Year End Review & 2012 Goals

2011 was a great year for my family. I'm almost sad to see it go, but I am elated thinking about what could be in store for 2012.

I just went back and read two posts from the end of last year. This one discussed 2010 and what we had in store in 2011... & this one talked about my goals for 2011. Although not everything went exactly as planned, everything worked out very well!

Year End Review:
*Crochet: I've been loving the posts I've seen showcasing finished crafts from the past year, but unfortunately I'm out of town and I didn't bring my computer, so I don't have my pictures... However, I'm proud to estimate that I've made around 100 hats in the past year!!!!!!! I've made an array of other things, from baby blankets, to amigurumi, to bracelets, to ereader covers! I've tried to make a variety of things to offer for sale on my Facebook page, and I love experimenting with new patterns. I have even started writing some of my own patterns!
*Business: I orginally started trying to sell on Etsy... While I still have things for sale, it didn't take off the way I had hoped... In fact, I haven't sold a single thing. Not long after starting my Etsy site, I began my Facebook page, 4Hankins Crochet. It was very important to me that I make some money and buy something for my husband. I am not used to this whole SAHM thing! While I LOOOOOOVE it, I want to contribute to our finances, and when I buy my husband gifts, I want to earn the money for them myself. I decided to buy him a Playstation 3 last Valentine's Day, and I had made enough to pay for half of it myself! Recently I recorded a "How to Crochet" class, which is for sale on DVD (and I will post a link to that later). I made enough money off of that to buy him an iPod Touch and a few other Christmas presents!
*Sewing: I learned how to sew! I learned in middle school, but I have never been very girly. I swore the day would never come that I began to sew!! I finally broke down and learned, because I started wanting so many handmade things for my daughter, and I didn't want to take up ALL of my sister's time, lol. I have made my daughter 2 or 3 dresses and a shopping cart cover now! I had a friend help out A LOT with the shopping cart cover, but I can't believe I accomplished it!
*House: Our big amazing purchase last year was a new car... Oh, how excited I was! My newest car had been a 2001, but before that I was driving a 1989... I felt like I took a big step up in the world when my husband and I bought a 2010 Malibu! I love that car and it still smells as new as it did the day we got it!!! This year, we one-upped ourselves! We bought a HOUSE!!! I keep joking that in 2009, my husband bought my diamond ring. In 2010, he bought me a car. In 2011, he bought me a HOUSE! What in the world could 2012 bring!?!?! ;) I digress... Our house is amazing. We don't plan to stay in WA much longer (although we have no idea how long we'll be there), but we were so tired of living in an apartment. We really wanted a house of our own. We lucked out and found an amazing deal on a brand new house, and it's ALL OURS!
*Education: I finished my Master's degree in Mathematics Education in March. I'm not planning on going back to work until 2014, maybe sooner if we don't end up having a third child.
*Family: On March 25th, my daughter was born. That is most definitely the best thing that happened in 2011!

