Detours can be good.

We were detoured off our very usual routine this weekend. Just in time to deal with the daily grind blues we were transported to ... Disneyland! And Disneyland at Christmas time is just the best. This year our daughter was brave enough to ride all the "big kid" rides as well (Last year she was only four years old so we gave her a break. She could've though because amazingly she was tall enough to!) So what a blast we had! Her first "big kid" ride was Thunder Mountain. After that it was a sinch getting her on Matterhorn and Space Mountain. In fact, it was hard to keep her away from them! She wasn't too keen on Indiana Jones though. Although she said her favorite part of that was the boulder at the end. Too cold for Splash Mountain so maybe next time. Oh and the newly decorated Haunted Mansion was pretty cool! They did it all up Nightmare Before Christmas style. Very cute. *sigh* I love Disneyland.

I managed to crochet two scarves before I left. Identical except for the color scheme and made from a novelty yarn I got two years ago in Carmel - a mohair/acrylic blend. Here are some awful photos.

I gifted it while we were in the LA area. I have a dear friend who lives in Long Beach and was nice enough to drive out to meet us at our hotel. She also brought yummy yummy home made goodies!!!! *drool* Decadent brownies, super moist carrot cake, and chocolate chip laced zuchini bread/cake. Oh, was I supposed to include photos? Maybe next time I'll remember before I eat it all. muahahhaha

I was also trying to knit this scarf before we left. I was having the hardest time after the garter stitched area so I showed my mom who came along with my dad to dog/house sit for us and when I came back she had done a good 7 or 8 inches. Woohoo. Now I should have no problems continuing it. Ha, we'll see.

In the mean time we're revving up with all sorts of Christmas time engagements so there's not much time left for crafting unfortunately. Hopefully I'll have more to share come January. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! (-_-)zzZZ

So... I changed my mind...

You know how I made that humanoid for a certain little girl... and I was so excited about it with all these plans for clothes, etc. Well, I changed my mind. I wasn't 100% happy with that doll. Sure, it was pretty good and not bad looking, but you crafters out there will understand when I say I wasn't 100% satisfied with my work. Sooooo, she's still there waiting. In the mean time, I made him instead. He's ready for a little trip in the cold with his removable pompom topped beanie and matching top. The top is not removable, however you can lift it and see that he has on some whitie tighties which accomodate his tail nicely in the back. heehee He was too shy to let me take pictures to show you, sorry.

His handy messenger bag is snap closure and has a strap that can be unbuttoned on one end for easy use.

It's the perfect size for his favorite bone and possibly some little books/magazines. I know he's waiting for the latest issue of Cat Friendly. It was too small for his ball though...

I won't be putting out a pattern for this one. I know it. I just don't have time to write it out and I suck at it anyway, but I will give tips and hints and try to answer questions if you leave your email addies in the comment section. (^_^)v I can say now that it's very similar to working an amineko. In fact, the arms and legs are exactly as such! See you soon!

Boo!

Happy Halloween!!

Front of costume pre-ears.

Back of costume pre-tail. (^_^)

My daughter decided she wanted to be a white puppy with brown spots this year (last year she wanted to be a pink yoshi... the dog costume was much easier). So I bought a white sweater and white skort... voila!

Sorry!! Here I am!

So sorry I've been gone quite a bit. Things have been a little busy around here, but that's no excuse really is it? Here's a couple photos of the hat and vest I made for my humanoid. There's no pattern... I think I wrote it down... so hopefully one day soon (like before the end of the year) I can have something posted so at least those of you who are interested can try your own.

I'm also working on the Punk Bunny from ElizabethD's Amigurumi book. It's been very challenging so far (probably because I keep straying from her instructions hee hee). We'll see if I can stick it out. My husband requested it as a Christmas present for his friend. The other "thing" keeping me very busy and too tired to do much crafting is this little girl. Awwwwww. I'll be back with more soon... (~_^)v

Our New Family Member

I'd forgotten how much work it is to have a puppy around... sigh, but she is a sweety. So you'll excuse me if I go M.I.A. for awhile. (^_^)'

Little Bo Peep

I haven't had much time for crocheting this past week or so. Although I did make a hat and vest for that humanoid I recently made - I'll have to take a pic soon and post it! In the mean time, I drew this quick sketch tonight of Little Bo Peep. My friend asked for a simplified Bo Peep design to help her envision her daughter's halloween costume. It's a horrible photo, sorry. I just snapped a quick shot with my Exilim. maybe I'll paint her one day... (^_^)v

She's done!

Yay! She's done! I borrowed the hair and eye ideas from ElizabethD's Amigurumi book (ooooh yes. I FINALLY purchased it. And I can't wait to try making a Punk Bunny. heee) I couldn't use buttons though because this is intended for a three year old. So... anyway... She's 9 inches tall. I used Bernat Satin Sport (beige), Red Heart Sport (white), and some pinkish purplish eyelash yarn who's label was lost eons ago - sorry. You have to understand, I get a lot of hand me down yarns and they don't always come in full skeins nor with lables. Hey, beggars can't be choosers. Hook size I used Clover 3.0mm (D). I think for the "hair" I actually used a larger hook... like the 3.5.



