Year Without Wal-Mart Update

Well, here we are, almost May 1st. I am happy to say I have stepped foot in Wal-Mart only ONE TIME thus far this year!! In case you missed it, I decided at the start of the year to do a "Year Without Wal-Mart". Not because I had some personal beef with the company, but just to see if I could and how it would affect my spending.

Thus far, I can't see a difference spending wise. My husband says I'm spending more, but that's not what I see upon checkout. My Walmart purchases were usually in the 115-150 range every time I did weekly shopping, usually with a supplemental trip there (or elsewhere) for 40-50. I seem to be doing the same, just elsewhere.

I honestly haven't felt a difference other than I do enjoy going to the actual grocery stores more. We have a local chain of stores only in the Louisiana area, and they are locally founded with local produce and other items. It's very clean, neat, and the employees are all very pleasant and nice.

So overall, it's going well. I feel like I"m being more careful with my purchases because some things ARE more costly at regular grocery stores, but I also feel like I buy more healthy foods and less quickie foods. And I'm putting money into the local economy more so than a huge chain.  I really have no issue with Wal-Mart, I just wanted to see did shopping there REALLY save me more money. I honestly don't think so. Because often I was lured into the non food sections and buying all sorts of things I didn't REALLY need.

Now if I could curb my Target obsession...

Giveaway Winner is.....

the lovely Deb of CrysallisCreations!! :) Yeah Deb!!! You were lucky number 16 :) Drop me a line via SeauxComfy and we'll work out the details of your gift certificate! :)

Congrats Deb and thanks to all who entered! We're inching closer to my big 1k fan/sale giveaway!!! :)
~~Amy

Hand Stitched Yoda Pillowcase Tutorial

Hi!! I have been meaning to do something like this for some time, and I finally decided to go for it the other day and make a little something special for my little man.

Materials:

Pillowcase (I used a white one, cotton)
Disappearing Ink Marker
Embroidery Floss
Needle and threader (helpful with floss)
Cardboard
Printed Image (in this case, Yoda)
Embroidery Hoop

Slide the cardboard/posterboard under the top layer of the pillowcase so your ink doesn't go through to the bottom layer.

Position the printed image on top of the cardboard, but underneath the fabric, so you can trace your image with the disappearing ink marker.

Pin things down so you can trace without the paper sliding.

Once you've traced out everything you want to trace, you can start stitching. Remember that the ink usually disappears in a few days (check your package instructions), so don't draw more than you can stitch in that time frame.

Now, here's where I fake it....I honestly have no clue about embroidery. I've no idea if there are tricks, methods, plans, etc. I have sewn, crafted and done a lot in recent years, but I've never really embroidered much.

So, put the fabric in the hoop, simple stitches, following the traced line.

It was quite fun to see his little jedi face emerge.

Getting closer....

All in all Yoda's face only took 2 days, I think. I unhooped it in between though, so there wouldn't be a bit crease.

Now remember how you drew his face? Now go print some font you like for the phrase you want. Or if you have pretty hand writing...hand draw the words on. (I do not...)

And start stitching again. and ta-da....DONE!
.

I have a very happy Star Wars obsessed child. I didn't tell him I'd finished it, I just put it on his bed like this. He ran out and said, "Thank you mommy I love my new pillow!!!"

Now his little brother has requested an R2D2 pillow...phew...need to rest my hand and get some crochet done before I start another pillow.

Enjoy!~~Amy

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

Free Crochet Pattern--Easy Washcloth/Dishcloth

We're doing washcloths for the CAL/KAL that I created over on Ravelry so I thought I'd take a stab at one since I hadn't found a nice, quick, simple pattern in half double crochet (so far).

EASY WASHCLOTH



Terms Used:
ss= slipstitch
st= stitch
sc= single crochet
hdc=half double crochet

©Amy Dutsch 2012

G Hook (Or preferred hook size)
Cotton Yarn  (I used "I Love This Cotton")


Ch 22
hdc in 3rd ch from hook and 1 hdc in each st across
ch 2
turn
*1 hdc in each st across
ch 2
turn*
Repeat from * for 13-14 rows (until desired size)

ch 1 and  sc around all edges of the cloth, fudging as you go. Do 3 sc in each corner for a more rounded appearance.

OPTIONAL:
At last corner (meeting where you started) ch 20 and ss into same corner to make a hanging loop for the cloth. ss into next st for security , finish off and weave in ends.

~~~~~~~~~

If you have any tips, suggestions or corrections please drop me a line on Ravelry.