Category: Crafts

Crochet Amigurumi: Coraline update

Aynaria 5 Comments

The Other Mother Coraline

The Other Mother, is a character that I’ve enjoyed in Coraline, sometimes I forget and refer to the book as “The Other Mother,” since that character was seared into my brain.

Over time, Coraline and The Other Mother have occasionally swapped roles when it comes to my favorite character from Neil Gamon’s book… The Other Mother was a bit off the rails with her approach, and she’s definitely evil, but even with those glaring flaws, I found her appealing.

With my old site; VeganMomma. I knew a blogger who went by the same name; The Other Mother. Of course… she was also a Neil Gamon fan, and as I recall, it’s something I asked when I first made a comment at her virtual home. By that time, I’d read many of Neil Gamon’s books. And so began our online friendship.  We visited one another’s blog, chatted via email, and clued each other on various authors during the time we corresponded; but that came to a halt, and I never knew what happened to her.

I wish I could remember her real name, but I can’t. I do know she lived in New Orleans, and I know her blog became silent shortly before Hurricane Katrina swept through Louisiana.

Whenever I think of  the book Coraline, or the character, The Other Mother, I do think of my blogging pal and wonder if she, her son, and her husband are fine. Some didn’t survive.

Amigurumi Crochet Coraline unfinished face 2

Crochet Coraline head

This afternoon, I had a chance to work on my amigurumi crochet Coraline; I didn’t get to improvise as I’d like, since the first Coraline that I’m crocheting, is being made for my daughter.  “Mommy, I want you make it just like Ms. Sharon’s!”

As mentioned in my earlier post, Sharon Ojala of Homemade Obsessions is the one who created this free pattern. So yes, with this first crocheted Coraline, there won’t be too much deviation.

I’ve always liked to root dolls hair, but this is my first time rooting a crochet amigurumi doll. The technique used is similar to what I’ve done in the past. I used a crochet hook to attach the “hair aka yarn.”

Amigurumi Crochet Coraline unfinished face 1

Crocheted Coraline: rooting Coraline’s hair

The face, is always the fun part for me, because I get to add a bit of personality to my crochet amigurumis through their facial expressions.

I really enjoyed embroidering the eyebrows and the nose.

It’s a shame you can’t really see the detail of the nose. I worked on that to make it look like a normal nose. I wanted to embroider Coraline’s eyes, but my daughter wanted them to be, “just like the pattern!”  So we used buttons. No worries, I’ll be making my own crochet Coraline, very soon.

Next up is embroidering the mouth, I’ll print out a few photos taken from Coraline the movie, and see whether any additional features need to be added before I start stuffing Coraline’s head.

Resource: Free coraline crochet pattern by Sharon Ojala of Homemade Obsessions

Am I attending Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival 2012; not this year

Aynaria Leave a comment

I was looking forward to attending the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival 2012, but that won’t be happening, since I’m a bit busy.

Earlier this week, I learned there’s going to be a multi-cultural discussion held at my Lutheran church later today; One of our pastors recommended me. I’m guessing, the pastor suggested my name, since I’m already active with the homeless shelter ministry, food pantry, and the quilting group.

I was thinking that if I go, my chances of attending the festival are slim. There was hope for Sunday, and I was planning on attending the festival immediately after church. We attend the early morning service, so it’s over by 10:15. Turns out they are having a catered luncheon for those involved in the church’s music ministry. Since my daughter sings on one of the children’s choirs, we’ll be attending the luncheon. It’ll be catered, and they have a DJ also, so it should be a good time.

Naturally, I’m a bit disappointed that I won’t be attending the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. I was looking forward to seeing all the vendors, and perhaps meeting people I’ve chatted with from the various online communities that I frequent, but there will be other years.

Am I disappointed, yes! But I do believe I made the right choices, and I’m looking forward to the activities I’ll be participating in this weekend.

Today, is gorgeous, and so I’ll be gardening when my daughter and I return to the house this afternoon.

Also, the evening will be spent hanging with my daughter and perhaps I’ll have a chance to crochet Coraline.

Mother’s Day is not this Sunday…

Aynaria 4 Comments

It’s such a relief to learn that Mother’s Day is not this Sunday.

Early yesterday, I was “hooking my fingers to the bone” since I thought it was.

That all came to a halt, when I chatted with my mother…

“Mother’s Day is always the second Sunday in May!” Naturally, I felt a bit silly, rushing Mother’s Day, but also I was relieved. Since, it means that my crochet hooks aren’t top priority in my downtime.

At church this Sunday, my daughter children’s choir, is performing a few songs; for mothers. Which made me think, “Oh, Mother’s Day!”

These children have come a long way this school year, and are starting to sound like a children’s choir. The majority of that credit goes to their choir director, who just happens to be my daughter’s piano teacher, and she’s also the director of Traditional music, at our church. This amazing lady has a lot of responsibilities, but makes it look easy.

 Since, I was making it top priority to complete the gifts by this weekend, my Mother’s Day gifts are almost complete.

For my mother, I’m making jewelry. When it’s complete, perhaps I’ll post a few photos on Celebrate Life. I’ll make a card to accompany the gift.

Also on the list is my daughter’s third grade schoolteacher. She’s not your “traditional mother” since she doesn’t have children of her own, but she does an excellent job mothering her third grade class. She’s amazing with them, and so I want to make her something also. Beaded bookmarks, facial scrubbies, and perhaps a few more items are on the list for my daughter’s teacher. I know she’ll love them, she loves to read, but the bookmarks she has are bits of paper, time to upgrade her to something proper, right? 

