... Where the Creative Creature Within Takes Over & Makes Wonderful Things Happen

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Amigurumi Birds

I was so excited about my first Amigurumi cat that I couldn't wait to do another one! So I got to searching patterns and found this adorable Bird online. They were cute and the pattern looked easy to follow so I gave it a try. ((all my beginning projects were done in cream-colored yarn because that was the only spare color I had at the time LOL Things will get more colorful as I post more pictures)) This was also when I learned how to sew Amigurumi together properly. I even bought some wiggly eyes to stick on him! And I stitched the beak on with a sewing needle and some thick cross-stitch floss. It's a little crooked, but for only my second project, I'm pretty pleased with how it came out. I plan on making a few more, in different colors, so I have a nice, adorable little family of birds to set up together. I'll update my Blog with new pictures when I get the others done. But here's the first one for now.
My 2nd Amigurumi Project.

Monday, November 29, 2010

My First Amigurumi

I know I posted this one already on my Green Journey Blog . . . and on Facebook . . . but I figure it's best to go in order and really, I'd like to document my projects from the very beginning. So if there's a little repeating, forgive me ;-) I just want to log it all in in the same place.
So this is the very first Amigurumi project I ever did. It is Miuku the Cat. Isn't it cute?!?! The pattern is free & the Link is posted. I got it via Free Amigurumi Patterns which is where I get most of my patterns. It looked easy and small and well, the perfect starter if you ask me. I was so pleased with the first few rounds when I realized I was actually making something!! WOOHOO!! I ran to the bedroom and woke up Hubby just to show him what I could do!
I had a little bit of trouble sewing it together at first, but I email a friend and she gave me instructions on how and also sent me a link with pictures. When I got confused about what kind of needle to use, she also sent me a pic of what kind to buy! LOL I looked pretty ridiculous trying to thread a strand of yarn into a cross stitch needle! I'm very thankful to my friend Tray for introducing me to this wonderful craft! And all the help she's given me through the learning process. 
So here it is! My very first Amigurumi Project! Miuku the Cat!

Welcome to my New Blog

Welcome!
I decided to start this Blog simply because of my complete obsession with crafts - namely Crocheting! My most recent love affair is with a little something called Amigurumi . . . It's. Just. So. Amazing.
Amigurumi (編みぐるみ?, lit. knitted stuffed toy) is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. The word is derived from a combination of the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll. Amigurumi are typically animals, but can include artistic renderings or inanimate objects endowed with anthropomorphic features. (Wikipedia)
A friend shared a link with me one day and I really didn't think I could do it, but I gave it a try one night - and WOW!! I did a stuffed animal in one night! I couldn't believe it!! And it was so much fun! The finished product is adorable and everyone loves them! My kids have asked me to make so many! I made them 3 each over Thanksgiving Break and they have put in even more orders for Christmas LOL
Now that's another thing! These will really make great gifts for little ones ... and puppies and kittens as well! An adorable crocheted mouse can be stuffed with some catnip and it's a perfect gift for a cat. A few reinforced stitched and stitched instead of plastic or button eyes and it's a perfect gift for a puppy. Insert a rattle and there's a lovely baby toy. The possibilities are endless! As are the patterns! Of course there are books full of patterns you can buy, but there are also oodles of free patterns online! There are Blogs and web sites galore where you can find patterns and how-to's and videos! It's so great!! I have really found a wonderful hobby here - it's a passion really.
So join me as I enjoy my crafts and allow me to share with you all of my fumbles and triumphs over new projects! Happy Crafting!