Hats, Hats, and more Hats

I love hats! I really need to make myself more, but I seem to always make them for the kids. Seems most of my sewing is either for the store or for my kids. Melly Sews is doing hat week this week, so I thought I would share some pics of some of my favorites. I wish I had better pics, but we can't have professional pictures all the time, can we!

As a disclaimer, I make most of my own hat patterns. Many of the ideas come from pictures I see somewhere and then I tweak to make them fit my needs. There are many free patterns and tutorials out there that are similar to what I have made. If anyone is interested in one particular style, I will add details about how I made them later.

First: Summer hats
I have a bucket pattern I like to use and a modified bucket that I use to make monster hats - they're just fun.
My kids always have summer hats - because I do melanoma research - and sun protection is big at my house. But, have you noticed - there are not a lot of options in the US that provide sun protection and are cute/fun?! Plus, the ones they do have, are just expensive.  Not to mention, it is difficult to find hats that are socially acceptable in the US. I know, I know, I shouldn't worry about what other people think. I don't. My kids do (and are too young yet to get past that). So, I started making my own - trying to be socially acceptable and fashionable AND provide at least some sun protection. I've never been on the cutting edge of fashion, so not sure I actually hit that point - but I have made hats that my kids like to wear - so I call that a win!

My bucket hat - kind of a Paddington Bear style.

Rounded bucket hat style with monster embellishment.

I also made a newsboy type hat. My daughter LOVES it - and I must say, she can wear hats! I just wish I had a picture of her in it - she refused to let me take one yesterday... 

I have also tried a couple of wide brimmed hats for me (yes, WIDE brims). I have followed 2 patterns and have not liked the results. So, if I try one again, I will make my own pattern. I have my favorite cowboy hat I wear all summer - it is 4 years old now and has seen its better days. I really need to find another option, but I love it so much and I can't buy another one. :( 

Winter hats - I make fleece and crochet hats for winter. I have done the standard fleece hat with the triangles lots and on some I like to add fabric flowers, buttons, etc to make them a little more interesting.

 I also add some extra fleece or felt piece to make monster winter hats - again, just because they are fun.

Or animal hats?? Say a blue giraffe (because that is what my niece wanted)

Or an orange lion... because who doesn't like blaze orange? :)

But for me, I like to be a little more boring. I do like finding fun fleece prints though.

Or plain old grey, for my go with everything hat.

Then there are the modified 'pill box' type fleece hats with flowers.

And an Elvis hat - made for a special boy during his battle against cancer.

And a scoodie made from fleece and cotton fabrics for those that don't like hats and prefer hoods. I used this tutorial.

And then there are the crocheted hats. I don't really follow a pattern for these, I just wing it. Here is a cloche.

Or just a beanie.

with a little sparkle...

Or with buttons... (and yes, I love orange)

  

I've made about a million hats - so I will stop boring you with pictures. There is one hat challenge I have not yet done - as I don't know what material to use. My son requested a Helmet from the British Zulu war uniform. He wants it hard - like a helmet. Uhhh, ok? According to my son, 'it's simple. Just go buy some Kevlar and cotton'. Yeah, I'll get right on that. So for now, it sits until I come up with an idea. 

Do you like hats? What is your favorite style?

Awareness Month

September - so many wonderful things about this month! I love fall, it is my FAVORITE time of year.

Cooler temps, low humidity, lots of sunshine and time to be outside. Apple picking,

camp fires, s'mores (of course), 

Speed Cleaning

Over the past month I have discovered a 'new' exercise routine. Speed cleaning.

We are currently trying to sell our house. I am not always on top of things. I have a life, and cleaning is NOT at the top of the priority list. That being said, if someone wants to see the house in 3 hours, I'm not going to say no. So, enter Speed Cleaning.

I actually have to RUN through the house at various times to get it all done. Sweeping, mopping, bathroom cleaning, etc. etc... Big dirty house - clean in 2.5 hours.  I don't know how many calories I burn, but it feels like a lot. And I am always sore for 1-2 days after.

New Rules, Old Concept

So, I found these rules on Pinterest - yeah, I told you I like that site.

I have heard all or most of these before. They are working me towards eating clean. Have you heard about clean eating lately? It is the 'new' thing - of course it is how our grandparents actually ate. My grandparents would buy flour and sugar (you know, they came in those awesome fabric sacks you pay and arm and leg for now) and the rest came from the garden or the farm. Well, I'm trying to work back towards that type of eating. BUT, it is expensive and not overly convenient. So we are trying to find a balance that helps us achieve better health.

I admit, some of these are REALLY hard for me. So, I may not achieve all of these right away, I will start working towards being able to accomplish these rules without wanting to kill myself. And, even though these are 'non-negotiable' I still find myself thinking "everything's negotiable". Hmmm, probably part of my problem.

Here is a rundown on how I fare with the rules.
I'm good with rule 1 and 2, I've been working on 3 for a while.
5 - wow, that's a lot of fiber. ok, I'll try.
6 - I like it. I can do that.
7 - WHAT???? I don't know if I will ever be able to do that!
8 - got it (although I do ignore those labels, which probably makes me lose points on this one)
9 - umm - I try. But I hate to take the time to measure. Yes, I know. I just have to. I have gotten better though, I use small bowls and plates.
10 - yeah - not sure I will ever be able to do this - if it includes straight up sugar. AKA desserts.
11 - really? Well, we don't eat a ton of white potatoes, probably about once a week. Doubt I will get support from the family to cut that one out entirely.
12 - no problem, we already do that.
13 - not a big deal for me. We only eat out fast food when traveling and maybe 1 other time a month. Honestly, not something I crave. Rule 10 is where I go seriously wrong.
14 and 15 - check
16 - ok for me, not the rest of the family.
17 - I KNOW. BUT, I really don't like them. I need someone to come and show me how to make them taste good. To me, they just don't taste good. And, since I am not a good cook, I am probably ruining all the recipes I try anyways.
18-20, usually ok.

So, what rules are the hardest for you?

Whipped Frosting Recipe

We had another birthday celebration this past weekend. This time for my loving husband. We had a nice long relaxing day in which we did just about nothing. For us, it was a much needed break. I usually make all of our b-day cakes as I am too cheap to buy a good one from a bakery and the cheap ones at some of the local grocery stores are just not good. But, I also enjoy baking. The kids chose to have a vanilla chocolate swirl cake and my hubby's favorite frosting is a whipped frosting.