Finishing up my first year as an empty nester!!

I made it through my first year as an empty nester, and I have to say, it wasn’t as bad as it’s sometimes made out to be :) I sure had my fair share of trepidation before my younger one was about to leave, but I’m pleasantly surprised that I did not have too many days of melting into tears or feeling sadness. Here are some things I made an active effort to incorporate/ change during this past year…

1.     Grew my hair! After 15+ years of having “chicken feathers” 2” hair, I decided to let it grow because now I can actually have time to wash it, tie it, style it (??)….going great so far, but maybe one day, I will just get fed up and go back to chicken feathers. My older one was like “Mom, do you realize that this is the first time in our lives that you actually have longer hair than either of us!!”

2.     Started wearing dresses! I realized that I never took time to try on dresses, and just ended up wearing tops over capris all through the summer for so many years. That needed to change, and I’m glad that I’m trying out new things. My goal of sewing more for myself also helped contribute to this cause.

3.     Did more sewing for myself, and my daughters! Made 2 velvet dresses for myself this winter, and a fit-and-flare dress for my younger daughter, shared here. My new goal is to use up all the fabric I purchased at the LA Fashion District in April 2016 by December (which is when I go back to LA). You can see my haul video here!

4.     Attended more events at the Teachers Union, and participated in Teacher Forums. Got an article published!

5.     Went to my school’s Prom. I used to chaperone Prom all the time when it was part of the teacher contract, but 7 years ago, the Union negotiated to make it optional (and paid), and since then I never found time to go do it. So it was an empty nester goal, and now I feel that it might become an annual event!

6.     Became part of a knitting group, and attended a weekly session almost every week. I don’t knit, I normally crochet, and they’re OK with that. I might actually attend my first ever knitting/ crochet retreat with them Jan 2017!! Yay for that, since I might have to wait till I retire to attend one of the Crochet cruises, hosted by The Crochet Crowd (they are all scheduled during the school year).

7.     Went back to my Saturday yoga group.

8.     Cleaned out my kitchen pantry, and also my linen closet. Cleaning/ organizing is not my forte. /my kitchen pantry probs got claned out after 11 years (which when we moved into the house)….nuff said!

9.     Blogged fairly regularly (???)…questionable much?

And finishing up today's post with my latest completed project, a blanket with nice flower appliques sewn on :)

The pattern is a variation of this, and my blanket is listed for sale here!
Looking forward to summer vacation now!
Keep on crafting, world :)

My first product endorsement (or two)!!!

I have not written about any products on my blog so far, but I used these two new things, and they were incredible!! So, of course, I have to share with the Incredible Internets. The first is Wet n’ Wild Gel nail color.  I received this as a free sample from Pinchme.com, and I was very skeptical!! Why? You ask….well, I have been using only Revlon ColorStay nail polishes for the past 10-12 years. I tried Essie, I tried Opi, but they did not match up to the long lasting-ness of Revlon. Revlon would last for a full 2 weeks for me, despite the fact that I wash dishes by hand almost every day.

So yes, I was not sure about Wet n’ Wild Gel at all, because in my mind, it was a “cheap” brand. 

Well, was I surprised after 2 weeks…..Not only did it chip minimally, it outlasted Revlon by 2-3 days for sure, gave a really nice salon-like finish, and I loved the color they sent me!!! So, yes, I may have to change my nail paint brand, go buy some more colors :)

I became a HUGE fan of another product- LANCOME Sleep perfector cream. Again, I got a sample in the mail. Have not used any Lancome products ever! No, I am more of a CVS-brand, Pond's cream kind of person. Yup, ashamed to admit it.....well, maybe not really, that's what us Mommy-type Asians do:)

 So I put this on at nght, just maybe 2 drops of it, and my face felt like butter the next morning- my pores looked like they had been evened out, there was a nice glow to my face, my fine lines (I refuse to term them wrinkles- I have noneJ) appeared “plumped out “/ less visible. Suffice it to say, I really could not believe it….the sample had about 3 uses worth, and my skin felt really good for about a week. I, of course, had to go online right away and check prices on Ebay, Macy’s etc etc…..Ebay had a lot of options, but I decided to go the legit way, did not want to risk getting a fake product, so went to Macy’s, splurged $94 (!!!!!) on Lancome Sleep perfector. I justified it to myself by calling it my Mother’s day gift, plus felt better because I was able to get a lot of other products from Lancome as free gifts- I think I got close to 10 smaller size products (including a tote bag and a cosmetics pouch). Now, now, I might just get hooked to all the other Lancome products, so I guess their marketing strategy is super successful :( 

On the crafting front, I have been crazy busy, but will have to wait till next time to share more finished products with you!! I can share one though....it is the VIRUS BLANKET by Jonna Martinez, she has an awesome video tutorial. I have also done the shawl version of this, no pictures yet though, it still needs tassels. The blanket will make it to my Ebay store soon, in case you would like to call it your own :)

Till next time, Keep on Crafting, world :)

Another sea theme blanket, and a refashion!

