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Guess who is just turned 16?!?!?  Yes, my oldest is now a licensed 16 yr old!!  I certainly do not feel old enough to have a 16 yr old!!! 

Her birthday was March 23....and she scheduled her driving test for that day.
Of course, the weather did NOT cooperate at all.  It was extremely windy and raining as well as sleeting.
Despite all this, she passed her test!!!

Here she is on Easter smashing confetti eggs on her sisters head.  (This is a tradition that we partake in at my in-laws home every Easter!)

Becca's birthday party is this coming Saturday.  Of course, I think every 16 yr old wants a car for their birthday... She is fortunate enough to get one.
We found a steal of a deal on a car locally... I am having a hard time keeping it a secret from her.

I am going to have to capture the look on her face when she gets the keys.

Honestly, this car is to help me out also. 
Becca is in before school activities, as well as after school activities. 
I wont have to be running her to and from school as much anymore!!
YEA ME!!

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For those of you familiar with my yearly toy drive... here is a sneak peek!

This year will be the 4th year we are collecting toys.  Once again, we are going to donate to the University of Minnesota Peds ward.

My middle daughter has ongoing care here!  (She is doing fantastic too!!)

I have been extremely busy with outside work.. (not complaining!!) so I am slow in getting the toy drive patterns done this year.

So, can you guess the theme of this pattern set?
It is inspired by Bambi! 
They are not quite done yet... I need to add flowers, bows, and some embellishments

I am still in the process of writing up the patterns too.

Just thought I would offer up a sneak peek!
Thanks!

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I love this pattern!  I bought it at www.Bowls-n-Annies.com

I will warn you, the legs and arms are TINY!!
I traced out her pattern, then added on a bit at the top of the legs and the arms...to widen the hole for stuffing.
After, I simply cut off the excess that I added on, and sewed the arms and legs to the doll.  MUCH easier!

Now, to package them up for the Childrens hospital!!

The dolls hanging out on my front bench! :P

Some of the finished dolly's  This is the Little Cupcake Cutie pattern

Dolly's everwhere!!  I recently bought a dolly pattern off of Etsy.   I LOVE IT!! 
The doll arms and legs are insanely tiny, but they turn out adorable.

These dolls work up to be around 11 inches tall.  TINY!! 
I made some of these up for the toy drive.
I will post a pictures of the dollies that have made it to the kids in the hospital already.  The rest, are in various stages of completion, waiting for someone to love them.

ALL 3 of my girls have helped in making them!  They all picked out material for the dress and bloomers, all 3 have helped stuff them too. 
I, of couse, have the most work to do!  LOL
I do love to sew.

If you are interested, the patterns can be found here
www.Bowls-n-Annies.com

As soon as more are done, I will post more pictures.

The toy drive was a huge success this year!  We donated over 1000 toys to the University of MN.  We had 1119 toys the day we dropped them off.
Since then, 23 more have come in.  We will be bringing them in next time Libby goes in for her appointment.

I took some pictures of our day.
You can see them here:

(please let me know if that doesnt work...  otherwise, the address is
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e253/kristie25/2008%20Toy%20drive/      
I am still trying to figure out weebly.)

We had to cut our visit short.  My youngest daughter Addie developed an ear infection.  We made a trip to our friendly neighborhood pediatrician upon leaving the U of M!

I have a few new patterns to post also.  I have recently made a set of 3 rattles.
Easiest way to make any toy a rattle, insert a cat ball into it.  They are made from hard plastic, with a bell or two in the middle. They work great, unless someone steps on it!!

Good Afternoon all!!

I am excited to announce the kick off for the 3rd annual toy drive.

We (my girls and I) are once again collecting toys for the childrens hospital.
This year will be donating to the University of Minnesota Fairview Childrens Hospital.
We will be delivering the toys the middle of August. I will let you know the specific date as it gets worked out with the hospital staff.

Unfamiliar with the toy drive? Read here to see last years toy drive

http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=53216

(there is a link there to the first toy drive info also)

The hospital new letter wrote an article on the toy drive also.

Read about it here

http://www.fairview.org/Foundation/

Scroll down and click on Our friend newsletter Issue 3, 2007

We are on page 11.

Want to see what I have already for the toy drive??

This fills one and half boxes. I STUFF the toys in.
For those of you who are new to this...
Here are the basics.
If you send me one toy for the toy drive, you may pick one of the patterns I am offering for free.
If you send me two or more toys, you may have both patterns emailed to you!

Interested in what the patterns are??
Here you go!

My bumble bunz pattern

And also my Bunny Love pattern.



Please pm me for my address.
PLEASE be sure to include your email address in the package, as well as which pattern, or both, that you would like!!

