Trick or treat for patterns

It's time for our 2nd annual "trick or treat for patterns".
Please come trick or treating to Snappy Tots!

Take a picture of you and/or your family DRESSED UP for Halloween and share it on my main page.
Winners will be chosen to receive a free pattern of choice.
Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Guidelines:
~ how to upload: post the photo on your wall and tag my biz page OR upload directly to my page.
~ photo must be from this year's Halloween season (2012). One photo per person/family please (unless family includes more then one snappy friend prior to contest. Then more then one family member may enter but pix must be different.)
~ Costumes do NOT have to be crocheted but if a snappy tots design is included in the post it will be entered for an additional prize.
~ Please keep photos in GOOD TASTE. A lot of kids see my page. Any inappropriate photos will be removed.
~ all photos must be shared on http://www.facebook.com/snappytots before noon mt, Nov 1, 2012.
~ snappy tots is not responsible for fb problems. If you experience problems uploading/sharing your photo please ask someone for help.

Be safe and have fun!

Halloween Special

It's almost Halloween. 

Save 50% off select Halloween and costume patterns.

Enter coupon code "halloween" when checking out of my Ravelry shop.

You can see all of the patterns included in this sale on my fall/Halloween board. Follow their links to the patterns.

SALE ENDS 10/31/12 at 11:59pm

Snappy Pixie

It's finally here...the holiday season is quickly approaching with only 60 days left! That sounds like a lot, but it will be here before we know it. Let's plan ahead and make this the best (and least stressful) season ever!
Each year I end up working on Christmas presents up until Christmas Eve. I always think of that "perfect gift" for someone just days before the big day. I make MOST of our gifts and always try to work on them throughout the year.
The next two months are traditionally the most stressful for everyone. I have been trying to think of ways to help myself and other avoid this and plan, plan, plan ahead.

 From now until Christmas I will be posting tips, freebies, links, ideas, recipes, crochet patterns GALORE and more EVERY .....SINGLE....DAY! Plus a reminder of what really is important this time of year. Let's not get caught up in all things commercial and enjoy our family and friends. I have been collecting lots of ideas from snappy friends for things to do throughout the season (have some you want to share? send me an email).

To help BOOST the spirits of those around us I will be 

giving away 100 PATTERNS 

from now until December 20, 2012 and I want YOU to choose who they go to. 

Do you know someone who could use a smile or someone who spreads cheer themself? Nominate them for a free snappy pattern and happy note from the Snappy Pixie.

Click on the link above or this picture on the right side of the blog.

What else? I have been DYING to have a new advent calender. Even posted info about it over there on the right...have i got mine done? NOPE. So...thanks to the help of an awesome friend of mine, starting Nov 5, 2012 we will be making one QUICK piece each day for 25 days...some are even mini versions of some of my favorite snappy patterns. These make PERFECT tags, pins and ornaments too! Hey, better yet, how about putting them all on a sweater for this year's UGLY CHRISTMAS CONTEST (coming Dec. 1st...watch for info...it will be a HOOT).

One more thing....to celebrate the early start of the holiday season...I will be releasing BRAND NEW PATTERNS each day for 7 days (starting Friday with Wolfie, the werewolf) for only $1.99-$2.49 each...7 days of NEW PATTERNS?!!! how exciting is THAT?

So...lets get our snap on and celebrate because "tis the season to be busy busy".

October Event FAQ

This month we are trying to encourage people to support those affected by cancer (of all types) by creating a hat, scarf, blanket, mitts, etc and donating to someone. I have received LOTS of emails and seen several posts about this with questions so I am going to try to clarify.

Please make an item (or use one you have already made) and give it to someone your know who has been affected by cancer or donate it to a charity. Share a picture and story about your gift on snappy tots' wall.

What needs to be in the picture? Anything showing you donated the item. I understand people may not want to be in the picture and that is fine. You, your child, your friend, the item, anything! No stress about getting the recipient in the photo.

Where do we donate or who do we donate to? If you know of someone who has personally gone through ANY cancer or been affected by cancer (a family member, friend, etc) please give to them as a show of support and comfort.

Can I donate to an organization or hospital? Absolutely!


More information about this event can be found below this post or by clicking on this link.

Retirement List

FIVE patterns will retire at the end of this month. As of November 1, 2012 these five will no longer be available:

Sigmund SEAL
Izzy from Phineas and Ferb Show
Gladys and the Peeps
DIY From Top to Bottom

Moose and Deer - this pattern will be re-released in November with only part of what it has now

Snappy Assistant

Many of you know I have an assistant named Brooklyn. I finally gave in a few months ago and "hired" someone to help around the shop. After "interviewing" many candidates, we felt like she was the right choice. Well, she IS a great addition...just not as helpful as I had hoped.

"Brooklyn, the New York-ie" is a toy Yorkie and was born in march, 2012. Her best friend, Tonka, is a 100 lb Rottweiler and K-9 officer for Box Elder County Sheriff's Dept in Northern Utah. Brookie RULES the house. Weighing in at just under 4lbs. she definitely thinks she is the toughest dog in the house.

