Posted in Random, Reviews

Random Review: Crochet/Knit Electronic Finger Counter

Hey Dearies! So, this month, we had an extra Saturday and instead of doing nothing on that Saturday, I figured I would do something a little bit different. The random reviews are a review that are based off of anything, could be from arts and crafts supplies to kitchen or office stuff.

This week, I wanted to talk about these super cool finger counters and if they are really worth it or if they are helpful.

So, when I first got into crocheting, I was counting rows on paper and pen, which does make it easier to follow rows because I write out the rows on paper and cross them out when I’ve completed that row.

Plus if I have to go back or figure out exactly what row I’m on, I can look down onto that sheet of paper and find out where exactly I left off. However, there are a lot of downfalls to using pen and paper, especially if you have younger kids that LOVE to get into anything.

Which is when I next looked into other ways to count my rows, without dragging the paper and pen around. I wanted something that was portable and easier to keep tract of counting, which is when I found the electric row counters for your fingers.

First, let me start off by saying that I got really excited to use these, which I ended up getting myself a pack of 2, just in case, which there is really no harm in doing so.

I honestly loved them!

However, as much as I loved them, I did have a few minor complaints.

Having this on your finger, to me, was a pain in the butt. Then again I have really long and thick fingers, which doesn’t help the fact that the adjustable band doesn’t fit ‘perfect’ on my finger.

To me, it’s a little too loose for my liking. Other than that, it worked great!

One of the best features of these little counters is that after a few minutes of not counting your rows, it would shut off, but keep track of what row you were on when you turned it back on.

Another great feature it has is that it’s not just in one boring color, but can come in many different colors, currently, I have a green and pink ones since those are my two favorite colors!

Not to mention, it does a better counting, I feel than any other app that is out there. (Which I will review that in the future.)

What do you think about this little gadget? Do you have one or wasn’t sure about getting one? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think about them!

Posted in Crochet Blanket 2019

Temperature Blanket Update 2019: April

Hey Dearies! I know I’m a little behind on the update, but I was currently out of the 50-degree yarn and of course, it was the last square for April. The yarn FINALLY came in yesterday, so I was able to finish up April.

So, this month, as you can see, we are starting to warm up a little more! Although it did rain quite a bit in April, we did have some nice days! We haven’t hit 70-degree weather, yet, but I’m pretty sure that we will see some next month for sure!

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January, February, March, and April!

Now, as you can see, this blanket is getting pretty big! The more we get into summer, we will start to see the rise in temperatures quite a bit. In Maine, once it gets hot, it gets hot pretty quick before it stays like it.

Right now, this is my kind of weather. Not too hot, but not too cold. Just enough where you might need a sweatshirt, but even if you sit in the sun, you won’t want to have keep taking it off.

Just in case you forgot what colors and yarn I’m using, here it is:

 

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100 degrees – Fire Red (I Love This Yarn)
90 degrees – Pumpkin (Red Heart Super Saver)
80 degrees – Bright Yellow (Red Heart Super Saver)
70 degrees – Jelly Bean (I Love This Yarn)
60 degrees – Green (Main Stays Basic Yarn)
50 degrees – Turqia (Red Heart Super Saver)
40 degrees – Soft Blue (I Love This Yarn)
30 degrees – Dark Orchid (Red Heart Super Saver) *Changed to the following – Violet (Red Heart With Love)
20 degrees – Orchid (I Love This Yarn) *Changed to the following – Orchid (Red Heart Super Saver)
10 and below – Light Gray (I Love This Yarn)

How do you tell which color to use?

I, personally, go with the overall temperature. So, let’s go by today, for example.

Today in Maine, the overall temperature is 17 degrees. I would choose the light gray.

Let’s say that it was an overall temperature of 22 degrees, I would choose the Orchid color. All my temperatures, for my colored yarn, has to have the same number first number. If that makes any sense, I’m sorry if it doesn’t!

What was the highest temperature for this month?

We are still in that 60-degrees mark. We haven’t hit 70-degrees, yet, but we were pretty close to it. As we begin May, we should at least see a few days that will hit 70-degrees.

