Tuesday Tip: Crochet Scrubbies Pattern

This tutorial was originally posted on my old lilly bunns blog!


I just love these scrubbies! They have so many different uses! I've made them bigger and use them as a baby rag, I scrub pots and pans, and even my face with them--never after using them on the pans of course.  They are super easy and quick to make!

If you don't know how to crochet, you can buy these in my shop!

Yarn: Doesn't really matter, but it needs to be a worsted weight.  I like cotton yarn (sugar and cream brand) for its softness and bright colors.  Red heart super saver might be a little more abrasive.

Hook: G
Abreviations:
     St: Stitch
     Ch: Chain
     SC: SC
Notes: This is made in one continuous ring, you can make bigger by adding increase rows.  These don't need to be exact, but if you are a stickler for that kinda thing, you may want to use a stitch marker to note where the beginning of a row is.

Row 1: Ch 6 Slip St closed to form ring
Row2: 6 SC into ring. (6)
Row 3: 2 SC in each st around (12)
Row 4: *1 SC in next st, 2 SC in next st** repeat from *to ** 5 more times (18)
Row 5: *1 SC in next 2 st, 2 SC in next st** repeat from * to ** 5 more times (24)
Row 6: *1 SC in next 3 st, 2 SC in next st** repear from * to ** 5 more times (30)
Row 7: *1 sc in next 4 st, 2 SC  in next st** repeat from* to ** 5 more times (36)
To finish: skip one stitch, slip stitch and tie off.  This will make it to lie down more.

These will be about 3 inches in diameter.

My Brother!

My Three Brothers (Joshua, Caleb, Samuel)

We got some very special news to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! I knew something was up when my oldest brother called me asking if we could Facetime.  I had a feeling I knew what it was, but I let them spill the beans...my sis-in-law for all of 6 months is PREGNANT!!! I'm so excited! This is my first blood niece or neffew and I couldn't be happier for them! Now, this may not seem like something to blog about, so let me back up a little bit.

His Wife :)

3 Years ago on August 19, while I was visiting my family, we got a phone call that shook our world.  The message said Caleb has been in an accident.  The tough ex-marine-turned-sailor on the other end sounded as if he was crying.  We knew it was serious.  After finally getting in touch with someone to see what had happened (he was stationed with the Navy in Norfolk, VA at the time), we headed up that way.  At the time all we knew was that he had dove into a pool, and now couldn't feel his legs.  The surgical nurse at the hospital said if it was her kid, she'd go up there.  So we all loaded up the car at about 9 pm and made the long drive from SC to norfolk.  

We arrived there just as he was finishing up surgery.  When he had dove into the pool, he hit the top of his head and his chin was forced down to his chest.  the impact caused his C6 vertebra to break and a small piece press on his spinal chord.  He is now paralyzed from the waist down.  

He has some control of some of his abdominal muscles, and can move several toes on his right foot (these are things he's gained since the accident!)  He still has a good bit of feeling in his legs, and is gaining more all the time.  He's come such a long way since the accident! 

This past June he married such a wonderful girl.  She seriously fits right in with our family! We've all known her for quite some time, but just last year we were all reunited.  She is so helpful and amazing, and I'm so glad I now have a sister! (ok, to be fair I have to sis-in-laws on my hubby's side, but I'm not close to them--something I've been praying for to change!)  They sure got knocked-up fast, but it's all in God's timing! I'm so happy for them, and so glad that science has been able to make this happen for him!

As much as they get knocked all the time, our family would seriously be nowhere if it weren't for the VA hospital in Richmond VA.  I also have to say that the PVA (paralyzed veterans of America) has been a tremendous support as well! We were even able to meet Richard Petty at an event in Charlotte because of his involvement with the PVA.  For some southern kids that grew up watching races, it was a real honor!  Please do whatever you can to support these organizations, and your troops! 

Please keep my bubba and sissy in your prayers as they embark on this new chapter in their lives! They are building a house, now so that's adding to the stress!! God's really been laying on my heart to pray for Caleb's complete healing, so please be praying with me for that!  Thanks for sharing in my excitement!! 

- Celesa

Happy Thanksgiving!

Man, this year has seriously flown by! There's just so much for me to be thankful for this year. I'm so blessed! This is just the short list, but here are a few things I'm the most thankful for this year!

1) A loving, almighty, God. It never ceases to amaze me just how deep Gods love for us goes. I am, of course, thankful for my salvation, but I'm almost even more so thankful that God just wants a relationship with me. It is because he wants that relationship that he grants us eternal life and even helps with our day to day living here on earth. He is truly amazing!!

