Praise Explosion Concert - You Won't Want to Miss It for the World

I thought I'd share this.

I was invited to participate in the second annual PRAISE EXPLOSION concert that will be held in my hometown. Yay!

I participated last year and it was an amazing experience. Of course, I was a bundle of nerves when I had to take part, but afterwards I was able to enjoy all the amazing performances and admire the talent of everyone who performed and ministered.

This year will be just as powerful. There is such a dynamic line-up and the majority of those participating are youth. (I always have a special place in my heart for the youth. I had the privilege of being youth president at my church for 7 years in a row and always admired their passion.)

The event is being promoted by Predestined Ministries (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PredestinedMinistries) and Higher Places Ministry (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Higher-Places-Ministry/110346822386427)

If you're interested in knowing who will be taking part, most are tagged in the following video:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=646617992022081

I'm excited that through our combined efforts, we can come together to create an atmosphere of praise and just worship the Lord.

And yes, there will also be food and prizes, so don't miss it!

Oh Yes ... I Boldly Went There!

Last weekend I was able to do everything on my to do list.  I took my baby with me to get the oil changed in my car and she was such a delight (especially since the oil change only took 20 minutes).

I was able to finish crocheting Minnie Mouse hat and diaper cover.  I also created a tube top for my baby to wear during her photo shoot.  She did so well.   We received a few pics already from the photo shoot.  

I'll post a pic of the Minnie Mouse outfit when I get the final pics.

I'm developing a crochet pattern for the sneakers that my husband's cousin from Florida requested.  This is what I developed so far.

This was my first attempt at the sneakers.  I have a few tweaks to do before I finalize the pattern.

Right now, my husband and I are at a Star Trek Convention in NJ.  (Yeah, we are Trekkie's.) And (Wow) we just had our pictures taken with Gates McFadden, better know as Beverly Crusher on Star Trek: Next Generation.  

To be quite honest with you, I'm a bit of a newbie at this "Trekkie" thing.  My husband is the true Trekkie and he's made a fan out of me.  Hey, maybe my next freebie pattern will be something related to Star Trek.  Let's see!

Psalm 143:5

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

Thank goodness for three-day weekends!

As a first-time mom I really have my work cut out for me.  I love planning for things, but as a first-time mom I realize that my planning needs a little bit more coordination.  (I have to give props to moms who have more than one kid and manage to get things done!)

This weekend I'm planning to:

- Take the baby with me to get the oil changed in my car.
- Finish crocheting the Minnie Mouse hat and diaper cover for my baby's Photoshoot. (Idea from RepeatCrafterMe.com - Mickey and Minnie Mouse hat - Mickey and Minnie mouse diaper cover). So far this is my progress:

Here is my baby girl modeling her Minnie Mouse hat

- Take my baby to her three-month photo shoot at Reel Photography Studio.
- Start working on a crochet pattern for a pair of sneakers requested by my husband's cousin in Florida (Let's see how that goes :-/ ... Lol!)
- Then what better way to end the weekend then by singing praises to the Lord at Sunday service.  A great culmination to a busy weekend.

I hope you enjoy your weekend. Stay safe and be blessed.

Psalm 143:5

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all yourworks and consider what your hands have done.

Cupcake Binkie Clip

When I was writing the pattern for my cupcake design (If you haven't seen it yet you can check it out here -> Cupcake Pattern ), I ended up creating more cupcakes than I knew what to do with.  I created so many in hopes that I could perfect the pattern.

Well today I dressed my baby in a beautiful turquoise outfit, which happened to match the color of one of the cupcakes that I made.  Seeing that the Easter bunny Binkie clip that I created for her was in need of cleaning, I realized she needed another one. (By the way these Binkie clips help me to prevent losing or misplacing her pacifiers all the time like I used to.). So I took one of the extra cupcakes that I had laying around, stitched up a chain cord and attached it to her pacifier ... and this is the end result ...

I would love to see what kind of ideas you come up with for this cupcake pattern.  And I love hearing your feedback.  Don't forget to leave your comments.

Cupcake Pattern

I realize in our family that spring is a busy time for celebrations, and most of them are birthdays.  So I came up with an idea to gift to those who will be celebrating a birthday.  This is a cupcake pattern that I created.  I think it would be a great idea to make a keychain out of it.