What was the lowest temperature for this month?

We didn’t get as cold as 20-degrees is, but we did have a few days that were pretty low, which was 30-degrees

Do you post daily updates?

Yes, I do. On my Facebook page, I post a picture of the square for each day. I also tried to post every week’s worth, but it was hard to keep track of, so I’ll be posting monthly and daily instead.

If you haven’t liked my Facebook Page, here is the link below! It keeps you posted and updated on my temperature blanket and any updates for my blog and YouTube channel, as well!

https://www.facebook.com/katiesblog96971617/?ref=bookmarks

Posted in Crochet Blanket 2019

Temperature Blanket Update 2019: February

Hey Dearies! So, if you have been following my daily squares on Facebook, you will know that I was going to do the update yesterday, but I totally forgot about it, so I’m doing it now!

February has come and left us and I wanted to show you guys what the blanket looks now!

 

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What my temperature blanket looks now! This is both January and February together!

As you can see, this blanket is going to get pretty big and I didn’t realize it until now. My granny squares are 5 rows, tall and wide, so this blanket is going to get super big! It might actually be too big, but it will definitely warm me up on a cold winters day!

If you haven’t already noticed, there has been a new color in the mix, so let me explain. Due to not being able to get the store to go get the color yarn, I had to end up changing it. Plus, I didn’t want to put the blanket on hold when it came time to crochet the squares together.

This light purple that I switched it to will still represent as a 20 degrees color, it just isn’t as light as the color before it.

Hopefully, this will be the only color change that I will end up doing. I’ve planned it out, so if I start getting really low on a particular color, I am going to grab or order another roll the next time I go to the store.

Anyway, here is the colors and what they will represent:

20181222_124142
100 degrees – Fire Red (I Love This Yarn)
90 degrees – Pumpkin (Red Heart Super Saver)
80 degrees – Bright Yellow (Red Heart Super Saver)
70 degrees – Jelly Bean (I Love This Yarn)
60 degrees – Green (Main Stays Basic Yarn)
50 degrees – Turqia (Red Heart Super Saver)
40 degrees – Soft Blue (I Love This Yarn)
30 degrees – Dark Orchid (Red Heart Super Saver)
20 degrees – Orchid (I Love This Yarn) *Changed to the following – Orchid (Red Heart Super Saver)
10 and below – Light Gray (I Love This Yarn)         *Note: Due to one of the color changes, I won’t be updating this picture, the only one that has changed is the 20 degrees one and there is a note, with the new color I’ll be using.*

 

How do you tell which color to use?

I, personally, go with the overall temperature. So, let’s go by today, for example.

Today in Maine, the overall temperature is 17 degrees. I would choose the light gray.

Let’s say that it was an overall temperature of 22 degrees, I would choose the Orchid color. All my temperatures, for my colored yarn, has to have the same number first number. If that makes any sense, I’m sorry if it doesn’t!

What was the highest temperature for this month?

We actually reached another 50-degree day, but as usual, it doesn’t last long. Hopefully, in March we will start to see more days starting to warm up!

What was the lowest temperature for this month?

Well, we reach single digits, but the way my temperature blanket is set up, we can’t really tell, other than it would be a light gray square!

Do you post daily updates?

Yes, I do. On my Facebook page, I post a picture of the square for each day. I also tried to post every week’s worth, but it was hard to keep track of, so I’ll be posting monthly and daily instead.

If you haven’t liked my Facebook Page, here is the link below! It keeps you posted and updated on my temperature blanket and any updates for my blog and YouTube channel, as well!

https://www.facebook.com/katiesblog96971617/?ref=bookmarks

 

 

 

 

Posted in Gaming, Sims, Sims 2 Challenges

Sims 2 Challenges: Ones I Can’t Wait To Try Out!

Image result for sims 2 challenges logo

Hey dearies! So, as you all know I LOVE the Sims! I think its fun to play with life in a more pixelated way. As you all know that when you start playing a game, it can get boring doing the same thing over and over. Many players get creative and start finding different ways to play, which are called ‘challenges’.

