The Giveaway Winner is...

Addy:)

Who said, "Your hats are lovely, and since I can't knit or crochet at all, I am super-impressed!"

Congrats! You should already have an email from me in your inbox...if not, leave a comment here and we'll track it down in cyber-space.

And for those of you who are super jealous of Addy right now...custom hats are available for order through my Etsy shop. You'll notice the shop is on vacation through 1/4/11, but I'm still taking custom orders, so just send me a convo and we'll make sure you get the hat of your dreams:)

GIVEAWAY DAY!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. I'LL BE IN TOUCH WITH THE WINNER VERY SOON:)

If you are a new visitor to Belle + Bee...WELCOME! I'm so excited about Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day because not only do I get to meet new blog friends, but I also get to roam cyber-world and drool over all the prizes that I want to win! I had the WORST time trying to decide what to offer here at Belle + Bee. There were just so many choices of fun things to share:)

But, first a tiny bit of background about Belle + Bee for our new friends. I'm a stay-at-home mom with two adorable little girls, "Belle," who is 3 and "Bee," who is 1. I started quilting as a little girl and over time have branched out to pretty much any thing that can be sewn, stitched, or created. I'm a compulsive project-starter, which drives my incredibly supportive husband just a little crazy. And Belle + Bee, the blog, is my outlet to share all the various projects that fill my days. You can find everything from needle felted fairies to clothing tutorials to kids' crafts in the archives. And there's always something new around the next corner!

But enough of that...on to the fun stuff:)

In my world, winter is all about cozy crafts...things that warm you as you work. So, after much debate, I settled on a COZY CUSTOM HAT AND SCARF SET for my prize. The options really are endless. Adult, child, infant, earflaps, fur, fuzz, animals, flowers, pompoms... I'll contact the winner via email to design your custom set.

Now, if I were you...I'd take a good hard look at that Christmas shopping list. Then I'd bury it in my bag and order this first set for myself. Of course, I'm just a bit biased. That's my hat and scarf:) It is the thickest, softest, my luscious yarn ever! Warm, wooly, and oh so happy:) (And available in other colors, of course!) The perfect way to reward yourself for surviving all the holiday hubub! I just wish you could touch it through your screen!!!!

But, there are lots of other options too! Animal hats are very popular with small children, but also HUGELY popular with teenagers and young adults. I've actually sold more in adult sizes than child sizes this holiday season.

And every little girl needs a snuggly flower hat that ties securely around her chin so she can't wrestle it off in mid-walk. Because that has NEVER happened in our stroller! HA!

Teddy bears, panda bears, cats, and lions, oh my! [That's a "GRRRR!" in the pic:)]

But of course, if you live in a windy climate, it's nice to be able to tie your own hat securely around your chin.

And one more flower because Bee is just so darn cute!

As you can see, the options really are endless...you design your own prize. I'll work with you to get color, yarn, style, and size that will be perfect for anyone on your list, including yourself!

To enter, just comment below! Tell me your favorite winter crafting activity, and PLEASE leave your email address in your comment so that I can track you down easily. I'll randomly select a winner on December 17. Of course, I'd love to have some new followers, so take a look around and if you like what you see you can use the various tools on the right to follow in your reader or on Facebook. If you follow on Facebook you'll find occassional FB specials and Etsy coupon codes available only to followers.

That poor child is so tired of having to pose in hats!!! I hope she'll forgive me someday!

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to take a look at the other great giveaways at Sew Mama Sew.

Ha!

This just makes me laugh!

Making Do Monday - FREE PATTERN - Cozy Hat

I make hats...it's good for my marriage!

???

Yep, that's right. It's better than counseling, because it prevents us from needing couseling.

???

Ok - maybe I should explain.

I'm a control freak. Especially when it comes to driving. My husband is a terrific driver. He's safe; he's responsible; he's reliable; he's aware...you know, all those things you are supposed to be when you are behind the wheel. HOWEVER, the rest of the world...not so much! It seems that lane lines have become optional, speed limits are mere suggestions, and common courtesy is out-dated. Glance in any window on the interstate and you can pretty much guarantee that the driver is talking on the phone, texting, or checking their email. I think my life is shortened by one year every time I am on a highway!

So how does this relate to hats???

I make them. In the car. While my husband drives.

I can happily crochet, still carry on a conversation, and never have the opportunity to glance up and see the swerving vehicles, drifting tractor trailers, and teeny-tiny little lanes through the construction zones. I used to try to read, but every time I wanted to talk to my husband I looked up...not good! I tried just talking about really riveting things, but then I could still see everything that is going on...not good! I've occassionally tried to sew, but bumps result in finger pricks, then my eyes wander, and well...you get the picture.

Then one day I brought some yarn along on a trip, and before I knew it we were there. I hadn't gasped, gripped the mercy bar, or hissed, "They're stopping!" at my husband even one time. He was smiling; I was smiling; We were happy! It was a minor miracle!

So now...I make hats.

