This Easter break...

I crocheted, bought the new JT album for my mom, and did one math problem for my dad. :)
   23 flowers
     9 scarves
+   4 beanies
    36 pieces  

Obsessed

This morning I was watching The Today Show and they were talking about how people are obsessed with using the word obsessed.  As I stumbled out of bed to grab a breakfast of champions (Cadbury chocolate eggs... I'm obsessed with these every Easter) and plop myself on the couch, so I could crochet some dish towels that need to be mailed (I'm obsessed with crocheting and mailing packages to people), my mom came frolicking out of the craft room and plopped a down a sewn bag.  She spun around and exclaimed, "made another one" as she headed back to continue sewing.  If this pile keeps growing, it may be safe to say that she's obsessed with making these cute little totes.

Irish Snail Mail

Happy Day After St. Pat's Day!  St. Patrick's Day is my favorite holiday and this year I celebrated it by running the LA Marathon.  My mom was there to cheer me on, as well as so many great running friends.  I'll post the details later, but in the meantime... check this cute crocheted beanie.  One of my dad's nurses asked if I could make her a beanie with ear flaps to go with her scarf when she traveled to Ireland to celebrate March 17th.  How amazing would it be to get to spend St. Pat's Day in IRELAND?!?  Of course, I had to make her one.  The was my first ever beanie with ear flaps and it turned out great!  I was kind of nervous about trying to make one, but it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  Definitely going to be making more of these in the future.  Here is the tutorial I used.  It's for a owl beanie, which would be super cute as well.  I just left the owl details off and added a shamrock instead.  Esty has a fast shamrock tutorial here.

Protection

I've been obsessed lately with crocheting cases, sleeves, and holders (whatever you want to call them) for our electronics and the word PROTECTION.  Anyway, I found this tutorial to help with the basic pattern, but I didn't follow it perfectly.  I messed up on the laptop sleeve and it's uneven where the stitches join, but it doesn't bother me... that much. :)  I added a fun little flower with the help of this video (it's a series, so you have to watch a couple to complete the whole flower).  These videos are actually good ones to watch because the lady is so fun.

I just crocheted the iPad bag like I would a headband, just bigger.  When I had a tube, I left spaces for the handles.  I then turned it inside out and sewed up the bottom.  Super easy to make.  Use two yarns together to make it chunky.

March

March is a bittersweet month for us, but nature helps calm us.  We've been collecting a few little gifts from nature and placing them in a vase.  We've never been too fond of cutting flowers and only having them for a bit (rather have them in a pot and plant them), so we display other things like leaves, rocks, shells, and sticks in out vases.  Of course we had to add a little crocheted doily.  I couldn't find the actual tutorial I used, but saw this one and the pattern is very similar and is easier to follow.  It looks like it would work up a little smaller than what I made, so just increase a bit more to get the desired size. 

Valentines 2013 Craft Swap

We love crafts swaps and my dear friend, Angela, introduced us to a fun group that loves swaps too.  We sent out two heart shaped embellished pillows and in return got a beautiful detailed quilled picture and fun hoop wall hanging.  We love them both.  We will be participating in their Spring swap, so we'll post pictures of that later on.

Up!

I had a doctor appointment the other day and when I got of my car, this is what greeted me.  It was nice to see.