BLIZZARD !!!!!!!!!

Well I just wanted to stop by and let you all know that we are all OK . My family and I are all safe and sound in the house looking at the snow Falling down. The Blizzard that was wasn't really in my area, If you all can understand that. 

We were spared the worst of it. We got a nice amount of  snow but not as much as a lot of other places in the area. Right now we're just looking at the aftermath of what happened. Like I said earlier We were spared the worst. 

 

The plan for today is to spend some time with my family since the kids are out of school today and the hubby is off from work. Maybe go outside for a bit (YES JUST A BIT!) have a little look at the snow. throw some snowballs with the kids You know good winter fun LOL.  Then go inside make a nice warm meal and watch a good movie, Just have a good time as a family today . It,s Something we don't do often because of our busy schedules with work and school so this is a perfect way to get some time with the loves of my life. 

Now you all know who I am, I have to put in a bit of time working on my crochet. Even if it's just a couple of hours  I will crochet something today.  

I pulled out this skein of yarn  I think it's called  Wild Flower I't;s Red Heart Super Saver so I think that's my color for today.  This is what  I plain to do. I'm gonna carve out at least a couple hours, sit down on my bed tonight and make something really cute. Not sure what yet but  I do know it will be really cute  LOL . 

Well that's about it for now. Yeah I know it's a bit short but,  I just wanted to let everyone know that things are good here in this part of town. We are all OK.  There is one thing you all could do for me if you guys don't mind.  Could you  please do me this favor. If you are in an area that did get hit pretty bad please, check in on those that can't take care of themselves . The elderly, the sick. Just reach out and make sure that everything with them is OK . Make sure they have something to eat and that they have heat because it is really cold out there. So just reach out and lend a hand. Thanks again everyone and I'll talk to you  all later. 

A Pop of Color

I know that for a lot of people out there , "Myself included " the winter chill has gotten us  all in a funk. You just want to hop on a plane and go some where tropical. Where there's a lot of sun, sand and sit at  a place where they server cute drinks with tiny little umbrella's in them and wait out the winter frost. But for most of us that is just not possible because of our everyday lives. So here we stay to fight out the cold weather. Well let me  be here to help you out just a little bit. Let  me help to make  this winter a little warmer, at least in spirit. 

My little warm secret is this. COLOR, COLOR, COLOR Yes that's the secret, that's the magic word "COLOR" . Sometimes just by adding a simple pop of color to your wardrobe it can make you feel better and yes if you feel better the cold will not bother you as much and if it's not bothering you may feel a little warmer when you go out to do what you have to do each day.With a little pop of color added to your winter wardrobe you will not only feel good but you will also look good.  So here's a few of some of my favorite colorful piece that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :-) .


1. Cornmeal and Fiesta Side Brim Hat and Scarf Set 








This fantastic crochet mesh hat and scarf set can be worn from the fall all the way to the winter months. This set goes great with any outfit and the stylish side brim is a fashionable twist on the regular front brim. To make this hat truly stand out the matching scarf make a truly dramatic statement  that lets everyone know how you chose to fight off the winter blues. 

This color scheme of yellow, orange, and hot pink  reminds me of the warm summer sun. Who wouldn't want to have a piece of summer sun in this cold winter chill.

2. Light Raspberry and Pink Camo Shrug , Side Brim Hat and Wrist Warmers 

MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER AND PARTNER IN CRIME JAZZY 

This beautiful light raspberry shrug, hat and wrist warmer set. is a great little set to help you feel all toasty warm and bright in the chilly winter weather. The hat is another side brim hat that sets you a part from everyone else and I know how we all like to be set a part just a bit from everyone else . The cute little shrug can be placed under any jacket or coat to give you that add little bit of warmth in the cold weather. and when the weather becomes warmer get rid of the big coat and show that shrug off. The wrist warmer can be warn alone so you won't fumble trying to make a phone call or text or you can put a warm pair of gloves under them so they can give you add protection from old man winter.

This color scheme of raspberry, pinks, white and green  reminds me of the some of the beautiful spring flowers, Appleblossoms , Daisies , Roses , that I love to purchase at my local floral shop. I love these gorgeous colors of spring it gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. 

