crocheted ravens hat

Even though we only live about an hour for Baltimore, we have no affiliation with either team in the Superbowl. My husbands not even that excited about it. However, being from this area, we know a number of Raven's fans and I was asked to make a few hats for the big game.

If you'd like to make your own, follow along with this pattern (feel free to adjust the colors to coordinate with your favorite team!)

This pattern is adapted from Repeat Crafter Me's Owl Hat Pattern

Baltimore Raven's Crocheted Hat with Earflaps: What you'll need: 1. Medium worsted weight yarn 2. Crochet hook size H 3. Darning needle (for weaving in loose ends)
Abbreviations: ch - chain SC - single crochet DC - double crochet HDC - half double crochet HDC decrease - half double crochet decream sl st - slip stitch Here is Repeat Crafter Me's pattern with my alterations for the Raven's hat in RED :)
Size: Teen/Adult Magic Ring, Chain 2, 9 DC in magic ring, join to first DC, ch 2  Round 2: 2 DC in each around, join to first DC, ch 2 (18 DC)  Round 3: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next, repeat around, join, ch 2 (27 DC)  Round 4: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 2, repeat around, join, ch 2 (36 DC)  Round 5: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 3, repeat around, join, ch 2 (45 DC)  Round 6: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 4, repeat around, join, ch 2 (54 DC)  Round 7: DC around (54 DC)  Round 8: 2 Dc in first stitch, DC in next 8, repeat around, join, ch 2 (60 DC)  Round 9: 2 DC, DC in next 29, repeat around (62 DC)  Change color to WHITE, join and ch 2  Round 10: DC around (62 DC) Change color to PURPLE, join and ch 2 Round 11: DC around (62 DC) Change color to YELLOW, join and ch 2  Round 12-13: DC around (62 DC)  Change color to PURPLE, join and ch 2 Round 14: DC around (62 DC) Change color to WHITE, join and ch 2 Round 15: DC around (62 DC) Change color to PURPLE, join and ch 2 Round 16: DC around (62 DC) do not fasten off, begin on first earflap 
Earflaps: In PURPLE Row 1: Chain 2, HDC 12, chain 2, turn Row 2: HDC decrease, HDC in next 8, HDC decrease, chain 2, turn Row 3: HDC across, chain 2, turn (10 HDC) Row 4: HDC decrease, HDC in next 6, HDC decrease, chain 2, turn Row 5: HDC across, chain 2, turn (8 HDC) Row 6: HDC decrease, HDC in next 4, HDC decrease, chain 2, turn Row 7: HDC across, chain 2, turn (6 HDC) Row 8: 3 HDC decreases Row 9: 2 HDC decreases, chain 2, turn Row 10: HDC decrease, fasten off leaving long tail.
Leave 25 stitches along the front for adult size hat... begin second earflap. After second earflap, Continue to SC around the entire hat. Join to first SC and fasten off, leaving long tail.
Braided Tails:  Cut three SIX 1 yard strands of each color (9 18 strands total).  Double over & pass loop through last space in earflap. You should now have 18 36 strands to braid with. Make a knot and braid approx 5.5 inches long, knot, trim ends.
Make a fun pom pom (YELLOW & WHITE) to add to the top :)

Now, go on - make a fun hat! If you need other sizes, check out Repeat Crafter Me's patterns. They're the best! I'm now going to focus on some yummy snacks for the game instead. [p.s. this post may be linked to any number of these blogs]

the weekly creative #18

Welcome to week #18 of The Weekly Creative!
Another week of amazing projects - you guys are awesome. Thanks for stopping by to check out the features and link up your newest projects. I hope everyone had a great weekend. I can't wait to see what you'd been up to! Here's how The Weekly Creative link party works:
#1 Each week I will be featuring the most viewed link, my favorite diy/craft/home project & my favorite recipe. I'm sticking with 3 features but I have divided them into categories now.
#2 Each month, I will be featuring one project on my sidebar - the project that gets the most views during all of the link parties during that month. It will have a picture of the project with a direct link to to post on your blog. This will hopefully direct more traffic to YOU! (you can check out Decembers "most veiwed" link in my sidebar).
#3 All features will get promoted on my Facebook page and pinned to Pinterest. I have created a board specifically for features - feel free to follow along.  

Link up as many projects, recipes, etc. as you'd like. No giveaways or etsy shops please. 

