Adoption Stories to Warm your Heart

After my initial announcement of my adoption project. Several people emailed me and I received responses from adoption agencies that shared my story.  I wanted to read a few of these stories as I am completely unable to choose. If you want to read about the adoption project, you can read the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT blog that tells you all about it! Without further ado, I present you the first round of adoption stories!!

Here are some of the items I am offering and each family can choose which one they want!

Links to the patterns for items to choose:

1.  Very Hungry Catepillar hat and cocoon

2.  Pacifier Clip and Baby Sandals 

3.  Baby Dress  

4.  Brimmed Hat 

5.  Diaper Cover and Beanie Set (Sports themed) 

6.  Hat and Bootie Set ( Can be made for a boy without bow.)

Visit me on FACEBOOK!  Please share this with everyone and anyone that may be involved with adoptions and/or foster care!!

Big Announcement!!!

I have been working at crochet and blogging for a little while now.  I must admit, it has only been scattered and half-hearted.  But my intentions were there. What were my intentions?

I started off with basic selling of items.  I made a few items and people liked them, so they bought them.  Simple.  I was learning and trying new things and I was making a little money while enjoying my hobby.  Then I decided to begin a blog and try to reach out a little in the crochet world. Tutorials had become an option.  I thought maybe teaching others would be a way I could help and serve others, but I have yet to get a great setting for this and it just wasn't working. Then I was led to try to use my crochet to give back.  This was harder than you think.  I wanted to do fundraisers but it is really hard to make a significant amount of money to give when you are one person.  I teamed with other people, but this proved to be quite an undertaking.  So where has this left me?

I have a cousin who is adopting and it has left a soft spot on my heart.  Here is their story! I have decided...I am going to crochet for adoption!  What does that look like?  Well, knowing myself and my mastered skill of "Oh LOOK!  A chicken!", I am certain this path is going to change.  A lot!  But this is what it will look like for now.  

I would like to start making and donating items for families that are adopting or have adopted.  If you know a family adopting or has adopted that could use a gift, please send me their story!  For now, as this is just me, I will pick one story each week and send them a crochet item.  I will post either a picture of one I have made or a link to the pattern below so you can choose an item.  I am not sure how this will all play out.  All I ask is for patience. Please share this with friends and family who may know someone.  

You can email your stories to risenshinecrochet@gmail.com.  This is where I will choose from.

I am really excited about this because it has been my goal to start to use my crochet as a way to reach out and give back.  I have always felt like I was meant to serve in some way and I truly love crochet. My grandmothers were such a huge part of my desire to crochet.  I believe with all my heart that God gifted this skill to me so now I would like to use it for something great!

Take a look at what I will be offering for now.  When you send your email, let me know which item you are interested in.  I promise I will do my best!  Due to cost and time investment, I will not be doing blankets at this time.  I would like to keep the projects smaller so I can accomplish more of them.  Maybe someday down the line, I will team up with others who would be willing to participate!

Come check out my FaceBook page as well for pictures of a lot of my completed projects.  

Links to the patterns for items to choose:

1.  Very Hungry Catepillar hat and cocoon

2.  Pacifier Clip and Baby Sandals 

3.  Baby Dress  

4.  Brimmed Hat 

5.  Diaper Cover and Beanie Set (Sports themed) 

6.  Hat and Bootie Set ( Can be made for a boy without bow.)

And the Winner is...

I DID IT!!!!  I reached 500 likes on Facebook!

Am I overreacting?  Maybe!? But it feel like a milestone to me!  I was really excited when people started liking my work.  The name Rise N Shine Crochet is getting out there.  This makes me happy.  I am expanding my product line and therefore my skills.  I have a few tutorials on YouTube!  Here is the link for a basic single crochet.  Here is the video for a basic double crochet.

I ran a giveaway on my Facebook page for reaching 500 like!  I am giving away bootcuffs. I was so happy when I saw the number of people who responded!  As soon as I passed 500, I did the giveaway!  See the WINNER here.  Please like and share so I can keep spreading the word!

Last, but not least, THIS is my next crochet purchase.  As yarn guide.  When I get to crocheting for a few hours, it will be nice to have something to do some of the work for me!

Off to make dishcloths.

Starting a New Trend

I have a bit of a personal blog to post so bear with me. I have a cousin who has been trying for years to get pregnant with no success. Here is their story. After exhausting all options, they have decided that adopting is their destiny. In an effort to help, I offered my profits from orders that were placed during a set time period. It turned out pretty well! I was amazed at the people that were offering to buy my items to help them on their way. It certainly kept me busy during the holiday season and really tested my abilities in making unfamiliar stitches and patterns. I learned a lot and gained a lot of confidence in the process. But best of all, my gain was their gain as well. I have always wanted to use this business as a way to give back somehow. This was a small effort that has propelled down some unique and unexplored paths. This will be an ever-growing and changing plan.

This blog is going to be more focused on tutorials and crochet education. I am twirling many ideas and plans around, but going forward, I know, at the very least, it will be a place of learning for all! Have any things you would like to see? I'll make tutorial videos and post them. I will start with simple stitches and then work through more difficult stitches and combinations!

On a fun note, I bought my first set of new hooks since I started.  I was working on a brand new project (see picture below) and I was wanting to dive in head first!  Every crochet page and blog I follow was recommending these Clover Hooks!  These hooks...wow.  Like butta! Just had to share in case anyone was looking for hooks!

Find out what I am GIVING AWAY!!!

I have been off the blogger grid for a few months but I am back!

Things have been crazy busy lately.  It is exciting to see my crochet world growing.  I have a few followers now and people who enjoy seeing my work.  I have decided to do a giveaway on my FACEBOOK page.  You can earn an entry by liking my page and you can earn another entry when you share it!!

What do you win????  Well, how about a $25 gift card to my Rise N Shine Crochet ETSY shop.  Come see what's there.  While you're visiting my Facebook page, if you see something on there that is not in my shop and you decide you want that item, for my blog readers ONLY, I will make a custom order and honor the giftcard!!!

Be a part of helping me grow my business!  I am going to be starting video tutorials on YouTube soon and will be posting these as well so if you want to learn to crochet, keep checking back!!