Baymax Printable

My boys have a slight obsession with superheroes. I know. Shocking. Because they're preschool age and under, I don't actually let them see the big movies that are PG and over. My husband and I both grew up with a rule of "no PG-13 movies until you're thirteen," and we're going to continue that with our kids. So, my four-year-old is stuck with Lego superheroes and the animated series'. And Big Hero 6. Oh, Big Hero 6. How do we love thee? Enough that when we first got it, we watched it everyday. As many times as I would let them.

Luckily, I love Big Hero 6. I think it's funny and touching. I cry every time they watch it. Every time. The main kid deals with some serious crap. And he gets through it with Baymax. I love Baymax. Baymax may very well be my favorite Disney character. And he's a robot. He's just so innocent and caring. And funny. We can't forget that. That's the reason kids love him. And oh, do my kids love him. So when I wanted to draw some pictures for my sons' room, I decided to do one of Baymax.

Now, FYI, the background color is grey because my printer is black and white. If you are interested in a version with more color, leave me a comment, and I will make a more colorful version. I thought of doing some of Baymax's other quotes, too, but I settled on this one. The pdf file for it is at the bottom of the post. 

Baymax Printable

Letter O and Number 8 Coloring Pages

So I have joined a co-op preschool in my neighborhood, in which we rotate between houses. This week was my turn to teach. I was a little worried about having six children under the age of five in my care. Plus, I was supposed to teach them something. Each of us is supposed to teach a letter, and they didn't have to necessarily be in order. I decided to start with "O." I think most of them already knew it, but I wanted to do a theme. Ready for it? I did the letter "O," which is at the beginning of the word "octopus" and "octagon." So, naturally, the number I picked was the number 8. I don't think the kids appreciated my cleverness, but they had fun coloring. You can find the pdfs for the pages in the links at the bottom of the page.

It was funny to see the different personalities. One kid kept asking to play with toys, one wouldn't sit still, another kept asking to go outside, and my own kept asking when we could have graham crackers. We also found some exciting bugs outside. There was an itty bitty spider on one of our outside toys, and one of the little girls wouldn't let anyone touch, get too close, or (heaven forbid!) squish it. I didn't get a picture of that, but I did get one of the gigantic grasshopper we found on a stump. I live in a desert area where there aren't a lot of big bugs. A spider that's an inch long qualifies as huge. But this grasshopper was a good 2 1/2 inches long. It didn't look real. I felt like I was at Disneyland watching an animatronic insect. Plus, it didn't move much, even with six little kids coming close to it. It did blink, though. 

Look at that thing. It's like a dinosaur bug. It was cool to have something like that to show my preschool kids, even if they weren't as impressed as I was.

The octopus in the coloring page is actually the same one from my octopus card from a few months ago. I loved it so much I just had to reuse it. That octopus was really my first drawing that didn't look like a child drew it, so I'm pretty proud of it.

The beautiful coloring was done by my two-year-old, who wanted to participate in "school," too.

Of the coloring pages, I think the octagon one was actually the student favorite. The kids really got into coloring all those octagons, which I thought was funny.

Not this kid. Two-year-olds are too busy to color for long, I suppose.

All in all, I think my first day of preschool was successful. :) Now I have five weeks before I teach again.

Eight Octagons Coloring Page
O is for Octopus Coloring Page

E-Reader Case Crochet Pattern

As my last post said, I love to read. Love it. Always have, most likely always will. I am not, however, one of those book purists who are anti-technology. I love to read; I do not love holding open a book. I feel like I'm breaking the book every time it gets the crease in the binding. Sometimes I like to read on my back, and then I have to hold the book with both hands. Physical books are exhausting, guys. And they take up space. I mean, more power to you if you want a million of them lying around. I get the appeal. However, we have enough of a problem with clutter in our house that the only books I want laying around are kids books. I fully accept the joys of the e-reader.

This is not a post reviewing a specific e-reader, although I've used both Nook and Kindle. This really is a crochet pattern post. But there are so many people vehemently opposed to e-readers out there that I feel like I have to justify my position. I also count it a success any time I get someone to invest in an e-reader. Because that's what they are, people: an investment. If you read a lot, they're so worth it.

