I Went Viral...I Think!

The very lovely ladies over at Northshore Parent asked me to do a guest blog post about why Common Core was the final straw in my decision to home school. I have a big mouth and don't mind spilling my guts, so I obliged.

Well, I apparently hit a nerve because the post has been liked and shared over 10k times. Even I, an online business owner, knows that is a pretty awesome hit count in a few days!!

So if you are so inclined, I know I've discussed it a bit here as well as other reasons we decided to home school, please check out the post over on Northshore Parent and check out their facebook page, lots of great ideas and things to do in the area!

~~Amy

Summer Homeschooling Progress

I am definitely the Hesitant Homeschooler, as my blog name says, but I'm pleasantly surprised that we are making it. We've had some very rough days of the boys (and I) totally losing our ever loving minds, but we've had good days of getting work done in a timely fashion so we can play with friends, go swimming, etc.

We've cut way back on the screen time, they only get it on Sundays, with limited TV during the week (which has mostly lately entailed of Star Wars movies...they're obsessed.) This has resulted in much less fussing, bad attitudes, and scary mommy. I'm making a very concerted effort to yell less, listen more, and learn their learning styles. 

So things are moving along...I'm not saying it's easy, I'm not saying I wouldn't send them back to school if I could, but I admit it's going okay, and I'm learning a lot about them as human beings, and myself. We have just four more weeks of "summer school" and then we take a month off!! I've timed it so we can be off when public school starts...so while other kids head off on buses, we head off to the pool!!

I'm looking forward to some upcoming field trips and projects I have planned for them. I'm not sure how much Eli is really getting since Kindergarten work isn't very labor intensive and he's basically ahead of where he should be, so I'm working mostly with him on the basic 3 R's and social/emotional activities.

My buddies...

 Boba Fett climbing a tree.

 We spent a cloudy but beautiful Sabbath on the lakefront recently.

 He's looking so grown up!

 What, you don't see Boba Fett in your town out and about?

Testing the lake water.

Can't wait to see what we get into in the coming weeks!!

~~Amy

Planning Projects?

Wait, people make plans before they start crocheting? They read patterns, check for correct yardage and yarn type? They purposely sit down and have a vision before they start chaining?

NO. WAY.

Okay, so I'm not a big planner of projects....I pin a ton of projects, save them on ravelry, and buy insane amounts of yarn...but generally when people ask at the checkout, "what are you going to make with that yarn?" My reply is, "You're supposed to have a plan? It's pretty..that's my plan."

I've gotten slightly better...saving color combo boards on Pinterest, experimenting with different patterns...(and I still don't gauge swatch. Sorry, I just don't.) I've been pinning color combo ideas for a year now. One of my favorite blankets is the Sunburst Granny Square I did along with InnerHooker for one of her Crochet A Longs. Well, it made it in the beginning of my hooker career (oh so long ago...in 2011....) and it was before I had learned how to secure ends, particularly the CENTERS of squares, properly. So my beloved blanket is coming undone in the centers and I feel like I want to do a new one..with better yarn.

 My beloved beginner blanket....now falling apart in some centers.

The good thing is Knit Picks has a yarn called Palette, that is, you guessed it, nearly every color you can imagine. I drool over it every time I get the catalog. I'm currently working on a Tunisian crochet blanket, but I want to think long term. (I'm also ignoring the two granny stripe blankets and one granny mandala blanket in progress in the blanket basket...all in good time, dear yarn...all in good time. I burned myself out on the Queen Size granny stripe blanket on my bed.) So I'm plotting...what colors...this is the funnest part I think..the color choosing.

So I've created a Pinterest board of course...just for this afghan color choosing. Yes I'm THAT serious. (and I'm also very happy this is my most pressing current decision. I am blessed.)

You can see the contenders here: http://pinterest.com/mamaslilmonkeys/sunburst-granny-afghan-color-ideas/ but here are a few...I'm sure I'll be adding more.

Please feel free to hop on the board and "like" your favorites, as I am curious on what color combo's others find appealing.

Again....I am blessed. Those of you with the yarn and fabric addiction like me know how this feels though and can appreciate the indecision. Plus aren't the colors just FUN!?

~~Create On~~
Amy

Wordless Wednesday

©Amy Dutsch 2012

Imbibing and Debauchery....Summer Style

I saw this fabulous recipe on Pinterest and knew I HAD to try it. Originally from this blog, Keep It Simple Foods...I had to give it a go.

