Think Happy Thoughts { Fairy Princess Daisy Chain Crown }

Welcome to the 6th installment in my 6 week crochet series, Think Happy Thoughts!

For the next 6 weeks, I will be featuring a free crochet pattern, pattern reviews, and even a giveaway or two.

The theme of this series is centered around fairy tales, and all things magical and mystical.

So, follow me, and take a leap into the land of Happily Ever After...

***Today I am so excited to feature a pattern from a fellow Ravelry.com friend, Rebecca Hill. I found her pattern for the daisy chain garland and it fit in so perfectly with my Think Happy Thoughts series that I had to ask her to post it! If you like what you see, go HERE and check out many more amazing patterns by Rebecca. 

Rebecca also has a Ravelry group, Must.Knit.Faster, where she will be hosting a crochet-a-long in February! You should definitely stop by and join in the fun!

Enjoy!***

The Fairy Princess Daisy Chain Crown

(Click the above link to get the FREE pattern)

I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to be Lindsay's guest blogger this week! When she first approached me asking if I would be interested and that the theme is "Think Happy Thoughts," I jumped at the idea. Plus, her blog is yellow and I LOVE that!


When I designed my Fairy Princess Daisy Chain Crown, I was inspired by my daughter Lola who could spend hours running around in her big pink tutu and fairy wings pretending to be all manner of fairy - a healing fairy who could heal animals with special hugs, a tree fairy who protected the trees, or a simple fairy who just preferred to lie beneath the orange trees soaking up the warmth of the spring sun. She had a habit of picking every wildflower she could find, bring it into her room, and cry when it would begin to wither. 


Having never successfully crocheted anything, but having mad skills at one long line of single crochet and a great disdain for i-cord, I created the Fairy Princess Daisy Chain Crown. Ironically, my first and only crochet pattern would go on to become my most popular pattern on Ravelry, as well as in my daughter's wardrobe.


If you have never crocheted anything, fear not! This really is a very simple design, and it is bound to be a new favorite in your little one's wardrobe as well.

Thank you Rebecca! 

I love her writing style and especially her descriptions of her daughter playing pretend. That is exactly what I had in mind for this crochet series! I wanted to create patterns for items that children can use to dress up and pretend. Anything to foster a child's imagination!

Snapshots { Just Slidin' }

The weather around here has been so ridiculously beautiful that we are spending every spare moment outside. We just can't waste any of these 60 degree days in January!

This picture just reminds me how fast those two boys are growing! Ande is getting so tall and starting to lose his baby fat. Even though he still has his big old pot belly, he has the scrawniest little legs and arms. I have the hardest time finding pants that fit him, if they fit around his teeny bottom, then they are high waters in length! He certainly uses those little legs to do a lot. He is constantly jumping and running and riding. There's only one thing that moves more than his legs and that is his mouth! He never stops talking and every once in a while his conversations with us give us a good chuckle. Last night in the car he said,

"You're stuff on the aisle, Mom, and you're heading out on the road!"

Owen is just the happiest little chunk of baby. He loves anything having to do with Ande and food. He cries when Ande leaves the room, and when he is in the room, Owen's eyes are firmly set on Ande. He just loves and admires that crazy big brother of his so much! He is not even 6 months yet, and can already gobble some pretty hefty meals down. He loves avacados, bananas, sweet potatos, puffs by the handful, and these little cinnamon apple straws that we found today. He loves to sit and play and now we're working on crawling!

These boys sure do keep me busy and as I get ready for a girls weekend out ( to Florida!) with my in-laws, I can't help but miss those babes already! But, that doesn't stop me from being over joyed for a weekend in the warm sun, with a lot of girl time, laughs, and un-interrupted sleep! Is it Wednesday yet?

Friday Finds ... on Sunday... { Magnetic Me }

I really love this idea. 

You can get the full tutorial at Creative Juice.

This would be perfect for the church bag, or for a quiet time box.

It'd be nice if we could keep Ande quiet during church with something other than cars that go "beep, beep, beep!" and "Weeeooo Weeeoooo Weeeoooo!" Because those aren't, well, quiet.

Think Happy Thoughts { Fairy Star Wand }

Welcome to the 5th installment in my 6 week crochet series, Think Happy Thoughts!

For the next 6 weeks, I will be featuring a free crochet pattern, pattern reviews, and even a giveaway or two.

The theme of this series is centered around fairy tales, and all things magical and mystical.

So, follow me, and take a leap into the land of Happily Ever After...

~The Fairy Star Wand~

(Click the link above for free pdf pattern)

Bibbity...Bobbity...Boo!

