Don't know how to put on a messy bun hat?

I watched this messy bun hate craze unravel before my eyes!  Haven't seen a messy bun?

I had not gotten on the bandwagon yet, until one morning I woke up and there it was.  The tag on FaceBook asking if I could make one!  Little did I know, two months later, i would still be making them!  The first time I put one on my head, however, I learned there was more to making this hat than just the pattern.  I had issues putting it over my bun.  My bun turned into a crazy mess.  Once I figured it out, I decided to make this...

I love these hats and have had so much fun making them!  Let me know what YOU think!  

5 things we have done to prepare for our trip

Let me start of with this.  I have 3 kids, I work at home, and of course, I run my crochet business.  I have more to do in a day than I ever have since I have been a mom which means getting ready for a trip just means I took on another full-time job.  But let me tell you, this stuff will be well worth it in the weeks to come!

We are in prep mode this week.  I am bound and determined to be totally prepared to leave by tomorrow.  Well, of course not the essentials that we can't put in the suitcases until the day we leave.  But knowing me and my weaknesses, planning is absolutely the key.  Anyone who knows me, knows I am a naturally forgetful, so lists are imperative.

1.  PLAN AHEAD!  
We have traveled a LOT!!  But it never fails that I forget things, including ideas that I had for activities in the car or along the way.  This time, we have travel journals. My older 2 children and I are keeping journals with packing lists, ideas for the car, maps, and it will serve as a place to journal what we have been doing, keep pamphlets we get from places we visit, draw as we drive, plan for what we will be doing on certain legs of the trip, scavenger hunts, puzzle gmaes, and for me, grocery lists.  We are staying in Air bnb homes.  If you have never stayed in one while traveling, you MUST check it out.  These homes have kitchens so we will be cooking our meals and eating at home.  This means planning meals!  It is a way for us to save money on a really long trip.

2.  CLEAN OUT THE CLOSETS!
My mom is always wanting tasks and projects.  She wants to be busy and menial jobs just don't cut it.  My parents recently moved nearby and she must have things to do.  So I took her up on this and had her help clean out the old clothes from the kids' dressers and closets.  In doing this, she was able to set aside all the things I want them to pack!  My oldest is capable all on her own to so this and she was a champ.  My middle helped out grandma and this is her happy place as well so she and grandma were like two peas in a pod with this project.  My littlest?  Well, if you are close to my age, The Taz may give you a good image of how much help he was!  Now we will be leaving our house organized.  We are planning to do laundry on our trip as well so we so not need to pack as much and BONUS...we come home with clean clothes!

3.  CLEAN THE HOUSE AND DO THE SHEETS!
Nothing says home like coming back from a long trip.  "There's no place like home" after you've been gone for a while.  But who wants to come home to a dirty house and old sheets.  I always wait until the day before the trip to wash every one's sheets and I also make sure there is no additional laundry to do when we get back by washing every last piece that's there.  This time, I have been on top of laundry so much this week, that I have been doing small loads several times a day just to make sure nothing gets left behind.  Plus small loads are more manageable when there are 5 people in the house.  We have been ripping rooms apart so deep cleaning has been all the rage!  Everyone is participating.  We will walk into a clean and organized house which will be perfect for getting back to life as usual upon our return.

4.  CAR MAINTENANCE
We took the car in for oil change, brakes, tires and a nice detail.  Seriously important since we don't want to lose time on our trip for an unexpected break down due to lack of maintenance.  The detail was for my own mental maintenance.  Three kiddos in my car everyday is hard to keep clean...and if you're reading this, there is probably no explanation needed!  Each kid sets up their own "living quarters" if you will.  They set up their own back pack with their own stuff with a pillow and  blanket.  This gives them room so they are not on top of each other while we are on the long trips!

