Yarn Fanatic #41

Welcome to this week's Yarn Fanatic Party!  There were so many awesome projects linked up last week!  Below you will find two of my favorites.

This cute little whale rattle is so fun!

Isn't this bunny rabbit snuggy cute?

(Yes, both featured projects this week are baby-related.  I also have a baby gear giveaway that ends 6/21/15, if you're interested!)

I'm pretty busy right now with family visitors, so I don't have a giveaway for you today.  However, I couldn't leave you without giving you a chance to win something, so here are a four yarn themed giveaways hosted by other bloggers!

ENTER HERE. Ends June 22, 2015.

ENTER HERE. Ends 6/17/15.
(ENTER HERE for ANOTHER swag bag from Moogly.)

ENTER HERE. Ends 6/30/15.

Link up your projects!

What have you created with yarn?  It could be something you crocheted, knitted, or anything that used yarn.  It can be a new project or an old one.  (I would appreciate it though if it had not been linked up to a previous Yarn Fanatic Party.)  I can't wait to see what you've created!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.

I would appreciate it very much if you:

• Add my Yarn Fanatic Party button to your post or party page.


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• Follow The Philosopher's Wife and Eye Love Knots.
• Check out some of the other yarn goodies people have finished.
• Leave comments here, there, and everywhere.  (Please, take a moment to visit at least one other blog and leave a comment.  I want this to be a supportive community of yarn lovers.  To help encourage this a new entry option has been added to the giveaway.  I've been crazy busy lately, and not able to comment on everyone's links, but I will try to comment on everyone's this week!)  
• If you're not a blogger, but want to participate, feel free to upload a picture from Flicker!
• By linking up you are giving me permission to share your photos, with the appropriate credit, of course!
• NEW NOTE: Per InLinkz guidelines, listings linked to purchase options isn't permitted.  This means that you cannot link directly to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where there is an option to buy the pattern. You may link to a Pin, or a Facebook page, or a Flickr page, etc.  Links to where to buy the pattern included in a blog post are permitted.

An InLinkz Link-up

Yarn Fanatic Party #13

It's the thirteenth Yarn Fanatic Party! 

Check out these Halloween Earrings.  Aren't they fun?  I've never crocheted earrings before, have you?

Did you see the cute Baby Pumpkin Hat?  And the sweet little baby wearing it?

Don't forget to enter to win this awesome prize pack from Red Heart!  There are lots of goodies in there that I know every knitter and crocheter would love to win!

Time to party!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.  I would appreciate it very much if you:

• Follow me somehow.
• Check out the above links.
• Link backs are awesome.  (I'm planning on making one of those cute little party buttons at some point.  Just not yet.)
• Check out some of the other yarn goodies people have finished.
• Leave comments here, there, and everywhere.  (Seriously, don't we all do a little happy dance when we get new comments?)  I try very hard to comment on everyone's posts.  
• Please come visit and link up every week!

Also, by linking up you are giving me permission to use your photo if you get featured.  (With a link to your post, of course!)

Yarn Fanatic Party #11

Welcome to the eleventh Yarn Fanatic Party!

The following statement is certainly true for me.  In fact, at this very moment I am only part way through a craft room clean up . . . and I found some beautiful stuff that I forgot I had.  Yippee for awesome "new" supplies!

If you liked that meme, check out the full post by Craftaholics Anonymous.  I was in stitches over some of the memes!

Here is one of my favorite link ups from last week's Yarn Fanatic Party.  I have to say, these Taylor Chucks are pretty cool, don't you think?

Today I crocheted another of The Easiest Headwrap Ever.  This time it's in purple.

Time to party!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.  I would appreciate it very much if you:

• Follow me somehow.
• Check out the above links.
• Link backs are awesome.  (I'm planning on making one of those cute little party buttons at some point.  Just not yet.)
• Check out some of the other yarn goodies people have finished.
• Leave comments here, there, and everywhere.  (Seriously, don't we all do a little happy dance when we get new comments?)
• Please come visit and link up every week!

