Busy or not...

I think I've been too busy. But then when people ask me what I've been doing I don't seem to have much to say. Do you ever feel like that? It seems like I feel like that a lot lately. Day to day that's how I feel. They'll say, "What did you guys do today?" and all I do is stare blankly back. *blink blink*

In May we moved. ugh. Moving sucks. And that seriously set me back in a lot of ways. I have been keeping busy here and there, however not much with amigurumi. I DID make one monkey but I don't have a photo of it and it's already been shipped off to its new owner. sorry. That's how scatter brained I've been!

Here's some photos of other things I've been up to...

I made two baby blankets. The scalloped one is from the book Bend the Rules Sewing. Love that book. Cute fabric isn't it? There was a Joann's near by doing a moving sale. heh heh

The other blanket is just scraps put together. I also made some baby bibs from the same book. I bought quilting squares so I could get more variety without the crazy left over yardage. Each square made two bibs with a good size strip left for some future project. ;) Cotton on the front, cotton flannel on the back with snap closures. Fun.

Then I made a necklace and a box to go with it. The box is just your regular cardboard box that I wrapped with handmade paper my mom brought me from Thailand a few years ago. The embellishments are store bought rub-ons. AND I got into making bread. LOVE LOVE LOVE this book . It really is easy and the results are yumMAY! Here slathered in butter with left over lasagne. So that's it. There were a lot of other activities crammed in between. It's summer vacation after all. Gotta keep the monster busy. Hm, I guess I have been doing a lot. It helps to see it all laid out like this. WHEW. I'm tired. (^_^)v

Good things do happen while you're gone...

I haven't been on much at all. :( I have a lot of reasons/excuses but, really, who wants to read those?

I got a nice surprise today when I finally did login however. Little Z has given me an "award"? wow! The fact that some total stranger out there who is so very awesome in their own right as a crafter thought well enough of me to give me an award. Thank you so much, Little Z. I truly am honored. If you haven't heard of or seen her website, you really must go see it. I don't know if i really deserve this award, because I've been sooooo slacking in all things creative lately and I certainly am not even on the edge of the league that the five I'm going to name are in (wow what a confusing sentence).

The Arte y Pico Award (Art and Peak). I had to use my Google to translate the page to English and then try to make out what the translation read, but it was limited so I still have no clue as who to specifically thank for making up such a nice award. Anyway, THANK YOU!

So now it seems the rules are that I must also give out 5 awards. These are sites I visit almost daily (even more often than my own) to be inspired, awed, and humbled. I don't leave many comments though - shame on me! - so they probably don't even know I exist. haha Hm I guess this means I'll have to at least go leave a comment about this award...

1) Angry Chicken: Not only the super author of bend-the-rules sewing but a great blogging mom as well. She makes awesome stuff, takes great care of her family, and still has time (or maybe more importantly the energy) to share it all with us. Same goes for my next awardee...

2) Molly Chicken: These two sites are mainly sewing projects and that's probably why I love them so much. I can't sew worth a poop myself but I really want to learn. Love her cute bears!

3) shimandsons: Another blogging mom and simply stylish. I love her photos. And what cute cute sons!! Be sure to visit her shop for all the goodies. heeee

4) Supereggplant: I first found Mariko through a candy swap thing. I've only done the swap once sad to say (not her fault! my own lack of motivation), but I love visiting her website still. Try some of the recipes she shares! Especially this one - Supernatural Brownies. yummmmm.

and last but not least

5) Posie gets cozy: I really find it comforting somedays to sit and browse through her blog. She brings us so much into her life that when I can't find serenity in my own I feel I can turn here for a breather. From wonderful projects, to beautiful photos, movie reviews, recipes... and OH their little puppy Clover Meadows. Sweet sweet Clover (though I do miss that darling Audrey). You can also find her here!

Now I guess I'm supposed to post the rules of how this all works. Because it is a little like tagging (which happened to me once and I have still yet to tag someone else. oops. sorry).

For you five if you ever see this, here are the rules:

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  You're to pick 5 blogs who you feel deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material and who also contribute to the blogging community no matter what language it's posted in.




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  Each award has to include the name of the author and a link to the blog so that eveyone can visit it.




• 
  
  Each award-winner has to show the award and put the name and link of the blog that has given it to him/her.




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  Award winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of the arte y pico blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.




• 
  
  Show these rules!

Thank you, thank you!! (^_^)v

Nameless

I finished her not too long after my last post actually. I haven't posted her because I feel there's still a lot missing.... details, if you will. But I feel bad for not sharing what I have with you so far, so here she is. I wonder, what should I name her?

p.s. ~ Happy Valentine's Day! xoxo (^_^)'

WIP

I've been slowly working away on a new amigurumi. She's my own pattern so it takes longer that way. You'd think it would be faster since I don't have to keep stopping to check a pattern, but in fact, I have to keep stopping to reshape and rethink things. Ah well. Here's a peek for you all. Anyway, I hope to be done soon. I'm actually a lot further along than this photo suggests. (^_^)v

(By the way, how do you like the new blog template?)

Happy New Year!

Not a very happy beginning to a new year when the whole household is sick mind you, but I still wish you all a happy one. (~_^)

My daughter got sick the Friday before Christmas then miraculously recovered for the special day and promptly got sick again (fever and all) the day after. Then after a week of that my husband caught it (fever and all) and now that he is finally on the mend I am coming down with it. *sigh* No fever for me as of yet, and I hope to escape that fate, but I have such a bad cough and horrible congestion. ugh. Anywaaaay, you must be thinking, "but what have you made?!?!"

Not much time for crafts when sickies around I tell you but I did manage to whip up quite a few scarves for gifts; both crocheted AND knitted. (Me? Knit?? I've been practicing. *hee*) I will only bore you with photos of one, however.

I love blue. And I love soft. So this was just heaven to me. The yarn is Baby Alpaca Brush. I bought it here in town but you can see it at Plymouth Yarn's website. It looks MUCH better in person I assure you (not to mention anything of the FEEL of it. yum!). The pattern is from The Harmony Guide to Knitting Stitches - 1983. If you have the book or know of it the pattern is Diamond Lace in the All-over Lace Patterns section. Mix in some garter stitches for a border and BAM a scarf is born. I don't have a scale to weigh my yarn so I can't tell you exactly how much I used. One ball was 50 g. I used a little over one and a half it looks like.

The little puppy looking thing is a travel tissue pack holder I made from the scraps. Yes, I had the same yarn in white that I used for another scarf that I crocheted. Its body is in stockinette and its ears are crocheted.

Well, it's time to get back to movie land. All I've been able to do is "lay" here and watch movies. Yesterday I just watched the newest remake of Pride and Prejudice, over and over and over... I love the A&E production of it made in 1995 but my copy of that is so scratched I have to get a new one. This remake with Keira Knightley isn't half bad though. Quiet enjoyable. I still can't stand the mother. And although I still don't think anyone could take Colin Firth's place as Mr. Darcy I think Matthew Macfadyen is a very good runner up.

Today's movie is Emma. (^_^)v

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