Crocheted Sun Hat

After successfully making my first crochet blanket, I wanted a new crochet challenge. I thought about making a sweater but then came across a crochet pattern for making a floppy sun hat.  Craft Passion had an easy to follow free pattern for making a sun hat with raffia thread. The raffia thread looks like straw yarn.

I have to admit that crocheting with raffia thread is much more difficult than using regular yarn. Halfway through making the hat, I wasn't sure if it was worth finishing. I looked like a lumpy mess.

Did you know that you can iron raffia thread? One of the steps for making the hat was to iron the hat to "block" it into shape. The pattern suggested using newspaper and masking tape to make a DIY crown block. I didn't have newspaper but I did have a junior sized soccer ball, so I used it as my crown block. The hat looked a lot better after I ironed it. I messed up a little bit on measuring for the size of my hat. It is about half an inch too big, but it still works. I may try to add a little bit of structure to the brim to help it be a tiny bit less floppy. 

I added a crocheted flower and a band of cork & lace around the base of the brim. I think it turned out okay. I wore it to the Farmer's Market last week and my friend complimented my "cute" hat. I will count that as a win!

I tried to make a ski hat and ended up making it a little bit too small. I really need to work on figuring out hat circumference size.

From Knitting to Crochet

After three years and two months, I FINALLY finished the knit blanket I promised Boogs. In my defense, it was supposed to only be a small throw blanket. But, Boogs asked if I could make it big enough to go on his future college dorm bed. This is a picture of the blanket in November 2017.

In the intervening years since I started this blanket, I have developed arthritis in my thumb. I really wanted to finish it sooner but it was sometimes too painful to knit. I finally finished the blanket in January 2021. This picture shows it laid out on a queen size bed.

Boogs was very happy to have it finally finished!

I like to make and create things, so I started trying to figure out my next craft. I tried watching a few youtube videos on how to draw. That is not an area of talent for me. I did draw a halfway decent turtle.

And, I found an amazing step-by-step VIDEO by RapidFireArt on how to draw a hyper realistic eye. I was amazed at how well this turned out when I followed along exactly with the video. I was unable to duplicate it without the video. 

One of the teachers on my team at work is retiring this year. The team has decided to throw her a Fiesta for her Siesta Party. We were discussing things and came upon the idea to have a pinata and have the teachers write notes to put inside it. We could not find an inexpensive, classy looking, flower pinata, so I volunteered to make one. I think it turned out very well. It took about three hours to make. It has two cardboard circles taped together with a long strip for the structure of the pinata. I used tissue paper and a scalloped punch to create most of the pieces for the flowers. I hope she likes it. It has been a while since I last made a pinata. I used to make them each year for Boogs' birthday.

A friend gave me this gigantic ball of yarn for Christmas. I knew I wanted to use it in some way but I was not up for knitting another blanket. My sister makes beautiful crochet pieces so I thought I would try crocheting.

I knew I needed help learning how to crochet and magically (I know they are listening) an ad for Woobles appeared in my Facebook feed. Justine, the co-founder of Woobles, puts together adorable crochet beginner kits. Everything you need to get started comes in the kit. I ordered the penguin kit.

The video link led to step-by-step explanations for how to create each stitch you needed to complete the project. Boogs had mentioned an interest in wanting to learn how to make crochet creatures so I decided to let him have this kit. I used my own yarn and supplies and followed the video instructions to create my first penguin. I will admit, it was a bit of a mess. I hadn't figured out how to control my tension on the yarn and I did not buy the proper safety eyes for the project.

I used the pattern and videos and tried again. My second penguin was ADORABLE!

I then used the pattern as a base for trying another bird to give to a friend's son. It turned out goofy and cute.

Learning to crochet from the Woobles kit videos gave me the confidence to try other crochet projects. I took that enormous ball of yarn from my friend and made a throw blanket. It is quite warm and cozy.

I have become a little bit obsessed with crocheting. It does not hurt my hand like knitting did. I am excited about learning how to make all sorts of crochet things. 

Have you tried any new hobbies lately?

Cutesy the Elf December 24th

And, just like that, Cutesy the Elf has gone.  Cutesy left Boogs marshmallow treat making supplies for his last in-person appearance of 2020. 

I guess Cutesy decided to leave a nice treat for Boogs instead of more tricks like chocolate covered sprouts or scorpion lollipops.

This is not the best picture, but here is Boogs with Cutesy yesterday.

Cutesy left behind a small present for Boogs for Christmas day and a goodbye letter. We will certainly miss the fun and silliness that Cutesy brings into our home. We can't wait until next year for his return. 

You can find all of Cutesy the Elf's antics on my Cutesy the Elf Pinterest board.

Cutesy the Elf December 21st - 23rd

Cutesy showed up today with a fun little project for us to do. We had fun painting tree circle ornaments with acrylic paint. I just need to add some ribbon so they can be hung on the tree.

I used an elf stamp on this one before painting.

This is supposed to be a chickadee eating sunflower seeds out of a hand. We are sad to miss our annual chickadee feeding hike because of covid this year. Hopefully, travel restrictions will be lifted soon and we can go visit my in-laws.

