The Biggest Learner!

So, school is back in session for most of my kiddos. I say most because my oldest little monkey had a last minute change in school. Finding the right school placement for him has always been a challenge. Luckily, I have been blessed to live in a state that offers great funding opportunities for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This will be our second year of "homeschooling" my son. Homeschooling a child with autism is a completely different game than homeschooling a typical child.

In a few weeks, I'm back to hitting the books myself. Since I lost my job about a year ago, my kids have grown accustomed to seeing me in blue jeans and t-shirts instead of heels and suits. They love having me home when they are finished with school, but they have learned to steer clear of mommy while she is glued to the computer or buried in a textbook.

This quarter is crucial for me. Out of over 150 applicants, I was chosen as one of 8 participants in the school's reality series, "The Biggest Learner". Much like the show, the "biggest loser", there are 2 teams and they are trying to get the highest GPA. Each student from the winning team gets $1,000 scholarship! Wish me luck!

http://www2.cscc.edu/subjects/biggest-learner.shtml

Needless to say, it may be quiet around here at the end of the month. That doesn't mean I don't love all my fans. Stay tuned for some goodies....

As if I don't have enough to do...

As if I don't have enough to do, I thought I would add a few more items to my to-do list. This is actually an exercise in becoming organized and lifting up  my spirits a bit. As many of you know, I am a student and a mom to 4 beautiful children and 4 awesome step - kiddos (to be). This week marks the end of my summer quarter and one full year of school! Woo Hoo! I'm super excited about having one year of school under my belt. One(ish) more year to go and I will finally have my associates degree. This is huge considering all the adversity and challenges I have faced from the first time I stepped foot in a college classroom fresh out of high school. When I say fresh, I mean I had just graduate high school a couple of weeks before jumping into college. (And I won't tell you what year that was...)



Over the past few months, I have been making props for photographers and filling orders (slowly) for customers, and every time I sit down with my hooks and yarn, my girls ask me, "are you making a hat for me"? So when Scotti from the Inner Hooker shop posted on her Facebook page a crochet along, I figured it was an excellent opportunity to start on some goodies for my girls while keeping me on track! Well, at least one of them will have something special.



Another little project, is to highlight fellow crafters and mommy-preneurs (and a few dads too) that have been inspirational to 8 Little Monkeys. A few months ago I highlighted Crochet My Love Designs,  (I love reading that post!), and I think it's time that I spread the love to all the folks I have met on this journey. I am surrounded by some wonderful folks who have great talent. Through their work and their words, they have kept me going. I hope that you will all join me as I celebrate other talented artists and parents.

Many of you know, that I am the mother of two children with Autism. The past few months have been a bit of a challenge for our family for a number of reasons. I will be sharing more about my journey, struggles and triumphs with autism in some future posts as well.

 There are a few more things "cooking" that I will share once things develop!

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!

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.

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

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!

http://www.caron.com/vickiehowell/patterns/robot/robot.html

Enjoy!