Happy New year 2012!!

from Sow Kindness, Gather Love

Top 5 New Year Resolutions:

#1: Be a better mom, wife and person 

I have a couple ideas on how to go about this....I'll be trying them out

#2: Learn to sew a bit better - I want to make dresses for my girls

#3: Lose 10 lbs and be able to do 10-15 "real" push ups...I want to be strong and fit to keep up with my kids...and one day, my grandkids!

#4: Learn German - I want to go to Germany with my mom and best friend one day. 

#5: More laughing! 

I thought I might start off this new years with a little bit of #5.....

from Sow Kindness Gather Love

from Urban Outfitters

from Tangled and True

this video makes me so happy and never fails to make me laugh!!

I have high hopes for 2012....it's going to be a great year!

Make sure to get your smooch on at midnight ( ;

Had a great Christmas

We had a really really...just really really nice Christmas. Spent it with family and all our favorites...had so much fun giving and getting spoiled. 

My husband out did himself as usual. I got a Speedlite, some extra SD cards, and an external battery pack for my camer, as if that wasn't enough he also got me gift cards to my favorite places from each of the kids (I love gift cards)...I really feel spoiled!

I made a couple crocheted gifts for family. I have been meaning to make my brother Chris, his Skull hat ever since I came out with the pattern last summer. I finally did it and now I have him modeling his hat in the shop (love that!)

More updates...My husband and I have also been trying to play more games with eachother....we broke out RISK and I got clobbered the first game...

Yep, I was playing red. 

mean....

BelleChic sale again! Yay!

The sale is on! I'm excited to be able to work with the awesome people over at BelleChic again. It's such a great site with really great deals!

Sale is going for only two days and there is a limited amount so hurry scurry ( :

BelleChic

See the BelleChic Mamachee Crochet Pattern Sale here. There are some single patterns and pattern pkg's that I put together so take a look around and see if anything tickles your fancy.

Here are just some of the patterns you'll find for sale ( :

and lots more...

More Updates - on a roll!

Got the Neck-warmer Headband Pattern redone and added some new photos. The flower is a little bit different. I added optional leaves and made the pattern a bit better for a better looking Rosette. It's not a rolled rose either - crochet it and weave in ends, no sewing.  : )

I thought the rosette would look really cute on a skinnier headband..so I added directions on how to make a skinny headband. Here is my little bald Christmas Angel!

This headband is the same pattern as the neck-warmer just with some color changing and made much thinner.

Pattern is for a neckwarmer, earwarmer and the skinny headband in three sizes: Baby (Child, Adult)

It's called the Neckwarmer Headband crochet pattern - that name is so boring and unimaginative, I know *hanging head in defeat*

But!

I was also able to get some photo's of the adult size "Super Easy Cloche Brim Hat" too - I added a simple fabric band to it and really liked it!

I'm on a roll - and doing this pattern got me going with another idea, I'll be working on a new pattern this week. Hopefully I'll have something to show you before Christmas ( : 

Speaking of Christmas...I found this very cute mistletoe headband tutorial I thought you might enjoy (cuz I do!)

but be careful who  you wear this around....mkay?  find tutorial here: PinkSuedeShoe

Muah!!

Christmas bling

Cinderellas Wish by Everlastinglifashion

From Beautiful Sensations

Source

Instructions for adding hair tinsel from Hair Extensions Fashion

Winners for 1 free pattern from Optimistic by Nature

Thank you so much Katie for doing a giveaway with me. It was so much fun getting to know you better and I wish you all the success you can handle ( :

Winners are....

1. Kjirsten

2. Francie

3. Ninfa

4. Breeni Books (Crochet Cauldron)

5. Sara Nicole

Congratulations you guys!!

Please pick out your free pattern here and shoot me a quick e-mail to mamacheepatterns at gmail dot com letting me know your choice and we'll get your pattern to you.

Thank you so much you guys and thank you again Katie!!

