Red Heart Giveaway! (Ends 7/16) US

A couple of weeks ago a mystery package arrived on my doorstep.  I was super excited when I opened it up to find Red Heart goodies!

Through the years I've enjoyed using Red Heart yarns for a variety of projects.  Below you will find some of my favorites.  (Click on the title immediately below a picture to get to the original blog post for the patterns or the pattern links.)

Berries Blast Beanie

Swanky Infinity Scarf

Ruffle Scarf 

Heads Up Beanie

Easiest Headwrap Ever

It's Giveaway time!

You can win your own package of Red Heart goodies!  

They are generously sponsoring a prize package for one lucky reader.

Details and Important Information: Must be 18+ to enter. US only. Void where prohibited. Winners must respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. Social media is not affiliated with this giveaway. The sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipment.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Yarn Fanatic Party #43

Welcome to the Yarn Fanatic Party!  I had a crazy weekend.  My little family and I made a quick 1,200+ car trip to find a place to live for the next chapter of our lives.  We'll be moving in about a month!  I'll be trying to blog through it all, but posting might be a bit sporadic.

Features 

Last week's party had some awesome projects linked up!  This purse is one of my absolute favorites!  Aren't the appliques beautiful?

And this one is so cute too!

Giveaway

(Updated 6/30/15) As promised, I have a giveaway for you!  You could win a Red Heart Prize Pack!  (More information can be found here.)

Must be 18+.  US only. Void where prohibited.  Social media is not affiliated with this giveaway.  Winner my respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link up Your Projects!

What have you created with yarn?  It could be something you crocheted, knitted, or anything that used yarn.  It can be a new project or an old one.  (I would appreciate it though if it had not been linked up to a previous Yarn Fanatic Party.)  I can't wait to see what you've created!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.

I would appreciate it very much if you:

• Add my Yarn Fanatic Party button to your post or party page.


<div align="center">
<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.1" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.2" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">philwife</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.3" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com/" title="The Philosopher's Wife"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.4" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.5" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i272.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.6" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/jj172/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.7" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">thephilwife</span>/150yfpbutton_zps8fd644fd.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.8" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">jpg</span>" alt="The Philosopher's Wife" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

• Follow The Philosopher's Wife and Eye Love Knots.
• Check out some of the other yarn goodies people have finished.
• Leave comments here, there, and everywhere.  (Please, take a moment to visit at least one other blog and leave a comment.  I want this to be a supportive community of yarn lovers.  To help encourage this a new entry option has been added to the giveaway.  I've been crazy busy lately, and not able to comment on everyone's links, but I will try to comment on everyone's this week!)  
• If you're not a blogger, but want to participate, feel free to upload a picture from Flicker!
• By linking up you are giving me permission to share your photos, with the appropriate credit, of course!
• PLEASE NOTE: Per InLinkz guidelines, listings linked to purchase options isn't permitted.  This means that you cannot link directly to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where there is an option to buy the pattern. You may link to a Pin, or a Facebook page, or a Flickr page, etc.  Links to where to buy the pattern included in a blog post are permitted.

An InLinkz Link-up

Wordless Wednesday: A (Not Wordless) Craft Quote

Source

Link up your own family friendly Wordless Wednesday posts!

An InLinkz Link-up

23 Questions (Or What my Daughter Thinks of Me)

I came across this fun little questionnaire through This Felicitous Life and simply couldn't resist.  You can join the link up too!  Catherine, almost five, answered all questions.  Dominic, age one, gave various supportive shrieks.



1. What is something your mom always says to you?

"Brush my teeth."

2. What makes your mom happy?
"When I'm a good girl."

3. What makes your mom sad?
"When I'm a bad girl."

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
"Saying something funny."

5. What was your mom like when she was a child?
"School."

6. How old is your mom?
"21"

Edited to add:
(About three hours later.)
C: "Wait! I got that one question wrong!"
Me: "What are you talking about?"
C: "Those questions for your blog.  You're 31!"
Me: "That's right.  Don't worry about it."
C: "But I don't like being wrong!"


7. How tall is your mom?
"As tall as a grown up."

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
"Blog."

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
"Blog. Nurse.  Have a sleeping baby."

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
"Cause you like to dance.  You like to dance nice."

