Looking For Inspiration . . . .

Whew! It's been a long time!!
I hate going this long without posting, but really I've had a bit of a dry spell, creatively speaking. But to get back into the groove and to give myself a boost, I decided to post here and give myself inspiration & find my Muse once again!

So I've been trolling the Web tonight, checking all the Amigurumi Patterns and even some new Cross-Stitch Patterns. I've found some great inspiration for some Halloween projects! Some which are short & quick & will make me feel like I'm accomplishing a lot in a little bit of time :)
. . . . . And just to show a bit of something I've been working on . . . . .

The Funniest Boo-Boo I've Ever Made!!

So my family & I are getting ready to go to our Fishing Camp for a few days - a final trip before summer ends & school begins.
While getting everyone's bags packed, my son wants to gets our dog, Wennie's things together. And I decide to make her up a Personalized "Outing" bag . . . Real Quick . . . before we head out. This way we can keep all of her things together in one spot.
So I pull out one of my small canvas totes & some iron-on letters & put them on the bag. Real Quick . . . .

First thing, I'm out of "N"s and have to substitute a few upside down "U"s.
Then I pull off the handkerchief I placed on top of the letters (you have to do that when you iron on letters to protect the plastic from melting) and half the letters come off ON the handkerchief!!!!!
I was in such a rush, I put the 3 middle letters on upside down!! When I pulled the handkerchief up the letters "E-U-U" were on it!!
I was able to get more Es & Us to complete the bag, but still! So funny!!

I now have a handkerchief that days "Ew!" !!!!!!! hahahahaha I never could have planned such a Boo-Boo!!
And to top it all off, I can't get them off!! :D

Amigurumi Apple

Since the Banana didn't turn out quite the way I wanted, I tried today for an Amigurumi Apple. It came out a lot better than the banana lol but not exactly as good as I would have wanted. Who knew fruit would present such a problem for me?!?!

Well he is kinda a cutie! Even with his tiny fangs! ;)

I found the pattern at Free Amigurumi Patterns and my little boy decided to add the wiggly eggs and a smile.

Crochet Banana

Ok ... the good with the bad, I guess -
This little fella is going up with my "Wow, how did I manage to mess that up?" projects! LOL
Alrighty - My little boy found this pattern at Free Amigurumi Crochet Patterns and wanted it so bad that I gathered all the materials right away and got to work on it for him.
It looked easy enough.
Wrong!
It started out easy enough, but by the time I got to the peeling part, it was MAN OVERBOARD!
I pulled the stitches out 3 times before I finally was able to complete it and it still didn't look right! LOL Also by the time I got to the bottom, I realized the eyes were entirely too low, even though I put them on exactly when the pattern said too :( And of course this would be the one time I secured them tight enough not to be able to remove them after applying the backs!
By the time I finished, secured the ends and looked over it, it was done, but still ... off in some way ...
I finally looked over the written instructions one more time and found where I'd gone wrong - I missed a lot of rounds!!! Several! How could I have overlooked that?!? Well I guess by the time I had pulled rounds 14 & 15 for the third time, I was a little far gone. I should have taken a little break right about then LOL Trust me to press on when I need to step back!
Oh well!
It's still kinda cute!
.... But I won't let my little boy have it! I'm too ashamed! hahaha
I'm keeping it on my computer desk next to my very first amigurumi project - just for laughs ;)

Crochet Dishcloth

These are great!
I've been wanting to crochet my own dishcloths for some time now and found this Simple Pattern online. It was really simple, really fast (I made them both while on the River with my family), and really cute! An easy Double Crochet, Single Crochet pattern and I was on my way! I've tried them out and they work great! They also hold up well in the washer and dryer and can scrub anything in my kitchen sink. They're crocheted with 100& cotton yarn and have a Reverse Single Crochet around the edge for a finishing touch and added durability.
Love Them!!

Crochet Head-Kerchief

I've been wanting to make one of these for quite a while - My Crochet Head-Kerchief. It's adorable! And it was pretty easy to make!
After searching the internet, I found this very easy pattern and it took only 1 day to make! I used very soft Vanna's Choice from Lion Brand Yarn in Purple Mist for the base & Cream from Red Heart Yarn for the edging. It came out Beautiful! Although a tab bit heavy :(  I'm working on another one, this time using 100% Cotton Yarn from Peaches & Cream to see if it will be a little lighter.  ((I would probably have had it finished by now, however I took the instructions out of my Binder yesterday .... and set them somewhere .... Well I looked & looked all day & they never turned up, so I finally re-printed the pattern so I can get to work on it .... I'm sure the original instructions will turn up as soon as I pick up my Crochet Hook :D ))

But the pattern is perfect & easy! And I'm very pleased with how it came out! :)

3 Blind Mice

I found these online and thought they were so cute!
I put them all together for the picture and and called them 3 Blind Mice ;)
The gray one I made for Wennie but while playing with it, she pulled off the bell from its tail. I found it of course and took it away (this is why Gray Mouse has a tail & no bell). And because I always make something for my kids whenever I make anything at all, I made the Green Mouse for Little "D" & the Orange Mouse for Big "D" (their tails & bells are still safely intact).
Very simple pattern, I got from the Lion Brand Web Site, I sewed the noses with pink yarn & the eyes with black yarn. I tied the tails on and attached a bell to the end of each one. They make adorable little stuffed animals for children or toys for cats & dogs!
For added safety, just leave off the bell.
For cats, simply stuff with catnip!

