The Move...

So it's has been about a month since the move! Yes, it was a quick decision and a quick move. We weren't sure at all if our new apartment owner would be willing to let us out of the lease or not. We had 4 days to pack everything up and head out. Me and my OCD self took forever trying to organize everything that way when it was at least in boxes, I still knew where everything was at. Yeah, that didn't happen. I asked family to help and thankfully they did or else we would have been packing forever.

Now we are moved out to the country and living with his parents. So far, so good. Still getting use to sleeping in a new place and the frogs out here will drive you mad! I'm ready to call up my sisters and go frog hunting, like when we were little. And of course, for the first few weeks we were out here, I was sick and tmj took it's toll.

Despite the fact that I don't have a driver's license yet, the location out here is amazing. So many nature trails and state parks near by. We love to go hiking and are going to try our hand at canoeing here soon. Picture and updates will be included.

So much has happened in a such a small span of time. Anthony's nephew turned six! He is also almost as tall as me! I'll give him a year or less before he's just as tall as me. That's another big part to get use to is living with a kid! We have been so stuck in our ways and it being just the two of us. Big adjustments!

Etsy surprisingly has been running smoothly. I haven't been able to post all of my new items yet but that is in progress! We are about to make some big changes with that as well. Me and lauren have been talking about opening another shop, which would be a lil more hippie friendly. I want to start drawing again and I truely miss my blacklight art. Some big plans are in store....check back with us for updates! Hope you have a great and sunny day!

Nom! Nom! Nom! Crochet Piranha Plant Scarf!

I have been a gamer for as long as I can remember and I'm very proud of this! I have been playing around with the look and love this! 

Voila! 

This one is for a customer and I hope they are happy! Might make this one of my "for sale" patterns.

Here are some pictures of the older designs...

Just a Reminder...

I'm hosting a giveaway on Facebook for $50 Gift Certificate* at Lil Bit Of Sunshine on Etsy. Soon I hope to be selling my items right here on my blog but until then please visit my Etsy shop ->TAKE ME THERE!

*One winner will be chosen on 5/1/13, and will receive a coupon code with a value of 50 US Dollars. This amount will not expire! If the entire amount is not used with first purchase, you will receive another coupon code with remaining balance. That process will continue until the full amount issued is used.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN!!!!!!!

Crochet Shoelaces!!!

Ok so i'm a converse junkie! My "go to sneakers" is always my all stars and I love shoelaces! I don't know why I haven't thought of this until now especially since I have had all types of shoelaces. But with this I can make so many different colors!!! yay! If you learn anything from my blog is that I love colors!

You will need:
Yarn
Crochet Hook
Old Shoelaces
Tape

Depending on how big and loose you want your shoelaces depends on the hook so play around and get a feel. I used a F hook.

Grab the pair of laces that were in the pair of shoes you want to replace and just chain that length and then finish off.

Tape both ends and cut extra and a lil bit of the tape off the end to give a clean look. (there are other methods for this, play around, maybe try putting a dab of glue at the end or glitter glue.)

Well have fun! Please if you share this, link back to me!

Cheesecake is for Cheering Up

Well we recently found out that Anthony's baby sister has decided to pack it all up and move out to Cali! Don't worry she will be living with other family and I completely support her. At least she is being smart but it  is still sad to see her move to the other side of the country. So to try and cheer up my love, i knew there was only one thing, I made cheesecake (his favorite). I am very proud of my cheesecake skills, never made a bad one, and had a recipe that I have used since high school. Sadly it has been lost with all of the moving over the years and I had to concoct a new recipe. I tried looking on recipe sites but couldn't find one I liked. Well anyways here is the result....

The best cheesecake I have ever made! We don't do super sweet and this cheesecake was a great balance between sweetness and the bitter creamy cheese. It's a new york sytle cheesecake and yummy!

You will need a springform pan, I used a 9.5in.

INGREDIENTS:

4 (8oz) packages of cream cheese

1 cup granulated sugar

3 jumbo eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 tbsp vanilla extract

3 tbsp flour

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven  to 325; Butter your springform pan, you can use spray or with the old paper towel and butter trick!

In a large bowl mix cream cheese (let them sit for a few minutes; mixing cold hard cream cheese = no fun; Cut into pieces) and sugar until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time and try not to over beat (the key to a great cheesecake; switch to rubber spatula or spoom if you are unsure). Add sour cream, vanilla extract and flour (In that order) 

Bake for 1 hour, I can not stress this enough, and LEAVE IT ALONE! The magic will happen! After time is up, turn off the oven and leave it in there for about 2 hours (this will help not to crack your cheesecake but if it does no worries just flip it over and it's still pretty) Then place in fridge for 4 - 6 hours. If you can wait that long, I love fresh slightly cooled cheesecake. 

Feel free to leave any comments, concerns or questions! Also if you have used this recipe please let me know how it turned out!

Turban Style Bow Ear Warmer Headband Pattern

I am so happy to have some time now to dedicate just to my patterns! I have had so many people asking and loved the comments on cutoutandkeep.net. I'm so excited, some will be free and some will be available for purchase. For my first pattern to share is one of my favorite accessories! Even though spring is here most of the states are STILL getting snow! Sorry guys maybe this will help a little! 

This pattern is great for noobs and I cannot stress how important it is to check you gauge before starting a project especially for beginners. All crocheters have different tensions, I tend to be kinda in the middle. I remember when I was teaching myself, usually skipped over that and wasted so much time when I could have checked my gauge and adjusted my hook size then. For those who do not know what I mean by gauge, think of it like making a little sample fabric, you are given an amount of stitches and rows to make and measurement that should match. I may take a few tries for some and others the first time. 

NOTES: You will be working in rounds and don't worry too much about where you join and how it looks (I'm so picky about that) because we will be covering all that up. I have found that I Love This Yarn tends to be a little thinner than Red Heart so if you are using Red Heart or similar texture then start with your H hook and G hook for I Love This Yarn. This is made for an adult woman approx 20in - 23 in

YARN USED: Worsted Weight (Red Heart or I Love This Yarn!)

HOOK: G or H Hook (depending on what yarn you use and your gauge)

NEED TO KNOW ABBR. & STITCHES:

• sl kn - Slip Knot
• ch - Chain
• sl st - Slip Stitch
• hdc - Half Double Crochet

GAUGE: 9 st x 4 rows = 3in x 2in


Start with a slip knot.
Ch 60 make sure that the ch is straight and not twisted, then sl st into the f1st ch.

Note: You will be working on the backside of the ch that way you will have a nice clean look.

Row 1 - 7: ch 1, hdc in each st around, sl st to join and turn;

Finish off and weave in strings. I like to leave about 4 in.

Fold together to make bow; Fold it up at the seam and use the hdc stitch to help it should fold very easy. Make a slip knot around where you bunched it, pull the slip knot tight and wrap around to cover the knot and make it look clean; You can make the center as small or large as you want it here;

Finish off and weave in strings.

Voila! You now have a cute new accessory to show off! Also in the center i sometimes like to clip a button or small brooch to add a little flare. Have fun! Please if you have any comments or questions, don't hesitate. This is the first of many more patterns and you do have permission to sell your handmade item just please leave a link and give me credit for the pattern/design, thank you! If your interested in purchasing any already made, pop by  My Etsy Shop!