Anyway. Justification over. Consider an e-reader.

When I first got my Kindle, I got a nice hard case that it snaps into and has a magnetic on/off feature. It was pretty awesome until after six months the edge of the flap that connects the front to the back started to break. Now the flap won't stay connected, and it doesn't do the magic on/off thing when I open and shut it. I tried buying a new one, but it had a problem where it would turn the screen off when the flap was flipped to the back. So, I'd be reading, and my screen would shut off. Super awesome. Yeah. Apparently (I learned from reading more reviews after I had the problem with the new case), this is a huge problem with this kind of case. So I did what I should have done in the first place: I made my own case.

And it's pretty.

I love the yellow. It's so bright and cheerful, and it is stands out visually. This was pretty important to me because Kindles/e-readers are usually dark grey or black. And I have a grey couch and a grey bedspread, and they disappear into there quite easily. And I'm not a super graceful person, and I don't always see things and said things sometimes break. I did not want to break my Kindle. I had already broken my Nook. Another story for another day. Anywho. This case does not blend into my dark furnishings. Or anything. It stands out. Very stylishly.

Kindle Case Crochet Pattern

I Hook
Normal acrylic yarn (I used my beloved I Love This Yarn! Go figure.)

1. Ch 21. Sc in second ch from hook and across. In last ch, make 3 sc, then continue around the back of the ch. When you get all the way back around, put 2 sc in last st, and connect to first sc. 
2. Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Now you'll start working in the round. Sc into the first sc.
3. Mark the sc you just made with your handy dandy stitch marker, or bobby pin, or whatever it is you use. Continue sc-ing around for 5 rounds. Once again, don't connect.
4. Ch 1. [Sk one sc. 2 dc in next.] Repeat around. Once you reach the end, connect to the first dc with a sl st. 
5. Ch 1. Sc once. Put your st marker in that sc. Now sc around in rounds again for 3 rounds.
6. Repeat 4.
7. Repeat 5.
8. Repeat 4.
9. Repeat 5.
10. Repeat 4.
11. Repeat 5.
12. Repeat 4.
13. Ch 1. Sc once. St mark that last sc. Sc around for 5 rounds. Connect to the first sc with a sl st. Weave in your ends, and you are done. Bask in the sense of accomplishment you feel in making such a useful and pretty object.

Note: This can easily be changed to work for any size e-reader or tablet. All you need to do is change the number of chains you start with.

Kindle Unlimited Review

Note: I have received no compensation for writing this review. I just think it's a product worthy of review.
...Another note: The pattern for the crocheted case that you can kind of see underneath is coming soon. :)

I love reading. I have a slight obsession. As in, I read way more than I probably should. Surprisingly, however, I didn't jump at Kindle Unlimited when it first came out. I really only got it when there was a Cyber Monday deal last year to get a discounted Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Unlimited for six months. Now that I've had it for eight months (because of the month-long trial and continued subscription), I feel like I can write a review.

Guys, I love it. For $10 a month, you can read up to ten books at a time, and there are lots of options. Not anything really big, but enough to sate my addiction. I'm always surprised by how many books are available.

Because I personally know an author listed on Kindle Unlimited, I can tell you that authors do get paid when their books are read, but only if the reader finishes at least 10% of the book. So, I try to finish at least that much when I read, but I don't always since some books just aren't good.

There are plenty of highly rated books on the list, and plenty that aren't. I feel like there really is something for everyone, except the people who only want to read health cookbooks. There aren't a ton of good options for those people.

One thing I love is that there are TONS of cute, full color children's books. They don't really work on normal Kindles, but they do on any tablet or computer through the app. Heck, I used the Kindle app on my phone, and we have hours of amusement from that. The only problem is, once again, the ten book limit. You have to kind of cycle through the books you've already...what word am I looking for? Rented? That's essentially what it is, but they don't call it that.

There's one other cool feature that Kindle Unlimited supposedly has, and that's that some books also have an audio version. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get this to work with my phone. My Kindle is new and doesn't have the option for sound, and it doesn't appear to work with the app on my tablet, either. I think it's probably a problem with the app rather than Kindle Unlimited, but I'm kind of disappointed that I couldn't get it to work. It would be nice to listen to a book while I work out.

