One last time.

I am going to ask, beg, plead one more time for you to head over to Riccochet and Away and vote for my retro pillow.  I know that you are all getting tired of me blogging and posting on my facebook page about the Retro Pillow Challenge.
So, you will be happy to know that it will all be over tonight at Midnight.  The voting ends and the winner will be announced Nov. 1st.  You you all have one more chance to head over and get in one more vote.

Here is a quick reminder of what my pillow looked like.


Front.....

 and Back.

Thank you all so much.  I promise I wont be asking for votes again for a while and (unless I win) you wont have to hear about my retro pillow any more.  I will say though, that I will love you forever if you vote for me. Just sayin'!


Thanks for hangin' out.

Creative Week

If you have read my blog for long you will know that I live far from my family.  All of my siblings and my parents live in the north while, I live in the south.  So when someone comes to visit me it's a big deal! Next week my parents will be here.  I haven't see my dad in over a year.  So while they are here I am taking a little time off to hang with my fam.  But don't worry I gotcha covered. You wont want to miss a day!

I have got quite a line up for the week and a half of Nov 5th-15th  There is a guest post almost every day. On the day's there is not a guest poster I will be posting some golden oldies of Seven Alive.  I have given the guest posters free rein.  As long as it is family friendly they can post it.  They have brought some great ideas so much so that I have dubbed it "Creative Week" here at Seven Alive.

Here is a brief look at the line up:

• Nov-5th *These Peas Taste Funny* Crochet Slippers
• Nov-7th *Busy As a Bee*  Quick Cleaning Tips
• Nov-8th *Destination Craft* Tutorial for Gift Bags
• Nov-9th *Gathered in the Kitchen* Holiday Recipe
• Nov-10th *Threading my Way* Applique tutorial w/ Embroidery
• Nov-11th *Fabulously Flawed* {Giveaway}
• Nov-14th *One Artsy Mama* Kids Crafts
• Nov-15th *My Sweet Sister* Cooking with Wheat Berries

It makes me giddy just looking at this list.  So many great bloggers.  We have a few young blogs and a few well seasoned blogs.  A perfect mix if you ask me.  All of them have wonderful blogs that I think you would all enjoy.  You have a week to get to know them before they will start showing up here.  This my first time having someone other than family post on my blog.  I am more excited than I can say.  I know you will all show them the same love you show me.

Thanks for hangin' out.

Last Weekend

In our corner of Texas we have a festival to celebrate the YAM.  I know it sounds silly, but it is a big deal round these parts!  It is a lot of fun and I have grown to enjoy it more than I did when we moved here.  Do you want to know the name of it?  Of course you do.   

THE YAMBOREE!

The kids get out of school for a few days. (I told you it was a big deal) So we headed over one night as a family and rode all the rides and had a great time.  The photo's didn't turn out from that night.  The next day Abba, my MIL, and I went back to look around at some of the things the boys didn't want to see.

Unknown to everyone they had pony rides this year.  The boys would have gone crazy for them. 

Every year there is a Yam Queen.  We went to look at the past year's Yam Queen's dress.(this is what the boy's didn't want to see)  The blue one at the very back is the Queen's dress.  The big train on the floor is what covered the back of the float she rides on.  Did I mention that this is a big deal 'round here?

 Abba loved the dresses! 

  I rode the "POWER", Yes I did!

 Let me start off by saying that I am not a big rides rider.  I don't even remember enjoy the big rides that much as a kid.  More than now but still not like other people I know.  So how my 11 year old talked me into riding this I will never know.
 

The entire thing goes around and then the seats flip around too.  I was doing ok the first time around, we came up to the top of the arch for the first time (still going pretty slow) and the sun set was beautiful. I wish I had my camera at the moment.  Then we started to go down, the seats started to flip over, and I started screaming.  I am not to proud to admit that the screaming didn't end until the ride did.  I do believe once is enough for a life time.

We ate till we were to full to move anymore.  I don't know what it is but fair food is the best!!

Turkey legs and roasted corn what could be better?!

Unless of course it is foot long corny dogs with lemonade!

It was a great weekend.

Thanks for hangin' out.

Not so Wordless Wednesday *Fall Garden*

This year I decided that we were going to have a fall garden.  We have two raised beds, I planted this one a week ago.  I hadn't been up to look at for two days because it has been raining in the night.(so I haven't had to water)  I was very surprised and excited to find this when I checked on it yesterday.

 All three rows of radishes are up!

And the peas are just starting to peek through soil.

Nothing else up yet.  I know, I know some of you are having zone envy right now.

Just remember when you are enjoying your pleasant summer days and nights.  I am burning up, as is my garden. 

