Hey Dearies! I’ve been quite busy with college since my finals are almost here, I figured I would post another free pattern for you! Now, since I’ve shown you how to do a regular granny square, I figured it was time to show you what a solid square looks like and how to make it.
So, when I first started crocheting, I didn’t like the granny square and how there were spaces in between it all, but now, I don’t mind it for some projects. Which lead me to create my temperature blanket squares with solid granny squares instead of regular granny squares.
Not only is this square is something you can play with the colors with, but it is really simple to make for those who are looking to try something new to do!
Let’s talk about what you will need for this project:
5.0 mm hook
Medium Size Yarn (Size 4)
Sewing needle
Note: You don’t need to use a 5.0 mm hook or size 4 yarn, you can use whatever hook or yarn you would like, but if you are a beginner, I recommend using my suggestions.
Let’s Begin!
First, make a magic circle, however, if you don’t know how to make a magic circle, you can always chain 4 and slip stitch into the first chain to create a circle that we will be working into.
Tip: Using a magic circle will make it so that the hole will be closed tighter, however, it can be undone if you don’t leave a long tail. Chaining 4 will keep it more together.
Round 1: Chain 3. (This counts as 1 double crochet). Working in the circle, make 2 double crochets, chain 1, make 3 double crochet, chain 1, 3 double crochet, chain 1, 3 double crochets, chain 1. Slip stitch into the top of the chain 3.
Round 2: Chain 3. In the first corner, double crochet. *Double crochet until you reach another corner. When you get to the next corner, make 2 double crochets, chain 1, 2 double crochets.* Repeat * til you get to the last corner. 2 double crochets and chain 1. Slip stitch into the top of the chain 3.
Round 3-5: Repeat round 2 until the desired length. For my temperature blanket, I went 5 rounds but only recommend 4 rounds. Fasten off and weave in your ends!
Get creative and change up each row with a different color or use a multi-colored yarn!
There you have it! A simple solid granny square that makes an incredible blanket! Not to mention, for the beginners, this gives you something different to try out.
Make sure to follow me on Facebook, that is where I am mostly active on and I also let you know whether when a post will be out or delayed!
Hey Dearies! Back with another book review for you all! So, this one I never thought this was really a book, but it is and you can find it on Amazon.
Ever After is a motion picture that Drew Barrymore stars in as the main character, Danielle. This movie is one of my all-time favorite version of a Cinderella story, next to Hillary Duffs more modern version in A Cinderella Story.
The ‘Cinderella’ story has been told in many different ways in, by different writers and in different genres. In my opinion, ‘Cinderella’s story is one of the easiest recreations that any writer can do, but I’m always curious to see what writers come up with and try to do.
The same goes for any other fairy tale story, but I think this version is the best because not only is it in the perfect timeline and location to do it.
The theme of where this Cinderella story is set more like how the original Cinderella story started. Danielle lives with her father, her more died in childbirth and her father raises her the best he can. Of course, when she is 8, he re-marries Baroness Rodmilla of Ghent, otherwise known as her evil stepmother, and has two daughters of her own.
However, the reason why Rodmilla marries Danielle’s father is to get further up the line, or into the castle, basically wanting to live the life of riches. So, she really doesn’t care about Danielle, anyway, makes Danielle a ‘slave’ when her father dies.
I will say, Danielle puts up with a bunch of crap as a servant, but how she meets Prince Henry is even funnier than how the other versions. She ends up meeting him and throws apples at him thinking that he is stealing their horse.
The entire book is an exact play-by-play of the movie, which made me feel like I was just reading the movie and I ended up finishing it in a day. So, instead of watching the movie, you can read it, however, depending on how fast you read, it could take a day, perfect for passing the time.
There are only a few slight things that weren’t in the movie, but even if it wasn’t, it doesn’t change the way the book is, instead, I feel like it gives more of a backstory to some of the parts that are ‘rushed’ when created into a movie, or they were parts that they didn’t put into the movie.
Overall, this is an amazing book, even though it is literally the movie script, but in a book form and since I don’t own the movie, it’s not a bad way to pass the time. Perfect for a rainy or snowy day when you can’t go anywhere and want to snuggle up to a good book.
I also think that it would be a great bedtime story or a book that you could read to your kids before bed, you won’t finish it all before bed, but you could finish a chapter a night before bed no problem.