What you'll need:

- a brown and colorful yarn (You can use any bright color to do the frosting)

- Scissors

- Place marker

- Crochet needle (5 mm)

CUPCAKE BOTTOM.

Start off using a crochet Magic Ring (mr) 

(see the following tutorial video to learn how:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLUaywX0-WE)

1) 6 sc

2)  2 sc in each st (12 st)

3) (1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc in next st) repeat to end. (16 st)

4) 16 sc on back side of loop of stitch (16 st)

5-6) 16 sc

Sl st in next st and bind off

CUPCAKE FROSTING

Start with Magic Ring

1) 6 sc

2) 2 sc in each st (12 st)

3) (2 sc in each st) repeat to end (24 st)

4) (1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc in next st) repeat to end, sl st in outside loop (facing you) of next st. (32 st)

5) Ch 2, 1 sc in same outside loop, then (2 sc in each outside loop of st) repeat to end, sl st to join (64 st)

(Connect Frosting to Bottom)

6) Starting from the frosting, put needle through first INSIDE loop (away from you) of stitch from the previous row (you just finished working on the OUTSIDE loop of the stitch).  Put needle through a stitch on the last row of the Cupcake Bottom piece, yo, and pull yarn completely through.

7) Skip one loop on the FROSTING piece and insert your needle, then put needle through the next st on the BOTTOM piece (do not skip a st on the bottom piece), yo, and pull yarn completely through.  Stuff the piece then continue this until the end.  

Sl st to finish row and bind off.  

Hide loose ends using a tapestry needle.

*** You may make and sell products from my patterns but if you do I ask that you link back to my post. Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photo's as your own.***

BLOG - April 2013: Special Occasions

This past week was so hectic but it was such a blessing for our family.  My baby girl Denali is only two months old but since she was born we knew we wanted to dedicate her to The Lord.  And what's more, she was dedicated on Easter Sunday, so it's a day we won't soon forget.

Her godmother and Noemi decorated the church for the ceremony and her home for the celebration.  She did such an amazing job.  Noemi found two beautiful dresses for our baby girl (one white and one lime green) and decided to do the color theme based off of the dress colors.

She also created a little white crown for baby to wear during the ceremony.  Our baby was so adorable that day.  After the ceremony, my husband and I handed out little triangular shaped boxes that looked like angels and inside were coconut truffles (created by Noemi) then afterwards, we gathered at Noemi's house to celebrate the dedication.  She had a beautiful green and white table set with hors d'oeuvres ready for all the guests.

This is Noemi and her husband, Alex

The hors d'oeuvres consisted of small pieces of broccoli, cauliflower with a green ranch-like dip, some green grapes, white goat cheese, green olives and coconut truffles.  Also for drinks she provided green lime-aid.  Then for dinner there was the traditional puertorican food: white rice, beans, pork and yellow rice.  

All in all we had such a great time.  Everything that day was beautiful and perfect.

So how did you spend your Easter weekend?  I would love to hear from you.

Scrunchy on the Run

This week was my first week back to work after having my baby.  I have to say it was bittersweet but I think it was more traumatic for me than it was for her.

A few days ago as I was rushing to get the baby ready so that I could get her to the babysitter on time so that I wouldn't be late to work, I realized I couldn't find a scrunchy to tie my hair.  So I concocted a plan and found a rubber band and a ball of yarn still sitting on my table along with my crochet needle, and this is what I came up with:

Well, the first one I made was actually a little bit simpler than this one, but it served it's purpose.
















Here is what you'll need:

* Yarn: I chose #804 / SURPRISE STRIPE (4 medium)
* Scissors to cut yarn
* 3 1/2" rubber band
* Size 5.0 mm crochet needle (US I-8)
* Small circle loom to hold rubber band.

Place the rubber band on the circle as seen in the picture.









Then cast the yarn onto the rubber band using a slip stitch.

Stitch 42 SC all the way around the rubber band and slip stitch to join.

There you have it!  The basic foundation for your very own scrunchy design.  I hope you enjoy!

Hey if you create your own scrunchies please feel free to share your designs.  I'd love to see what you come up with.

*** You may make and sell products from my patterns but if you do I ask that you link back to my post. Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photo's as your own.***

Be blessed and may hope never elude you.
- Ruth Soto

Psalm 139:13
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

BLOG - March 2013: Easter is Fast Approaching

When you think about Easter, do bunnies, chicks and eggs come to mind?  If you would've asked me that when I was a child, I would have to agree.  But with age comes wisdom (or so it is assumed ... Lol!). Actually, with age comes experience, and wisdom should be developed from experience, but that's another story.

