Natural Crochet, for babies and toddlers.....

Hello to all.....I thought I would post some pics of the new crochet book I picked up at the Barnes and Nobel, bookstore the other day! One of my favorite past times is to go to Barnes and nobel, get coffee, pull books and magazine that I just have to have, then sit down and read them. When I lived in California and my daughter was growing up, this was our favorite Friday night outing together. I have always been so blessed that she enjoys spending time with me and hopefully in the near future, we will once again be spending our Friday nights this way!!!!!

Well, about the Book!!! Its all about how one can crochet with soft , luxurious natural yarn such as alpaca, soya, corn fibre, cotton, and wool......

it is full of beautiful pictures....

Precious ideas.....

cute modern looks for toddlers....

and crawlers.....

easy to read patterns.....

and very easy to follow stitch directions.....

Tina Barrett is the author and her goal is to show us that "natural" need not be bland with her funky and colourful crochet projects for babies and toddlers.....and I think she has done a great job....for I just love this book and can't wait to get started on some of the projects.

If any of you have this book or, you are now running out your front door on you way to get it...let me know!!!! I would love to hear what you think of it and how you projects turned out....have a great week....Hugs Lisa

Crochet Baby Cot Blanket Pattern

Hello to all....I have just finished crocheting a Baby Blanket for the Knit-a-Square Foundation. I remembered to take a picture of the blanket before I sent if off, so I would be able to post my how to pattern along with it. Well, here it is......


I used Lion brand Yarn. Vanna's Choice Baby. 100% Acrylic. Medium (4)


- 2 rolls of Lamb
- 1 roll of Aqua
- 1 roll of Mint


Makes

-16-6"x 6" squares, 4 rows of 4 squares



Pattern:

Chain 16, turn, *single crochet across * 18 rows = 1-6"x 6" square.

When you have finished all 16 squares then you slip stitch them together.

Edge:

Slip Stitch all around edge of blanket.

In next row (*3 single crochet, Chain 3, 1 single crochet into last single crochet made.) * cont. till last stitch. Finish off.

Finish Size is 23" x 23".

Well there you have it..:) If you ladies have any questions, please feel free to ask ! I would love to hear from you.....Hugs Lisa

Easy Peasy Summer Fruit Salad.....

One of my son's favorite foods to eat is this very simple "Summer Fruit Salad!" I made it for a Sunday Brunch this last weekend and remembered to take a photo.

To start, you just pick any fresh fruit in season that you enjoy. I always use the same fruit:

10 -Sliced Strawberry's
2 -Sliced Banana's
2 -Chopped Red Apple's
2 -handfuls of Blueberry's

Then I use 1- 6oz container of Yoplail Yogurt. Mixed Berries or Strawberry/Banana or if you have a favorite yogurt you can use that.

I put the strawberry's and blueberry's in the mixing bowl first. Then I slice the bananas and chop the apples last, so they do not turn brown. Once all the fruit is in the bowl, I add the yogurt. Gentle mix all together. Then spoon all together into a nice serving bowl and there you have it!! If you want to feed a larger crowd, you just add extra fruit and yogurt.

See Easy Peasy!!!

I hope it becomes one of your favorites, Hugs, Lisa

My Track partner

O So Sweet Crochet, Cloche Hat Pattern....

I have had a few request asking if I could post the crochet pattern for the Cute little Cloche Hat I use to sell in my Vintage Sweet Peas store......so here it is....I have always used a cotton yarn, but for those wanting to crochet this hat for the Square-knit-along, I'm sure a warm wool yarn would work just as well....

Materials
2 x 1.25 oz (50g) ball of all Seasons Cotton from Rowan in Soul works well
1 x 1.75 oz (50g) ball of All seasons Cotton from Rowan in Jaunty
7 (4.5mm) crochet hook

Size - Small, medium, large
Skill - Easy
Gauge - 14 sts and 17 rows to 4 in (10) measured over rows of sc using 7 (4.5mm) hook

Pattern
Ch 4, join into a ring with a sl st.

