Pumpkins

Autumn is a season of falling leaves apple cider and pumpkin patches all over the country side! In countries of Europe to North America people grow their own pumpkins for yummy pies and to carve out for Halloween. Jack-o-lanterns will meet you by each door very soon, but even before that you can pick some great pumpkin items from these shops.

Here are a couple of pumpkins for home decor:

 Halloween pumpkins decor by katuasha

Farmhouse Pumpkin box by alenahandmade

Pumpkins for your baby:

Baby teething ring Pumpkin by MiracleFromThreads

Coconut ring nursing pendant by bysiki

Pumpkins for yourself to wear:

 

Polymer clay bracelet Pumpkin by YaTomkaStore  

 

Felted scarf cobweb by Roltinica 

Knit hat pattern honeycomb by katerynaG

 

Going to visit someone? Bring your wine gift in a stylish pumpkin wine bag:

 

Knit wine bottle cozy pumpkin by socksandmittens

or just stroll in the park with the pumpkin purse on your shoulder!

Wool felted purse by crafts2love

Written and item collection by Nadia from LuNaViFelt

Interview with a Star, Tamara from MagazinIL

Today we'd like to introduce a wonderful shop to you where a new mom can find great crochet jewelry for herself and her baby. If you need a thoughtful gift for a baby shower, this is the place to visit. Please welcome Tamara, owner of MagazinIL on etsy. 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Tamara Martynovich. I was born and raised in Ukraine but when I was 17 years old my family moved to Israel where I live now. I'm married and have a wonderful husband and a great little son. Our french bulldog is part of our family, too :)

How long have you been creating? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?

My grandmother taught me to knit and crochet when I was 7 years old. My first works were far from perfect but these little lessons gave me a start. They were imprinted in my memory and in 20 years I took my knitting needles and crochet hooks in my hands again. I just had a baby at that time and I wanted to make him a sweater. A sweater was followed by a cap and then I crochet my first nursing necklace. From that time on I can not stop making these, I just fell in love with them! When I crochet, I am relaxing.

What items do you carry in your shop?

I do all kinds of teething necklaces, toys for children's development, baby hats and booties. A teething necklace is a wonderful piece of jewelry for every mom and a great toy for a baby. The baby's hands are busy during breast feeding so he does not pull his mother's hair and at the same time the child develops fine motor skills.

 
Do you have a favorite item you have made?

It's hard to choose just one thing from all my products. Probably, my favorite necklace is the one with a large wooden button. I made it as a gift for my friend and her newborn daughter. I have made similar necklaces so many times since then and every time I am having so much fun making them.

Do you take custom orders?

Yes, I do accept custom orders and I love working with them. Almost all the products in my store are made​​ individually according to the customers needs.

Please visit  Tamara's shop to see more of her products. Every item here is made with love!

How to make a simple teething ring pendant crochet necklace

This teething pendant made by Jana (nihamaj) might be a perfect gift for a new mom and for a little one. It will work perfect to keep little hands busy and not pinching while nursing.

 You will need:

 Fabric yarn. I use baby or organic cotton because babies like to taste it.

Wooden ring.

Scissors

One bead. I use wooden beads, but you can use stone or plastic bead. If you use plastic, be sure that it is safe and the paint does not peel off !

Tape measure

Crochet hook 

Crochet a simple chain about 35"/ 90 cm long. 

Fold it in half and insert the folded end into the ring. 

 Slip the other two ends through the loop made by the fold and tighten it. 

Slip the bead down to the ring and tie a knot above the bead to hold it in place. 

 Then tie a knot with the two loose ends to connect them into a necklace. 

Your pendant is ready. You can wear it short or long by adjusting the knot on the ends.  

By Jana (nihamaj)

Paper dove DIY - make it with your kids!

Here is how to make a beautiful paper dove together with your children. These paper doves could be hanged on a branch and will make a lovely Easter or a Spring nature table decoration.

You will need :

1sheet of white cardboard or watercolor paper for the body

silk paper or calque for the wings

a pair of scissors or a cutter

beeswax crayon blocks or watercolors

1 needle

a piece of string/ thread (golden or silver color looks very nice)

You can leave the body of the dove white or paint the paper with color crayon blocks on both sides. Children will be happy to give you a hand with this. You could also use watercolors to paint the paper.

Cut out the shape of the dove as shown. With the help of the cutter or sharp scissors make a straight cut across about 1.6 inch long.

Fold over the edge of your A4 silk paper , then turn around and fold it again. Go on until all the paper is used as shown on the photo. This will be the bird's wings.

