Tag: simple

DIY Crochet – Bee Plush

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I do! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

I’ve seen some adorable bee plushies in the animated shows my daughter watches, and I wanted to create one for her!

This bee is soft and cuddly! The pattern is easy, and ideal for any level of crocheter (beginners included)! Any size 6 chenille-style yarn can be used in this pattern, but I used Bernat Baby in buttercup yellow and lapis blue, and for the white of the wings. You can use whatever color combination you prefer!

Let’s get started!

SUPPLIES
  • Crochet hook (size 6.50 mm)
  • Chenille-style yarn (size 6)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle or small crochet hook
  • Fiber fill
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Round 1: With the yellow yarn, create a magic ring with 6 single crochets (total of 6 stitches). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round.
  2. Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (total of 12 stitches). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round (henceforth remove it and move it up to the last stitch in each round after this one).
  3. Round 3: 1 single crochet, 1 increase, alternating around the round (18).
  4. Round 4: 2 single crochet, 1 increase, alternating around the round (24).
  5. Round 5: Single crochet in each stitch around (24).
  6. Round 6: Switch colors to blue (or whatever color you choose for the bee’s stripes), then single crochet in each stitch around (24). 
    • To switch colors insert your hook into the first stitch, yarn over and pull through so there are two loops of yellow on your hook. Hook onto the blue and pull in through the two loops of yellow to create the first stitch of Round 6 (for extra security, bring the two loose ends together inside the project and double knot).
  7. Round 7: Single crochet in each stitch around (24).
  8. Round 8: Switch colors back to yellow then single crochet in each stitch around (24).
  9. Round 9: Single crochet in each stitch around (24).
  10. Round 10: Switch colors back to blue then single crochet in each stitch around (24).
  11. Round 11: Single crochet in each stitch around (24).
  12. Set the main body aside for now and begin the wings.
  13. Wings Round 1: With the white yarn, create a magic ring with 6 single crochets (total of 6 stitches). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round.
  14. Wings Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (total of 12 stitches). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round.
  15. Cut the yarn about 8 to 10 inches from your hook and pull the loose end through the last stitch, then set it aside.
  16. Repeat steps 13 through 15 to create a second wing.
  17. Thread your yarn needle with the loose end of one wing, position it where you would like (somewhere on the band of yellow between the two black stripes), and insert your needle through one of the stitches. Pull through until the wing stops at the body of the bee. Position wing and stitch through the bottom of the wing where it comes into contact with the body of the bee. Repeat this stitching process along the bottom of the wing.
    • If there is a tail from creating the magic ring, conceal it by stitching it into the wing and/or into the body of the bee.
  18. Repeat for the second wing.
  19. Attach the safety eyes.
  20. Body Round 12: Switch colors back to yellow, then 2 single crochet, 1 decrease, alternating around the round (18).
  21. Body Round 13: 1 single crochet, 1 decrease, alternating around the round (12).
  22. Begin stuffing the bee to your preference.
  23. Body Round 14: 6 decreases around (6).
  24. Cut the yarn off 8 to 10 inches from the project and pull it through the last stitch.
  25. Stuff the bee a little more if necessary.
  26. Thread the needle and insert the needle through each stitch, then pull tight.
  27. Knot and sew the remaining tail of yarn into the yellow stitches around.
  28. Enjoy!

DIY Crochet – Super Mario Super Star

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I do! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

March 10th was Mario Day! In celebration I created this super soft and cuddly Super Star pillow! This pattern is intermediate and ideal for those who know their way around “magic rings”, “increases” and “decreases”. Any chenille-style yarn, size 6, can be used in this pattern, but for my example piece I used Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn in buttercup yellow.

Let’s get started!