3. Granny Bottom Turquoise Bag with Matching Hand Clutch 







This extra large "Granny Square Bottom Bag" Done in this gorgeous color turquoise and beautiful black trim is great for every day use or it can be used as a great little weekend tote for when you don't want a heavy piece of luggage.  The matching clutch can be used with the granny bottom bag or it can be used separate if you just need a little something to carry your ID's and credit cards. 

Sometimes all you need to get you out of your winter dull drums is to find the right bag . That little piece of color to brighten your day. With this great bag you can brighten your day and the people around you as well.  

This color scheme of Turquoise reminds me of the beautiful oceans Me and my family love to go to the beach when the weather gets warm and look out from the pier at the beautiful waves and feel the breeze on our skin.  Oh such good times. 

I hope I helped with some of your winter blues with a little bit of my winter brights. Just remember Spring is just a heart beat away and the winter cold weather will be a distant memory. 
Thanks for stopping by, talk to you all real soon. 

JUST A REMINDER: ALL OF THESE SETS CAN BE MADE IN ANY COLOR COMBINATION OF YOUR LIKING, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER ANY OF THE SETS SEEN HERE JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURES AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ORDER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT ELSE WE HAVE IN OUR STORE JUST CLICK THE LINK BELOW AND IT WILL TAKE YOU RIGHT THERE. 

www.etsy.com/shop/ALMBandJHANDMADE 

IT'S COLD OUT SIDE

I don't know about you guys but here, in Jersey IT'S COLD OUT SIDE!!!! and when I looked out the window this morning it was SNOWING!!!! Now if you know me you know when it gets cold and it starts to snow I start to hibernate . I go out for food and supplies and that's about it. Me and this winter weather do not get along. I know there are people out there who love seeing the snow fall and love the crisp ,cold, weather and that's great for all of you who love it, but I'm not one of you. The best part of this for me is that Spring is only 72 days 22 hour 19 minutes and 25 , 24 , 23, seconds away, and the second thing is that I get to crochet a lot more. Now for me that makes this cold weather so much more bearable. 

Like I said before I get really happy when I'm able to crochet more and the fact that people need some winter gear makes me even more happy. Also like I said before, If you love the cold weather that's great so with that; let me help you look your best in the cold. ALMB&J HANDMADE has some really cute winter hat sets that we created and would love to show you all. Who said you can't be stylish in winter weather.

1. Slouchy Crochet Hat and Neckwarmer Set done in Navy Blue and Blue Camo. 

This perfect combination of warmth and style is my latest creation It's done in light navy and blue camo. It's made with 100% acrylic yarn  The neck warmer measures around 23 inches around and it's about 5 inches wide. this slouchy crochet hat measures about 12 and 1/2  inches long and is about 19 inches around. 

I just love a really slouchy hat and making this hat set was really fun. Who doesn't like blue and with this combination of blue you will make everyone stop and take a double take because you look so good. 


2. Sage and Blue Crochet set With a Extra Long Scarf, Granny Square Beanie and Wrist warmers.

This perfect combination of warmth and style is made with 100% acrylic yarn.  The scarf measures about 67 inches long . The finger-less gloves  can fit a teen to women size hand and this hat is one size fits all.  
I know I created this set for a women but this set was inspired by my husband . He is in love with the color green. He asked me to make him something in this color but as you see it transformed  to this set for a young teenage girl or a young women. 

Don't worry about my hubby he got a set in green and a lot of other great pieces from me. 

3. Mint Chocolate Chip Swirl Beanie and Chain Scarf Set. 

This uniquely different but just as beautiful crochet hat and crochet chain scarf is a great touch of to jazzy up any winter wardrobe. 
The hat measure about 8 and a half inches long and about 19 inches around . the scarf measures about 50 inches around. 