Occasionally I share pix of her on facebook and I get emails asking about different things she wears and if I will be making a line of outfits for her. Since she has developed her own following I have decided to let her have her own spot on the blog. Gotta find something she will be productive with because so far she sleeps instead of working on samples or patterns.

She says she can't type but I find bookmarks to all kinds of dog sites. She wants to share some of her favorites with other snappy dogs. Her FAVORITE doggy label is Posh Pooch. She has a few dresses and even had a Snappy Sweater designed just for her! (Thank you again Posh Pooch)
She has received some AMAZING hand made things from snappy friends. Here are some:

A perfect party dress to celebrate my birthday. Her first handmade dress, by Rhonda from Hagood Handmades

Two frilly dresses from Ashley at Khy's Closet. She definitely turns heads with these. Patterns by Posh Pooch.

Brookie is still in diva training and still thinks hairbows are things to eat, but look how adorable she is wearing one of the many amazing things handmade by Margaret Worman.

She also LOVES her Gooby Dog Hoodie from My Doggie's Closet. Thank you! It was the perfect outfit for Yellowstone.

Blogs are like glue

Facebook and I have a love/hate relationship. Ever feel like you are on a giant game of hide and seek? You look for something you KNOW you saw posted and it hides from you? I get asked the same questions over and over so I have decided to start using my blog more, giving a more concrete place for items such as announcements, giveaways, crochet a longs, etc. I have tried a gazillion different shops and blogs over the past year, searching for the best and feel comfortable with the set up I have right now.

THANK YOU to amazing people who give advice, help and encouragement on a daily basis. The past year has been a MIRACLE and I will never, ever be able to thank you all enough.

Let's take a trip around the blog:
First stop, Mr. Chesh' "A Cat's Eye Review". Our quirky, snappy cat will be sharing reviews of popular products based on information collected from Snappy friends. Occasionally he will hold giveaways for the products or give away patterns.

Next, I do have a newsletter sign up form, thingy. Have you signed up and missed getting newsletters? hmm, probably because I haven't sent many. I am going to play with this and send them more often to keep all my wonderful peeps updated. But, the BEST way to make sure you stay updated with all my weirdness is to sign up for "email updates". If something is posted on the blog, you will receive an auto email. If you sign up, make sure you look for a verification email so it will be activated.

Links to current "events" are on the right side of the home page. You will also find portals (yep, those little circles...so take a deep breath and jump through them) to important snappy spots like facebook, pinterest and youtube.
The front door to my shop is top left, but if you are wanting to shop by department, click on "patterns" from the top tabs and you will see categories for the snappy line. This is still a work in progress.

Enjoy your day. Only a few months left before Christmas so lets drink in each moment and cherish life.

New pattern giveaway

Wolfie the werewolf pattern coming soon! Enter below for a chance to win. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

October Event

Have you noticed the world has a touch of pink all over? October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it is great to see so many trying to bring awareness to finding a cure.
Instead of a contest for October, I would like to encourage snappy friends to get involved too.

It only takes a moment to touch someone's heart and help bring hope into someone's life. 

Give a handmade item (see description below) to a cancer survivor (ANY kind of cancer),  post a picture on my facebook page by OCTOBER 28th, along with a short description/story about what you did and receive a free pattern of your choice. PLUS, be entered to win more prizes!

Ways to give (choose from any of these):

• Give a handmade item to a friend or family member who has been affected by breast cancer or ANY cancer. We are celebrating all survivors. 
• Give a handmade item to someone as encouragement to get a mammogram.
• Donate a handmade item to a hospital or cancer awareness event.
• Donate a handmade item to a children's ward.

How to receive a free snappy pattern: take a picture of you giving an item and post it and a description on Snappy Tots. Then, email heidi and let her know which pattern you would like.
Additional winners will be chosen to receive more prizes too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Handmade Item" = a crocheted, knit or sewn item made from any pattern.
Questions: Contact Heidi.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope you will enjoy this free pattern, "Wrapped in Hope"

Source: Wrapped in Hope Scarf via snappy tots on Craftsy

 

Here are some great free patterns you may want to use:

~ ~ ~ ~ Crochet ~ ~ ~ ~

Ribbons:

• Outlined Ribbon
• Awareness Ribbon
• Another Ribbon 

Hats: 

• Basic Beanie
• Boobie Beanie  
• Chemo Cap
• Whimsy Beanie
• Slouchy Hat with Awareness Ribbon (follows a graph)

Scarves:

• Hope Scarf
• Muffler
• Ruffle Scarf 
• Tickled Pink Scarf ...Heidi's FAVE!

Miscellaneous:

• Coffee Cozy ...how about boosting someone's day by dressing up their favorite drink.
• Another Cozy 
• Cute Purse
• Square/wash cloth (follows a graph)

~ ~ ~ ~ KNIT ~ ~ ~ ~

Hats:

• Beanie with ribbons 

Miscellaneous:

• Cloth for a cure

~ ~ ~ ~ PLACES TO DONATE ITEMS~ ~ ~ ~ 

Crochet for Cancer

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Look at this wonderful creation by Tammy Rollston:

I love the wings behind the ribbon. They are an Everlaughter design. She has graciously offered a discount on the pattern to anyone wanting to add wings to their project. Please contact her for more info. Hat is made from Snappy Tots' Moody Bear pattern.

