Managing time by blocking it out!

Okay, so finding time to do everything seems to be a popular "problem" to have.  Currently I find myself: coaching track, while running a small business, while trying to fit in exercise time, me time, church service time, family time, sleep time and the list goes on!  Does this sound like a familiar situation? 

A few months ago I found this awesome article about blocking out time in a schedule-say what?!  I'm serious it's working for me I've had to revamp because of my slight schedule change but IT WORKS!  AND I am deep cleaning my house at the same time so that by the weekend I am free to play!  YES, my family is involved because let's keep it real I am not the only one around here that makes a mess! ;)

It's not my idea, but I want to share it, I found it on Fun Cheap or Free: HERE  There is a free printable and ideas, and I believe a video-if you try it I would LOVE to hear about it!!

I'm off and running-hope your day is FANTASTIC!!

Not ALL stitches are the same!

As I started my search to learn how to make Amigurumi I quickly discovered that not ALL stitches are the same.  What do I mean?  US terms and English (UK) terms are not the =
Here is a simple chart I found on Simple Crochet Magazine to help illustrate:

Hope this tip helps those that are searching Pinterest for patterns and learning about Amigurumi!
Have a FANTASTIC day!!

Nope haven't fallen off the earth!

Boy, it's been a while...
I have honestly been SO busy with helping my son heal from an ACL surgery, life, and Amigurumi orders.
Back in July I shared that started making Amigurumi dolls.  First off what are Amigurumi?  It's a Japanese word meaning sewn.  Which is true-it's crochet!
So here is my story:
My son had ACL surgery the end of May, he started Physical Therapy in June.  I knew that I would be going with him to PT and wanted something to do that would be productive and not on my phone.  Reading a book wasn't going to cut it because there is to many distracting things going on!  So I started to pray and think.  I was thinking about my grandma a lot-she had recently passed away and she taught me as a teenager how to crochet and knit.  I had only ever made rectangles (TRUE STORY!) My husband and I went to visit a friend who had just had knee surgery and couldn't walk on her leg and was pretty much home bound.  ANYWAY, she was showing us different things she had made and she made this doll:

 (Picture and pattern credit is from Heart and Sew)

I honestly had never seen anything like it before and had to double check that it had been crochet.  She said yes,  I determined then and there I was going to figure out how to do it.  So I googled and found out it was called Amigurumi.  I found tips and tricks, and PRACTICED, I mean A LOT of PRACTICE.  My very first attempts got donated to the Goodwill-they were pretty bad....I mean I couldn't stand looking at them...  I even thought hey! If I get okay at these I can list them in my Etsy shop!  

So I looked on Pinterest for ideas-FREE patterns are the BEST!  And I decided on a Dragon, and bought yarn and started creating.  I took it where ever I went-even on a plane!  People are naturally curious and ask me what I was making.  I would tell them and they were like-"what?"  At PT one day a gal walked up and asked me if I was going to sell them.  I said, "well, that's the plan eventually.."  She said I would like you to make me an elephant and a dinosaur.  I agreed and the rest has been history!  I have made SO many animals, creatures, and little people-I REALLY enjoy it and hope to share more with you when I can steal time away! ;)

I'm also starting to coach track because it's the season-this will be my second year at the high school and I really LOVE it!  The kids are great and I get to be with my own kids!

Thanks for tuning in!  

-Diana