Thursday, December 26, 2013

Christmas Flu

Hi, everyone!

I wanted to apologize for a lack of posts this month and the next. I was busy with jury duty earlier this month.

And now...  I came down with the flu on Sunday night. I'll be staying away from Blogger for a bit until I recuperate.

I hope you all have a great rest of your holidays! I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Until next time!

Thursday, November 28, 2013

The French Alphabet

Pattern: Grand Abecedaire freebie by Gazette94
Fabric: 32ct cream Belfast linen by Wichelt
Threads: DMC 498 and B5200
Start/Finish: 11/27-28/2013

I've been on the hunt through my stash of cross stitch magazines for a pattern that I made last year, but I seem to have given the magazine away. Don't you hate that? You think you'll never need a pattern again and that's when you need it.

Browsing online for a beautiful alphabet pattern, I ran across Gazette94's Grand Abecedaire pattern. The letters are accompanied by white leaves!

Check out her blog for more free patterns. Sadly, she no longer posts on her blog, but she has left the site up for others to enjoy all the patterns!

Until next time ^____^

Sherlock Geeky Treasure Find!


Last weekend I went by Meg's Books on Moffett Road. I hadn't been by there in a while and thought I'd go by to browse and see what I could find amongst the stacks. And hark! what did I find but a copy of Eve Titus' Basil of Baker Street. I've been hoping to find a copy of this book in one of the used bookstores in town, but hadn't any luck until now.

Eve Titus was a children's author in the mid-20th century. The first book in her Basil series was published in 1958. It continued with four more books that ended with Basil in the Wild West in 1982.

As you can tell from the picture, Basil of Baker Street was the basis for Disney's Great Mouse Detective (one of my faves!). I remember watching it as a kid, but never realized until I was older that is was based on Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series.

The books feature the black and white illustrations of Paul Galdone in a beautiful soft style.


The style of illustration reminds of one of my favorite children's series growing up, the Redwall series of books written by Brian Jacques.

Perhaps one day I'll be able to find all the Basil series of books! It would be lovely to own an original!

Until next time ^___^

Starting them out early on PBS/BBC



I saw this at Target and had to take a pic of it. Who would have thought that someone would write a kids book inspired by Downton Abbey using mice? I guess kids are never to young to get started on a life long love affair with history in general or period dramas on PBS/BBC.

Until next time ^___^

A Fearsome Beastie!

Or at least he is supposed to be a fearsome beastie, but this cthulhu is too adorable for his own good. I fear he will be laughed at by his fellow cthulhus.....
Pattern: Cthulhu by Rural Rebellion
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Limelight
Hook: Size H
Notions: 10mm safety eyes
Start/Finish: 11/24-25/2013

I think Rural Rebellion is right....this cthulhu is certainly cuddly and snuggly! I loved expanding my crochet skills with this pattern....especially those wings!

And...............I used a new hook for this pattern. I've been eyeballing (gross!) these hooks for a while now and I finally broke down and bought this one.....

A size H soft touch crochet hook from Clover. I wanted to get one of the colored handle ones, but in that line of hooks they don't have a size H so I went with their standard hooks instead.

LOVE THIS HOOK TO PIECES! It makes stitching so much easier in a weird way and it doesn't put stress on your hands and wrists like the normal aluminum hooks do. I love it so much that I went out and bought the size G hook while I was at HB over the weekend.......I might just have to start a collection of them. They are fantastic!

Until next time ^____^

Sir Octavius Telescopium

Pattern: Mister Adorable Fox by Amigurumi To Go and Mini Stars by MohuMohu
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft pumpkin, white, lemon, and strawberry and I Love This Yarn black
Notions: metal gears, black and pink felt, and 12mm safety eyes
Hook: size H for fox and size G for yellow star/size H for larger star
Start/Finish:11/16-17/2013

Growing up with the name Telescopium, no other career path seemed to fit more than that of an astronomer. Sir Octavius is a friend of Sir Maxwell and they frequent several scientific circles in pursuit of their research.

Until next time ^____^

Puffy Moon Spirit....


Say what? More small amigurumis that I have made this month. A puffy pink Kirby, a SM Luna P ball, and Totoro, an adorable tree spirit :)

The Kirby and Luna P were made using a sphere pattern and a combo of other patterns to make the arms/legs/ears. The little tiny Totoro is from Amigurumi To Go! My mother has been bugging me to make her a Totoro since she finally saw the movie so I just might have to make another mini Totoro for her as a stocking stuffer!

