Month: April 2012

Crochet: Amineko; slave to my hooks?

Aynaria 11 Comments

Boye Crochet Hooks

Amineko (crocheted cat) number two should be complete sometime today. Yeah!

This being my second Amineko that I’ve crocheted, it’s going along at a much faster pace. In fact, I’m already thinking of number three, or perhaps I’ll make an Angry Bird for my five-year old nephew. He’s a big fan of those critters. I have to admit, crocheting an amigurumi can be addicting.

During the entire time, my daughter has been eagerly watching the process. She’s already placed an additional request…

“After you’re finished that mommy, would you please make some accessories for Marigold?”

Me: What do you think I am, your slave?

Daughter: Yep, my crochet slave!

I feign shock. She laughs at my expression.

Marigold is the first Amineko that I crocheted, and she was featured in my Finished Object Friday post, which also featured a crocheted necklace.

Hello My Name is Amineko

I love crochet

Truth is, I’m really enjoying crocheting, and have been really enjoying making the aminekos, the crochet pattern is easy to follow. Even as a new crochet user, I didn’t find it to be difficult. I took my time. If interested you can find the pattern in the book Hello my name is Aminkeo: The Story of a Crafty Crochet Cat.

My daughter loves this book (as do I) since there are numerous stories to chronicle the adventures of amineko. The crochet amineko pattern, along with accessories for the amienko, are located  towards the back of the book.

I learned to knit when I was eight-years old, and it’s something I’ve done (off and on) throughout my life. Knitting isn’t going anywhere, I enjoy it, but for now, outside of my quilting group, most of my fiber love has been focused on crochet.

Of course there’s a wide range of items you can crochet; crochet isn’t just for doilies, afghans, or squares. There are plenty of gorgeous clothing that can be made, and eventually I will….

I’ve already sketched out a few designs that I’m itching to crochet, and most likely (when Fall comes around again) I’ll start crocheting them after Christmas presents have been made.

What’s on my crochet hooks

Currently I’m working on a Sophie Digard inspired scarf. During my down time, when I don’t have a project on my hooks, I crochet a few (tiny) beautiful flowers. I’m in no rush to complete the scarf, but when it’s finished it’ll be gorgeous.

Edited to add:

Today, I finished my second crochet amineko. My daughter has named this one, Mario. About thirty minutes ago, My daughter ‘married’ Marigold and Mario. Mario, the amineko, will be featured (along with other creations) in this coming Finished Object Friday.

Breakfast; Tilapia with Pasta and Lemon ginger sauce

Aynaria 10 Comments

We don’t always eat the traditional ‘breakfast food’ for our breakfast, in fact traditional breakfast foods rarely make an appearance in our household…

Tilapia pasta

Tilapia with Pasta and Lemon ginger sauce

This is what my daughter had for yesterdays breakfast…

I added a few ounces of tilapia (fish) to the dish. I also added broccoli, cauliflower, sweet onions, with some herbs and seasonings. I thought about adding grated carrots for additional color, but in the end… I left it as is.

I made a fragrant lemon ginger sauce, to pour over the dish.  The sauce was delicate, and complimented the other ingredients nicely. My daughter loves lemons.  My daughter enjoyed her dish, and asked for seconds, and later thirds.

Of course, I made a vegan version, but mine didn’t have tilapia.

This healthy meal, made a delicious breakfast. What’s even better? From start to finish, this meal was on the table in less than fifteen minutes.

 

Man in nursing home reacts to music; ministering to others

Aynaria 4 Comments

How a man in the nursing home reacts to hearing music, recently went viral on social media.

If you have a few moments, check out the above video. It’s a perfect example of how powerful music can be…Music is amazing, isn’t it?

I couldn’t help but smile when this man ‘came to life’ after hearing songs from his youth.

Over the past twenty years, I’ve been to nursing homes on numerous occasions. My first interactions were personal, since my grandfather, and later my grandmother was there. My grandfather was only there for about two years before he died. My grandmother lived for several more years.

They both  were fortunate… the majority of their children lived close by, and my father and his sister made sure they were visited daily; often by themselves. I’d usually visit on the weekends, since I was off of work.

Our family realized that interaction is important, and we kept visiting, even after my grandmother had Alzheimer, we kept visiting daily. Music was a part of the nursing home program where my grandmother resided, so I could see what an impact it had on some of the residents.

