Baby Blankets

About a month ago I posted about collecting baby blankets for a local mission. It's a mission that hits very near and dear to my heart, and these blankets will go into care packages to be delivered to hospitals.

Thanks to the kind people I work with, and family members, I have already collected a handful of blankets! They range from tiny to big, and are gender specific or gender neutral. Babies are born at different gestational ages, and sometimes a huge blanket would not fit a baby born at 25 weeks.


This blanket is one I've been working on in my spare time. I updated it in a WIPW post a few weeks back. I finished it last night and am very proud. It's one of the smaller blankets, but it can also be stretched.... which is why I like the pattern. The picture really does not do this blanket justice.

I found the pattern at Mini Frippery. It's a fairly simple pattern! I changed the last row, just a tiny smidge.

Row 1: Using this technique of a no chain foundation, 122 dc
Row 2: ch 3, 3 dc in next dc. (ch3, sk next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc) 40 times. DC in last dc
Row 3: ch 3, (working behind the ch 3 of previous round, 3 Bpdc in 1st dc in 3 dc set, ch 3) 40 times. 3 bpdc in 1st dc in last 3 dc set. Dc in last turning ch of previous row.

Repeat row three until desired length

Last row: ch 3, (dc in next 3 dc, dc in ch 3 sp ) repeat to the end of the row. Dc in last turning ch. fasten off and weave in ends.



Here is a blanket a friend made.






I absolutely love the detail of this blanket!! I must ask her for the pattern, because it is just beautiful. It is worked in a round, but a rectangular round. It's just beautiful.








Here's one blanket that a co-worker made.

Very simple, and yet beautiful! These blankets are going to be such a nice touch to the care packages. Something hand made with love, in memory of all babies in heaven.




Here's another blanket a co-worker made.

Again, so simple and beautiful!!



And this blanket, I actually made for my nephew when he was born. I had to finish it up after his baby shower... and I honestly never got around to giving it to my sister-in-law. Seeing that my nephew is almost 8 years old, I don't think they'll mind if I donate it.

I wish I had put a border around it. But it was my first granny square blanket ever. As small as it is... it took 7 years until I made another one!





I'll be collecting baby blankets for ever to donate, as unfortunately, there will always be families grieving the loss of a baby.

WIPW: Work-In-Progress Wednesday

I had to count all of my projects that I have going right now.... just to see how many I have started and haven't finished. I have 6!! I need to finish some of these bad boys up!

For you today, are two of them that I have made progress on since the last time I posted.



The Grannies and Ripples {Take 2} is one of them. Not only did I add on past the grannies from last week, but I added on to the beginning grannies at the bottom. I figured a border before the real border would make it look better. I'm excited that i'm almost half way done with the afghan!

The other thing that I started this week, is my plarn bag! I have been collecting plastic bags, cutting them up and making a ball of plarn for months now. The ball has just been sitting there, so I decided it was about time that I get started on it.



I mentioned to someone that the next one I make I wanted to use only the same color bags.... but the more I look at this, the more i like the variegated look.

I really hope the plarn bag works well! It is a lot slower to work with than regular yarn, and I have also learned that those thicker plastic bags are not good to crochet with! I thought that the thicker bags would hold up better... and i'm sure they will. But they are a pain to crochet with!





I am linking this bad boy up over at Tami's WIP, Ambassador Crochet, Yarn Along, SusanD's and The Crochet Way.

Well, that's what I am working on right now!

10" Square

Who is the biggest project starter in the world!??! Well, I'm sure there are others worse than I am, but I have to be up there on the list.

I started a new afghan. It's actually a practice one, before I make the one that will really mean something special to me. I actually kind of want to make it a secret new project too... until i'm at least part way finished with it.

But, in this new afghan I do have a new square! It's a 10" square, one of the biggest I have ever made.



Isn't it beautiful!?? I really hope it looks great with the rest of the blanket once I am finished with it!

To make this 10" Square you need a size H hook.

To Start: Ch 5, join with sl st to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 3, 15 dc in ring, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch 3.

Round 2: Ch 4, (dc in next dc, ch 1) 15 times, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch 4.