2012 Goals:
*Crochet: I want to continue expanding my knowledge of crochet and master more crochet skills. I want to learn more about writing patterns, and I want to finally crochet a full size afghan.
*Knit: I'd like to learn to knit... We'll just have to see how that goes! I enjoy the instant gratification I get when I'm able to crochet a hat in a couple of hours, so trying to teach myself to knit might require a little too much patience.
*Sewing: I would like to make my daughter a few more dresses and learn more about reading and following patterns. I have a pretty good friend in WA who is good at sewing, so hopefully we will just have some girls' days that we can sit and sew on!
*Scrapbooking: I have got to catch up on my scrapbooking. I have got to catch up on my scrapbooking. I have got to catch up on my scrapbooking.
*Business: I'd like to expand my business into writing and selling more patterns, and making less. I am making some changes to my store, along with price increases, but I would definitely like to start selling more patterns. I've sold one so far.... Sometimes the amount of items I need to make and ship out interferes with my other household duties and the time I get to spend with my kids. I want to get faster, but at the same time, I sort of want to make less for other people and more for our house and family. I'd like to increase my fan base on Facebook and start participating in blog hops here. I love getting ideas and inspiration from other blogs, and I think it'd be nice to start communicating with people via Blogger, since the Army life makes it difficult to have really close friendships.
*Family: I want to spend more time with my kids. I want each of them to get more one-on-one time with me, and I want to spend more time just being playful and fun with them, and I want to do more crafts with them... I just want to see them smile more than ever before. When it comes to my marriage, I am always growing and learning and I want to continue that. I have learned a lot since August 14, 2010 and I want to continue learning and genuinely striving to make my husband a happy man.
*Education: I want to teach myself new things, and I want to start exercising my brain on a regular basis. I'd like to learn more about photography and editing, and maybe even find a short photography class to take. I would also like to learn about html or whatever I need to learn in order to make my blog cuter, lol! I want to start reading again; I may even set a goal of one book a month. I want to stop making excuses for not having time to read, and just sit down and enjoy a book!
*Exercising: I am going to exercise 5 days a week -PERIOD-
*Cooking: I used to try at least two new recipes every week, but I stopped when I had my daughter... 9 months later, I think it's time to start doing that again. I have too many cookbooks and too many ideas saved on Pinterest not to!
*Organizing: I need to get better organized, both physically and mentally. I used to be a person of lists, and I need to start that again. I am too forgetful not to be! I have already started making a list of things (more like a schedule) that will make up our daily routine and a list of things we would like to buy for/do to our house (both out of necessity and just for decorating). I think this will help me actually get things done, because I'll have those tasks in writing to remind me and check off as I complete them! We left for vacation less than two weeks after moving into our house, so I still have unpacking and actual organizing to do when we get back as well.
*Spiritual: I want to reach more into my spiritual side. I hope that we are able to find a church that we can agree on in our new city, and I would like to start reading the bible everyday. I have a daily devotional that I actually got last Christmas that I have (shamefully) never even opened. It's time to open it and start my day with something that REALLY matters (sorry, Facebook!). With this, I also want to bring out my GIVING side. I want to start donating more, so I'm going to use my business this month and begin with this family. They are AMAZING... and my next post will be solely about them.

Well... I know this has been quite a long post, and it's absolutely BEAUTIFUL outside, so I'm going to go outside with my sister, my niece, and my son and enjoy this seasonally inappropriate weather.

Happy New Year! I hope 2012 brings you much love and happiness!

*FREE PATTERN* Kindle & Nook Cover!!

Materials:
Worsted weight yarn (I used 100% cotton)
H hook
Needle for weaving ends

Stitches used:
Chain, sc, hdc

For all three:

STOP for Kindle Fire!

Chain 19.

3 sc in the 2^nd chain from the hook.

Sc in each ch across to the end. Work 3 sc in the last chain. Working in the opposite side of the chain, sc across. Join with slst in the 1^st sc.

Chain 1. Work 2 sc in the first st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st. Sc in the next 16 sts. Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st. Join with slst in the 1^st sc.

Chain 1. Sc in each stitch around.

Repeat 25 times (for a total of 28 rounds).

STOP for Nook eReader!

For Kindle Fire & Nook Tablet:

Repeat 4 more times (for a total of 32 rounds).

For Nook Tablet:
Repeat 4 more times (for a total of 36 rounds).
STOP for Nook Tablet!

Stop here if you just want to be able to slide your device in and out of the case. Continue if you’d like a flap that folds over the top to keep it from sliding out.

For the flap, we’ll work in rows instead of rounds. You’ll need to start at one of the ends, so if you’re in the middle somewhere, just work a slip stitch in each stitch until you get to one of the ends.

Flap:

Chain 1. Work 1 hdc in the first st and in the next 16 sts.

Chain 1, turn. Work 1 hdc in each st across.

