New Planner Pages

In honor of resurrecting my real estate career, I decided I needed some new planner pages.  Something that would seamlessly incorporate home and work.  So, I whipped up these beauts, and I thought I'd share them with you.

B/W Planner Pages

B/W To Do List

I like that they have room for my schedule, as well as some reminders for dinner, chores, and notes.  I opted for the black and white style, in hopes of bringing elegance and simplicity to my pages.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by too many colors and stickers and such.  Sometimes I need simple.  These pages accomplish just that.

Overall, I am very happy with them, and I hope you are, too!  If you want them in a different color, just let me know, I can easily whip them up.

See ya!

St. Patrick's Day Crafts

St. Patrick's Day is approaching!

Each year I like to do something small for the boys for St. Patty's Day.  Here are a few of the things I did in past years, and some new ideas.

Green Rice Krispies Treats:  I haven't made these, yet, but they are on the list this year.  I know I can buy Rice Krispie Treats, but I have never made them before, and I think the boys will love them! 

Crochet Pot of Gold:  I made these last year, and the boys still use them for various trinkets.  I've added a pattern herehere.  I filled these little pots with Rolos as the gold.

Crochet Shamrocks:  The pattern for these little guys can be found herehere.  They are great to adorn the little pots above.  They can also make a cute hair bow, or be worn somehow, so no one gets pinched!

Scavenger Hunt:  I did this one a couple of years ago, and the boys really liked it.  I don't have any printables for this one, but all you have to do is write down little riddles on slips of paper, leaving them at a couple of spots in the house.  The last, of course, led to their treat.  For their treat, I made a black velvet bag and filled it with gold coins, and had a shamrock coloring page.  I wish I could find the bags I made, but maybe I'll throw together a sewing tutorial for one!!  That would be fun!! 

St. Patty's Day Scavenger Hunt Part 2:  Have your littles search out different things that can be associated with St. Patrick's Day:  rainbows, colors (ie gold, green).  They'll have fun, and get a prize at the end!

St. Patty's Day Jewelry:  I have some large beads somewhere, that the boys will love using to make some green and gold necklaces or bracelets for their friends, or even themselves!

Whatever you do for St. Patrick's Day, have fun with it!!

Yarn Projects Part 3: Tension

Good morning!  I hope you are doing well!  Today's lesson is on tension.  Not the tension you get from work, or school, but the tension you put on your yarn when making those gorgeous yarny goodies.

When I first started crocheting, my tension was ridiculous!  It's no wonder I have arthritis in my poor hand!  I would hold the yarn with a grip like a life line.

I am still a tight crocheter, but I have let up on the tension somewhat.  Here are two examples of what I'm talking about.

I totally ran out of yarn on the larger
swatch, but I think I got my point across.

These swatches are both made with the same number of stitches, the same number of rows, the same hook, and the same yarn.  The only difference in the two is the tension (and the one I ran out of yarn).

In the top swatch, the tension is so tight.  Probably exaggerated, but still, that's how I used to crochet.

In the bottom swatch I barely held the yarn.  That was difficult. 

See?  Big difference.  The tension you use in your yarn endeavors will affect the outcome of a pattern, just as much as the hook and yarn sizes.

I hope you've found this little series to be informative and fun!  I have a great time doing stuff like this, and I'm thinking of doing more crochet type posts.  What do you think?  Any ideas?

Yarn Projects Part 2: Hook Size

Hello!!  I'm back with part two of the Yarn Projects series.  The other day I talked about yarn size, and how it can affect a project.  If you missed out on that one, check it out here.

This week, I want to show you how hook size can really do an number on your project.

Like I said in the last post, my patterns aren't specific when it comes to type of yarn or hook size.  I tend to stick with patterns that don't require a gauge.  Other patterns will specify a type of yarn and hook to work it up correctly.

Take a look at these granny squares.  They are all the same pattern, same yarn, just different hooks (the letters next to the squares are the hook sizes).

I sure hope these posts are informative for you!  I am enjoying writing them.  Is there anything else you would like to see me write about?

I'll see you guys next time for the last installment of my crochet series: Tension!

Yarn Projects Part 1: Yarn Size

Today, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to talk about yarn sizes. 

As you may know, I'm terrible at writing crochet patterns.  I enjoy making new things and sharing them with you, but I just can't seem to write them very well.