Or...

Anna...Flabba...! as Ande called it.

I've always been envious of the fairy godmother from Cinderella. 

Wouldn't it be great to have a little wand that magically got you what you wanted?

All you have to do is say some funny words and wave that wand in the air with a little flick of your wrist!

Although... 

I wonder if the fairy godmother is anything like the genie in a bottle?

Always helping others, and never a wish for themselves.

That would be terrible...or...maybe totally fulfilling?

Either way, I think the idea of a magical wand is exciting to all little girls who love to make believe!

(Recognize my sweet model from the Little Red Cape pattern? Thanks again for the help, MK Photography!)

Now, go ahead, crochet away, and let me know if any magic comes of it!

Be sure to show off your handiwork HERE in the Think Happy Thoughts flikr group.

If you have any questions about the pattern, email me @ LindsayHaynie [at] gmail [dot] com

*** The Winner of yesterdays 2 pattern giveaway is Alicia! I will email you the patterns, please check to make sure you receive them! Thank you to all who entered! I really appreciate your participation!***

Think Happy Thoughts { Giveaway! }

Welcome to my 6 week crochet series, Think Happy Thoughts!

For the next 6 weeks, I will be featuring a free crochet pattern, pattern reviews, and even a giveaway or two.

The theme of this series is centered around fairy tales, and all things magical and mystical.

So, follow me, and take a leap into the land of Happily Ever After...

This week is exciting because I not only have a new pattern for you tomorrow, but today is GIVEAWAY DAY! 

I am offering 2 crochet hat patterns from my shop, Curtsay Designs for free to 1 lucky reader!

The Blue Bird Baby Beanie

And...

The Frog Prince

These patterns fit right in with our fairy tale theme, am I right?

To enter, leave me a comment and tell me:

~ Your favorite fairy tale and,

~ Your email address

*You must follow these requirements exactly to be considered! Easy, peasy!

I will close this giveaway tonight, at midnight!

The winner will be announced in tomorrow's post.

Good Luck!

And tomorrow's pattern....

The Fairy Star Wand!

Snapshots { balloons and groceries }

I just put the boys down for their naps and can finally enjoy a little lunch (and by "lunch" I really mean "snack" because I pretty much snack all day long). I'm sitting here savoring the flavor of my cracked pepper triscuits and my creamy swiss laughing cow cheese and my crunching is so loud I feel like the boys can hear me chewing. So now, I'm trying to crunch quietly, which is definitely not an easy thing to do.

This is when I realize how ridiculous my nap time ponderings have become and try to find something to do that will actually be of some substance...like creating a new pattern, or reading a book, or watching the latest episode of Downton Abbey... Yes. I think that is exactly what I will do!

But first...a little look into our morning.

Even when you don't have a real job to go to, there will always be that Monday Gloom feeling, which is why I was pleasantly surprised at how good the morning went. Ande is finally starting to show more interest in coloring, so I encourage it any chance I get. Usually his coloring consists of drawing a million "A's" and "O's" but this morning he helped me make my grocery list...

He diligently flipped through each page of our favorite cook book, helped me plan some meals for the week, and helped me write down all the ingredients we needed to get.

Unfortunately, our trip to the store was somewhat unsuccessful. I forgot to get a lot of things I needed. I wonder why?......

But not to worry. I forgot all about my lack of skill in reading Ande language when we came home and he spent the next 30 minutes running around the house pulling a balloon along by it's string. It was quite entertaining and I was oddly proud.  If only all Monday mornings were this fun.

Friday Finds { Clip on Tie }

Clip on Tie by I Make Stuff

I really love this tutorial. 

I think most of all, I just love this picture.

I love finding cool diy things for boys because it is so rare!

Think Happy Thoughts { Little Red Cape }

Welcome to the third installment in a 6 week series, Think Happy Thoughts!

For the next 6 weeks, I will be featuring a free crochet pattern, pattern reviews, and even a giveaway or two.

The theme of this series is centered around fairy tales, and all things magical and mystical.

So, follow me, and take a leap into the land of Happily Ever After...

This week I am featuring a pattern that I used from the book, Little Crochet by Lisa Permann.

Believe it, or not, this is one of the first real patterns that I have ever used!

I got this book for my birthday last May and have been dying to use it ever since, but never found time for it.

All of the patterns are so adorable.

When Christmas rolled around and I needed to make something for my niece (Emma Jane...I'll be shipping it soon!), I decided on the Hooded Caplet from the book.

If you don't have the book, you can also buy this individual pattern on Etsy, here.

