Episode 5 Super Super Super

Show Notes: 

Crochet FOs:

Crochet/Knit hat - I don't remember where the pattern was from. I will be making another one or 5 of these hats!

Crochet WIPS:

My design project

Rainbow Blanket

Knitting FOs:

TGV Shawl

Knitting WIPS:

Vanilla Socks - working towards putting in the heel


Upcoming events:

Strawberry Festival - Late April 2015
Arkansas Fiber Fest - September 17-19, 2015

Who I talked about in today's show: 

Luvknotz 

Southern Girl Knits

RainStorm Studios

Places to find me online: 

Ravelry: Littlepanda518

Ravelry Group: Stitching Ewe and More Podcast

Instagram: Littlepanda518

Facebook: Stitched Together

LuvKnotz and Stitched Together team up for a Yarn Club

It is so much fun to get a skein of surprise yarn in the mail! Treat yourself to one of my Yarn Clubs - there are several to choose from! - and keep warm with beautiful hand dyed yarns delivered straight to your door. Shipping Charges are included in the price!


Each month I’ll dye one new and exclusive Yarn Club Colorway for the theme chosen.
You'll receive a shipment each month for three months (April, May and June 2015) and packages ship the first week of the month. You’ll also receive a small yarn related gift from me in each package!

All yarns are dyed with professional Acid Dyes and washed thoroughly after dyeing to ensure they will not bleed.

Care: Our yarns prefer a warm water hand washing ;)

My Yarn Clubs are available in several weights so be sure to pick the one that suits your taste!

YARN BAG EXCLUSIVE:
Amanda from Stitched Together has teamed up with LuvKnotz to offer a Medium Yarn Bag to match the Club Theme! If you’d like the yarn bag addition, please be sure to select the correct weight with the “YB” next to the membership! This will be a drawstring bag with the following dimensions: 10” x 8”
This bag will be sent with the LAST skein of the club membership in June 2015.




Memberships start at $75!





Visit LuvKnotz Etsy shop to view full pricing and all the yarn details!

*****Three month yarn club memberships are non-refundable and may not be cancelled*****

Episode 4

 

Show Notes: 

Crochet FOs:

Little Monster - Test crochet for Luvknotz

Ewegene - TOFT  (this is in British terms)


Crochet WIPS:

My design project

Knitting WIPS:

Vanilla Socks - working towards putting in the heel

TGV Shawl

Upcoming events: 

Arkansas Fiber Fest - September 17-19, 2015

Who I talked about in today's show: 

Luvknotz 

Southern Girl Knits

RainStorm Studios

Places to find me online: 

Ravelry: Littlepanda518

Ravelry Group: Stitching Ewe and More Podcast

Instagram: Littlepanda518

Facebook: Stitched Together

My goals for 2015!

Who can believe that January is over? Where did go? We are 1/12 through this new year already!

I wasn't feeling the greatest and didn't have a chance to record this last weekend. Which only means the next podcast is going to be extra fun!

If you would like to hear me talk about my goals jump on over and watch Episode One: New Beginnings. 

This is a living list and it will most likely change throughout the year.

Crafty Goals:

knit myself a pair of socks

knit myself a sweater


donate at least 12 baby hats this year

be better prepared for any booth/festival I attend this year

spend more time at the sewing machine

Personal Goals:

love my husband a little more each day -  this one is easy :)

works towards a healthier diet

learn to say no 

get back into a workout routine

Episode 3

 

Show Notes: 

Crochet FOs:
Triangle Shawl by Luvknotz

Crochet WIPS:

V-Neck Topper 
^in detention

Knitting WIPS:

Vanilla Socks - working towards putting in the heel

TGV Shawl

Who I talked about in today's show: 

Luvknotz 

Southern Girl Knits

Places to find me online: 

Ravelry: Littlepanda518

Ravelry Group: Stitching Ewe and More Podcast

Instagram: Littlepanda518

Episode 2: Short One

Show Notes: 

Crochet WIPS:

C2C Baby Blanket

V-Neck Topper 
^almost an FO!

Knitting WIPS:

Vanilla Socks

TGV Shawl

Knitting FOs: 

My Stripped and Slouchy Hat

 

Places to find me online: 

Ravelry: Littlepanda518

Ravelry Group: Stitching Ewe and More Podcast

Instagram: Littlepanda518

Episode 1: New Beginnings

Thank you for stopping by my podcast. I am really excited to finally get this project up and running. I have been thinking about it for a while.

