Easy to Crochet Gifts for the Holidays

I realize it's still September but even if I don't like seeing Christmas lights up before Halloween I do like to get some gifts made before the cookie baking and ornament hanging begins. Here's some patterns to crochet for gifts to get a head start on the holidays.

Christmas Crochet has patterns for these cute little carolers and....

these adorable snow man and lady rattle toys. How about the mouse and puppy? Oh so cute!

Hooked on Crochet has some challenging patterns but it also has some great ideas that will work up pretty quick. The ripple afghan can be done in any colors and would be appreciated on cold winter nights. 

The fishing bear on the bottom would make a cute Teddy for someone and those golf club covers are too darned cute! A think they could even become puppets for a show.

And how about this bed jacket? Any color would work. It could even become a little shawl for a fancy dress when worked in the right yarn. 

OK, so I am a sucker for cotton crochet yarn. It works up quick and has a nice feel to it......and since I am always looking for hot pads for the table these patterns are a given. I love them! An H hook and a ball of yarn and I am in my happy place. The Jack O' Lantern is adorable and the poinsettia (below) would look good on a holiday table. 

Well, that's all for now. I'm still adding more to the PatternHaus shop so stop by. There are more patterns....crochet, knitting, needlepoint, cross stitch, and embroidery.....to get your creative juices flowing before the holiday crazies start. 

Post by Eileen from GoofingOff Sewing, PatternHaus, and Miss Eileen's Vintage. 

How to Make Chunky Chocolate Soft and Chewy Cookies

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

 We had our cookie exchange at work last week and I brought in my old standby, Double Chocolate Chocolate Chip Chunky Cookies (now that's a mouthful). I use a cake mix cookie recipe to make the soft, chewy cookies that have become a family favorite. I like to add lots of "stuff" to them, chips, nuts, raisins, craisins....whatever I have on hand (I usually keep lots of stuff available) so the cookies will be reminiscent of the Chunky candy bar I loved so much as a kid. The family loves them so much I thought I would share the recipe, so here it is.

You'll need:
2 Fudge Chocolate Cake Mix (any brand will do but I am partial to Duncan Hines)
4 eggs
1 cup of unsalted butter (2 sticks), Softened
1/2 cup nut pieces, shelled
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a mixer cream the butter on a low speed. Add the eggs one at a time.  Add the cake mix (make sure the mixer is off or there will be a cloud of chocolate dust in the air...trust me...). After the mixture is well-blended add the nuts, chips, and raisins. Spoon (tablespoon) the mixture onto ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 9 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a cookie rack. Makes about 6 dozen cookies.


The recipe is child friendly...a good way to get the kids involved and let them create their own masterpieces. I have used yellow cake mix instead of chocolate cake mix, put some in a bowl for each helper (aprons on, thank you), with bowls of nuts, chips, and raisins. The children made their own batches of cookies. While the cookies baked the children drew pictures on brown paper sacks that would hold the cookies. After the cookies were baked they got to take home their masterpieces to share with their families.

The picture shows a batch made with butter pecan cake mix.

Pecan Soft Chewy Cookies

Have fun and have a Happy Holiday Season.
Eileen

Hanging stockings by the chimney with care was made popular by the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and became one of the most beloved traditions in the US. The stockings add a festive, yet homey touch to the room, instantly bringing magic in. I took a look on Etsy for some stockings that not only look good but were ready to ship now. 

Here's a few samples and ideas to change a house from ho hum to Ho Ho Ho. 

Personalized White Burlap and Blue/Green Stripe Linen Stocking by Scissortail Boutique...I love these. They have a rustic look that's clean and polished...They say "country" without shouting. 

Arizona Cardinals Holiday Stocking by Sew Smart Designs....This shop has stockings for  football fans...no matter what team they cheer for.

Personalized 3D Colorful Christmas stockings holidays stockings from huleisunday....so cute and in 3D....Too cute!

Set of 4 Poinsettia Wool felt Modern Christmas Stockings by Modern Boutique...these have an elegant, polished look.

