Liebster Award and Update On My Saving Challenge

Hi everybody! This is an update to my 52-Week Savings Challenge that I took last May 2. I did some tweaking to my challenge, I saved 20 pesos instead of 10 pesos. so I can double my money! Instead of saving 13780 pesos, I am saving 27560 pesos! That is big money.

The sum of the money i put on the jar from May 4-May 25 is 400 pesos. I am giving my self a pat on the back! When my savings reached  500 pesos I will open an account so I am not tempted to use my savings, out of sight, out of mind.I am really inspired to finish this challenge because I have a goal. Readers are asking if its doable, I say yes it is doable if you have the will and a goal to reach. Every challenge need a goal so you know where you are going. My goal here is to save enough money for me to start a small business for extra income. For 27,560 pesos I can start a Sari-Sari Store (small retail store), an eatery, or a burger stand buy 1 burger and take 1 burger free it's a huge hit here in the Philippines. Or i will buy some bonds if I can't start a business.

It's never too late for you to start earning. Saving money is really rewarding when you see how much self-control you have.

My Third Liebster Award

I am nominated for the third time with Liebster award by Stephanie S. of Crazy Little Lovebirds  thank you Stephanie S. I love this award. It helps me build new audience and mingle with other fellow blogger. 

What is a Liebster Award?

The Liebster Award is given to new blogger with under 200 followers as a way to welcome them into the blogging community.

11 QUESTIONS FROM STEPHANIE S.

1. Do you prefer rainy days or sunny days? I prefer sunny days. I could go out and enjoy some sun. and no flood!

2. What activities do you enjoy doing on a warm summer day? Everyday is warm sunny day here in The Philippines ;) I just enjoy crocheting inside my house.

3. Where have you recently traveled to? & Did you enjoy? No I haven't traveled yet. We always go to Tagaytay home of the world's smallest volcano. I enjoy it every time we visit Tagaytay.

4. Do you grow your own vegetables and fruits? I have a mango tree and a santol tree.

5. What's your favorite scent at the moment? I love any Victoria's secret scent.

6. How often do you workout? I try to workout 30 minutes 3x a week.

5. Are you more of a talk on the phone kind of person, or a I rather text kind of person? I am both!

6. Do you have any big plans this year? No I don't have plans yet.

7. What about blogging do you enjoy the most? I enjoy that every day I gain readers and and they are kind enough to leave comments.

8. Do you enjoy diy or craft projects? I love Crocheting that is why I blog about it ;)

9. Do you have an etsy shop? No. I don't have an etsy shop.

Question For My Nominees

1. What is your latest achievement in life?

2. Who is your hero?

3. Why are you blogging?

4. Cats or Dogs?

5. What is your dream vacation?

6. How do you reward your self after you accomplish something?

7. What is your favorite stress reliever?

8. Boxer or brief?

9. What is your motto in life?

And Here Are My Nominees

1. Bobbie of Lemons and Carnations

2. Ingrid of Studio 92 Designs

3. Bheng of Handmade by Bheng

4. Doodle Bug Mom of http://doodlebugmomscrafts.blogspot.com/

5. Vidina of Quetepico Handmade

6. Chieu Nguyen of Firefly Crochet

7. Liz of Amigurumi Barmy

8. Jules of Adventures in Thread

Congratulations to all the nominees!

How Crocheting Help My Depression

Get out of the back hole of depression by crocheting

 I used to suffer from depression. But I self medicate so i won't suffer the ugly feelings of depression. I read a post (sorry but I forgot the link) and started crocheting and it help me to get out of the black hole of depression. 

Crochet is a great craft because it takes you out of the hectic space inside your own head and gives you a focused activity. This can greatly ease the symptoms of depression. Crochet provides a relaxing, meditative place where the mind can rest. Moreover, it allows you to get excited about new projects and to be proud of the projects that you've created. Both of these things are beneficial for people who are suffering from depression. Depression can sap excitement so finding things that excite you is crucial. And depression is directly correlated with low self-esteem so it’s great if you can create products that you are proud of and that can help you feel good about yourself again.

"Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad" - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The same traits that make crochet a terrific craft for people who are dealing with depression are also useful for people who suffer from anxiety and even extreme anxiety like panic attacks. The repetitive motions of the task are soothing. The task itself provides you with a focus for the brain so that your mind can ease up on whatever is making you anxious. In cases of social anxiety, crochet can provide you with a comforting tool to take with you when you go into public and to focus on when the surrounding environment makes you feel stressed out.

Crocheting in groups can help bring back your self esteem.

Crochet might not cure these conditions but it can help some people manage the symptoms. It’s a low-cost craft and one that is easy to learn so why not at least try it to see if it is something that can help you!

Mr. Woobbly Boobly Bear Amigurumi-Free Pattern

Mr. Woobly Boobly Bear

He is a weeble wobble crochet toy!

Mr. Woobly Boobly Bear!

I am happy to introduce my latest crochet project for you! Mr. Woobbly Boobly Bear! He is a weeble wobble crochet toy. He is adorable and easy to make! With just a basic knowledge in crocheting you can make a Mr. Woobbly Boobly Bear. 

Materials:

2 colors of 4-ply worsted weight yarn ( I used light brown and a multi colored yarn I forgot the color name because I lost the label)

Size G/6-4.25MM Hook

Stitch marker

Fiber fill

Yarn needle

plastic bag

some small pebbles or beans (this will be used as weight)

Packing tape

Buttons (optional)

 Abbreviation:

ch-chain

sc-single crochet

ss-slip stitch

sc inc-single crochet increase

sc dec-single crochet decrease

tr-treble crochet

sts-stitch

Pattern

Round 1: ch 2, 10 sc in 2nd chain from hook. (10 sts)

Round 2: sc inc in each sc (20 sts)

Round 3: (1 sc in first sc, sc inc in next sc) repeat 10x. (30 sts)

Round 4: 1 sc around (30 sts)

Round 5-11: Repeat round 4

Round 12: ( 1 sc on first sc, sc dec ) repeat 10x. (20 sts)

Round 13: sc dec around(10 sts)

Round 14: sc inc around. (20 sts) Fasten off

Round 15: Join color B, sc inc around (40 sts)

Round 16: sc around (40 sts)

Round 17-27: same as round 16

Round 28: ( 1 sc in next 2 sc, sc dec) repeat 10x (30 sts)

Round 29: ( 1 sc in first sc, sc dec) repeat 10x (20 sts)

1.  Here is how to make the bag of beans; Fill a small plastic bag with about 1/4 c beans or glass pebbles. Secure the plastic bag with masking tape.
2. This is the time you fill the amigurumi with fiber fill half way only. Then insert the bag of beans inside the amigurumi making sure the bag of beans is in the center so that the toy will stand up when pushed down.

Round 30: sc dec around until the hole is closed.

Ears (make 2)

ch 2, 10 sc on second ch from hook ss on top of first sc, fasten off

Bow Tie

ch 18, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each chain.

Bow

ch 5, 4 tr on 5th ch from hook, ch 4 ss on ch 1.
ch 4, 4 tr in the same ch, ch 4 ss, ch 10 and use the chain 10 to wrap the middle of the bow.

1. Sew the bow tie around the neck of the toy.
2.  Sew on the buttons securely. If you are giving this to small child you can omit the buttons.
3. Sew on the face of the toy. 

and Viola! you can enjoy Mr. Woobly Boobly Bear! If you have questions about this pattern you can leave a comment below.

How to Bring Your Creativity Back

Does anyone suffer from crocheters block?

Have you suffered crocheters block? I used to have the same crocheters block before. But just following this tips I never had an episode of crocheters block anymore. Here are some tips on how to bring back the spark on your creativity.

1. Think about your crocheting while creating. It doesn't matter what your are crocheting and it doesn't have to be good, creating crochet, making chain with hook and yarn is practicing your skill in crocheting it teaches our brain to think that holding a hook and yarn not something held, but part of the hand.

2. The process of crocheting is the FUN, not the the result. It's about crocheting something , not about having something drawn. Learning new approach or figuring out how to crochet better, or thinking on how to explain the process of assembling the crochet project. Looking at the finished crochet project is wonderful to see but the process of making that project is priceless.