So, since I’ve reviewed the book, later in this month, I will be reviewing the movie because you know that’s what makes sense to do, right?
What do you think about the book? Were you as shocked as I to find out that there was a book to the movie? Let me know in the comments below.
Hey Dearies! Since I finally have finished both books, I figured I would do both of them in one review, just to make it easier! So, if you don’t know or haven’t been following me, I am a HUGE fan of Shane Dawson, I’ve been a fan since the first video I watched of his, which was ‘Fred is Dead’.
After that, I followed him through his YouTube journey and to what he is currently doing now, however, I never got a chance to get his books until a year ago. Which is why this review is very overdue, but I don’t care because Shane is amazing!
So, when I finally got his books, I got more of an understanding of not just his past, but some of the challenges he had to face when he was younger and up now. As you look at him now, he does struggle with some of those challenges today, but I see him as more confident now, than he was before.
You see, when you watch YouTubers videos, you see what they want you to see, you don’t see the depression, anxiety, or any of their struggles outside of the YouTube community. Sadly, if anyone does bring light to what’s going on in the background, but Shane did in his book and just like how Brittani Lousie Taylor did in her book.
I don’t want to spoil the books for anyone that hasn’t had a chance to read it, so I just want to say that the first book was amazing and it gave me the insight to sort of how his childhood and teen years were like for him.
Also, he did a short film of the Prom chapter, which I will leave a link for here, if you would like to see them, they are hilarious!
Part 2
Also, I want to note that one of the reasons why I follow and another Shane is because we have the same problem that we share together, whether he knows it or not. We both have been struggling with our weight.
As like him, I’ve been struggling with it for as long as he has and it sucks. In high school, I got picked on and judged because I had the extra weight. I used to wear a sweatshirt on all the time because I didn’t want anyone to see how fat I am.
Even after having kids, I’m still struggling with it, but if there is one thing Shane has taught me, it is to love yourself and to not listen to those who judge you based on your weight. In other words, live your best life however you want to live it.
After his first book launched, then he had a second one, which was around the time of when he came out as bisexual, so one of the chapters talks about how he struggled as a kid on what type of gender he was attracted to.
I don’t know much about that because I’ve never had to deal with something like that, all I know, that it is a very hard thing to do, for those who struggle with who they are.
That essay made me understand that he wasn’t just struggling with his sexuality for a few months or years, but almost his entire life.
The very last chapter was a chapter that his mom wrote and I loved that he let her do that because if you grew up watching Shane, you grew up watching his mom and they would do skits and videos together.
Not to mention, he loved to surprise her and when he bought her to see Kathy Griffin, it was amazing for him to do that for her. I love the closeness that they had together as Mother and Son, which I hope I will have the same closeness to my daughter as they had.
Here is another short film that he made for the second book!
Overall, I loved both the books, there was a love of things that I didn’t know about Shane, or what he didn’t want our fans to see and I’m glad I know. It makes me love Shane and want to support him more and more!
One more thing, I just want to add, this has nothing to do with the books, but the friendship that he has with Jeffree Star I think is amazing and I wish I had a friendship like that!
Are any of you Shane Dawson fans? Or have you read his books? Let me know in the comments down below!
Hey Dearies! This story is a little more serious topic, that involved alcohol abuse and what can occur to those who are affected by it. I just want to also make a disclaimer that if you are triggered by physical abuse, please read with caution. I also want to point out that this is just a story, this isn’t a true story.
This is from an older Katy Perry song that wasn’t one of her famous songs, but this one I think has a bigger message to those who are around those who can’t control the addictions they have started or picked up. Here’s a link to her song:
I’m not sticking around to watch you go down.
She could hear the crack of another bottle opening, this was her father’s 6th beer and she could tell things were about to get worse before they get better. Instead of grieving her mother’s death, her father drowned himself after work in that bottle.
That bottle.
She hated that bottle and the contents that were in it. She wished when the days were back to as they were: happy and simple. That all changed when her mother was killed in a drunk driving accident. After that day, everything changed.
She remembered her mother just stepping out to get some stuff for supper, she wanted to go with her, but her mother told her she was going to be right back. Then 2 hours after she left to get food, they got that call, it changed her life and her father’s.
