I Love...

I love art/office/school supplies. Now that I’m not in school anymore I don’t have any good excuses for buying loads of that type of stuff though. My daughter is still a little too young to really need much of it either, but oh oh oh watch out when she gets older. I’ll be buying the supplies with extras for ME! MUAHAHA Here are two recent sites I love for supplies:

Stubby Pencil Studio based in Portland, Oregon has a wonderful stock of eco friendly supplies. I just ordered some colored smencils and recycled sketchbooks from them and the whole shopping experience was wonderful. Quick, marvelous customer service. I even got a bunch of surprise complimentary goodies! These cutie monkey pencils are currently free with every order! woot! Super Eggplant shared this website last week: JetPens.com. *drool* Pens are my ultimate weakness. Pens… and shoes… oh, and good food… hm, and….(I have a lot of weaknesses come to think of it). They have all sorts of pens there. Artsy pens, serious business pens, cute pens... *drool* I wanted to try one of these scented lead mechanical pencils, but it's sold out now. *cry* They still have the lead though so maybe I could just get that. But, it's just not the same! Oh and I haven't actually bought anything from this site but I really really want to. All the reviews I've read so far about the shop and the products have been good though. (^_^)'

And since I’m sharing web things my husband asked me to share this:

http://cender.net/img/thehoff/hoffkick.gif

What a weirdo.

Everything but...

Everything but amigurumi. Sorry. I didn’t get very far with the whole amigurumi-ing during my midweek weekend. :( I tried. I really did. I got the yarn out, I had my hooks out, I even started something… but… I just wasn’t inspired enough I guess. So instead I started knitting a scarf. I have two skeins of wool ease sitting about and just the right size needles. I found this pattern of an easy cabled scarf at Pieknits. It's at the bottom of the page and is called Ropes and Ladders Scarf. I always wanted to try cabling. And that was that. Sad. Then today I finally painted this little girl. She’s dated 09.21.07. Just over a year later I’ve completed her.

Hahaha Man, I’m slow!

Midweek Weekend

Today and tomorrow is my midweek weekend. I don’t have to go to work, I usually don’t have any appointments, my daughter is in school all day. Life is good. It used to be better in the sense that I had Mondays off. That was great for cleaning up the insanity left by the hurricane over the official weekend. But my schedule has changed and now I don’t have off until Wednesday. There’s more to clean up because of the Monday and Tuesday insanity that got piled on top of weekend hurricane madness that didn’t get cleaned up, but that’s ok. Because I still have all day Thursday. WOOHOO! So you know what that means for you blog readers? That maybe I’ll have a chance to actually start and even complete little amigurumi type projects to post here instead of all this lyrical nonsense. Ok well, not so lyrical more like monotonal (is that even a word???). The point is MORE AMIGURUMI! Yay! YAY!

Rainbows, Unicorns, and Dogs with Stinky Butt

My daughter is fine, by the way. After a very dead to the world three hour nap yesterday morning she woke up spryer than ever.

*BOING* “What day is it? Is it Friday??” she says, no SINGS, as she practically flies off her loft bed all smiles and twinkles like she’s sliding down a rainbow.

Really, it was like nothing ever happened. As if only a few short hours ago she hadn’t been crying and moping and clutching at her stomach like she had a bad episode at a *insert foreign food type here* restaurant. Of course I still had to make the day as boring as possible so she wouldn’t get any bright ideas about more sick days. So who was totally bored in the end? The child who suddenly had unicorns and faeries prancing around her throwing flowers? Of course not. It was me. ME! A totally boring wasted day. I was at a complete loss. After having all my original plans flushed down the toilet I didn’t know how to recompose myself. hahahaHAHAHAHA But that was yesterday. Wonderful, boring, quiet, yesterday.