2) Life. I'm so thankful for not only being alive, but having a life that is blessed. I'm so thankfull for all the people in my life. As I'm writing this, I'm even more thankful for my aunt, I'm so blessed to have her and tha k God for protecting her through her shooting.

3) My Family. I'm so blessed to have everyone from my husband and parents and extended family, to my precious daughter. I'm so happy to be the mom to such a wonderful girl! I'm also blessed that my family got a little larger this year! My brother married a wonderful girl that we've been friends with for years! I'm so fortunate to have my new sissy! This year I've Rowan closer to my inlaws and my family in my heart has expanded. Seriously, seriously thankful for family!

4) My church! I'm so thankful that God lead us from a mediocre church to a church of excellence. I'm honestly not sure if it's just because we are where God wants us, or the quality of the church, but the holy spirit just seems to dwell in the church we attend now, and it is so precious to me to be able to experienc that every time the doors open!

There's so, so much more for me to be thankful for this year, but these are the things that have affected my life the most this year.

I pray that your life be equally as blessed! Take the time to be thankfull today!

Celesa

My Latest Obsessions

I've got a problem.  To me it's a really, really big problem.  Ya see, I feel bad for thanksgiving.  I mean, it's always getting put second to Christmas.  Especially this year, stores are opening so early that people are just focused on their Christmas shopping.  But that's really not my problem. My problem is the guilt I feel for joining in.  I just can't fight it anymore! The draw of Christmas is just too hard to resist! It's time to indulge my latest obsessions!

I'm seriously obsessed with all the awesome things I can make to decorate my house for Christmas! I have a little problem, though! I don't have enough surfaces to put everything on! Even after the remodel is finished, I'm not sure we will have enough places for all the things I want to make! I've got a lot of planning to do!!

One of the things I'm most obsessed with are cones! There's paper mache cones, wooden cones, Styrofoam cones, paper covered cones, tinsel covered cones, fabric covered cones, cones made to look like trees, and cones made to look like santa, there's just so many things you can do with a cone! {woah! Sorry, I was channeling Bubba from Forrest Gump there for a second!} Seriously, though there are SO many things one can do! Here's just a few of my favorites!

I love these from How to Nest for Less

These are Way Fab from Thrifty Decor Chick!

Another thing are wreaths! Little else can make the outside of your house more inviting than a wreath! There's so many cute ones! I can't decide which I want to make! I'm leaning toward trying to make one with a nativity scene in the middle.  But these here are just so dang cute! Hmmm, maybe I could just have a few and change them out each week...Maybe?

This one is BEAUTIFUL! From Whipperberry

How amazing is this one from Miss Fancy Pants?

Another new tradition I'm definitely starting this year is an advent calendar! I've just got to come up with the perfect one to make! I really love the idea of counting down the days with some education for my sweet daughter! Here are a few tutorials I've seen for them, but none I've fallen head over heals in love with, yet.

Well, I may have fallen in love with this one made with the
FABULOUS Silhouette CAMEO that I want so badly! by: Amy Totty 

We just might end up with this one from makoodle.com

Well, I hope you've been a little inspired today! I'm totally having a fit wanting to get to the store for supplies to make some of this fabulousness!

It's the little things

I dont have a big elaborate post to write today. Just wanted to share a bright moment from my week. My wonderful husband works for a local car dealership in the service department. He recently took my Explorer in to have some repairs and maintenance done on it. He decided to get really sweet and left me a little note on that little reminder sticker they put in your windshield.

He often says "oh schweetie" to me out of the blue, so it was pretty special that he was thinking of me when he did it! Love Him!!

Tuesday Tip: Chicken and Rice

This recipe was originally posted on my old Not Just a Little Fat blog.


This Chicken and Rice is very filling and tastes like its unhealthy.  I swear it tastes just like chicken and dumplings without all the fat of the dumplings.  The recipe is approximate measurements.  Be sure to check often, if it's looking too thick then add a little water to the mix.  I didn't have any stock or broth on hand when I made it, so I decided to just make my own by boiling the chicken and vegetables for a bit before adding the rice.  If you're short on time then buy a low sodium Chicken Broth and substitute for the water.  You can also add one cube of chicken bullion to the water instead of the salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.  A Serving is about 1 cup.


I wrote this one before committing to going as all natural as possible.  I haven't checked some of the ingredients on labels, so be sure you do before cooking. 

The Reno.

I cannot believe I haven't posted about our renovations, yet! It's consuming our lives in so many ways, but I'm so excited!

When we moved to Texas 5 years ago, we were so fortunate that my hubby's family built an apartment for us. Of course, that happened quite a while before kids came into the picture, so it was truly never meant to house more than just the hubs and I. It's got a three room layout (great room, bedroom, bathroom/washroom combo) and we've managed to fill it up! There is literally furniture along every wall. Hey, it's not hard to do with all the necessary furniture, drums, my crafting area and a three year old diva. We are a little more fortunate than some in that we have 777 sq feet, but the layout of the place is not the greatest use of space. And, now, Lilly really should be getting into her own room ASAP!

