Her Studio - The Crafty Cafe

2008-12-02T16:18:00.003-05:00

I finally finished my Studio! I absolutely love it. Here's my place:

2008-05-10T07:18:00.000-05:00

Amigurumi Doll Pattern -I altered the pattern below for each of my girls... Here is the original Amigurumi Doll Pattern Link

Materials

I used rowan wool cotton (which is dk weight) on a 3mm hook for the body. The dress and shoes are worked in the same yarn on a 3.5mm hook. i had 6 50g gram balls and used a full ball of beige for the hair, approx. 40g of the cream (face, hands, legs) and 30g of the remaining colors (light green, dark green, turquoise and yellow). The finished doll is 14″ tall. You can use any yarn you like but remember to use a smaller than usual hook to keep the fabric tight and stop the filling escaping or showing through.

Rows and spirals

I worked the striped sections in rows as it prevents the jog at the end of the stripe. Amigurumi is usually worked in spirals and the fabric thus created looks different to that worked in rows. Since I prefer the traditional amigurumi look (but hate the jogs) I worked the solid color sections in spirals - it’s easy to switch back and forth - but you can choose to work it all in rows or all spirals if you prefer.

To start: use the magic adjustable ring. You may find it helps to use a larger hook for the first row as amigurumi is worked pretty tightly and i find it can be fiendishly difficult to get into this first round of stitches.

To work in spirals: place a marker in

the last stitch of the round and continue around sc into the top of each stitch (move the marker up into your current round when you reach it).

To work in rows: ss into first stitch of current round, ch1, turn. Make sure that you then sc into the first stitch (not the chain). It’s easy to miss the first stitch which will make your start/end row seam wonky.

Working from charts

This is the format I first encountered amigurumi patterns in, and i find it much easier to follow

than directions written out long hand. The chart gives the total number of stitches (all sc) in each row. To make life easier increases and decreases are usually made in multiples of 6, distributed equally around the row. You will find that as you work this creates an easily memorized pattern. (inc1= increase by 1 - work 2 sc into the top of one sc of the previous round)

You can calculate how many stitches between the increases by dividing the previous and upcoming row totals by the difference between them (the number of increases in the next round). e.g. 36 stitches up to 42 is an increase of 6. 36/6=6, 42/6=7. This means you want to turn every 6 stitches of the previous round into 7 in the next. You would make 5 stitches between increases (as the increase turns that 6th stitch into stitches 6 and 7).

Decreases are usually worked in the same pattern. If the increase/decrease is les

s than 6, spread the increases/decreases evenly around the row (using the calculation above). Alternate where I place the increases/decreases every other row

tip: i find a handy way to keep track of the increases/decreases is to count to myself in 2 different languages, using a foreign language for the increases. e.g. one, two, three, un, deux, one, two, three, un, deux etc. then if i get interrupted i know exactly where i was. i find this comes in particularly handy if you’re working greater than inc1 increases. if i stopped at quattre i know i’m 4 stitches into an increase. cunning, no? i feel it makes for a rounder finish if the increases/decreases aren’t all stacked above each other but it isn’t essential.

LEGS: make 2
row	stitches	yarn	note
1	6	(lg) brown	6 sc into ring (6 sc total)
2	12		inc1 all around (12 sc)
3	18		1 sc, inc1 around (18 sc)
4	24		2 sc, inc1 around (24 sc)
5	30		3 sc, inc1 around (30 sc)
6-8	36
9-10	36	(y) pink	ch and turn to work in rows
11-12	36	(lg) brown	sc around (36)
13	33	(y) pink	10 sc, dec1 around (33) stagger decreases around the circle
14	30		5 sc, dec1, 9 sc, dec1, 9 sc, dec1, 4 sc (30)
15	27	(lg) brown	8 sc, dec1 around (27)
16	24
17-18	24	(y) pink
19-20	24	(lg) brown
21-22	24	(y) pink
23-24	24	(lg) brown	stuff feet now!
25-26	21	(y) pink
27-28	21	(lg) brown
29-30	21	(y) pink
31-32	21	(lg) brown
33-46	18	cream
47-48	18	(lg) brown	You can use dk brown

Body
row	stitches	yarn	note
1	6	(lg) brown	You can use dk brown
2	12	(lg) brown
3	18	(lg) brown
4	24	(lg) brown
5	30	(lg) brown
6	36	(lg) brown
7	42	(lg) brown
8-10	48	(lg) brown
11-12	51	(lg) brown
13-14	54	(y) pink	ch and turn to work in rows
15-16	54	(lg) brown
17	54	(y) pink
18	48	(y) pink
19-20	48	(lg) brown
21-22	42	(y) pink
23	42	(lg) brown
24	36	(lg) brown
25-26	36	(y) pink
27-28	30	(lg) brown
29	30	(y) pink
30	24	(y) pink
31-32	24	(lg) brown
33-34	18	(y) pink

