Us girls can tackle anything!

My wonderful husband took our son to the lake for the day so that mommy could get some stuff done around here (and of course have a fun boys' day too!)
I wasn't sure how much I would actually get done, thanks to a new tooth our daughter, Kate, is working on. Well, we tackled IT ALL! We cleaned the entire house...having fun the entire way, singing Annie songs and dancing with her in the carrier. We did 4 loads of laundry (and folded 6....yeah, I let them marinate sometimes for quite awhile). We "relaxed" in the sun while I trimmed some bushes. And I got 2 orders finished during her naptime! I feel SO accomplished right now! Of course, the house will look like a tornado came through it again tomorrow, after Gavin has a go at it. And the laundry will inevitably pile up again within a few days. But for now, I get to relax on the couch, with a new fun project, and imagine it will stay this way....at least for tonight.

Perfect Basic Hat Pattern

Do you ever just find a pattern that just makes sense, works up smoothly, and helps to end all your headaches? Well I have finally been directed to the most wonderful basic hdc beanie pattern, thanks to one of the ladies in my crochet group. The pattern is over on Repeat Crafter Me, an all around fun blog, that has a little bit of everything crafty. I have always seemed to struggle with my hdc hats and making the switch from the increase section to single hdc in each stitch around. My old hats always seemed to have a bit of a corner at all the increases. Well, she has completely solved this problem in her strawberry hat, with the addition of a slow increase row, before switching to single hdc stitches. And my gauge works up perfectly with hers, so sizing is a no brainer now! Yay! And if you're looking for a good dc pattern for sizing and increases, check out her penguin hat pattern. She's wonderful at what she does, and has now saved me from many, many headaches!

The Elmo Hat

I just finished up my Elmo hat the other day and Little Man could not wait to put it on! Even Baby Girl seemed to love it....especially squeezing his big nose. :) I've decided this will be one of my first written patterns...and the first to be posted on here. So I've been typing it up to prepare for testers, and man, I never really grasped all the work that goes into writing patterns! And this is an easy one!

Anyway....hopefully I'll get it written and tested over the next week or so, and then have it available on here.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Getting Organized...

I've been focusing lately on trying to get all my My Lil Roo stuff organized. I'm about to open my Etsy shop, trying to make a variety of items to sell, writing patterns as I make the items, and now I've entered to be in String with Style's 1000 fan giveaway! I'm so excited about it all, but I feel like I don't have enough minutes in the day to do all this stuff....plus being a wife and mom! Sooooo, please excuse the large gaps between my posts, one of these days I'll get back into a routine. ;)
But I feel more organized technically at least....we have a new computer (I was working off my cell phone before)...and now a new cell phone (little man threw mine down the stairs...it didn't survive.) So once I get a grasp on all this new gear, I should have everything right where I need it!

BUT....on with the fun stuff!
String with Style is about to hit their 1000th fan on Facebook! So come on over and see what all the goodies are for her wonderful giveaway! There are some wonderful participants in this one...a few of which are some of my favorite "mommy" designers!

I'll be giving away the choice of one of my Minion hats + 20% off an additional order from my shop. So come on over and check it out!

Backtrack Beanie

This might be one of my favorite patterns to date! I got it a few months back from Busy Moms Designs and have been dying to try it out. Our trip to the beach was the perfect opportunity.

I love how it uses two stands of yarn, so you can mix and match colors. Perfect for supporting your favorite team or combining your little one's favorite colors.

G is all about Batman these days, so he chose black and grey for his. I made K's in pink and purple so she's coordinating no matter what we pull out of her closet. But I'm thinking both kiddos will need a Gamecocks hat by the fall....and of course a Giants one too. ;)

G always likes to add a little humor to our photo shoots. He wanted to "wear" Sissy's hat too. :)

Too long gone...

Sorry for the long absence....we had a fun 2 week family trip to the beach, and internet was slim to none ( which was actually kind of nice ). But while I was away, my hooks never stopped moving! I tried out a few new patterns, wrote a few ideas down for new patterns, and started a new projects list that is over a mile long!

On top of all of that we got a new computer! I'm still trying to figure it all out, but my pictures will be much better from now on! Yay! I'm hoping to get my hands on it tomorrow to upload pics of today's shoot. Both kiddos cooperated and I think I got some cute ones! :)

Until tomorrow!

Beach Bag Success!

I just posted on Facebook my finished Oversized Beach Bag. I'm so excited! I think it's truly the most useful item I've made so far. It will hold everything you could need for a day on the beach....a towel, change of clothes for both kiddos, toys, snacks...you name it! The pattern was designed by Micah Makes, but I chose to make it just a little larger to make sure it fits all my mama gear. I made it with 100% cotton so that it's easy to wash when you get home. And it will make a wonderful market bag when summer's over. You can't go wrong with this one!