Repeat 4 more times (or until you reach your desired length for the flap, when your device is inside.)

For the buttons: Fold the flap over with the device inside and decide where you’d like your buttons to be. They’ll need to be small enough to slide through the hdc’s. Make sure they are small enough and then sew them on!

Our trip to Texas!

We just spent 5 days in Texas seeing my husband's family. It was great going to a new state and meeting in-laws that I hadn't yet met!

 The kids finally got to see Santa, and I finally got pictures of them with Santa!

 While we were eating lunch one day, I couldn't resist these cute little feet!

 My 4 year old has decided that he wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up! He makes me so proud every day... He can tell you all about fossils and dinosaurs!

 We saw several beautiful sunsets!

 The kids got to meet their grandfather for the first time, and my husband got to see his dad for the first time in several years. It was a really special trip!

We often see mountaintops when we're flying... The Rockies were breathtaking! I just love me some beautiful scenery!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday! I will post pictures soon from Christmas Day and Eve and our trip to Virginia. I'll also be posting a free pattern for the Kindle Fire, after I check to see if it will fit a Nook Tablet. In a few days, I'm going to make a pattern for the new Nook simple eReader, so stay tuned!

Happy Holidays!

FLASH GIVEAWAY!

Tis the season!! I have been reading about a lot of kind acts lately so I wanted to do something myself... I will give away a hat to one lucky person, which will be mailed out by Monday. You can choose a regular beanie (with or without earflaps) or a Santa-style hat (similar to the one below).

The hat will be size 6mo-2yrs and it will be red/white/green.

To enter, just leave a comment below with this information:

1. You name (as it appears on Facebook):

2. Your email address:

3. Beanie or Santa hat? (If beanie, with or without earflaps?)

4. What is the best gift you're GIVING this year?

Extra entries: 1) "Share" the post on Facebook that got you here. No need to tell me; I will be notified of who shares it. 2) Send a friend... If your friend becomes a new fan of my Facebook page, have them leave a comment on my wall that YOU sent them.

You MUST be a fan of 4Hankins Crochet to win. You will be emailed as soon as I choose the winner and I will need you to respond BY noon on Sunday for me to be able to mail it Monday. I'm going to be traveling a lot next week, so if I do not get your address before I leave, I cannot guarantee the hat will be delivered before Christmas.
Winner will be selected at midnight EST Saturday 12/17.

Good luck & Merry Christmas!

Christmas Joys :) Oh, & a pattern sale!

It's been busy here in Washington.

My husband and I just bought our very first house.

I just love it! The amount of space is incredible!

And to top it off, I have a beautiful view on clear days.

& just around the corner, there's this amazing view of Mt. Rainier... No matter how often I see it, it takes my breath away every time. I wish I could have gotten a better picture (this is from my phone) of what it looked like today, with the way the clouds were sitting around it. Simply beautiful!

My kids just had their Christmas pictures done with the amazing Jennifer Magee!

I couldn't be more pleased with how they turned out or the simple fact that she got them back to me so quickly! Considering my daughter is the most uncooperative baby ever when a camera is produced, Jennifer did a fantastic job.

Sometimes the unplanned moments take the cake. Comforting my daughter & TRYING to get her to smile turned into the best picture of them all.

Because we are about to spend three weeks visiting family (my husband's in Texas, mine in Virginia), Santa Claus came early.

But unfortunately, my son likes to be early, too... So this is what we woke up to:

& just because I know it will put a smile on your face, I'll share the next two with you. 1.) My daughter plotting to use all of her new toys to take over the world. 2.) My daughter enjoying her nice little play area, courtesy of the man in red.

Now, on to the other exciting stuff. I've added a few more patterns to my Etsy shop. Because I'm so excited about how these pictures from Jennifer Magee Photography turned out, I'm going to make the Santa Baby patterns Buy One, Get One FREE! Just purchase either the Leg Warmers or the Santa Hat, and I'll send you BOTH patterns, so you can make the set for the price of only one pattern! (Sale ends Sunday, December 18, 2011.)

