Thoughtful gift for a thinker. Dumpty gives me an impression that he is a deep thinker, life philosopher perhaps. He arranges his thoughts pretty well, and always arrive at a joyful and happy mood.

Packed in this gift set are saplanet originals humpty dumpty amigurumi egg; lip balm cozy; coaster; magnet; pin back; and a gift card.

Giftable items, perfect for Christmas, or any gifting occasion! Wear it, display it, plug it on the fridge, and use it…

Packed in this gift set are saplanet originals kenny amigurumi bear; lip balm cozy; coaster; magnet; pin back; and a gift card.

Thing Two’s crochet robot in pieces.  I made the head and inserted a doll joint for the neck.  The arms are finger thick chords so they will attach without joints.

As promised here it the finished product…

He sits at approximately 7 inches tall.

I can’t believe that it is already December – but I have been doing my best, along with the help of “The General“, to be prepared with all of my Christmas knitting this year.  Fortunately, I have been able to significantly shorten the recipient list due to lack of ideas – I have already made most everybody in my family all of the gifts that I can think to make for them!  Therefore, only a very few are getting that last “I want to make this for you and here it is” gift.  Takes a LOT of the pressure off of me!!  I say it every year and this year I really mean it, next year the only people getting knitted gifts will be my husband and my mother!!

I did manage to squeeze in a little Thanksgiving project while working on my other commitments, the Tiny November knit-a-long at the Spud & Chloe blog.  I love everything by Susan B. Anderson, so this was a fun project even tho I didn’t actually get to knit along with her – I was a few days behind getting started and then a LOT of days behind getting finished.  Nevertheless, Franklin is completed:

I used Lily Sugar n Cream in Warm Brown, Wine, Yellow, Jute, and Sage Green.  All from my stash – so this was a really fun way to use some stash yarns.

I have recently discovered how loose of a knitter I am, so I had to use size 3 needles in order for my fabric to be tight and my stuffing not show thru.  That can be a little rough on my hands and that is why I had to go a little slower on knitting this.  But I had him finished for Thanksgiving and took him to show off at my grandmother’s.  He was very well received and now sits by the TV waiting for next year!!

I love how Vincent coordinates the colors for these two little ones, bright, and cheerful. These are perfect for brightening anyone’s mood, I know mine is lifted up while making them!

They will both be wearing a choker, which I have forgotten to tie on before taking the photos. Hey, I’m sure you could cut me some slack on that.

This reminds me of the Tortoise and Hare fable. and some years ago, I made a pair of BunBun rabbit and TorGri tortoise for a friend on his birthday while he was studying abroad. Naturally, anything that comes from me, comes with a slight ‘twist’ too. I love the moral of fable, but I prefer to have an ending that completes in a full and nice circle. I made a mini booklet that tells the fable, only that the story ends with the tortoise and rabbit becoming good friends.

That set was made in encouragement to a good friend, letting him know that he was not falling behind the stream. Let’s learn from our opponent/competitor, and not make foe but add new friends. At the end of the day, every episode in our life may be shorter than we could image, so cherish each episode with kindness and love.

[amigurumi dolls & amigurumi patterns]

The mini mushrooms in the world of Mario are tasked with many things. The little red ones have the special job of helping Mario and his friends grow bigger and stronger to assist them on their adventures.

However, not all the mushrooms are sure of their fate. This mini Mario Mushroom is questioning whether it is really his destiny to help people grow large. He is off on a journey of self discovery, to see whether he can find a more fulfilling place in the world. So far he has become enamoured with the idea of Christmas, and plans to spend the next month as an ornament on a Christmas tree. He is waiting for my tree to go up, so he is practising in a Christmas-tree-like bush in my backyard.

He is very grateful for my hospitality and has shared with me the secret of how the mini mushrooms are created. He is very emphatic that more mushrooms should have the opportunity to find their destiny too, so make sure you mix up the colours and embellishments to create your own individual mushies They would love to hang out with you this Christmas, so make sure to make a bunch of them to pop on your tree, hang up as a garland, or put in a bowl with pinecones and other lovely Christmassy-smelling stuff.

Mini Mario Mushroom Amigurumi Pattern

My patterns are written down as I create my amigurumi, but let me know if there is anything missing.

