Gearing up!!!

OMG!

is all I have to say right now!!!

I have been SOOOO super busy with things I've barely been knitting. In fact, the knitting group I teach at my church is taking a break until the second Wednesday of December. There are too many things going on to keep up!!!

So, what have I been doing you ask…

WELLLLLLL…………

My daughter is in special choir at our elementary school and they're working on this little musical that is going to be pretty awesome (and this isn't from a biased mother of course!) We're coming down to the final days before our big performance and I'm sewing like a mad woman and I'm getting really excited about our upcoming showtime.

So if any of my local peeps would like to come see a great little show, here's the info. We'd love to see you there!!

Well, that's it for now. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving holiday. And for all you crazies out there who shop the day after, good luck to ya! I'm doing mine on the internet this year!!!

Everybody keep your chins up and keep it real…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!!

Gearing Up For All The Eating!!

Well…this note may seem a little melancholy, but I'm blaming our rainy weather!

As Thanksgiving approaches many of my friends have started listing what they're thankful for on a daily basis. I'm not really one for trying to keep up daily and I usually just thank God every morning for waking up and having another day, but I'm thankful for those friends who do remind me to be thankful for even the smallest of things.

So…

on that note…

let the eating commence!

Just kidding, BUT

this weekend my little family is attending our first of several Thanksgiving meals of the holiday season.

I've dearly missed my sister-in-law, who has been running here and there getting to know soon-to-be-new family members as her son recently got engaged. I'm not bitter, I'm happy for her, but now it seems that I really never see her anymore and Facebook has become our main means of communication.

Oh well, It will be good to get to see her this weekend.

On to other things…

Many people ask me where I purchase the yarn for the hair for my dolls such as Sally. Well, I'm proud to announce that you now may purchase those yarns through me and they can be shipped directly to your house! To visit the FrizzyHair yarn store, just click the link below.

http://frizzyhairsunnyday.yarnshopping.com/

If you're looking for a specific yarn that I have used, just email me and ask and I'll be happy to assist you.

We're still having our Sally contest. Email me at frizzyhairsunnyday@centurytel.net for more info on how to enter. We've extended the contest time two weeks, but there will still be plenty of time for Sally to reach the winner before Christmas!!!

Ya'll keep your chins up…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!!!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CANDY FESTIVITIES DAY!!

Okay, so I borrowed that one from my niece. It's pretty good don'tcha think?!!!

I am still feverishly working on the illustrations for my book, so those of you chomping at the bit to get it, please pray and don't give up hope. It WILL happen, but it also has to be God's time.

I will have another alien pattern available this week sometime so look for that. Her name is Twila Two-Eyes and I can't wait for you all to meet her.

We have a couple more weeks left on our Sally raffle and I'm going to have to say that I'm a bit disappointed. We are not going to be able to donate as much as my children had hoped we would to Operation Christmas Child. That is, unless you all spread the word and can give.

Remember it's a donation of $1 a ticket or $5 for 6 tickets and a HUGE chunk goes to making sure kids everywhere have a Christmas. This program is very near and dear to my children's hearts and I just have to say that I'm very proud of them for forfeiting over half of their Christmas wish lists to spend it on kids they've never met. Won't you help them raise even more?

Just email me at frizzyhairsunnyday@centurytel.net for more info!!!

So for International Candy Day Festivies we are just about ready to go. I will post pictures later in the week. After all my kids do come up with some interesting costumes!!!

Remember, we have Frizzy Hair on a Sunny Day T-shirts available and I take custom orders to make a Sally dolls (or any of my patterns) but you must order before Thanksgiving. My schedule is starting to fill up and I don't want to promise something I am unable to deliver.

Ya'll keep your chins up…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!!

ALIEN HOOTY!!!!!

Alrighty…

Well, I had an insomniac night a few nights ago so to keep myself busy, guess what I did?

YEP, YOU GUESSED IT!

 I KNITTED.

Well, just what could you possibly knit in the somewhat darkness of your bedroom with a very dim bedside lamp you ask?

ALIEN HOOTY, THAT'S WHAT!

Here he is…

Hooty is one of those aliens inspired by my children’s drawings and knitted in the middle of an insomnia night! 

He desperately wants to be an owl and be nocturnal, but since he doesn’t have wings or a tail he is unable to fly. Also, he’s a daytime alien and can’t sleep at all during the day not even a nap. So instead he has his “hoot owl horns” and he perches in trees hoping that he blends in enough for all to believe as much as he even though he doesn’t get that nocturnal means during broad daylight he should be sleeping!!

Pattern Info:
Skill Level: EasySkills used: Basic knit stitch, increases, decreases, knitting in the round
Amount of Time To Complete Project: Depends on skill level 
Pattern Format: Adobe PDF file
Suggested Yarn: We recommend a cotton worsted weight, but you pick!
Needles: We recommend 4 mm (US 6). Hooty is knitted in the round and we LOVE the Magic Loop Method so break out your circular needles & DPNs!
Gauge: The pattern is written to be knit with worsted weight yarn on smaller needles but you can adjust it by simply knitting your yarn on needles 2-3 sizes small than those recommended to create a tight knit fabric the stuffing doesn’t show through. 
Finished size: Depends on the yarn you use!!


This 2 page pattern is very clearly written and includes unlimited email help from me in case you need a bit of help or get stuck!!! 

It's available for the low, low price of $3 in my etsy shop and you go there from here

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84363460/alien-hooty-pdf-knitting-pattern-only

and I will email you the pdf shortly after you purchase it.

He loves trees. I found him out in my magnolia tree this morning and if I didn't lock the front door I'm sure he'd be back out there in it!!!!

Well, I gotta get back to everything else. I just thought I'd let you all know he's out there. Go snag a pattern and make your own. He's super easy and fun!!!

Ya'll keep your chins up and have a great one…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!!

HE'S OUT THERE!!! (FOR SALE!!!!!!)

ALRIGHTY…

WHEW!!!!

This has been a labor of love and a time when I wish the graphic designer in me just wasn't so darn picky!

