Sunday, March 29, 2015

Much Ado About Monday {No. 105}

Howdy Guys!
 We are so excited to have you here for another week of
 Much Ado About Monday!!

This weekend was just me and my youngest daughter, as my husband went to Dallas to visit some friends and family with the two oldest. Lorelei and I stayed behind and went fabric shopping, partied at Taylor's first birthday party {look for the details on the blog soon!}, and then went to visit my sister and her new baby! It was nice to have some one-on-one time with my smallest child. And it was really nice to run errands with just one. haha! 

This week on the blog, Jamie shared her adorable baby duck Easter hat {with a free pattern!}. Perfect for springtime!


Our Features this week are:



Jamie's pick: Peeps and Chubby Chirps via Jerry and Kay
Lydia's pick: Robin's Eggs Macarons via Life with the Crust Cut-off
Jill's pick:Dollar Store Moss Topiary via The Organized Dream
Emily's pick: Kolaches via Yesterfood


And our most viewed link this week was Spring Shelf Vignette via Bless 'Er House.

How to Make Chalkboard Hand Lettering the Easy Way & Spring Shelf Vignette | Bless'er House


Congrats to all of our featured bloggers!  Be sure to grab our 'I Was Featured' button to display proudly on your blog. :)


Now it's time to party!


The Rules:

*We love our followers, and always follow back. Please follow us on GFC as well as BlogLovin:

Follow on Bloglovin


*You can also find us at these favorite social media sites: FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagram, and Google+
* Please link back to us in your post. Whether it be through a text link or by posting our super cute button somewhere in your post. We appreciate it!
* If you do NOT link back to us in your post, you will NOT be Featured on Much Ado About Monday. So, link back! You'll thank us later. :)

*Features posts will be pinned on Pinterest and promoted on Facebook and Google+
* Feel free to link up decorating tips, DIY projects, recipes, organizational ideas, sewing and crochet creations or anything else crafty or that you find inspirational.
* Please do not link up giveaways, Etsy shops, or projects that were not made by you.
* You may link up to three posts a week!
* If your post has been featured, please do not link it up again.
* Remember to visit, visit, visit! That's the point of a party, right? Have fun!

**We've switched things up just a bit. From now on the links you post will be placed in random order to give everyone an opportunity to be at the top of the list.**


Thanks for stopping by to party with us!!

 

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Crochet Baby Duck Easter Hat {free pattern}


When it comes to holidays, I love to create new crochet hats that correspond. Well, Easter is no exception; in fact, I probably enjoy creating new crochet hats for Easter in particular because everything surrounding this holiday is cute. Bunnies, chicks, lambs, heck, even decorated Easter eggs are cute! I wanted to test out an animal a bit different than the three listed above so instead of chicks, I went with a duckling. Isn't he cute!! 


To get started on this adorable hat, you'll need:
~a fuzzy yellow yarn (I used Baby Bee 'Pitter Patter Eyelash Yarn in Sunkisses')
~worsted weight yarn in black, white and orange (I used I Love This Yarn 'Super Soft')
~a US H/5.5 mm crochet hook
~tapestry needle

Stitches you will need to know for this pattern:
~magic ring
~SC- single crochet
~HDC-half double crochet
~DC- double crochet
~DC decrease

This hat is made in individual pieces and then sewn together to create the cute Easter goodness. :)

Hat:  
**at the end of each round DO NOT join to the first stitch, just continue to DC into first stitch at the beginning of each round** (this helps to eliminate a seam in the back of the hat)

With yellow yarn, start by making a magic ring; ch2, 11DC in magic ring
Round 2: 2DC in first DC and in each DC around (22DC)
Round 3: *2DC in first stitch, DC in next stitch; repeat from * around (33DC)
Round 4: *2DC in first stitch, DC in next 2 stitches; repeat from * around (44DC)
Round 5: *2DC in first stitch, DC in next 10 stitches; repeat from * around (48DC)
Rounds 6-11: DC in each stitch around; join to beginning stitch in round with a slip stitch but DO NOT fasten off. You will continue onto the first earflap from this spot.

