Only in Minnesota can the temps fluctuate 60 degrees or more in such a short time.

The fluctuation won't be that drastic today from yesterday but still!

Yes, I believe that it is finally spring. Whoooo Hooo
That means cleaning. Time to get the dust bunnies out of and off everything, scrub the  left over dried up melted snow/dirt off the entry way floors and  wash the windows, in and out. Also time to wash the car, rake the yard, and do the garage chores as well...get the salt swept up, prime the grill and mower, bring the sports equipment down, put the winter equipment up... (these are what I call my "man chores, since I am a single female and view them as typically male chores).

I'm exhausting myself just talking about it. lol
So, my plans for the day? I have a "to do"

   
I have been trying to think of making something that everyone else out there isn't making but that people will want to have.

This is what I came up with.
Many people celebrate Easter and Christmas with Easter baskets and Christmas stockings.
Usually the baskets and stockings we all have are very old, worn, or just outdated.
I am currently making and taking orders for these beautiful crochet stockings that are in all the modern colors... with bows, buttons, or pom poms.

The best part is that I can make them for baby, girl & boy, as well as adults!
Check it out and let me know what you think!
The pink and green stocking is my very first and I am tickled pink at how it turned out.
My mother made ours, same pattern, over 40 years ago and I am STILL using it!

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Just wanted to mention a great post that will be useful to all you crafters, especially those working on baby themed projects over at tipnut.com:

Tipnut’s Picks: 43 Free Baby Patterns & Projects

Have a peaceful weekend all :-)

....That it is one day closer to S P R I N G !

I don't know about the rest of you but I am ready for the temps to be at least in the mid 20's!
This has been a cold windy winter here in Central Minne-snowta!
After digging out from the snowstorm on Friday morning, I am absolutely ready for bike riding weather.
What I've been up to craft wise?
Baby afghans have been getting a lot of my attention...crochet baby afghans that is.
I finished a baby boy blue a couple of days ago, just have to get it listed (therefore seen, lol) in my etsy shop...http://www.LollyBopBaby.etsy.com.

I also re arranged my home studio. Things are in their place now and hopefully I can navigate around here a lot easier. I did lose a bag of clippies in the tidy up process that I have yet to find though.

I am off to Minneapolis

I love making things for the littlest editions.  I tried this stitch pattern with the purple afghan called "purple passion".  This edition, I've added to my collection of sell items, should delight any new mom.  It will look good in the nursery room.  Take a look!  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20767400

If you think that another combination of color would work let me know!  The finish size is 30"x56"  a standard crib size is ?28"x52" hopefully, this is about the size of a crib.  My sons are now old enough to sleep on twin beds.  3 1/2 and soon to be 7 yrs old.

Personalized Baby Boy Blanket- Blue and Brown, originally uploaded by blueberryjunkie.

This is the latest personalized baby boy blanket in my shop. As with the other baby blankets I have created, it measures about 38"x31", and it is the perfect size for the little guys to take along everywhere.

For this blanket I used coordinating designer cotton fabrics in blue and brown on one side. One of the prints is by Amy Butler, and the other one is by Joel Dewberry. The other side is a warm and soft dark brown fleece.

The baby's name is appliquéd to the fleece side. It is heat fused first, and then machine stitched to ensure its durability and last.

My little guy Phoenix was happy to pose for me to help me showcase the blanket.

This blog is dedicated to all the crafters out there who make fantastic things for our children to play with, and also to those who make the world a more imaginative place for our kids.  There was a time, when things were not so hectic, mass-produced, over-scheduled, and McMuffinized...lol.  I try everyday to make sure my children learn what is truly important in our world....love, family, honesty, and pure fun. 

I began making jewelry as Christmas gifts in 2007 and when my son was born with a heart defect I decided to use my craft to help raise money for Congenital Heart Defect research. 10% of all my sales are donated to the Children's Heart Foundation.

My son required open heart surgery when he was 3 days old to repair his defect that was "incompatible with life". He is a happy healthy 8 week old who has to be closely monitered by a number of doctors, but he is doing great. 20% of babies born with heart defects are not as lucky...they won't make it to their first birthday.

The more awareness that we create about CHD being the most common of all birth defects the better chance all of these kids will have at a normal life, thank you for your support.

Please, everyone, spread the word... talk to your congressman or woman and help save us small handmade artisans !!  Get the word out and STOP THIS!

Why the plea for help? Apparently, back in August 2008 a new law was signed on to the books -- the Consumers Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). It mandates that EVERY single manufacturer of items for children under the age of 12 must test every component of their items at certified testing labs for levels of lead and phthalates. This means that every ribbon, every fabric, every button, every bead -- everything that goes into my items will have to be tested for lead. This will cost hundreds of dollars per test and would effectively put me, and most other small businesses catering to children completely out of business. We can't even