Hand Crocheted Ribbed Baby's 1st Christmas Stocking by Barbies Crochet Corner....for the new baby...because the magic never ends. 

 

Post by Eileen aka GoofingOff

Making Christmas Memories....Twas the Night Before Christmas....

I'm bad...so bad. I haven't written much in a long time. I've been so busy....Yeah, I know, poor excuse. Well, here goes...Twas the night before Christmas...well really, a couple of nights before Christmas, not a creature was stirring, except me at my sewing machine. What to make that I can do in a hurry, look good (not me, the thing I'll be making), and can fit in an envelope with 2 day shipping? Oh, and for 2 little girls.....I could buy something but honestly, my grandkids are blessed...everyone of them. Loving parents and grandparents who buy them things they need AND things they want so I make things for them. This time I had a time crunch, 1 day, to make it and get it out so I went to my stash and found enough fabric to make pillowcases.
I used this tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrYWCma9wgM from the Missouri Star Quilt Company

Here's an example of the pillowcase on their site.
Here's the fabric I used:

Cute, huh? I love the colors, bright and cheerful. Adorable owls, cupcakes and beach balls. Fun!
I'd show you a picture of the pillowcases but I sent them out. I've got a schedule to meet!
Not Neiman Marcus stuff but not too shabby and made with love.

Well, have a wonderful holiday. Enjoy and don't forget to make memories. After the batteries are dead, the dolls busted, and the pieces are missing to all the stuff you get, it's the memories you'll have left. Make good ones.

‘Twas the Weekend Before Christmas

Or should I say “It is the weekend before Christmas?” No matter, Hanukkah is over and Christmas is a couple of days away. At my place, that means my annual “Between the Holidays Party” (friends, neighbors, lots of food, and laughs), final touches to get ready for Christmas, and, most important….at least to me….watching holiday movies. I love watching old movies and wait every year to watch the holiday ones. One of my favorites is Miracle on 34th Street….the one with Natalie Wood, Maureen O’Hara, Edmund Gwenn, and John Payne. This scene is sweet and touching but I like the one where John Payne is helping Maureen O’Hara clean up the kitchen after dinner. He had a kitchen towel around his waist while she wore an apron. One like this:

This is a hostess apron, though. She wore a work apron, not sheer, and full enough to cover those late 1940’s fashions. As for John Payne, I love seeing a man in the kitchen. Cooking, cleaning, especially cleaning.

Anyway, Have a happy holiday and take time to enjoy the moment. Have a hot chocolate, cup of coffee, or cup of tea with a friend. Remember what makes the holiday special. It’s not what goes under the tree that counts, it’s the people we spend time with. Create special moments in your life and in the lives of those you love.

Happy Holidays.

Holiday Stitches: 50’s Skirt, Tree toppers, Angels, and a Big Turkey

Aside from cooking, I don’t think there is anything more traditional than holiday stitching. When I talk to friends, some of their favorite Christmas and Hanukah memories are of gifts made for them by loved ones. Not only is there love in every stitch but the creativity of the stitcher comes through to treasure for many years to come. My grandmother, Frieda, crocheted a shawl for me, one that I still use and treasure to this day. Here’s a few ideas for this season.

McCall’s 2352 in size 4 from 1959 features a full skirt with suspenders. An embroidery transfer comes with it for those adorable pictures on view B. It has a headband, too! View A is pleated with embroidered daisies on the suspenders. Short on time or your embroidery skills are like mine? Use adorable buttons over snaps for the suspenders.

McCall’s P247 includes a tree skirt, ornaments, tree topper, stockings, and even a pinafore for the little one.

 

This Thanksgiving table topper pattern is from My Sister & I Patterns. Cute turkey!

How about a Victorian Angel Ornament? This pattern is from Shelley & Pat Etc. for a tree topper,garland, and a door decoration. A beautiful gift for a newly married couple.

Well, there’s a few ideas to get you started. You can find these patterns in GoofingOff Etsy or Artfire shops. Don’t put it off too soon….you need time to create without feeling stressed. Besides, wait too long and the patterns just might be gone.

