Easy Peasy Travel Cup Cozy Pattern

I have been trying to make some items that take a half hour or less to crochet and donate to my cousin's Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk for the Cure fundraising. I make lots of mug cozies {you can see the free pattern here} but they take me about 45 minutes to make plus time to sew on the button. I wanted to make some travel cup cozies but the only free patterns I found were worked by joining the chain and working up in rounds{which I don't mind...but I don't necessarily like it...unless it's a hat!} My mom was knitting some cup cozies and her pattern was worked in a rectangle, then stitched together so I asked the measurements and did the same. Only in crochet terms since I don't knit.

On to the pattern:

Hook size I-9

Small amount of worsted weight yarn {I have used cotton and Vanna's Choice}

Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations:
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet

Chain 11

Row 1: sc across {10}

Row 2: chain 2, dc in each across {10}

Row 3: chain 1, sc in each across {10}

Repeat rows 2 & 3 until piece measures 8" long.

Cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.

Using a whip stitch, stitch together then turn inside out.

Final measurement is 8" around and about 2" tall.

{If you choose you can sc evenly around before stitching together for a more even looking edge}

You are free to sell the final product. I just ask that you link back to this post as your pattern source in your listing. 

If you decide this is a pin-worthy post PLEASE do not post the pattern in the pin description. It makes me sad.

I'd love to see your cup cozy if you make one! Please post it on my Facebook wall to share. :)

What's Hookin' Good Lookin'? {Baby Bonnet & Linky}

I figured since I'm back in the swing of things that I would share with you what's on my hook {possibly each week}. We'll see how it goes. I added a linky so you can share what's on your hook! I'd love to see. :)

What's on my hook:

I bought this pattern from peapodaccessories

on Etsy. Doesn't it look darling? I couldn't wait to try it out!

My photos are pretty bad, but isn't that stitch pretty?! I am in love! I can't wait to send it off to In The Moment Photography to be photographed on an itty bitty!I'm not sure about the lace though. I used lace ribbon but maybe I should have used something different. Any thoughts before it ships on Saturday?

I have a little sneak peak of what went off to Photography by Crissy over the weekend too! The pom pom blanket is being used in some Easter photo shoots with live bunnies. How cute! I can't wait to share some photos!

Stork Pouch, Pom Pom Blanket, Cocoon & Prince Hat

Now it's your turn to show what's on your hook!

Make the Perfect Dance Party for Toddlers {a guest post from Mariana Ashley}

Make the Perfect Dance Party for Toddlers

Does your toddler love to dance? If they have a birthday coming up, try forgoing the Chucky Cheese party and make your very own dance party instead! This is easy enough to do at your own house or a public space. Check out these ideas for a dance party your toddler will absolutely love.

1. Make Your Own Costumes

No dance party is complete without some crazy costumes to play in. There is no need to drop tons of money to get some dance gear; you can easily (and cheaply) make your own! Check out some easy D.I.Y. videos to create tutus, circle skirts, and princess tiaras.  Also, don’t forget about the boys! Try setting up a station to make your own cardboard masks or make prince crowns beforehand for partygoers opposed to anything girly.

2. Hit a Party Store or Outlet for More Dress-Up Gear

Head to a wholesale party store or your local salvation army to collect anything that might be fun for partygoers to play dress up in. Plastic necklaces, old hats, boas, streamers, funny hats, colored sunglasses, and any other miscellaneous items can add tons of life to the event.

3. Create a Makeup Studio

Get some non-toxic face paints, set up mirrors on a low table, and have a few parents play makeup artists throughout the day. They can help the partygoers apply their own makeup, or they can add some adult touches, like cool face paint designs. Try suggesting easy designs like hearts or stars so your resident makeup artists don’t have too much on their plates.

4. Make the Ultimate Dance Floor

You can use any space in your house, preferably the area with the most free space available. Hang streamers from the ceiling and get as many helium balloons as you can to let float throughout the room. Get some big plastic bins and fill them with noisemakers, shakers, streamers and other fun toys that dancers can grab when they’re getting their groove on.

5. Play Dance Videos

If you want to have an ongoing dance area throughout the party, try playing several dance DVDs geared toward kids. They will have real dancers that the kids can copy and music that will be upbeat and appropriate for their age group.

6. Play Movement Games

A great way to add a group activity into the mix is to play a game that takes up space and involves moving around. Games like Simon Says are really fun and can be hilarious. You don’t need to make it competitive at this age. Just have fun with it and give everyone a prize when you’re finished.

7. Play Copycat

Put on some music and do some simple dance moves, like stepping from side to side, jumping up and down, clapping your hands, and turning around. Have all the kids copy what you do and try to keep up as the moves get faster and faster. Keep it light, and hopefully everyone will be laughing and having a great time by the end.

8. Have Emergency Dance Breaks

Every time a particular song comes on, everyone has to run to the dance floor and freestyle until it’s over. Pick a song that is very recognizable, and play around with it. Maybe you can have surprise dance breaks in the middle of different games or right after the birthday girl blows out her candles.

By-line:

Mariana Ashley is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about online colleges. She loves receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031 @gmail.com.

Squid Dogs!

While on Pinterest one day I came across these Sqid Dogs from Mommy Made and just knew Bug would LOVE them. Well, she did. Now I can't serve her regular hot dogs whithout her asking me to turn them into squid dogs.

The only thing I did differently from Mommy Made's instructions was I did not put the noodles all the way through. I just pushed them to the top of the inside just before they would poke through.  

Get the kids involved! Bug loved sticking the noodles in hers!

 

 For Bug I cut the dog into smaller pieces and broke the noodles small too so it was easier for her to eat.

 I used an old medicine thingy to make eyes and a mouth with ketchup. :)

 Mmm, mmm, good!

{I swear this kid owns clothes!}

Crocheting for a Cause {The Fight Against Breast Cancer}

The current cause I am crocheting for is:

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure!

To the left is my cousin, Jen, who is doing this walk for the 3rd year!

 

Why she walks:

The picture above is of me with Fran, my Mom's best friend and my "otherMom." This picture was taken just months before Fran lost her battle with cancer. It is in her honor that I walk and also in honor of my Grandma Andrews who is a breast cancer survivor. 

Thanks to all my shoppers I was able to donate 10% of my shop profits, a total of $58.02, to the Susan G.Komen Foundation last year. It is now time again to start making donations. Please consider donating to Lattes for the Cure for the price of your morning latte. No donation is too small.

How you can help:

• Donate directly to my cousin's donation page for the Cure! 

• "Purchase" a crochet item for a donation to the cure. {this amount will be donated in your name on the donation page and a confirmation page will be sent to you after your purchase}

• Donate so I can buy yarn to crochet for this cause. {one skein/ball of yarn is around $2 which can make many flowers for the cause!} 

This amount will be used to buy yarn specifically for crocheting flowers and other crochet items for breast cancer awareness.

If you have a cause please hop on over to my "Do Some Good" page and share your donation site.

A Pinteresting Party - Week 28

Thank you all for linking up last week! I love seeing all the great ideas you are sharing.There is so much talent!

Please spread the word about this Pinteresting Party! :)

Hosted by Tutus & Tea Parties & Here's to Handy Andy.

Hop on over to see what Here's to Handy Andy's faves are too!

My faves from last week that I pinned:

I just love these I Love You monsters by Shannon Makes Stuff! Bug is going to love these little guys. We sign lots here and it's such a perfect project for us.
{see the pin here - repin if you'd like}

I am dying to have an entryway & when I finally get one I am totally making it look like this! Meeha Meeha did such a great job on this Happy Entryway, don't you think?!
{see the pin here - repin if you'd like}

Just a little Creativity made this Scratch Art Effect Art. I just recently had Bug paint a canvas...I may just have to do this with it! It looks so cool!
{see the pin here - repin if you'd like}

Go ahead and grab the "I was featured" button for being so Pinspirational. 
You deserve it!

&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;a border="0" <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>="http://<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">tutusandteaparties</span>.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">blogspot</span>.com/search/label/Link%20Party /" target="_blank">&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>="http://farm8.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">staticflickr</span>.com/7150/6595270767_597436cb04_m.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span>" width="125" height="125" alt="Button" />&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;/a> 

Projects from your hosts this week:

{we'd love a pin too} 

 Tutus & Tea Parties did some body painting with her toddler.

 

 Here's to Handy Andy gives us this Alice Springs Chicken copycat recipe.

