Christmas Crafting: THE MASTER POST

Holy Tinsel, Batman. 
My fingers ache from all the crafting I've done. And there are still a few to finish up. But here is the big overview of everything I made for my family and friends! 

**Note: this post is best enjoyed while wearing jammies and/or wrapped in squishy blankets with a warm cuppa somethin' in your non-dominant hand**



My twin loves school supplies. Her room is 90% notebooks and pens and 10% bed. I promise you that is not an exaggeration. So it was only appropriate that she receive a composition notebook lap blanket! 

(sorry there's no bedding. I was mid-clean when I thought it would be a good time to play photographer)

Then there was my sister's blanket, which I'm calling the "Indiana Winter Lap blanket". I used somewhere around 110 squares, but I had originally intended to use about twice that number. Unfortunately I ran out of time (I was sewing this bad boy on Christmas day, and by "I was sewing" I mean my mom got to use her new sewing machine). I absolutely hate sewing all the squares together. 

There are three squares types. Your typical granny square (four rounds), a v-stitch square (I modified it to suit my needs) and a ridge square (double crochet in back loops only). Slip stitch those little dudes together and you have yourself a blanket! I added a picot stitch edge (not pictured) and a yellow/white chevron fabric to the back. 

I will never again add a fabric backing to a crochet project. Nope, never. I read several tutorials and we tried our best (thanks, Ma) but I just don't have the sewing skillz. Which means the real reason I got a plaque for "excellence in apparel development" was because I was the only one who didn't make our teacher cry. 




This last blanket is my favorite. In fact, I'm knitting one for myself. Because my new year's craft resolution is to learn how to knit better and I'm a Whovian SO WHY NOT?! This blanket is for my sister and her boyfriend, both of whom are massive Whovians as well. 
  

 

I used this fabulous website to find the colors and I tried to follow their pattern so the rows would accurately reflect that of the infamous scarf, but It just didn't work out. It's still easily recognizable for the classic Whovians. I made it a bit too wide for my tastes, but they loved it. It's a nice little throw for their couch. I didn't follow a pattern, but it's just double crocheted until I ran out of yarn. 

And my final sibling needs something. My favorite (and only) brother drinks a lot of coffee, tea, and other hot beverages of choice. He also loves Star Wars like I love Harry Potter. It's only fitting that I outfit him with the most badass coffee mugs this side of the Empire. 

Boba Fett never looked better. I washed them after this was taken (just to see if the tutorial was right and that my sharpie would not wash off) so naturally the sharpie washed off. I redid them and they came out a lot cleaner the second time round. He was so happy with them!  I also picked out manly tea (including smoke-jumper ginger) to fill them. Sharpie-Mug tip: use a fine-point, oil-based Sharpie for clean lines. If the Sharpie is old, get a new one so you don't end up going over the same lines again and again. 

Muh big bro has requested a mini Boba Fett and I have agreed because I need a reason to make more tiny things. 

I also completed my first commission this season! I hate doing commissions so this will be the last one for quite a while. But hey, now my friend's friend has a rockin' mini-Ozzy Osbourne. 

He was made using the same pattern as The Maine Dolls I made over the summer. The glasses are made from painted and hole-punched Ziploc bag, a twist-tie I found in our drawer, and clear glue. The necklace and safety-eyes were found on Etsy.

And the final craft of the season, beanies. I made each of my best friends a beanie using this pattern. I used Caron Simply soft, and each hat took about half a skein (I am ALL about that two hats for the price of one deal). It actually fits my head, so it's a bit big (I have a large noggin, don't judge). They each got a book along with it (Hyperbole and a Half's new book for Paige and John Green's Looking for Alaska for Amanda).

                                                                                        

                     

  I still have to find something for my niece seeing as hers was probably the worst thing I have ever created. I attempted to make one of those "outline your state in glitter and put it on a canvas" things that were all over Pinterest, but it just didn't work out. I should stick to yarn and coffee mugs. After that, however, it's all about what I wanna make! 

Imma ice my hands while you refill your mug. We'll meet back here after the new year and we'll march on into the wilderness! 

and by wilderness, I mean life. and by life, I mean the internet. 

 **to see how my crafting is getting on, follow me on Ravelry and to see what inspires me, follow me on tumblr!**

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Now Playing: 

 Sempiternal- Bring Me The Horizon

 Common Courtesy- A Day To Remember

 Your Favorite Weapon- Brand New

SURPRISE!

I've been doing stuff; stuff in Atlanta, stuff in Asheboro, stuff in Asheville. I like cities that start with the letter 'A' apparently. But all that's to come later. Right now, the important thing that Monday (July 29th) was my best friends birthday. It's important to note that I love celebrating other people's birthday (I don't like my own birthday just because people tend to notice you more and no thanks. BUT I'm a twin so I get to push it all off on her). So this week we're having a small get together thing and doing the party stuffs. BUT OH MY GOD WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT I MADE HER FOR HER BIRTHDAY. 

I have this habit of being crafty but not wanting to keep anything I make. Once it's finished (if it gets finished) I'm kinda just like, "yeah. cool. what do I do with it?" and then it ends up as a Christmas present. So when I had the idea to make what's in these little boxes, I knew exactly who to give it to. 

Wanna know what's inside? Of course you do. But first you have to guess because it's no fun if I just give you all the answers. So here are your hints: 

     They are the approximate size of the spine of the seventh Harry Potter book. 

     There are five of them. 

     The come with select accessories that correspond directly. 

     My best friend's favorite band is The Maine.