Earflap 1: 

ch2; DC in same stitch and in next 9 stitches, ch2, turn
Row 2: DC decrease, DC in next 6 stitches, DC decrease, ch2, turn
Row 3: DC in each stitch across, ch2, turn (8DC)
Row 4: DC decrease, DC in next 4 stitches, DC decrease, ch2, turn
Row 5: DC in each stitch across, ch2, turn (6DC)
Row 6: DC decrease, DC in next 2 stitches, DC decrease, fasten off

Earflap 2:

Fold hat in half leaving slightly more stitches in the front of the hat than the back. Place the second earflap to line up with the first earflap.
From determined spot; join yarn, ch2, DC in same stitch and in next 9 stitches, ch2, turn
Row 2: DC decrease, DC in next 6 stitches, DC decrease, ch2, turn
Row 3: DC in each stitch across, ch2, turn (8DC)
Row 4: DC decrease, DC in next 4 stitches, DC decrease, ch2, turn
Row 5: DC in each stitch across, ch2, turn (6DC)
Row 6: DC decrease, DC in next 2 stitches, DC decrease and then continue with a SC around hat and earflaps. At the top of each earflap: ch30 (more or less depending on the length of tie you'd like), SC in 2nd ch from hook and the rest of the way down the ch. When you get back to the hat, slip stitch into the hat, turn and SC in each stitch back up the tie, turn and then SC in each stitch back down the tie. (This will leave you with a tie 4SC thick). Continue to SC around the rest of the hat and fasten off when you get to the beginning of the hat.


 Top Duck Bill:

With orange yarn and using 2 strands;
ch8, DC in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch to end, then continue around the other side of the ch with a DC in each stitch. Join to first DC and fasten off leaving a long tail.

Bottom Duck Bill:

With orange yarn and using 2 strands;
ch6, DC in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch to end, then continue around the other side of the ch with a DC in each stitch. Join to first DC and fasten off leaving a long tail.

To make the duck beak sew the two duck bills together. Set aside.



Outer Eye (make 2):

With white yarn and using 2 strands;
ch6, HDC in 2nd ch from hook and in the next 4, make 2HDC in last ch. Now, work up the other side of the ch with HDC (there will be 5HDC), join to the first stitch with a slip stitch, ch 2.
Row 2: 2DC in each stitch around, join to first DC, fasten off leaving a long tail. (24DC)

Inner Eye (make 2):

With black yarn and using 2 strands;
make a magic circle, ch1, 6SC into magic circle, join to first SC, fasten off leaving a long tail.

Sew the inner eye onto the outer eye creating a pupil. :)



Pom Pom:

With yellow yarn,
make your pom pom by using a pom pom maker or by making your own.
I unfortunately do not have my own pom pom maker so I always make my own. Palak at Make it Handmade has a great tutorial on how to make your own pom poms. Check it out here.




Now that you have all of your pieces made. Sew them onto your hat using the picture for placement reference.




And there you have it, step by step directions for making a super cute Easter crochet hat all your own. I love this hat and how simple and easy it is to make. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do! :)



Do you like to make themed hats for special occasions? I would love to see pics of any hats you make using this pattern. :)

*** You may make and sell products from my patterns, but if you do, I ask that you link back to my post.Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photos as your own.***
This post was originally featured at from Gardeners 2 Bergers as a guest post. 

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

{DIY} Hoop Art


I’ve been having so much fun putting my littlest one’s big-girl room together. We bought an antique bedroom set, and while my husband is busy refinishing it, I've been working on her room décor. One of my friends posted this super cute idea, to hang embroidery hoops with coordinating fabrics above the bed.


  It was a perfect match to the vintage feel of Miss Emeline’s room, so I went in search of coordinating fabrics and various sized embroidery hoops.


Don’t you just love the Tanya Whelan fabric? I fell in love with her Sunshine Roses line.  I also used an Ikea hand towel and some fabric scraps that I had on hand. Once I had my supplies, these were a breeze to put up. Even with the hand-embroidered hoop, the whole project took less than a few hours. Super easy and super cute!

