Something for Mommy

I had a lot of fun, participating in this Crochet Along. I actually finished my owl bag on time! And now, I need to make another 2. :) My 1st one was for Elena. But Ofelia just adores it too! My niece, who is a bit older, also asked me to make her one. I'm going to be a little busy. But it really is a fun and easy pattern to work with.

Just as I was finishing up, I noticed that Lola was hosting another Crochet Along. With her mom. And this one, is for a beautiful shawl. Something I could definitely use! So I signed up. :)



Mark just laughs. But I do think I'm "hooked" on crochet! Like I've said before, I don't have a lot of time to crochet. But when the girls are napping, and I'm all caught up on "house stuff," I like to sit and relax. Crocheting is helping me to do just that. Relax.

I'm really excited about this project. Because this is something I could use. In more ways than one. Yes, after 3 girls, I'm starting to realize even I need a break. At least for a few minutes every day. And this momma, could really use a few more additions to her closet. A

Not Again!!

Do you ever find an adorable pattern, then when you go back to it, it's gone? It's happened to me a few times. By now, you'd think I'd print my favorite patterns. You know, when I first find them.

But like with most things in life, I just haven't learned yet. Then I spend weeks, sometimes months tracking down the patterns to buy. Which I don't mind. But it's frustrating to say the least! And sometimes, I just NEVER find the patterns again. Those times, make me really sad.

You see, late in the Spring, I found Neanners Shop. It's an adorable blog! With tons of cute, and FREE patterns. I saved the blog to my "favorites." And knew late in the summer, I'd come back to it. You know, to make the girls some adorable winter hats. Except the patterns were no longer there! And just look at how cute this hat is!!



This picture is from the Neanners Shop blog. And I'm not losing hope. There is no email address on the blog. Or contact info. I've found the designer on Ravelry as well. Hopefully, I can find a way to contact the designer. I don't mind buying the patterns. Because they really are adorable!

Now I hope I've learned my lesson. Copy and print patterns immediately!! Don't wait. Because you know, you may never find them again. And that just makes me sad. Because I want to make my girls some really cute things. Like these hats. A

Cute and Refreshing

This has been a busy week. I feel like all holidays, kind of make the week a little more crazy than normal. But we wouldn't have it any other way! Seriously. Because on Wednesday, we got to spent the day with our friends and family. At my SIL and BIL's Ranch. Which let me tell you, is a nice change of pace.

And now that we're settling back into our routine, it's been refreshing. Is my family the only one, that completely thrives on a solid routine? Because we do! It's almost like clockwork. And it works well for us.

Along with our little routine, I'm excited about this Crochet Along. My friend Lola, and her goddaughter are hosting it. And well, I'm just a sucker for some good "kid stuff!"



I've signed up. And actually started working ahead. I figure, I need all the help I can get. With 3 little girls, I don't get lots of time to crochet. On top of that, I'm not a fast crocheter. Let's hope I get it done by the end of the Crochet Along. That's my goal. I'd feel very accomplished. Oh, and there's still time to sign up if you're interested! A

Just What She Needs!!

Life is getting a little less hectic. We seem to be in a good rhythm right now. I think, we're all on the same schedule. Tough to get 5 souls, on 1 schedule!! But somehow we did it. And now, we have a little more time, to work on fun things. Like crocheting!!

Elena and I, were searching for some patterns. Preferably, for food toys. She's been so excited, about "cooking" us food. Her kitchenette, was the best things we could have bought! My sweet girl, spends hours and hours, playing with it! :)



We found this pattern. And it was a score!! To us, they look like chicken fajitas!! Yum!! And Elena was just so happy about them. Hopefully I'll get some time, to start crocheting. This weekend. I know one little girl, who would welcome that! A

If Only I Had Time...

This is today's free crochet pattern, at Free Crochet. And I really like it! If only I had more time to make it. Something tells me, our baby girl is going to come, sooner rather than later! But I still printed out the pattern. Maybe tomorrow, I can convince my MIL to go to Wal-Mart with me. Can you just see it now? Me waddling through the yarn aisle! A

Sweet Owls

I don't belong to Facebook. I don't have any intention, of ever signing up. OK, I had a page, a few years ago. For about a week. Then I deleted it. Years ago, I signed up for MySpace. And rarely, ever used it too. And that was before I had kids! As you can tell, my Twitter page, rarely gets used either. Let's be honest, I can barely handle my blog. :)



But I was reading Ana's blog. And she's hosting a Crochet Along. Now, just for a second, she tempted me with Facebook. Because that's where she's hosting her Crochet Along. Then I thought better. But I'd still like to make these beauties, for Elena and Ofelia. Something sweet to give them, when their little sister arrives. Um, I'm not sure if I can crochet that fast. But maybe, they'd be a nice Spring present. A

Little Duckies

I've been working on this blanket. And I've been an active part of Lola and Mander's Crochet Along. It's been a lot of fun. Keeps me motivated on my project. And I'm now hopeful, that by the time our daughter arrives, she'll have another cute blanket! What kind of projects are you working on? Is there something that I should try too? A

My Gardening Girls

I've said it many times on here, we're a gardening family. Through and through. My husband and his brothers, spent a lot of time, last summer helping my FIL, with his garden. He has a hurt back. And last year, was just tough!!

