Beach Coasters

I bought this yarn cause the colors reminded me of the beach and then I never did anything with it. Decided to make these coasters and I'm still not even sure if I like them. Real quick garter stitch with a half assed crochet border. Maybe they will look better after I block them?

Star light, Star bright.....

Love this bracelet! It reminds me of the beach at night and I can't wait to wear it! Riley thinks they look like clear grapes but I think I will ignore that criticism and go with my own thoughts. LOL

Preparing for the Beach

This is just a really simple and cute beach bag I made for Brenna. She always has lots of stuff to take with her and is always looking for a new tote. I made this one ami style with a cotton yarn so it is easily washable. Quick icord drawstring and the bag was done!

Spring Break Fun and a Purse Two Ways

The break from school and obligations was wonderful. The kids and I played games, hung out and spent lots of time at Barnes and Noble. Loved it! While it didn't leave me alot of time for posting, I did get alot of crocheting done and some knitting.

Riley and I got to have our very first crochet along. A neat experience. I finally took the time to teach her how to sew her ami's together instead of just doing it for her. We made a bear and a cat. We used different sized yarns so I could teach her about gauge with a project that didn't matter. So now I have this incredibly tiny pink bear and her green bear made from sport yarn looks gigantic!

I made these purses a few weeks ago. The knit one is from a pattern I found online and the crochet one is my attempt to change the pattern. I can post the pattern for anyone who is interested. Just let me know if you want to see it. It makes a nice, small purse perfect for nights out. I used bangle bracelets for the handles. Enjoy!

Something different...

Here are a couple of magnets I made using those old aol cd's that used to come in the mail. I saved them and try to use them when crafting. I made them with letter stencils, silk flowers, buttons, brads and stickers. Quick and easy!!!

Stashbusters!

Two scarves made from leftovers. They're both a little skinny but usable. I especially like the pink and brown wool one. Not a huge fan of the teal ones but my girls want it so that's good! LOL

Summer Shirts

These are the shirts I made for the girls that match the shirt I made for the ami doll. Very easy to make, just a chevron stitch starting at the top and working to the bottom. A chain tie at the neck and another at the waist. I made them both from cotton yarn. Super easy and super cute!

More from Amigurumi!

This is the final project from the book. She was called Strawbeary. I changed her up a bit. I didn't crochet her clothes to her permanently. But I did crochet her wearing a bra and undies. She had mary jane shoes but I gave her the sandals from another project in the book. Her skirt is made from scrap fabric and a kilt pin and her shirt is a miniature version of one I made for my daughters. I will be posting the pics of those in a little bit. Super simple pattern for all sizes as well.

Amigurumi! Super Happy Cute Crochet

by Elisabeth A. Doherty. I purchased this book the minute it came out and I fell in love with it! She had so many amazing things to make in it. We adored this pig and it was destined to be my first project. If you are looking for a good crochet book this is it! Great pics and patterns, even some helpful tips for those just starting out in amigurumi. My 10 year old (9 at the time) learned alot from the stitches and techniques section. I will be posting some other items I made from this book later. Overall this is one of our favorite books.

whatever...

It seems that no matter what my intentions are I have trouble dealing with this blogging thing. I have been busy creating things and not taking pictures or posting anything so I will try again. This mouse is made using essentially the same pattern as my frog just gave him bigger ears. LOL Hope you enjoy him...

A WHOLE YEAR!!!!

I can't believe it! I will have to start posting at least the pictures of all the things I have made in the past year. I am soooo sorry to have left this for sooooo long.

The Bomb from Mario Bros.

CJ has been playing the Wii alot lately and he downloaded a few of the old school Mario games. He NEEDED to have his own bomb, so here he is.

And here is his pattern:

Body – With black. R1: Sc 6 into a circle. R2: INC (12). R3: Sc 1, INC (18). R4: Sc 2, INC (24). R5: Sc 3, INC (30). R6: Sc 4, INC (36). R7: Sc 5, INC (42). R8: Sc around (42). R9: Sc 5, DEC (36). R10: Sc 4, DEC (30). R11: Sc 3, DEC (24). R12: Sc 2, DEC (18). R13: Sc 1, DEC (12). R14: DEC (6).

Top Cap – With gray. R1: Sc 6 into a circle. R2: INC (12). R3: INC (24). R5: Sc around (24).

Feet – make 2 – With yellow. R1: Sc 6 into a circle. R2: INC (12). R3-6: Sc around (12). R7: DEC (6). R8-9: Sc around (6).

Fuse – With yellow. Chain 16. 2 sc in each chain across.

