Hooked on Handmade

Iron man gloves!

2012-12-10T16:32:00.001-06:00

Kade got invited to a birthday party this weekend and the boy loves Iron Man! Here are the gloves I made him...hope he likes them! What do you think!

baby hats

2012-12-08T18:40:00.000-06:00

Here are some lovely little baby hats I just finished!

Kade recently started at a new bigger school and everyone is asking about the hats I've made him. His librarian asked me to make matching hats for new born twins and this is what I came up with. They are so cute I don't want to give them away!

Crafting with kade!

2012-10-22T15:12:00.001-05:00

Kade and I brought out the bake clay this afternoon and got busy! He is making all kinds of random shapes and I'm covering my metal crochet hooks to make then more funcky and gripable! I'm trying something new with these ones, I'm using a different color clay to put the number on them! Very cute!

2012-10-22T08:30:00.000-05:00

Good Morning!

It has been much to long since I have posted on my blog....I have been doing so much crafting and lots of DYI projects but I just haven't had time to post, so here is a picture of a lovely Doily Blanket I recently made!

If you're looking to find the pattern and make one of these lovely blankets for yourself you can scoot over to see Lisa at Good Knits! I had the pleasure of testing this pattern for her last month and it was super fun to do. She has great free patterns on her page too!

Thanks for stopping by and I will try to post again soon!

melissa

Harry Potter Party

2012-08-07T16:44:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow my baby turns six and he really wanted a HP party so I've spent the last few weeks hand making all kinds of HP related goodies....and I wanted to share tonights project...homemade golden snitches!

Super easy to make! All you need is some ferrero rocher, paper wings and thumb tacks!

Very exciting!

Firefighter Kade

2012-07-26T08:13:00.001-05:00

I love making gifts for others and almost never buy presents but sometimes it is hard to know what to make others....especually when I've taught everyone I know how to crochet and they can now make stuff for themselves!

But I do love getting request for gifts bc then I know they are getting what they want! One of our little friends is really into fire fighter gear right now so I was excited to make him this hat!

What do you think?

I kinda made up the pattern after looking up patterns on ravelry...so if you want to make one, pop over there for inspiration!

Doily shirts!

2012-07-16T14:16:00.001-05:00

Last week I tried out making doily shirts using bleach and an old doily only to find that it is super fun and easy to do! Here are the 6 shirts I have made so far!
Happy crafting! M

Crafting with kade

2012-07-14T09:16:00.001-05:00

I'm trying out posting from my phone! As you may have noticed I haven't been posting much but I've been doing tons of interesting crafting.
Here is a picture of kade and I crafting together! If this works I will be sure to post more often....happy crafting!

Chair socks!

2012-04-29T18:55:00.003-05:00

I've been getting a few commissions as of late to make crocheted goodness for people around my town, which suits me just fine because I love to create and could use the extra cash as I'm still not working full time.

Above are pictures of the crochet chair socks I made for my latest commission. They were super fun and fast to make and work great! If you are interested in some for you home give me a shout!

Hope all is well with you and check back soon!

Melissa

Just updating this post to include the link to buy the pattern if you would like to make them for yourself!

Too Cute Turtle!

2012-04-07T15:54:00.000-05:00

Just finished this super cute turtle and wanted to share it before he leaves my home! I can't get over how cute he is!

Do you ever crochet toys? I was never into crocheting toys but I've made in 3 lately and they are so cute that it makes me want to make more!

Thanks for stopping in,

Melissa

2012-03-20T18:19:00.001-05:00

Hello there!

It has been awhile since I've had the pleasure of posting but I thought I would stop in and let you know what is new in my life. I've always got some sort of craftiness going on but that is not what I want to write about today.

I recently found out that the youth volunteer led cafe that I manage is going to be closing at the end of the month. It is sad news! I live in a small town that has a lot of young people with very little to do. Our town, like many others, was hit pretty hard by the economic downturn and many young people just don't have any job skills. And The Blue Frog was the place for them to get those skills! It is truly a great lose for my community and it's youth.