Instead of bringing an actual treat, Cutesy played a trick today. He hid a banana flavored lollipop, with a scorpion in it, under one of the cups for Boogs to find.  

I told Boogs it only counted as a win if he could find the treat in only three tries. It took more tries than that. I don't think he felt all that lucky when he eventually did pick the correct cup.

Boogs seemed "thrilled" with the lovely treat. He asked if he should eat around the scorpion or if it was truly edible. He tried to eat it but said it was so disgusting tasting that he nearly puked.

Cutesy brought more of the same the next day. He left out special "chocolates" for Boogs. They were actually brussels sprouts covered in chocolate.

It certainly looked like it would be a tasty treat.

Unfortunately, when Boogs picked up the first "chocolate" the chocolate coating stuck to the one underneath it and pulled some of the coating off. It clearly showed Boogs the brussels sprout so he did not take a bite.

Cutesy was in a kind mood today. He had a Ferrero Rocher chocolate tucked in his pocket for Boogs.

Boogs liked that chocolate much better than the ones Cutesy tried to make.

I can't believe there are only two more sleeps until Christmas. We will soon be saying goodbye to Cutesy until next December.

You can find all of Cutesy's elf antics by visiting by Cutesy the Elf Pinterest board or by clicking the "elf" label at the bottom of this post.

Cutesy the Elf December 14th - 20th

Cutesy showed up with a very scary looking knife this morning. It is Dad's new brush clearing machete. There was a picture of Crocodile Dundee in Cutesy's lap.

Cutesy must have watched Crocodile Dundee and loved the knife scene so much that he decided to recreate it. "That's not a knife. THAT'S a knife."

Boogs immediately put the cover back on that huge knife.

Cutesy was waiting by the bathroom sink with a sweet (ish) treat this morning. Cutesy must have licked the cream out of the Oreo's and replaced them with toothpaste. Yuck! One of the cookies still had real cream in it so Boogs ate that one for breakfast.

Cutesy and Elfy were playing tic tac toe this morning with Hershey's Kisses.

Every year, Cutesy finds a way to block Boogs' door with some kind of balloon or streamer creation. This year, Cutesy used balloons to make a small wreath and put up a metallic foil curtain. I think it was really hard for Cutesy to make that wreath without opposable thumbs. I know it would be hard for me to make that wreath without popping at least 3 balloons.

Cutesy celebrated the last day of school for 2020 by trying to keep Boogs safe. Everyday, there are more kids from Boogs' school put in quarantine. We don't want that to happen to us over the holiday break. Cutesy left Boogs a festive holiday mask, new sanitizer, and some bubble wrap for stress relief. We are so excited that our holiday break has finally begun.

Cutesy was hanging out on the pool table this morning. Boogs was at the ranch with his dad this weekend. I heard that Cutesy sent this picture and the Mystery Gram cards to the ranch for Boogs to find there.

Cutesy was busy this morning. He found the domino set I bought for my STEAM Shop classroom. It looks like he tried to leave the letter S for Boogs to find but he set it up backwards. 

Cutesy found the domino challenge cards on the Frugal Fun website. Looks like these challenges might keep us a little bit busy during our school break.

I hope y'all are finding a way to enjoy the holiday season this year. Cutesy brings us a happy bright spot each December morning.

We can't wait to see what Cutesy the Elf will do next. You can find his previous elf antics on my Cutesy the Elf Pinterest board or by clicking the "elf" tag at the bottom of this post.

Cutesy the Elf December 7th - 13th

Texas is actually having a bit of a cold snap. We found Cutesy bundled up in a cozy pair of new pajama pants.

Cutesy transformed himself into a first place winning body builder. We don't really think he was able to develop that body overnight. I think Cutesy printed out some of Boogs' Dad's photos from his first place winning bodybuilding competition.

I especially liked the side view he added. 

Uh-oh! Cutesy found a hidden mess this morning. He was searching under the couch cushions for loose change. He found 14 cents, a puzzle piece, bits of chips, and a few popcorn pieces. I guess we should clean under there more often.

Cutesy brought Boogs the Grinch movie and some Grinch Pills (Tic Tac Mints) this morning. The back of the Grinch face had this poem: Feeling kinda grouch? Holiday spirit can't be found? Just try these little Grinch Pills. They're the best medicine around. Whether eating a whole handful, or munching one or two, these tasty little pills take the Grinch right out of you!

Every year, Cutesy brings Boogs a gingerbread house. He was extra clever this year, he found an interlocking house that will be easier to build. He must know this Momma has a hard time building a straight house with walls that don't fall down.

It has been such a cold week, Cutesy decided to bring a warm pair of socks for Boogs. He was hiding out on the Christmas tree. These socks have adorable hedgehogs on them wearing Santa hats.

THE FLOOR IS LAVA! We had a good laugh this morning and had to be very careful to stay off the floor.

Cutesy saved us from burning our feet this morning by letting us know that the floor had turned into lava.

He found the lava floor diagram HERE.

We can't wait to see what Cutesy the Elf will do next. You can find his previous elf antics on my Cutesy the Elf Pinterest board or by clicking the "elf" tag at the bottom of this post.