Until next time ^____^

In the Name of the Moon!

Pattern: Sailor Moon by Bellis1282
Yarn: Caron Simply soft red, country blue, white, off white, and lemon
Notions: 6mm safety eyes, red and yellow felt and red and yellow DMC thread
Hook: size G or H
Start/Finish: 11/23-24/2013

The SM fans in my audience will love the geekiness of this amigurumi! I had fun making her...she is a cutie......and as you can tell I'm a big SM fan myself with all those DVDs in the background >O<

I would love to make the entire Inner/Outer sensei and Tuxedo Mask.....what a task that would be?!?!?!?

Until next time ^____^

Gifts for Coworkers

Good afternoon everyone! I can't believe I haven't posted in so long. No worries, I've just been crafting up a storm with some resin work, crochet, and cross stitching this month.

Earlier this week, I gave one of my coworkers her Christmas gifts as I wanted her to be able to enjoy them during the month of December.


LOL Don't you love it when Blogger decides to upload your images in odd ways? Anywho, I gave her a resin bracelet and pendant that I made using resin and Christmas colored sprinkles. I also found a cute sticky notepad at Target in their dollar section. Perfect for spreading holiday cheer in the office! Not pictured was a Starbucks mug/chocolate mix set.

For my other coworker, I made two Mario themed amigurumis that I plan to attach to keychains. I had given him a bob-omb amigurumi earlier and thought to add to his collection with two more video game themed ones for Christmas. I hope to get some candy or something else to fill out his gift bag :)


The mushroom amigurumi is from Wolfdreamer's pattern and the fire flower is from Penelope's Let's All Get Knitfaced blog. The fire flower tested my skill at learning a new technique in crochet, the semi-circle. It isn't hard, but I'm so used to stitching in the round that I get nervous doing anything else >___<

I really hope my coworker likes his new amigurumis! Video gamers UNITE!

Until next time ^___^

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Artwalk Thank You!

Kristina and I were out last night at Mobile's monthly Artwalk. We would like to thank everyone who came by to chat with us and look over our crafts and goodies!

We lucked out on the weather. It was cold, but not too cold......we'll be in for a shock next month.....brrrrr......

Until next time ^____^

Fall Celebration



Our autumn/Halloween display this year. The amigurumis on the Halloween tree are a combination of my own and a few that my dear Amanda has sent me.

Until next time ^___^

Bring Your Ami To Work Friday - Part 6



While I was working, Sir Maxwell was taking a break from his research on dirigibles for aquatic creatures. He insists on having tea on his breaks! I'll take some tea.....but it must be boba tea!

Until next time ^____^

Squirrel Pinkeep



This is the pinkeep that I made for Constance's Halloween/autumn package. I used burgundy braid, green pearlized pins, and an autumn leaves fabric.

Until next time ^____^

Halloween Packages!!

I sent my annual Halloween packages out to my friends in California and Canada. Here's what I sent this year:


To Amanda I sent candy, Halloween/autumn buttons and ribbon, cupcake liner/picks, a cute door hanger, Make It magazine and a raccoon plushie. The raccoon was actually made from a pattern in the magazine ;)


To Constance, my fellow cross stitcher, I sent cross stitch magazines and little kits including a lovely fleur-de-lis pattern I got while in New Orleans at The Quarter Stitch store. I also sent candy, Halloween/autumn buttons and ribbon, and a scented candle in a ceramic owl. I made the JBW squirrel cross stitch design into a pinkeep.

I'm glad you girls liked all the goodies!

Until next time ^____^

Halloween 2013



Our tribute to the original 1960s Dark Shadows and Barnabas Collins!

October Recap

Recap:

Read:
1. People of the Mist by H.R. Haggard

Crafts:
1. Christmas puppy amigurumi
2. Two candy corn amigurumis
3. Nine-tail fox amigurumi
4. Kirby amigurumi
5. Goomba amigurumi
6. Maxwell, steampunk octopus amigurumi
7. Mistletoe amigurumi
8. Christmas mouse amigurumi
9. Kawaii Christmas light bulb amigurumi
10. Gingerbread amigurumi
11. Christmas cupcake amigurumi
12. Raccoon feltie plush

Finishes:
1. French Squirrel pinkeep

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Halloween Cuteness!


