Crochet Inspiration #4: Crochet Dolls

After visiting my Little J, on Saturday, I knew I had to start searching out more crochet patterns. You see, a few years ago, I made her a bunch of Disney Princesses for her birthday. I also bought her a big book of Disney Princess Bedtime Stories. She LOVES them all!

Part of it, is they were made just for her. And I've only made one other little girl, that she knows, these dolls. So they are special. Something that not many people have. And she told me, she loves them, because I made them.

But what to make this sweet girl next? I've made her purses, and different things for holidays. I've never made her a blanket. Which is next on my list. But I wanted something she could play with, and love. In comes, one of my favorite blogs...Jenny and Teddy.

I've made quite a few of the toys, from Jenny and Teddy. Both free patterns, and patterns I've bought. And you know what? I LOVE them all! They are easy to follow. Work up fast. And turn into the cutest dolls!!!

There is roughly 6 weeks, until Little J's 4th Birthday. And I want to make a few things for her. A blanket being one. Maybe a little bag, to carry her dolls. And these 3 dolls...

First up, is Bella. I just think she is a cutie. I would probably just change the color of her dress. Little J, happens to be a big fan of pink and purple. Big shock there, I know! I think this doll would be cute in hot pink!

Next up, would be Leena. Pretty similar in style. But I do enjoy her little hair style. Something different, from the typical amigurumi dolls and toys. I'm thinking this cutie, would be cute in purple. Something on the darker, yet bright side. And definitely, I'll be adding some shoes.

Last up, would be Kate. I'm thinking something in a turquoise color. Bright and fun. Something that coordinates with the other 2 dolls. Maybe change up the hair color. We'll just have to see.

I know, this is a ton of work! But I have 6 weeks. And it's for a special little girl! Which, honestly always makes a project fun! The bonus being, that Little J really enjoys playing with homemade toys. Girl has got a ton of toys! But always goes back, to these little crochet toys and purses, that I've made her. ❤

Crochet Inspiration 2: Snowflake Ornament...Turned Into A Snowflake Garland

I was looking for something fun to crochet. Something to add to my Dad's hospital room. You know, these rooms are a little boring and bland. And since it looks like it will be a few weeks until we get home, I need to add a little something-something to this place.

I was thinking of a garland. But Valentine's Day decorations are just a little too much right now. I'm thinking something for winter. A little bit of fun and whimsy. Then I thought about this little snowflake...

 

So I'm thinking, these little snowflakes, made into a garland. With a few wintery blue colors. 7 white, 6 little blue, and 6 medium blue...connected with white. I think it would make for a fun garland. You know, with all this weird winter weather that we are having. I think we need some snowflakes. Real snowflakes. Not the pretend things, that are all over the weather maps...and never make it to the sky.

 

Recently, I was telling a friend of mine, that patterns are just a little "roadmap" for you. It's there. It gives you an idea, or a direction. But it's not the "end all." You can change that pattern around. You can add to it. You can use a pattern like this, to add an applique to a hat, scarf, or even a blanket. Lots of times, I find a cute appliques, to make different garlands.

 

So the next time you see a cute applique, ornament, or other little trinket...think of all the things you can make with that pattern. This pattern, I've added to a scarf and hat recently. And it really came out nice. My little cousin likes that she has a "Frozen" hat and scarf. Funny how she made that connection. But it's a nice little treat. ❤

Crochet Inspiration 1: Pom-Pom Crochet Blanket

It's been so cold round here! We haven't gotten much in the "snow department." Well, not here in my hometown anyway. But the snow has been falling all the way around us. Literally! My home, just a few hours south, got nearly a foot of snow!

So you can just imagine. Cold! And I all I want to do, is wrap myself up in a blanket. And take a nap. Or read a good book. Let's be honest, I want to be warm and a little lazy! But we've been in the hospital for what's seems like forever and a day! And I usually only go outside, every other day. But still, this cold, just makes me want a nice warm blanket!

I was doing a little blog reading on Sunday night. My Dad was having a very restless night. And I didn't want to make too much noise. But I needed to keep on eye on him. The tech for our unit called in sick. And the staff was a little short handed. So in the dark, I caught up on blogs.

