Little Crocheted Bird Watching

 So I found this book in my local Joann's store:

Mini Amigurumi Birds

As you might guess from the title, it is full of small crochet bird patterns... and a bat. There are a couple of general patterns that are used for multiple birds, with different colors of yarn, of course. That makes some of the birds go a little faster as I get practiced at some of those general patterns. Other birds are individual patterns, and most of them have some details that are specific to that bird. They take maybe a couple hours to complete, and they are just so darn cute!

Most of the birds I've made so far are made with cotton yarn, which is a little less stretchy than the acrylic yarn I often use. Once I got used to the UK directions for the crochet (they call the stitch I know as a single crochet, a double crochet...), I've enjoyed making these little birds. And the bat.

My first effort was the swan

These three take advantage of one of the common patterns, with different colors and finishing touches.

Bat

Baby Chicken

Owl

I want to try another owl with different thread colors... 

Here is another set of birds with a common body pattern:

flamingo

peacock

I did the peacock first, so I got the flamingo a little straighter, but... it took a little negotiation with the pattern... I like what they did with the peacock tail feathers. I'll be making that one again to try some different color combinations... I saw a video of a peacock with red tail feathers and I also bought a turquoise thread to work with too. This flamingo is from an acrylic yarn which was a little easier to work with (the cotton yarn is a little bit stiffer than the acrylic), so I may do a set of at least some of these birds in acrylic as well.

I'm no where near having tried out all the patterns, but I think eventually I will. So far, each project has been fairly quick and easy, and would only go faster with practice. I can see these as fun gifts. They could work ok as small pet toys, if your pets won't chew apart the threads and swallow them. They could also be a nice handful for a baby or toddler, although I would embroider the eyes instead of using beads. Maybe the safety eyes are OK?

Kingfisher

Robin red breast

Dolly

 I like dolls. I like making them and dressing them, almost as much as I used to like playing with them. During the last third of 2022, Charitable Crafting was making - among other things - some comfort dolls for the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation. We wanted something fairly easy, and of course it had to be cute! I suggested this pattern, which I've had for a while, waiting on the perfect time to make her:

Cloth doll with clothes, and carrying case (not pictured)

We thought it was a good choice, and we could make it serve as either male or female, and we found a small checked fabric in the stash at Cruces Creatives that we liked, so we cut out several dolls, each with an outfit, which we decided to sew on to each doll. 

I sewed up three of them, and once the construction questions were answered, they went pretty smoothly. They have embroidered faces, and looped yarn hair, instead of the longer braided hair that the pattern shows. I thought they were very cute, and the clothes went together pretty well. They are kind of reminiscent of a Raggedy Ann doll. Yes, I'm old enough to have one of those.

Once upon a time, long ago, I found some in my mom's sewing room, that she had cut out and started embroidering, but then got busy with other stuff... like kids. So I sewed them up and dressed them and shared them. One for me, one for each of my brothers and one for a friend of mine. There may have been one or two more, I'm not sure. It was a long time ago!

So anyway, I like this pattern, and its friendly, soft feel, and the leggy doll (which is an oops I'll talk about later). I also wanted to try out the doll carrier that the pattern includes, which has pockets to hold dolly clothes or other belongings, and a bed to tuck the doll into. The only thing is, I wanted to make the doll and accessories, but I didn't want to keep the doll forever myself. So, I had to think about who would get this project. Well, I found a suitable candidate and approached their parent about whether it would be OK. I mean, not every kid wants a dolly! How do I know that? Mine never did. Sigh.

So the project began again. This time, I worked on the carrier first. Since I have been working on bowl cozies for Christmas, I felt like this was a continuation of that, sort of and I like to call it a doll cozy. I think it turned out pretty well, although I'm debating the addition of fasteners for the pockets and for the overall carrier. I used denim for the outside of the carrier, and a stripe that seemed sort of wall paper-y for the inside. The bed covers are flannel on the top layer (blanket) and the green spotted cotton for the pillowcase and sheet. I had a flowered fence fabric that made up the smaller pocket and the flap for the bigger pocket.

Doll Cozy!!

Now, here's the thing. The bed is SHORT! When I tried to put the doll in, her legs had to fold up for her to fit. WHAT??? 

Cozy doll!