Today. TODAY?! The dog has the runs. Because this morning I caught her sneaking huge gulps of our cat’s wet food (which we don’t normally give him but because I didn’t get out yesterday to get any cat food it was what we had in the house for him which is better than usual in times of running out of cat food which would be nothing at all. So if it weren’t for the freebie one-serving pack we got during our last purchase of cat food he would’ve starved. STARVED, I say. He certainly was very vocal about it this morning. I thought I was being nice. I thought I was giving him a special treat. But nooOOOOooo he turned his nose at it! How ungreatful.) So now, now our dog has the runs. EW! All afternoon I thought I was smelling some nasty fumes occasionally but I didn’t imagine it would come to this. Thank goodness she’s well house trained. And I almost waited longer to take her out because I was in the middle of typing the first part of this entry.

Mini flashback: “Not now, DOG. ARGH I just took you out less than an hour ago! What is your problem? STOP BANGING AT THE FRONT DOOR!”

Well needless to say I was very happy I gave in.

Thank goodness it’s at least the weekend.

ADMS - Do You Have the Skills?

When I was a kid I remember pretending to be sick and getting away with it. When I was a kid I remember actually being sick and sent to school anyway. And as a kid I was like, “What is going on with your adult decision making skills?”

Hey, I like that. "adult decision making skills". I think it should be official. "ADMS. Do You Have the Skills?" Sounds like an advert. But to appeal to the younger parenting generation maybe it should be SkillZ . yuk.

Today my daughter doesn’t feel well. She woke up at 6 am crying real actual tears saying her tummy hurt. Oh it’s always a bad thing with the tummy hurting. And as much as I wanted to believe her 100% the little voice still said , “eh it’s nothing. How can she be having a tummy ache? She went to the bathroom yesterday all normal like. She’s been eating good food, lots of fruit low on the junk. We all ate the same dinner and no one else is sick! Ugh what’s wrong now?!” (Never mind the fact that there is some weird stomach illness going on right now - just this week three people went home complaining of similar stomach ailments at the office I part time at. No it can't be THAT obvious, I can't be THAT rational). I don’t want to send her to school if she’s really sick but then I don’t want to keep her home if she isn’t. She’ll start to think that making the slightest feign of illness will get her a free ticket home. As a first grader she’s still learning the tricks of the trade – How to Get Mom to Sign Off on Absences. So after I let her sulk a bit and we did some squishing I told her to get ready for school. An hour later all dressed and sitting at the dining table she was still complaining of her tummy ache. She had since then gone to the bathroom and had half a tablet of child’s Pepto-Bismol all to no avail. She had no fever but looked pretty pale. What to do? The clock was ticking. Call or don’t call? Baby her or toughen her up? She’s only 6 years old for goodness sakes. I finally gave in and called the school attendance line. Thank goodness for answering machines because I hate the way the school makes you feel guilty for calling in absences. So straight to bed she’s gone and she actually is sleeping. Poor thing.

Oh yeah baby, I got da skillz.

...who will no longer remain nameless...

How many here remember my little doll "Nameless"? Show of hands?

*crickets*

Ok, I know it's been a long time. I'm ashamed to say that it's been since February that I've done anything with this doll. And I've posted so little since then that I believe you can still see the post we're talking about if you just scroll down a bit on the main page. *shaaaaaaame* (-_-)''

Some of you were even so nice to respond to that post with very cute names for my poor doll. It's only since yesterday that I've finally decided to name her:

Zoe Lily-Belle!

I'm not that crazy about the "Belle" part but somehow it just seemed to fit. So without further ado, here is the pattern that I wrote for her way back then (look at what healthy guilt trips can get ya!). I made it as a pdf document but as I don't have a place to share those types of files at the moment I'm just going to have to cram it all here on this post! woohoooooo!! *cram cram cram* It's all ugly now, too. It was so much prettier in pdf format. *sigh*

It would probably be best if you highlighted the whole thing and pasted it into some kind of word document. That way you can save it to your computer and print it out for writing on or cussing at or tearing up or... or...