Final verdict. I highly recommend Kindle Unlimited for those who love reading. For the price of about two ebooks, you can read unlimited (hehe) number of books. Are all of them great? No, but there really is a great variety. Are you going to be able to read the hottest new releases? Not most of them. But still. I think it's a great value. I'll be keeping my subscription. :)

Welcome, Summer!

It's May, but it's rainy and cold where I live. I think I was meant to live in Oregon or Washington, though, because I LOVE rainy days. I think they're beautiful. I'm not one of those that finds them depressing. I could sit on my porch watching the rain for hours.

BUT, not everywhere gets to enjoy the lovely rain, and someone asked that I make a summer sign. This is what I came up with. :)

This one actually has a transparent background.

Anyone interested in different colors? I can change them up and post some others. :)

Grateful Turtle

After I did the octopus, I knew that I wanted to do another cute little animal "card," and I tried a penguin. Which was a complete mess. I need to hone my penguin. After that failure, I decided on a turtle.

I feel like it's both different and similar to the octopus. It's not so cartoon-y, but the speech balloons kind of tie them together. Your thoughts?

I don't mind if you use this for yourself or for non-commerical use, but please don't sell it or claim it as your own. Thanks!

Friendly Octopus Card

Lately, I've been really interested in learning to do hand lettering. I have decent handwriting overall, and I thought it'd be fun to improve on it. I've been looking into it and playing around with lettering. There are so many cute ideas out there! Search for hand lettering on Pinterest sometime, and you will be awarded with hundreds of tutorials and ideas.

I was trying to do something fun and interesting with different lettering, but there wasn't really anything creative about what I was doing - I was kind of just copying what I had seen elsewhere. But then I decided to try doing a cute birthday card. Yeah, didn't work out. My balloons were turning out really funky for some reason. They looked like octopus heads. Then, LIGHTBULB. My Friendly Octopus card was born. I drew it by hand and then cleaned it up and colored it in GIMP (a free Photoshop-like program). I think it turned out pretty cute. :)

This was the first one I colored. After I finished it, I realized that it kind of looks like an octopus that washed up on the sand. Not a super happy sight...but hey. At least the colors are cute, right?

I like this one. It has fun, complementary colors.

I had to do one super bright color, right?

Here's the plain, white one if you didn't like my colors. Make it how you like it. :)

I don't mind if you use this for yourself or for non-commerical use, but please don't sell it or claim it as your own. Thanks!

Crochet Oven Mitt

When I go to Hobby Lobby, I like to check the clearance yarn. I often get really good deals on my beloved I Love This Yarn! brand this way. Without fail, the one kind of yarn I always find in the clearance section for really cheap is the funky, ruffle-y yarn. I, for some reason, threw away the wrapper, and I can't remember what brand it was, so...sorry. The closest I can find is the sashay yarn by Red Heart, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Red Heart. Here is a picture, though.

Does it look familiar? ANYWAY. Long story short I've never really found a use for this yarn. Then, I thought, "Hey, this yarn - when not pulled apart - is kind of like bulky yarn. I bet I could use it in bulky yarn projects." So I bought it. And had zero inspiration of something to make with bulky yarn. Until I realized that my oven mitts are starting to die. Like, holes right by the thumb, where hot stuff touches all the time. Great place for a hole, I know. Now, I've tried making hot pads with normal cotton yarn, and it is just not thick enough to protect your hands. You have to double it up (a pattern for this is coming soon). I wanted to try bulky yarn, but it's fairly expensive compared to normal yarn. SO, I decided to use my funky yarn. Whoo.

It took two skeins of the stuff, but my hand is fully protected in this giant oven mitt. Really. It's big. It fits my husband's hands, and they are GIANT.

This is made with plain ole double crochets, but, because the yarn is so thick, it looks like I did something special to it. 

Crochet Oven Mitt Pattern:

Yarn: the weird yarn I described earlier or (I imagine) normal bulky or super bulky yarn.

Hook: 10 mm hook. I think this is a "P" hook, but the writing has rubbed off, so I'm not 100% sure.