11. What is your mom really good at?
"Blogging and cleaning the dishes."

12. What is your mom not very good at?
"Making fabric."

13. What does your mom do for a job?
"Blog.  Do laundry.  Driving.  Talking."

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
"Ham and cheese sandwiches.  Dr. Pepper."

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
"When you make yummy zucchini muffins."
(Like these.)

16. If your mom were a character, who would she be?
"Cinderella.  Because on date night you look fancy."

17. What do you and your mom do together?
"School.  Swimming.  Cook.  Dance."

18. How are you and your mom the same?
"We both like to have glasses.  But not the same kind.  Mine aren't anything like yours."

19. How are you and your mom different?
"We wear different clothes."

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
"Because you tell me."

21. What does your mom like the most about your dad?
Catherine: "That he's your boyfriend."
Me: "He's my husband."
Catherine: "Well, where's your boyfriend then?"


22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
"I would say, a store."

23. How old was your Mom when you were born?
"20"

Help me out by shopping at Amazon through my affiliate link.  

It doesn't cost you anything extra, but does give me a few extra pennies.  

Yarn Fanatic Party #41

Welcome to the Yarn Fanatic Party!  This is a place to share your yarn-y creations, see what others are making, and support one another.

Yikes!  I haven't had a post since the last Yarn Fanatic Party!  It's been pretty busy around here.  We've been enjoying the company of family, celebrating Father's Day, and starting moving preparations.

I do enjoy looking through all of your lovely projects.  This Rainbow Explosion shawl caught my eye.  Seriously, you have to click through to see all of the beautiful photos.

I also really love this Sea Glass Pendant.  What a great way to make a little memento!

ENTER HERE. Ends 6/30/15.

Enter here.  Ends 6/29/15

Also check out this giant giveaway over at Happily Hooked.

Link Up Your Projects

What have you created with yarn?  It could be something you crocheted, knitted, or anything that used yarn.  It can be a new project or an old one.  (I would appreciate it though if it had not been linked up to a previous Yarn Fanatic Party.)  I can't wait to see what you've created!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.

I would appreciate it very much if you:

• Add my Yarn Fanatic Party button to your post or party page.


<div align="center">
<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.1" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.2" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">philwife</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.3" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com/" title="The Philosopher's Wife"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.4" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.5" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i272.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.6" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/jj172/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.7" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">thephilwife</span>/150yfpbutton_zps8fd644fd.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.8" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">jpg</span>" alt="The Philosopher's Wife" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

• Follow The Philosopher's Wife and Eye Love Knots.
• Check out some of the other yarn goodies people have finished.
• Leave comments here, there, and everywhere.  (Please, take a moment to visit at least one other blog and leave a comment.  I want this to be a supportive community of yarn lovers.  To help encourage this a new entry option has been added to the giveaway.  I've been crazy busy lately, and not able to comment on everyone's links, but I will try to comment on everyone's this week!)  
• If you're not a blogger, but want to participate, feel free to upload a picture from Flicker!
• By linking up you are giving me permission to share your photos, with the appropriate credit, of course!
• PLEASE NOTE: Per InLinkz guidelines, listings linked to purchase options isn't permitted.  This means that you cannot link directly to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where there is an option to buy the pattern. You may link to a Pin, or a Facebook page, or a Flickr page, etc.  Links to where to buy the pattern included in a blog post are permitted.

An InLinkz Link-up

Yarn Fanatic #41

Welcome to this week's Yarn Fanatic Party!  There were so many awesome projects linked up last week!  Below you will find two of my favorites.

This cute little whale rattle is so fun!

Isn't this bunny rabbit snuggy cute?

(Yes, both featured projects this week are baby-related.  I also have a baby gear giveaway that ends 6/21/15, if you're interested!)

I'm pretty busy right now with family visitors, so I don't have a giveaway for you today.  However, I couldn't leave you without giving you a chance to win something, so here are a four yarn themed giveaways hosted by other bloggers!

ENTER HERE. Ends June 22, 2015.

ENTER HERE. Ends 6/17/15.
(ENTER HERE for ANOTHER swag bag from Moogly.)

ENTER HERE. Ends 6/30/15.

Link up your projects!

