Crochet Baby Overalls

I recently found the pattern for these little crochet short baby overalls, and I fell in love! I had seen some pictures of baby boys in them in photos all over the internet...and I couldn't pass up trying my hand at them.  They are so stinking cute! I don't have a baby boy, but I know someone who does, so I wanted to give them as a gift.  I hope she likes them!  I used yarn I already had on hand, so all I had to pay for was the pattern.  The pattern can be found here:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/195784161/instant-download-crochet-pattern.  It was really easy to follow, and it worked up for me in about 3 hours, which is great since I'm so busy with my own Etsy orders lately.  Thanks for looking!

Hearts

Yesterday my kids had another snow day this winter!  We had to find some things to do so we worked on Valentine's Day projects.  Jayna decorated her school box; Carly made some wire and beaded hearts along with working on her personal progress project; and I made some paper hearts and heart softies.  I already had everything in my craft stash to make the hearts.  Most of the things we did came from ideas on Pinterest.  I am glad I had some extra time with my kiddos this week.  I love them and so making hearts and celebrating an upcoming holiday was fun!

Felt Nativity Set

Over the past few years I have really started collecting Nativity sets.  For a few years into our marriage, I didn't have any.  Then I started buying them after Christmas on sale, and friends even bought a couple of sets for me.  But with Shelby, my 1 year old, it was hard to let her handle any fragile sets or small pieces.  Yet I wanted her to have something for herself to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ along with the rest of us...something she could touch, feel, and play with as I talked to her about Christ.  Therefore, when I came along this pin: http://whatmadeleineloves.blogspot.com/2011/12/felt-nativity.html on Pinterest, I knew it was something I had to do for my baby girl.  Bonus:  I didn't have to buy a single thing to make it as I already had all of the supplies in my craft stash.  After a week or so in my spare time, I had it completed!  It was really fun!  And I will admit that although she didn't take the interest in it right away that I thought she would, she did like to carry around one piece at a time and she knew it was "hers."  I look forward to seeing how she interacts with it next year when she's a few months older and can understand a little more about our Savior's birth. 

Owl Costume

Pinterest is such an amazing tool!  Adam and Jayna wanted to be characters from Harry Potter for Halloween this year, and I decided to keep with that theme, they needed an owl to take trick-or-treating with them.  I got on Pinterest and within minutes I knew exactly what I was going to do to make Shelby's costume.  I found my hat pattern https://www.etsy.com/listing/81661715/owl-hat-pattern-us-and-uk-terms?ref=shop_home_active on Etsy and since I know how to crochet I did it myself.  Then I followed a no-sew tutorial on Pinterest for the poncho-altered costume http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2012/10/no-sew-baby-owl-costume-tutorial.html.  Thanks for looking!

Shelby's Party Decor

Okay, okay, I'm guilty!  Almost all of these ideas are from Pinterest....except for the old book pennant "Happy Birthday, Shelby" banner.  But let's be real...how original is that?!  The unique thing about it is that the ribbon came from my grandmother.  I love inheriting craft supplies from my grandma from time-to-time when I'm back home visiting family. 
The giant "1" is made from coffee filters hot glued to a board I cut in the shape of the "1."  Then I spray painted it to give some color and add festivity to the look of it.
My favorite creation below is the crocheted triangle pennant banner in Fall colors.  I am going to save that and use it for an upcoming craft show and also for future Fall décor and/or home decorating in the girls' room.  :)
The doily table runner I hand-stitched together from doilies I either already had or picked up at JoAnn's.  I love the look of it and felt it added to the homemade Fall theme of the party.  The porcelain pumpkins I purchased years ago when I lived in Bakersfield, CA, at a Hallmark store.

I also made some brown paper bag flowers to hang around the room which I thought turned out super cute and fit with my "Autumn" theme for Shelby's party.  We had caramel apples, grapes, sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, vegetables with dip, hot pepper jelly with cream cheese and crackers, and cupcakes flavored pumpkin spice and caramel apple for dessert. 

Crocheted Bonnet

My church decided to have a "Pioneer Social" picnic this past weekend.  Even though I was out of town last week visiting family in WV, I took time to crochet this cute bonnet https://www.etsy.com/listing/108275046/pdf-crochet-pattern-penelope-bonnet?ref=shop_home_active.  It was a great pattern and easy-to-follow instructions.  It took me maybe 90 minutes to complete from start to finish.  Shelby really looked the part in my opinion during the picnic.  She's a sweetie.  Thanks for looking!

