If you read my About Me, than you already know that I'm the antithesis of a procrastinator (and if you haven't read it yet, read it here!).  Therefore, I start thinking about Christmas Lists sometime in September (yep, it's true!).  Last year, I had all my gifts purchased and WRAPPED before Halloween!

This year with my daughter being so active, it hasn't been quite as easy to get everything done in a "timely" manner -- especially because my goal this Christmas is to try and make 75% of the gifts. 

Now, although I REALLY don't like giving gift cards or money for Christmas (I think it's a cop out), when it comes to my husband's two secretaries (who are awesome, by the way!), they will receive a Christmas bonus (some nice moola).  What better way to receive a bonus than in a cute crocheted micro-purse?!

Tampa Bay Crochet's free "Credit Card Cozy" pattern (found on The Crocheting Itch -- Free Crochet Patterns here) is what inspired me to make the micro-purses.  Her pattern follows the KISS principle (keep it seriously simple) -- it was clear, easy to follow, and quick!  I finished both of my micro-purses in about a half hour.  Then I glued on a flower button with a green gemstone to add some sparkle.  If you would like to make one, here's what you'll need:

What You'll Need
Tampa Bay Crochet's free pattern -- here
Scrap Yarn
Any ol' button
Size G hook
Needle

Ever since creating my website, I haven't touched a crochet needle.  It's been like two months!  So this past week I was really jonesing for something to crochet.  Where better to look than my own site?!?

I chose to crochet (and thus freely review) the "Butterfly Beanie" listed under The Crocheting Itch -- Free Crochet Patterns (you can find it here under the Hats section).  Written by Valerie Whitten and named "Olivia's Butterfly," the pattern is for a simple crochet beanie with a section of chained and skipped stitches that eventually look like a butterfly cut-out.  Valerie's pattern is very easy to follow and written well, but there are a couple of things to note:

• There is no gage to follow; therefore, I found the sizing for the finished product to be a bit incorrect.  Valerie used Red Heart's Super Saver worsted weight yarn and a J hook, making the hat to fit a 20.5 inch head.  I used Lion Brand's Wool-Ease yarn (which is a bit thinner in diameter than the Super Saver -- so I expected the final product to be smaller) and a J hook, and my first hat would fit my husband's head (way big!).  Because there is no set gage, it makes it difficult to know how large your final product will be.  SInce the first hat I made was way too large (I was aiming for it to fit my daughter's head), I made a second hat using Valerie's pattern crocheting with the same Lion Brand yarn and an E hook, and of course, it came out too small!  Using an E hook makes the final product fit a 6-12 month old.
  
• I prefer following patterns that enforce self-checking by putting the number of expected stitches at the end of the round in parentheses.  Valerie did not do this with this pattern, so I really had to pay attention (no tv watching!) while crocheting.
• All Rnd directions were very clear and easy to follow, but Rnd 13 was a bit more difficult.  I had to reread the directions for the round and look at her picture to really understand what she was saying.  I would rewrite Rnd 13 as this:  ch1, sc in same st and in next 21 sts; ch5, sc in 5th dc of Rnd 9; ch5, sc in next dc of Rnd 12 and in each dc around; slip stitch to join; fasten off.

Although the pattern itself is sufficiently cute, I chose to jazz up the pattern with my own livialovia creativity -- gluing beads, buttons, and pom poms around the hat.  I think it really makes the hat super adorable and one-of-a-kind!  If you'd like to make something similar, here's what you'll need:

What You'll Need
Butterfly Beanie pattern (found here)
Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn (whatever color you prefer)
Heart, Star, & Flower Buttons (Dollar Tree!)
Gems/Beads (Dollar Tree!)
Pom Poms (Dollar Tree!)
Glue Gun & Glue


PS:  Sorry about the creepy doll!  It makes the hat look cone-ish, but it's only because the hat is too big for the doll's head.  I didn't have a real baby to model it!

I firmly believe that if you have something negative to say, start and finish with something positive -- kinda hides the negative. So...

Positive #1:  I completed my VERY FIRST DIY SEWING PROJECT!!!

Negative:  Turns out that I measured completely wrong for the vinyl fitted table cover, so I had to change my project and make vinyl stool covers (I didn't want to waste the vinyl afterall!).

Positive #2 & #3:  I was able to recycle the incorrectly measured vinyl (no waste!), AND I kept my promise to complete my project by the weekend!

What You'll Need
Sewing Machine
Thread (matching your vinyl)
Vinyl (any ol' tablecloth will do, or you can pick some up at the              fabric store)
Flexible Measuring Tape
Scissors
Tape
Sharpie

How To Guide:
1.  Roughly cut the large vinyl piece (or tablecloth) in half so as to loosely cover the two stools.  Cut a piece of tape, roll it to make it sticky on all sides, and place it in the center of your stool.  Try to center the vinyl half (right-side down) as much as possible before sticking it to the tape.  That way, when you are making marks or cuts to the vinyl, it doesn't move off the stool.

2.  Using the flexible measuring tape, measure 3 inches from the 4 top edges of the stool down towards the floor.  This is where the edge of the hem will be -- making 3 inches of the vinyl hanging over the stool when the cover is complete.  Make a mark with your Sharpie at the 3 inch mark all the way around the stool.  Make 3 marks per edge (4), equaling 12 marks around per stool.

3.  At each of the four corners, make a triangle with the excess vinyl.  Using the flexible measuring tape, measure a 1/2 inch from the top of the stool corner down the triangle edge -- mark this spot with your Sharpie (1x per corner).  This allows you some clearance for the fit once you sew the corners and turn the cover right-side out.

4.  Next, take your sewing scissors and again make the triangle at the stool corners.  Starting where the 1/2 inch mark is, begin cutting off the triangle -- making sure to cut parallel to the stool legs and perpendicular to the floor.  

5.  Next, take your vinyl pieces off each stool and lay flat.  

6.  Horizontally cut a strip of vinyl off each side so that there is only about an inch of vinyl below the 3 inch Sharpie marks. 

7.  Then, for each side of the vinyl, fold and pin the edges on the black 3 inch Sharpie marks. 

8.  Sew a 5/8 seam on each of the four sides.  **(Some of my seams are smaller or larger depending on the unevenness of my pinning job.  But in time, I hope to be better!!  Remember, I wasn't following any sort of pattern -- I just made it up!)

9.  Sew the edges of the inverted triangles together, right-sides together.

10.  After sewing all four inverted triangles together, you get something that looks like this (below):

11.  Turn the cover right-side out to look like this (below):

12.  Fit on each stool, and enjoy!

I am so proud of myself for creating, sewing, and sharing this project with you.  The vinyl works great with kids since you can easily wipe off any food, drink, paint, markers, etc.  Plus, the covers really make the stools look cute!!  

Next, I will make a matching cover for the table -- this time measuring correctly!!  It's funny how much more you learn by making mistakes!  

If anybody follows my pattern, please post pictures!