What have you created with yarn?  It could be something you crocheted, knitted, or anything that used yarn.  It can be a new project or an old one.  (I would appreciate it though if it had not been linked up to a previous Yarn Fanatic Party.)  I can't wait to see what you've created!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.

I would appreciate it very much if you:

• Add my Yarn Fanatic Party button to your post or party page.


<div align="center">
<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.1" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.2" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">philwife</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.3" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com/" title="The Philosopher's Wife"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.4" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.5" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i272.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.6" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/jj172/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.7" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">thephilwife</span>/150yfpbutton_zps8fd644fd.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.8" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">jpg</span>" alt="The Philosopher's Wife" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

• Follow The Philosopher's Wife and Eye Love Knots.
• Check out some of the other yarn goodies people have finished.
• Leave comments here, there, and everywhere.  (Please, take a moment to visit at least one other blog and leave a comment.  I want this to be a supportive community of yarn lovers.  To help encourage this a new entry option has been added to the giveaway.  I've been crazy busy lately, and not able to comment on everyone's links, but I will try to comment on everyone's this week!)  
• If you're not a blogger, but want to participate, feel free to upload a picture from Flicker!
• By linking up you are giving me permission to share your photos, with the appropriate credit, of course!
• NEW NOTE: Per InLinkz guidelines, listings linked to purchase options isn't permitted.  This means that you cannot link directly to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where there is an option to buy the pattern. You may link to a Pin, or a Facebook page, or a Flickr page, etc.  Links to where to buy the pattern included in a blog post are permitted.

An InLinkz Link-up

WIPS

I've made some more progress on my In Threes Sweater, with String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn, for Catherine.  I've also been doing a bit of sewing in my crafting time this week.  I made Dominic a Fox Hat for the swimming pool and I made Catherine another Monkey Bar skirt.  I have also been loving this Corset Cuff Crochet Pattern.  I've made a few (and need to blog about them!), but this one, with Sizzle by Red Heart, is Catherine's favorite.  Obviously, I still need to attend to the tails.  (Oh those pesky tails!)

I'd love to invite everyone link up their yarn-y projects at my Yarn Fanatic Party.  (There's also a great little crochet giveaway there!)

Linking up with Small Things and Frontier Dreams.

If you're going to be shopping on Amazon, I'd greatly appreciate you clicking through one of my links.  They are affiliate links.  I earn a few pennies for every dollar that you spend, but it doesn't cost you anything extra.  Thank you so much for your support!

Wordless Wednesday: Tree

Photo credit goes to my husband.

Link up your own family friendly Wordless Wednesday 

An InLinkz Link-up

A Sewing Project: The Fox Hat

Dominic needed a pool hat.  I happily decided to sew him one.  I have been very happy with the hat that I made for Catherine a while ago.  I had some adorable fox fabric in my stash.  While technically the hat is reversible, the other side is just plain boring grey.

I used the same free pattern from Oliver + S that I used before as well as the same method of construction by Jessica.  (Her method eliminates hand sewing.  I appreciate hand sewing as a skill  . . . but it takes so much time!)  This hat needed to be practical, not perfect.  

My handsome little model wouldn't stay still for more than .0009 seconds, so these are the best shots that I got.  Of course, he (and his sister) were eager to get to the pool, so I guess that I can't really blame him, can I?

Just curious, did any of you notice my "big" mistake with this hat?  

I was kicking myself for not paying closer attention to what I was doing.  The foxes on the back of the crown are standing on their heads.  (Yes, I realize that now EVERYONE will notice my mistake.)  When I was first laying out the pattern to be cut I remember thinking, "OK, Rachel, just be careful that you get the foxes straight."  Whoops. 

I love sharing my projects around the blogosphere.  

Yarn Fanatic Party #40

Welcome to the Yarn Fanatic Party!  I'm so happy that you're joining me today! If you're new here, this is a place to link up your projects that used yarn, see what others have made, support one another, and enter a giveaway!  (This week's giveaway is a crochet pattern pack, sponsored by Little Treasures.)

Features

This lanyard is simply adorable.  Be sure to stop by Da's Crochet Connection to get the free pattern.

This work in progress daisy blanket is so cute!