Challenges are just a different, more fun, way to play the game. They can be about anything or have a goal in mind. Some challenges might have a points system, too. When it’s all said and done, a lot of people like to share their gameplay or how the challenge went.

I am so excited to announce that I will be taking part in some of these challenges and will record myself playing them! I know, I’m pretty excited too! So, let’s go on to the few challenges I have in mind that I would like to try!

The Legacy Challenge

Image result for sims 2 legacy challenge

This challenge is one of the most famous that you can try out. Basically, your goal is to have a family with 10 generations, but following the guidelines. This challenge can be the hardest that anyone can try, but it’s fun to try the challenge out!


The Black Widow Challenge

Image result for sims 2 black widow challenge

The title sounds a little familiar, hmm? Well, it is! I actually used this idea for one of my short stories, but the challenge is nothing like my short story. You are a female who is on the hunt for wealthy men. You marry them for their money, cheat on them in front of them, and then have them die. Then you marry the person you had an affair with and do the cycle all over again.

Sounds fun, doesn’t it?


The Disney Princess Challenge

Image result for sims 2 disney princess challenge

Ever wanted to play as a Disney princess? Here is your chance! Its sort of the same thing as the Legacy Challenge expect every generation you start with, is a different princess.

Here is the list of generations and which princesses you can play as:

  1. Snow White (Start as an adult)
  2. Cinderella (Start as a teen)
  3. Tiana (Start as a teen)
  4. Aurora (Start as an adult)
  5. Anna (Start as a teen)
    1. Elsa (Start as a teen) [I can’t do this one because I don’t have one of the expansion packs, but if I end up getting the Sims 2 Ultimate Collection, I will keep you guys posted!]
  6. Rapunzel (Start as a teen)
  7. Belle (Start as a young adult)
  8. Ariel (Start as a teen)
  9. Jasmine (Start as a teen)
  10. Merida (Start as an adult)
    1. Or Mulan (Start as an adult)

As you go through each generation, there are mini-tasks that you have to do for each princess. You are also allowed to add extra sims if you want to customize the princes.

This challenge is on the top of the list for me to try out and I seriously can’t wait!


The Teenage Dream Challenge

Image result for sims 2 teenage dream

Ever wondered what it would be like as a teenager living the dream with no parents? This one is for you!

Basically, you are a runaway teen that is on their own. You have to have a job or find a way to make money and basically, be a teenager, but with responsibilities. You can make the challenge even harder and make her have babies.


The Mommy Challenge

If you like dealing with kids or babies, in the Sims, then you’ll have fun with this challenge. Basically, all you need to do is have kids, can’t be married to them or have them live with you. Raise your kids up, while trying to complete your lifetime goal.

The only problem with this challenge is that there are no points or set goals for you too do.


The Vampire Legacy Challenge

Image result for sims 2 vampire

Love playing as the undead? Make a legacy out of it with this challenge!

I’m a big fan of vampires, don’t ask me why, but I love reading about them and to actually play as a vampire, sounds so much fun! Your goal is to make it through 10 generations, without using any types of cheats. It’s like the Legacy challenge, but you’re a blood-sucker.


The Perfect Mother Challenge

Image result for sims 2 mother holding baby

Almost the same as the ‘Mommy Challenge’, but there are more tasks and goals for you to complete, the other big difference is that you can’t work until all your toddlers are children. If you don’t like raising babies and toddlers, I wouldn’t choose this challenge.


The 100 Baby’s Challenge

Image result for sims 2 100 baby challenge

One of the most popular and most known challenges is the 100 Babies Challenges. The goal is to have 100 babies, with the least amount of births and with different men sims. This is more challenging because the sims game will only let you have only 8 sims per household.

Mods and hacks are your best way to help you complete the challenge. What makes this even more challenging, is that you can’t have anyone help you! You are a single mom who has lots of babies! The good news is that once your teens get an A+, you can move their butts out to make more room for more babies!


