Crochet Beach Theme Cozies

I'm getting excited for summer. That's when I take several beach trips. We will be heading down to the coast in a few days. While I was crocheting last night, thinking of something new to add in my shop, I definitely had the beach on my mind. I crocheted these cute little mug cozies.

Each one was created using a different stitch. I'm feeling happy enough to tell you how I made them so if you crochet you can make one too and if you don't crochet, then head over to my shop and grab one of these cuties.

Sorry I'm not good at writing patterns so I'll just tell how I did it and hope you get it.
I used an H hook. But there is really no rule.

The little camper cozy:

• chain 9
• (starting 2nd chain from hook), sc/dc in stitch, skip, sc/dc in stitch, to end, sc in last stitch. ch2 turn.
• dc in same first stitch, skip, sc/dc in next, to end, last st, sc, ch 2 turn.(you will be doing the sc/dc in the skipped stitch of each row).
• Repeat rows and continue until you have approx. 8 inches long. ch1 turn.
• sc 2together, sc, sc, sc 2together. ch1 turn
• sc each row for 2 more inches (total length of cozy should be approx. 10 inches long).
• on the last sc row- sc, sc, ch2, sc, sc (this makes the button hole). do not finish off
• sc all around the cozy, finsh off, weave ends. sew on button.

Sail boat Cozy:

• Ch 10
• starting 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each ch, ch1 turn
• continue until you have approx. 8 inches long. ch1 turn.
• sc together two times(using up 4 sc), sc across, sc together two last times (using up last 4 sc) ch1 turn
• sc each row for 2 more inches (total length of cozy should be approx. 10 inches long).
• on the last sc row- sc, sc, ch2, sc, sc (this makes the button hole). do not finish off
• sc all around the cozy, finish off, weave ends. sew on button.

Cut out any shape from a piece of felt and stitch on the cozy. Be creative, make it your own. It does not have to be perfectly placed or stitched. This will be one of a kind. Any flaws will make it a unique master piece.

I have put these in my Esty shop and are ready for purchase.
What are some new things you have been putting together lately?


Ive shared this at:
cityofcreativedreams
dwellings-theheartofyourhome
create-with-joy
jaqsstudio
something-fabulous-wednesday at roubinek
worthwhile-wednesdays at thecraftiestallie
submarine-sunday at usscrafty
2crochethooks
monday-handmade-linkup at judyscardmakingandpapercrafts
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy
mix-it-up-monday at flourmewithlove.  

Lil Camper Dreamin

People who have never camped will not get this...I have been going camping now for 18 years. We own a nice big travel trailer that we keep stored at our favorite vacation spot. I have grown to love camping. Its nice to have your own little place with our own bed and toilet.

Speaking of "own little space", I have gotten a fever for wanting just that. If you follow me on Pinterest, you will notice I have pinned a lot of tiny little  campers lately. My favorite is the Canned Ham type. They are tiny little 10 to 13 ft  vintage campers. They are just so darn cute. I don't know what hit me, but when I seen this, I wanted one for myself. Not saying I want to be alone, even though sometimes its nice, Im just saying I want a big/little project of my own.

Source

I keep thinking how fun it would be to find one that I can play with. Just a shell of one would be great so I could restore it to my liking. I could not do it in the neighborhood I live in now, but I would love to have one in the back yard just as a resort. A place to think, doll it up, and decorate it in a girly fashion (sorry Husband). But think about it, men have their "man caves", garages, sheds, and workshops. So, why cant a woman have her doll house? Come on girls, you know all of us wanted a doll house at one time or another. This would be a great get-away to read, craft, nap, study, quite time with my husband or just to have a fun get together with girl friends. hmmm wonder just how much gossip and secrets this little thing would hold?

 

shabbyrosedecor.com

I have this bike! Wheels are turning 

 stylemepretty.com

I remember drinking Shasta from a tin can.

Ebay

This is too cute. On the link, there are more inside pictures to see.

adventureideaz.com

I love the chalkboard on the inside of the door idea here.
 

 cornbreadandbeansquilting.wordpress.com

Inside a little Shasta. I love the arrangement in this one. More pictures on the link.  

 

If me and my husband ever decided to go somewhere for a quick over night trip, we could just hook it up to the back of the truck and go. It would be perfect on the side of a lake with a campfire and fishing poles. Hey im up for anything.  My daughter is 23 and still living at home. We need a quick resort sometimes.

 Source

This is perfect! Crafty mind overload!

The inside colors I would use would be aquas, greys, and a splash of yellow or red. 
I could go on and on. The possibilities are endless. Just Google or go to Pinterest and search "tin can campers" and see what happens. Just be careful and don't get suck in and get a fever like I did.

Maybe one day....Maybe one day I can have a ten foot, tin can condo of my own.



Ive shared this at:
tell-me-about-it-tuesday at sweetsillysara Featured!
amaze-me-monday at dwellings-theheartofyourhome

Crochet Bird Nest

I just made another attempt to help the birds. Its now springtime and they are all over the place trying to find a place to nest. I have only one tree in my back yard and its huge! It is full of birds of all types and its fun to watch them from my kitchen window. However, there are still some that refuse to nest in the trees and want to use parts of the house, plants, and even my car. I can leave for 3 days and come back to a dove nest on the hood of my car. They are so silly.


