Another New Year

To Begin With ...

I know my posts have been infrequent and nonexistent, but I am still on my journey with yarn.

Things have happened, events come and gone. I've learned a few new things this past year and I've been honing-in on what I already know as well.

A few things to note would be my new Facebook page, Emaginashun, and the fact that I finally opened my Etsy store (even though it has no product on it, it's there). I also bought rubber stamps for making business cards. They look great. I'm very happy that my mom made the suggestion.

They are baby steps in the right direction and I'm okay with that.

Here are some shots from the past year.

Here is that finished Sonic the Hedgehog  

I crocheted this Sugar Skull in memory of my Aunt Kelly

One of my first commissions of the 2014 year

Let's Keep Going ...

I have some plans for this year.

I want to gain the courage to post my characters online. I have to teach myself that it isn't failure if they don't sell, it just means the right person hasn't seen my product yet.

It's tough trying to split my time between school, crocheting, and my significant other. The first and latter take up more of my time, which saddens me a little. Crocheting is my time, when I get to just focus and zone out. I'm going to try and give myself more time, time for just me.

Back to Work!

It's Been A While, but Down to the Good Stuff ...

Still a Work In Progress

I have, again, started crocheting a project that has me pumped up and ready to go! This is Sonic the Hedgehog from the Sega Genesis game of the same name. It's for my boyfriend, and he's been kept completely in the dark. It's pretty great. I'm horrible at keeping surprises from anyone, so this has been extra tantalizing for him.

We recently came into possession of a Sega Genesis console, and Sonic was one of our favorite games as children. So, naturally, I just had to have a go at crocheting him. It took me a while to really grasp what I was going for. I wanted everything to be perfect, so with that came lots of unwinding yarn and frustrating road blocks. In fact, I finished a separate project entirely before I really gained the gusto to finish Sonic.

Find the free pattern for this keychain here Majiin Buu Keychain Pattern

Once I had finished the keychain (which I gave away before I could take the final photograph of) I was inspired to continue on with Sonic. The frustration just dissipated and the pattern came naturally to my hands. It was a shock, even to myself. I felt as though I was channeling the people I aspired to crochet like, from the deviantART community. I was able to finish a good portion of the Sonic doll in just one night. In about eight hours of crocheting, destroying, crocheting more, I had the basic outline of Sonic. The best part was just watching it come to life right in front of me. It's really what I've needed these past few months, to actually see myself improving and learning.

It feels good to be crocheting again. Admittedly, it's hard to crochet just for me. I don't know how to put into patterns what inspires me, as I would with permanent markers and a pencil. This is a start though, and I am learning.

Flying Monkey!

The story behind this creation is about a supervisor of mine. She's moving out of state, so she can manage her own store. I thought it would be a nice thank-you to crochet her something. One of her favorite movies is The Wizard of Oz, so I thought a flying monkey would be great!

The head, body, and ears were made using patterns from the Creepy Cute Crochet book. I attempted to crochet the vest, but it just wouldn't turn out the right way. I improvised a bit of the pattern, and sewed on the red embellishment later. I used puff-paint for his smile, nose, and the white lining on his jacket. I crocheted the wings using this pattern from Crochet Cricket. I modified it slightly so the wings wouldn't be as large.

The only thing he's missing is the hat, I haven't sewn it on quite yet. I was being lazy about it because I thought I still had this week to give it to her. Apparently though, she's been scheduled at her new store since yesterday! That's what happens when you procrastinate, I guess.

My Journey with Mr. Skellington

So, I've put a few projects on hibernate since the last time I wrote. The MLP purse being one of them; I just ran out of steam on it. It looks pretty good for being half done. My goal is to finish it, but for now, it's on the back burner. 

I've been a little down in the dumps lately. I don't want to get into details, but I'm glad that Pinterest, DeviantART, and my family exist. I was challenged to crochet a Jack Skellington doll for my second-cousin. Immediately I thought, "Why haven't I done this already? Let's get to it!"

I've loved The Nightmare Before Christmas movie since it came out in 1996. I was the generation who didn't know if they enjoyed it or was going to have nightmares because of it.

It took me two days to get the bust of Jack done, and then another day to figure out the legs. I had to wait a bit longer to do details (like his pinstripes) because I didn't have felt or white puff paint. I had originally planned on using white embroidery thread for the pinstripes in his suit. Once I had assembled him though, I thought puff paint would be easier to work with. As for the hands, I thought I would try and fanagle some out of yarn. That idea quickly went out the window once I thought about felt.

I was trying to test how I wanted the hands to look with puff paint. I chose the third from the left styled one.

I don't know why, but this is my favorite shot.

First side done on the Popsicle-looking arms :)

Here is the last shot before I flipped Jack over and pinstriped his back. I know I say this all the time, but I'm in love with this project. I'm grateful that it's fired me up about crocheting again and I can't wait to finish him! I wrote down the pattern, so maybe I'll be making him again in the future.

Oh, and about giving this guy to my cousin, I think she's going to have to pay me instead! I can't just give him up, but I will make her one if she at least pays for shipping and handling :D

Well wishes everyone!

MLP Update

Here's a picture of some progress that I've made with the MLP purse. It's been nuts seeing this thing come to life! I am having some trouble keeping my edges straight, but once I add the felt and officially turn it into a purse, I don't think it will be as noticeable.

This is taking me way too long to finish, but I only have so many hours of alone time. Plus, I've been project hopping so I don't get burnt out. I just can't believe that I still need to make a second one! My imagination was bigger than my yarn collection.

I also am close to finishing the Star Wars box for my brother. I need to make a Galactic Empire square, and then I'm pretty much done. It might not end up becoming a box though because the squares don't line up as much as I'd like them to. I could turn it into a banner, but with my brother, if it's not useful, then it wasn't a super good gift. That's why I thought a change box would be perfect! I just need to stay on top of these projects, Christmas is around the corner you know.

Work In Progress

First off, I must say that I'm tremendously excited about crocheting this MLP purse for one of my two younger cousins. Thanks to this website, microrevolt.org, I was able to turn my original MLP drawing into an easy to follow crochet chart. I'm not going to put this photo on DeviantART so thank you for checking it out here!

To see the whole drawing, follow this link to my gallery! Ms. Celestia Template

I had a bit of trouble with the end of that tail, but I was able to make a few adjustments. So far, the length is approx. 9 1/2", so I'm hoping it will also be 9 1/2" tall as well. This is a project that has been challenging, but in a fun way. So much fun, that I haven't noticed the three hours that passed by while I was crocheting this!

I still need to buy some felt for the inner layer, and possibly zippers to close them up. I'm not sure yet, we'll see what happens once I'm finally finished.

Excited Update

So, we're half-way through the year, and that means it's time to make Christmas gifts! Here's a quick run-down of what I have planned (in no particular order):

• Granny square purses for two of my cousins.
• Star Wars themed change box for one of my brothers.
• Football team beer cozies for my parents (Steelers and 49ers).
• Cowl/Infinite scarf for my grandmother.
• Red Riding Hood doll for my great-grandmother.

I have quite a few more family members that I still need to brainstorm for, but I'm happy with the ideas I have so far.

This is a w.i.p. shot of the Star Wars change box I'm crocheting for one of my brothers. I don't want to show the front of each square until each one is done. I am really proud of how they're turning out so far. I have to make two more squares with themes on them, and I already know what I'm going for.

Well, I better go get started!