My husband knows the way to my heart :)

Starbucks (extra hot!) and freshly made "Donut parade" donuts! YUM :)

Granny-a-day... day...18

My latest:

I've been struggling to keep up with the "Granny-a-day" challenge. I tend to wait a couple days then make a few...but I guess the point of the whole thing is not to be stressed. You know, no huge commitments. I think it would be easier if I had someone I knew doing it with me. Oh well. Off I go to crochet out of Granny guilt.

Sneak peak for next Friday!

This is sleepy sheep #3. 

Isn't she sweet??

Amigurumi Friday! -features

My newest amigurumi, just finished yesterday was full of features and techniques I had yet to tackle. So today I would like to discuss how give our amigurumi features :)

Here she is! my lovely fuchsia lady bug.

Safety eyes with simple crocheted chains attached above the eyes in order to give her eyelids; yarn straight stitched for mouth; yarn knotted at both ends to secure antennae.

Embroidery thread straight stitched down the middle for wings; felt sown on with embroidery thread, and a simple chain-stitched heart- also with embroidery thread. (sewing done with tapestry needle instead of my usual plastic yarn needle)

Here is a clearer image of the chain stitched heart. I wanted her to look like she had a sweet tattoo :)

As you can see, I have incorporated a little embroidery, a little felt, some yarn, and also safety eyes. 

Throughout my process of learning and improving on my craft of making amigurumi, I have sought to make the features more interesting, more kid friendly, and more cute! The techniques of using embroidery floss, tapestry needles, safety eyes, and felt were all new to me this time around. Up until now I've only ever tried using yarn or simple sewing thread to embroider/stitch on facial features and other details. 

So now that I've tried all these techniques, what do I recommend? Anything and everything! It's all great. As long as you feel comfortable and happy using them!

A word on safety eyes:

Though they are pretty darn secure, safety eyes used in amigurumi can still pose a choking hazard to kids under the age of 3. 

If you would like to try them, check out your local craft store! I found mine next to the googly eyes :)

You can purchase them in different sizes. Mine are 9mm. 
They come with a front part (the black screw like thingy) that goes through your crocheted object from the front to the back, and a back (the circular, clear plastic thingy) that secures itself onto the post of the front part from the back of the crocheted object. It is important that if you want to use these that you plan ahead! You cannot attach safety eyes once the object is stuffed and closed up. You must do it before!

Well folks, before I leave you, I thought I'd look over some of the lovely faces I have made with these simple techniques throughout this blog:

Happy crocheting!

Help!

I'm stuck with no project to crochet! I have so many options, but nothing really stands out to me! I'd like to make a cute thing for baby- booties, amigurumi, sweater, cap...something that works up fast and turns out really cute.

I feel so lost for inspiration. Any ideas??

Babysitting Molly

Today I am babysitting my niece :)

Amigurumi Friday! -stuffing

Welcome to this Friday's segment of "Amigurumi Friday"

Today we will be discussing the fluffy white stuff that brings our amigurumi to life- stuffing!

Some people like to add pellets to the bottoms of limbs and torso's of their amigurumi to give it a weight, but I prefer the simple, uncomplicated poly-fil fiber. It's non-allergenic, easy to use, and somehow I keep managing to get practically new bags given to me by friends and family! A lot of them buy a huge bag like this one (in the pic) for a small project and then don't know what to do with an entire bag of the stuff. So to me it goes, and I welcome free supplies! 

If you're not as lucky as me, you can actually purchase a bag of this fluffy fun at your local walmart next to the pillows or local craft supply store. If I remember correctly, I think a bag of this size is about 12$. 

Do you use any other product other than polyfiber fill for your amigurumi? 

Day 7 of Granny a Day

Stocking up for Etsy!

One trip to Joanne's with 50$ and one hour later, I have 9 new skeins of Vanna's choice, 5 sheets of felt, 4 star buttons, 6 embroidery floss colors, 6 tapestry needles, 1 "Handmade with love!" stamp, one stamp pad, and 2 sets each of safety eyeballs and safety noses.

What will I do with all this loot, you ask? Why, I'm going to have a LOT of fun! :)

New find!

I found the most amazing blog the other day with incredible crochet and cross-stitch tutorials! It is simply a beautiful place with beautiful photos and very helpful, inspirational things to peek at.

So please, head on over to Carina's Craft Blog.

Here's just a sampling of the wonderful things you can see here:

Thanks Carina for letting me use your photos! Now go check it out!