If you didn't get it on that last hint then you need to rethink your guessing abilities. BECAUSE LOOK IT'S THE MAINE AND THEY ARE TINY.

                                        

I've had to keep these a secret for over a month and now I get to rub them in people's faces. I AM SO EXCITED. The first thing my nephew asked me was if they were voodoo dolls. I mean, technically yes, but I'm not priestess or anything so I think the guys are safe. 

They didn't turn out 100% like I had planned and there are definite changes I'll make if I ever make them again. I say if because dude, these took a solid month to make and it was the most frustrating month of my life. I cry when I get frustrated and I cried over Jared Monaco's hair for at least three hours. If I had had more time, I would have made actual clothes for them. Currently they're sporting a t-shirt and 'denim' vest because I swear on my vinyl collection that these guys all just shop at the same damn store. 

 












This is Garrett! He's the bass player and I'm forcing him to play a blue American Vintage Jazz bass from Fender. The glasses were made to be a charm for a necklace or bracelet, but they fit his face nicely. I've also never made facial hair before so this was a decent attempt. 

 





Here's Jared, one of the guitar players! He's playing a 'surf green' Fender 50's classic Stratocaster if you were wondering. His hair looks pretty good for doing it twice and being covered in tears. 

  Lead vocals and frontman, John O'Callaghan! He wears this little Amish hat that people tend to hate, so I made it too. Don't hate on the hat, peeps. Hats are good things. Amish are good people. Amish hats are therefore pretty nifty. This hat is a little too small for his head, but that my dears is why gauge is important and should not be ignored. Don't be like me. Pay attention and don't watch Game of Thrones while you craft. 
 

Pat Kirch, drummer of your dreams. Those drumsticks are a toothpick that I broke in half and forced through his hands, kind of like in the Best Day Ever episode of Spongebob (Squidward and the jellyfishing net. anybody?). Pat's my favorite out of all of these miniatures. He was the first one I made and he has a little trouble sitting up on his own, but that's okay. His hair's a little shorter than I planned, but at least now I know that I should definitely not become a hair dresser. 

And finally, here's Kennedy Brock who does vocals and plays guitar!
















 He was the first one I attempted the short hair with. I wish I had more time to mess with it, but alas! birthday's wait for no one. He's playing a Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded that has stripes because somebody is running out of ink and doesn't feel like installing a new cartridge. 


All in all, I feel like these guys are adorable and my friend loves them! They aren't perfect, but they were handmade and I think that's what counts. I need to give a huge thanks to overthebifrost for creating the pattern and allowing everyone to use it for free and to customize it however they want and a BIG HUG to mynerdcloset for answering all my questions and being ridiculously helpful and patient with all my messages about amigurumi hair. The eyes are Suncatcher brand and were bought from Michelle on Etsy! 

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The Maine just finished up the 8123 tour, but will be back out this fall with Anberlin! You can download their new album, Forever Halloween, on iTunes or from their official website! 

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Now Playing:
just a buncha stuffs from
Panic! At The Disco
Hands Like Houses
Secrets
The Eagles
STYX

Keep it crafty 

Penny: The Robot

Remember that project I told you I was working on at the end of my DIY post? Well, I'm about to reveal to you the most awesome creation I have ever put together in my whole entire life! But first, a little background. I'm sure that you've noticed by now I LOVE PINTEREST. I have thousands of pins and most of them are crafts. My mom taught me to crochet when I was a wee little lass (i.e. nine years old). I forgot about it for a while because making scarves gets boring and yarn was expensive for a kid with no income.

Then I started crocheting again in high school when I saw a few other people were learning how to knit. Picking up a hook again was just like learning to ride a bike, you never forget. I had to do a few refresher YouTube videos and asked my mom tons of dumb questions, but I got back to it. Then, I was looking for patterns (free of course, my income hadn't changed much) and found the world of amigurumi.

The Pinterest Inspiration

I still don't know how to pronounce it, but I learned all about it (from Wikipedia). It's the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small stuffed animals or anthropomorphic creatures. It went beyond just the scarves and gloves that everyone was tired or receiving (even though no one would say it). Plus, who doesn't love stuffed animals?! I MEAN COME ON! They're so cute!

So I came across this on Pinterest and knew I had to make it! Problem number one: it's a sewing project. I may have taken apparel development (one AND two) in high school, but that doesn't actually mean I can sew anything. Problem number two: there was no pattern for either a crochet one or a sewn one, so I would have to do it all on my own. I had never done that before. So I added the picture to my pile of "things to attempt at one point because you're too much of a scaredy cat to do it now" folder. I forgot about it for a while, like...three months. Then I was cleaning out my computer (pictures pile up) and found it again. After staring at it for a few minutes, I decided to give it ago.

And now...I give you...RP743! or, as her friends call her, Penny!

Not bad? She's made entirely of acrylic yarn (Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice in charcoal grey), stuffed with polyester fiber fill, and a handmade glitter bow. In all, she took about three days to make. There are a handful of changes I want to make on the next, which is in progress. Her eyes were handmade by a wonderful lady on Etsy and guess what?! 

THEY GLOW IN THE DARK. How cool is that?! You can buy them over at Designs by Devlin on Etsy. There are lots of colors and sizes and of course they all glow in the dark! I'm currently working up a full biography for Penny that will come with her when I get her set up in my Etsy shop. It will be a while because I want her bio to be perfect and a direct reflection of who I imagine her to be and because I'll be away on vacation this coming week. 

I hope you love her as much as I do!