SUPPLIES
  • Crochet hook (size 10 mm)
  • Chenille-style yarn (size 6)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle or small crochet hook
  • Fiber fill
  • Black felt
  • White felt
  • Black thread
  • Sewing needle
SuperStarEyePatternDownload
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Round 1: Create a magic ring with 8 single crochets (total of 8 stitches). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round.
  2. Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (total of 16 stitches). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round (henceforth remove it and move it up to the last stitch in each round after this one).
  3. Round 3: 1 single crochet, 1 increase, alternating around the round (24).
  4. Round 4: 1 single crochet, 1 increase, 1 single crochet, alternating around the round (32).
  5. Round 5: 3 single crochet, 1 increase, alternating around the round (40).
  6. Round 6: 2 single crochet, 1 increase, 2 single crochet, alternating around the round (48).
  7. Round 7: 5 single crochet, 1 increase, alternating around the round (56).
  8. Round 8: 3 single crochet, 1 increase, 3 single crochet, alternating around the round (64).
  9. Round 9: 7 single crochet, 1 increase, alternating around the round (72).
  10. Round 10: 4 single crochet, 1 increase, 4 single crochet, alternating around the round (80).
  11. Finish off the first center piece of the star by slip stitching into the next stitch, then cutting the yarn pulling the end through. Using a yarn needle, stitch the loose end of the yarn into the body of the center piece and set it aside.
  12. Repeat steps 1 through 10 to create a second center piece of the star. This time, do not slip stitch, leave the yarn attached and move the stitch marker to the last stitch.
  13. On this second center piece that we have not tied off, count 16 stitches from the marker on your last stitch from the round before and put a stitch marker through the 16th stitch. Count 16 stitches from this marker and place another marker through that stitch. Continue this around your center piece until you have 5 markers total.
  14. Place the marked centerpiece over the tied-off centerpiece with the more textured sides both facing out, then re-pin the five markers through the aligned stitches of both centerpieces.
  15. Point Round 1: 16 single crochet down one side of the pinned centerpieces from marker to marker with the 16th stitch bringing both sides together just inside the next marker. Then turn your work and do 16 single crochet up the other centerpiece side to reach your starting point (32). Place a stitch maker in the last stitch of this round, which also joins both sides together.
  16. Point Round 2: Single crochet in each stitch around (32). Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of this round (henceforth remove it and move it up to the last stitch in each round after this one).
  17. Point Round 3: 14 single crochet, 1 decline, turn the project around and then 14 single crochet and 1 decline (30).
  18. Point Round 4: 4 single crochet, 1 decline, 4 single crochet, alternating around the point round (27).
  19. Point Round 5: 7 single crochet, 1 decline, alternating around the point round (24).
  20. Point Round 6: 3 single crochet, 1 decline, 3 single crochet, alternating around the point round (21).
  21. Point Round 7: 5 single crochet, 1 decline, alternating around the point round (18).
  22. Point Round 8: 2 single crochet, 1 decline, 2 single crochet, alternating around the point round (15).
  23. Point Round 9: 3 single crochet, 1 decline, alternating around the point round (12).
  24. Point Round 10: 1 single crochet, 1 decline, 1 single crochet, alternating around the point round (9).
  25. Point Round 11: 1 single crochet, 1 decline, alternating around the point round (6).
  26. Point Round 12: Decline 3 times (3).
  27. Cut off your yarn with a little bit of a tail. Attach a yarn needle and insert your needle through the top 3 stitches of the point and pull them tight to make a sharper point. Then stitch the rest of the tail into the body.
  28. To begin a new point with loose yarn, insert your hook into the first stitch, yarn over with your loose yarn and pull through, then complete the stitch by yarning over and pulling through this loop. This will anchor your loose yarn to the next point and mark the first stitch.
  29. Repeat steps 15 through 27 to create the next point. If you’re feeling lost, remember to always count your stitches. At the end of each round the amount of stitches should match the number I’ve put into parenthesis for that round.
  30. Continue repeating steps 15 through 27 until you have completed 4 points of the star, then stuff what you’ve completed. Do not worry about the holes at the base of each point, we will sew them up once we’ve completed the final point.
  31. Begin the last point and stuff it a little at a time as you stitch upwards. Finish the stuffing with chopstick and tie off.
  32. Once the star has been stuffed and completed with 5 points, use the same yarn and a yarn needle to sew up any holes, found at the base in between each point. Concealing any excess yarn by stitching it into the body of the star.
  33. Once the star has been completed. Cut out the pieces for the felt eyes using the patterns I’ve provided, and the black and white felt.
  34. Stitch the white highlights onto the black backgrounds, then stitch the eyes onto the pillow.
  35. Enjoy!

DIY Fuse Bead – Super Mario World Magnets

Welcome back friends! We bought a new refrigerator some time ago and I’ve been thinking it would be nice to decorate it with some Super Mario Bros. magnets! Also, March 10th is Mario Day!

