Take a Break!

This past week I visited my sisters beautiful country home.  She lives in a beautiful home, surrounded by trees and farms.  I decided that while I was there I would take a week long break from the internet and social media.  It was more difficult than I thought it would be, but it was so refreshing.  If you have a chance to set down the devices for a few days, I highly suggest you do it!   It gives you a chance to reset and recharge.  I brought along a few audio books and my crochet.  My kids played on her swing and climbed her tree.  It was great week! 

While I was taking a break I finished a couple projects.   First was a little shrug for my niece, using my Girls' Shrug pattern.  I made some modifications to make it smaller for her.   She wears about an 18 month size.   If you need to make a smaller version than the original for a baby or a small toddler do the following:   For the sleeves, only work 4 rounds.    For the back square I worked 16 rows of (DC ch 1) x 16.  The Front semicircles only work up to round 7.   I used one of her shirts for comparison and it worked up to be just the right size. 

I also worked up these baby chicks for my nephews birthday.  I used a pattern from Spin A Yarn Crochet.   If you haven't checked out her patterns you definitely should.  I my first few flat animals were from her patterns before I used other designers and then eventually my own designs.    You can check out her whole blog here athttp://spinayarncrochet.com/      I decided to make the chicks and shells in coordinating light and dark colors so he could match the colors with the chicks.   It was a hit, he loved them!    The great thing about this pattern was it used a very small amount of yarn and and it worked up so fast!    I was able to complete all of  them in a few hours, not working constantly because I have kids.     If you are looking for a great gift for kids this would be great! 

I had a great vacation, but I'm so glad to be back.  I'm working on some more free patterns to post here on my blog, reworking the Llama pattern to go from top to bottom (including a pdf purchase option) and some modifications for the Dynamite Dinosaur to change it into a dragon!  I am working on a round up of flat animal patterns from other designers including some of my own, so be sure to watch for that next month!    Make sure you stay up to date with me on Facebook and Instagram by following my pages. 

As always thanks for following Bsquare and for all the support and kind words I am offered daily.  It keeps me going.

~B2

LDS Girls Camp Handouts! NCR

I am the Ward Camp Director for my ward in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   We just got back from camp and I wanted to share our camp decorations and handouts.  I know how hard it is to come up with ideas, especially when you are already stressed out about remembering to pack a shovel and a saw (two things we forgot and needed.  WOOPS)   

First I made this Banner.  I bought some chipboard banners and covered it with some really cute scrapbook paper.  Super easy and all the girls just LOVED it!   It made our camp feel a little more like home (if that is possible sleeping on the ground HA! )

Another thing we did, before camp we had the girls make these adorable cans for their mailboxes.   I strung them between two trees and tied them on the rope.  We brought a tote of crafting stuff that we have in our YW closet, and asked them to make something for each girl while we were at camp.  We did this instead of secret sisters.   I wasn't sure how they would feel about having me, the new camp director, come in and changed the way they did things.  Surprisingly, they loved this idea!   Every spare moment was spend doing something nice for each other.   It really helped strengthen the friendship in our camp.  

I made several handouts to give the girls throughout camp.   These were all fairly inexpensive, but made them feel special at camp.   Here's what I did.  

The Blankets were the most expensive thing I did.   They were $2.50 at Walmart.   I made up a tag, used my favorite hole punch and tied it on with yarn.  I gave them this the first day, and they drug their blankets all around camp. 

I bought some packs of gum at the dollar store and paired it up with the tag :  We think you are "Extra" Special!   I just taped it on the tag.  

"Beautiful Lips only speak words of Kindness"   Originally I was going to put this on a card and tape a chap stick on because I thought you needed special labels for chap stick.   I found out that you can print them on regular paper and glue them on just fine.  I think labels would be awesome too, but I wasn't going to spend extra on that.  I found 3pk chap sticks at the dollar store too.   

I printed this one on regular paper and then rolled up the Pixy sticks like a scroll.   Dollar store for the candy! 

Yet another Dollar Store gift!   I bought a 20pk of glow braclets and made these little flags for Testimony meeting.   I really loved this part of President Nelsons talk to the youth on June 3rd.  I thought it would be perfect for girls camp!

This last one I can't claim for my own,  Ruffled Sunshine blog had the cutest S'more handout.  I was going to make my own, but thought why?  This was absolutely Perfect!   I put them in a bag with some chocolate and we made S'mores that night.    I made a gift bag with a bag of marshmallows, box of graham crackers and chocolate bars with this note and had my girls gift it to another ward as a Random Act of Kindness.    Get the printable from her blog HERE.   

I also gave them a list of Random Acts of Kindness that I wanted them to try at camp and at home.   

I've uploaded the files for these handouts here!    

Thanks for stopping by

😊💗✌

Dynamite Dino

**  THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED **  But you can pick up the pattern on Ravelry Or Etsy!  Also even if you don't make a purchase you can help support me by clicking the heart and making my patterns a favorite.   Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Instagram  

I am so excited to show you my next pattern that will be released really soon.  It will be a paid pattern, but don't worry I'm working on some more fantastic free patterns for the blog.    I'm thinking before I release it, I should do a giveaway for one Free copy of the PDF and one 50% off code.   If you would like to win a copy of this pattern here is what I would love for you to do... you will get an entry for each thing

1-  "Comment" below with what you think my next pattern should be (1 entry)
2-  "Follow" my Instagram account here and comment on my GIVEAWAY post (1 entry)
3-  "Like" my Facebook Page here and comment on the GIVEAWAY post  (1 entry)
4-  "Share" the FB GIVEAWAY post with your friends (1 entry)

Make sure you comment on the corresponding GIVEAWAY posts so I can count your votes.  I'll close the giveaway on June 10th.  Good luck everyone!

Remember to follow my pages so you can stay up with my new pattern releases!   I plan on getting another free pattern soon!