Busy Mom Designs is the brain child of Tricia, a busy homeschooling mom to 4 little ones in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. A life-long crafter, learning to crochet at a young age. She spent years travel across the vast country of Canada perfecting her crocheting. Then she and her growing family spending 2 years in Mexico on a humanitarian adventure. Now in full swing of homeschooling her little ones. Since her daughter has arrived Tricia has been crocheting up a storm making pretty things. This has lead to her little shop, Busy Mom Designs.
Tricia tries to write her patterns with the beginner crocheter in mind. Patterns are written with easy to understand terminology and challenging sections are explained clearly, often with the help of photos. AM2W sent Tricia some questions so you could get to know the Busy Mom behind Busy Mom Designs and here they are along with her responses...
AM2CW: Where do you get your ideas?
BMD: I can't say that there is any actual process by which I get my ideas. I find inspiration everywhere! I have a 3 little boys and a 17 month old daughter so some of my creations were designed to go with an outfit or for a special occasion or to keep their heads warm during our long Canadian winters! Some patterns were designed at the suggestion or request of friends or customers, others by current fashion trends. I often sit and dream up new designs or ideas in my head. Sometimes I create them right away, sometimes they are put on hold. I have a notebook that I sketch ideas in, I have idea files on my computer, I have emails I have sent myself with scattered thoughts of future creations. I only wish I had the time to get them all out of my head and onto my hook!
AM2CW: how long does it take to put a pattern together?
BMD: The whole pattern process varies greatly for me. Some of my patterns were worked out and typed up in a matter of a few hours. Some, over the course of weeks or even months. I have a whole folder full of bits and pieces of patterns I am working on. I always try to have each pattern very thoroughly tested and edited before listing so that takes several more days as well.
AM2CW: What is your favourite pattern you created?
BMD: I can't say that I really have a favorite pattern. But if I had to pick a few... I love the ease of the Simplicity Beanie - how even a brand new beginner can make one in a very short time. And they look so soft and sweet on tiny little newborns! But I also love the Backtrack Beanie pattern - one of my newest designs, as it is such a versatile hat - it looks great on boys or girls from newborn to adult, but it's very easy and very fast to make as well! And the Chili Pepper Cocoon Set makes such a cute little photo prop (inspired by the 2 years I spent in Mexico).
AM2CW: How long have you been crocheting? Are you self-taught or taught by someone?
BMD: I don't actually remember first learning to crochet. I was very young and assume it was my mother that taught me. I really started to crochet shortly after I was married. My husband and I had a job that had us traveling all over the country. I crocheted while he drove. I had only learned a couple of stitches when I was young, so I was self-taught from that point on (with the help of books and the internet!). I was just making gifts at the time - afghans, dishcloths, baby blankets or toys. After that year, we settled down and bought a house and I became pregnant with my first baby. Somewhere in there, I got busy and stopped crocheting. When I found out that my fourth baby was going to be a girl, I started noticing these cute little crocheted flower hats everywhere and really wanted to have one for her. So I picked up my yarn and hooks again and haven't put them down since!
AM2CW: How do you start the pattern writing process?
BMD: I crochet with my favorite business tool - my iPad - right beside me. All of my patterns are stored on there and I can send them out as I receive orders while I continue to crochet. I will usually work out one sequence of a pattern, then write it up on the iPad and continue in that manner. But there are times where I will work out the whole item, then write it up after. These early drafts will be changed and edited many times before I ever start to type up the final draft on my computer.
AM2CW: 3 words that describe you and your shop.
BMD: Sweet. Simple. Fun.
Giveaway
Busy Mom Designs is giveaway 3 of her beautiful crochet patterns to one of AM2CW follower
Here's how you can get a chance to be the winner...
Mandatory Entries
(leave one comment per entry and don't forget your contact information if not in your profile)
1. Check out BusyMomDesigns on Etsy and tell me what your 3 favourite patterns are AND "Heart" her shop!2. Follow AM2CW, if you already do please remind me.
Bonus Entries
- Like AM2CW on Facebook OR Follow AM2CW on Twitter (1 entry each)
- Enter the other Giveaways on AM2CW (1 entry each)
- Grab AM2CW blog button (link it in comment)
That's it! Good Luck to all of you who choose to enter.
Giveaway lasts until March 23rd and the Winner will be announced March 24th!!!
Please give a big hand to Busy Mom Designs for such a great giveaway!