Techniques

You will use the basic amigurumi crochet techniques: magic circle, slip stitch, single crochet (sc), increase, and invisible decrease.
Note: US crochet stitch terminology is used. ch=chain, sc=single crochet, 2sc in next sc=increase, sc2tog=decrease (crochet two sc together to make one sc). I use the invisible decrease method for all decreases.

Materials

* Yarn: Red, White, and Scrap length of Black for the eyes (but try all different colours for your mushrooms!)
* Polyfill stuffing
* Crochet Hook
* Needle (one with an eye big enough for yarn, and one for your embroidery thread)
* Optional: other decorative items (e.g. beads, buttons, sequins)

Pattern

Mushroom

Start with Red Yarn

RND1:  6sc magic circle [6]
RND2:  2sc in next sc. Repeat [12]
RND3:  sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc. Repeat [18]
RND4:  sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc. Repeat [24]
RND5:  24 sc around [24]
RND6:  24 sc around [24]
RND7:  24 sc around [24]
RND8:  24 sc around [24]
RND9:  sc2tog. Repeat [12]
**Slip stitch in back stitch only to add in white.**
RND10: 12 sc around in back stitch only for this round [12]
RND11: sc in 2 sc, 2sc in next sc. Repeat [16]
RND12: 14 sc around [16]
RND13: sc2tog. Repeat [8] **stuff mushroom**
RND14: sc2tog. Repeat [4]
Slip stitch and finish off.

Mushroom: Spots [make 3-4 in white]

RND1:  4sc magic circle [4]
RND2:  2sc in next sc. Repeat [8]
RND3:  sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc. Repeat [12]
Slip stitch and finish off. Leave a long yarn for sewing.
Sew spots to top of mushroom.

Whip stitch (just stitch “over-and-under” a couple of times with needle and black yarn) eyes onto white part of mushroom.

Now send your mushroom off on an adventurous journey! These mushrooms would love to hang out with you this Christmas, so make sure to make a bunch of them to pop on your tree, hang up as a garland, or put in a bowl with pinecones and other lovely Christmassy-smelling stuff. If you would like to make a much bigger mario mushroom, WolfDreamer has learnt the secrets of a big one.

Note: I developed this pattern myself, but it is so basic it would have been made many times before! I would still love a link and to see your creations in the comments if you found this helpful

Morgen ist es soweit! Das erste Türchen des CreaReich-Adventskalenders darf geöffnet werden…
Was wird sich wohl darin verstecken? Eine Anleitung, ein Freebie, ein Giveaway???

ADVENTSKALENDER 2009

Viel Spaß beim Fensterl aufmachen!

I found this Japanese amigurumi kit in a secondhand store in Northcote today. The lady in the shop warned me that all the instructions are in Japanese but I’m tempted to have a go anyway.

(Actually, there were three other kits and I’m tempted to go back and buy them too.)

The label says りんご帽のくま which means something like “apple cap bear”.

kawaii ne? (cute, huh?)

Hello, I’m one of the crafting creatures on this blog and I finally have an Etsy Store.

Check out my stuff!

I love knitted things, it is such a traditional craft, associated with grandma’s knitting tacky jumpers and tea cosies. I learnt to knit last Summer, it took me ages to get a hang of it and to this day I have not managed to do anything other than straight lines, therefore limiting me to scarves! This Winter I’m planning on expanding my skills into crochet and knitting more interesting things such as hats and handwarmers.

I’ve seen so many snazzy knitted makes on my browsing of the web and would love to share some of these with you!

Amigurumi!

Through browsing the blog Geek Crafts (which I love, and highly recommend you check out!) http://geekcrafts.com/ I discovered the quirky, cute and imaginative world of Amigurumi. Amigurumi is the Japanese for ‘knitted stuff toy’, however this name has been attached generally to any kind of Kawaii (cute), quirky and kitsch knitted characters. Just do a google image search and a whole bunch of amazing makes appear. This website has some amazing examples, check out the gallery, I particularly love the teddy bear cupcakes and bon bons: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amigurumikingdom/

Knitted Food Items!