For this pattern, when I say "inc," it means "increase" - which means 2 dc in that st. When I say "7dc," or something like that, I mean to dc in the next 7 sts. Don't make 7dc in one st. 

You're going to start with a magic circle, which is a fun challenge with the big yarn. If you're not comfortable with those, just chain three and make the eight double crochets into the first chain (the other two chains will NOT count as a dc). If you are, great. 8 dc in the magic circle. Join.

Ch 2. 2 dc in each st around. Join.

Ch 2. [Inc, 7dc] twice. Join.

Ch 2. Dc around. Join.

{Ch 2. [Inc, 8dc] around. Join} do this twice, and then fasten off.

Join 2nd color 3 sts before where you fastened off. Ch 2. 3dc. Ch 8. Sk 1 st (this includes the knot where you fastened off). This will create the thumb hole. Dc the rest of the way around. Join.

Ch 2. Dc around, including 1 in each of the 8 chs.

Ch 2. 5dc. Dc2tog. 10dc. Dc2tog. 6dc. Join.

Ch 2. 4dc. Dc2tog. 10dc. Dc2tog. 5dc. Join.

Ch 2. 4dc. Dc2tog. 4dc. Dc2tog. 3dc. Dc2tog. 2dc. Dc2tog. Join.

Ch 2. Dc around. Join. Fasten off.

Join into the open thumb hole you created earlier. Sc around. Make four rounds of sc before you start sc2tog-ing until the thumb hole is pretty much closed. You can either sew it closed, or just kind of sl st it closed. Just go with what you feel. And then fasten off and weave in your ends.

What do you think of the pattern?

Hexagon Baby Blanket

So, my cousin is having a baby soon, and her shower is on Saturday. I decided to make her a blanket, and since I love hexagon "squares," that was what I used to make her blanket. 

She's having a boy, so I decided on some pretty bold colors. Although, I think they would really work for girls, too. But baby girls generally get boring pale colors, a tradition I intend to break if I ever have a girl.

I used Red Heart Love yarn...because I was at Walmart when I bought the yarn, and I liked the colors and the yarn was passably soft. Having worked with it now, I don't love it, but I don't hate it. I reminds me of the texture of the Lion Heart Vanna's Choice yarn. Good not great. It's just not as soft as my beloved I Love This Yarn. Another note: I used three skeins, and they combined to barely make one baby-size blanket. And it's a newborn size blanket. Keep that in mind if you decide to use their yarn.

Hexagon Baby Blanket

Yarn: Acrylic
Hook: J

If you've ever made a granny square anything, this is very similar. You'll make a bunch of hexagons, and you'll combine them together in whatever pattern you want. You will be using a cluster stitch a LOT. And here it is:

Cl: Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, draw through a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, draw through another loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, draw through a loop, yarn over, pull through all loops.

If that seems like a lot of yarning over, it is. But it works up quickly.

Hexagon pattern:
Ch. 4. Join to 1st ch with a slst to form a ring. Ch. 2. [Cl, ch. 2] 6 times in ring. Connect to first cl with a sl st.

Ch 2. *[Cl. ch 2. Cl.] Ch 1.* around. Connect to first cl with a sl st.

Ch 2. *[Cl. ch 2. Cl.] in the same st. Ch 1. Cl. Ch 1. Cl. Ch 1.* around. Connect to first cl with a sl st. Fasten off.

Join the second color in any corner. Ch 2. *[3dc, ch 1, 3dc in the corner]. 3dc in each ch1sp.* around. Fasten off.

Make as many hexagons as you need to make the size you want. To join your hexagons together, I like this method. But I ended up doing my own version of this method because I couldn't remember how to properly do it. My way definitely creates an edge along the join, whereas the other method makes the project lay flat. I've used the other method before on the one other blanket I've made, and I prefer it. But here's how I did this one, just in case you're interested:

Hold two hexagons together. Join the yarn in the corner of both pieces (You will be making all the sts in both pieces unless otherwise noted). Ch 1. Sc in the same corner as join. Ch 2. Sc in the space between the corner and the first group of 3dcs. Ch 2. Sc in the next sp. Do this until you reach the corner. Sc in the corner, then take ch 1. Take the next hexagon piece you will be adding, and sc the two pieces you want to join. Continue the pattern, using a ch 1 and a sc to join in new pieces at the corners.

