This yarn....

So, I had a request for a custom crochet order:  3 newborn hats, a baby cocoon and 2 ear warmers.  GREAT!  I love custom orders and I love-LOVE doing any type of crochet...

I looked and looked for a yarn for the cocoon; the picture provided was of a chunky pink knitted cocoon, beautiful - I assumed the request was for something similar in colour, shape, weight, size, yada-yada-yada, as the provided picture.... We-ell, we all know what happens when people assume things.... that's right, I look like the ass! Ok, so that's just when I assume things and don't clarify instructions, you'd be surprised at how often this actually happens to me - no, seriously...

Aaanyway, I found this yarn...

photo: Bernat.com

in Baby Pink.  It is LUSH, fluffy soft, SUPER CHUNKY, with a chenille-like quality.... and hand-achingly difficult to work with - for me anyway... DID NOT WORK for it's intended purpose - the cocoon... and aside from that, after I started working on the cocoon with said yarn, the customer contacted me and informed me that she'd like the cocoon in an oatmeal colour - neutral - for boy or girl... DUH!!  Of course she would, why didn't I ask in the first place.  Hindsight is 20/20 people, and I totally see that conversation clearly in my head - now.

So here's part of the finished custom order, missing the ear warmers...



custom order photo props

Everything turned out great... I loved the little grey hat with the poms and yarny flower, so cute!  In the end, the customer raved about everything and was 100% satisfied.... Love hearing positive feedback :)

So.  Back to 'this yarn', the pink stuff.  Can't return it, already started using it.  What do I do with it?  I absolutely DISLIKE (because hate is a very strong word) working with this stuff.  My hands knot up in an arthritic seizure just thinking about it... ouch!

I needed a quick project.  Something that would be both satisfying for my inner crochet goddess (ok, my withered inner granny) and do the beautiful chunky fabric some justice... Of course, more baby hats!  I love making baby hats.  I wish I had the insight when I was pregnant with my 3 monkeys to have made each of their newborn hospital hats - bah, no sense living in the past - what's done (or not done) is done...

Here's the end result of this botched yarny purchase....

 

two cavity-inducing, plushy, snugly hats.  I love them!  These lovelies will be posted on my 3 monkeys FB page and listed FOR SALE!

Cheers!

Julie ;)

HOW-TO-TUESDAY: sweater makeover

I've had this sweater for a few years.... it's soft and cottony and I love it.... but.... I never wear it.  One of those items you hang onto in hopes of one day wearing again.... But, honestly, do those days ever come?  Usually not for me....

So, I took this as a sign.... A makeover kinda sign!

Here's what went down:

I took this 100% cotton American Eagle sweater that I bought for the low-low price of $9.99 (I know!)....

And started by doing this....

 Then this....

Then this....

And this....

And this too....

And voila!  A new cardi from a sweater that I loved....

Yay!

COUNTDOWN: six

6 shopping days left!  You heard me, SIX!!

I love crocheting, betcha knew that though.... Aaaanyway, if you know a few basic crochet stitches, you can make some quick, easy, and useful gifts....

It's ba-ack!  The POT SCRUBBIE!  Yes, people, the pot scrubbie.

When you first look at it, you wonder, Is this thing really going to revolutionize my dish washing experience?  Honestly, no.  But, they are very eco friendly, they last for-ever, and can be made in some pretty fun and funky colours.... Doesn't everyone need a little colour to brighten up the mundane job of scrubbing pots?  I think so.

Anyhow, the basic pot scrubbie is simply two circular, single crocheted coasters sewn together.  That's it.  Revolutionary?... Again, no.

If you aren't into giving pot scrubbies as gifts, give them (single thickness) as coasters.  And, if you don't know how to crochet, you can make coasters using just about any kind of cloth you can get your hands on, hand stitch or use your sewing machine to sew together sandwiched fabrics; or use 4" x 4"  tiles and mod podge pretty scrapbook paper to them, then attach little cork or felt pads to the bottoms.... Super simple!

Give it a try!  Your gift recipient will love them!

Have a super day  ;)

Finished projects.... so far....

So, as I said in an earlier post.... I. AM. BUSY.

Not complaining.... on the contrary, I like to be busy with hat business at this time of year.... the little extra cash flow certainly helps out....

Anyhow, here's a peak at some of the great hats my lovely friends have ordered for their lucky littles....

I have to say, my very, very favourite this year, is the newborn stocking cap.  Isn't it the cutest thing you've ever seen?  I can't wait to see it on a fresh new baby.... I'm thinking to make a few more and list them in the shop, but doing a brown/pink and brown/blue combo....