Easter has always intrigued me, what with it's colors, flowers, weather, etc.  But I always knew there was a deeper meaning to Easter.  When God conquered my heart at the age of 17, Easter took on a whole new meaning to me.  Eggs were replaced by a cross, a bunny was replaced by a Savior, and fake green grass was replaced by a torn veil that represents that there is no longer a strict limitation to who can come to God in prayer.  God has made Himself accessible to me by the unselfish sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, and Easter for me will never be the same.  By this I know that God loves me.

I am a new mom and cannot fathom giving up my child for the sins of others, but God did this for me ... For you.  Those who know me know that I can better express myself through song, so I leave you with the following song to explain what I'm trying to say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS6X_n-MNHk

******************************

BUNNY AMIGURUMI

Needle size = USH8/5.00 mm

Yarn = Worsted 4 - white

Abbreviations

sc= single crochet

ch= chain

st= stitch

sc2t= single crochet two together

sl st= slip stitch

HEAD & BODY

1) Ch 2

2) 6sc in 2nd ch from hook

3) 2 sc in each st (12 st)

4) 12 sc

5) (2 sc in next ch, 1sc in next) repeat to end of row (18 st)

6) 18 sc

7) 18 sc

8) (Sc2t, sc 1) repeat to end (12 st)

9) (Sc2t, sc 1) repeat to end (8 st)

10) Stuff piece

11) Sc2t to end (4 st)

12) 2 sc in each st (8 st)

13) (2 sc in next ch, 1sc in next) repeat to end of row (12 st)

14) 12 sc

15) (Sc2t, sc 1) repeat to end (8 st) 

Stuff piece

16) Sc2t to end of row (4 st)

 Sl st and bind off leaving strand about 6" long

ARMS (make 2)

1) Ch 2

2) 4sc in 2nd ch from hook

3) (2 sc in next ch, 1sc in next) repeat to end of row (6 st)

4) 6 sc

Stuff piece

5) (Sc2t, sc 1)  repeat to end (4 st)

6) 4 sc

Sl st and bind off leaving strand about 6" long

LEGS (make 2)

1) Ch 2

2) 4sc in 2nd ch from hook

3) (2 sc in next ch, 1sc in next) repeat to end of row (6 st)

4) 6 sc

Stuff piece

5) (Sc2t, sc 1)  repeat to end (4 st)

6) 4 sc

7) 4 sc

Sl st and bind off leaving strand about 6" long

EARS (make 2)

1) Ch 2

2) 4sc in 2nd ch from hook

3) (2 sc in next ch, 1sc in next) repeat to end of row (6 st)

4-7) 6 sc

Flatten piece and 3 sc across to close

Sl st and bind off leaving strand about 6" long

TAIL

1) Wrap yarn lightly about 12-15 times around your index and middle fingers. 

2) Cut the end of the yarn and remove from your fingers.

3) Hold the wrapped yarn in one hand and wrap new yarn (about a 4" piece) around the middle and knot to secure. Make sure you have about the same amount of extra yarn on both sides of your tail to attach to your bunny.

4) Cut all loops.

5) Trim the tail strands so they can all be even.

Attach all pieces and cut all loose strands.  

Stitch face design.

Your bunny is complete!

*** You may make and sell products from my patterns but if you do I ask that you link back to my post. Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. Please do not re-publish photo's as your own.***

Who Am I?

Those who know me would say that I'm a jack of all trades but a master of none.  I have many talents and interests, but none of which I have truly mastered.  I love to sing, write songs, bake, crochet,  knit,  play instruments such as drums, piano and guitar.  I live by faith,  love my family and believe that everyone should live on a budget.  Random?  I know, but that's just me.  I'm no Martha Stewart, by any means, but I like trying my hand at new experiences.

My name is Ruth Soto I am a first-time mother as of January 2013 and in November 2011, I released my first Christian bilingual CD titled "I'm still standing" (Aun Estoy de Pie) which is currently available on iTunes.

With this blog I would like to share with you my joy of many things: Knitting and crochet ideas, faith experiences, experiences with my family, reasons why I write music and other interests.  

I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback and also, if there is any way that I can improve this blog, please feel free to share.

Be blessed and may hope never elude you.

- Ruth Soto