How to Make a God's Eye

When Jaime and I were brainstorming ideas for our patio makeovers we talked a lot about embracing the southwest but with a modern twist. I love how these Native-American-inspired elements contribute to a stylish yet relaxed and approachable space. One of the DIY project that took on the southwest more literally is this giant God's Eye that I made for over my bench. I was out of cash for the patio but needed something large and eye-catching(ha). This did the trick coming in at $3.98 for the two wooden dowels. If you have some nice straight sticks you can make this with materials you already have at home! Your yarn choices can help pull the colors of your entire space together. On a personal level, this project makes me really happy because we had a similar God's Eye that my mother had made, in our house growing up.

I'm not sure how long we will keep this outside. Although it's a covered area, I know this is too fragile for the winds of the wild west. Although since it was so inexpensive I can always make another when it starts to look tired. Want to learn how to make your own yarn-stash-busting God's Eye?
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Crochet Party Chain

Back in February, Cornflower Blue's Rachel Hunnicut, a talented knitter, crocheter and embroider-er-errrrr, created a beginner embroidery tutorial for Prudent Baby. We were so blown away by it's AWESOME that we forgot that we had originally asked her to guest-post this fabulous Crochet Party Chain. We love it as party decor but even more-so for it's long life in your home after the cake is cut and the guests go home. Take it away Rachel!
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How to Make a Yarn Pom Pom

Sonya is mama to an adorable little dude, blogger at Parlor: Diary of A Hairdresser, and a knitter. She's here today to give us a step by step on making poms poms from yarn, you don't need to have mad knitting skills to make them, this tute makes it simple and clear. Also, her blog is amazing, lots of great tips and tutes for having fabulous hair even with little time and kiddos to care for, so make sure to check out Parlor!

Learn How to Make A Yarn Pom Pom after the jump...and leave sonya a comment on her first tute, you could win some purty fabric and bias tape!
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Granny Square Poncho

Tristin from Two Girls Being Crafty is here to share this Too-Cute Tute for a Granny Square Poncho. Hmnn. I think we might need her to do one for the hat too, right? Leave Tristin a comment here and you could win a yard of my pom-pom trim which I have been creepily petting for you until it ships off to it's new home. I love trim. Sorry, I'm sleep deprived. Take it away Tristin... please.

Hey Prudent Baby-Mommas! I am so excited to share a fun and funky granny square project with you today--so get your crochet hook ready! I glean so much inspiration from Prudent Baby and am happy to be able to share a project in hopes of inspiring you.

Get the full Granny Square Poncho Tutorial after the jump.

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Drunk on Yarn

Another of my top-most-favorite Jacinda posts ever: Wine Rack as Yarn Storage. While Jacinda is enjoying her new baby, I'm sharing some of my favorite Jacinda tutes & inspiration. Would you agree with me that this is pure genius?

For me, it was one of those eureka, a-ha moments in craft organization...it just blew my mind. I immediately jumped out of my chair and organized my own yarn: Wine Rack as Yarn Storage Part 2.

Sigh, it makes me so happy. If you are feeling a bit yarn-toxicated, check out some of our yarn tutes here.

How do you store your yarn? Do you hang on to wine long enough to require a wine rack? What else could you use a wine rack for? Your comment could win you a yard of gorg pom pom trim.

Grannie Square Pin Cushion

Mandi from Common Threads is here to teach us how to make a Grannie Square Pin Cushion.

She says...
It was a quick little project and I think that they might just make cute gifts (Christmas or anytime) for my crafty friends and family!

Click here and learn how to make a grannie square pin cushion.

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DIY Yarn Sun Wall Art

Here's a no-skills-required way to decorate a wall with just yarn and some pins. Perhaps I should have made it a color you can actually see in a photograph, oops. We love LELLOW over here, what can I say...

I originally made this last winter for the fabulous La Petite Mag, now
get the full Yarn Sun Wall Art DIY after the jump...
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La Petite Mag Launches with a Prudent Baby DIY: Yarn-Pin Wall Art!

The first edition of the beautiful online children's magazine, La Petite launched today!

Rachelle from Kenziepoo is at the helm of this venture and she asked us to contribute a DIY, and we were so excited to oblige. I created this sun from yarn & pins as wall art for Scarlet's Nursery. It's a super simple way to jazz up a space, even a non-crafty person can do it! Get the full DIY in La Petite Magazine here!

Wine Rack as Yarn Storage Part 2

I finally got around to filling my wine rack with yarn as Jacinda suggested in her mind-blowing post Wine Rack as Yarn Storage. Hers was empty because she moved all the wine to her fancy wine cellar. Mine is empty because I drank it all.

I'm so in love with my new little nook! I'm a super beginner at crochet, but this has inspired me to maybe give another go to the Crochet Pennant Garland, or try the adorable Crochet Baby Bonnet, or finally finish another Hot Water Bottle Cozy.

Super Quick Wrap Scarf Crochet Pattern

Y'all had a lot of fun with our first Chunky Scarf Crochet Pattern so maybe you'll like this one too.  It's shorter and just wraps twice, and works up SO QUICKLY.  You could use this pattern to make a crochet toddler scarf, I actually made it for Scarlet to wrap three times, but she just doesn't like scarves so I stole it back, sorry daughter.