While looking on Pinterest the other day, I found a really cute bird nest. You can find the pattern HERE. I just knew I had to make one of these and see if it really works. I followed the instructions, but for some reason, it did not come out looking as beautifully egg formed as hers.

Its ok though. I kind of like the "gourd look" or "Pear shape" that mine took shape of.

I carefully placed it on a limb, hidden deep inside the tree and now I will wait to see if I get any renters on this unique home. I do not know how well it will hold up in the rain but hopefully the thickness of the shrub around it will protect it from damage. So far it has withheld strong winds.

I hope to get an update for you all in a couple months. Meanwhile, Ill stick to making hats.






Ive shared this at:
cityofcreativedreams
nifty-thrifty-sunday at niftythriftythings
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy  

Creamy Lemon Tarts

"When life give you lemons.....Make lemon Tart!"

This lemon tart isn't like most I've seen. Its creamy and more on the cheese cake side. But don't get confused...Its NOT cheese cake. Just creamy like one. I have to give my mom all the credit on this one. This is her recipe. One of the family favorites. Mom always asked each of her children what kind of dessert we want for our birthday. Let me say, four out of six of us were born in May. Someone always asked for the lemon tart. Not that its me every time or anything, im just saying.

It was so easy to make, a kid could do it.

Lemon Tart
2 blocks cream cheese (room temperature)
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup Lemon Juice ( more or less to your liking)

With a mixer, cream the cream cheese (Not doing this first will cause lumps)
Add the sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice and continue to cream all together.
Pour into graham cracker pie crust.
Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.

Mom makes her own graham cracker crust, makes it thick and puts it in a casserole dish. Its the best but I was in a hurry. I used the small premade pie crusts and halved the recipe.

These little pies are so sweet and tarty. Perfect for a quick treat or a party.

Enjoy


Ive shared this at:
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy
mix-it-up-monday at flourmewithlove
amaze-me-Monday at dwellings-theheartofyourhome
nifty-thrifty-tuesday at linda-coastalcharm
momstheword--livingforhim
made-by-me-123-linky-party-and-features at jaqsstudio
something-fabulous-wednesday at roubinek 
your-whims-wednesday at mygirlishwhims  
worthwhile-wednesdays at thecraftiestallie  
full-plate-thursday at mizhelenscountrycottage
anything-goes-linky at bacontimewiththehungryhypo
cityofcreativedreams

Crochet For a Laugh

The other day I was looking around on the internet when I came across some funny pictures of mice, ferrets, chickens and even frogs wearing hats. It was the most usual yet cutest thing.

My mind began wondering and a thought popped into it.  I immediately messaged one of my friends that I knew had guinea pig. I asked her "if I were to make it a hat, would she take a photograph of it?".  She agreed without hesitation. We both thought it would be a good laugh and who doesn't need a good laugh every day?

Soon as I got home and settled, I grabbed my needle and some scrap yarn and started crocheting a little hat. It was so fun, I ended up making her three.

Here is a picture of her guenia pig wearing the green hat. She said it was hard to keep him still so its the best she could get. I guess he was just really excited and was ready for his lucky charms.

She also sent me a picture of the other two hats. I just thought the green one was the cutest and it was near St. Patrick's Day at the time.. It did bring on a good laugh.

When my nephew seen what I had done, he asked if I could make him some kind of hat for a guinea pig that he was soon going to purchase for his girlfriend. So I did. Both of them have a love for farming and horses so......

I made it a cowboy hat. Which brought on another laugh. I cant wait to see pictures of her guinea pig wearing it.
I do not plan to make any more tiny animal hats but it I just had to give it a try. I love how they all turned out and I hope it made you smile a little bit.


Ive shared this at:
f mix-it-up-monday at lourmewithlove
amaze-me-monday at dwellings-theheartofyourhome
nifty-thrifty-tuesday at linda-coastalcharm
tell-me-about-it-tuesday at sweetsillysara
made-by-me-122-linky-party-and-features at jaqsstudio
your-whims-wednesday at mygirlishwhims
something-fabulous-wednesday at roubinek
hookin-on-hump-day at mymerrymessylife
city-of-links-party at cityofcreativedreams
nifty-thrifty-sunday at niftythriftythings  

Veggie Spread

This is one of my favorite "trip to the beach" snacks.
"Veggie spread sandwiches".

It all started when my husband and I took our first family beach trip years ago. His mother made us these little finger sandwiches to snack on during our trip. They quickly became a tradition.

Twenty-Two years later, I still make up a batch of this stuff before we leave on a trip. I have also had to make it several times for my daughter while she was in college.

Its simple to make and has that refreshing taste of summer garden.

Vegetable Spread

1 block cream cheese
2 small cucumbers or one large (grated)
1 tablespoon onion (grated)
3 baby carrots (grated)
1 teaspoon mayonnaise
salt / pepper

Mix together well and refrigerate at least one hour.
NOTE: Sometimes the cucumbers will have a lot of water in them, so I squeeze out any excess water before mixing.

This spread is tasty on bagels, and crackers too!
There are no rules to making this, you can adjust the amounts to your own tastes.

Enjoy!




I've shared this at:
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy
mix-it-up-monday at flourmewithlove
amaze-me-monday at dwellings-theheartofyourhome
full-plate-thursday at mizhelenscountrycottage