Last year we ended up with 14 boxes! I hope to do as many this year.

I will update with new pictures of the toys that I receive also.

As many of you know, this project is very near and dear to my heart.
I am so fortunate that my middle child (who started all of this!!) is doing fantastic.
Better than fantastic! If all goes well, she will be taken off one of her medications next August. If she does well with that change, they will continue to wean her off all her meds...and she could be medication free in just over a year!! Keep your fingers crossed!!

Feel free to email me, or pm me with ANY questions you may have.

Thank you so much!!

A special thank you to Midds who is hosting a challenge for this toy drive.
I have a feeling we will have TONS of toys this year!!

Its that time again!
I am gearing up for the 3rd annual toy drive.
This year we are going to donate to the University of Minnesota Childrens hospital again.
We had such a great experience last year.
I am hoping to top 14 boxes of toys this year....however, I will have to recruit a bigger vehicle to take to the hospital if we do!

I have one pattern done for the toy drive....Bumble-bunz.  It will be in testing within a few days.  (the yellow one still needs antennas..... everywhere I looked, they were out of black pipecleaners!!!

The other pattern, is nearly complete also. I am hoping by the end of next week to have it ready for testing.

I will have more details about the toy drive soon!

Long story short... I planned on making this part of a series of animal purses. I planned on selling the pattern.
I am SO swamped with orders for Christmas..... I just dont have time to work on the other purses right now.
Sooo....I am posting the pattern for free.
I hope you enjoy it!

This pattern has not been tested, please let me know if you find any errors!
Horse Purse

As with all my patterns, feel free to sell the completed project.
Please do not sell the pattern.  Thank you!

Supplies needed:
WW yarn
G hook
Stuffing
Stitch marker



Terms used:
Ch = chain
FO = finish off
FLO = front loops only
BLO = back loops only
Sc = single crochet
Sc-dec = single crochet decrease, done over 2 stitches
Hdc = half double crochet
Slp st = slip stitch

Body

Body is done in one continuous spiral, unless otherwise noted.  

Starting at front of body.. (mark this end for front)
Ch 2
1)  6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
2)  2 sc in each sc around
3)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc)  repeat around  (18 sc)
4)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc)  repeat around  (24 sc)
5)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 3 sc)  repeat around  (30 sc)
6)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 4 sc)  repeat around  (36 sc)
7)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 5 sc)  repeat around  (42 sc)
8-13)  sc in each sc around
Slp st in the next sc
Ch 1, turn.  (This is making the opening of the purse)
14)  In BLO, sc in each sc around, leaving slp st unworked. Ch 1, turn. (41 sc)
15-30)  sc in each sc around.  Ch 1, turn.
31)  Sc in each sc around.  DO NOT TURN.  
Your next sc will be in 1 sc of row 31.  Going back to crocheting in a around.
32)  In FLO, sc in each sc around
33-34)  sc in each sc around
35)  (Sc-dec, sc in next 5 sc)  repeat around.  (36 sc)
36)  (Sc-dec, sc in next 4 sc)  repeat around.  (30 sc)
37)  (Sc-dec, sc in next 3 sc)  repeat around.  (24 sc)
38)  (Sc-dec, sc in next 2 sc)  repeat around.  (18 sc)
39)  (Sc-dec, sc in next sc)  repeat around.  (12 sc)
40)  Sc-dec around.  (6 sc)
Slp st to next sc.
FO leaving long tail.  Use tail to sew hole shut.


Inside circles.  (make 2)
(you will stuff ends of horse, and use these 2 circles to keep the stuffing inside)

Follow 1-7 of body…do not finish off just yet.
Turn the body of the horse inside out.  Line up the circles with the BLO of line 14, and FLO line 32.  If the circle fits well here, slp st in next sc of circle, and FO, leaving long tail.

If the circle seems too small, continue on:

8)  2 sc in first sc, sc in next 6 sc)  repeat around  (48 sc)
Slp st to next sc.  FO, leaving long tail for sewing.

Turning purse inside out,
Sew inside circles to FLO row (row 32) and BLO row (row 14), making sure to stuff semi firmly behind the circles.  (too much stuffing will cause the circles to bow out, not enough, and the horses head will not stay up)

Carefully turn purse right side out


Neck

With main color,
Ch 20, leaving a long beginning tail for sewing.
Join with slp st to first chain made, making sure not to twist chain.

At each round end, join with slp st to first sc made.

1)  Ch 1, sc in each ch around.  (20 sc)
2)  Ch 1, sc in each sc around
3)  Ch 1,  (2 sc in first sc, sc on next 9 sc) repeat once more.  (22 sc)
4)  Ch 1, sc in each sc around
5)  Ch 1,  (2 sc in first sc, sc on next 10 sc) repeat once more.  (22 sc)
6)  Ch 1, sc in each sc around
FO leaving long tail.