When  I made this set I wanted something a bit different than the norm. If you know me I can't read a crochet pattern to save my life but I am a big fan of YouTube. While searching for this hat out popped a video on this scarf . Done by O.V.W / One Virtuous Woman  I'm sure a lot of you who read this know who she is .  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyXHS8e_ZMY  I thought this was great, super easy and still very very stylish and right after I found the scarf I shortly found this tutorial for this great swirl beanie by the Crochet Zombie  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mP-tquWvA0 a super great tutorial.  Put these two great piece together and you have an awesome set.  Now the name for this set came from my super talented daughter who took one look at it and she said it reminded  her of mint chocolate chip  ice cream and there's the name "Mint Chocolate Chip Swirl Beanie and Chain Scarf"

So I know winter is here and it's not going any where for a bit and through it all it's not that bad the crisp air is good for sinuses. LOL !!! Beside I know I can sit here in my house with a hot cup of chocolate and create some really nice winter set for you all to enjoy. 
Thanks for stopping by,  Talk to you all again really soon. 

ONE MORE THING. 

JUST A REMINDER: ALL OF THESE SETS CAN BE MADE IN ANY COLOR COMBINATION OF YOUR LIKING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER ANY OF THE SETS SEEN HERE JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURES  AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ORDER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT ELSE WE HAVE IN OUR STORE JUST CLICK THE LINK BELOW AND IT WILL TAKE YOU RIGHT THERE. 

www.etsy.com/shop/ALMBandJHANDMADE 

Some Good News From Our Etsy Friends

Ok this has been a good Day for us. I just found out that some of our items have been featured on some Etsy Treasuries. Now for those of you that don't know what an Etsy Treasury is, well here's how I see it. It's a list of 16 items created by another Etsy shop owner. So If they have seen an item in your shop or in another person favorites that they really, really liked or dare I say LOVED :-) They will put that item in a treasury. That item get seen by your followers and their followers and also by the followers of the other shop owner in that treasury. So it's all go for everyone. 

Well today I've found out that we've been featured in 3 FABULOUS , AMAZING GORGEOUS, SPECTACULAR OK, let me stop, I get carried away sometimes. Like I was saying We've been featured in 3 treasuries. This is a great honor for us. It shows that people are looking at us and they enjoy what we do.

We wanted to do something to say thank you for appreciating us enough to put us on your treasury. Something that can help out the Etsy shop owners featured in that treasury. Something that can help promote the items in another area besides Etsy.  So what could we do? What could we do? Hmmm , OH YEAH THAT'S RIGHT WE HAVE THIS BLOG NOW. DAH! So we've decide to post the links to the treasuries so you all can take a good look at some of the lovely items featured in them and of course we'll post a link to our items that were featured. 

1. The first Treasury : Unique $15 items! Great gift Ideas https://www.etsy.com/treasury/MzU0OTcwNDd8MjcyNzE0NDE1OA/unique-15-items-great-gift-ideas?index=2&ref=treasury_search&atr_uid=

It featured our: 

Fashion Tie Crochet Belt with Sea Shells

https://www.etsy.com/listing/159655244/fashion-tie-crochet-belt-with-sea-shells?ref=shop_home_active_15

This belt can be worn with a great pair of Jeans or wrap it around you favorite dress. 

2. The second Treasury: Knit and Crochet From Hep Team 2015https://www.etsy.com/treasury/MzQwNDc0Njl8MjcyNDU4NTEyMw/knit-and-crochet-from-hep-team-2015?index=1&ref=treasury_search&atr_uid=

It featured our:

Delicious Denim Crochet Earrings and Crochet Necklace Set 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/210027695/delicious-denim-crochet-earrings-and?ref=tre-2724585123-1

This pendant and earring set is a great compliment to any outfit. 

3. Third Treasury: Beautiful Crochet Items 

https://www.etsy.com/treasury/Mjk0NDY1ODF8MjcyNDU4NjA1OQ/beautiful-crochet-items?index=0&ref=treasury_search&atr_uid=

It featured our :
Crochet Men / Women Fedora

Look at my handsome hubby. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/196993460/men-fedora-women-fedora-crochet-fedora?ref=tre-2724586059-9

This Fedora Can bring out the best in any outfit you put on.


Once again I want to say thank you all for putting our items in your beautiful treasuries. We really appreciate that you looked at our items and saw what we saw, something really great. 

We hope you all take a look at these lovely items and even purchase a few. Nothing like handmade . 

Thanks for taking a look we'll talk again later. :-) 



1/13/2015 Just found out that one of our items made it on to a really cool Etsy Treasure Just wanted to share this with you guys. 