So I looked back at the pattern cover, and at the pattern pieces, and at the pictures of the earlier dolls, and at the doll I had just sewn up. Yes, the legs looked longer than on the pattern. But the pattern included two "leg" pieces. I think there was one for each leg? Maybe? Anyway, I ALSO liked the cute leggy look of the doll as I had made it, so I kept it. Yep, dolls don't mind having to curl up to fit in their beds! 

So, onward to the outfits! First of all, the child who will receive this doll is about two and a half. Some simple clothes for them to manipulate are in order. But also I wanted to make some outfits for a variety of clothes for the doll. One of the things I like on a doll is undies. Mom agreed that undies could stay on the doll as well. I used small double fold bias tape to trim many of the pieces I made. I though it worked particularly well on the camisole. The pattern called for non removable socks and shoes, and I sewed the camisole and shorts/undies to the doll.

Shorts for undies with a camisole and socks to match.

One of the ideas I had was to make some of the pieces reversable. My first reversable piece was a simple elastic waist skirt. This wasn't even included in the pattern, but so simple that I didn't need one. I was hoping that I could make the overalls reversable as well, and that turned out pretty easy as well. The final reversable piece was the sleeveless jumper dress. I tried to coordinate the palette to make things a very interchangeable mix and match. Here are some of the pieces:

Reversable skirt, orange shirt

Orange shirt again, with flowery overalls that are reversable to blue

Jumper dress has an orange reverse side

Over all, I made 5 shirts, a skirt, overalls, the jumper dress, a pair of shorts, and a long sleeved dress, which may - or may not - become her nightgown. I think the idea of the pattern may be that the clothes should fit in the pockets of the carrier, but...

The wardrobe

Finally, I finished the doll's hair and face. I really like the look of the looped yarn as hair. it is fun and happy, and a little messy, like a busy kid. 

Ready to play!

I'll suggest to Mom that they start off with a few pieces, and as the child grows and becomes more able to dress the doll, and more interested in having more outfits, they can be shared then. I know I didn't include a party type outfit, but would be willing to work on that in the future if the doll becomes a favorite, and maybe even some other pieces, like the coat that was included in the pattern. But for now, I think she's ready to have someone to play with! I would recommend this pattern!

Raindrop The Fox - Another Christmas Project

Say hello to Raindrop the Fox

Ron got an orange skein of yarn in his stocking. Why? Because he likes foxes. I've wanted to make him one for a while, but have been busy with other projects.

A few years ago, a friend and I came across this series of amigurumi crochet patterns. The animals in them are SO CUTE!!! I think we could happily make at least one of each. Here's the book Raindrop is in.

Pattern book

Here's the back, it shows some of the other projects in the book...

See! adorable!

We had plans to go camping over New Years, and I knew I would enjoy a crochet project so off we went, with hooks, and yarn and even fiberfill, But I didn't think of packing the eyes and nose I would need to complete this guy, so I ended up getting all the parts complete, but not actually constructing the fox.

Getting started

Since crafting and making are a learning process for me, I'm not embarrassed to show my mistakes. And man, did I make one! I put the eyes on too far to one side, and yes, it made a difference because the head had cheeks crochet stitched in for shape, and that put the whole thing off kilter. I took the backs of the eyes off and moved them, then stitched the muzzle back on, and the pink cheeks, and he looked much better.

Wonky Face

PARTS!!

But soon enough I had Raindrop all stuffed and sewn together, and even embellished. 

Belly Button and all!

I used worsted weight yarn instead of the sport weight the pattern called for, so my fox is larger than the pattern would normally make, but I think it turned out well, and still pretty well in proportion, which isn't always true when you change elements like that. I chose a pretty small crochet hook for the yarn, and I think that helped, but I think I'll look through my sport weight yarn to see which of these patterns I'm going to have a go on next!

Happy New Year of Projects!

 I was busy with a lot of projects through the fall, including Christmas gifts, which is where I'm starting for this first post of the year.

Linda (my mother in law) and Scarrie (my sister in law) suggested that I make them bowl cozies this year. What are those? you may ask, like I did. I pictured some kind of quilted cover, like teapots can get. But then I did some research.

Bowl cozies are indeed quilted, but you use them to protect your fingers from a warm bowl after you warm the bowl and its contents up in the microwave. Yes, if you make them out of the right materials - all cotton, for example - you can even put the cozy safely in the microwave with the bowl. Handy if you're microwave isn't at countertop height. I found several patterns, and decided to go with this one, from SewCanShe. It seemed pretty straight forward and do-able. 

