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 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 ^_____^

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 ^___^

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 ^____^

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 ^____^