Pass them through the cut on the bird's body.

Bend and lift the wings unfolding them gently and joining the two together with a string.

Make a knot leaving the string long enough to hang the bird.

That's it! Your dove is ready.

Happy Spring!

By Masha (BertyandMasha)

Waldorf toys for children's development

Waldorf toys are traditionally made of only natural materials. They are handmade and that's why they are the most precious. They keep the warmth of the person who made them.

 

Today Masha (BertyandMasha) and Oksana (LaFiabaRussa) are talking about the traditional Waldorf approach to making children's toys and spring seasonal activities.

A child is learning and exploring the world around him through play. The first Waldorf toy for a baby would be a simple cloth doll with a round head and a soft body. There are no facial features to keep the imagination free but there are some details. Like a wooden ring and fists to chew on to comfort and soothe baby's growing teeth. 

This doll is designed for age up to 1 year old.

As the child grows, the dolls become more sophisticated. The head is sculptured and has facial features. The body has well formed limbs and the doll can now be dressed and undressed by small hands.

These bigger dolls are designed for children many years to come.

Wooden toys and toys made of wool or silk are also important for a child's development. They are simple open ended toys that give space to child's creativity and imagination. They are also indispensable in role playing games.

Natural Seasonal toys and activities will allow a child to joyfully live through the change of seasons and the natural rhythm of the year, which is considered essential in Waldorf pedagogy. 

 

Every season has it's own feasts, colors and attributes, usually something a child can bring back from a walk, a forest or a garden. It can be cones or acorns, stones or flowers, small branches and dry leaves.

 

A Spring nature table reflects all the changes that happen in Spring, the awakening of nature. 

So flower children, light and beautiful fairies, birds, tree branches and, of course, flowers will create a beautiful Spring nature table. 

Here you can also add some animals or spring gnomes. Don't forget about Easter, the most important feast associated with Spring!

 The creation of a nature table can be a lot of joy and fun, especially if done together with children.

This Sunday we'll show you how to make a beautiful paper dove - stay tuned!

By Masha (BertyandMasha) and Oksana (LaFiabaRussa)

Crochet nursing/ teething necklace giveaway results

We are happy to announce the winner of our crochet nursing/teething necklace giveaway!

Comment # 46 by ali was chosen as a winner. Congratulations!

Julia (bysiki) will contact you to verify your mailing address.

Congratulations to the winner and thank you for participation, everyone!

Crochet nursing/ teething necklace giveaway

This giveaway is for a wonderful nursing / teething necklace. Yulia, the hostess of this giveaway and the owner of bysiki shop on Etsy, will let you choose from one of three necklaces if you win!

 

 If you'd like to participate in this giveaway and win one of  three nursing necklaces, follow these simple rules:

1. Visit bysiki shop, browse her collection and leave a comment here on what you like the best (1 entry)

2. Heart bysiki shop (1 entry)

3. Follow/ subscribe our blog (1 entry)

4. Grab our button and place it on your blog (1 entry)

5. Share this giveaway on twitter / facebook / your blog /stumbleupon (2 entries)

Please leave a separate comment on each entry and don't forget to leave us your email address so that we could contact you!

If you'd like to see more of bysiki creations please visit her shop on Etsy!

Please leave a separate comment on each entry and don't forget to leave us your email address so that Julia could contact you!

The winner will be announced on February 4th, so have fun and good luck!

Adorable beanie hat pattern

Today, Adina at DaisiesCrochet shop sharing a great pattern for this cute baby hat. Now you can do it on your own! Look how it's easy :)

SIZES NB(0)

NB preemies-4 weeks 13”(33cm) x 5”(12.5cm)
0 0-3 months 14”(35.5cm) x 5 ½”(14cm)

CROCHET HOOK
I – 5.5 mm crochet hook or size to obtain correct
gauge.

GAUGE
12dc x 7 row = 4” (10cm)

TENSION
Make sure to check your tension before starting to crochet. You can change hook size to bigger or smaller to get right tension.

ABBREVIATIONS
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
beg – beginning

MATERIALS
55yd(65yd)
Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton (103yd/94m – 3oz/85g)
Aran /10ply(8wpi) or any other blend of similar yardage yarn.
Contrast yarn (optional)
Ribbon (optional)
Crochet hook



NEWBORN
NOTE: The hat is worked in rounds.
Ch 3, join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as first dc here and throughout), work 11 more dc in ring, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2 = 12 dc.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc (increase made) in each st around, dc in joining st, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2 = 24 dc.