Head
row	stitches	yarn	note
1	6	cream
2	12
3	18
4	24
5	30
6	36
7-10	42
11-15	48
16-19	42
20	36
21	30
22	24
23	18

arms: make 2
row		stitches	yarn	note
1		6	cream
2		12
3-4		18
5-7		24
8		18
9		inc2, inc4, inc2; sc around (26)
10		sc in each of first 3 st, inc1 in each of next 5 st; sc around (31)
11		sc in each of first 3 st, dec1 in next 10 st; sc around (26)
12		dec2, dec4, dec2; sc around (18)
13		18
14		12
15-16		12	(lg) brown	ch and turn to work in rows
17-18		12	(y) pink
19-20		12	(lg) brown
21-22		12	(y) pink
23-24		12	(lg) brown
25-26		12	(y) pink
27-28		12	(lg) brown
29-30		12	(y) pink
31-32		12	(lg) brown
33-34		12	(y) pink
35-36		12	(lg) brown
Shoes: make 2 (change hooks -work on 3.5mm hook
row	stitches				yarn	note
1	6				(lg) brown
2	12				(lg) brown
3	18				(lg) brown
4	24				(lg) brown
5	30				(lg) brown
6-12	36				(lg) brown
13	30				(lg) brown
-	ch20, ss into 7th ch from hook, sc into all 13 ch, ss into first stitch of previous round				(lg) brown
14	reverse sc all around				turquoise

Finishing

Stuffing: I weighted the legs and body of my doll, to a height of about 1/3. In future i may not bother to weight the feet, although it does help her to stand up well. The weights i use are called poly pellets and i bought them on eBay. the remainder of the legs/body etc is stuffed with fluffy stuffing. if you plan to machine wash the doll it is worth working circles the diameter of the leg/body at the top of the pellets and sewing these inside, which is very easily done if you remember in time, before you make too many decreases. Stitch it in with matching yarn from the outside following the pattern of the crochet stitches and it doesn’t show at all. this prevents the stuffing and pellets mixing inside the body/limbs during the wash, which they will do otherwise. if you prefer you could sew a little bag to contain the pellets instead. Always put in more stuffing than you think you should, then put in a bit more, the crochet fabric will stretch over time and you don’t want her to end up too floppy.

Hair: knot and thread through from wrong side. do this when you have worked up about 2/3 of the head, so that you have a good idea of the shape but still have room to get inside easily.

Dress: I started by following the increases for the top of the body (from about row 28 backwards, to allow arm room)

2008-05-01T19:09:00.000-05:00

Mother’s Day Lampshade http://www.michaels.com/online/images/e04164_large.jpg

Shine a light on Mom! Make her a special lampshade with photos of all her kids. She’s going to love it!

Designed by June Tailor® for Hollywood Lights®

Project #:
e04164

Crafting Time: Approximately 45 Minutes

Skill Level:
1 being the easiest

Crafters Rating:
Review this project
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* Hollywood Lights™ Lampshade, 3 x 5 x 4 – inch Square
* June Tailor® Art-Wear™ Design Sheets
* Fabric 1/4 Yard, Your Choice
* Beaded Trim, 1/2 Yard, Your Choice

* Ribbon, Black Satin, ¼ - inch wide, 5/8 Yard
* Ribbon, Gros Grain, Pink, 1 Yard
* Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks
* Computer and Color Injet Printer

Cost of each project will vary depending on materials used.

Due to the seasonal nature of some merchandise, actual availability of some products pictured may vary.

Cut fabric for lampshade according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Create and print three 2½ x 4¼ - inch photo images from your computer to your color inkjet printer using Art-Wear™ Design sheet. You may wish to put all images on one sheet. Markers may be used to incorporate a personal message. Trim images to size.

Following all manufacturer’s instructions, making sure to use parchment sheet included with your Art-Wear™ design sheets, position images on three sides of your cut lampshade fabric, centering in the panels.

Apply fabric with Art-Wear™ images in place onto your shade following manufacturer’s instructions.

Attach pink ribbon to left and right sides of photo images using hot glue, being careful not to touch the tip of the glue gun to the Art-Wear™ images.

Attach black ribbon to top of shade and sequin trim to bottom using hot glue.

Tip:

2008-04-23T18:25:00.000-05:00

Daisy Gardening Boots

Sonya Nimri guest posts on the Pink of Perfection blog and shows how to transform boots into pretty daisy gardening boots. Sonya, author of the fabulous new book Beadalicious, will be at the Maker Faire, May 3-4 where she'll have a "Clothing Makeover" booth. She'll also be on the CRAFT stage at 1pm on Saturday demoing how to make jewelry.

2008-04-18T14:43:00.000-05:00

Project Polymer Ohhhhh a new Polymer Clay site for the addicted claybies! Visit the forum here for details.

2008-03-10T18:56:00.001-05:00

I love to play with Polymer Clay...

I never knew how many things there are to play with at Michaels. I thought I bought it all. Last year I discovered Polymer Clay and it's the best thing since sliced bread! It's so much fun.

Flying Colours

Brighten up a family celebration with jazzy polymer clay butterflies

You will need...