So, I just want to explain that {most of} my patterns are subject to interpretation.  They are completely customizable, and gauge  is not always imprtant.  That us not always the case with pattern, though.  Especially if you're making clothing.

The photo below shows how different yarns can work up very differently.

These circles were made using the first five rounds of the pattern from my HDC Bag, and each one was made with a 4.5mm hook.  The only difference in each I'd the type of yarn.

{I don't know the type of yarn for the green circles, one is thin, the other chunky.  The blue and white is 100% cotton, the purple I'd 100% acrylic.}

As you can see, these circles are all different sizes, and this will affect your yarny  projects.

For sweaters, or such, the pattern will specify the type of yarn to use, so the correct gauge is achieved.  For projects like the ones I write up, you can adjust the patterns to accommodate your yarn size, making the finished product the size you want.

*I started out writing this post with yarn size in mind, and it exploded into a three part article!  The next post is going to be about hook size, I hope you'll stop back by for that!*

Valentine's Day Goodie Bags

**UPDATE**  I apologize, I had the settings wrong for the pattern for the bag.  It's fixed now!  Hope you enjoy!

Oh, wow!  I think I'm actually going to be early with a post!!  Here is a little Valentine's Day goodie bag I whipped together for Youngest's teachers. 

Made using HDC and a couple of rounds from the V-Stitch bag, I think it turned out quite cute!

Here's the pattern I wrote up quickly.  Let me know what you think.  As always, I have to add the disclaimer that I'm terrible at writing instructions, so if you see an error or have a question, don't hesitate to get in contact with me!

The heart is a free pattern from Everything Etsy. 

Just fill it with your gift of choice, and there ya go. 

Hope you guys have a happy Valentine's Day!

Little One's Hand Wreath

I want to make one to
match my decor
year-round

You know, sometimes I have a hard time putting the stuffs into words.  I am oh so eloquent in my head, but then I put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), and I write and rewrite until I finally give up.

So, here's real me trying to set up a blog post about November being the month of Thanksgiving, a time when one will look around at all they have been blessed with (an awesome family, a home, or even just breath in their lungs), and give thanks.  This isn't going to be a sappy thanks post.  I don't do sappy.  I do more speaking of my mind (which isn't a very sappy mind).

What I wanted to put together, though, is a cute little DIY child's hand wreath.  I am most thankful for my husband and my children, and I want to celebrate them, so here's a little something to do just that.

This DIY takes no time, at all!  

Here's what you need:

Scissors
Construction paper
Pen/pencil
Glue
Round piece of cardboard
Ribbon or burlap

Directions:

♡  Have your sweet cutie trace his/her hand multiple times (enough to make a wreath)
♡  Cut out sweet little traced hands
♡  Glue in a circle around the piece of cardboard.  They can touch in the center, or leave some cardboard showing, it's up to you.
♡  Make a bow out of your desired ribbon.  I found a quick, easy bow tutorial on Pinterest.
♡  Glue blow to cardboard
♡  Attach hanger of some kind
♡  Enjoy your Little's hand wreath!

Bean Bag Tutorial

If you remember, I made bean bags for the Fall Festival at the boys' school.  Any chance I have to craft something up, I'm going to take it!

Here's the little tutorial on how to make these bean bags, and find a use for those old, worn out jeans in the process!

What You'll Need

■  Old Jeans
■  Scissors
■  Thread
■  Ruler
■  Beans (I used black eyed peas, I'm not sure if there's a better kind, I actually didn't Pinterest this at all!)

How To

■  Lay out Jeans, measure the desired dimensions. (Mine were 3"x3")
■  Cut out
■  Sew together on three sides
■  Add beans.  I actually weighed each of mine to make sure they were identical (I told you in the Fall Festival post that I put way too much thought into it!).
■  Sew closed on 4th side
■  Throw!  I mean, that's the fun part of bean bags, right?

I've seen some with X's and O's embroidered or painted on them for Tic-Tac-Toe.  That looks like a cute idea, but make sure you do that before sewing the beans inside. 

Enjoy!!

V-Stitch Drawstring Bag

Hi!!

A few weeks ago, I promised a couple of patterns for the little gift bags that I made as gifts for the boys' teachers.

