The Serial Craftress: 2012

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Illustration Friday - Hurry

Late for School

I’m late for school, oh what will I do?

My hair’s a mess. I can’t find one shoe!

My clothes don’t match but I must get dressed!

I can’t miss school, I’ve got a test!

I’m late for school because I have a knack

Of suddenly losing my school backpack

Just before it’s time to go

Where did I put it? I just don’t know.

I haven’t had my breakfast yet.

My cereal’s getting all soggy and wet.

I found my shoe but oh what bad luck!

The sole is covered in icky muck!

And now my mom shouts out a threat

And asks why I’m not ready yet

I say it’s ‘cause I’m tired and cranky

She asks me if I need a spanky.

I’m late for school, I’ve unbrushed teeth

Oh there’s my backpack! It’s underneath

My unmade bed, I should have known

That’s where all my lost things go.

I’m late for school, but it wasn’t me…

I’m pretty sure it’s mother’s fault.

Toola Roola Amigurumi

My kids have really been into the My Little Pony shows lately. So when I saw Hooked on Anime's great pattern for a crochet my little pony, I had to get started making my own!

The pattern is so great! Genius shaping that translates into the perfect pony silhouette. And since the whole body is worked in double crochet, it works up pretty fast. After determining that Toola Roola is my daughter's favorite pony I went in search of the perfect pale pink yarn. Since I live in a small town however, I couldn't find the color I wanted in worsted weight, so I settled for sport weight yarn. In order to make sure there weren't going to be any gaps between stitches where stuffing might peek through, I did the whole thing with two strands of yarn and used a G hook instead of H. And I crocheted tight! Those were the only changes I made to the pattern.

I actually think the mane, tail, eyes, and cutie mark took longer than hooking up the pony. But, I think she turned out rather fabulously don't you?

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Gingermelon Patterns!

If you've never been to Gingermelon's shop on Etsy, you should! She has the most sweet and adorable patterns for little dolls. They are all hand stitched and made from hand dyed felt in colors that look good enough to eat! I've been coveting every pattern in the shop for the longest time but I couldn't decide which ones to get first, so I've just been drooling. But today I went ahead and bought a few and I am so excited to get started making my own versions of these sweet things!

Sweetie Pie Doll...I think the name says it all.

Pocket Pixie pattern

And then there are these lovely ladies, looking as if they came from a candy colored Victorian daydream, articulated paper dolls! How much fun are they!

I am already feeling inspired! Next time I'll get a few of the animal patterns. I cannot say how much I love, love, love these!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Strawberry Cuteness

Awhile back, while trolling around the internet for craft inspiration (as any true serial craftress should) I came across the cutest pattern for a little strawberry dollhouse.

I immediately knew I wanted to make one, and with my daughter's 8th birthday coming up, the timing was perfect. Not to mention it's just the sort of thing an 8 year old girl would love. As I was purchasing the pattern I was thinking to myself, "These are so adorable! I wonder why I haven't seen any finished products like these for sale anywhere?" Then I started working on it. And now I know why you don't see finished sewn plastic canvas dollhouses for sale. They're a big time drain! I mean, the execution itself is very easy, a child can do it. But it's just monotonous and time consuming. Especially if the piece you're working on will be seen on both sides. If that's the case as you're sewing you have to make sure the back looks as nice as the front.

Well, finally, my little dollhouse is getting very close to being finished. Which has gotten me thinking about finding a little occupant. I'm not sure if the wee doll who will live inside this strawberry house should also be strawberry themed or if that would take the theme a little too far. Meanwhile though, I did a quick Etsy search and found several charming options for a strawberry doll.