Missing my Big 'ol Belly

A year ago this time I was well on my way to uncomfortable. I also got a beautiful view of my soon-to-be daughter in 3D. It all went so fast. I was ready to meet her at the time so it couldn't go fast enough, but now looking back I miss it all. And I actually loved my body back then. Here is a collage of some of my favorite shots of the belly.

About a year ago this time we went to Santa Monica Pier, Ca and I got some great shots of the belly with the sun setting. It was amazing. I am so glad I have this picture to capture that special time in my pregnancy.

My little girl is 9 months old today and it seems like just yesterday she was born! 

Time flies so take it all in!

Striped Pixie Earflap Hat

Striped Pixie Earflap Hat

Original Design

by:

Kayla Anderson

Supplies:

Size J crochet hook

worsted weight self-striping yarn

(self-striping cotton was used in this pattern)

95 yards=1 skein of cotton

some extra in accent color for pom pom

darning needle

gauge:

4.5stitches and 3 rows =1.5 inches

Stitches used:
Magic ring=wrap yarn around finger two times, 
insert hook through loop, yarn over hook, pull through loop.
ch=chain
sl st=slip stitch
sc=single crochet
hdc=half double crochet
braid

When making this pattern the end of each "row" does 

not line up with one another (at the end of the pattern) as it grows in diameter. 

This will create a smoother transition with increases.

The nature of this pattern allows for imperfection.

Counting off on one or two stitches will not change the finished product. 

I hope you find this simple and adorable! Thank you.

Starting at the top of the hat...

Make a magic ring

Hdc 6 times in ring

Do not join rows with a sl st. This is worked continuously.

Hdc 6 times

from here you will increase your hdc's-do not repeat the 2hdc again.

                                                                      ( )=number of stitches

2hdc, (hdc)* 5 times (7)

2hdc, (hdc)* 6 times (8)

2hdc, (hdc)* 7 times (9)

2hdc, (hdc)* 8 times (10)

2hdc, (hdc)* 9 times (11)

2hdc, (hdc)* 10 times (12)

2hdc, (hdc)* 11 times (13)

2hdc, (hdc)* 12 times (14)

2hdc, (hdc)* 13 times (15)

2hdc, (hdc)* 14 times (16)

2hdc, (hdc)* 15 times (17)

Starting now the rows will not line up. 

2hdc, (hdc)* 5 times, 2hdc, (hdc)* 10 times

2hdc, (hdc )*5 times, 2 hdc, (hdc)* 11 times

2hdc, (hdc)* 5 times, 2 hdc, (hdc)* 12 times

2hdc, (hdc)* 5 times, 2 hdc, (hdc)* 13 times

2hdc, (hdc)* 5 times, 2 hdc, (hdc)* 14 times

2hdc, (hdc)* 5 times, 2 hdc, (hdc)* 15 times

2hdc, (hdc)*5 times, 2 hdc, (hdc)* 16 times

2hdc, (hdc)* 5 times, 2 hdc, (hdc)* 17 times

2hdc, (hdc)* 5 times, 2 hdc, (hdc)* 18 times   

2hdc, (hdc)* 5 times, 2 hdc, (hdc)* 19 times  

2hdc, (hdc)* 5 times, 2 hdc, (hdc)* 20 times

Hdc 3 rounds.

sc3, sl st 3

ch2 turn, hdc 9

ch 2 turn, hdc2tog, hdc across

repeat until 1 stitch remains.

finish off leaving about 10 inches of yarn (this can weave into the braids.)

Other earflap:

Skip about 8 stitches

Attach and ch 2, hdc 9

ch 2, turn hdc2tog, hdc across

repeat until 1 stitch remains.

Finish off leaving about 10 inches of yarn (this can weave into the braids.)

Cut about 22 pieces of yarn to about 20 inches long.

use 11 pieces and weave through the bottom tip of the earflap pulling equal on both sides. Braid. do this for the other earflap.

Turn hat inside out. Move on to pom pom

Pompom:

Using the accent color wrap the yarn around a 3 inch 

object many times (100+ depending on how thick you want the pom pom.) 

I used my cell phone.

 Pull the yarn off the object and tie with a piece of yarn of the same color around the center. Pull as tight as you can without breaking the yarn. 

Cut the loops that are created by tying. 

Fluff a little and you have a pompom. 

You can hold it over a trashcan and trim so that all 

the strands are the same size. I chose not to because 

I prefer the messier look. Attach to the tip of the hat.

NOTE: You can make this hat in any size you just keep increasing until you get the correct circumference. Just remember the way this pattern is written, the larger the hat, the longer the tail. Also consider adding a few more stitches to each earflap to accommodate for the larger size.

Thank you for stopping by my blog to check out my patterns. 

Please do not redistribute this pattern as your own. 

Linking up to this post is welcome. 

You may also sell whatever you make from this pattern.

Giving design credits from whatever you make 

would be awesome, but not necessary.

Happy Crocheting!