Does that need more clarification, or does it make sense? Please, please, please let me know if that description is fuzzy at all or if you have any concerns/questions. Thanks!

Crochet Boot Cuff Pattern

Around Christmas time, I wanted a new project. I was bored, and I wanted something fun to do that wasn't a Christmas present. So, I browsed through my Pinterest crochet board and found this blogpost. While I like a lot of them, this one stood out to me, and it's the one I decided to make. I made it without the little frills at the top because I didn't like the way they turned out. After I had made a few pairs to give away, I saw this version of boot cuffs, and I really liked the idea of taller top. Hence, my own pattern was born. It's essentially the same techniques as the ones used in the pattern I made before, but I tweaked it to make it my own. Here you go.

For perspective, these measure about 5 1/2 inches from top to bottom. I would call the size about a Medium, but you really can adjust these to whatever size you want REALLY easily. I'll explain how in the pattern.

Crochet Boot Cuff

Yarn: I Love This Cotton! - but really, you can use whatever normal weight yarn you'd like. Heck, you can even go lightweight on these puppies, but I probably wouldn't go bulky weight unless you don't mind, ahem, bulky boot cuffs.
Hook: size I (5.5 mm) - I used this hook mainly because it was the size listed on the yarn.

Row 1: Ch. 15. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each st across. Ch 2. Turn.
Row 2: Dc in each st across. Ch 1. Turn.
You will repeat these two rows until you reach the desired length. I worked until it was 30 rows, and then I sl st the two sides together. Make sure you end on a "Row 2" row.

After connecting, do not fasten off. Flip your project inside out so that the seam is on the inside.
Round 1: Ch. 1. 2 dc in the first ch 2-sp. 2 dc in each ch 2-sp around. Join with a sl st to the first dc.
Round 2: Sl st to the space between the first 2 dc cluster. Ch 2. 2 dc. 2 dc in the space between each cluster. Join with a sl st to the first dc. Repeat this round twice more to make four rounds. Fasten off.

If you don't like the line that inevitably follows connecting two pieces using sl sts, then feel free to sew them together. I am lazy, and I liked the way sl st allows for this to be made in one piece. 

Let me know what you think of the pattern! Does it need more clarification, or does it make sense? Thanks!

Wrap-Around Toddler Slippers Crochet Pattern

I'm sure you all have seen at least one iteration of these baby booties, whether knit or crochet. I saw a pattern for a crocheted version a while back that I liked, but they didn't fit my baby then (or now). I wanted to make him some slippers, and I saw the knit version. I thought they looked simple and cute, so I decided to try making my own crochet pattern so they'd actually fit.

What I like about these is that they are easily adjustable. I made them to fit about a size 5 foot, but you can easily adjust them a little bigger or smaller. The key is in the sole. To make them bigger, you can change the second rounds of single crochets to half double crochets, or you can change one of the rounds of half double crochets to double crochets. To make them smaller, change one or both of the half double crochet rounds to single crochet. For the wrap-around part, the number of chains corresponds to the number of stitches around the sole, minus eight. This will not change with any changes you make to the sole, unless you take stitches out there. Therefore, if you want to make it smaller/larger, just change the stitches that you're using - change the single crochets to half double crochets/double crochets, or vice versa. Or, you can change the yarn weight and hook size.

The boy would not stand still so I could get a good picture of the slippers on his feet. My husband had to hold him to keep him from running away, and the bubs was still kicking his feet and stomping.

Wrap-Around Toddler Slippers Crochet Pattern

Hook size: I Hook
Yarn: I Love This Cotton! Bright Green for the soles and Bright Teal for the wrap-around pieces
Sole:
Rnd 1: Ch 15. 2 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. Sc in the next 12 sts. 4 sc in the last st. Continuing around the back, crochet in the next 12 sts. 2 sc in the last st. Do not join. Use a stitch marker (bobby pin or safety pin or official "stitch marker" or something) to mark the first st of each round - moving it up as you go. (You should have 32 sts.)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in the first st from the last round. 2 sc in the next st. Sc in the next 12 sts. 2 sc in each of the next 4 sts. Sc in the next 12 sts. 2 sc in each of the last 2 sts. (40 sts)