Show Notes: 

2014 Recap

Crochet WIPS:

C2C Baby Blanket

V-Neck Topper

Knitting WIPS:

Vanilla Socks

TGV Shawl

My Stripped and Slouchy Hat

Places to find people I have mentioned: 

Luvknotz

Southern Girl Knits

 

Places to find me online: 

Ravelry: Littlepanda518

Ravelry Group: Stitching Ewe and More Podcast

Instagram: Littlepanda518

2014 Handmade Recap

I have completed all my handmade items for customers and Christmas with time to spare! Woot Woot!

I figured this would be a great time to look back over the previous year, before I embark on my goals for 2015. 

I just counted everything up and let me tell you. WOWSERS!!!!! I couldn't believe the number when I calculated it.

I made 136 items in the year 2014! 
(This only counts finished items that I remembered to track on Ravelry! and a few last minute items I made for a booth, but forgot to get pics of) 

Here is the breakdown:
Scarves: 13
Baby Booties: 5
Keychains: 14
Shawlette: 1
Baby Hats: 19
Stuffies: 15
Containers: 2
Bracelets: 25 (I lost count of how many I made, but these are the ones I can recall)
Headbands: 2
Adult Slippers: 1
Bags: 3
Skirts:3
Adult hats:11
Diaper Cover: 1
Earwamers: 3
Misc. Items: 3
Baby Blankets: 5
Throw Size Blankets and up: 2

This is an average of just over 11 items a month!

Time for something new!

I have been debating this for some time now and it is time for some changes around here.

Today marks my 26th birthday, so I figured what better day to share some exciting news with y'all!

My awesome cake from my boss at work!

I plan on taking my blog along with me on my crafting journey. Over the past year and a half I have really gotten back into the swing of my crafting world.

I would like to bring you all along on this journey. I will still be posting some of my every day writing, but most of my posts will be related to my crafting journey. Crocheting is my go to craft, but I am slowly picking up knitting needles again, I sat down at my sewing machine for the first time in ages a few weeks ago and I am looking forward to learning how to spin!

I think I might throw in a few vlogs here an there too!

What crafting items are you most interested in seeing? 

A little of what I have been up to...

I am thankful for all the things!

I have so much in my life to be thankful for! I don't even know where to begin.

Let's see...

I am thankful for the love of my life, Randy. Who is always be my side and makes fun of me about everything, but if he didn't then I would worry.

I am thankful for my parents. They have always encouraged me to do my best and been there to support me every step of the way.

I am thankful my marmy taught me how to be crafty. I love that we have the connection through crocheting, knitting and sewing that makes our relationship even stronger.

I am thankful for my siblings. 

• Joshie always knows how to cheer me up and tell me things even though I may not want to hear them.
• Alene and I can joke about anything and everything. We had our ups and downs through life, but I only see an upward swing from here! She even wrote out a "will" in yarn that I get her yarn :) 

I am thankful for the special people in my life.

• Kayla for all the random conversations we have had since high school. Even though we are miles apart our friendship is close to my heart.
• Angela for always being up to hanging out and painting pottery with me at the last minute. 
• Rachel for always having something to chat yarnie things with. One day we will turn our digital friendship into a real life meeting! You bring the hooks, I will bring the yarn! HAHA

I am thankful for all the ladies in my knitting and crochet group. 

I am thankful for the people who have always been there to encourage me to be ME.

I am thankful for all my furbabies, even when they claw me in the middle of the night, drag my yarn through the house, bark in the middle of the night, chew my pillows.... Life wouldn't be the same without them!


I am thankful to have a roof over my head.

I am thankful to have food in my belly.

I am thankful to have clothes on my back.

I am thankful that each day I have a chance to live life to the fullest.

I am thankful for everyone in my life and so much more!

Just a little Ice Skate (Crochet Pattern FREE!!!)

The other day when I was at work a co-worker showed me a picture in a magazine that was a little crocheted ice skate. It was super cute! She knows my love for yarn and thought I would enjoy the photo. We talked a little bit about the picture and I told her that it was be super easy to make.

So, I went home and did what I do best. I pulled out my G hook and some white yarn! I used Red Heart Super Saver, since I had it on hand.

Ice Skate Christmas Ornament

Chain 13

Skate:

Row 1: sc in second chain from hook, turn (12)

Row 2 - 3: Ch 1, sc across row, turn (12)

Row 4: Ch1, 10 sc, 2 sctog, turn (11)

Row 5: Ch1, 2 sctog 9 sc, turn (10)

Row 6: Ch 1, 5 sc, leave the rest of the row un-worked, turn (5)

Row 7 - 10: Ch 1, sc across row, turn (5)

Border:

sc around skate with 3 sc in each corner stitch

Details: 

I had some Red Heart Shimmer that I used for the laces and the loop.
Weave a large paper clip through the bottom for the "blade"


Hope you enjoy!

