The 5 Year Old Makes His Own Breakfast

Oh, boy... it's been a morning. My little one doesn't have school today and wanted to make eggs for breakfast. Not just any eggs. Yoshi eggs!

I'm tidying up from baking this morning and getting dinner started and in the crock pot. He insists on coloring his eggs so he can have Yoshi eggs. I tell him, "That's okay, sit at the table and PLEASE do not break the eggs!"

"Okay, Mommy." he says.

He sat and did a really nice job of coloring green spots on one egg. As proud as he was he carried it around with him. I ask him, "PLEASE sit at the table with it and DO NOT DROP the egg."

He sat at the table. "Okay, Mommy." he says.

A couple of minutes later, as I'm about to finish cleaning the dishes, I hear "SPLAT!" Then silence. "Mommy, I'm sooooo sorry. It was an accident."

I know this. I know he didn't mean for it to fall to the floor. Some things you JUST KNOW are going to happen no matter how much you warn and advise. I tell him, "It's okay. I know you didn't MEAN to break the egg. Please go sit in the other room and wait patiently for me to finish cleaning up."

"But Mommy, I want Yoshi eggs for breakfast. I'll get another egg!"

Um... no.

I did let Mr. Independent crack his own eggs and scramble them in the bowl. He did a really good job and was proud to eat his Yoshi eggs with a fresh baked banana muffin for breakfast. I sure do love him... messes and all!

New Pink Monkey

Just added today! I'm sure I won't have her for long as the pink ones are usually claimed pretty quickly. I'll enjoy her for as long as I can!

I hope you enjoy her, too!

Something New Today

I've just added a new sock monkey to the shop this morning. (Well, now almost afternoon!)

It's a little one and would be perfect as a special little someone's First Sock Monkey. They are easy to care for as they can be washed in a machine (gentle cycle with mild detergent) and left out to air dry.

Feel free to visit my shop for many other items I have available. Christmas is just around the corner and will be here before we know it. Do you have a coffee lover to buy for? I have many coffee socks available and even a knitting pattern if you'd rather DIY!

Have a wonderful day!

For the love of gnomes!

As some of you may know I've been working on making clay gnomes for sets stitch markers. I had many gnome couples on the table. Waiting patiently. The more I looked at them, the more this one couple stood out as they reminded me of the August birthstone, peridot.

My birthday is in August. How could I NOT make them into a pair of earrings?! The problem: I don't wear a lot of jewelry and wouldn't actually wear them myself. So... to celebrate August birthdays, they're listed. The ONLY pair. They are truly ONE OF A KIND. Hope you love them, too!

HOW-TO TUESDAY

When working with polymer clay, sometimes it can be difficult to get all of the clay off of my hands with just soap and water. In high school I had used a mechanic's orange pumice that worked great, but it wasn't something that I kept regularly for myself.

Recently I have discovered using coffee. I've read that coffee is actually good for your skin, and I love the added bonus of scrubbing power brought on by the grounds.

SUPPLIES YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE YOUR SOAP:

• Melt & Pour soap base (offered at craft stores. Don't forget to use your coupons!)
• Ground coffee
• Vitamin E oil (optional)
• Plastic food container (yogurt) or other type of recycled container (microwave safe)
• Plastic spoon or other tool for stirring
• Mold

WHAT I DID: I bought a large brick of melt and pour goat's milk soap base and cut 8 portions out of the brick and melted it in a 16oz sour cream container. (Melt your soap according to package directions.) This makes about 1c of soap. Next I added 1/4c of coffee and about 1 teaspoon of Vitamin E oil to the melted soap. (The Vitamin E oil is not necessary, the soap is mostly for scrubbing the clay off of your hands.) Stir with a plastic spoon until combined and pour into molds. Having children in the house helps to have all sorts of fun stuff on hand, and today I used their silicon molds to make Lego Minifigs to keep at the sink.

The nice part about using a recycled container and plastic spoon is that it makes clean up a breeze. Just toss them in the trash!

Kodiak Inspired Coffee Sock Knitting Pattern

Well, I finally did it! I finally got the pattern for my Kodiak Coffee Sock written and now it's available for purchase. It's pretty easy and I hope you enjoy it!

Happy knitting!

Mug Cozy and Coaster, All-In-One!

