Thursday, April 25, 2013

New Show coming up!!


I'm thrilled that I remembered the deadline for application and that I've been accepted for this Teddies Worldwide show in June. They are always so much fun and truly Worldwide!! You will want to visit and see the work of artists from everywhere!!

Here's a link to the fun: www.teddiesworldwide.com

I'll let you know when the previews will be up for you to see!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Let's make this flower pin cushion!



I've made a few of these so you might see different colors in the photos as we go along!

First, you'll need your favorite flower crochet pattern. I bought the one I used on Etsy here. I used a bigger hook than the pattern called for to have a bigger center and flower.

If you haven't done so, go to Etsy and search for crochet flower patterns and you'll find a ton of them that are just magnificent!

You'll be making two of the flowers - and making them in contrasting yarn seems to look good! Then we'll make two centers for the pin cushiony part!


 As you see, we've changed colors! This cushion is for a Pinki chibi wabbit, and uses the pinks and other pastels to show off her lovely color!

So. Here's what you do! Start with a magic loop (find directions on YouTube if you need them, and make 6 Single crochets into the loop. Tighten it up and increase each round by 6 single crochets until you get the circle to the size you need to be the flower center.



When it's big enough, single crochet all around in the back loop of each single crochet. Make three (or more if you want the cushion deeper) rounds of single crochet. Mark your progress with a stitch marker so you can keep track of the rounds. 




Close up the back of the cushion by decreasing the stitches. Single crochet two stitches together around until the entrance to the cushion is pretty small.


Here's the place to add stuffing if you feel you need it to make your wabbit comfy! Run a bit of the yarn all around and pull so that the circle is closed.


Then, make another round piece to go on the back just like the first one before you started the single crochet in the back loops. This one will be flat and will go on the back.


 Put the puffy one on the front and the flat circle on the back. Use a tapestry needle and sew through all layers with a running stitch around the outside of the circles


If you have questions, please leave a comment! I have lots more photos, but want this to fit all in one posting.
I plan to design a flower pattern which I'll post here for you to use for free. That will be after the Philly show in May, so I hope you'll check back!! Enjoy!!


Yet another color way with centers made from the some yarn as one of the flowers - called Pink Sands.
P. S. I've made a Chibi Panda for the Philly Bear Show and he's told me he wants a cushion too! Hmmm....
what colors for a panda????

Thursday, April 11, 2013

The Wonderful Work of Elanor Andrews!!


Before I ever met the lovely Elanor Andrews in person (and it has been my good fortune to do so on a couple of occasions) I fell in love with her wonderful bears and especially her mousies! I must tell you that I am the proud mom of adorable "Cupcake" pictured above. He has just come across the pond (Elanor lives in the UK) to be with me here in Virginia. Cupcake is not only as sweet as the magnificent little cupcake pincushion (Elanor made that too and selected the pin from a neat Etsy shop)  upon which he sits, but he's oh so tiny too! I believe he's just under three inches tall.
I hope you will visit Elanor's Blog and let her know just how cute this little charmer is!!
Please click here: www.shantockbears.com
I will be thinking of dear Elanor each day as I see this little wonder!! Oh AND she sent a card with cupcake and frosting recipes!! YUM!!! It is such a delight to have a friend like Elanor!!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Yay, Kim!



Kim's Beaker sends his support:  "Yay, Mama!"
I'm thrilled to say that my daughter, Kim, this morning successfully defended her masters thesis. She will soon graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a Masters' Degree in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases!

I have lots more to post and I've promised directions to that sunflower pin cushion. I will get to that soon!!

Well done, Kim!