Polymer clay, 58gm blocks; raspberry, Indian red, purple, lime green, lemon, brilliant blue, white, black
Cookie cutter, butterfly
Wire, beading
Ribbon
Glue
Cutting mat
Craft knife
Tracing paper
Tin foil
Needle

These jazzy polymer clay butterflies can be used in a variety of ways to brighten any family celebration

Modeling

1. Roll out a ball of clay as large as your butterfly cutter or template, 0.5cm thick, in any rich color, such as deep raspberry pink. Mix greens and pinks to create a range of ice cream colors. Roll out until thin and cut triangle shapes 2-3cm in length. Place them freely around the butterfly wings and press in using a sheet of tracing paper with a weight on top.

2. The tracing paper will keep your unbaked clay surface smooth and clean from fingerprints and fly-away dust. Using a weight such as a heavy book or small marble slab will distribute any pressure evenly. If you use a rolling pin the shapes you have created will become distorted. The weight will keep any mishaps to a minimum.

3. Roll any left-over ice cream colors into small circles. Press on top of the triangles. Then weight these circles as before, this time making smaller discs in a contrasting color, and placing them over the larger circle to create the butterfly eyes.

4. Once the wings have been decorated, press the butterfly cutter into the flat clay. Roll a thin length in bright contrasting color such as yellow or orange and run it around the outline of the butterfly for definition.

5. For the butterfly body, make a small roll of clay, the length of the cutter and slightly narrower than your little finger. Shape a gentle round point for the tail and a ball the size of a large pea for the head. Press two small holes into the top of the head where the colored wire can be glued in to form the feelers after baking.

6. Using a large needle or other pointed craft tool, gently push a hole through the base of the wings and body, so the ribbon can pass through to secure the butterfly onto the basket. If your butterfly is too small and delicate, roll a ball of clay and stick it under the body then make a hole through that.

7. Before baking, to add movement, gently squeeze the wings towards the body so the butterfly will look like it has just settled on your basket. Make two scrunched up rolls of tin foil to support under the wings whilst baking. Carefully place the butterfly on a clean non-stick baking tray and pop in oven for 30 minutes at 130°C.

8. After the butterfly has cooled varnish with either a matte or gloss finish, then embellish with gems and crystals for extra effect. Glue the wire feelers and thread some colored ribbon through the hole in the body and tie to a basket.

2008-03-08T18:52:00.002-05:00

"Handmade Spaces" tour featuring photos of the Chicago workspace where accessories designer Miss Alison whips up her colorful vinyl creations. The light and organization in this space is totally inspiring! Link.

2008-03-07T05:49:00.003-05:00

Christy Petterson has a great article up on Get Crafty about her new personal craft resource center -- an old Rolodex her mom gave her. I love this as a quick and easy solution to organizing your supplies. True there are sites on the web for this like Craft Memo but isn't it more crafty fun to see a Rolodex filled and stuffed with bits of fabric and supplies? It's a great way for inspiration for new projects!

Here's the Link

2008-02-21T05:47:00.002-05:00

Very adorable! Link here.

2008-02-20T17:05:00.002-05:00

I've finally seen it all. I have a HUGE collection of crochet patterns that range from miniature items to a crayon bean bag chair.

I must say this one beats anything I've ever seen. I have to try to make this for Melissa...

She'll be "All Shook Up"

2008-02-10T06:39:00.000-05:00

Well I did it! I bought Scrapbook Max! I can't wait for the CD to get here. I can't believe it's taken me so long to find out about it. I have always enjoyed my "real albums" but in 20 minutes I was able to create pages online that would have taken me 3 cups of coffee, a good movie and 2 hours of shuffling embellishments around.

I can't wait for it to arrive!

2008-02-09T18:57:00.001-05:00

I crocheted this little guy and I just love him. He's about 3 inches tall and made from thread crochet. His little arms and legs are attached or sewn with dental floss so he's got movable limbs! I think these would be great to use as "bows" on baby gifts.

2008-02-07T19:04:00.001-05:00

2008-02-06T06:33:00.001-05:00

These are pictures of my album pages so excuse the flash ... I am going to find a better way to publish these so you can see the 2-page spread side by side.

I

2008-02-06T06:22:00.001-05:00

Here is a project I did which I found at Michaels online. I think they turned out so cute. CLICK HERE for the pattern

2008-02-06T06:17:00.000-05:00

I am thinking about paying for Scrapbook Max - I am using the 30-day trial to see if I like it. Here are my first 2 pages.

2008-02-06T05:42:00.000-05:00

This is my studio... the place I go to escape reality! If you are wondering what Reves Doux means... it's Sweet Dreams in french. Oooh Lah Lah~

2008-02-05T22:17:00.001-05:00

New York & Georgia (yes, the twins named them)

These are the dolls I crocheted for the twins... They were very easy to make and they turned out beautifully! If anyone is interested in the pattern just email me - I'll be happy to send it to you.

2007-01-05T06:29:00.000-05:00

This project came from a collection of patterns by Vanna White. I will scan the pattern in and hope it's readable... This make a great "new baby" gift.