Music notes

Music Ministry

So yes, I have first hand experience to the reaction that some have when they hear music. Over the past three years, it’s been displayed when my eight-year old daughter ministers to the nursing home residents through her piano playing.

In many cases, the catatonic stare when she started playing, and many would become alert, several would start singing.

My daughters piano teacher attends the same Lutheran church as ourselves. She’s also the church’s traditional music director.

Mark 16:15

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Sometimes the ‘world’ we need to be engaging, isn’t too far from our homes…

A few times yearly, her student’s minister to those at the nursing home through song. I’m thrilled that she realizes the impact that songs can have on people and is willing to showcase our children’s talent, with a group of people that most overlook.

My Lutheran church has an amazing music ministry, and several times yearly they minister to those in nursing homes. It makes me proud to be part of a spiritual family that makes an effort to reach out to many; cross cultural ministries, homeless shelter, food pantry, and our music program, are just a few of the ways we minister to others.

Finished Objects Friday: Crochet; necklace and cats…

Aynaria 33 Comments

Has the week flown by for anyone else?

It seems like the other day my daughter was still on spring break.

Today, I have a few finished objects to share…

Crochet necklace 3 04 08 12

My daughter loves this necklace.

The night before Easter, I made this necklace. I design jewelry; wire and beads… but this is the first time I crocheted a necklace. No pattern was used, just single crochet. A simple chain stitch was used, at both ends, to ‘tie’ the necklace.

After taking this photo, I saw a few stray ends that needed to be woven in the necklace. Oops!

Daugher Easter 04 08 12 2

Easter morning, I made matching hair ribbons, to compliment the necklace (and dress).

I still need to learn how to put myself into the creating equation I started crocheting towards the end of last year, I’ve crocheted several items since that time. However, I’ve only made one item for myself, a crocheted headwrap. What can I say? I love sharing with others.

Amineko 1 04 13 12

Yesterday afternoon, I finished Amineko.

My daughter was so thrilled! I sort of led her to believe that I hadn’t finished it. Sneaky mom, I know… I know… 🙂

I didn’t lie to her, when I picked her up from her Lutheran school, she asked whether I had time to work on Amineko, I replied, “I need to do more, perhaps I’ll be able to do that this evening?” She took that to mean, that I hadn’t crocheted the tail or the other leg.

When I finished Amineko, I’d tucked it back into the box she’d placed it in, and pulled the covers up around its chin, so my daughter thought I didn’t touch it while she was away at school. She had a big smile on her face when she pulled Amineko from its ‘bed’ and discovered that the tail and legs had been added.

“Thank you, Mommy!”

Yesterday, she carried Amineko everywhere. She’s named it, Marigold.

While my daughter played on our upright grand piano, Amineko perched on the side, offering piano tips. I should have taken a picture of that.

Amineko daughter 04 13 12

I’m an early riser…

I usually peek into my daughter’s room to see how she’s doing. Here’s what I saw this morning… How sweet is that?

Amineko 2 04 13 12

My daughter made Marigold a bed from one of her shoe boxes. She thoughtfully placed a crocheted doll sized blanket over her too.

When I saw the box…

I was planning on surprising her, by modifying the bed while she’s away at school today, but now that I think about it… I believe this would be a fun project for us to do together.

I’m thrilled with this last project for a variety of reasons, it’s the first Amigurumi I’ve completed, and it’s first crocheted pattern I’ve followed. I usually come up with my own creations.

Although I’m still new to crochet, I didn’t have too many issues making the Amineko. I took my time, additionally, I used the numerous crochet videos available on Youtube, if I ran into any issues.

Crocheting another Amineko

Naturally, I’m already starting to work on my second Amineko, they are simply adorable. The second Amineko will be multicolored.

I used a pattern to crochet Aminko, the pattern is located in the book Hello my name is Aminkeo: The Story of a Crafty Crochet Cat.