5.  ELECTRONICS/CHARGERS and APPS!
There will be a point eventually where we need some downtime while driving.  There is so much adventure to be had along the way that I have no issues while we are driving if they play on ipads or watch movies.  MUST.  HAVE.  CHARGERS!!!  Also, we have some apps installed on our phones to help with things in the area.  Yelp is a good one.  There are some others as well.  But if you're in a strange area and you are looking for something specific, or maybe you are interested in a side trip that's local to you, these apps can use your location to help you find specific places and activities.

An intense amount goes into planning for a road trip.  Especially a long one.  When you are taking kids or just multiple people with you, it can be challenging to make sure everyone needs are met.  It is a MUST to have everyone participate in planning and packing so everyone has a say.

I, on the other hand, will be bringing my crochet.  My husband is professional stunt driver, so I will be doing NADA of driving.  Crochet is a must.  I can still talk to him and be entertained!  I am looking forward to this trip so much!!  Onto the next stage of prepping and packing!

Rise N Shine Crochet is Road Tripping!

Homeschoolers.  Work-at-Homers.

We are taking to the road!  We will be working and homeschooling from the road too!  You must tune in and follow our journey.  We will be YouTubing and Blogging our way through the entire trip.  Be sure to subscribe so you get all the updates!  Also, check out my FaceBook for some live video!

This is going to be EPIC I tell you.  We are going from Central Florida, up the coast all the way to Massachusetts and back down through Virginia.  I am beyond excited and can't wait to share the craziness.  There will be some side-tripping, some off-roading, some hiking, and a LOT of history.

Watch as we teach and work from the road.  Interact with us and keep up with our journey as  Rise N Shine Crochet goes Roadtrippin!

Coming to a blog near you in October!

Adoption Project 2 - The Very Hungry Caterpillar

This round of adoption stories touched me in a way I never though possible.  To be honest, I really wasn't thinking about how the stories would affect me when I started.  I just knew I had a desire to serve families of adoption.  I already know a lot of stories of adoption and even several close to home.  But to get down and deep with people I don't even know and actually feel so intensely for what they were experiencing was way bigger than I anticipated.

This brings me to the second family's story.  They are still awaiting their match; their baby!  When they were choosing, they wanted something gender neutral because they don't know what they're having yet.  So they chose The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  I had been wanting to make this for so long, but with other orders and projects, I had not had a chance. I was thrilled to get to make this one!!  

Check out the rest of the stories.  If you are someone you know are adopting, please email your story to me at risenshinecrochet@gmail.com.

See What a Surprise I got in My Email

One of the families has emailed me back with the most amazing news!

Their baby was born June 6, 2 months early, and the birth mom has already signed the papers.  They have a brand new baby boy!!!

She has chosen a baby fox and diaper cover set!  I have chosen to combine patterns.  I liked the Sly as a Fox hat better but I am using the Croby Patterns diaper cover.  I am really excited to make this set. 

I will post pictures as I make it.  Congratulations!!!!

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!!

Rise N Shine Crochet Goes International!

I just have a quick note for you if you're following the Mila project.  The Mila hats are spreading!

Mila is big in Italy and an article was written to advertise them and help get the word out!  Check this out!!  (You have to translate the page if you don't speak Italian.)  My daughter/Mila hat model is all excited that she's now internationally known!  Fun times!

Stop over and see the article HERE!

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UPDATE on the Mila Project

Its official!  The Mila hat is up for sale!

Get your exclusive Mila hat!  Message me direct through my FaceBook page and be part of this awesome and unique project.  The details for this project are in my What's Happening Now blog.

I have to say, I always though this movie was such a cool project.  When I saw the first trailer for it, my daughters and I cried!  But now, I am actually a tiny part of it and I feel even deeper about it.  I feel blessed to get to be involved in some little way.  When I think of war, the first people I think of are the soldiers followed shortly by their families.  But the children!  I never think of what a war looks like to a child.  We have studied the Civil War this year in our homeschool and this was the last war fought on American soil.  It is abstract to think of those children running their own farms while their fathers were away fighting; or sadly enough, fighting in the war itself!

Europe has seen an enormously large number of wars.  Mila's little face really hits home.  I imagine my little, innocent girls witnessing war and its destruction and it makes me so sad.

