Craft Space...

New craft space...

We have been working on a fun place to organize all my many crafts things for awhile.  My husband has been a great sport through all of this - I put him in charge of shelves & lifting big things...!  Although this is a project that will continue to change & grow, it has been a lot of fun working & planning on it. 

Now, I have a large work table, shelving for most things, sewing machine table, storage cabinet & bins for yarn.  Whew.  More pictures coming...

New Cupcakes...

Girlie Pink Cupcakes!

I'm working on adding some more Felt Cupcakes to the shop.  A few more details, and they'll be ready to go...  Fun gift for the holidays.

Coasters for my fall table...

Yep, keep it simple.  That saying keeps proving itself over and over, here in my home.  Why I didn't catch on to that before now is beyond me...!

I needed something neutral for my fall kitchen table that wasn't too fussy.  These are perfect.  These Crochet Coasters  are 'simple', but 'oh' so fun to make.  They whip up quickly for a holiday gift too - wrapped with mugs, tea, chocolate, gift card, whatever you like...

I am looking forward to the weekend of rest with my family (although we have places to be and lots to do).  Getting chores done and running errands today.  How 'bout you?

Denim Scraps

Well, the stack of old denim jeans and scraps around here is getting to be too much.  The question is always "What should we make...?"  This little creation is a fun way to use up some of the denim pieces, incorporate some wool felt and have more small storage bins on my shelves for thread, punches, ribbon, scraps, buttons, etc. (you get the idea).  Oh, they are so much fun to fill!

Denim 'Box'

Cookies & Milk

Chocolate Cream Cookies are back in the shop.  Yum.  As far as I'm concerned, cookies need to have chocolate in them (somewhere).  These may be one of my sweetest creations!

(4 Chocolate Cream Cookies - $9.50)

Coasters

These Doily Coasters are made from 100% cotton yarn.  They do a great job at absorbing drips or spills from reaching your table.  A fun hostess or co-worker gift...Don't forget, the holidays are coming!

Apple Wedges

Where has the summer gone?  There are only 3 weeks left until we begin school here at our house.  I have to say this year, for some reason, I am not really looking forward to the beginning of  our homeschool routine.  But, no matter how much fun the summer has been, it must come to an end - the weather is certainly proving that.  I have spent considerable time coming up with new (overnight) casserole dishes to have ready for hot breakfasts - That excites me - A simple French Toast Casserole with Pecans, an moist Baked Oatmeal Casserole with Granny Smith Apples & a savory Egg Casserole with Cheddar Cheese & Onions. Some sliced bananas & apples on the side & we will have a good start to the day...Oh, don't forget my cup of coffee!!!

These Felt Apple Wedges are a sweet snack to have in the felt food pantry.  A great way to teach the little ones how to show their dolls & stuffed animals how yummy fruits are!  Ha Ha.

* These designs are my original work & may not be copied or reproduced without my permission.

Crocheting already...?

(Coffee Cozy - $12.00)

As I sit here crocheting through a nasty rain storm, I am reminded of autumn temperatures & cozy moments sipping my latte'.  Fall will be here before we know it!  Time to plan for the holidays - yikes.

I will be adding a few new colors of Coffee Cup Cozies to the shop soon.  This Speckled Tan Cozy is soft & has a simple bow attached.  A great gift for your coffee buddy or co-worker!

* These designs are my original work & may not be copied or reproduced without my permission.

Sunny Side Up?

Sunny Side Eggs & Strawberries

Yum - Breakfast - My favorite meal!

There's no getting around all the smiles that automatically come over my face when I work on these Sunny Side Eggs.  No matter how many I make, they still make me laugh.  I invision the little ones flipping them in a little frying pan & placing them on a plate with a Strawberry Slice garnish for their stuffed animals to enjoy.  How fun is this?!

(2 Sunny Side Eggs, 2 Strawberry Slices - $9.50)

* These designs are my original work & may not be copied or reproduced without my permission.

Muffin or Cupcake?

Iced Muffin - Red

A new addition to the Little Bug Market Shop - An Iced Muffin!  My original intention was to create a fluffy cupcake, but that just never worked out the way I invisioned.  As this little creation continued to evolve, I fell in love with it's simplicity.  I hope you enjoy these new Iced Muffins which will come in a silicone baking cup.  They make a great addition to the breakfast food menu...You don't need a special occasion to enjoy something sweet!

* These designs are my original work & may not be copied or reproduced without my permission.

How Sweet!

A little bit of Crochet Chunky Sweetness for your little one this fall!

Pink Chunky Baby Beanie

Buttons from my Forest!