Well, here's the first one, it doesn't have a fancy name, I just call it the V-Stitch Drawstring Bag.

V-Stitch Drawstring Bag

It can be made with any yarn, any size hook, and in any size you want.  It works up quickly, so I've even been able to make it in an evening for an event the next day!

I hope you enjoy this little project!  Please let me know what you think!!

♡P.S.  If you would rather order one, please feel free to email me (or through IG @littlebeachbird ).  The price is $13 shipped (for the bag only, contents not included).♡

**Disclaimer:  I'm not a professional pattern-writer-upper (yep, technical term), so it may not be a perfect pattern.  If you find a mistake, or have a question, please let me know in the comments.  I appreciate all feedback!!**

Pinterest Project Sunday: Paper Beads

I didn't have much time, so I only made a
soup spoon full.

I think this is the most addictive craft project I have ever undertaken!  There are so many possibilities with these little beads and they are a quieter craft than last week's!  I was even able to take them with me when I left the house so I could work on them while I was away.

I used a Capri Sun box to hold them upright.

{find the tutorial at Mad Mim}

Of course, I am in love with these little beads.  There are so many possibilities when making them.  I made several large beads, a lot of small beads, and even a teeny one.  I experimented with design and color, and even tried a couple different shapes, although, not having printed the templates {you can find some templates at Cut Out + Keep }, the shapes didn't work out for me as well.   I'm going to try the templates next.

   

Instead of using toothpicks, I wrapped them around a stirring straw to make the hole a little bigger, since I don't always used small wire for jewelry making.  

While I loved all of the beads, I've listed some of my favorites below.

Check out the little fishy face!!

I found several strip of paper with
Roman numerals.

There are a multitude of these
blue beads, also.  They are some
type of shell decoration on the
paper.

See ya next week for a PPS for planner lovers!!

Amanda

Pinterest Project Sunday: T-Shirt Yarn

Sometimes being a pack rat can come in handy.  I hold on to old shirts because I think I'll wear them, or the boys wore them, or just because, well, I'm a pack rat.

I've seen some pins about keepsake t-shirt blankets, but I just wasn't feeling that idea.  I liked the idea of making it into a little ball of yarn, though.  That way I could hold onto it until I had a great, super, outstanding idea for it (I think I have the idea, by the way, I just have to find the time to put it in motion)!

I found the tutorial for it over at Curious and Catcat.

I have a ton of t-shirts that I can mangle!  Maybe I can even make an entryway rug!  Oooh!  I love that idea!!

I'll see you next week for another frugal Pinterest Project Sunday.  I have done very well on my "No Spend February" (um, does eating out count?  I say it doesn't count, Hubby says it does.)!  I have taken this opportunity to downsize the craft hoard, so yay!!

Have a great week, friends!

Amanda

Last minute Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Teacher Appreciation Week begins tomorrow (May 5)!  Don't forget to show that special teacher (or two) how much you appreciate them!

Our school has a pre-determined list of things to send in every day:

Monday:  School Supplies
Tuesday:  Unlimited Hugs and Smiles
Wednesday:  Something to Pop (popcorn or Blow Pops)
Thursday:  Something to Eat (fruit, treats, etc)
Friday:  Something to read (card or letter from student).

If your school doesn't do an pre-determined list, I've come up with a couple of extra ideas that don't have to cost a lot of money or time.

Gift card bouquet:  We made this one for our teacher's birthday, but it's great for any celebration.  The flowers can either be real or handmade, there doesn't have to be a lot of giftcards, one would suffice (or none, it could just be flowers).

Bags:  I was told by one of our teachers that they are the ultimate bag lady (or gentleman).  Teachers are always having to take home books and homework and such.  I love to give bags with a little something in them.  This year we have a student teacher, so I'm putting together a bag with some supplies that she's going to need next year for her own room.  I made this bag, but it can be store bought, it can be decorated by the kids, anything goes.

Summer Fun:  Just throw some summer type stuff together, a beach bag with a towel and water bottle, or something along those lines.

Spa Day:  Some lotions, body wash, face scrubbies, etc.  Just a little something to pamper themselves.