Super Easy Cloche Brim Hat - that's a mouth full

Finally finished updating this pattern. If you have purchased this pattern in the past, please feel free to send me an e-mail to mamacheepatterns at gmail dot com letting me know you would like the updated pattern, please just provide your date of purchase and I'll send the pattern to you asap.

I added a large yellow slouchy bow to the side, it looks so neat....I love the color combo! (the bow is not included in the pattern).

I also added two optional rows to the pattern to make the brim a bit smaller or larger.

Some Pattern Notes:
Pattern comes in 5 sizes from Baby to Adult. Basic needs for this pattern are Super Bulky Yarn and an N hook. I tried using two strands of Vanna's Choice worsted and that worked pretty well...the gauge was slightly too small.
So I tried using three strand Worsted Yarn and that was too tight and gave a larger gauge..haha. If you have this pattern you might try using 3 strands of a lighter Worsted weight Yarn, if you don't have any bulky.

It would be hard to find a hat that works up easier or quicker than this pattern, I'm always so happy with how this hat turns out.

Just a reminder too...All the finished products from Mamachee Patterns can be sold. I just ask that if you sell them online that you please give me credit for the pattern with a link to the pattern shop.

If you would like to purchase this pattern it is available here and here.

I hope you all are having an amazing holiday season...with lots of love, warmth, and crocheting (or other great diy)!

and I'll leave you with something funny...I love a good funny!

source...Jason Boyles Facebook

Optimistic by Nature - Crochet Designer Interview and Giveaway

Meet Katie!  


Katie here is the name and face behind Optomistic by Nature


*  etsy  *  blog  *  ravelry  *  facebook  *


Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I live in norther Norway on the coast. Beautiful nature surrounds my world and inspires me. And hey - we need warm crocheted hats, mittens, scarves and sweaters here! I have a great husband, Oystein and a charming little 1 year old. Oliver is very visible on my blog... he is my main crochet inspiration and model! I work with culture as an administrator and freelance musician and have the worlds best hobby - crocheting.

What inspires you to create? 

I have just started designing patterns and am inspired by just about everything I see. Norway is a country of knitters and it is cold here. We have no shortage of sweaters! Now that I have kick-started my design brain I really can't shut it off - and I don't want to! I have many patterns in my mind waiting to be patiently tested out. I think the whole key to creating is having fun. Creating can't be forced. You have to love it into being : )

Katie's newest crochet pattern: The Ribbed Sock (comes in 7 sizes)

When/how did you learn to crochet?

I seem to remember my grandma teaching me long long ago. I learned to knit when I moved to Norway in 1999 but struggled to finish projects. About a year ago I took up crocheting after my sister in law got into amigurumi. I googled and found Tara's Bird rattle and the rest is history. : ) 

Is there another crochet designer that inspires you?

Tara! I love Mamachee patterns. I especially love the tree and bird rattles - a perfect combination of crochet and nature : ) Also: easy makes me happy, too! That is why I prefer crochet to knitting. I think it is easier.  : ) I hope to one day also have made my mark on the crochet world - that lots of mommy hands work up my patterns and little toddler heads style them!

*blush*

Thank you Katie! 

Here is my favorite of Katie's designs (the Bonnet Balaclave).....I wish I had the time to try some of her designs...more time, longer days...that's what I think I'd like for Christmas : ) 


If you would like to see all of the Optimistic by Nature designs go here

Bonnet Balaclava in all sizes

and...you can sell all the finished items made from Katie's Patterns, she just asks that you please give her credit for the pattern with a link to her etsy shop. 

Thank you Katie for sharing your designs with us! I look forward to seeing what else you have up your sleeves for us!


The GIVEAWAY (5 winners for one free pattern)


1. Starts today
2. Like and/or Follow Katie's blog and/or facebook
3. Leave a comment 
4. Ends Monday the 12th


see below for more info

Katie is giving away 1 free pattern to 5 people and all you have to do is go over to either follow Katie's blog or like her facebook (or both!)