Cedar Pete's pattern is for sale in a couple of locations. One listing is in my etsy store and the other is on ebay. BOTH of those links are below.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120793322847?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_626wt_1398

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83783441/cedar-pete

I haven't had a moment lately to update my website, but I promise I'm working diligently on it. I'm still working through some bugs on the e-commerce end, but as soon as I get that worked out it will be back up to speed and the other places I list won't be so time consuming.

I'm working on "P" the Pig's pattern right now. It should be easier to complete and get uploaded for sale AND I'm working on book illustrations. I so want to have that finished so everyone can get their copy. I just know ya'll will love this book!!!!

Well…I gotta get back to it, there's much to accomplish today.

Ya'll keep it real and keep your chins up…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!

IT'S ALMOST READY!!

Yes, that's right! You read this correctly…
Cedar Pete's pattern is ALMOST READY! 

Just a couple of more "knit" picky things for me to nail down and I'll have it posted!!!

Of course I'll put the link for it on here as well, but I'm thoroughly excited to finally be getting it out and available.

I want to thank everyone who's been patiently waiting for it.
It's not the "MAIN" job I have, so sometimes finding time to wrap up final details get difficult.

I also want to let everyone know that I should be updating the website soon. I've neglected it and I have to apologize for that. There's just been a whole lot of crazy busy around here, but there's some changes happening and the website is going to become more of a priority where you can get things!

I'm trying to stay on track with the book. I may even get some drawing in today!! I haven't set a release date, but I'm still praying we can get it out before Christmas! 

Don't forget we still have our Super Sally contest going on. A donation of $1 gets you one entry or 6 entries for a donation of $5.
Email me at frizzyhairsunnyday@centurytel.net for more info or how to donate and enter. 

The Sally doll we're giving away is worth $300! She's just under 3 feet tall!!

We are also donating a portion of our proceeds to
Franklin Graham's Operation Christmas Child. 

Check out what they do here
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/

You can also now purchase T-shirts on ebay (even cheaper than at our Zazzle shop!) and you can view my store at this link http://myworld.ebay.com/frizzyhair1 

We have Youth sizes AND Adult available. 

If you don't find what you need, just email me. I'm sure I can hook you up!!

I have my Sally pattern listed as well as T-shirts.
Other things will be going there soon too!!

I'll try to keep ya'll updated on all the happenings.

Keep your chins up…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!

Dirt Cake and Flowers!

Okay, so I took a break from knitting, writing patterns, illustrating and graphic designing today…

The basketball team my son is on, the girls' team and the cheerleaders from our junior high had a spaghetti dinner this evening and Joe was responsible for bringing something. He said he wanted to bring a dessert.

Well…

Okay, so I do cakes. That seems the easiest thing to do, BUT

I'm not really about to donate a $150 fondant covered cake to a team spaghetti dinner, am I?

no…

so…

I made a dirt cake instead.

Now if you've never had a dirt cake you are seriously missing out…butter and cream cheese whipped together with milk, instant pudding mix and powdered sugar (don't forget a touch of vanilla!) folded together with Cool Whip! Oh…and most importantly…CRUSHED-TO-OBLIVION OREOS!

Aren't you going into sugar shock just thinking about it?! =]

Well…

Most of these kids have probably had dirt cake, or at least something similar, so I decided to dress it up a bit. I know some people serve it in a flower pot, but that wouldn't be big enough to feed the number of people expected.

So…

I put mine in a planter box, arranged some fake flowers on top (don't forget to add gummy worms!) and stuck a plastic shovel in it.

My son had to be the first one to dig in just because everyone else thought it was just a flower arrangement, but it did go over very well and I'm glad because that would've been an awful lot of dirt cake to have at my house over the weekend.

I'm going into a sugar coma just thinking about it!

Here's the pic! (I apologize that it's blurry…I took it with the camera on my phone and I guess I was in a bit of a hurry!!)

Well, I gotta get back to all the other stuff…

But first a game of "Guess Who?" with The Blonde One™.

It's always good to take time with the kiddos, even though most of our quality time is spent with them learning how to do the things I love to do!

Cedar Pete's pattern is almost ready. I'm just going to finish up some drawings for the sewing part of the pattern tonight and get them put in and it'll be ready to go. I'll post the link to the store as soon as it's up!

And don't forget about our Super Sally Raffle.

Remember…a donation of $1 a ticket or 6 tickets for $5. Email me at frizzyhairsunnyday@centurytel.net for more info on how to enter.

Well, gotta scoot!

Ya'll keep your chins up, even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!!

HERE'S SOCK SALLY!!!

I have to admit that she was really fun to make. I think I'm digging her this size even more so than Super Sally.

I just wanted ya'll to see her! I've had a very weird and busy day (not really anything I can share here, but interesting none-the-less) and I need to get off here and finish up some things before I can move on to the next project.

I would like to update that the Cedar Pete pattern should be ready this week. My workload lately has kept  me from wanting to spend extra time at the computer so I have spent that time working on the illustrations for the book instead.

I keep thinking…at least I'm getting SOMETHING accomplished!

Hopefully the book will be finished soon too!

If any of you want to try making a sock Sally, just let me know. The pattern you purchase is the same, but I will reduce the clothes pattern for you. Just let me know which you would like to have.

Personally, and I AM BIASED…this one is kinda my fave!

Ya'll keep your chins up…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!

All patterns, text and photographs in this post are the original creations & property of the author unless otherwise noted. ©2011 Onnica Hutchings

Sock Sally (and other things)

Okay, I guess I'm now going to have to start taking orders to make Sally. I had a friend as me to make a smaller one so I used sock yard instead of worsted weight and she's…well…TINY!

I shall post pics as soon as I am finished with her!

I am working on illustrations for the children's book this evening. I am hoping to get that back on schedule and have it available before Christmas.

It would be helpful though if the funds to publish were there. So The Hubs™ came up with a great idea. Why not have a raffle and donate 1/2 of the funds to one of our favorite organizations/charities and the other half goes to publishing costs.