I'm pleased to share something new with you! My friend at CrazySocksCrochet wrote a fantastic and easy-to-follow pattern for this cozy, called Grandma Mae's Mug Cozy.

I'll have some available for sale soon in my Etsy shop. Keep a close watch for updates on my Facebook page, and don't forget to 'like' it and suggest it to your friends, too!

Have a fun and crafty day!

Friday Funnies

ALL I EVER NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM THE EASTER BUNNY

Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.
Walk softly and carry a big carrot.
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
There’s no such thing as too much candy.
All work and no play can make you a basket case.
A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention.
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
Some body parts should be floppy.
Keep your paws off other people’s jellybeans.
Good things come in small sugar-coated packages.
The grass is always greener in someone else’s basket.
An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare.
To show your true colors – you have to come out of your shell.
The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

Author Unknown

5 Years Ago, On This Day...

I went in for my last day of work before taking maternity leave. It was Declan's scheduled due date. My mom had arrived from California the night before to help out when he came.

The morning was typical and work as usual. A few hours in I was talking with a coworker about how I was feeling, explaining contractions and some minor discomfort and she said, "Um... you're in labor!" Okay... that made sense. I decided it was time to get headed home.

On my drive home I was realizing how the contractions were becoming stronger and stronger. I hated at that moment that it was about a 30 minute drive from work to home, and that I was alone. I was focused and determined to make it home without panic and before I knew it I was there. Whew! Now a phone call to the hospital.

The nurse said that the contractions were far enough apart to stay home, relax, maybe take a shower and check back in a little while. We called our doctor to give him a head's up, too. I decided to take a shower, get myself together and get ready to have a baby! All was going well. My mom was there to take care of Garrett. I was home from work and packed and ready to go.

Standing in the kitchen about ready to leave, my water broke. Oh, no... we still have a bit of a drive to get to our hospital! IT'S TIME TO GO!

As I get in the car, the contractions are getting REALLY strong. Painful even. This baby is coming!

I don't remember much of the drive and I know Casey broke many traffic laws (shhh! Don't tell!) All I could think of is that this baby is coming and NOW and how I didn't want to have him in a Toyota Corolla on the side of the road. Casey is on the phone with the hospital, they know we're coming. Our doctor was called. (He never made it.)

Upon arrival there was an attendant who was waiting for us with a wheelchair and said, "Give me your keys. I'll find you." The guy parked the car! Casey wheeled me in and I signed something (still have no idea what it was!) and we were taken up to maternity. I'm not sure we were there even 5 minutes before that boy was delivered! WELCOME DECLAN! (BTW~Declan was delivered before the guy made it back to our room with our keys!)

His whole life has been as crazy and eventful as the day he was born. He's a bundle of energy and has such a big heart. He's my little Babyzilla... my little monster... he's the one to keep us on our toes!

Happy Birthday, Declan Michael!

Last Chance

It's time to take a little break. Actually, I have a LOT of work to get caught up on and a lot of new projects/ideas I've been wanting to work on for quite a while now. What this means is starting tomorrow, hoffee and a nuffin is taking a mini hiatus.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY

If there's something you were thinking about getting, get it today and take 25% off your order when you enter coupon code VACA25. In addition, I'll REFUND your shipping costs if your order total is over $15!

Remember also that the sock monkey earrings and stitch markers were made in a limited quantity and it will be a few months until another Clay Day will be scheduled. These make great birthday and teacher gifts! There are even green ones that would be a cute addition to your St. Patrick's Day outfit.

Have a fun and crafty day!

Item of the Day!

Today's Featured Item

Canadian Sock Monkey Earrings

FREE GREETING CARD WITH PURCHASE!

Today only, when you purchase this listing a sock monkey greeting card will be included with your order. YOUR PICK! Leave your choice in 'Notes to Seller' at checkout.

Item of the Day!

Today's Featured Item

Canadian Sock Monkey Earrings

For today only, enjoy FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING on this cute pair of earrings. Have a fun and crafty day!

Item of the Day!

Today's Featured Item

Snag Free Stitch Markers

For today only I'm offering FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING on this fun set of stitch markers. Happy Crafting!

Item of the Day!

