A Great Week...

Hi Pixie Pals!
What a great week this has been! It has been very productive for me...
I heard of a newborn baby boy who will be going to live with his Gramma. My heart went out to her. It is not easy to take on a newborn later in life. I pray she will have the support of others to help her. But I also know that he will bring her great joy...
To welcome him into his new, loving home I sent over this little hat & diaper cover set. Simple & Sweet.

I love the over-sized button on the front of the diaper cover. I used snaps to actually close it... 

I made this cute Crown & Diaper cover for my Etsy Shop! So adorable and I think they would make for the cutest photos ever! The pattern for the Crown came from here. The diaper cover is just a simple pattern I have been making for many years...

Crown & Diaper Cover Set

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/little-prince-hat

Diaper Cover with Crown Applique

I have a dear friend who is raising her beautiful granddaughter. The little Pixie just turned 4 years old recently. She is so sweet. 

Sadly, her Mom could not find her way out of her depression and addictions and took her own life, forever altering the lives of those who loved her most. My heart breaks for them. 

I made this little dress for her to take on her vacation that is coming up soon. Just a little something she can slip on when she goes out for the day or to dinner with her "Gwammy". I added all the flowers to the bodice because she loves to help her Gwammy in the garden. So precious...

Floral Bodice...

I hope this brings a smile to this sweet little girl! May she only know love & happiness for the rest of her life...

I also made this sailor hat for the shop. I LOVE a sailor hat on babies! My youngest son had golden curls & chubby cheeks when he was a baby. When he wore his sailor hat the curls would pop out from the bottom and he looked like an angel. Making this hat reminded me of those early years. So long ago, but still a wonderful memory...

So this has been a great week! I feel like I really accomplished a few things...

I hope that your week has been great too!  

Be sure to visit me on my Pixie HeartStrings Facebook page and let me know what is on the other end of your hook! 

XOXOX,

Susie

P.S.

Today, was my birthday. I had a nice quiet day at home with my dear hubby and my not so little anymore Pixie. We had a late brunch and then celebrated with this pretty cake they got for me...

I am grateful they didn't risk a fire hazard and kept the candles to only four...

Like I said, It was a great week!

Winner!

Good Morning Pixie Pals!

Well, WE HAVE A WINNER!

It was a small group and I wish I could give you each a hat! I really do!

As you can see, I wrote all the names on a piece of paper... 

Then I added them to my favorite milk glass bowl for luck!

And the winner was drawn! Drum roll please.............

Congratulations Jean Sain (Little Red)!

Jean chose one of my "City Mice" hats as her prize! I love these hats!!!



Would you like the girl mouse?

I love the rhinestone flower button accent...

Or would you prefer the very dapper boy mouse?

Jean Sain, if you would email (pixieheartstrings@gmail.com) me your mailing address I will send your choice of hat right out!

Thank you so much to you all for helping me reach my first goal on my Pixie HeartStrings Facebook page! My next goal is 500! How awesome will that be to have 500 people/pages who can help get the word out about Pixie HeartStrings and my mission to provide hats and other items to Pixies who have been displaced from their homes and are in need of a smile!

And make sure to check out my Etsy Shop for new & exciting items! The items I sell here help make it possible for me to be able to give to those sweet Pixies and to donate to other great causes as well...

I hope you all have a fabulous, creative Tuesday!

XOXO,

Susie



Confetti & Giraffes...

Hi Pixie Pals!

We had an overnight visit from the Grands last night! Always the best way to spend a Saturday night. Movies, laughter & junk food... ;)
This morning I made them confetti pancakes...a fun way to start off the day!

 

Then my 12 year old Grandy Girl showed me a picture on her phone of a hat she liked and asked me if I knew how to make it. It was the cutest giraffe hat! How could I say "no"?

Picture from her phone. I did not capture the source. Apologies if this cutie is yours!


Luckily, I had the perfect shade of cotton and I gave it a shot. After a couple of hours this is what I came up with...

 

Not too bad without a pattern to go by. And I love how big a smile it gave her...

 

 

I was asked on my Pixie HeartStrings FaceBook page for the pattern...I didn't have one, but I can try to explain how I made the ears & antlers. The hat is a basic double crochet beanie that I added a little contrasting color stripe to...