Questions you may have:
Does the item have to be made from a Snappy Tots pattern? No.
Does the item have to be pink? No. Any color, any pattern.
Can we donate the item to a survivor of a different cancer? YES!

If you would like to attach a ribbon of a different color, here are some meanings:
Lavender- all cancer awareness colour
Pink- Breast Cancer
Silver/ Teal- gynocological cancers (ovaries
Grey- Brain
Orange- Leukemia & Kidney
Yellow- Bone/ osteosarcoma
Gold- Childhood cancers
Violet- Hodgkin's & Lymphoma
Pink & Blue- Male Breast cancer and Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Jade- Liver cancer (Asian & Pacific Communities)
Black- Melanoma
Pearl/White/ Clear- Lung Cancer
Blue- Colon
Purple- Oancreatic
Periwinkle- esophogeal 
Brown-colon & colorectal
Pink and Red- cervical cancer
Sky blue- prostate 

More colors can be found here. 

New pattern giveaway

In case you haven't heard...I LOVE Halloween. Probably because it was a huge holiday around our home growing up plus the colors are the BEST. I love the addition of lime green and purples. It also is my most favorite time of year.
I designed this pattern to incorporate lots of fun characters this time of year, but the pattern has TONS of possibilities!
Includes sizes newborn to adult and can be made as a regular (one tier) beanie, or with 2 or 3 tiers. 
This will be the featured pattern for November to encourage people to use their creativity. Below are a couple from wonderful testers. More will be added this weekend.
The pattern will be for sale Sunday, 10/12/12. Please enter below for a chance to win this pattern.

Pumpkin Pile by Snappy Tots

Ice Cream by Debbie Asbury

Caramel Apple by Hook'd on You

Candy Corn by Pineapples N' Coconuts

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teddy Bear Day

Today has been National Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day! What a fun day and I almost missed it!
To celebrate, I have listed a few of my teddy bears for only $1.99. Sale price will be available until 11:59pm mt on 10/11/12.

Mr. Twiddles
Miss Patoola
Moody Bear
Fuzzy Wuzzy

Furball Winners

THANK YOU contestants!!!
EVERY single entry was FAN-burbilicious-TASTIC!

Thank you to Tera from Trifles N Treasures for joining the contest and also giving pattern prizes too!

The verdict is still out on whether we will use the contest site again. It had some pros but also some cons. I like people being able to vote for more than one favorite and I also like the contest being more anonymous then this was.

Here are the winners and their prizes (from both shops):

First place (3 patterns of choice): Toil and Trouble
Second place (2 patterns of choice): Furbies for EVERYONE!!
Third place (1 pattern of choice): Bright light, bright light...

By category, winners receive one free pattern of choice (from both shops):

Best Effort: Fun with furball
Alter Ego: And you thought Tribbles were trouble
Creative Photography: Trick or Treat
Snappiest: Cheshire Furb
Scariest: Count Furbula treat bag
Coolest: Fuzzy Penguin

Randomly chosen to receive one free pattern of choice (from both shops):

Furballs Pumpkin Patch
Chloe's Furball Beanie
Basket of Fur
Furballs Dress Up as Alice and Chesh

All of the 9 judges had a VERY hard time choosing winners because ALL entries were incredible. 

Winners: please email heidi@snappy-tots.com and tnt.biz2009@yahoo.com with your pattern choices.

Random Winners

THANK YOU to everyone who posts pictures on Ravelry. This is an awesome feature and super helpful to those looking for ideas and also helps me see how the pattern is working.
Randomly I will pick people to receive a free pattern of their choice as a thank you for taking the time to share creations.
Here are the latest winners:
Quick Mitts by Anamyers
Ozzie the octopus by Lile500
Blue Jeans and Mr. Squishy Frog by Shallsson
Baby Bumble by COcoStar
Tutu Purse by tracy30240

I will try to pick some winners every couple of weeks. I appreciate the time it takes to share your creations. I LOVE seeing them...and so do LOTS of people.

Mission: turn a bird into a present

Here is the before:

A funky ice cube bird...but look how fun the makeover turned out:

This recreation is by Joanne Grimm Thompson of Grammy Jos Lids. She added a beautiful bow, from the new Wickida Witch Hat pattern and the white ribbon is from Frankie's Bride pattern. This is adorable!...and you would never know it was a bird in disguise.

This recreation is by Stacy Dilts. She used the bow from the With Hat pattern as well and I love how fun the colors are. 

I REALLY appreciate all of the help these ladies and others provide on my behalf. I have a few more pix to show of this remake and will post them shortly.

New patterns...and a surprise!

Two new patterns released...and an old one brought back for a short time.

Now for sale!

Now for sale! 

By request, the brain is back for the month of October and its FREE with any purchase (or $3.99 by itself)! Just add it to your cart when checking out. No coupon needed.