Crocheted Bumper

Before Shelby's birth, I found this on Etsy and fell in love!! LOVE!!!!  https://www.etsy.com/listing/106646733/custom-designer-breathable-crib-bumper?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=bumper  Unfortunately, I couldn't afford the price.  Fortunately, I can crochet and do the granny square.  So I made my own!  Here is how it turned out:

It wasn't very hard or time-consuming, but I just finished it recently because we've had so much going on,...and she's been sleeping with me.  (However, she started sleeping in her crib in the past week and she's doing great!  At least 8 hours without waking!)  When I took these pictures I had only crocheted "ties" along the bumper at about every other granny square.  I since took it down and added ties to every square because it wasn't staying up the best.  So as far as crib bumpers go, it doesn't really have padding and it isn't exactly the most functional, but it's beautiful, right?!  And she is still sleeping in my room and I am a light sleeper so I am sure she will be safe.  I am excited to pass this down to future generations!!!

PS - The quilt was bought on Etsy (I SO WISH I HAD THIS TALENT!) here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Dancingangelsquilts.

It's a Circus!

I had the opportunity to plan and host a diaper shower for two ladies at my church.  They have the exact same due date and both are supposed to be having boys!  (I say supposed because another lady at my church was supposed to have a girl and had a BOY on April 1st! No joke!)  It is one lady's 4th baby and another lady's 3rd so I thought a diaper shower was appropriate.  I went with a circus theme because I think I am doing the same for Shelby's first birthday later in September and I wanted to save some money.  :) 

The invitation was this (I made it up!): 

Here are some of the decorations and food that we put out (Thanks, Milana and Collette!):

 

Some of these ideas above were from Pinterest.  The last picture above is of a photo op table where we could "clown" around and take pictures.

 

 

And this was the party favor!  Too cute! (Also from Pinterest!)

 

 

 

Lastly, here is my horrible attempt at a diaper cake.  I've done better...but this was all I could get done before Shelby couldn't take my inattention any longer!!!

 

 

 

 

I love celebrating new babies!  Good luck, Sarah and Layla!!!





Shelby's Blessing Boots

Shelby was blessed this month, and to go with her little cute dress, I crocheted her some booties.  They turned out just how I wanted and they kept her feet warm.  :)  The pattern didn't call for the scallop border; I added that as my own twist.  The buttons I got from JoAnn's.  Thanks for looking!

Clair Dress

I bought a second pattern from Lisa's Heirloom Designs on Etsy this Fall, and here is the listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/108383543/elegant-clair-dress-crochet-pattern.  I loved the blue she used, so I followed suit, and made the same for Shelby.  I am so glad!  She looked beautiful in it!  I used Caron Simply Soft yarn and the buttons I bought at JoAnn's.  Thanks for looking!!!

Olivia Ann Dress

I am a sucker for babies in crocheted dresses being as adorable as it gets, so I recently made a few purchases from this shop on Etsy:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lisasheirloomdesigns?ref=pr_shop_more.  She has very easy patterns and is ready to answer any questions you may have as you work through her designs.  I made this Olivia Ann dress for Shelby, sticking with the yellow yarn, hoping to match her and Jayna together for church someday soon.  Jayna already had a dress I purchased on Etsy here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/104297011/fall-vintage-yellow-sparrow-dress, that being another worthy purchase as I have not had time or energy to sew as much lately.  I have another pattern I bought from Lisa's shop I plan to use soon for Shelby in the pretty dark blue using the Clair pattern she has in the store.  Thanks for looking!

Granny Square Baby Blanket

I had recently seen on several sites through Facebook and Etsy, crocheters making these one continuous granny square for a baby blanket.  I found them quite lovely and ideal for welcoming a new baby into my home.  Problem was, although I have crocheted many things, I had not tried granny squares.  I knew a friend who could make them and so I contacted her.  She was kind enough to put together this tutorial for me:  http://tidbits365.blogspot.com/2012/08/granny-square-tutorial.html.  Thank you, Mrs. B!

So I found this tutorial very easy-to-follow, and very helpful.  Within two or three days' time, working in the evenings after the kids were in bed, I had made my baby blanket.  :)  I used a variegated yarn to get all of the pretty colors worked into it, so I didn't have to stop and start and tie knots and weave in a bunch of strands to get all of the colors.  I think it turned out very pretty, and it will most likely be used as a photo prop or something like that until she is old enough to carry it and use it when she feels the need.