Today's Featured Item

Sock Monkey Knitting Stitch Markers

Today only, this item will be available for $15 (originally $18.) Happy knitting!

Item of the Day!

Today's Featured Item

Pink Sock Monkey Earrings

Today only, this item will be available for $10 (originally $12.) Have a fun and creative day!

CLAY DAY!

My scheduled Clay Day finally came, and was actually Clay WEEK. (The table still isn't cleaned up and put away yet...my goal for today!) After many hours and patience from my family, the sock monkey heads are finished.

Yes, I said "sock monkey heads". I have a lidded cup marked Monkey Heads, which grabs the attention of visitors every time.

From these monkey heads I make stitch markers, wine glass charms, and earrings. They're made from polymer clay and each one is unique because they're individually hand sculpted and molds are never used.

Since I pull the clay out about every 3 or 4 months or so, they're made in a limited number and once they're gone, they're gone!

"How To" Tuesday

How to make a sock monkey hat.

Here's what I did, anyway!

Materials:

• Paton's wool yarn
• A set of size 7 DPNs
• Stitch marker
• Yarn needle
• Coffee
• A good show to watch

Let's get started!

• Cast on 54 stitches using the long tail method.
• Divide stitches between three needles, 18 per needle.
• Join, making sure not to twist your stitches. After first stitch is knitted and cast on stitches are joined, place your marker to indicate beginning of round. (You'll really only need this for marking where to begin decreasing.)
• Knit around until the piece measures approximately 2 1/2-3 inches.

Now we decrease!

• K7, K2TOG around. (48 stitches)
• K6, K2TOG around. (42 stitches)
• K5, K2TOG around. (36 stitches)
• K4, K2TOG around. (30 stitches)
• K3, K2TOG around. (24 stitches)
• K2, K2TOG around. (18 stitches)
• K1, K2TOG around. (12 stitches)
• K2TOG around. There will be 6 stitches remaining.

Cut yarn leaving a 6 inch tail. Thread end through a yarn needle and pull through remaining 6 stitches TWICE. Pull tight, thread through center of closure. Tie off inside and weave in all ends. Top with a pom pom or simply leave plain. Either way, your monkey will be happy to have a warm hat!

This hat fits my larger traditional red heel and gray sock monkeys. Later I'll explain the formula for making any size hat with any type of yarn using any size needles... check back for that soon!

"How To" Tuesday

Be UNIQUE... Make your own Valentines!

We often spend time at the table doodling and coloring. A few days ago I drew a sock monkey couple that maybe only I thought was super cute. The boys... not so much. They were very much more interested in coloring pictures of Lego Indiana Jones and Lego Clutch Powers. Either way, I printed a larger image of my sock monkey couple and got to coloring it. When it was finished I thought it would make a really neat (and unique) Valentine's Day card.

Preparing for Garrett's Valentines gifts for his class, I bought packs of pencils at Target (found in the dollar bin) and used supplies I already had lying around the house. The colored image was scanned into the computer and printed to wallet sized prints. I cut them out and attached them to a pencil. Easy, right?

It really is! If you have scrap booking supplies (trimmers, decorative scissors, corner punches, etc.) you can get REALLY creative with the cutting. I have lots of that stuff, but opted for a simple, clean line along the edges. A basic hole punch (if you don't have this, they're only about $1.40 in the office supplies section of your local store) was used to add a hole to the corner. I threaded curling ribbon and tied it to a pencil. That's it!

Now all the kiddo needs to do is write a note or his name on the back and he's good to go! Although... he did tell me he doesn't want to use my pretty sock monkey cards. Instead he'll finish his Lego Indiana Jones coloring page and THAT'S the picture he'll use. It's just as well... I'd rather it be his artwork, anyway!

Garrett's finished card.

Feel free to print a sock monkey coloring page for your little artist found HERE. Have a fun and crafty day!

(Please comment... I'd love to hear from you!)

Sock Monkey Love

I'm in the mood for... SHARING! Enjoy this coloring page, just in time for Valentine's Day craft sessions with the kids.

HAVE A FUN AND CRAFTY DAY!

You may need to save the image to your computer and print it to the size you would like for your little artist to color.

For personal use only. Print as many as you'd like, but remember: this image is NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE. Don't sell this image or items made from this image or claim it as your own.