Month: September 2015

Starting BzzAgent

I tried…BzzAgent Welcome Kit

 

The BzzAgent magnet with some things that are important in my life right now.

The BzzAgent magnet with some things that are important in my life right now.

 

  • What is it?
    • BzzAgent is a company that sends you free products or coupons in exchange for your honest opinion about the item.  This is a great way to try new products without having to pay full price for them.  In return, they request that you post your opinion and the fact that you got it free from BzzAgent on various social media platforms.
  • How I used it
    • I gave this a try because I love trying new things, but I hate paying for something I might not like.  Also, who doesn’t like to give their opinion?  This is the first “mission” they give you.  It comes with a series of tasks to complete and you earn points by completing them.  BzzAgent focuses on quality, not quantity. They want thoughtful, insightful posts.  Getting more points means you qualify for more missions (more free stuff!).
    • The Welcome Kit includes 2 things:
      • A Welcome to BzzAgent booklet – small, but well written.  It lays out the instructions for BzzAgent missions.  All of the information in the booklet is on the website in case you have trouble keeping up with stuff.
      • A magnet for keeping your coupons convenient.  I think this is brilliant because when I get a coupon I usually just put it in my bag and think “I’ll remember to use it next time I’m at the grocery store”.  How often does that happen?  Almost never.  This magnet will keep the coupon visible and remind me I need to use it.

        Hanging on the fridge

        Hanging on the fridge

  • Likes
    • Website is really easy to navigate and I love the look.
    • Instructions are very clear and they walk you through each step.
    • BzzAgent gives you ratings based on your content, not on how many Tweets you send out or how many times you post to Facebook.  They are looking for quality posts.
  • Dislikes
    • My mission was considered active before my package even shipped.  This meant I had 28 days to complete the tasks, but my box wasn’t even on the way yet.   I know it won’t take me the full 28 days to complete them, but I did think this was kind of odd.  Also, my package didn’t say it had shipped until after I received it.  I’m curious to see if this happens for all missions or if this was just a one time issue.
Next to the weekly dinner menu

Next to the weekly dinner menu

 

I am so excited to try this out!  I get free products for telling people what I think!  Who wouldn’t want to do that?!   Go to BzzAgent and sign up.

 

 

Stepping Texture Hat

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I’ve been crocheting for years, but I rarely step outside my comfort zone of chains, sc, dc, and hdc. But when I saw this hat, I knew I had to make it!  The Bernat Stepping Texture Hat spoke to me.  I had to have it.  The only problem: I had to step outside my cozy little crochet comfort zone and learn some new techniques:

  • front post double crochet
  • back post double crochet
  • working from the bottom up instead of top down
  • slip stitch rim
  • making a pom pom

I was nervous.  What if I put in all this work and it turns out hideous!?  The first hat turned out okay, but I still felt like I fumbled through it.  Luckily,  I made notes on the pattern as I crocheted the hat.  This is something I’ve started doing recently that really helps me out.  Basically, I simplify it and put it in to my own words.  For example, the stepping texture for the hat is just a rotation of a 3 fpdc and 2 bpdc.  Once I figured this out the pattern didn’t seem so scary.  In fact, I was so confident I made some modifications to make the hat work for me.

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Made with 2 strands of worsted weight yarn

Made with bulky weight yarn

Made with bulky weight yarn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • I used different weight yarns instead of super bulky yarn called for in the pattern.  This was possible because the patter is worked from the bottom up and the stepping texture is just a staggered repeat of the same 5 stitches
  • I made the hat a little shorter on top because I didn’t really want the extra long slouchy look
Buttons likes to help with pictures

Buttons likes to help with pictures

I am ABSOLUTELY making this hat again!  Don’t let the pattern intimidate you!  If you need help, check out this awesome article and tutorial:  Stepping Texture Hat on The Crochet Crowd

 

Braided Infinity Scarf

I can’t wait for cold weather!   In fact, I’m so excited about it I’m already crocheting wintery things: hats, scarves, blankets, etc.   I kept seeing patterns for cowls online, but none of them really spoke to me.  Until I saw a braided cowl/infinity scarf.  I had to give it a try.  There weren’t many patterns.  They were more like generic guidelines.  Here’s my version of it.IMG_1101 (1)

 

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I started with three colors I thought would go together.

 

I made three “mini” scarves by chaining 120 (I wanted it to be longer that normal) with a 5.5 mm hook (I).  Then I dc in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain.  When I reached then end of the chain I chained 2 before turning.  Basically, I made 5 rows like this (not including the the chain).

 

I crocheted the top of the mini scarves together then braided them loosely.  When I got to the bottom and crocheted those ends together.  I then circle up the scarf and crocheted the ends together.IMG_1098 (1)

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I love this project because it is so customizable.  The size, length, colors, and even the “coziness” of it can be changed to suit your taste.

 

Freebies!!!

I love free samples.  Who doesn’t?   It’s the best way to try new products without having to buy them (or at least pay full price for them).  The problem is, how do you get free samples?  This week I signed up for 4 different product testing/reviewing sites.  It took a while because you have to answer A LOT of questions about yourself.  This is only a one time thing for each site, so i powered through with the help of coffee and podcasts. The sites I signed up for are:

I’m really looking forward to testing new products and sharing my opinions.  I’m also somewhat inexperienced with social media so this will be a learning experience for me.  Stay tuned for product reviews!