I mean, people are wanting the book, but even if I were finished with it it would still be sitting here waiting to be published due to lack of funds so…

We're having a RAFFLE FOR A SUPER SALLY!!

Now the Super Sally we're raffling is worth about $300. I mean, she takes a week to make and a lot of materials, time and effort goes into her…not to mention she's almost 3 feet tall!

The easiest way to enter our raffle is this…tickets are $1 a piece or 6 for $5. If you purchase a Sally pattern your name gets entered or if you order a doll. I will try to have dolls available to order up on the website soon, but the ticket purchase is the easiest.

Email me at frizzyhairsunnyday@centurytel.net for info on how to purchase your tickets and we'll get your name entered into the drawing!

Our raffle is running until November 15, 2011. We will draw the winner's name in time for Sally to be shipped and received by Christmas. There will be a couple of smaller prizes for  second & third place winners and those will be announced shortly.

So email me and get your tickets today!!!

I'm still working on Cedar Pete's pattern and it's almost ready for upload. I will post something here as soon as it's available for purchase.

And don't forget we still have Frizzy Hair on a Sunny Day™ shirts available!

Ya'll keep your chins up, even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!

TIME CONSUMED!

Hey everybody!

First of all I want to thank everyone who keeps visiting my blog and my website. Since this isn't my full-time job, I really appreciate the patience you all have with my not getting things uploaded as quickly as I would like. It really means tons to me you keep dropping by!

NOW…I need to let you all know that even though it is slow going getting my new patterns formatted (I'm quite picky you know?) and out there for you all to purchase, it will take me a little longer to get my website updated and e-commerced. The purchasing of my patterns, for now, will have to happen through my etsy store and I am thinking of starting a pattern store on Ravelry as well.

We still have Frizzy Hair on a Sunny Day™  T-shirts available. Again, I can make one in your size if we don't have what you want or need in stock. Just email me at frizzyhairsunnyday@centurytel.net to order one (or more!)

I will eventually be listing for sale already made dolls as well. As I sit and knit for my enjoyment I will be making some of the creations I've designed and I don't have enough shelf space in my house to keep them all!

Anyone who would like to order a doll to be made may do so at the same email address. Please just email me for prices and please keep in mind that the price INCLUDES shipping and handling charges. It costs money to put something in a box and ship it. If you live close by and would rather pick it up then let me know so I can shoot you the price without shipping!

Ma is almost finished. I guess I really underestimated the time she would involve (or maybe this is my knit-picky kicking in?) I believe after her pattern is finalized she really won't take that long, it's just figuring it all out and wording it so the rest of ya'll can understand it!!! I will post pics the minute she's finished!

Also I am going back to working on the book in the hopes of having it ready before Christmas. The drawings come in spurts so it's been a little slow going. Sometimes and idea hits me and I have nothing with me to draw on so that is kind of hindering the process. I guess I should start carrying a drawing bag with me too!!!

That's about it for now. I continue to keep you updated on the progress of things and again, thanks for stopping by.

Have faith…
and keep your chins up, even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!

HILLBILLIES!

I'm still not quite finished…with Ma that is. Her dress and bonnet are proving to be a design issue for me.

I believe that the lack of brainpower from the crazy of the last few weeks has depleted my ability to look at her body and then just draw the pattern that would fit her form. She DOES have curves!

I have, however, taken pictures of the rest of the family so here they are…

I think they turned out quite nicely. I'm still working on putting together the patterns for sale. I really don't know why I think I can accomplish it in a day. It takes a lot of organizing and making sure the correct instructions get placed in the proper location.

And then there's proofing…

I found a couple of typos in my Sally pattern (stitch counts) that I hadn't even noticed until I started knitting another Super Sally. I've knitted numerous Sallies of various sizes since writing it and I just NOW noticed it.

GOOFY!

Another thing that we're going to be doing is making some handmade barrettes and hair clips for sale.
Here is a picture of the one I made today of "P".

"P" the Pet Pig was such a huge hit with the kids this past weekend that we decided to branch him out. He also will have a sister named Penelope, so look for her in the future.

And for those of you who may not know, I'm the artist who draws Cedar Pete and his family. I illustrate them every year and my mother prints it on souvenir shirts and items.

I didn't create the original Pete, but my twin sister and I created THIS Pete and his family. He was almost lost and forgotten at one point before she started asking around about his history and we started drawing him again. His simplicity is an integral part of our town's festival history.

So here is one of the drawings I've done so you can see and compare the dolls to the drawing. I'm finding it pretty cool to have 3-d versions of them!

Well, that's all for now. I'm still working on those patterns. I guess if I weren't so picky they'd be finished, but I'm sure those of you who would like to create one of these guys would like the pattern to be accurate.

Ya'll keep your chins up, even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!

All patterns, text and photographs in this post are the original creations & property of the author unless otherwise noted. ©2011 Onnica Hutchings

WHEW! That's Over!

Well…for all of you who live in my hometown or came to visit during the past weekend…

WHEW! is all I can say.

The first year I decide to have my own booth for Hootin an Hollarin we basically got rained out. I shan't say it was a total wash…we did end up making enough selling my kids items for what they spent and then some so we're good!

I also got to spend some quality time with my kids (when they weren't out running around with friends) and several other kids came and hung out and crafted with me. It wasn't all bad.

Now on to some other news…you might want to take notes…there's going to be a lot of info here.

First of all…

We are having a raffle for a Super Sally. A portion of the proceeds will go to one of my children's favorites…Franklin Graham's Operation Christmas Child.

My children make out their Christmas lists every year and then cut them in half. What we would've spent on the half they cut, we donate to doing shoeboxes. This makes The Mom™ quite proud.

My kids set their goal pretty high this year so I'm letting them donate their usual donation plus from this raffle.

You can enter one of four ways…

1. Buy a ticket for $1
2. Buy 6 tickets for $5
3. Purchase 2 or more patterns (this earns you an entry for every 2 patterns you buy)
4. Order a doll to be made by me for you (this earns you an entry)

Contest runs September 15, 2011 thru November 15, 2011. 