Round 3: Sl st in next ch 1 sp. Ch 1, sc in same sp, (ch 3, sc in next ch 1 sp) 15 times, ch 3, sl st in beginning sc. {16 ch 3 sps}

Round 4: Sl st in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, (ch 3, sc in next ch 3 sp) 15 times, ch 3, sl st in beginning sc. {16 ch 3 sps}

Round 5: Ch 1, sc in same st. (3 sc in next ch 3 sp, sc in next sc) 15 times, 3 sc in last ch 3 sp, join with sl st in beginning sc. {64 sc}

Round 6: Ch 4, (dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc) in same st, *(ch 2, sk next sc, hdc in next sc, {ch 2, sk 3 sc, sc in next sc}twice, ch 2, sk 3 sc, hdc in next sc, ch 2, sk next sc, {dc, ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc} in next sc.)*twice, ch 2, sk next sc, hdc in next sc, {ch 2, sk 3 sc, sc in next sc}twice, ch 2, sk 3 sc, hdc in next sc, ch 2, sk next sc, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch 4.

Round 7: St st in next sts until ch 2 sp in corner, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *(dc in next dc, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next dc, {2 dc in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st}4 times, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next dc, {2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc} in corner ch 2 sp)*twice, dc in next dc, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next dc, {2 dc in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st}4 times, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next dc, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch 3.

Round 8: Sl st in next dc and into ch 2 sp, ch 1, (sc, ch 2, sc) in same sp, *(sc in back loop only of each dc across, {sc, ch 2, sc} in next ch 2 sp)*twice, sc in back loop only of each dc across, join with sl st in beginning sc.

Round 9: Sl st into corner ch 2 sp, ch 1, (sc, ch 2, sc) in same sp, *(ch 3, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc)8 times across, ch 3, sk 2 sc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner ch 2 sp)*twice, (ch 3, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc)8 times across, ch 3, sk 2 sc, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beginning sc.

Round 10: Sl st into corner ch 2 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *(3 dc in each of next 9 ch 3 sps, {2dc, ch 2, 2 dc} in corner ch 2 sp)*twice, 3 dc in each of the next 9 ch 3 sps, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch 3.

Round 11: Sl st in next dc and into corner ch 2 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in sampe corner sp, *({ch 1, sk next dc, dc in next dc}15 times, ch 1, sk next dc, {2 dc, ch 2, 2dc} in cornerch 2 sp)*twice, {ch 1, sk next dc, dc in next dc}15 times, ch 1, sk next dc, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch 3.

Round 12: Sc in each st and each ch 1 sp around, with 3 sc in each corner ch 2 sp, finish off.




The original inspiration came from YarnCrazy. The one she made was a 12" square, and I didn't want one that big. So I tweaked it to make it a 10" square.

Dump Cake

So this is where the "other crafts" part plays into my blog. Most of this blog is crochet and knitting, and the "other crafts" part are for all of the other little things that I do. Like scrapbooking... and now, baking. Yes, baking can be considered a craft, right? Well, who really cares! I'm posting it anyways! Tonight, I was in the mood for some dump cake!! It's so stinking simple, and easy!



Anything that has anything to do with Strawberries and Rhubarb put together, I am ALL over! I just love it! Now please know, I didn't really measure at all for this. It's pretty hard to mess this up.



5-6 Stalks of Rhubarb
Strawberries
Sugar
Strawberry Jello
Water
Yellow Cake Mix
1/2 Cup Butter

Preheat oven to 350.

1. The very first thing you do is cut up your stalks of rhubarb and strawberries. There's no specific amount here. I filled up the bottom of my 9 x 13 pan with an even amount of both. You do not want it too be too heaping, but you don't want to see much of the bottom of the pan either.


2. I took two handfuls of sugar and sprinkled it evenly over the top of the strawberries and rhubarb. Then sprinkle the whole package of Strawberry Jello over top of the mixture as well. Then add in about a cup of water, pour it over the mixture in the pan.


3. Finally sprinkle the entire package of the yellow cake mix. Be sure to cover every bit of the pan. If you're using stick butter, I cut it up into slices and place it over the cake, evenly, of course.