And in honor of the month of October and the return of cool weather I'm sharing my SUPER-SIMPLE Cozy Hat pattern. This pattern is easily adjustable from newborn to adult. You will need basic crochet knowledge, but I mean BASIC. And if you've never crocheted, but still want a hat...let me know. I have LOTS of them. One for every ride I've taken in the last 6 months:) Did I mention that we recently purchased some land in the mountains??? It's only going to get WORSE!

And how, might you ask, is this a Making Do Monday project? Well, each one of these takes about half a skein of yarn (even less for the newborn hat), so it's a great way to use up bits and pieces of yarn that are left over from other projects.

Cozy Hat Pattern:

You will need - 1 skein of medium weight yarn (a 4 or 5 weight will work), crochet hook (H)

Size - Pattern is written for an adult. Stitch count changes are in parentheses for 0-6 months, 6-12 months, and 2-6 years respectively.

Row 1: Chain 24(13, 16, 21).

Row 2: Skip chain stitch and single crochet in BACK LOOPS of each stitch, 23 (12, 15, 20) stitches in all. Chain 1.

Rows 3+: Repeat Row 2 until piece measures approximately 20 (13, 15, 18) inches (. BE SURE TO STITCH AN EVEN NUMBER OF ROWS!

Last Row: Fold hat right sides together and match up end rows. Skip chain stitch and single crochet in each pair of stitches (pass hook through loops of both ends of piece with each stitch). 23 (13, 15, 18) stitches.

Tie off. Clip yarn leaving long tail (25+" long).

Weave tail around circumference of hat. Pull tightly to gather top of hat. Tie off and clip strings. Turn hat right side out and fold up edge if desired.

DONE!

Making Do Monday - Fleece Hat and Scarf

Introducing: Making Do Mondays on Belle + Bee

Making Do Monday is all about making do with what you have. This is a tough concept for me!!!! When I dream up a new project, the first thing I do is plan a trip to the "projects" store (Belle's name for our local craft and fabric stores). My goal for this new feature on Belle + Bee is that I will learn to make-do with the gazillion yards of fabric that I already have. Now if you stash isn't quite as massive as mine, don't worry...all the projects can be completed with purchased materials. But I would encourage you to try to make-do with me, as much as possible:)

Each week (I HOPE!) you will find a tutorial for a simple project that I made totally out of things I found in my house and stash.

First up...Fleece Hat and Scarf! Belle got a new coat for fall, and as I was actually on my way to the projects store to get yarn to crochet a hat, I remembered the pile of fleece I had collected a couple of years ago. And Making Do Monday began:)

On a difficulty scale of 1-4 thimbles, this is about a 0.5:)

You will need a large piece of fleece fabric and some thread. This can be made by hand or machine. Assuming you don't have a large box of fleece in your closet like me, then purchasing a yard of fleece will be more than enough for an adult-size hat and scarf.

HAT:

Cut the selvage edge off of the fleece. This is your new measuring tape (I was too lazy to go dig one out of the garage).

Measure the circumference of your head (or the recipient's head) at the widest point. Snip the selvage at that length so that you now have a strip that is exactly the same size as your noggin.

Now measure from your brow bone up to the crown of your head, add 4 inches and snip another piece of selvage.

Now use your two measurements to cut TWO rectangles of fleece. Make sure that the stretchy direction of the fleece goes with the circumference measurement (fleece only stretches in one direction and you want that to go around your head).

Fold each rectangle in half hamburger-style (you are going to match up the height-measurement sides of the rectangle). Sew the edges together using 3/8" seam allowance. You will now have 2 cylinders that you could wear like a stovepipe hat on your melon.

Turn one cylinder right side out and slip it down into the other so that right-sides are together. Match up the seams and pin the bottom edged together. Sew all the way around the bottom edge of the cylinders, connecting the two together.

Flip the cylinder so that wrong-sides are together. You can now put your hat on...it's just missing the fun fluff at the top.

Cut a very narrow strip of fleece (about 3/8" wide and 12" long). Gather the top of the hat, wrap the strip around it and tie several very tight knots.

Use scissors to fringe the top edges of the hat. Each piece of fringe on the sample hat is about 1/2" wide, but you can make them any width you would like.

DONE!

SCARF:

Cut a long strip of fleece, approximately 6" wide (you really could make the scarf any width you like). For this toddler-size scarf, I just cut across the entire width of the fleece, which I think is 58". So, my scarf is 6"x58", but you could use any measurement that fits your fabric and your recipient.

If you want an adult-size scarf, or super long scarf, or you just have a smaller piece of fleece, then just cut two lengths and sew them together.

Use scissors to create fringe along both ends. You can make the fringe as long and wide as you like. Mine is 1/2" wide x 4" long.

DONE!

PLEASE DO NOT EVER USE PICS OF MY KIDDOS!!!! I really don't like to post them at all, but on occassion it seems necessary for a post. I love them and want to protect them, so please respect this request!