I used a dark red yarn, and of course my mind flooded with visions of Little Red Riding Hood.

I followed the pattern pretty closely, but as I usually do, I made a few changes.

The photographs of this cape in the book look much different from what I ended up with.

I think that is because I tend to crochet very tight, whereas the cape in the book looks more loose and stretchy.

I decided to make my little red cape a bit shorter, coming right down to the elbows.

And when it came to the hood, I tried to get a little creative.

I wanted some versatility, and so instead of sewing the hood together, I attached 2 buttons.

The buttons can be used to fasten the hood together...

...You can also detach the top of the hood, and use it as a fun collar.

It can lay down flat, or be folded in half and buttoned around the neck.

With this little alteration and the use of buttons, the possibilities are endless!

I fell in love with this little red cape as soon as I started making it.

As I worked, I yearned to be 6 years old again, playing dress up and pretend with my buddies.

This would have been the perfect fairy tale costume.

And since the boys in my house don't appreciate my fondness for dress up, I had to find a little lady elsewhere.

Luckily, I didn't have to look far. 

My friend, Megan's, darling little girl was the perfect model...cute as a button, and as still as a statue!

Not to mention, my friend is an amazing photographer and snapped a few great shots of her own while we were there.

*MK Photography...definitely give her a look!*

See? I told you she was cute as a button...Ande is already smitten!


Have you tried out any new crochet patterns lately?
Have you used any from, Little Crochet?

I'd love to see what you've been working on, come upload your projects in my Think Happy Thoughts Flikr group!

Snapshots { playtime with Dad }

Our little Owen turned 5 months last week.

He brings a whole lot of joy to our house!

He can now roll over, sit by himself, and has 2 teeth.

His favorite things? Food and Ande.

I know...you're supposed to wait until they are 6 months or so to start feeding them cereal and such...

but this kid would really cry every time we had dinner and he wasn't able to partake.

So far, he loves his rice cereal, peas, sweet potatoes, and little pieces of bread.

He really gobbles that stuff up!

As long as there is food in the belly and Ande boy making him laugh, all is right in the world for this little guy.

Ande and Owen are already growing to be best buddies and I can't wait to see what shenanigans they get into as time goes by.

Get Hooked! { Lovely Lace Button Cowl }

This crochet pattern doesn't have anything to do with my "Think Happy Thoughts" series, but is just a fun, wintry pattern for your viewing and crocheting pleasure.

I actually entered a crochet contest over at, About Crochet.

She challenged us to create a pattern using a rarely known stitch, the Chain Single Crochet (ch.sc).

You can find out all about the stitch, here, and the rules for the contest, here.

I jumped at the chance to try out something new.

Here is what I came up with:

{ Lovely Lace Button Cowl }

(Click above for the free pdf pattern)

Unfortunately, I didn't do such a great job following directions for the contest, and therefore will no longer be entered to win, but I am still so glad that I tried out this new stitch.

I didn't know what it was going to be when I started, and am very pleased with what it turned into!

I used Carron Simply Soft yarn in Bone.

The color is interestingly brown, tan, and a little yellow all at the same time.

I used one of the extra buttons from my favorite yellow coat in hopes that I can wear them together!

The pdf for this pattern is already linked above, in case you wanted a file that you could download and keep in a folder somewhere. But for anyone else, here are the written instructions:

Supplies: 

worsted weight yarn

Size I crochet hook

needle, thread

scissors

button                                                                            

Abbreviations:

ch - chain

sl st - slip stitch

ch.sc - chain single crochet *

st - stitch

Gauge: 

4 ch.sc = 1 inch, (3 ch.sc, ch 1, 3 ch.sc) = 1 inch

*Chain Single Crochet (ch.sc) – Insert hook into st. Yarn over and pull through st (2 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through one loop (2 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through both loops.

Step 1. Ch 91.

Step 2. 1 ch.sc in 2^nd ch from hook. In same ch (2 ch.sc, ch 1, 3 ch.sc). Skip next ch. Sl st in next ch. Skip next ch. *(3 ch.sc, ch 1, 3 ch.sc) in next ch. Skip next ch. Sl st in next ch. Skip next ch. Repeat *-*to end of the row.

Step 3. Ch 3. Turn. *In ch 1 space from previous round, (2 ch.sc, ch 1, 2 ch.sc). Ch 1. 1 ch.sc in sl st space. Ch 1.* Repeat *-* to end of the row, finishing with a ch.sc in top loop of ch 2 from previous round.

