Crochet dolls

Yesterday I posted off a set of dolls for a magazine project. I was very sad to see them go as one of them is, I think, the cutest doll I've made yet. So cute that I kept picking him out of my work bag just to look at and hold. It'll be a couple of months till you get to see him in print but when you do I hope you agree with me.

Anyhoo. With that in mind I have been inspired start a major project and write lots of patterns for diffrent dolls.

I have a good base pattern that I created for the trick or treat dolls.

With adaptation this should work for a range of cute dolls. I'm going to experiment with different ways of doing hair and clothing too and if works out I'll put some tutorials up on the blog so you can follow my progress.

I'm gonna try and keep the blog updated more often as I work on this project so you'll all be able to join in the fun.

I have also started a pinterst board for inspiration. Anyone who wants to add to board, message me your email and I'll send you an invite :)

So what should I make first Girl or boy?

Craftseller geisha girls

Now the magazine has hit the shops I can finally share with you one of my favourite projects to date.

These Geisha girls were a project from craftseller magazine and as soon as I got the email I knew they were gonna be great fun to create.

They wanted 6 geisha girls- very pretty with lots of detail. This was the first sketch I did, but before this sketch there was a lot of working out to be done. I had to get 6 girls with 3 different hair colours, 3 different styles, 6 different symbols, 6 dress colours and 6 contrast colours and not clash or double up on any colour combination. I have a wonderful graph that I worked it all out on but at the mo I can't find a picture of it. It would probably look like gibberish to anyone else anyway.

The pattern was the next part it needed to be simple enough to not put off anyone new to crochet off and fun (I had to repeat it 6 times after all). With a bit of playing around with the maths I had a pattern that fit the bill.

 The first one I made was ginger like me. This photo shows the original wig that was changed so it would come down more on the face so they looked more cute

The second picture shows the positioning of the obi at the back of the dress.

 Here they are all together. The best part of making these girls is being able to go to town the detail in the hair and on the dress. I used buttons, embroidery, felt, ribbons, beads, sequins and even an old earring. It was one of these great stash raiding party's where you get to use all those things you been saving "just in case" :)

It had been hinted that these were for the cover of Craftseller but I didn't know for sure till my mum called me very excited when her subscription copy arrived. I get a very proud feeling seeing these girls in the magazine. They were a lovely project and I hope they inspire others to pick up a hook and get crocheting. Me I'll be baking the Chelsea buns in this issue as they look yummy and I may even get my knitting needles out and have a go at Tracy Todhunters knitted shawl or I might just try and crochet some shawls and cover ups as this good weather can't last forever.

I've missed a few weeks but I'm linking in with handmade Monday over at handmade harbour. Why not head over there too :)

Magazine work

The week seem to have flown by since my last blog post. The weather has been lovely and crocheting and warm days do not go together well.

I do have some things to share I've had a few more patterns published in magazine.

 This photo won't turn the right way round no matter what I do.

First up in last month copy of Inside crochet magazine I had two patterns, My lovely Walter the whale and my cotton wash mitts.

 This magazine will still be available on back order if you want to get hold of it.

 Next up in the third of the new look Craftseller are a pattern you haven't seen from me before. These little amigurumi dogs are a fun if a bit fiddly pattern and can be made in any colour to match your family pet or for custom orders.

 These dogs are based on our old family dog Judy and a Dalmatian and a pug.

 I love to see my work in magazines and one of the great things about it is seeing how the professionals photo my work. They have really made these dogs come alive. This double page spread from Inside crochet below is one of my favourite of my work.

 Not amigurumi but these patterns for  a heart bag charm and oak necklace use the same stitches. I really enjoy making beautiful crochet jewellery and seeing these photos in print  really inspire me to get a hook in my hand and make more.

In other news I have a new love in my life. After 2 years it was finally time for a mobile upgrade. My is the samsung galaxy mega, it is a big one, more a tablet than a phone but its fab. I can not totally run the business on the go so hopefully you won't have to wait a month for my next update :)

Happy crocheting everyone x

Lazy weekend

I don't have a lot to show for this weeks work. This is mostly because the jobs I have been doing have been typing up patterns and drawing up plans for upcoming projects rather than making lovely thing but also I've because had a very silly injury so I can't crochet.

On Thursday I had a lazy day of slow cooking in preparation for dinner at my friends new flat on Friday. I don't normally get a chance to cook something truly yummy for myself and a slow cook day when the house is full of wonderful smells is always a joy.
 A few weeks ago I'd seen them make pulled pork and bean hash on sunday brunch and now seem the perfect time to give it a go.

I didn't do the pork the way they said as I already have a recipe for slow cooked pork, so I used that. The pork is smothered with garlic, ginger and chili before going in for a slow cook. I have somehow in the move lost my pestle and mortar and my micro plane grater, so there was only one thing for it I had to chop everything by hand. This was quite enjoyable even if it did take some time. The smells alone were worth it but at the end of lots of chopping my arm way aching a bit. On with the beans and more chopping of more garlic, chili, ginger and onion, now my arms getting really tired.

Work on the food done I settled down to a lazy day crocheting. I started work on a granny square blanket

Cal helping :) This is a project just for me and so I'm happy for it to be a bit of a labour of love but my hand wasn't and I didn't get far with it.

Waking up for a day at the day job on Friday, my arm was very stiff and sore. It was going to stop me though as I had an evening out and yummy food to enjoy after work.