And soon, I will be unemployed, which is never fun. But I started this blog over a year ago to track my progress not only in my crafting but also in starting my own wool and handmade goods shop. Now that I will be unemployed, I'm seriously thinking about following that dream and getting something started in my community! I know it would be a lot of work but I have a great support network and I think I could do it.

So, please stand by for more word and if you have any experience selling wool, I would love to hear about it!

Melissa

Watermelon Ripple!

2012-02-26T16:24:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to pop in and show you my newest project, just finished an hour ago!

I love this pattern which I found on one of my favorite blogs Attic24. Lucy is in love with color and she makes me want to bring more color into my life. If you want to see some of her beautiful creations and get inspired stop in here

This lap blanket was going to be done in pink, gray and green but I bought the wrong weight yarn in gray and remembered that I had some lighter weight green in my stash. I love how it turned out and I'm glad I made the switch.

What I love about this pattern is that is so easy but it keeps you challenged. After dozens of rows you are still not bored but you don't really have focus. Try it and you will know what I mean. I strongly suggest you make this blanket if you have time!

Hope all is well with you and I will try to be back soon!

Melissa

Bunny and Pillow!

2012-01-25T17:30:00.002-06:00

As promised, here is another post! I'm actually pretty proud of myself. I'm trying really hard to make time for all the things that are important in my life and crocheting and blogging about it, is one of them.

Here is a picture of my little man with the pillow cover I recently finished and the bunny (Dexter) I put together this morning.

Hope your happy, healthy and making time for all the important things in your life!
m

Happy (belated) New Year!

2012-01-19T18:08:00.000-06:00

Hey there!

Sorry I haven't been around much lately. Life has been so busy that I haven't been able to keep up with my blog!

In the fall I started studying to be a Yoga Teacher and it is taking up all my free time. I've had to divide my already busy life in to an other section and make room for yoga along with my family, work and crochet. Sadly, crochet has been push aside and I haven't been crafting nearly as much!

I'm going to try to make a greater effort to get on here and post and thought that changing the template of my blog may make me want to get here more often...hope you like it! More posts to come soon!

Until next time,
Melissa

Christmas Gift Making!

2011-11-20T08:59:00.002-06:00

I have been totally MIA on my blog as of late and I'm afraid it may stay this way for awhile.

Life is busy at work, Kade is busy at home and top it off I'm going to be starting a Yoga Teacher Training...so my crochet and blogging time is going to be nil, I'm afraid.

But there are Christmas gifts to be made and while the list isn't too long this year I have to get on it! So this weekend is devoted to making hand size evergreen trees that will be strung together to make buntings. 40 in total! I have some very dear ones who live far far away and I want to get their packages in the mail as soon as I can....so I need to crochet like a crazy lady!

Last night I was able to make 8 of them and I'm hoping to get about 20 done today! Don't worry, there will be pictures but if your interested in making trees too here is the link to the blog where they can be found! Fun blog and great pattern! Have it memorized now, so I'm just going to keep going with it!

Have a great sunday!

Crochet the Weekend Away: Linking party # 3!

2011-10-28T06:53:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday!

This has been a very busy week for us and all the time I would normal reserve for crocheting has gone to car hunting! Our beloved Volvo is no longer road worthy, so we must bite the bullet and get a new one. Not happy!

I don't foresee much crocheting happening this weekend either, but I really need to see your beautiful creations to keep me from getting bogged down with car hunting!

Here are some simple guidelines:

1. Only post CROCHET projects you've been working on this weekend...they can be a works in progress!

2. Become a fan of my Blog!

3. Grab the "Crochet the Weekend Away" button provided below and add it to your blog!

4. Please add posts from your blog only, not shops!

5. Be sure to check out other peoples blogs, comment on their projects, and

follow their blogs...we all love having our blogs worshiped!

This party will open on Friday and close Monday.

Enjoy your weekend and Happy Crocheting!

melissa

Kid's Hats!