Last but not least, this is why my husband calls it "torture" when I take my kids to get their pictures done. She gets so hysterical that she just can't stop crying, and she ends up laughing and crying at the same time. I find it quite hilarious. ;)

iPod Case *FREE pattern*

ch 13. 3sc in 2nd ch from hook. sc in next 10 sts. 3sc in last st. (working in opp side of ch) sc in next 10 sts. slst in 1st sc.

ch1, sc around. join w/ slst in 1st sc.

repeat last round 17 times for a total of 19 rnds.

[to achieve the look above, change color every 6 rnds]

do not fasten off.

slst in next 23 sts (to center of back)

ch11 (you'll need to hold your button on the front & make sure the ch isn't too long or too short. you may need to add or remove chs)

slst in next st (directly after the last st you slst in)

sl st in next 2, fasten off.

attach button on front in center of 19th row.

Enjoy! If you choose to make this pattern, you may sell your finished product.

** Please give me credit for my pattern. Do NOT claim my pictures or my pattern as your own.**

Granny Square Tutorial

Granny Square Tutorial

Ch 4; join

(I don't know why the picture turned sideways, but it won't let me turn it back!)

 Ch 3; work 2dc

 Ch 2; *work 3dc, ch 2* around

 Join w/ slst in ch3

 Slst in next 2dc and ch-sp

 (Ch 3; 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in ch-sp; ch 2

 *(3dc, ch2, 3dc), ch 2* around, join

 Slst in next 2dc and ch-sp

 (Ch 3; 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in ch-sp; ch 2

 

*3dc in next ch-sp, ch 2, (3dc, ch2, 3dc), ch 2* around ending with

3dc in next ch-sp, ch 2, join w/ slst in ch 3

 Slst in next 2dc and ch-sp

 You can add as many rounds to your granny square as you want. Just work them the same way as the previous rounds!

TA-DA! You have a granny square! You can make tons and sew them together for a blanket... Or you can sew them together as a scarf... You can change colors every round... You can sew together different colored granny squares... The possibilities are endless!!!

What's for dinner?

Tonight I threw together something quick and yummy.... Those are my favorite recipes after all! The ones that take no time at all, but are absolutely delicious!!

Smothered Chicken
Cook 4-5 chicken breasts (not too thick) in butter or oil. Usually about 10 mins on each side will do it. Check to make sure they're cooked all the way through.
Meanwhile, cut 4-5 pieces of bacon in half. Fry those, but not too crispy.
When the chicken's done, sprinkle it with cheddar cheese. Top each piece with two pieces of bacon. Cover the pan and leave it on low until the cheese has melted.

Variation: I don't like honey mustard, but for those who do, you can put a few drops of honey mustard on the chicken before the cheese. I meant to try that with barbecue sauce tonight, but with two screaming kids, I totally forgot to squirt it on before the cheese. We dipped the chicken in bbq sauce while we were eating it though. Delicious!



Please share one of your yummy recipes! :)

Things I'm Loving

 New hooks: L, M, N & Q

 New decoration for my daughter's room

 Super cheap yarn at Michael's last weekend

My daughter's new Santa hat

What are YOU loving today?

What's for dinner?

Tonight I cooked pork chops in one of my favorite ways: Cinnamon apple pork chops! YUM!

Peel and de-core and slice 2-4 granny smith apples.

Cook 4-5 pork chops in butter or oil, about 7-8 minutes on each side until they are cooked all the way through.

Meanwhile, in a separate pan, heat a few tablespoons of butter. Add about 1.5 tablespoons of brown sugar and .5 to 1 tablespoons of cinnamon and mix together. Cook the apple slices about 5 minutes or until tender. Put them on top of the pork chops and voila! YUM!

Please share your best recipe this week!

40% patterns!

Through Saturday you can get 40% off your pattern order on my Etsy site!!

Go check it out! Let me know what patterns you would like to see in the near future! I have a girls' hat pattern being tested now that I hope to publish next week!! =D

Update!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the week-long giveaway celebration!!!! The winners from yesterday have been emailed.

So aside from working on your orders, I have had two awesome things in the works:
1) I've been typing up some of my patterns. This can be time consuming because I try to work the pattern up and take lots of photos as I write the pattern. Then I find people to test out the different sizes so that I can make changes if necessary. I will be selling my patterns on my Etsy page, and they will always be available, even when I'm unable to take on custom orders at the time.
2) I was hired to create a "How to Crochet" video. I recorded myself teaching all the basics you need to know to learn to crochet, as well as how-to's for making a scarf, a hat, a flower, and a granny square. The videos have to be blended and edited and then the DVD will be available to purchase. Just let me know if you're interested and when I find out that it's available, I'll let you know!

My family leaves for vacation in one month, and we'll be gone for three weeks. During this time, I may end up picking up a couple of orders, but maybe not. There are lots of gifts that I would like to make for family members, and my kids really need some winter hats! I'm sorry for taking such a long break, but I feel bad when I'm working on hats and my son is constantly asking when he'll get his Spiderman hat... So I need to make time for that. ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Giveaway: DEALS!!

Congrats to Sarah Littlefield, our winner of the wrist warmers!!

Today's giveaway will be a few different deals that can be used at 4Hankins Crochet and my Etsy shop.

Group A: [exp. 1/31/11]
One free pattern (2 winners)
Buy one pattern, get one free (2 winners)

Group B: [valid 1/1/11-6/1/11]
40% off your purchase (up to $20 off)
75% off one item
60% off one item
$5 off your total purchase of $10 or more*
$10 off your total purchase of $20 or more*
Buy one hat, get a matching accessory of equal or lesser value FREE (purse, booties, diaper cover, leg warmers, etc.)

*Minimum purchase amount does NOT include S&H.

How to enter: Comment here to enter! YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR NAME AS SHOWN ON FACEBOOK AND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR YOUR ENTRY TO COUNT.
Tell which group you are entering for (A or B). You MAY enter for BOTH groups, but in separate posts! What's one creative thing you've done lately or plan to do with the little ones? (For ex. I just saw pictures of someone making bird feeders with pine cones, and now I'm dying to do that with my son when we move into our house!)
Bonus entry: Send a friend to follow my blog! Have them comment on a previous blog post (NOT this one) that they are a new follower, and tell them to give your name!

Winners will be chosen using random.org. Winners will be drawn in the order that the prizes appear, per group. If there are more prizes than entries, the remaining prizes will not be drawn for. You may win more than one prize.

Disclosure: This giveaway is in no way sponsored by or endorsed by Facebook.

You MUST be a fan of my Facebook page to enter! Only ONE entry per household. Entering from two accounts from the same household will result in a ban from this and all future giveaways!
Only enter if you know that you would use one of the prizes. You cannot enter for a specific prize; you can only enter for a specific group. So, please only enter if you're okay with winning something from that group... Winning a prize and then not using it means you're taking it from someone who would have used it!

Giveaway: Hand/wrist warmers!!

Congratulations to yesterday's winners! You have both been emailed!!

Today's giveaway is another new item that's just in time for winter! This giveaway will be for one pair of fingerless hand/wrist warmers. Sorry, but I do not have a picture. Winner chooses one color.

How to enter: Comment here to enter! YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR NAME AS SHOWN ON FACEBOOK AND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR YOUR ENTRY TO COUNT. What was the best movie you've seen lately (new or old)?
Bonus entry: Only ONE bonus entry available. Send a friend to my Facebook page and have them post that you sent them.

Winner will be chosen using random.org.