Part # 4 Red or Pink Valentine Gift Ideas ! By Amanda Randolph 

https://www.etsy.com/treasury/NDI2MTU5MzZ8MjcyNzE2NzA1MA/part-4-red-or-pink-valentine-gift-ideas?index=0&ref=treasury_search&atr_uid=

It featured Our: 
Crochet Chain Link Earrings 

These cute little earring can be worn with a great pair of jeans or they can dress up a simple little black dress. 

Thank you  for putting our item in your beautiful treasury. We really appreciate that you looked at our items and saw what we saw, something really great. 

We hope you all take a look at the other lovely items and even purchase a few. Nothing like handmade . 

Thanks for taking a look we'll talk again later. :-) 

Just sitting here drinking a glass of juice ; because me and coffee just don't get along lol, and crocheting a new piece to display in our Etsy shop. Sitting here thinking about the year that was, 2014. The things that I've enjoyed and the things that made me want to shut my door, close my blinds and hide from the rest of the world. 

Thinking that "WOW! We have come a very long way since 2013", but also knowing that we still have a very long way to go in 2015. This is in both business and personal life. 

My baby girl and my business partner Jasmine at 4 months  Too cute!

Growing ALMB&J HANDMADE with my daughter has been rewarding. great fun, and a lot of hard work, to say the least . Since deciding to devote to this business full time back in 2013 there has been great highs . Starting a Facebook Fan page and seeing it climb to over a thousand followers , growing our customer base with vending events and a good chunk sales , Networking with other liked minded business people, making the decision to start this blog so we can branch out a lot more and just sharing a common goal with my oldest daughter to make our small business the best it can be. A true blessing. To look at all that we've accomplished That put a big old smile on my face. Then I thought, "Of course with great highs there are things that bring you back down to earth." Like losing one of our key vending spots in 2014 and not earning the revenue we thought we would from our Etsy shop. That kind of hit us both a little hard , but me and my daughter are fighters.Instead of sitting here giving into the little set backs and I do mean "little set backs" we are going to fix the things that are cracked, slightly broken and make them work perfectly for 2015.

My three beautiful babies and two of my best friends they're more like sisters to me 

Personally in 2014 I feel I needed to spend more time with family and friends I got so caught with my business that I've lost track with some of the people I care about. I need to create some kind of balance. Work to keep my business a float, that's a definite but keep the ties with the people that mean the most to me. The ones I can count on know matter if I soar or I crash burn. 

I've also discovered that I need to relax a little more .  I'm always on go. Working, taking care of the kids, taking care of my husband, school activities . Yeah that's a lot and I need to take it down just a bit at least a couple of hours with out a phone in one hand a hook and some yarn in the other hand, stirring a pot of food for dinner with this hand, and scheduling business appointments with that extra hand. lol!!!! Yes I know what you are all saying one, two, three, FOUR??? . Don't trip, I'm not going crazy but that's how I feel sometimes when I'm doing all this stuff at once. I need to drop a couple of those hands from time to time and just sit back and listen to a little music, read a bit of a good book or just take a little nap. Recharge my batteries. That way I can be better to my family.my friends and my business. 

So for 2015 I plan to work hard of course but not to the point were I lose touch with myself and the people I care about the most in my life. I plan to Expand ALMB&J HANDMADE with my daughter. Get it out to more people grow mine and my her brand. But also take the time to just relax and know I can't fix every little thing that pops up right that minute. I plan to get this blog out to as many people as I can and make our Etsy shop work for us, but I will not let it take over my life. Just because I didn't get a sale that day or only a couple people to a look at the post blog I'm not going to stress. life is to short for that and I want to sample as much of this life as I can get before it's time to go.

So to end our little conversation I Just want to say Happy New Year. It's truly a blessing to have been touched by God to see a brand new year 2015 WOW!. One of the biggest blessings is that he brought my family and friends into this new year with me. So lets try to Start this New Year off right. With a lot of love in our heart, and with a lot of joy and laughter in our soul these are some of the things that make the world go around. Thanks for listening everyone. we'll talk again later. 


P.S. Just wanted to show you guys what I was working on when I started thinking. :-)

Red Heart Super Saver, Gray Heather and Icelandic

www.facebook.com/AlmbjHandmade 

www.etsy.com/shop/ALMBandJHANDMADE