Can you believe that Halloween is just around the corner? I think I am still in denial.....it seems like the year is in permanent fast forward mode!

Looking through my stash last week, I found some lovely orange ribbon to make my collection of Halloween mini amigurumis into ornaments. I have the ornaments up for grabs in my Etsy shop as a set! So if you are looking for something cute to decorate with head over to my shop and pick them up.

Until next time ^____^

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Artwalk and Trunk Sale

Hi, everyone! Kristina and I will be at LODA Artwalk tomorrow evening around 5-ish. Come out and have some fun downtown!

On Saturday, we will have two tables set up at Baker High School for their 2nd Annual Twice Around Arts and Crafts /Trunk Sale. The sale starts at 7:30am and goes until 2pm. Click on the link for details and map >___<

It should be a lot of fun! Please come by and support your local crafters and businesses. Kristina and I will have a lot of merch that isn't listed on our Etsy shop at the sale. Perfect for bdays or the holidays coming up soon.

Hope to see you all!

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Bring Your Ami To Work Friday - Part 5


Another BYATWF! The ghosties and their friends are taking a break for some candy corn goodness!

Sadly, when they asked Barnabas if he wanted to join in, he burst into tears! Still pining for Josette.......poor thing!

Until next time ^____^

September Amigurumis!



September Recap

Recap:

Read:
1. The Fairest of Them All by Carolyn Turgeon
2. Serpent on the Crown by Elizabeth Peters

Stitched:
1. French Country Squirrel by JBW Designs

Crafts:
1. Various perlers
2. 3 resin bracelets
3. Purple scarf
4. Green scarf
5. Bat amigurumi
6. Whale amigurumi
7. 2 octopi amigurumis
8. Big and small bom-bomb amigurumis
9. Pokemon ball amigurumi
10. Pikachu cupcake amigurumi
11. 2 ghost amigurumis
12. Skull amigurumi
13. Tombstone amigurumi
14. Pumpkin amigurumi
15. Witch's hat amigurumi
16. Fox amigurumi

Friday, September 20, 2013

Moon Cake Surprise!


My friend Amanda sent me a lovely surprise in the mail this week before she left on vacation. She sent me a few mini moon cakes filled with pineapple or red bean. I shared them with my family and coworkers.

Thanks darling for the yummy surprise!

Where is Ms. Crystal Panda you ask? On a trip around Europe! Is anyone jealous and happy at the same time right now? I know I am >___<

Until next time ^____^

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Sunday Stitching.....


I started a new scarf yesterday afternoon while watching the AL/T A&M game. I love the color of this yarn!

Speaking of yarn, my mom and I went by Joann's Fabrics this afternoon so I could look for some other colors of yarn for a project I have in mind.....and guess what!?!?! They have three new colors of the Caron Simply Soft Party line!! Woohoo! I grabbed them up with the thoughts of making a few more octopi for my little army along with other amigurumis.

But it will have to wait until I've finished up with my scarf  >___<

Hope you've having a wonderful day crafting!

Until next time ^____^

Barnabas Collins!


Pattern: Bat by Voodoo Maggie
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Grey Heather
Hook: Size G
Notions: 9mm safety eyes and light grey felt
Start/Finish: 9/2 & 11/2013

Looking for a fun pattern to stitch up, I ran across a cute little bat pattern in one of the books in my stash. I didn't really care for the arm/wings on the pattern so I decided to make my own wings from felt.

With a love of the original Dark Shadows series, I named my little bat after Barnabas Collins. Fly on little Barnabas, fly on!

Until next time ^____^

Whale of a Tale

Pattern: Richard the Whale by Stacey and Octopi
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Party Sparkle Line and Red
Hook: Size H
Notions: 9mm safety eyes and black and light pink felt
Start/Finish: 9/1-2/2013 for blue octopus, 9/5-6/2013 for fuchsia octopus and 9/8-9/2013 for whale

A friendly whale and his octopi friends! When asked, they gladly agreed to pose for a group photo for me.

I liked the pattern for the whale, but I had problems with it. You would think it was the tail part of the pattern, but it was later on in the pattern with the increases. When consulting my knit/crochet guru of an aunt, she told me that I should have spread out the increases. Lesson learned! I still had fun with the pattern and would definitely attempt it again ^___^

Until next time ^_____^

Monday, September 9, 2013

Is Fall Here Yet?

