Beanies for brave students

This project has been bitter sweet. Of course I wish we had never heard of sandy hook and hadn't become so attached to this project but I am grateful for those who quickly and almost with a sense of urgency made and sent beanies.
I took several pictures as I sorted and packed beanies because I know many would like to have shared in this process as well. Over the next few days I will post more.
The hats came in several different sizes, in a variety of colors and patterns. I wanted to make receiving an passing these out as easy as possible so all were sorted into three sizes: small, medium and large.
This is in the early stages of packing.

Rockin' Out The Projects

Time to check in an let us see what you are working on. Join our facebook event and share a picture (one per person please) and description of what you are working on. These are projects for Christmas presents, not just current things you are doing for orders. The point of this project is to encourage everyone, especially myself, to work on Christmas gifts a little each month.
In addition to our monthly sign in events, I am setting up a Ravelry group so we can keep in contact all month long and share tips, ideas, suggestions, etc. This will also be a way for those continually working on things to be rewarded as well. I should have the group finished really soon and will post the link for those that want to join. It is totally optional and up to you if you want to join.
Keep up the great work! I am excited to see what you have been doing.

Haven't started yet or have no idea what I am talking about? Check out past posts and get started today! Each month I will randomly give away things too.

Earflaps

Over the past two years I have tried a few different ways to write/make ear flaps on hats. I will be going back through patterns and updating to clarify, always working for the best experience for my snappy peeps.
This is my pattern for earflaps:
Earflaps: Fold hat in half. On right side of hat, attach yarn with a sl st to one side.
Start with the appropriate size:
2-5T: Ch 2, hdc 11
Child: Ch 2, hdc 12
Preteen/teen: Ch 2, hdc 13
Teen/adult: Ch 2, hdc 14

After first row of hdc as listed above, follow these instructions for all sizes: Ch 2, turn, *hdc in next st, hdc in each st across until 2sts remain, hdc2tog, ch 2, turn*. Repeat until 2 sts remain. Finish off.

Help Note: By starting each row of earflap in “next” st, it is the same as a decrease. If preferred, start with “hdc2tog” in turning st and next st.

Fold hat in half to find placement for 2nd earflap. It should start exactly across from the first flap. Starting on the RS of the hat, attach yarn and follow directions for earflap.

Attach yarn to center back of hat. Ch 1, sc around bottom edge of hat, working 2sc in each earflap tip, sl st to join. Finish off and weave in ends. Attach braids if desired.

Donations for a good cause

A Snappy friend is collecting hats for a wonderful cause and would love your help. Please read below and contact Kristin if you have any questions.

"I'm currently trying to crochet as many simple pattern beanies as I can to donate to the cancer center that treated a friend of mine. Sadly to say, she passed last week from brain cancer that she had been fighting for 4 years. She was 31 years young and was an amazing person. She left behind her 5 year old son and husband and hundreds of friends.

The cancer center that treated my friend was Duke University. I would like to donate as many simple beanies to that center for chemo/cancer patients as possible. I'd like to have all the donations to send by March 5th or around that time as close as we can get.

My friends name was Rachelle Porter Mahoney. There was a news write up about her struggle about 2 years ago. She was an elementary school teacher in Hollywood Florida. All I'm asking is for anyone that has an extra moment to even make one hat, it would be extremely appreciated. I would like to donate them in her and her sons name, Caedin.

Again, I know that everyone is very busy. I, again, am very appreciative of anything that anyone would like to help with. Also, her animal was the giraffe. Her motto was "standing tall thru it all". I would have any donations sent to me, and I then would give them to another friend who is in charge of Rachelle's Will. She would then send them to Duke. thank you for taking the time to read about my friend. Kristin"

Adopt a Box

Please help pay to ship beanies to Sandy Hook Elementary.
Sign up on the form at THIS LINK. There are 45 spots available.

If you would like to adopt a box:

• Fill out one of the pink lines with name and email adress.
• Send $15.00 through paypal to brandonandheidi@msn.com by 2/22/13.
• Please do NOT change or remove any information posted by others.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! Everyone that adopts a box will receive 2 free patterns from Snappy Tots during the month of March.

Click HERE for more information.

Sandy Hook Beanies

The time is finally here to ship all of the beanies to Sandy Hook Elementary! The school was flooded with donations during the weeks following the tragedy and we were asked to hold our shipment until after mid February.