Let me know in a comment that you liked or follower OptimisticbyNature and you'll be entered to win. If you wish, please provide me with an e-mail address so we will have an even better chance of getting a hold of you.

This giveaway will run for today, Saturday and Sunday...I'll announce the three winners on Monday (the 12th)

Garland review for Janee Lookerse

Christmas tree! We were really good this year and got our Christmas tree up just a couple days after Thanksgiving. I love the lights! I love sitting down on the couch in the morning and watching the twinkling lights on our tree.

I just added some pretty Garland from JaneeLookerse to my tree, I love the cute handmade feel it gives.

This garland came to me in a very nicely put together package from JaneeLookerse. Yep, I love her toys and her Garland! The garland came rolled on a sturdy piece of prepared cardboard, which is so nice because when it comes time to take down the Christmas decor it will be very easy to grab that carboard and roll this stuff right back up for easy and very compact storage. I have two strands of Christmas Garland and they really add that perfect something to the tree and the home.

If someone asked about the garland, I would feel more than comfortable to send them over to Janee's shop. The garland is very well made, is a great price and.....it's just the perfect little dainty piece of pretty!

She has lots of other awesome garland too! It's all really fun...here are some of my other favorites:

White Pom Pom Garland...I want to add little snowballs to my house : )

To Go Bag Garland....nothing better than purchasing recycled handmade stuff (there is too much stuff in the world already)

Blues and Greens...this garland reminds me of the tail of a kite 

Just in case you missed it here is a link to her shop:  click here

Cloche Hat Crochet Pattern - Some New Pictures

Nasty day out today....it's around 40 degrees (above 0), the snow is melting and the wind is blowing pretty bad. Tomorrow will be worse, it's supposed to be around 8 degrees. All that melted snow will be freezing...It's going to be an icy mess out there. I don't think I'll be driving anywhere any time soon...so today I'm thankful for my yarn and crochet hook ( :

My little Samantha modeling a little boy  hat from the "Cloche Brim Hat Pattern"....man, this hat would look so adorable with a couple little pink flowers on the side. I should have added some for her.

This hat is the easiest and fastest pattern to work up and it has a great little brim effect added. I used two strands of worsted for this hat and the gauge turned out a little small...I might try using 3 strands next time but otherwise this pattern calls for super bulky yarn with an N hook and comes in sizes baby to adult.

This hat would really help make your holiday handmade gift giving work up much faster ( :

Perfect Alphabet Letters

I've had my eye on this fabric alphabet. I love having the alphabet everywhere for my kids and have you ever seen a prettier set? You should definitely visit the shop here (there is a boy themed alphabet too)

JaneeLookerse

so, I got my hands on some of these! and they are perfect!

Here are mine...

One letter for each of my children. So special! The kids love them and so do I. I'm thinking about making these into Christmas Ornaments but I'm not sure Jordan and Galilee would like that.

I have to add this one too....look at those Squishy Arms!

S is for Samantha

G is for Galilee

S is for Summer

Janee (one little person), is a perfect example of why we should all try our best to buy handmade and support our local artists. 

When you purchase something from a small business artist.....

you get a quality handmade item made with thought, creativity and love.

you almost always feel an instant connection to the artist and you really do care for and love your item far more. It's kinda weird but very true and very fun!

you instantly make two people happy: yourself and the artist.

you are supporting someones dream to do what they love to do...and that feels good!

you get to communicate with the CREATOR of the item and tell them first hand...I LOVE what your doing!

Buying handmade is what your great great Grandma used to do ( : 

Please consider buying handmade...especially this Christmas season. Buying for yourself is only second best to buying gifts for your loved ones. 

and if you happen to stop over at JaneeLookerse, let her know who sent you....that would make me super  happy! 

Here is where you can find her....

Blog  *  Home Shop  *  Toy Shop

and here is the face behind the handmade Alphabet, and her other half. Nice faces!

Thanks Janee...for being awesome, for going after what you want to do, for making awesome stuff and for smiling so pretty in that picture above ( :