AND!  I found this sweet little 'very hungry caterpillar' knitted infant photo set that I'm going to give a go in crochet when I've finished my Christmas orders.... cute, don't ya think?  This one is available from Sweet Love Creates for $110. (WOW!  maybe I should up my prices if people are paying those kind of prices, just kidding!)....

Have a good one people  ;)

Getting here from there....

Ever since I was a child, I've been making 'stuff'.... some of the first things I remember making were furniture from cereal boxes for my pseudo-Barbie doll (my mom couldn't afford the real-deal, so I had the hollow plastic one who when you tried putting her into a seated position, would annoyingly put herself on display in a way that only adult men could appreciate... do you remember those dolls without bendy knees? maybe you had one too?)   

Aaaanyway, I hand-stitched little clothes to cover that doll, made pillows and blankets using my old clothes ~ I guess I did this out of necessity because we didn't have the means to buy the latest toys.... if anything, those were the beginnings of my love for re-purposing items.  It's funny where life takes you, isn't it?  It's been a rough journey for me to get to where I am now.... but, I'll tell you one thing I've learned, you should always appreciate the small things, because it's those itty-bitty, seemingly-insignificant, take-for-granted-type-things that truly make you happy.... The glitter and fluff is just that, glitter and fluff.... that stuff eventually blows away.  Not trying to be preachy or anything.... I'm just sayin'....  Step back every once in a while and take inventory.  It really does help keep perspective.

So, I'm appreciative of my meager beginnings; because, if they weren't a part of me then I don't believe I would have evolved into the extremely crafty, re-purposeful maven that you've come to know and adore  ;)  .... (did I also mention, I'm oftentimes full of crap?)

Anyhow.... getting on with things.... Found some really cute owl hats floating around the WWW, google it, they're EVERYWHERE.... Again, aaaanyway, anyone who even has the teeny-tiniest bit of craft-savvy knows that mostly everything that's in manufactured existence can be replicated in some way, shape or form.....  So here's my take on the owl hat....

The purple-eyed lady belongs to my little girl-babe.... the other two are being delivered today to our friends, Avery and Jordan.... I hope you like them!

Have a great day people  ;)

Ready to deliver....

Here they are, the first hats of the season, finished and ready to deliver to two very sweet customers....

A Mario hat for young man, Alex (they must be a hit with the boy-kinds, I've had requests for one from each of my boy monkeys).... And a pretty-in-pink hat complete with a sweetheart for adorable Isabelle....

I hope they keep you toasty and warm this winter kiddie-kats!   ;)

Hat season is here....

With the cool weather upon us, I'm thinking HATS!  

And as luck would have it, so are my customers!

Just a quick reminder that I am taking orders for 3 monkeys inc Skull and Crossbones hats.... Check out my Etsy  to see what colours we have to offer; and please keep in mind, you're not limited to the colours in the shop, there are several other colours to choose from, I've just shown the most popular choices....

I can also bring your ideas to life!  Give me a sketch, idea, description - of what you have in mind and we'll talk about what I can do.

If you're thinking of ordering, and you know me personally, please feel free to contact me outside of my Etsy shop - all other orders will be gladly filled through the shop!  Looking forward to a great HAT season!

Beautiful pictures courtesy of Stephanie Eidt Photography... Not only is she an amazing photographer; but, she's a pretty great person to hang around!  Be sure to check her out!

Have a great day everyone  ;)

Obsessive, to say the least....

You can say that I've been a teeny-tiny-little bit obsessed lately... but, that would be a TOTAL s-t--r---e---t--c-h! 

Somebody, who I've never met, has been donating the most delicious collections of vintage crafty magazines, pattern books, leaflets and what-have-you's (bad grammar, I know) to my favourite thrifty place....

And, lucky me, I was able to scoop a few up at prices ranging from .10 cents to $1.00 each to $5.00 for 8 oversized magazines (that was a deal I struck with the lovely man at the cash... SCORE!!!!).

Of course, I found a couple of other little treasures to go along with the crafty "HAUL".... a beautiful handmade pottery mug and a vintage hand-embroidered linen table runner....

 Looks like I'm going to be a busy lady making up PDF patterns for the shop and listing some more vintage linens.... LOTS of fun!

Have a great Canadian Thanksgiving weekend everyone... I'll be back tomorrow with your Friday night video ;)

Squeaky clean....

Something new in the shop!