I am beyond excited for them to receive these beautiful hats. We more then doubled our goal of 600, collecting 1560 hats! I will forever be thankful for every person involved in this project including everyone who made and shipped hats, those who spread the word, the many people who paid for yarn and shipping for others to make hats and every single person who has prayed for the people of Newton, CT and all those affected. Of course we wish this tragedy had never happened and never had the need for this project.

From the beginning of the project people have offered to help with shipping. Since the hats have been collected under my organization "Beanies for Bravery" we cannot accept donations. It has been suggested people "adopt a box", literally paying to ship individual boxes instead. On Wednesday, 2/20/13 at 3pm mt (5pm eastern) I will post a sign up sheet and information for purchasing labels. We will be shipping approximately 50 boxes at $15.00 each.Some labels have already been paid for...THANK YOU to those individuals!

Shipping FAQ answers:

• We have shipped over 1400 beanies to soldiers and have found the most efficient way to pack beanies, allowing the most in a box possible (approximately 30-35 per box).
• We packed one large USPS flat rate shipping box and a regular box of equal size and took both to the post office to see which would be cheapest shipping. Because they will be shipped from Utah, USPS flat rate is cheaper. We took the same regular box to UPS and it was quite a bit more then the flat rate box.
• Each box will include a letter, thanking Sandy Hook for letting us send the beanies and information about the project (states and countries they came from, etc).

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! I am very honored to have been part of this project. I appreciate all of the wonderful letters and fun items sent with the hats. I will share pictures of the packing and shipping process, as well as any I receive from my contact at the school.

Winners!

Several people entered to win free patterns this past weekend. All winners listed below need to email heidi@snappy-tots.com and let me know which pattern they would like. Here are the winners: Here is a complete list of winners to receive one free pattern of choice: Myrtle Dell, Natasha Hudgins, Melissa Silver, Lisa McCann, Lindsay Conley, Elaine Sumner, Jeannie Waltz-Richards, Candice Capps Wharton, Margarten Worman, Yvette Wilson Manley, Sandra Fisher, Danica Stevanovic Walker, Linda Lafferty, Kate Coleman Richards, Jodi Mattice Winterton, Denise McCaskill, Jamie Beard Burns, Peggy Rimback Spain, Kelly Kiser, Crystal Bucholz, Melissa Lodahl, Steff Walker, Candice Redekopp, Olivia Yeupell, Aledria Lay Brown.

Two people were randomly chosen to receive the next 3 new releases. They are:

SALE time

SALE-ebrate with Snappy peeps!
Save 35% off your purchase from my ravelry shop until Sunday night, 2/17/13, midnight mt. No coupon needed. I hope you will find lots of fun new projects to work on.
Along with big savings, every purchase will be entered for a chance to win the next 3 new releases coming this month.
More ways to win too:
"like" Snappy Tots on facebook, then enter the drawing below.
Find the post on Snappy Tots that mentions the Valentine's Sale, share it and post that you did for another chance to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
More ways to win free patterns! Visit these snappy peeps who participated in the Snappytines contest, "like" their page and leave a post saying snappy tots sent you. All weekend I will be randomly visiting their pages, looking for your posts and giving away patterns!
While you are there, check out their wonderful things. Several are having sales and giveaways too! (sale dates for these shops vary by shop so please check their info).
All About Glam - 25% off Etsy shop
Crochet Creations by Rachel
Custom Crochet by Anna
Get Hooked
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Grammy Jo Lids - 50% off patterns, RTS sale & more
Hatch-ed With Love - BOGO pattern sale
Jaime D. Designs - 50% off sale
Jbell's Creations
Just a minute I am in the middle of a stitch - free shipping
Khy's Closet - 35% off patterns and ready made, plus giveaways
Kustom Stitches - free shipping
Little Pink Thread
Live, Laugh, Love Crochet
Loop de Loop Crochet Creations - free shipping
Mommiknits - 10% off Etsy shop
My Love Affair With Yarn
Neesie's Knickknacks
Pigs Crafts - Lots of items on sale
Rich's Stitches
Steffs Simple Stitches
The Crocheting B
Too Yarn Cute Crochet Designs - 60% off until 2/15/13
Wild Pixies' Creations
You Drive Me Crafty

Project Time

Red Heart Tree Skirt

I worked on the tree skirt today. I was debating on changing to traditional Christmas colors after completing the first block...because it is kind of a frightening color combination and those skeins are not living harmoniously in the tote. Snappy peeps had mixed thoughts on the subject so after much consideration...actually, more laziness and cheapness then anything...I have decided to stick with the original plan and use the colors as listed in the pattern. I already have the skeins. I have one block made and what would I do with a trapezoid granny? So on we go...
The pattern lists instructions for one block, listing a color code to follow. To save time down the road I decided to create a cheat sheet rather then hunt for which letter I should be on each time. 