Here are the rules:

1. Link up to 2 of your "pin worthy" projects, crafts or recipes {please, no shops or giveaways}
2. Visit at least 2 other links that you love and pin their post {Please don't just link and run! Lets all help each other out. That's what this party is here for.} Psst - I see the clicks on each link and you guys aren't clicking...which means you aren't pinning. :-/
   
3. I'd love for you to grab the party button and post it somewhere on your blog. The more participants, the more pinning we can all do {and the more people will possible pin you}!

If you want to learn more about Pinterest and how it can benefit your blog please read this.

Feel free to leave your Pinterest page link in the comments so we can all make some new Pinteresting friends. :)

You can find my Pinterest page here and my co-host 
{Here's to Handy Andy} has a Pinterest page here. 
{follow our boards to see what projects we pin each week}

Grab the party button!

&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;a border="0" <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>="http://<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">tutusandteaparties</span>.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">blogspot</span>.com/search/label/Link%20Party /" target="_blank">&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>="http://farm8.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">staticflickr</span>.com/7162/6617115159_cbd068d4b0_m.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span>" width="125" height="125" alt="Button" />&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;/a>

Thank you to Frayed Fuzzies for making this link party continue on this month!

Want to become a sponsor? Get more info here.

{Giveaway} Win a Custom Fleece Hat

Happy Friday! {sorry this post is a little late...we were up with Bug 'til almost 2am last night!}

Today we have another great giveaway! Lets welcome Nicky from We Three Bees. She is giving you all a chance to win a custom made fleece hat from her shop {valued at $16}. I hope you will get to know her first, then fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter.

Tell us about yourself.
I'm wicked lucky. My name is Nicky and I'm a 28 year old stay at home mom with two sweet boys, Jack and Dexter and an adoring husband, Ben. We live in a very small town in central New York, near Lake Ontario so we spend a lot of time by the water in the warmer months. Our two golden retrievers, Odin and Ludo, love the water too! I'm inspired by nature and the bond that exists between a parent and child.

How did you get started in your craft and selling on Etsy?
I became enthusiastic about sewing when I was pregnant with my first son- I was frustrated at the lack of cute things for boys so I decided to make my own blankets and clothes! Take THAT mainstream retail! This is why I focus so heavily on items for boys. Sewing was always intriguing to me but I never thought I could do it because it always seemed so complicated. My mother-in-law actually is a great seamstress and she got me started by giving me fabric and her old sewing machine to play around with. When my sister-in-law told me about Etsy, I looked into it and was hooked!

What is your favorite item in your shop & why?
It's hard for me to pick a favorite because they're all so personal. I really do fall in love with each piece, especially the ones for boys. If I had to pick, I'd say the Fur Bomber Hat in green and cream plaid. It has a grown up look only miniaturized! For some reason, this combination of adult fabrics made for children gets me every time! It's a little piece of luxury for that special little man in your life.

Do you have a job outside of Etsy?
You mean other than changing diapers, cooking meals, getting everyone to stay on routine and trying to get chores done while constantly trying to think of new ways to make everything more efficient? I guess not :) I don't know how these super moms do it?!?

What is one thing you can not live without?
It's really a group effort but I turn into a super cranky lady if I don't get my sleep!

What is your guilty pleasure?
Twinkies and really bad reality TV... I know, shame on me (but you're secretly wanting a twinkie right now, aren't you?).

Tell us a joke {if you know one}.
A horse walks into a bar and the bartender says, "Why the long face?" I only just got this a couple years ago. I kept waiting for the rest of the joke! I'm generally not an idiot so I just have had a really big brain fart or something.

Nicky is giving you a chance to win any ready to ship or special order hat in any style {earflap, bomber or pixie} valued at $16! 

Contest closes 3/9/12 at midnight. Open worldwide.

Keep up with Nicky:

Etsy Shop

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Multitasking: not my strong suite

True that! I'll just take a day off from blogging then. ;)

See you all with a new giveaway tomorrow!

PS- I have been working on my next project for Round 2 of Creative Bloggers Got Talent but I can't post about it until after the voting has ended...which seems forever away since the voting didn't even start yet! Stay tuned for the tutorial...but until then I can't tell you what it is.

What's Hookin' Good Lookin'?