More scrubbies! Made out of the softest, 100% cotton baby yarn.... scrumptious! They're good for dishes too, that is, if you feel your dishes need that extra special touch of softness....

Have a great day people ;)

Birthdays and friends....

Mr. Middle Monkey has a birthday party to attend today for a girl he started junior kindergarten with.... they've remained friends for the past 3 years and they get along really, really well.

These relationships; you know, the boy-girl kind, are the relationships that we tell our boys are no big deal even if other kids think so. They're 8 and 7 now, and school is getting tough, and the separation of the sexes is beginning. Boys are only allowed to play with boys, and girls with girls. A silly rule made up by some kids, and a rule that they (boys and girls) use to keep their friends from playing with children of the opposite sex. The point we make to them is that people like different people for different reasons, and that it's important to surround yourself with people you like and who like you.... it doesn't matter if they're boys or girls, what matters is that they are friends.

My boys both have good friends who are girls. And as parents, we are very proud of that. They are showing that they can think for themselves and not really care what their other friends think. Hopefully this is something that will stick with them right through their high school years when the peer pressure is at its peak.... ok, lets put on the brakes.... I don't even want to think about high school and the dating and the driving and all of the other bad things I did, I mean, that other kids did in high school ;)

Aaaanyway.... Mr. Middle Monkey picked some pretty unconventional gifts for his friend E. Which I am also proud of.... he could have just picked a girl toy; but he decided on a really funky throw pillow for her bed, some equally girly puffy polka-dot wall decals, a flowery journal, and of course our favourite pictionary card game. He also asked me, THIS MORNING, if I could make something from my 'store' for her. I love that he is so proud of what his Mommy does, and I have HUGE issues with not being able to come through for him (or any of my monkeys).... so-o, since I couldn't just 'whip-up' a skull and crossbones hat in the colours of his choice this morning at 10:00am and have it ready for 1:00pm.... I hooked up something that looks like a little more work than it really is but is really cute and useful too.... A neck warmer that looks cool with a denim jacket for fall and is still very functional for winter weather....


Hopefully she likes his gift, he was sure she would love the 'lots of colours pillow'....

Here's a close-up of the neck warmer....


The buttons were hand picked by Mr. Middle Monkey, and are not just for decoration....


I think I might just need one for myself.... Have a great day people ;)

Super diaper baby and something new in the shop....

I don't know if I've mentioned before that Monday mornings throughout the summer have been camp day for the monkeys.... My friend Kim, who is the brain-child of many FANTASTIC ideas, came up with the idea of creating our own kid camp for the summer. So, myself and the lovely ladies I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the past few years, have come together to provide Monday mornings full of fun, education and friendship....

Not only is this a great way to keep the kids active and together, it also allows us Moms and Dads to keep connected throughout the summer months as well. Win-win, I say!

Aaaanyway, today was Art-in-the Park day.... and as the name suggests, well, the kids did art projects.... in the park. Lots of fun, great weather, terrific friends, and a little food to fill our tums at lunch.... couldn't have asked for a better morning....

Well, the creativity didn't end there for one of my little monkeys.... Mr. Middle Monkey, after reading a few more chapters of The Adventures of Super-Diaper Baby grabbed pencil and paper and drew these little guys....


I love it! And I love watching my littles paint, draw, write.... doing anything creative really. Maybe because I love creative projects myself? I mean, don't get me wrong, I love watching them play sports too, I guess I just feel connected to them in a different way because much of my own childhood up to college revolved around painting and drawing.... On Mommy and Daddy's to-do list: Creating the 'Kid's Art Wall'.... that'll be something I get to hopefully before Christmas.... I said, 'hopefully' ;)

And this just in.... in the shop, that is.... Sea Star Washies!


Check them out! I'm thinking they'd make fantastic additions to a new baby gift basket.... although, they aren't just for baby.... they're also great for adults and for using on your dishes.... multi-functional!

I'm off to whip up some more! Have a great night all ;)

New and coming soon to the shop....

For a while now, I've been throwing around the idea of adding a wider selection of 'stuff' to my etsy shop. You know, I'm a little more diverse craft-wise, than just hats, I really am.... I love ALL things crafty.

And as I admitted yesterday, I have a new obsession: finding fun and totally vintage patterns and pattern books. I've already added one vintage pattern of a cute kids/teens cotton dress/cover-up to the shop; and will be adding the other books that I just found too.

