Pinterest Inspiration: T-Shirt Refashion

Who out there is on Pinterest?  Who out there on Pinterest has about a BAZILLION project ideas that they're sitting on right now?
So do I.
So in an effort to not make my Pinterest obsession useless, I'm putting it to work.  My goal is to try out at least ONE PIN a month...if not more!  I'll be posting about my successes and attempts here at least once a month!
I'm starting my 

series with THIS, which I had pinned in my Things to Wear pinboard:

Easiest T-Shirt Refashion EVER - by The Naked Doll on Craftster

And here's what I came up with:

I love that I took one of my favorite comfy shirts (ie. FRUMPY and SHAPELESS), and turned it into something cute and feminine - that I can wear in public without being heinously embarrassed!  GENIUS!  And it was so simple and quick!!  Really!  You must try this!!!

My Cute Little Quetzal!

Yes.  You read that right!
My 10-year-old has taken up mask-making.  Here she is modeling her very first creation! 

She's calling this mask "Quetzal, after the Quetzalcoatyl, an Ancient American mythical feathered serpent that was worshipped by Aztecs, Incans, and Mayans."  (Yep.  That's HER description.  In her words.  She's waaay too smart.  And also too cute.)
She's selling it through my sister's site, ArtisanMaskers, in the section where I sell some of my own creations!
Go check it out if you're looking for something truly unique for a special event or costume!!  ;)

Things to Make: Crochet Pennant Bunting Pattern

As promised here is the pattern for my crocheted pennant bunting garland!
I've made these using different kinds of yarn and it always turns out great!
CROCHET PENNANT BUNTING

Materials Needed: Small amount of yarn  (I used Caron Simply Soft and Bernat Satin) crochet hook size I (or larger or smaller depending on the look you want) Scissors Yarn needle
Abbreviations: ch = chain sc = single crochet dc = double crochet sl st = slip stitch sp = space st(s) = stitch(es)

Row 1:  Ch 4.  2 dc in 4th ch from hook.  Ch 3, turn.  (3 dc) Row 2:  1 dc in bottom of ch.  1 dc in next 2 sts.  Ch 3, turn.  (4 dc) Row 3:  1 dc in bottom of ch.  1 dc in next 3 sts.  Ch 3, turn.   (5 dc) Row 4:  1 dc in bottom of ch.  1 dc in next 4 sts.  Ch 3, turn.   (6 dc) Row 5:  1 dc in bottom of ch.  1 dc in next 5 sts.  Ch 3, turn.   (7 dc) Row 6:  1 dc in bottom of ch.  1 dc in next 6 sts.  Ch 3, turn.   (8 dc) Row 7:  1 dc in bottom of ch.  1 dc in next 7 sts.  Ch 3, turn.   (9 dc) Row 8:  1 dc in bottom of ch.  1 dc in next 8 sts.  Ch 3, turn.   (10 dc) Row 9:  1 dc in bottom of ch.  1 dc in next 9 sts.  Ch 3, turn.   (11 dc) Row 10:  1 dc in bottom of ch.  1 dc in next 10 sts.  Ch 3, turn.   (12 dc)
***I'm by now you've noticed the pattern...you can adjust how big or small the pennant is by adding or eliminating rows.***
Finishing Row:  Work 21 sc in side of pennant to end, with last sc being in the tip.  Ch 2, sc in same sp.  Continuing around, work 20 sc along side of pennant to top.  Fasten off, weave in ends.
Garland:  Ch 40.  Sc in each st across top pennant. Ch 15.  Repeat with remaining pennants.  To finish ch 40, fasten off.

And remember that if you don't want to make your own just stop by my shop, here!  I can do custom requests, too!

What's New: Crochet Boho Headband Pattern!!!

It's done!  
The Crochet Boho Headband Pattern is officially up in my shop today!
A HUGE thanks to the awesome people who tested this pattern for me!!  You guys ROCK!!  It makes my job designing sooooo much easier to have such wonderful testers!!
So...
Click HERE to see the listing in my shop...and you can also purchase this pattern through Ravelry HERE.  Or just purchase it here, straight from my blog!!

Crochet Boho Headband Pattern

Here are a couple of pictures of the samples made by my wonderful testers!!

By Aurora Blythe

By The House That Can

By These are a Few of My Craftiest Things

Thanks again, ladies, for making this possible!!

What's New: Testers for Boho Chic Headband

Here's another of my latest creations, The Boho Headband Headwrap!  I've been seeing these knit headbands around for quite some time, but seeing as I don't knit I had to figure out a crochet pattern to make my own!  What do you think?

Boho Headband in Seafoam

Boho Headband in Seafoam

So...I'm getting the pattern ready to sell in my shop, and I'm looking for some accomplished crocheters to TEST THE PATTERN FOR ME!!!  Who's in????
***If you are interested please leave me a comment on this post.  I need any pattern testers to be able to finish a hat in 2 or 3 days tops, and to be able to send me a picture (via e-mail) of your finished product, with any issues you had with the pattern.  Those chosen will get the final draft of the pattern for FREE to keep!!***

***EDITED:  I have enough testers now!  Thanks so much everyone!!  I'll be trying to get the finished pattern up on my site by next week!!  Thanks for all the support!!***

Making the Cut!