Working with a limited amount of black and white perler beads, I chose a handful of characters / objects from Super Mario World to begin with, and more to come! I created (and the pictures of the patterns are included below) for small Mario, small Luigi, a coin, Yoshi’s egg and Yoshi.

The magnets turned out great! I left them a little less melted on outward facing side because I like the look, but you are always welcome to melt them more! Be careful with the iron, but don’t be afraid to make some mistakes! Mistakes happen for everyone, you may see two pieces of my Mario’s mustache that were over-melted from an unevenly heated iron, but if it’s not worth scrapping the whole piece, embrace it!

Let’s get started!

SUPPLIES
  • Fuse beads
  • Fuse bead pegboard
  • Parchment paper
  • Point tweezers (optional)
  • Painter’s tape
  • Seam ripper
  • Iron
  • Iron-safe surface
  • Peel and stick magnet discs
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. If your beads did not come pre-sorted by color, sort them into the colors you need per character and/or object.
    • Coin: 50 black, 25 white, 17 light brown, 27 bright yellow, 41 gold yellow.
    • Luigi: 63 black, 29 white, 19 bright green, 39 light brown, 18 dark brown, 5 lighter blue, 17 blue, 12 darker blue, 20 lighter tan, 17 golden tan, 2 bright yellow.
    • Mario: 63 black, 29 white, 19 bright red, 39 light brown, 18 dark brown, 5 lighter blue, 17 blue, 12 darker blue, 20 lighter tan, 17 golden tan, 2 bright yellow.
    • Yoshi’s egg: 40 black, 70 white, 19 darker green, 29 lighter green, 8 bright green.
    • Yoshi: 146 black, 63 white, 23 gold yellow, 20 bright red, 34 darker green, 54 bright green.
  2. On your pegboard, begin laying out the appropriate colored beads for the character(s) and/or object(s) you’ve chosen. I recommend working on one character/object at a time, then moving on to the next.
  3. If you are having a hard time placing beads into specific places, use pointed tweezers to pick up each bead and then insert it.
  4. Once each character has been completed, take strips of painter’s tape and cover that character, slightly layering each piece of tape so it’s one connected piece.
  5. Take a seam ripper (or other sharp pointed tool) and poke a small hole into the center of each fuse bead in the pattern. This allows built up heat to escape the tape when ironing.
  6. Carefully remove the taped pattern from the peg board and place it tape-side down on an iron-safe surface. Then place parchment, wax, or ironing paper over it.
  7. Heat a dry iron to a medium heat and as smoothly and evenly as you can, begin to iron the project in a circular motion. Do not press down. Beads take about 10 to 20 seconds per side to fuse evenly and some colors may fuse more quickly than others.
  8. When the beads begin to fuse together you’ll see their colors more clearly through the paper and the center holes will shrink to a pinhole size. Lift the paper occasionally to see how the beads are fusing.
  9. Let the design cool, placing a flat and heavy object over it to keep it from curling.
  10. Remove the weight and paper and flip the project over. Peel off the tape and place the paper back on this side of the project.
  11. Repeat step 7 through 9 on this side of the project. I chose to only lightly fuse the beads on this side because I prefer the look, but you are welcome to melt them more!
  12. Remove the weight and paper and flip the project over. 
  13. Peel the back-liner off a magnet and attach it to the back of your project. For the smaller objects like the coin and egg, I used one magnet. For Mario and Luigi I used two, spread evenly. And for Yoshi, I used three magnets, spread evenly!
  14. Stick to you refrigerator or other magnetic surface and enjoy!

DIY Crochet – Cat Ear Beanie Hat

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I dabbled in crochet off and on for a few years, always fascinated, but never fully catching on. I kept at it, and suddenly, it clicked! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

It’s that time of year for keeping warm! And, in the spirit of playing the Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes game, I thought I’d make a blue crochet cat ear hat!

This hat is whimsical and cozy! The pattern is easy, and ideal for any level of crocheter (beginners included)! Any size 4 yarn can be used in this pattern, but for the Pete the Cat blue of my example piece, I used Red Heart yarn in the “soft navy” color. The size of the hat can also be adjusted for smaller heads by reducing the amount of rows to match half the circumference of the intended person’s head.

Let’s get started!