This has saved oodles of time. Once you get to the third round you do the same thing each time so its one of those no-brainer projects, great for working on when distractions (aka family) are in the room.

 I have finished three squares...well, kind of square-ish/trapezoidal shapes. I put each in a numbered baggie to make final assembly easier.

I decided to start the "inner ring". I wasn't going to do this until last, but noticed it has like 14 rows so I better add it to the monthly "to do" list.

 

So as far as my "Rockin' out the Christmas projects" goes this month, I can check off "work on tree skirt". I only finished one slipper last month...nope, not one "pair", just one lonely slipper...so I need to finish the other one and make another pair of slippers. I have done a GREAT job of collecting patterns I want to try on my slipper quest. Hmmm, I think I will do Doris Chan's Slippers...since I seem to have an addiction to ganny squares lately. Maybe this year should be the year of the granny square. ...that sounds much more pleasant then the year of the snake.
Are you working on things each month? If so, watch for a check in around the 24th of each month on my facebook page for a chance to win awesome prizes. Last month two winners won Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hooks!

My "me" project

This year I have many large projects going at once. Each month I am working on slippers to give as Christmas presents, I am making a few 12x12" blocks for an afghan, I am making a new tree skirt because I desperately need one plus I am making a flag afghan for my front room.
After looking through patterns I have decided to combine a few.
I had a hard time deciding if I wanted traditional red, white and blue or more country/antiqued tones of cranberry, cream and navy. I finally went back to my days as a tole painter and decided to create a shaded look to the stripes, starting with light then moving to bright tones and finally deeper reds and blues. For the white stripes I started with white plus off white (since this is work holding two strands) and gradually ended up with light tans. I love how it is turning out so far. I am changing every eight to ten rows.

Snappytines Winners!

We received 69 entries for this year's "Snappytines" Contest! All were amazing and fun to see. I appreciate each person who took time to create something from my patterns to enter. Every entry wins one free pattern because they all deserve to win!
Voting was open for 3 days and it was a close race and several entries received over 70 votes!

The top 3 winners are:

FIRST PLACE (3 patterns) ~ Ariana Mejia, modeling her "Semi Love Truck/Optimus Hat"

SECOND PLACE (2 patterns) ~ JoAnne Thompson, with her sweet Crazy Drummer

THIRD PLACE (1 pattern) ~ Ashley Berard, Sweetheart Beanie Bug

A panel of judges gave out the following awards:

Above and Beyond
Beth Williamson! 2 patterns.

Most Elegant
Tracy Settle ~ 1 pattern

Creative Use of Pattern Pieces
Laura Weatherford ~ 1 pattern

Outstanding Theme
Regina Young ~ 1 pattern

Outstanding Theme
Donna McGonigal ~ 1 pattern

Judge Favorite
Karrie Healy ~ 2 patterns

Judge Top Pick
Kerry Dilts ~ 1 pattern

Judge Top Pick
Jessie Dodson ~ 1 pattern

Judges thought this made a great Valentine!
Stephanie Nelson ~ 1 pattern

Blessed by caring hearts

As of 3/4/13, 1543 beanies have arrived from 40 states and 4 countries!
 

