Stitch Decrease

 How to make the Puff Stitch Decrease


Left Hand How to make the Puff Stitch Decrease

Read More

Sewing Away

I didn't blog for a while and now I'm blogging a ton.  Guess I have stuff to blog about now ;)  

Check out what I made tonight!  The black bow tie shirt on the left is for T and the tie onesie on the right is for baby Z whom I'm photographing tomorrow.  The bow tie shirt is my own design and I'm hoping it doesn't look too girly!  We'll see when I put it on T tomorrow.  What do you think?

T modeling the shirt I made:

Read More

Giving myself and my kids some...

because nobody else will.  For the past week my students have been busting their little bums on our Hispanic Heritage Month display and video.  The kids did an amazing job (well, minor mishap but in the end it was good) and I'm angry that the principal didn't acknowledge them on the weekly bulletin.  What the heck does it take to get a kudos around here?  It's Hispanic Heritage Month and he has said nothing to the staff/kids about it but he can say "Happy Yom Kippur".... 

Read More