Inspired by a marshmallow

Have you ever been inspired by food? I am a big fan of food, but I think this may be the first time I have ever been truly inspired by a marshmallow!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a little obsessed with Peanuts- as in Snoopy, Charlie Brown... you know, Peanuts. I love Snoopy, but especially at holidays, the Peanuts Gang hold a special place in my heart. That's why I wasn't surprised that my mom picked up this Snoopy marshmallow "sucker" for me.

My first thought when I saw it was, "Well that's just cute... what do I do with it?" You can't eat something this adorable, but do you really want to keep it? I don't think storing things like this is a great idea- bugs and all. So, I decided to recreate it as something more permanent...
Tail and all...

Given how much I like Peanuts, I realized that this is the only item I have for Halloween. I think this is the perfect piece. Seriously, I love marshmallows, but I couldn't be more pleased. The sucker on the other hand- have you ever actually eaten one? They're disgusting. Evidently, they really are just for show!

Halloween Bunting

This time of year, my mind is on overdrive. My list of projects is a mile long, but when the idea for this Halloween Bunting popped into my head, I just had to add it to the list.

The top of the list, evidently. Luckily, it was an easy project and I am so pleased with the results. I hung it in my window yesterday and have already receieved compliments on it.

Ribbon and Crochet Jewelry Set

I actually made this set about a month ago, but due to so much camera trouble, I haven't been able to get a decent picture.

It is such a fun necklace, easy to wear. The crochet beads are stuffed with cotton and strung on sheer white ribbon. It is light, comfortable and matches anything! I am hoping to pick up more ribbon and different styles of beads this week. There are just so many possibilities. So pretty! I love it!

"Mum's The Word" Baby Afghan

I am so excited to see this project completed. Not because it was difficult, challenging, gruelling, etc. I just wanted to see how it would turn out. I have been working on this blanket at every spare moment, staying up late, getting up early, wanting to get it done in time.

The pattern is called "Mum's the Word" and is not my own. An incredibly talented woman named April from "The Left Side of Crochet" created this beautiful pattern. I admit that I had to tweak it some. I was relieved to see that I was not the only one who struggled with it. It was tricky. But so incredibly worth it.

The woman who will be receiving this has been through a lot and is eagerly awaiting the birth of her precious baby girl. I can only hope that this afghan will add even more joy to what is already a very special occasion.

Pretty Creepy Halloween Wreath

After I put out all of my Halloween decorations, I realized that the wreath I have been using year after year is more for Fall than Halloween. I decided to make one based on this pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. I have been working on it bit by bit in spare moments over the past week, and, although simpler than theirs, I am pleased with the final results of this pretty (and) creepy Halloween wreath.

Although there are several crochet components to this wreath (the rosettes, the spider, and the bow), this is something that could very easily be done with ribbon and a plastic spider.

I Love Yarn

October 14th was National I Love Yarn Day. Isn't it funny how they have a "National Day" for anything and everything under the sun? Well, I guess this just proves there is something out there for everyone.
To celebrate, the yarn council (yes, there is a yarn council) recommended a few different activities. A few of them were:

-Create an "I Love Yarn" badge

- Teach someone to knit or crochet

-Do something for charity

-Wear a knitted or crocheted item

-Give a gift of yarn

Although different things had been running through my mind all week, when it came down to it, laundry, clean bathrooms, and a balanced checkbook came first. Still, since I did wear my crocheted slippers and started working on a baby afghan for a woman in our ward (give a gift of yarn), I will check those two off the list. Although a day late, today I plan to check " Do something for Charity" off the list, something that is also on my "New Year's Resolutions" list for 2011, and every year, really.

This year, I am coordinating with my Relief Society President on a charity project. Her husband is in the military, so she is very involved with the families of those who serve. After some deliberation, we decided that I would make teddy bears for her to give to some of the children in our neighborhood whose fathers are serving during Christmas. I have been working on this project for a few months and am not quite halfway to my goal. I had planned on sharing my pattern for the teddy bear with you today, but I feel that actually making the bear is more important. Instead, I will share a picture of the last bear I made. I apologize that she doesn't have any eyes. It's a work in progress.

With luck, I will soon be posting the final project, all 25 (at least) teddy bears! Until then, in case you didn't know... "I LOVE YARN!"

Flower Pot Rewind

I am one of the few women who does not like to be given flowers or plants. Don't get me wrong, I love flowers and greenery of all sorts. Sadly, my thumb is black, rather than a helpful shade of green. It breaks my heart to watch plants die. So, with that said, when I see flower pots, I don't think of plants, I think of crafts. Are you surprised?

It all started many years ago at Halloween with a sweet little ghost.

I can't help but smile each year as I unwrap him and find a special place for display.

When I was growing up, my dad made this awesome wooden pumpkin family. Every year, I got so excited to put out that family. I was so glad that no one else really cared, because I loved those pumpkins. So, a few years after my ghost was "born", I decided that, although it's just Roy and I, we needed a pumpkin family of our own.

Again, I have enjoyed my little flower pot pumpkins so much that when I found some pots on sale, I knew I had to extend the family this year.

The witch is kind of hidden beneath her hair, but I love the newest members of my Halloween collection. If you are looking for a fun and easy craft to do with your kids, this is it! There are just so many things you can do with flower pots. So many, in fact, that I find myself stumped. You see, I have one medium size pot left and I can't decide whether to do a mummy, a bat, or a vampire. Or... maybe a scarecrow? See? So many possibilities! If you have an opinion, I would love for you to share what you think. What do you think I should make with my last flower pot?

Decorative Memo Boards

Of everything that I have made, my memo board is one thing that I use nearly every single day. Could I live without it? Yes, of course. But it's so pretty and useful, why should I?

Whether you hang it on your wall, or set it on your cabinet, it's perfect for taking messages and writing yourself reminder notes. Any dry erase marker will do. Just erase, and start all over again! No matter how long the message is left on the glass, it will wipe right off.
I even made some miniature erasers. With our busy lives, I love that these boards are perfect for everyone and could be personalized to anyone.