I say all this because I love this cause.  I love what it means and I am truly in love with this movie!

Help support Mila and get a really cool hat in the process!  Not gonna lie! I love this hat!! And when I get a chance, after I make the ones that are on order now, I will be making one for myself!

What's Happening Now?

Last week I made the big announcement that I will be adding a service project to Rise N Shine Crochet to serve families that have or will be adopting.  I have been in contact with several adoption agencies and been all over the social media world resulting in new contacts and lots of response!  I have several stories I will be sharing this coming week from a few families!  My heart is so happy.  In the midst of all this, a long-time friend of mine reached out and asked if I would like to participate with some fundraising for her project as well that falls right in line with the path my service project is taking.  Let me introduce you to Mila!!

Here is the director, Cinzia Angellini's description:

Mila is a CG animated short about a little girl whose life takes an unexpected turn during WWII. It’s rare that animation takes on serious, complex matters such as War. Still, I believe animation is the perfect medium to tell this story set in my hometown, Trento (Italy). Mila is the story of a girl and two women during Trento’s bombing in 1943. I wanted to tell a war story not centered on armies, soldiers, generals, battle plans. I wanted to talk about civilians, and especially the children. The girl who inspired me to create this movie was a child during WWII. That girl is my mother.

- Cinzia Angelini, Director

250 ARTISTS, 25 COUNTRIES, 1 GOAL!

All of the people working on this film are volunteering!  The collaboration worldwide seems impossible but they all bring it together selflessness, dedication, and a common goal.

My long-time friend of <ahem> years, Andrea Emmes, is the producer for this film and as part of her job, she is fundraising.  They have managed to get UNICEF to partner with them!  How amazing is that!!  Unicef works with children around the world adoption, fostering, emergency humanitarian services, and a multitude of other life changing acts.  Imagine the war torn countries for current children.  Pretty awful.  Now imagine them, as Mila.  I have always believed everything happens for a reason and God's plan will play out.  By reaching out regarding service to adoption, I am now able to help here too!  

I am making  Mila's cute little newsboy hat you see in the video.  I have completed one already and I will be posting pictures and video soon.  You can also purchase these through me if you would like and I will give all the profit to Mila.  You can also DONATE here.  Visit the website for more information on Mila!

This story is worth telling.  Children have such a small voice in this world.  I am thrilled at the direction my plan is heading and grateful that God is taking control of this for me.  It really is taking on a life of its own!  Please share.  SHARE!!!  I mean just look how cue she is!

FaceBook: Mila

Website: Mila

YouTube: Some great videos further depicting their project and goals.

‪#‎LetsMakeADifference‬

‪#‎MilaMovement‬
‪#‎SupportChildren‬
‪#‎ChildSurvivorsofWar‬

Things I wish I knew When I Began to Crochet

I knew when I found out I was having a boy, I wanted to make him a blanket.  I already had 2 girls and I never really learned to crochet for them, but this time, I was going to learn.  So I took to learning from YouTube!  I dreamed of single crochets and double crochets for months.

One day, we were having lunch at a local restaurant and walked by a table full of ladies.  I happened to glance in a open bag.  I wasn't snooping, it was wide open!  Okay, I know that's weird, but something caught my eye.  It was a gigantic crochet blanket.  When I looked around the table, I saw all the ladies were working on crochet projects.  Turned out, they were a crochet club.  I did go back a few times and sit with them, working on my lopsided and all kinds of crooked baby blanket.  They gave me bits of advice, but really, I think they felt sorry for my son's gift.

It was a rough start.  Not gonna lie.  But I did eventually get that blanket finished about 2 weeks before he was born.  It will serve as my reminder that when you practice, you can get better.  I have progressed immensely since those days.