What a lovely night it was too. I managed to persuade Richard to open one of the cheap bottles of champers he got when he work at sainsburys, we listened to real music on vinyl records, enjoyed the food and had a good old natter :)


Unfortunately, I think all that heavy lifting of a wine glass was the straw that broke the camels back as far as my arm was concreted. By Saturday morning it was complety gone. I started some crochet work but it just hurt too much.

I have had to give myself the weekend off. This isn't really a hardship as I have no pressing deadlines but I do like to stay ahead when I have the chance.

I've read 2 books and have just started on my 3rd. I've had lots of kitty cuddles, cause obviously the warm kitty body's are soothing on my arm and I've finally got to spend some time in the garden in the sunshine :)

Its been lovely but I'm itching to get my hooks out and get cracking with the new crochet projects. Hopefully I'll have more to show you next week but for now I'm heading over to handmade monday for a catch up on what the other crafty bloggers have been up too :)

Craftseller owls

A while ago I posted this pic on my facebook age asking you to guess what I was making.

 Well no one guessed right but you ave me some great ideas of things to make next.

So I can reveal that I was making a family of rainbow owls for a commission for craftseller magazine.
Owls are everywhere in crochet at the moment so I really wanted mine to stand out by being very simple, easy to make but stunning and cute.

As usual with me its all about the eyes.

The rest was pretty easy as I was making a foot for a turtle and I realised it was perfect for the larger owls too. I bit of jiggery pokery with the pattern to make some ears and this is what we have.

 My finished owls before the were posted to craftseller HQ

But then didn't I get a wonderful shock when I finally saw the magazine :)

 Look that's my little owls on the cover. THE COVER!!!!!!!!! my fist ever cover I'm so excited. Don't they look lovely. I keep making excuses to go into newsagents just to see it on the stand :)

If you not to get your hands on this magazine and the owl pattern it'll be in the shops in the UK all month. If you are outside the UK its available as a digital download just check out the craftseller website :)

Now its time to head over to handmade monday to catch up with my fellow craft bloggers

Blog award

The lovely Jei of CuteyPatutyCrochet has given me a blog award. Thank you very much. This is my third blog award so I know the rules now first I must answer the questions set by Jei 

1. What is your latest achievement in life?
My latest achievement is my first magazine cover project. Craftseller magazine out in the shops on Monday has my collection of colourful owl amigurumis looking very jolly on the cover :)

2. Who is your hero?



There are loads of people I admire and respect and would go all silly and girly over if I ever met them but I don't have a hero.

3. Why are you blogging?
I blog to show off my amigurumi patterns and motivate myself to work harder and write more. I really enjoy blogging and the whole blogging community is very supportive and helpful.

4. Cats or Dogs?
I'd love to have a dog but its just not practical so for now its cats. I have 2, Cassi and Cal, mental Bengals they may be but utterly wonderful at the same time.

5. What is your dream vacation?
I haven't had a holiday for a few years so I'd be happy anywhere peaceful and relaxing. On the other hand I'd really like an adventure and Madagascar has always been the place I will get to one day. It seems such an amazing place and would love to see the lemurs in the wild.

6. How do you reward your self after you accomplish something?
By setting my goals even higher ;) I a workaholic and my to do list is always longer than is possible to complete. I do get great pleasure from crossing things off my list but I rarely stop to reward myself. 

7. What is your favourite stress reliever?
Wine :) Crisp, white, new zealand sauvinon blanc, chilled and served in a crystal glass. At the end of a long working day my glass of wine is the signal for my brain to shut up and for me to relax.

8. Boxer or brief?
I have a slight addiction to underwear with superheros and cartoons on but my favourite pair have the words "smarty pants" across the bum. As a big fan off puns this makes me smile.

9. What is your motto in life?

One I read a while back which I really liked was "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can" 

Thanks again for the award I'll have a think about who I'm gonna pass it on to and think of some questions myself now :)

Granny square purse

Its been another busy week here in amigurumi land.

My lovely hedgehogs have gone on their jollys to Simply Crochet magazine.

Dot the dragonfly is flying all the way to America to be in a book :)

I've had my tiny crochet hook out again for a project for Inside crochet magazine and on Friday a very exciting commission from Craftseller magazine.

I can't say much about the project but its gonna be colourful and cute.  I'm using the rico cotton I used for the project that will be in next months craftseller. I didn't have quite enough colours so I had to go on a bit of a yarn shopping spree, which was such a shame ;)
 I love this rico yarn it comes in such a fantastic range of colours and has a lovely finish. Its prefect for amigurumis. I'm trying to get the full range of colours so can will be my go to choice when I get to writing my first book. (maybe if I ask nice enough Rico will send me a few balls as I'm struggling to get all the colours even online in the UK)

In other news I have finished the little granny square purse I was taking about in my last post 

First your gonna need a good granny square pattern and for that I will direct you to this brilliant tutorial on Little tin birds blog.

You will need to make 4, 5 row granny squares in your choice of colour.

Then sew them together as below

Then fold on the blue lines. Sew up the edges but leave the top flap loose.

Then sew your flower on the flap.

When I get a few spare minuets I'm going to line this bag with some pretty fabric but for now here's how it looks :)

Well its handmade monday time again I'm looking forward to seeing what my fellow craft bloggers have been up to this week :)