Val's Crafty Creations

Freezer Meals

2013-06-11T17:08:00.001-04:00

I've been looking into freezer meals for a few months and I finally decided to give it a try. About 2 weeks ago I prepared about a months worth of dinners and froze them. Some of the recipes were new and some are our own. The meals have saved me SO much time everyday and they are delicious! I doubled almost all of these recipes, some tripled to get about 30 meals.

Here's a list of the meals I made. The recipes that I found on other blogs are linked below.

Honey Glazed Chicken Wings (Bake)
Teriyaki Chicken Wings (Bake)
BBQ Chicken Wings (Bake)
Curry Chicken with Cabbage (Crock Pot)
Curry Turkey with Carrots (Crock Pot)
Chicken Soup (Crock Pot)
Spaghetti Sauce (Reheat)
Perdenales River Chili (Reheat)
Freezer Burritos (Reheat)
Breakfast Burritos (Reheat)
Oxtail (Crock Pot)
Ribs (Bake)
Pork Chops (Bake)
Baked Pork Neck Bone (Bake)
Browned Pork Neck Bone (Crock Pot)

Honey Glazed Chicken Wings

1 lb chicken wings
1 C honey
1/2 C soy sauce
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp garlic, chopped
salt & pepper

Place all ingredients in gallon ziploc bag, mix & freeze. Thaw, Bake at 350 1-1.5 hrs or until crispy

Chicken Soup

3 chicken quarters or breasts
3 carrots, sliced
3 celery stalks, sliced
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 C chicken broth or water
salt & pepper
complete seasoning
scallion, chopped

Place all ingredients in gallon ziploc bag & freeze. Thaw. Crockpot low 8 hours or high 4-6 hours. Add potatoes, quartered during last hour of cooking. Serve over rice or noodles.

BBQ Chicken Wings

1 lb chicken wings
salt & pepper
BBQ Sauce

Place all ingredients in gallon ziploc bag & freeze. Thaw, Bake at 400 for an hour or until cooked through.

Spaghetti Sauce

1 lb ground beef or turkey
2 zucchini, shredded
6 carrots, shredded
2 onions, diced
2 large cans spaghetti sauce

Brown meat. Add all other ingredients, let simmer for 2-3 hours. Let cool. Place in gallon ziploc bag. Thaw & reheat. Serve over spaghetti noodles.

Breakfast Burritos

flour tortillas
eggs
cheddar cheese, grated
salt & pepper
paprika
milk

Beat eggs & season with salt, pepper, paprika. Add milk. Scramble eggs in pan. Assemble eggs onto tortillas and top with cheese. close burritos and freeze on a cookie sheet. Once frozen, place into gallon size ziploc bag. Reheat in microwave 2-3 minutes.

Oxtail

1 lb oxtail
salt & pepper
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2-3 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
browning
complete seasoning
seasoned salt
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 C water

Place all ingredients in gallon ziploc bag & freeze. Thaw. Cook in crockpot on low 6-8 hours or hight 4-6 hours. Serve over rice.

Ribs

1 slab of ribs
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
salt & pepper
steak seasoning

Make paste with EVOO & seasonings. Place in gallon ziploc bag with ribs and rub into meat. Freeze. Thaw, Place into baking dish, add 1/4-1/2 C water & bake at 400 F for 1 - 1.5 hours.

Pork Chops

5-6 pork chops
seasoned salk
pepper
2 sazon packets
complete seasoning
water (just enough to make a paste with seasonings)

Place all ingredients in bag, mix well & freeze. Thaw Bake at 400F 1-1.5 hours.

Baked Pork Neck Bone

1 lb pork neck bone
salt & pepper
steak seasoning
extra virgin olive oil

place all ingredients in gallon ziploc bag, mix well & freeze. Thaw. Bake at 400F 1 hour.

