Tag Archive | It’s a Hoot

Crafting With a Purpose

So at the last minute Shandai and I did up a craft table for a day at the Priory in August. At the end of this week we are returning for a 2 day sale we had pre-planned attending. So come check us out at A Prior Affair HERE. Now onto the blog post I am warning you I wrote ages ago:IMG_20180825_231115_037

Shandai has been making and selling these adorable and functional baby/small dog bandanas. You can purchase some yourself at her Etsy page… ShandaiMade or Facebook HERE. She uses a large variety of fabric and lovely sturdy snaps. If you want something a little larger, she is branching out to large dog versions as well, that would also fit a child (or potentially an adult). My niece is the perfect model and uses them all the time. They keep drool and mess off clothes and sensitive baby skin.

Look at the awesome colour combos she has!

Look at the awesome colour combos she has!

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It was a last minute opportunity so I just threw together my random on hand pieces that were critters and ran with it. Surprisingly it was my Cthulhu’s and ice cream cones that were of interest… and the little desserts I had made up.20180705_175631

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It was a fun experience, though the crowd was not huge. The current plan is to come back to the bigger 2 day sale at the same location in the end of October and bring more items out. I hope to make some more key chains, maybe some Halloween themed pieces. With cooler weather maybe some scarves would be of interest.

Seriously though, check out ShandaiMade and spread the word. Handmade, functional AND fabulous. Oh and did I mention… reversible??? I wish I had had these back when my kids were tiny. Tying on bibs was a royal pain.

Bib in action

Bib in action

I am also going to work on updating my Facebook page It’s a Hoot. I really need to add more of my on hand pieces. I always have spare stuff sitting around. And commissions are always welcome. After all, crafting helps keep me sane!

Now enjoy the obligatory niece and kitty pics. Both are utterly adorable. 20180825_134635

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Busy Busy Fingers

I know I haven’t posted much in the way of an update on the stitching. The time just seems to dart away with you. BUT I do have progress on the Rainbow Ripple Blanket… I am still in love with this project, though the orange in my third rainbow gave me all sorts of trouble. Progress has been spotty on it, thankfully I am not even close to out of time!IMAG2463

However, I did have OTHER completions come and go these past weeks. 13 Valentine themed tiny bags were done up in no time flat. Some for our family and some for the kids to gift. HERE thanks to Blackstone Designs.IMAG2315

I also finished some of the most adorable baby sweaters that were quickly posted in the mail to the newest twins of our acquaintance. I am making a third of this pattern for the county fair! I will share the pictures of that one too. HERE thanks to Sinead Deegan.IMAG2462

A one day free pattern from Snappy Tots HERE has me hooking up a Valentine’s themed scarf.IMG_3086

A special SUPER late birthday present was also completed and finally posted in the mail. A bag we (Ken and I) converted into a backpack. Perfect for toting a few things for school or home. HERE thanks to Red Heart.IMAG2479

What else, what else… well with the donation of yarn from a friend who was downsizing I was finally able to finish a shawlette I started ages ago. It reminds the girls of Frozen (colour scheme I guess). HERE thanks to Crochetspot.com … though NOT a free pattern.IMAG2515

The same wonderful gift has me FINALLY starting a cupcake blanket in baby pink. This is a classroom only project, for when I have down time between lessons or the kids are presenting or crafting. They love the cupcakes and I love the repetition. I have opted to have a single colour as the bulk of the blanket with the border in a second colour. Here’s hoping that there is enough of the colour in my stash now. HERE thanks to Roseanna Beck.IMG_3096

In honour of Chinese New Year (year of the monkey) I made a lucky orange tree. The pattern is thanks to Little Mee Creations. We made a few alterations… we put a plastic canvas base and instead of the suggested straw used a wider dowel with thinner dowels for the branches. This did alter my stitch count around both the trunk and branches but it worked. I also made mine a taller tree, which the kids LOVE. Either way… if you are a crochet enthusiast give it a go. So worth it! HEREIMG_20160208_101910

I have decreased my unfinished work pile and am staring temptation in the face to add more to it. 6 gifted skeins of a specific colour of Homespun sitting in a pile in my room… I swear it is taunting me… and I have, perhaps, found a pattern that I would not mind making… so let’s see if I can add that to my schedule!