Purchase of ticket, purchase of doll or purchase  of 2 patterns necessary to enter. 

Need not be present to win. Winner will be contacted by information on entry ticket.

Please email me at frizzyhairsunnyday@centurytel.net for more info on how to purchase tickets.

Make sure in your email to me to include your full name, mailing address, phone number and email address as this is how I will contact you should you win! And pass it on and give your friends and family the opportunity to win!

Some new patterns should be uploaded sometime in the next week along with the pictures of the dolls. I will list some dolls you may order as well. Most of this will probably be in my etsy shop as I currently don't have the e-commerce section of my website set up just yet.

Another thing on the horizon…I will be setting up a Frizzy Hair on a Sunny Day™ Facebook page. I will post the link on here as soon as it is up and going so you guys can share it with all your friends.

As I get some more patterns written and get my website e-commerced and updated I will post all of that info here as well. There just seems to be so much to be accomplished it's hard to get it all done in a day. I thank you in advance for your patience.

We have Frizzy Hair on a Sunny Day™ logo t-shirts available. They're $15 (this price includes shipping) and you can order yours by emailing me at the above email address with your name, mailing address, phone number, email address, number of shirts needed and sizes. I currently an able to only take Paypal for t-shirt orders via the internet, so make sure you give me your Paypal email address so I can invoice you. Orders must be paid before they'll be shipped.

Well…that's it for now. I'll try to do better at keeping you all posted of things going on around here. I'm going back to the illustrating of the book and hopefully, God willing, it will be on its way to being out before Christmas.

Ya'll keep your chins up and smiles on your faces…even if you're having frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!!

Where I've Been!

Okay, so I know it's been well over a week since I've posted something new.

Well…I've been BUSY!!

In the past nine days there have been numerous deadlines for my job (graphic designing!) kids, church, school, jobs and…

WRITING KNITTING PATTERNS!

I've finished Super Sally, written patterns for a pig, a hillbilly kid, a hillbilly dad and a hillbilly mom. I've finished a pattern for a NubleNut™ which should be posted for sale soon, the typing of the patterns and actually drawing out the details for the sewing patterns. (WHEW!)

That doesn't even include all the other details like…

Putting together a booth, finding tables (without spending money!), making signage, building doll stands (that thanks to The Hubs™ are really cool!), putting together pattern books to look through, creating all the necessary paperwork and forms for running this thing.

And the list goes on & on!

And my brain is really tired. The worst thing is just when I think I'm going to get to sleep and just let the brain take a break and rest, the silly thing decides it has to DREAM about all of this while I'm sleeping.

Now I've been accused os being an overachiever, but seriously, do I have to DREAM about it too?!!!!

So I just wanted to let you all know that the whole knitting thing hasn't stopped and I am still alive, I'm just kntiting my fingers to the bone right now getting ready for Hootin an Hollarin this week and then I'm sure you will see me more!

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep it real, have a blessed week. Let's remember everyone from 9/11 for that day has changed lives forever.

Keep your chins up and remember God loves us all, even if we have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!

SUPER SALLY!!!

Hope all is well with everyone…

Things around here are getting a bit crazy as we approach Hootin an Hollarin. However, I have a list and I'm sticking to it!!! That always keeps the crazy calm, for me anyway!

NubbleNut™ Nancy is completed and I will try my hardest (because it's on the list!) to get her pattern finalized and uploaded to my esty shop this weekend. She's adorable and my daughter say that Nancy makes her crave neapolitan ice cream!

(Well…she kinda makes me crave it too!)

My Super Sally is completed. I made her as a prop for my business so I wired her to stand. Otherwise I don't think I would've taken the extra time. It was quite the process to figure out and although worth it for what she will be used, I could've made 5 Sallys the normal size.

She is pretty awesome though.

I will have details soon on a raffle we'll be starting for a Super Sally. We will be donating a nice portion of the proceeds to Operation Christmas Child. It's an organization created to give kids around the world a Christmas.

I'm so proud of my kids because every year they make out their Christmas lists (what little they put on them!) and then they cut them in half so they can go shopping to fill the shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child (since our church participates). It's really a blessing to watch them get excited about giving instead of wondering and constantly questioning what they're going to get!!

The Sally up for raffle WILL NOT be wired to stand, it's just too much work. But can you imagine giving a special kid one of these for Christmas? I can and the reaction would be priceless!!!

Well, I'm back to working on hillbilly doll patterns. They're looking pretty awesome. I'll post pics when I'm finished and their patterns will be for sale as well. You will be able to purchase them individually or as a set with a discount for purchasing the set.

Ya'll take care and keep your chins up…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!

NEW PATTERN SOON!!

Okay…

I just got NubbleNut™ Nancy's right arm attached and I'm headed outside (we have perfect natural lighting as I'm typing so I gotta hurry!) to take pics. I still have a little more typing on her pattern and then she'll be ready to post!

I will let you know the SECOND I get her pattern up in my Etsy store. It won't be as much a Sally (Sally has clothes too!) probably around $3.00 or so.

She's an easy knit and I have a couple kids sitting around who can't wait to get their hands on her pattern, so I'm hoping the rest of ya'll can't wait too!

I'm also double checking the Alexi and Arnie Alien patterns and will try to have those in the store soon as well. I know at least a couple of people who are chompin' at the bit to try those so I promise to not take too much longer.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Keep your chin up…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!

NubbleNut™ Nancy

I'm trying as hard as I can to get her finished and posted for sale. I know you guys will love her, but my crazy life has gotten crazier and I just hope all of you realize that I knit as a stress reliever. It's not my full-time job, so I can only do what I can do!

I started typing up her pattern and thought I made a mistake in my stitch counting. I still haven't had the time to figure out if I have or not because my brain has been too tired.

We had a special section deadline (NO, we don't yell "stop the press!" when we don't make it. They move someone else's job in front of our and it jacks up the print schedule!) and it's just being finished up today, so I'm praying my brain can return to the less normal crazy instead of continuing the really crazy crazy.