Ciao for now,
52 comments:
I am just learning to crochet and would LOVE a few patterns!!! My absolute favorite is the owl beanie!! I would also love the multi-strand rose headband for myself, and the spring fling beanie with flower!!
I love all of them...and think this is such a great giveaway!
And of course I am one of your devoted followers!!
I also entered, and LOVE the cassieart shop giveaway!
I love the new chick hat, owl beanie and spring fling beanie! and I hearted her shop!
butler83ataoldotcom
I am a follower of your blog!
butler83ataoldotcom
I entered the parites by hardies giveaway!
I entered the cassies artbox giveaway
i entered the fikas art box giveaway
I am a follower of your blog
Emily
emilyandbrad at live dot ca
I love the owl hat, the beanies, and the cocoons
Emily
emilyandbrad at live dot ca
I like you on Facebook
Emily
emilyandbrad at live dot ca
I entered to CassieArt
Emily
emilyandbrad at live dot ca
I am a follower
Nancy
nancyandgenestorey at yahoo dot ca
I like the owl hat, the backtrack beanie, and the little chick hat
Nancy
nancyandgenestorey at yahoo dot ca
I follow you on Facebook
Nancy
nancyandgenestorey at yahoo dot ca
I entered the CassieArt
Nancy
nancyandgenestorey at yahoo dot ca
I entered the Parties by Hardie
Nancy
nancyandgenestorey at yahoo dot ca
I like the Backtrack Beanie, Elegance headband and chick hat! mamalusco at ortelco dot net
Like you on FB! mamalusco at ortelco dot net
I have your button at www.mamalusco.blogspot.com
mamalusco at ortelco dot net
Entered the CassieArt giveaway. mamalusco at ortelco dot net
entered the Parties by Hardie giveaway, too! mamalusco at ortelco dot net
I heart her shop and would love the patterns for the backtrack, spring fling, and simplicity beanies with flowers.
I like you on Facebook!
I also entered the Dr. Sears giveaway.
I follow your blog!
heatherbecker86@hotmail.com
I "heart" BusyMomDesigns Etsy shop and I LOVE the elegance headband, the stork pouch hanging pod and the little chick hat!
heatherbecker86@hotmail.com
I "like" AM2CW on Facebook!
heatherbecker86@hotmail.com
I follow AM2CW on Twitter!
heatherbecker86@hotmail.com
I would get the owl hat, the ribbons and scallops hat, and either the simplicity beanie w/ flower or the hanging stork cocoon. Love all her patterns!
I'm a follower :)
I like you on facebook!
Spring fling
pepper sack newborn prop and
elegance
follow you blog
new fan on FB
love her chili pepper sack
and her little chicky hat and the elegance headband
new follower on your blog
new facebook fan
New fan on FB- but I'm already a fan/customer of Busy Mom Designs. Like her backtrack beanie, chickie and baby bowl among others!
I'm already a BIG fan of BMD! I have and love her Spring Fling Beanie pattern and would love some more of ther patterns! 2nd & 3rd Fav: The Backtrack & The Elegant Headband! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!
Carly Texdahl
texdahls@yahoo.com
I'm now a follower of AM2CW!!
Carly Texdahl
texdahls@yahoo.com
I Like you on Facebook!!
Carly Texdahl
texdahls@yahoo.com
I follow you on twitter. I like th following patterns..the elegancy headband, daisy clothe, and backtrack beanies
I've bought a couple patterns from busy mom and have absolutely loved them! i would love to try out the Bactrack beanie, little buggy and the sweet little monkey patterns for my 3 little monkeys!
Elisefroese@gmail.com
I'm a photographer who just recently learned to crochet and I love the stork hanging pod, the baby nest, and the chili pepper sack.. they are all great newborn photography props!!
I love her brand new Summer Bloom headband, the chickie beanie, and the backtrack beanie. I already have the Spring Fling pattern, and LOVE how easy it is and how clearly her pattern is written for newbies like me.
I love her elegeance headband, stork pouch, and the backtrack beanie!! I hearted her shop a while ago : )
I am your newest follower!!
www.cherishedbliss.com
I love the ribbon & scallop beanie, the elegant headband, and the simplicity beanie. So cute!
I have added her cute shop to my favorites. :)
I entered the Girl Gotch giveaway.
I also entered the Pieces of Me giveaway.
Post a Comment