Quick and easy coasters

Ever night after we put the baby to bed (my favorite part of the day), Tim and I like to watch tv together to unwind. If we are watching something I call "light", such as The Office or Parks and Rec, shows that aren't exactly riveting or very exciting, my hands become restless. Of course I was blessed with the desire to quench my boredom with food. Fantastic. So I've looked for other solutions.

 I used to play solitaire on the computer to keep my hands occupied, but it was distracting to my husband. Hence, my learning to crochet. All I need is a pattern simple enough so that I can pay enough attention to what I'm "watching". 

Bottom line, no more night eating and I'm stocking up on Christmas gifts. These coasters for example. Get to the point Allie. 

I finally found a crochet pattern for coasters that don't look like they should be at your Grandmother's house. I'm too young for doilies. The pattern is at Stitch 2 Buttercups and it is so easy I have it memorized. I love playing around with different color combinations.



Materials Needed:

Size L crochet Hook - I find that the size made with the L hook is perfect for my small candles. I prefer a slightly larger coaster for our glasses and mugs. I found that with an N hook, I got what I was looking for.
Cotton Yarn - You'll be crocheting with 2 strands held together throughout.
Scissors/Needle for weaving in ends

Directions:

Holding 2 strands of yarn together, make a slip knot.
Chain 2.
6 Single Crochet in the first chain. [6sc]
2 Single Crochet in each Single Crochet. [12sc]
Place marker around last stitch made, so you'll know where each round begins, since you're not joining with a slip stitch at the end of each round.
2 Single Crochet in each Single Crochet. [24sc]
Single Crochet in each Single Crochet. [24sc]
Skip 1 stitch and slip stitch into the next stitch, to even out the round.

Crochet Bow Tie

When I became pregnant I knew right away I wanted a girl. The clothes are cuter, the decor is cuter, and you just can't put a boy in pig tails. After the ultrasound we had to sit in the waiting room to see the doctor, and I knew I was supposed to be happy but I was just so disappointed. Luckily, there were several other women in the waiting room who quickly informed me that boys are much easier. Especially the moms who had girls. So that helped.

 Now, I am so glad I had a boy. I fell in love with dinosaurs, monkeys, and sailboats. And I read somewhere that boys will always love their mommas. Yeah, I'm a fan.

 I am always on the lookout for cute things to crochet for boys, so I was super excited to find this EASY crochet pattern for a bow tie! It was fast and easy and I was so excited to use it for his first birthday photo shoot. If only I had done it the day before his shots...oops.

I found the pattern at Delia Creates. I like tutorials and patterns that have a lot of pictures so that I won't have to crochet the whole thing before realizing I messed up at step 2. This pattern is so quick and easy and you can really play around with the colors!

Dr. Seuss Birthday!

I knew I was going to do a Dr. Seuss party for Adam's first birthday by the time he was 9 months. Growing up, they were my some of my favorite books, so I had a blast putting together this party to make his big number one special! I used some of my extra baby food jars and mini vases and the Dr. Seuss books for decoration and it was so easy!

The Menu:
Spaghetti Noodle Salad (Fox in Socks)
Roast Beast Sliders (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)
Oreos with Stars Upon Thars (The Sneetches)
Greenwich Spinach Salad (What was I Scared of)
Cat in the Hat Caprese Salad (Cat in the Hat)
Green Deviled Eggs and Ham Roll-Ups (Green Eggs and Ham)

And just for fun some finger food Hop on Popcorn and Rainbow goldfish for One Fish Two Fish