I'm going to participate in the A to Z blogging challenge.  It sounds like fun and I thought it might be a way to really get me in the habit of blogging on a more regular schedule.  They have categories this year, so I chose crafts.  So every day in April, except Sundays, I have to write a blog post about something to do with crafting and featuring the letter of the day.  Kind of like Sesame Street for bloggers, LOL. 

I'm looking forward to it but I may do a little pre-homework by brainstorming ideas for each letter.  Hope you join in the fun by reading along and if you click the link above you can sign up to do it yourself.

FREE Peacock Feather Pattern - It's Finally Here!

 

 

 You've seen them on Pinterest and tried to Google the pattern, but there was none.  So I sat down the other day and figured out the pattern for crochet  peacock feathers.  I'm so excited to be able to share it with the world.

Friday Chaos Blog Hop

That Was Easy

I was reading on several blogs about people choosing a word or a motto for the year.  I guess it's been percolating in the back of my mind for a few weeks, but suddenly the other day it popped into my head  that my motto is "That was easy".

They're Here!! Baby Top Hats

The Top Hats have arrived!    Isn't this blue and white outfit adorable?  And look at the vest when it's teamed up with jeans. How cute and versatile is this little set?

 Baby can rock his inner Fred Astaire in this one.

 

 

 

Perfect for a Christening.  Imagine this white top hat and bow tie with a satin suit.

And while I was making top hats I might as well include these two.

 

I really had fun making these this week.

They are all for purchase in my Etsy Shop

Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup

 

Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup

 

 

 

      It's a cold snowy day and I took the day off from my "real job"  to work on my Etsy shop.  (Don't worry, I have plenty of PTO time).  They were predicting snow all week so I asked for the day off  ahead of time because I hate driving in the snow . 

 

Anyhoo, I made this soup this morning in the crockpot so I didn't have to worry about food the rest of the day.  It's filling and warming.  I thought I'd share the recipe with all of you.

 

Ingredients:

• Turkey Ham (or regular ham if you prefer) diced
• 2 cans chicken broth
• Two handfuls baby carrots
•  4 potatoes peeled and diced
• Can of pinto beans rinsed and drained
• Small Onion chopped
• Garlic salt - a couple of shakes
• Red pepper flakes - to taste (I like my a little spicy)

Put all ingredients in crockpot and cook on high for one hour, then on low for 3-4 hours.
When nearly done turn crockpot back up to high and add 1/2 cup of small shells or ditalini and cook til tender ( about 15 mins).

Serve with cornbread or biscuits.  YUM!

 
 
Stay tuned tomorrow to see the new items being added to my Etsy shop. (hint: dapper headgear)

 

 

 

    



Top Hats and Tuxes - Inspiration

Today I'm inspired by the dapper look of top hats and tuxedos.  Does anyone but me miss the days when men dressed to the nines to go out?  I love movies from the thirties and forties when a night out meant a tux for the man and an evening gown for the lady at a nightclub with dinner and dancing.




Now the only guy you see in a top hat are these guys.  Sigh

Anyhoo I'm inspired to make top hats for baby boys for my Etsy shop.  So that's what I'm working on this weekend and I hope to have them in the shop this week.

I'm always looking for cute patterns for baby boys because I feel it's harder to find  cute things for them.  And I have two grandsons.  My daughter is preggers again and we're all "Thinking Pink", except for  my 5 year old grandson who told his mother :  "I hope you have a boy.  I don't want all that girly stuff in the house."  LOL