Browned Pork Neck Bone

1 lb pork neck bone
salt & pepper
1 C water
1 Tbsp browning
complete seasoning
garlic powder
onion powder

Place all ingredients in gallon ziploc bag, mix well & freeze. Thaw & cook in crockpot on low 6-8 hours.

Shrimp Scampi with Pasta

2013-03-28T11:57:00.000-04:00

What is your absolute most delicious/favorite food ever???

Mine?

...

Italian!!!

I LOVE pasta. I love Spaghetti! I love Lasagna! And I love Baked Ziti!!!

Basically anything on top of or within pasta is awesome in my book! =) This dish is no different!

It's sooo EASY and DELICIOUS! Who doesn't love pasta? Then throw on some shrimp. Heavenly!

If you love quick and easy, yet very yummy meals then you have to try this dish!

The recipe calls for linguine, but I used Thin Spaghetti. You can use any type of pasta you like.

I also doubled the recipe because I wanted left overs. =)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You can copy/paste the recipe below or watch my tutorial video at the bottom of the post.

Shrimp Scampi with Linguine

8oz Linguine

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

4 Cloves garlic, minced

1/2 Onion, minced

2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

1Lb Shrimp, peeled & deveined

2/3C White Wine

3Tbsp Fresh Parsley, minced

1. Prepare Linguine according to directions on package. (I do this last while the sauce is simmering)

2. In large skillet heat olive oil.

3. Saute garlic, onion, & red pepper flakes until soft

4. Add shrimp and cook until firm, about 5 min

5. Remove shrimp into separate dish, cover to keep warm

6. Add wine to skillet & bring to simmer

7. Add parsley. Let simmer gently

8. Drain pasta & toss with sauce.

9. Serve with shrimp on top of pasta.

Enjoy!!!

If you try this recipe and love it please comment below letting me know! =)

Crochet Bookmark Swap

2013-03-19T18:27:00.001-04:00

I did a swap with some awesome ladies on YouTube!! Check out the bookmarks I made and received...

Checkout these awesome ladies' channels:

CatCrazyCreations

JennLikesYarn

GinaCraftyCrafter

https://www.youtube.com/user/123cardmaker

If you're interested in making any of the bookmarks that I made, check out the links below for the patterns:

Butterfly Pattern

Pink Pineapple Pattern

Heart Corner Bookmark Pattern

Blue Pineapple Pattern

Basic Crochet Beanie

2013-01-21T17:18:00.005-05:00

I did a Crochet Beanie Tutorial for my YouTube channel and decided to write out the pattern for those that prefer the written version to the video. If you want to see the video tutorial you can watch it at the end of this post. There are many, many ways to crochet this beanie so i'm just going to show you how I make mine. =) I'm not using anyone else's pattern. I just kind of go with the flow when I make my beanies.

Before I start the pattern I want to explain how you can adjust it to fit any size head from a newborn to grown man.

First, check out this AWESOME Chart to determine the estimated hat circumference you will need to make for the beanie to fit properly. After you have that number you need to divide it by Pi (3.14) to determine how many increase rounds you will need. I chose to make an adult male beanie so according to the chart an adult male's head circumference is about 23-24". I used 24" divided by 3.14 and got 7.6. I stopped my increase rounds at 7" because a dc stitch is stretchy. It's better for the beanie to be a little snug than too big. Once I got to my desired circumference I stopped increasing as you will see in the pattern. =)

I hope you enjoy this very simple pattern. Let's get to it...

Basic Crochet Beanie

Round 1:

Start with magic circle OR ch 4, sl st to 1st ch, 6 dc in ch space, sl st to 1st dc

Round 2:

ch 3 (counts as 1st dc) place st marker in top of ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around (do NOT sl st to 1st dc)

**Move stitch marker to last dc of this round and do so at end of each round

Round 3:

1 dc in next st (top of ch3), 2dc in next st (this is the increase), continue pattern around

Round 4:

1 dc in each of next 2 st, 2 dc in next st. Cont. increase in every 3rd st around

Round 5:

1 dc in each of next 3 st, 2dc in next st. Cont increase in every 4th st around

Round 6:

1 dc in each of next 4 st, 2 dc in next st. Cont. increase in every 5th st around.