Girls Night Out

Tonight I got to get out of the house on a friday for the first time in a very long time.

One of my girl friends picked me up and we played BINGO. Neither one of us won, but we had a good time. I was just glad I had an excuse to wear something other than sweats. I wasn't too fancy, but it's a huge step up from my normal attire. (You don't have to get too dressy to crochet or write a blog,lol) My friend is also pregnant and due very soon! I got to touch the belly. Hopefully that will bring me better luck for the next time we play. 

This special little guy is the recipient of my next crochet project. That pattern will be coming soon and offered for FREE! So keep checking back. I am hoping to have it up within the week.

Happy Friday!

Vinyl frame Menu Board

I just can't get enough of all this vinyl on glass! I just made the Mr. and Mrs. signs, but a couple weeks ago I also went to a party where we made our own menu boards. My friend cut the vinyl to the size of frame we had and we put it on the glass. I added some cute scrapbook paper and ended up with an adorable menu board.

This one was also made cutting the vinyl backwards so it sticks to the inside of the frame. It makes it so much easier to erase and write again. Your menu board will last longer because you aren't trying to wipe over the letters all the time.

I need to hang this one too. I am falling behind. I think by the time I get everything hung up we will have to move again. :)

...and, YES, that is Klaus on the TV in the background...I love me some Vampire Diaries!

Vinyl Mr. & Mrs. Signs

While meandering through pins on Pinterest I saw a DIY project for signs for the bedroom.

I really can't remember what medium was used, but I do remember that is said, "Mr. & Mrs."

I thought that was the perfect thing for a married couple's bedroom. I am totally in love with my husband and I will jump at any opportunity to show my love for him and let the world know. Although most of the world does not see my bedroom I still like the idea of showing that I am apart of an amazing relationship with my husband, so what better way to do that than putting it in black and white?! Literally! :)

So to change it up a bit I just went with the vinyl on a picture frame. I used two 8x10 frames (these were cheap document frames). I got with my vinyl lady and she made me some vinyl in the Alice in Wonderland font. (We love all these Tim Burton-it fit our personality and what our relationship is about). I know many of you have some sort of crafting/cutting machine that could cut the vinyl for you. That will be even cheaper and easier! I really need to break down and buy one. I scrapbook OFTEN and DIY and CRAFT all the time. I really don't know how I don't already have one...

...ANYWAY! back on topic...

She cut them so that the vinyl was backward to stick on the inside of the glass. This way is much better because it makes it easier to clean. Doing it the other way makes it so you have to clean around the letters. It will still look nice if you can't do it backwards.

Here they are!

I will have them hung up once my hubby gets a few minutes. I would attempt it, but it will look horrible and uneven if I try. I am horrible at hanging stuff on the walls.

I plan to hang them on either side of the bed. 

Chair Planter

Spring will be here before we know it and it's time to start planning how to display all the beautiful flowers and greenery. I made this planter last spring and thought I would share it with you.

 I have never planted anything before and now that I am married and have a place to make beautiful I want to surround the place with color! This desert dryness and lack of color is really getting to me! ...This old white chair was an eye sore also. We had a whole set that we used around the old dining room table. One of the chairs was broken so we got a new dining set. The table became my new craft table which I love, and the chairs have just been hanging around. They were already white so I didn't need to add any paint-unless I want to go with some funky fun color later. I just cut a hole in the center of the chair just slightly smaller than the plastic planter I was using. I cut it using a combination of tools-knife, saw blade and pruning scissors. The pruning scissors worked best, but definitely flared up my arthritis! I could not use my hand for a whole week afterward! lol I am very pleased with the outcome of my planter, it was very  much worth all the pain. Now my front porch is a little more welcoming :)

I was able to just add the planter into the circle because the wicker chair was very stiff and sturdy. If the chair you are using isn't very sturdy I would consider reinforcing it with small pieces of 

wood screwed underneath out of sight.

Jeweled Note Frame

I've decided to jump on the photo frame/note/dry erase bandwagon! I scored this awesome frame with a lot of detail at a second hand store. It's a little scuffed and imperfect, but that's what makes it perfect!

I had some scrapbook paper that I bought awhile back because it matched the decor of our master bedroom. I cut a couple sheets, put one over the other making sure I have the plain sheet of paper on top so you can see what you write.

After assembling all of that into the frame I used some leftover rhinestone stickers to decorate the outside surface of the glass. The ones I used actually came with the decals I got from target that I used in a different post to decorate a mirror. They are meant for walls so they are VERY sticky.

I am still in the process of decorating the bedroom so I only have a few things so far. 

I don't plan on having it all on this side table. I think the vase looks a little out of place because I have height with the candlesticks, so I think I'll move it to some other spot. I still need to find candles in the right color. I have plans for a few other large pieces for the room. I am REALLY excited about them.

If you have any ideas for my bedroom feel free to comment.

The theme is sparkling elegance using the demask symbol, blacks, whites, dark wood, turquoise blue, and crystal.

Happy Decorating!