Rnd 3: [2 hdc, hdc] twice. Hdc in the next 12 sts. [2 hdc, hdc] four times. Hdc in the next 12 sts. [2 hdc, hdc] twice. (48 sts)

Rnd 4: [2 hdc, hdc, hdc] twice. Hdc in the next 12. [2 hdc, hdc, hdc] four times. Hdc in the next 12. [2 hdc, hdc, hdc] twice. Join to the next st with a sl st. Fasten off. Weave in ends. (56 sts)

Wrap-Around:
Row 1: Ch 49. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. Sc across. Ch 1. Turn.
Row 2: Hdc across. Ch 1. Turn.
Row 3: Sc across. Ch 1. Turn.
Row 4: Hdc across. Ch 1. Turn.
Row 5: Sc across. Ch 1. Turn.

Row 6: Hdc across. Ch 1. Turn.
Row 7: Sc across. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

To sew the two pieces together, first mark off the top eight sts on the sole - using your preferred method of stitch marking. Starting at the st right outside of the marked eight sts, sew the wrap-around piece to the sole. 

When you get to the end, criss-cross the ends, and sew them into the top eight sts. Fasten off and weave in ends. 

To get these to actually stay on my toddler's feet, I had to sew the two sides of the wrap-around together. I would suggest marking how high you need to actually go while they are on your baby's feet.

Crochet Cotton Cowl

It's been a long time since I last posted. But, one of my New Year's resolutions is to get back into posting. :) Without further ado, I bring you my Crochet Cotton Cowl. I used the I Love This Cotton! brand because, quite frankly, I love this cotton yarn. It is very aptly named. It is soft and easy to work with. And it is soft. So soft. There are lots of things you can make with cotton yarn - not including everything you can make with acrylic yarn - but I feel like it doesn't really get its due because it so often associated with cheap cotton, like the Lily Sugar n' Cream stuff. Which is...fine. It's just cheap yarn. It's like getting the Red Heart Super Saver acrylic yarn. I've heard there are ways to make it softer, but they involve lots of work and fabric softener. Which I don't use because my toddler has uber-sensitive skin. So, I would be buying it just to soften up yarn. At that point, am I really saving money? I think not. Thus ends my rant about the merits about spending that extra dollar to get the good stuff. Ahem. ANYWAY...

This is a very repetitive pattern. You'll see the same rounds repeated over and over again.

I will call the colors A, B, C, and D. A is "Pewter", B is "Bright Teal", C is "Bright Green", and D is "Rosey II". I used a J Hook (6 mm).

Round 1: Start with color A. Ch 120. Connect with sl st to form a ring, making sure that you don't twist the ch.

Round 2: Ch 1. Sc around in the back loops. Join with sl st to the first sc.

Round 3: Ch 2. Dc in first st. Ch 1. Sk next st. [Dc, ch 1, skip next st] around. Join with sl st to first dc.

Rounds 4-5: Repeat round 3.

Round 6: Repeat round 2.

Round 7: Change to color B and repeat round 2.

Rounds 8-9: Repeat round 3.

Round 10: Repeat round 2.

Round 11: Change to color A and repeat round 2.

Round 12: Repeat round 3.

Round 13: Repeat round 2.

Round 14: Change to color C and repeat round 2.

Rounds 15-17: Repeat round 3.

Round 18: Repeat round 2.

Round 19: Change back to color A and repeat round 2.

Round 20: Repeat round 3.

Round 21: Repeat round 2.

Round 22: Change to color B and repeat round 2.

Rounds 23-24: Repeat round 3.

Round 25: Repeat round 2.

Round 26: Change to color A and repeat round 2.

Rounds 27-29: Repeat round 3.

Round 30: Repeat 2. Fasten off.

Join color D anywhere.
Round 1: Ch 1. Sc twice. Ch 2. Sk 1 st. [Sc twice. Ch 2. Sk next st] around. Join with sl st to first sc.
Round 2: Sl st to the first ch2-sp. Ch 1. Sc in same ch2-sp. [Ch 3, sc in next ch2-sp] around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Repeat on other edge. Weave in ends.