Round 7:

1 dc in each of next 5 st, 2dc in next st. Cont. increase in every 6th st around.

Round 8:

1 dc in each of next 6 st, 2dc in next st. Cont. increase in every 7th st around.

Round 9 - ?

1 dc in each st around

**Repeat this round until the hat is at your desired length.

(Optional 2 additional rounds)

1st Additional Round:

hdc in next st, sc in each st around

2nd Additional Round:

sc in each st around, sl st in next st, ch1

Cut yarn and pull through last ch to create knot

Sew in tails.

ENJOY your new beanie!!!

Pumpkin Pie Bars

2013-01-03T14:00:00.000-05:00

Being that the holidays have just passed, I'm sure you have some extra cans of pumpkin and sweetened condensed milk in your pantry. Bring them out for this yummy treat!!

This is everything you will need:

Now, let's get started. =)

Pumpkin Pie Bars

1 1/2 C All Purpose Flour

1 C Finely chopped nuts

1/2 C Granulated sugar

1/2 C Firmly packed brown sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon, divided

3/4 C butter or margarine

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin

1 (14 oz) can Sweetened condensed milk

2 Eggs, beaten

1/2 tsp Ground all spice

1/4 tsp salt

1 Tbsp All Purpose Flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F

2. Combine flour, nuts, sugars, 1 tsp cinnamon. Add butter, mix until crumbly.

3. Reserve 1 1/4 C crumb mixture. Pat remaining mixture on bottom of ungreased 13x9" dish.

4. Combine pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, 1 tsp cinnamon, all spice & salt, mix well.

5. Mix reserved crumbs with 1 Tbsp flour. Sprinkle of pumpkin mixture.

6. Bake 30-35 minutes or until pumpkin mixture has set.

7. Let cool 10 minutes on cooling racks. Cut into bars & serve warm.

8. Store left over bars in closed container in refrigerator.

Enjoy!!!

Spiced Holiday Cookies

2012-12-29T19:03:00.002-05:00

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! We did and we're not even done yet! When our older boys come home from their Christmas break we have more gifts to open.

Back to the matter at hand.

Everything I gave as gifts was homemade with one exception: my husband's gift. I made homemade Playdough for kids and for the adult I made these delish cookies. Check out the video below for the tutorial. However, if you're not into that you can just skip it and copy the recipe below that. =)

I hope you give the recipe a try and let me know how you like them. =)

Don't they look awesome?! They were a definite hit!

McCormick Spiced Holiday Sugar Cookies

2 1/3 C flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/4 C sugar

1 C (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 egg

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

2. Beat sugar and butter in large bowl until light and fluffy.

3. Add egg and vanilla; mix well.

4. Gradually beat in flour until well mixed.

5. Refrigerate 2 hours or overnight until firm.

6. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

7. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness.

8. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and place on greased baking sheets.

9. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.

10. Cool on baking sheet for 1 min then transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.

11. Decorate with cookie icing. (Optional)

Cookie Icing

1 C confectioners (powdered) sugar

2 tsp milk

2 tsp light corn syrup

1/4 tsp almond extract (or other extract)

food coloring

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients until smooth

2. Decorate cookies.

If you're interested in what cameras I use to record you can check them out with the below links.

Camcorder I use: http://amzn.to/VMznsw

Camera I use: http://amzn.to/UAL4Xw

I would love to connect on other sites. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, and of course, here on my blog.

If you would like to share your instagram pics with me feel free to include this hashtag: #everdaycrazyvlog in your caption. =)

Have a beautiful and safe New Years Eve.

Many blessing over you and your family over the next year!