So, we are adding on! God has worked things around to allow us to be able to build into the garage our apartment is built onto! We are adding three new rooms, and we will eventually be redoing the rooms we already have! The rooms we are adding are 2 bedrooms and an office for me!

The rooms we currently have are laid out in such a way that in order to get to the bathroom from the great room, you have to walk through the bedroom. We are remedying that situation by putting our bedroom in the smaller of the two new rooms. Lilly will be getting the larger room. That sounds kinda backwards huh? Seriously, though all we do is sleep and...well...you know ;) in our room, so it makes sence for her to have the larger room for all of her toys, etc. What is now our bedroom will become a living room. The great room (really just a kitchen and living room) will become a larger kitchen, dining room, and drum room (though I really hope that is only temporary :)). I'm very excited to get to eat family dinners around the table again!

I'm totally going to get some pics and do a write up on each of the rooms soon. I'll make sure to include all of my inspiration, and make lots and lots of how-tos! I can't wait to show you all my office! It's going to be amazing!! Just thinking about it makes me so very thankful for an amazing God that's provided me with an amazing husband who works 12 hour days then comes home and works on the addition so that I can have my dream! I mean seriously, how many 25 year old girls get to have their own studio space? I'm so blessed :) Y'all totally need to follow along! Y'all are gonna gt so many tips from this, I promise!! I just gotta pass on the blessings, ya know? :)

Urgent call to prayer!

My aunt has always been like my second mom. Today something horrible happened to her.

I've not got all the details, but according to the police, it appears that someone broke into her house. She has multiple gunshot wounds and had to pull herself to the phone to call 911. Please, please pray for her and my family. She's stable but has been flown to a major hospital in her area. I'll give more details as I learn them.

Tuesday Tip: Super Cutie Caplet Crochet Pattern

This pattern was originally posted over at my old Lilly Bunns blog.  I hope you enjoy!

It's been a VERY long time since I made the super cutie Capelet, but I'll try my best to write it out.  I'm so sorry for the delay in getting it done.  Life is quite crazy with a 2 year old!  Please let me know if you find a mistake.  I'll do my best to correct it as soon as possible.  Pay close attention on the increasing rows.  I suppose the correct spacing isn't super important  on rows 4-5 as long as you increase in the first and last stitches and get the correct amount of increases in between.  I'll mark the amount of increases at the end of each row.  This is a great size for toddlers.  I made it for my daughter when she was 18 mo, and it's almost too small at almost 3 (she's the size of a 4 year old lol).


Abreviations used:
    Ch:  Chain
    DC: Double crochet
    SC: Single Crochet
    ST: Stitch

Guage: 2 rows, and 3 stitches= 1 inch
Hook:  G hook

Ch 37
Row1: Insert hook into third ch from hook.  1 DC in each chain. (34 st)

Row 2: Ch.3 and turn 1 DC in each ST. (34 st)

Row 3: ch 3 and turn.  1 DC in same ST.  *1 dc in next st, 2 DC in next st** repeat from * to ** to the end (54 st)

Row 4: Ch 3 and turn. DC in same st.;  1 DC in next 3 st.;  2 dc in next st.;  1 dc in next 9 st.; 2 dc in next        st;  1 dc in next 9 st.; 2 dc in next st; 1 dc in next 7 st;  2 dc in next st; 1 dc in next 9 st; 2 dc in next st; 1 dc in next 9 st; 2 dc in last st.  (58 st)  7 inc

Row 5:  Ch 3 and turn. dc in same st.;  1 dc in next 9 st.; 2 dc in next st; 1 dc in next 10 st;  2 dc in next st; 1 dc in next 5 st;  2 dc in next st; 1 dc in next 6 st; 2dc in next st; 1 dc in next 6 st; 2 dc in next st; 1 dc in next 7 st; 2 dc in next st; 1 dc in next 8 st; 2 dc in last st. (66 st) 7  inc

Row 6:  (this is last regular dc row) Ch 3 and turn. 1 dc in each st.   (66st)

Row7-9:  (shell stitch rows) Ch 3 and turn.  2 dc in same st.  Ch1 skip 4 st; *4 dc in next st., ch1, skip 4 st**   repeat from * to ** 11 times, 3dc in last st. (12 total scallops, not including the half scallops on the end.

Ch 1 and turn.  Now you will SC up the side.  When you get to the corner about to round to the top put 2 SC. Continue SC across the top doing the same at the next corner, then work down the other side.  Tie off and weave in the ends of the yarn.  You will not SC across the bottom scalloped edge!!!