SUPPLIES
  • Crochet hook (size 5.50 mm)
  • Red Heart yarn (color: soft navy)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle or small crochet hook
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Create a slip knot and then at least 60 chain stitches (you can chain a few more if you want to make the brim wider). I wanted a wider brim/slouchier hat so I chained 70.
  2. Turn your chain around and half double crochet (hdc) into the third stitch from the hook, then continue to hdc all the way across your chain.
  3. Chain 2 and turn your work. Hdc into the back loop of the third stitch from the hook, then continue to hdc in the back loops of each stitch all the way across your project.
  4. Repeat step 3 until there is a total of 28 to 30 hdc rows (the amount of rows can be adjusted so that the width of the project matches half of the circumference of your head).
  5. After the last hdc of your last row, fold the length of the project in half (the fold will be the top of your hat where the “ears” form).
  6. Using the yarn that is still attached, stitch up this side of the hat towards the fold. Insert your hook through the aligned stitches on either side and perform a single crochet to bring them together. 
  7. Once you’ve reached the top corner of the fold, tie a knot and cut the yarn. Use a yarn needle or a small crochet hook to weave the remaining yarn into the project.
  8. Knot the tail from the beginning of the project to your yarn skein and repeat steps 6 and 7 up the other side of the hat.
  9. Fold up the brim, place the hat on your head and adjust the ears to your preference!
  10. Enjoy!

DIY Crochet – Warm, Fuzzy Scarf Pattern

Welcome back friends! Do you crochet? I dabbled in crochet off and on for a few years, always fascinated, but never fully catching on. I kept at it, and suddenly, it clicked! I feel calm and cozy when I’m crocheting, and fiercely proud whenever I complete a project.

It’s that time of year for keeping warm! Whether you’d like to create a scarf for yourself or to gift to a friend, I’m here to help! 

This scarf is cozy classic and ideal for any level of crocheter (beginners included)! Any bulky size 5 yarn can be used in this pattern, but for the soft and fuzzy results of my example piece, I used Carron Latte Cakes Yarn.

SUPPLIES
  • Crochet hook (size 6mm)
  • Carron Latte Cakes Yarn (Color: Rose Scented)
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle or small crochet hook
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Create a slip knot, then chain 250 stitches.
  2. Turn your chain around and half double crochet (hdc) into the third stitch from the hook. Continue to hdc in each stitch all the way across your chain.
  3. Chain 2 and turn your work. Hdc into the back loop of the third stitch from the hook, then continue to hdc in the back loops of each stitch all the way across your project.
  4. Repeat step 3 for the next thirteen rows for a total of 15 hdc rows. You are welcome increase the amount of rows if you’d prefer a wider scarf!
  5. After the last hdc stitch of your last row, use the scissors to disconnect the yarn from the skein and pull the loose end through your crochet loop.
  6. Using a yarn needle or a small crochet hook, weave the loose ends of the yarn into the surrounding scarf.
  7. Wrap around your neck and get cozy!

Simple Shaken Homemade Ice Cream Recipe

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream!

It’s summertime, and many of us think about cold and refreshing treats for the hot days ahead. When I was a little girl, my grandpa would bring out a hand-cranked ice cream maker during family barbecues and my job was to sit on it to hold it steady. It may sound silly, but I loved that job, and felt super important doing it.

I’m not sure if that old ice cream maker fell apart, or it’s stored away somewhere and I can’t find it. I would love to buy or make another one some day, but for now we’ll get Zoey involved in making ice cream another way, that will admittedly burn off more energy!

Let’s make some homemade ice cream in bags!

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 cup of half and half
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • Ice
  • 1/4 cup of salt
  • 2 plastic sandwich bags
  • 1 plastic gallon bag
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Pour the half and half, sugar and vanilla extract into a small bowl, then whisk to combine.
  2. Pour the half and half mixture into one of the plastic sandwich bags and seal, then place it into the other sandwich bag and seal.
  3. Fill half of the gallon bag with ice and the salt.
  4. Place the smaller bag into the larger bag and cover the rest of it with ice, then seal the larger bag.
  5. The salt will make the ice colder than comfortable so wear oven mitts to protect your hands and shake the bag for about 6-12 minutes.
  6. Remove the small bag from the larger bag and rinse it well to remove any salt residue.
  7. Carefully open the bag and empty the ice cream into a bowl, stirring a bit to smooth.
  8. Enjoy!

How to dye Easter eggs with food coloring!

