Getting Settled

Well, for those who may not have know, we have moved!!  It was certainly an experience!  We put our house on the market and had a contract within a month.  We had prepared ourselves to wait much longer because several homes in our neighborhood had been slow to sell.  Since we were somewhat unprepared for the speed of the sell, we had not yet found a house to move into.  We looked every chance we had - when my husband and I were both off work.  But, the day came to move out and close and we were homeless!  Thankfully we were able to stay with family (my husbands parents) while we continued to look for a house.  We put all of our things in storage and packed our suitcases...

We finally found a house, and it was for sale by owner.   We were so excited!  It was a great house, closer to my family, and hubby's as well as being closer to hubby's work.  We started on the process of putting a contract on the house, got inspections and so on.  We got down to near time to close and kept hitting little hiccups...we were truly afraid we were going to have to start all over.  However, the Lord answered our many prayers and we were able to close on our house!  My wonderful Mom and I came over and began cleaning and lining cupboards immediately!  Then, moving day was here - and it was a little chaotic! But, all of our things were once again in the same place we were, and we had our own bed to sleep in!

Fast forward about a month and a half and now we are settled in (for the most part) and unpacked (for the most part).  Finally getting back into our routines and our way of life.  So...all of that being said - be on the lookout for more postings from me.  My mind is on craftiness and DIY overload!  I have SEVERAL projects all lined up to do and share!  I can't wait!

Frilly Scarf Tutorial

First of all, I have tried to write this blog several times...every time I sit down to type someone needs me! :)  It is wonderful to be a needed wife and Mom though!!

I'm sure you have seen the 'frilly' scarves that became quite popular last year.  I always wanted to make one, but the price per skein of the yarn was more than I was willing to pay... I can be rather cheap sometimes! :)

Not to long ago I found the yarn on clearance!!!  Yay!  So, I purchased several skeins (with intentions to make one for myself and a few for gifts or to sell).  Then, they sat in my craft closet for several months.  Sadly, I had to take a break from crocheting during the second half of my pregnancy.  My fingers would go numb (from slight swelling in my hands and wrists) if I did to much...since grading papers and typing lesson plans was what I was getting paid to do, I had to put those things ahead of the fun stuff!

Now, I am finally back to crocheting and crafting and I am loving it!!!  I certainly missed it!  I finally sat down to make the 'frilly' scarves and oh my goodness!  They were so much fun to make!  It does not take much time to make them at all! I had all of mine made in two afternoon nap-times! (I now measure thins by nap-times!)

I looked at several tutorials (I am a visual/hands on learner) and I still had a couple questions.  So, after I figured it out I  took a few pictures of my own to share with you!

I used a size 'h'crochet hook.  If you spread the first part of the yarn out, you will notice that the two sides are different. You will want to work in the side that is more open...has holes for you to work in.

You are going to run your crochet hook through every other hole/space until you have cast on 10.   In the picture below you can see my crochet hook going through every other space.

After you have cast on 10, you will gather all except the one closest to the hook, and pull the single strand through the group.

Stitch markers were suggested in at least one of the tutorials I looked at, but I chose not to use them, and had no problem.  I believe they were suggested so that the whole scarf would not unravel or you would not lose your place if you had a mishap and dropped the stitches you were currently working on.

Now, I do not claim to be a super knowledgeable crafter/crocheter.  So, if something I have said does not make sense, please comment below or message me and I will do my best to help you out!  

Enjoy your new 'frilly' scarf!!!

Where do all the finished crafts go?

I have some very exciting news!!  A couple months ago I stopped by a little store in Cross Plains, TN called Cottontown Bears and Gifts.  It is a cute little store filled with all kinds of neat products.  While I was there, I casually asked the lady working the counter (who actually is the owner) if she ever sold products on commission from local crafters.  She said that she actually did sell a few things and for me to check back in a month or so. 

So, today, I went by her store again, carrying a tote bag full of dishrags, hair bows and scarves! She was very exciting about the products I had made and was also very excited to sell them in her store.  I left some dish rags there with her and have some scarves to make over the weekend!  How exciting! Simply Sweet by Cori products have made it to a store!!!  Of course, if you see any products you would like at Simply Sweet by Cori you can order them directly from me!

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 7

I didn't actually do this project today.  I am actually away from home and am in Memphis at the National Association of Free Will Baptist.  Since it is quite difficult to travel with all my favorite crafting supplies, I thought I would post about a project I have already completed...and actually I have done this project many times. It makes a great gift and every one who has received this has been very grateful! :)  There are many different patterns you can use, either crochet or knit and these are the most useful things you will ever make!!  I have pinned many patterns on my crochet/knit board on Pinterest - the one below I actually found in a book I had bought years ago...the main thing is that you use cotton yarn!   I have found that it is cheapest at Wal-Mart unless you use a 40% coupon at one of the crafting stores like Hobby Lobby or JoAnn!

I am actually talking with a local shop owner about putting some of these in her store on consignment, as well as perhaps some scarves or other hand made items....so, all prayers are appreciated! :)

Also, if you don't want to make your own...check out my shot at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplySweetbyCori?ref=si_shop!!  You can even request custom colors.  Enter the coupon code 'Project10' for a 10% discount!