That is not to say I haven’t been working on the rainbow. I am hoping to put some good time in on it during the second half of February. Short month, but lots of time to sneak away and stitch. If I am careful!IMAG2520

As a matter of fact, my Etsy store HERE has not been a rip roaring success these past months… I have done very well at Christmas time but not so much over the rest of the year. SO, my plan is to stop renewing my adds over the next few months and revamp my Facebook It’s a Hoot page HERE. Hopefully, over the next few weeks I can sort it out so you can view anything I have for sale there. Feel free to check it out, share the link… put someone who may be interested on the path… I would love to send some of these finished pieces on to a new home!!!IMAG2464

And My Hint Remains Unfulfilled

As in Ken has NOT given me his resource list… so sit back and enjoy the crafty goodness parade! These fingers have been BUSY!!! I must say RAVELRY is a godsend AND CrochetSpot a great place for advice and free and pay for patterns. You can access those places HERE and HERE respectively! Now for the craft show!

I am rather proud of Lil' Unicorn. I have sold TWO of these! One in colours requested and the other the same as pictured only with safety eyes for an infant. I have this cutey listed on Etsy!

I am rather proud of Lil’ Unicorn. I have sold TWO of these! One in colours requested and the other the same as pictured only with safety eyes for an infant. I have this cutey listed on Etsy! HERE

This adorable cuddle toy is thanks to Little Yarn Friends HERE.

Cuteness the Fish. What I love about this one is it makes up so .... CUTE. She is for sale on my Facebook page

Cuteness the Fish. What I love about this one is it makes up so …. CUTE. She is for sale on my Facebook page

Cuteness is thanks to A for Amigurumi. You can visit their site HERE.

Amigurumi Chinese Kokeshi doll. I love the detail on this one. Her little buns and hanging hair have flowers in front of them. She does not stand on her own, but is just adorable and I used safety eyes so it is infant safe. This one is posted up for sale on my Facebook page. HERE

Amigurumi Chinese Kokeshi doll. I love the detail on this one. Her little buns and hanging hair have flowers in front of them. She does not stand on her own, but is just adorable and I used safety eyes so it is infant safe. This one is posted up for sale on my Facebook page. HERE

 The Kokeshi doll is thanks to Studio Ami HERE. They have some absolutely ADORABLE amigurumi.

I am in love with making little deserts. There is a swiss style roll, a strawberry pudding and a cookie. These are on sale on my Facebook page HERE.

I am in love with making little deserts. There is a swiss style roll, a marshmallow pudding and a cookie. These are on sale on my Facebook page HERE.

These three deserts are thanks to Creative Crochet Workshop HERE.

I have done up a bunch of these heart rings. They make great tiny gifts as they ship at a steal. I have these up for sale on Facebook HERE.

I have done up a bunch of these heart rings. They make great tiny gifts as they ship at a steal. I have these up for sale on Facebook HERE.

These sweet crochet rings are thanks to Little Yarn Friends as well (link above).

Itty Bitty Lunch. The sandwich is lettuce, tomato and cheese. And for sale on Facebook HERE.

Itty Bitty Lunch. The sandwich is lettuce, tomato and cheese. And for sale on Facebook HERE.

This little snack is thanks to Abigail’s Crochet World HERE on Ravelry.

Candy Corn!!! The one in the middle is considered a Thanksgiving themed corn. I love how roly poly these are. They are for sale on Facebook HERE.

Candy Corn!!! The one in the middle is considered a Thanksgiving themed corn. I love how roly poly these are. They are for sale on Facebook HERE.

These amigurumi snacks are thanks to Josephine Wu on Craftsy HERE.

Soft baby blocks. This set of 3 are so sweet. I love variegated yarns. These are not the least bit stiffened so wonderful for any age or to display. For sale on Facebook HERE.

Soft baby blocks. This set of 3 are so sweet. I love variegated yarns. These are not the least bit stiffened so wonderful for any age or to display. For sale on Facebook HERE.

This baby friendly design is thanks to CrochetSpot. I totally would recommend them for a membership but also to watch for their freebies HERE.

Little owl pouches. Owls seem to be totally in right now. I actually made one of these myself. They are a small pouch with safety eyes (so they do go into the pouch a little bit) there is a button on the back for the loop to latch. I have them for sale on Facebook HERE.

Little owl pouches. Owls seem to be totally in right now. I actually made one of these myself. They are a small pouch with safety eyes (so they do go into the pouch a little bit) there is a button on the back for the loop to latch. I have them for sale on Facebook HERE.

These useful items are thanks to 1 Dog Woof HERE. And that is the show! Hope you all enjoyed it!