Dyeing Easter Eggs with Food Coloring

I had every intention of making naturally dyed eggs this year. Every. Intention. Then I realized I did not leave myself enough time to prepare and create the dyes. Going natural is a labor of love that I would still love to do…next year.

This year, I dyed a small amount of eggs using food coloring, vinegar and water. It was a lot quicker, a lot simpler, and I was pretty happy with the results!

Dyeing Easter Eggs with Food Coloring
SUPPLIES
  • 4 16 ounce mason jars
  • 8 teaspoons of vinegar (2 for each color/jar)
  • 4 cups of water (1 for each color/jar)
  • Food coloring of your choice
  • 8 hard boiled eggs
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Prepare each mason jar by adding two teaspoons of vinegar to each one.
  2. Boil the four cups of water and carefully pour one cup into each mason jar.
  3. Add drops of food coloring to create the desired shade (don’t be afraid to add a lot, I used 40 drops of blue in one jar) and stir until the color, vinegar and water are well incorporated.
  4. Gently add two eggs to each color, allow the the water to cool slightly, then seal the lids and put them in the refrigerator overnight.
  5. Remove the mason jars from the refrigerator and carefully remove the eggs from the dye, then drain the rest.
  6. Rinse the eggs, gently rubbing with your fingers to remove the darker colored film covering the eggs.
  7. Gently pat the eggs dry with paper towels.

I used the mason jars I had available, which were 16 ounces with regular mouths. I dyed two eggs within each jar; I probably could have crammed 3 eggs into each jar, but I didn’t think that would have given them an even coating of the dye. Please feel free to multiply the recipe and enjoy!

Little John’s Beef Stew Recipe

Little John's Beef Stew Recipe from Disney's Robin Hood

INTRODUCTION

Welcome back friends! This week we’ll be cooking up Little John’s beef stew featured in Disney’s animated feature, Robin Hood!

Little John's Beef Stew Recipe from Disney's Robin Hood
This recipe is featured when Robin Hood and Little John are taking a break in the woods. Unfortunately Little John leaves Robin to tend the stew, and Robin starts daydreaming, effectively burning the stew (don’t worry we won’t burn ours). Friar Tuck shows up while Little John is trying to salvage the food; he tries the stew, coughs a bit, and comments “well done, ain’t it?”

Little John's Beef Stew Recipe from Disney's Robin Hood

Little John's Beef Stew Recipe from Disney's Robin Hood

Little John's Beef Stew Recipe from Disney's Robin Hood
I love a good, hearty stew! I thought burning it would be in poor taste (#momjoke), so I kept an eye on it. I also feel like Little John takes pride in his cooking so I kept it simple based on ingredients they may have been able to obtain, but not so simple as to insult his enthusiasm.

Little John's Beef Stew Recipe from Disney's Robin Hood

Little John's Beef Stew Recipe from Disney's Robin Hood

BEEF STEW
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 pound of beef stew meat, cubed
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon of basil
  • 1 teaspoon of black pepper (plus a few sprinkles more to season the meat)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
  • 1 teaspoon of rosemary
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt (plus a few sprinkles more to season the meat)
  • 1 teaspoon of thyme
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 3 ribs of celery, chopped
  • 1 cup of tomatoes, diced
  • 2 cups of water
  • 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 4 potatoes, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons of flour
  • 1/4 cup of water (additional)
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Melt the butter in a dutch oven or large pot on medium heat.
  2. Season the stew meat with a little salt and pepper, then add it to the pot and brown all sides.
  3. Once browned, remove the meat and allow it to rest on a plate with its juices.
  4. Add the onions, basil, black pepper, oregano, rosemary, salt, and thyme to the meat drippings within the dutch oven and sauté for about four or five minutes.
  5. Add the garlic and celery, then sauté for another two to three minutes.
  6. Deglaze the pan with a little water (enough to loosen up the food particles left behind from cooking the meat and aromatics) and stir, then allow everything to cook for another five minutes.
  7. Add the beef (and its accumulated juices) back into the pot, along with the diced tomatoes and two cups of water.
  8. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about an hour to an hour and a half, or until the beef is fork tender.
  9. Add in the carrots and potatoes and bring the liquid back to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for another thirty to forty minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
  10. In a separate bowl, mix the flour into 1/4 cup of cold water and add it into the stew.
  11. Continue cooking and stirring the pot until the sauce has thickened (about 10 more minutes).
  12. Serve warm and enjoy!