Happpy New Years

Enter for a chance to win ALL patterns released in 2013. 
How to enter:

• Follow instructions on rafflecopter below
• Comment on this post...make sure to leave your email address.
• Purchase from shop.snappy-tots.com between 12/31/12-1/4/13

3 winners will be chosen...one from each option

a Rafflecopter giveaway Thank you for supporting Snappy Tots in 2012. LOTS of freebies, contests, new patterns and events coming. Let's make this the best year ever!

Gift Certificates/Punch Cards

Save 50% on upcoming and current patterns!
Special ends 12/31/12 at 11:59 pm mt...but once purchased there is no expiration date.

I get a LOT of requests for gift certificates and frequent buyer programs. I have been looking into both for a few months. I have decided to do a form of "punch cards" which will be labeled "gift certificates". You may purchase a gift certificate, good for 4/$10 or 10/$20. After payment, you will receive a gift certificate similar to those shown.

You may choose to print the gift certificate and give to someone or send it as an email attachment.
If you would like it sent as a gift, please send me an email and I will customize your certificate.

After purchase is made, you (or recipient) must contact snappy tots by email to receive the patterns.  An account will be set up for each gift card purchased to keep track of how many patterns are claimed.
These certificates may be used at any time by THE RECIPIENT and are not to be used by more then one person.
No expiration date. Non-transferable, non refundable. No cash value. Good only at Snappy Tots.

Beanies for brave students

Due to a HUGE response we have exceeded our goal of 600 hats. If everyone sends all of the hats they say they have made then we will have enough. At this point please do not make anymore hats. Please send what you have. I will keep updating our count and let people know if more are needed.

Adult/faculty hats: We originally were going to start making hats specifically for the faculty in adult sizes. Since we have gone over our projected amount I am going to wait and see what comes in before we make anymore. With the soldier hats, even tho everyone uses the same pattern they come in a huge variety of sizes. I think we might end up with enough larger sized hats that can be used for the faculty. If not, then we can always open this back up and make more.

both were made as "child size". As you can see...hats end up in a variety of sizes.

At this time, 12/27/12, please send what you have made and do not make anymore.

THANK YOU so very much for your help!

If you are interested in making hats for soldiers, you will find information in this article. All soldier beanies MUST be black or DARK brown, washable and fit all guidelines as listed in the article. Due to military request, no loom hats are accepted.
Any hats made for soldiers which do not fit the guidelines (wrong color, wrong size, etc) will be donated to a charity.

2013 here we come!

Hard to believe another year will soon be over and we will start making resolutions and switching red and green on our hooks to pinks and red for Valentines. Speaking of Valentines....look below for fun "Snappytines" variations by snappy peeps.
With the new year, also comes more new snappy patterns. During the past 18 months we have grown, made changes to hopefully handle the growth more efficiently and added more testers to provide a better end product.
All of this came with some major growing pains. Because I give away a lot of patterns, hold contests and offer help with not only my own patterns, but with crochet in general, I receive a high volume of emails. After trial and error (a few times), I LOVE our new system. Plus, with the help of Ashly from Khy's Closet, email turn around time has gotten better.
This past summer we also closed the old snappy site and put all patterns on Ravelry. This was met with GREAT response. Most people LOVE the site and its many features.
So what's to come in the new year? More patterns of course...plus:
~ new and improved Birthday club (watch for info before 12/31/12)
~ monthly events...including contests and charity events.
~ 12 X 12 CAL (crochet along) each month...a different square each month, creating a blanket by December.
~ beanies for bravery is ongoing....beanies for Sandy Hook during January, then beanies for soldiers until April.

These are just a few of the fun things you will find with Snappy Tots. Make sure and sign up for notification emails (right side of this blog) to stay up to date on new releases, sales and more!

HUGE thank you from my family to yours. May the new year bring much happiness to you and those in your life.

All of these were made by Snappy friends, from Snappy Tots' patterns for a contest last year. I love seeing what people come up with. We have some super creative friends in snappy land.

