My Pattern Experience: Sponge



I love making bath items for my friends and family.  I know for myself, I don't ever go and buy myself nice washclothes or scrubbies unless I'm on a whim.  When I make bath items I use great cottons like the I Love This Yarn cotton and they're silky soft!

I made this sponge and it worked up really easily and was super cute.  I made mine in lime and blue and stitched it so the green showed through on the solid blue side.  I highly recommend using this pattern to make your own sponges, for use dishwashing, cleaning your house, body and more!  Just throw them in the washing machine and they'll be good as new for the next washing!

Find the pattern for the Sponge here!

Crafting from the Kitchen: Coconut Milk Bath {DIY Bath Soak Craft Tutorial}


DIY Coconut Milk Bath

Materials Needed:

Powdered Goods:

Dried Coconut Milk, Dried Milk, Baking Soda, Corn Starch

Scents:

You can really go wild with this one, using what is carried at your local hobby store or ordering some of the more exotic scents off of the internet.  My favorites are CoconutLemongrass, and Lavender.

Jars to store your sugar scrub in, I use 1/2 pint mason jars

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 cups dried milk with 1 cup dried coconut milk.  Add 1/2 baking soda and 1/2 cup cornstarch.  Once mixed well, it's time to add scents.  Do this lightly, as you want to avoid clumping.  I added just a few drops at a time and stirred really well in between adding drops.  Once you have enough scent, scoop into your jars and add cute gift tags with usage instructions.

Enjoy gifting these little treasures, but make sure to save one for yourself!

My Pattern Experience Raspberry Buttercream Scarf {Crochet Pattern Review}





My Pattern Experience: Raspberry Buttercream Scarf

I made this scarf as something quick to add to my Christmas gift stash, and it really worked up quickly and easily.  The variegated yarn adds a nice bit of color throughout and the lacy pattern is very nice.  It's a very simple and easy pattern to pick up, and since you only have to remember the repeat for one row, it is a good pattern for beginners or for taking on the go.  My only complaint is that the website takes a bit of time to load, but once you're there you are good to go.  You should definitely try out this nice pattern!


Find the Raspberry Buttercream Scarf Pattern here!

Crafting from the Kitchen: Sugar Scrub {DIY Sugar Scrub Craft Tutorial}



DIY Homemade Sugar Scrub 


Materials Needed:

Sugars:

I used a Coarse Raw Sugar and some regular Granulated Cane Sugar

Carrier Oils:

I used several, including Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Vitamin E Oil, and Grapeseed Oil though you could certainly add your own favorite oils, like Coconut Oil and Almond Oil if desired.

Scented Oils: 

You can really go wild with this one, using what is carried at your local hobby store or ordering some of the more exotic scents off of the internet.  My favorites are Orange Essence, Lemongrass, and Lavender.

Jars to store your sugar scrub in, I use 1/2 pint mason jars

Instructions:

I tend to make multiple jars at once, so I use a mix of one jar of coarse raw sugar and one jar granulated cane sugar for every two jars I plan on using.  To that, I start adding my carrier oils.  I like to use a mixture of the ones I have listed above.
Once you have a coarse sugary mixture that is the thickness you desire, start adding a couple of drops of your scented oils.  Keep stirring and add scent until you reach the strength you like.  Fill the jars with the sugar scrub mixture and seal.  Add labels with the scent and usage instructions.

You'll enjoy gifting these little treasures, but make sure to save a couple for yourself!



My Pattern Experience: Scalloped Wristlets {Crochet Pattern Review}




My Pattern Experience: Scalloped Wristlets
I have to say, I LOVE this pattern.  These are so cute, and so simple to make, and even vary!  I bet I made at least 4 pairs of them last year for Christmas and made them in an array of colors and styles.  I found that they look totally different when done in two tones or plain.  It is a super simple pattern to make, and can be made in one piece.  They also work up very quickly, I can whip up a pair in about an hour.  I highly recommend this pattern!!!




Fruity Facial Scrub Set {Crochet Pattern}


Fruity Facial Scrub Set

I came up with this fun little facial set one night and can't wait to design more to add to the set!  They work up super quick and make great gifts, especially when you pair them with a gift of one of our great Sugar Scrubs or Coconut Baths!  Also, they're eco-friendly, after use, just toss in your wash and they're clean and fresh again!

Materials needed:
Small amounts of your favorite cotton colors, here are a few of mine!  


Apple Facial Scrubber:

 R1: with white, chain 3, 12 dc in 3rd chain from hook.  join to top of ch 3.
R2: Ch 3, dc in same, 2 dc in each st around, join to top of ch 3. (24 st)
R3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next, *dc, 2dc**, repeat from * to ** around, join to top of ch 3, FO. (36 st)
R4: Join red or green with standing sc in any st, sc in same, 2 sc in each st around, join to top of standing sc, FO. (72 st) 

Stem:  Make a foundation sc chain 7 st long, FO.

Leaf: ch 5, sc in 2nd chain from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next, (2 hdc, picot, 2hdc) all in last ch.  Turn leaf so you're working in the other side of the chain, dc, hdc, sc.  FO.




Orange Facial Scrubber:

With fun use of color, this scrubber could also be a lemon, lime or grapefruit!

