Sunday, February 23, 2014

1st Baby Owl Block

First Baby Owl block DONE.

Just learning this method. I found the directions for this block easy, (I have a hard time with patterns) I usually make them a couple of times and then write the patten in a way I can understand it.
 
 The Block is Called Owl Granny Square

www.allfreecrochet.com All Free Crochet is a website dedicated to the best free crochet patterns. This is the website I used for the pattern.Just put in the search term : Owl Granny Square.
I have done 5 more blocks. I find it easier to make the blocks first, then go back to add the eyes and beak.
I made a total of 6 blocks so I can get my finished blocks at the correct size of 4 inches. I have not decided on the colors I will use either. I did use the suggested hook size of 4.25 mm and worsted weight yarn.
I will update my progress and when I finally make a decision on my colors. Still have a long way to go in order to complete the little blanket. That is why I am listing it under the tab Work In Progress. I tend to get bored easily working on one thing at a time and skip around doing different items.

Owls seem to be really "in" right now, they were back in the 1970's as well. It's true what they say, "What's old is New again!"

This is my first place I am an affiliate for and I am super excited! The store is called Oddity Store Home and Deco Accents. In keeping with the Owl theme, I thought I would post a link here for you to stop in and check out the super cute items they have.
 

My Oddity Store

Click the link above to go to my little store! 
These are just the Sweetest! They would be perfect in many applications, flower vases, wreaths, outdoors to greet visitors at your doorstep as well. They just sing SPRING!
Item Name: Owl Picks 18" Item #:00697 Price/ea: $2.29

What do you have planned for Spring this year? 

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Random Acts of Kindness Day is the 17th

Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17th, this Monday, falling on Presidents' Day! It’s the unofficial holiday increasingly celebrated around the nation encouraging people to commit acts of kindness out of the goodness of their hearts. Leading up to this day, I decided to craft some of my crochet hearts.


I decided to make them into book markers! Instead of working the ends in I left them attached (great time saver) making them easy to mark your page.  I am dropping them off at the library today. I hope someone will just pick one up and use it. Would also be cute tied around a pony tail!

 
Here are of few of the hearts in some of my cookbooks.
This is the pattern I used, it is very easy and you can do one in under 5 minutes!

Crocheted Heart Pattern

Supplies used:
Size D crochet hook
Size 3 crochet thread or embroidery floss
(Or use any size hook/yarn you have on hand--it will just change the size)

All stitches worked into the first chain.

Ch 4. Work 3 tr (triple crochet) into first ch, 3 dc, ch 1, 1 tr, ch 1, 3 dc, 3 tr. Ch 3, sl st into center and fasten off.

I think it is a wonderful idea to craft a heart of some fashion and pass it on to someone else. Have you ever done a Random Act of Kindness? Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Looking Back as We Think of Gifts from The Heart

I remember our first West Highland White Terrier. She was a rescue and her name was Haylee. She was just 5 years old at the time, and had given birth to 9 LITTERS of puppies!


This is Haylee the 1st day we brought here home with us. She seemed to smile the entire day long. She had never touched her paws on grass before! She was a warm and happy girl once she knew she was going to be able to do and have our attention 24/7. Her first checkup it was discovered she had Acute Congestive Heart Failure. We were just sick. After all she had been thru and now this. We could not have her spayed as her little heart could not take it. We spoiled her rotten. I sewed Halloween outfits for her, a Westie Witch of course, and she WON in a local competition!


Her Potty training took almost 9 months! Something she had never had to learn before. She mastered it!

Her favorite thing to eat was PIZZA! We did not deny her. I know it is bad, but.... you see, we did not know how long this little gift would be with us.
And what a gift she was. I was able to connect with other Westie Lovers and Westie Rescues as well. I had never owned a "small" dog. I have had Labs and Shepherds.

There is such a great need for placing Rescued Animals, and I hope if just one person changes their mind about buying from a pet store or back yard breeder from reading about our Haylee, and her short life she will have made a difference to not only my family put many others.

She passed in my arms 5 years later barely able to walk and just 8 little teeth left. She let out a little cry that sounded like she said, "Momma, Momma!"

We have had many wonderful Westies since and have 2 now named Betty Boo and Candy Corn, they are sisters and were born on Halloween and are our latest little gifts. This picture is when they were 16 weeks old.
Have you considered a Rescue or Shelter for your next family member? I hope you do!