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?

Bow Tutorial

Here is a tutorial on how to make a bow! Bows make a great accent to anything you want to add a touch of girlyness to. :)

Ch 12

 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook

 dc in next 8chs; 5 dc in LAST ch

 [working on opposite side of chain] dc in next 8 chs;

2 dc in last ch; join with the starting ch2; fasten off

 [in same or contrasting color] ch8

 hdc in second ch from hook & each ch across

 pinch the center of the bow together; wrap the row of hdc around it and fasten in the back

Now you can sew your bow onto anything you like! You can even use thread and sew it onto a clip to wear directly in the hair!

I'm alive!!!

It's been over SEVEN MONTHS since my last post... and my little one is now seven months old! She made her appearance on March 25th, weighing in at 7lbs 10 oz, 20" long. She had a head full of hair and the chunkiest neck I've ever seen. Here are my kids now:

My crochet business on Facebook has been pretty successful. I currently have about two weeks worth of orders to fill, and plan to squeeze in some things for my kids. The next few weeks hold a lot for us: Thanksgiving... We're moving (AGAIN!), but this time we're buying a house, so we are incredibly excited!... And then we're flying to Texas AND Virginia to visit family!!! Before we know it, it will be 2012. I'm going to have to look and see when I started my blog, because I know my 1 year blogversary is coming up! I've started two new ventures: Sewing and writing crochet patterns. My first pattern is in the process of being tested and then I'll be putting it up for sale. I'll be sewing just for fun. I definitely have too many hobbies now. I need to find more time to sew and to scrapbook, but I'm crocheting almost daily. What can I say? It's my most favorite hobby of all!

I have some ideas for my blog and I would love input. I would like to start writing several times a week with certain themes... Once a week sharing what's new in my family's lives, once sharing new recipes I'll be trying for the week, once sharing my WIPS, and...? Any ideas!? Occasionally I would also like to post some tutorials on basic crochet techniques or skills for people interested in learning. I would love any and all input! Thanks! And happy fall from my family to y'all!!!

P.S. Major revamping to this layout... coming soon!