DIY Play Dough

2012-12-04T12:39:00.002-05:00

This year for Christmas I'm doing all homemade and VERY frugal!! I don't have the budget to do traditional gift giving this year so I'm doing what I know best, making things and saving money! I made this Play Dough as a tester yesterday and let me tell you, it's AWESOME!! =) It's so soft even I wanted to play with it.

Recipe:

1 C Water
1 C Flour
1/2 C Salt
2 Tbsp Vinegar
2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
Food Coloring

Instructions:

1. Mix flour and salt in bowl
2. Mix water, vinegar, oil, and food coloring in seperate bowl or cup
3. Pour liquid mixture into dry ingredient and mix until smooth.
4. Cover bowl and microwave on high for 4 minutes
5. Let cool then knead dough until soft and smooth
6. Store in ziploc or airtight container.

If you're more of a visual person check out my video below. =)

DIY: Add Bead To Crochet Flower Earrings

2012-03-28T11:46:00.000-04:00

Crochet Flower Tutorial: http://youtu.be/qH0m7PnzNFU

My Links:

FB: http://www.facebook.com/VBrownAdornments.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/VBrown3709
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/VBrownAdornments
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/VBAdornments

Fresh Off Tha Hook Monday, March 26, 2012

2012-03-27T12:43:00.001-04:00

You can find me on these links:

FB: http://www.facebook.com/VBrownAdornments.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/VBrown3709

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/VBrownAdornments

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/VBAdornments

Be sure to check out the rest of the Fresh Off Tha Hook Members.

Fresh Off Tha Hook Monday, March 19, 2012

2012-03-19T18:37:00.001-04:00

I was on an earring kick this past week. I made 10 pairs! I really like them. They're so pretty, colorful, and light weight. Some times my ears get irritated by heavy earrings so I'm really loving that these can be as big as I want without pulling on my ears. =) I hope you like them too. =)

If you prefer to see them "live" check out the video below.

Tutorials
* 5 Petal Flower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8vrd7Lr5SY&list=PLDA24025FB3AF0A9B&in...
* "Leaf Earrings": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM3IAIr97P4&list=PLDA24025FB3AF0A9B&in...
* 6 Petal Flower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH0m7PnzNFU&feature=plcp&context=C44e7...
* "Jumbo" Flower Earrings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYb1sx77Prg&context=C4dff082ADvjVQa1PpcFPy...

You can find me on these links:
FB: http://www.facebook.com/VBrownAdornments.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/VBrown3709
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/VBrownAdornments
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/VBAdornments

Be sure to check out the rest of the Fresh Off Tha Hook Members.

Fresh Off Tha Hook Monday, March 12, 2012

2012-03-12T11:52:00.004-04:00

I have been REALLY busy this past week. My new puppy, Samson, is the reason for that! =)

We got Samson on March 4th. He was my Anniversary gift from my husband. We celebrated our 3rd anniversary on March 7th! =)

We started training Samson the same day we brought him home.

I take him for multiple walks throughout the day, plus we play in the back yard. All of this is not including the very frequent potty breaks he requires. Even with all of the potty breaks, playing, walking, and running he is still a ball of energy! And I still have my 4 kids and household duties to tend to.

When we go out he sits in the front seat of the car with me. He likes car rides. =)

Due to this additional cuteness/business I've only been able to crochet one item last week...

Be sure to check out the rest of the Fresh Off Tha Hook Fam. =)

Fresh Off Tha Hook Monday, March 5, 2012

2012-03-06T11:36:00.000-05:00

Spiral Afghan Tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW1vkW99hdg&list=FLmp1KDFaerYggthgkiWt0MA&index=2&feature=plpp_video

Be sure to check out the rest of the Fresh Off Tha Hook Fam.

DIY: Powder Laundry Detergent

2012-02-29T19:49:00.000-05:00

Check out how you can save 91% just by making your own laundry detergent...