Details are with crochet thread and she's stuffed with polyfill.

She even has ears...

Pardon the blurry photo. =p

Now I just need to make her some clothes....

To you pattern-wanting-crazies - (i say that with affection. really. because i myself am one hee hee) - will be glad to know that i actually did take notes on this one... soon... soon...

Epiphany

Over a year ago I was thinking of this project for my friend's daughter who is now 3 ( I think... what a horrible friend I am). I've known this friend since kindergarten, and after she married she and her husband moved to Thailand. Her daugher was born there. Anyway, they are always so good to my daughter, sending gifts and things on occassion. I think so far I've only sent one package. A blanket I crocheted just for her. I feel bad. That's all I sent. Not only was it only once but a blanket like that is probably not very useful in Thailand either (too hot and humid!). It's probably used more as a "playmat" of sorts which is just fine with me, but still. So I came up with an idea of crocheting a little girl doll and making accessories to go with her; clothes, a blanket/sleeping bag, a pillow, a hand bag with possibly a bigger handbag to match the small one so everything could go in it. Oh, I had visions of grandeur. And my crocheting skills were not up to it at all at that time.

I tried repeatedly to make the doll. With many a sad sad ugly results. It was depressing. Really. I was a huge admirer of Gourmet Amigurumi . I studied many a photo of her work awed at her wonderful shaping abilities. Then when I found out she was writing a book I nearly died. I've been waiting to go to the store to buy Elizabeth D's Amigurumi book but I just haven't had the chance (pretty lame excuse seeing how I just coulda pre-ordered it from Amazon... I'm not sure why I didn't come to think of it =p ).

Then suddenly, this morning, I had an epiphany. I just knew. I knew how I wanted to do it. All other projects were thrown aside (sorry cow, sorry two-year-past-due shawl). All previous engagements forgotten (chores, lunch, friends... sorry). And so it began...

That's all I could muster today. I'm spent. Also, because I ran out of fiberfill *hee*. More on that soon.


In other news, I finished that gift set for my Pear friend. I like the color green of that stamp pad, but I'm not too crazy about the ink itself. I forgot that how pigment ink takes a long time to dry especially the Color Box ones. Unfortunately for her she does not get those cool pens. (~_^)

WIP - really...

Really, there are things going on here. Probably just a tad too many things hence why no posting action. I've never been very good at posting before or during photos though of my work. I get so excited about an idea I jump right in an forget about how cool it would be to have had photos of the material before hand, or what it looked like during. So I've finally managed to get my act together this time. Or almost, anyway. There are no before pictures, but here are some durings...

I made a really cute sketch of this cow the other day. And I really really wanted it to come "alive". But when I started doing it I just couldn't make it happen. *CRY* Of course, if you don't know what the sketch looks like then this little cow looks well underway and not that bad. Therefore, I won't show you that sketch. hehheh Not yet anyway. (~_^)

Here is a flower on a shawl I started like two years ago. Really, TWO YEARS. Maybe more. It was when I just purchased this book and given a pile of merino wool. Yeah, I thought maybe it be time I finish it too.

And here are some hand carved stamps I did this morning to go along with that peary cute pear I made the other day. These are my first ever. I've been dying to try the Speedball rubberstamp kit for some time. The stamp that made the image you see there was my first attempt and honestly I was going to scrap it. But it became really cute and hilarious when I drew in the eyeballs and teeth. I thought, "how fun! she can add in different looks." MUAHAHAHAHA I'm a genious.

Pears, pears, everywhere...

My friend - the birthday girl I spoke of - likes pears and cows.

Not sure where I got this idea from. It just flowed out of the pencils... I don't think this will become an amigurumi anytime soon.

SURPRISE! FREE PATTERN

(hope it makes sense... I suck at pattern writing, remember? Good luck!)

3.5mm/E hook
Red Heart Soft Yarn – worsted med Leaf (pear body)
Red Heart Soft Yarn – worsted med Chocolate (stem)
Bernat Satin Soft – taupe (leaf)
Black embroidery thread
Bright pink dk yarn scraps
Polyfill
Buttons

Finished pear approx 4” tall including stem and 6.5” around widest part of body

Body (starting from top of pear)
Start with “magic ring” - 6
2 sc in each – 12
1 sc in first, 2sc in next sc* repeat – 18
1 sc in each – 18 * repeat this round two more times
1 sc in first, 1 sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat – 24
1 sc in first, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat – 30
1 sc in each sc – 30 * repeat this round six more times
1 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, sc2tog * repeat – 24

( at this point or soon after you may want to stop and make the stem and attach it. same with putting on the eyes and stitched details. Then stuff it and proceed to decrease. Up to you but I thought it was easier that way.)

