Busy Bags

-Product for this post provided by Oriental Trading Company, this post includes affiliate links-

I am always looking for activities to keep my kids busy, especially when we go places where they need to be quiet. I thought it would be fun to put together some little busy bags with activities in them that would keep the kids entertained. 

Embroidered Felt Heart Hair Clips

I have participated in Craft Lightning Series in the past and each time they have had a theme and everyone participating is given the challenge to make a quick craft (15 minutes or less) that fits with that theme. This year instead of themes that go along with a holiday or season we have themes based on a material or supply. This time around the challenge was felt.

So Sweet Milk Bottle Valentines

-Product for this post provided by Oriental Trading Company, this post contains affiliate links-

I found these little glass milk bottles on Oriental Trading and I thought they would be perfect for a little Valentine gift. They were really easy to put together and I think they would make a cute gift for teachers, neighbors, or friends. 

How to Crochet: The Bead Stitch Video Tutorial

After posting the Bead Stitch Hat and Cowl patterns I thought I would put together a video tutorial on the stitches I used. Here I am sharing my video tutorial for the bead stitch. The bead stitich is similar to a puff stitch but it is worked around a double crochet next to it instead of into the stitch below it.

How to Crochet: Half Double Crochet in the Third Loop Video Tutorial

I recently posted a couple of new patterns and I have had a few questions on the stitches used in those patterns, specifically the half double crochet in the third loop and the bead stitch. I decided to make a couple of videos to better show how to do each of those stitches.

Textured Stripes Baby Blanket

-This post sponsored by Darice-

I recently made a baby blanket as a new pattern to share on the Darice Blog. I wanted to make a striped blanket using a textured stitch. I played around with a few different stitches before deciding on the grit stitch. I didn't want to call it the grit stitch blanket though, I feel like that name doesn't quite sound soft and cozy and this blanket is nice and soft. I feel like the stitch gives it a nice squishiness. It is made by using a combination of single and double crochet.

Valentine Mailboxes and Note Writing Station

-Product for this post provided by Oriental Trading Company, this post contains affiliate links.-

Valentine's is a great time to focus on the people that we love, not only in a romantic type way but also the love we have for our family and friends. Lately in our house I feel like there has been more arguing and fighting than love and kindness. Someone is always seems looking at a sibling wrong or breathing their air. Sometimes the kids play well together and I know that they love each other but they get frustrated with each other over the dumbest things and the fighting was making me crazy. I decided that I wanted to try a little project to see if it would help them recognize the good things about each other instead of only focusing on the negative.