Day #111: Crochet Project

Sadly, the weekend is over. Back to work for me! Mondays are usually busy in the ER, so I'm planning on it going by quickly (I hope!). Anyways, this past weekend I got bored with my usual jewelry making and cross-stitching, so I got out my crochet hooks and learned how to make ear warmers. I'm doing a craft show in a couple weeks...might be a nice item to display with the cold Michigan winter on it's way in! 

Knotted Ear Warmer

My husband told me with the knotted one on I looked like an old lady. THEN I turned the knot to the side and he said I looked like a pirate. Oui.

Ear warmer w/o the knot

I have perfected my double crochet. Fo shiz.

Anyways, here is the pattern in case you'd like to make your own!

Supplies:

Yarn

5mm hook (H)

Abbreviations:

DC = double crochet

Chain 70

Row 1: DC in 4th chain from hook and in each chain across. 68 total DC's.

R2-6: Chain 2.  Turn.  Dc in 4th chain from hook and in each chain across. Again, 68 total DC's.

Use slip stitches to sew the ends together. 

It's a pretty easy craft project for a beginner like me! 

Linking Up:

Day #106: Craft Ideas

The sick Hubby and I spent yesterday eating pizza rolls and watching Netflix. It was awesome. I also had to be somewhat productive and write an 8 page paper. Ugh.

Anywho,

Pinterest is my ultimate source for craft ideas. I love crafts but sometimes most times lack the creativity to come up with ideas myself. So, I pin things on the DIY boards. Here's some of my new faves.

Source: merrymakingeventsblog.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: thatsmyletter.blogspot.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: sweet-verbena.blogspot.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: realphotography.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Source: oleanderandpalm.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Am I talented enough to make these? Unsure. But I am certain someday (when school is DONE) I will try!

Also, the hubs mentioned he wished I baked. Maybe...I will try that too.

Someday.

Oh, and Happy Halloween!

Source: bluntcard.com via Robyn on Pinterest

Linking Up:

Day #98: DIY Mitten Ornament, Giveaways AND Loving Lately!

Here is what I am Loving Lately:

One/Two/Three/Four/Five/Six/Seven

I am all about DIY Christmas Decor, and this season, I am going to attempt to make each and every one of these items. I started simply by attempting to re-create number 7 on the list. Here is my attempt:

Supplies

Felt (multiple colors of your choice)

Buttons

Thread

String or Yarn (to make hanger)

Needle
Stuffing

Draw a line around the pattern. You will need two mittens for your ornament. For a mitten pattern, click here.

Next sew the buttons on. Then attach the mittens together by using a blanket stitch. The following video will show you how to make a blanket stitch.

Before you are finished, make you sure you put in the stuffing. Then finish your ornament!

Now...link-up!!

Oh, and ONE more thing before you go...Check out this FANTASTIC giveaway!! Since I have been in bed sick for the past few days, I have been entering giveaways like crazy!! Here's a few I recommend:

"You Are Awesome Giveaway" with Neely @ A Complete Waste of Make-Up

October Sponsor Giveaway at The Vintage Modern Wife

A Crafters Dream Christmas Giveaway @ Leroy Lime

Pinktober Giveaway @ Shades of Gray and a Pinch of Pink

300 Followers Mega-Giveaway @ The Wright Stuff

Head on over to Perfectly Imperfect Mom for the Great October Giveaway! Over $100 worth of giveaways.

And of course, my 100 Follower Giveaway!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Day #97: Illness + A Craft

I'm still sick. In fact, I am worse than I was last week. I started to get better and then BOOM, woke up with a sore throat, chills, body aches and a cough much worse than before. Me and Hubby seem to just be passing this crud back and forth. 

It's not fun.

However, since I am sick I have been exploring the internet. I signed up for an account at Influenster.com back in August. I found the site confusing and hard to navigate. I knew I want to be an Influenster because you get boxes, which allow you to sample and review products...which I LOVE to do!! However, you have to collect badges and have a certain "influence" score. I had no idea what to do, how to do it. I heard they re-vamped things so I went back.

