Happy Memorial Day! Celebrate with Red, White and Blue Socks!

Today, we celebrate Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

                                             

Here are a few inspirational quotes I want to share with you on this special day:

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies. -Moina Michael

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. -Joseph Campbell

And I'm proud to be an American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me. -Lee Greenwood

Today, we honor soldiers who bravely give of themselves to make sure we Americans remain free. There aren't enough ways to say THANK YOU to those brave men and women who have served and who do serve our country. One thing for sure, freedom isn't free! I encourage you to take a moment to honor those who have given their all to serve our country. If you have the opportunity to say thank you, please do. Remember to keep all our soldiers in your prayers.

God Bless America!

In keeping with the patriotic theme of the red, white and blue, I have again been selling custom handmade crochet trimmed themed socks. Red, white and blue is a popular color choice in both beaded and non-beaded styles. They make great gifts and are the perfect accessory item. They are ideal for dance wear, sports wear, pageants, pictures, teachers, nurses and to dress up any outfit. Sizes available in infant to adult. I have many color and style options available. Contact me about custom socks made just for you.

Remember, no outfit is complete without first dressing the feet!

**Looking for other summer custom summer fashions? Contact me for crochet or hand painted items. Let me create something wonderful for your summer wardrobe.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Crochet: A football themed pouch or carrying case

Monday's Musings: Football

Ok...this is not the Monday football that most people speak of..instead..it is football themed crochet. Not quite the contact sport that comes to mind when you imagine a football game, but to crocheters, it could be deemed every bit as much fun. No, we aren't in full football garb carrying or chasing a pig skin ball around. We are, however, crocheting a likeness of it.

It seems that I am almost always crocheting handmade items that either have pink in them or are made for little girls. The truth is, it isn't often that I get the opportunity to crochet something for boys. When I do, the change is a welcome one. I wanted to share with you a sports themed pouch or carrying case that I recently made for my very special nephew.

This particular pouch was made to match the colors of one of his favorite teams and was designed specifically to hold a large set of Harry Potter collector cards. As you can see in the picture, the cards fit inside rather nicely.

It would hold a number of other things as well. This pouch sports a football on the back, as you can see.  It could easily be made with other sports logos or symbols.

I crocheted a raised row on the opposite side so that I could stitch the name of my nephews favorite player. This was a a fun project to make.

I intend to soon feature this pouch in my Etsy store. I really hadn't intended to sell them, but

my nephew is so happy with his case that I thought that I would offer it to others

as a custom made item. This case could easily be made to fit a Leapster, Nintendo or other small hand-held items.

If you are interested in placing a custom order for a carrying case of some sort, you can find my contact information in the upper right hand column of this blog.

You can also contact me through Etsy.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

New! Crochet accessory hat with optional flower...available in many colors! Year round wear!

Featured today is one of my new handmade boutique custom crochet accessory hats. This hat was ordered in this specific color combination and was made to wear in a cooler climate, however, this hat could be made in any color and also with fibers suitable for summer wear.

While this winter version is stunning, it would be equally as lovely in summer colors.

Made is summer shades and paired with a beautiful summer dress or shorts set would really make a statement. The flower accessory can be added or not and can also be either stationary or removable.  It will soon be offered as a custom hat in my Etsy store. (You can find the link to my Etsy store and my contact information in the right hand column of this blog) I look forward to making one especially for you. Would look great made to match your Easter outfit! This would also make the perfect one of a kind gift.

Thanks for visiting my blog today,

Kassie

St. Patrick's Day.....Shamrock Bookmark

I hope you all had a very happy St. Patrick's Day. I wanted to share with you a handmade crocheted bookmark that I made as a gift for my youngest sister. It was fun to make and worked up very quickly. My sister, an avid reader, loved the bookmark and put it to use straight away. She plans to use it year round.
(Thanks you Kristen M. for sharing your pattern with me.)

 If you would like one too, it is not too late to get one.

I have one currently listed in my eBay shop. I will also take custom orders for this item (and others) if you contact me. You can find links to my eBay shop and my contact information in the right hand column of this blog.

May the luck of the Irish come to you!

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Kassie

Let's go crazy for coconut cookies! Also, how to make your own BPA free coconut milk.

Do you go crazy for coconut?