1 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next sc, sc2tog * repeat -18
1 sc in first sc, sc2tog * repeat – 12
Sc2tog – 6
Tie off, weave in.

Stem
Ch 7
Sc in second chain from hook
Sc in each
Bind off

Sew onto top of pear

Leaf
Ch 6
Sc in second chain from hook
Sc im first, hdc in next, dc in next, hdc in next, sc in next, sl st in ch 1 of foundation.
Bind off, sew to top of pear

All done!

Wow that was quicker than I thought it would be. The scarf is all done. Each flower took not more than 45 minutes a piece ... that includes weaving in. Some of you are probably thinking, "so slow???". Anyway, here it is. I'm giving it to my friend today. I hope she likes it. These pictures suck. (x_x)

I'm already onto another project. I stayed up late last night doodling. My dear friend's birthday is coming up in just over a week. I've known her since i was 5 years old. I suppose it's about time I could actually make her something to show how much I love her. Stay tuned...

On a weird side note.... How can a simple pack of erasers make one so happy??? I have been without some quality erasers for some time. These may not be high quality but, shoot, they are sure better than what you get on those #2 pencils. Ugh.

Lovely scarf

I'm taking a short break from amigurumi-ing. My friend saw a pattern in one of my Japanese craft books (isbn4-8347-2322-4) that she fell in love with and subsequently asked if I could make it for her.

So Friday we went to Michael's (safer than going to the yarn shop in town which can break my bankbook too easily) and she picked out some Patons SWS. It's a little thicker than what I should be using I think, but it'll still be ok in the end.

The pattern is made of two toned "flowers" joined at tips of the petals. It's an easy pattern and actually fun to do. And with just 20 flowers to do it doesn't seem too daunting a project. My picture taking abilities seem to have gone on vacation recently... so... sorry.

On a side note, my daughter's tooth finally fell out. Yay! her tiny tooth is nestled safely in the little mushroom I made waiting for the tooth fairy. (^_^)









Oh... and this evening, the field behind our house was invaded by hundreds of goats. They were suddenly there and when I went to check again later they were suddenly gone. What a great way to create a fire break. haha All you could hear was "crunch crunch crunch"...

Pop-top Mushroom

My daughter has her first loose tooth. You might recall it happening at the Apple Festival if you were around for that entry. So I thought I might make a little "container" for it. A little tooth fairy landing spot as it were. Expecting the tooth to pop out sooner rather than later (much later - it's still hanging on!) I rushed through making this little pop-top mushroom. It's my own design but looks suspiciously like a lot of the cupcakes I'd been seeing around online lately. (^_^)'

If I were to make another one of these, I'd do the top completely different...

A little something else...

Ever have those days when you just want to color? You just want a pack of brand new crayons or nice sharp pencils to scribble with... even better, water colour pencils and a nice quality brush? I've been longing to do some water colour pencilin'. Finally, finally, I got my chance. The other day while I was at Michael's I snuck into my basket a Derwent Watercolor Pencil Pod (just the 12 pencil starter set), an 8x5 spiral water colour pad from Cotman, and a random fancy schmancy paintbrush from the "serious" painting section (hee hee). I didn't have any ideas before I started it just came out. How fun! I still have to get the hang of what my water color pencils can do but I really like what happens to the color when you add water. Very cool. (^_^)

Gravenstein Apple Festival

Ok, so this post isn't amigurumi related, but at least I can offer proof of why I have no more dolls to post yet. :D Last Saturday we went to the Gravenstein Apple Festival in Sebastopol. Ooooooooooh yum yum yum! Apples apples everywhere! I think I was overwhelmed with the sweet appliness of everything because I didn't take very many photos. And the photos I did take were sad. Here's one of the apple fritters (with oh so satisfying Thai iced tea in the background!). Lightly deep fried and coated in a cinnamon powder that turned to like a paste when it touched the grease and then dusted with powdered sugar. I know, looks kinda gross and sounds kinda eh but oooooooh it was gooooooood.

They had crafts for the kids to do and a cute train that just ran through the grass for them to ride. If you can't read the sign it says, "Age limit 91 Weight limit 200 lbs" hee hee

They also had a horse drawn cart. Look at those fuzzy buzz cut manes. Hee hee. Almost looks like the ami-horse I made, no? Yea, not really... haha

Darts! Pierce an apple, win a whole bag of apples! Woohoo. That lady in the light blue shirt in the photo actually did it. Everyone cheered! Yay!

Ok, so this post won't be totally non-yarn related... here's a photo of some fresh roving straight from the sheep's back. (^_^)v

Oh! In other exciting news, my daughter has her first loose tooth! She turned to me Saturday after biting into a fresh crsipy apple, "Mom, my tooth feels weird..." then we did the "loose tooth" dance. She's very excited.

Alright, I'll get back to "work" now. Hopefully I'll be posting an ami soon.