I wish I learned:
1.  How to count my stitches.  My start may not have been so rough had I taken the time to count.
2.  Just because the stitch is big and it works up quick, doesn't mean it is the right stitch.
3.  Yarn matters.  Cheaper is not always better.
4.  The hook matters! See #3.
5.  Read the pattern before you make the project.  Do I really need to explain this?  Let's just say, it is really important to know how much yarn you will need.
6.  If you're not sure, YouTube!
7.  Not all patterns are created equal.
8.  There is a coupon for everything.  Be patient, and when the coupons come out, stock up baby!
9.  ALWAYS....ALWAYS...ALWAYS bring yarn, hook, and don't forget the scissors.
10.  Be patient.  If there is a question about the level of patience, refer to 1-9!!!

Practice is the key.  It isn't easy.  It can be frustrating.  When all else fails, step AWAY for the CROCHET!  You can always come back later.

How Can We Help

My sweet cousin has battled infertility in a major way, but that battle is ending and a new journey has begun.  The journey of adoption.  Read their story.

In an effort to help in what minuscule way I could, I used my crochet sale profits as donations.  Now, I joined forces with 12 other businesses to create an event!  The vendors are Myself (Rise n Shine Crochet , Jamberry, Usborne Books, Fashions for Your Little One, Plexus, It Works, Make a Memory Shoppe, Thirty One, Origami Owl, Young Living Oils, Keep Collectives, and Perfectly Posh.  Not only can you support this amazing couple and help them on their way to bring home their new baby, but you can support these small businesses! I love how these people are so willing to give their time, their hearts, their businesses, and their compassion to  a beautiful pair who are so deserving of a family of their own.

Each business will be featured for one day.  Please join the event and see all the amazing things these businesses have to offer.  The variety is wide and there is certainly something for everyone!

Meet Erika and Ed Hornbeck.  Meet a set of parents that will do the world some good!

Small Successes

I am so over the moon excited at the places that my little crochet world is going.  I have been doing a lot of marketing to try to get my name out there and with little to no knowledge of social media marketing, this can pose a challenge.  Let go backwards for a minute.

Crochet is a passion.  It turned out to be one that made a little money for me.  As time has gone on, my goals have changed from wanting to sell my work, to wanting to teach my craft.  This requires social media and a knowledge of its viral capabilities.  I have watched countless webcasts, some that just wasted my time.  I have read countless blog, also some that were not quite useful. But I have learned and implemented lots of trial and error.  Its a process.

Now, I have reached hundreds and hundreds.  I need to reach thousands and thousands.  So I will keep on plugging and learning and trying and "error-ing".

In the meantime, I was featured on marketing page that reaches many more than I reach!  Vendors of the World featured me this weekend!  Little successes mean a lot.  The more people I reach, the more I can do.  It has been my goal for a while to get tutorial videos out on my YouTube Channel.  Please go and subscribe so you can be a part of my channel and see the tutorials as they come out.  I am going all out now.  Determined to start this new leg of my crochet journey.

It is all a process.  A lot of learning.  A ton of research.  But quite satisfying.

How to Crochet a Basic Chain Video Tutorial

I am so excited to be posting my first video tutorial.  Now, let me just say, I know this set up is not the best.  I just wanted to try it out, but I learned a few things and my next one will look much better! Let me know if it helped or anything that would make it better!

Enjoy!  Please share and leave comments!!

Something really cool happened today...

I am so excited!  I did an interview for a media blog and I was featured today!!  It is so exciting!!!  I know, the exclamation points are overwhelming...

Check out my interview on her blog and be sure to head over to my Facebook to enter my giveaway.

On a side note, I am finally starting my tutorials on You Tube.  I will be starting with some beginner stitches, so if you are new to crochet, subscribe to my channel and be sure to catch the first video as we start with beginning crochet!!

Not gonna lie...this is pretty fun!

Where Do you Find the Time?

I am a homeschooling, work-at-home, full-time mom...I still can't decide if that is mathematically possible.

I finally found this hobby of crochet that I really, really love.  It's the time factor that is such a bother. I end up trying to crochet in doctor's offices, late at night, early in the morning, while my kids read me a book they've read 600 times before (as I am doing at this very minute), and lastly, while leaving dinner burning on the stove.  Just ask my husband how many times I have almost burned down the house!