Pixie Power

Since Thanksgiving people have been nominating friends, family and themselves to receive a free pattern. During the month of December 75 patterns were given away, with the last 25 listed below for a total of 100! 

Thanks to everyone who nominated someone. We received over 700 nominations! WOW! Most recipients were chosen randomly. Personal names were not listed. Instead, a "pixie name", chosen by the nominator, was assigned. This name was listed here on my blog to let the nominator know it had been chosen.

Thank you for helping me give away 100 patterns. I am sorry I couldn't send out 700 patterns. I do appreciate you filling out the form. 

The last 25:
Cinderella
Yarnaphobic
Frankencrocheter
Pat
Trixie
Purple Panda
Cindy lou who
Scrooge
Purl
Adrianna from ugana
bippity boo
Pixie Muffins
Tippy toe shoes
Elf ears
Curly locks
Jingle Kringle
Mrs. Claws
Kitty Knitty
Pickle Pants
Jezibel
Val
Marshmallow momma
Delirious
Bamma Jamma
Ginger

More Pixie Patterns

To celebrate the holiday season, some outstanding, super snappy friends have been nominated to receive a free Snappy Tots pattern. Our Snappy Pixie visited several people, delivering them a special note.
25 more pixies:

Elf Nissa
Razzle Dazzle
Blondiev
Crafty Girl
Jalobby Bobakins
Cardinal Pixie
Cupcakes
Whittle Willow
Silver Bells
Country Momma Pixie
Pixie Gray Squirrel
B Pixie
Tom Tom
Tink
Blinkers
Rayleah
Miss Mousie
Kerliloks
Julzee
Ombi
Piglet
Twix a licious
Dingaling
Jack be nimble
the purple queen
  

25 more to come...stay tuned.
  
   

Once upon a Christmas

One of my favorite traditions at Christmas is reading stories with my kids. Hayden is almost six and this is a very magical year for him. We have a great collection of Christmas books, both old and new.
Tonight Hayden chose this book from the basket. It is new to us and an instant favorite.
It is a wonderful reminder of the true meaning and importance of the season.

Pixie Fairy Makes a Visit

To celebrate the holiday season, some outstanding, super snappy friends have been nominated to receive a free Snappy Tots pattern. Our Snappy Pixie visited several people, delivering them a special note.
So far 29 people have received free patterns. We have LOTS more to give out!
21 more have been chosen. They are listed by their pixie names so those who nominated them will know they were chosen.

Sasafrass
Princess Pickle feet
Daisy Dot
Mama Grouch
Tink
Fairy Godmommy
Sugar plum princess
Hook'd on patterns
Sissy
Queen of spinning
Serenity
Snowflake Queen
Pixie Dust
Gumdrop
Sugar and Spice
Jolly Molly
Miss Marple
Heavenly Helper
Snappy Addict
Nemo
Chica Bonita
       
Would you like to nominate someone to receive a free pattern of their choice? Please fill out the pixie form. 

Beanies for Brave Students

As part of our "beanies for bravery project" we will be focusing on the survivors of Sandy Hook Elementary for the month of January.

Instead of making soldier beanies, we will try to reach a goal of 600 hats for the students.
It is VERY important you follow guidelines. Over the past 16 months 1200+ beanies have been shipped to soldiers in Afghanistan and surrounding areas and I have learned A LOT along the way.


ALL BEANIES must be as similar as possible. We do not want ANY student feeling bad because they did not receive the hat with "extras".
Therefore, please stick to plain beanies in GREEN, WHITE or GREEN AND WHITE STRIPES. A free pattern with all necessary info will be posted. PLEASE read through it thoroughly. It will answer many of your questions.

What shade of green, you might ask? This one, from Red Heart Yarn, is perfect! Please try to use something similar.

Red Heart With Love Yarn "Clover"

Yes, there will be a variety of sizes needed, but I found the soldier hats always come in various sizes even though strict measurements were given. I am confident we can do this. Most kids can wear similar sizes.