Once mistakenly believed to be unhealthy because of its high saturated fat content, it is now known that the fat in coconut oil is unique and different from most all other fats and possesses many health giving properties. It is now gaining long overdue recognition as a nutritious health food.  Modern medical science is now confirming the use of coconut in treating many medical conditions. Published studies in medical journals show that coconut, in one form or another, may provide a wide range of health benefits. The coconut provides a nutritious source of meat, juice, milk, and oil that has fed and nourished populations around the world for generations. 

With the above in mind, I have been trying to incorporate more coconut in my families diet.  Because of the way coconut milk is packaged by manufacturers, it is hard for one to find a pure coconut milk that may not have added BPA.
BPA is used in the lining of certain canned foods. BPA especially leaches into canned foods that are acidic, salty or fatty, such as coconut milk, tomatoes, soup, and vegetables. 

It is so easy to make your own coconut milk from fresh coconuts. By making your own coconut milk, you can be sure that your milk is free from additives and stabilizers. If you are interested, I have found a fabulous YouTube video on how one can very easily make homemade coconut milk. (My tip: Blanche the coconut flakes prior to blending. This seems to make the entire process easier.)


http://youtu.be/fpxPoizVT9c
Recently, for Valentines Day, my family and I participated in a kids cooking challenge to make something yummy with coconuts. We tried several recipes, but settled on this one to serve to a group of school children. The cookies were a big hit. The coconut cookies were definitely a kid pleaser recipe.

Easy Coconut Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup shortening (half butter for flavor)

2 cups brown sugar, packed

2 eggs 1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 cup hot water or buttermilk (I use fat free buttermilk)

1 cup shredded coconut

1 tsp. vanilla

4 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

Directions:

Cream together butter and add the sugar gradually. Blend in well beaten eggs. Add the baking soda to the hot liquid and blend into the creamed mixture. Stir in coconut and vanilla, combining well. Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder and stir this into the coconut mixture. Beat 30 seconds with electric mixer. Chill thoroughly in order to make the dough easier to handle. Form into balls the size of walnuts. Flatten each into an oblong shape ¼ inch thick. Place on ungreased baking sheet and press lengthwise with the times of a fork. This dough also works well with a cookie press. Bake about 8 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees. When cool, store in an airtight container.

*Cookies are ready in about 40 minutes. Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting my blog today. :-)

Hop Into Spring with Cherrylane Boutique

For all you boutique buyers who are looking for items for your little ones for spring, just wanted to let you know that Cherrylane Boutique is having a HOP INTO SPRING boutique launch on ebay. It will last a week so click the picture and head on over to ebay to see what fabulous items the Cherrylane girls have designed. You'll be glad you did!

Here are some of the great items from ladies at Cherrylane. Ebay Search: Cherrylane

For this auction, I listed a boutique custom pair of crochet fluffy socks and a set of matching hair fluffy's or fluffy pony-o's. They can be made in many colors and all sizes. They make great gifts and great accessory items.

Click HERE to go directly to my auction.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

An Easter Bunny Purse....Ready to ship to your little chick!

Easter will be here before we know it. I am currently participating in the Easter launch with Boutique Pink and Company. I decided to make another one of these bunny boutique crochet handmade purses again this year since it was so popular last year. I may not make another one this year, so better snatch it up if you are interested. This one is crocheted and can be used as a purse or small tote. Could easily be used for an Easter basket too. It is stitched with precision and has lots of extra added touches done with hand embroidery. Bunny is accented with a flower on her head and her trusty carrot nearby. It is a great accessory item or gift and would be great for little girls and big too. Pageant girls might like this one too. You can find this one in my Ebay or Etsy listings. (You can find links to both on the right hand column of this blog.) If you are interested in this bag as a custom made to match item, contact me about a custom in colors made just for you.
Happy Easter & happy shopping!
Thanks for visiting my blog today,
Kassie

Boutique Pink & Company is having a launch: Bunnies & Bugs..Search: PinkCo

Today I have some exciting news to share...Beginning today, February 2,
Boutique Pink & Company is having a launch themed Bunnies and Bugs. The members of Boutique Pink make some absolutely exquisite items, as I am sure those of you who
are familiar with the quality of their designs know. You may search for their listings on
both Ebay and Etsy beginning today. Keep checking back for new items to be listed.
I am sure you won't be disappointed! Their work is fabulous! Remember to use the search term: PinkCo

Thanks for visiting my blog today,