Oh, and by the way, if you leave comments with questions be sure to leave some way for me to contact you! I sometimes try to answer them in the comment section or by writing a new entry, so check back. But give me some time. And if I NEVER answer ... well... then I just don't, do I? Sorry.(^-^)*

Exclusive Original AmigurumiGirl Pattern - Free Free Free Free Free Woot!
(I love the word "free"!)

DISCLAIMER: or maybe REMINDER: I suck at pattern writing. Please please keep this in mind as you do this pattern. There are mistakes. I've corrected some. And others are probably better left alone. Use this as a guideline and let your inner creativity lead the way. You'll be fine. Any little "mistakes" can be looked as your own added charm. Good luck!

PS- for further insight and notes on this pattern from a completely unbiased source please check out House Full of Monkeys. I think her post will help you a lot with this pattern.

Zoe Lily-Belle

Materials:

Hook size D - 3.0mm
Tapestry needle

Black safety eyes (Darice Solid Black 12mm)

Yarn Color A – beige (“skin”)
Yarn Color B – leaf green (shirt)
Yarn Color C – chocolate brown (skirt and shoes)
Yarn Color D – white (underpants)
Yarn Color E – wine (hair)

Note: I used Red Heart Soft Yarn – medium worsted, Red Heart Sport in white, and a mystery double knit in beige for this project (sorry there was no label on the skein). Although next time I’d choose something much more light weight for the hair I think.

Embroidery thread – black
Embellishments – beads, ribbons, etc (although I didn’t use any this time around I have some ideas...)


Stitch notes:

Magic ring – this is a neat way to start crocheting in the round that offers a tight closed hole in the center. You can find a visual tutorial at PlanetJune . Lots of good stuff there in fact so be sure to go poke around!

Bobble Stitch – work 5 hdc into 1 sc (the number 5 is really “adjustable”. You can do less for a smaller nose or more for a really good sized honker. You can also use dc instead of hdc. Experiment to get the look you want.)

Hook the yarn through (in hair section) - by this I mean fold your piece of yarn in half. Stick your hook into one sc and out another. Hook the folded yarn and pull it through. Then reach through the loop you’ve created and pull through the ends of the yarn piece. Pull taught.


Beginning at the top of the head:

Using Color A
Start with magic ring of 6 sc (this is my preferred way to start working in rounds but you can use whatever way you’re comfortable with)

Rnd 1: 2sc in each sc (12)
Rnd 2: 1 sc in first sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat 6 times (18)
Rnd 3: 1 sc in each next 2 scs, 2sc in next sc * repeat 6 times (24)
Rnd 4: 1 sc in each next 3 scs, 2sc in next sc* repeat 6 times (30)
Rnd 5: 1 sc in each next 4 scs, 2sc in next sc* repeat 6 times (36)
Rnd 6: 1 sc in each next 5 scs, 2sc in next sc* repeat 6 times (42)
Rnd 7: 1 sc in each next 6 scs, 2sc in next sc* repeat 6 times (48)
Rnd 8-10: 1 sc in each sc – 3 rows even of 48 each
Rnd 11: 1 sc in each sc - somewhere (anywhere, really, but preferably not too close to the beginning or the end) in this round work one bobble stitch for a nose
Rnd 12: 1sc in each sc (48)
Rnd 13: 1 sc in each next 6 scs, 2sctog * repeat 6 times (42)
Rnd 14: 1 sc in each next 5 scs, 2sctog* repeat 6 times (36)
Rnd 15: 1 sc in each next 4 scs, 2sctog* repeat 6 times (30)
Rnd 16: 1 sc in each next 3 scs, 2sctog* repeat 6 times (24)
Rnd 17: 1 sc in each next 2 scs, 2sctog* repeat 6 times (18)
Rnd 18: 2 sctog* repeat 6 times (9) - originally I got 12 as the final count which I'm sure it should be but how it got there I can't remember... 1 sc, 2sctog repeat 6 times? prehaps.