A Good Problem!

As y'all can tell I haven't been around my blog very much lately. I have a good reason! I have been crocheting up a storm!

I had a few customer orders come in.

I decided at the last minute to do another booth, since I still had quite a bit on hand. The booth was rather disappointing, but it lead to come good networking.

This past few weeks I have had orders rolling it! It hasn't left me much time to update on here. I promise I will try and be better!

Ready for the FOP? (Finished Objects Parade) 

My pretty booth set up at Shop Small Y'all!

 Baby Booties! It is a free pattern on Ravelry.

 Same pattern as above, but I added the loop stitch.

 Same pattern as above, but I added the loop stitch and buttons.

6 pairs of boot cuffs! These patterns are on Pinterest. Here is a link my board. I will link the direct link when I come across it again :)

Cross Over slant stitch hat with brim is also a free pattern on Ravelry.

I also finished my friend, Kayla's baby blanket. I really need to get to the post office. Little Natalie will be here in the next week. This pattern is pretty much out of my head. I have made a few chevron scarfs, so I increased the foundation chain row and made it blanket size. There are a ton of free chevron patterns out there. 

I have more, but I will spare you from having to keep scrolling! If you want to stay up to date on everything that I am working on follow me in all the places below! I would love to connect with you!

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Ravelry

 

 

Yes, This (Days 6 - 10)

Day 6: Getting outside

This is something that I haven't been the greatest about lately. I love being outdoors, but haven't made the time to do so. My addiction to crocheting has kept me in the house quite a bit. Over the summer I was better about getting outside and lounging in the pool and starring at the clouds. It really is peaceful to take a break from being connected and take a moment to enjoy nature.

I really REALLY want to get a hammock for my front porch. It is just now trying to be fall here in the south. I would love to lay in a hammock and crochet the day away.

Day 7: Joy seeking
I try to take a positive outlook on each and look for the good in everyone and everything. Some days are much easier then others. I have been having a rough go of things here lately and finding the good in each day has been hard. I haven't given up I just have to try harder. 

Day 8: Connect
For an introverted person like myself I find it hard to open up and let my walls down. I have never liked being in the limelight and when I have found myself in these situation I normally get burned.

I trust to easily.
I love to hard.
I care to much. 

There is a group of ladies that I finally feel like I am starting to fit in with. It was about a year and a half ago that I ran into Angela at a running/5k clinic. I first meet her while volunteering at the animal shelter. We ended up on the topic of crafting, kindred spirits always have a way of coming together. She invited to knit night. It is amazing to have a circle of people with the same interests. Over the last year I have been pretty sporadic in attending the get-togethers. Here lately I have made of a point of getting out of the house and making an effort to be more social. I have found my circle of people who love the same things I do! I have found my home with these ladies. Thank you for inviting me and accepting me into your yarnie circle :)

Day 9: List of "Yes"
Things I want to say yes too:
loving deeply
yoga pants
calming breaths
crocheting
me time
family time
coffee
taking a chance 

Day 10:  Back to day 1
It was a nice ending to loop back to beginning with breaths and finding me time. Me time is something that I get Monday - Thursday.  After I get home from work I kick off my shoes grab a drink and settle into out crochet corner. The tv stays off and the phone is set aside (most days). I use this time to unwind from the day. There is something about having those few moments just relaxing with yarn in hand and the purr of the kitties.

Yes, This (Days 2 - 5)

Life has a way of getting busy and I don't always find the time to write like I would like to. My intention was to write about this each day as it was happening, but instead I will do it all in one post. Cuz, that is how I am going to roll.

Be sure to check out my post for day 1 of Yes, This series by Liz Lamoreux.

Day 2:
This day was all about the beauty that surrounds us in life. This falls into focusing on the little things in life which is something that I like to do on a daily basis. Some days are easier then others. Even when times are tough. I look to the beautiful people in my life and the beauty in nature. On the days that I don't even want to think about getting out of bed I think about the amazing people that I have in my life. Without these people being there to support me along the way I wouldn't be the person that I am today. Nature is a beautiful thing in its self. We have a birds nest in the corner of our front porch. I love the spring time because for two years now momma bird has made that nest her home. I love hearing the little chirps of baby birds.

Day 3:
Is all about finding stillness. This comes easily to me when I am practicing yoga. Yoga is an amazing work out not only for your body, but your mind as well.