Use the coupon code Bloggin and get 15% off your purchase…a one time deal from me.

Friday Freebies Vintage Christmas Patterns to Crochet

 

 

 

 

Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage
Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns
GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns
Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and metal work

Friday's Freebies Christmas Pattern: Santa Wall Hanger

One of the best things about yard saling and thrifting is the cool stuff you get that is totally unexpected. One of my purchases included a loose leaf binder full of vintage magazine clippings. Here’s one of them. It’s a Santa Wall Hanger that looks way too cute to pass up.  

The pattern was a freebie with the purchase of Aunt Lydia’s yarn. I’m not sure when it was offered but the rest of the patterns were from the 70’s or before. The pattern uses a gallon bleach bottle (I love recycling), white yarn, moveable eyes or buttons, pipe cleaners, felt, pom pom ball, glue, and cardboard.

The instructions sound pretty easy and Santa looks pretty cute……besides, the holidays will be upon us before we know it.
Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff




MissEileen vintage

Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns

Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and metal work

'Happy Howl-a-day!' by misseileen

Holiday gifts for the dogs in our lives, and the people who love them.

Wiener Dog Plush Dachshund O... FriendsOfSockt... $26.00	12 Days of Christmas delicio... woofybubbles $9.00	Red and Green Plaid Dog Bow ... BigpawCollars $15.00
Note Cards - Christmas Stati... fionadesigns $20.00	925 Sterling Silver Scottie ... DeusFilia $15.99	Dog Breed Christmas Cards - ... houndandthistl... $9.00
Dog Tail Leash Holder - Min... AplombDesigns $14.95	XL 38x50 Dog Bed Duvet Cover... BowWowBeds $40.00	Dog Steampunk Hat - Steampup Hundchen $28.00
Made To Order Ceramic Dog Tr... symmetricalpot... $65.00	Olive Green Dog Lover Czech ... kangalulu $15.00	Barbeque the Dachshund Weine... Cuore $26.00
Bone Dog Garden Art Sculptur... EarthStudioMet... $39.00	Orange Dog Backpack / Custom... mailo $23.00	Dog Leash Hook Holder Person... vermontbranchc... $7.00
Personalized Dog Bowl janfell $18.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Deck the Halls: Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks 12/11/11

I know, I’m late. I went to a party the other night and drank some punch. The usual get up before the crack of dawn could barely get up hours after dawn. I have to face the fact I am no longer the party animal I once was. Oh, well. I was totally inspired by the home of the folks who held the party. The house was so beautiful and l thought, I wonder what cool things there is on Etsy to decorate the house, you know, give it that little edge.  Well, here’s what I found on Etsy to get the your house ready for the holidays.

        Christmas Star Mantle Hook by Design Sea Great cottage look.

 

        Retro Rudolph Cute Wool Christmas Stocking by Allenbrite Studio This is so cute!

                Primitive Folk Art Christmas Winter Princess by Pie Cake Primitives Amazing dolls. Imagine one on the top of the tree.

  White Yarn Wrapped Wreath with Plum Cranberry by Wreath, Inc. Gifting Love the colors, so rich, breathtakingly beautiful!

     3 Fused Glass Christmas Tree Ornaments by Fleeting Stillness These are so sweet!

          Happy Hanukkah Glass Block Light by Vinyl Signs 4 Him I love, love, love this! I’m thinking on the porch, lighting the way for visitors.

Retro Holiday Ornament Tea Towel in Red, Hand Screen Printed by Tiny Peepers So cute and retro! Good in the kitchen or wrapped around a homemade loaf of banana bread.

         Tiny Friendly Village Hanukkah Menorah by Ooty Sweet menorah. Cute little faces.

Well, those are my picks. What do you think? Which one, or ones, would you put up in your house or give as a gift? Voting starts right away and winner gets interviewed.

MissEileen vintage

Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus sizes

Metal Woods N Water unusual, metal work