Want to make your own hoop art? Here’s what you’ll need:
  • Embroidery hoops in assorted sizes. (I used 3-14 inch hoops, 2-10 inch hoops, 5-6 inch hoops, and 1-4 inch hoop)
  • Fabric (I bought a half yard of three fabrics and used scraps for the rest.)
  • Optional: Embroidery floss, double sided fusible interfacing

I started by placing the fabric on top of the inside hoop and cutting rectangles a few inches too large. This way you have something to tug on to stretch the fabric in the hoop. Place the outside hoop on top of inside hoop, fabric in between (make sure to keep the hoop as tight as possible, so that it can still slip on, but wont allow fabric to slip through). Then slip it around the inside hoop. 



Tug fabric so that it’s taught. Trim edges close.


For the embroidered hoop, I (and by I, I mean my silhouette) cut fabric backed with fusible interfacing into layered flowers and a fancy monogram font E. I ironed them on, layer by layer and ended up free-handing the rest of her name.


Once you’ve got all of your hoops filled with fabric, arrange them how you would like. I settled on this configuration. After I was happy with my arrangement, I snapped a quick photo on my phone for reference. Attached to my i-phone, I tell ya! Hang them one by one, with picture hanging nails , using the photo layout as reference.


And you’re finished! Don’t you just love the result? Miss Emmie loves all of the “fowahs” in her big girl room. I’ve also made a valance and am in the process of making a few pillow covers from the coordinating fabric. I hope this room will grow with her and she’ll enjoy it for years to come! Stay tuned to see the rest of her room revealed...

This post was originally featured at from Gardeners 2 Bergers as a guest post. 

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Much Ado About Monday {No. 104}

Howdy, Y'all!! 
Welcome to another Much Ado About Monday Party! 

We are thrilled you are here with us! This weekend, my little family kept busy! On Friday, we visited the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and we had an absolute blast. My parents joined us in on the fun and we had a great time running around the fairgrounds before the rodeo started. The kids loved the petting zoo, looking at the baby animals {the baby pigs were their favorites}, the delicious fair food {funnel cake anyone?!}, and the dizzying carnival rides. My oldest daughter surprised us all by wanting to do Mutton Bustin', which is one of the most hilarious events ever. She has always been a bit cautious when entering into new situations, so I totally taken off guard when she not only insisted on doing the event, but actually did it and loved it! Mutton Bustin' {in case you don't know} is when the child rides a sheep and tries to hold on for as long as possible as the sheep is running across the pen. She lasted about 5 seconds before she fell off but popped up with a smile and a wave at the crowd, and then asked if she could do it again next year. I was so proud of her! After her triumph in the ring, we went to the real rodeo and enjoyed watching the cowboys and girls do their thing. It was really good day!


Then on Saturday, my oldest daughter and I went with Jamie and Jill's girls to see the new Cinderella movie. It was really good and we all loved it. After the movie, we window shopped at the American Girl store and then ended the day with a "fancy" dinner at the Olive Garden {the poshest Italian place around, according to our girls}. All in all, a fantastic weekend!


This week on the blog, I participated in the Holiday Cutout Blog Tour and shared with you the three outfits that I made for my daughter using this awesome pattern. You have to add this one to your collection!


Our picks this week were:


 Lydia's Pick: $2 DIY Chef Hat Tutorial via Pennies Into Pearls
Jamie's Pick: Pottery Barn Inspired Bunny Banner via Atta Girl Says
Jill's Pick: Orange Curd Vanilla Meringue Cookies via This Silly Girls' Life
Emily's Pick: Easter Chick Cupcakes via The Simple, Sweet Life


And our most viewed link was DIY Paint Chip Artwork by Hey, Let's Make Stuff.

 Make this easy artwork using a few simple supplies and a handful of paint chips!
Congrats to all of our featured bloggers!  You sure knocked our boots off this week! Be sure to grab our 'I Was Featured' button to display proudly on your blog. :)


Now it's time to party!