I started in November, with making a set for my sister-in-law Naomi, who has a birthday that month. Her set has a loop, which I didn't keep adding, as I made more, and more... and more of the cozies.

Naomi likes birds!

Then when a friend of mine had her knee replaced, I figured bowl cozies would be an excellent addition to her kitchen. Soup is a great healer!

Eight made so far...

Then I got busy on the Christmas gifts. They took some time to cut out, with two layers of fabric and one of batting - get the Wrap and Zap if you want it to go in the microwave! You have to cut some darts to get the cozy to have its "bowl" shape. I made sets of four, with a few exceptions for twos, and ONE larger one on a special request from my brother. If you want to make them, remember to use cotton fabric AND cotton thread. I went through a lot of cotton thread! By the time I was done for the season, I had made over 3 dozen bowl cozies! (of course I made a set for us, too!)

Stacking up for giving!

Although they take a bit of time to prep for sewing, the sewing goes pretty quickly. I took the time to zig-zag the outer edge to help stabilize that outer edge and keep it neater. And, they should go in the washing machine well, too! I would be willing to tackle these again, and I think they made a great inexpensive, handy gift!

Art Corner - Leaves!

 So, I've been retired almost 6 months now. I was so very busy for the first few months as the house got painted, and we moved everything and then (mostly) moved it back. I have done many "big" sorts, and organized and donated, and put away. There are still more "little" sorts as I continue to organize my craft room, but I've had time to visit with friends, do some crafting, and do some more crafting. And it is time that I continue my journal of crafty efforts, which is mainly what I consider this blog to be.

Of course there is sewing going on. And crochet. And cross stitch. Each of which will be topic of future entries. Today, I want to talk about how nice it is to have time to experience some of the other areas of Cruces Creatives. Like the Art Corner!

The Art Corner is open for guided exploration every Tuesday afternoon at 1 - 3. That there are knowledgeable guides is a wonderful part of this. I can "play with some new toys" as we have been saying during these explorations. It isn't a class, it is an opportunity for discovery for all of us. I've been exploring acrylic paints and techniques, with a little foray into embossing. A couple weeks ago, I brought a leaf from the mulberry tree in my yard to the art corner, remembering that Raine and I had painted some leaves one fall, and it was an entertaining activity for both of us.

We tried embossing the leaf onto some paper, which I tried painting, with disappointing results. The water in the paint played havoc with the embossing. So then one of the others painted the leaf, then embossed it. 

Inspirational leaf - so cool!

So, yesterday, I picked up a few smaller leaves from the yard, and took a pack of blank notecards that I had, and thought I could make some interesting fall leaf cards to send out for Thanksgiving. While mulberry trees turn yellow in the fall, IF they turn any color before the first hard freeze knocks them from the tree (most of the leaves are still on my tree, and most of them are still green, even now), I wanted more of a fall palette, so I picked some orange and yellow and red along with a light tan, and I think three different shades of green. Then I practiced painting and pressing the leave onto paper. I did not use the embosser for my cards.

The practice leaves

At first I used very wet paint, and put a lot on the leaf to then press to the paper, but although I liked the amount of color I was getting, the amount of paint overpowered the texture of the leaves. I really wanted that texture! Oh, and painting the BACK of the leaves seems to be part of the process to get the impression and texture I wanted. Now that they have had time to really dry, more of the texture of those wet leaves is showing than I thought, although there are also some blobby bits, too. Maybe more paint is OK, just not as wet - something to try out another time. At first I was pressing them with just my hand, but then I started using a paper towel between my hand and the leaves. I think that helped some too.

Eight Leaf Cards

So here are my leaf cards. Overall, I'm happy with them. Some are better than others, but as a group, especially, I think they work well! Now, to get them signed, sealed and mailed! Of course I don't want to keep them all... I don't have space for that!

Finally, I want to remember my dad today, on his birthday. Love you, Dad. Miss you.

Wait, What? I've got a Blog?

 I glanced at my list of blogs and stuff, and there was mine, at the top. How long ago since I posted??? What happened to pandemic journaling? Life. I guess. Life.

Here I am in May, of 2022. Happy Birthday, Mom. Miss you. 

May the Fourth Be With You.