Step 4. Ch 3. Turn. *In ch 1 space from previous round, (1 ch.sc, ch 2, 1 ch.sc). Ch 1. 1 ch.sc in ch.sc st from previous round. Ch 1.* Repeat *-* to end of the row, finishing with a ch.sc in top loop of ch 3 from previous round.

Step 5. Ch 3. Turn. *In ch 2 space from previous round, (3 ch.sc, ch 1, 3 ch.sc). Sl st in ch.sc st from previous round.* Repeat *-* to end of the row, finishing with a sl st in top loop of ch 3 from previous round.

Step 6. Repeat step 3.

Step 7. Repeat step 4.

Step 8. Repeat step 5.

Step 9. Repeat steps 3,4,5.

Fasten off.

Step 10. Working on other side of foundation chain, 1 ch.sc in each ch across.

Step 11. Ch 2. Turn. 1 ch.sc in each st across.

Step 12. Repeat step 11 for 2 more rows.

Fasten off.

Step 13. With needle, and thread, attach buttons to one side of the scarf. Spacing is up to you!

You’re done!

Enjoy!

Friday Finds { An Interview with Ande }

I think that doing an interview with your kids every year is a great idea, whether it's on their birthday or on New Years. It is such a good way to remember the little things that they like and it's always fun to look back and see how things have changed over time.

Oopsey Daisy posted her take on this idea, here.

I haven't put together a cute montage with the questions and his picture yet, but I went ahead and asked Ande the same questions. I tried to write down his answers just how he said them.

An Interview With Anderson

2 1/2 years old

New Years Eve

2011

What color is your hair?

crazy

What color are your eyes?

blue

What is your favorite food?

banana

What song do you like to sing?

Jalisco

What are your favorite treats?

chocolate food

What is your favorite color?

blue

What animals do you like?

zebra and a camel too

What books do you like to read right now?

the Christmas ones

What do you like to do with Daddy?

play with the silver car

Daddy plays with my green jeep with the black steering wheel on it

What do you like to do with Mommy?

play on the road

What is your favorite movie?

yo gabba gabba

What shows do you watch on tv?

kind of like... backyardigans

What is your favorite store?

i like a barn with animals inside

Who are your friends?

Charlie, Asher his name is Ashy

What do you like to play inside?

cars and trucks

What do you like to play outside?

with this silver car outside

Superstitions

Since when am I superstitious?

Remember when I vented about Owen not sleeping here, and here?

I usually spend nap time holed up in my room, snuggling under the covers, reading blogs, crocheting, and catching up on shows.

Then one day, I left my computer on the couch in the living room, so I just hung out in there during nap time.

This was the magical day that Owen started sleeping longer than 30 minutes again.

You'll probably tell me it's because he was cutting 2 teeth all that time, and that's why he wasn't napping very well...

But I haven't spent a nap time in my room since then.

I.just.can't.risk.it!

Just call me, superstitious.

***Want to see more of that cute little cape and those cute chubby cheeks?

Next Tuesday, is all about Little Red.

I'll be reviewing a pattern that I used from the book, Little Crochet by Linda Permann.

I can't wait!

In the meantime, go check out more pictures of this little dear on my friend's photography page, MK Photography and give it a like or two! She's just starting up, and has some amazing talent! 

Think Happy Thoughts { children's hooded caplet }

Welcome to the second installment in a 6 week series, Think Happy Thoughts!

For the next 6 weeks, I will be featuring a free crochet pattern, pattern reviews, and even a giveaway or two.

The theme of this series is centered around fairy tales, and all things magical and mystical.

So, follow me, and take a leap into the land of Happily Ever After...

{ Children's Hooded Caplet }

(click here for FREE pdf pattern)

It's chain mail armor for babies!

If Prince Charming doesn't sweep you off your feet, then maybe a knight in shining armor slaying the fire breathing dragon will do the trick.

This little caplet is so cute, and I have almost convinced myself to make one of my own... perhaps a little longer around the shoulders?

It is perfect for keeping those little baby heads and ears warm, though.

This pattern is really easy, and is very close in design to my Toddler Scarflet pattern.

If you wanted to make it a little more girly, add a cute flower, a tie closure, or lengthen the section around the shoulders.

There really are so many possibilities!

I hope you enjoy this pattern, and forgive me for the sometimes blurry pictures...

Photographing a 5 month old can be tricky!

Once you have finished your Children's Hooded Caplet, come upload your pictures into my Think Happy Thoughts flikr group!

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

(If you have any issues with opening the pdf for this pattern, or with understanding the pattern, please email me @ LindsayHaynie [at] gmail [dot] com)