Oh, how I would love to have a crochet business.  I just can't seem to fit it in.  Teaching, working, running kids to activities, managing the house and schedules, oh and my husband works 7 days a week.  Every week.

Okay, crochet lovers.  Where does it fit?

Here is a project I found and cannot wait to try!

How Does One Find a Crochet Niche?

I live in Florida.  I know this causes not-so-nice thoughts to develop in the minds of the ones covered in snow, but Florida life says it is 90 degrees and it is only March!!!  YUCK!  What is summer gonna slither into???

That leads me to the point of this post.  What can I crochet now?  Scarves and hats are out, so here is my crochet confession!  I have a small obsession with barefoot baby sandals!  I just think they are the cutest little thing on baby feet.  I have made a few for customers as well.  I found these on Repeat Crafter Me.  As far as crocheting them myself, these have been my favorite to make.

I am also looking at all these crazy fun headband patterns and I get to wishing I was a pattern maker.  I really should learn how.  I am new to this adventure of crochet and I am a little scared, if I'm being honest, to have a go at writing a pattern!

I would love to see all the "off the beaten path" crocheting people have done.  I have been getting lost in my own pins on Pinterest and I have certainly wasted my fair share of time on other people's crochet blogs.

What is your niche?

Minion Crazy Crochet

Let me start off by saying, I am thrilled that my work is noticed and the bonus being, people have purchased it.  Not just any people...not my mom or aunt!  But people that don't even know me!  It is as big a compliment as I could get.  There was a problem though!

I had been selling items locally through a resale page on Facebook.  I also listed my items on Etsy.  Of course, I think I went almost a year before anyone even looked in my shop much less bought anything.  Then, the miracle of all miracles, someone bought an item!  Things sort of took off from there.  So what was the problem?  Everyone bought the same item!! Now, everyone loves a minion, but making the same item over and over was really beginning to stifle my creativity and love of my hobby!  I needed to get back to my love of the craft.  I started an Art Fire Studio as well.

That is why I began to blog.  I am hoping by writing about crochet, I can inspire myself and teach others as well.  I am by no means and expert, but I have a few things I could spread out to the crochet world.  I am enjoying reading other's blogs and seeing the ideas people have as well.  Please come see Rise N Shine Crochet on Facebook!  Leave a comment and spread the inspiration!

What am I working on now?  Well, my daughter has been begging me to make her something.  I have been so busy making Minion scarves that I couldn't seem to find the time to make my kids anything.  I am working on some wrist warmers for her right now.  Downside?  She wanted minions.  Guess I'm stuck with blue and yellow yarn a little longer.  At least it isn't a scarf, right?  I also have this fascination with barefoot baby sandals.  I have some really cute patterns for other versions and have made a few.  These will be my next attempt.

Off to the hooks!  Inspiration for today has begun!

I Want to Crochet! Where Do I Begin?

Dear Fellow Crochet Lover,

I am beginning a journey and I want to join forces.

Long, LONG ago...my dear, sweet grandmother, armed with beautiful yarn and shiny hooks, made every attempt to lure me to the world of crochet.  No dice.  But around the age of 36, I became pregnant with our 3rd child and 1st boy.  My grandmothers were screaming from heaven that I needed to try again.  With the skills I vaguely recalled from their efforts and of course the assistance of good ole' fashioned You Tube, I taught myself to crochet!  (Don't know how to do something?  Watch You Tube!)

I made a blanket for my baby boy.  It was an AWFUL blanket, but I made it and was very proud.  It also sparked me in a way I didn't know was possible.  I delved in a little further and became...HOOKED!

My journey is to do what I love.  I want to teach, to create, and to enjoy the world of crochet.  I have seen thousands upon thousands of people sharing their crochet lives, so here it begins.  Let's see where it goes!  Feel free to comment with your favorite blogs or videos and how you began your crochet life!

Happy Crocheting!!!

Sincerely,

Christina
Rise N Shine Crochet Founder