Design: French Country Squirrel by JBW Designs
Fabric: 32ct cream Wichelt linen
Threads: DMC 921
Start/Finish: 9/7/2013

I've been wishing for fall weather lately......as evident by my choice of this fall design by JBW Designs. I think a trip to my local craft store is in order.........new fall fabrics for my stash.....

Hmm....

Until next time ^____^

Bring Your Ami To Work Friday - Part 4


Sir Tweedy-Clutterbuck, the octopus adventurer, and Ms. Pop-Tart Kitty, his faithful companion, are on a great expedition.....they decided to attempt 'book' climbing since mountains are too big a task for them.

Always the gentleman, Sir Tweedy-Clutterbuck has been helping Ms. Kitty along the way. She doesn't like heights.....but is quite determined to continue on with their expedition!!

Until next time ^___^

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Kawaii Panda Scarf

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Snow Sparkle and Black Sparkle
Hook: Size J for the scarf; Size G for the amigurumi elements and head
Notions: Black and white felt and pink bow
Start/Finish: 6/22-25/2013

I found a tutorial on youtube for a scarf using a shell-like stitch. I wish I knew the name of this stitch, but the author of the video never mentioned what type of stitch it was. The stitch was perfect for the type of scarf that I had in mind though. Where Amanda lives in CA, it doesn't get too cold so I wanted a light scarf for her to wear.

I was debating on what to do with the scarf after stitching it up when I remember an image of panda scarf that I had seen a few months earlier......and viola!

The scarf has paws on both ends and it even has a little tail ;) Certainly kawaii enough for a panda lover!

Until next time ^____^

Panda B-Day!

My darling Amanda had her birthday yesterday! I was actually on time with her presents this year. I mailed them out on Saturday and since Monday was a holiday, they arrived on Tuesday, her birthday!



Her package contained alot of panda goodies including two gifts from Kristina, a panda bag and 3D puzzle. I also threw in some fun variegated yarns since knitters/crocheters never have enough yarn ;)

I also made her a panda scarf...........which I made a while ago, but couldn't post about until now! LOL The bane of gift giving! Especially when you want to talk about it on your blog....

Hope you had a lovely birthday!

Until next time ^____^

Sunday, September 1, 2013

August Recap

Recap:

Read:
1. Rider Haggard and the Fiction of Empire by Wendy Katz
2. Undead and Unsure by Mary Janice Davidson
3. Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen
4. Austenland by Shannon Hale
5. The Third Kingdom by Terry Goodkind

Stitching:
1. Around the World: Japan by Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery

Crafting:
1. Nine-tailed fox amigurumi
2. Various pony perlers

After reading an article about the new Austenland movie, I decided to read the novel version and so borrowed it from the library. I remember seeing the book when it first came out, but never picked it up. I'm glad I didn't......and wish I hadn't done so now. I'm not sure if the book is supposed to be intentionally cringe-worthy, but it certainly ranks high on my cringe meter. Luckily the dialogue makes it a fast read so I could push my way through the novel......which is saying much since the dialogue made me want to throw any Jane Austen materials I have in my house out the window.......it was that bad.....

Did anyone else who has read this book feel the same way????

For Terry Goodkind fans, his newest Richard and Kahlan novel, The Third Kingdom, came out this month. At first I didn't think I could get into it because I thought he was joining the 'band wagon' with some new types of characters in his book, but he surprised me with his inventiveness. Down side.......I have to wait another year or two for a new book to follow.....

What's on the agenda for September? Lots of amigurumis as Amanda is having a craft table in California later in the fall/early winter. I also hope to work on some fall themed/Halloween cross stitch designs.

Until next time ^____^

Japanese Cuteness!

Pattern: Around The World: Japan by Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery
Fabric: 32ct cream linen Wichelt
Threads: recommended DMC and DMC 3820 for metallic
Start/Finish: 8/2-31/2013

Finally a cross stitch finish! I was determined to finish it yesterday since I had been working on and off on this design all month. My family was watching the football game last night so I sat with them and cross stitched.

This is another 'kawaii' design from FPS. I always love their designs! I have a fun 'finishing' idea for this design, but it won't happen until much later.

I will say that I will definitely stitch on lower counts of linen when I start a new project. I forgot how tiny the stitches on 32 count could be......not to mention the slow progress.

Until next time ^____^

Perler ponies!