It was DELICIOUS!

                                                   ©Amy Dutsch 2012

Pinterest Inspired--Colorful Sprite

I saw this super cute idea on Pinterest about putting Kool-Aid ice cubes in Sprite. I saw this post pinned and had to replicate!

Instead of mixing up Kool-Aid (because the only reason I buy Kool Aid is to dye yarn, so I'm not using it to DRINK!) I used PowerAde ready to serve. I poured PowerAde into ice cubes, and once frozen, put in a glass of Sprite for the munchkins. Add a crazy straw and it's perfect!

Best part is, as the ice melts not only does it flavor the Sprite but you can crush it up and eat it, slushie like!!

Enjoy!!!

Mama's 1k Sale Giveaway!!!!

Well I cannot believe it, I hit 1,000 sales in Badge Reels!! I am very thankful to everyone who has supported me and my little businesses over the past 4 years. I've changed shops a time or two, but found my passion in making these badge reels. It makes me happy to know my button obsession can bring a smile to patients, teachers, coaches, medical staff, students and more!

As a thank you to everyone who's supported me I'm hosting a huge giveaway. Some very fabulous artisans have donated some great prizes for your winning pleasure also!!! I consider these artisans great friends as well as respecting their work. Please give them some love! I own something from nearly all of these stores and I love them all!

Let's get started!!

***It would be awesome if you would go like my fan pages Mama's Little Monkeys and Badge Reels. When you like the vendor fan pages, you can tag mine and tell them Mama/BadgeReels sent you!! :)***

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*****PRIZE PACK ONE--You Win ALL Three Prizes!*******

$10.00 Shop Credit from Holly Craft Originals !! Adorable appliques, cards, and ready to ship items! Hand sewn!!

Check out her Facebook Page and tell her Mama's Little Monkeys/Badge Reels sent you!


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Any TWO Knitting/Crochet Patterns from Crazy Socks Crochet. Easy to understand for a variety of levels, popular patterns, and you get two!!

Check out her Facebook Page and tell her Mama's Little Monkeys/Badge Reels sent you!

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ONE Hand Carved Rubber Stamp--Yarn Ball with Your Choice of Knitting Needles OR Crochet Hook from Hoffee and a Nuffin. 
Shipping Included!
Find fabulous traditional sock monkeys, hand carved stamps, and polymer clay in this shop!

Check out her Facebook Page and tell her Mama's Little Monkeys/Badge Reels sent you!

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*****Prize Pack TWO--You Win ALL Three Items*****

$25.00 Shop Credit to Unravel Me!! Patterns, Headbands, Accessories!! Whether you crochet or not, you can find what you want here!!

Check out her Facebook Page and tell her Mama's Little Monkeys/Badge Reels sent you!

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$15.00 Shop Credit to Tiny Tops. Adorable Newborn Hats and Photography Props.
Winner is responsible for any difference in price over 15.00. 

Check out her Facebook Page and tell her Mama's Little Monkeys/Badge Reels sent you!

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$15.00 Shop Credit to JillianTDesigns. Sweet hats, washcloths and cozies!
US SHIPPING ONLY.

Check out her Facebook Page and tell her Mama's Little Monkeys/Badge Reels sent you!

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***********Prize Pack Three--You Win ALL Three Items****************

$20.00 Shop Credit to Crysallis Creations. Custom, unique, high quality gems and jewelry.
Winner to pay International Shipping.
Winner to mention Mama's Little Monkey through Etsy conversation prior to placing order, so proper price adjustment will be made with a RESERVE listing.

Check out her Facebook Page and tell her Mama's Little Monkeys/Badge Reels sent you!

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$15.00 Shop Credit to my shop, Badge Reels. Fabric and Mylar Badge Reel ID Holders, buttons, and more!

 Hop over to my new facebook fan page!! I need some likes! :)

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$25.00 Shop Credit to my other shop, Seaux Comfy. Crochet items, fun ruffly scarves and body pillow covers!

 Check out my original fan page, Mama's Little Monkeys.

*****THE RULES*****

1. You MUST comment on THIS blog post for your comment to count. Facebook doesn't allow giveaways and contests based on facebook likes/shares/tags, so although that would be SUPER awesome if you shared on facebook, the only comments I will count for entries will be here on THIS post.