Amigurumi Giraffe

This is a little something I worked on last week. It's an amigurumi giraffe and pretty adorable! He's yellow with brown spots, brown horns & ears and brown hooves. I added a small muzzle of my own (not on the original pattern) and sewed his little mouth and nose to that. I also sewed his eyes with brown yarn, instead of using safety eyes as the pattern suggests, but only because I'm running low on eyes, lol.
I got the pattern from the Lion Brand web site.

Big "D"s Hamster Blog

The following is the first in a series of Hamster posts my oldest son, known to you as "Big D" will be writing for your entertainment. Please enjoy! :)

This is big D'S hamster Spunky. It is a girl. She will be 1 year old on the 19th. On the 19th I will get her a gift. I will wrap it to.

I will be doing stuff like this a lot. WRITE  to ya'll tomorrow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hamster Blankie

You all know how crazy we are for animals & blankies here ;) So of course we made a blankie for Big "D"s little hamster Spunky! I finally got him to stay still for the 3 seconds in a row it took to capture this pic of Spunky enjoying his new blankie.
Very small, crocheted in bright Pink with a Single Crochet stitch, using an H crochet hook.

Crochet Kitten Hook Holder

I found this adorable little creature where I get so many of my patterns, at Free Amigurumi Patterns ... and it will link you back to the original pattern at CrochetKitten.com which is a fabulous web site as well.
It was really fun to do and fast! It took me 2 days to complete - 1 day to crochet all the pieces & 1 day to sew it all together. The nose is sewn with pink yard on the muzzle and the eyes are Safety Eyes over small pieces of brown felt. And I really love that Kitty has her own little project in the works! :)

Little "D"s Origami Whale

Here is another Blog Post written by Little "D"
Please enjoy :)

Howcast taught me the whale too. I think Howcast is the best origami teacher ever!!!!!!!!! The whale was easy and fun at the same time.

Little "D"s Origami Swordfish

Here is another Blog by Little "D"  :)

Howcast also taught me how to do the swordfish. The shape is a whale shape but it also showed me how to do the swordfish. It was fun to do an origami swordfish though.

Little "D"s Origami Flapping Bird

The following is a Blog written by my son, known to you as "Little D" Hope you enjoy! :)

Howcast taught me how to do the flapping bird. At first I thought it was going to be hard, then when I did half of it, it was easy!!!!!!!!! Now I can do it!!!!!!!

Easter Homer Amigurumi

So this Easter I decided to make Amigurumi for my little fellas. I wanted to surprise them with something they'd love and something they were not expecting.
Big "D" loves The Simpsons! It's his favorite show right now. And after looking & looking online, I was able to find a pattern for Homer ... Well, actually "D" found the pattern and I have to say, I was duly impressed! It's a really good pattern, easy to follow and quick to crochet. I was very pleased with it. And naturally Big "D" loved his Homer! :)
**Note on Homer: Homer Simpson wears Blue pants, I just ran out of blue yarn & didn't have time to buy more while keeping Homer a secret ;) I substituted Gray for his pants & I think it still came out pretty good! :)

My Tweety Amigurumi

For Easter each year I usually buy my kids a stuffed animal to go in their Easter Baskets ... And it's usually a Bunny of some kind :)
This year however, I decided to make them both an Amigurumi! One that they've been wanting for some time. Little "D" loves Loony Tunes & especially Tweety!
Several weeks ago I bought a Tweety Amigurumi pattern on Etsy and have been waiting for an occasion to make it for Little "D" ... Easter seemed perfect!
When he woke up on Easter morning he was quite surprised with his gift ... And he loves it!!
So here's my finished product!

Wennie's Doggie Blanket

Wennie's Puppy Blankie

So ever since Christmas I have had it on my mind to make Wennie a new Blankie. I made one for my Furry-Nephew and was pleased with the pattern, so I figured it was time for Wennie to have a new one as well.