Disclosure: This giveaway is in no way sponsored by or endorsed by Facebook.
You MUST be a fan of my Facebook page to enter! Only ONE entry per household. Entering from two accounts from the same household will result in a ban from this and all future giveaways!

Giveaway: Ear warmers!!

Congratulations to yesterday's winners! You've all been emailed!

Today's giveaway is for another brand new product that is perfect for the cold winter weather coming up!! Ear warmers!! Your choice of up to two colors!

Bonus item: PINK peony blossom flower clip!



How to enter: Comment here to enter! YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR NAME AS SHOWN ON FACEBOOK AND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR YOUR ENTRY TO COUNT. What's your favorite season and why?
Bonus entry: Only ONE bonus entry available. Send a friend to my Facebook page and have them post that you sent them.

Winners will be chosen using random.org.

Disclosure: This giveaway is in no way sponsored by or endorsed by Facebook.
You MUST be a fan of my Facebook page to enter! Only ONE entry per household. Entering from two accounts from the same household will result in a ban from this and all future giveaways!

Giveaway: SEW GALORE!

Yesterday's winner of the cowl was Kellie Nguyen!

Today's giveaway is from Sew Galore! You can choose one of the two prizes:

1) $10 off any purchase (not to include s&h, expires 1/31/11)

2) 50% off a pillowcase dress (up to size 6, expires 1/31/11)

There is also a BONUS giveaway! This 6" (approx) peony blossom flower clip:

How to enter: Comment here to enter! YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR NAME AS SHOWN ON FACEBOOK AND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR YOUR ENTRY TO COUNT. List one thing you're looking forward to this weekend! ****Indicate whether you're entering for discount #1 or discount #2.**** PLEASE do not enter if you do not plan to use the discounts before they expire. No new winners will be chosen!
Bonus entry: Only ONE bonus entry available. Send a friend to my Facebook page and have them post that you sent them.

Winners will be chosen using random.org. A winner will be chosen for prize #1 and then a winner will be chosen for prize #2. Everyone is entered for prize #3 and a winner will be chosen from both entries (whether you entered for #1 or #2). May take up to 2-3 weeks for prize to ship.

Disclosure: This giveaway is in no way sponsored by or endorsed by Facebook.
You MUST be a fan of my Facebook page to enter!
You MUST be a fan of Sew Galore to enter! Winners will be verified!
Only ONE entry per household. Entering from two accounts from the same household will result in a ban from this and all future giveaways!

Giveaway: Cowl!!

Congrats to yesterday's winners!!!:
Ipod cover: Tracie Warburton
Flower clip: Katrina Villeneuve
I will be sending you emails today for prize information!

Today's giveaway will be for a cowl! A cowl is a chunky scarf-like neck warmer that features buttons so that it is adjustable! You can choose from: pink, cream, green, tan, red, light blue, or white.

How to enter: Comment here to enter! YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR NAME AS SHOWN ON FACEBOOK AND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR YOUR ENTRY TO COUNT. If you don't, your entry does NOT count. Also tell me one thing that draws you to a business page and makes you want to keep coming back for more... "Sales" is NOT an acceptable answer!
Bonus entry: Only ONE bonus entry available. Send a friend to my Facebook page and have them post that you sent them.

Winner will be chosen using random.org. May take up to 2-3 weeks for prize to ship.

Disclosure: This giveaway is in no way sponsored by or endorsed by Facebook. You MUST be a fan of my Facebook page to enter! Only ONE entry per household. Entering from two accounts from the same household will result in a ban from this and all future giveaways!

Giveaway: Ipod/Iphone Cover!!

Congrats to yesterday's winners!!!:
Legwarmers: Crystal Bechard
Taggie: Angelia Vazquez
I will be sending you emails later today for prize information!


Today's giveaway will be for an Ipod or Iphone cover! Will fit some cell phones that are similar in size to these. Winner can choose an owl design with up to two colors, striped with two colors, or solid.

