Month: May 2012

Yeah! Crocheted bookworm bookmarks were a hit

Aynaria 4 Comments

Today, was “Mom’s day” at my daughter’s Lutheran school. Mothers, were invited to stop by for 45 minutes to attend their children’s class. Of course, I stopped by. I always do… but today was different, I came bearing gifts, simple to make but so cute; bookworm bookmarks.

Crocheted bookworm bookmarks

The crocheted bookworm bookmarks were featured in my works in progress from last week; it was nice to hear the excited outbursts of the children, when my daughter’s teacher showed them to the rest of the class. However due to the fact that it was near the end of the day, she told them they would be able to choose their bookmarks tomorrow.

There’s 15 children in my daughter’s third grade class, I made enough that they can choose two. I already know that several of them like to read How cool is that. I’m just happy that I am able to share some of my crafts with others.

Acts 20:35

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

35 In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

I’ve always enjoyed sharing with others, I must say I had some excellent role models, my parents did a lot of sharing when my brother and I were growing up, often to complete strangers in need.

Those acts of kindness left an impact on myself, and throughout my life it’s inspired me to share with others.

Work In Progress Wednesday: Crochet Amigurumis; Bunnies and Monsters… oh my!

Aynaria 9 Comments

When it comes to crafts, it seems that I always have some type of Work in Progress…

Judging by todays works in progress it’s obvious that I’m on an amigurumi kick, but can you blame me? These crochet amigurimis are so adorable.

Crochet Amigurumi Bunny 1 Crochet Amigurumi Bunny 2

Crocheted Amigurumi bunny

The bunny, the bunny, oh I ate the bunny…. I must get that Veggie Tales song out of my head! This amigurumi bunny is almost done. I still need to crochet another foot, and a tail, and perhaps add a prop or two? I must say, I’ve received a ton of ideas while crocheting this adorable critter. For future crochet amigurumi bunnies, I’m going to make some of them a bit bigger, and perhaps  bring some of my morbid drawings to life through my crochet amigurumis. The pattern I’m using is the free Crochet Spring Bunny pattern, which can be found at CraftZine. Since I wanted a larger rabbit, I used a larger hook, than what the pattern suggested. The next one I’ll use a smaller hook, and perhaps I’ll crochet that one in pink. Amigurumi balls Monster

Crocheted Amigurumi monsters

A few days ago, I posted this little guy. He’s my my first amigurumi monster. Since the original post, I haven’t had a chance to do anything with him.  I decided to make his eyes in two different colors. To add to the wierdness, I made his red eye point downwards. His companions still need faces added; I’m still unsure if I want them to be monsters or crocheted animals. Personally, I think this crochet amigurumi monster is too adorable to be scary, but don’t tell him that! He truly believes that he strikes fear in all the crochet amigurumis, yes even the aminekos! This little critter, which my eight-year old daughter has called ‘ole slewfoot’ , has been demanding a prop, once I crochet that, he’ll be complete. I’ve really am enjoying creating these tiny crochet amigurumis, although small, some of them have taken some time to create. If you notice, they all have crochet amigurumi eyes and their features are embroidered. It’s not that I don’t like using other things, I do, but I’m having fun playing with crochet and embroidery… As a child, and well into my twenties, I did a lot of elaborate embroidery work, some of the pieces were from a pattern, but many were my own designs. In fact, I still have my first serious embroidery piece; it’s the first afghan I embroidered, and it took over a year to make. I spent time on that project weekly. While the embroidery on these amigurumis is simple, it still feels great getting back into a craft I adored. It feels like I’m reuniting with an old friend. I’m looking to incorporate embroidery into some of my crochet projects. I’m not sure if I’ll get these projects completed this week. I still have a few clients projects that need to be finished, then there’s the garden, and of course hanging out with my eight-year old, but I’ll try. Planting season is in full swing, which means my “free time” is now spent gardening. Hopefully I’ll be able to complete my aminekos in time for Finished Object Friday.

Sites I’m linking too

  1. Tami Amis WIP
  2. Yarn Along
  3. Frontier Dreams
  4. Crochet Addicts CFS
  5. The Crochet Way

It’s official, I’m a pattern tester

Aynaria 3 Comments

 

Kitty and yarn

Yesterday, I received the opportunity to test a crochet pattern.

I’m thrilled since it’s a great way to keep my fingers active, and keep my crochet hooks busy; when I have time.

But…

It’s not the first time I’ve offered to test a pattern.

My first attempt was a few months ago, but the crochet designer didn’t choose me. While I realize that not everyone will be chosen to test a pattern. I also realize that I wasn’t doing a great job of promoting my crochet skills.

Although I hadn’t been crocheting that long, I’d accomplished a lot. Mainly because I’m stubborn, and when I’m giving something new. I tend to put a lot of energy into it, until I’ve mastered it. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing with crochet.

So yes…I had the required skills needed to complete that project; I mean, I could crochet those stitches with my eyes closed! But, I readily admit, that I wasn’t doing a good job of marketing my crochet skills. Also, I hadn’t completed anything remotely related to amigurumi. Sure, I’d started on a crochet amineko back then, but it was far from being completed. I was too distracted by other crochet projects. I wasn’t doing a good job of selling my crochet skills.

Self Promotion

When you think about it… becoming a pattern tester, in some ways is similar to applying for a position. The employer wants  proof that you can do what you claim, and I wasn’t showing that. Initially, most of my designs showed on my Ravelry page, and here, were ones I created. I believe that’s great to come pull a project from your head,  but is it really showing a designer you can actually follow someone’s pattern, is it?

Fast forward to the present, if that same designer was to visit my ravelry projects profile, although the amount I have is small, they’re able to see that I can follow someone else’s pattern.

In addition, changing my approach, has also landed me a commissioned crochet project (which pays quite nicely I might add) and that has everything to do with changing how I’m presenting myself.

Pattern Testing: What’s my first project?

So what’s my first pattern test? It’s an adorable Cuttersaur toy; For some reason, it reminds me of Barney.

If you’re a Revelry user, you can follow my progress by checking out my Cuttersaur project page. I’ll also be posting updates here. Earlier today, I purchased the super bulky yarn needed, and hopefully I’ll be able to create a few rows during my daughter’s piano practice, which means it will be featured in my Work In Progress Wednesday.

Judging by the pattern, it should only take a few hours to complete.

A survey accompanied the pattern, and so I’ll be sure to write down my suggestions, if needed. Constructive feedback can be helpful for the pattern designer, since it enables them to make improvements (if needed) before they release the pattern to the general public.