Horse head

Starting at horses nose, and working back.
Working in a continuous spiral.
Ch 2
1)  5 sc in 2nd ch from hook
2)  2 sc in each sc around  (10 sc)
3)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc) repeat around  (15 sc)
4)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc) repeat around  (20 sc)
5-7)  sc in each sc around
8)  (sc-dec, sc in next 2 sc)  repeat around  (15 sc)
9)  sc in each sc around
10)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc) repeat around  (20 sc)
11)  sc in each sc around
12)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 3 sc) repeat around  (25 sc)
13)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 4 sc) repeat around  (30 sc)
14)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 5 sc) repeat around  (35 sc)
15-16)  sc in each sc around
17)  (sc-dec, sc in next 5 sc)  repeat around  (30 sc)
18)  (sc-dec, sc in next 4 sc)  repeat around  (25 sc)
19)  (sc-dec, sc in next 3 sc)  repeat around  (20 sc)
Stuff
20)  (sc-dec, sc in next 2 sc)  repeat around  (15 sc)
21)  (sc-dec, sc in next sc)  repeat around  (10 sc)
Stuff a bit more
22)  sc-dec around  (5 sc)
FO.  Use tail to close hole.

Ears  (make 2)

Worked in a continuous spiral

Ch 2
1)  6 sc in 2nd ch from hook
2-3)  ch in each sc around
4)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc) repeat  (8 sc)
Slp st to next sc
FO leaving long tail

Arms & Legs  (make 4)

Worked in a continuous spiral
Starting with hoof color
Ch 2
1)  5 sc in 2nd ch from hook
2)  2 sc in each sc around  (10 sc)
3)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc) repeat around  (15 sc)
4)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc) repeat around  (20 sc)
5)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 3 sc) repeat around  (25 sc)
6-8)  sc in each sc around
9)  (sc-dec, sc in next 3 sc)  repeat around  (20 sc)
10)  (sc-dec, sc in next 2 sc)  repeat around  (15 sc)
Change to leg color
11-17)  sc in each sc around
18)  (sc-dec, sc in next sc) repeat around  (10 sc)
FO leaving long tail

Sew ears to horses head
Sew neck to front of horse.
Stuff neck slightly
Sew horses head to top of neck, adding in more stuffing to neck
Sew legs to bottom of purse body

Saddle  (make 2)

Saddle in worked in halves.  One half will be sewn to each side of purse opening
Do not join round ends

Ch 2
1)  4 sc in 2nd ch from hook  Ch 1, turn.
2)  2 sc in each sc across.  Ch 1, turn.  (8 sc)
3)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc) repeat across.  Ch 1, turn.  (12 sc)
4)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc) repeat across.  Ch 1, turn.  (16 sc)
5)  sc in each sc across
6)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 3 sc) repeat across.  Ch 1, turn.  (20 sc)
7)  (2 sc in first sc, sc in next 4 sc) repeat across.  Ch 1, turn.  (24 sc)
DO NOT FO, instead, ch 1, sc evenly across top edge of half circle.  
FO leaving long tail
Sew saddle to each side of purse, using pictures as a guide

Instruction on how to do mane
Cut several strands of yarn about 6-7 inches long.
You will use 2 strands of yarn at a time.
Insert hook into head from behind a sc, with the hook coming our in front of selected sc.
Grab middle of yarn strands with hook and pull through stitch, ( Like you would latch
hook!) making a small loop.
Pull all free ends of yarn strand through loop, pulling tight to mane.
It is easiest if you start at top of horse head, and work your way down the back.


Instructions for tail
Cut many strands of yarn into 12 inch or so pieces. (Each yarn strand will act as 2 strands of the tail)
When you are happy with the thickness, Cut one longer piece of yarn of the same color.
Tie tail strands together, in the middle of your yarn pieces. Tie 1-2 more knots tightly, so the tail wont come out.
Taking long yarn strand, tie onto horses rump. If you would like the tail to stand up a bit, wrap around around the tail at the base, right by the rump.

Purse straps  (make 2)

Ch 46, leaving long beginning tail
1)  Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across.  Ch 1 turn.  (45 hdc)
2)  Hdc in each hdc across.
FO leaving long tail

Sew handles to purse.  I sewed them on, one on each side of purse opening.

Sew or embroider on horse eyes.
Sew or glue on any embellishments to horses saddle, rump, etc.

Enjoy!

If you have any questions at all, feel free to email me at Kristie skids@hotmail.com

Here is a picture of the inside of the purse.  Hope this helps!!