Long time, no see.

Well it's been a LONG time since I last posted a blog so here I am again!!  I deactivated my Facebook account last week.  I did it for many reasons, but the number one reason was that I spent WAY too much time on it!!  God had been dealing with me on the subject for a couple of months and I just kept putting it aside or "ignoring" him. 

I love Facebook for many reasons:
#1. I can keep up with my family and friends whom I never get to see.
#2. I like to share pictures of my family because I just love them so much!!  :)
#3. I can share pictures of my crochet work and also pictures of all the different hairstyles I do.
#4. There are so many business pages out there that I follow.  I love to see everybody's different talents and all the different things people are able to make!

There are other reasons, but that was the short list.

Well a couple of weeks ago I went to a revival and the sermon hit me right in between the eyes. Ever had that happen to you before?  Yeah...it was like God speaking out loud to me!  The sermon was about putting things before God.  I really REALLY felt like Facebook was becoming more and more of an addiction for me.  I would rather spend time on Facebook than reading my Bible or spending time in prayer.  Now here is the question I had to ask myself.  What is more important??  Facebook or my relationship with God????  Easy answer.....GOD!!  Now I just had to take care of it. 

I spent 2-3 days just saving all the pictures from my Facebook account so I could have them on hand and wouldn't have the temptation of getting back on.  Then it was all or nothing, and for me that was completely deactivating my account.  Some may think I'm silly or crazy for doing it, but to me that's what had to happen.  I had no self control when it came to limiting my time spent browsing, so the best option for me was to get rid of it completely.

That is why I will be posting blogs instead.  Less time spent online and more time with God and my family.  Since deactivating, I have had so much fun spending extra time with my husband and boys.  I've been reading my Bible WAY more than I was before and God has been speaking to me a lot through my devotions.  I'd say this is a good exchange for sure. :)

Now I have to ask you a question.  Is there something in your life that you feel is more important than God??  Are you spending too much time with worldly things, and not Godly things?  If so, my suggestion is to get rid of it ASAP!!  It's not worth it!  God wants us to spend time with him and have a growing relationship with him!  If we never spend that time with him, then how will we grow closer to God?  I hope somehow this post brings some encouragement to you.  God wants YOU!

New Grover Doll pattern!!!

Hey guys!!  I have a new FREE pattern up for you!!  My nephew LOVES Grover from Sesame Street and my sister wanted me to make him a Grover doll that he could take to pre-school with him.  I couldn't find ANY patterns online for him so I attempted to make one myself and I'm so pleased with how he turned out!!  Hope you enjoy too!

Materials List

1 skein of Lion Brand Homespun yarn (color Montana Sky)

1 skein of Red Heart (shocking pink)

US size H hook

US size D hook

Stitch marker

Yarn needle

Google eye buttons

Batting to stuff with

Body

 With MC and H hook form a magic ring, ch 1.

Round 1:  6 sc in magic ring, pull to tighten ring, do not join. (6sc)

Round 2:  2 sc in each st around (12 sc)

Round 3:  (1sc in next st, 2 sc in next st)  repeat () around (18sc)

Round 4: (1 sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st) repeat () around (24 sc)

Rows 5-17: 1 sc in each st around

Go ahead and stuff body about  ¾ of the way

Row 18- end  Sc dec in every  st around  until the top closes up.  Continue stuffing while sc dec  around.  Finish off.  Leave a long tail for sewing later.

Head 

With MC and H hook form a magic ring, ch 1.

Round 1:  6 sc in magic ring, pull to tighten ring, do not join. (6sc)

Round 2:  2 sc in each st around (12 sc)

Round 3:  (1sc in next st, 2 sc in next st)  repeat () around (18sc)

Rounds 4-8  1sc in each st around.

Stuff head about ¾ of the way.

Rows 9 –end  end  Sc dec in every  st around  until the top closes up.  Continue stuffing while sc dec  around.  Finish off. 

Arms make 2

With MC and H hook form a magic ring, ch 1.

Round 1:  6 sc in magic ring, pull to tighten ring, do not join. (6sc)

Rounds  2 – 10 sc in each st around

Round 11 2sc in next 6 sts(this part will be the shoulder).  Sl st in next st.  Finish off.

Legs  make 2.

With MC and H hook form a magic ring, ch 1.

Round 1:  6 sc in magic ring, pull to tighten ring, do not join. (6sc)

Rounds 2-15: sc in each st around.

Nose

Using contrasting color pink and D hook.

 Ch 4, 4 dc in 4^th ch from hook.