Lots of new perler ponies! My favorites are my own creations in the lower right.....Sherlock and Watson and in the upper left, Princess Luna ;)

MLP geek.......I know >___<

Until next time ^___^

Paracon and Mechacon 2013

Good morning! It's been a busy month with the Artwalk and lots of conventions. My friends and I went to Pensacola for Paracon. Sadly, this was the first year for them to open up the convention to anime/gaming when usually the convention is supernatural in general. With that said, there wasn't alot to do. They had a few panels, but they put them in parts of the room behind curtains and underneath air vents. Not the best thing when you are trying to hear the speaker.

Good thing was the fact that they had a lot of interest in the convention. When we came back from lunch there was a line out the door and around the parking lot full of cosplayers waiting in the rain. Hopefully the organizers will take that into account and plan for a larger crowd next year and a better venue.

Last Friday Kristina and I went to New Orleans for Mechacon. The panel schedule on Fridays doesn't start until later in the afternoon so Kristina and I decided to wander the city instead.

Despite the clouds, we lucked out with a breezy day without rain.


On our way to LA, we were greeted with a sign of a rainbow and the moon. Definitely a sign of a good day in NO.


Kristina had never been to Marie Laveau's so we walked down Bourbon Street to see the shop. I was hoping to get my tarot read, but the readings didn't begin until 12 and we got there a lot earlier.............well, more excuse for us to wander around the city.

Taking a detour on St. Ann Street to get to Chartres Street lead us into a park and a gorgeous cathedral.


Luckily the cathedral is open for tours so we stopped in for a look. I didn't take any photos of the inside, but the ceilings, walls, etc. were decorated into paintings of saints, etc. It was quite beautiful.

Afterwards we stopped by Quarter Stitch.....a lovely shop full of needlepoint canvases, skeins of gorgeous yarn, and cross stitch designs pertaining to NO.




I asked the ladies who owned the shop if I could take some pics of their wares and they said I could........lovely crafting goodies!



On our way back to the convention, we ran across this little gem of a museum on Chartres Street. I noticed it the last time I was in NO, but didn't have time for it. Since we had time to kill, we decided to tour the museum.

I love their window displays for the museum. The first photo is something you would have seen in a 19th century pharmacy shop window. They are called shop globes and were usually filled with colored liquid which was a universal sign that the shop sold medicine. Apparently, the idea of shop globes goes back to medieval times.





The museum is the former pharmacy of Louis J Dufilho, one of the first pharmacists in the US to be officially licensed to sell medicines. It houses three stories, but the third story has been in disrepair since Katrina so you can only view two stories of the museum. In the back of the house is a beautiful courtyard with a fountain and banana trees....which actually had bananas ripening on the trees.

There are so many objects to see and exclaim over.....not to mention all the informative text labels throughout the museum. Upstairs has a large exhibition of spectacles/eye glasses and another on alcohol in medicine in the 19th century.  It also has a room refurbished as a bedchamber during childbirth.

I think my favorite displays were downstairs on the first floor. They have a selection of 'voodoo' potions. Apparently patrons could buy potions at their local pharmacy instead of going through the scandal of seeing a voodoo priestess. The potions were numbered so when a patron wanted a certain potion he/she would ask for a number to get the right potion. A great way  to not embarrass oneself while in the shop when other patrons were present. Interestingly that is where the song lyric 'Love Potion #9' comes from, the numbering system used by pharmacists.

Overall, this museum is a little gem in NO. It is perfect for spending an hour or two......regardless if you are a medical student, history buff, or just a curious seeker.

After that, we wandered through some other shops or looked at the window displays down Chartres Street before heading back to the Riverwalk for lunch before heading to register for the convention.

The convention was fun despite the lack of panels. We met up with our friend Bonnie who was staying the weekend for the convention.

 Mei from My Neighbor Totoro

 Lolita in blue.....
Lolita in maroon....

I ended up buying a few things at the convention......


Coconut pocky, lots of new cell charms and lanyard from Tasty Peach and Sorbet Jungle. The little octopus pouch is from Sorbet Jungle. I love the size of it......it even has an inner pocket! I love pouches this size because I use them to hold my cross stitch threads/needles or crochet needles when working on projects.

Making one more pass through the dealers' room before we left for Mobile, I read across a table from Antarctic Press selling comics. I saw a line of comics that were new to me......Gearhearts Revue......a great line of steampunk comics. I ended up buying the ones they had ;)

I hope next year we get to go to Mechacon again, but on a weekend with more panels.

Until next time ^____^