Visit some other blogs and show them some love. Simple as that.
Here are the feautres from last week:
MOST VEIWED:

crochet valentines earrings by ana love craft

MY FAVORITE DIY/HOME PROJECT & RECIPE: granny square baby blanket by my honey bunch & cinnamon apple grilled cheese by diana rambles
If you were featured, don't forget to grab a featured button from the sidebar under the tab "grab a button." Thanks for stopping by to link up!

light box

One of my 2013 goals is to take better pictures for my blog. When I saw this light box tutorial from one creative mommy I decided it was time to make one for myself. One Creative Mommy provides an awesome tutorial - but here is how I made mine - if you'd like to follow along and make your own: _____________________________ Here is what you'll need: a cardboard box pencil  & ruler box cutter packing tape white paint & paint brush a piece of poster board translucent tracing paper (or muslin) _____________________________ [1] Start by cutting off all but 2" of your box flaps. Once cut, fold them over on themselves and tape in place with packing tape. Do this to both open ends of your box.

[2] Next, decide which remaining sides will be your top and front. Leaving a 2" border, cut out the center of the top and front side of your box.

[3] Once all of your pieces are cut out - it's time to paint. You'll want to paint the side & back frames with white paint (these are the places the poster board won't cover). While the paint dries, cover the open holes with tracing paper or muslin by taping the paper/muslin to your box frame. I chose to use tracing paper (since I had it on hand).

[4] Once everything is dry, slide your poster board in place along the back and bottom of your box. 

My finished light box:

I need to work on some lighting set ups, but so far, I'm liking the results of my new light box:

BEFORE                                                                     AFTER

[p.s. this post may be linked to any number of these blogs]

ipad cover

Adam got me an ipad for my birthday (YAY!) and I love it. It's perfect for responding to blog comments, browsing my favorite blogs & watching netflix in bed. I knew that I wanted to make a cover for it but it was just a matter of finding the right tutorial.
A few weeks ago I stumbled on this laptop case tutorial by the cottage home. When I saw it I knew it was the one I wanted for my Ipad. I followed the tutorial pretty much step by step...but I did change a few little things. Here is what I did.
The tutorial called for the following equation for figuring out what size pieces of fabric you'd need: (L + H + 1) x (W + H + 1)
My case turned out just a bit tight, so the next time I make it I might use the following equation: (L + H +1.25) X (W + H + 1.25)
My Ipad (with the smart cover on) had the following dimensions: 

Length = 9.5 inches                   Width = 7.5 inches                        Height = .5 inches
Like I said before, I follow the cottage house tutorial almost exactly, but I made one final change. Instead of button holes, I used velcro. Yes, velcro. I like velcro and I don't like button holes. I guess I could have used this tutorial as a learning experience for sewing button holes - buuutttt... I didn't. Velcro it is! I then glued (yes, glued) a button on for decoration.

Here is my final case. I love it!

I love the fabric and I love how perfect it is for carrying around my Ipad.  What have you made lately that you absolutely love?
[p.s. this post may be linked to any number of these blogs]

the weekly creative #17

Welcome to week #17 of The Weekly Creative!
LOVED LOVED LOVED so many of the projects linked up last week. Seriously... you guys rock. I had the hardest time picking features. I can't wait to see what you've been working on this past week. Here's how The Weekly Creative link party works:
#1 Each week I will be featuring the most viewed link, my favorite diy/craft/home project & my favorite recipe. I'm sticking with 3 features but I have divided them into categories now.
#2 Each month, I will be featuring one project on my sidebar - the project that gets the most views during all of the link parties during that month. It will have a picture of the project with a direct link to to post on your blog. This will hopefully direct more traffic to YOU! (you can check out Decembers "most veiwed" link in my sidebar).
#3 All features will get promoted on my Facebook page and pinned to Pinterest. I have created a board specifically for features - feel free to follow along.
Also, I'm going to try to get my party up on Sunday evenings.  Fingers crossed that I keep up with that! 

Link up as many projects, recipes, etc. as you'd like. No giveaways or etsy shops please. 

Visit some other blogs and show them some love. Simple as that.
Here are the feautres from last week:
MOST VEIWED:

kid's valentine's day art projects by pinkie for pink
MY FAVORITE DIY/HOME PROJECT & RECIPE:

textile necklace tutorial by oksana likes it & cheaters chocolate coconut cream pie by stephs silver boxes

If you were featured, don't forget to grab a featured button from the sidebar under the tab "grab a button." Thanks for stopping by to link up!

yarn wrapped wire signs

I've been into "wrapping" since Christmas... [check out these glittery chord wrapped ornaments]...but this "wrapping" is a little different: it includes yarn and electrical wire!?

Adam had some extra electrical wire laying around so I decided to "borrow" it and making something crafty for my mom for Christmas. She loves to sew, quilt & embroider so I thought a little <3SEW sign would be perfect for her craft room.

I started by twisting and bending the electrical wire into <3-S-E-W. After it was the way I wanted it, I simply wrapped the entire thing in yarn. This took a lot of time and patience but I think it was definitely worth it!

I loved the idea of giving a personalized gift and this fun, yarn-wrapped wire sign was perfect for my mom's craft room!

[p.s. this post may be linked to any number of these blogs]