2. You MUST leave a way for the vendors to contact you. Email, facebook, etsy shop, blogger profile, etc. Once giveaway ends, I will choose winners with random.org and the vendors will inform you of your winnings. You are then responsible for paying any extra cost/shipping/taxes/duties and making sure the vendor has your correct information. If you do not respond to the vendor within 72 hours, I will choose another winner.

3. You earn ONE Entry by simply commenting on this post. You can say hi, tell us which vendor is your fave, or just share a funny joke. Whatever floats your boat. :)

4. You can earn EXTRA ENTRIES by pinning items from vendors shops on Pinterest. If you are unfamiliar with Pinterest, you can see my tutorials on the left side for a how to. If the shop has a Pin It button, you simply pin the item that way. You MUST come back here and put the Pinterest link for your entry to count.

5. PLEASE read all info about each prize pack, some vendors have different rules.

6. I will draw THREE winners, one for each Prize Pack, you could win any of the three.

7. If you have any questions, please message me via my Etsy Shop.

*****Giveaway Ends May 30th******

Thanks for participating!!! Remember it's good karma for you to like and share this giveaway, everyone's fan pages, etc!! Every vendor here is a small business owner, a real handmade artisan!! You won't find these items in mass retailers!!

THANK YOU!!!

Feels Like Time for a Giveaway....

it feels like giveaway time here at Mama's Little Monkeys.....I have been making these adorable ruffle infinity scarves. I'm addicted to this fabric. I want to ensconse my house in ruffles. (but I won't....)

WHAT YOU'LL WIN:

A $10.00 Gift Certificate to Seaux Comfy on Etsy!!!

So maybe you want a ruffley scarf of your own?

Maybe you want some crochet cleaning cloths, or a body pillow cover??
Why don't you hop over to SeauxComfy, my new shop, and check out my lovely items there.

Come back here, and tell me your favorite color of the ruffle scarves (or if you really don't like the scarves, what's your favorite item in the shop?)

Make SURE You leave an email, fan page, etsy shop or SOMETHING for me to contact you if you win.

It'd also be fabulous if you could share my fan page because I'm so close to the Big 1K Giveaway (almost to 1000 sales on Badge Reels and 1000 fans on Facebook!) (liking my fan page will not enhance your chances of winning, it'd just be great karma for you.) So there will be a huge giveaway soon!

Winners for this giveaway will be chosen from comments ON THIS BLOG POST only!

Thanks so much and good luck!
~~amy

Free Crochet Pattern--Easy Coaster

Here's another freebie for you. Nothing new, fancy or earth shattering, just a little coaster for your coffee :)

COFFEE COASTER
©Amy Dutsch

G Hook
Cotton yarn

Pattern worked in ROUNDS, do not turn.
Terms Used:
ss=slip stitch
st=stitch
sc=single crochet
dc=double crochet


Round One: Ch 3, 11 dc in 1st ch. SS to join. Pull yarn to tighten center.

Round Two: Ch 3, 2dc in each st around. SS to join with starting ch.

Round Three: Repeat Round Two.

(If you want a bigger coaster, repeat round two again)

Round Four: Ch 1. 1 SC in each st around. SS to join with Chain.

 

Round Five: Ch 1. SS in each st around. SS to join with Ch. Finish off and weave in ends.

Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or corrections!!
~~Amy

Letting Go.....of the yarn

I suspect I'm not alone in this. You know who you are....my friends. The crafters. The hobbyists. The handmade artisans. Whatever you want to call yourself. You can often be found with yarn/fabric scraps/glitter/hotglue/paint or any other medium stuck to various body parts. The people at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Hancocks, Joanns, AC Moore all know your name. You chat about life. You go to their children's bar mitvahs. 

You are a craft addict. You love it. You can not STOP it. You have told your family to go eat cereal for dinner so you can finish the scarf. You have occasionally lost track of the baby only to find her under a table on the fabric piles. Your children refer to the UPS truck as the fabric truck. You bribe your children with the promise of toys if they'll just be good while you look for yarn. (These are purely imaginative ideas, not reflections of my own home. Ahem. Right.)

You invest in your projects. You love them. Sometimes you mourn them being sold or given away. You are willing to buy cheaper food and give up wine if it means you can buy designer fabric. Okay, maybe not wine, but brand name products, hair cuts or sodas are all up for budget cuts if it means more supplies.

