Monday, July 25, 2011

Back to School Shopping

Copyright My Fitting Room

Here's a quick & short post for today. When I'm shopping for my little monkeys, I have such a hard time "eye balling" what size they wear. Don't even get me started on shoes....Just in time for back to school, I found this great website called My Fitting Room. How awesome to have your child's measurements at your fingertips when you see that great deal and they are at home/school/camp. Best of all it's free!

This is a great tool for clothing designers and crocheters. Folks can send their child's measurements to you through this website too!




Sunday, July 24, 2011

What can I do with $5??

How many times have you been at the store and say, "What's the big deal? It's just $5, I'll buy it." How many times have you been purging your closet and said, "It was just a $5 shirt. I don't need it anyhow", and that shirt ends up in the donation bag. How often do you tell your kids, I'm not replacing that toy. It was just $5. Imagine if you added up all the times that you think, "it's just $5", and think how much that adds up to?

For me, I love going to Starbucks or Cup O Joe. Luckily, I live a about 1/10th of a mile from both places. Every evening, my wonderful fiancee was treating me to a yummy treat from one of these places. A few months ago, I cut out my evening treat, and I saw how much further we could stretch our budget. (Not to say that I've struck gold by cutting out my Starbucks habit, but it is somewhat helpful on the pocketbook.)





I also realized that I should put my treasure where my heart is, and that is in helping others. With 8 little monkeys to tend to, donating time is difficult, but donating treasure can help others as well. Like I said, I'm totally not rich. I found this great opportunity to donate a little bit of what I do have through contacting a family friend.  He started a great mission called The Five Dollar Blessing.

"The Five Dollar Blessing is simply a group of caring people who desire to consolodate our small gifts and words of encouragement to someone in need. Everyone in the group will be made aware of the story of a deserving recipient and will only be asked to send a five dollar blessing ONCE EACH MONTH. Individually, we cannot do much, but collectively we can be a great blessing to someone in need"


Follow this group on Facebook to learn more.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Featured Artist

When I was 10 years old, I picked up my first crochet hooks. My mom wanted me to learn, so she sent me over to a friends house to learn. My older sister and I had a few lessons, then I don't know what happened, but we didn't continue. Last year, I was cleaning out a closet and I re-discovered my hooks and yarn. After strolling through Etsy - land, I found patterns by Crochet My Love Designs and I've been "hooked" ever since (pun intended). 

Today, I probably own most of the patterns that are listed in Crochet My Love's Etsy Shop. My favorite so far has been her Undersea Mermaid Set

Mermaid Cocoon Copyright JULIETTE HILLIARD PHOTOGRAPHY

I am inspired regularly by Crochet My Love, so I thought I'd share with you all a little bit about this wonderful artist. Below is my "interview"...
Tell the world a little bit about Crochet My Love Designs?

My goal with Crochet My Love Designs is to try to create trendy crochet patterns that are as different from other designs as possible. I look at the world around me and think "how can I crochet that". There is absolutely nothing more satisfying than seeing other people create beautiful projects from  my patterns.      

What was your motivation in starting Crochet My Love? How did it come to life?

I have crocheted my entire life, and when I discovered etsy it was a dream come true. I couldn't believe all of these talented people were making  a living doing what they love. I threw myself into it entirely and I am very blessed with a talented group of photographers to bring my products to life.

When you aren't making beautiful creations for the world, what are you doing?  

I spend my time with my 20 month old son.....who has a severe attitude and is entering the terrible two's AHHH!!!! I also like to think I may someday organize my craft room.

Quote/motto you live by: 

"911 , What address is your emergency" LOL just kidding, boy i spend too much time at my "real" job and hope to quit some day.

What is one of your guilty pleasures (not necessarily crafting related)? 

ooh dear, I love love love reality tv and docu- dramas. I am definitely curled up with a crochet hook watching 16 and pregnant week after week LOL. Oh, I am also desperately in love with Gerard Butler, so if any one knows him..... tee hee :)

Lip gloss, cell phone & gum - I can't leave home without it! What's yours (not necessarily crafting related)?

hmmm, I have to have my cell phone, I also have a crochet hook on a key chain... just in case

What/who inspires your designs? 

I actually look through my son's books and toys, animals, childrens clothing. Certain yarns are so amazing, sometimes I just wing it.

Can't craft without it...what is your favorite crafting item/product? 

A 5.50 mm crochet hook. I refuse to use anything else

When did you start crafting?

I taught myself how to crochet from a 1970's crochet book when I was 11 years old. I am talking hideous granny square vest patterns... bleh just aweful

What was your first project/item for sale?

It was actually my Chocolate Cherry Washcloth pattern which i still sell today

What has been your favorite thing about being an Etsy shop owner? 

The community of women with the same goal as myself. I have definitely made life long friends from this experience. In real life, My friends make fun of me for doing an "old lady" craft, but my internet friends get it.

If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be? Why?

umm i hate fruit, the texture totally grosses me out. Can i be an Avocado?

What is the most unique thing about your creative process?
  
