Friday, February 6, 2015

Month in Review: January 2015!

Beginning this year, a goal I have set for myself is to of course, blog more! 

In order to do so, I've decided to post interesting links, mostly crochet or geek related, sometimes both. I hope you enjoy! If there is something you’d like to see in the future, please let me know in the comments below.

NEW PATTERN RELEASE!!!                                                                           (New Paid Pattern)  

I released my very first paid pattern just before Super Bowl Sunday this year! Links are posted under the picture below.

Amanda's Super Bowl Scarf
This pattern is available for $3.50 USD on both Ravelry and on Craftsy.

I am super excited about this one! One of my amazing cousins, Amanda, created a leaf pattern inspired by the Seattle Seahawks 2015 uniform… here’s a pic:

Yes, it is a butt, however we're supposed to be looking at the green stripe!
Since Amanda is super sweet, she gave me the graph to create my own pattern from!

I had never tried a pattern with a lot of color changes until I created this one, and you know what? It actually ended up being a lot of fun! It was quite intimidating at first but I've learned a lot from looking around on the interwebs investigating different techniques to improve my work and color changing is something I must have retained!



What I have been working on: (Please forgive the dark pictures, I’m surrounded by inadequate lighting for proper photography in my home)

Cubone                                                                                                                 (paid pattern)            

My eldest son, Riley, is really into Pokemon, so much so that it has infected the rest of my family! I’m up to my ears in what I have deemed “poke-lingo” it sounds so strange when you have NO IDEA what is going on let alone being talked about… and yes, it has taken Amazing Adam too. *le sigh*

Riley usually has his profile pic as one of Cubone; to which I found out has a seriously HORRIBLE back story:

Team Rocket (I remember some of them from the cartoon) killed his mother in front of him when he was just a baby and now in honor of her death or in order to exact revenge or something, he WEARS HER SKULL! What. The. Heck! This is for kids? Really???

Anyway, I had wanted to get Cubone done in time for Christmas, unfortunately I decided to NOT stress myself out this year (last year?) and do what I could, so I spent most of January still working on Secret Squirrel Projects! This was the first one – seems as if I’m always making things for his younger siblings, so I put Riley on the top of the list.


This little critter has so many stinkin' parts! I stuck to the pattern like glue too, I had to seriously! Apparently, I switched the back spikes, but it doesn't seem to matter, he LOVED it! I was a happy mama!

Squirtle!                                                                                                                 (paid pattern)           

Squirtle went to Aurora. After she saw that Riley got Cubone, she started dropping hints – like a typical Scorpio, trying to manipulate my will – that she wanted Pikachu; and like the Capricorn I am, gave her Squirtle!


Only modifications I made to the pattern were using 15 mm buttons instead of 15 mm safety eyes; which I would have had to make a special trip to the other side of town to purchase. Also, instead of 3 pipe cleaners in the tail to help hold the curl, I used 2 folded in half. Not only did it make it easier to crochet the end of the tail, but it made sure that sharp bits were definitely not going to poke out, as well as not ruining a pair of scissors cutting the ends off!


Assistance for selling projects & not underselling yourself!                                       Free Link       
I know a lot of people are always wondering what their craft items are worth if they were to start selling them. Well I found a link to a Craft Calculator – it seems as if it is also available in both the App Store and on Google Play as an app, making it completely convenient to use on your phones and tablets!
 Craft Calculator:                http://www.craftscalculator.com/


Faux Crochet Boots:                                                                                                        Free tutorial  
Not exactly a crochet item, but I LOVE the way these boots turned out! Created by Glamour 4 You, she turned a pair of boots into wearable crochet art, even out in the Washington weather, these would be adorable!


Faux Crochet Boot Tutorial:         http://www.glamour-4-you.com/blog/faux-crochet-outdoor-boots


FREE Dragon Scarf Pattern                                                                                           Free Pattern  
I love dragons, and I've been eye-balling some scarves around there, but this one is not only super cute, but it’s also free! Posted by Six Little Mice, this one is definitely on my To Do List!



Stitch I’m dying to learn: Crocodile Stitch                                                                   Free Pattern  
Saw this purse posted on Craft Passion and thought it would be a great way to learn how to make the oh-so versatile Crocodile Stitch. I’ve seen those scales on shawls, cowls, booties, slippers, scarves, blankets and so much more! Can’t wait to give this one a shot too!



A pattern for those you love!                                                                                         Free Patterns  
One of my all-time favorite patterns has got to be the Circle of Love Afghan by Moogly. It’s a free pattern posted on her blog and it is gorgeous! I originally made it in colors she suggested (reminded me of the school colors for Washington State University), then because I did enjoy working the pattern I followed the original with a Seahawks colored afghan:


Circle of Love Afghan:            http://www.mooglyblog.com/circle-love-afghan/



There you go! Links of January is complete! Please let me know what you think. I’d also love to see if you complete any of the projects posted above!

Remember to visit my Facebook page and let me know you came by to visit!

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