MORE Barbie Thrift Madness

I have been hit with the lucky stick.  My nieces asked for one thing for Christmas...A barbie house.  Obviously I wanted to create one using two cardboard boxes, contact paper, and paint...but...my 2 year old niece would tear into it.  LOL!  Either way...I have been on the lookout for all things Barbie so I could provide a fun gift this year.  The first day I began looking I found 3 barbies, 1 stacie, and 1 horse. :)

I couldn't stop there.  I went back to the same place a week later and BAM!  There it was.  A Barbie house.  It wasn't in perfect condition.  It is missing stuff, but there was also tons of furniture to go with it.  A fireplace and mantle.  A bed.  Two adorable diningroom chairs.  2 desks.  Just a lot.  I got it all for 15 dollars...with two more barbies and 2 horses. :)

We also stopped by four thrift shops in Greeneville, TN today and I found 6 more Barbies including the 2 skipper dolls I have been looking for and another stacie doll.  I was happy for what I found.  I even have enough to give for the next two years.  All I need to do is develop some themes and inexpensive accessories to give with them.

Here are the themes I have thought of:

Camping
Indian
Fantasy

What do you think?  Is there a theme that would make sense?

Pretty in Pink set

I had created a set as a Christmas gift last year for my niece.  When I posted it on my Facebook page, multiple people were interested.  One woman purchased one for her four year old daughter this year.  I had fun creating!  Here is the pic:

I am glad that it turned out so adorable and girly!  Even better, the woman really loved it :) I hope it brings happiness to her daughter!

Another Stacy Pattern

I worked up a pattern that I will add at a later date.  But, it is an adorable halter ball gown in blue!  Here is the pic:

Been too busy!

I started my Bachelor's degree last week.  So between that and crocheting for Christmas orders and attempting to do my own shopping, I have had little time to eat and sleep.  UGH!  Tonight though, I can't sleep.  I was looking on Google search out of boredom, because my sister Emma and I were thrift shopping and found this adorable Barbie plane.  Of course, it wasn't in great condition.  The door was broken.  And it looked like it wouldn't get down the runway.  Well...I was looking for inexpensive ways to create Barbie accessories.  I found one.  PAPER MACHE!

I flipped through a little girl's album on creating a paper mache camper.  Out of cardboard.  Literally...simple and inexpensive.  Wow...I can't believe I didn't think about creating Barbie furniture or houses/campers/planes out of cardboard and paper mache. 

Either way...in the next few months when I get a chance to catch my breath, I will be making a cardboard paper mache Barbie Camper.  :) We shall see how it goes.

Barbie Furniture

When my nieces asked for a Barbie house for Christmas, I knew no one could afford one.  So, I have been brainstorming ideas.  The one I came up with and probably will work on for next year is to take a cheap fiberboard bookcase and transform it.  It would be simple to attach a piece of plywood on the back and secure the shelves better with screws.  Also, putting a few two by fours in between the shelves to create room partitions would be easy.

I will keep photos as I create this project. 

Busy Busy Busy

My little fingers have been crocheting a mile a minute it feels like.  I just finished a three set order for a local that contained two sock monkey dolls and beanies to match.  As well as a completely adorable owl doll and beanie.  I will post pictures below.

I also have begun crocheting Barbie clothes for my nieces for Christmas.  So far I have four outfits for them.  I have also designed a pattern for a sleeping bag and pillow.  The girls will have a Barbie explosion for Christmas :)

Zebras!

So...One of my clients wanted me to design/find a pattern for a Zebra beanie.  Well...I found patterns for sale.  I didn't want to spend money, so I developed one.  :)  I might sell the pattern myself.   LOL!  Either way, here is a picture of my newest pattern!

Zebra Flapper Beanie

I am happy that I could develop the pattern and the beanie!   Soon I should have the pattern available on Etsy.  I will post!

New Project!!!

So I was reading a new blog: Creative Jewish Mom (http://www.creativejewishmom.com/) and found a post for an ADORABLE flower.  When I clicked on the link, I found the most ADORABLE baby mobile.  I have to say that any niece or nephew conceived in the future will receive a version of this mobile.  :)  I am sooo looking forward to creating this pattern one day.  Here is the pattern.
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-for-Baby/Baby-Mobile-Crochet-Pattern#

Upcoming Projects

So I really thought that I could develop a few children and baby sets to sell on Etsy.  I had discussed with my sister about creating a business where we create gift sets and baskets for people who desired to purchase Christmas, Birthday, Baby shower, and other types of gifts.  I really need to find the time to create examples of those sets.  Maybe in the coming month I will be able to attempt this.

Recently I decided to finish a baby blanket I started months ago.  I do not have any children, but I guess I want to prepare.  So, I made a coffee brown and watermelon pink blanket.  Here is the pic:

To go with this, I am working on a diaper bag, two bottle holders, and a diaper holder.  I will post when they are done.  Maybe in the end, I will have developed one of the sets I am interested in creating.

Sock Monkeys EVERYWHERE!

Although sock monkeys are not my favorite, I have had five requests to create sock monkeys and sock monkey beanies this week.  I started the project wondering how it would turn out.  To be honest, the yarn was not cooperating with me.  But, it turned out adorable.  Here is the picture:

I am glad that it turned out the way it did.  I couldn't help but smile as I looked at it!