It's so much better! It's easier to navigate, my profile shows my score (A sad 38...boo!), and you have a better idea of where you are as far as influencing. It's a little harder to earn badges but I can at least see how I am doing. You can write product reviews, submit your blog or blogs for points, and share products on your social networking sites. It's much nicer than before. Check it out:

Influenster

Mostly, I have just been laying around. Every once in a while I get small bursts of energy where I feel like being creative. While searching around StumbleUpon I came across this:

Source

Here is my version:

Supplies:

Mod-Podge (either gloss or matte finish...the one above is matte, I have gloss)

Tissue paper

Paper punch

Paint brush

Vase or candle votive

My paper punch...little flower.

Vase

Punch out pieces of tissue paper.
Paint onto vase with mod-podge. Allow to dry for at least 20-30 minutes.

Ta-Da! Not as nice, but same difference.
If I had more energy, I would have found a candle to put in it...but I feel like crap. My burst of energy has subsided.

So, that was my project for the day. It was easy and it turned out pretty nice considering I have never tried to do anything like this before. It could easily be a neat, cheap project. You can get vases similar at dollar stores, tissue paper is cheap and I bought the paper bunch with a half-off at Hobby Lobby with their weekly coupon.

Day #47: DIY Gift Ideas

Congrats JV, on an excellent outing!

May I just share my excitement with the fact that the Detroit Tigers swept the Chicago White Sox. This now puts us tied for first place in the race for the play-offs. I really hope we can keep this up so I can enjoy post-season baseball. 

And thank-you, Delmon, for your game winning 3-run homer.

Anyways, I may not type too much today. I just finished writing several discussion boards posts for school and my typing fingers are getting sore. My brain is also mush. I just finished working four 12 hour shifts in a row, plus I picked up some OT tomorrow. 

So, there is only 113 days left until Christmas. Now, I know this may seem random but I'm broke and Christmas can be expensive. Since my husband and I are avid crafters and DIYers, I have been trolling the internet for some good DIY gifts. I mentioned a blog in an earlier entry, but the Happy House Wife has some great gift ideas for families on a budget. Other great DIY gift ideas can be found at the following:

25 Handmade Gifts under $5
101 Simple Handmade Gift Tutorials
Skip to My Lou: Handmade Gift Ideas

I am hoping to come up with my own list of DIY gifts. It's added to my "Blog To-Do" List. It's getting long! So many ideas, so little time. I created a word document to organize my ideas. Also, so that I remember them!

Anyways, I hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day! Stay Safe!

Until tomorrow,

Big, beautiful & broke... Chelsea

New items added to: budget

Since my entry is late anyways and it's technically Mondays then join in the link-up @ Still Being Molly's blog! Expect another shout-out in Monday's real entry as well!

Day #12: Sleepy.

Today's entry will be super boring because I waited too long to write and now I am exhausted. I worked today for 12 hours, now I am sitting in the living room chatting with my step-daughter and hubby, while also, making more felt owls. 

I love owls. These felt owls are pretty fun to make...found a pattern for a baby mobile. Perhaps a lucrative Etsy item?? Hmm...

Aren't they cute?? I am going to splurge on some toy filling so I can finish these puppies. We'll see how this turns out! I have waaaay too many craft projects happening at once. This is what happens when you can not leave your house to avoid spending money. 

Until tomorrow,

Big, Beautiful & Broke... Chelsea

Day #11: Hooters!

For some reason lately, I am really into owls. They are everywhere, so perhaps it is the power of suggestion. I went shopping with Sheri today (OH MY GOOOOOSH! THIS BROKE GIRL WENT...SHOPPING?!). It's not that bad. First of all, I have a zillion gift cards. So, that is what I spent. One of my purchases:

A new set of hooters! Er...salt and pepper shakers.

Aren't they cute?! Only $5 at Pier 1 Imports, purchased with a gift card. Nice way to get out some shopping angst. Gift cards. 

I also spent $3 on different colors of felt so I can make owl baby mobiles to sell on Etsy. Here's a picture of my first felt owl:

Hoot! Hoot!

Last night I did splurge on a girl's night. I met Stefanie for dinner at Harvey's, which was delicious! Then we and Carlynn went to see Magic Mike. Great movie! Half naked men for 2 hours. Fantastic. Anyways, it's late and this girl has to work tomorrow!

Until tomorrow,

Big, Beautiful & Broke...Chelsea