Hopefully it will all continue to grow.

Thanks for hangin' out.

Photo Challenge *Silhouette*

 This weeks Photo Challenge was silhouettes.  I didn't know what to do. So, while Oak and I were out walking around I snapped a few shots of our silhouettes on the driveway.

 I actually kind of like them.  It is fun to see his sweet little face in the silhouette.

As always I will be linking up to the super fun Photo Challenge at "A Step in the Journey".

Thanks for hangin' out.

Blogger Highlight *Etcetorize*

Welcome to another Blogger Highlight!

This is were I get to highlight one of you!  We all get to know you and your blog a little better, together.

This weeks Blogger Highlight is Etcetorize .

 I am really excited about this weeks highlight.  I first introduced you to Tamara from Etcetorize  here.  You see, about 6 months ago I entered to win a shirt made by Tamara herself.  I am happy to say that I won.  I still love my shirt.  I am excited to update any of you who have herd of Tamara and her blog and to introduce her to those of you who haven't.

Tamara a  has her blog Etceterize and two Esty shops.  Yes, you read that right two (2) Esty shops.


In her first Esty shop, Etceterize, there are Tamara's amazingly beautiful handmade clothing and accessories.  Here are a couple of my favorites.

 Fall Maxi Skirt

BoHo Tote Bag/Purse

She is even adding JEWELRY to her shop here is a sneak peek.  How cute are these?! These items are not in her shop yet, but should be added in two weeks or so.

 Tamara's other Esty shop, Etcetorize Supplies, has really cool vintage clothing patterns. She has patterns from the '50,'60, '70, '80, and '90's.

1960's Vintage Sewing pattern

 
When I asked Tamara where the name of her blog came from she said, " I actually don't know where it came from.  I just thought it up.  It's a mix of etcetera and accessorize....adding a little something extra to your life."
 She said you pronounce it:  Eht-set-or-eyes.
Tamara is a busy bee, she has her hand in just about everything.  She does all sorts of crafts and, as you can see above, she can totally sew.  A few of my favorite projects from her blog are:

Fall Door 

Cinnamon Pomander

Spool Knitting

Vogue Yellow Coat

She also has a great linky party on Monday's called Make it Great Monday.  Where you can link up family friendly projects that you've created, including sewing, crafting, and recipes.

 So go visit Tamara and maybe you can say,

Thank you so much Tamara, for letting us all get to know you and your blog a little better.  It was a lot of fun!



Thanks for hangin' out.








How do you get your blog highlighted? Easy, just sign up for the button swap.  I put your button in my sidebar under blogs that make me smile and your blog will be highlighted during the month I have your button.  All I ask in return is that you put my button in your side bar.  If you are interested you can e-mail me at sevenalive7@gmail.com.  Big or small blogs are welcome! You just have to be a family friendly blog.

One more cute Crocheted hat.

 Yesterday in my post I mentioned the Esty shop,  Yarn Blossom Boutique She has so many cute patterns.  I thought I would show you the hat I made from her pattern.

One of my favorite things about this pattern is, that the flower/headband you make to go in the hat can just be a headband.  It is a twofer.  Gotta love that!

Lotte is getting better at leaving the hat on.  It is still not her favorite thing though.  The headband she will leave on for quite a while.
The crochet pattern on the hat is tight enough that it will keep her head and ears warm.  Because the headband is crocheted it has enough give not to leave an imprint in her skin or hurt her head. I never like the headbands that do that.

The pattern has 4 sizes in it so I am making one for Abba.  It can work up quickly, if you are comfortable working in the round.  I used Peaches and Cream yarn for the entire thing. I can't remember the color again, sorry.  I really need to start writing the colors down.

Have a great day!

Thanks for hangin' out

Crocheting Answers

By now my love for crocheting has been well documented on the blog.  I have gotten some e-mails with questions for patterns, instructions, and inspiration.  So I thought I would compile all of that information in one post.

 *DISCLAIMER*  I am a beginner, with so much to learn. I have learned a few tips and tricks.  Also I found some really great informative sites that I would like to pass on.

First, be aware of the type of pattern you are choosing.  Make sure when you are starting you pick beginner patterns.  Most patterns start at beginner then go to easy, then easy+.  I haven't tried much above an easy+.

If you are working on a pattern that calls for a stitch/row marker you can just use a safety pin. No need to buy something fancy.

Don't be afraid to play around with different yarns.  When just starting out or trying a new pattern it is a good idea to use the yarn listed in the pattern.  But it can be fun to try a pattern again with different yarn and see the difference it makes.

Start Small.
If it is your first project find something small, preferably with only one stitch. That way you can finish quickly and keep your morale up.    Here is a easy, quick pattern to try.