The Family Business Challenge

Image result for sims 2 family business

Have the OFB (Open For Business) Expansion pack, but haven’t actually tried it out on how to manage a home business? This challenge can get you on the right path, plus you get to know more about the OFB pack.

This is the Legacy Challenge and Business combined. Have generations, while trying to keep open the family business.


The Not So Berry Challenge

Image result for sims 2 not so berry challenge

Again, another legacy challenge, but with a colorful twist. Every generation represents a different color, but each head of the household has a different task and job. Making it more different and a chance for you to try out different aspirations, too.

Here are the list of generations and their colors:

  1. Mint
  2. Rose
  3. Yellow
  4. Grey
  5. Plum
  6. Orange
  7. Pink
  8. Peach
  9. Green
  10. Blue

You also have to have your entire household be dressed in the same color that the generation represents.


The Prosperity Challenge

Ready to leave all your choices to the dice? This challenge shakes up the Sims gameplay! You are literally creating an entire neighborhood, however, with the roll of the dice. It determines how many families you will have, what their gender is, age, and personality.

The best part is, you aren’t just stuck with just one family, you have to play around with the entire neighborhood you just created! I’m really excited to give this challenge a go.


The Immortal Challenge

Image result for sims 2 immortal challenge

Ever wanted to see how long you can get your Sim to live for or just love the Sim you created and really don’t want to see them die? Well, this immortal challenge is something to definitely try out. You are a sim that builds wealth and a family.

Completing your Lifetime Wish and a list of objectives. You can get married and have a family, but once your spouse dies, you can remarry, start a new family, and a new job. It gives you a chance to switch it up.


The Rags to Riches Challenge

You start out as a poor sim with nothing (literally nothing) and make them be one of the most richest Sim in town! Building your home from scratch and working your way up to the highest career you can get!

A simple challenge, but you can’t get married until you have completed the challenge.


The Single Mom Challenge

Image result for sims 2 single mom challenge

I know what you are probably thinking, another mommy-like challenge!? This one is different because you aren’t starting out with just one Sim. You start out with a family of sims, that lives very poor and the father dies (you kill him). Then you find out you are pregnant with twins (using a cheat).

Then you have to not only raise your kids but the new twins on the way. Here’s another twist, can’t have a job until she has about 15,000 dollars in the bank. Not only that, but this challenge makes you get creative and makes you dress everyone is ruined, old clothes. You can only upgrade stuff/clothes when you have 5,000 dollars.


So, here are a few that I’m interested in trying and hopefully, going to film, as well. Leave a comment down below if you are interested in seeing me play any other these challenges. There are a whole lot more, but these are the ones that have caught my eye!

Posted in Arts and Crafts, Crochet Blanket 2019

Crafty Sassy: Temperature Blanket 2019

Hey dearies! 2019 is just around the corner and as I have mentioned, I want to make a temperature blanket for 2019. I wanted to talk more into what a temperature blanket is and what you need for it.

So, for my temperature blanket, I will updating you on what it looks like at the end of every month, rather than posting every square a day, I figured it would be easier to post on what it looks like at the even of every month. However, I will be posting a square a day on my Facebook Page.

Let’s talk about some questions I have gotten on my Facebook page about the temperature blanket is.

What is a Temperature Blanket?

A temperature blanket is a blanket in which you crochet a square a day, in a color, based on the temperature of what it was that day. The picture below is an example that someone used as their ‘guide’, for their temperature blanket:

Image result for temperature blankets

This is just a simple chart, but there is a color that represents every temperature. You don’t have to crochet a square a day, you can do whatever you want to do! I’ll be crocheting a solid granny square a day, but you can crochet a row a day, or crochet a different design a day, whatever you would like to try!

You can even do it with one color, but start from the darkest color, and work your way down to the lightest or whitest color. Here is another example:

Image result for temperature blankets with one color

As you see here, this person used a ‘purple’ as their base color for this project, which you could do for any and all types of colors. The rainbow theme, for a temperature blanket, is more common because when it all get’s put together, it’s amazing to see what they look like.