Just wanted to let you all know I'm still alive and working on things. I'm also getting ready to start working on my hillbilly doll patterns this weekend. I'm really excited about those.

Something else I'm really excited about…Super-Sized Sally!

I will post pics as soon as I get her finished (I was waiting on eyes to come in the mail!) but she's pretty awesome! I wired her so she can stand on her own (quite the job to do. I'm not sure I would repeat it.)

But having a larger Sally spurred on the thought…why not have a raffle contest for a Super-Sized Sally?

It's not quite time yet, but September 1st I will post about the details on such.

Until the next time…

Keep your chins up…even if you're having frizzy hair on a sunny day! (I know I am!!! :O)

Book On Hold!

Okay…everybody who knows me should know one major thing (okay, maybe it's TWO things)…

I HATE missing deadlines and I HATE being late.

Well…life has gotten just a bit crazy and with some unexpected things happening and Hootin an Hollarin (see previous posts!) for which to prepare I have to announce that the children's book is being put on hold.

I really wanted it to be ready by the end of August but then I found out my boss is taking a vacate, my kids are starting school and there was an extra special section thrown in there somewhere (I do have a regular job on top of all my freelance stuff!) so time to finish it is getting away from me.

I've also discovered that I am totally unable to draw when I don't get quiet time to myself to just sit and reflect on what the ultimate goal of the drawing is.

I mean, let's be real, I'm an artist and I must be inspired prior to the pencil hitting the paper. If I should try to force it, what would come out?

NASTY………………because who wants to look at a forced drawing?

Nobody…that's who.

So it saddens me that I'm not able to get it ready, but I want it to be the best, not just another something mediocre.

On a brighter note…I think I'll have a contest of sorts. It may be a raffle or something but all the details haven't been worked out just yet. I will post something about it when I get it in order. I just get really excited about my super huge Sally and think it would be awesome to have a contest for one.

I will post pics of her when she is finished.

A typical Sally won't be able to stand on her own, but this one is special. She's my first giant Sally and I plan on utilizing her within my business so I'm taking the time to engineer her to be able to stand and look at though she is waving.

BTW, for those of you who don't knit and would still like to purchase some of my items, I hope to be taking orders soon. I don't want to totally overwhelm myself and not be able to fulfill orders people might like to give as Christmas gifts, but we'll see how my schedule goes and I'll post something about it.

I will try to get NubbleNut™ Nancy's pattern up for sale this weekend. She's really cute and a quick easy knit. Her pattern won't cost as much as Sally's because there's no clothes to sew, but I think you knitters out there will still enjoy her.

I also have a couple of alien patterns to get uploaded for sale. One is a two-needle pattern and one for in-the-round. I'll let you know when those are up as well.

Please feel free to go to my website

http://www.wix.com/goinup/frizzyhairsunnyday#!contact

and drop me a line about anything. Share your projects, let me know if you'd be interested in a contest or raffle, just ANYTHING you might like to share and I'll get back to you.

Remember…Hootin an Hollarin is just around the corner…September 15, 16 & 17 in Gainesville Missouri.

Ya'll keep it real…even if you're having frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!

Holy COW…she'll be bigger!!

I'm knitting a larger Sally!!

Now I'm not offering a pattern for sale for her at this size, if you know how to enlarge patterns you could buy it and do it yourself. I just wanted to try out some larger needles with chunkier yarn BUT…

I'm shooting for a doll that may end up about three and half to four feet tall. The first size I'm knitting will be closer two 30" when she's finished. But that one that is calling to me to knit next should be closer to the size I really want her.

These first couple at the larger size won't be offered for sale, but I think I'm going to knit a few dolls of different sizes and put a couple out there just to see if they might sell.

If any of you would be interested in ordering a Sally doll to be made by me for you, please let me know. I do understand that not everyone knits and I would be willing to take orders for Sally dolls, but my time IS LIMITED so I can get booked up quickly. You can message me on my Facebook page here

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Onnica-Hutchings/226971160653834

or click on the link to my website and use the contact page. That will go directly to my email inbox that I check periodically throughout the day.

I'll post pics when I'm finished,

I'm actually off to maybe work on some illustrations to get that book finished. School starts this Friday so I'm seeing less distractions during my day.

I do love my kids, but it's time for some me creative time and I'm sure they're looking forward to getting back into the groove of seeing their friends on a daily basis.

Well, ya'll…

Keep it real with a smile on your face…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!

A Contest to Enter!

Hey everybody!

I'm still working on that NubbleNut™ Nancy pattern and may try to have it up for sale sometime this weekend.

But…in the meantime, here is a contest to check out from our friends at All Free Knitting.

http://www.favecraftsblog.com/allfreeknitting-giveaway-holiday-boutique-knitting-book/

Keep it real…even with frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!!

A Busy Rainy Day!!!

Well…where do I start?

Oh, yeah, waking up on a day that I normally get to forget about graphic design and do what I WANT to do I wake up to sounds I don't normally hear…

The Dad™ already has both kids up and cleaning! I said CLEANING!!

They're not just loading the dishwasher, vacuuming floors, dusting and taking out the trash…they're TAKING OUT THE TRASH!!!!

Both kids and The Dad™ each have 29 gallon trash bags walking through the house throwing stuff OUT!! YAY!

BUT…that throws a crimp in my day. You see, if I don't jump in and help then things I have sorted ready to be put away will be gone through AGAIN and disorganized AGAIN!!!

Sometimes their idea of cleaning really throws The Mom™ for a loop and moves things around I already knew where were so the next time I'm asked, 'Where's such and such?" I'm not going to know because it got moved and not by me!!

SO…The Mom™ has spent the morning cleaning with The Fam™ and we've gotten quite a bit accomplished and I'm happy about it. Now back to what I really wanted to do today.

I do have some ads that need to be done for we have Hootin an Hollarin coming up and I have deadlines at the office for that. I also have a t-shirt design to draw and some other designing that I need get done so I don't feel like a crazy person when the festival comes around. (Below is last years drawing for the shirt!)