So I don't know what happened, but for some reason this didn't post yesterday!  So I guess it's really What's New Thursday!  Oh well!
I've been tossing the idea around for quite sometime about whether or not to cut my hair.  While I was growing up my hair was always short.  Pixie short.  And I LOVED it.  
After I got married I grew it long...and it was fun for a while.  But I have massive amounts of hair.  It's so thick.  It takes FOREVER to wash...and don't even get me started on drying, curling, braiding, or styling.
When my oldest daughter was a year old I chopped it and donated it to Locks of Love.  It was awesome!  I've wanted to do that again ever since, but just didn't have the patience...and my hair just doesn't grow as fast as it used to...darn age thing!
So for the past couple of years I've been growing my hair out again.  And I really liked it some of the time...but let's face it: as a mom of five kids, when did I ever really 'do' my hair?  Sundays.  Sometimes.  and occasionally when I had to take a 'product pic' for my shop.
The rest of the time?  Ponytail.  Claw 'updo'.  Messy bun.
I NEVER have time to 'do' my hair...let alone take a shower more than three times a week! LOL
After the birth of this last little one, I decided that even though it would be great to donate my hair, my sanity is more precious...and so is shower time.
So today I got my HAIR CUT!

And I love it!
It's not a pixie cut...but I like the longish layers and easiness of it!  I think it's flattering, simple, and fun.  I can dress it up...or just wear it out of the shower.  I'm embracing my new MOM HAIR.  And I think it's awesome!
Whadaya think?

What's New: Crochet Slouchy Boho Beanie Pattern!

First of all, I just want to say thanks to all of the wonderful pattern testers, who helped me work out the few kinks and typos in my newest pattern!!  Thanks, ladies!  You rock!
The Crochet Slouchy Boho Beanie is now available as a pattern in my shop!!
You can see the listing in my shop by clicking on the picture!

Crochet Slouchy Boho Beanie 

And you can also download this pattern from my Ravelry Shop, HERE!

And here are some of the pics my lovely pattern testers sent!!  They look great!!

Lindy from This Is...Who I Am! 

Heather from Me Making Do 

 Aisyah from Hazeleaf

Thanks again guys!!!

Things to Make: Free Crochet Hobo Bag Pattern

It's been a while since I offered a FREE PATTERN on my blog...so I thought I'd share one of may latest creations with you all!
The HOBO BAG!

I really love that way it turned out!
Material Needed: Size K crochet hook A bunch of Cotton yarn (I used a large skein of Bernat Handicrafters, and one skein of Lily Sugar and Cream...sorryI didn't take the time to keep track of the amounts!) Tapestry or yarn needle Scissors
Abbreviations: sp = space st(s) = stitch(es) beg = beginning sk = skip sc = single crochet dc = double crochet dctog = dc together (a decrease st) sl st = slip stitch
Pattern is written in Standard American Terms ***NOTE*** This pattern has NOT been tested...so if you find any errors, feel free to leave suggestions in the comments below!
Crochet Hobo Bag
Ch 41. Row 1:  Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in each ch across. (40 sts) Row 2 - 12:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc in each sc across. Row 13:  Ch 1.  Do NOT turn.  Working along end, work 12 sc evenly.  At corner ch 1, sc in same sp.  Working along beginning edge, work 40 sc evenly to end.  At corner ch 1, sc in same sp.  Working along end, work 12 sc evenly.  At corner ch 1, sc in same sp.  Working along next edge, sc 40 evenly to beg.  Join with sl st to first sc. Row 14:  Ch 1. Working in back loops only, sl st around, chaining 1 in each corner.  Join with sl st to beg ch.  This creates the rectangular base of the bag.

Base of bag

Row 15:  Ch 1, turn.  *Sc in next 40 sts.  Sk corner.  Sc in next 12 sl st.  Sk corner.*  Rep from * to * one more time.  Join with sl st to beg sc. Row 16 - 18:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc in each sc around. Join with sl st to beg. Row 19:  DO NOT TURN.  Ch 3, dc in next 11 sc.  Sk next sc.  Dc in next 38 sc.  Sk next sc.  Dc in next 12 sc.  Sk next sc.  Dc in next 38 sc. Sk last sc.  Join with sl st to beg ch.  DO NOT TURN. Row 20 - 34:  Ch 3, DO NOT TURN.  Dc in next dc, and in each dc around.  Join with sl st to beg ch.  Row 35:  Ch 3, DO NOT TURN.  *Dctog over next 2 sts.* Rep from * to * around.  Join with sl st to beg ch. Row 36 - 40:  Ch 1, DO NOT TURN.  Sc in same st.  Sc in each st around. Join to beg with sl st.

For Strap:
Row 1:  Sl st in next 6 st.  Ch 1, sc in next 8 sts.  Ch 1, turn. Row 2 - 50 (Or however long you want the strap to be!):  Sc in each sc across, Ch 1, turn. On last row, fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn. Using needle, st strap to opposite side of bag with whip st.  Fasten off, weave in ends.

NOTE:  The base of my bag measures about 14.5" x 4" and it's about 14" tall, not including the strap.  I switched color on my bag on row 29 to add some contrast.  I also added a simple crochet flower as an accent.

I think this bag would make a great beach bag or catch all bag...or even a reusable grocery bag!  I hope you have fun trying this pattern out!!