DIY Arm Knitting - Infinity Scarf

Some time ago, my husband posted a YouTube video to my Facebook timeline.  I took a look at it and thought it was pretty cute and that it looked simple enough even for me to try it.  I put in on my to do list.....and kind of forgot about it.  Since beginning to blog, I have been thinking of some fun and interesting things I could do and blog for you, my readers.  Then, I remembered that video my husband had mentioned.  So I did an internet search to try and find it.

The video was a DIY arm knitting of an infinity scarf!  Since it is starting to get cold around here in Northern Ontario, what perfect project it would be to test out now.  And, heck, maybe even scratch off a few gifts off my Christmas list!  (PS: friends/family, let me know what color you like and you just might get a present under the tree!)

So I begged Hubby to take me (yup, no license still ) to the new Michael's store that just opened up in our city.  I really didn't have to beg, as he does enjoy DIY and crafts too!  They had some good sales on yard which I should have taken advantage of, but since I hadn't done knitting in a long time (I used to do it for a bit when I was a teenager), I didn't know if I would enjoy it again so I only got what I needed for this project.  And, well now that I am done with it, I will definitely be going back to get more!  Let's hope the sale is still on!!  

This is the yarn I happened to choose.  
(Even before finding a video to learn how to do this.)

Now, in order to learn how to do this, I had to watch several different instructional youtube videos.  I even attempted to start the knitting while watching one, but I just couldn't seem to figure out how to get past one point.  So I searched again and came across this youtuber, Audra Kurtz, and her instructional DIY Arm Knitting - 30 mins Infinity Scarf video.  She really got me past my block and I found the way she shows you things, are very easy to follow.  

I attempted on learning this just before going to work, so I didn't take pictures as I went along.  But, the end result I was pretty pleased with.  And, it was fun and super easy to do!  Yes, even YOU can do it!!

Here is my first ever arm knitted infinity scarf!  

It's not too bad, if I do say so myself!!

So, this morning I wanted to see what other neat things I could do, well you know, with the left over yarn that I had.  I checked out Audra's other videos and found instructions on how to finger knit too!  Pretty neat, huh!?  I thought so, so I decided to follow her DIY Finger Knitting - Animal Ears instructional video.  And why not, they are so adorable!!  I know a few little kids that might just enjoy wearing some!  

Based on the color of yarn that I had, I figured some mouse ears would be suited!  

This is how it started.

It didn't take me long at all to catch on to doing this.  It was quick, easy and very fun!!  

This is the partially completed and the completed mouse ears.  Aren't they cute!?!

In doing this for the first time, as in doing everything the first time, you always learn how to do it better the next time.  Next time, I would definitely make the ears smaller as they tended to flop while on my head.  But, besides that, it turned out pretty good.  What's that?  You want to see the picture of the ears on my head?  Really?  Well, OK!!  :)

You've Been Ghosted!!

On Monday night I was working the 3-11 shift.  I got home and saw a brown paper bag on the counter.  I thought "Awww, he got me a treat."  He, being my husband, as he often leaves treats for me when I get home from work.  So I open the bag to see two chocolate bars.  Then I noticed a sheet of paper under the bag.  It said "You've Been Ghosted" and there was a poem on it.  It went as follows:

You’ve Been Ghosted!!

In the night, we left a treat. 

The tradition is fun, one we hope you’ll repeat.

Take the ghost & pin it to your door,

it will let others know,

you need ghosted no more.

Now it’s your turn to pass on the surprise,

to two more families, we must advise.

Gather treats and deliver them soon,

within two nights, under the light of the moon.

Include a ghost with each package you give,

along with this poem for the tradition to live.

Happy Hallowe’en!!

I thought perhaps it was something the kids had brought home from school or got from a friend.  So I left it there to discuss with my husband and the kids in the morning.  It turns out that during the evening while I was at work, there was a knock at the door and when they went to answer it, there was a bag there.  Inside the bag were the two chocolate bars, the poem and a picture of a ghost.  The kids were so excited.  We don't know who left it at our door.  And that's part of the fun of it.  

So, I went online to see if I could find information about this.  And, low and behold, there is a site with some information about it.  It's called You've Been Ghosted!!   

The website states:

What is "You've Been Ghosted" ?The Autumn season brings falling leaves and raises wonderful thoughts of Halloween fun.   "You've Been Ghosted" is a fun way for children and families to share in the festive experience.

It also has this to say:

Children really enjoy the surprise of getting a treat and most try to not be seen when delivering the present. Some feel more comfortable calling ahead to a responsible adult to let them know they will be leaving a surprise. Either way, both the giver and receiver really enjoy being Ghosted. 

And it's true, my step kids were very excited about receiving it.  Yesterday we printed out two copies of the poem and also searched online for a different ghost, my stepson choose Casper the friendly ghost, which is a surprise since he is a Ghostbuster fanatic!  We printed two copies of the picture of Casper.  We put two chocolate bars, one Kit Kat and one Smarties (as these are easy treats to share if there are several kids in one house) into each bag, we put the picture of Casper in the bag.  I then decided to tape the poem on the outside of the bag, this way people could see what it was about.  

This evening as we were going out running errands, we stopped at two neighborhood houses and had the kids run out from our vehicle, put the bag at the neighbor's door, knock and run back to the vehicle.  I have two step kids so my stepdaughter did one, and my step son did the other.  They loved it!!  The giggles they had as they ran back to the vehicle yelling "Go Dad, Go!" indicating for my husband to drive away so no one could see who we were.  I don't think we were detected.  And I hope the families that we Ghosted will enjoy the Ghosting too! 

As we drove away we discussed with the kids how we could now make this a family neighborhood tradition and do it again next year!!  Something fun and simple that will have the kids (and us adults!) talking and excited about it year after year!!

Halloween Decorating

Father and son decorating the yard for this Friday's Halloween Trick or Treaters!!  The excitement builds!

Halloween treats!

This past weekend we had a sleep over for my 9 year old stepdaughter.  I had been seeing many posts for yummy Halloween treats and was thinking of something fun for the girls to do during the party.  I sent out a sneak peak of what I had decided to do.   And well, the girls (and my stepson) loved it!!

I came across these two yummy edible crafts!!  Marshmallow Monster Treat Pops and Candy Corn Marshmallow People and since I had two bags of marshmallows in my cupboard, I thought it would be a perfect quick activity to make and then the girls could just pig out on them!!  And that, they did!!

So I started preparing and setting up the two treats.

I then called the kids in and gave them instructions.  They were excited!!  They made all different kinds of faces with all different colors for the Monster Pops.  My stepson who is 6 had a knack of eating them as he made them, the little candy monster that he is!!

This is how some of them turned out!  

The Candy Corn people were the most popular of the girls.  This is the first step of dipping them in the orange.

Once the tray was full, we put them in the fridge to set the orange.  The girls went to watch a movie.  Once the orange was set, I ended up dipping them in the yellow myself.  This is how it turned out!

 This front one my stepson made as a multi-eyed monster!

And this is the result of the two treats:

It really was a fun, quick and easy treat for all ages!!  All the sugar kept the girls up til late at night!!  But, hey, it's not an everyday thing and fun was had by all!!