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope everyone got to enjoy their Memorial Day weekends. We took it easy around here...the kiddos played and enjoyed the sunshine. And I sat on the back porch crocheting and enjoying the sound of my children's laughter. And we have the amazing men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country to thank for that. Words will never be enough.....but Thank You for all that you do.

50 Likes Giveaway!

We've hit our first 50 likes on our Facebook page...so we're having a giveaway! The winner will get to choose a hat from a special giveaway album. So come on over and enter to win. The winner will be announced Sunday night....I'll post their name on Facebook, as well as here, and a message.


Here is just one new hat I've been working on (which will be in the giveaway album). It's the Ava Sun Hat Pattern by Crochet by Jennifer. I'm in love with it! And it's just $20!

It's made with 100% cotton, perfect for hot summer weather....and easily washable for the kiddos. :)

**More colors and styles to come ( I try to never leave the boys out )

Might be the only one...

So I've been working on the snake all day during my free time, and I've only managed to get maybe 5 or 6 inches done! I'm kind of the stubborn sort, so I am determined to get this sucker done. But geez, it might be my only one!

I actually had to take a break, just to give my brain a little workout. So I started the cutest floppy sunhat for Kate. Hopefully I can share it soon.

Thankfully, John is home tomorrow, so I plan on stealing an hour to myself, to upload some photos and work on projects! Yay to having the hubs home during the day! :)

My little problem

By looking at this page you would think I haven't done anything since Mother's Day. That's not true. I've been secretly addicted to my Pinterest boards. I've been staring at my screen, drooling over new crochet blogs and patterns that I've found. So, although it may seem as though I'm slacking on the job again. I'm really out there stalking other crafty mommies, finding inspirations to create things for you. :)


I would love for you to stop on by and see what I've found!

Hop on over to Pinterest

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day!

These are the proudest moments of my life...

Our son, Gavin, was born 9.13.2010

Our daughter, Kate, was born 2.19.2013

I have been so blessed to have these wonderful women in my life.

My Mom and my Nana...their love showed me what being a mother was all about. 

My Grandmama, Nana, and Grandaddy with Gavin
My Grandmama's love showed me how to love others.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day!

((Hugs))

Long Day...

Today has been one of those days that is super fun, and full of fun activities and projects....But by the end of the day, you're ready to crash! I love days like today...we had a fun playdate with good friends, lots of fresh air and "exercise", and then an easy bedtime. Who could complain?

I managed to finish up a beautiful dress tonight, that I'll be taking pics of tomorrow to share. :)

Until then, let me introduce my first softie, Richard the Whale. 

He was designed by Stacey Trock, and was so much fun to make! He is definitely the first of many!!

Gavin loved him too...he has requested a snake next.

The first of many....

I'm so excited that I have finally started working on MyLilRoo! I have always loved to crochet and create things for my family (and myself)....and now I hope to do the same for you!

So I guess I'll start this off with a little background on myself....

My Nana taught me to crochet when I was around 8 years old. I used to go down and stay with her and my Papa for a week or so during the summers. I can remember sitting and crocheting long chains using entire skeins of yarn, and then advancing to a few basic stitches to make my first item. I still have it....I'm not sure what it is...kind of a round potholder meets blanket. But I love it all the same, because I made it with my grandparents who had the patience to help me learn. My Papa, who sat with me for hours, teaching me how to roll a ball, the way his mother taught him. And my Nana, who had the patience to sit with me, and explain to me the different stitches over and over again, until I finally got it right. I still have the hook she let me take home at the end of my visit...an item I will always cherish.

I have been crocheting off and on ever since. But I really got into learning more intricate pieces when my son was born in 2010. Now I'm obsessed with all things crochet. I always have my hook and yarn with me, ready to create something new.

And that's where my idea for MyLilRoo was born. I love to create items for my loved ones...to see them truly enjoy something that I have created. I love it so much so that my son, Gavin, has too many hats in his closet to count! And my daughter, Kate, who is only 11 weeks old, isn't far behind.

It was staring at this collection of hats (let alone all the other items I've made), that made me realize I want to create for others as well, outside of my family. It also made me realize I have a gift that could help others. So for every item I sell, I'll be making at least one hat (or item) to donate.

I'm still in the process of getting things up and going, so please excuse my posts if they seem unorganized for awhile, while I gather my thoughts and ideas together.

Y'all can visit me over at Facebook too! :)