Guess what? I'm a stay-at-home mom!

Yeah, yeah. I know you're probably thinking "so what?" right? Well, it's kind of a big deal to me. A lot of you don't know that I left my now ex-husband a while ago. It's been a really tough transition for especially with me having five kids. The very beginning was extremely hard. 

With trying to make ends meet and being the only provider of the household, I rarely got to spend time with my kids. I mainly worked the night shift so the only time I would ever see my kids was when I got them ready for school. Plus my schedule was always different every week. And it sucked!

The 3 big girls
(left to right: Laiyanna, Aaliyah, Christina)

I hated not being able to help them with homework or even just hear them talk about their day. My mom babysat while I was working so that was a huge help. But, she only did the bare minimum. Christina, my oldest, started slacking off in school and her grades were slipping terribly. The house was constantly a mess. And fast food became a regular meal. I just didn't have time for anything. Something had to give and fast!

This is Kaliya. She's my very emotional 4-year-old.

One of my co-workers told me about a company that would allow me to work from home. I didn't give it much thought at first because in my mind I though it must be some type of scam. But a few months later, after I found out that my now boyfriend and I were expecting a baby, I decided to do some research. It took a few months to get everything set up, but I did it.

I have since quit my job and I work full time at home. I make my own hours so that leaves me with an open schedule to actually be "Mommy". Everything is falling into place. Christina is doing a lot better in school. I'm able to put the girls in extra curricular activities. The house is, well, cleaner lol. Seriously, there's no way to keep a completely clean house with five kids. 

This is my baby Samia. Can't you just tell from the picture that she's just so full of personality?

The best part about it for me is that everything is more organized. I don't mean the house. I mean our lives in general. I can tell that my kids are happier now that I'm home. The funny part about it, I never once imagined myself as being a stay-at-home mom. I always thought I would get so bored. But here I am. And I wouldn't change it for the world. 

And here's the one we're waiting on. My baby boy Adonis! 

Free Tutorial Tuesday!...Summer Slouchy Crochet Hat

Printable Version

Materials:

J hook
I Love This Cotton Yarn
Tapestry needle

Start with magic ring

Rnd 1: ch 1, dc 12 in ring, tighten magic ring, slst to first dc (12 dc)

Rnd 2: ch 1, dc 2 in each dc around, slst to first dc (24 dc)

Rnd 3: ch 5 (counts as first tr and ch-1) *tr in next dc, ch 1, repeat from * around, slst to 4th ch in beginning ch (24 tr, 24 ch-1)

Rnd 4: ch 1, dc in first tr, dc in ch-1 space, *dc in first tr, dc in ch-1 space, repeat from * around, slst to first dc (48 dc) 

Rnd 5: ch 7 (counts as tr and ch-3) *skip next 2 dc, tr in next dc, ch 3, repeat from * around, slst in 4th ch in beginning ch (16 tr, 16 ch-3)

Rnd 6: ch 4 (counts as first tr), tr 4 in ch-3 space, * tr in next tr, tr 4 in ch-3 space, repeat from * around, slst to first tr (72 tr)

Rnd 7: ch 6 (counts as tr and ch-2) * skip next 2 tr, tr in next tr, ch 3, repeat from * around, slst in 4th ch in beginning ch (24 tr, 24 ch-2)

Rnd 8: ch 4 (counts as first tr), tr 2 in ch-2 space, * tr in next tr, tr in ch-2 space, repeat from * around, slst to top of ch 4 (72 tr)

Rnd 9: ch 4 (counts as first tr), ch 2, * sk 2 tr, tr in next tr, ch 2, repeat from * around, slst in top of ch (24 tr, 24 ch-2)

Rnd 10: repeat Rnd 8

Rnd 11: repeat Rnd 9

Rnd 12: repeat Rnd 8

Rnd 13: ch 1, sc in each tr around, slst to first sc (72 tr)

Rnd 14: ch 1, sc in first 4 sc, sc2tog in next 2 sc, *sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog in next 2 sc, repeat from * around, slst to first sc (60 sc)

Rnd 15-16: repeat Rnd 13

Fasten off and weave in ends.

**You may sell items made from this pattern. Please do not sell or copy this pattern or any part of this pattern.

Free Tutorial Tuesday!...Circle Flower Crochet Earrings

Printable Version

Materials:

Aunt Lydia's Size 3 Fashion Thread or Size 10 Crochet Thread (double strand)
Size 0/3.25MM crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Jump rings
Fish hook earring findings (You could easily make these into clip-on earrings. Just use some clip-on findings and attach them the same way.)

 

Start with magic ring

Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as dc), dc 11 in ring, join with slst to top of ch 3

Rnd 2: ch 3, ch 2, *dc in next dc, ch 2; repeat from * around, join with slst to top of ch 3

Rnd 3: Join B with slst to any ch-2-space, ch 3, dc 3 in same space, *dc 4 in next ch-2-space; repeat from * around, slst to top of ch 3

Rnd 4: Join C with sc in between any 4 dc, ch 5, *sc after next 4 dc, ch 5; repeat from * around, join with slst to first sc

Rnd 5: ch 1, *sc 7 in next ch-5-space; repeat from * around, join with slst to first sc, fasten off

Assembly

Use ends from last color used to attach jump ring and fish hook, weave in ends.