There is a bonus item being given away today also!! The bonus giveaway is for a leopard print little lady daisy with a black headband!

How to enter: Comment here to enter! Please include your name on Facebook, your email address, and tell us what's for dinner tonight!
Bonus entry: Only ONE bonus entry available. Become a follower of my blog. Include in your post that you have done so for an extra entry. (Available if you have become a follower before now, too, so just indicate whether you were already following it or are a new follower.)

Winners will be chosen using random.org. The first name chosen will receive the Ipod cover; the second name chosen will receive the flower clip. Please allow 2-3 weeks for your prize to ship. Winners will be announced here tomorrow morning, so be sure to check back!

Disclosure: This giveaway is in no way sponsored by or endorsed by Facebook. You MUST be a fan of my Facebook page to enter! Only ONE entry per household. Entering from two accounts from the same household will result in a ban from this and all future giveaways!

Giveaway: Leg Warmers!

Day 1 of the giveaway will be ONE pair of leg warmers! The winner can choose size newborn (to about 3 months) or baby/toddler. The choices for color are: pink/white, light blue, light pink, light yellow, peach, green/white, green/white/blue, or orange/purple/blue/white.

Bonus item: I will also give away ONE taggie today!

How to enter: Comment here to enter! Please include your name on Facebook, your email address, and list any type of new item you would like to see for sale on my page.
Bonus entry: Only ONE bonus entry available. Send a friend to my Facebook page. They must "like" my page and post that you sent them.

Winners will be chosen using random.org. The first name chosen will receive the leg warmers; the second name chosen will receive the taggie. Please allow 2-3 weeks for your prize to ship. Winners will be announced here tomorrow morning, so be sure to check back!

Disclosure: This giveaway is in no way sponsored by or endorsed by Facebook. You MUST be a fan of my Facebook page to enter! Only ONE entry per household. Entering from two accounts from the same household will result in a ban from this and all future giveaways!

Whoop whoop!! 1500!!

Thanks everyone for helping me reach 1500 fans! We surpassed it pretty quickly today! Keep on sharing my page so that number can continue to rise! The giveaway will last for one week, with different things being given away each day. The winner will be posted on the following day (for ex. Tomorrow's winner(s) will be announced on Wednesday). Each day, I will post the item(s) being given away, details and/or pictures, and what you need to do to win!!! I will go ahead and post a list of what's being given away each day, so be sure you're checking back if you see something you'd like to win!!

Tuesday: Leg warmers
Wednesday: Ipod/Iphone cover
Thursday: Cowl
Friday: Sew Galore deals
Saturday: Ear warmers/wrap
Sunday: Hand warmers
Monday: 4Hankins Crochet deals

I will post a link each day on Facebook, but the giveaway will be conducted here due to Facebook's rules. Thanks again everyone!

Things I'm Loving

I'd like to take a few minutes to reflect on the past week and talk about some things I'm really loving.

 The first thing that comes to mind HAS to be my husband. Sometimes I just can't believe how amazing he is. He is impossible to be mad at, because he makes me laugh so much. Sometimes I'll think he isn't listening, but then later he will show me that he was and how much he cares. I'm so lucky to be spending my life with someone who can always put a smile on my face, no matter what.

 These chunk chunk cheeks. I don't think an explanation is needed! lol

 Boy time. Even if they're just watching tv together, I know my son just soaks up that time with Daddy. It makes me so happy to know that he wants to be just like his dad. I know he'll turn out pretty darn good. ;)

Thanksgiving is right around the corner! I'm loving the leaves changing, the smell of wood burning in fireplaces, the smell of potpouri in stores, and all the other festive things to go along with Fall... including this adorable shirt!

I know I didn't branch out too much; didn't stray away from my family... but this week, all I can think about is how much they mean to me and how lucky I am that every single day is spent with them.

What are you loving today?