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.

My next project I am working on is a pair of socks. Its not going to bad, if I do say so myself. I have always wanted to make some, and after searching I found an easy enough pattern to try. The reviews on it say its rather east, so I am hoping it is. The first part is ok, just not to sure on doing the heel, we shall see. I have also checked out different reviews for diet pills to see which one I want to give a try. This one on, nuphedra reviews seems ok, but have more to check out before I make a purchase.

Its garage sale season! I went to my first one last night. Its so much fun finding things for a great deal! I am on the lookout for clothes for myself, as the boys don't really like to get used clothes.  Other things I am looking for are books and toys for my daycare; household items, whether it be pictures or gadgets I am game for all.  I did find a cross stitch book with a cool pattern I would like to try, after getting home with it, I see that I have actually made the cross part of the picture, so now I need to see if I can fit the words on it without having to do this time consuming project all over again.

I am hoping to find a sale with lots of craft items, as I can always use more yarn.  I saw some premade scrapbook pages at one house, but they were asking more that I was willing to spend on something like.  I would like to find a 4 slice toaster, as I have always wanted one.  By the time I get done making breakfast for everyone, my food is always cold.  It would be nice to actually sit down and eat a warm breakfast with my family.

Trista over at Southern Fried Mama has started a Tasty Thursday meme that I think is a great idea! Now grab the button and share one of your "Tried and True" recipes with us.

 Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

    2 kiwis, peeled and diced
    2 Golden Delicious apples – peeled, cored and diced
    8 ounces raspberries
    1 pound strawberries
    2 tablespoons white sugar
    1 tablespoon brown sugar
    3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor
 
    10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
    butter flavored cooking spray
    2 cups cinnamon sugar

  DIRECTIONS

   1. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.
   2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
   3. Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Spray again with cooking spray.
   4. Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture.