I love being... Cozy at home

Get a little exercise!

2012-01-31T07:10:00.000-08:00

I just found out today that Shaun T's Rockin' Body is on sale for $19.99! That is such a good deal for a total exercise program. Shaun is also the creator of Insanity, Hip Hop Abs and Asylum. So go check it out, I am getting mine so I can start getting fit for spring/summer ;) Click HERE and look for the button down the page on the right.

Crochet & Potatoes

2012-01-26T16:02:00.000-08:00

It's been quite blustery in North Idaho lately, Rain, snow, wind, cold, you know the drill. So I've been doing a lot of cooking, cleaning & crocheting.

I decided to do a striped scarf, using this color scheme I found on pinterest.

I'm really loving all the color samples on pinterest, it really is inspiring to make things beautiful.

Besides color schemes on pinterest, I've been loving the new recipe ideas that I'm finding. The new recipes have also inspired me to make different things that I've been wanting to try, like this Scalloped potato recipe....

Microwave scalloped potatoes

1 1/2 pounds Idaho russet potatoes, sliced
Salt & Pepper to taste
6 Tbsps Butter
1 Cup Colby Jack Cheese, shredded
1 Cup Chicken Broth

Arrange 1/2 of the potatoes in an 8x8 inch glass dish, overlapping potatoes. Season with salt and pepper and dot with 3 Tbsps butter, sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheese. Arrange rest of potatoes, season, and dot with rest of butter, reserve other 1/2 of cheese. Pour broth over top and microwave for 10 to 12 minutes or until done. Sprinkle with rest of cheese and broil for 2 to 3 minutes on high broil or until golden brown.

They turned out so yummy, there wasn't any leftovers :)

Don't forget about my Scrapbook Software giveaway! Read my post above for all the details.

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My Memories Giveaway

2012-01-21T19:20:00.000-08:00

I love giveaways! My memories has asked me to review and play with their new digital scrapbooking software! They are also giving me a free copy to give to one of my awesome blog readers.
Here is what I created with one of their many layouts....

These are of my son the freeskier. The template made it so simple to make, and you can make more than just scrapbook pages with it such as photo books, cards, videos, you name it! I've seen people make subway art and sweet printables.

So, here is how the contest works. Enter by commenting on how you would use my memories scrapbook software, and be creative with your ideas. Get extra entries by sharing my blog on facebook or pinning this page on pinterest, if you share on facebook or pinterest please let me know that you did this with a comment below. I will announce a winner in a week, so get crackin' with those posts & pins!

Remember this is a $39.97 value, and an incredible software. I will for sure be starting to digital scrapbooking more now that I've found this software.

Felted Sweater Heart Garland

2012-01-19T13:51:00.000-08:00

It's FINALLY snowing here in North Idaho, and all I want to do is sit by the (fake) fire and craft. So today was the perfect day to find something to make. With Valentines day coming up, and not having any decorations up, it got me thinking. I could go out in the blustery snow storm, and to the shed, to get the valentines decor. But why do that when I had a nice, warm bunch of felted goodies in my craft room that I can create something fabulously cozy with.

I really love using things that I thought were ruined.

My hubby likes to help me switch the laundry over, and sometimes, something wool finds it's way into the dryer ;)
I love him so much that I never say a word, I just put it in my repurpose pile to make into something cute & cozy.

I was originally thinking I wanted to make a pillow out of this sweater, the moose on the front and the stripes on the back. But if there is one thing I totally hate, it's sewing. I hate my sewing machine with a passion, my 16 year old son uses it to make longer shirts and sweatshirts for skiing, but that's about all it's used for. So today while looking at this sweater I decided to use it to make a heart garland.

After 2 episodes of happy days all the hearts are cut out. Yes I still love Fonzie!

I didn't mind hand sewing the hearts together, hand sewing I like more than my stupid machine ;)
While watching the 3rd episode of "Fonzie loves Pinkie" I had everything sewn together and my groovy new garland all done :)

I am so happy with how it turned out I really want to find more sweaters in Valentines colors to create more cozy heart goodness for other parts of the house.

Until next time.....Hugs to my cozy friends!
Juls
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Crazy for cup cozies.

2012-01-17T11:56:00.000-08:00

I have had so much fun making cup cozies lately.

This adorable sock monkey cozy was made using the new pattern by Patons. You can find the pattern HERE. I see making these in different color combinations. I did make this one.....

I'm thinking about making one that's cream, purple & yellow next.

I also recently made a bernat pattern for a work sock cozy for a recent cup cozy exchange for the at my house yahoo group. You can find the pattern HERE..

I love how it turned out and I used all bernat denim yarn for it. I have so much left over I think I will make a hat with the remaining.

Juls ;)

Sock Monkey Hat

2011-11-20T08:02:00.000-08:00

I have been really wanting to make a sock monkey lately, but can't get out of hat mode! So I decided to make a sock monkey hat for my etsy shop.

I'm hoping to make some more with the monkey color being different, I have so many ideas running through my head it's insane!
Here is a picture of my reluctant son modeling the hat. I told him I wouldn't feed him unless he did it, Just kidding!

I am going to make some changes with the color of the tassels!
So go check out my Cozi at home etsy shop! I have a listing for customized sock monkey hats as well as one in the traditional colors!

The Beachbody Challenge

2011-11-06T18:52:00.000-08:00

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve received emails which say something like, “I really wish we could afford for me to get healthy and fit but…”

You know what? If you start with that attitude, you’ll likely never succeed at having a healthier life.

Sure, you might not be able to afford some of the fitness programs as someone else–but the truth is: There are several different programs in different price ranges, and you can afford to get healthy, you just need to make some changes in what you spend money on, and most of these changes will be a boost to your new, healthy lifestyle.

But it will never happen until you stop making excuses and commit to change.

So I'm challenging you to set aside the negativity and commit to wholehearted willingness to change your mindset, your shopping habits, and quite possibly even your life. Look at your budget, keep a log of what you spend, and I guarantee you that you will find the money to order the products and get fit and healthy in no time.

With me, I looked at what I was spending, I cut out the really expensive starbucks, and went with the americano every once in awhile. We are also saving on doctor visits, supplements, and produce. We get everything we need in Shakeology to keep us out of the doctors office, it has all the supplements we were buying, and all of the fruits and veggies we need for the day. Sure I still buy fruits and veggies, but I don't get the ones I think we should be eating that go bad in the fridge, I get the ones that we like to eat that are seasonal and on sale, and leave it at that. I also got rid of my $46 per month gym membership and bought a beachbody program, this program was paid with 2 1/2 months of gym membership, and I will have it FOREVER! Not to mention saving on gas to and from the gym, and all the regret when I don't want to go in the freezing cold. Now I get to workout at home, whenever I find the time during the day, and there is always 30 minutes somewhere :) And I have friends and workout buddies on my team beachbody page to support me along the way and even work out with me! We also chat after our workouts and share or progress.

Your body is likely never going to change until you are also willing to.

So join the beachbody challenge! You could even win money, and you will have a fitness program forever, and a healthy meal everyday that tastes like your cheating ;)

Click here to get your Beachbody Challenge Pack & ME as your coach!

My Crock Pot Bolognese Sauce

2011-10-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

I made this the other night, serving it over gluten free penne. We decided that it was good, but would be even more awesome on homemade pizza!

Ingredients:
2 28 oz cans petite diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
1 cup white wine
1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Cooked penne, spaghetti, or whatever pasta you have on hand. We used Gluten Free penne

Combine all ingredients in the crock pot, cooking on low for 8 hours.
Here is what it looks like when I had it all put together to cook...

And here is what it looked like all cooked up, YUMMY!

Put leftovers in the fridge for PIZZA! One of our favorite places is Bostons because of their yummy gluten free pizza. They us Bolognese sauce on their pizzas and it's so yummy.

Sweet little mummy

2011-10-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

These fun little Mummies are so easy to make, and a great craft on a rainy day.

Materials:
1 roll of gauze, 1" wide.
1 package of small popcicle sticks
1 package wooden short spoons
1 package google eyes
1 package glue dots

Take wooden spoon, add small popcicle sticks for arms and legs, attaching with glue dots.
Wrap gauze around all of spoon and sticks. Add eyes with glue dots.

I told you they were easy!

This idea was adapted from one on familyfun.com. I didn't care much for cutting the bigger sticks, the smaller sticks work out so much better.

BOO! Halloween Hanger

2011-10-18T19:33:00.000-07:00

I had such a fun time making this wall hanging. I am also going to make one for Christmas that says Joy. The package of the chipboard wall hanging set came with 6 pieces, so it works out great.

Materials:
1 package of wall hanging chipboard pieces, or cut up 3 6x6 pieces of card board or heavy card stock.
6 different sheets of pattern paper, I used bo bunny.
Set of 6 split rings
Different ribbons, I used a set from Reminice
Stickers & dress up buttons
Printed out letters from Lettering Delights.

Galaway wool scarf to keep me warm.

2011-10-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

I have been under the weather with a cold the last few days. I've been working at resting on the couch, and decided to pass the time by crocheting myself a new fingerless glove & scarf set.

The scarf is super simple, I used galaway wool in purple tweed and a light heather. The green is berracco vintage that I had in my stash.

Galaway Stripe Scarf.
H hook
3 colors of yarn

Chain 254 or whatever the length you wish, just make sure you end in an even number.
Row 1. Chain 2, HDC in each chain across, turn fasten off and change yarn colors.
Row 2. Repeat row 1 until the scarf is the width you would like. I added a single crochet on the very last row.

Once I got done with the scarf I decided I wanted to make some fingerless gloves to go with it.

The wool yarn eater wanted to help, but also wanted to keep Mom warm. I swear the cat and dog know when I'm sick!

The cuff is done, I love making these gloves because you can make them to any size you need, for anybody.

On to the third color. I'm getting there, just half way and one more glove to go!

Here is the finished product! I love how the colors turned out. The green is a little bit brighter in this picture than it really is.
If you would like to make some fingerless gloves to go with your scarf please go to my Ravelry shop by clicking HERE.

Whimsy Halloween Wreath

2011-10-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

I love Halloween, maybe it's because I love Fall! And I love to decorate for Halloween & Fall.
When I went to the shed to find all my fall/halloween decoration totes I was missing on :( I can't find it to save my life. So I decided to make up some new decorations.

So here is everything I used for this whimsy wreath. Everything was purchased at Hobby Lobby, and most of the Halloween goodies were Under $2. Right now all Halloween is on sale 30% off, and she even gave me 40% off of the wreath.

Whimsy Wreath:
1. Straw Wreath
2. One roll wide ribbon
3. On roll not so wide ribbon
4. Glue dots
5. Picks, wood words, and whatever else you want to decorate your wreath.

Basically all I did was wrap the wide ribbon around the wreath and attach it to itself with the glue dots & decorate. I need to move the EEK up a little bit, as I'm looking at it, it just doesn't look quite right to me.

So that's my little craft of the day today. Now I want to go make something else!

A transformation to a whole different life

2011-10-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

Last March I had one of those snap moments. I was so sick and tired of being sick, tired and fat! I was even so sick and tired that I didn't have the energy to work out and try to take care of the fat part!

One day our 16 year old son was talking about how they were doing different beachbody workouts in p.e. and he wanted us to get one to do as a family so that He would get in shape for fall soccer season. He also was worried about us not being in shape and always being sick. So I started looking at the beachbody website to see what these programs were all about. We decided on getting Tony Hortons Power 90 since we were just getting started and wanted to work our way up to something else. In hindsight I would have started with Chalean Extreme, as we got very board with power 90 after 60 days.

Even though I was working out, I was still struggling with the no energy to work out to get rid of the fat part. So I started to search for eating plans and things to do to help with my energy and to feel better, nothing worked that I found. One day I was looking at different friends walls on facebook and saw a post about shakeology from one of my old school friends. She was now a beachbody coach and was talking about all the things shakeology can do for you. So I went to her website and read all about it. At first I was hesitant about the price, but after seeing all the videos, reading about how people with digestive issues were now off medications and feeling 100% better, I decided to take the plunge and try it. Since there is a 30 day money back guarantee when you first order, and you get free workouts with your first order I had nothing to loose but weight and feeling sick all the time!

I have to say, I can't believe that I waited so long to try this! My 16 year old son is also on it with me and we have seen a 100% improvement with his asthma, endurance, overall health, you name it, He feels 100% better. I also feel 100% better, I don't crave junk food anymore, and I've lost 23 pounds. I now have the energy to workout every day to loose even more weight and be even more healthy. My son and I also fight with digestive issues, I'm happy to say that since we have been taking shakeology all of our issues are gone. We cut out gluten 3 years ago, but we were still fighting belly aches from time to time, that is all gone now!

I am also on to doing Turbo Fire & Chalean Extreme for my workouts, thanks to all the energy I have and how much better I feel to be able to exercise again! Being able to push play in my own house, whenever I want, not having to drive to the gym or pay for a monthly membership that I hardly ever used, not to mention I received all the tools I needed with my workouts, and all the energy and healthy eating from Shakeology. Even CEO Carl Daikler says He is the worst about eating his veggies, that's why He decided to find a way to get them in a yummy shake ;)

I can't say enough about how wonderful this product is! I also am saving money by not purchasing as much produce that we never eat and that always goes bad, and also not purchasing vitamins, minerals, herbs, everything under the sun to make us feel better, It's all in shakeology. I sat and figured out one day how much we are saving per month after we purchase our shakeology, and we are saving about $134 per month!

Here is my before and after pictures. I hate showing them but I want everyone to see what even at almost forty (I will be there December 9th 2011) I was able to get fit and healthy! You are never too old!

Being a beachbody coach, my main objective is to help people feel better! So I'm running a shakeology challenge....

I need your help! I'm looking for people who are interested in doing a 90 day shakeology challenge. You must track your results & commit to drinking a shake once a day. Everyone that commits to this challenge will receive a gift from me. The person that has the best success story will win a beachbody workout of their choice. Message me for more details, I really want every one to feel as great as my Son and I do :)

So if you are interested in doing this challenge with me please send me an e-mail at foxsoccer20@gmail.com and please check out my website: My Shakeology And if you are interested in getting workout go to My Shop.

Awesome Note Has Me Organized!

2011-10-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

I am so glad that I was told about Awesome Note! I have all my house keeping to do's by the day they are due, and they are even set to come back up on my list the same day every week, so no need to waste time putting them back on my to do. What I really love is that I can have different folders for different to do lists and other types of notes.

I also have gratitude now and gratitude future folders. Everyday I write what I'm grateful for now, in the gratitude future folder I write exactly how I want my life to be and how grateful I am for these future things to be happening soon. You would be amazed at how much better you feel when life throws you different curve balls if you just write these two lists everyday, this simple practice has really turned my life around.

Every Sunday I do my menu, go through my food inventory list and add or delete items, and go through my business and house keeping lists to make sure that I'm not missing anything or need to change something for the week.

Here is my menu for this week:

Yes there are a couple days missing because we will be gone from home for soccer. I set due dates on these menu items for the days that we want to have that certain menu item for dinner.

So check out Awesome Note. I have it on my iphone and ipad and I'm so glad that I paid the little amount for such an incredible app!

Halloween S'Mores

2011-09-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

I was looking around for some fun Halloween treat ideas today, and I came across these yummy s'mores at Eighteen 25...

I'm thinking I will make these gluten free by using gluten free graham crackers, which is all I would need to do to them.
So head over to Eighteen 25 to get the recipe for this fun and yummy treat.

Beginner Knitted Coffee Cozy

2011-09-26T19:59:00.000-07:00

When I was going through my Gooseberry patch Homemade Harvest cookbook I found a section of craft ideas. This easy and fast knitted cozy was one of them...

Very simple pattern, and this beginner knitter completed this cozy in less than an hour.

Besides finding this fun pattern that kept me busy last night, I also have a huge list of recipes I want to try. Tonight I made the slow cooker mac n cheese.

It was super good, and a big hit with my boys. Not to mention that it was nice to have dinner all ready and waiting in the crock pot.

So go to amazon.com and look for Gooseberry patch Homemade Harvest. It's worth the money!

Mummy Craft with my BFF

2011-09-15T21:52:00.000-07:00

Today my BBF and I spent the day together. We went to Starbucks, and ordered keurig coffee together while at Starbucks, we thought that was kinda comical. We also bought all the materials needed to make craft stick mummies from family fun.com

We only have made one so far, but the plan is to make seven of them and string them into a garland. It was so much fun to have a craft type day, and let all my worries just fly away :)
If you also want to make a Craft Stick Mummy go to http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/craft-stick-mummy-673394/. What a great craft to make with your kids or your BFF ;)

Fall Crochet Project

2011-09-13T19:49:00.000-07:00

I'm ready for Fall to show up! Summer is nice, and I really enjoy it, but Fall and Winter are my favorite season. Our weather has been so hot and dry, we are ready for crisp cool air and rain, nights by the fire, crock pot meals, and cocoa.

So here is a garland I made using Lion Brands Felted leaf pattern. I used cotton instead of wool, so the felting was out of the question. But they kept the shape nicely, and I like them a lot better than the wool version.

The other thing that I'm working on is a pattern from the Sept/Oct 2010 edition of Crochet Today. I love how Crochet Today has been publishing retro patterns with a new twist, and the pumpkin and black cat pot holders are just too cute not to make. So here is what my pumpkin looks like so far....

So what are you working on? What are your favorite fall crochet projects?

Stitch Heaven

2011-07-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

I just saw the coolest thing ever! A new DVD called Stitch Heaven!

"StitchHeaven Salutes Barbara G. Walker" DVD is Now Available Here

I was also told about this, and think it will be super fun!
StitchHEAVEN.com website will launch in September and feature fabulous downloadable Stitch-Alongs, contests and give-aways, so please stay tuned!

And I can't wait to see the Apps that they come up with, I am so into my iphone and ipad, I'm lovin' the app idea!

So click above to check it out!

*HUGS* Juls

REBOOT Day 9

2011-07-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

We are almost done! Tomorrow is the last day for REBOOT! Hopefully you have gotten something out of this. I would love to hear about it!

BODY: Enjoy your hard earned energy! Put all you have into your workout.

MIND: Take an alarm free nap or get lost in a book. You will feel so revived.

LIFE: Look into what you can do to make your body feel even better. A massage, or just even rolling a golf ball under your feet for a few minutes will help more than you could imagine!

Organized SAHM or Lazy Homemaker?

2011-07-11T17:05:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, things people have said in the past that are still sticking with me today.

In the past when I have said I am a stay at home Mom people have said "Oh, so you get to just veg and be lazy all day right?" uh.... NO! I do get my breaks to read and lay in the sun in the summer time, or watch a movie in the winter while still doing laundry, but lazy?

So lately I have really been feeling like maybe I am lazy? Maybe what I do here at home isn't good enough and I should be going back to school, or growing up and deciding what I want to be? Or am I already what I want to be? Maybe when our son goes off to college I don't want a conventional job, maybe I want to help others, work from home, be something unconventional.

I've heard people say, "Oh Julie is a stay at home Mom, shes so lazy, sits around eating bon bons all day and watching t.v." So I guess that's why I am always up and moving, doing things. Or why I feel really guilty when I take a break from home making and read for a few minutes or check my e-mail.

Maybe I get to spend some "lazy" time because I'm an organized stay at home Mom, that got all of her stuff done in the morning? Maybe I worked my ass off to the point where I was so dog tired I needed a break? If I remember correctly all of the "Working" folk get 2 15 min breaks and at least a 30 min lunch right?

Well I could tell myself how awesome I was and how much I had done today, now its time for me, but I still hear those words from people.. "Julie is a lazy stay at home mom." Well, I'm tired of hearing that from people and from my own inner brat, that by the way would be very unhappy if she had to go out and get a 9-5 job where it cut into her family and fun time.

Lately I have been watching you tube videos and learning lots of things from Chalene Johnson and her 30 day challenge. I also just subscribed to her car smart audio program. I know what I want to "Be" when I grow up, I just need help getting there.

I know for a fact that I have always wanted to help people. All of my career tests have said that the top 3 professions for me were 1. counselor 2. fitness instructor 3. teacher. All three I would love to do, and really never knew what to do to incorporate all 3 until now. So I have my goals all set right? Now I just need to get rid of all the bull, negative people and thoughts, and get my butt in gear. I can do this, right? Right! If I can get fit, stick with it, and become a beachbody coach, then I can do anything!

So your probably thinking, why would I blog about something like this? Oh I don't know, I guess because I thought that there would be others out there like me that could relate and maybe that I could help, I guess I'm hoping for a great start to this great new venture, and would love to help anyone else that has a great new venture and needs someone to tell them.. "Way to go, you can do this, you go!"

Reboot day 8

2011-07-11T13:25:00.001-07:00

I'm trying this from my iPad, so no picture :(
I hope my faithful crochet readers are trying this boot camp, it really is for everyone :)
Day 8:

Body: Prepare to sweat! Go all out and push yourself, you can do it!

Mind: Cook something new. Find a way to make your favorite dish healthier.

Life: Start a journal. Every day I write in my journal I feel so much better. I get everything out of my head that's bugging me, what a relief!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

REBOOT Day 7

2011-07-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry there has been such a lapse between days :( Life has gotten in the way of life lately. So here is day 7!

Body: Flow in slow mo. Do some yoga or a good stretch class.

Mind: Take a mental vacation. I love to lay in the sun and imagine I'm on a tropical beach.

Life: SPEAK UP! Letting things slide may end up really hurting you... Speaking from experience here!!

REBOOT Day 6

2011-07-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been a few days for boot camp. The holiday was very long and tiring for sure!
So here is day 6 of your boot camp, have you been doing the other 5 days?

BODY: Take things up a notch, give your workout everything you've got! I like how Chalene Johnson says to get mad about something and kill it during her turbofire hiit workouts.

MIND: Be kind to yourself, DO NOT self criticize today! I am so glad we are doing this one today, because this has been an ongoing thing for me lately.

LIFE: Take the initiative! Do something you've been afraid to do.

REBOOT Day 5

2011-07-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

Whew! We are to day 5, and I am really learning a lot with this boot camp!

REBOOT Day 5:

Body... Start your day with exercise if it fits into your schedule. You will feel awesome all day long.

Mind... Rest your stress. Set a timer for 5 minutes and breath slowly, focus on each breath.

Life... Increase your eye contact with people, so that you project confidence.

Learn something from this post!

2011-06-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

Please, Please, Please... Do NOT invade someones home and expect them all to change to your habits.. Your a guest in THEIR home. And always remember the old saying..
Company are like Fish, After 3 days they both start to stink!

My mother in law FINALLY just left today. She was here for three weeks and it was horrible.
She made fun of my son and myself when we did our workouts, and talked my husband out of continuing working out with me in the morning. This caused him to feel yucky again, back aches are back, head aches are back, you name it.
She made fun of what I ate and how often and just made life hell.

I learned a lot while she was here, no more visits for a really long time. No more 3 week long visits, And I'm not going to let someone push me around and make it so my routine goes in the toilet!

This woman complains that she isn't loosing weight, but she's walking 2 miles almost every night. This is a typical day of what she ate...
Breakfast: A HUGE bowl of granola... And not the 1/3 of a cup serving size, more like 2 cups!
Lunch: "I just ate granola, so I'M not hungry (in other words you better not eat because I'M not hungry).
2pm snack: Crackerfulls, crackers filled with processed cheese and Fiddle Faddle
Dinner: very little, and "Do we have to eat veggies at EVERY meal?"
LATE NIGHT ICE CREAM.
I kept listening to Chalene Johnson... If you don't eat healthy every 2 to 3 hours you are going to be fat, you are going to gain weight! Your body is going to go into starvation mode!
A few nights we went without dinner because of late lunches (I didn't, I still ate something healthy every 2 to 3 hours with ridicule) and then she got all excited because we were having ice cream for dinner!
OMG!

So that's my vent for the day. I hope that you all learn something from this like I am. And I will NEVER pull a 3 week visit on MY son, EVER! Give your son in law or daughter in law the respect they deserve, and don't assume that they want you to come and stay with you for extended visits in a very small home.

REBOOT Day 4

2011-06-30T07:40:00.000-07:00

Here is REBOOT Day 4....

Body: Evaluate your workout plan. How's it going? What can you do to make it better or fit your life.

Mind: Train yourself to focus on the positive. Say delete over and over every time you have negative thinking.

Life: Challenge your eating habits: Replace your afternoon junk food with a piece of fruit and low fat string cheese.

What are you thinking about REBOOT so far?

REBOOT Day 3

2011-06-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

Day 3:
Body... If you still don't have a workout plan, find one! Once you get moving you will feel 100% better. Trust me, I know!

Mind... Shed that negative attitude! Start talking back to that inner brat and clear your mind!

Life... reconnect with yourself and your values, reach out to an old friend.

REBOOT Day 2

2011-06-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

DAY 2

How did you do with Day 1? If you need any help please let me know!

REBOOT Day 2:

Body... Devote an hour to moving today. Even if it's very light, a walk at low speed. If you have to break it the hour up, do that, just move!

Mind... Skip the makeup (YIKES!) Get Acquainted with the unadorned you!

Life... Clean out your closet. Do your clothes reflect you or who you think people want you to be? BE YOU!

REBOOT Day 1

2011-06-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

Body:
How do you feel? Do you have a fitness plan? If not look for one that fits you! Send me an e-mail or comment below if you need help, I'm always here for you.

Mind:
Envision the next 9 days. What do you want to accomplish? Be realistic so that you don't fail.

Life: Get a good night sleep! Turn off your gadgets 1 hour before bedtime.

Come back tomorrow for day 2!

Changing things up a little

2011-06-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!
I am going to be changing things up a little on my blog. I am still going to have crochet and craft posts, I will always love doing this! But I am also going to expand into making our lives healthy and happy for both us and our kids or grand kids. I will be posting more recipes, exercise ideas, and helpful hints.

My husband and I recently started a beachbody program to get in shape called Power 90. This is one of beachbodys older programs, and for beginners. Getting in shape has really changed our lives! Not just the fact that we are getting healthy, but also that I know that I what I want to be when I grow up! At almost 40 and with a son going off to college soon, I think it's about time! Some time this week I will be posting my transformation story, and how it's made my life better in all areas.
So, Today I am going to start a REBOOT, Recharge your life 10 day boot camp on my blog. If you want to participate that is totally awesome, if not no worries.

So here is some info on what I will be doing....

REBOOT your life!

REBOOT 10 day Boot Camp to RECHARGE your life.

Every day I will give you something to do that has to do with your Body, Mind & Life.
You will need a journal, and it can be either electronic or paper. My journal has a huge peace sign on it to signify what I want my journal to bring into my life. I also use a special pen for my journal in my favorite color. I want your journal to be a daily part of your life even after our 10 day camp! I use mine for writing my daily thoughts in, in the morning and at night, and I also write my daily to do list in it every morning.
So, are you ready to REBOOT? Here is a little bit about what you will get out of this program:
By day 10 of REBOOT you will have:

Improved your strength.
Cut out junk food
Made healthy meals
Gotten more sleep
Found clothes you love
Gotten rid of negative thinking
Reconnected with a friend
Pampered yourself
Pushed yourself physically
Learned how important a journal can be

So Keep a look out later this morning for DAY 1!
If you want to get involved with my facebook page please go to....
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Fox-Personal-Coach/208330042543733

Hats for a little girl fighting cancer

2011-06-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

Recently my Mom asked me if I could make a few hats for a little 2 year old girl that's fighting leukemia. Of course I said yes, yes, yes! So here are the hats I ended up making...
First is the berry hat from the book crocheted gifts...

I used the plymouth yarn superwash merino for this one, and love how soft it is and how it turned out. Super cute, and I've been asked to make more for other little and big girls :)

The next one is a bunny hat that I made out of the September/October 2009 Crochet Today....

I used some sport weight yarn that I had in my stash, not sure of company and such, but it was a really neat pink and white twist.

The next one is my total favorite, and it came out of the May/June 2011 Crochet Today!

I used a multi colored bamboo cotton yarn for the main hat, along with pink and brown bamboo cotton for the flower. This hat was so much fun to make I am going to make more for the other little girls in my life.

Sorry I have been missing in action lately. I made a huge life change and my hubby and I started eating right and working out. I have had some major transformations both in my body and my mind and that has made me think about what I want to be when I grow up, lol. So I've been working out finishing up some schooling, and also pursuing other avenues. So click HERE to go to my team beacbody page where you can see some pictures of my body changing in just 3 months so far. It's also been awesome working out with my hubby, it's really brought us closer and closer!

Where is Spring??

2011-04-19T14:59:00.000-07:00

We have been so cold here in Idaho, and the snow storm yesterday made me think that Spring is never going to get here! We have been fighting colds and flu constantly since November, and really need some sun and warm weather to kill all the yucky crud going around.

Yesterday was clean the craft room day, and once I was done I decided to maybe make some of the spring things that have been sitting there waiting for me.

I made this cute garland with a package of corrigated letters I picked up at Tuesday Mornings for .99 cents. I used my set of bic mark it's to decorate them, just coloring in the stripes in different spring colors. I also had bought some little spools of ribbon at hobby lobby for .50 cents and decided to only use it on a few of the letters. The clothes pins I bought at Michaels in the dollar section, and actually had all the letters attached to the rope, but they were way too heavy. so I decided to just use 3 of them and use them for the flowers. The rest of the flowers I attached with the glue gun. I actually used some little paper clip accents that I have had in with my brads for years to attach the letters.
Pretty fast, cheap & easy project.

CROCHET NEWS:
I'm taking a break from writing and selling patterns to work on some things for me and family members. I am finally working on a very simple afghan for my hubby and I. I have just started, and already can't wait until it's finished! I'm not sure if I just haven't found the right pattern or what, but it just isn't very much fun. So you might be seeing a post of trying a different pattern here soon.

Dollar Days at Lettering Delights!!

2011-03-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

I love Dollar Days! There are so many things you can do with Lettering Delights graphics!
Click on my banner on the side of this page to go and get some awesome deals for making cards, tags, scrapbook pages and more! And stay tuned for some fun ideas I hopefully will be making today.

My Frogged Bag!

2011-03-11T13:25:00.000-08:00

The other day, I decided to go through my stash and, *gasp*, give away some yarn. I have so many one skeins of yarn that I will never use, and figured my friend, and new crocheter, could go through it and use some for hats and such.
As I was going through this yarn I found a bag that I had frogged clear back in October. I was making it for our trip to Vegas, and had gotten to a point in the pattern that I just couldn't wrap my brain around. So I had thrown it in the chunky yarn tote and forgotten about it. What's funny is recently I have been really wanting to make myself a new bag, but just couldn't find the right pattern. When I found this *frogged* bag, I decided to make lemonade out of lemons, so I made a long strap in single crochet to attach to what I had finished on my bag.

I also did something that I have never done, and used something that I am actually scared of, lol! I made a liner for this bag out of a bit of fabric that I had bought from Wal-marts clearance section a long long time ago, using my sewing machine, *another gasp*. It's not the prettiest thing in the world, but works. I also have one of those kangaroo pouches that lets you can transfer things from purse to purse, so I didn't even need to sew in any pockets, which is a good thing!

Overall, I love the way it turned out. And I am so proud of myself for 1. making something work that I had given up on, and 2. stepping out of my comfort zone and making something with my sewing machine. If you would like to see what pattern I used, yarn and such go HERE to Ravelry and check it out.

Oma Slippers... Fun Crochet Slipper Pattern

2011-02-24T15:04:00.000-08:00

I was searching around on ravelry one night, and came across this cute pattern for Oma Slippers. I tried 3 different slippers in my STUPID state one day, and just couldn't get them to work... Dumb me I was missing a whole part of the pattern, DUH! So the next day I started all over again with huge success!
The pair above was made with Universal Classic Shades that I bought here in Sandpoint at Something Olde Something New in Fosters Crossing. I also made a pair for my sweet Mommy in law that has been super sick with a bad cold lately. Those I made with Universal classic chunky.
Go to RAVELRY to see all the info on these, and go to ETSY if you would like to purchase this awesome pattern!
I'll put more pictures up as I make them. I'm onto my third pair now, one for a friends with very cold feet, then a pair for my Mom (shhhhh, it's a secret), and finally a pair for me in fun spring colors. Maybe if my slippers are spring themed, spring will get here soon right?

Baked Oatmeal

2011-02-24T10:10:00.000-08:00

I know I have posted this before, but it's been so popular I decided to post again.
It's a snow day here in Idaho, with bitter cold, and a blizzard warning. So I decided to make our favorite Baked Oatmeal for breakfast... (I'm digging the picture I took with my phone using the retro camera app for android.)
So here is the recipe, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Baked Oatmeal....

3 cups rolled oats (use gluten free if you have an allergy)
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup melted butter
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup of one of the following... dried cranberries, raisins, walnuts, chopped apple, banana, or blueberries

Preheat oven to 350
In a large bowl, mix together oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
Beat in milk, eggs , melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir in fruit or nuts of choice if you want, you can also leave this out all together.
Spread into a 8x8 pan, greased.
Bake for 40 min.

Comes out really yummy and filling! This morning I didn't put any fruit in it and just added a handful of blueberries on it. My son likes to mix in a spoon of natural peanut butter.

Our Valentines

2011-02-16T07:42:00.000-08:00

I should have posted this on Valentines Day, but I have been so down in the dumps I just don't want to do anything. I haven't even worked on my purse, all I want to do is sit and stare into space!

So, we did have a good Valentines day. The day before we went out to eat with friends, that was a lot of fun, and my son's now ex girlfriend (another long story) gave him this really cool candy bouquet.....

I think this would be a fun gift for a birthday, or really cute with all Easter candy for the older kids from the Easter Bunny.

I decided that this year I was going to make goodies for my 2 boys...

For my son I made gluten free devil's food cupcakes with strawberry frosting. I used the gluten free cake mix and frosting by betty crocker. This mix is so awesome, you can never tell they are gluten free! He was totally excited about that.

For the Hubby I made his favorite.....

Popcorn cake! This is actually a Christmas thing, and the recipe is from his step mom. I actually have changed it a little because He really likes it when it's gooey....

Popcorn Cake...

1 stick of butter (you can use margarine, but why eat something that is so close to plastic?, yuck!)
6 cups popcorn or so ( I use one of the microwaveable bowls so basically it's a full bowl, or if you use an air popper it would be a full bowl of that.
1 package of the big marshmallows. For vday I used the jet puff strawberry hearts they came out with, and Christmas I used the vanilla snowman, it gave it a different flavor for each holiday.
1 package of hoilday m&m's
about a cup, or more of gum drops. I used those gummy hearts for this one.
1 cup of peanuts if you want to, I didn't use them for this one, and the hubby actually liked it better.

Melt butter in big microwaveable bowl. add marshmallows and cook two minutes at a time until melted. Add rest of ingredients and spread in a greased 11x13 pan. Put in the fridge for about an hour to set up. Make sure you keep covered!

Since I am trying to watch my sugar intake and other things I eat, since I haven't been feeling up to par, My hubby got me this cute flower arrangement in a hersey's kiss candy dish...

I love it when you get things you can reuse!

So that's about it on Valentines day. Hopefully I will get more in the craft/crochet mode soon and will have a finished bag and other things to show you!

Third Times A Charm???

2011-02-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

I've been working on making this spiral bag out of crocheted gifts (love this book by the way!)

I have actually made this bag before, but it came out a little small for me...

I was looking on Ravelry to see what other yarns have been used to make it a success. I decided to try using Sugar n' Cream.

The first bag I started I realized I wouldn't have enough of the color I started with, and they didn't have any more at the local yarn shops. So I started a second one...

Well after a couple hanks being so knotted that I was pulling my hair out, I quit using the better cotton and went back to sugar n cream. I really didn't want to go and spend money on colors I didn't have, so to my stash I went. I found more than enough natural with pastel flecks, a nice pink, a soft pink and cream stripes, and a good old cream. So here is the bag so far, with the nice fleck done, starting on the pink......

Yesterday at the yarn shop stitch n' bitch I got the rest of the pink done and I'm now on to the pink and cream stripes....

I'm hoping to have this done by the end of the weekend. But I do need to take a break and finish a red hat for my teenager valentine. I have made him so many hats lately He's probably gonna say "Mom, another hat?" But he's wearing them, so I figure he can never have too many.

Felted Crocheted Coasters

2011-02-10T07:57:00.000-08:00

I was searching around this morning and found this really cool idea and pattern on wee folk art. You can find the patter HERE. I think instead of doing the weaving in of different colors, I am going to use a multi colored wool yarn that I have in my stash. Of course I will post my finished project and list the yarn I used. I'm really excited about this one, I've been wanting to make coasters, and I love felting!

Valentines day decor

2011-02-08T15:44:00.000-08:00

I have been having so much fun making things for valentines day. Here are some of the fun things I've made from ideas I've found online....

Here is my vday tree. I found a package of wood heart shapes at wal-mart for $1.97, had some valentines day paper and stickers that matched that I thought would make cute hearts. All I did was trace around the hearts, cut them out, adhered them to the wood hearts with mod podge, sanded the edges, and then mod podged the whole heart. They turned out really cute! And for the tree I used an old vase I had, some spanish moss, and some twigs that I had bought at the craft store. I was thinking about just going and cutting twigs in the woods, but really wanted them to last. My plan is to make a tree for every holiday or season using these branches and vase.

Here is a close up of the hearts.

Here is another mod podge project. I bought this plain red mailbox in the dollar section at target. I used the same valentines day paper and stickers to decorate it. Now I wish that I would have bought some more.

This one was fun! I used my cricut to cut out the hearts and letters using my sure cuts a lot program and some lettering delights dingbats. I'm really loving sure cuts a lot and the cricut.

I'm loving this picture.. keep calm and love on. I put it next to a collage of pictures of my sweetie and I in Vegas for Sema this year. I think I will keep this picture out next to the collage all year long. All I did was search keep calm in the graphics section of google and found the print.

And here is the finished product, everything put together for a fun valentines day mantel.

What to wear.. Red Heart & Double Stitch Twins Patterns

2011-01-31T20:05:00.000-08:00

I'm a huge fan of the Double Stitch Twins, and the new patterns they have up on Red Heart are so cool! This Multi-Wear Poncho is really neat, I wish I was more of a poncho wearin' girl. If you are, you can find the pattern HERE

Now here's one that I would love to make, and might just do it! Webby Sundress or Skirt. This will be one that I will maybe make after I get my summer clothes out, and see what fun sundress might be just a little bit more fun with this over it. Then it's a matter of yarn shopping for the right colors... OH NO! Pattern for this cute dress... right HERE

Here is one I have all printed out and ready to make, just need to figure out what colors I want use. When I saw this pattern I new that it would be something I would love to wear, and making it might bring some spring/summer to this very dreary winter! If you would like to make this fun camo corset you can find it HERE.

Here is another one that looks like it would be super fun to make and wear. I'm hoping that after the corset I will be in the mood to make this cute little Happy Days Halter. HERE is the pattern.

And, of course I have to end this blog post with a very cool Flapper Hat! I love the button that they used, and I am just going to HAVE to make this one. The pattern is HERE if you are interested.

So, I'm sure you know where I'm headed with this. These are the projects I've picked out that we might possibly want to do as a CAL. So please comment on which patterns you would like to do as a CAL, or if you want to do all of them that would be totally awesome too.
I need to get out of the easy peasy patterns that I love to make, and make somethings that I see on sites or in books and say... "woah, that is so cute, I need to make that!"

But, the first one that I am going to make has nothing to do with what to wear, it's for my new ipad that my loving hubby gave me for my birthday and christmas this year......

I have on hand the pink camo and a plain pink for the heart. If you would like to make one with me please go HERE and get the pattern. It would be kinda fun to post in the comments what colors you are using. I will make sure the Flickr group is working so we can all post pictures of our projects.

Alice Cullen Loom a Long

2011-01-31T07:54:00.000-08:00

My friend Kimmie and I are going to start making these tomorrow at the yarn shop.....

I'm so excited!!!

Candle cozy for sale in my shop

2011-01-30T21:06:00.000-08:00

I decided to put my candle cozy up for sale in my etsy shop. It's not the pattern but the actual cozy. You can order them in most colors, just let me know and I will see what I can do.

Thank you for all your support!

Jar Candle Cozy

2011-01-30T14:53:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to make a cozy for my jar candles for a long time. I wanted to be able to change them out for the seasons and holidays. Well I finally got this accomplished, yay!!! I modified my french press cozy just a little bit. You can find the french press cozy on ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beginner-french-press-cozy. If you don't have a ravelry account let me know and I will email the pattern to you.

I used sugar and cream for this one, I love the way the colors turned out. Basically all I did was make it shorter than you would for a press, I also had to sew it together and then sew the buttons on top because the buttons I picked were too big for the double crochet holes, but if you have some normal sized buttons you wouldn't have to do that. You could really make them for any sized jar candles.

Can't wait to see some of these finished, hopefully you will all share with me.

Buy One Get One Free Pattern Sale!

2011-01-27T16:32:00.000-08:00

I just started a Valentine Day special on Ravelry where you can buy a pattern and get one free. Click on the find me on Ravelry button on the right to get to my store. If you aren't a member on Ravelry and you want to take advantage of this sale go to my etsy shop, I will be putting the same sale up in just a few mintues.

Thanks so much everyone! Remember, I do have my new hat pattern available for sale!!

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

2011-01-27T10:46:00.000-08:00

Yummy, don't these look good? And totally Gluten Free! I was searching for goodies to make for Valentines Day, and I came across Macaroni & Cheesecake's white chocolate peanut butter cups.... Here is here recipe for these sure to be sinful treats..
And make sure to click on Macaroni & Cheesecake above to visit her blog... Yummmmm!

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Source: Erin Cooks adapted from Nigella Lawson’s recipe for Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cups

For the base:

1/4 cup light brown sugar

3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup smooth peanut butter

For the topping:

12 ounces white chocolate (not white chocolate chocolate chips)

Directions:Place all the ingredients for the base in the bowl of a food processor. Blend the mixture until the mixture takes on a sandy texture.
Place 12 cupcake liners into a muffin tin. Using a medium ice cream or cookie scoopplace 1 scoop of the base mixture into each cupcake liner. Press the mixture down into the cases to form an even layer at the bottom of each cupcake liner.
Melt the chocolate over a double-boiler or in the microwave. Using your scoop, top each peanut butter filled cupcake liner with 1 scoop of chocolate. Smooth the tops of the Peanut Butter Cups with the back of a spoon.
Refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.

Rainbow Hat & Scarf

2011-01-26T21:25:00.001-08:00

I finally got my rainbow scarf done last night, whew! It took 2 skeins of poems new silk yarn, and with one to spare I decided that you just can't make a scarf without a hat to match!
I decided to make my beanie with a single crochet and an h hook. Basically I did this in a spiral, doing 8 hdc in a magic loop, then doing 8 increase rounds in dc, rnds 9-18 in dc. Round 19 dc until u get to 5 dc from end, then 2 hdc in next two and 2 sc in next two, slip into last and fasten off. It turned out awesome, and striped perfect.

I'm still working on a giveaway. I know that the giveaway will be for one of my patterns and the yarn to go with it. So stay tuned to see whats up with that :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Mixed feelings about writing this blog anymore

2011-01-25T08:47:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking about just giving up on the whole blog thing. I have a feeling that people just really don't get anything out of it. I get maybe one comment every few months, and that's just not enough to show me that people really enjoy my blog. So I'm thinking it's time to just shut it down and not do it anymore.

It's funny that I am thinking like this today because I had the strangest dream last night. I was walking in a dense forest with my hubby and dog and all of a sudden they were gone. It kept getting darker and darker to the point that I couldn't see anymore, and all I kept saying was "I'm lost, I can't find my way.... I'm lost, I can't find my way..." And lately I have felt exactly like that, I'm lost, not sure what I'm suppose to be doing with my life, and I'm thinking since I'm not seeing that anyone really enjoys this blog It's time to move on to something else.

Thanks for reading, if anyone really is.

New Simply Shell Beanie

2011-01-24T16:56:00.000-08:00

I am so excited! I finally had a break through and wrote a new hat pattern!
I used universal classic shades for the hat, and I think that you would be able to get a pair of my
fingerless gloves out of a skein besides the hat. Great matching set for valentines day, which is right around the corner! The gloves are beginner/advanced beginner, and the hat is easy, so it would take you one evening for each.

So I'm on my way to etsy now to put up this new pattern, I am so excited, it's the best one yet I think!

10 Tips for Inner Confidence- Beliefnet.com

2011-01-23T16:35:00.000-08:00

Lately, I'm talking the last 2 years lately, I've been really struggling with what I'm suppose to do with my life. I feel like I am in this huge black hole that I can't swim my way out of.

I seem to always struggle with how to get organized, and how to balance everything. I also have had some MAJOR life changing events happen over the last 2 years. At first they seemed life ending, but some of them have actually been for the better, a lot better.

So I've been reading a lot of things on beliefnet.com and wanted to share with you this link....10 Tips for Inner Confidence- Beliefnet.com

I'm working on trying to figure out a homemaker "plan" at the moment, and I'm hoping to be able to share it with you soon. I know that there are more girls just like me that need help, just like I do, and I'm hoping that I not only help myself, but also lots and lots of others.

Please leave your comments, I love to hear about them. And stay tuned for some new things I'm working on.... A little taste? I'm toying with the idea of picking a crochet book and making all the patterns in that book and showing you how they turned out.

I am also going to be doing a giveaway as soon as I can figure out how to do a give away, LOL!

So please.... Feedback means the world to me right now... What do you want to see on my blog, what ideas do you have?

Bulldog Valentine

2011-01-23T13:31:00.001-08:00

I just got done making the cutest valentine for an etsy customer, and can't wait to make more. In fact I know I am going to make one for our son.

The customer wanted a bulldog valentine for someone. Being that her special person is a bulldog, just like my sons high school mascot. I had the cutest bulldog paper, and little paw ribbon, the heart buttons I also had, and thought they were so cute on the card.

I made the inside pale pink with a little piece of card stock, so you can write your own sweet message inside.
I printed out the message from one of the graphics I have on my computer, too cute subway art.

If you are interested in purchasing this card, I have them for sale in my easy shop. I only put one up to see how they did, but as the sell I will keep relisting them.

Thanks everyone for all of your kind words and support!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Super simple crocheted scarf

2011-01-19T17:04:00.001-08:00

My wonderful friend, Patty, gave me this new poems silk yarn for my birthday. I've been learning how to knit, but for some reason I keep messing up just on a simple knit scarf. So today at the yarn shop I decided to just start crocheting a scarf instead.

I'm using a j hook and doing a simple back and forth half double crochet. I started out chaining 20, but it was way too long, so instead I did a chain 15. So far I really love it, and it's going super quick. I have two more skeins of this yarn, and think I will make fingerless gloves and a hat to match the scarf.

Thanks everyone for reading. I am going to be doing my first give away on Friday or over the weekend, if life gets in the way, so keep reading!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

My fingerless gloves

2011-01-17T16:43:00.001-08:00

It's been so dreary around here, lots of rain instead of snow. So today I decided to use some wool variegated yarn that was in my stash for my fingerless gloves pattern (you can find this pattern in my etsy shop).
I love the way this yarn, universal 100% wool variegated, made the stripes totally perfect! This is a very simple pattern, perfect for a beginner or advanced beginner, so go check it out!

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Valentines Day Cupcake

2011-01-16T19:10:00.000-08:00

I thought I might change this little cupcake ornament up a little for Valentines day. I used red heart for the brown cake part, and the multi colored top part. Then I used lion brand jiffy in white for the frosting, and universal Papier for the cherry. The cherry turned out a little too big, so I will probably make one with some red heart burgundy I have. So if you would like to make this fun cupcake for valentines day go HERE for the pattern on red hearts website.
If you saw my blog the other day you probably saw this cupcake on my new repurposed charger plate that I have sitting in the middle of our dining table...

Repurposed Christmas Charger

2011-01-14T15:41:00.001-08:00

When I went to bed, bath and beyond the other day, they had all of their Christmas decor 80% off. I decided to take a look around to see what I might find that I could use for something other than Christmas. Ta da, a red charger was sitting there marked .45 cents.
I was in a total craft mood today, forget the dishes and laundry *grin* so I worked on repurpose of different Christmas decor.

Here is what you need for this project:
One red charger
Valentines card stock
Mod podge
Sponge brush
Zots to attach ribbon
Medium wide ribbon
Wide ribbon.

I drew out a circle that was the same diameter of the center of the charger, using a bowl as my template.
Adhere mod podge to the center of the charger and place your circle of card stock the way you want it.
Paint mod podge all over the top of the card stock and up the sides of the charger, it will dry clear so make sure you really stick it on good.
Once dry, attach medium wide ribbon in a loop fashion around the inside of your charger, on top of the card stock with zots.
Take wide ribbon and make a pretty bow, attach it with zots to where the medium ribbon begins and ends... Ta da, you have a great valentines piece for your dining table, this is what I did with mine......

I will be posting the crocheted cupcake tomorrow.
I know this isn't really date night related, but is all about love!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Recycled Sweater Valentines Ornaments

2011-01-13T16:06:00.000-08:00

I've noticed recently that one of my older posts on how to make recycled sweater ornaments has been very popular. Since it's almost time for Valentines day I decided to make up some heart ornaments to decorate the house with.

Materials:
Old sweaters, can be felted. Or scraps of material.
Pipe cleaners, any color works because they will be covered by the material.
Twine or ribbon, whatever you have on hand to keep the cost down
Buttons
Glue Gun
Heart shaped cookie cutters

What to do:

To make your heart you will need to wrap your pipe cleaner around the outside of your cookie cutter. When you get to the end where you started, fasten ends of your pipe cleaner together and slide your pipe cleaner shape off of your cookie cutter. You should have the shape of your cutter.

Cut 1/2" strips of your sweater or material and start at the top or bottom of heart. Put a drop of hot glue on the beginning of the strip and start wrapping, adding a little bit of glue every few wraps. Finish off at the end with the last bit of hot glue.

Tie twine or ribbon at the top of your heart for hanging and glue on button or buttons.

Here is an idea of what I did with my heart....

The perfect addition to a pic of my hubby and mom in law.

Please show me what you make, I'd love to see them. And make sure you become of fan of the cozy at home facebook page, I will be making a link on the side today.

8 Ways to dress up a marshmallow from Living Lucurto

2011-01-13T08:16:00.000-08:00

I'm a day late on my recipe wednesday, and this really isn't a recipe, but it looked like a lot of fun! I was over looking at Living Lucurto and found this article on 8 ways to dress up a marshmallow. This is the coolest idea and I can't wait to try it out for valentines day. As most of you saw, I made yummy chocolate dipped marshmallows for cocoa stirring at Christmas, My Son loves them so I decided to make some for valentines day too.

So go check out 8 ways to dress up a marshmallow, totally cool!

A couple cards

2011-01-11T21:59:00.001-08:00

I was hoping to bring you something more exciting than just a couple cards today. But I ended up going and doing shopping today since we are suppose to get this huge storm tomorrow.
I did find some ideas at michaels and bed bath and beyond today, so you will see something exciting soon. I also had my cricut blade housing totally come apart, so have been trying to fix that.
I am working on a valentines cupcake ornament, just have the bottom left to make and will be posting it soon.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Valentines Day Goodie Ideas

2011-01-10T13:16:00.000-08:00

Monday: Blog pick of the week

Pleasant Home

I have been thinking about Valentines Day, and looking for ideas online for goodies, cards, craft projects, you name it. Today I was looking around at different blogs and found these really cute heart suckers made out of small candy canes over at Pleasant Home (click on the link to find the recipe).
I have 2 boxes of these little canes that I never even opened, and I was wondering if they would be going to waste or to my waist! What a great way to use these up, I've decided to make these as little gifts for friends and family just to say "I love you."

I also found these yummy jello popcorn balls at pleasant home, you can find the recipe HERE. I'm planing on make these also. I love the way she packaged these in cute little paper cups like you use for ketchup at the local burger places. Now since I really can't find these where I live, I think I will use the mini cupcake liners that you can find at the craft store (like michaels, great way to use the 40% off coupon if you can't find anything that isnt' on sale!) and at wal-mart.

Exciting new changes

2011-01-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

New years always seems to have me thinking about how I can better myself, and better the things I do. So one of the things I am going to try and do is blog every day. I love the way a lot of stay at home Mom's have made blogging into a great career and I would really love to do the same.
Besides blogging about crafts and crochet that I do myself, I am also going to feature different blogs and ideas that I am going to make or try myself. I also want to try and do a certain themed post every day of the week. Here is the though process so far...

Monday: Blog pick of the week
Tuesday: Crafts and Crochet- hopefully a new craft idea or crochet pattern that I have made or would love to try.
Wednesday: Menu planning and recipes
Thursday: Crafts and Crochet Too
Friday: Date night and Family Ideas.
Saturday & Sunday will be random things, could be a new awesome recipe, a great family activity, a craft or crochet project, or a great idea or blog I found.

So please check back often, and help me with any ideas you have, crafts or crochet projects you are working on or want to do, and any great recipes or family fun ideas.

Let it snow garland

2011-01-05T17:13:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun yesterday playing with my cricut. I used the winter woodland cartridge to make the snowflakes and the "Let it snow" saying. The snowflakes I actually made in different sizes and then layered to give them a little more. The paper I used is by bo bunny, very neat snowflake paper.

Here is a full picture of the garland......

Hope you find this inspiring for your to make your own winter garland.

Handmade Christmas Goodness

2010-12-19T21:46:00.001-08:00

I have had so much fun this year making gifts. Besides the really fun crocheted cupcake ornaments, this weekend I made marshmallow cocoa stirring sticks from better homes and gardens....
Gather up milk chocolate or mint chocolate chips, marshmallows, peppermint sticks or sucker sticks, jimmies for decorating, and a foam core like you use for floral arrangements (if u use the sucker sticks, which were easier to use).
Melt chips in the microwave, get mallows ready by stabbing with sucker sticks. Dip mallows in chocolate just up to where the top of the mallows show. Drip off excess chocolate and place mallows, stick side, into foam to dry. Before dry sprinkle with jimmies or your favorite decorating sugar.

The next thing I made was white chocolate popcorn from eighteen25 (you can find their blog off to the side). This is for sure going to be a very addicting treat!

And the last homemade gift is homemade cocoa mix with French vanilla snowman mallows on top of the mix. I found this recipe on martha stewarts website and is the only cocoa we drink now. The recipe is simple, 3 1/2 cups sugar, 2 1/4 cups baking cocoa, and 1 tablespoon salt. Mix up in a ziploc bag and store either in that bag or glass jar. You can mix either with hot milk or water, and it only needs about 1 tablespoon per cup.

If your wondering about what I used for my cute little, very easy, tags here ya go... I used winter wood friends from www.pccrafter.com and my print shop program and the business card template. Any graphic will work, try some of the totally cool graphic designs from Lettering Delights. You can get there by clicking on the banner at the top of my page.

Let me know what your homemade gifts are this year!

Juls :)
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Christmas Decor under $5! Christmas Vinyl Cling Picture

2010-12-13T15:17:00.000-08:00

I was surfing around the net and came across a great idea using a picture frame and vinyl clings.

I made this picture using a 8 1/2 x 11 document frame and vinyl clings from walmart. The total price for this was $3.50! All I did was take the back of the frame off and attached the clings to the front of the frame. I wish there would have been more of a selection of clings, but I do like what I picked out. It would have been better if I would have splurged and bought the huge 13 x whatever frame for $12, then I could have used all the clings on the sheet. But I wanted to keep this decoration under $5.

I can't take credit for this totally fa la la idea. Go to Craftily Ever After and see how awesome her's turned out! I would love to have the frame that she used!
I'm thinking that I will keep the frame out and use the different clings that come out throughout the year.

Crochet Christmas Cupcake Ornament & A Fun BSU Bronco's Scarf

2010-12-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

I've been super sick with a cold, and when I finally got to the doc on Thursday I found out that I have pneumonia. So needless to say I am going stir crazy around here, so I've been crocheting up a storm!
Today while I was watching ELF, I came across this fun ornament pattern on the Red Heart website. I used Lily Sugar N' Cream for the yarn, and it worked just fine. If you would like to hook this cute ornament for your tree go HERE.

Last night I finally finished my BSU GO BRONCO'S scarf I've been working on. I got the pattern off of Ravelry, and you can also find it HERE. The pattern was originally for a special olympics washington scarf, which I am going to make and send off in the red and white specified. I used Lamb's Prided Worsted in Orange and Blue that I bought in the mill ends section of our local yarn shop. I love the way it turned out, I did have to rip out and start again on a few rows because I was off, probably because of the codine cough syrup!

Not sure what I will be making next, I'm kinda flying by the seat of my pants, as they are planted on the couch getting better, and just going with what looks cool. Lucky for me I have a pretty big stash that I need to burn through!

Today's the day! Check out my guest blog spot.

2010-12-01T07:52:00.000-08:00

Today's the day for my guest blog spot at Marie's Cozy Corner!

I'm so excited about this honor, and all I'm going to tell you is that my blog spot, so to speak, will be about a vintage craft.
So please go check it out!

Guest Blog Spot!!

2010-11-22T21:15:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked to do a guest blog spot on december 1st for marie at http://mariescozycorner.blogspot.com/
I'm so excited about this honor, and all I'm going to tell you is that my blog spot, so to speak, will be about a vintage craft.

So please go to maries cozy corner on the 1st to see what happens!!

Crocheted Candy Cane Pattern

2010-11-13T13:48:00.000-08:00

Since we are siting here, waiting for it to snow, I decided to figure out some Christmas ornaments for this coming year. This pattern was actually a mistake, but turned out perfect!

THE PATTERN:

This is so simple to make, and takes only maybe 10 minutes.
Materials:
1 ball Red Heart Holiday in Red
1 ball Red Heart Holiday in White
G Crochet Hook
Darning Needle
White pipe cleaners
Ribbon of choice
With white, Chain 33
1st Row: Work 1 DC in the 3rd CH from hook. DC in each chain across to the end of chain.
2nd Row: Join red. Work 1 SC in each DC across. Fasten off.
Wind crocheted piece around white pipe cleaner. Trim pipe cleaner at ends if needed, bend top of Candy Cane to form a hook shape.
Tie a ribbon in a bow around the candy cane to add that special touch.
I can’t wait to see what you all come up with. Have fun with this, use different yarns and experiment!

What are you making this year for ornaments or other decorations?

Cold, Rainy, and warming up with Zuppa Toscana

2010-10-24T12:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, the boys thought I was nuts to be taking a picture of our dinner last night :) But I am a little crazy, as we all know! This recipe was extremely close to the olive garden version, and oh so good!! I found this recipe at eighteen25, totally awesome ideas there, you must go check them out! This will be one of our go to soups for winter, the boys couldn't tell there were onions in it, and didn't even mind the kale!! Sweet, I won a food challenge vs. the men in the house for a change! With leftovers of this soup in the fridge, I'm thinking some for lunch is in order on this rainy day.

Olive Garden Copycat Zuppa Toscana Recipe
4-6 servings
Ingredients:

1 lb Italian Sausage
2 large russet potatoes, sliced in half, and then in 1/4 inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 bag Oscar Meyer bacon bits
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups kale, chopped
2 cans chicken broth
1 quart water
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:
1. Cook sausage in a 300°F oven for approximately 30 minutes.

2. Drain sausages on paper towels and cut into slices.

3. Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water, garlic in pot, and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.

4. Add sausage and bacon and salt and pepper to taste.

5. Simmer for another 10 minutes.

6. Turn to low heat and add kale and cream.

7. Heat through and serve.

SPOOKY! Garland made with my cricut.

2010-10-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

This was so much fun! I got the idea from Dittle Dattle. I made the letters from the Winter Woodland Cricut cartridge. I used BoBunny paper, purple velvet ribbon, and attached the letter blocks to a black iridescent ribbon with mini safety pins. I used used the doodlecharms cartridge for the spiders.

Here is a close up of the spiders. I took purple glitter glue and highlighted their eyes and legs. I also used black glitter glue around each letter square.

Let me know what you think, I love your comments!

Paper Pumpkin from Martha Stewart

2010-10-21T21:20:00.000-07:00

I was watching Martha Stewart today and saw the show where Martha made this cool pumpkin.
For some reason I had mommy brain fade out and only used one sheet of 12 x 12 paper instead of two. I might make another one tomorrow with 2 sheets to see what I think.
I also used the cricut and the stamping cartridge to make the leaves, and I used a scrap piece of bamboo felt to make the stem.
So if you would like to make one of these totally cool pumpkins go HERE and get all the specifics, I would love to see your pumpkins when you get done.

Check back tomorrow, I was working on another fun Halloween garland this afternoon, but didn't quite get finished. I will be posting this project tomorrow, kinda cute and I used the cricut again.

Vintage Halloween Garland

2010-10-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

This project was so much fun to create! And making it also inspired me to clean the house and decorate for Autumn, and my 2nd favorite holiday, Halloween.

Since it's such a rainy day here in North Idaho, and I have a yummy chuck roast cooking in the crock pot, I'm going to make some more of these fun garland, and some other vintage things.

Halloween CAL!

2010-09-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

Halloween CAL... Let me know who all wants to be a part of it. As you get them done post pictures so we can all see.
I found the cutest little Halloween decoration that we could all do together. It's the cutest little BOO, and the pattern is free....
http://www.pixiekitten.com/Item.aspx?Item=Boo

I'm also working on trying to figure out why the comments won't work! Hopefully one day soon blogger will get back to me!!!

A new Yahoo Group!

2010-09-27T11:01:00.000-07:00


  
  Click to join cozyathomecrochet

I decided to make up a yahoo group for all of us to share crochet, and all the at home things we love about this blog. This group will be the same things as I share on here, but more crochet :) So please join so that we can all make this new crochet/cozy at home group really successful!!

I love ya all!!!!

A new shop & blog

2010-09-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone! Well I am going to try and pursue my love of paper again. I am working hard at filling a shop on etsy call Buttercup Cut Ups... buttercupcutups.etsy.com
Please e-mail me and let me know what sorts of things you would like to see. I'm also going to be changing my crochet pattern etsy shop to a different shop. I think the name is what's wrong with the low sales, so I have some ideas for a new name and a new shop.
Please stay tuned to what is to come.......

For some reason a lot of you have been trying to leave comments, and aren't able to. I have put an e-mail into blogger for help with this problem. If I can't get it resolved I will probably move my blog to wordpress or typepad.

Thanks for all your support and continued reading! I love you guys, you make my day so much brighter.

Natural Little Acorn Bag, Waldorf Inspired

2010-09-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

I really liked the big acorn purse that I made a little while back, so I decided to make a very small version as fall decorations or little gift bags. The little Tomtie was made for me by my friend at Rainbow River Designs.
I've been really busying making things for my etsy shop, hoping that now that fall is coming my shop will get busy. I've put up a variety of things today, Baby beanies, patterns, french press cozy, apple cozy, and more. I also have a new pattern for gauntlets that I will be putting up as soon as I get it written.

I've also been making these fun little apple cozies for some friends. They are so much fun, and I think they will look great as a decoration in a bowl of apples.

Acorn Purse Crochet Pattern

2010-08-31T21:09:00.000-07:00

My latest creation, an acorn purse! I had so much fun making this pattern to sell in my etsy shop, and there are so many things you can do with it. Besides a purse, I am going to make one fully out of 100% wool and felt it down as a door hanger! I made this one out of Lion Brand Hometown USA, And I'm so please with the way the colors have turned out. There are so many color combos that you can use for this, it can get so creative!
I'll post when I make one and felt it, I'm really excited about all the ideas from this one pattern!

So you go Clucks, Cuddles & Crochet and check out this and other patterns I have.

Canny Women

2010-08-23T16:47:00.001-07:00

Cannywomen

Cautiously shrewd; prudent; wary (our eyes are wide open).
Frugal; thrifty (always).
Skillful; clever (absolutely).
Gentle or quiet (sometimes – huge grin).
Pleasant; good; attractive (of course – wink wink).

Wouldn't you just love to be "canny"? I would!
This new and totally awesome website http://cannywomen.com/ is the best frugal finance and family website I've ever seen. So many tips and tricks to make life simple and frugal. Please join me in using this website to, as Cindy says.... Do instead of Buy, Shop and home first, and Procrastinate.

So my first feat on trying to save money, be more frugal, "Shop at home first!", and get out of debt, I've made up an inventory of what we have on hand for foods in the freezer, pantry, and fridge.
So far I have 37 meal ideas put together with the food we already have on hand. I also used www.allrecipes.com to use up some things in my pantry... this awesome website lets you put in your ingredients you have on hand and it will bring up different recipes, it's so awesome!

My Garden is doing awesome! The cucumbers are starting to come in, and we have carrots, peppers, and lots of tomatoes that are coming in. It's been so nice to have fresh veggies from the garden, I have a lot of things that I'm going to change, but most of all I love gardening and have been totally bit by the bug!

NEW BABY HATS!!
I've put some new baby hats in my etsy shop, trying to make some extra money to go towards paying off our credit cards. Go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/coziathome to check them out, I also have teen hats up. If you have any suggestions please let me know!

Safeway, Hubby's Slippers & Herb Garden

2010-06-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

The picture really doesn't do justice to how well I did at Safeway last week!
Our Safeway just did a remodel, so there were lots of cheap and freebie things to be had. I ended up spending $44.30 on $94.70 worth of food! Yes, I saved $50.70, and what a high that was!!! Free 24 pack of water, $1 pineapple, $1 clam shell of mixed salad greens, free peanut butter, free apple juice, free eggs... I could go on but I would be here all night! I also found some great deals in the clearance meat section, and I stocked up on whole chickens for .99 a pound, we love drunk chicken on the grill in the summer. So needless to say, I was giddy when I got home and unloaded all of my groceries and figured out what I saved, how many meals it would make, and so on.... Very cool.

Well, one slipper done for hubby's fathers day gift! This is my hubby's slipper compared to my flip flop, what big feet he has, size 13! The kiddo is catching up quick too, at almost 15 (less than a month :( ) He is up to a 12 1/2.
I'm making these out of universal yarn worsted, and the colors match almost perfect to the colors he painted his motorcycle last year. The pattern is the greatest, I see a lot of these in my future for gifts and for the boys to slide up and down the hallway in! I got the pattern from Bev's country cottages: It's called Bev's Quick Slipp-ers and you can find it at http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/slippers1.html
They are a blast, and very fast!

My herb garden is growing very well with all the rain and sun we've had. I have catnip, parsley, dill, and chives going, also basil, but it's looking pretty sad right now. As most of you know, this is my first year gardening so I need a little help with the herb section... Does anyone know exactly how you harvest herbs? I think the dill is getting to the point that I can start using it, but I'm not sure, so any help on this would be totally awesome!

So that's about it for now. School is out tomorrow, and I actually can't wait! Mostly I can't wait to sleep in, yes I do have my priorities! I'm also going to be making some new crochet and paper treats to sell in my etsy shop, so watch for those, and a free pattern on here as well.... WOW, it's gonna be a busy week!

Finally... A Brain Dead Double Crochet Afghan for Us!

2010-06-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

I'm finally working on an Afghan for our bed. I decided on 3 solid colors, and one mutlti color, all in Red Heart super saver. I have never really liked working with red heart, but It's getting better and better, and is so much cheaper than what I have been buying. So, what I'm trying to say is, Red heart super saver, at $2.47 a skein, might become my new favorite yarn!

Here is what I am doing, very basic and very beginner... I love very beginner because I get do a lot faster, as most of you know I'm a "want it done NOW!" type of person.

Brain Dead Double Crochet Afghan:

What you need:

5 to 7 skeins of Red heart super saver in colors that you wish. I basically picked out a multi colored yarn and matched it with 3 other solid colors.
Size J crochet hook.

I'm making this for a queen size bed, and basically started chaining and took it back to the bed and measured the length of my chain on the bed. So adjust as to what you want to do.

Chain 300
Row 1... double crochet in 3rd chain from hook and in each chain across, chain 3 and turn.
Row 2 double crochet in each double crochet across, chain 3 and turn.
Continue with Row 2, changing colors after every 2 rows. Makes as many 2 color rows as needed to fit your bed size.

I will for sure post pictures when I am done, and it's laying pretty on our bed. My goal is to get it done in a month, but we shall see!!!

A garden update

2010-06-07T17:53:00.000-07:00

I have been actively tending to my garden, and I have to admit it's getting addicting!

The red leaf lettuce is really growing, along with the strawberries, sweet peas & my herb garden. I did loose my tomato plants due to an unexpected frost, so just replaced them and also added a couple of tomato plants in pots on the deck.

I have a feeling that I have finally caught the gardening bug. I have always loved planting flowers and pretty things, but I am so excited to yield fresh fruit and veggies from my garden.

It may look kinda like a hillbilly garden, but I've been told that tires make the best container gardens due to the fact that the rubber keeps everything warm, makes the produce grow even bigger, and the biggest thing is that you are reusing instead of tossing, I love that one the best!

Here are some pictures of just a few of my flowers...

As you might remember a few months ago, I got into making fountains. Now that the roses are blooming, along with the salvia, it's making my wagon and fountain one of my favorite things to look at and enjoy. My very talented friend, Susan, made the star birdhouse, and I reused my frog in my fountain. It was all broken up on the bottom, but you sure can't tell sitting in a fountain.

Some new additions this year... can you tell I love the tire thing? I also put up a hummingbird feeder, hopefully they are using it, I've heard them buzzing around at least. I have to admit, I did have a motive to doing tire flower beds... This is gonna sound terrible I have a feeling.... I decided to do this to annoy the neighbor across the street. I guess I have an evil side, and kinda giggle at the fact of him throwing a fit at the hillbilly, street bike tire, flower beds. But everyone actually likes them, besides him.. lol.

So that is my garden progress, I'll keep updating as the summer goes on. I'm getting addicted to adding things, so you never know what you might see next.

CROCHET NEWS:

I've been finally working on an afghan for our bed, and I'm also making some fun fathers day slippers for the hubby.... I'll take some pictures and post them tomorrow for you to check out. I also will be posting a new pattern in a few days for you to have fun making. I'm also toying with the idea of a get ahead on Christmas presents challenge, with the winner receiving a great prize of yarn and such.

BLOG NEWS:

You will be seeing a lot of changes in my blog in the coming months. I will still be blogging about crochet and crafting, along with the norm, but I also will be blogging about my new adventures in reinventing myself and my life. We have had so many life changing challenges lately that I decided now is the time to reinvent, and jump in with both feet! So stay tuned for new things to come, and I hope that my trials will help you as well.

Getting ready for summer.

2010-06-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

I've been working on the house lately and tending to my garden, so it's been awhile since I have been on my blog! I am planning on getting back into the swing of things with my blog and my addiction to yarn and paper! So check back this week for some new ideas, crochet patterns, and what I'm working on.

I was just looking around online today and thought I would check out what Martha has been up to. I found this fun idea for decorating this summer and the 4th....

Easy Sand Candles

Pay tribute to the Stars and Stripes (emphasis on the stripes). Red, white, and blue bands of sand dress up votive candles to make flickering lights that are cheerful and fun. Sand is available in a variety of colors at art-supply stores; designing a candle is as simple as pouring layers into a glass. Make several, and create a patriotic centerpiece to coordinate with china or linens for outdoor dining.
To make a sand candle, fill a clear drinking glass with enough sand so that a votive candle placed on top falls just below the rim. Set the glass inside a clear glass vase or jar. With a funnel, fill the gap between the two containers with layers of colored sand, using enough to reach the rim of the drinking glass.

My first garden, and some deck improvments.

2010-05-11T21:10:00.000-07:00

I was talking to one of my good friends about all these street tires that are in the shed. It costs so much to take them to the dump and get rid of them, so the hubby has been collecting them over the past few years. Anyway, she told me that she uses them as container gardens. She said that the heat from the rubber helps them to grow. I'm all for reuse and recycle, so I went for it. There are 6 tires in the garden area, and one in my flower bed. I also did two as planters in the front, I'll take some pictures soon to show you. My garden consists of tomatoes, green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce, sweet peas, strawberries, and green peppers. I also planted herbs in the one I put in the flower bed area.
I will keep you all posted on the progress, I'm really liking the idea, and they don't look that bad!

With all the neighbor troubles, more like we have headed back to middle school, stuff, we decided to put up some panels to make our deck more private. I've had so much fun decorating them, and my new obsession is making little fountains. I love the sound of the water, It's really soothing to me. I'm sure I will be making more, and I will also be looking for more things to decorate the deck with.

The finished Swirling bag

2010-05-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

I finally finished the Swirling bag that I have been working on for a little over a week. I didn't pick it up every day, I got a little boring for me just with working in single crochet. I used Patons Grace for the yarn, and instead of making a cord I used ribbon, I think it looks pretty with the yarn. I'm thinking I will just use it for a project bag, I really don't want to try and put handles on it so that I can carry it around. The biggest thing about this project was that I never thought I could do it, it looked so hard to me for some reason, so I decided that I had to jump in and just go for it!
If you would like to make one for yourself you can go to Crocheted Swirling Bag and get the full pattern for free, and they have a video which is what made me decided to finally do this project.

If you are on ravelry go HERE to see specifics on what colors of yarn, and all of that fun stuff.

HaPpY Mother's Day... Fingerless Gloves Pattern

2010-05-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day everyone! Here is a free pattern for you to make on this awesome day....

Rockin’ Crochet Fingerless Gloves

The look of knit, with the speed of crochet!
By: Julie Fox
www.coziathome.blogspot.com
juliefox1971@mac.com

Rockin' Crochet Fingerless Gloves
The look of knit, with the speed of crochet

Advanced Beginner.
As long as you can read a pattern, and single crochet, you can make these gloves.

YARN: Universal Yarn inc. Classic Shades, or any nice, medium worsted weight. Classic Shades makes the perfect striped pattern.
HOOK: G size

Here we go!

Chain 8

Row 1 :  Single Crochet in second chain from hook.  Then Single Crochet across row.  Chain 1, this will be your turning chain.  Turn your work.

Repeat row one until piece measures  7 inches, or fits nicely around your wrist. End your row.

Fold the piece end to end (first row to last row) and single crochet together, it's o.k. if you have a seam, you will be turning them
right side out when you are finished. Very cool, you now have your cuff.

Along top edge, pick up and Single Crochet around your cuff, number of stitches depends on how big your cuff is.
Place a marker at the start of the round if you like, this does help when your gloves get longer. Make sure you move your marker up with every row.

Continue to single crochet  around until the entire piece (cuff included) measures  5 inches, or measure on your hand from the
cuff to the base of your thumb. Have fun with these, you can totally make them yours.

TIME FOR THE THUMB

Single Crochet until you are four stitches before your marker.  Now with stitch still on your hook, insert your hook into the fourth
stitch after your marker and make a slip stitch.  This will create a hole for your thumb.  Continue to Single crochet around the
hand portion of the glove until the entire piece, including your cuff, measures 7 inches or fits your hand the way you like.  Finish off and weave in the ends. Turn glove inside out to hide seam, if you wish.

O.K. you've done it! Now repeat for your second glove.

Permission to sell finished items, GRANTED! Please do not sell actual pattern.

Beanie Hat Pattern

2010-05-08T14:36:00.000-07:00

I hope you guys enjoy making these as much as I do. You can do so many thing with them! I'm planning on making one with scrap yarn, a different color for every row. You can use a single strand of worsted for a lace look, just watch what the size looks like after the 5th row.

What you need:
K size Crochet Hook
1 Skein Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky yarn, or any other 5 bulky yarn. You can also use 2 strands of worsted held together.
You don't need to worry about a marker at the end of each round, and the round are wide so you can easily count them instead of keeping track. You can add more rounds at the bottom to make it longer and more slouchy.

What you do.....
Main Hat:
With Worsted Weight Yarn
Rnd 1: Holding 2 Strands of Yarn together, ch 3, work 11 dc in first 3rd chain from hook, join with a slip stitch to top of beg ch-3 (12 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st at base of beg ch-3, work 2 dc in ea dc around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (24 dc)
Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in same st at base of beg ch-3, dc in next dc, *2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, rep from * around, join with sl st (36 dc)
Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in same st at base of beg ch-3, dc in each of next 2 dc, *2 dc in next dc, dc in ea of next 2 dc, rep from * around, join with sl st (48 dc).
Rnd 5 to 7: Ch 3 (counts as first dc).DC in next DC. DC in each double crochet around. Join with a sl st. (48dc) Switch to next yarn color if you wish, or you can continue on with the same color.
RND 8 to 11: Ch 3 (counts as first dc).DC in next DC. DC in each double crochet around. Join with a sl st. (48dc)
Fasten off and weave in your ends. If you have a teenager in your life you know that they like their hats longer now a days. So if you want to add 2 to 3 more rows after 11 it will really be a rockin’ ski beanie

All my patterns for free to my coolio blog followers.

2010-05-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

I'm working on making all of my patterns free for all you cool peeps that follow my blog. Tell your friends, anyone that you think would like my blog.
I really want to make this blog popular, and I think with your help it can be.
I plan on developing more patterns, and from now on they will all be free.
So please check back soon, as I try to figure out the best way to make my patterns easy to download.

Crocheted Swirling Bag

2010-05-07T18:08:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a long time since I have updated my blog! And it's been a long time since I've been crocheting. It seems like I search for patterns on Ravelry more than I crochet! This winter I did learn to knit, and my first project was a cool felted back in just the knit stitch. I'm hoping to do more knitting, but I really love crochet, and want to explore the Amigurumi (I just know I spelled that wrong, but you all know what I'm talking about, lol) sector.

Right now I am working on a Crocheted Swirling Bag from the book Crocheted gifts by interweave. I'm almost done, and glad of it! It's a really fun bag to make, and a lot easier than I had expected, but it's all done in single crochet, so gets a little boring. If you want to check out the bag, and get a free pattern, go HERE. I always looked at this bag as being too hard or time consuming for me, but after I watched the video of how it worked, I just had to try it. It also has opened my eyes to doing more of the projects I think, "might" be a little on the hard side, instead of being lazy and sticking with easy patterns. Here are some pictures of my progress so far.

So there you have it, so far. I'm hoping that I will get it done this weekend, and I will post it as soon as I'm done. Then it's on to the next project, who knows what it's going to be.

French Press Cozy

2010-01-25T19:35:00.000-08:00

I was looking all over for a french press cozy, and couldn't find one that would work. So I decided to figure one out on my own.

Here is the pattern, hope you enjoy it!

French Press Crochet Cozy
I Hook
100% Cotton Sugar and Cream
2 buttons
sewing needle
DMC floss

Measure your Presses length and width around. Mine measured 4 inches high, and 12 1/2 width around. I ended up doing 13 inches around, but if I make it again I will do 13 1/2 to have more than enough room for the buttons.

Chain enough ch stitches till you get to your height measurements.
Row 1: Turn and single crochet in second chain from hook, and in each ch across. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 2, HDC in first SC, and in each SC across. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, DC in first HDC, and in each HDC across.

Repeat Rows 1, 2 & 3 in this sequence until your piece measures to the width you would like, Ending with the ROW 3 DC. Ending with a DC row will make it so you don't need to make button holes.

Finish off and weave in the ends.

Measure your piece around your press, and make a note as to where you would like to place your buttons.
Sew on 2 buttons, one on the top, and one on the bottom with DMC floss. I used smaller buttons so that they fit nicely into the DC holes.

Let me know how your press cozy turns out, I know that mine will come in very handy, and the cotton that I used matches my kitchen! :)

Current Crochet Projects?

2010-01-25T11:32:00.001-08:00

So, what is everyone working on right now?
I don't know what it is about this time of year but I come to a complete block as to what project I want to complete next! I just re organized my yarn, It's now in 3 18 gallon totes, and 2 wicker laundry baskets in the closet! Besides the bags that I have with yarn in them for projects I really want to do! So, now's the time to start on burning through that stash right? Well, I'm at a stand still as to where to start. I thought about taking a book and making every pattern in it, blogging about my progress and the projects I complete. I also thought about joining a crochet a long on ravelry. And, my Mom is going to love this one.... I even considered trying to learn to knit again!
SO, I would LOVE to hear from all of you as to what you are working on right now, or how you get through the artistic blocks and winter blues!

Winter 2010, my total crochet meltdown!

2010-01-13T21:32:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had a total crochet meltdown? I have so many projects I want to do, and can't seem to pick one to work on.

This winter has been so depressing. We live in the northwest, a stones throw away from Canada. We are use to tons of snow and a winter wonderland. Instead it's been raining, and raining, and raining. Could the lack of snow be the reason for my non commitment to a project?

Lately all I want to do is cook gluten free goodies, and eat them ALL! I'm never going to be able to fit into that crochet shell that I made myself this fall, sigh....

I have also been playing with paper again, and my new cricket that was given to me by my wonderful husband, for my 38th birthday in December. I've been making all sorts of different things that I will be showing you soon, but the yarn has really been calling my name.

I have a pattern idea for Alice Cullen wrist warmers, maybe that is what my first project should be? As most of you know, I do not get along with knitting needles, just like crochet hooks and my Mother do not get along. So I saw a knitting loom Alice Cullen wrist warmer pattern by Vickie Howell and thought, maybe I might get along with a knitting loom, seems easy enough. Well $5.35 cents later, and a lot of frustration, it was chucked across the room, making the bird fly off of his cage, which the cats utterly loved, it was a knitting loom, yarn, feathers and fur frenzy! So much for getting along with a knitting loom!

So until tomorrow, hopefully the start of a new day will help me to decided what to do about this whole, rainy, depressing, crochet, predicament.

New paper treats in my etsy shop, a bit of vintage for valenties day.

2010-01-08T21:21:00.001-08:00

I had quite a big of fun making vintage valentines today for etsy. I even listened to 40's music on sirius to get me in the mood, which actually really helped!
It's nice to be working with paper again, but I am also working with yarn, and have one new hat pattern to put up for free in the coming days, my son called it the elmer fudd hat, so keep a look out for it this weekend.
I am also developing a long wrist warmer pattern that will hopefully look like the knitted version that Alice Cullen wears in New Moon. I'm really excited about this one, and can't wait to get it done.
In the mean time check out what new paper treats I have in my etsy shop Cozi at home designs.
Please let me know what you think, I love to hear from you on my new projects!

Crochet Hat Patterns Sold Here!

2010-01-01T09:39:00.000-08:00

I have been getting requests to buy my patterns, so besides having them up on etsy and ravelry, I just put my hat patterns on here with a paypal pay button! I will be adding my fingerless gloves and choker pattern sometime today.

I am also almost done with a new hat pattern! It's a combination of a newsboy cap with earflaps! I made some for family this Christmas, and they were a big hit! So come back to check it out.

TAKING IDEAS.....

What do you want to see patterns for? I have some ideas, but would like to get ideas from all of you. Please e-mail me or post comments, I'm excited to hear what you all have to say!

New Years Changes.

2009-12-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

Instead of resolutions, which I always seem not to accomplish. I decided to make CHANGES to my life for 2010.
I read this article on a blog recently "Zen Habits". You can find it in my favorite blogs bar on the right side of this page.
So here ya go, I am personally going to follow this myself so that the changes I make will be permanent.

December 15, 2009

The 6 Changes Method

So how does the 6 Changes method work?

It’s simple:

Pick 6 habits for 2010.
Pick 1 of the 6 habits to start with.
Commit as publicly as possible to creating this new habit in 2 months.
Break the habit into 8 baby steps, starting with a ridiculously easy step. Example: if you want to floss, the first step is just to get out a piece of floss at the same time each night.
Choose a trigger for your habit - something already in your routine that will immediately precede the habit. Examples: eating breakfast, brushing your teeth, showering, waking up, arriving at the office, leaving the office, getting home in the evening.
Do the 1st, really easy baby step for one week, right after the trigger. Post your progress publicly. (Read more.)
Each week, move on to a slightly harder step. You’ll want to progress faster, but don’t. You’re building a new habit. Repeat this until you’ve done 8 weeks.
You now have a new habit! Commit to Habit No. 2 and repeat the process.

I go more into this method in the free ebook - you’ll be able to download it soon.

For more on successful habit change technique, as well as ways to simplify your life and become more effective, check out my book, The Power of Less.

New hat patterns in my etsy shop!

2009-12-27T18:25:00.000-08:00

I've been really busy and having fun writing up patterns to sell in my etsy shop. The two newest are the radical helmet hat & the fun like totally bomber hat.
The bomber hat is done in 4 pieces, the main hat, then the ear flaps and front flaps are done in separate and sewed on. You could also use felted sweaters for the flaps, I am planning on doing this in the next week, and will post pictures when I'm done.

If you are interested in purchasing these patterns please go to my ETSY shop, (Click on etsy to go to my shop).

Two new crochet patterns in my etsy shop!

2009-12-21T15:44:00.001-08:00

I've been really busy today making up two of my most favorite patterns. I'm just really getting into putting my patterns to paper, and it's not as hard as I always thought it would be! So I wrote up 2 new patterns today, one for a coffee cup cuff (as shown above), and the other for a rockin' ski beanie.
The cuff is very simple to make, and looks so nice with a little bit of a bubble effect to it, along with a little lacy. The button hole is very easy to make, and I had a blast making these and using up all my vintage buttons that I have gotten throughout the years. You can really make them in different themes depending on the colors of yarn and the buttons you use.

A Fast and Easy rockin' ski beanie.

My 14 year old kept asking me to make him a rockin' beanie, so I finally had him show me what it was. Basically the kids are taking old ski hats and not folding up the bottom, which leaves it long on the crown. I decided to make up a beanie pattern, and then make it longer to look like a rockin' hat. My son loves it because it's cool lookin', and keeps his noggin nice and warm under his ski helmet.

If you are interested, both patterns have been put up in my etsy shop, and on ravelry.

Gluten Free Disney Coconut bars & Homemade Cocoa Mix.

2009-12-19T14:50:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to make homemade cocoa mix for awhile, so I made one up from Martha Stewart's website. Not sure if I like it yet, It for sure needs something else, more sugar? not sure.

Anyway, click HERE to get the recipe from Martha's site.

Today was my holiday baking day. I only got through 3/4 of it before I pooped out. Tomorrow will be gluten free cookies day.
I did change one of our favorite recipes to make it gluten free thou.... So here it is.

Disney's Chocolate Coconut Bars
3 c. GF Gingersnap cookie crumbs.
2/3 C. Butter, melted
1/2 C. Sugar
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
4 1/2 C. Sweetened Flaked Coconut
1/2 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. Pecans, chopped
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
Red & Green Jimmies or Sprinkles

Preheat over to 325. Line 13 x 9 pan with foil, enough to overhang sides, coat with pam. Combine crumbs, butter, sugar, & cinnamon. Press onto bottom of pan.

Combine coconut, chips & pecans. spread evenly over crumbs mix, pour milk over coconut mixture, sprinkle with jimmies.

Bake 30 minutes, or until light brown. Cool. Use foil to lift from pan.

The Golden Snitch Ornament

2009-12-18T15:09:00.000-08:00

I was searching on Ravelry today for what to do with all this cotton yarn that I have. Until today I have only made different dishcloths with it. This is getting kinda boring.
Behold, I found the perfect little project to work up while watching a harry potter movie today. And what's great is that we have an ornament of Harry catching the golden snitch.
So I got to work making my snitch with some sparkle bernant handicraft for the wings, and yellow peaches and cream for the ball. If you are interested in making one of these very simple ornaments to go http://www.innerchildcrochet.com/patterns/the_golden_snitch.php. While your there, make sure you check out some of her other patterns.

New Pattern... Bomber Hat!

2009-12-17T21:50:00.001-08:00

I have been going crazy, trying to make a bomber hat from several different patterns. I finally threw up my hands and wrote my own.
Very simple, and the lining pieces are made separate, and then sewn on using a blanket stitch. I'm thinking about making a full lining to see how it would turn out. For sure not something I really want to do because it will take more than one night, so it doesn't fall under my... "Instant Gratification" terms for crochet projects, but I guess you need to step outside the box every once in awhile.
I have posted this pattern in my Ravelry & Etsy Shops.

Well, now that I spent the day writing a new pattern, tomorrow it's clean the house day, and make Christmas goodies day! I'm already tired just thinking about it!

Recycled sweater ornaments

2009-12-16T15:32:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,
Not very much longer
until Christmas huh? This is a great, and very fast ornament or last minute gift topper you can make for all your friends. I made Stockings, Gloves, Stars & Hearts. I also have Gingerbread Men and Trees ready to make tomorrow.

I have been racking my brain on what kind of ornament to make for an exchange my MIL is having next week. It's also a cookie/candy exchange, but that was the easy part for me.

So today I started searching around the internet and found the coolest idea from DOLLAR STORE CRAFTS.
I decided to make her 10 second ornament project, and the great part about it? I had everything I needed here at home, wooo hooo, no extra money was spent! CLICK HERE to get her instructions on how to make these ornaments.
She has you use lots of different materials to wrap your ornaments with, but I have tons of felted sweaters on hand, I decided to use them instead. I think they really turned out good. Let me know what you think. The more the pattern on the sweater, the neater they turned out.

COZY AT HOME NEWS!!!!!!
I was playing around on Flickr today, and decided to make a cozy at home group for projects that I have featured on my blog. If any of you have made any of the crochet patterns, or other crafts I have had on my blog, please join this group and add pictures. I am so excited to see what you all have been doing. Please follow this link if your interested.... http://www.flickr.com/groups/1285623@N20/