"It helps if you can treat your work as a refuge-an oasis of control and creative satisfaction in the midst of the bad stuff."

3. I am the audience. No other. The first time I started crocheting is for my own entertainment, when I am bored, and that's how it continued. Crocheting with the expectations of other people in mind can wreck inspiration and apply so much pressure, crocheting becomes just miserable and you can even call it work. When I crochet it looks good on my standards, is the only time I get anything good done.

4. Force yourself to live in the moment. What helped me here is my finished crochet project should be given away. It forces me to live in the moment..sort of. I am able to concentrate on the process of creating a crochet project rather than the results. And if you get something you prefer to keep, you always possible to to change your mind.

"Sometimes a block comes from having too much, not too little"

Summer Crochet Boy Shorts

Summer Crochet Boy Shorts 

My creative juice has been drained in the last few days. I kept on thinking of a creative project that came from my own. I want to incorporate my love of crochet and DIY. Then suddenly a bright idea came out! I am going to make a crochet summer outfit for my daughter without following a pattern and a diagram. I am going to do it freestyle. Making a crochet boy shorts in reverse engineering. 

I bought a cheap boy shorts underwear and deconstructed it.

Deconstructed Boy shorts underwear

Then I just follow the shape of the deconstructed boy shorts to make my own design. I always forget to write down the pattern of my freestyle projects. Next time I will share this to you guys.

Follow the shape of the deconstructed boy shorts 

I made a crotch, and 2 of the leg parts. I am still finishing the other leg part. I used 2 cotton thread held together. used a B hook for this project. 

The 2 crochet leg parts and the crotch

the 2 Leg part sewn together

I used slip stitch to sew the boy shorts together.

I sewed the 2 legs together and I realized that I don't need the crotch any more. So I just sew the boy shorts together and here is the finished crochet boy shorts.

DIY Gym Tank Top

DIY Gym Tank Top

I am trying to loose weight right now. Well I lost 2 pounds as of today (maybe it's just water weight ;p) The weather here in the Philippines is so so hot! I need something that is cool and comfortable to wear while exercising that I can make without sewing (I am not good at sewing)I found this  DIY Gym Tank top at Pinterest. I finished this project in just 20 minutes! if you are making this tank top pick a t-shirt a size or 2 bigger than your shirt size. I made a mistake using same size shirt.

This is How to make a DIY Gym Tank top:

 Cut the neck, sleeves, and the bottom part of an old t-shirt.

 Use the cut out sleeves for making the ties.

 Using the tie. Wrap The back of the tank top. making sure not to twist the straps.Cut off a few inches at the sides to make the side ties.

This is the back of the DIY Gym Tank Top. It looks good on the mannequin. But not so good on me :) I need to eat less and exercise more! 
I hope you like my DIY Gym Tank top.

52-Week Saving Challenge (Filipino Style)

52 Week Saving Challenge (Filipino Style)

I've been reading about The 52-week saving challenge. This challenge starts with a $1 and end with $1378! 

I want to try this challenge, but in Filipino style. I will start with 10 pesos and end up with 13,780 pesos! That is $344.50! Not a lot in the USA but that is enough for me to start a small business here in the Philippines, Buy me a sewing machine, or have my own domain, or I can buy a new bag or shoes or pamper myself. There are so much possibility with the money we are going to earn with this 52-week savings challenge. 

You will start with this chart, and a jar.

This chart is in US dollars

Then put $1 in the jar on the first week, $2 on the second week, $3 on the third week and so on. In my case I will save 10 pesos on the first week, 20 pesos on the second week, 30 pesos on the 3rd week and so on..

On the 52nd-week you will earn $1378.00 and I will earn 13,780.00 pesos. That is a big money! 

People say they don't have extra money to save. Stop buying soda, cigarettes. By doing this you not only saving money you are also saving your life and the people around you. If you do this challenge for every year 5 years, You will earn 68,900 pesos or $ 6890! You are earning money slowly but surely.

So come and join me do this 52-week saving challenge. We will start this  4th of May 2013 Every week I will update you about my progress and hoping by April 26, 2014 we will be 13,780.00 pesos or $1378.00 Richer.