Then, there’s a lady I used to work with, Mrs. L. She’s the other type of mother too. No… not the Neil Gamon type found in Coraline. She’s 73, which is a year younger than my dad, and she has filled the role of mother throughout her adult life. I’m working on a crocheted/beaded bracelet. It looks lovely, and in some of her favorite colors.  Crocheting amigurumi mice are also on the list. She has two cats, and I don’t want her babies to be left out.

One thing all these ladies has in common is an appreciation of handmade gifts. Of course, I’ve spent hours working on various crafts; crochet, jewelry making, and card making, to ensure the gifts I’ve made are nice.  Since I know what they like, I know these gifts will be appreciated.

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

Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival; May 5 & 6 2012

Aynaria 3 Comments

It slipped my mind that the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is almost here. I forgot it was the first weekend of May! Whoops…

Many thanks to a fellow food pantry volunteer, Ravelry member, and knitting diva for reminding me. E mentioned it  this past Saturday, while we were volunteering at our local church’s food pantry. She even asked me to tag along, and initially I was planning to do so, until I remembered that this Saturday, I have a servanthood meeting to attend at church, and so my daughter, and I will hopefully meet her there.

I’ve heard rumblings about the event throughout the years; I’m a crafty Marylander, remember? But, honestly,  I didn’t pay too much attention to it, and what the event offered, until I joined Revelry.

From what I’ve been reading on that site, and others,  the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival is a big event.  It will be the 39th annual Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival!

Sheep Shearing at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

One event I’m looking forward to is sheep shearing, I was introduced to this craft at an early age. The pastor of the church my family attended had a goat named… Wooly Booger. I vaguely remember him getting sheared at least once per year.

On one of those occasions, I tagged along when the pastor made the trek to a neighbor’s house (I was about six years old) a few miles down the road, to have him sheared. I found it fascinating.

And just as some animals hate to get baths… Wooly wasn’t too fond of this experience! He did look a lot cooler once he emerged without all that hair aka wool, and he bounded off (nick free) to graze on some nearby grass.

Connecting with other crafters

Besides the shearing, it’ll be nice to see a bunch of crafters in one place. Hopefully I’ll see some crafters from the various online places I frequent. Admittedly, I’m not a member of too many crafting communities. I guess I should change that.

Of course, if I attend, I’ll be taking pictures. I’d be a “bad blogger” if I didn’t, right?

 

Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival; May 5 & 6 2012

Free Admission

Address

Howard County Fairgrounds

2210 Fairground Road

West Friendship, MD 21794-9604

 

Dates and Time

May 5 & 6, 2012

Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Crochet amigurumi: Amigurumi balls and amigurumi monsters

Aynaria 7 Comments

Amigurumi Monster 1

Amigurumi monster

Yes, it’s another amigurumi…

I know, I know, lately, I’ve been posting a lot of amigurumi crochet items, but I’m having so much fun!

I’ve finally found my crochet groove, and it’s amigurumi. I’ve mastered the basic stitches, which has helped me tremendously with my amigurumi projects, since (from my research) many amigurumis use basic crochet stitches.

Crocheting Amigurumi, and more…

Although, I’m In love with amigurumi, that hasn’t stopped me from working on other crochet projects…

I’m still working on my Yo-yo afghan, and I’m working on crochet jewelry;  I’ll start posting some of those pieces soon. Admittedly, the bulk of my time has been spent crocheting amigurumi, whether they’re aminekos, or cute little crochet amigurumi balls, I’m having a lot of fun.

Amigurumi balls Monster

Amigurumi balls and monster; work in progress

The above photos shows what I was crocheting; The cranberry ball was actually worked in a spiral. It’s my first time doing spiral crochet, and I must say, I’m pleased with the results. I’m loving the spiral pattern. 

Saturday evening gave me an opportunity to crochet. My daughter and I were watching a Shrek Marathon; four hours, that’s a lot of hours for us, we rarely watch television, but we both like Shrek… and so I got out my yarn and hooks and crocheted amigurumi balls. And my first amigurumi monster!

These are all works in progress, I still have to add faces to the amigurimi balls; most likely they’ll be some type of amigurumi animal.

Originally, I was going to purchase eyes, for my crocheted amigurumi monster, but I’m still on that ‘all crochet kick’ for the amigurumis I’ve been creating. I crocheted the whites of the eye, and embroidered the pupils. French knots were made for the pupils, and I decided the red eye should be looking downwards.

The face was added before it was stuffed with fiberfill. The stitches are more secure since I was able to go into the inside of this amigurumi cavity, with my needle, to strengthen my embellishments.

Currently my amigurumi projects are simple, and I’m fine with that. I want to master crocheting the basic amigurumi shapes, before I tackle challenging projects.

Gaming inspired crochet amigurumi

My long term goal is to turn some of my much loved gaming characters into crochet amigurumi. What you’re seeing now is some of the shapes that I’ll be incorporating into the various characters I create.

For those of you who’ve met me through various games  (in-game, forums or blogs) like World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls, Halo, Diablo, and Mass Effect, eventually you’ll see some of my favorite characters here, crocheted; of course. I’ve already sketched out designs for some of them…