My Little Crafty Corner

Archive for April, 2009

Summer's coming and I am always looking for good sales on kids toys to add to my daycare. I would really like to get a trampoline, but not sure it would fit in our tiny back yard. So I am still on the hunt for the perfect outdoor toys.  I would like a little kiddie pool as well, but not sure if the hubby will go for it, he will just tell me to take them to the beach.  Which for the most part is a good idea.  We spent a lot of time there last year.  I will have two extra kiddos to drag along with me this year though. 

I found a cute patio table with four chairs and an umbrella that I am going to get this weekend.  I have wanted a nice one for so long, and finally found one that fits my budget!  Now if only it won't be God awful hot this summer so we can have dinner out on the deck!  I wish we could have a fire pit in the city limits, as that would be nice to have on those chilly summer nights.  I guess we will just have to go over to the inlaws and enjoy theirs.

What are you summer plans?

Isn't this cute?  I am going to try and get one made before next Sunday for a shower gift.  Wish me luck!

Cuddly Caterpillar
 Double-Pointed Needles – Size 5, Crochet Hook – Size F-5, Stitch Markers, Large-Eyed Blunt Needles          
   
Additional Materials: Fiberfill Stuffing

GAUGE: Exact gauge is not essential to this project.

STITCH EXPLANATION: M1 (make 1) An increase worked by lifting the horizontal thread lying between the needles and placing it onto left needle. Knit this new stitch through the back loop.

CATERPILLAR
With A, cast on 6 sts. Divide sts onto double-pointed needles. Join, being careful not to twist sts, place marker for beginning of rnd.
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: K into front and then back of each st around – 12 sts.
Rnd 3: *K2, M1, rep from * around – 18 sts.
Rnd 4: *K3, M1, rep from * around – 24 sts.

First Segment (Head)
Rnd 1: *K4, M1, rep from * around – 30 sts.
Rnd 2: *K5, M1, rep from * around – 36 sts.
Rnds 3–14: Knit.
Begin stuffing this segment.
Rnd 15: *K4, k2tog, rep from * around – 30 sts.
Rnd 16: *K3, k2tog, rep from * around – 24 sts.
Rnd 17: Knit.

Second Segment
Change to B.
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: Rep Rnd 1 of First Segment.
Rnd 3: Rep Rnd 2 of First Segment ¬– 36 sts.
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rnds 5–8: With C, knit.
Rnds 9 and 10: With B, knit.
Rnds 11–14: With C, knit.
Change to B.
Finish stuffing First Segment and begin stuffing this segment.
Rnd 15: Rep Rnd 15 of First Segment.
Rnd 16: Rep Rnd 16 of First Segment¬ – 24 sts..
Rnd 17: Knit.

Third Segment
With D, work as for First Segment, continue to stuff in same way as for previous segments.

Fourth Segment
Change to B.
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: Rep Rnd 1 of First Segment.
Rnd 3: Rep Rnd 2 of First Segment ¬– 36 sts.
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rnds 5 and 6: With C, knit.
Rnds 7 and 8: With B, knit.
Rnds 9 and 10: With C, knit.
Rnds 11–14: Rep Rnds 7–10.
Change to B.
Finish stuffing Third Segment and begin stuffing this segment.
Rnds 15-17: Rep Rnds 15-17 of Second Segment.

Fifth Segment
With A, work as for First Segment, continue to stuff in same way as for previous segments.
Next Rnd: *K2, k2tog, rep from * around – 18 sts.
Next Rnd: *K1, k2tog, rep from * around – 12 sts.
Next Rnd: *K2tog, rep from * around – 6 sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through remaining sts, pull tightly tog and tie off.

FINISHING
With A, gather cast-on edge and sew closed. With matching yarns, gather area between each segment slightly.

Eyes (make 2)
With E and crochet hook, chain 4; join with slip st to form a ring.
Chain 1, work 8 single crochet in ring; join with slip st in first single crochet. Fasten off. With D, embroider a French knot in center of each eye. Sew eyes to Caterpillar head.

Antennae
Make 2 lengths of cord, each 2 1/2 in. (6.5 cm) as follows:
With 2 double-pointed needles and E, cast on 2 sts. *Slide sts to other end of needle and knit them, pulling yarn tightly across the back of the work. (Do not turn work); rep from * to make cord. Knot one end of each cord. Sew unknotted end to Caterpillar.
With E, embroider chain st spots, as desired, on third segment. Weave in ends. 

I want one of those hand held shower faucets. It would make taking a shower with the hubby much more fun. I could see Trent having way to much fun with it as well. Maybe I should stick with a normal one.  We do need a new one, as the one we have now is not looking all that great, and it spraying in every direction but the way it should spray.  I keep finding little things I want to buy for home improvements.  I had better watch it, as before I know it, our nice tax return will be all gone.

What weight loss products do you use? I have been mainly watching what I eat and exercising (when I can). I did go to a fat wrap party the other night.  I had no idea what to expect.  They wrap either your belly or your face.  I chose to have my belly wrapped in hopes of it helping me lose the "shelf".  After an hour they remeasured us, I had lost 3 3/4 inches, with the hopes over the next 72 hours of losing more.  After getting home, I didn't feel all that well.   Hubby thinks I was dehydrated, not sure how I could have been, as I had 5 bottles of water from 6 to 10.  I know I won't be doing that again, one being how I felt afterwards and for the price.    I will stick to the normal ways to lose weight… diet and exercise.

I have never heard of this brand of shoes, Dansko. I have been told they are nice shoes. I have been browsing different sites, and have found some I like, but don't know if I can bring myself to spend that kind of money on a pair of shoes.  I would rather spend the money on yarn or scrapbooking supplies.  If I can find a pair on sale, or on clearance, then maybe I would buy a pair of sandals.