Pink Piggy Girl Diaper Cake

Here are some photos of a recent diaper cake I made for my mother-in-law to give away. I used 1 package of size 1 Huggies diapers; nail trimmers; bulb syringe for baby; Desitin cream; Orajel gel; hairbrush and comb for baby; baby spoons, baby rattle; hair clip; and a crocheted piggy bib that I made in the past. I also used my Cricut Expression to make the scallops, flowers, and "It's a Girl!" signs, and some ribbon picked up at WalMart. Thanks for looking!

Diaper Cakes for Boys - Duck and Frog

I made the tea towel cake for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day and she loved it so much she wanted me to do something similar for some co-workers who are due to have babies this Summer. (My MIL is a teacher.) She told me they are both having boys and left the rest up to me. I decided to do these diaper cakes - duck and frog. It was harder to find baby items with ducks and frogs on them than I thought it was going to be. But I made due and each cake is made up of about 50 size 1 Huggies diapers; nail trimmers; Johnson's baby wash; a spoon and fork; Desitin diaper cream; receiving blankets; medicine dropper and bulb; a toy chime with wrist strap; and a crocheted bib which I have previously posted about. The cakes weren't quite decorative enough on their own (besides the cute bib if I can say so myself!), so I pulled out my Cricut and used it to cut some ducks and frogs which I hot glued to lollipop sticks and stuck them in around the cake. Thanks for looking!

So Excited!

I am so excited to announce that "Lola Leigh" here in my town has agreed to carry some of my crochet items, such as bibs, headbands, and baby cozies! You can visit its website here: www.lolaleigh.com. Their store is adorable and I just ordered Carly and Jayna matching dresses for this Summer. I can't wait to see them in their new dresses! The style in the store is very unique and it's a cute boutique. And the owners and seamstresses are just as nice as can be! You should go...hurry!

Recent Creations

Here are some recent creations I have been spending my time doing. Please feel free to visit my Etsy shop for these if you would like to make a purchase. www.scrapmom8.etsy.com. Thanks!

Two New Bibs - Frog and Duck

I crocheted these bibs of a frog and duck from a pattern I found on the Lion brand yarn website. I don't have pictures of Jayna wearing them as a model for me since she's always napping when I have time to upload the photos and add them to my shop. If you need to see a model wearing one, let me know! I will catch her when she's awake! ;) Thanks!

ROBOT bib

Here is another bib I crocheted this past week. We have been busy so I didn't get it posted as soon as I would have otherwise. And be on the lookout for a froggy bib (almost done) and a ducky bib! All bib patterns found on the Lion brand yarn website.

Now another CUTE post for the day

I found a pattern for some bibs and LOVE the way my piggy bib turned out! The pattern is from the Lion brand yarn website. More bibs to come the rest of this week!

Jayna's Newest Handmade Skirt

I've been wanting to make Jayna this new skirt for a while, but I lacked the much-needed knowledge and confidence in the area of sewing and using my sewing machine. Before I sew ANY clothes, I have to read, re-read, and read again the sewing pattern. Then I have to talk to myself for a while about how I can do this. But I am not really sure. Then I look for the perfect fabric for the item for a long while...this could take months. Then when I finally start my project and hop on the sewing machine, I get very discouraged. If the bobbin is the least bit off, I struggle for about an hour to get it all right and ready to go again. Very frustrating! Thus, I do not sew often. If anyone is willing to tutor me on my sewing machine I would be very attentive and a fast learner. Until then...

I recently came across this book at Hobby Lobby entitled, "making children's clothes." (The title of the book is in lower case...normally I would capitalize a title.) The book is by Emma Hardy, and probably for anyone who already knows how to sew it would be an awesome book to make some really cute stuff. It has great instructions and detailed pictures. But this skirt took me 4 1/2 hours to make. But again, I am incompetent at this hobby so far. The corduroy flower print is from JoAnn's...can't remember where I got the brown polka dot print...maybe JoAnn's? The velvet trim is from Hobby Lobby. The button I had in my stash of scrapbooking supplies. And now Jayna has a skirt. She was not happy to model it for me, though. So I didn't get many cute pictures of her wearing it yet. She doesn't care that mom spent lots of time sewing that skirt the night before --- she just wants to go into Adam's room and pick out a toy to play with...sheesh, MOM!

Thanks for looking, reading all this, and putting up with my poor humor. haha! :)