Finished Object Friday Blog Hop

  1. Tami’s Ami’s Finished object Fridays
  2. Fibers on Friday
  3. Natural Suburbia
  4. Wisdom Begins in Wonder

Machine sewn quilts; Needle and thread Thursday

Aynaria 15 Comments

I’m thrilled to say that I’ve completed my crocheted Amineko, and I’ll be entering her in Finished Objects Friday…

Today I discovered a new blog hop titled, Needle and Thread Thursday, perfect since I also sew…

Quilts Global Missions Sunday 6

I’ve been actively sewing since I was about seven years old, I started making my own clothing/designs in elementary school, and had my designs featured in local fashion shows in my twenties…

For my first Needle and Thread post I thought I’d put the spotlight (again) on the wonderful ministry at our local church; The quilters group… These were some of the quilts at our Lutheran Church’s Global Mission Sunday, 136 quilts were dedicated to the Lutheran World Relief.

My Church’s quilting group makes each quilt

We all have a part in making each quilt. I mainly do the sewing, I’m fast, sew straight seams, so the quilts fly off the machine. Most of the other ladies take care of the piecing, I assist with that if there are no more quilts to sew. All the women are much older than me, but they made me feel welcome from the day I walked into the quilting group. They are part of my crafting family.

Quilts Global Missions Sunday 1

These days my sewing, that’s not volunteer based, mainly revolves around my lovely daughter. I enjoy making things for her!

Sharing with others…

One of the ways I celebrate life, is sharing my talents with others…not everyone is as fortunate and so I volunteer when I’m able. I had good role models, both of my parents were always willing to assist those in need. Which was hard at times, since they didn’t have too much when my brother and I were young…

Helping make quilts, crocheting bears for the Mother Bear Project, creating cards for Operation Write Home,and assisting my churches ministries; local homeless shelter and our church’s food pantry, are a few ways I can show strangers that someone does care about them.

What I’m reading…

Hello My Name is Amineko

This morning, I completed my first Amineko, my eight-year old daughter has already requested another one, so I’ll most likely start on it within a few weeks. I used a pattern to crochet Aminko, the pattern is located in the book Hello my name is Aminkeo: The Story of a Crafty Crochet Cat.

This book differs from many crochet books I have, in that it tells a story (through pictures of crocheted kitties) about a crocheted cat named, Amineko and his friends, and their escapades.

 

Work in Progress Wednesday: Crochet; Amineko

Aynaria 6 Comments

I’m a bit late with my Work in Progress entry…

Amineko, the cute amigurumi cat,  that I featured in last weeks Work in Progress Wednesday, didn’t get finished before my daughter returned to school from spring break.

Crochet Amineko 1 04 11 12

My daughter was greeted with WIP Amineko, when she arrived home from school. She’s loving the progress, and has called her, Marigold. Appropriate name, don’t you think?

Today, I added the mouth, eyes, eyebrows. The only thing needed is to make one more leg, a tail, and of course add the mouth and nose, and then I’ll be done. If you look in the far right corner, you’ll see some material… that’s leftover material from an outfit I’d made for my daughter when she was a newborn baby. I’ve decided to sew a cute little dress for Marigold.

Looking at the above picture, it’s obvious that Marigold isn’t too pleased. Just look at her? Her arms are crossed! I’ve been told (by my daughter) that I need to add a face, because she believes she looks like a bear. She’s also wondering when she’ll be completed?

Well, she should be completed by tomorrow, which means, I’ll have an additional item to share for Finished object Friday!

Although I still feel new to crochet, creating amineko wasn’t too difficult. You will need to know how to crochet a magic ring, single crochet, and how to decrease crochet stitches.

Work in Progress Wednesday Linkage

  1. Tami Amis WIP
  2. Yarn Along
  3. Frontier Dreams

 

Crochet: How to make a magic circle

Aynaria 6 Comments

It didn’t take me long to learn how crocheters make a magic circle….

Thanks to technology, it only required me searching Youtube for magic circle, and numerous videos were available for viewing. Isn’t technology amazing?

Based on the crochet patterns I’ve seen, many of the amigurumi aka crocheted toys, start with a magic circle.

Crochet: How to make a magic circle?

The above video shows you how crocheters create a magic circle. I hope this video is as helpful to you as it was for me. I used the techniques learned in this video, when I was crocheting my first amineko, for my daughter.

In other news…

Over the past few months, a few Celebrate Life readers have emailed me about incorporating my own crochet and cooking videos here. It’s something I’ve already thought about doing here. I just need to put those ideas into action.