Round 1: 8 sc into ring.
Round 2: 2 sc into each sc - 16 sts.
Round 3: *1 sc into next sc, 2 sc into next sc; rep from * to end - 24 sts.
Round 4: *1 sc into each of next 2 sc, 2 sc into next sc; rep from * to end - 32 sts.
Round 5: *1 sc into each of next 3 sc, 2 sc into next sc; rep from * to end - 40 sts.
Round 6: *1 sc into each of next 4 sc, 2 sc into next sc; rep from * to end - 48 sts.
Round 7: *1 sc into each of next 5 sc, 2 sc into next sc; rep from * to end - 56 sts.
Round 8: *1 sc into each of next 6 sc, 2 sc into next sc; rep from * to end - 64 sts.
Round 9: 1 sc into each sc to end.
Round 10: *1 sc into each of next 7 sc, 2 sc into next sc; rep from * to end - 72 sts.
Round 11: 1 sc into each sc to end.

Medium and Large size
Round 12: *1 sc into each of next 8 sc, 2 sc into next sc; rep from * to end - 80 sts.
Round 13: 1 sc in each sc to end.

Large size only
Round 14: *1 sc into each of next 9 sc, 2 sc into next sc; rep from * to end - 88 sts.

All Sizes
Cont to work straight until hat measures 6 3/4 in (17cm) from crown.

Brim (instructions for larger sizes in parentheses)
Next round: *1 sc into each of next 8 ( 9, 10) sc, 2 sc into next sc, rep from * to end - 80 (88,96) sts.
Next round: *1 sc into each of next 9 (10, 11) sc, 2 sc into next sc; rep from * to end - 88 (96, 104) sts.
Next round: *1 sc into each of next 10 (11, 12) sc, 2 sc into next sc; rep from * to end - 96 (104, 112) sts.
Next round: *1 sc into each of next 11 (12, 13) sc, 2 sc into next sc; rep from * to end, sl st to first
sc - 104 (112, 120) sts.

Next round: shell edging
*skip 1 sc, 5 dc into next sc, skip 1 sc, 1 sc into next sc, rep from * to end, sl st into sl st of previous rnd.

Fasten off. Ta da......

And there you have it, a cute little hat that should look something like the one below that sits in my workroom window....


Ladies, please feel free to ask me questions if you have any problems when working on this project.....I'm cooking up something in the kitchen that smells delicious and will post the recipe on my next update.....hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!! Lisa

Squares for Africa....

Well, I have finished my first set of Squares for Africa and I'm almost finished with my first baby blanket! It will be exciting when I can send these off in the mail...hopefully by this weekend!! I'm happy to say I have two other helpers who have joined me in knitting/crochet to help keep little ones warm in Africa. For those that are joining me for the first time...the squares are made and then sent to Africa where they are joined together by a wonderful group of ladies who then hand them out to those in need...if you would like to make a square or more please feel free to join us!!! For more information on this wonderful charity please check out their website

Knit-a-Square.

Here are a couple of picture's showing some of the Summer Fun that we are having here in Arizona!! It was 114 today...so we are loving the swimming pool....

Below... Christie and I always make time for our laptops....If you look to the right corner of this picture, you will see some different paint colors...I have been trying to choose a color for this room. We had a party the other night and I asked everyone to give a vote on there choice of color...It was a great help and now I have chosen the color for my family room....thanks again to everyone who voted.....

Here are the boys playing band...I think its called Guitar Hero???? Not sure, but they sure have a great time with it...

And of course shooting hoops....did I say it was 114 out?...Uwakim, an exchange student from Norway is playing basketball barefoot.......

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday, and please let me know if anyone decides to knit/crochet some squares....hugs Lisa

Tara's, Book Release Party......

Today is the release of Tara Frey''s new book Blogging for Bliss ! Artsy Mamas blog, is hosting a blog party today in celebrations of Tara's Book.....you can check out her site and read a meet-and-greet with the author Tara Frey here.....

I was able to buy my copy yesterday at the local book store. Of course I stayed up way to late having a lovely quite time reading this little book of Bliss. I found it full of wonderful blogs that so many of us are all ready enjoying, plus many more. Tara has done a wonderful job in writing this book! Her hopes are to enlighten new and old blog readers with the options for creating their very own little space in blogland! I think she has done a wonderful job!! A must read!!!! So even if you are in your jammies...hop on over to the blog party and check it out..:)