Tears started to fall down her cheek, just thinking about it. She wiped them away and saw that a tear had fallin on her homework, as she tried to wipe it away. She missed her mother, she wished that she was in the car with her, that maybe she could’ve made sure that her mother stayed in the store longer and missed the driver or she was in the car with her mom when she got hit.
“Go to bed!” My father yelled, it was only 3pm and she was just trying to finish up the leftover work that she had to get down for class. Her eyes landed on that bottle as she wished she had the courage to rip that bottle from her father’s hands and throw it out the window.
Instead of arguing with her drunk father, she gather her stuff and headed into her room, slowly closing the door behind her.
Before she knew it, her father had swang her bedroom door open, startling her as her stuff fell to the floor.
“Don’t turn your back on me, you listen and answer me!” He shouted again and raised his fist, throwing a punch at her.
She winced in pain as she held her hurt cheek, more tears started to fall as this wasn’t the first time he’s done something to his, but it was never more than just a slap. She froze on the ground as she covered herself from his beatings and kickings.
Once he was down, he left her alone, on the floor, bleeding from his beatings. She tried to sit up, but wince in pain before she could. She didn’t understand why. It had only been 7 months since her mother’s death, but what she had been going through, make it seem that it had been a lifetime that she has been going through this.
She pulled herself up, after waiting for the pain to go down, grabbing her backpack and grabbing a few things that she needed before opening her window and sneaking out.
She was greatful for living in a trailer park and knew exactly what to do. She headed down the second street of their trailer park and slowly walked down to Mrs. Humble’s house.
She would always remember the times that her mother used to go down to Mrs. Humble’s house to help her with grocery shopping, cleaning her house, and spending time with her and her husband, and when they heard the news about her mother passing, they were heartbroken.
Mrs. Humble also knew her since she was a baby and treater her just like one of her own grandchildren, giving her presents and teaching her new things, she enjoyed her more than her mother’s presence.
She now stood outside of the Humble’s house, their porch light had just gone on and she could see through the window, Mr. Humble watching T.V. in his chair, as he was working on his crossword puzzles. Then she looked over and next to him was Mrs. Humble, knitting away at another blanket, which were always a favorite of hers to make.
Slowly, she approached the door, but once she rang the door bell, she saw Mrs. Humble opened the door and her eyes watered as she saw her fall into their house.
“Gary! It’s Linsey! Call 911!” Mrs. Humble yelled as she held her in her arms, rocking her back and forth.
Linsey woke up in a hospital room, Mr. and Mrs. Humble were in the room with her, and they ran to the side of the bed as her eyes fluttered open. “Linsey, how you feeling?” Mrs. Humbled asked as Linsey just shrugged. “We need to tell you something, dear.”
Linsey nodded as Mrs. Humble held her hand carefully. “They arrested your father for what he did.” Once Mrs. Humble told her what happen, Linsey was heartbroken. As much as what her father did to her was inexcusable, she didn’t want loose him too.
Linsey tried to speak, but nothing was coming out, she didn’t understand. “Dear, your father did a lot damage to your voicebox, it looks like you may have lost your voice. I’m so sorry, dear.”
She was so angry and sad at what the events had occured, but the one thing she hated more, was that bottle of liquor that had started it all.
Let me know what you think about these short stories! Comment down below if you have an idea on what I should write about next!
Hey Dearies! Since most of us are stuck home, some of us, like me, are taking the time to get some reading done. Or you are a bookworm, like me, then these patterns are perfect for you!
Not only are these bookmarks super cute and fun to make, but they are also free patterns! Now, I had to do some real digging to find these! These are perfect for a beginner project and these gifts can be perfect for those kiddos that are trying to learn how to read!
These projects are also very quick to make and don’t require a lot of yarn either, which is perfect for another item to sell at a craft fair or online to your friends!
Note: These aren’t my patterns, all rights go to those creators. The link for each of these patterns will be provided.
1. Bow Bookmark
Theses bows are not only super cute, but you can crochet these very quickly! Not to mention, if you are a teacher, these are perfect to make for your students to have! These would also make a perfect addition to a craft fair or a gift!