I can't even remember what blog post I was reading, but I saw this incredibly cute blanket. Jess always has such cute things on her blog. I kept reading. And hoping, I'd find the source of this blanket. Something about it, was screaming, "Make Me!"

 

I found it in an earlier post. Jess designed this beauty! I just don't know what it is. This blanket just looks fun! I love the pom-pom action. The color. The casual feel of the blanket. And that chair! If anyone knows where I can find one, let me know. ASAP! I LOVE the bones of this chair! Now I'm off to see, if this guy will go do a yarn run for me! ;) Maybe I'll have a fun blanket, by this weekend. ❤

Crochet Inspiration 27: Baby Panda

Is anyone else still trying to get their Christmas presents bought? How about finished up...you know, if you are a crafter. Well, I am. Mostly because life has been crazy around here. And since we are going to be in the hospital for the next week or so, my gifts this year are going to be homemade.

Most are done. But then, I had a ton of orders to fill. And Christmas came fast. So yes, I sold a few of the gifts I had made my family. I have a few left to remake. Mostly hats. Some toys. And a scarf. But I thought, we needed something fun in the hospital. In pops...a baby panda!

Isn't this panda outfit cute? Well, I thought so. I'm going to make the hat for my little cousin. She just turned 7 months old. I'm thinking of adding a little pink bow, to the right ear area. And then, I just might make one for an upcoming Craft Fair. :)

And just for a second, can we talk about this awesome blog? All About Ami. I literally stumbled on it. Because I was looking for a baby panda hat. And I was a little tired of all the character hats, that I've made this holiday season. I just wanted something adorable. But All About Ami...definitely one of my new favorite blogs! ❤

Crochet Inspiration 26: Snowmen for Two Little Men

We're just 2 days away from Christmas! And I found out just a few days ago, that my cousin is coming from Virginia. And her brother is also coming to town. He lives a few hours away. Both with their new spouses. And baby boys. One of the boys is 2 months old. The other is 7 months old. You know, totally adorable.

 

But that means, I need some quick gifts. And because my 2 cousins are very competitive, I decided I needed to make the same thing for both baby boys. You know, we've got to be 100% fair. And I wanted it to be something homemade. But it needs to be simple. Something that can be worked up in 2 days. Then I remembered these 2 little snowmen...

 

We all know about Sarah's cute snowman. And I think he will be just perfect. Minus the little flower. You know...it could be a choking hazard.

And I thought a snowman hat would be perfect. It doesn't get really cold here, but Virginia gets it's fair share of snow. And winter. So why not? I'm thinking one can be red, the other blue. Add in some grey for fun. And a few cute buttons. Just a little modifications. Well, I better grab my hook and yarn...and get busy! Merry Christmas Eve Eve!!! ❤ 

Crochet Inspiration 25: Out & About

At the beginning of the month, My Mom and I sold at our church's Christmas Craft Fair. We did so good. And sold a ton of stuff! I mean a ton! Many items that we'd had for a while. But we kept a little list of the top sellers. You know, we only have about 6 weeks to stock up. You know, before our next sale. :)

Well, I was trying to stock up on some of these items. One being a certain scarf. The real story being, my sister wanted a dark purple scarf that we had. She put it down, to look at a few other things. In case you don't know, my sister works on TV shows and movies. So she works long, crazy hours. And hadn't had time to go shopping. I think she did a good 50% of her shopping in one afternoon. Our fellow crafters, were very happy!

But when my sister put that purple scarf down, and a friend of ours...well she bought it. So I thought, I could make my sister the whole set for Christmas. Something that matched. In her favorite color. So she doesn't freeze on set, at 3AM.

Then I hit a snag. I couldn't find the pattern. Anywhere! And my sister is headed to Croatia. For 2 months! And I got a call. From a lady at church. Wanting to order 5 sets! What to do???

Fast forward almost 10 days, and I still couldn't find the pattern. I searched our containers of patterns. I searched online. And then I started asking friends. I kept coming up empty handed.