We love our supplies, our projects, our crafty friends, the websites that allow us to pretend we are being productive (Pinterest I'm talking to you.). 

But sometimes....sometimes...there are projects you just fall out of love with. Sometimes there are reasons why, sometimes there aren't. 

My current 'faded' project is a Mario Bros. Granny Square blanket. It's awesome, obviously because A) it's yarn and B) its Mario. However, it keeps getting bumped down the to-do list. Why?

1.) My child is no longer obsessed with Mario. He's on a Star Wars kick. As this makes his father incredibly happy, we're cultivating it.

2.) I'm easily distractable and need to have 4-5 projects at once. I just keep finding ones I want to do more.

3.) I don't like the yarn I'm using. This is probably the most pressing issue. Because it's a blanket for my child, I was using Red Heart yarn, the herpes of yarns. (Sorry if you love Red Heart..other than Red Heart Soft I find it all to be too hard, sticky, and not smooth to work with.) I started it before I learned more about yarn. My general "budget" yarn of choice is "I Love This Yarn" from Hobby Lobby. It's soft, workable, doesn't split and is reasonably priced for those 'going to beat the hell out of it' projects. 

So now that I've already done over 100 4 inch red granny squares and over 50 4 inch brown granny squares for Mario out of Red Heart yarn, I'm invested. I can't suddenly switch to ILTY, because then the blanket will feel weird. I've got to finish it out in RH yarn. But because I don't like the feel of the yarn in my fingers....I keep putting it off.

I suspect I'm not alone, as I said. I bet many of you start projects with grandiose visions and for whatever reason, cannot finish it. Or don't want to finish it. This makes me feel better, that I'm not alone.

I will probably finish Mario one day. My best friend's sons love Mario. My dilemma then is, two boys..one blanket..they're going to want another one....shudder.

So what do you have half done, frogged, put aside that you cannot seem to complete? And why??

You're not alone...it's okay...we're all craft addicts here, we can talk about it... share.

~~Amy

What I Made...

Despite my little one being sick and being a few days behind my normal schedule, I did manage to get a little bit done this week.

I finished up a baby blanket that's been in progress for months. I reshot some product images and have worked on some more items. I'm currently working on a Moosey hat for Eli, his 4th birthday is Monday (I can NOT believe it..)

What's new with you?

 The Audrey, Granny Square Baby Blanket

 lacey stitch washcloth

 V Stitch baby Blanket

 Heart Wash Cloth for my CAL over on Ravelry!

I took some gratutious yarn shots also... 

Tasty Tuesday: Gluten Free King Cake

Okay, so I hate cooking. But I love to bake. I figure if I must slave in the kitchen, sugar should be involved, right?

Well one thing I miss terribly since going Gluten Free over 6 years ago, is King Cake. Our family doesn't even celebrate Mardi Gras but I LOVED king cake.
So, I wanted to attempt a GF version.

Now, if you eat GF you know, what you make GF is never EXACTLY like the original. I've accepted that and a new level of dessert contentment helps me accept that!

(Please excuse my photos, it was an overcast day and the lighting in the kitchen is awful)

This is ONLY GLUTEN FREE. If you have other allergies, you'll have to make your substitutions.


Ingredients:
Chebe Cinnamon Bread Mix and required ingredients for basic recipe (on box)

Cream Cheese Filling (optional):

8 oz Cream Cheese
1/4 C sugar
1 tsp lemon zest (I didn't have this and it was fine)
1 tsp vanilla

Icing:
3 TBSP soft butter
4 C powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4-6 TBSP milk

Now there are other icing recipes that involve only powdered sugar and lemon juice, but I had no juice, so I found this one. Worked for me.

DIRECTIONS:
Make cinnamon chebe (which is delicious by the way), as directed on box. I doubled the recipe to make two separate king cakes. If you want a larger king cake you could double the recipe and roll the dough, intertwining it like you would a bread.

But I digress, make the chebe bread as directed to the nearly last step about rolling it and cutting. This is where you decide how you want to design your king cake. You can make 'mini' king cakes by continuing in their directions and basically making a cinnamon roll with king cake toppings. I rolled mine flat as directed then cut it in half. Then I rolled each piece into a 'log' and connected it to make a circle (traditional king cake shape).