I've come across many recipes for powdered laundry detergent so there's plenty of wiggle room to experiment and decide what combination works best for your needs. I am NOT chemist and have no knowledge based on the chemical compounds of these products. I chose this recipe because there is no measuring and each batch should last between 6 months to a year for my family of 6. Other recipes only call for one bar of Ivory, but I'm putting three. You can use any bar soap of your choice. Maybe next time I'll make it with only one bar and see how I like it. I bought the Borax and A&H Washing Soda in the laundry isle of my grocery store, Publix. There is NO expiration date on the detergent. =)

To make enough to last my family all year I would have to double the recipe below.

Recipe

3 bars Ivory soap, 13.5 oz

1 Box Borax, 76 oz

1 Box Arm & Hammer Washing Soda , 55 oz

(NOT Baking soda)

Grate the bars of soap or cut it into chunk and use a food processor to grate them.

Mix ingredients well in a large container.
Keep covered with lid and out of reach of children & pets.

Use 1 Tablespoon per load, 2 Tbs for heavily soiled loads.
For whites you can add some OxiClean to the wash to help with stains and brightening.

Price Breakdown

I have a family of 6 and wash about 8 loads of laundry each week.
8 loads x 52 weeks = 416 loads/year

Tide Ultra Powder HE Formula
56 oz, 40 loads, $9.45 x 11 boxes =
616 oz, 440 loads, $103.95

$9.45/40 loads = $.24/load
56 oz/40 loads = 1.4 oz/load

Homemade

2 pk Ivory (3 bars, 13.5 oz) $4.74
Two76 oz Box Borax $8.78
Two 55 ozBox Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda $6.38

Total
289 oz, 578 loads, $19.90

$19.90/578 loads = $.03/load
289 oz/578 loads = 0.5 oz/load

Quick Comparison

Tide 616 oz, 440 loads, $103.95/year, $.24/load
Homemade 289 oz, 578 loads, $19.90/year, $.03/load

Savings; $84.05/year

That's a 81% savings!! AWESOME! =)

You can increase that savings by using coupons on the Ivory. I usually get them for free when they go on sale at CVS for 10/$10. If I have a $1/1 manufacturer coupon, it's free.

Here's what my savings actually were since I got my Ivory soaps free with coupons...

2 pks Ivory $0
2 boxes Borax $8.78
2 boxes Washing Soda $6.38
= $15.16

$15.16/578 loads = 2.6¢/ load

$88.79 savings/year
85%

Another GREAT thing about this is that it's safe for HE washers because it doesn't have a lot of suds like commercial detergents and it cleans just as well as they do. However, because it is a soap and not a detergent I recommend running an empty load of hot water and 1 cup White Vinegar once a month to cut any soap residue from the inside of your washer.

Another tip: White vinegar is great as a natural fabric softener. It cuts soap residue, naturally whitens and brightens clothes without bleaching them, absorbs odors, and softens cloths and "fluffs" towels perfectly. =D Just add 1/2 Cup of White Vinegar to the wash during the rinse cycle. =)

DIY Face Solution

2012-02-28T20:04:00.000-05:00

My husband get razor bumps and ingrown hairs every time he shaves. Because of this we have spent quite a bit on Tend Skin. It comes in a blue bottle and helps with ingrown hairs and razor bumps. It works very well, but keeps getting more and more expensive. I checked the price on sephora.com a few days ago and a 2.5 oz bottle costs $17!! That's before shipping and tax! That teeny bottle only last him about a week. The yearly cost would be $884 not including tax or shipping! Crazy huh?

While I was searching for the price I came across a homemade recipe comparable to Tend Skin. I already had the ingredients on hand so I tried it out. It works just as good for my husband and I use it as well for breakouts. We both use it twice a day and will NEVER buy another bottle of Tend Skin again!

This video is my 2nd batch, take a glance...

Recipe

Solution 1

18 Aspirin tablets, crushed

5 oz Rubbing Alcohol

Solution 2

8 Aspirin tablets, crushed

2.5 oz Witch Hazel

Mix the two solutions.

