A Good-bye & A Hello!

Well the time has come to say good-bye, and hello!  Let me explain...My hubs and I have been travelling the craft show circuit for about a year now, which is why I have neglected this blog so much.  We have both been busy as bees making our little hearts out for our new venture, Jack & Jill's All Tied Up.  I will be closing this blog in favor of our new All Tied Up blog.  Don't worry...I won't neglect that one!  We also have opened an Etsy store and would love if you stopped by and checked it out!  The blog is at: http://jacknjillsalltiedup.blogspot.com/  and the Etsy shop, Jack & Jill's All Tied Up is at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JacknJillsAllTiedUp  hope to see you on the other side!

2014 Tattoo Arts Festival

Its time for the 4th Annual Tattoo Arts Festival in Hampton, VA!

Click here to read the details!

Happy New Year, & Happy New Blog too!

Happy New Year!

This new year brings with it so many opportunities to get out of life what we want.  I love the fresh start a new beginning brings!  Read on to see what crafty goodness I have planned for the New Year!

WHAT'S UP... AND A RECIPE TO SHARE!

Oh my dear readers!  I have neglected my blog the past few weeks and I hate that, but sometimes it can't be helped.  I have some exciting things planned for the New Year and I can't wait to share them with you!  Also, I have been losing weight (Yay!) thanks to Jorge Cruise and his Body Fat Cure, and this morning I had a fantastic breakfast that I wanted to share.  Read on past the break for all the details!

CONFESSIONS OF A PATTERN HOARDER: PATTERN OVERLOAD!

Hello my friends! I a confession to make. I have recently come to the realization that I am a pattern hoarder. Yes, that's right, when I see a pattern, be it crochet, jewelry, or other crafts, I have to have it! I suppose the first step is admitting you have a problem, right? Read on to discover my adventures in pattern addiction, and how I am trying to recover!!!

SATURDAY MUSINGS: VISITORS AND CATCHING UP

Well I didn't keep up with my schedule this week, but I had visitors, my daughter Amber and her friend Lauren were here, and we got to meet our grand dog Ellie for the first time!  She was such a cutie pie, and very rambunctious   Puppy kisses are the best!  The cats were not too thrilled to meet her, but all in all it was a great visit, which it always is anytime we get to see our Amber!  We are so incredibly proud of the way Amber has grown up and can't say enough about how well she has done for herself!
On another topic, I managed to catch up everything on the blog, excepting my crafty post for Thursday. which I actually wrote a step-by-step tutorial for, but I didn't get a chance to take pictures.  I am gonna save it for this coming week, and I know it is a project you will love!  Thanks for reading my little corner of the web!
Happy Weekend!
Love and Hugs!
Jillie

CROCHET FRIDAY: MANLY MAN PATTERNS

I have lots and lots of crochet projects that I want to do for Christmas.  One thing I find really frustrating is that it is hard to find crochet patterns that are manly.  Not that I am hung up on gender roles, but I just don't think men should walk around wearing a toque with a silly fluffy ball on top!  Never fear, I have gone out and done the leg work for you, read on for the manly man projects I have tracked down for you!

FOODIE WEDNESDAY: THE 3-MINUTE MUFFIN RECIPE

Everyone knows that once you retire, you get fat!  It happens to the best of us, and unfortunately, it has happened to my hubs and I!  Have no fear, we are making awesome progress following Jorge Cruise's Belly Fat Cure.  Hubs has lost around 60 lbs and I have lost 30.  We enjoy real food and don't feel deprived!  This is truly a way you can eat for a life time!  Read more if you would like to learn more about The Belly Fat Cure!

TUESDAY JEWELRY MAKING: FREE TUTORIAL - BASES FOR EMBELLISHING

There are a gazillion jewelry making patterns out there on the web, but sometimes you just want to make something original!  Do not despair!  You don't have to be a fancy jewelry designer to make original creations.  Let me show you how to make some base patterns, then you can embellish them creatively for your own designs!  Read on for a base necklace, bracelet, and earring pattern that you will surely keep in your jewelry making repertoire for years to come!