Celebrate Winter * FREE Pattern *

Celebrate Winter

Today was the mother of all storms so far this winter(school canceled, foot of snow, horrendous winds 60+mph and now rain!) ,  I thought why not crochet up something cozy for an up coming baby shower(flavor not known). I know from experience that working with this chunky yarn in a very small size can yield a pointy hat so I toyed around with it a little bit and found that this method is the best way to get a nice flat round top :D Enjoy my first ever published pattern....I have more patterns in the works!
I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. My mom and I operate a little Etsy shop BendBeanies.etsy.com (she writes patterns, I occasionally sell finished items - if I ever finish them ;)  But it looks like I am moving on to writing patterns as well! This was fun and if you try it let me know how it turned out!!!
Happy Winter!And Keep those little ones WARM*****

Super Easy and Fast, Soft, Warm Infant(Nb-3m.) Ear Flap Hat 

This works up in less then an hour!!!

Supplies: Hometown yarn or super bulky (6) yarn, size K crochet hook, and a large tapestry needle (the plastic ones seem best for BIG yarn)

Pattern: Abreviation DC = Double Crochet

Ch 3 

Row 1: In 3 ch. from hook 7 DC  join with Slip Stitch (8 double crochet)

Row 2: Ch2. 2DC in each DC around (16DC) Join with slip stitch.

Row 3: Ch2. *DC, 2DC* Repeat in each st. Join with slip st.(24DC) Join with slip stitch.

Row 4: Ch2.DC in joining stitch DC in ea stitch around join with slip st. 

Row 5 -7:DC in ea stitch around(25DC) (for a total of 7 rows, not including foundation row of ch 3.)

Do Not Cut Yarn - begin first ear flap. - *also make sure hat is measuring at what you need before going on to ear flaps see end for final hat measurements*

Ear Flap 1

Ch2. DC in same ch2.  DC in next 3 stitches (4DC)

Ch2. Turn. Dc2tog, Dc2tog cut yarn and tie off (first ear flap done)

Count 9 stitches and tie on(the 9 stitches is for the front of the hat(the back should have 8), in-case you want to add a flower or something, or so it doesn't go on backwards;)

Ear Flap 2

Ch2. DC in same ch2.  DC in next 3 stitches(4DC)

Ch2. Turn. Dc2tog, Dc2tog. DO NOT CUT YARN 

Ch1. Single crochet around entire hat and slip stitch in Ch1. Cut Yarn and tie off

Weave in lose ends.

Braided Ties:

Cut 6 pieces  of yarn  approximately 24 inches OR double the length you want (be sure to leave room to loop through and knot the braid)

Fold in half and pull loop through between the 2 DC2tog on the ear flap and pull all 12 tails through the loop, give a good tug(making sure you yarn loops over the outside of the ear flap)refer to picture.

Braid with groups of 4 strands together. and tie in a knot(mine might look different because I used a clear tiny hair tie then wrapped yarn around it just to see how it would hold up;)

*Finished hat should measure about 7.5 wide laying flat and 6 inches tall(not including the ear flaps) Adjust hook if needed.

TA-DA! It's fast, easy and warm! If you have questions feel free to comment or contact me :D

Yarn Wreath Inspiration

That Morris Family

 One of my favorite crafts is making these gorgeous yarn wreaths and I really think ANYONE can do it so instead of telling you how(because there are a million tutorials) I thought I would just leave you with a tid bit of advice and a little inspiration. Tidbit tip number 1 buy your wreath with a coupon(Joann's or Micheal's) they aren't much but every penny counts, Tidbit tip number 2 NOW is the time to stock up on trimmings, those "berry" stems are on super clearance after the holidays. You too can make one of these for super duper cheap I would say FIVE bucks (assuming you own a hot glue gun;). Enjoy and linking a tutorial very similar to my process.

That Morris Family

PS: That's all for now headed, to the Mother Ship tomorrow......IKEA! Hoping to find good stuff!

Welcome!