I have a new order for a zebra beanie.  Since I do not have that type of pattern, I attempted to locate one online only to come up short handed.  >.<  So, I have been creating one of my own.  Unfortunately, I put ONE more increase row than I should.  That makes the beanie a teen/adult beanie!  Thankfully, my sister's best friend said she wanted it.  LOL!  So...it works out!  Glad for it.

Been Busy!

Life has been particularly busy for me lately.  I have been attempting to create a few new patterns for beanies and ornaments.   I have a few customers that have requested items.

Here are a few of the projects I have completed:

Snowman ornaments!  This pattern is free from JoAnn's Fabrics.  Here is the URL: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/projectdetail.jsp?projectFlag=true&CATID=cat13874&fullPath=holidays%3A+winter&PRODID=prod110264&subCatName=holidays%3A+winter

For one of my customers, she wanted me to create a beanie for her toddler.  Unfortunately, the specifications were not perfectly given, so I ended up making more than one beanie.  Here are the pics:

The second one I created.  I really enjoyed using the double yarn technique.  It is my first time, and I am going to have to create a beanie for myself.

This was the third one I created.  I thought it was beautiful with the crocheted ribbon weaving through the bottom.

This was the final one.  She LOVED the simplicity of the pattern.  I hope her daughter really likes it!

Sickness and crochet

Well...this evening I woke up feeling horrible.  Drive my hubby to work sneezy and icky feeling.  Get home and still feel the same.  Positive for today...my mom brought a Lucky Bamboo plant, a pair of pink gloves, and a cookie cake for my birthday :) Brightened my day.  The cookie cake has three yellow flowers on it.  Very cheery!

I love you mom!

So tonight, I am working on Christian's crochet blanket in light and dark blue.  I am hoping to finish it by Christmas with ALL my other projects.  Below is a picture of it so far.

A Finished Project

So, one of my old high school friends decided she wanted a doll for her daughter from an Amigurumi doll pattern I linked on Facebook.  And...it is done.  Below is the finished project.

This, of course, is not my pattern.  I found it one day on this website: http://stitch.hellooperator.net/free-patterns/amigurumi-doll/amigurumi-doll-pattern-charts/.  I am very thankful I found this.  It is super cute doll!

Luckily, I have one more doll in works for a Christmas present to my little niece Ada.  :) I hope she will love it.  I took a different approach to the second doll though.  I choose a white yarn for the face, legs, and arms.  For the outfit, I chose the a blue and brown variegated yarn.  I also took a different approach to the eyes since my niece is around a year old.  I crocheted a magic ring circle with two rows (12 sts).  Pictures will be posted when I finish it.

Just to mention: I did not sell this pattern or the finished doll.  All copyrights reserved to the rightful author. 

First Kindle Cover

So I am a proud owner of a Kindle (it broke recently) and will be a new Kindle owner this Christmas.  I have seen fancy Kindle covers on the Amazon website that are bland and expensive.  As a crocheter, I wanted to come up with a few covers for myself and one as a gift. :)  My best friend Misty received a Kindle for her birthday this year.  Anyway!  I attempted to find some crochet patterns for a Kindle and again...not much luck in terms of what I wanted.

Either way, I created one on my own as a strip of single crochet swatch.  Below is a picture of it open.

This is a picture of it closed. :)

Are there any projects you have created like this??

Project Tubs

I have realized that I have a large amount of projects with their own sets of yarn and materials.  It is hard to keep them all straight.  Sometimes it is easier to choose a new project that finish one I started.  So, I developed an idea to have an easier way to choose a project to finish.  TUBS!  Yep...plastic tubs.  As luck would have it, I have a few empty tubs.  So in the next few days I will be sorting my crochet projects into those tubs.

Yay organization!

I think that will be easiest for just picking out a project.  :)



Latest Project: Second Kindle cover in black!

My Five Year Plan

I am not complaining by all means.  I have 4 sisters and 3 brothers with their own families...two sets of parents...tons of extended family and of course my wonderful friends.  I also typically already have Christmas gifts purchased and ready, but this year I am behind.  A few weeks ago, I attempted to find a simple crochet pattern that would allow me to mass produce a gift for everyone in a small amount of time.  But, I was left without.  I did find a pattern for a bell ornament that did not look like a bell.  So, I made my own.  It looks adorable (and you can find it in the free pattern section!)

Anyway!  My five year plan started when I was determining what I could make for multiple years to give to my siblings and their family.  A set of ornaments!!  But...that set is stretched out over 5 years.  Yes...5 years.  For instance, this year my siblings will receive 3 small crochet bells, 1 medium crochet bell, and a sequin ornament (also in the free pattern section).

So...that would give each family 15 small bells, 5 medium bells, and 5 sequin ornaments.  All of which are easy to make. :)

YAY 5 year plan!

What's your plans??

New to Blogging

While I have spent many hours cruising through crafting blogs, I have not took the time to create my own.  This evening I finally decided to do so.  I am in the process of creating a few patterns.  Which normally isn't a problem, but I am in the midst of finishing holiday gifts.

It was one of those gifts that inspired me to create this blog.  Too much creation for one mind.  LOL!  So, here I begin.


Latest project: Kindle or e-book Reader cover and pattern