 Here are my new (and almost new) finishes. The sea theme blanket is made off of a picture I found on Pinterest- no pattern for the appliques, I just made them along by looking at the photo, plus I used a basic ripple blanket base. The blanket is listed here in my Ebay store RetirementFunned.

 My next project is a refashion, because!!! Refashioning is the thing to do!! So I had this sheer skirt from Christopher & Banks that I wore maybe once...Inspired by so much refashion on the Internets, I decided to use this brand new tank top (I would've never worn it), and join the two together to make a cute shift dress. Awesome!! Now, I have a wearable piece of clothing that I love! I wish I had taken the time to show you a picture of me wearing it, but you just have to take my word for it I guess. It looks great! And all it took was about 20 minutes!

Here's another cute thing to look at...Pinterest-inspired of course! My crochet goldfish!

I just winged the goldfish. Realized it was getting too big for my tiny jar, had to make the fins quickly, so yeah, the fins are not anatomically correct, but shh shhh, we won't tell the biology teachers that :D
Take care, world! Enjoy the warmer weather, if you are in a cold place like Minnesota (like me!), and keep on crafting!

LA Fashio District haul video, and a couple more finished projects.

We visited our daughters over my Spring break, and I had recently learned about LA's Fashio District, so of course, I had to make the trip. I did not do sufficient research, and ended up going on a Sunday, when it seems the stores with ready-made dresses are not open to the public. The fabric ones, however, were open, and so I had a great time shopping for fabric. I have posted my haul on youtube. Check it out!
Some recent finishes-

A carrot scarf and a zippered pouch looking like a candy bar! Both are inspired by Twinkie Chan's work- She is just so amazing!
It is finally beginning to warm up here in my part of the world- Minnesota- and I can't wait for it to be summer vacation- 8 more weeks to go!
Till next time, keeping on crafting, world :)

Going Lovey crazy!!!.....and FREE ladybug lovie pattern :)

 I have been making a ton of crochet lovie/ security blankets lately. What a fun quick project! The ones above, Hello Kitty and the owl one are from here! I got the free pattern for a basic granny square from here. If you would like to purchase a ready made item, my creations are listed here.

I wrote up my own pattern for this ladybug one, and I'm happy to share that here. As always, my disclaimer still applies: I am not a professional crochet pattern writer!

LADY BUG LOVEY BLANKIE PATTERN:

Cascade yarns 60% acrylic, 40% merino (you can use any worsted weight yarn)

1 SKEIN RED, SCRAPS OF BLACK, SCRAP OF WHITE.

Sz H/ 5.5 hook

Ch 5, sl st to form ring,

Rd 1: ch 3, 15 dc in ring

Rd 2: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc after, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 3: ch 3, 1 dc in same st, *1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 4: ch 3, 1 dc in same st,  *1 dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 5: ch 3, *1 dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 6: ch 3, *1 dc in next 4 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 7: ch 3, *1 dc in next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 8: ch 3, *1 dc in next 6 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 9: ch 3, *1 dc in next 7 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 10: ch 3, *1 dc in next 8 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 11: ch 3, *1 dc in next 9 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 12: ch 3, *1 dc in next 10 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 13: ch 3, *1 dc in next 11 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 14: (Do in black) ch 3, *1 dc in next 12 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat to end, sl st to top of ch 3.

Rd 15: 3 ch, sl st in 2^nd dc, repeat till done around entire edge. FO.

Lady bug (Black):

 Rd 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sl st to form a circle.

Rd 2: ch1, 2 sc in each sc (12 sc), sl st.

Rd 3: ch1, *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in each sc*, to end, sl st (18 sc).

Rd 4: ch1, *1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in each sc*, to end, sl st  (24 sc).

Rd 5: ch1, *1 sc in next 3  sc, 2 sc in each sc*, to end, sl st (30 sc).

Rd 6: ch1, *1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in each sc*, to end (36 sc).

Rd 7: ch1, sc in each sc (blo), sl st.

Rd 8: ch 1, *1 sc in next 3 sc, sc 2 tog* to end, sl st

Rd 9: ch 1, *1 sc in next 2 sc, sc 2 tog, 1 sc in next sc, sc 2 tog* to end, sl st

Rd 10: ch 1, *1 sc in next sc, sc 2 tog* to end, sl st

Rd 11: ch 1, sc 2 tog  each 2 st , sl st

Sew on eyes, and stuff at this time (do not overstuff). Then sew opening shut and sew ladybug in the middle of the lovie. Attach optional red chenille stem antenna or crochet ch antenna.

EYES: (white) : ch 2 , 6sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sl st to 1^st sc.

Ch1, 2 sc in each sc, sl st (12 sc).

Sew black button in the middle of each. (MAKE 2).

SPOTS (black): MAKE 6: ch 3, in 3^rd ch from hook- 12 dc, sl st to top of 1^st dc,

Rd 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each dc, sl st to top of 1^st dc, FO leaving tail to sew.

