The Holidays are Here

I am back from my hiatus and I have some new crochet items in the works too.  Most notably are the mini bags I'm making and the crocheted and woven scarves.

Www.steenta.etsy.com 

This is one bag I have listed.  I think it would make a great Christmas present.  It could even be holding another present inside.

I had fun making this one and I hope to add a few more to be sold in the next few days.  Hope everyone is having a good holiday season.

Earth Globe Plush

My inspiration from the etsy shop, Little Smiles Boutique

Earth Plush Pattern

It's getting closer to Christmas and I am still working away, trying to get presents together.  Like you all know, my husband is still looking for a job, so we are low on money for gifts this year.  My time is also scarce with three kids, the youngest nearly five months old.  

While trying to come up with gift ideas, I looked over my children's Christmas lists, and saw that my daughter wants a globe.  Adorable.  She's in kindergarten, and I love that she is so interested in learning!  Anyhoo, at first I was going to buy a blow up globe ball.  They're under $10.  I also found a Earth Ball for about $15 at the Fat Brain Toys website.

http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/orbis_world_globes/16_inch_diameter_earthball.cfm

I decided to save some money and just make a plushie of the Earth.  Here's what I did.  I got some blue yarn, and amigurumi crocheted two halves of a ball.

Pattern for Earth Ball

Make 2, using blue yarn...

magic ring, sc 6 times (6sc)

2sc in each sc (12 sc)

*1sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat around another 5x (18sc)

*2sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat around another 5x  (24sc)

*3sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat around another 5x (30sc)

*4sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat around another 5x (36sc)

*5sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat around another 5x (42sc)

*6sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat around another 5x (48sc)

*7sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat around another 5x (54sc)

*8sc, 2sc in next sc* repeat around another 5x (60sc)

sc around (60sc)

sc around (60sc)

sc around (60sc)

sc around (60 sc)

sc around (60 sc)

Now use blue yarn to sew the two  halves together leaving a couple inches to stuff it with stuffing.  After stuffing the ball, you have to add the continents.  You can use felt or fleece, whatever you have that doesn't fray.  You're also going to need some templates for the continents.  I used the templates from the site below.  You're gonna need to scale them down.  I also rounded some of the shapes, since there's no way I can create a perfect map of the world.  LOL. 

http://www-tc.pbskids.org/arthur/parentsteachers/lesson/world/pdf/Balloon_Globe.pdf

Feel free to use different colors for different continents.  I'm going to sew a little star on our location, so my daughter has an idea of where we live.  Hope you liked this tutorial.  You can do it.  Happy crafting!

It's been a while

I had a baby recently and haven't had much time to blog. Forgive me. I'm trying to get back. It is holiday season, as well. You know what that means... Presents! I don't have a lot of time, but I have even less money so this year will be a challenge. I will not be deterred, though.

Last year, I made all the kids a little doll. This year, I think I would like to continue the tradition. There are many kids in our family, and I can whip up an amigurumi friend in a few hours with the right planning. You can too. It's really quite easy.

Basic doll- one head, a sphere shape. one body, a cylinder shape. two arms and two legs, four thin cylinder shapes. make sure you leave a tail on all to sew. Last is just details. eyes, ears, mouth, nose, shoes, clothes. Easy accessories include- hats, purses, capes, masks, backpacks, etc.

Have fun! I'll post some pics of my crocheted friends soon. Until then, happy crocheting!

New Barrettes!

I made some really cute Fourth of July hair barrettes yesterday. They are made out of felt. I just did some hand stitching on them then sewed and glued them onto the barrettes. They are imperfect on purpose, I think it makes them more special.