Day 4:
A sense adventure! Every morning my favorite smell is my first cup of coffee, but it takes me a little bit to get there. I rummage through the house getting ready before the sun starts to shine. I am always moving through the house with the flashlight on my phone to not wake the hubby and hopes of not stubbing my toe on anything! I manage to make it out to the car and hit the road to encounter traffic for the next 40 minutes or so. I try to not focus on the abundance and annoyance of the traffic, so I tune into the Bobby Bones Show. My favorite radio show with a little country music mixed in. I make it to the parking lot and listen to the hustle and bustle of the public buses, people walking while talking on their cell phones, most mornings there is a woman listening to music and horribly belting it out at the top of her lungs waiting at the bus stop. Cars pass in both directions as I walk across two roads, then the beeps start. My entry code then the time clock. At the point I know I am not to far away from that first cup of deliciousness! I make it up the stairs and head straight to the coffee pot!

Day 5:
A day of rest. Easier said then done! So many pretty things to be crocheted, not enough time!

^Starting Christmas for a special little boy!

Yes, This: Day 1 (a little late)

I follow and amazing and inspirational blog by Liz Lamoreux. Even on days she doesn't have a new post I am always checking in and reading older posts. There is something so inspirational about her writing. I feel like we have many things in common even though we live in different states and have never communicated. I saw last year when she did the 10 day Yes, This and I signed up for the emails they made it to my inbox, but I never got around to interacting with everyone else who was participating. So, this year I made myself commit to doing a blog post about each day.

Day one was all about finding stillness in the day and finding time in the day to take 5 deep breaths. This is something that I try to do on a normal basis. I have been practicing yoga for over a year now and that practice has really helped with deep breathing.

When ever I find myself in an antsy situation I take a moment to myself to just breathe. It is amazing how taking even the smallest amount of time to relax for a moment to take a few deep breaths can change the situation. It releases tension, reduces stress and clears your mind.

Be sure to check out Liz Lamoreux's blog and follow along with Yes, This

My first solo craft fair!

As y'all can see it has been a little while since I have been on here. There is a good reason for that! I spent the last month or so completely wrapped up in yarn! I had my first solo booth at my town's festival.

I knew I would be the main one supplying merchandise I began to panic!

I was worried that I wasn't going to have enough of a selection for customers or to have bare areas on my table.

That was my main fear. I wanted to be able to do myself justice by spending the money to set up a booth. 

I worked non-stop on items, from stuffies, tote bags, ear warmers to key chains. I was trying to make sure I had a decent selection.

I had the cutest model!

I spent countless hours searching pinterest to find ideas of how to set up my booth to make it look inviting for customers.

I had everything packed up the night before, so all I had to do in the morning was pack the car.

Bright and early on a Saturday morning I loaded up the car and headed to the festival area. Everything went off without a hitch, except for a last minute trip to Home Depot because the employee didn't show my the right piece of PVC pipe the first time for my scarf rack I built :)

I am a jack of all trades! 

In the end I had nothing to worry about, this was a huge stress reliever.

Here is my booth set up from the Ward Jamboree.

I partnered with the Ward Animal Shelter Volunteers and donated 10% of my days proceeds!

Here is to planning for my next booth at CabotFest October 11! Where I will once again be partnering with the Ward Animal Shelter Volunteers!

27 Reasons why I love you

This has become a yearly tradition of mine :)

Today is my husband's 27th birthday and he means the world to me.

What better way to show him my love then by shouting it from the mountain tops... or all over the internet in this case.

So, here we go...

27 reasons why I love you

1. You love me for who I am.
2. You support me in everything I do.
3. You always encourage me to do what ever I put my mind to.
4. You give me a hard time about my love for crochet .
5. You pick on me about little things, if you didn't something would be wrong!
6. You help me find yarn on sale any where we are.
7. You enjoy going to flea markets with me. I love that we can spend hours just looking around.
8. You are my shoulder to cry on.
9. You are my rock in hard times.
10. You always have an open ear for me to vent to. 
11. You always know how to lift my spirits. 
12. You will always want to make me happy.
13. You can always can tell when I had a bad day.
14. You surprise me with chocolate when you know I have had a bad day.
15. You make me laugh when I watch you try to get a cork out of a wine bottle when you are determined to drink my wine. :)
16. You haven't killed my character off in our DnD game (yet....).
17. You make me do things on my own, so I learn for the next time.
18. You always notice when I get frustrated in a situation and always try to help.
19. You tell me no when I ask you to do something, but you do it anyway.
20. You can be very spontaneous. 
21. You agreed to get a pool this summer, even though it has been to cold or raining to much to enjoy it.
22. You always encourage me to stand up for myself and not let people walk all over me.
23. You know me better than I do most of the time.
24. You are the most amazing man ever and always full of surprises 
25.  You are extremely hard working.
26.  You are always looking for way to better yourself in order to support us.
27.  You married me!