Add a ribbon into the holes at the top of the first row! enjoy!

To increase the size, chain more at the beginning, add 1 increase to each row, add one row of increase, and 1 row of shell st. until it's the length you want.

The Craft Bug

It seems like I just go from one obsession to the next, and this week is no exception! The craft bug had totally hit! I don't know if it's because this week is the first in a month that I don't have to do anything!

I've got a whole week of cleaning and crafting planned! First up is a cute scarf for Lilly! It's inspired by a trellis with flowers climbing it.  I'm very excited about it and you'll get to benefit from another EASY crochet pattern by me! Next up are some Christmas presents.  I'm not entirely sure what they will be, but whatever they are they will be fabulous!

For my photography stuff I've got two props that need to be made! First, a paper mache egg to post newborns in, and a bird's nest.  They are gonna be super cute!!

And last but not least is something for my house! I'm gonna be turning some wooden pallets into end tables.  I'm also gonna try to fit in a dining table re-do from a found table!  I'm so excited about the tables, I can't stand it!

Of course, I'm gonna blog about it all, and share my process! What are you gonna make this week?

Tuesday Tip: Super Cutie Cloche Crochet Hat Pattern

This pattern was originally posted at my old Lilly Bunns Blog.  I hope y'all enjoy!

This adorable hat is my very first crochet pattern! I Love how easy it is and quick! I'm a fairly fast crocheter and it takes me about an hour to make, barring any interruptions from my cutie pie lol.  It fits a 12-18 month old easily.  It can be made bigger or larger by changing your hook size.  To go from baby size to child size you can add another increase row.  Please let me know if you find any problems with the pattern.  This is my first time writing one out!

Hat and Caplet Set

Materials:
Caron Simply Soft yarn
G (4 mm)  hook

Gauge:
Three rows= 2 "
3 stitches= 1"

Skill Level: Intermediate

Abreviations:
DC: Double crochet
Ch: Chain
SC: Single Crochet
HDC: half double crochet
3tog: 3 Together (explained below)

Special Stitches
3 Together (3tog): Yo, insert hook into the stitch, yo and draw up loop. Yo and pull through two loops.  Yo and insert hook into the SAME loop, yo and draw up loop.  Yo and pull through two loops. Yo and insert hook into the SAME loop, yo and draw up loop. You and pull through two loops.  Yo and pull yarn through all 5 loops on the hook.

Round 1: Ch. 4, slip stitch in first chain forming ring, ch. 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout) 11 DC into the ring.  Join with slip stitch to first stitch  (12 dc)

Round 2: Ch. 3, 1 DC in same stitch, 2 DC in each stitch around, join with Slip stitch to first stitch (24 DC)

Round 3: Ch. 3, 1 DC in same stitch, 1 DC in next stitch *2 DC in next stitch, 1 DC in next stitch** Repeat from * to ** all the way around.  Join with Slip Stitch to first stitch (36 dc)

Round 4: (last increasing round) Ch 3, 1 DC in same stitch, 1 DC in next 2 stitches *2 DC in next stitch, 1 DC in next 2 stitches** Repeat from * to ** all the way around  Join with slip stitch to first stitch (48 DC)

Rounds 5 and 6: ch 3, 1 dc in next stitch and each stitch around (48 DC)

Round 8: ch 1, 1 HDC in next stitch and each stitch around (48 HDC)

Round 9: Ch 3, DC 2tog in same stitch, chain one, *Skip next stitch and dc 3tog, Ch one** repeat from * to ** all the way around.  join with slip stitch to first stitch.

Round 10: Ch 3 and turn work, DC 2tog in ch 1 space, ch 1, *Skip next stitch and dc 3tog in next ch 1 space, Ch one** repeat from * to ** all the way around.  join with slip stitch to first stitch.

Round 11: Ch 3 and turn work, DC 2tog in ch 1 space, ch 1, *Skip next stitch and dc 3tog in next ch 1 space, Chain one** repeat from * to ** all the way around.  join with slip stitch to first stitch.

Round 12:  Ch 3, 1 dc in next stitch and each stitch around (48 DC)

Round 13: (scalloped edging) Ch 1, SC in next stitch, Chain four, skip next stitch, *SC in next 2 stitches, chain four, skip next stitch** Repeat from * to ** all the way around.  

You are Finished!! This hat looks absolutely adorable with a Crocheted flower or a cute hair bow attached!

I'll be posting the caplet pattern sometime in the next few weeks!

Feel free to sell items created from this pattern, but please do not claim it as your own, or sell the pattern itself.  Please mention that the pattern comes from Lilly Bunns Boutique in your listing.