Knitted chicks and more

Right now, I have currently several projects going at the same time. My deadline to complete these items is Tuesday, which doesn't give me much time to finish.

I'm knitting 6 chickens to take to the quilt store. I found this super cute pattern here.  I am making them pretty much the same except for the beak and eyes. I didn't have any fleece and didn't want to use glue to get them to stick so I just sort of "winged" it. I'm not even sure how I did the beak on the first one, but I hope I can remember how for the rest of them. So far, I have five made, but no finishing touches on any but one.

If I had planned this better, I could have made up some in plenty of time to sell in my etsy shop, but I didn't find this pattern but a few days ago. There is an opening at the bottom of the chicken and it holds a plastic Easter egg. Maybe next year...

Anyways, I plan on filling a basket with some fake grass and several of these chickens to try to sell locally. I thought I'd sell them for $3 each or 2 for $5. Does that sound fair?

I also finished a house shaped dish cloth this week for my etsy store.  I learned how to block dish cloths from one of my favorite websites here. I blocked my second blue hummingbird dish cloth that I made since I sold the first one to a fellow facebook friend. And before I even had a chance to post up pictures of the blocked dish cloth, I sold it! Yay!

I can't believe I never thought to block my items before. It makes them look so much nicer!

When a friend on facebook mentioned that her daughter was upset about her balloon dog deflating, I knew just the thing to make for her. I have not started on it yet because I had another project on the needles, but this is something else I plan to make this weekend. I found the pattern through Lion Brand. You have to register to see it, but it's for a "balloon" animal. You make this tube and then tie it at various points and it looks like a balloon animal. I'm not even sure I know how to make it look like the picture but a friend of mine has promised to help me.

What I am amazed at is that I have so far had the exact colored yarn that I have needed for every project I've been making. She wanted a red, yellow and pink one. I had recently bought those colors at a great yarn sale and wondered what I would do with the yarn at the time and now everything is falling into place.

I'm going to a baby shower next week and as usual have waiting until the last minute to think of a gift. When a friend suggested I knit something, (duh! Why didn't I think of that!) I decided on a couple things. I won't say what it is yet in case she's reading this post but I'll post up pictures before I give it away.

All I have to say is this is something that would normally take me a month to do, and I'm attempting to make it in a few days! lol

Until next time!

Projects completed

I started this crochet dish cloth awhile back and finally got it done this week:

I haven't crocheted a dish cloth like this since 2006. It was fun to make but took a long time. Now that I know how to use a cro-hook, I'll likely not make another one like this for a long time.

I also started crocheting up facial scrubbies with and without hanging loops. I thought that my sudsy sacks were a great way to use up scrap yarn but I think these scrubbies use even less yarn than the soap savers. I sell two for $1.50 in my shop.

I plan on selling sets of them with an included basket once I get more made.

I also knit this dish cloth:

Next week, I plan on finishing up my Covers and Soles hat and prayer shawl that I've had for way too long. And,  I plan to pick up my ordered pink and brown yarn. And start on the scarves for the niece and nephew. Actually, my sister found her hat, but I already ordered the brown yarn, so I'll have to also pick up some dark grey to match Matthew's hat.

Until next time!

And the winner is....

Congratulations!!! Dalton M.  is the winner of the "2 freebies in one night" drawing held on March 12, 2011. Winner picked through here.

I will contact you so you can claim your prize.

Thanks to all who entered! I will be having another giveaway at 40 sales. So spread the word!!

How to make vanilla extract

A couple of weeks ago,  we went to visit my sister's family and I came home with a vanilla bean. I had made homemade vanilla extract before in a canning jar but found it really difficult to measure out the finished extract when used for baking. Then, I read instructions on a friend's blog, on how you could just add the vanilla bean to the vodka bottle. So, I decided to give it a try.

The first time I bought some vanilla beans through my local co-op at the time, I didn't know what to expect. To be honest, I thought a vanilla bean looked similar to a coffee bean. I was not expecting it to look like this:

I got this bean from my sister who bought a 3 pack from Penzeys Spice. I believe it was for $7.50 or something like that. It was definitely under $8. Which isn't that bad when you can't get it from a co-op. The first time I bought the beans, I shared a batch with several friends. I think we each got 5-6 beans and they came out to about 50 cents per bean! Quite a savings! So, if you can find it through a co-op, do that. Although, my friend whose blog, I mentioned earlier ordered hers through a guy on ebay. (details on her blog, Making do with the Not So New.

I just didn't want to go through all the trouble ordering off of ebay (which I rarely do) and it seemed a little weird to me anyways. lol

Anyways, all I did was divide the beans into thirds. Instead of getting a giant bottle of alcohol since I only had one bean, I got three miniature bottles of vodka and rum. I wanted to try out the difference between the vodka and the rum. Each bottle was 50 ml:

After I cut the beans into thirds, I cut down the middle of each bean and opened it up and scraped it slightly before dropping it in the bottles. I was worried I hadn't scraped it enough but I found on another link you don't have to even cut them open. You can just drop them in. This way, I have little pieces of vanilla floating around which I won't even bother to strain when I use. I'll just have some extra vanilla flavor. When the vodka runs low, I'll just buy another bottle and pour it in. I think I can get at least two or three times use out of these beans. The bottles by the way were $1.50 each. The smallest size large bottle was 750 ml for $8. I only had $5 with me that day so I opted for the smaller ones. If I had more beans, I would have gone for the larger bottle.