I've also been really liking the hand embellished kitchen towels that I've seen in stores, on etsy and elsewhere.... I decided to try my hand at that as well. Yesterday I added this cute little lady to the shop.... of course, this is an in progress picture, you can find the finished towel in the shop....


Secretly, I'm thinking that if it doesn't sell quickly, I'll just add it to my own kitchen towel drawer because I like it that much ;)

And, AND! The sea star washies are working up very nicely and quite quickly.... there'll be sets of those available later in the week, too.

I dunno what's going on with me... wasn't I just saying recently that I wasn't feeling much like crafting? Well, that drought seems to have passed. My mind is racing a mile a minute with different project ideas, and just last night after I had the kiddies tucked into bed, I whipped up a hip sack for Hammy. The boys have had their own for quite some time. They use them every time we go on a hike. They tuck their rocks, leaves, and anything else they find into them. And this time, I took pictures of the process.... I'm hoping to find the time to make up a tutorial for the hip sack soon.

Aaaanyway, nothing more to add today.... hope you all have a great day ;)

What's up....

Hey! It's been a while.... so sorry for the crickets chirpin' around these parts.... We've been busy having lots of summer fun, as I'm sure you have been as well.

Last night, after I got the kiddie-kats to bed, I devoted my ENTIRE night to the hook! Something I haven't done in a loooong time.... and I didn't feel even the slightest twinge of guilt, which is a major thing for me as I usually feel some degree of anxiety when I take time just for me (clearly, content for a future blog-therapy session).... Do you feel like that sometimes too?

So, aaaanyway, here's what worked up as I watched American Pickers (a new fave) and Dateline NBC (an old fave)....



Pot scrubbies; super soft baby scrubbies; and two super cute, sand colour 'sea star' washies.... Again, the scrubbie-love rears it's glorious head.... I just love making these up, they're so quick and more importantly - USEFUL! I'm hoping to make up a bunch more of the 'sea star' washies and list them in the shop.... They're the perfect size for doing dishes, washing baby (or yourself - they're not discriminating), using as a hot pad.... and anything else you can think of!

I also announced on my 3 monkeys inc facebook page that I'm NOW TAKING ORDERS (yelling through a megaphone) for skull and crossbones hats.... trying to get some of my repeat customer orders filled before the rush.... So, if you're interested in some pretty cool (or warm) and unique gifts for Christmas, check out my 3 monkeys facebook page or my mini etsy right over there on my sidebar....

Aaaanyway, just a quick little bit to let you know I'm still around and that I haven't forgotten about you.... I'll be posting this week, and will be back for sure on friday for our usual installment of the Friday Night Video.... Cheers peeps! Have a wonderful day ;)

Vintage pattern....

NEW in my etsy shop....



This fantastic vintage crochet summer dress PDF pattern... sized for girls and teens. I'm thinking this would be a great bathing suit cover up as well.... the pattern calls for lightweight cotton.... what could be better for a warm summer day?

Have a super sunny Wednesday ;)

Kids clothes week: project 1 complete....

May, May, May.... you are here with a vengeance.... I want so badly to do many, many projects for Kids Clothes Week, and I promise to try.... and that's all I can do. My plate is full this week with pulling together a fundraising tea for upwards of 100 people, baseball for myself and 2 of my monkeys, a baby shower and Kids Clothes Week.... And now, I'm feeling run-down and tired from the blur of a weekend that just passed....

But, I am NOT complaining. I did this to myself, as I always do.... but, I digress. The reason I am here today is to show you this lovely little number that I whipped up for my little Hammy-Cammy....


I purchased the pattern from a very lovely Etsy seller named Adrienne, and her shop is called The Fuzzy Noggin. The hat is crocheted, and super easy and super fast to whip up using cotton yarn. Perfect for sunny spring days and cool summer nights. The pattern I used for this is called the Sophie Bucket Hat; and the great thing about Adrienne's patterns is that she allows you to sell your finished products! Unfortunately, I couldn't snap a photo of my little model wearing the hat as she seems to be camera shy at the worst possible times, uggg.

Anyhow, have a great day everyone.... take advantage of these beautiful days we've been given ;)

Baubles for the babe: a flower tutorial....

I know I said I was going to post this a few days ago; but, you know how sometimes LIFE gets in the way? I am a mom.... enough said :)

Aaaanyway, here's what's been crafting up around here, between family, chores and everything else....


Pretty little necklaces perfect for bringing a little spring-y sunshine into any little lady's life....

Here's a quick little pattern for the flower, and seriously, I can bang off about 20 of these in an hour, that is, if I'm not watching something good on tv ;) So that just goes to show really how easy this is....