Finally I realized, when Coats & Clark merged their free patterns with Red Heart, not everything made the move. This pattern happened to be one of those...

So as any other crafter would do, I kept on searching. Then I remembered the pattern is called "Out & About." A few Google searches later...I found Purple Kitty Yarns. And the pattern! Don't you just LOVE it?!?!?! Now I better get to crocheting. ❤

Crochet Inspiration 20: Olaf

Are you getting ready for Christmas? I decided, for a bunch of reasons, to make it a "Homemade Christmas" this year. Which I think my family, and friends, both enjoy. They get some "one of a kind" gifts. I get something to do, while my Dad is at chemo. And well, I just enjoy it so!

I'm sure, the little girls in my family, are no different than the ones in your family. Totally in love with everything Frozen! To be honest, I haven't even watch the movie. Does anyone want to lend it to me? No, for real. Just for a couple of hours. My 4 year old cousin, is refusing! I MUST go to her house to watch it. It's one of her most prized possessions. :)

Well, I've been doing some digging around. I've managed to crochet a few amigurumi sets of Elsa and Anna. But I've been looking for something a little more fun. And well, One Dog Woof, totally came through for me. Just this week, ChiWei posted this FREE pattern!

Isn't Olaf too cute?!?!?! I adore him! Like I said, I haven't seen the movie. All my knowledge of Frozen comes from the itty bitties in my life. :) But this little guy...I might be crocheting a dozen or so of these. For gifts. Maybe a few for our upcoming Craft Fair. I might even get one made for myself. We ONLY have 44 more days until Christmas!!! ❤

Crochet Inspiration 14: Unicorn Hat

I know. It's ONLY September. But it is the last day of September. Here in the Southwest, we're still months away from cold weather. You know, the really COLD weather, that you break out hats, scarves, and gloves for.

But recently, my Goddaughter has shown a lot of love for all things My Little Pony. And unicorns. I can relate. When I was little, I adored My Little Pony. Had houses, ponies, cars, blankets, stuffed animals...anything and everything that you could imagine. And unicorns. Well, during a large part of my childhood, I collected them. My own Godparents, would indulge me in my fascination. They'd buy me ceramic unicorns, stuffed unicorns, and even a big minky blanket with a unicorn on it.

So after having a long convo with Miss A, I thought of something crochet. I had already started this star blanket for her. But in her favorite colors...pink, purple, and blue. I'm using a Red Heart Yarn in "Bright Mix." And some white. I can't decide, if I should give it to her for her birthday, in October. Or wait until Christmas.

Then I remembered seeing a few different unicorn patterns on Etsy. Really I had been looking for a Horse Hat. For Miss Abby. And her big sister, Lauren. I did a quick Google search, and found a real beauty on Repeat Crafter Me!

For real?!?!?! Sarah is an AMAZING designer. But this is just too cute! I'm thinking of using the same Red Heart yarn, in Bright Mix, for the mane. And I might just have to give this beauty to Miss A, for her birthday. It's in just a few weeks. And I think this would be a perfect fit.

Between, I think this could be a cute little horse. You know, for 2 of my favorite little cowgirls. I'm thinking of changing up the colors, losing the horn, and maybe adding on a face. :) I just LOVE when things start coming together! ❤

Crochet Inspiration 6: Alligator Pencil Case

It's the first week of August. Which means, school is just around the corner. And quite honestly, I'm not ready for that. And I don't even go to school anymore! I'm just dealing with my Dad's business. But we shall see what the new school year will bring us.

On the other hand, I know a group of kiddos, that is just dying for school to start! Especially, a sweet five year old. That is ready for kindergarten. And all the yellow school supplies you can find! ;)

Let's not forget, all things algenator (or in our words...alligator.) So this week's inspiration, is coming straight from little Miss M and her favorite animal...

 

A certain little Miss M, definitely deserves a new alligator pencil case. You know, just in time for the 1st day of Kindergarten. Which means, this Tia better get moving. Besides slow poke me, we have the USPS to deal with. And well, we surely can't be late! ❤