2011-10-24T07:36:00.000-05:00

I didn't get as much crocheting done as I had hoped this weekend but I did manage to make a few hats for the craft sale.

Check them out!

There's an owl, a monster, a spiky one, and a pig! I think I like the pig the best. I've already started making a cow one too!

Also, Kade made a new friend he wanted me to share! He found this little sheep and named it "wool". He isn't very creative when it comes to naming his toys...but she is very cute!

Hope you weekend was full of crocheting fun!

Melissa

Crochet the Weekend Away: Linking Party #2!

2011-10-21T08:07:00.000-05:00

I can't believe the weekend is almost here again!

Thanks to all the lovely people who added their crocheting to the linking party last week! It was really fun to see all your wonderful creations. I have BIG crafting plans for this weekend and I'm looking forward sharing them. I also have a couple of projects to post about from this past week.

So lets get on with it...

Here are some simple guidelines:

1. Only post CROCHET projects you've been working on this weekend...they can be a works in progress!

2. Become a fan of my Blog!

3. Grab the "Crochet the Weekend Away" button provided below and add it to your blog!

4. Please add posts from your blog only, not shops!

5. Be sure to check out other peoples blogs, comment on their projects, and

follow their blogs...we all love having our blogs worshiped!

This party will open on Friday and close Monday.

Enjoy your weekend and Happy Crocheting!

melissa

Tissue Box Covers!

2011-10-15T17:06:00.001-05:00

I spent Friday night and Saturday morning wiping up these tissue box covers for the craft sale I'm doing in November. My mom loves them, what do you think?

They are super fun and easy to make....if your looking to make one yourself, I would suggest this pattern (you will need to have Ravelry to see it).

Hope your weekend crocheting is treating you well!

Melissa

Crochet the Weekend Away: Linking Party # 1!!!

2011-10-14T06:20:00.000-05:00

Thanks for joining me this week for my first ever linking party!

I'm very excited to get back into regular blogging and sharing with all you lovely crocheters out there what I'm working on.

Here are some simple guidelines:

1. Only post CROCHET projects you've been working on this weekend...they can be a work in progress!
2. Become a fan of my Blog!
3. Grab the "Crochet the Weekend Away" button provided below and add it to your blog!
4. Please add posts from your blog only, not shops!
5. Be sure to check out other peoples blogs, comment on their projects, and
follow their blogs...we all love having our blogs worshiped!

This party will open on Friday and close Monday.

Enjoy your weekend and Happy Crocheting!

What is coming up in my world....

2011-10-12T07:34:00.000-05:00

Howdy!

Sorry it's been such a long time since I posted! I'm really mad at myself for not taking pictures of the stuff I'm working on and posting them. I've been really busy working, and parenting, and crafting that blogging has taken the back burner and I do apologize!

There are a couple of things I have been working on and I'm really excited to share them! The first is my very own Linking Party! I was hoping to get it up and going last weekend but was busy painting the stairwell and didn't get to it. So you can expect it this weekend for sure! I'm calling it Crochet The Weekend Away, it will go up on Friday and be open until Monday. I always get most of my crocheting done on the weekend and I'm sure there are lots of other like me, so this will be a place to show off your weekends work and get excited about the next weekend to come! I really hope you will join me this weekend and post your work!

Here is a sneak peak at the button I made for the Linking Party....what do you think?

It can be found in the button page above!

The other thing I've been working on is making crafts to sell at a local Christmas Craft Sale! It is being held by the local museum and it is going to be super fun! I've been making garlands, mason jar covers for tea light holders, hats, cowls and right now, I'm in the mist of making a bunch of SANTA HATS! They are wonderfully cute and fast and easy to make and I think everyone is going to love them! I'm working from a pattern I made up last year while making santa hats for my friends sons and will post the pattern and some pictures ASAP!