This little doll is great!  I've been saving crochet doll patterns lately, one of these days I will be getting around to actually making one.  (I just love all of the wonderful pictures of this doll!)

Giveaway!

I am pleased to announce that this week's giveaway is being sponsored by Little Treasures.  You have probably seen some of her gorgeous work on her blog, which can be found here.

One lucky winner will receive a pattern pack, which is a collection of four patterns.  Below are some samples of the pattern packs.  I simply love them all!

Details and Important Information: Must be 18+ to enter. US only. Void where prohibited. Winners must respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. Social media is not affiliated with this giveaway. The sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment. A quick note to my international friends: I know many of you are disappointed that these giveaways are limited to US only. The problem is that there are hundreds of rules and laws regarding how giveaways are run. It can be very easy to accidentally break the law when international policy comes into play. I simply wish to keep everything as legal as possible, and for now at least that means limiting these giveaways to US entrants. I do hope that you still participate in these Yarn Fanatic Parties and that someday there might be a giveaway that you can enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link up your projects!

What have you created with yarn?  It could be something you crocheted, knitted, or anything that used yarn.  It can be a new project or an old one.  (I would appreciate it though if it had not been linked up to a previous Yarn Fanatic Party.)  I can't wait to see what you've created!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.

I would appreciate it very much if you:

• Add my Yarn Fanatic Party button to your post or party page.


<div align="center">
<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.1" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.2" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">philwife</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.3" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com/" title="The Philosopher's Wife"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.4" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.5" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i272.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.6" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/jj172/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.7" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">thephilwife</span>/150yfpbutton_zps8fd644fd.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":z.8" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">jpg</span>" alt="The Philosopher's Wife" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

• Follow The Philosopher's Wife and Eye Love Knots.
• Check out some of the other yarn goodies people have finished.
• Leave comments here, there, and everywhere.  (Please, take a moment to visit at least one other blog and leave a comment.  I want this to be a supportive community of yarn lovers.  To help encourage this a new entry option has been added to the giveaway.  I've been crazy busy lately, and not able to comment on everyone's links, but I will try to comment on everyone's this week!)  
• If you're not a blogger, but want to participate, feel free to upload a picture from Flicker!
• By linking up you are giving me permission to share your photos, with the appropriate credit, of course!
• NEW NOTE: Per InLinkz guidelines, listings linked to purchase options isn't permitted.  This means that you cannot link directly to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where there is an option to buy the pattern. You may link to a Pin, or a Facebook page, or a Flickr page, etc.  Links to where to buy the pattern included in a blog post are permitted.

An InLinkz Link-up

Budget Friendly Baby Registry Items Giveaway (Ends 6/21) US

This post contains affiliate links.

Welcome to the Best Budget Friendly Baby Registry Items Giveaway!

Hosted by: Everything Mommyhood 

Sponsored by: Gugu Guru 

Thank you for joining The Philosopher's Wife, along with Everything Mommyhood, and Gugu Guru for this giveaway!

Here's some information about this giveaway from our host, Everything Mommyhood:

Gugu Guru is an online personalized baby registry that finds and delivers perfect match products based on a mom's unique lifestyle and personal style. With thousands of baby products on the market it can get extremely overwhelming trying to figure out your baby registry. The last thing any mom-to-be needs is stress! Gugu Guru's team of baby gear experts and in the know moms created Gugu Guru to help define your lifestyle needs with the very best products you’ll need for your baby’s first year of life. Their edited list of baby must-haves is tailor made to your lifestyle—not your best friend’s. Think of them as your very own personal shoppers for your baby registry. Kick up your (swollen) heels and let Gugu Guru do the heavy lifting.
  There are three easy steps to your personalized registry on Gugu Guru.
 Step 1- Discover Your Registry Style - Answer some questions about your lifestyle, personal fashion sense and product preferences. It’s fun. We promise.
 Step 2- Get Product Recommendations - Gugu Guru will crosscheck your answers with their database of product ratings from industry experts and fellow moms in the know and then deliver you their unbiased, personalized registry suggestions. Say “bye bye!” to the products you just don’t need.