 

Ears:

G Hook

Country Yellow Cotton Yarn (I used Sugar & Cream)

1. Chain 10. SC in 2nd chain from hook and across. 8 SC.
2. 2 SC in 1st stitch. SC across to last. 2 SC in last stitch. 10 SC.
3. SC across.
4. Repeat row 2. 12 SC
5. Repeat row 3.
6. Repeat row 2. 14 SC
7. Repeat row 3.
8. Repeat row 2. 16 SC
9. Repeat row 3.
10. Skip 1st SC. SC across. Do not SC in last stitch. 14 SC
11. Skip 1st SC. SC across. Do not SC in last stitch. 12 SC
12. Continue decreasing this way til there are only 2 stitches left.
13. SC down left side of ear. When you reach the bottom row (starting chain), SS into every other stitch tightly across. This gives the ear that cupped shape. Then SC up right side of ear. Fasten off.
14. With contrasting color (I used brown cotton), starting at bottom right, SS in each SC up the right side of ear. When you reach the last row at the tip of the ear CH 3 and then SS in each SC down left side of ear. This forms a nice tip to the top of the ear. Fasten off.
15. Make second ear exactly the same. Attach to side of hat.



Back of Hat

Antlers:
 
G Hook
Brown Cotton Yarn
Country Yellow Cotton Yarn

1. With Brown. Chain 2. Six SC in 1st chain. Do not connect with SS.
2. 2 SC in each SC. 12 SC
3. 2 SC in each SC. 24 SC
4. SC in each SC. 24 SC.
5. *SC 2 SC together. SC 1.* around.
6. Attach Yellow. SC around each stitch for 5 rows. Fasten off leaving long tail to sew onto hat.
7. Stuff the antler with fiberfill or cotton firmly.
8. Attach to top of hat.

Hair:

Optional

With Brown Cotton make a tassel and attached to top of hat between antlers. Trim to desired length.

Hair...



This was so much fun to make & it made my Grandy Girl smile...that is worth everything in the world to me!

 

As always, if you have any questions, let me know. Always happy to help!

 

Have a great Sunday night!

 

Blessings,

Susie

Sea Glass Inspiration...

 

 

Hi Pixie Pals!

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the sweet comments on my Pixie HeartStrings FaceBook page! It means so much to be complimented by such wonderfully talented women! Seriously...there are some awesome crochet artists & crafters out there!

 

I was asked to share the pattern for my Sea Glass Inspired Baby Blanket. So I thought..."I don't even know what it is called. Sure. Why not?"...ha ha! So here you go...

 

 

Sea Glass Inspired Baby Blanket

 

Materials:

 

Worsted Weight Yarn (size you choose to make will determine how much you need).

Main Color (MC) you will need at least twice as much of this.

Contrasting Color (CC)

J Hook

 

Directions:

1. Decide how wide you want your blanket to be. Make a base chain with your MC. End with an uneven # of chains.
2. SC in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Fasten off. This is your Right Side (RS). 
3. With RS facing you and with CC, *SC in 1st SC, chain 1, skip next SC, SC in next SC* across ending with a SC in last SC. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.
4. With RS facing you and with MC, attach MC with a SS and chain 3 in 1st SC. In chain 1 space make a cluster with 3 DC (YO, insert hook in ch 1 space, [pull up a loop and pull through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, YO and pull through all 4 loops on hook. Cluster made. *Chain 1, skip next SC, make cluster in next ch 1 space* across. End with DC in last SC on row. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.
5. Picking up CC loop from previous row pull through loop on hook. Drop MC. With CC work SC in top of 1st DC, CH1, *now working in between next 2 clusters on previous row, SC, CH 1* across to end. SC in top of chain 3 from previous row. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.
6. Go back to beginning of this row &Pick up MC and make chain 3 in 1st SC, work clusters in each chain 1 space across. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.
7. Work rows 5 & 6 in pattern until you have reached desired length. End with a row of SC in MC with RS facing you.

As I do not know what this is called, only how to do it (thanks to my Great Grandmother), I have no formal pattern. But it is really simple & if you do run into any issues let me know & I will be happy to help.

One other thing. You can get creative with this by changing contrasting colors and making a pattern. Rainbow effects are nice. Bright, bright colors with a black MC are very striking.

Anyway, it's yours now. Be creative. Make it your own. Have fun. AND Share!

 

Have a wonderful weekend Pals...

XOXOX,

Susie

 

 

 



Popcorn Sun Hat Pattern...

Hi Pixie Pals!

Wow! Today my Pixie HeartStrings Facebook page reached and exceeded 100 LIKES!

And, as promised, I am having a GIVEAWAY for one lucky Pixie Pal to receive a Pixie Hat of their choosing from my Etsy shop. If you haven't entered, make sure you do...

But, I feel bad that only one hat will be given out. So, I decided to share this new pattern I made today for a Pixie Hat that you can make yourself! No waiting!!!