Each day (or at least when I remember to!) I just give the bottles a shake. I have them stored in my pantry in a cool dark place. In a couple of weeks, it will be ready to use. I noticed some recipes for making your own vanilla said you could add a sugar syrup to it but the whole reason I make my own is to avoid the sweeteners found in commercial vanilla.

And that is all there is to it!

Let me know if you make any!

P.S. If you really want to try this recipe and don't want to order any beans and you don't have a co-op near you, I noticed that Walmart sells 2-3 beans for $11 in the spice section. Which I know is very high, but I'd do it in a heartbeat if it came down to that and using the store bought stuff. The taste can't be beat!

Updates-

I did not care for the vanilla made with the rum at all. The ones made with the vodka turned out awesome! I have since purchased more vodka and refilled the bottle at least once. I love this stuff. One of the ways I've been using it is to put a teaspoon or more in a cup of orange soda. Takes like cream soda and it's so delicious!

Sudsy sacks with facial scrubbies pictures

I decided to offer one sudsy sack with two facial scrubbies in my etsy shop. As I make more facial scrubbies, I'll offer more up for sale.

I've decided until I can get a better video camera to not have video tutorials. My current camera just can't seem to do the job right! Until then, I'll try to start posting up more pictures.

Facial Scrubbies

I've been working on some new facial scrubbies for my etsy shop. I gave a couple away for testers and still waiting to hear the results. I'm excited about the new items I will be adding this year. Projects I've been working on for awhile but not ready yet to sell.

So, be sure to check back soon for more pictures!

Sudsy sack soap savers story

This is the story I have on my soap saver listing page on etsy.

When I first started knitting dish cloths, I had plenty of leftover yarn.

So, I searched for a soap saver pattern and starting crocheting "Sudsy sacks" made with 100% cotton yarn.

Sudsy sacks measures 3X4 inches and are made with 100% cotton yarn. The sudsy sack also can be used as a body scrubber.

The convenient draw string allows you to dry it between uses. When you're ready, you can put it in your washing machine and tumble dry low or hang to dry.

It will hold a four ounce bar of soap. When your soap bar starts running out, simply slide in a new bar and no more wasted soap slivers!

Soap is not included.

Our family loves "Sudsy sacks" and I hope yours does too. :-)

Weaving in ends

Every time I finish a crochet or knit project, I have ends to weave in. If I was smart, I would have weaved them in as I went along. But no! I put them away to save for later and now all night long, guess what I get to do? Weave in ends.

Seventeen items later, and I have all my projects now completed!

The good thing is that now I can post up new items for my etsy shop. I have about 10 new sudsy sack colors to add and a dish cloth or two.

I made a tiny wash cloth tonight with some Paton's yarn I bought on sale a few years ago.

A friend of mine offered to store some of my yarn for me at her place since she has the room. All week long I have thought of something I wanted to make but didn't have the yarn with me. I'm half tempted to go get all the yarn and take it all home again, but this is the second time I've asked her to store it for me.

No, instead, I will keep making up more sudsy sacks and a dish cloth now and then. And when all this yarn is used up, then and only then (I'm trying to stick to my rules) I will get my yarn from her. One skein at a time. After that, I'll be sure not to hoard as much! lol

I've wanted to make up plenty more dish cloths up, but it's sudsy sacks that I'm selling the most of, so that's what I'm making. I bought 9 colors of yarn last month (like I needed more!) and have turned that into sudsy sacks this week. I'm excited to post up the new colors this week.

I do plan to knit and crochet a few cloths though. I just can't decide what theme/design to make. Seems like whatever I choose, someone wishes it were in another color.

I like the waffle weave design that I've been doing because it's an easy pattern and works up quickly. I also like the diagonal design. Lately, I have found that doing designed ones don't sell as good as the plain ones.  I think it's because most folks think they're too pretty to use. I had one lady take the one she got and use it as a doily in her car! lol Whatever makes one happy I guess...

Until next time!

Update-Freebie Giveaway now closed

In celebration of my 14th year anniversary, I have decided to have yet another giveaway. I will be giving away- 3 cotton sudsy sacks OR a free dish cloth. Your choice. My etsy store.

The drawing will be held on March 12th. I will announce the winner on my blog.

To enter, just leave a comment in the place below with a way to contact you.

Offer good only in the United States and Canada.

Winner of freebie giveaway

Well, when I posted about my giveaway, I thought it would take longer until I reached my 25 sales goal. Not that I'm complaining or anything!

I entered the contestants through here.

And congratulations to Moms Crafts 4 U- You are the winner!! I will contact you shortly to discuss your prize.