December 2011

That Morris Family: This is us!!!! Welcome to our corner of the World Wide Web :D Hope you enjoy our stories, our craftiness and thrifty ideas! I have inspired many a people around me(include the hubs and the little's) to  DIY more and be creative.....if you stick around it might rub off on you too!
The Mrs. interests: DIY everything, sewing, crafting and decorating. UPDATE: I forgot to include I collect yarn and love to crochet.
The Hub's Interests: wood working, hanging/repairing stuff for the Mrs., TOOLS and is learning to like painting. Enjoys all(ok maybe most, but I am the author here) things DIY too!wonder where he get's that passion from ;)

Little Man's Interests: Lego's (he can build just about anything) reading and coloring. Also has a knack for decorating.

Little Lady's Interests: crafting, jewelry making, painting, music and dancing. Could care less about decorating or DIY - 3 is a bit young I suppose ;)

Toddler Table DIY Tutorial

Before

After

EEEEEKKKKK a tiny UGLY toddler table covered in stickers and STILL had primary colored legs, pretty sure every other house has one! We have had this darling little table since our 7 year old was a baby but it is just so small barely fits  a coloring book let alone crayons! I have been meaning for YEARS to paint those legs but it wouldn't fix the size of the table. I also put it in the pile to be donated a few time but couldn't bring my self to part with it! Thank goodness.....after 10 bucks at Lowe's and 15 and the fabric store I turned it from small, ugly and useless to one of the most used pieces of furniture in the house!

My DIY directions:

What you need: a small table with removable legs, a 2x4 piece of MDF ($5.92) at lowe's, primer and paint, and 3/4th's yard of laminated fabric(usually comes on 50-60" widths), screws and a staple gun.
 (For this I only needed to buy wood, white primer, and fabric.)

Step 1: Remove legs - pay attention to how they are attached to your current table as you will want to re-create that. Mine were screwed to a small square of wood with threads for the screw on the end of the leg. I had to chisel of that small piece of wood for the new table top.

Step 2: Primer and paint legs ( I cheated :O I left the legs with white primer on them, no paint.....do as you wish here)

Step 3: Attach legs to MDF about 1 inch inside of the corner of the MDF (you need room to staple fabric on)

Step 4: Fabric wrong side up, place table upside down on the wrong side of the fabric, trim fabric about 1 inch wide/longer then table. Staple fabric to the MDF starting in all 4 middle of sides and work your way out. Work with your corner folds to your preferance and staple down.

Step 5: Turn table over and ADMIRE!!!!! Laminated fabric or oil cloth is ideal since it is super wipe-able! Totally amazing.....Right!

TIP: If you don't have legs I am sure you could use a one by one and have Lowe's cut it to the height you want (18-24 is ideal)and screw them in from the top of the MDF......

Ava's Army 2012

So we had a lot of fun on our last minute JDRF walk to cure diabetes. But you would not imagine some of the team size's just ONE kid can have at these things. I couldn't help but feel a little down about how I hadn't decided sooner that this is about Ava and NOT me! So Andy and I talked about it and we decided next year we are going to go all out. Reason 1: to make this a good experience for Ava and 2: at four years old I think she will be able to appreciate everyone's love and support! So be prepared for BATTLE we are going to do all we can to raise money and help battle diabetes. We plan to do this by creating...."Ava's Army" it will involve some sort of camo(which if anyone knows,that is a huge sacrifice for me;) and we can't call it "Ava's Army" with out a lot of people so please SHOW YOUR SUPPORT and be "prepared for battle" and join our team....I will keep everyone updated as to when we register for next year so you can sign up!!

It's not bout me...

I decided at the very last minute that the family(just the 4 of us) would go to Portland for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes on Sunday(October 2nd 2011)I did not feel like celebrating diabetes at the moment(it's been a tough year)....however I decided to register Ava as a walker because this is about her not me and about awareness, research and a sense of belonging. Ava may never see a cure but I hope that someday no other parent has to live with this disease in their home.

We called about 6 weeks before the event to get into our Dr while we were there and they had to put us on a cancellation list. Well it all worked out they called us Friday (yes the day before we left) to let us know they had an appointment on Monday at 10! Sign me up! So glad we decided to make the trip.

The walk was fun, cold as usual and a rained at the very end. Ava and Logan had a blast we didn't meet anyone new nor did we get the chance for her to make any friends(she is only 3 after all:) but I would say it was a success....as for next year we have BIG plans....Ava's Army get ready for battle!