Get the full Crochet Wrap Scarf Pattern after the jump...
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DIY Crochet Baby Beanie - Free Pattern

Back in my one child days, I crocheted an adorable sweater and hat from one of those free patterns from the yarn isle. Because I had no idea how to relocate the pattern, I was thinking that I would create something similar for you all but then I organized my yarn and found the pattern! And then I found that it was on the Caron website! Try out this pattern!, it introduces a few new stitches for beginner crocheters including Ribbing and Decreasing. And I highly recommend using variegated yarn for supreme cuteness and embarrassing riches of compliments. Adding the pom-pom as suggested in the pattern would also be adorable.

Wine rack as yarn storage

All of our talk of getting organized inspired me this weekend. We rearranged and finally moved our empty wine shelves out of the living room. There's nothing sadder than an empty wine shelf. Have no fear, the wine has found a new fancy home. But back to the lonely little shelf that was banished to the craft cave. Ta Da! A pretty rainbow of yarn storage. And more drawer space to boot! Ultimately, the shelves will be moving to a space where there is no direct sunlight. These little shelves would also be perfect for jars of notions and baubles. Now if I could only find a use for all those empty cigarette cartons. I kid, I kid.

Of course, as soon as I finished my happy little display I found another GIANT tub of yarn. I have a vice, y'all and it isn't wine. Must step away from Michaels.

Note: as requested by Alix from Modern Kiddo, here is where you can buy your very own inchworm. Isn't he an adorable blast from the past?

Chunky Scarf Crochet Pattern

So last week I posted my Top Five Hot Mess Mommy Tips and commenter  Jaimie (who has a gorgeous name) said she liked the knit scarf in the picture.  
Well, Jaimie, that made my day, because I MADE that scarf!  It's actually crochet and it took about 30 minutes, it was so simple I thought it wasn't worth posting, but since you liked it, I thought I'd share.  It's actually one long tube that I wrap around my neck three times.
Get the (crazy easy beginner) Chunky Crochet Wrap Scarf Pattern after the jump...

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Crochet Vase

Here's an easy and simple way to spruce up a vase: crochet a cover for it.  I had actually crocheted this tube to make another Crochet Hot Water Bottle Cozy, but I used a wool yarn that was just too scratchy for that purpose. Then it occurred to me to slip it on this vase. I love the crafty vibe it gives the living room.

The super-simple Crochet Vase Cover pattern is this:  chain your yarn until it fits right around the vase snuggly, slip stitch into first stitch to join, ch 3, DC into third chain from the hook, DC in each chain across, slip stitch into first stitch to join, and repeat until your crochet vase cover is the length you want.  Coziness!

Crochet Neck Cuff / Scarflette Pattern

My best GF's and I implemented a $10 or less holiday gift policy about 5 years ago and it's been entertaining to see what we come up with every year (Malice got me a Barney's leather wallet for under $10!!  so what if it's a weird size that can't accommodate a bill, it's gorgeous!).  Anyhow, now that I'm learning to crochet I decided to make some of these neck cuffs/scarflettes for them over the holidays, and to share the crochet pattern with you.

I even found a crazy button store on my street - all kinds of wild vintage buttons that wardrobe people from the studios use to make sure Angelina Jolie has just-the-right-time-period button on her coat in The Changeling - and the owner gave me a whole button tutorial!  Did you know about backing buttons?  Do you want to?  Get the neck cuff pattern and some mad button knowledge after the jump...

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Crochet Pennant Garland Part 2

I made a Crochet Pennant Garland in pink and purple using Jacinda's pattern.  NOTE:  Updated for safer pennant garland placement.  With bonus Carleton Curtis cameo...

Get the pattern here!

DIY: Crochet Bonnet

Last week I made this little fleece bonnet inspired by Quinn's baptism cap and you were all seriously so sweet about it but the underlying message was... "um, we really like the original, where is the tutorial for that?" So, because we love you, here it is!
Find the crochet pattern after the jump...

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Prudent Tip: Last-Minute Gift Wrapping

You're crafty so I know you have a hole punch and some yarn.  Add a paper lunch bag and a doily (or scrapbooking paper or whatever) and you've got yourself an inexpensive, last minute DIY gift wrap solution.  I always use yarn in place of ribbon for gifts, it's so cute and way cheaper!

Crochet Ruffle Scarf

I made this as a gift for a certain mother-in-law who looks very pretty in blue and I think might like ruffles.  This is a very simple pattern, it takes under an hour to crochet these fun ruffles so you could totally whip one out today for your MIL too!

Since this crochet scarf pattern uses about half a skein of yarn it only costs around $2.50 so it fits into our under $5 category.  If you're into ruffles it could make a nice addition to your hot mess mommy wardrobe.  Get the pattern after the jump!
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Crochet Wreath Part 2

I made another crochet wreath last night. This time using Lion Brand Hometown USA, it's a really thick yarn (like Lion Brand Thick and Quick) and it's perfect for super speedy little projects. Then I just clipped an ornament peacock on there, tied a ribbon and called it a day. It would look really cute with some pom poms or a big crochet flower, I think. But I'm done. Now on to baby Quinn's stocking. There's still time!