After taking a fairly long break from making things for my Etsy shop and just crocheting in general, I am back to hooking! I just wanted to share with you this pom pom blanket I am making for Crissy {http://www.photographybycrissy.net/}, a photographer who I have worked with a few times before. 

At first I didn't know what to do with this yarn, but after some searching around the web and a Youtube video or two I started on this blanket that is quickly working up!

It's super duper soft and fluffy!

The color is really off in this photo, but you get the idea.

My sister in law is having a baby girl this summer and while I was making this today I thought it would be cute for a nursery floor by the crib or a little tummy time rug. It's pretty heavy for a blanket and the 27"x27" square I'm making is taking about 9 skeins so a big blanket would be big moolah! Thank goodness for my 40% off coupon!

I had a hard time finding out how to crochet a blanket with this yarn so once I get some good photos I will be sharing how I made this one. I promise, it's super easy!

What's on your hook? I'd love to see. 

Come by my Facebook wall and share away!

{or comment a link to a post of your work}

Body Painting

What do you say when your child wants to use their body to paint? YES!

I taped 4 pieces of paper together, set out some finger paint and brushes, took her clothes off and let her go to town. She had a blast! 
{Just be ready for bath time right after...it gets pretty messy.}

 

You may find me at some of these child centered link parties.

Hidden Veggie Pizza

Bug is a pretty good eater. She loves her veggies and fruit but sometimes she goes through a stage where she doesn't eat much of anything and it's a struggle to make sure she is getting her veggies. While shopping at my favorite store, Target, I saw these frozen pizzas that had veggies made in the crust. My imediate thought was, yeah, I can do that! So I went home and did! 

Grab your fave pizza dough recipe {here's mine if you want to use it} and all the ingredients.

Take about a cup of veggies {I used broccoli and cauliflower mix} 

Cook your veggies, then puree them.

Mix them into the dough and follow the rest of the instructions.

 

 I made Bug some mini pizzas.

That's all there is to it. Easy peasy and your kiddo never has to know! I ate a piece too and didn't even tase the difference. :)

A Pinteresting Party - Week 27

Thank you all for linking up last week! I love seeing all the great ideas you are sharing.

Please spread the word about this Pinteresting Party! :)

Hosted by Tutus & Tea Parties & Here's to Handy Andy.

Hop on over to see what Here's to Handy Andy's faves are too!

My faves from last week that I pinned:

Bliss Images...and Beyond posted this cute No Stress Tooth Fairy Basket that I love!

Crystal & Co has a helpful tip for those of you who burn your cookies like I do.

Oh to have room for this reading nook! See how it was made over at Creatively Living.

Go ahead and grab the "I was featured" button for being so Pinspirational. 
You deserve it!

&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;a border="0" <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>="http://<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">tutusandteaparties</span>.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">blogspot</span>.com/search/label/Link%20Party /" target="_blank">&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>="http://farm8.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">staticflickr</span>.com/7150/6595270767_597436cb04_m.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span>" width="125" height="125" alt="Button" />&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;/a> 

Projects from your hosts this week:

{we'd love a pin too} 

 Tutus & Tea Parties made some Marshmallow Catapults.

Here are the rules:

1. Link up to 2 of your "pin worthy" projects, crafts or recipes {please, no shops or giveaways}
2. Visit at least 2 other links that you love and pin their post {Please don't just link and run! Lets all help each other out. That's what this party is here for.} Psst - I see the clicks on each link and you guys aren't clicking...which means you aren't pinning. :-/
   
3. I'd love for you to grab the party button and post it somewhere on your blog. The more participants, the more pinning we can all do {and the more people will possible pin you}!

If you want to learn more about Pinterest and how it can benefit your blog please read this.

Feel free to leave your Pinterest page link in the comments so we can all make some new Pinteresting friends. :)

You can find my Pinterest page here and my co-host 
{Here's to Handy Andy} has a Pinterest page here. 
{follow our boards to see what projects we pin each week}

Grab the party button!

&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;a border="0" <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>="http://<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">tutusandteaparties</span>.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">blogspot</span>.com/search/label/Link%20Party /" target="_blank">&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>="http://farm8.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">staticflickr</span>.com/7162/6617115159_cbd068d4b0_m.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span>" width="125" height="125" alt="Button" />&<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;/a>

Thank you to Frayed Fuzzies for making this link party continue on this month!

Want to become a sponsor? Get more info here.