I used sharpies to decorate my Easter Eggs this year.  I wanted to try something different, and I have to say I was happy with the outcome! 

Seriously, all you need are some hard boiled eggs, sharpie markers and minimal drawing abilities.   If you can draw a simple flower,a leaf, a line with curls at the end, and make a few dots, you are good to go!

Just start at the ends and work your way down to the other end, or do both ends and then fill in the  middle.  Either way, who cares?  Just keep it simple and fun, because in the end it's just an egg you are going to crack open and eat!

And if you feel extra ambitious, you can color it in!  They look awesome both ways.

The whole idea is to just have fun!  I know I did :-)

Do you have a messy bedroom or guest room in your home?  Most people do for one reason or another.  I happen to have several since my kids are slowly leaving the 'nest' their bedrooms have become a medley of their belongings and things that have been 'temporarily' stored in there over time.  It is easy for this to get more carried away than anyone ever expected. One day when  you're adding to the pile you actually stop and really look at it and you're like "Oh My Gosh! How on Earth did this happen?"  If you're like me or my daughter whom this post is actually dedicated to, the thought of cleaning is overwhelming so you kind of just keep the door shut.  Out of sight, out of mind, right?  Well that only lasts for so long.  Eventually, for whatever reason, you need something in there, or, like me, you actually have a need to use the room for something other than a bedroom so it's time to clean it!  

We have our new online store starting up (coming soon) so with all the stuff piling up we really needed a room to keep everything together and organized.  My daughter hasn't officially lived (or slept) in her bedroom for a few years so I mentioned to her that I really could use the space.  She completely understood but is overwhelmed by the amount of stuff she has accumulated over the years. She asked me for help and I told her I could have it done in a day if she really wanted me too.  I think she was afraid for me to do it without her, so she's been working on her room a little at a time (the picture above is a work in progress).  But, naturally the fact that I said I could do it in one day is based on experience as I have accomplished this very task several times in the past and this, of course, is what inspired me to write this post!  If you are disciplined and on task, you too can clean a messy room  in one day and if you follow the step-by-step process it should be as simple and painless as possible!
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So here we go....

Difficulty falling asleep lately?  Then check out this simple sleep spritzer essential oil blend!  It can help to relax you so that you can fall asleep.  This is spritzed on your pillow just before bedtime so that you are inhaling the essential oil scents.  Each essential oil was carefully chosen:

• Clary Sage - helpful for insomnia, stress, and anxiety.
• Lavender - helpful for insomnia, stress, and anxiety.
  
• Bergamot - helpful with fatigue and anxiety.
• Pachouli - helpful with anxiety.
• Roman Chamomile - helpful for insomnia.

NOTE: Always research the safety of using any essential oil before use!  Check with a doctor before using, especially if you are pregnant or nursing. This is not intended for use by children.

Here is one of my favorite "go to" books about aromatherapy (affiliate link):

Adorable, right?  What little tyke wouldn't want to cuddle with this 100% cotton pink elephant lovey blanket!  The pattern can easily be adapted to blue, or any color of your choosing!

Please note that you can e-mail me if you have any questions at all about the pattern!  The links to video tutorials for various stitches can be very helpful if needed!

Make the Ears:
The ears are worked from the outside of the ear toward the head in sort of a double layer that will be sewn together at the end....look at the picture to get a better idea if you do not understand, but if you still need help check out the Crochet Elephant Ear Tutorial YOU TUBE video I made...it's not the best, as I made it quickly, but I hope it helps!

• Chain 21 (this has been updated 8/2017 due to finding this mistake - it said 20 before!)
• Round 1: sc into 19th stitch and all the way around on both the top and bottom of the chains.  Add one extra stitch at each end for a total of 42 single crochets.
• Rounds 2 -5: sc in each stitch decreasing twice on each side.  It doesn't matter where on each side you do the decrease, but it is best if they are separated by a few stitches.
• ​Bend into ear shape and use yarn to sew closed and sew onto head using a yarn needle.​

Make the Blanket:
The final blanket is approximately 18" x 18".
**PATTERN UPDATED AS OF 3/19/18**

This is a basic granny square blanket with 6 corners instead of 4 and 13 rows in pink, then the edging. Watch this video tutorial (below) to make the basic 6 sided hexagon. ​You will do 12 rows in pink. The rest of the pattern continues below.