Summer Granny Squares with Instructions

My Summer Granny Squares are finally finished just in time for fall. 

 That's okay, we can curl up under it on cool evenings on the front porch or in the morning waiting for the school bus.  
I love how it matches my porch swing!

 These colors where fun to work with and I like the white in between the blocks.

 

Do you want to make one too?

I made 63 - 7"  Granny Squares.  
My blanket is 7 squares across by 9 squares down.  
This is a good lap size blanket.

Instructions for basic 7" Granny Square

Size H crochet hook and worsted weight yarn. 
 I used red heart yarn in blue, light blue, pink, red, yellow, and white

Chain 5 and join with slip stitch to form ring.

Round 1: Chain 3 (Counts as first double crochet), 2 double crochet in ring, chain 3, *3 double crochet in ring, chain 3: repeat from * 2 more times. Join with slip stitch in third chain of chain-3. Break off.

Round 2:  Change color of yarn. Slip stitch to chain-3 corner space, chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in same space,  * chain 1, work 3 double crochet, chain 3, 3 double crochet in next space; repeat from * 2 more times, chain 1. Join and break off.

Round 3: Change color of yarn.  Slip stitch into chain-3 space, chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in the same space, * chain 1, 3 double crochet in the next chain-1 space; 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in next corner; repeat from* around the square ending with chain1. Join and break off.

Round 4:  Change yarn. Slip stitch to chain-3 corner space, chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in the same space, *(Chain 1, 3 double crochet in next chain 1 space)twice: chain 1 3 double crochet chain 3 and 3 double crochet in next corner; repeat from * around the square ending with chain-1. Join and break off.

Round 5: With white yarn.  Starting in any corner attach, chain 2, 2 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in same space, *(chain 1, 3 double crochet in next chain 1 space) 3 times, chain 1; 3 double crochet, chain 3 and 3 double crochet in next corner; repeat from * around ending with chain 1. Join and break off.

Stitch your squares into rows of 7 then stitch the rows together.  I crocheted my rows together using a single crochet.  I like the ridge it created it reminds me of the granny square blanket my Granny made for my sister.  I also like the added texture and it was fast!  I have seen lots of instructions if you prefer the flat look. 

For my border:  I single crocheted all the way around the blanket. Then chained 3 and 4 double crochet in the same space.* Skip 2 single crochet, skip 2, 5 double crochet in the same space. Repeat from * around the blanket end in a slip stitch and break off.   

Have fun making lots of bright little Granny Squares!

 Cherilyn

Link Parties:
 http://www.sew-much-ado.com/
 http://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/09/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-18/
 http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/

The Homestead Berry Farm

We love our farm and our farm business The Homestead Berry Farm.  It keeps us really busy throughout the spring and summer.  We grow red raspberries, golden raspberries and blackberries. We also make homemade jam and cobbler mix that we sell. Our u-pick season starts in mid July and lasts until mid September.  

 

The whole family works together to run our farm stand and maintain our fields and property.  Here is our youngest farmer.  He loves that big yellow wagon!

Thank you for a wonderful berry season. 

 We enjoyed welcoming friends and making new ones.   

See you next summer!

Cherilyn

New Sunglasses Case...

I won a giveaway!!! 

 

  This cute package came in the mail today from Jody at  

jodyjean.blogspot.com 

Check out Jody's blog it is full of quilty and crafty fun!!

  

 Jody's creative blog was a part of Sew Mamma Sew! giveaway day.  

I really enjoyed discovering new blogs and visiting all the talented and 

generous bloggers out there. 

 

The chickens were pretty excited too. 

They kept pecking at the envelope!

Thank you Jody!  

I love the Sunglasses case and

 they fit perfectly!!

Cherilyn

Upcycled Ruffle Tote...

I love taking something old and making it new and cute!

My Farmer got this bag at a conference.  He said I could have it!

 Yay!!! 

It's large and roomy with long handles.  

Perfect for a Church bag! 

Now to Upcycle  it.  

I found the cute gray and yellow fabric on clearance!

Whoo Hoo!

I love a good sale!

The solid yellow was from my stash.

And I picked up some black ribbon to coordinate.

I cut out 6 inch wide strips and 2 for each ruffle.  

Then I did a fast gather on the top. It was so fun, fast and easy. 

I also hemmed the bottom of the ruffle.  

And drew lines on my bag so that my ruffles would be straight. 

Then I sewed the ribbon on the long handles.  

I lucked out...the ribbon was the perfect width! 

Then I sewed the ribbon on the top of the first ruffle to hide the gathers.  

Next I took the solid yellow and made a really big fabric flower.  

 

This would be a super cute Mother's Day or Teacher Gift!

Cherilyn
Linky Parties: 
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/05/07/made-by-you-monday-99/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/
http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/
http://www.sewcando.com/
http://conniekresin.blogspot.com/2012/05/linky-party-tuesday-13.html
http://www.theivycottageblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/cowgirl-up-link-party-14.html

http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2012/05/too-cute-tuesday-linky-par-tay-83.html

http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/05/riverton-housewives-round-up-16.html

http://stringtownhome.blogspot.com/

http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/

A Quilt for Grandma...

I love scrappy quilts.

I especially love getting scrap fabrics from family. 

The colors and textures of the fabric remind me of that person they even smell like their homes.

 

I was thrilled when my Mother in law called and said that she was cleaning out her sewing room and asked if I wanted some scraps. 

 

Yes! Yes! Yes! 

I was so excited! 

 When I pulled out the scraps I was amazed at how well they all went together. 

 

They were all lovely reds, greens, tans, golds, and creams.

A few years ago she gave me red quilt binding that matched the fabrics perfectly. 

I decided to make a Square Dance Quilt for her Birthday. 

It has been so much fun to work on. I machine quilted in the ditch and in the boarders then hand stitched with pearl cotton in the blocks. 

My kids said the quilt looks like Grandma's house. 

Happy Birthday Grandma! 

 Cherilyn
Linky  Parties:
http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/05/07/made-by-you-monday-99/
http://www.sewcando.com/
http://www.simpleasthatblog.com/
http://conniekresin.blogspot.com/2012/05/linky-party-tuesday-13.html
http://www.theivycottageblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/cowgirl-up-link-party-14.html
http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/05/riverton-housewives-round-up-16.html 
http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/

It Will All Come Out in the Wash...

My Mother always says,  

"It'll all come out in the wash!"  

This is so true.  

source

 Isn't this picture cute! 

I love this old ringer washing machine. 

My Mother said they had one when I was a baby. 

And I complain about doing laundry!

 

 I love my modern washing machine, but I don't love how expensive laundry soap has gotten.

Yikes!

With 6 active kiddos and my sweet Farmer the laundry piles up quickly and is full of dirt, grease, and grass stains.

Commercial stain removers are great, but oh so expensive! 

I have seen recipes on Pinterest for homemade stain remover and decided to give it a try.

Here is where I got my inspiration.  

I substituted Super Washing Soda the original recipe called for baking soda.  (With all the dirt around here I felt it needed an extra boost.) 

Recipe

1 cup hot water

1/2 cup Hydrogen peroxide

1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

Let laundry soak for 20 minutes or overnight.  

You can also put it in a dark spray bottle and use a spot remover. 

The whites where noticeable whiter and it was easy and cheap to make.

So simple, I love it!!!

Cherilyn