Shake before each use.

Price Breakdown

Tend Skin 2.5oz $17 ($884/year)

Homemade 48oz $10.06/year

One 180 ct CVS Aspirin $.99

Two 16 oz CVS Rubbing Alcohol $2.19 each = $4.39

One 16 oz CVS Witch Hazel $4.69

TOTAL: $10.06

This is enough to make 6 batches, 7.5 oz each, total 45 oz.

Each batch will last one person using it twice a day for 2 months.

So $10.06 for an entire years worth of your homemade product.

That's an $874 savings per year, 99%!!

PLUS, you can always get aspirin on sale with coupons to save even more!

SWEET! =)

Fresh Off The Hook Monday, Feb. 27, 2012

2012-02-27T21:43:00.000-05:00

Rose tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94vYpcZ3W64

Check out the rest of the Fresh Off The Hook Fam here.

Fresh Off The Hook Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

2012-02-20T23:38:00.000-05:00

Here is my FOTHM (Fresh Off The Hook Monday) video showcasing my newest creations!! =)

I hope you like!

Patterns Used:
Four Leaf Clover: http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-four-leaf-clover/

Berry Stitch Round Scarf: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kviC5g1AHgs&list=UU5X6IJ421mM88I1tTA9S-Jw&...

Loops & Threads Puff Stitch Hat and Scarf Set:ops-Threads%E2%84%A2-Crochet-Hat-and-Scarf-Set/e080..." rel="nofollow" style="border-image: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #1c62b9; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="http://www.michaels.com/Loops-Threads%E2%84%A2-Crochet-Hat-and-Scarf-Set/e08020,default,pd.html">http://www.michaels.com/Loops-Threads%E2%84%A2-Crochet-Hat-and-Scarf-Set/e080...

I am the maker, model, photographer, videographer, editor, and the sales rep. =)

I hope you enjoyed the video and pictures.

Digital Scrap Booking

2012-02-17T10:11:00.002-05:00

I won an award!! =)

The Butterfly Effect has chosen me to be one of her Liebster Award winners. =) Thank you for choosing my blog. I'm glad that you enjoy it. =)

Since I have accepted this award I have to follow these simple rules:

1. Link back to the person who gave you the award.

2. Pick 5 people deserving of the award and notify them on their blogs.

3. Post the award on your blog and spread the love.

I have already done the 1st and 3rd, so on to the 2nd. =)

1. A Lily Among Thorns

2. Crochet Geek

3. Spice Up Your Blog

4. The Adventures Of My Family Of 8

5. Beauty Broadcast

Now on a different note...

Unfortunately, I haven't been crafty this week. =( I have been mommy, wife, family driver, cook, maid, tutor...

I need a break!

My husband and I will be celebrating our 3rd anniversary on March 7th. Hopefully, we'll be able to get their grand parents to watch them for a few days so we can get away. Every year we go to the Keys. =) We love it there! Love the water, the sights, the peace and quiet, and we love having the option of going out or relaxing. =)

I am going to try to crochet something today though so I'll have something to show in my Fresh Off The Hook video this Monday. =)

I do want to share some of my digital scrap booking that I've done in past years. =)

This is my first born, Malachi. I took this picture while he was sleeping. He was laughing and smiling in his sleep. =)

These are a few pictures of Malachi throughout his 1st year.

The main picture here was at his 1st birthday party.

This scroll was to document his 1st haircut. =) He was 2 years old and he was NOT happy to be getting his hair cut. It turned out okay though and he liked it afterward. =)

About 7 months after this I met my husband and his son, Kwamin. And 5 months after that we said, "I do." Actually I said, "yes," at the alter. I could barely even say it because I was crying so much. Lol. They were happy tears though. =) Now, a little over 3 years later, I've come from a family of two (Malachi and I) and being a single mother to a family of SIX!!