Take hook off yarn and reinsert hook in top of first dc.  Then enter hook into the first loop you took the hook out of.  Sl st to make a bobble st.  FO.

Mouth

With D hook and red yarn ch 8.  Sew on face in a smile form.

Sew all the pieces on the body.

My very first OOAK sale!!

Hey there!  Thought I'd give you all a sneak peak of whats to come tonight in my very first OOAK sale!  If you don't know what OOAK is then let me explain. :)  One Of A Kind!!  All of the items are made from %100 merino wool and are verigated in color.  The yarn is handspun hand-dyed which makes every individual item very unique!!  The yarn is very soft too!  All of these components put together makes it all OOAK!! 

If you are a photographer these are GREAT for newborn shoots!!  The colors will pop in pictures plus add a little creativity as well!  No one else will have one either so you will be the only one to have one exactly like it!

If you are a soon to be mommy or expecting a baby, these hats will keep those little noggins very warm and cozy.  The yarn is very soft and very gentle to the skin as well. :)

Please join in on the fun tonight on my facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Loop-Leigh-Loops/180091872023708

It will all be starting at 8 p.m. CST.  So if you want a certain item make sure you go to my page as soon as it opens so you can be the first to grab it!!  Pics on my facebook page won't be up until it all starts.  Also there are some purchasing rules in my notes section on my facebook page.  Enjoy the sneak peak!

Travel make-up bag pattern

Attention FREE pattern!!!  Some of you guys already know about the free pattern on my facebook page for my travel make-up bag, but I wanted to put it on my blog for those who don't have facebook and would like to try it!  It is SO easy!!  These are a great gift idea or even make them for stocking stuffers come Christmas!!  If you're not a fan already of my facebook page then come on over and check all my items out!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Loop-Leigh-Loops/180091872023708#!/pages/Loop-Leigh-Loops/180091872023708

Also if you are a ravelry member come be my friend!

http://www.ravelry.com/people/LoopLeighLoops

Here is the pattern!  Enjoy!!

Travel Makeup Bag

I use Vanna's Choice yarn.  You will also need a size H hook, scissors, a yarn needle and a button.

Ch 22, turn
*sc in each stitch across, turn (21)*
continue from * to * till it measures 12 in
ch 2 and dc in each st across (this will be the flap)
continue till dc part measures 3 in. FO

Fold peice together where the sc sts match up.
sc together around the flap and down the other side of make-up bag. FO

find the middle of your flap and attach yarn. Ch 4 (or more or less depending on button size) and sl st in next sc to form a loop. FO
sew on button and sew in ends!

Winners of the giveaway!!

Hello again everyone!!  Thank you to all who entered the giveaway.  My fans are all amazing and I could not get to where I am today without you guys!  Here are all five winners via Random.org

#26 Melissa
#17 Marisa
#18 Courtney
#12 Kelsey
#20 Jenn

Please contact me within 24 hours or new winners will be drawn! 
Congrats to all the winners and thanks again to all who participated!!!

God Bless,
Amber Leigh Haskins

We did it and made it to 1000!!!

Well guys we finally made it!!!  Never would I have thought when starting out January of this year that I would have 1000 fans!!!  I owe it all to you guys!  So in celebration I'm not going to make this hard at all for you. 

 All you have to do is comment on Loop Leigh Loop's wall what your favorite item in my shop is!!  Then share with your friends on YOUR wall that "@Loop Leigh Loops has hit 1000 fans!  Let's celebrate with her!"  When you are done come back here telling me you did so!  Also don't forget to put your email address in your comment so I can reach the winner!

There will be FIVE winners!!!!

All winners get a $15 credit on any order from my shop AND a surprise in their packages when I send them. Ooooooooooo cool huh?!

I appreciate everyone who has helped me get here!  I could not have done it without all of my awesome fans!  Hope you all have fun and good luck!!

I will pick all the winners via random.org on June 3rd!!

God Bless,
Amber Leigh Haskins

Pattern for my Thomas booties.

Ok so I had some people interested in my Thomas booties pattern so here it is.  This is my very first pattern so I'm going to try my best to recreate it as I didn't write it down as I was making it.  If you have any questions let me know!  Thanks for looking. :)

Thomas the train booties.

What you will need: Blue, black, yellow, white, and red yarn.  Stuffing, tapestry needle, size G hook.