And you're done! It bakes at 350 degrees for about an hour. I usually start checking to see how brown it is at 45 minutes, but it normally is perfect after 60. Let it cool for about 30 minutes before serving.

It's so good alone, or with ice cream!

The dump part is a lot like a crisp, but not as crispy... and a lot easier! I'm all about easy!





Remember, I mentioned I made two dump cakes tonight? The other one is a Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake! This one is even simpler than the Strawberry Rhubarb one!





1 Can Cherry Pie Filling
1 Can Crushed Pineapple
Yellow Cake Mix
1/2 Cup Butter

1. First you mix together the can of pie filling and pineapple in your 9 x 13 pan. You can mix it up a lot, or a little, that is all up to you. Just make sure it is spread evenly throughout the pan.




2. Sprinkle the entire package of the yellow cake mix. Be sure to cover every bit of the pan. If you're using stick butter, I cut it up into slices and place it over the cake, evenly, of course.





And you're done! It bakes at 350 degrees for about an hour. I usually start checking to see how brown it is at 45 minutes, but it normally is perfect after 60. Let it cool for about 30 minutes before serving.

It's so good alone, or with ice cream!

This recipe is prefect for the last minute parties, or just an easy {and cheap} desert for dinner!

WIPW: Grannies and Ripples {Take 2}

I love the part of an afghan where you can really see it, finally, coming together! Well, ladies and gents, this is that moment.



Taking a picture of it was hard. I had to stretch it out to show all of its glory, and finding a good spot to lay it all out straight like that was hard. So even though it fits the width of my chair right now... that is only how long it is. :) I still have a lot more to crochet, but i'm finally starting to picture what it'll look like when it is finished!

I cannot wait!

Oh, and my kitty says hello!



I am linking this bad boy up over at Tami's WIP, Ambassador Crochet, Yarn Along and The Crochet Way.

WIPW: Grannies and Ripples take 2 & Baby Blanket

It was a busy week for me! I didn't get a whole lot of crocheting done, but this is my progress thus far on my three projects.

1. Knitting Baby Blanket to donate.

2. Crochet Baby Blanket to donate.

3. Grannies and Ripples Take 2 Afghan

That's it!! Not much progress at all, but with it being the holiday weekend and all, I didn't have much time to sit and crochet/knit. Maybe i'll whip out some more this week!

WIPW: Work-In-Progress Wednesday - Grannies and Ripples take 2 & Baby Blanket

I'm currently working on 3 projects! All of them are afghans/blankets. One is the knitting.... and I swear i've only added on a couple rows since the last time I took a picture, so there's no way i'm taking a picture again any time soon.

The next thing is the Grannies and Ripples take 2 blanket. I'm still not sure about the bold colors, but it's coming along rather nicely!

And just today, I started making another baby blanket for my donation. {Check out more information about donating baby blankets here.}

I know there's not much too it yet, but hopefully it'll look really pretty once it is all done! I hope.

I am linking this bad boy up over at Tami's WIP, Ambassador Crochet, Yarn Along and The Crochet Way.

A Year Of Scraps!

I have seen this done in a few places recently, and decided i'd give it a try! What will a year of yarn scraps look like, and how much will it weigh?

We start with an empty jar. It actually wasn't that empty when I went to grab it. My dear husband decided it would be funny to drink his water out of it last night for dinner. Silly man. I have foiled your plan and have a new use for this mason jar! It weighs 15.8 ounces. This will come in handy when I weigh it in the future.


I decided to grab the project I am currently working on, and I finally sewed in all of the edges and cut the scraps! Now, my jar looks like this:

With .15 oz of yarn in it! I think this will be a fun little experiment.

In Need Of Baby Blankets!

2 years ago, my daughter was born still. We said hello and goodbye to her the same day.



I went to a routine checkup, to find out that my daughter no longer had a heart beat. I had nothing with me when they walked me over to the hospital, so on every August 19th, I have been donating memory boxes to local hospitals in her name. These boxes are something sweet to help families through a very difficult day.

One thing I make for the boxes are baby blankets. Even though she was born still, we still dressed her and wrapped her in a blanket that someone else made and gave to the hospital. The blanket that I was making her wasn't done yet.