God is good!

He gave me this promise the night before I met my husband...

Psalm 16:11

You have made [fn] known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

The little [fn] after the word "made" means that there is a foot note being referenced. The foot note says, "or will make known."

I had never read this verse before and it jumped out at me so clearly. HE was talking to me! He, God, my Creator and Savior was telling me that He was going to make known to me the path of life He had planned for me from before the foundations of this world were even laid. =)

The next night I met my husband and now I know I am right where I am supposed to be. He has made known to me the path of life! =)

I read this verse every morning as I'm brushing my teeth. I found a framed mirror with this verse on it and had to buy it!

So that's a small bit of my testimony. =) Now, back to my digital scrap booking. =)

This picture just moves me to tears. Seeing His bloody back reminds me that it was MY sin that put Him on that cross and He did it WILLINGLY! I put the key in one corner and "life" in the other because Jesus is the Key to Life! The verse tells us what His mission on this Earth is; to give us abundant life here on Earth and eternal life with Him in Heaven. He freely gives it to everyone, but each of us have to choose to accept it. =)

So, I hope you have enjoyed my picture creations. I would like to get back into this because I now have 4 kids and a hubby and would like to spice up some of our pictures. =)

Fresh Off The Hook Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

2012-02-13T21:05:00.000-05:00

Funky Creations

2012-02-13T20:33:00.000-05:00

Last week I made these hats for my two oldest boys. I added a crochet beard to each of them.

I used the same yarn to finish this tam that I started a couples weeks ago.

I used this book to create this yellow shirt. It came out a little small. I may use a different color yarn to make it again a little bigger.

This is a custom made crochet beard I made for a friend's son. I previously made him a little beanie so I made this with buttons to match the beanie. =)

I felt like making something with my thread so I made a few flowers. =) I don't know what I'm going to attach them to yet, but I think they will be cute on a hat.

My friend came over to my house for a little while and while we were hanging out I taught her the crochet basics. I think she did really good for her first time. Her foundation chain wasn't too tight, her tension looks even. I think she's a natural. =)

Fresh Off The Hook Birthday Edition

2012-02-10T15:38:00.000-05:00

I turned 27 today! I feel so old. Lol

On a brighter note, I did crochet a cute bag so now I feel better.

Besides creating something so cute my 2 baby's are even cuter! =)

They've been singing, "Birthday to mommy" all day. =)

Here are a few pictures of my little bag. =)

I love the colors.

It's the perfect size for the bare necessities.

I used it to go out to dinner with my family on my birthday. =)

I love it! The handles are just long enough to wear on my shoulder.

Fresh Off The Hook Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

2012-02-08T01:51:00.000-05:00

Check out my newest Fresh Off The Hook Monday video. I'm sorry it's late. =( Better late than never? =)

So, I've made a few sales and I have a couple orders. If any of you are interested in purchasing or ordering any of my handmade items please visit my Facebook page, VBrownAdornments.

Berry Stitch Hats

2012-02-02T09:07:00.001-05:00

I recently learned the Berry Stitch and made a long round scarf. It was too long so I unraveled it and used the yarn to make this brown beanie with the same stitch. I absolutely LOVE this stitch! I think it's perfect for beanies because it allows the finished piece to stretch. The beanie fits me, my husband, even our 2 year old son very nicely. I like it for the one-size-fits-most effect.

I personally like to wear the Slouchy Berets or Tams so I made this Purple Tam to go with a shirt that I have. I really like how it fits and, again, the stitch allows the hat to stretch and breath. This picture isn't showing the true color; the hat is actually a dark purple.

I liked the hat so much that I had to make it in a teal color. I may just make them in all colors. Lol.

I also really like this stitch because it makes the stiffer acrylic yarn feel much softer and less stiff. It's great you just have to try it!

Berry Stitch

Insert hook into next (or specified) stitch, pull up a loop. Now you should have 2 loops on the hook.