Switch to Color B (optional: work one row of slip stitches – this is an uncounted row and purely to make the switch look neater. If you don’t want to do it you really don’t have to, but I do say it does lend a nice finished look to your work.) Here we are at the neck and the top of the shirt/dress.

Note:
Rnd 19 is worked behind the row of slip stitches into color A of Rnd 17

Rnd 19: 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next* repeat 6 times (18)

At this point you may want to stop and put the eyes in. Place them on Rnd 11 spaced evenly apart from the cluster you made for the nose. This would also be a good time to embroider in the eyelashes and eyebrows and/or any other facial features you’d like. Stuff the head firmly.

Rnd 20: 1 sc in each next 2 scs, 2sctog* repeat 6 times (24)

Rnd 21-24: 1 sc in each sc - 4 rows even of 24 each

Switch to Color C Work one row of slip stitches (optional again – see previous note). This begins the skirt.

Note:
Rnd 25 is worked behind the row of slip stitches into the front loops only of color B in row 24. We are working into the front loops only here because we are going to come back with Color D and work into the back loops later. Depending on your tension while you crochet this can be a bit tight, but it can be done! Persevere!

Skirt

Rnd 25: in front loops only work 1 sc in each next 3 scs, 2sc in next* repeat 6 times (30)
Rnd 26: 1 sc in each next 4 scs, 2sc in next sc* repeat 6 times (36)
Rnd 27: 1 sc in each sc (work more even rnds for a longer skirt if you like!)
Rnd 28: skirt edge – 1 slst in first sc, 1 slst, 1hdc, 1 slst in next sc, 1 slst in next sc* repeat to end.
BO weave in end.

Switch to Color D

Going back to Rnd 24 into the back loops work 1 sc in each sc (30)
Rnd 25a: 1 sc in each sc (30)
Rnd 26a-27a: see note

26a: 1 sc in each (15)
27a: 1 sc in each (15)

Work a round of slip stitch. Switch to Color A.

Note: you need to eyeball things here. You are going to work sc until you get to the middle front of your doll. At this point you are going to put your hook through two scs at one time; the one you are on and counting to 15 stitches after that, therefore pinching the front and back together in the center with one sc. You should now have two “circles” of 15 sc each (hello leg!). Continue working 1 sc in each around then work one row of slip stitches. This is one leg of the shorts/underpants. Make a super long tail and pull it through that center sc you made earlier. You can use this tail to finish the other side of the pants later. Or, if you prefer, you can BO and pick up new yarn later on. Confused yet? Whew.

Legs

Rnd 28a: with Color A work in round 27a behind slip stitch row. 1 sc in each (15)
Rnd 29a-33a: 1 sc in each – 5 even rows of 15

Bind off.

Pick up Color D at Rnd 26a work 2 even rounds of 15 each. Work an uncounted round of slip stitches and proceed with leg 2 as done for leg 1. Bind off.

Shoes

Using Color C
Start with magic ring of 5 sc

Rnd 1: 2sc in each sc (10)
Rnd 2: 1 sc in first sc, 2 sc in next sc* repeat 5 times (15)
Rnd 3: ch 2 (counts as first hdc), skip one sc, 1 hdc in each sc after that, join last hdc to ch 2 with slst
Rnd 4: 1 sc in each hdc (15)
Rnd 5: 1 sc in each sc (15)

Bind off leaving a looooong tail for whip stitching shoe to leg.

Stuff the leg firmly. Stuff the shoe a little bit - just enough that you can still handle stitching the pieces together. You can stuff the leg/shoe more after you’ve stitched the shoe on part way. And then after stuffing to your satisfaction, finish attaching the shoe.

Attaching the shoe: whip stitch shoe to leg. Then wind the remaining length around the joining edge twice. On the first pass I stitch the yarn in at the half way pt, just for some stabilizing, then continue around to finish that round. On completion of the second round simply stitch the end in securely.