Wood Branch Buttons 1"

Well, purchasing buttons for my Coffee Cup Cozy's & Hats has become a bit costly.  As a desperation move, I asked my husband to forage for branches in our forest, cut them into small thin circles & drill holes in them - all so I could make my own buttons!!  A bit tricky in the beginning, but SO worth it in the end!  Ha Ha.  Instead of rubbing them with oil, I am coating them with a thin layer of shellac.  I worry about people hand washing their Coffee Cozy & damaging the wood.  The shellac will protect the 'button' from harm.

The kids got involved in this project by finding branches & sticks the correct size & making sure Daddy cuts them 'just right' for Mommie!  I'm working on sizes & thickness at this point, but I am thrilled with the outcome, so far.  My husband asked me:  "Does this make me a 'crafter' now?"  I said, "Most certainly not.  You are just my Supplier!"  He is such a great support to my quirky crafy ideas - I don't know what I would do without him...

1 1/4" Branch Buttons

1" Branch Buttons

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...

You know those little sheets of cardboard we get from paper tablets, to-go-cup wrappers, packaged clothing, toys, etc...?  What do YOU do with them?  I would love to hear what creative ways you use these easily discarded sheets of cardboard, or do you just throw them away...?

I get the kids to cut them into shapes, stamp or embellish with my artwork, hang with twine & make them into shop tags & thank you tags to ship with my orders.  Reduce, Reuse, Recyle - every little bit helps!!

Rainy Day Experiments!

Today is a rainy, dreary 'crochet day' - I've been experimenting with all the yarn stash & crochet needles I have!  I have recently fallen in love with any type of wool blend yarn.

This is a Shorty Bow Cup Cozy made from Royal Purple & Heather Gray Wool Yarns.  I really like this new bow & will probably make some more to add to this lonely creature!

Find me: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kroshaycafe

Walnuts Again?

It's fall again.  There are so many wonderful things in my back yard right now - The walnuts are plentiful & I couldn't help but chuckle at the amazing color similarity between this wool yarn & the outer shell of these walnuts!  Photo opportunity.  I love this Lemon Grass Wool color even more now & feel very inspired!  Where are you finding your inspiration?

Blushing...



Blush Heather Wool with Zinnia Pink Flower

It's a pink day around here.  My daughter just got her hair cut short & is not sure that was a good idea.  I think it's fun & bouncy, as it allows her natural curls to actually curl.  Not to mention how sweet her face looks with all that fluffy hair surrounding it.  A crochet headband would be a fun touch too - have to work on that, huh?  Here's to feeling femine & girlie today as you try something new with your hair, without regret!

This Blush Heather Wool Classic Cup Cozy is a bit understated by itself.  But, when you add the Zinnia Pink Wool Flower, Pow!  Enjoy this Girlie Cozy that has quite a bold feminine flair.

Find me: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kroshaycafe

New School Year Begins...

September already?  Oh my.  It's the first day of school here at our house.  We've started our 9th year of homeschooling & things are off to a great beginning!  I'm sure there will be some hick-ups along our way, but I am anticipating a fun year filled with much learning, organization & fun times with my kiddos.

I looked at my yarn basket longingly today & wished that I could sit & crochet, but that was a no-no for today's schedule.  Here's a Blue Cup Cozy with a Heart in honor of Back To School Day at my house!!

Faded Denim Wool with Heart

Come see me:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/kroshaycafe

Coffee

Everyone knows that I Love Coffee.  I make a lot of these Reusable Coffee Filters in many sizes for myself & those who share my passion.  I love to see them chosen to be part of an Etsy Treasury.  Here they are, among other special things!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTc2MTIyMXw2MzcxMzcyMjE/un-petit-dejeuner

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTU5OTcxMzB8Njc3NzA0NDg2/road-trip-time

Bye Bye, Lavender

The close of the summer season marks the end of my Lavender plants in bloom.  I made some more little purple clutches to celebrate the coming end of the season.  They measure about 7 1/4" wide & will be perfect for those little trips to the store or for my daughter's many trinkets!  This project also uses up some of my 'not-so-used' felts, fabrics, interfacing & buttons!  Don't you love using those little scraps & pieces that hang around just waiting for a new project to give them meaning & purpose...?!

Stormy

Been away for a little bit.  The recent hurricane didn't cause damage to our home via flood or tree damage.  But, we did lose power for 4 days!  Let me just say that I know we rely on electric for many things, I just didn't realize how stranded you can feel without it.  Although I had a lot of safety plans in place, there are only so many things you can plan for.  Once we rescued the food out of our fridge/freezers & put it in a safe place, we left town to be together & enjoy some away time.  I had some time to think about what's going on in our lives & put things in perspective.  I hope that everyone who experienced effects of the recent storms is now finding a calm relief.

A new stretchy soft yarn - 100% Superwashed Wool - Robins Egg Blue - reminds me of a storm!