YO, pull through 1 loop, Repeat 3 times

YO, pull through both loops on hook.

On my berry stitch I only repeated the 2nd line 2 times instead of 3. I'm sure you can moderate it as you like to get your desired look & texture. =)

Have fun being creative.

Crochet Candle Covers

2012-02-02T08:44:00.000-05:00

I've been working on a few drawstring bags for Valentine's Day and discovered that they make cute candle covers. =) I'm still going to use the two pink ones for Valentine's Day. I may put a small candle and some chocolates in each so my two boys can give them to their teachers as Valentine's Day gifts.

Fresh Off Tha Hook Monday Jan. 30, 2012

2012-01-30T14:07:00.003-05:00

Check out my newest crochet items!! =)

Be sure to check out my YouTube channel here and subscribe.

Crochet Flower Pot Cover

2012-01-29T12:02:00.003-05:00

I have 2 of these flower pots from each of my two youngest's births. I've had them put away for a long time because they just don't go with the rest of my house.

I was crocheting what was to be a drawstring bag, but ended up being my new flower pot cover.

My Poinsettias fit perfectly in them. =)

Flower Pot Cover

Written by: Valerie Brown

Materials

Flower pot: circumference: 14.75 inches, height: 4.25 inches

Hook: size J/10 6.00MM

Yarn: worsted weight, 1 ball of each color

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Cover Pattern

Magic loop (or ch 4, join)

Round 1: 8 hdc, sl st in 1st hdc

Round 2: ch 1, 2 hdc in each st around, sl st in 1st hdc (16 hdc)

Round 3: ch 1, *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st. Repeat from * 6x. hdc in next 2 st, sl st in 1st hdc (24 hdc)

Round 4: (change color) ch 1, * hdc in next 2 st, 2 hdc in next st. Repeat from * 7x. sl st in 1st hdc (30 hdc)

Round 5: *ch 3, skip next st, sc in next st. Repeat from * 14x, sl st in 1st sc (15 ch 3 spaces)

Round 6: *sc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, sc in ch 3 space. Repeat from * around. sl st in 1st sc & in each st to dc

Round 7: (change color) ch 4 (counts as 1st dc, ch 1), *dc in next dc, ch 1. Repeat from * 12x. sl st in 1 dc (14 ch 1 spaces)

Round 8: * sc,ch 1, dc, ch 1, sc in next ch 1 space. Repeat from * 14x. sl st in 1st sc & each st to dc

Round 9: (change color) sc in same dc, ch 3. *sc in next dc, ch 3. Repeat from *13x. sl st in 1st sc, ch 1 (15 ch 3 spaces)

Round 10: 3 hdc in each ch 3 space around. sl st in 1st hdc (45 hdc)

Round 11: ch 1, hdc in each st around. sl st in 1st hdc. (45 hdc)

Round 12: ch 1, *hdc in next 4 st, hdc dec. Repeat from *6x. hdc in next 4 st. sl st in 1st hdc.

Round 13: ch 1, *hdc in next 3 st, hdc dec. Repeat from *6x. hdc in next 3 st, sl st in 1st hdc.

Round 14: ch 5 (counts as 1st tr, ch 1) *skip next st, tr in next st, ch 1. Repeat from *13x. sl st in 1st tr. (16 tr, ch 1 spaces)

Round 15: *sc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, sc in next ch 1 space. Repeat from * around. sl st in 1st sc.

Round 16: (change color) sc in same sc with new color. ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 1, sc in next sc. *sc in next sc, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 1, sc in next sc. Repeat from * around. sl st in 1st sc.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Drawstring

ch 78

Fasten off & tighten knot.

Cut ends about 1/2 inch from knots

Weave in chain through tr spaces (round 14)

Place flower pot in cover & tie a bow with the drawstring.

It can be used to store other items as well though. Either way you choose to use the flower pot it'll look cute with it's new crochet cover. =)