Guidelines: Please read through the "Sandy Hook BFB" pattern and guideline sheet 

Here are some important notes also listed on that sheet:
All beanies must be regular beanies. NO earflaps, NO mohawks, NO flowers. I know it would be fun to do little extras but with large of a group it is important to keep them similar/equal.

Ship beanies to me, postmarked before January 31, 2013. (address is on the sheet listed above.

If you have questions please email heidi@ snappy-tots.com, subject "bfb".

Shipping Cost: when we get closer to shipping time, I will be asking for people to "adopt a box" and help pay shipping. Each box will cost approximately $15.00 to ship and there will be at least 20 boxes (we have gotten to be pros on squeezing as many beanies in a box as possible). 

FACEBOOK GROUP

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

Another way to help: Two wonderful ladies are collecting 6" squares to put memory blankets together for the families of the victims. Squares are easy and quick to make. Please support their project as well.

Memory Blankets for CT Families

SQUARES!!!!!

5 months
82 boxes
17 rolls of tape!
4560 squares!

83 people
31 states
3 countries
$1189.25 in return shipping (paid by participants)
Average shipping cost $11.50
Most expensive shipping $48.00
Furthest traveled:  Miles: 4663.95 (Kilometers: 7505.70)

HUGE thank you to each and every single person who made squares and helped in anyway. I appreciate you all very much and will cherish my blanket forever.

I have LOVED this project

Mr. Chesh did NOT like sharing the project with Brookie. My two assistants do not share the spotlight well.

Will we do this again? hmmm, possibly in the spring. Watch for info.

SALE

This sale has ended. Thank you for supporting snappy tots. Watch for more specials and new releases to come.

It's almost Santa time

Everyone needs a Santa hat this time of year and what a better way then to make your own! I remember my two oldest wearing Santa hats for band concerts. I designed this version last year and I have seen a lot of really cute versions.

If you make a hat from this pattern and post a picture on my Snappy FB page before 12/20/12, you will be entered to win a free pattern of your choice. INE ENTRY PER PERSON PLEASE.

Wacky sweaters

Last year my hubby talked us into wearing "ugly Christmas sweaters". It was so fun that this year we have talked both sides of the family into wearing these festive sweaters. Our five year old gets upset everytime we mention him wearing an ugly sweater. He wants to wear his cute reindeer sweater from last (with a great crocheted reindeer on the front from our friend, Rebecca Brockbank). So, my mom has renamed the event, "Wacky Sweater Party". I can't wait to post pix of us wearing our awesome fashions. Mine is sure to win! Of course it is PINK!!
Yesterday I posted this variation of my witch's cauldron, by Joanne of Grammy Jos Lids. As I was looking at it today I thought, "that would make the most PERFECT hat for my hubby to wear to the party!". It is definitely wacky!

click here for pattern site. On sale for only $1.99 today, 12/9/12

 Instructions for making this hat have been included. Ever since I saw Beth Weldon's version I knew we had to have it in the pattern. I REALLY appreciate her letting me use her idea.

Testers are a gift!

A month ago or so I posted for people to email me if interested in testing for me. I did not expect the HUGE response and want those people to know I am still thinking about a few different options. I did pick up a few people whom I have gotten to know over the past year. I also have tried a few different project specific test groups and am thinking I might continue to do things like that in the new year. Those of you who test for designers please give yourself a giant gold star on your forehead because you rock!!!!
Right now there are approximately 25 people working on a ginormous project for me and I am so incredibly honored to have them taking time out of their busy lives to do this...not to mention the expense of the yarn they needed.
I hope you know how much you ALL are appreciated.
Watch for more info on testing projects to come in January.

New Pattern Coming Soon

This little Winter Mouse makes me giggle everytime I look at that sweet face. Complete with winter boots, scarf and hat of her own, this new design would make a great shelf sitter decoration too! Change the colors for a boy version or in Christmas colors.