For some unknown reason I’ve always had a thing for cartoon food items with faces, which can frequently be seen in traditional Amigurumi work. My love of knitted items have led to my love of knitted food items, so pointless really, but oh so cute and very kitsch. This Folksy shop, Treaclezoo sells great Amigurumi and also knitted food! http://www.folksy.com/shops/treaclezoo For ultimate perfect, check out the Amigurumi food items, super Kawaii! This Etsy shop does amazing patterns and super cute kawaii food: http://www.etsy.com/shop/anapaulaoli . One of my favourite items of jewellery is a Amigurumi apple with a face that I bought from Lady Luck Rules Ok a few years ago, more about this shop to follow but here’s a link: http://www.ladyluckrulesok.com/

 And now for those more useful items!

Of course, the main lovely thing about knitted items is that they can create amazingly snuggly and beautiful practical items and fashion accessories. I have seen so many amazing webshops selling incredible knitted things but some of my faves include: Knit and Destroy, this lady now works for Lady Luck Rules Ok I believe and she is incredible creative with her Knits http://www.knitanddestroy.co.uk/ I have many things from her site, including a lolly pop brooch and a red crayon scarf! For  more elegant, but still quirky knit I love Folksy shop, Dolly Knits, I would quite happily own every piece on her page, so much good choice! http://www.folksy.com/shops/dollyknits I particularly love Dolly Knits triangle scarves, ties and hair bows, seriously cute! Dolly Knit Pom Pom brooches would brighten up any outfit!

 How inspiring is that talented bunch? I wonder if they will lend me their talents?

In letzter Zeit habe ich mich am Miniaturhäkeln versucht. Gar nicht so einfach, aber auch nicht so schwierig wie ich anfangs annahm…

Mini-Erdbeere

Lesezeichen-Maus

Maybe it’s my animation roots or the fact, for me, seeing The Abominable Snowman signals that start of the holidays… what ever it is I’m diggin’ the Yeti. A stark contrast to his Bigfoot cousin, the Yeti’s icy white and cornflower color combination blends expertly into his hers it’s surroundings. After recently seeing ads for one of my favorite holiday movies I was inspired to craft… perhaps there is some amigurumi is in my future? Until then I will be in search of the perfect yarn to compliment my furry fascination.

Yeti Sponsored Yarn: Debbie Bliss –  Luxury Tweed Aran in Pale Blue

No Yetis aka Abominable Snowpersons were hurt in the making of this post or featured yarn.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer © and ® The Rudolph Co., L.P. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” animated program © 1964, renewed 1992 Classic Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Look!

Someone new has arrived!

The long awaited and expected friend…

He wasn’t even patient enough to wait until the lights were adjusted properly.

He was so eager to make his first photo shoot and let you see him that he’d literally jumped in front of my camera.

Though he got shy from time to time he was mostly very brave!

We’d finally settled with this pose.

He’s wearing his scarf and the Finnish-style cap in a very fancy manner here.

I love him so much but he still keeps his name a secret…

What do you think his name could be?

Here’s the tutorial I promised my lovely readers…

The material:

Felt, yarn in two colours, safety / brooch pin, invisible fabric marker, scissors, needle and an embroidery hoop

Take a round stencil (I used a yarn spool) to measure your button. Choose how many holes the button is supossed to have an draw them with your invisible fabric marker onto the felt.

Take the needle and the yarn and stitch along the lines.

Cut the button out. Take the different coloured yarn and your brooch pin, sew the pin to the felt using the “button holes”.

Continue until your pin is really secured and can’t fall off. You’re done!

Let me know if you like my tutorial and show me some pics of your brooches. <3

Buenas aquí está un nuevo amiguito hecho de ganchillo. Este me ha costado más. La verdad es que desde septiembre que va dando vueltas y entre unas cosas y otras….ufff… los caracolillos de la melena tienen su cosa, son entretenidos. Se supone que es un pony.

Uh-oh. Sorry for the long long absence.  I really don’t know where the time has gone. So so sorry. I will be back this afternoon with a free tutorial for my loyal readers and I’m working on a new pattern for my shop. So make sure to come back.

And maybe I have an excuse why I have been away. I am in love, truly, madly, deeply.

So, there I was, fiddling around with some yarn… and *poof*, I made a zombie!

Well, really, I was looking at my stash of yarn and discovered that I had the color I refer to as “Romero blue”. You know, the color of the zombies in George Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead” from 1978. I sat there, trying to think of what I could possibly use this color for, when it dawned on me. Why not make a zombie?