A New Year

...and a few more hobbies! Geoff got me a sewing machine for Christmas so now I can make different kinds of softies! I am so excited and can't wait to get started. I also started knitting again and I am working on a sweater for CJ and a skirt for Brenna. I nned to find a project for Riley to start on as well. I'm happy to be doing these things but I do wish there was more time in a day!!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all who are still reading! I just finished my last Christmas project. A pair of slippers for my Aunt. Now I am off to bed and I am sure I will not get back here til after the holiday. If you get a chance go to www.noradsanta.org It's truly a wonderful site and my kids and I will be visiting it throughout the day. Have a blessed Christmas!

WOW! What a long month!

I can't believe that it has taken me so long to post! I keep telling myself to get on here and say anything but it hasn't happened. I have been busily working on tons of Christmas projects and I can't seem to get out of my own way. In any case I am getting closer to finished with all the items I wanted to make. I think I will have aceived my goal of one item for each family member. At least I hope so! I spent this morning blocking and ironing the scarves I made. I really hope to take pics of everything. Alot of it is really simple though. I will also have a few new patterns coming after I figure out what all my numbers meant. LOL Hopefully I will be back soon with pics!

Remember if you made any of the amigurumi I created please let me know. I would love to post them here!

Pattern for Ebeneizer

I *think* this is the last of the patterns for the amigurumi I have already put up. I do have quite a few more sitting here waiting for their stories and for me to take their pics. Hoefully I will get to it soon. But with the holidays coming up it is getting harder to do those things. I am working on a bunch of presents and other holiday related items so as soon as I can I will post pics of those things too.

But for now here is a pattern for Ebeneizer! Outside Shell (make 2) – R1: sc 6 into a circle. R2: INC (12). R3: Sc 1, INC (18). R4: Sc 2, INC (24).

Inside Shell (make 2) – R1: sc 6 into a circle. R2: INC (12). R3: INC (24).

Pearl - R1: sc 6 into a circle. R2: INC (12). R3-4: Sc around (12). R5: DEC (6).

Assembly – Whip stitch inside shell to outside shell. Repeat with other set. Sew pearl to bottom half of shell. Sew the two shells together using five stitches that are lined up on the backside.

pattern for Chuck the Frog

I know it's been a while since I posted a pattern so here is one for today. I hope I will be able to get another one on for tomorrow and I need to take a bunch of pics of the amis I created while I was not blogging. Hopefully all of it will get done.

Body - R1: sc 6 into a circle (6). R2: INC (12). R3: Sc 1, INC (18). R4-9: Sc around (24). R10: Sc 1, DEC (12). R11: DEC (6). R12: INC (12). R13: Sc 1, INC (18). R14: Sc 2, INC (24). R15: Sc 3, INC (30). R16: Sc 4, INC (36). R17: Sc around (36). R18: Sc 4, DEC (30). R19: Sc 3, DEC. (24). R20: Sc 2, DEC (18). R21: Sc 1, DEC (12). R22: DEC (6).

Legs – R1: sc 6 into a circle. R2: INC (12). R3-4: Sc around (12). R5: DEC (6). R6-15: Sc around.

Arms – R1: sc 6 into a circle. R2-7: Sc around.

Eyes - R1: sc 6 into a circle (6). R2: INC (12).

Enjoy your frog! If you make one please send me a link so I can see him!

Ninja Town

After I got the Cute Book of course I had to make more felt guys. CJ found this ninja in Nintendo Power mag. It is a guy from a new game called Ninja Town. So we quickly drew up a pattern and made him our own.

The Cute Book - Monkey

Here's another guy from the cute book. I made this monkey for my daughter. I wanted to make him into a pack pack hangy guy but she stole him from my craft basket as soon as he was finished. Now he is sitting upstairs on her shelf. LOL I guess he won't be going to school anytime soon. There are a ton of really great patterns in this book and I want to make a few more before I am through. They are tiny (about 3") so I think I will make some for present toppers for Christmas. The patterns that they use are making me think differently about some other things I have as well. All the paper piecing patterns I have from scrapbooking can be turned into these little felt guys and I am thinking that the drawings I make of my amigurumi can be turned into felt guys as well. I am excited to think of all the things I can do now but also sad because it means one more thing I am spending money on!!!! LOL

The Cute Book

I picked up this book back in September. I love it! It is called The Cute Book by Aranzi Aronzo. They have some of the cutest little felt patterns. I got to it right away. I didn't get to use any of the wonderful wool felt cause it is a little too spendy for me right now but I did use some craft felt that the kids had. I made this guy for my son's birthday. In the book he had a body LOL but for my guy I just needed the head and he became a magnet for his locker at school. A big hit! I also made a monkey from the book. All the patterns and instructions are super simple! I want to make all these little creatures. They are too adorable!