Have you ever done a craft show before? I'm a little nervous! I've never done anything like this before and I'm scared I'm not going to have enough stuff or too much and I have NO idea how to price the things I'm making. I'm really just doing it because it will be fun but if you have any advice for me, I would love to hear it!

If you live in the Alliston area or are coming to it for some random reason on November 12th and 13th, stop by the Museum on the Boyne an check out the sale! It is FREE and promises to be a good time!

That's all for now....I will be back soon with the linking party and the santa hat pattern!
Melissa

Montessori Moment!

2011-10-02T15:09:00.000-05:00

As some of you may already know, my son goes to Montessori school, my husband went to Montessori school and my mother in law started her own Montessori school in the 80's and was the principle there for over 25 years.

I did not know anything about Montessori school's 6 years ago and now I'm wading my way through Montessori parenting. I still know very little about Montessori education but I think others would be interested in find out the new things I'm learning.

Here is the first of I hope many randomly posted links to Montessori information! I promise this will not take over the crocheting blog but hopefully help others to see the value in the many different kids of learning out there.

Enjoy!

Melissa

We Are Montessori — Maria Montessori

Want to learn how to crochet?

2011-09-28T07:26:00.000-05:00

Well today is your lucky day! Dana, over at Craftyminx is starting "Crochet school"!

I have yet to read through everything but I do know that everything Dana does is amazing and she is always doing wonderful things to help other learn how to be more crafty!

I've been crocheting for awhile now, but I'm jumping on board and so should you!

Click on the pink link above to find your way to her website and she will explain the rest!

Happy Crocheting, Melissa

Crocheted Garbage Can!

2011-09-16T07:30:00.000-05:00

A little friend of ours loves anything to do with garbage! Last summer at Kade's birthday party he spend half the party sorting through my outdoor recycling bins and making sure everything was in the right place. Alex and I say that this little guy is going to revolutionize how we deal with our garbage!

So when you get invited to a garbage loving little dudes birthday party, what do you make him? I racked my brain....I didn't want to make him a hat because that's lame, exceptionally in the summer time. I did a quick google search and came up with this fun pattern.

I wiped it up the morning of and he loved it....I thought it is about time I show it off!

Happy garbage collecting,
Melissa

PS...this is the first time I'm posting with the new blogger and I love it!

Child led parenting....

2011-09-05T08:12:00.000-05:00

I am by no means a parenting expert. I have one often amazing, mostly crazy, spirited child who challenges daily, not just to be a better parent but a better person. Mostly I feel I fail as a parent except for those beautiful moments when things fall into place. Sometimes it's a little body holding open a door or a well placed thank you but sometimes it's something big.

We are in one of those big moments right now. My 5 year has decided he is ready to go over night without a diaper! When I potty trained him 2.5 years ago to prepare him for school he decided he wasn't ready to go over night without a diaper. I practice many different kinds of parenting but I try my best to allow my son to lead me in the right direction. I feel that it is really important for him to feel comfortable in our home and in himself and try my best to listen to his instincts as well as my own. So when he proclaimed he wasn't ready, I let it slide.

Many have told me this was a big mistake! When you potty train you must get it all over with! Letting him keep a diaper at night would mean I would be buying him diapers to take away with him to collage! Codswallop, if you ask me. I knew a day would come when he would develop the same instincts we all have to hold it until morning and that day has finally come.

It started about a month ago when, for several nights in a row, he hadn't peed in his pull up! We were all very excited but we still had half a pack of pull ups left and we had several nights away from home, so we decided to wait until the end of the summer to go diaperless over night. Well, in my part of the world, it is the end of summer and last night we used the last of our pull up supply, which means....tonights the night!

As you can probably tell, I'm very excited! But mostly I'm proud. Proud of my little boy who is brave enough to stand up to me and tell me how he feels. And proud of myself for actually listening! It is so easy to brush our children aside and not listen to what they are telling us, we are all busy and they talk so much! But sometimes, things work out and our little people grow before our eyes!

Much love,
melissa

Ps. I promise to post pictures tomorrow of this weekends projects and yarn finds!