Winner of Yarn Dolls

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Well, not the largest giveaway we have ever hosted, but no matter.  The winner is . . . V Gotts, the lone participant in the Yarn Dolls for a Cause giveaway.

Our winner receives a custom-made 100 % natural cotton yarn doll, infused with lavender, lemon or clove essential oils.  The doll will look like one of these lovely ladies:

We finally settled on a name too . . . Prayer for the Nations dolls.  I will be working up a logo in the next couple of weeks and begin posting updates on fundraising on the Bug's blog.  She has already raised over $100 for international missions!

Congrats again to our winner!  Thank you all for supporting the Bug's Prayer for the Nations mission and helping to care for and encourage the heart of a beautiful little child of God.

The Joyful Socks Mom  

Enriching Everyday: The Finger Knitting Project

We posted on our Crafting plans during our Spring Break from homeschool quite awhile back.  Now we have another update on how our projects have panned out.  Presenting the "Finger Knitting Project" . . .

The Squeaker has started her finger-knitting project and it is keeping her busy and focused . . . Nice bonus!  (Big thank you to our pastor's daughter for teaching her at Co-op)  Here is a tutorial that we found online, along with ideas on how to use your finger-knitting strands.

FINGER KNITTING tutorial HERE.

I also love this How-to Teach Child or Teen Knitting Lens - great resource!






Here are just a few projects you can craft with your finger knitting strands:

• Bracelet - of course!:  Here is a basic Yarn Bracelet, Jersey T-Shirt Knit Bracelet and here is another Jersey T-shirt Bracelet.
• Fuzzy Little Caterpillar:
• Flowers: Knit Flower Tutorial, 
• Headbands:  This is a great Braided Headband
• Necklace: Finger Knitted Nautical Necklace, Necklace & Garland Tutorial
• Stylish Scarf: Simply knit your strands, tying them off with a hefty knot and fraying them at the ends.  Here is a style we call Knot-Scarves.  The Bug made some of these this weekend for our "Craft booth" collection.
• Knot Scarves:  This tutorial is using crochet chains, but it works just as beautifully with finger knitted strands.

Here is how the Squeaker's "blanket" is looking.  I was given an entire garbage bag full of lovely yarn and she has almost used ALL of it on her blanket, small price to pay.  I am still not understanding how she is planning to bind it together, but she assures me she "has it covered".  Whatever! : \

Here is a great tutorial we found for the Bug to join in the knitting fun, as I am a crocheter and am clueless to knitting techniques. : (  The one weakness to my crafty super powers!

This is the Spool Knitter that we made and you can follow this link to view the easy, squeazy how-to.  This is a lovely way for the younger kiddos to knit.  It helps them keep the stitches more even and tighter than if they are just using their tiny fingers.

So, what are you waiting for?  Let's get to knitting!!!

Happy Crafting!

Have a blessed Resurrection & Passover Weekend all!

The Joyful Socks Mom 

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Saturday @ the Farm!

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While the scouts were away bringing home 1st place with Troop #148 at Camporee, the girls and I put our crafting skills to good use for a day of fun at the farm.  Rhineland Farm is a lovely local family owned and operated organic homestead.  This year our friend Samantha and her family hosted Market Day to welcome the Spring season.  The girls and I rented a booth, mostly so the Bug could sell her Prayer for the Nations dolls.  We worked all week on getting our handicrafts together.  We also featured "Live" folk art demonstrations for kids: Paper plate loom weaving, Spool knitting, Yarn dolls and Corn husk dolls.  It was wonderful to share our craft with families and watch the joy of small children realizing they could make something special with their hands.  The joy of work, it is priceless!

Here the Bug has found a shady spot to quietly weave on her loom.

The Squeaker staying hydrated.

Here I am getting ready for the next "Live" Folk Art demo.

Here is some of our handicraft fare.  

It was work, but we met many wonderful folks from all over.  Since I was busy talking to customers and demoing handicrafts for the children at the booth, I had little time to take photos.  I gave the Squeaker a quick camera tutorial and set her loose on the farm with the camera.  This is what she came back with:

Why are there so many animal pictures?  The Squeaker behind the camera = lots of pictures of her favorite subject, ANIMALS!

Lemongrass and Lavender soap, chocolate pie, homemade fudge and fresh herbs at the Rhineland Farm booth.

One of Samantha's grand-daughters displays her finger knitted scarves.  My girls played around the farm all afternoon with Samantha's grand-daughters.  They were excited to make some new friends.

Home spun and dyed yarn & bags of homemade lavender potpourri.  As good as it gets this side of heaven as far as I am concerned!

Homemade ginger-ale or cream soda anyone?  Yum!

Here our some of the goodies from our fellow vendors at the Market Day: 

Homemade baked goods & the "Tamale Lady" in the foreground.

 Lovely little appliques on bibs and onesies.

 Home stitched purses and handbags . . . I could have gotten in major trouble shopping this booth!  Glad I was too busy at my booth to really investigate.

 The Squeaker enjoyed speaking with this local artist and photographer who does beautiful work using the subject of wildlife.

Here is what was left of the Bug's Prayer for the Nations dolls.  She almost sold out!  She had a blast and was encouraged to continue her mission.  She sold over $50 worth of dolls, received two donations and had a lady pray with her under the shade tree.  God is good!

We were completely exhausted when we finally arrived back at home, but what a wonderful kind of tired it was.  The girls and I enjoyed the day of work and play.  Now they want to know when we can do another craft show!  I better start searching now for more ways to share and display their lovely folk art with the world.  Thanks for inviting us out Samantha and family!  You are wonderful hosts and great at hospitality.  Many blessings to you and your lovely farm.

Have a blessed Resurrection & Passover Weekend all!

The Joyful Socks Mom