Space out your 6 spots symmetrically around ladybuy body and sew on. Weave in your ends , take cute pics and SHARE ON FB, INSTAGRAM, YOUR BLOG, PIN IT, PLEASE REMEMBER TO LINK BACK, LEAVE ME A COMMENT :) KEEP ON CRAFTING, WORLD!!

Yay, free pattern for horse scarf!!

I made about 4 of the horse scarves before I moved onto fresher pastures :) You can see the photos of my horse scarf in my previous post. This time around I wrote down my directions. 

Disclaimer: I saw this scarf first shared on The Crochet Crowd FB page, and do not know who is the original creator of this pattern. I just looked at some of the pictures shared by people and came up with my own directions based on inspiration from those photos. If you are the original creator, please contact me via this blog, and I will give you credit on my blog/ link back to you as the original creator of this design. Also, I am not a professional crochet pattern writer, so this is my amateur attempt at putting together followable directions. Please use EXTREME CAUTION when attempting to follow my pattern , and do so at your own risk (or the risk of messing up a skein of yarn and wasting an hour or so of your time??).

That being said, I was able to follow along and create 3 more scarves with no issues. Plus, if you leave me a comment/ question, I will try to help you out :) Lastly, if you do succeed in making one, I would be THRILLED BEYOND MEASURE to hear from you!!

HORSE SCARF FREE CROCHET PATTERN:

USE SZ 5-5.5 HOOK, WORSTED WEIGHT YARN 1 SKEIN, AND SCRAPS OF CONTRAST COLOR. 

GAUGE IS NOT IMPORTANT FOR THIS PATTERN.

YOU START THE HORSE SCARF FROM THE SNOUT/ NOSE PART, END WITH THE LEGS, THEN CROCHET ALL THE LITTLE PIECES TO SEW ON LATER. MAIN BODY OF SCARF:

SNOUT (DO IN WHITE OR YOUR LIGHTER COLOR)- 10 ch, HDC in 2^nd ch and each after that (9 hdc)

Next row- 11hdc (one increase at each end)

Next- 13hdc

15hdc

15hdc

13 hdc

13hdc, fasten off,

tie rust color (OR DARKER COLOR OF YOUR CHOICE)

3 CH (1^st dc), 12 dc (one in each hdc),

13 dc

(one incr at each end) 15 dc

17 dc,

19dc,

21 dc,

21 dc,

23 dc,

23dc,

decr at each end for next 3 rows (17 dc),

17dc for next 3 rows,

1 more decr- 15dc- for next 75 rows (main length of scarf),

Starting legs-

Increases at each end for next 3 rows (23 dc),  split into half- do 2 rows as such, then 2 rows of decr, 7 more rows, last 2 rows white – 1 decr in each.

Ear: Leave a 9-10” long tail at the beginning for sewing the ear on. ch 7, dc in 4^th ch from hook, and in every ch after ( 5 dc total)

Dc incr, dc in each, dc incr (7 dc),

9 dc

7 dc

5 dc

3 dcr,

3 hdc tog

white ear inserts: Leave a 7” long tail at the beginning for sewing the ear on. 6 ch, dc in 4^th ch from hook, and in every ch after (4 dc total)

6 dc

8 dc

6 dc

3 dcr

3 hdc tog

WHITE SNOUT TOPPER- Leave a 12-14” long tail to sew. 7 CH, DC IN 4th ch from hook, 4 more dc,

Incr (7 dc), 3 more rows of 7 dc, 1 decr, 6 rows of 6 dc, done.

Nostrils: ch 2, 6 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, join rd and leave a long tail to sew ( make 2)

Eyes: 8 ch, sc in 2^nd ch from hook, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc

do one row of sc on top with one incr

Mane: Cut 5” pieces of yarn, about 30, and hook up for mane.

Make a tassle for the tail, and YOU’RE DONE!

A horse scarf, another owl and a couple patterns tested :)

Still on a Zooty owl kick, so I decided to make a couple of them into pillows. I figure they will make good gifts for little girls! So here's one that I finished. I backed it with 2 layers of random gray colored fabric from my stash (Yay for stash-busting :))

 

 The Crochet Crowd folks posted on FB that these horse scarves were selling like hot cakes, so of course, I had to jump on the band wagon and make some! I was my true cheapo self (and of course, super talented self too), and decided to figure out the pattern just by looking at photos of this scarf. I am happy to report that the outcome was not too shabby, especially given that this particular scarf sold within 3-4 days! So yes, now I am making another one. I did write down a pattern of sorts, so I would not have to do all the figuring out every time, but my pattern is currently such that it would probably make sense only to me. :(

 Lastly, I tested 2 patterns - the Ode to Winter scarf and the Bohemian Hat from Sheri Ann Weber of thecountrywillow.com......Turned out beautiful, if I might say so...love the fringe along the long side of the scarf.....Listed here on Ebay in my store RetirementFunned!!!

Stay warm, if you are in a sub-zero Tundra zone like me :) Drink lots of masala chai :)