My weekend FLEW by!

Hello all! I wanted to update yesterday, but before I knew what happened, it was time for bed! I was very busy yesterday, all weekend really, and it did turn into a very productive weekend. I wish they could all be as productive as that LOL! So there is A LOT to share with you all! Ms. Debbie created 2 hats for <3 Hats from the Heart/My Journey Journals <3. I love the colors and simplicity of her hats, they are great! And the bobbles on the edging of this hat are simply fabulous! 

And just look at the hues of this hat! Aren't they pretty? Reminds me of an AZ sunset! :)

I had started on a man's hat at the beginning of the week, but was unable to complete it until Saturday morning. Sometimes you just set out with the best intentions, and somehow they just get blown out of the water LOL, but not to worry, I was back at it with a vengeance to get it done! So here is the man's tweed look hat, I found the pattern over at Crochetville.

I am trying something new with the photo's in hopes that one's focus will be on the hat itself and not my chairs, table or refrigerator LOL. So please give me some constructive feedback and let me know your thoughts! :)  I'm feeling the need to update and make some changes to my blog, all for the best I hope. I will not be taking on that endeavor until after I've returned from vacation, as I still have way too much to finish up before it is time for me to go.

I tried really hard on Saturday to get inspired to make some Journey Journals, but then was unable to do so, so I started a ladies beaded beanie that I finished up on Sunday morning. You can find the pattern over at The Laughing Willow and there is a great video tutorial on how to add beads to your hat so that the beads do not fall through the stitches. We most definitely don't want the patients who wear these hats to have beads scratching their beautiful heads! This was my first attempt at putting beads into my crocheting, and I didn't do too bad, but I really want to try finding some smaller beads next time.

I was able to create two Journey Journals also on Sunday, along with a birthday card and baking brownies ha ha! I had been in a creative slump for a couple of weeks before, and I guess it just hit me all at once this weekend LOL! Here are the two journals, and hopefully everyone remembers that these are given to the patients so that they can write whatever they want in them. The feedback that we received was that they were very helpful for the patients in helping them keep track of medications, dietary changes and numerous other things I'm sure.

I believe that is all the photo's I have for you on this update, but please come back, as we are always creating more! I am positive I wanted to say so much more this evening, but I think my mind is flying so fast that the thoughts are escaping quicker than they can be captured. I leave you with this quote by Emmanuel Swedenborg: 

"Kindness is an inner desire that makes us want to do good things even if we do not get anything in return. It is the joy of our life to do them. When we do good things from this inner desire, there is kindness in everything we think, say, want and do."

May the light of God's love help each and every one of you to Glow from Within....<3

A few new hats for you.

Good evening all! I have been remiss in posting for a couple of weeks, for that I apologize. Just not sure if it was the heat or if I was in a creative slump, but just couldn't seem to get any hats made. We have been blessed with some monsoon activity and it has relieved the heat to a certain degree. The rain (when we get it) and the winter in AZ reminds me of why I live here year after year, oh and the fact that my wonderful hubby and kids live here too LOL :)

On to some creations by a lovely lady, Debbie, who has graciously offered to help make hats for <3 Hats from the Heart/My Journey Journals <3. I just love the colors and the simplicity of them, because not everyone wants a hat that has embellishments, stripes or flowers. For some, simple is the best way to go! Here are three of her lovely hats, aren't they FABULOUS?

Now I know for myself, I get bored very easily, so I have to learn new stitches and keep them interesting for me. I LOVE all kinds of colors and I just really enjoy looking at a picture or pattern and bringing it to life under my crocheting fingers. If I follow a pattern, I do try to make it my own in some small way, or somewhere in it, I have made a mistake and it becomes my own LOL!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am totally addicted to the Pinterest website, so I get a lot of my ideas from there. When I am able to find them with pattern's attached I am thrilled, because creating without a pattern is a big challenge for me. With that being said, I have posted some hat pictures that I call "pinspirations" (I picked this term up from my little sister) and this next hat is one of these "pinspirations". This is a little girl's Chicky ear flap hat, and I am so proud of myself for making the pom pom's!!! What do you think?

I wanted to make a couple of Journey Journals this weekend, but unfortunately, I was unable to get them done. Perhaps I may be able to make some next weekend. I was able to create a ladies Slouchy hat yesterday, and I finished it up this morning. I found this pattern over at Knot Your Nana's Crochet . I do really like her blog and try to follow it on a regular basis, as there are some pretty nifty "freebies" over there. :) Here is my version of her slouchy hat.

Now I guess I must be bidding you Good Evening as it seems as though I am having technical difficulties with blogging. I hope that my blog finds everyone in good health and spirit, and may the light of God's love help you all to Glow from Within....<3

Quiet Independence Day's

Good morning all! Just a brief little update for you this morning. Our Independence Day aka July 4th, was quietly spent at home enjoying each other's company. We didn't have a barbecue or have anyone over, our kids were busy either working or spending time with their significant other's. It was a little too warm outside anyway, so I was busy inside making a couple of hats for the project! As I was making my hats, I was also reflecting on our Independence Day and what it means to keep our country free! The many sacrifices that our men and women of the armed forces make each and every day, yes that is their choice, but without their choice to do so.....would our country still be free? I am proud to be an American and LOVE my country, and as the Pledge of Allegiance has always stated "In God We Trust", so do I! It isn't just a day to have a barbecue or an excuse to watch fireworks, but a day to reflect on the many sacrifices of those that came before us, those in the present making sacrifices and those that will be making the sacrifices to keep us free!

Now, as I stated I made two hats for the project yesterday. I really wanted to make three, but found that after the second hat was finished, my wrists said...NO WAY, are you crazy??? LOL So, two completed hats for you this time.... the first hat up is a little boy's patriotic themed ear flap hat! It was the last hat I finished up yesterday, and it turned out really cute! I found the pattern over at Micah Makes and I am grateful for the free pattern for a basic ear flap hat! It will be put to use many times in the future, I am sure!

I started out the morning making a man's hat with a big chunky yarn by Lion Brand called Wool Ease. Now I loved working with this yarn, the hat worked up super quick and it is a softer yarn, but not fuzzy, so it was easy to work with.

This pattern was found over on the Ravelry website by Dawn Gillis. I love the simplicity of the design and that it has a brim on it. I am going to start trying to give credit for these free patterns that I use to whom the credit belongs to. I'm still learning this "blog" thing, and hope everyone realizes this is still a work in progress. :) Without some of the free patterns from the internet, I'm sure I wouldn't be as far along as I am, because creating your own patterns is a challenge at times!

I received another donation of yarn's, fabric and some buttons from another beautiful soul who saw my "flyer" at work. I will never have enough words to express my gratitude for the many donations I have received and the help I am getting with making the hats! Without the support, donations and inspiration you all give me, it would indeed be a slower process than what it is currently! Thank you from the depths of my soul for your generosity and kindness!

Now I must get up and finish up morning chores so I can get ready to leave for a short visit to my sister's. Going to work on a "travel journal" while I'm there, as my sister and I don't want to forget one minute of our upcoming "Road Trip vacation to Florida"! Until my next posting may the light of God's love help each and everyone one of you to Glow from Within..... <3