You can make & sell or give as gifts of love or charity to your hearts content! As the hat is made from 100% cotton, it is cool & comfortable to be worn in the sun. The wider brim will help provide a child's head & face with protection from damaging suns rays.
And, cotton is preferred for chemo caps this time of year. This would make an excellent chemo cap as it is tight stitched to provide total head coverage for chemo patients. Consider making an extra or two and donating them. My preferred chapter is The Sadie Sunshine Chapter. A wonderful group doing wonderful things for chemo patients young & old. And they are so grateful & gracious even in their own personal loss.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for helping me reach my goal of 100 likes. This excites me because there are at least 100 more people who I can reach with the message of giving. Be it to a child (Pixie) in need or someone who is going through chemo.
There are also many other organizations out there who are looking for people like you & me to share our talents and provide someone with a handmade item. A simple hat, blanket, tote bag. Something to let them know there are people who care.

Popcorn Sun Hat

Popcorn Sun Hat Pattern

 

Materials:

 

Worsted Weight 100% Cotton Yarn

Size G Crochet Hook

 

Directions:

1. Chain 4 and join with slip stitch to first chain to make a circle.
2. Chain 2. (does not count as first stitch now or for rest of hat) make 12 DBL crochet in circle. Join with slip stitch to 1st DBL crochet. 12 DBL crochet.
3. Chain 2. Make 2 DBL crochet in each stitch around. 24 DBL crochet.
4. Chain 2. *DBL crochet in 1st stitch. 2 DBL crochet in next stitch* around. Join with slip stitch to 1st DBL crochet. 36 DBL crochet.
5. Chain 2. *DBL crochet in first 2 stitches. 2 DBL crochet in next stitch* around. Join with a slip stitch to 1st DBL crochet. 48 DBL crochet.
6. Chain 2. *DBL crochet in first 3 stitches. 2 DBL crochet in next stitch* around. Join with a slip stitch to 1st DBL crochet. 60DBL Crochet. Top of hat is done.
7. Chain 1. Single crochet in same stitch and each stitch around. Join with Slip stitch to 1st SC. 60 SC
8. Repeat row 7. 60 SC
9. Chain 1. Turn piece so you are now working with inside of hat facing you. *SC in same stitch. Triple crochet in next stitch* around. Join with a slip stitch. 60 stitches.
10. Chain 1. Turn piece again so you are working on outside of hat. SC in each stitch around. 60 SC
11. Repeat row 7.
12. Repeat row 7.
13. Repeat row 9.
14. Repeat row 10.
15. Repeat row 7.
16. Repeat row 7.
17. Repeat row 9.
18. Repeat row 10.
19. Repeat row 7.
20. Repeat row 7. Sides of hat are done.

Brim:

1. Chain 1. *SC in 1st 5 stitches. 2 DBL crochet in next SC* around. Join with a slip stitch to 1st SC. 70 SC.
2. Chain 1. SC in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to 1st SC. 70 SC.
3. Chain 1. SC in 1st 3 stitches. *2 SC in next stitch. SC in next 6 stitches* continue from * to * til last 3 stitches. SC in last 3 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to 1st SC. 80 SC.
4. Chain 1. SC in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to 1st SC. 80 SC.
5. Chain 1. *SC in 1st 7 SC. 2 SC in next stitch* around. Join with a slip stitch to 1st SC. 90 SC.
6. Chain 1. SC in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to 1st SC. 90SC.
7. Chain 1. SC in 1st 4 stitches. *2 SC in next stitch. SC in next 8 stitches* til last 4 stitches. SC in last 4 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to 1st SC. 100 SC.
8. Chain 1. SC in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to 1st SC. 100 SC.
9. Slip Stitch in each stitch around. Join and fasten off. Weave in end.

If you make a Popcorn Sun Hat from my pattern feel free to post a picture on my Facebook page. I would love to see it!


Top of Hat



Close Up of Popcorn

Thank you again for helping me reach my first milestone...
Next one will be 500 LIKES so make sure to tell all your friends about Pixie HeartStrings!

XOXOX,
Susie

Giveaway!

 

 

 

Hi Pixie Pals!

Exciting News! Pixie HeartStrings has reached it's first 100 LIKES on Facebook! So that means I will be giving away a Pixie Hat to 1 Sweet Pixie Pal!

All you have to do is:

1. Go to my Etsy Shop pixieheartstrings & browse the current inventory of HATS (this GIVEAWAY is for a hat only).
2. Choose which hat you would like.
3. Leave a comment here stating which hat you would like.
4. Wait until 8AM on 5/21/2013 to see if YOU are the lucky winner.

That's it! That's all you have to do! Easy as 1,2,3! Err...1,2,3,4. Simple.

A couple of things to remember...
Special orders don't upset me. If you would like the hat you choose in a different color/size than I have listed in Etsy, I will do everything possible to make it the way you want.
You can comment up until 11:59PM EST on 5/20/2013.
You don't have to like my Facebook page to become the winner of this giveaway. But I hope you do decide to join in on the fun.

Thank you all for your support here and on Facebook. You have no idea how much fun I am having and how much it means to me that you have all decided to come along for the ride with me!

GOOD LUCK!

XOXOXOXOX,
Susie