R1: with orange, chain 3, 12 dc in 3rd chain from hook.  join to top of ch 3.
R2: Ch 3, dc in same, 2 dc in each st around, join to top of ch 3. (24 st)
R3: with white, standing hdc in any st, hdc in same, 2 hdc in next 3 st, spike hdc into center loosely, *2 hdc in next 4 st, spike hdc into center loosely** rep from * to ** 4 more times, join to top of ch 2. (48 st)
R4: with orange, standing hdc in any st, 2 hdc in next, *hdc, 2 hdc * around, join to top of ch 2, FO. (60 st)



Watermelon Facial Scrubber:

R1: with red, chain 3, 12 dc in 3rd chain from hook.  join to top of ch 3.
R2: with red, ch 3, dc in same, 2 dc in each st around, join to top of ch 3, FO. (24 st)
R3: with white, standing sc in any st, 2 sc in next, *1 sc, 2 sc* around, FO. (36 st)
R4: with green,  standing hdc in any st, 2 hdc in next, *1 hdc, 2 hdc* around, FO. (48 st)


Enjoy your awesome new facial scrubbies!!!

Wagon Wheel Crochet Bath Set {Crochet Patterns}




Wagon Wheel Crochet Bath Set

I made this nice little bath set as a Christmas present last year.  It has everything you need to pamper yourself all year round.  Best of all, they're easy to clean.  Just throw them in with your regular laundry and they'll be ready to use again!

Materials Needed:
Your favorite cotton colors, here are a few of mine!  

Small wagon wheel face scrubbies (pictured above, small circle on right below pouf):

R1: ch 3, join to make ring, ch 3, 11 dc in ring, join to top of ch 3.
R2: ch 7, dc in next (counts as first dc and ch 3), *ch 3, dc in next**, repeat from * to **11 more times, join to 3rd of ch 7. (12 dc, 12 ch 3 sp)
R3: ch 2, hdc in same, *2 hdc in ch 3 sp, hdc in dc* around. join to top of ch 2, do not finish off.
(you are now working the strands on the back to hold scrubbie)
ch 11, join to opposite side, ch 11, join back to original side and then ch 11 and join back to the other side.  If you make the joins in a row you'll end up with a neat row of chains.  FO and weave in ends.


Wagon wheel washcloth #1

Ch4, join with sl st
Rd 1: Ch3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 11 dc in ring, sl st in the top of ch3 to join (12 dc)
Rd 2: Ch3, dc in same st, (2 dc in next st) around, join with slst (24 dc)
Rd 3: Ch3, ch4, dc in next st, (dc in next st, ch4, dc in next st) 9 tines, dc in next st, ch 4, sl st to join (24 dc and 12 ch 4 spaces)
Rd 4: Ch3, 3 dc in gap left by ch, ch2, (4 dc in gap left by ch, ch 2) 10 times,join with sl st (12 dc clusters and 12 ch-2 spaces)
Rd 5: Ch7, (2 dc in gap left by ch, ch 4) 11 times, ch 4, dc in gap left by ch join with sl st in 3rd ch (12 dc clusters and 12 ch-4 spaces)




Wagon wheel washcloth #2

R1: Ch 3 (beg ch counts as dc here and throughout the pattern), work 11 dc in ring; join with sl st in top of beg ch. 
R2: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same st as join, ch 1, sk next dc, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next dc, ch 1, sk next dc; rep from * 4 more times; join with sl st in top of beg ch. 
R3 and 4: Sl st in each st to first ch-1 sp, (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc) in first ch-1 sp, ch 1, *3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * around; join with sl st in top of beg ch 
R5: Sl st in each st to first ch-1 sp, (sl st, ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in first ch-1 sp, ch 1, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * 10 more times; join with sl st in top of beg ch 
Rnds 6: Rep R3.
Rnd 7: Sl st in each st to first ch-1 sp, (sl st, ch 1, sc) in first ch-1 sp, ch 3, *sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3; rep from * around; join with sl st in first sc.
Rnd 18: (Sc, 3 dc, sc) in each ch-3 sp around; join with sl st in first sc.
Each of the (sc, 3 dc, sc) groups makes a 'scallop'; you will have made 24 scallops at the end of R10.
Fasten off.




Small Pouf:

Chain 40, join to first chain to make a loop (this will be your hanging handle).
R1: ch 3, 20 dc in same chain, join to top of ch 3.
R2: ch 3, 2 dc in same, 3 dc in each st, join to top of ch 3.
R3: ch 3, 2 dc in same, 3 dc in each st, join to top of ch 3.
R4: ch 3, 2 dc in same, 3 dc in each st, join to top of ch 3, FO.

Hello and update!

Goodness!  How time flies!  

I realize it has been a while since I've posted anything new, but as anything in life goes, sometimes you have time and energy for it, and sometimes you don't.  Between my two children, work and girl scouts, I'm finding that I need to create new times to... well... create!  Now this doesn't mean that I haven't been working hard on lots of different things, or that I don't have lots of patterns/crafts/etc that I just haven't had time to share with all of you!  

First off in the big news category is over the summer I shut down my photography business.  I did this as I am preparing to take on a new position at my "big girl" job and just don't see that I'll have the time to do it.  I would like to use that weekend time working on my personal photography, which is something I'm still really interested in.  I figure I'll just have to see where that road takes me.  I'm sure it will be somewhere new and exciting, and will happen just when it is supposed to.

Second, as I mentioned before, I've accepted a promotion into a full time career for my current employer.  This means I'll have 20 hours less a week to work on all of my many side projects, and once again, it just means evaluating their place in my life and how much time I can devote to them.  

I am aware that I had some glitches with this website last month, causing it to be down for about a week or so, but that should be fixed now.  My etsy shop will also be full of patterns and more again soon, as I have some new stuff to add and some of the old stuff has been filtered out.  

I am scheduling posts as you read this, and hopefully you'll have some new fun things to read/craft/crochet and more in the coming weeks!