Rnd 3: Ch 2, [2dc in next st, dc in next st] 11 times, 2 dc in next st, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2 = 36 dc.

Rnd 4: Ch 2, [dc in next 8 sts, 2 dc in next st] 3 times, dc in next 8 sts, dc in joining st, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2 = 40 dc.

Rnd 5-8: Ch 2, dc in all sts around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2 = 40 dc.
Note: change the yarn color at rnd 6 if making the hat as shown on photo 1.

Rnd 9-11: Note: change the yarn color if making the hat as shown on photo 1.
Ch 1, sc in all sts, join with sl st in first sc = 40 dc.

Fasten off. Finish off loose ends.
Tie bow as shown on photo 2.


0-3 MONTHS
Note: The hat is worked in rounds.
Ch 3, join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as first dc here and throughout), work 11 more dc in ring, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2 = 12 dc.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc (increase made) in each st around, dc in joining st, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2 = 24 dc.

Rnd 3: Ch 2, [2dc in next st, dc in next st] 11times, 2 dc in next st, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2 = 36 dc.

Rnd 4: Ch 2, [dc in next 4 sts, 2dc in next st] 6 times, dc in next 5 sts, dc in joining st, join with sl st to top of beg. ch-2 = 43 dc.

Rnd 5-9: Ch 2, dc in all sts around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2 =43 dc.
Note: change the yarn color at rnd 7 if making the hat as shown on photo 1.

Rnd 10-12: Note: change the yarn color if making the hat as shown on photo 1.
Ch 1, sc in all sts, join with sl st in first sc = 43 dc.
Fasten off. Finish off loose ends.

Also you can use yarn in different colors to make a hat like this.

Happy Crocheting!!!

Please keep in mind that all rights to this pattern are owned by Daisies Crochet. No part of this pattern or photo may be sold, reproduced, photocopied, or transmitted mechanically, electronically or by any other means. This pattern is for personal use only. Please do not sell items made from this pattern. If you plan on using my material in another blog, we'd be delighted, but please notify us before you do so, and, of course, link back to this. Thank you for understanding!

Interview with a Star - Natasha at Bonbonland

This is not a story about me but about a dream. A successful story about a dream that came true, which I am proud to share with you…


Like a lot of girls, I started to draw dresses and attires from the early childhood. In high school I learned fashion and the textile industry. Later in college I learned sewing and sewing technology, cutting and patterning, sewing machines & techniques and many other special things. I started to work in one of the largest fashion networks in Israel, H&O ™. I worked there ten years and went a long way from a saleswoman position to a fashion consultant and shop supervisor. I am very pleased because the work in H&O gave me a lot of knowledge and experience.


After the 15 years of working in fashion industry I got enough self confidence to start my own business. In 2007 I founded a fashion studio "Shirel". This word is actually my second name and means in Hebrew "God's Song". I believe all my life is the song dedicated to God…


My work day in the studio usually consists of fashion and design projects, cutting and shaping, fitting and trying on, sewing and preparing patterns, templates and samples. Also there are constant negotiations, work with customers and sales. In my studio we made a lot of patterns for evening dresses and outfits, blouses and tops. I am happy to work with leading Israeli fashion designers.


After almost three years of very hard work I started my favorite project – the internet boutique "bonbonLand" on ETSY. Actually I am running three shops on ETSY, also “Bandannas" and Felt scarves and necklaces. But bonbonLand is my favorite project. It allows me to work for the most beautiful creatures - for little princesses, for baby girls.


I am very happy woman. I have lovely husband, typical software "genius". I have two wonderful sons. But my work in bonbonLand project is the thing I enjoy most of all in my life. It gives me such a great feelings that could be compared with the pure real happiness possible only in an early childhood.


Every time I prepare baby bloomers or a small dress for a baby girl, I can imagine a little princess sitting or walking among the flowers or meadows in a gentle summer sunny day. I imagine photo props and bright and beautiful babies in bright and beautiful dresses. I imagine parents and grandparents smiling at a picture of their beloved daughters and granddaughters and tears flow from the depths of my soul…


I love all my small clients. And am happy to have the ability to realize this love. The possibility to give my love, my heart and a little part of my soul to every baby that wears my products, my wares. BonbonLand is not about the business, at least not only about the business. It is about the love, the love I share with my beloved baby clients and models. Nowadays almost a hundred baby girls wear the dress with the "bonbonLand" label.


I had a dream when I was young. I am happy that my dream came true.