Enjoy!!!
Please comment below.

**You may sell items made from this pattern. Please do not sell or copy this pattern or any part of this pattern.

Free Tutorial Tuesday!...7-Petal Colorful Flower Crochet Hairclips

Printable Version

Materials:

Aunt Lydia's Size 3 Fashion Thread in 4 colors

-Or-

Aunt Lydia’s Size 10 Crochet Thread in 4 colors (double strand if using this thread)

Size 0/3.25MM crochet hook

Tapestry needle

Hot glue gun

Hairclips (You may use any size. I chose to use small hairclips so that they are not visible when worn.)

Note: Flower should be approximately 2.25 inches not including hairclip.

Make 4 alternating colors

Start with magic ring with first color

Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as dc), dc 15 in ring, join with slst to top of ch 3, fasten off

Rnd 2: Join 2^nd color with slst to any st, ch 1, sc 2 in same st, sc 1 in next st, *sc 2 in next st, sc 1 in next st; repeat from * around, join with slst to first sc, fasten off

Rnd 3: Join 3^rd color with slst to any st, ch 1, sc 2 in same st, sc 1 in next 2 sts, * sc 2 in next st, sc 1 in next 2 sts; repeat from * around, join with slst to first sc, fasten off

Rnd 4: Join 4^th color with sc to any st, ch 4, skip 3 sts, *sc in next st, ch 4, skip 3 sts; repeat from * around, join with slst to first sc

Rnd 5: *dc 5 in ch-4-space, slst to next sc; repeat from * around, join with slst to slst from last rnd, fasten off, weave in ends

Assembly:

Glue flower to hairclip

**You may sell items made from this pattern. Please do not sell or copy this pattern or any part of this pattern.

Free Tutorial Tuesday!...Twelve Petal Textured Flower Crochet Hairpin

Printable Version

Materials:

Aunt Lydia's Size 3 Fashion Thread in 2 colors OR
Aunt Lydia's Size 10 Crochet Thread in 2 colors (double stranded)
Size 0/3.25MM crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Hot glue gun
Hairpin bases

Note: Flower should be approximately 2.75 inches not including hairpin.

Start with magic ring (or sliding loop)

Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as dc), dc 11 in ring, join with slst to top of ch 3, tighten magic ring

Rnd 2: ch 3, fpdc in same dc, *dc in next dc, fpdc in same dc; repeat from * around, join with slst in top of ch 3

Rnd 3: ch 3, dc in same dc, fpdc in next st, ch 5, slst in last dc made, *dc 2 in next dc, fpdc in next dc, ch 5, slst in last dc made; repeat from * around join with slst to first slst in top of ch 3

Rnd 4: *slst in next dc, dc 8 in ch-5 space; repeat from * around, join with slst to first slst, fasten off, weave in ends

Assemble:
Glue flower to hairpin.

**You may sell items made from this pattern. Please do not sell or copy this pattern or any part of this pattern.

Textured Fingerless Crochet Gloves

 

Printable Version

Material

Size K Hook

Worsted weight yarn

Tapestry needle

Wristband

ch 6

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hk and in each remaining chs, ch 1, turn.

Rows 2-23: working in back loops only sc in ech st across, ch 1, turn.

After Row 23 fold wristband in half and slip stitch ends together.

Glove body

Rnd 1: Working around the edge of the wristband ch 1, dc in row space, sc in next row space , *dc in next row space, sc in next row space; repeat from * around, slip stitch in 1st dc (22 sts)

Rnd 2-9: ch 1, dc in st, sc in next st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * around, slip stitch in 1st dc.

Rnd 10: ch 1, dc in st, ch 4, skip next 3 sts, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * around, slip stitch to 1st dc.

Rnd 11: ch 1, dc in st, (dc, sc, dc) in next ch-4 space, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * around, slip stitch to 1st dc.

Rnd 12: ch 1, dc in st, sc in next st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * around, slip stitch to 1st dc, fasten off, weave in ends.

Enjoy!

Please comment below.

**You may sell items made from this pattern. Please do not sell or copy this pattern or any part of this pattern.

Natural Hair Cronicles: DIY Coconut Milk Conditioner

Lately, I've been having issues with my hair retaining moisture. I guess it's probably this ridiculously cold weather in Georgia. Due to lack of moisture, I've also been experiencing a lot of shedding and breakage. So I started experimenting with a few products and found something that really works. Now before I actually list the recipe, please note that I am not a professional. I'm just a girl trying to figure out what works for my hair. One thing that I've learned throughout my natural hair journey is that all natural hair is not created equally. What may work for some may not work for you. It's all trial and error. If it works for you, GREAT! If not, just keep trying. I promise you'll figure it our sooner or later.

Coconut Milk Deep Conditioner

Ingredients
2 tablespoons Coconut Milk
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Shea Butter
1 tablespoon Raw Honey
1/4 cup of conditioner of you choice

Step 1: Heat the shea butter and raw honey together in the microwave for 30 seconds or until it has melted.

Step 2: Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until the mixture is completely smooth.

Step 3: Apply to hair and finger comb from root to end. After applying, I like to twist my hair in sections to avoid tangling. This is completely optional.

Step 4: Let hair set under a plastic cap or bag for 1-2 hours.

Step 5: Comb through with wide tooth comb.

Step 6: Rinse.