Arm (MAKE 2)

Start with magic ring of 5 ch or however you like to start your spiral/circular shape using 5 ch

Row 2: 2sc in each ch (10)
Row 3: 2sc in first ch, 1 sc in next* five times (15)
Row 4-6: sc in each (in the first sc on row 5 make a cluster – this is the “thumb”. I used a 5sc cluster I think. experiment to your liking)
Row 7: 1 sc in next 3, sc2tog in next* repeat three times (12)
Row 8: sc in each
Row 9: sc in next 5, sc2tog in next sc* repeat (10)
Row 10-11: sc in each
Row 12: switch to shirt color and sc in each.

Bind off leaving long tail for attaching to body.

Note:You can attach the arms whenever you’re ready. I did mine at the end. Whip stitch them to the first row of the shirt, placing them as you see fit. ;) When attaching them, just make sure the thumbs are facing the “right” way; facing forward if you wish for her to seem relaxed with palms toward her sides.

Hair

Making a hair cap...

Same process as making the head, just stop halfway. Since I used a yarn that was a little heavier for the hair than what I used to the head itself, my figures might seem ... strange. If you’re using the same yarn throughout the project then your cap should be “bigger” than your head. You’ll see here my numbers seem to stop at a smaller point, but it works for me because of the yarn and change in hook size.

Using hook size E - 3.5mm

Start with magic ring of 6 sc
Rnd 1: 2sc in each sc (12)
Rnd 2: 1 sc in first sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat 6 times (18)
Rnd 3: 1 sc in each next 2 scs, 2sc in next sc * repeat 6 times (24)
Rnd 4: 1 sc in each next 3 scs, 2sc in next sc* repeat 6 times (30)
Rnd 5: 1 sc in each next 4 scs, 2sc in next sc* repeat 6 times (36)
Rnd 6-7: work even rounds 36 each round

Bind off leaving long tail for attaching to head.

Place the cap on the head at a tilt with the back edge dipping down closer to the neck line. Once it’s positioned as you like attach it lightly to the head. Now comes the fun part. Cut equal lengths of yarn, I did about 5 inches (I think??). Cut a lot. Depending on the style you’re going to do this number will vary. Now simply hook the yarn through scs throughout the cap. You don’t have to hook through every sc. I did about two scs apart and staggered. At the top of the head you’ll have to experiment and see what works best; thinking about how real hair grows. After all the yarn you want is put in, style it!


Creator’s Notes:

Well, I hope this was decipherable. If you use it as a loose guideline and let your own creative juices flow, I’m sure you’ll have success and an original doll of your own! Remember to just have fun!

In retrospect I should’ve taken more in-progress photos. I’m sure a lot of my directions are mind boggling. (@_@)’

I’m happy if you make these dolls for gift giving or sharing with friends. However, I ask that you please do not duplicate this pattern or make the dolls to sell for personal profit. If you are interested in using it for charity or some special event, I’d love to hear about it. Please contact me at amigurumigirl@gmail.com and I’ll try my best to help. (^_^) Thank you! *whew*

Great Ideas and Guilt

So my husband has been saying for ages, "You should totally hook up your amigurogimimi (he calls it something different everytime) site with our paypal dealio and try to get donations!!" This he says with a huge grin and that wild eyed look.

me: *like deer in headlights* Donations?? For what? My one frog pattern?

him: Don't forget the pear.

me: And my pear pattern?

him: And other entries...

me: My wonderful writing skills full with wit and charm that you find in my oh so often entries? ha!

Yikes. That's a lot of pressure. Never-the-less he was determined and now lo and behold we have a "donate" button. Please know I'm not expecting anything for what I put up on this site. But as my husband says, "You never know when someone might be feeling a little generous." Ok, maybe those aren't his exact words. I'm trying to get him to write an entry here himself to explain it because it's really funny what he's telling me - you should see him gesticulating and articulating right now.

Alas, it seems I can not convince him.

Sigh. I guess this means I have to up the site maintenance. (*_*)'