Step 3- Build Your Registry - Add products to your registry and select the option to have a Gugu Guru team member review before publishing or go ahead and publish it to share with your friends and family so they can start shopping. Sit back and enjoy receiving amazing gifts for you and your new baby!
 Everything Mommyhood asked moms on social media to get the BEST budget friendly baby registry items and we decided to have a giveaway for these items in honor of this great new online service provided by Gugu Guru. Here's what we have come up with as must haves that are budget friendly: - Aden and Anais Swaddles - Fisher Price Rock n Play Sleeper - Moby Wrap - Sophie The Giraffe - Nose Frida - Mombo Pillow - Wubbanub.  These items range in price from $12-$60, so they are great options for baby without breaking the bank. Not to mention, these are the most suggested, must have items from moms on social media. 

Make sure you check out Gugu Guru and pass the word along to your mommy friends and family, as well as expectant moms! 

  Connect with Gugu Guru Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram 

So, I'm curious.  Did/do you have any of the listed products?  I have used different variations of some of them for my kids.  Both have loved a very simple bouncer.  (Seriously, it was worth it's weight in gold!)  I must say the Sophie teether always seemed it a bit pricey, but I've yet to meet a mom who had one and didn't love it.  I also think that baby wearing has been a life saver for me.  It might not be for everyone, but if you find a carrier that works for you then it is worth any price!  

 

 One lucky reader will win the budget friendly prizes listed above, please note, prints/styles will vary! Retail value approximately $200. 

Open to US residents, 18 and up. Void where prohibited. One entrant per household/IP address. Winner will be chosen randomly and will be emailed, they will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. Giveaway ends June 21st, 2015 at 11:59pm EST.

Entry-Form

Disclosure: The Philosopher's Wife was not compensated for the posting of this giveaway and is in no way responsible for the prize fulfillment or shipment. Gugu Guru is solely responsible for prize fulfillment/shipment. This giveaway is in no way affiliated, endorsed, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, or any other social media outlet. If you have any questions concerning this giveaway or would like to see your product featured, please contact everythingmommyhood@gmail.com.

7 Quick Takes: Today's This and That

1.  This week I completely overhauled our chore charts.  Honestly, I had some charts months ago and they simply fell by the wayside.  So far this week the house is tidier and I have felt a little more rejuvenated in tackling household projects.  (I kid you not, while I typed "the house is tidier" Dominic dumped cereal all over the dining room floor.  Sigh.)  I am curious, what are your daily must do chores?

2.  In blogging news, I've decided to take this blog to the next level!  I've purchased a domain and (hopefully) will be getting everything redirected this weekend.  I'm not making the leap to self-hosting, but it's certainly a possibility for the future!  Do you own your domain?  Do you do your own hosting?  (I've also got a redesign in the works -- so exciting!)

3.  Despite my recent sewing fail, I have quite a few projects on my docket.  I need to make Dominic a swimming pool hat, like his sister's, ASAP.  My kids have larger than average heads and he's outgrown all of his hats.  I'm hoping for a little mommy downtime this afternoon to sneak in some sewing.

4. Catherine is becoming quite the little photographer.  While doing the sewing fail photo shoot she snapped some pictures of these flowers.  These were the only purple-ish flowers in a sea of yellow.

5. I love swing dancing.  I especially had so much fun dancing in college.  My husband and I still try to dance every so often.  Catherine, Dominic, and I needed some music for an impromptu dance party yesterday and I found this video.  I just love it!

6.  More sewing stuff . . .  I am SO excited that I'll be making this Julia Cardigan soon!  I may have done a happy dance when I received the pattern.  I have no less than five different fabrics that would be perfect for this project. Decisions, decisions.

7. I think I'm going to leave you with six takes this week.  For more go here.

Sewing Fail: A Summer Shirt

The other day I decided that I wanted to sew a sleeveless top.  I don't currently own any patterns for such a top, and my printer refuses to print unless every single ink color is filled to maximum capacity, so I went off on my own.

I had been browsing Pinterest, doing serious research, and saw lots of crafters successfully draft their own tank pattern from a shirt in their closet.  Easy enough, right?

Since I was leaving my comfort zone by going pattern-free it was an it was an obvious decision to not use any of my good fabric.  This seemed like a good idea, but it might have been the biggest contribution to this project's ultimate fail.  Years ago, I had picked up some highly discounted mystery fabric for a steal.  (I think it was something crazy like fifty cents a yard.)  Well, it's some sort of polyester blend (I guess) and it melts when ironed.  It also frays like crazy.

