Design Wars 3: My Stash

I'm sure you're familiar with Design Wars by now... but if you aren't, it's an exclusive challenge where crochet designers "battle" by creating new designs using the same yarn.  We are currently into the voting portion of DW3... but if you'd like to catch up on what happened during the first 2 rounds, you can read about DW1 and DW2.

Anyway... Red Heart Yarns graciously sponsors Design Wars.  They provide the challengers with the yarn for the segment, AND they offer up a fantastic prize pack to one lucky voter each round.  I'm going to talk a little about my yarn for this segment, but if you're interested in hearing more about the prize pack, click HERE.

For DW3, we decided to go with Creme de la Creme yarn.  It's 100% cotton, or what I keep referring to as "kitchen cotton". I had no idea what I was going to make when it was time to "order" our yarn... I kept thinking that I'd only be able to create dishcloths or hot pads.  So, I just asked for a bunch of balls in various colors & decided I'd work with it when it came.  I think I ended up ordering about 20 balls of yarn... but Red Heart sent 45!  (Mainly, this is because they had the yarn wrapped in 3-packs... so when I ordered one ball of red, I got 3.)  Either way, VERY generous!  The Creme de la Creme yarn doesn't have great reviews on some of the websites I looked at, but I'm here to tell you that I AM a fan.  I works up very nicely with a G or H hook, the colors are beautiful, and the stitch definition is great!

My kids helped build this awesome yarn pyramid.  So much fun!

If you'd like to see what the DW3 challengers made with our Creme de la Creme yarn, please visit the Design Wars Fan Page & www.designwarschallenge.com.  While you're there, take a look around & please vote for your favorite design!

If you've ever used Creme de la Creme, leave a comment & let us know how you liked it!  If you made something with it, share a link!

12345 Celebration Giveaway #5 - MORE GIFT CARDS

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.  THE WINNERS ARE POSTED BELOW.

This is the 5th and final Giveaway in my 12345 Celebration!  I hope you've all found something that made your mouth water & you enjoyed looking at all of the goodies that these wonderful vendors have generously donated!  

This final giveaway includes $20 Gift Cards to 10 awesome shops!

Check out the shops & enter via Rafflecopter below...

A Knot Above

JazCrafts

Soft & Sweet Boutique

Dear Felicity

 Caprice Creations

Sweet Cheeks Photography Props

The Moonlight Shadow

HollyCraft Originals

Kiwi and Kiki  (Kiwi's Tie Shop)

Seaux Comfy / Badge Reels

*** READ THE RULES ***

The winners will be announced on Sunday, May 5th on this blog - once the winners are announced, you will have 48 hours to contact me to claim your prizes. If a prize is not claimed with 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn. You MUST be 18 to participate. Prizes do not have cash value. There will be no returns/exchanges on any of the items. This promotion is in NO WAY sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.

*** ENTER VIA RAFFLECOPTER ***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks again to all of my friends, family & fans.  

Your business & support are greatly appreciated! 

I hope you've enjoyed this giveaway!

:) Danyel

12345 Celebration Giveaway #4 - HATS & PROPS

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.  THE WINNERS ARE POSTED BELOW.

Day 4 of my Fabulous 12345 Celebration Giveaway is just for my Photographer friends!  
I have gathered up a fine array of hats, props & other goodies from some of my favorite vendors!

There are 8 prizes, and there will be 8 winners!

Feast your eyes on these...

Peaches n Cream Vintage Lace Headband from Kiki of "Kiwi and Kiki"

Newborn Madison Bonnet (any color) from Just Be Happy

Newborn "Apple of my Eye" Bonnet from Dilly Dally Boutique

Newborn Cowboy Hat from Cotton Blossoms

Newborn Crochet and Lace Bonnet from Hook, Loop & Singer

Lemon Flower Headband (any size) from amk'Sboutique

Headband/Romper Set from JM Creations

Custom Newborn Swivel Beanie from CrazySocks Designs

*** READ THE RULES ***

The winners will be announced on Saturday, May 4th on this blog - once the winners are announced, you will have 48 hours to contact me to claim your prizes. If a prize is not claimed with 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn. You MUST be 18 to participate. International players may enter but you may be responsible for the shipping in order to receive your prize. This will be up to the individual vendors. If you are not willing to pay shipping, please do not enter. Prizes do not have cash value. There will be no returns/exchanges on any of the items. This promotion is in NO WAY sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.

*** ENTER VIA RAFFLECOPTER ***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to all of the wonderful vendors for participating in this celebration.
I think it's great when crafty mamas stick together!  

12345 Celebration Giveaway #3 - HOOKER STUFF

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.  THE WINNERS ARE POSTED BELOW.