Oh, I guess I should explain what Hootin an Hollarin is…every year during the third full weekend (that includes a Thursday, Friday & Saturday) in September our little town ropes off the square (we're the county seat!) and we have a huge hoedown!

People come from near & far to shop, hog call & clog. We have a turkey shoot (no real turkeys are shot, it's just targets), a pet show (you can bring ANYTHING you call a pet!) and we even have bed AND outhouse races! It's quite a sight for it takes over almost our whole town and everyone in our county turns out for it!!

My kids and I usually make something to sell each year. For the last three years we've sold hillbilly hats. We have the plain black ones like below, but we also have neon, camo, zebra stripe, leopard print, giraffe print and regular primary colors (and they're all mixed and matched as well!) We still have those for sale and last year we made marshmallow catapults and I'm positive we still have more of those. I'm not sure yet what they want to do, but like I said, we still have plenty of stuff to sell so we may not need to "make" anything more.

I'm also still working on that NubbleNut™ Nancy pattern. It's taken a different direction and I just haven't gotten it finished and typed up yet. I promise it will be soon. The pattern will be for sale at my etsy shop, but I'll post a link for it as soon as it's available.

Everybody keep it real…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny (or a rainy) day!

Stuff Going On!

Okay, so I'm still working on that pattern for NubbleNut™ Nancy. I got a little side-tracked with happenings this weekend.

The Hubs™ got in a major cleaning mood and I'm just thanking God because I seriously needed some help around here getting rid of some things and I love when he's in a throw-it-away mood!!

I'm also still working on illustrations for the children's book but we have other major things happening this week that may put that on hold for a week.

My kids have decided they would like to go back to public school this year so we're going to try it. We must go in this Thursday to get them registered and pick a schedule for the 7th grader (yes, I said 7th!) and ensure we get the teacher we want for the 4th grader.

I will say that I'm picky about my kids' teachers and I don't really believe there's anything wrong with that so I'm just going to say right now I'm not going to apologize for my opinions or beliefs on what goes on in our school. I know some of our teachers (and they know who they are!) do an awesome job. Then there are others that I often wonder how they still have a job, but then I remember there are politics and cliques EVERYWHERE and if you have the right name, or know the right people then you can have anything you want without working for it.

I have the opposite problem. I don't know anybody special and I don't have a popular name, so there's nothing but God going to help me. In fact I've actually been put down TO MY FACE because of "working too much and instilling that work ethic into my children?" Who cares what those people think? I'm just going to continuing working for what I have because I believe that's what's right and what God would have me to do.

People who cheat the system, and life for that matter, will reap unpleasant rewards in the end and it's not for me to judge. I'm just going to continue to teach my children work is always the right way to go, have ultimate pride in your work because no one else will and always do what you know in your heart is right, whether or not the outcome is really what you wanted. God doesn't provide our WANTS He provides our NEEDS.

Anywho…I'm getting off my soapbox for now. I just wanted to let everyone know I was still alive and busy working on things. Hopefully after school starts (on the 19th!) I will be able to get more accomplished and get it on here and out to you!

Everyone keep it real…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!

New NubbleNut™ pattern coming soon!!

Okay, so I must apologize to any of you who may have tried to click for the free pattern of NubbleNut™ Nate. I hope it's been fixed, but just in case you haven't downloaded it yet, here's the link…

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/88039768/NubbleNut-Nate


I am currently working on a new NubbleNut™ pattern for sale in my etsy shop. Her name is Nancy and she'll be at least four times bigger than Nate.

I do hope you will check her out and maybe purchase her pattern. She's an easy knit with just a few more difficult stitches. I can't help it…the bobble is my absolute fave stitch…and once you get it down, I'm sure you'll love it too!!!

Learn how here…

http://www.anitaderouen.net/course/make-bobble-mb.html

So as soon as NubbleNut™ Nancy is finished and I have pics available, I will post them here. And don't forget she will also be available in my etsy shop.

Hope you all keep smiles on your faces…it looks to be another frizzy hair on a sunny day (SUPER HOT) day!

NEW LINK for NATE!!!!

Apparently the link for the FREE NubbleNut™ Nate pattern had an error message attached, so here is the new one!

www.docstoc.com/docs/88039768/NubbleNut-Nate

ENJOY!!!

MEET NubbleNut™ NATE!!!

As promised, here is a FREE pattern for all my knitting friends!

My daughter was asked to name him and thoughtfully said, "I'm not sure what his name should be, but he looks like a NubbleNut™!"

Sooooooo…it STUCK!

What's a mom to do but come up with a whole line of NubbleNuts™?!!!

So that's what we're doing…

Our smaller NubbleNuts™ patterns will be available free for download at various times (Nate's is here)

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/88039768/NubbleNut-Natekey=NGY1NzBkMGEt&pass=NjU5ZS00NjE1

and I will link to it from all my regular places such as Ravelry, Craftsy, my website, etc.

As we write them, the larger ones will be patterns for sale in my etsy shop as well as my website after I get it ecommerced (still working out some bugs!)

I am still in the process of finishing the illustrating of my book and that is going to take priority for right now in the creativity department. I also have some other character patterns (that go along with an annual festival in our hometown) that I'm in the middle of writing so as soon as the book is finished, I'm going back to those.

But let me know what you think of NubbleNut™ Nate and feel free to post your projects at Ravelry when you're finished. I'd love to see them!

Take care and keep those smiles…even if it's a frizzy hair on a sunny day kinda day!!!!

next FREE pattern is almost here!!

Okay, I just have one leg and one arm to get on this crazy thing and then I'm going to let my kids name it.

After all that happens I will get a pic taken, the pattern typed up and get it posted so everyone can get to knittin' their own versions.

I'm shooting for later this evening or first thing in the morning!!

I think I'm getting faster at this!!!

Keep those smiles!

I'm having frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!!

Onnica

Free Pattern coming soon!!

Just a quick note before I head to sleepyland!!!!

I am working on a new free pattern. I will let you all know when I upload it. As the last one, there will be a link for you to open a pdf file and download it.