Qty	Name	Location
3	Tiana Baker	*Canada
1	Christine Tiesbrecht	*Canada
6	Shaunna Hallsson	*Canada
2	Brenda Sheydwasser	*Canada
12	Kelly Thies	*Canada
2	Tammy O'Sullivan	*Canada
4	M & J Vandenberg	*Canada
2	Melanie McCann	*Canada
7	Marianne Vanesbroeck	*Canada
3	Jennifer Holmes	*Canada
7	Elizabeth Aylward	*S Africa
2	Carly Mailing	*UK
1	Darlene Tasso	AL
3	April White	AL
3	Diane White	AL
6	Julie Eve	AL
5	Amber Wright	AL
6	Lee Becker	AL
2	Heidi Kittelson	AR
2	Jana Bichara	AR
1	Michele Travis	AZ
1	Jennifer Sharp	AZ
1	Kimberly DeMoise	AZ
1	Andrea Palmer	AZ
10	Amy McConnell Heiman	AZ
1	Susan Foote	CA
1	Lisa Smith	CA
2	Angie Hale	CA
6	Karen Anderson	CA
10	Becky Milton	CA
6	Britt Null	CA
2	Sherry Conrad	CA
2	Tia Arcand	CA
9	Mitchell	CA
5	Glee Martin	CA
3	Terri Kent	CA
1	Stace Walker	CA
1	Evelene Sterling	CA
5	D Houck & D MacMahon	CA
1	Irene Peji	CA
7	Trina Phillips	CA
4	Amy Jeans	CA
8	Karen Zakaria	CA
1	Jenn Corce	CA
2	Katrina Goodwin	CA
3	Loida Detwiler	CA
7	Gaby Mullen	CA
2	L Takayesu	CA
8	Christine Davis	CA
2	Allison Gonzalez	CA
3	L Takayesu	CA
6	Vanessa Pedrego	CA
6	Brenda Churchwell	CA
3	Maria Dorantes	CA
4	Phi Nguyen	CA
4	Nancy Gambill	CA
8	Gillon	CA
12	Tina Cole	CA
5	Sara Duggan	CA
38	Gladys DeJesus	CA
4	Valerie Shears	CA
1	Maria Protsyuk	CA
13	Sara Sach	CO
7	Amy Fox	CO
2	Brammer	CO
20	Jennifer Root	CO
1	McMillan Family	CO
6	H Norris & C Fine	CO
2	Sarah Shiver	CO
2	Stepahnie Turbiville	CT
11	Bonni Ojeda	CT
5	Ashley Berard	CT
2	Lisa Wolfel	FL
3	Justin Pennington	FL
1	Lisette Moore	FL
4	Nancy Howarth	FL
5	Theresa Bigler	GA
7	T Ontiveros	GA
6	Kelli Pedersen	IA
2	Shona Roeder	IA
7	Stacy Rhoads	IA
8	Riley	IA
6	Melissa Bradley	ID
1	Sara Schlismann	IL
7	Cherity Machnick	IL
4	Julie Kelly	IL
3	Velasquez	IL
3	Yeager	IL
10	Elizabeth Brown	IL
4	Danielle Harrison	IL
4	Regina Cook	IL
9	Deborah Anderson	IL
1	Leanne Greene	IN
1	Crochet by Carla	IN
12	Karen Stir	IN
3	Katie Sparks	IN
5	Rich	IN
3	Brenda Gudenschwager	IN
9	Jan Workman	IN
5	Jennifer Boucher	IN
1	Saundra	IN
1	Cheryl Speights	KS
11	Charlene Ricker	KS
13	Kathleene Carlos	KS
1	Billie Conrad	KY
10	Gabriele Medley	KY
7	Mary McAdoo	KY
6	Jessica Gomm	LA
5	Kay Avara	LA
5	Cindy Raymond	MA
6	Nancy Holden	MA
1	Mary Lou Giovetti	MA
3	Cortnee Wenerouiz	MA
1	J & Antonio Stuckey	MA
4	Lisa Romolo	MA
12	Gilberte Siras	ME
14	Tammy Rollston	MI
7	Mary Maxwell	MI
6	Anita Mills	MI
3	Cora Leibowitz	MI
2	Marge Burke	MI
3	Marie Woodman	MI
36	Susanna White Day	MI
14	Gwen Jenks Haney	MI
4	Christy Kelly	MI
12	Kristy Nawrocki	MI
10	Shannon Kilmartin	MN
1	Molly Liyan	MN?
5	Margaret Worman	MO
9	Danica Walker	MO
2	Tracy McDermott	MO
1	Linda Kaffer	MO
10	Jamie Bell	MO
3	B Brady	MO
2	Beth Williamson	MO
16	Helen Deines	MO
3	Bethany Brady	MO
9	Judy Hampton	MO
8	Melissa Johnson	MO
3	Melissa Lodahl	MT
5	Tanya Johnson	MT
3	Laura Gates	MT
2	Jacey Hermann	MT
4	Cyndi Hughes	NC
6	Julie Cheek	NC
6	Betty Plemmons	NC
4	Tina M	NC
2	unknown	NC
7	Linda Salant	NC
18	Dempsey/Denlea	NC
4	Peggy Elmore	NC
7	Angie Kuzel	NE
3	Amanda Pitschmann	NE