Welcome to Day #3 of the 12345 Celebration!  

Today's Giveaway is just for my "hooker" friends!  I've collected some really wonderful gifts from some of my favorite vendors & put together this beautiful prize pack.  
There are 8 awesome prizes & there will be 8 lucky winners!

Check out the goods...

One Custom Polymer Clay Crochet Hook from Mad Mad me

$20 Shop Credit from Two Kazoos

Set of 4 Crochet Stitch Markers from TJB Designs

One Crochet Hook Case from Schmibble & Co.

One Travel Crochet Hook Case from Sarah's Stitches

One Surprise Mini-Skein of Handspun Yarn from Spun Sugar Yarns

(winner must agree to pay shipping.  approx $3 USD)

Your choice of One Yarn Ball Stamp from Hoffee and a Nuffin

15 Assorted Hand-cut Wood Buttons from Crazysocks Designs

*** READ THE RULES ***

The winners will be announced on Friday, May 3rd on this blog - once the winners are announced, you will have 48 hours to contact me to claim your prizes. If a prize is not claimed with 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn. You MUST be 18 to participate. International players may enter but you may be responsible for the shipping in order to receive your prize. This will be up to the individual vendors. If you are not willing to pay shipping, please do not enter. Prizes do not have cash value. There will be no returns/exchanges on any of the items. This promotion is in NO WAY sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.

*** ENTER VIA RAFFLECOPTER ***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much for your business & support.

Have a wonderful week!

- Danyel :)

12345 Celebration Giveaway #2 - PATTERNS

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.  THE WINNERS ARE POSTED BELOW.

Day 2 of the 12345 Celebration is all about PATTERNS!!  
I have invited several of my favorite pattern designers to join in & they've each offered to give away THREE patterns from their shops!  

There are 9 designers & there will be 9 winners!  Check out these amazing designers!!

You can enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter App below.

*** READ THE RULES ***

The winners will be announced Thursday, May 2nd on this blog - once the winners are announced, you will have 48 hours to contact ME to claim your prizes. If a prize is not claimed with 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn. You MUST be 18 to participate. Prizes do not have cash value. This promotion is in NO WAY sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.

*** ENTER VIA RAFFLECOPTER ***

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Again, THANK YOU for your support!!

12345 Celebration Giveaway #1 - $20 SHOP CREDITS

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.  THE WINNERS ARE POSTED BELOW.

CrazySocks Designs now has 12,345+ fans!  To celebrate, I'm going to host 5 small (but totally awesome) giveaways!  There are going to be lots of goodies for my hooker friends, my photographer friends, and all of my other fans, too!  

To kick off this celebration, I am going to give away a $20 shop credit to FIVE lucky fans!  
Enter to win by following the instructions in the Rafflecopter App below.

*** READ THE RULES ***

The winners will be announced Wednesday, May 1st on this blog - once the winners are announced, you will have 48 hours to contact me to claim your prizes. If a prize is not claimed with 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn. You MUST be 18 to participate. Prizes do not have cash value. This promotion is in NO WAY sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.

*** ENTER VIA RAFFLECOPTER ***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THANK YOU for your continued business & support.  I appreciate you all VERY MUCH!

CSD Weekly Wrap Up

I've been neglecting my blog a little. Sorry.
I've been busy working on orders, trying to come up with a design for Design Wars & just living life...

Speaking of Design Wars, I revealed one of my "reject hats" this week.  I didn't feel like this hat was good enough for the contest, but when I posted it on my Facebook page, I got more likes and comments on it than I have in a long time.  I just hope you all like my new item even more!
If you're not familiar with the Design Wars contest, you can learn about the designers & the amazing prize sponsored by Red Heart Yarns by reading more HERE.

 A friend of mine was wearing a slouchy knit cowl & told me that a friend of hers bought it from Forever 21.  She told me she had to return it & asked me if I could make one.  Easy Peasy.  This is my new "Maria Cowl"... you can order one in my shop & the pattern will be available soon!

 I made a hat for a friend's daughter a couple of years ago.  That little girl loved that hat, but as time went on, I really started to hate it (I made it before I got really good at what I do)... so I let her pick out her favorite colors & sent her this replacement.  This is the "Mia Hat", and oldie-but-goodie.  It snowed in Chicago this week & I saw a photo of her wearing it.  Warmed my heart... and her head. :)

I also finally released the Sharyl Headwrap Knitting Pattern this week.  You've seen these headwraps EVERYWHERE, I'm sure.  I've found several similar patterns online, but they were SO hard to read.  I simplified it a little & even novice knitters will have success making one using my pattern.  I'm also available for pattern support (always!).  If you don't knit, I do... you can customize one in my shop, too!

January flew by, so here's to a happy & healthy February!