Just last week, I found Mollianna's Mission. Mollianna's mother is local, and I wrote a little bit about how her mission hit me personally on my blog for my daughter.

As well as helping out families who cannot afford a headstone for their child, Mollianna's mother also makes care packages that you can sponsor. These care packages are filled with a ton of stuff! Not only do they include the little bit of comfort that I always included in my boxes, but personal care items as well. As sometimes, like in my case, you walk over to the hospital with nothing. I planned on going back to work after my appointment, not delivering my daughter.

Currently Mollianna's mothers care packages do not include a baby blanket. I've been in contact with her about including a baby blanket. I will be crocheting a bunch and donating them to her cause. The baby blankets I have made in the past are not that big, as they are often used only for newborn sized babies and sometimes even smaller. The square ones that I have made are about 2 foot by 2 foot.

Here is an example of one that I made for my box this past August.

This one below is one that I will be giving to Mollianna's mother as soon as I make a few more.

I am just mentioning this on here, because I am hoping some others may want to help out as well. I will be accepting yarn or blankets that have already been made. They can be gender specific, or gender neutral. They can be fancy, or simple. Any yarn, any color, any size. Crochet or knit! Or even if you can't do either, fleece would be perfect as well. Any other questions or specifics on where to send them... please email me at sblaisure@gmail.com.

I really appreciate all of your help!

But, I want to crochet!

As I was working on my current afghan tonight, someone decided to lay right down on my strand of string!

Look at him! How could I disturb his sweet comfy spot? I guess someone was telling me to stop crocheting and go to bed early tonight. Silly kitty!

WIPW: Work-In-Progress Wednesday - Grannies and Ripples take 2

Well, it's ripples and grannies part 2! This time with granny ripples! I'm still not sure about the colors, but I guess we'll see!

I'm also still working on the knitted basket weave baby blanket, that I mentioned the last time I did WIPW. But I haven't made much progress since then, maybe one or two more rows. Not worth the picture taking.

Dinosaur Newborn Baby Prop

Remember that dinosaur newborn baby prop I made?? Well, the baby is finally here and he had his first photo shoot!

Doesn't he look so cute!? This was the first thing I made for someone, that I had no clue on if it would fit or not. I'm so glad it fit nicely and that the shoot went well!

Be sure to check out the pattern if you are interested in making it yourself.

Possible New Project?

I have officially finished all of my little gifts to give to my colleagues! In good time too. I have about 15 work days left until I leave my long term position.

So now, I am thinking about a new project. I have all of the yarn to start a 5 1/2 Hour Afghan, but I just haven't gotten off my butt to start that. However.... over the weekend I got my new hooks, which I LOVE! And when I was at the craft store, I found the cutest verigated yarn. It was in one of those "side" racks and it was only 1.75oz for $1. Horrid price if I was buying a lot of it.... but it was too cute to pass up! Pink, orange, grey and beige! A very cute combination. I didn't know what I'd make out of it, but I picked up one little skein. In the store I tried to match up the colors, but nothing worked. Oh well.

When I got my new hooks, I needed to make something, so I decided on just a granny square. I figured I could make a couple granny squares and maybe start an exchange on here. But after I made 2 squares, I wanted to make something more out of it. The teeny tiny skein only made 2 full squares. I then made 3 other squares with just one round of the verigated, and the rest a beige/tan color.



It then dawned on me that I have 2 skeins of an orange that is similar to the verigated, and one part skein of a pink that is similar. I'm not sure how well it'll go together, but it could be worth a try!

I then got an email, that someone commented on my grannies and ripples afghan post. It got my mind going, and thinking about that afghan and how fun it was to make. So...... what if I did another granny and ripples afghan?

They're very loud colors, but i'm sure as i'm working through it I can figure something out. I just need to go back to the store and pick up some more of those little skeins of the verigated. One little skein made 5 squares, which will be one row of squares. I figure 5 or 6 skeins is all I would need. Then fill the rest with the orange, pink and beige!

Well, I guess we'll have to wait and see how it turns out! Here we go again!