This is the first time I’ve crocheted anything not using a pattern at all, and I’m pretty pleased with the result. Plus, all three kids think it is super-cool, so I win!

Latest bunny made using my pattern. I’m finalizing details on this pattern and will sell on etsy soon.

This weekend we went to see the latest Twilight Saga installment, New Moon. I enjoyed it and you’ll find no complaints here, however, I am not a Twilight aficionado, like my step daughter, Michelle.

I found some fun sites filled with Twilight inspired crafts and I thought you might like to visit them too.
 
Craft Contest
Twilight Amigurumi by April Draven
Twilight Crochet Dolls from DeadCraft

Craftzine Alice Wrist Warmers
 
You can also do a search on Ravelry.com, Etsy and other crafts sites like CraftStylish for more patterns, ideas and crafts.
 
Happy crafting to the young and the young at heart!
 
Twilight Quote (2008)
Isabella Swan: “About three things I was absolutely positive: First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him-and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be-that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”

 Although, not Twilight inspired, this wonderfully handcrafted journal arrived today which will become a family heirloom for us. I urge you to support the handmade artists in your town and online at Etsy this holiday season.

Suede Christmas Journal from Renate Ikinger of Kreativlink on Etsy.com

Marg (working on a project to share on tomorrows blog)

You might also like Delicate Desire Fingerless Gloves inspired by the TwilightSaga character, Bella Swan.

งานนี้คุณหลานโปรดปราน… ช่างกล้า
ซื้อชุดคิทข้าวโพด เห็ด และถั่วมาทำเอง
แต่แล้วก็ “ง่อย” 555+ ส่งมาให้เราถักให้
เค้าไม่อยากได้เป็นกระเป๋า (ไม่พอใส่สมบัติบ้า 555+)
แต่อยากได้ตุ๊กตาตัวอ้วน ๆ (มีแนวโน้มจะมีแฟนอ้วนนะเนี่ย)
แถมยังซื้อหนังสือส่งมาให้อีกเล่ม มีห้าแบบ
ชอบบบบบบค่ะ ว่าแล้วก็ลุยเลย

เริ่มที่ครอบครัวน้องเห็ด น่ารักมากมาย

Pretty.. Pretty Fungies

ต่อด้วยครอบครัวน้องข้าวโพดหัวฟู

Afro.. Afro.. Cornies

ครอบครัวแครอทสดใส สีจี๊ดดดด ได้ใจ

So.. Cute.. Cute.. Carrots

ครอบครัวมะเขือขี้อาย ม้วง….. ม่วง

Shyly.. Shyly.. Egg-Plants

สุดท้าย… ครอบครัว…เอ้ย… ไม่ช่ายยยย
น้องถั่วกำพร้า น่าฉงฉาน…

Sweety.. Sweety.. Sweet peas

ก็เจ้าโปรดปรานเค้าให้เพื่อนถัก “คุณนายถั่ว” ให้นี่คะ
เราเลยไม่ได้ถัก เฮอะ… แต่ไม่เป็นไร มีหนังสือแระ
เด๋วหมดคิว เราก็นั่งถักเองก็ได้ ก็คนมานเก่งอ่าาา เนาะ

สีอาจเพี้ยนนิดหน่อยนะคะ เพราะอันที่ไม่ได้ซื้อชุดคิท
เราไปหาซื้อไหมพรมเอง ก็ได้แค่ใกล้เคียงอ้ะ
งานนี้ ทำเอาปวดมือ ปวดไหล่ไปหลายวันเลยค่ะ
แต่เห็นแล้วก็… คุ้มเนาะ น่าร้ากกกก

Well I finished posting 11 sketches on my Rate My Stamp page.  You can click here to rate my stamp designs.  Since I am done posting my sketches I have been trying to think of what I can make this year for christmas gifts.  I was hoping I could come up with some kinda of crochet or knit project that is semi fast so I can use up a bunch of my yarn.  So I think I will be doing a search on quick christmas gifts in just a bit.  I was thinking maybe a cute ornament, I could attempt some amigurumi again?  but that kinda took long, but maybe if I made smaller animals?  Maybe I could knit or crochet some cute slippers?  I do want to make a pair for myself sometime.  I was thinking about scarfs a few months back  but  I get bored doing the same thing over and over again and plus it would take too long to get 10 done.  Does anyone have any ideas?