The Rules:

*We love our followers, and always follow back. Please follow us on GFC as well as BlogLovin:

Follow on Bloglovin


*You can also find us at these favorite social media sites: FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagram, and Google+
* Please link back to us in your post. Whether it be through a text link or by posting our super cute button somewhere in your post. We appreciate it!
* If you do NOT link back to us in your post, you will NOT be Featured on Much Ado About Monday. So, link back! You'll thank us later. :)

*Features posts will be pinned on Pinterest and promoted on Facebook and Google+
* Feel free to link up decorating tips, DIY projects, recipes, organizational ideas, sewing and crochet creations or anything else crafty or that you find inspirational.
* Please do not link up giveaways, Etsy shops, or projects that were not made by you.
* You may link up to three posts a week!
* If your post has been featured, please do not link it up again.
* Remember to visit, visit, visit! That's the point of a party, right? Have fun!

**We've switched things up just a bit. From now on the links you post will be placed in random order to give everyone an opportunity to be at the top of the list.**


Thanks for stopping by to party with us!!

 

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Holiday Cutout Dress & Top {Blog Tour}

Hey guys! I am so excited to be a part of Bella Sunshine Design's Holiday Cutout Blog Tour today! 

 
What does this mean? Well, me and a couple of my bloggy {or is it bloggie?} friends have all made BSD's newest pattern: the Holiday Cutout Dress/Tunic and are letting you know the details about this amazing pattern!





I was chosen to test the pattern early on and I knew almost immediately that this would become a wardrobe staple for my girls.



The dress/tunic is a comfortable, relaxed fit that slides easily over the head and then ties at the shoulders {no zippers or buttons? Huzzah!}.


 Bonus: the gathered skirt seam is enclosed in the bodice, giving the inside a professional finish and providing your little girl with an itch-free dress. But the real WOW factor is the back. The pattern comes with 6 seasonal shapes {heart, clover, bunny, star, heart, pumpkin, and tree} but you can always come up with your own original cutout too!


I started by testing the Christmas tree cutout and made a tunic with some fun, red quatrefoil fabric. The tunic length was perfect and the top even looked cute layered with a white long-sleeve shirt underneath. I can't wait for her to wear it this year for the holidays!


I also added a little green tree applique to the front and love that pop of color against the red.



But I didn't stop there, you guys. I loved this pattern so much, I made another one.


I decided to do the heart cutout and I added some little pom-pom trim at the bottom. I can't express to you how much I adore this top.


It has quickly become my daughter's favorite too and it goes with so much in her closet. I really admire a pattern that holds up, even when made with plain white fabric.



Now that I had made two tops, I decided to make the dress. But I used my own shape for the cutout...the glorious state of Texas.


I made this darling dress for my daughter to wear to Rodeo Day at school {yes, that is an actual day here in Texas} and everyone raved over it.


I added some trim to the front of the bodice, and a band of fabric and a ruffle to the bottom. I am really, really happy with how the dress turned out. My daughter didn't want to take it off after school and said she felt so pretty in it.
 
 I can't wait to make more of these tops/dresses! Several other girls in the blog tour have made 4th of July tops using the star cutout {swoon!}and a bunch of lucky girls wore their clover leaf cutout dresses this year for St. Patrick's Day. So be sure to check out all the other amazing outfits that are part of this tour! And get tons of inspiration!



I am so excited to have found a pattern that sews up so well, with such nice finishes, and that is so versatile. The pattern starts at 12 months and goes up to size 10. Another amazing feature: the pattern is nested, so you only print the size you need! I love that! Also, you have the option to print out your rectangle shaped pieces to cut out, or you are given the measurements, so you can use your quilting ruler and rotary cutter to cut out your pieces; whatever you prefer! I am a fan of having an actual pattern so I am so pleased to have this option.


I seriously am crushing on this new designer, guys. The PDF patterns are so well-written, the diagrams are so clear, and the end products are always stunning.


Be sure to get a copy of your Holiday Cutout Dress and Top! And to celebrate the blog tour, use the coupon code BLOGTOUR to receive 20% off all her patterns!


This is a pattern that will quickly become a favorite so grab your copy and sew up a bunch for the little girls in your life!