In theory, I really like this tank.  I love the long back.  (Which I totally free-styled!  My original tank was just a boring hip length shirt.)  I managed to get the bust darts in about the right place to give the front just a teeny bit of shaping.  The fabric is lightweight, airy, and has some nice drape.

In practice though, it's rather a fail.  The hems are atrocious.  I hadn't quite realized how much I rely on my iron to make my hems neat.    The neckband screams "I'M HANDMADE!" in a bad way.  Again, I hadn't realized how much an iron helps.  I also used bias tape that was way too wide.  It's just a disaster.

From a distance it doesn't look too bad, but up close it's just not good.  What do you think?  I did learn things through this process.  I also did enjoy my time while creating.  I am reminded of this post by Melly Sews, "Why You Should Sew -- Badly".  I might wear this top around the house a few times, but I highly doubt I'd wear it in public.  (Other than on this public blog!)

What was your most recent craft fail?  What's your favorite tank sewing pattern?  Have you worn some of your fails?

Shop now and get $10!

WIPS

My yarn project that's received the most attention in the past week has been the In Threes Cardigan.  It's such a nice and easy knit!  I spent some time with it during Catherine's dance rehearsal -- it was so nice and peaceful to just knit away while the girls were practicing.

I also had a sewing fail this week, I'll blog about it later.  (Update: it's been blogged about.)

What have your crafty successes or fails been this week?

If you have any finished knit or crochet projects, be sure to share them at my Yarn Fanatic Party!

Linking up with Small Things and Frontier Dreams.

Yarn Fanatic Party #39

Welcome to the thirty-ninth Yarn Fanatic Party!  How was your weekend?  Catherine had her dance recital on Saturday.  She did so well!  I was so proud of her and of all of the other children.  During the dress rehearsal I had some nice knitting downtime.  I made quite a bit of progress on the Threes Cardigan with my lovely String Theory Yarn.  The summer craziness is in full swing at my house, how about yours?  We fill our days with swimming, school, reading, crafting, playing games, eating, and all of the other stuff like cleaning.  I'd like to say we spend time sleeping too, but my kids just don't seem to want to do that.

Source

Feature

One of my favorite projects from last week is by Marjan.  Just look at the fun colors!  In fact, I believe a lot of people really liked this project as it was one of the most clicked.

Call for Sponsors

I am putting out a call for giveaway sponsors for the Yarn Fanatic Party.  Do you sell patterns, yarn, or yarn related items?  Would you like to have your shop and/or blog highlighted?  Just send me an email letting me know that you're interested and we can work out the details!

I apologize, but I don't have a giveaway for you today.  However, there are some great giveaways out there that I'd like to bring to your attention!

Expression Fiber Arts Giant June Giveaway (Open WW.  Ends 6/30.)

Help Eternity Ranch get to 100 likes and you might win a skein of yarn.

Link up your projects!

What have you created with yarn?  It could be something you crocheted, knitted, or anything that used yarn.  It can be a new project or an old one.  (I would appreciate it though if it had not been linked up to a previous Yarn Fanatic Party.)  I can't wait to see what you've created!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.

I would appreciate it very much if you:

• Add my Yarn Fanatic Party button to your post or party page.


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• Follow The Philosopher's Wife and Eye Love Knots.
• Check out some of the other yarn goodies people have finished.
• Leave comments here, there, and everywhere.  (Please, take a moment to visit at least one other blog and leave a comment.  I want this to be a supportive community of yarn lovers.  To help encourage this a new entry option has been added to the giveaway.  I've been crazy busy lately, and not able to comment on everyone's links, but I will try to comment on everyone's this week!)  
• If you're not a blogger, but want to participate, feel free to upload a picture from Flicker!
• By linking up you are giving me permission to share your photos, with the appropriate credit, of course!
• NEW NOTE: Per InLinkz guidelines, listings linked to purchase options isn't permitted.  This means that you cannot link directly to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where there is an option to buy the pattern. You may link to a Pin, or a Facebook page, or a Flickr page, etc.  Links to where to buy the pattern included in a blog post are permitted

An InLinkz Link-up