FLOWER TUTORIAL
As with all of my patterns/tutorials, you can adapt them to suit your own materials.... use whatever hook size you like that works well with whatever yarn you have on hand. I like this little project for using up odds and ends of yarn that are left from other projects.... AND, I have a lovely sister who sometimes hands-down some of her yarn leftovers.... makes for some interesting little flowers.... LOVE IT!

Chain 2, 4 single crochet into second chain from hook, slip stitch into first chain to form foundation ring (you could also use the magic loop method, which I prefer and do use for my own work-in-circle projects; but for those who are not familiar with the magic loop method, this method here works fine)

Chain one and turn. 2 single crochets in next 3 single crochets, 3 single crochets in next single crochets. Slip stitch into first single crochet. (9 single crochets)

Chain 3, 3 double crochets into first single crochet space, chain 3 and slip stitch into same single crochet spot. This forms one petal. *Slip stitch into next single crochet then slip stitch into next single crochet and chain 3, 3 double crochets into same single crochet, chain 3 and slip stitch into same single crochet spot. Repeat from * 3 more times, creating 5 flower petals. Slip stitch and bind off.

Make as many flowers as you like! You can join them to make necklaces, bracelets, headbands, scarves, pillows, purses.... your only limitation is your own imagination!

Have a fantastic sunny sunday everyone ;)

Vintage inspired....

I don't know if I've ever expressed my love for vintage items.... anything and everything vintage....

Last friday, my guy and I took the kiddies for a pancake breakfast at a farm that makes pure maple syrup; needless to say, they were delicious! After our yummy brunch, we decided to stop in at an antique market on the way home.... thankfully the kids also share our love of anything old (a prerequisite for being a member of this family don't ya know)....

Anyhow, while browsing etsy this morning, I came across some really beautiful vintage pieces that reminded me of that little side trip and about how excited my kids were to see, touch and smell things from the past....I thought I'd share a few of my favourite vintage wednesday etsy finds with you....


50's Horn Rim Glasses by Vintage 50's Eyewear



Vintage Spring Coat by Poppy & Bean


Crochet Throw by Lady Libertine Vintage


Retro Pork Pie Hat by Shihtzuwest Vintage Goodies

This is just a partial sampling of the treasury I put together on etsy, to check out the other items in my Vintage Blue treasury, click the link.... http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d89d31645e46d914e01a439/vintage-blue

I'm also working on a cute little post that involves handmade baubles for little ladies, hope to have that to you tomorrow.... Have a great day everyone ;)

Ambient lighting made easy....

A while back, I saw these really neat candle holders in a home magazine.... and I know we've all said it, and I certainly say it all. the. time. "I can make that." But, do we ever really make what we see? Well, speaking for myself; No, I never really get around to making whatever it was.... Until now, that is! Me, being the queen of the quick craft; it was a project that fit right with my crafting criteria: fast and easy :)


Simply put, I took an empty salsa jar (for some VERY strange reason, unknown even to me, I have great difficulty letting go of empty jars.... weird or what? please say 'or what'). Aaaanyway, I grabbed my white cotton yarn and crocheted a light and airy 'sock' to slip the jar into; added a tea light candle; lit it up; and VOILA! Instant ambiance! I LOVE IT!!!! I'll definitely be doing a tutorial for these soon.... EDIT: Tutorial for this is available through my Etsy shop.


Now, to find more jars.... is it wrong to rifle through your neighbours recycle bins? .....What?

Have a SUPER-FANTASTICALLY-FUN Family Day ;)

Busy times....

It seems like I've transformed from just Plain Old Mom to Hockey Mom in the past 2 weeks.... It feels like all we've been doing is eating, sleeping, dreaming hockey.... It's a good thing we love it like we do....

Aaanyway, all of the crafting I had promised myself that I'd be doing after the new year has not materialized; not one bit. And now this week, I am extremely happy to report that I've been requested to fill an order for 5 skull and crossbones hats.... that makes a total of 7 hats that I need to complete within the next 2 weeks!!!! YAY!!!! I'm always open to new business :)

So, for the next couple of weeks, my hands will be busy.... happily busy :)

Have a great day everyone ;)

I'm stoked....

After months of trying to be seen... TA-DA!!!!!

I was featured in an Etsy treasury! Check me out here!

This is the item featured...


my beautiful boy wearing one of my hats, photographed by a fantastic girl, Stephanie... check out her work here!

Hard work paying off... check....

Have a fabulous night all! :D