Tales of a Crafty Mommy

These days I am focusing on teaching more Spanish through music. It's a fun and natural way to learn new vocabulary and pronunciation. My daughter is quite fond of listening to music, she is almost four, so if she likes a song she'll just get up and start dancing. She is now asking me to play the same song at least three times, because she is three. I think it's so cute.  I have began noticing that each time we play the same song, she catches on new words. Repetition is the main learning strategy used by children. We are currently learning the song, "Que Cante la Vida" by Alberto Plaza, a Chilean singer. I have known this song since I was a little girl, so it is very special to me. I think my daughter can see that this song has a special meaning to me and might make her like it even more. Anyways, she likes knowing that Alberto Plaza is Chilean, just like I am.  :-) The lyrics repeat some of the same words: manos, sol, camino, voces, vida, etc. Here is a link to t...

I made this colorful poster to decorate right above my children's toy storage area. Hope you can use it at home with your children also! Download this file in pdf format from scrib, " Bilingual Spanish English Play Area Free Printable. " We are using this poster to talk about the meaning of the words: play, create, laugh, explore in English and Spanish. Hope you find this poster useful! ~ Fabiola

Ever wonder how to keep your dish towel from falling off the oven rod every two seconds? Simply use this crochet pattern to make a crochet towel holder to help keep the towel in the right place.   You might be interested in: Best Places to Purchase Yarn Online   Crochet is so fun and relaxing. Crocheting is even more fun when we get to use our skill and make crochet gifts for everyone we know. Or perhaps when we can even use our crochet as a business and sell our handmade items at craft shows . The ultimate goal of crochet is to SHARE what we are able to make with our hands.  This crochet towel holder takes about 20 minutes or less to make depending on your speed.  What I love about this crochet pattern is that it creates a very useful item using cotton yarn . We use these holder in our kitchen and reminds everyone where to keep the kitchen towel so it doesn't get lost. Hope you crochet a towel holder, too!  Why should you crochet a...

Pattern: Chevron Blanket (27 x 27 approx.) Yarn: I Love This Yarn (Hobby Lobby) Colors: Mustard Yellow and White  This is the second chevron blanket I have made since June (I'm already itching to make another one!). The first one, I made for my son  in light blue, orange, and cream. Now that I am very comfortable with this pattern, I decided I wanted to make it a bit different. Good chevron MUST have texture. So I crocheted this blanket to have ridges. I am in love!! Pause for a minute to admire the hills and valleys that make up a chevron pattern. I love the vintage feel of this pattern and the colors.  Here's another picture with better lighting.   Lots and lots of texture. This beautiful blanket could be part of your decor in your own living room to use it as a lap blanket or to use it when holding your new baby.  It is available through my Etsy shop .  What colors would you want for a chevron...

I. heart. Chevron.  Seriously.  I've made two blankets using the same pattern of hills and valleys.  The color combinations and boldness of the pattern is totally up to the crocheter.  This is the first baby blanket I made:  Chevron Baby Blanket in Summer Colors  I used Red Heart with Love yarn from JoAnn's.  Colors: Mango, Iced Aqua, and Eggshell.  I wanted this blanket to be colorful, cheerful, boyish, summerish, and happy.  I took this baby blanket with me when I went to deliver my baby. I couldn't wait to see him with the blanket! Chevron Baby Blanket  Handmade chevron baby blankets (or lap blankets) are available through my Etsy shop .

Bunnies! c onejos ! I used to have two bunnies when I was growing up. One was named Billy and the other one, Dana. Billy was brown and Dana was a grey bunny. I loved them dearly. We had them for about 2 years, until they grew too big and their cage was too small.  They enjoyed playing in pvc tubes, loved their carrots, and loved hopping around in my living room.  Bunnies are pure sweetness, so I have made a couple of bunny hats for some pretty sweet babies.  Picture by: Elise Smith Photography Picture by: J.Lynn Imagery Picture by: Natty J. Photography The Bunny Hat is available at my Etsy shop for babies 0-3 months and 3-6 months of age.   ~ Fabi

For several months now I've been eyeing the beauty of the Granny Square. I. LOVE. THEM.  Years ago we had a very colorful pillow cover at home. I never knew it was made from a Granny Square pattern.  I had no idea. Sincerely, back in the day, I didn't really pay much attention to that kind of thing.  I was missing out. Badly.  I'm on the right track now, right? I saw a video on YouTube and followed a basic pattern from Purl Bee  to complete my first Granny Square. Materials: I used Baby Soft Worsted Weight yarn in two colors (blue and white) I hook (5.50 mm) The pattern basically consists of 4 rounds, using chains (ch) and double crochets (dc). You can choose to alternate the colors, do one color, or different colors.  I foresee several stacks of squares filling up my crocheting desk here soon.