Joining In On The Fun

I'm planning on joining my first CAL! And we're making pumpkins!

I already signed up and got the pattern. I just need to find time in between all my other projects to make it. :[ I already have a cute idea for how to decorate it too!

I also joined in on some giveaways. They're not really crochet related though I did find out about them through one of the amigurumi blogs I follow, berrysprite. She is hosting it for modeS4u, who sells lots of cute little items. And while entering, I found out they are offering another giveaway through this other really cute blog, hawaii kawaii. She has some much cute stuff to look at!

Quick Gifts to Soothe the Soul

I mentioned this bookmark in an earlier post. This came about one day when I discovered crocheting can be quite therapeutic. I must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed that day. I was in a crumby mood and kept snapping at my boyfriend for no reason which just made me feel worse. So I locked myself in my room and felt I needed to crochet something new (instead of finishing a wip unfortunately). I decided it should be something quick for my bf and remembered he had been using a stray receipt for a bookmark. Since he is reading a sci-fi series and I had some extra yellow yarn, this star pattern was perfect! And I must say, crocheting this really turned my mood around (I'm sure it also helped that it was a special gift)! Remember this next time you need a pick me up, if you haven't already discovered this magical power of crochet. :]

Also on the topic of gifts, I recently gained a new furry friend!

He decided to drop in right before my trip out to NY and I just HAD to leave him a present before I flew out. So all in the ride to the airport, this lovely Squiddly was created:

This was my first experience with Homespun and never will I ever try to crochet something with this using a small hook again! It was just snag after snag! Luckily, since this would be getting torn into later, I decided to just do some pretearing of my own and rip my way through it. Never fear, while I may have not loved making it, it is truly loved now:

Also on the topic of gifts, christmas yarn shopping has been completed and christmas gifts are underway!

Dont fall Asleep, She's Armed and Ready!

Well, after much procrastination over her felt features, she's finally here! And I dont think me or my friend could have been happier with her! Of course she has flaws but lets not worry about that and just focus on not succumbing to her song cuteness. I am just ecstatic over my sharpie idea working so well! There was a perfect spot in her hand for the clip to go through and it's just the right size.

The pattern was very easy to follow, up to the ears. I think some ch1, turns were left out. At least that was my interpretation. I also used a different pattern for the curl that I got from a japanese pokemon pattern book, which of course means I got to try out reading a chart! Not sure I have an preference over written or charted, I find them both easy to follow for the most part.

The felt I had some trouble getting nice, even circles cut out and of the exact same size. This is where one of her flaws come in but, surprisingly, I dont think its very noticeable. Just a little too late, I remembered I had some circle templates from my drafting class. An oval template helped me out with her mouth as well. To attach the felt, I used Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac. It definitely holds well. I think I did a quick test hand wash on a scrap piece and it held up. I'd recommend it!

More pictures can be found on my Ravelry project page!