Instructions:

Lower right sole (make 1)

 Starting at toe with blue yarn chain 21, 5 sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in each of next 18 chs, 5 sc in last ch, working on opposite side of chain, sc in next 7 chs, hdc in each of next 4chs, dc in each of next 6 chs, hdc in last ch, join with sl st in beg sc. (46 sts)

Rnd 2:  Ch 1 2sc in each of next 5 sts, hdc in each of next 9 sts, sc in each of next 9 sts, 2sc in each of next 5 sts, sc in next 3 sts, sl st in each of next 8 sts, sc in next st, hdc in each of last 6 sts, join with sl st in beg sc. (56 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch1 sc in each of 1^st 3 sts (2 sc in next st, sc in next st) 3 times, hdc in each of next 22 sts, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st) 3 times, hdc in each of next 6 sts, sc in each of next 7 sts, hdc in each st around, join with sl st in beg sc. (62 st)

Rnd 4: Ch 1 sc in each st around, join with sl st in beg sc. Fasten off.

Lower left sole (make 1)

Starting at toe with blue yarn ch 21, 5 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in each of next 6 chs, hdc in each of next 4 chs, sc in each of next 7 chs, 5 sc in last ch, working on opposite side of ch sc in each of last 18 chs, join with sl st in beg sc. (46 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 1 2 sc in each of 1^st 5 sts, hdc in each of next 6 sts, sc in next st, sl st in each of next 8 sts, sc in each of next 3 sts, 2 sc in each of next 5 sts, sc in each of next 9 sts, hdc in each of last 9 sts, join with sl st in beg sc. (56 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in each of 1^st 3 sts, (2sc in next st, sc in next st) 3 times, hdc in each of next 8 sts, sc in each of next  7 sts, hdc in each of next  5 sts, (2hdc in next st, hdc in next st) 3 times, hdc in each of last 21 sts, join with sl st in beg sc. (62 sts)

Rnd 4: Ch 1 sc in each st around, join with sl st in beg sc. Fasten off.

Sides

Rnd 1: Join blue yarn at center back of heel, sc in each st around (62 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 1 sc in each st around, join with sl st in beg sc.

Rnd 3: Ch1 sc in each of 1^st 3 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts(sc in each of next 3 sts, sc dec in each of next 2 sts) around to last 2 st, join with sl st in beg sc. Fasten off. (50 sc) Repeat on other upper sole.

Top of bootie (make 2)

Row 1: Starting at toe with blue yarn, ch 5, sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each row across, turn. (4sc)

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, 2sc in 1^st st, sc in each st across, turn. 7 sts at end of last row.

Rows 5-13 Ch 1 sc in each st across (7st) At end of last row fasten off.

Easing to fit, sew toe and ends of rows onto centered bootie.

(Suggest sewing on wheels and steam engine at this point to make it easier)

Ankle part of bootie

Attatch blue yarn at back of bootie.  Sc in each st around (DO NOT JOIN ROUNDS) Continue until you reach the height you want. FO.

Attatch black yarn to top of bootie, ch 1, dc in each st around join with sl st in beg dc. FO. Sew in all ends.

Big wheels (make 4)

Using black yarn Ch 2, 6 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, 3 dc in each sc around,  sl st,(18 sc) FO

Small wheels (make 8)

Using black yarn Ch 2, 6 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, 2sc in each sc around, sl st,(12 sc) FO.

Track in between small wheels (make 4)

Using red yarn 6 fsc (sew on wheels after sewing wheels onto bootie)

Steam engine (make 2)

Using white yarn ch 2 , 6sc in 2^nd ch from hook, 2 dc in each sc around, sl st to join (12 dc)

 Using black yarn, Ch 15, join to 1^st ch with sl st to form ring

Rnd 2: sc in each st around to form tube.  Make about 10 rows.

Rnd 3: *sc2tog, 1sc in next 4 sc*, repeat from *to* until closed together. (make sure you sew on white round piece on opposite end and stuff before closing together.)

Chimney (make 2)

Using black yarn Ch 2, 6sc in 2^nd ch from hook

Rnd 2: Sc in back loop each sc around (6sc)

Rnd 3: *2sc in 1^st sc, 1sc in next sc, repeat from *to* (10 sc)

Rnd 4: *St2tog in 1^st sc, sc in next sc, repeat from *to* (6sc)

Rnd 5-6:  sc in each sc around, sl st, FO.

Bell (make 2)

Using blue yarn ch 2, 6sc in 2^nd ch from hook.

Rnd 2: 2sc in 1^st sc, 1sc in next sc, repeat (9 sc)

Rnd 3: 1sc in each sc around, sl st, FO.

After sewing on all parts I freehand embroidered the yellow 1 in the red box on the outside of each bootie.  I sure hope this is an easy to read pattern.  If you have any questions let me know!  Thanks!