But Mark and I, have also had a garden. For a handful of years. Elena and Ofelia are growing up, with this same love. Not long ago, they helped us pick out flower seeds, veggie plants, and a tree. We're proud that they are growing up, with this love. And knowledge. That hard work, produces good stuff. :)

So it shouldn't surprise me, that when Elena read "garden" and "doll," that she was totally into it! What were we doing? I was looking over Crochet Pattern Central's updates. Where the new patterns are posted. That's when we first spotted, the "Garden Lily Doll!"



I've never made anything, this complicated!! It's an intermediate pattern. And honestly, I'm a little worried. I think it's going to take me a while. I talked to my girls. And told them, that I'm going to start the dolls. But it's going to take a little while, for mommy to finish their dolls. And more than likely, they won't get them until, after our new baby girl is here. Both Elena and Ofelia, seem to be OK with that.

Honestly, I'm trying to get the garden dolls done before that. Because, I don't know what life as a "Mommy of 3," is going to be like. And my girls, are so in love with these dolls!! I think, these dolls are a good way of linking their play, to our gardening. Today, while Mark is at work, the girls and I are heading to Hobby Lobby. For supplies. We're also working on a project, for their baby sister. :) A

One More

I'm almost finished, with another blanket, for our baby girl. And I'm so excited about it! Do you like this one? I made it with lavender, grey, and white yarn. It's turning out really nice. And I only need a few more rows.



It's been so fun to crochet! To make our daughter, some special little gifts. Do you remember when I first started? I'm still pretty slow. But I've had almost a year, to work on these projects. And I think, I only need to make one more blanket. This one. Probably in a bright pink, purple, and white. Because Elena and Ofelia already have one. I don't want our new daughter, to feel left out! A

Etsy I LOVE You!!

I should tell you something. I spend way too many hours on Etsy. After my girls are fast asleep. I shop the clearance racks, to buy cute things on Etsy. I like buying things for our home, our girls, and to give as gifts.

Mark laughs, when he sees me, pull out my laptop. He knows, I'm going to be doing some shopping at Old Navy, eBay, or Etsy. Once in a while, I'm searching for crochet patterns. Between, don't you think, there are always better sales on Old Navy's website, than in their stores?

Well, I found a new shop. That I'm in love with!! Purdy Things. This shop, has the most amazing pieces!! And I want one of each. :)



Elena would just love this purse, to pieces!! Those are our favorite colors. And her love of birds, just makes this, an obvious choice. Let's not forget, she doesn't leave home, without her purse!!



Ofelia would look like a doll in this!! Perfect for our hot summer weather. I could see her, running through the sprinklers, in this little outfit!!



And I'd love this, for our new daughter. :) How cute would that be? The Very Hungry Caterpillar, is one of my favorite Children's books. This would be perfect, for newborn pictures!!

I restrained. I just added these, and about another 100 things from this shop, to my favorites. :) But I can't stop thinking, about all these beautiful things. I've got just over 2 months, to ponder these buys. I might just cave!! A

Perfect Little Puppy!

Earlier today, I was looking around Lion Brand's website. They have so many great crochet patterns! And I was looking for easy projects to tackle. Ofelia immediately saw this puppy. And giggled in delight!



I've never seen her, get that excited about a toy. Or a stuffie. I knew that she loved it. I knew that I had to make it for her. :) I printed out the pattern. And when my girls went down for a nap, I looked through my yarn. I have almost everything I need. To make my baby girl, her very own puppy. With a pink, orange, and white shirt. By her request! A

Cute!!!!

Elena is loving her new play kitchen! And I want to start giving her little things, to use with the play kitchen. I know that Lola makes a cute tea set. A crochet tea set. I knew there was a pattern out there. Somewhere. Before calling my friend, I took to searching Lion Brand.



I found this cute little set. Much simpler than the one Lola makes. That's good for me! The teacups and saucer pattern is here. And the pattern for the larger plates, can be found here. For now, I'm going to try my hand at this. If I get better, I'll call Lola. For the actual tea set pattern. Do you think I can have this ready, by Valentine's Day? A

For Our Baby

Yesterday, we shared with our family and friends, and you too, that we're expecting a baby girl! Honestly, we're thrilled! I always thought, in the back of Mark's mind, that he might want a little boy. But he honestly doesn't. He cried, when we saw her, for the first time. Every ultrasound picture we've gotten, he takes and frames them. Makes a copy, to put in his wallet. Yes, my husband is a "Girl Daddy." And he loves it!

