The Crocheting Mom

Now that I have craft fairs down to a science (almost), I want to start adding giveaways into the mix. People love free stuff.  Heck I love free stuff myself.  Even just the chance of winning something, will entice people to come check out your booth!  I've been doing some research to figure out some different ideas and I have come up with a list of 5 fun giveaway ideas that I think your potential customers will love!  Some require purchases, and some don't.  You'll have to decide before hand exactly how much your willing to give away, and what the criteria will be.

      I have had quite of bit of experience working with children since I graduated college with my BA in Early Childhood Education, almost 10 years ago (OH MY!).  During this time I had mostly worked at daycares, with a few years subbing in elementary schools.  I have worked at daycares in four states and have seen firsthand what parents should be looking for when making this big decision.  Here is a list of what I feel to be 10 of the biggest things that you should be considering when doing your research.

Are you looking for something to buy that crocheter in your life?  Are you at a loss as to what crocheters would really want?  Well, honestly, most of us would be happy with anything!  I wanted to make sure I provided a list that all crocheters would agree with.  Therefore, I polled my fellow crocheters in the Facebook groups that I am a part of.  With their help, I came up with a list of items that will sure to be a hit with the crocheter you are buying for.  These gifts will be perfect for Christmas, birthdays, Mother's Day, anniversaries, or just a Wednesday!

      I have had quite of bit of experience working with children since I graduated college with my BA in Early Childhood Education, almost 10 years ago (OH MY!).  During this time I had mostly worked at daycares, with a few years subbing in elementary schools.  I have worked at daycares in four states and have seen firsthand what parents should be looking for when making this big decision.  Here is a list of what I feel to be 10 of the biggest things that you should be considering when doing your research. * This is a three part series.  These are in no particular order, as they are all important in their own way.

Fall is slowly creeping up on us, (YAY) and that means all things PUMPKINS!!!  Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin carving, pumpkin patches and pumpkin decor.  It's definitely my favorite time of year, so I wanted to offer you yet another free pattern.  This month, my free pattern is for crocheted pumpkins! These are fun for your kids to play with, to decorate your house with, or to sell at the fall craft fairs!  I've sold quite a few of these.  They are very quick to work up, and because of that they can be priced pretty low.  Kids eat them up at the fairs, and so do parents.  I mean, who wouldn't want a stuffed pumpkin???

Yes, you read that title right.  Strawberry Pizza!  I was confused, too, when my 5 year old came running over to me asking if we could make it. You see, for her 5th birthday, my Mom signed her up for a Highlights High Five Magazine Subscription .  My oldest got this as well, but has since moved up to the regular Highlights magazine.  It was written in my 5 year olds birthday card, that she would now be getting these magazines, but of course, at this age, she didn't really get it because she didn't have it in her hands at that moment.  When her first magazine came in though, she was so excited!  She doesn't normally get mail, unless it's her birthday or another holiday, so it was very exciting to her to get something of her own.  She was breezing though it, and then came running to me when she saw the recipe.  The Strawberry Pizza recipe.  She was so excited about it, there was no way I could say "No" to her.

I have kids, hence the Mom Blog.  With kids, comes messes.  I have a few stains on my carpets, that regular cleaner has not been able to get out.  They have been there for a couple months, and I have not wanted to fork over $100 to have someone come in and professionally clean my carpets. So when I was offered a free bottle of STAINMASTER Carpet Cleaner , for my honest review, I was eager to try it.  I hate paying for stuff that I don't know is going to really work or not,  so it's hard for me to find something that I can have as a go-to.  I'm writing this review to hopefully help others out there with the same problem.   Kids .  Oops, I mean, the MESSES that kids leave!

Where I grew up, we didn't go back to school until AFTER Labor Day.  Now, living in a different state, my children go back to school in beginning of August.  That's crazy right?  I feel like it's still summer until at least the end of September. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm am definitely ready for school to start, but I just feel bad for the kids because it's still hot out, and perfect weather for playing outside!  The kids do get out of school in the end of May, though, so they are still at least getting 2 and half months off.  I feel like when I was a kid though, summer lasted so much longer.  I guess as a parent, days just go by a lot faster because we have so many more worries.

I've done a post like this before, but I loved it so much so I had to do another.  There are so many creative people out there and sometimes, I'm just amazed at what they come up with.  I love to crochet, and I love all things that are crocheted.  Some people may not agree, and just think "What the heck?" Not, me though, I see these awesome creations, and I'm impressed that someone could come up with the idea.  Crocheting is becoming more and more popular, which is fantastic.  It's not just for the older people anymore, but young as well.  With it's increased popularity, though, you see a lot of the same things, over and over, just made a little bit different.  So when you see something that's new, it takes you by surprise, and it's amazing.  

I've been really trying to learn everything I can about blogging.  It really is a business, and the best way to succeed with a business, is to read and learn everything you can about said business. I may exaggerate a bit when I labeled this post, The BEST books about blogging.  Maybe a more accurate title would have been, The books that I could get from the library, about blogging!