Hope everyone is hanging in there…keep that smile…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!

SHE'S HERE AND AVAILABLE!!!!

Sally is now available for sale at my etsy store!!!

You can purchase her at this link!!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78698402/sally-from-frizzy-hair-on-a-sunny-day

I'm so super excited about her and I hope everyone who decides to make a doll enjoys her as much as  we have around my house!!!!

The book is still in progress and I'm hoping to still be able to get it all put together and publish sometime between the middle or end of August. It's going to take some furious amounts of drawing but I believe I'm up for the challenge!!!

Thanks for being patient on my getting her pulled together.

Keep smiling…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!

Set for Thursday!!!!

Okay, peeps!

I have everything in motion for the release of Sally's pattern first thing Thursday morning. Please pass it along to all your friends.

She will of course be for sale through my etsy store but I will have her posted on Ravelry, cratfsy.com, a link on my website and wherever else I have access to make her available.

So come on back Thursday, I'll even have a link from here!!!

Keep smiling…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!!

Sally's Pattern Is Almost Ready!!

Okay, knitting friends…

and friends who just think this is cool, too!

The Sally doll pattern is almost ready for sale. I am just about finished typing up the pattern and then I just have to scan and size the pattern for her clothing. As soon as I get it all organized I will post it for sale. It will be for sale first at my etsy store and as soon as I get the e-commerce part of my website worked out, everything will be available from there as well.

Her accessories (daisy and knitting bucket) are going to be a separate pattern for now. I want to get Sally out there and then I'll worry about the bucket and flower. I promise I won't make you wait too long. They'll be available separate (in case someone doesn't necessarily want to make those) and then I'll have a combined set available later.

I'm still working on the illustrations for the book but they're not coming along as quickly as I would like. That silly creativity thing likes to take breaks too and apparently it thinks we need to be out on the river in a canoe later this week! I will keep you all abreast of when the book is finished and will actually publish.

I'm really excited about all of this and the direction God seems to be leading me with it. It just seems sometimes I don't have enough hours in the day and if I could stay awake for a week straight more might get accomplished!! I know that isn't humanly possibly, but a girl can dream, right?

Well, stay safe and keep your chins up everybody…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!

SHE IS HERE!!!!

I told you today would be the day for TWO posts.

Sally is FINISHED and ready for everyone to see her!!!

As promised…PICTURES!!!

And I will continue to work as diligently as possible to get the pattern finished for purchase. But for now…ENJOY!!!

And spread the word!!! THANKS!!!!

Where Have I Been?

Sheeesh…it seems like a long time since I've been on here!

I do apologize as I apparently lost myself in knitting!!

Today is the day I will post pics of my Sally doll completed (later today!) I shall be typing her pattern shortly to get on my website. If you are a knitter/sewer or know anyone who is, please pass along the link for download when it becomes available.

It just doesn't seem possible she's finally stopped running circles in my head (imagine how tired she was!) and that she's finally hit paper! For three years I've had this character, along with several others waiting to get out, in my head and it just wasn't the time to develop them. That's where I've learned to wait on God's time. He has the ultimate control anyway, why am I rushing it?

The coolest thing is that when Sally came out of my head, she came with a complete book. I mean, seriously…I sat down at my computer and just started typing and all these words just came OUT! It was AWESOME!!!

The book "Frizzy Hair on a Sunny Day" will be available sometime in August and I will post the link for purchasing it.

There's so much going on with getting all of these things accomplished and it's happening so fast it seems I just don't have time to be ON the COMPUTER! So, please, if it seems like forever since I've been here it's just because I'm working on getting everything done, working a graphic designer job as well all while still taking care of my family and commitments at church.

I thank you for your patience and understanding.

Look for pics later today (TWO posts in ONE DAY!!!! :O)

Keep your chin up…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!

Onnica

Holiday Happenings!!

Okay, so obviously I'm not chained to my blog. Sometimes I think I should write more, but then I'm usually busy trying to pull together the latest project or job so I don't spend as much time here as I would like.

I'm hoping that doesn't deter those of you who read this from continuing to following me.

So…what's been going on here since the last post…TONS of things!

Monday was my birthday. Yes, I'm a firecracker, but we didn't set off any. I spent the day laying in the dark with a migraine, but it was relaxing when it finally went away. At the end of the day we had a great meal and watched one of my favorite movies (The Princess Bride) and of course I annoyed EVERYONE (that means The Hubs™) with my continued reciting of the lines just moments before they actually said it on the the movie. It was still a good day! BTW I'm 29 for the 10th year and if you are unable to do the math correctly, you don't need to know how old I am!! ;O)

Both of my children have been playing summer ball and I have been assistant coaching my daughter's team. Well, great expectations set aside and just the chance to teach them something and for them to have some fun turned out to be one of the greatest things. Our girls played a double header last night, needing to win the first one to play the championship game, and they came from behind during their last at-bat to win first place! Proud mama I am…Acacia knocked in the other coach's daughter for the winning run!!!

My son's team (a game I missed since we were busy winning the championship!) won to go on to play for their turn at 1st on Friday. I can't wait because they started the season having a pretty rough go at it.

Now some other big news…

I'm happy to announce that the Sally Goodwin doll (version 1.0 anyway) is finished. I am still working out the bugs on the knitting pattern for her, but as soon as I get it typed out and photos taken, etc. I will let everyone know. This will be a pattern for purchase and it is quite extensive, so if you're looking for just an easy quick knit, this probably isn't one. It also has the need for felt and basic sewing knowledge, but that's just for a head's up.

I'm really excited about her and now that I have a 3-D version I will be able to finish the illustrations for my book. I'm hoping to be able to have it published by late August or early September. I guess I need to set a deadline because i definitely work better under the pressure of those!!!

I'm also still working on some alien patterns, the bugs are almost worked out of those and I will post those soon. I might even send a free one your way first.

Well…I need to get back to the knitting. Hope you all have a good one…
even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!

Too Many Changes?!!