I'm so excited too! I wasn't sure, how I'd handle a boy. I think it would be fun, and interesting, to have a son. I watch my BILs and my own brother, with their sons. It blows my mind, just how different girls and boys are. But I'm so excited, that we're having another girl. Our daughters, are over the moon! As much as a 3 and 1/2 year old, and 22 month old can be. :)



In the back of mind, over a year ago, I'd seen this pattern. Lola was making it. And I always hoped, that I'd have another daughter. And I'd learn to crochet. Just so I could make it for her! The first thing I did this morning, was print out this pattern. I have just over four months, to finish this project! I've dreamt about it for so long! And now, I can't wait to meet our little girl! A

For Me

I've never made myself anything. I've only been crocheting, just over, 8 months. I've made many things for my daughters. But I've been wanting to make myself something. I spent hours, looking through Lion Brand. And I found something.



I just adore this shrug/sweater! It's super easy to make! And maybe after all the crocheting, that I'm planning to do for baby, I'll make this for me. For next Fall. Because it would be perfect, over a t-shirt and jeans. With boots. I'm going to print this pattern. And maybe, go buy some yarn. There's just something about this picture, that makes me want to enjoy a Fall evening outside! A

What I've Been Up to....

Besides growing a new baby, I've been pretty busy around here. Doing what? Crocheting. I'm becoming an addict! But this is a good addictions to have. :)

Since it will be months, until we know if our baby is a boy or a girl, I needed a gender neutral pattern. And I found one! For a cute little blanket. That I had to change the colors of.



I'm making the Delicious Colors Baby Afghan. But in white, grey, and a light green color. Simple. But so cute! I started this blanket, when we were "trying" for baby. We got pregnant quickly, and my blanket, hasn't been going so quickly. I've just been trying to keep up with life. With lots of morning sickness. But I'm almost done! That makes me very happy. At least our baby, will have one blanket. Made by mommy! A

New Inspiration

I've gotten some new inspiration lately. You know, to blog more. Mostly from my SIL and Lola. I've never really been good at this. I was better at twitter. But somehow, I fell off that bandwagon too. Much like FB and MySpace. But I'm trying.

And I really want to be better at this. I think it's a good tool to keep in touch with friends and family. And a great way to record memories! That part, I really enjoy. :)

So I'm going to work on a little "blog" schedule. I'm going to try to post more often. Oh, and share my new love of crochet with the world! Thanks for teaching me Lola! I'm having so much fun! And my girls are really loving all their new toys. A

Oh Bella!

I just found this bunny pattern. And it makes me kind of sad. I wish that I had found it, a few months ago. Elena and Ofelia would have loved one! Maybe I'll get started on them since now. That way, I know they'll be ready by next Easter. Now if only I could find a lamb and chick. :) A

Cute Bunny Baskets

I'm doing something a little silly. Since I've only been crocheting, for 2 months. But I fell in love, with these little baskets. And I knew, I just had to join Lola and Manders' Crochet Along! The whole idea is, to crochet an Amigurumi Bunny Basket. Over a few weeks. They're going to be posting a goal, each week. Hopefully, I can keep up! My goal is, to have 2 made by Easter. For my daughters. A little ambitious. I know. But I have faith, that I can get it done! If you crochet, you should join in on the fun! A

Learning to Crochet

Lola has been in town. Since her dad got sick. I'm not exactly sure, just how long she's going to be here. But we're all enjoying her company! Very much! There have been many lunches. Lots of trips to the library. And a few runs to the store.

One thing that I've always wanted to learn, is how to crochet. And anyone that knows Lola, knows that she is skilled! So is her mom. :) I watched as Lola, mindlessly crocheted in the hospital. And it just intrigued me.

A few days ago, I asked Lola to show me the basics. We went to Hobby Lobby, and stocked up, on supplies. And one night, we had her over for dinner. Mark agreed to clean up the kitchen after dinner. So that we could get started. :)



I was hooked from the very beginning! Every time we go visit her dad, I bring along my crochet. Just so I could ask a question or 2. From Lola, or her mom. Right now, I'm working on this blanket. In these colors. For Elena. Lola insisted, that it's a very basic pattern. And it really is easy. Even for this beginner. I'm slowly coming along!

When I finish it, I want to start a pink and turquoise one for Ofelia. This might take a while, but I'm OK with that. I never realized, just how calming crocheting is. Thank you Lola! You've taught me something, that I've wanted to do for years. And I love it! A