I'm retiring this year. That the pandemic isn't over has contributed to that, but it isn't - of course - the only thing. I've had a student teacher this semester. It was lovely. She was lovely, and did a fabulous job. I hope she gets hired at OMHS and loves teaching as much as she seems to. More even. Today was her last day as a student teacher. She'll come back after the semester ends and help me clear my room by taking what she thinks she will use of my teacher stuff. Goodness knows I don't want to store it, and I know the next teacher who is in that classroom won't want it.

So, let's talk pandemic for a paragraph or so... The variants keep coming. Carl finally got COVID last week. I've managed to dodge it so far. I've been vaccinated, and boosted, and will probably get boosted again by the end of the summer. We are working on making COVID life the new norm, which I guess is how the pandemic actually ends. Not because it goes away. Not because we get some magic immunity.

Since Dec of 2020, school opened, at least for those who chose to go back, in early 2021. Raine finished up her senior year, and graduated. There was an actual ceremony, and Ron's family came out to help celebrate. It was held on the district football field (Field of Dreams) in the open air and the sun. Now there is talk that will be the site from now on. Pity the schools that get the 1PM slots each year. BUT, as I said, the new norms.

May 2021 Graduate

School this year has been sort of normal. As normal as very lax attendance policy and 50% as the lowest grade can allow. As normal as students (OK, AND adults) needing resocialization into crowds and in person people-ing. There are challenges. But there will be graduation, and graduates, and students will matriculate, and school will be more "normal" next year. I mean changes will happen. Don't they always? 

And I will move on to my next thing as well. My own personal new normal. What will that be? Well, at first it will be about some self care, at various levels. Personal self care looks like lots of walking, preparing healthy meals and taking the time to work on my own health. Family care that supports Raine as she prepares to "launch" into her life as an adult. Caring for my home, which has been neglected and could use some care as well. My mental health and well being will benefit from time to work on my crafty projects, and my life-long learning will often steer in that direction as well. There are plans! YES there are!

The Last Supper cross stitch, 2/3 complete

Looking forward to traveling a bit, and being in nature some. Visiting with friends, and enjoying some old friendships and strengthening some newer ones, and those more recently in reach. Reaching out to family while they are in reach. All those things. I may even post here now and again. You know, since I've been reminded that it is here.

at Carlsbad KOA

Social Distancing/Pandemic #50

 Saturday, December 5, 2020

So, here we are in December. There are 2 more weeks of school in this semester, and it seems to be going so quickly. Take a deep breath!

We had a lovely, quiet, private Thanksgiving, I did the cooking, and we timed dinner so that we could eat together when Ron got home. I made 3 pies (yes, for 3 people), turkey with stuffing (because _I_ like it), mashed potatoes, and green beans. It wasn't a large turkey, but with only 3 of us, we have also had turkey corn chowder made by Ron, and turkey noodle soup, made by me. The pies were a hit, especially the cherry pie, which turned out particularly good, if I say so myself, but I didn't have to. It disappeared first.

The Christmas tree is up, and decorated. I would have loved to add the novelty lights I had collected over the years to the pre-lit tree this year, but last year, after years of not bothering to add them, we tested them to see if they still worked and ended up tossing the lot. Sadly. Particularly sadly because I would really have enjoyed them this year. Sigh. But the tree is lovely, as they are. We included the old decorations that I have kept from my parents, who are gone. It felt nice to put them on the tree this year.

Side view, lots of white and red this year.

I also uncovered a quilted wall hanging that my mom and I had worked on the blocks for. I think it was my first attempt at quilt block building, and today when I looked at it, I could tell. But it also reminded me of us working on it and planning it. We made one for me, one for her, and one for a cousin. It had been packed away for a while, with some Christmas fabrics that I had basically forgotten about, so it was definitely a win for me today. Now to figure out where and how to get the wall hanging up for the season.

Our idea for it was going through the snowy forest
to the Christmas house mine is sketchy on the snowy part.

I have to admit to enjoying a little nostalgia this year. Remembering the past, on the way to the future, really.

I got Christmas cards ready and in the mail during the Thanksgiving break. I also got a nightshirt/robe sewn up for Ron. It was our anniversary during that week: 20 years. Parts have flown by, and other parts, not so much, as I'm sure with most couples. For the most part, I believe we are happy with each other, and pretty well suited to the other.