Thursday, June 14, 2012

Happy Thursday and a Giveaway!



Happy Thursday! - A giveaway! To get your complimentary copy of "25 Ways to Wear Your Slippers", a crochet slipper lookbook, click the like button on our FB page, then e-mail us at francine@francinetoukou.com, and we'll e-mail you a copy. If you've already liked us, just e-mail us a request for the lookbook and we'll send it to you. Hope you'll be inspired!

Friday, May 18, 2012

The ez breezy lemon squeezy bowtie pattern


I think that this has got to be the most fun and easy pattern ever. I've been whipping up a storm of these in different summer colors. I'll post some more pix as soon as I get the chance. You can find the pattern here
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ez-breezy-lemon-squeezy-...

Have an awesome weekend!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

In My Neck of the Woods!

Happy Tuesday! Looks like I'll be wearing one of these over the next few days. It's quite breezy in my neck of the woods. I made this using the "fireside capelet pattern", but I substituted the flower with a scrap fabric ribbon. xoxo

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

More Easterish Goodies!


I've been working on some of these little Springish/Easterish Goodies. I'm going to carry some in my shop, so if you're ever in Manhattan, please stop by. If you'd like to make your own, the pattern is available on my site. www.francinetoukou.com. The name of the pattern is "Poppies Galore".
Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Pom Pom hats and Cotton Tails!!!



I can't believe that it's almost Easter. How time is flying. I'm making a couple of these to give as Easter gifts. The pom poms remind me of cotton tails. This pattern is from my book "Crochet Chic". You can find it on line at Amazon, and Barnes and Noble, but I think Walmart.com has the best price right now. Happy Easter!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

A GRANNY SQUARE LAPTOP TOTE




I MADE THIS LAPTOP BAG USING THE GRANNY SQUARE TOTE PATTERN FROM MY BOOK "CROCHET CHIC". INSTEAD OF USING THE CURVED WOODEN HANDLES THAT ARE IN THE PATTERN, I ADDED A FEW ROWS OF HALF DOUBLE CROCHET STITCHES. I ALSO LINED IT WITH FELT.

HERE'S THE AMAZON LINK IF YOU'D LIKE TO GIVE IT! A TRY www.amazon.com/Crochet-Chic-Scarves-Hats-Bags/dp/16005947...

Friday, March 2, 2012

"BALLAY" baby slipper update!



I've finally finished my little collection of slippers for newborns, called "BALLAY". I've stocked my facebook shop with a few pairs. Here's the link if you'd like a little look-see! www.facebook.com/pages/Francine-Toukou/107934249246008?sk...

Happy Friday!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Happy Tuesday!


Just a quick, happy hello. It's beginning to feel like Spring! YAY!!!

Monday, February 20, 2012

More goodies for the shower!







I promised to put up some more pictures of goodies that I made for the shower. I made som "peek-a-boo baby" nursing wraps to go with the delivery room slippers. Now, the baby will be able to see the world, and breathe easily through the openings, while he or she dines in private! Happy Monday!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

I'm Going to be an Auntie!!!


I'm going to be an aunt, (again) this summer. I started working on some gifts for the shower. So far I've made these and a couple of other goodies that I'll try to find time to post. I made these with the simply slippers pattern, but I just added these Tiffany blue bows, and blue rhinestone buttons. These sure beat hospital slippers! I'm going to puff paint the soles to make them slip-resistant. If you have a chance, drop by my site. I've made some updates!!!

Here's the link: www.francinetoukou.com

Thursday, February 16, 2012


So, I've already made my public confession a while back - Yes! I'm suffering from a flower addiction. It's a rainy day in my neck of the woods, and when I make my hour long drive this afternoon, to pick my kids up from school, I will be wearing my blue prairie skirt, with my rain boots and fleur galore crochet flowers underneath. No one will know except me and you! I don't plan on getting out of the car, but these flowers sure do make me feel happy!!!! I sure hope I don't get a flat tire today!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Spring and Summer Crochet Projects


Some folks put away their crochet hooks as the weather starts to change, but i love to work on projects for the spring and summer also. I've been making a few of these in lighter, brighter summer colors. They work up really quickly, and are a great item to add to your etsy shop or boutique, especially if you carry bridal items. I've been trying to make projects that work up quickly for folks who craft for a living!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

I'm wearing one of these today.


Just a quick hello. This obviously isn't a picture of me, but I am wearing one of these today. I was planning on saving it for St. Patrick's day, but it goes well with the green jacket that I've got on!

Happy Thursday!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

A sneak peak!



Life is funny! I love making pretty little things, but I'm the mom of 3 boys. I'm certainly thankful for them, and I make things for them also, but they're manly little things, not girly little things. I'm happy to announce that I've found and alternative outlet for my urge to make girly things. I'm going to be launching a line of vintage inspired, heirloom quality soft shoes for newborns. The line will be called "Ballay", and here is a sneak peak at the first design. It's called "arabesque". I'll be sure to keep you guys posted. I'm SOOOO excited!!!

Friday, January 27, 2012

4 Ways to Celebrate Valentines Day and a Pattern Giveaway!!!

Here are four of my favorite fun, simple and crafty ways to celebrate Valentines Day. 1. Make turn a simple and ordinary, everyday dish into something romantic, by adding and edible heart-shaped embellishment. Here, I simply added cranberries to everyday oatmeal.
2. Turn and ordinary pattern into a Valentines Day pattern, by working your project in a sensous and sultry shade of red. I crocheted a set of his and her Valentines Day Beanies in this soft and simple Vanna's Choice yarn, in a rich romantic red.
3. Make a Hearts and Roses tote bag to match your Valentine's Outfit of the Day! I used the oversized tote pattern, and the poppies galore pattern, to make this, in a shade that will match these earrings, and necklace, that I plan on wearing for the first time this Valentines Day.
4. Make this Hot and Spicy set of coasters, to liven up your Valentines Day toast for two! To get your complimentary copy of this very simple pattern, sign up to follow my blog. Make sure to include your e-mail address, and I'll send you a copy!
Happy Valentines Day!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Poppies Galore and Handmade Weddings

Even though I've been hitched for over a fifth of a century, I still get bit with the bridal bug every year around this time. I guess it may be because it's the season when I planned my own wedding, and when I helped my sister, and many others plan theirs. This little poppy pattern, is quite the ace in the hole, for the diy bride, Or for anyone anxious to bloom. These flowers can be used with other knitting or crochet projects, or to craft all sorts of goodies!! You can find them HERE