Also, by linking up you are giving me permission to use your photo if you get featured.  (With a link to your post, of course!)

Yarn Fanatic Party #8

It's Monday again, that means it's time for another Yarn Fanatic Party!  I can totally relate to this poor bear, how about you?

Isn't this Candy Apple Blanket by Darlene so cozy?  I love the bright red.

I finished my Swirl Hat, I think my daughter looks pretty adorable wearing it.  (Check out the post for more cuteness and pattern and yarn details.)

Time to party!

The only rule is that everything you link to must be family friendly.  I would appreciate it very much if you:

• Follow me somehow.
• Check out the above links.
• Link backs are awesome.  (I'm planning on making one of those cute little party buttons at some point.  Just not yet.)
• Check out some of the other yarn goodies people have finished.
• Leave comments here, there, and everywhere.  (Seriously, don't we all do a little happy dance when we get new comments?)
• Please come visit and link up every week!

Also, by linking up you are giving me permission to use your photo if you get featured.  (With a link to your post, of course!)

Affiliate links:

I'm Co-Hosting the Inspiring Creative Moments Link Party!

As any long time readers of my blog know, I love sharing my at various "Parties" around the blog world.  One of my favorites has always been Ashley's over at Cherished Bliss.  I am super excited to be co-hosting with her this week! 

A few things to remember:

-- By linking up you are giving all hosting blogs the right to feature one of your photos (with a link back of course) on any and all social media platforms.
-- Please link to your specific blog post, not your main URL.
-- Be sure to visit lots of links, pin their posts, leave comments, and make new friends!
-- Be inspired!

Feel free to grab a button and link up!

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Teaching Time for Toddlers: Magnets

These guys have been gracing the front of the fridge,
and the inside of my small crock-pot, since Easter.
Anyone know what species the orange fish is?
Or the one under/just to the left of the shark?

Magnets are so much fun!  Even as an adult I enjoy fiddling with them, don't you?  There is a plethora of toddler targeted magnetic toys and learning aids out there.

I've told you previously about Catherine's magnetic fish.  (Sadly, I still haven't been able to identify all the varieties.)  She still loves them and plays with them quite frequently.

Right out of bed and
she's "fishing"!

For her birthday she received the Melissa & Doug Animal Magnets.  (Her cousins have this set and she has always been fascinated by it!)

She also was given the Melissa & Doug Deluxe 10-Piece Magnetic Fishing Game.  (This one is Daddy and Mommy's favorite!)  This is a great toy/activity for little ones!  Using the "fishing rod" to "catch" the fish requires a little bit of skill and patience--two great things to teach youngsters while playing.  

I love all of these magnets because they are helping to stimulate Catherine's fine motor skills, she is learning to identify the different animals, plus she is having fun experimenting with which materials the magnets "stick" to--a great introduction into the world of science!  

What have you and your toddler(s) been up to recently?  Or not so recently?  
I'd love to read all about it!
Please, link up below!  I'd love if you'd grab my button (on the left) but it's not required to share.

Pot Holder Loom Weaving How To -- "Houndstooth"

This post contains affiliate links.

I've told you before how much I love making pot holders, so I decided to share the joy and show you how to make a Houndstooth pot holder.

One of my favorite patterns to make on my loom is this simple version of Houndstooth. I have also seen it referred to as a pinwheel.  Whatever you call it, this patterns looks classy and is super easy to make.

This pattern uses two colors--I am using pink and green.
Alternate two loops of green then two loops of pink across.

It can be helpful to hold up the loom and just focus on the sides.

Using the exact same pattern weave the loops though the first set--
two green and then two pink across.

Before finishing off the ends I like to flip the loom upside-down to make
sure that everything looks right.  If I don't like what I see at this point it is easy
to remove the loops and begin again.

The finished product!

UPDATE: I've had a couple people ask what loops I use.  I highly recommend these loops.  They are 100% cotton, extremely durable, and can be used to make functioning pieces.  

This post was a feature!
Check it out! 

Check out all of these awesome places I like to party!