Since spring is just around the corner, I had to include these cute leaf bookmarks! These are perfect for those bookworms who also have a love for gardening! Not to mention, these are also perfect for the classroom or giving them away as gifts! If you wanted to be a little more creative, you can always add a flower with the leaves as well!
Another spring theme bookmark, I just love these! I love this pattern because you can get creative with what kind of button to use for the center of the flower. Not to mention, you can always use just the flower part as a pin, or adding design for any hats or clothes!
For those of you, who love cats just as much as I do, these bookmarks are perfect for you! This pattern is another simple easy one to create and would make an amazing addition to any book fair or craft fair.
This pattern has more of a longer tale, which I don’t mind and if you are like me, you don’t want your bookmarks getting too thick, especially for those of us that have lots of paperbacks, this are perfect for those!
I know this one is more of a ‘Christmas’ theme, but if you are looking to try something different, here is another pattern you can try! You can also start crocheting these for Christmas presents now! It’s never too early for that!
This bookmark is more of a traditional one, but has a lot of detail that’s put into it, which I love! Also, as you can see in the background, this bookmark is being used for a recipe book, which works! I just can’t get over the detail!
As you know, I LOVE to find anything with elephants in it and when I saw this pattern, I just had to share it! I also LOVE Heart Hook Home, she does an amazing job with her patterns and I was so excited to find out she made a bookmark! These are perfect for the kiddos that are learning how to read! Not to mention, this is more of a 3D bookmark, which is always fun!
Here is another 3D bookmark pattern and this one is a little bit more towards the spring or Easter theme! Especially if you can’t see those family on Easter, you can always send them a bookmark for Easter! Not to mention, you can always not add the bow on the top and take a ribbon and tie it to the neck for the boys!
Rainbows are another favorite for the kids and these are fun to make as well! Not to mention, the cheeks have a little bit of blush, under their eyes, which makes this pattern even more perfect! Details, as such, are what make these projects just so amazing to make!
What do you think about these patterns? Any of them look super cute enough for you to want to make them for yourself or others? Which one was your favorite? Let me know down in the comments!
Also, make sure you are following my Facebook page to get the latest updates of what’s going on with my blog!
Hey Dearies! I am back with another product review! So, if you don’t know, I LOVE to do jigsaw puzzles in my free time and especially during this time, they help not only pass the time but it also keeps your eyes from staring at a smartphone all day either.
Not to mention, my 2-year-old daughter loves to watch and help me with them, so we have a few puzzles that are perfect for her to do. This product is more for those who are like me and LOVE doing the bigger puzzles, such as a 1000 piece puzzle. They are lots of fun but can take a lot of time and patience to complete.
This is when this product comes into need! Especially if you can just leave the puzzle where it is because it’s either in the way, or you have little ones that will try and ‘help’ to get it done.
This roll-up mat can not only keep your unfinished puzzle intact, but you can roll it up an store it for another day or when you are ready to finish it.
I got mine a few years back and have only used it a few times. My big problem with these is if you have a puzzle that you have done multiple times, meaning the pieces are a little wore down, they don’t like to stay on the mat together very well.
Not to mention that the mat is felt, so it’s hard to move pieces. If you were doing a newer puzzle, it wouldn’t be so difficult, but you do have to push some of the pieces back together, when you roll it out, again.
However, I do not recommend leaving the pieces, that aren’t connected, by itself on this mat. I’ve had a few times where they have fallen out and I lost the pieces to those puzzles, which is never fun to go closet search for puzzle pieces when your closet is full of open boxes.
Leaving the extra pieces in the box would be a better idea, or try putting them in a sandwich baggie and attach the baggie to the storage roll or inside of it.
Overall, if you live in a small place or just can’t leave the puzzle out by itself, then this would be ideal for you. I also want to note that there are mats that are bigger or smaller for whatever size puzzle you plan on doing, so be sure to make sure you check out the size of your puzzle before buying one of these roll-up mats.
The ideal is to have a puzzle table, but those can run from $90-$150 bucks, but if you don’t have the room or have kids or pets that like to be ‘helpful’, then these mats are perfect and only run from $15-$30 bucks, depending on the size that you want, I would always go the biggest, if you can, just because you never know when you are in the mood to do a big puzzle.
What do you think about the Puzzle RollUp Mat? Have you used one, or are you thinking about getting one? Let me know in the comments down below!
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