Knotted Crochet Headband

The pattern and tutorial comes from Maybe Matilda.  Rachel who writes Maybe Matilda is amazing.  She is a master crocheter.  I love her blog for inspiration.  She also just had a crochet along.  I unfortunately didn't find out about it until it was almost over but she has said that she is going to have another one soon. I am defiantly signing up for it.

Of course you will need to learn the crochet stitches.

Crafty Minx has her crochet school going on now.   It is one of the most informative crocheting series I have ever seen.  She starts at the very beginning even going over the parts of a crochet hook.  I have learned things I didn't know I didn't know.

 Speaking of things I didn't know.  I had never heard of Tunisian Crocheting.  I found it on pinterest a couple of days a go. 

Crochet the Day Away just started a series of tutorials on learning how to Tunisian Crochet.  This style of crocheting is a interesting mix of knitting and crocheting.  It is really cool!  I am really looking forward to continue to learn more about it.

All of the above blogs are great for inspiration.  Maybe Matilda has patterns and crocheted items for sell.  Pinterest is also a great place for inspiration. I started a board just for yarn and crocheting.  You can find it here.   Ravelry is a site just for knitters and crocheters.  It is free to sign up and you can find tons of inspiration and free patterns.  I just started there but look forward to learning  more about it.

Of course you can google a crochet stitch, if you happen to come across a stitch you don't know. It is best to write out the entire name of the stitch not the abbreviation.  You tube is also great for finding stitches.  If you are a visual learner like me it is very helpful to be able to watch someone do the stitch.

I have used Lion Brand site for free patterns several times before.  You can check out those projects here, here, and here. Their patterns are free, well written and easy to follow.  They also have a good library of crochet stitches.

With all the places to find free patterns, I don't buy them very often. When I have bought patterns I like to go though Esty shops.  Yarn Blossom Boutique is a great place for patterns.  She has mostly hats and slippers.  They are so cute.  Cherished Bliss also has great patterns mostly for baby's.  If you check out her Esty shop you might notice some familiar photos. :) The patterns found in both of these shops are very reasonably priced.

So what about you?  Do you have a favorite site for crocheting?  Have you found a great instructional series going on that you love?  If  so I would love to check them out. Please leave them in the comments. 

Ghost Headband

This is the guest post I did over at Bear Rabbit Bear a while ago.  It turned out so cute that I wanted to share it here with you too.  Enjoy.


Today I am going to show you how to make this super cute, festive headband.

Lets get started.
First lets gather our supplies.

We have googlie eyes, hot glue gun, ribbon, wooden dowels, and a headband blank.  I got my blank at Micheal's most crafting stores have them.  If you can't find a blank you can use a skinny headband from any store.  As is customary of me and my scattered brain I forgot to add white felt, scissors, strait pins and a cookie pan. Sorry.

I am going to show you how to get your ribbon curly first.  Take your white ribbon, one skinny and one thicker, and wrap them around your dowels.  The smaller the dowel the tighter the curl will be.  Use a strait pin at each end to hold the ribbon in place.  Run the ribbon and dowel under water until very wet.  Place on the cookie sheet  and put in the oven at the lowest temp.

We are going to start wrapping our headband while the ribbon is drying in the oven.  Take your handy dandy (blues clues anyone?) glue gun and glue down the end of your ribbon to the end of the headband. I use 3/8 inch ribbon. You can use what ever color you like.  In the first photos I used the same white ribbon that I made the ghost out of.  Here I thought a purple would be nice.  I like to wrap over the raw end so it doesn't fray.  Now just wrap around the entire headband.

I don't glue anywhere but the ends.  If you want to use more glue go ahead.  Just make sure it doesn't ooze from in between the ribbon.

When you get to the other end glue the ribbon down on the inside of the headband.  Then fold over the ribbon end and glue it to it's self.

Then you are going to wrap that around and glue it to the inside of the headband.  Now you have a nice ribbon wrapped headband with no raw edges.

Now to make the ghost to go on it.  Take your white felt and cut a very simple ghost shape.  I just eyeball it because it is going to be covered any way.

By this time your ribbon should be dry.  It takes about 20-30 min. depending on how hot your oven is and how wet your ribbon was.

After it has cooled, take it off the dowel. Cut it into strips long enough to cover your ghost shape.

I put the thicker ribbon on first and then filled in with the thinner ribbon.

I trim down the felt at this point.  Leaving just enough space for the eyes and bow.

Use a little bit of hot glue to tack down the white felt to the headband.  Now you just need a cutie patootie to put it on. 

Thanks for hangin' out

 
I will be linking up to the great party's on my party page.  You should check them out!