Okay, so…

We've had lots of changes going on the last couple of weeks. Changes in ball schedules and practice times, changes in relationships (our nephew got engage recently!) and changes in birthday party plans (ARG! another year NOT going to my sis-in-law's for my birthday weekend away! I AM okay with it! :O)

BUT another change may be on the horizon, and this one is AWESOME!

I've been furiously working on my website, illustrations for my book, knitting patterns (which involves taking pictures as you go, test knitting after the pattern is typed, etc.) and working my "real" job all the while continuing to keep my house from going under from my disregarding the dishes and laundry for a couple of days at a time AND toting kids back and forth to and from the ball field (thankfully that is almost over!)

I've also promised I would try to get some patterns for sale up in my etsy shop.

Well…

That could very well be a step that we may forego.

I say this because after much research and contemplating we're thinking of just taking my regular website ecommerce so downloads and purchases happen instantaneously in one place instead of having to link from here to there to there.

I'm really excited about this possible change, but I'm again going to have to ask for continued patience as we move a few things around (MORE CHANGES!) so we may accommodate this change and make things easier in the long run.

I will try to post a freebie alien pattern (one of my kids designed, but I wrote the pattern!) sometime this week to thank you all for your continued patience. I appreciate it greatly.

I'm also nearing the completion of the pattern for Sally Goodwin, the main character in my children's book. I haven't decided if I'm going to release it prior to the book publishing or not, but if I get enough comments and interest it might sway me to make my decision sooner.

Hope you all are having a great week and have a safe and fun holiday weekend. I will, for the 4th of July is my birthday and as I've trained my kids to say…mom will be 29 for the tenth year!!! You do the math!! :O)

So have a fun one and don't end up in any emergency rooms!

Hope it's a great one…even if you have frizzy hair on a sunny day!!!

Summer Activities and Memories

Well…this is a first…for this summer anyway. We're already home from the ball field.

The reason it seems I have strayed from knitting and writing patterns this month is due to many things, mainly summer ball games. I have a son on a baseball team and I am assistant coaching my daughter's team and it seems that between games and practice we LIVE at the ball field.

Oh well…it will be over soon as we only have a couple of more weeks of games left to play. I believe the yearly practice is to get all the games finished before the real heat of summer hits (then what have we already been having?!!!!)

I have been working on some patterns in what little spare time I've had left. I will be uploading a couple for sale within the next few days…a couple of aliens. One pattern is for single point needles and the other is for DPNs for those who love to knit in the round. You can mix and match yarn to make them whatever colors you please, but as in patterns past, I do have what I used listed in the pattern. I will let everyone know when I've got them ready and then I will post them on the Ravelry, Craftsy and all those other sites.

But remember…the ones coming up next are for sale. I will try to get another free one together soon!

I'm really excited about what I've been working on the past few days…the pattern for Sally Gooden!!! She's coming along nicely and I think that once I get her finished, it will be easier to finish illustrating my children's book.

It seems that I have so many ideas running in circles around in my head that I am unable to capture and accomplish them all in one shot.  So I guess that means I must remain a Wonder Woman for a bit longer! :O)

Today has been a difficult one for me…I don't really enjoy discussing it. It's the anniversary of my daddy's death and when he lost his fight to cancer.

I got cornered at the ball field tonight and forced to listen to someone talk about it and I'm going to admit it, I didn't really appreciate it. I was there for my daughter's ball game not to talk about the loss of my dad.

However, I guess it's time to share…

My dad was one of my best friends and I could share anything with him. It breaks my heart that my kids never got to share in his laughter, for he truly was a bid kid at heart. He seemed to always be working, but still took time to laugh and I never remember anything but a smile on his face. Even at the darkest hour, he still had a smile…

So in memory of my dad here is a poem I wrote several years ago with a picture of him with my twin sister and me…

I'm going to keep smiling even thought today I have Frizzy Hair on a Sunny Day.

Relay For Life Week!!!

Okay, so I haven't really gotten in much knitting this week. Well, I should say I haven't gotten much pattern writing accomplished and I must apologize for not having a couple of new patterns uploaded by now. I have a few written, it's the getting them typed so others can read them that's the issue!

It's the week of our Relay for Life and I have much to do to get prepared for the end of the week.

I have other commitments throughout the week that seems to have just put knitting on hold.

I am the graphic designer for our local newspaper and Monday and Tuesday are deadline days for us, so I don't get much knitting in there.

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during June we have baseball and softball games. I must go and root on my favorite players (MY KIDS!) but I also help coach my daughter's team, so there's no getting out of going for me!!!

But back to Relay prep…

Our church's team is doing a "Bakery" theme and since I also do specialty cakes and have the "baker" in me (SOMEWHERE) I guess they're counting on me to pull this off so the next few days I will be eyeball deep in sugar and flour instead of knitting needles and yarn!! I always look forward to getting into the kitchen and utilizing some of my culinary skills, but I'm doubling what I produced for our last bake sale and let's just say I might not be sleeping until SATURDAY!!!

I am also semi-in charge of decorating, that's where those design skills come into play!!!

And to end on an uplifting note or two…

Even though I'm extremely busy, I have taken time out for the things that matter such as…

My daughter's team at their LAST TIME UP TO BAT came from behind and WON THE GAME!! It was  a very close game and I must commend the other team for playing very well as my daughter does have friends on that team and they just played their hearts out (and had a second game right after the one with us!!!)

My daughter decided, of her own accord, to clean up the living room (even vacuuming!) this evening. No, she did not clean it to MY standards, but the mere fact she took an interest in helping me out by doing it on her own is such a blessing. It makes me believe that I've taught her something she just may have retained and can utilize in her future!! And, yes, I took pictures! :O)

Well, maybe by staying up all night on Friday, when I'm not walking (and because I'm almost positive that a 2-Liter of Mtn. Dew will come into play SOMWHERE and I won't be tired) I can get a couple more patterns accomplished and get them on here soon.

Ya'll take care and keep a smile on your face…
even if you're having Frizzy Hair on a Sunny Day!!!