The fact that I can crochet anything. I have no idea where the ability came from. One of my photographers asked for a mermaid tail and I just sat down and did it. I don't even visualize my projects first. I let my hands do the work and try to leave my brain out of it. My best projects have been accidents!

Any words of wisdom you want to share with other mommy crafters? 


YOU CAN DO IT! If your goal is make this a job so you can be at home with the kids, or just something fun to do, be passionate and motivated and it will come to life.  I think about crochet 24 hours a day  (as sick as that sounds) I am always planning my next idea, thinking of colors, surfing the net for inspiration, crocheting til 2 am even if i have to get up with the baby at 8 am. Its hard work, but worth the rewards.

Are you inspired?? Visit Crochet My Love on Etsy!

Until soon....
Meredith & the 8 Little Monkeys

    Friday, July 15, 2011

    8 Little Monkeys: Free Pattern Friday - Amigurumi Robot

    8 Little Monkeys: Free Pattern Friday - Amigurumi Robot

    Free Pattern Friday - Amigurumi Robot


    Here's another wonderful project I thought I would share with all you wonderful crafters. This is a super cute Amigurumi Robot designed by Allison Hoffman for Caron. I love this pattern because patterns that are for boys and girls are SO hard to find. The girls get all the cute stuff, but what about our precious little boys. They deserve fun & cute stuff too!





    Enjoy!

    Friday, July 8, 2011

    Free Pattern Friday - Pillow Pal


    All the rage with my little monkeys last Christmas was Pillow Pets. Holy cow! Do you know how hard it is to find a different Pillow Pet for each kiddo? Not to mention, my girls wanted the same one. Luckily, thanks to daddy monkey's patience and great eye for shopping, he was able to find the girls unicorn pillow pals in their favorite colors. Talk about one relieved momma monkey!

    Wouldn't you know it, Red Heart yarns has a pattern for a Sock Monkey Pillow Pal! It would have been fantastic if I would have found this last year, but I'm happy to work on it this year.



    Check out the link below for the pattern.
    Sock Monkey Pillow Pal

    Enjoy!

    Monday, July 4, 2011

    Christmas In July

    A lot of shops and local businesses like to advertise Christmas in July sales. You can get a head start on your holiday shopping with the fabulous discounts and offers. However, many forget that the meaning of Christmas is not just nicely wrapped goodies, but the spirit of giving to others in need and celebrating the birth of Christ.

    In the spirit of Christmas in July, I'm going to feature a charity where crafters can share the gift of their talent with others. This week, I am going to feature Scarves for Special Olympics.



    The purpose - "Handmade scarves donated as a result of the 2012 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project will be a symbol of unity, support, compassion and empowerment, as the Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters wear them with pride in knowing they have become part of the Special Olympics family. "

    Scarves for Special Olympics is near and dear to my heart. As many of you know, two of my little monkeys have been diagnosed with Autism. This upcoming year, they will be participating in our local Special Olympics chapter. I am so excited that they will be able to participate in sports events with others with physical and mental challenges. We are so blessed to have organizations like Special Olympics that give folks who otherwise would not have a chance, an opportunity to participate in athletic programs.

    To learn more about the program, visit Red Heart yarns at the link below:
    Scarves for Special Olympics

    Follow other knitters and crocheters participating in this project on Facebook at the link below:
    Scarves for Special Olympics - Facebook

    Happy Crocheting & Crafting!

    Friday, July 1, 2011

    Free Pattern Friday!

    Hi Friends!

    Life on this end has been super crazy! School for myself, preparing special needs plans (summer programs and school year) for my little monkeys with autism, and graduation for our oldest monkey has been keeping us on our toes. Things should be slowing down for the 8 Little Monkeys and I so I'll be able to update a little more frequently.

    With the holiday weekend coming up, I'm sure many of you will be busy soaking up the sun and celebrating our wonderful nation's independence! Thank goodness for all the men and women who have made so many sacrifices to defend and protect us so that we have the freedoms that we enjoy today!

    Speaking of freedom, our youngest little monkey, Audrey, has LOVED prancing around the house when watching one of my favorite shows, So You Think You Can Dance. Watching her reminds me so much of myself when I was a little. You know, a time when something you love gives you the freedom to do, say, and be whoever you want to be! Audrey is only 4, but man, that girl has some raw talent! (ok, so I'm a little biased) I wanted to give Audrey the gift of freedom that my family gave me - so I enrolled her in dance classes. She starts in a few weeks and I think I'm more excited than her. Aah, the joys of motherhood - getting to live vicariously through your kiddos.

    In preparation for dance class, we have been discussing what ballerinas wear to class and how they fix their hair. As a surprise for Audrey's first day of ballet, I plan on giving her a special ballerina hair piece. I have to admit, a bun might be a struggle, so we have to do something special to encourage her. While searching for a cute bun cover, I came across this wonderful pattern by Teresa Richardson aka Crochet Geek.


    Those of you who might have some quiet time inside, or maybe celebrating the freedom to crochet whenever and wherever you like you might try this out. I hope you all enjoy!

    Wishing you all a safe & happy holiday!
    Meredith