I look forward to doing this for many years to come!

Happy Birthday babe. I love you more than words can describe the last 9 years we have know each other has been the best! 

Bucket List: One Check Mark!

Better late the never! I have finally marked the very first thing off of my bucket list!

It has come around a lot slower then I had planned, but drum roll please........

The online store for Stitched Together is now open!

You can now easily get your hands on these cute little critters and many other things!

We are hoping that the online store will allow us to spread our love for crochet to more people around the country.

We also have 2 booths already planned for the fall/winter season. With the possibility of more depending on my busy life schedule. 

Upcoming Booth Locations:
September 13 - Ward, AR
December 6 - Bridgeport, IL

The first five people who order from our new online shop will receive a free gift with purchase! All you need to do is put BucketList1 in the notes section as you are checking out!

Hubby and I vs. The Pool

A story about first time pool owners... 

I have always wanted a pool, but we never seemed to get around to buying one. The time just never seemed right. I told myself that this year it was going to happen. It took a little convincing of the hubs, but we finally decided that having a pool would be amazing for the summer. We do live in Arkansas after all. Summers here have a tendency to be incredibly hot, like 3 digit hot!

I don't like being hot and medically I can't let my body get overheated. What better to spend the summer the enjoying a glass of wine relaxing in a pool.

We took the leap purchased a nice 14 X 4 pool. We meticulously searched for the flattest area in our backyard. We had thought we had a pretty level backyard. That was until we had to the pool up!

It was late on a Saturday afternoon, by the time we made it home from running errands. I wanted to go ahead and get the pool put together, so we could begin filing it. My plan was to lounge the entire day of Sunday in the pool.

HA! The pool said easier said then done.

The the time we found the most level area of the backyard, we laid down the tarp and began taking everything out of the box. We wanted to be able to see what all we had to work with and easily be able to grab something when the time came for it.

It wasn't until we had everything laid out that we heard the first clap of thunder followed by more clouds moving in.

I figured at this point, we may as well get everything put together, since it was strewn across the backyard already.

I started laying out the legs and pieces across the top to form the circle and I started to feel a sprinkle on my back.

This made me want to move quicker to get everything done. This made my wonderful husband retreat to the garage.

Then the down pour came....

Then the lightning came....

Then we had a standing pool!

I wasn't going to let a little rain get in my way of being able to enjoy the pool the next day!

That was until we found a leak :( Luckily it was a small one. The repair kit that came with the pool was able to hold up until I got one of those really nice repair kits with the underwater glue. Two months later and still holding up like a champ!

We also learned out not to leave the hose in the pool and unhook if from the faucet.... it will siphon water out of the pool and flood the yard!

This summer hasn't been very nice to us either! We finally decided to buy a pool and we have had the coolest summer in history.

I am sure we will have more funny stories when we get ready to take it down for the winter!

Daddys' Semi-Visit!

Ok, ok, I know that I am a few days late with this, but you will have to forgive me. Friday turned into a train wreck for me and I did all I could to get my mind off of things that were happening.

So, on to Daddy's semi-visit. I call it this because he only stayed at my house 8 days out of the 13 days Marmy was there.

Daddy had one of the most exciting trips of his life planned.

It was back in May that my uncle received a very special phone call. When my uncle picked up the phone it was long lost aunt.

My dad and uncles had seen or heard from their sister is 63 years! I can't even fathom the idea of having a sibling out there somewhere in the world, but have no idea where they are. This is what my dad and uncles went through for 63 years.

They searched high and low for her. Come to find out they were searching under the wrong name the whole time! Who at the age of 2, 4 and 6 could tell Phyllis from Tryllis. 

It wasn't until my uncle came across some information that sounded familiar about the family on ancestry.com. This is how my uncle found his niece and in turn was contacted by his sister.

The family planned a reunion for the end of July. My dad counted down the days and got super antsy the closer the time came to finally meet his sister again. 

The entire weekend of the family reunion the family had a newspaper reporter following them to capture the amazing feat of siblings finding each other at 63 years!

 

 

 

The family graced the front page of the Galveston County Daily News. This was the first moment they all saw each other in the lobby of the hotel after 63 years!.

Once my uncles and my dad made it safely back to my house they had tons of stories to share. They couldn't wait to show off the banner that hung at the hotel.

I don't know about you, but I find this pretty amazing! I had heard stories like this about other families, but never thought it would happen to my family!