The dough was a little skinny, but that was fine with me.

(by the way, it is NOT pretty by any stretch of the imagination)

IF you want the cream cheese filling, make the filling then insert it in the dough BEFORE YOU ROLL IT.  To make the filing just beat the filling ingredients until smooth.

Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.


Once out of the oven, I prefer to let it cool a bit. I left the blue/green cake cool, I did not let the red/yellow cake, and you can see the difference when you pour on the icing.

To make the icing:
Beat the butter until softened. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and continue to beat, gradually adding milk until a glaze consistency is achieved.

Okay, I'll be honest, I totally didn't do it this way because I didn't read the directions first....I just put the butter, vanilla and milk in one bowl and added it straight to the powdered sugar. When I started beating it, it didn't glaze up well so I just put a bit of milk in it until it reached glaze consistency. Still worked out okay.


Pour icing on top of king cakes and then add colored granulated sugar on top.

Enjoy!!

VERDICT: No, it's NOT the same as Randazzo's or Rouses's king cake, but until they make a GF version, it's better than others I've tried. I DO NOT KNOW how it will turn out if you change anything for allergy reasons. I'm hoping the cream cheese one is better after it sets up a bit because the cream cheese still tasted warm when I tried it, and I'd rather it be cooler. I'll be sure to try it again tonight just to check :)

 

Pin It

Weekend Giveaway!!!

Well gang, it's that time! Time for a giveaway!! :)

This one is great for anyone expecting or who has a baby gift they need to get!!! :) This super soft, sweet blanket is made from lime green minky (which sounds hideous, but it's very pretty) and a designer Par Avion cotton fabric. All machine sewn by yours truly and ready to go!!

Crib sized baby blanket perfect for snuggling at night yet it's small enough to take in the car.
I love the colors of this one!!

How to Win?

You know me, I'm busy so I don't like a lot of rules about contests. So just leave me a comment with A WAY TO CONTACT YOU (blog, facebook, twitter, etsy shop, etc) and answer this question:

What's your favorite type of cookie?

That's it!!!

Contest will end, oh in a week or so!! :) (I'm such a tough blog owner, aren't I?)


Enjoy!!!~~Amy

Deal of The Week

Check out my Artfire shops....big time sales are going on!! Take note...if you had your eye on something, now's the time to get it, I'm going to be closing the doors on some of my Artfire shops for the new year to focus on just a few shops.

20% off at MicroMops through the end of the year!!! Many of these items WILL NOT BE BACK after the new year!

20% off at Mama's Little Monkeys as well! Many of these items WILL NOT BE BACK either after the near year, so if you had your eyes on something, you may want to snatch it up now!

No need to enter coupon codes, the 20% is already taken off!! Happy handmade shopping!!!

~~Amy

Deal of the Week

It's Thanksgiving Week!!! :) That means it's getting into the rush of shopping season! Stay home this week, in your jammies and shop in peace with me!! :)

Use the code "blog20" for 20% off every item at Mama's Little Monkeys! :) When you shop handmade, you are making a difference to a small business owner and helping a real family--MINE!

Here's a little of what I've made with my two own hands!
Hair accessories,

Business Card?Credit Card Wallets

Baby Leg Warmers (profits donated to a handmade friend of mine who has two children with a rare cancer.)

Teacher Gifts! (Clothespin Magnets)

Mario Bros. Hats for fans big and little!

Gifts for your little princess....

Even something for your inner nerd...

If I don't make it, I bet I can find someone who DOES!! :)

Please stop by and feel free to message me via the Artfire shop with any questions!

Don't forget, coupon code "blog20" AT CHECKOUT! for 20% off all order!

~~Amy

What I Made.....

Lately...
I've been obsessed with the crochet and knitting as of late. It's going far faster, skill wise, than my sewing ever did. I'm still such a newbie, but I love it!

I've been busy making scarves for gifts (hope none of the recipients read this...if so, well, here ya go! LOL) for my boys teachers. I really like scarves. Simple, repetitive, rows. I do like hooking in the round (hee hee), but that requires a little more concentration than scarves. I can do a scarf and watch tv...awesomeness.

I also put together this little pillow for my newly acquired rocking chair :)

Have you created anything lately? Are you making handmade gifts this year?? Feel free to share!~~
Amy