...and the WINNER IS: Tessa Wright! Congratulations! Thank you to everyone that entered.
(Tessa please send an email for your pattern.)

Winners

Everyone that entered the Stackables Contest for November will receive a free pattern of their choice! All entries were amazing, as always. HUMUNGOUS thank you to each and every person who took time to create a wonderful entry and stage fun pix. Contestants, please email heidi@snappy-tots.com and let me know which pattern you would like.
The three entries with the most votes are listed below with their prizes...in addition to the free one for entering.

FIRST PLACE! Winner of 3 patterns
Sumi Funayama

SECOND PLACE! Winner of 2 patterns
Gail Drenzek

THIRD PLACE! Winner of 1 pattern
Ashley Berard

Chance to win

December Giveaways Featuring Snappy Tots Patterns

Enter to win free snappy patterns. Follow the links and read the guidelines.
These giveaways do expire so please check the dates. Snappy Tots is not responsible for the outcome of each giveaway.

The Hat Factory's Grand December Giveaway, from Dec 1-10th
~ Enter to win 10 free patterns of your choice.

Pattern of the day

It's the Christmas season and everyone enjoyed having a lot of "patterns of the day" yesterday so...Let's do it again....

TEN patterns for only $1.99 each TODAY

 

Click here for PATTERN.
One of my favorites! Makes a cute pony or unicorn too.

Click here for PATTERN.

Click here for PATTERN.

Click here for PATTERN.
He makes a great old man too!

Click here for PATTERN.
The monkey face is fun added to your favorite hat also. This is an adjustable headband-scarf combo.

Click here for PATTERN.
Instructions for all interchangeable pieces included, plus a stuffy version too!

Click here for PATTERN.

Click here for PATTERN.

Click here for PATTERN.

Click here for PATTERN.

On the first day of Christmas...

...and so it begins...25 days til Christmas starts today!! Time to turn Christmas music on and hang an ornament on your advent calendar.
This time last year some great friends introduced me to Pandora and I am HOOKED! It's what's playing while I run, while I work on my computer and it will fill our house with Christmas music this year...unless you are in the garage while Brandon has the Sirius radio Christmas channel blaring.
We are super excited for the holidays this year, even more then usual. Our youngest is five (will be 6 right after Christmas), our oldest will be home on leave from the army and my sister's family, whom we haven't seen in years will be here for a WEEK! YAY!

So, let's get this party started! Whether you LOVE the holidays like I do, or are a grinch at heart, try doing something fun each day. Here are some ideas:

GIVE

Remember the true meaning of Christmas and help others.
Buy food for a homeless person (or someone in need).  This does not have to be expensive. $5 should cover lunch.
We all see people standing with signs, needing help. One popular place for people to stand in my town is close to a Subway restaurant. I have thought about getting a few $10 gift cards and giving those. Look around for ways to help others.

Play

This fun Virtual Countdown Calendar features a different thing to make or do with kids each day.

Santa sent an elf to our house again this year. Based on "The Elf on the Shelf", we found a plushy (MUCH cheaper) elf and attached a note from Santa. He will keep coming for short visits, then reporting back to Santa. Its a GREAT way to keep little ones "being good" during this exciting time of year.
Here are some awesome ideas for elf adventures: 101 Elf on the shelf ideas; Fun Ideas; Pinterest Board; Gift ideas for elf to bring

Birthday Sale

Happpy Birthday to my oldest son, Nic. He is currently serving in the U.S. Army. I am super proud of him and hope he has the best birthday ever.
To celebrate his big day, I am offering both of my cake hats as the pattern of the day for only $1.99 each. Sale price expires at 11:59pm mt so grab them while you can!

A puffy cupcake hat is perfect for bringing sweetness into anyone's life. This works up quickly and is super cute in almost any yarn. Only $1.99 today.

My Seuss-ish Birthday Cake is one of my all time favorite designs. I LOVE seeing wonderful creations people have come up with from this pattern. Only $1.99 today.