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.

How is the lion's mane done???

Hi again... some of you have been asking me about the patterns for the lion and the horse I recently posted. Unfortunately I cannot post the actual patterns, however I can answer some questions.

The lion's mane... how was that done? A really fun version of the good ol' sc. I've posted here pictures from the book on how to do that particular stitch. Steps 1 and 2 - your standard sc start but with a twist (it's difficult to see in the drawing but the middle finger is holding down a length of yarn in the back making a long loop)... Steps 3 and 4 (keeping that middle finger holding down that loop you then yarn over and hook through as the usual sc. Diagram 4 is a picture of the back of your work) - voila! So in this case, your "wrong" side of your work will be the presented side. yay!

Sorry the pictures aren't great. I'm actually in a rush to get out of the house. Today we're going to the Gravenstein Apple Festival in Sebastopol. Wooohooo!!! Aaaaapppleeeessss *drool* (*_*) Happy hookin'!

Ami horse - also from Vol. 4

Well, I'm on a roll aren't I? Here's a little horse from the same book in that last post about the lion. Sport weight yarn, D(3mm) hook. tee hee

She turned out ok, I made one of the legs one row too short though I think. Oops. That's what I get for talking while crocheting.

That's the end. Bye bye!

Amigurumi Vol. 4 - Lion

Yay! I finally made him. I've had this book for some time now and have been dieing to make this little guy. It was fun and a lot easier than I had anticipated. I think the mane was intimidating me, but once I tried doing it that was the most fun stitch to do!

I had only one button eye in my stash though so I had to improvise. A little wink never hurt anyone. (~_^)v

Cute toes!

Squishy Cat

I went browsing at Kinokuniya the other day and saw the new Amigurumi Collection book Vol 5. There was a cat on the cover that looked pretty easy and so laid back. I didn't have time to flip through to the patterns but I figured I could take a stab at it.

Voila! Granted mine is much bigger than the original I think. The body is squishy like a beanie baby (filled with polyfill beads) hard to tell by the photos.

I think I'll make it a little smaller next time though, because I found that it makes a perfect wrist rest for when using my mouse/pen tablet. Woohoo! (^_^)v

A Bear for Isabel

I bought this book awhile ago and have been itching to try the pattern for this little bear. The shaping was something new to me so it was interesting to make. It was also surprisingly quick to do. It was surprisingly easy to read the diagram to the pattern as well. I can't read Japanese well at all, in fact hardly at all.... ok NOT at all (well ok I can read SOME hirigana but that won't help me much with patterns ha!) but luckily Japanese craft books are always so well "illustrated". hee hee (^_^)v Anyway, it's been ages since I've updated anything on this blog. So without further ado here he is

I used an F Hook (4.om) and some left over worsted weight yarn (no idea what brand, sorry) for the body. The muzzle is sport weight. I also made an extra ear and used it as a tail. Really cute. (*_*). The scarf is knitted with sport weight yarn. Just your basic stockinette, 4s. Black button eyes. I really liked the way he turned out and was hesitant at first to gift him to my friend Isabel who was in desperate need of some cheering up. But it was well worth the "work" (and sacrifice hee hee) to see her gleeful reaction. (~_^)v.