Hi All!

I just wanted to quickly share a new product that I'm making especially for a craft show I'll be doing on June 6th.

The show is at the 26th Annual Aledo (IL) Rhubarb Festival!  So, I thought I'd make a special item to go with the rhubarb theme.  At first I thought, 'Oh, it would be cool to crochet some actual stocks of rhubarb.'  Then, I decided that was a bit too much work in pattern design.

Instead, I modified a hot pad pattern to turn it into a rhubarb pie!  I'll have two color variations.  The one shown is a red filling, so I figured I'd call it 'Strawberry Rhubarb' and I will also be doing a light pink filling which will be plain 'Rhubarb.'   Pretty cool, huh?

These hot pads are made with 100% cotton and measure 5 inches in diameter.  I attached a loop so that you can hang it up in the kitchen for decor or easy storage.  This pie hot pad is definitely a great one!  I love the way it turned out and hope you do, too. 

If you'd like one, come on over to the Aledo Rhubarb Festival on June 6th in Aledo, IL or special order one, since they won't be in shop due to being a special item.

Hey, all!  It's my Birthday!!  Yeah, I'm pretty darn excited and you should be, too.  Why?  Because I have an awesome virtual party favor for you that you're going to love.  Like all my free patterns, they're pretty simple and always cute.

Today's free pattern is a crochet Birthday Cake!  I can't share an edible cake with you on the internet, but I certainly can show you how I crocheted my own little cake that you can use as well.  The cake is small which gives it many uses.  You can use it as a present topper/decor much like a bow, crochet several up for actual party favors, make one as a play item for children (tea party anyone?), or as an adorable photo prop.

I'd like to introduce you to a new product that just bloomed into the shop, adding to the beautiful garden I've created for you to use in household items.  :)  I've been really excited about this one!  It's always a wonderful feeling completing a new pattern that works and resembles my vision.

The new items are these beautiful little carnations pictured below.  While they're very pretty, they also have a purpose.  The bloom is crocheted with nylon netting which, like in the spiral scrubbies, allow you to remove heavy dirt from dishes to the counter. 

Attached to the bloom is a cotton bud with strap attached.  I added the strap so that you can hang up your carnation to dry or store.  The whole product works really well and I enjoy them in my kitchen!  I hope you will, too.

Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone!

Today also happens to be the end of my Mother's Day Sweepstakes.  Thank you to all who entered, but as with all drawings for a singular prize there is only one winner.  This morning I wrote up the names of all who entered on slips of paper, threw them in a bowl, and randomly picked out a piece of paper with my eyes closed of course, haha. 

And the winner is......

Congratulations, Katy!  I'll be contacting you for a mailing address.  I hope the it's a perfect gift for Mom on Mother's Day!

Ever want to make your own scouring pads?  Well, it's pretty simple to do if you use tulle as the yarn.  What is tulle?  It's a thin, netting like cloth that is most commonly used for veils, evening dresses, tu-tus, and even wreaths!

It can be found at craft or fabric stores in 6 inch spools that typically have 25 yards of cloth.  I can find mine for $3 a spool, but prices may differ in your area.


The first time I used tulle I used the entire six inch wide piece.  Well, that didn't go over very well.  My project was bulkier than I preferred and it was hard to work with.  So, I decided to cut the spool in half.  Best idea ever!  Once I had half the width to work with I could make smaller stitches and get my project the size and shape I wanted. 

To cut the spool in half, you will need a very sharp knife.  Tape the loose piece down on both sides, so that it doesn't start to unfurl and get in the way.  Then you carefully cut through the tulle with your knife all the way around.  Be sure to cut all the way to the cardboard spool.  Your results will look like this:

It doesn't really matter if your cut edge was completely straight or clean as long as you cut it in half.  :)  When you work with the tulle to crochet or knit the tulle will be wrapped up in a sort of thread and the uneven edges won't show!

Now for the pattern!  This pattern is a simple crochet scouring pad that I really love.  It has a neat raised spiral on one side that is really good for scrubbing.

Materials:                              Stitches:                                        
1 Spool of Tulle                      Magic Loop
Hook - H                                 Chain
Scissors                                   Slip Stitch
Tapestry Needle                     Single Crochet
                                                   Half Double Crochet (hdc)

*Note: In this pattern, you will crochet in the back two loops of the hdc's*

Pattern:
1. Make a magic loop, ch 1 and hdc 6 times into the loop.  Pull loop closed. (6)
2. 2 hdc into each stitch around (12)
3. 1 hdc in one, 2 hdc in next* repeat around ( 18)
4. 2 hdc in each stitch around (32)
5. Single crochet around, slip stitch into next stitch. (32)
6. Bind off remaining thread.