Best part about seeing these blankets, is that the temperature isn’t the same everywhere you are from. I’m from Maine, and it doesn’t stay in the same temperature all year long. So, we will see a little bit of every color, that I have planned.

Do you have to use the same yarn?

Not at all! Most people use their leftover yarn that is just sitting in their closet. Or, if you are like me, I go out and buy whatever colors I don’t have and go from there.

There also isn’t a brand that you have to stick with either. Whatever yarn you have hanging around, that follows the key, will work! Even if they aren’t all from the same brand.

I’ll be using mostly I Love This Yarn, because it’s one of my favorite brands to use, but their yarn can be rather pricey! I do have a few other types of yarn that aren’t the same brand. Usually, I stick with a brand, when it comes to a project, but this being my first time making it, I’ll be using what I have from my yarn stash.

What colors are you doing for this blanket?

I know a lot of people are wondering what colors I will be using for this blanket. Since this is my very first temperature blanket, I will be doing the ‘rainbow’ color key for this project. So, here is the colors I will be using:

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  • 100 degrees – Fire Red
    • I Love This Yarn
  • 90 degrees – Pumpkin
    • Red Heart Super Saver
  • 80 degrees – Bright Yellow
    • Red Heart Super Saver
  • 70 degrees – Jelly Bean
    • I Love This Yarn
  • 60 degrees – Green
    • Main Stays Basic Yarn
  • 50 degrees – Turqia
    • Red Hear Super Saver
  • 40 degrees – Soft Blue
    • I Love This Yarn
  • 30 degrees – Dark Orchid
    • Red Heart Super Saver
  • 20 degrees – Orchid
    • I Love This Yarn
  • 10 and below – Light Gray
    • I Love This Yarn

This is the line up of what colors I will be using for my temperature blanket for 2019! I included the brand, just in case any of you would like to follow me in making this blanket as well!

Do you have to wait until the beginning of the year to start?

Nope! You can start one when ever you would like! A lot of people I know like to start from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, just to see what it would look like, too!

Another option you can do, is if you are a faster crocheter and want to blanket from, let’s say 2015, you can always use Google to search for what temperatures it was during that year from where you live. It might be a little hard to find, but it would be amazing to see what each year turned out to me.

If you are looking for a later year, Google might not have the information for later years, but if you are a newspaper collector, you might have more luck!

How are you joining your squares?

So, I have learned and watched quite a bit of videos on how to sew together squares and I have two in mind:

  1. Single crochet the squares together
    1. Now, this wouldn’t require a sewing needle at all! Basically, you would put your squares back to back and single crochet the seems together. It’s simple for beginners and you would have sort of have two blankets in one.
    2. Here is the video, if you are interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUGb9pIcsXE
  2. Mattress Stitch
    1. This is a stitch that I LOVE to use because of the fact it hides how you stitched it together. I’ve used it multiple times and it is one of my favorites!
    2. Here is the video, if you are interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elshk_5XuuM&t=600s

Not sure which one I am going to use, but I will show you how to do one of them, when I go live on my Facebook Page.

Do you have to make squares?

Not at all! You can do squares, hexagons, circles, rectangles, rows, and etc. Be creative and try to do a temperature that you think would be amazing.

If you are a beginner, I would start out with squares. You don’t have to do a solid granny square, like I am going to do. A lot of people use a granny square for this type of project, but I like my squares completely squared.

What do they look like?

Well, here are some examples! If you wish to make one of these, for your own collection, keep a look out on my Facebook Page for more details for how to follow along!

Image result for temperature blanket crochet
This isn’t exactly a temperature blanket, but I wanted to show an example that you can make them in just simple long rows. 
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This is a square temperature blanket, but it is a different design from the original granny square. 
Related image
This one was made with hexagons. Like I said, you can make them using pretty much any time of shape.
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Another great design, this one looks like they did two types of temperatures, one in the morning and one at night.

I will be doing monthly updates, as well, on my blog to show the progress of each month, but I’ll be doing a weekly and daily update for my blanket on my Facebook page!