Closed Giveaway.

When I first started my etsy shop I figured it was a nice way for friends and family to see what items I had made in case they were interested in any of it. I never imagined that folks I didn't know would find me through search boxes or google and find my products to buy.

So, in celebration, I have decided to have a free giveaway when I reach 25 sales.  Sorry, but this contest is only open to the United States and Canada.

To make it fair to everyone, only one entry per person. To enter, just put a comment at the bottom of this post. After I reach 25 sales, I will enter the names here and will post up the winner's name on my blog.

There will even be a bonus freebie to the person who makes me reach my 25 sales goal.

So, do you want to know what you are entering for? You will receive your choice from my etsy shop:
1 dishcloth and 3 sudsy sacks. It won't cost you a dime. I will even pay for the shipping.

Tell all your friends and enter today!

Don't forget to leave your email address in the comments part so I can contact the winner!

**This giveaway is now closed but here is another one:

http://thetreasuresofmyheart.blogspot.com/2011/03/two-freebies-in-one-night.html

Cro-hooking

A nice friend from the prayer shawl ministry gave me some instructions, yarn and a double ended crochet hook the other day. I have always seen one of those types of hooks but had no idea how much fun they were. A couple hours later and I'm learning to crochet on the double.

It's a blast! I hope to post up some tutorial videos and photos soon. I may never go back to knitting a dishcloth again! just kidding... but for now this is too much fun!!!

Visit at Angel's

We went to see my sister and her family last weekend. We stopped in at our usual stores before our visit, some in between and some on the way home. Whole Foods, Half Price books, Michael's to name a few.

We like to take our unwanted books in every time we go to the "big" city and see how much they'll give us each time. Sometimes they seem fair in what they pay us, other times I almost feel ripped off. Oh well. I was just glad not to have to drag the books back home.

While visiting the family there, one of the cool places we visited was Penzey's. A really neat spice store that sold not only single spices but also their own spice blends. I did not buy anything this time but I had my eye on a couple of their blends. The hard part about shopping there is knowing I have my own recipes to make my own concoctions and blends but for one reason or another haven't yet. Although when I got home from our trip, I did look up the recipes that I have and gave it more thought than ever before.

Here in Missouri, we have plenty of amish/mennonite bulk stores that sell their version of Penzey's too. Only their spices come in plastic containers instead of fancy glass bottles.  Their prices are more in my price range as well. A dollar or less for several ounces of a wide variety of spices. Some day I'll have to take my sister and her family to one of these stores. One in particular comes to mind, it's an Amish furniture/bulk foods store. The aroma that wafts through the store is unlike anything you've probably experienced. I think it's easy to take for granted all the pressed particle board furniture that you find at the box stores. When you enter in this store, the first thing you notice is the smell of cedar. At least that's what I noticed.

Anyways, back to my story of visiting my sister. We also stopped in at a neat cooking store that had about every gadget for your kitchen you could imagine. My sister was looking for a sieve to strain her quinoa and found a collapsible colander which she loves. She also found a neat spoon rest that clips to the side of your pot.

Nick found our favorite "Dragon's tongue" Heirloom beans at a table where a farmer was selling jams, jellies and seeds from Baker's Creek and also Seeds of Change. We tried those delicious purple beans and loved them. Haven't had a chance to place an order and was thrilled to find that we could just buy our one packet needed.

We also bought a jar of raw honey and it is superb! We haven't been able to find any local honey in our area so this will have to do. At least, it's from Missouri!

We also visited a neat ice cream store while with family. It was like a buffet line and you simply picked out whatever ice cream you wanted. They had a wide range of toppings to pick from. Then you had it weighed up and ready to eat. I really liked the mango sorbet that I picked with passion fruit syrup on top and little unknown toppings that felt like fish eggs in your mouth- which were really tasty and not at all disgusting by the way. ha! ha!  It was so delicious that I can't stop thinking about how wonderful it was!

We had a nice visit with Angel and her family and are looking forward to another visit soon.

One of the things my sister and I made was a Lentil Quinoa salad. It was delicious! A recipe I'll be sure to make again once summer rolls in.

Until next time!

Urban homemaker Contest

Once again, my favorite company Urban Homemaker is having a giveaway contest for two great sounding products:
Norwex Magnet Ball
 and
Norwex Ultra Power Plus Detergent.

I haven't tried either of them but they both sound really great. I really want to try the detergent. You only need one teaspoon for a front loader machine which is what I like to use when I go to the laundry mat. Just one teaspoon!!! This stuff is ultra concentrated! I have sensitive skin so I can't use the majority of the store bought detergents.

You can't beat that for the price. I found some natural detergent that I wanted to try that was the same price and you got about 20 loads per bottle. This stuff you get 400 loads! (with a front loader) and 140 loads with a top load. Wow!

I hope I win but even if I don't, I can't wait to try this out. I found out about Urban Homemaker about 13 years ago and love their products. I bought some bread pans from them years and years ago. Some sprout seeds and so much more. I just love their things!