1	Beverly Cutsinger	NE
1	Brandy Holly	NE
6	Jenny Prickett	NE
20	Norma Davis	NJ
6	Joanne Thompson	NJ
2	R Rossi	NJ
6	Jodi Weiss	NJ
3	Stacie Rich	NJ
2	Elanie Anderson	NJ
5	Mt Butler	NJ
6	Ledlow Family	NM
8	Alaine Tingey	NV
1	Allison White	NY
3	Donna Danyluk	NY
2	Andrea Middleton	NY
4	Kristin Strack	NY
7	Parri Kosior	NY
3	Anita Cornetto	NY
2	Betty Harvey	NY
8	Sanchirico	NY
42	Stitch & Bitch Group	NY
4	Winnie Wong	NY
2	Jessica Ays	NY
6	Sumi Funayama	OH
6	Katy Shover	OH
3	Rachelle Rapp	OH
8	Stephanie Brodersen	OH
7	Aimee King	OH
1	Tdotson	OH
9	Brittig	OH
10	Elisabeth Spivey	OK
7	Chapman	OK
2	J Pillips	OK
10	Michelle Yarbrough	OK
5	Dawn Golden	OR
8	Christen Salinas	OR
5	C Breitbarth	OR
6	Jennifer Weavill	OR
3	Brooke Heinzer	OR
4	Zimmerman Family	OR
7	Waibel	OR
3	Kristine Breach	OR
2	Maggie Klein	PA
5	J Tabangcura	PA
1	Heather Windle	PA
12	Candis Bradshaw	PA
10	Rose	PA
3	Alyssa McConnell	PA
5	Melissa Piersol	PA
4	Debra Cain	PA
9	Alycia Dooley	PA
3	Ashley Weeks	PA
10	Lois Kline	PA
3	Clara Yoder	PA
6	Bobbie & Andrea Farally	PA
3	Kelly Heckman	PA
1	Shilo Hersman	RI
3	Jamie Burns	SC
16	Elizabeth Crosby	SC
5	Stitch @ Nite Group	TN
15	D Niemann	TX
5	Leah Curran	TX
2	Nena Booth	TX
2	Tiffany Schatz	TX
3	Kimberly McGarity	TX
10	Deanna Mattice	TX
4	Hannah Guillovy	TX
5	Anadel Luna	TX
10	Linda Andrews	TX
4	unknown	TX
10	Chrissy Herman group	TX
2	Kelli Arceneaux	TX
4	Corinne Mattinson	UT
17	Heidi Yates	UT
4	Stokes	UT
2	Nancy Goss	UT
13	Bond? (in person)	UT
1	Debbie Yates	UT
2	Saralena Haight	UT
6	Dayley	UT
7	Suzi Q Creations	UT
77	Paysha Lloyd	UT
9	Missy Foofalina	UT
4	Camille Tripp	UT
8	Carrie Adams	UT
3	Melissa Thomas	UT
7	Ladies of Knit Unique	UT
2	April Oostveen	UT
3	Coralie Rowley	VA
5	Jill Goynes	VA
15	Terry Graham	VA
1	Leigh Trinh	VA
2	Denham	VA
10	Misty Buchanan	VA
5	Laura Dodson	VA
2	Donna McGonigal	VA
1	Davis	VA
1	Cherie Klein	WA
2	Lynn Serrato	WA
1	Elizabeth Bauede	WA
1	Shannon Winbun	WA
4	Bridget Meredith	WA
6	Melanie Spaulding	WA
2	Laurie Manus	WA
3	Jennifer Hatch	WI
15	Angela Vanguilder	WI
3	J Koerper	WI
2	Lois Blanchard	WI
7	Brittani Meidl	WI
2	Gail Drenzek	WI
5	Jacky Limmer	WI
2	Riddel	WV
17	Unknown	?
1543		40 states
		4 countries
Also sent beanies for soldiers
2	Sumi Funayama
1	McMillan Family
3	Trina Phillips
1	Sterling
2	Margaret Worman
1	Marge Burke
1	Shaunna Hallsson
4	Danielle Harrison
4	Debbie Procek
4	Corinne Mattinson

Thank you to the MANY people who have made beautiful beanies for the students and faculty of Sandy Hook Elementary!  
Shipping: Since we have received over twice as many beanies as we had originally hoped for, a lot more postage will be needed. As we start to box up the beanies, I will be posting information about adopting a box to help cover shipping charges. Each box will cost approximately $15.00. Some already sent money and that will be applied to shipping. I appreciate your help in getting these sent. We will be sending approximately 30 large boxes (we have gotten to be PROS and squeezing the most hats in each box).