OMG so much to crochet so little time but saw these beautiful wild things made by Craftyiscool and thought I would share with you. I am so going to give them ago!

At the moment I am swamped with Christmas crochet commitments but some time in the new year I want to make these and pixelated mushroom’s Doctors. Visit her site to be in with a chance to win a Doctor Who plushie.

Craftyiscool's wild things

One of the biggest shopping days of the year is upon us.  I love looking in the ads to find great deals and maybe inspiration for holiday gifts.  Last year was my first official year participating in Black Friday.  However, I skipped the lines and shopped on Amazon!  Got some great deals on TWO new Canon cameras, plus other great stuff.  Not only did I avoid the early morning lines, but I still got the joy from Black Friday.

This year avoid the lines AND support handmade by shopping for gifts with me!  I’m offering FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders over $20.  I have TONS of glass tile pendants and crochet items, and I’m still creating new inventory to add daily.

Some of my fellow UWIB members are having sales that weekend, too.

For your stationary and gift wrapping needs (to go along with your wonderful purchase from me ), visit my wonderful friend Amanda at DawnCorrespondence.  I myself have ordered custom Thank You cards from her and plan on purchasing more stuff from her in the future.  She is also having a FREE SHIPPING sale.

Looking for some great handbags and bath products for your girls?  From now until Cyber Monday, get 26% off your purchase using discount code Thanks26 at Inspr’d Boutique.

Want some pretty art to adorn your walls?  At Kristen Stein Fine Art: “BLACK FRIDAY thru CYBER MONDAY (Nov. 27 – Nov. 30) “BOGO 50%”. Buy one item at full-price, receive 50% off the second item of equal or lesser value. Reserve items today, or visit my store this coming weekend when the etsy promotion begins. You will also receive FREE US Shipping and discounted international shipping on all items.”  I’ve been eyeing her Freud shirt myself, being a Psych major and all.

Elena at Fashion Touch wants you to know that “I will have Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale in my Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/FashionTouch Everybody welcome! FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING + 10% on your 2nd, 3rd, etc item. Custom orders are always welcome, same discounts apply on the orders made on these days.  Currently Free shipping on beaded necklaces at… http://www.etsy.com/shop/FashionTouch?section_id=6241674” Her products have been recently featured on the FP of Etsy.

For some more FREE SHIPPING deals, head on over to Rita’s Creations on Etsy or And More Bags.  Rita is offering the deal store wide for both of her shops.

Trudy announces in her shop: “November 26 to November 30 = FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS!!!  10% off all orders over $100 . . . save now!! Get ahead of the rush!”  Momma Goddess Treasures carries jewelry.

In need of some cute polymer clay treasurers?  Pink Fink is offering FREE SHIPPING Nov 26th – 30th.  I myself have purchased one of her adorable creations as a present for a friend.

Want some cute lingerie at an affordable price?  At Naughty and Nice Lingerie, Brenda is offering 10% off everything in her store when you email her your order to naughtynicestore[at]aol[dot]com.  This includes sale items as well.  And as always, you get fast free shipping (within the USA), dollar rewards, and free gifts!  She has a large selection of wonderful items.

Need another reason to buy handmade and local with me?  See this article on Etsy.

Looking for a fun project this winter? Try Amigurumi!

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and creature. The word is from a combination of the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll.

We have many fun and interesting pattern books on this subject.

Amigurumi! Elisabeth A. Doherty

Super Cute: 25 Amigurumi Animals – Annie Obaachan

Tiny Yarn Animals: Amigurumi Animals to Make and Enjoy – Tamie Snow

Hela 52 stycken deltog i tävlingen! Kanonkul!

Jonathan fick vara lotteriinspektör och drog fram följande namn i namnhögen:

Stort grattis till Elisabeth som skrev följande i sitt svar:

 1. Fasta maskor och lufftmaskor

 2. älgen EDGAR – enda älgen min pappa får se i år trots att han jagar…

Jättetack till Salabim som sponsrade med priset och stort tack till alla er som var med och tävlade!

En ny tävling är på gång. Dyker upp lagom till första advent!

Ha det gott!
Kram Ann