Pencil Flower Vase:  (I hope to find a pic of this soon because it's super cute) I made this last year, and she loved it.  All the kids brought in a flower, so she had a nice bouquet.  I found the tutorials on Pinterest (you can follow me there, if you'd like.  I'm Amanda Ropp <the one with the three palm trees as photo>).

There are so many ways to say Thank You to that special teacher, these were just a few of the things we've done in years past.  Imagination is the key.

I hope I've helped, if you've been stuck on ideas. 

See ya!

~Amanda ~

Pinterest Project Sunday - Braided Fabric Bracelets

Hello!  So, I'm seriously excited about this week's Pinterest Project Sunday.  I found these little braided fabric bracelets at Home Heart Craft.

Again, I had all the supplies already (I'm seeing a theme...).  I went on a little buying frenzy when Marine Parents sold some of her scraps.  You don't even need to have fabric.  For these, you can use ribbon, scraps, whatever.

I even added a little charm to personalize them.  Hubby said they look very Punky Brewster.  I'll take it.  :)

See ya next week!

~Amanda~

Pinterest Project Sunday - Painted Bottles

Hi there! I hope everyone had had a great week. Mine has been spent with a sick child, but overall, not too bad.  I'm glad I got this project done last weekend so it could be ready for today, or there wouldn't be a Pinterest Project Sunday!

This one was super easy (again), and I had all the items at home already. Bonus!

I found a tutorial for it here.  It's not in English, but I think there is a translate button (I found it once, but then when I went back to the website it wasn't there. Probably something I did.)

Even if you can't get it to translate, there is a picture tutorial that is very easy to understand.

Here is my finished product:

I wanted to get a better picture, but I had to wait till nightfall because the pictures kept coming out too dark. 

These bottles used to be Yoohoo bottles, and the one in the center is a mason jar.  I used some Crayola paint and just poured enough in to coat the jars. 

Because I used Crayola, the paint isn't water proof, so they can't be used as vases, but if you use something oil based (I guess) then it should have no problem. 

I hope you liked my project.   Check back next week for a new one... If I can get Pinterest to work right.  Someone hacked my account!  It doesn't look like any of my pins have been messed with, but they changed my website and the city.  Apparently for little while I pretend lived in Paris.

I think I've gotten everything back on track, so I'll get to work tomorrow on another project.

If you guys have any suggestions for a project, please let me know! It doesn't have to come directly from Pinterest, it can be from Tip Junkie or Indulgy (both of which I can get lost in), or any other site. 

I love to hear some suggestions! You can comment here or on Instagram or Twitter (@littlebeachbird for both).

See ya next week!

~Amanda ~

My Very First Crochet Pattern

If any of my dear readers know me very well, they know that I am addicted to Instagram (please feel free to follow me @amandaropp).  Recently I posted a picture of some of my little crochet goodies, and someone asked for the pattern.

Well, this little creation (pictured above) was purely accidental, so I had to remember what I did so I could write it down.

This isn't the best pattern ever written, but here goes:

Boot Cuffs
Measure your leg where the top of the boot will be.
Chain to that length
Join to first chain with a slip stitch
*Chain 2
Double crochet around, taking care to keep the chain from twisting.
Join to first dc with a slip stitch*
Continue from * until the cuff is 6 inches tall.

Scarf/Necklace
Make a chain to 60 inches
Connect to the first chain with a slip stitch
Chain 2
dc in each ch (Here is where mine messed up, I must have let the chain twist once or twice, because it ended up curling up on itself and making a tube.  If you want a tube, let the chain twist a couple of times during the first row, if you want one that lays more flat, try to keep it from twisting.  I'm going to say that results will vary.)
Connect to the first stitch with a slip stitch
*ch 2
dc into each stitch
connect to the first stitch with a slip stitch*
Repeat from * until it is the desired thickness.
Once the Scarf is completed, double it up and secure it together by wrapping yarn around it.   Attach flower, and add button to the center of the flower.

Flower
The flower is from the pattern Irish Rose Purse by Rise Pirrone.

Button (for the center of the flower)
I found the button here.

Sorry for all the links.  Those parts were not my patterns, therefore I can't take credit.

I hope this want to confusing.  As I said, this is my first pattern I have ever written.  If you have any questions, please leave a comment on this page, or you can find me on Instagram.

I hope to make more patterns, so if you like this, please let me know.  Give me a little confidence boost :)

~Amanda~