Wennie's Grown-Up Girl Blankie

I made her one when she was just a little puppy and she still uses it, even though she has long out-grown it! That would be Photo #1: Wennie on her tiny puppy blankie :)
I used Red Heart Yarn in Medium Thyme, Spring Green and Hunter Green with an "A, B, C, B, A" pattern and a border in Spring Green. It measures 36inches x 30inches.
As you can see, Wennie is much more comfy on her new, bigger Blankie where she can stretch out to her heart's content! :)
.... And she still uses her Puppy Blankie too ;) 

Crochet Coin Purse

This is an adorable pattern I found on the Lion Brand Web Site ... A Coin Purse! So cute and pretty handy for your change. Mine is actually big enough to fit my change, my cell phone, driver's license, and credit cards!
I used Sugar 'n Cream 100% Cotton yarn in Mod Pink for the body of the purse and Red Heart in Bright Yellow for the flower.
Very easy to follow directions and took just a few hours to create.

Fuzzy Slippers

Fuzzy Slippers Older "D" Made

These were fun to make! The kids & I have been wanting to make them for quite a while, but just never got around to it ... until now :)

Fuzzy Slippers Younger "D" Made

The very first books my older son loved - before Scooby Doo Mysteries, before Diary of a Wimpy Kid - were the Nate the Great mysteries. They are really wonderful books! I love them myself. Everyday, for school, my son had to read for 20 minutes and write a short paragraph about what he read. So everyday we would sit together and read ... starting with Nate the Great and the Pillowcase. It was an adorable book. The mystery happens at night. Nate has to get out of bed and search for the missing pillowcase in his robe and slippers ... his Fuzzy Slippers. LOL and all Nate the Great books have "extras" in the back - recipes, puzzles, crafts ... instructions on how to make Fuzzy Slippers ;) And we always said we would make them.
It's a very simple pattern you can find in the back of Nate the Great and the Pillowcase (I'd type it all out for you, but truthfully, I don't think I'm allowed to). So here I'll just say that I used a pair of Flip Flops, Faux Fur, and Hot Glue.
They were a lot of fun to make, very easy, a fun family craft, and very useful as well! The kids love wearing them around the house!

Crochet Hook Holder

This is a very handy little organizational tool - a Crochet Hook Holder.
The pattern came with the pattern for the Plentiful Pockets Tote Bag and I made it at the same time as I made the tote. I used Lion's Brand Yarn, Vanna's Choice, in Cranberry as my main color and Red Heart Stripes in Passion Stripe for the border, tie, and center.
I think it came out cute!!! And it's very handy! It holds my hooks all in one place and it pretty and so soft. I open it up, take out the size hook I need, roll it back up and tie it neatly when I'm finished. Perfect! I love it!

A Great BIG Tote Bag

Plentiful Pockets Tote

Back Pockets

Me with my Tote :-)

Oh the Plentiful Pockets Tote Bag!! It's HUGE!! And I love it!
It took me a bit of time to make it - partly because I kept running out of yarn (Cancun Stripe from Red Heart, by the way) and partly because it's. Really. Big.
I went with Pumpkin for the pockets, also from Red Heart and it has 5!! WOOHOO!
1 on the front
2 on the back
1 down each side.
The whole project is made by crocheting pieces separately - front, back, sides, bottom and handles - and then everything is sewn together. I really like it & it's so big you can just about carry anything in it!

Crochet Produce Bag

Ok, let me just say ....
I LOVE THIS!!!

I found this fabulous pattern on a Blog called Oh the Cuteness and boy is it cute! I made it in just a couple hours, literally and it took only about half a skein of Peaches & Cream 100% cotton yarn. I used 4 Ply Worsted Weight in Black Cherry. And let me just say here - I'm totally in love with this yarn! I've been waiting to use it (I bought, like 4 skeins of it that have been sitting in my Yarn Box) until I was finished with the projects I had already in the works. It's really great yarn! I love 100% Cotton. It's so Amazingly different than anything I've worked with so far.
So I knew this yarn would be perfect for the Produce Bag when I stumbled across the pattern. When it's not being used, it takes up no space whatsoever in your tote or purse, so you can keep it with you all the time! Take it out at the grocery store when you go shopping or better yet, to the Farmers Market. It's wonderful as an alternative to all those plastic bags at the grocery that you just end up throwing away as soon as you unload your groceries. Drop in your oranges, apples, a head of lettuce, and a bundle of asparagus. It's made up of pretty much of just chain and slip stitches and the pattern is very easy to follow. And the end result? Fabulous!! It's so perfect! I love it!!

Me Working on the Produce Bag ;-) Wennie Helping LOL

Bart Simpson-Inspired Mini Bag

Well I never make one of my children something without making the other one something as well. So when I made the Pokemon Bag for Younger "D" I asked Older "D" what kind of bag he would like. He didn't think for long before he answered "A Simpson Bag!" He just loves the Simpson's ;-) He told me he wanted:

1. For it to have a Red Bottom
2. For it to have a Blue middle 
3. And for it to have a Yellow top (like Bart's hair)

It took less than a day - I made it the evening I finished the Dinosaur. And I'm very happy  with how it came out!
I decided to add another White Crochet Circle to this one as well, so that I could place a black B in the center of the bag (for Bart) LOL Just because I thought it was cute :-)