Squirrel Picnic

Handmade with Love and Stuff

Tag Archives: crafts


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Make It! Challenge #4: Crochet Batman Mask

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Hi there! I’m sorry but I’ve chosen to remove this pattern. Also many apologies, but I’m not able to send you a copy. The truth is that this was not a good pattern. I wish I could invest time and energy to improve it and re-release it, but in the years since this pattern was originally posted several other people have designed Batman masks that are even better! I suggest that you search “Batman mask” on Ravelry or try this tutorial on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DScvgRQnbo8
Sorry again that I wasn’t able to help you make a Batman mask, but I wish you the best of luck. ~ Jennifer, 21 March 2019


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Crochet Airplane Appliqué

This airplane appliqué is quick and easy to make. It’s the perfect embellishment for a baby blanket, sweater, or scarf. Airplane

Airplane Appliqué

Difficulty rating 1

Materials

Small amounts of gray, blue, and white yarns
Size H-8 (5.00 mm) crochet hook
Tapestry needle

Plane Body

With blue yarn, ch 20

Sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2 hdc, 14 dc, 5 dc in turning ch, 14 dc, 2 hdc, sc, slst in 1st ch. BO.

Wings

With gray yarn, ch 25

Sc in 2nd ch from hook, 22 hdc, 4 sc in turning ch, 22 hdc, 3 sc in last ch, slst in 1st ch. BO. Sew onto plane body about 1/3 of the way back from the front.

Tail

With gray yarn, bring a loop up through 2nd ch at end of airplane body. Ch 3, tr in same st, (dc, sc) in next st. BO.

Pull up loop in 4th ch from end on other side of plane body. Ch 1, dc in same st, (tr, ch3, slst) in next st. BO.

Propeller

With white yarn, ch 12, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 10 sc, slst in last st. BO.

Ch 5, BO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Wrap this 5-chain strand around the center of the propeller and sew to the front end of the plane body. Work in all ends.


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Spring Fever

These past few weeks, it seems as if I’ve been doing nothing but knitting, crocheting, and sewing, and yet I have so little to show for it. Do you have that problem too? I just can’t seem to keep my attention focused on one project long enough to finish it before moving on to the the next. It must be spring fever! So since I don’t have any completed projects to show you, I’ll just show you all the things I’m working on.

Spring is just about ready to bloom at Squirrel Picnic. I’ve been crocheting leaves and flowers everywhere I go. It’s been especially fun to talk to people on the bus about all these little leaves I’m making. I can hardly wait to get Hodge and Podge into their new seasonal diorama.

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A friend of ours wants very much to have a baby, but she’s having a hard time convincing her husband. Her plan of action? To just go ahead and crochet a baby blanket. I love this! It’s her first crochet project and she’s doing great. I crocheted these airplane and flower appliques for her to add depending on whether she has a boy or a girl. Now come on husband, give this girl a baby.

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Slowly but surely I’ll get the two summer dresses I started sewn by summer.

The fourth Make It! Challenge is about 95% complete. I should have the pattern for you very soon. It’s the perfect hat for stalking the city at night.

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And because I just can’t stop myself from starting new projects, I ordered this fantastic yarn from KnitPicks to start a summer top. Don’t you just love the color!

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Well I better get back to work. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!


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Seven Quart Crock-Pot Green Chile

green-chile1Imagine coming home after a long day of work, perhaps even commuting through the snow, to the aroma of green chile simmering in your Crock-Pot. Just one bowl is enough to warm you up and put a smile on your face. I originally created this recipe for my husband when we were first married—it’s one of his favorite meals. Since then it has won first place at a chile cook-off and been my favorite meal to make for family. It’s perfect for so many occasions, from a weeknight dinner to a potluck. I know your family will enjoy it as much as mine has.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. vegetable oil
salt and pepper
5 lbs. pork shoulder, trimmed from the bone and cut into hand-size pieces
10 cloves garlic, minced
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 lb. tomatillos, husked and diced
2 15 oz. cans diced tomatoes with juice
2 lbs. Anaheim chiles, roasted, peeled, and diced
4-6 jalapenos, roasted, peeled, and diced
3 tbsp. cumin seeds, toasted in a dry pan over low heat, shaking the pan frequently, until aromatic
2 tbsp. ground cumin
2 tbsp. Mexican oregano
1 tbsp. red chili powder
¼ tsp. cayenne
¼ c. flour

  1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Season pork with salt and pepper and brown in skillet.
  3. To the Crock-Pot, add garlic, onions, tomatillos, tomatoes, and peppers. Stir in spices.
  4. Remove pork from skillet and arrange in Crock-Pot.
  5. Sprinkle flour into pan and stir to create a roux. Tuck spoonfuls of roux in amongst the pork.
  6. Cook on high heat for 4 hours or low heat for 6 to 7 hours.
  7. Shred pork with a fork and let simmer for 30 minutes more.


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My Favorite Part of Knitting a Garment Is the Last Stitch

The only other moment that can compare is when on the first day that you wear it, you get to tell someone, “I made this!” I still have loose threads to weave in and super-cute flower buttons to sew on and, of course, spring has to arrive… But when it does, I’ll be sure to share a photo with you of its first day in action.

lacey spring top